Davao City News June 2018

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Davao City - Archived News
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The Seal of Davao City
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Davao City Hall
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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Davao City Aerial View
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Entrance to Davao City
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Nat'l Hwy Through Davao City
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Davao City Victoria Mall
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Old Davao City Airport
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Current Davao City Airport
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Mangrove forests are critical for the stability of coastal areas and the sustainability of fish and marine resources which provide food and livelihood to people in more than 800 coastal towns in the Philippines. USAID, through the Philippine Environmental Governance Project, assisted the local government (Davao City) in establishing, through a local ordinance, the mangrove area as a marine protected area.
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USAID, through the Philippine Environmental Governance Project, assisted the local government (Davao City) in establishing, through a local ordinance, the mangrove area as a marine protected area. A crucial part in effective coastal resources management is law enforcement with Bantay Dagat teams playing a crucial role by safeguarding local waters. In Davao City Philippines, Bantay Dagat members protect mangrove areas from illegal cutting, thus conserving areas for fisheries and marine biodiversity habitats.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Davao City to start info drive on new traffic system

By Lilian C. Mellejor (PNA)

DAVAO CITY – City Chief Information Officer Jefry Tupas said the city government will start its information drive on the 20-second rule on the use of the “yellow boxes” next week, targeting public utility vehicles.

This comes as the city government undertakes the upgrade of its traffic signalization system, which focuses on the implementation of the 20-second rule to help regulate the flow of traffic.

With the new traffic system, the City Traffic and Transport Office (CTTMO) said it will enforce more discipline in loading and unloading bays, more known here as “yellow box”.

However, Tupas clarified that PUJs unloading pregnant mothers, persons with disability and senior citizens, will be allowed to stay longer.

Tupas said the info drive will initially start along Pichon Street and C.M. Recto Avenue, two of the busiest sections of downtown Davao. A PHP500 fine will be imposed on drivers violating the rule.

CTTMO said the current upgrading of the city's traffic system has a budget of PHP531 million, sourced from the National Road Board of the Department of Transportation (DoTR).

Of the PHP531, CTTMO will get PHP200 million for the acquisition of busted traffic signalization system and body camera units for the city’s traffic enforcers.

CTTMO chief Dionisio Abude said the upgrading will boost the operation of the traffic Tactical Operations Center.

The city's PHP911 million traffic signalization system was first installed in 2006 and completed in 2010.

Davao hosts 2-day National ICT Summit

By Lilian C. Mellejor (PNA)

DAVAO CITY – The two-day National ICT Summit will open today (Thursday) here at the SMX Convention Center with about 700 participants converging for the event aimed at showcasing various government information and communication technology (ICT) projects.

Organized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Chief Information Officers Forum, Inc (CIOF) and the CIOF Foundation, the ICT summit will showcase the e-Government Master Plan (eGMP), digital cities, cybersecurity, data privacy, consumer protection and digital inclusion.

Delegates will be coming from the government, ICT practitioners, academics, and the private sector.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will open the program.

On the second day, President Rodrigo Duterte will address the summit, which is an annual avenue for information sharing, presentation and discussion of programs, initiatives, policies, innovative paradigms and solutions, and resolution of ICT issues and concerns.

ICT is a growing industry in Davao City providing jobs, especially for fresh graduates. The city is also pushing as a BPO hub in Mindanao. As of January, there are 55 locators in Davao.

Davao City’s ICT Council president, lawyer Samuel Matunog, projected an increase in new locators and expansion of existing BPOs operating in the city.

The IT sector has continued to receive inquiries from investors, Matunog said in an earlier interview, adding that it is targeting 70,000 workers for the next 3 years.

French Film for Dabawenyos on June 21-22

(PR)

FOR the first time in Davao City, the Embassy of France opens its French Film Festival on June 21 and 22 at the Abreeza Mall.

Every year, the French Film Festival offers the Filipino public a selection of contemporary and critically-acclaimed films that offer a glimpse into French society, culture, and language.

“French culture is often perceived as too intellectual, and our films sometimes too philosophical. There is a French way of telling a story, a unique formula – or maybe an absence of formula – that encourages the audience to think, and not just be entertained,” French Ambassador Nicolas Galey explained.

“The films that we will screen during the French Film Festival address themes that concern issues in our everyday life, at home, in relationships with our family, friends, or co-workers, and in society in general,” he added.

For its first edition in Davao City, the French Film Festival presents 8 films: the deeply emotional animated film Louise en Hiver (Louise by the Shore); Une Vie (A Woman’s Life), an adaptation of a novel by acclaimed French author Guy de Maupassant set in the early 1800s; Rock’n Roll, a parody of the film industry starring Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard; the thriller and opening film of the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, Personal Shopper, starring Kirsten Stewart and directed by Olivier Assayas; Polina, a coming-of-age drama on the life of a Russian ballerina; Epouse-moi mon pote (Marry Me, Dude), a comedic story of how an international student tries to remain in France after his visa expires; the psychological, feminist drama Orpheline; and La Prière (The Prayer), which narrates how a former drug addict in his 20s finds salvation and camaraderie through faith.

After Davao City, French Film Festival concludes its 23rd edition in the Philippines with screenings at the Ayala Center Cebu from June 25 to 27.

The 23rd French Film Festival in the Philippines is presented by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Institut Français, UniFrance, the Alliance française de Manille, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Ayala Malls Cinemas, the SSI Group, Inc., Central Square, and with the support of Lacoste, L’Occitane, Diptyque, Peugeot Philippines, Marithé François Girbaud, Pioneer Films, CMB, Paris Délice, Don Papa, Le Cellier, Taters, Chimara, and media partners Expat Newspaper, Art Plus Magazine, and Spot.ph.

For the film line-up and screening schedule, visit www.ph.ambafrance.org or www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyManila. Share your French Film Festival story on social media using the hashtag #FrenchFilmFest23.

For inquiries, contact the Embassy of France to the Philippines at frenchfilmfest@gmail.com or 0966-389-9119.

Tracking system for high-risk kidney patients launched in Davao

By Lilian C. Mellejor (PNA)

DAVAO CITY – The National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) launched over the weekend the country's first tracking system for persons with hypertension and diabetes, who are at risk of developing kidney disease in the village of Dumoy, Talomo District, here.

In partnership with the City Health Office (CHO) and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), Saturday's (June 16) launching was followed by a forum on Renal Health and Disease Prevention for Diabetes and Hypertension patients at the Bastida Elementary School in Dumoy.

Barangay Dumoy was chosen to be the pilot site for the tracking system because it has a high number of persons with hypertension and diabetes visiting health centers run by the city government, said Dr. Theresa Bad-Ang, a nephrologist at the SPMC and the spokesperson of the Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) in Davao.

Bad-Ang said REDCOP is looking at tracking 426 persons with hypertension and diabetes, whose conditions will be monitored every month through medical check-ups and medication. Persons with hypertension and diabetes are considered high-risk cases in developing kidney diseases, she added.

She said the patients' response to medications to prevent them from developing kidney disease and undergo dialysis will be regularly checked by CHO personnel, she said. They were identified during a screening and detection tests on June 11, 13 and 14.

Dr. Susan Jorge, the program manager of the Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP-NKTI), said Davao City has the high number of dialysis patients in the region.

Davao Region also has the third highest number of dialysis patients in the country, tailing Region 3 and the Calabarzon.

In 2015 alone, Jorge said, Davao City has 987 dialysis patients of the 1,182 total number of patients in the region. She said the number is growing by 10 percent every year.

All over the country, Jorge said 44 percent of the 18,000 dialysis patients have secondary diabetes mellitus. Hypertension and diabetes could be hereditary.

Bad-ang said the years from 2000 to 2004, NKTI saw a bigger picture of kidney cases because of foods available.

She said hypertension and diabetes are lifestyle diseases, and emphasized the need for people to watch the food they eat, especially when they are growing old and that they should avoid salty and sugary foods. It is also important to indulge in physical activities and to drink plenty of water.

Jorge hopes that the Davao pilot activity will be replicated across the country.

Int’l Emergency Medical Services confab opens in Davao City

By Joey Sem G. Dalumpines (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

DAVAO CITY, 18 June (PIA) -- A total of 1,000 participants coming from 25 countries in the Asia-Pacific Region are in the first Emergency Medical Service, EMS ASIA 2018 held here from June 18 to 19.

Dr. Benedict Edward Valdez, chair of the EMS Asia Convention and a resident surgeon of the Department of Emergency Medicine of the Southern Philippines Medical Center said this year’s convention focuses on research and the standardization of trainings for all health practitioners in the field of Emergency and Pre-hospital care from the doctors, nurses, researchers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and first responders.

He said the activity is with the corresponding support from the Department of Health XI, City Government of Davao, Davao Central 911 and the Asian Association for Emergency Medical Services, in collaboration with the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine.

“It is a great learning experience as we discuss conducting response in the wilderness, water rescue, and trauma life support,” Valdez said.

He looked forward that this convention would also provide a platform for extensive discussions of moving forward and assist one another in improving outcomes for health emergencies with the leadership of the Asian Association for Emergency Medical Services.

Valdez said the two-day confab covers the latest topics and trends in the practice of emergency care.

He said it includes tracks on disaster and pre-hospital care, telemedicine and pre-hospital care, EMS care for the vulnerable populations, strategies for improving outcomes in out of hospital cardiac arrest, training and research in EMS, and occupational health and quality management in EMS.

Earlier, eight pre-convention workshops happened in June 16 and 17 which included pre-hospital trauma life support, EMS medical directors workshop, Triage and Mass Casualty Management and Incident Command System, out of the hospital cardiac arrest dispatcher training course, pre-hospital evaluation of emergency using point-of-care ultrasound, wilderness first aid and a course on water rescue.

Meantime, Dr. Martin Luna, president of the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine cited the need for an enabling law standardizing the practice of Emergency Medical Service nationwide.

He said a proposed bill has been passed in the lower chamber and the Senate through Senator Sonny Angara calling for the standardization of the EMS practice, nationwide.

SM to launch first condo project in Davao this June

By Digna Banzon

DAVAO CITY--The SM Development Corp. (SMC) will launch this month its residential condominium here, the company's first real estate project in Mindanao.

SM Lanang mall manager Jonathan Nick Santos said Thursday the condominium project will be located next to the premier mall in Lanang, this city.

The project will consist of eight towers, with each tower having 13 floors, for a total of 3,000 units.

“The timing is right to start our first real property project, the Lane Residences,” Santos said.

He said the project will start this month, adding that the construction of the Lane Residences will be the first of several other projects in Davao.

"We are all excited for what is in store within the year," he said, declining to reveal further details of the Lane Residences and other future projects.

Mayor Sara opens P28-M children’s playground, other public facilities

By Lilian Mellejor (PNA)

DAVAO CITY--The city government opened on Thursday more leisure spaces where children and their families could bond together, as well as an improved health center and public restrooms.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio led the formal opening and blessing of two children’s playgrounds in Osmeña Park, and another at the Marfori Botanical Garden.

The city government shelled out a total of PHP18 million (PHP9 million for each park), with each park featuring giant sculptures of animals, such as a giraffe and an elephant, as well as an obstacle tube, slide and swing.

The mayor said the children’s playgrounds are intended to give spaces for children, as well as decongest the two major parks – the People’s Park and Magsaysay Park -- which are both in the urban center.

She also inaugurated the PHP9 million Talomo Central Health Center funded by the Department of Health. Sitting on a government-owned land, the health center is part of the department’s health infrastructure development program.

Duterte-Carpio, together with officials of LandBank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, also inaugurated the Sta. Ana Port public restrooms and assistance counter. The facility is a joint project of the city government, LandBank, and DBP.

DBP Board director, Luis Bonguyan, said the two banks partnered after the city government asked for support in improving the Sta. Ana Port, which is being improved by the city government as a promenade.

Bonguyan said DBP turned over PHP1 million to the city government on Oct. 11 last year for the construction of the restrooms.

The Sta. Ana Port is still under the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) but the city government manages its operations. Bonguyan assured DBP will continue to support the city government in its projects.

NYC opens application for the 12th National Youth Parliament

(NYC)

QUEZON CITY, June 15 -- We want you to be the voice and advocates for the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2017-2022.

The National Youth Commission opens the application for the 12th National Youth Parliament (NYP). As mandated by Republic Act 8044, the NYP is a biennial congress of youth leaders representing a cross section of the Filipino youth population and is convened by the NYC.

This year, the 12th NYP will be held in Davao City on October 21-25, 2018 and will be attended by more than 300 youth and SK leaders representing the different regions of the country. The three-day convention will provide the selected participants with skills on parliamentary procedures, advocacy and policy paper making, resource mobilization to the young parliamentarians, and capacity building for effective advocacy and lobbying. One important component of the 12th NYP is the recognition of outstanding youth parliamentarians who are able to draft innovative policies in advocating youth development.

If you are between 15-30 years of age, a youth leader, and you are up to the challenge of the NYP12, you may submit duly accomplished application forms starting June 13, 2018 by online submission or by courier service.

Deadline for submission of NYP12 application is on July 27, 2018 at 5:00 pm.

For other details and application forms, visit: http://nyc.gov.ph/nyc-opens-application-for-12th-national-youth-parliament/ (NYC)

Davao City buys 3 new vehicles for ‘Kusina ng Bayan’

(Politiko Mindanao)

The Davao City government has purchased three vehicles worth P3.3 million to boost the delivery of food assistance to the communities, particularly during the time of disaster.

The new vehicles will be used by the Barangay Cultural Communities and Affairs Division (BCCAD) of the Office of the City Mayor under the “Kusina ng Bayan” program.

These are in addition to the two other mobile kitchens under the City Social Services and Development Office.

“This will strengthen the Kusina ng Bayan program because previously, we are only renting our vehicles. Now that we have our own vehicles, it will be easier for us to deliver food assistance our communities,” said Jose Ong, BCCAD head.

With the vehicles, Ong said they could now readily respond to as many areas in the event of a disaster.

“It would be of great help, especially during flash-floods or other calamities,” he said.

The Kusina ng Bayan program was launched last year to serve food to calamity victims.

Star-Studded Independence Day rites in Davao City

By Rudolph Ian Alama

DAVAO CITY June 13 (PIA)- At first it was a solemn 120th Independence Day commemoration here, just like the other independence day rites that preceded it.

The traditional flag-raising rites was attended by City Mayor Sara Duterte and Guest-of-Honor Major General Noel Clement, commander of the Philippine Army 10th Infantry Division.

It was followed by the 21-gun salute and the presentation of the wreath at the Rizal Monument.

City Mayor Sara Duterte delivered a short welcome address. “The contribution of Davao City to nation-building is to make this city peaceful and progressive.” Said the Mayor.

During the intermission, independence day ceremony host Romy Torres called on Filipino-American singer Jessica Reynoso who was part of the Voice of the Philippines Season 1. The singer who hails from Laguna and is part of the Black-Eyed Peas new single “Ring The Alarm”, sang her rendition of Alicia Keys “If I Aint Got You” and followed It up with an a capella of “Dahil sa Yo.”

Over 500 enthusiasts bike for peace in Davao

By Funny Pearl Gajunera (PNA)

DAVAO CITY--Over 500 bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts joined the Ride for Peace caravan on Sunday aimed at showcasing the Paquibato district as a safe area.

The bikers and motorists travelled from Panabo City to Malagos using the Paquibato road. The area is known as a hotbed of insurgency in this city.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday said the event is an eye-opener for investors and tourists that the road connectivity in Paquibato District is open to everybody. It was also an opportunity for the Paquibato residents to progress after years of lagging behind in terms of socio-economic development, she added.

“This is a way to show to everybody that Paquibato is now ready for tourists and investors now that we have good road connectivity,” the mayor said.

The mayor thanked the Army's 1003rd Infantry Brigade for highlighting the challenges in Paquibato District, yet an area of so many opportunities.

Col. Ernesto Torres, commander of the 1003rd IB, also thanked all the participants who showed trust and confidence to the military and the city government that they can have a safe ride to Paquibato area.

“Because of what we have done we are able to send a message to the public that Paquibato District area is already ready for peace and development,” Torres said.

He said the Ride for Peace was a historic event as it is the first time that hundreds of people including military officials biked through Paquibato area, showing confidence that the area is safe for the public.

The event followed the launching of the Peace 911 in Paquibato District that laid down socio-economic program and projects to address poverty in the area.

The Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) XI recently held a Serbisyo Caravan in the area.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XI Director Maria Lourdes Lim announced that over P3 billion worth of infrastructure projects are allocated in Paquibato District.

Davao PESO, DOLE-11 gear up for Independence Day job fairs

By Lilian C. Mellejor (PNA)

DAVAO CITY -- The local government and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here are gearing up for the job fairs on Independence Day, June 12, with a total of 14,000 jobs available for local and overseas employment.

DOLE-11 official said a total of 14,079 vacancies are up for grabs for both local and overseas during the Araw ng Kalayaan 2018 Job and Business Fair at the Davao City Recreation Center and the Tagum City New City Hall.

Kriztja Marae Labrador, DOLE-11 communications officer, said a total of 96 participating employers have signed up for the Independence Day job fair, anchored on the theme “Pagbabago Ipaglaban, Alay sa Masaganang Kinabukasan”.

For the Davao City fair, Labrador said 4,946 vacancies are up for local jobs and 5,851 for overseas employment, while Tagum City has 1,282 vacancies for local employment and 2,000 vacancies for overseas employment.

The Davao City government through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will also be participating in the job fair with over 6,000 jobs for both local and overseas assignments.

Of the 6,000 jobs available, PESO chief Lilibeth Pantinople said about 3,518 vacant positions are available for applicants who want to work abroad and 2,537 jobs for local employment.

Pantinople said nurses remain in-demand overseas, with 2,022 vacancies.

Other in-demand jobs overseas are for sales assistants with 340 vacancies, household workers with 333, caregivers with 200, engineers with 155, laborers with 134, beauticians with 109, waiters and waitresses with 100, dental practitioners with 75 vacancies and machine operators with 50 vacancies.

She said the job sites are mostly in the Middle East, Singapore and Australia.

For local employment, Pantinople said there are 745 vacancies for customer service representatives; 600 masons; 300 carpenters; 229 marketing personnel; 207 sales personnel; 150 tile settlers; 118 service crew; 93 accounting staff; 51engineers and 44 administrative services with 44.

DOLE advised applicants to pre-register for the Davao City Kalayaan Job and Business Fair at the second floor of Felcris Centrale along Quimpo Boulevard and at the Tagum City Public Employment Services Office. Pre-registration runs until June 11.

Davao City ready to help other LGUs in modeling their own 911 system

By Yas Ocampo

DAVAO CITY — Officials from Davao City are willing to assist local government units in other areas on the coordination between emergency medicine departments of hospitals and on-scene emergency response teams.

This offer of assistance came after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 56, which mandates the standardization of an emergency response number from several different numbers into a single 911 hotline.

Duterte’s proclamation follows through with a plan to integrate the country’s emergency response systems into one easily identifiable number.

The 911 concept is a national implementation of Davao City’s own 20-year-old model.

The executive order was signed on May 25.

Speaking at today’s Connect Science + Health and Wellness forum at the SM Lanang Premier, Dr. Benedict Edward P. Valdez said he was willing to recommend Davao City’s own model as the template to health emergency response protocols to other local governments.

“If you ask me which model I would use, I would use Davao City’s,” Valdez said.

The doctor added that among his advocacies is the implementation of a well-coordinated hospital transfer system.

This includes instructions from the hospital to the responders, as well as the improved response of teams picking up patients from their locations.

Valdez is the Medical Director for the city’s Central 911 as well as the chair of emergency medicine for the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

However, Valdez said there was a need to educate the public more on the other aspects of the emergency response chain.

While there is a prevailing belief that patients would demand that all government agencies provide immediate aid to patients, especially in emergency cases, Valdez said communities must be empowered to make field decisions at least before emergency response teams arrive on the scene.

Among the important know-hows is the knowledge of CPR as well as the location of pickup points by ambulances.

Valdez said emergency medical service advocates are awaiting the passage of a law that empowers the nationwide EMS protocols.

The Central 911 system, he said, can only do so much, as this was designed to be the coordinator of emergency response.

Emergency response teams from different parts of the world are scheduled to gather this month at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier, as well as other locations such as the Crocodile Park in Maa and Samal Island for different EMS activities.

DTI, DOST looks at Filipinnovation as a tool for economic development

By Jenny Mendoza (DTI11/jenmendoza)

DAVAO CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST} are looking at innovation as a strategic tool to transform and upgrade the industries, generate more jobs and attract more investments in the Philippines.

In line with this vision, DTI, through its Bureau of Trade and Industrial Policy Research (DTI-BTIPR), conducted a public consultation in Davao City recently to present the strategies in implementing the Inclusive Filipinnovation and Entrepreneurship Roadmap. It was conducted in coordination with the regional offices of DTI and DOST here.

In the said activity entitled, “Gearing up the Regions for Industry 4.0 – Regional Validation Workshop,” inputs and recommendations on the newly-adopted industrial policy were gathered.

The said roadmap was initiated last year when DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the two-day Inclusive Innovation Summit 2017 in Makati City.

Breakout sessions composed of the government agencies, industries, and academe were undertaken too during the workshop. Through these, constraints and proposed actions for the innovative ecosystem were identified.

A total of 104 participants from the national government agencies, industry cluster communities, academic institutions, business groups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to business start-ups attended the public consultation and workshop.

Meanwhile, DTI Assistant Secretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Group (IDTPG) Rafaelita M. Aldaba led the presentation of the inclusive, innovation industrial strategy (i3s) framework, as well as the Philippine current state of innovation during the activity.

The i3s is an industrial policy formulated by the DTI-Board of Investments (BOI). It is aimed at growing innovative and globally-competitive manufacturing, agriculture and services sectors while strengthening their linkages into the domestic and global value chains.

Aldaba noted that amidst the economic and global uncertainty, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) still recorded a growth of 6.4 percent from 2010 to 2017.

Furthermore, Philippines placed next to China (6.9 percent) and Vietnam (6.8 percent) at 6.7 percent in 2017. Contributory to this is the manufacturing resurgence which has been leading the country’s growth with an average of 6.6 percent from 2011 to 2016.

In the meantime, the report published by the Global Innovation Index revealed that the Philippines moved 23 notches higher, from 100th in 2014 to 73rd in 2017, out of 127 countries across the world.

This impressive GDP growth made the country as the “Asia’s New Economic Tiger”.

For the government, it was suggested to implement reforms or projects that would improve the ease of access to funding for MSMEs. Further, a creation of an innovation governance body that would converge, coordinate and oversee the innovation initiatives and related activities.

For the industries, it was suggested to establish strong linkages between big companies and small enterprises to improve the support capability and identify domestic supply chains.

Lastly, for the academe, the establishment of facilities in universities wherein students can develop or test their products/outputs before deploying it to the market was recommended.

“Through close coordination among government agencies and effective policy implementation, we could harness the potential of more Filipino innovators and entrepreneurs that will drive the country to a more competitive positioning in the global economic arena and improve the quality of life for all Filipinos,” DTI-Davao Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said.

City eyes support for home-stays

(JPA)

THE City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) looks at the possibility of establishing and supporting home-stay accommodation facilities in Davao City as more tourists are expected to arrive this Kadayawan Festival.

This August, especially this Kadayawan Festival, CTOO said hotels and accommodation facilities in Davao City can accommodate a little more than 200,000 tourists.

CTOO head Generose Tecson said during Kadayawan 2017 there were about 188,000 tourist arrivals based on the hotel and accommodation facilities occupancies. However, just for the month of April 2018, the city was able to accommodate 216,000 tourists. With this, Tecson is confident that the city will also be able to accommodate same number of arrivals this coming Kadayawan.

Aside from the existing hotels, inns, and pension houses that the city already has, Tecson also said they are looking into the possibility of nurturing home-stay and AirBnB accommodation facilities to somehow augment the gap on the accommodation needs of the city.

“For those who would want to use their houses, apartments, or condominium units as AirBnB units, we encourage them to get business permits and to follow proper procedures as we, ourselves, are actually very strict with our hotels here,” said Tecson.

She added ensuring business permits can help CTOO better promote these facilities and this would also be vital to the security of the tourists as well.

Earlier this year, Committee Chair on Tourism and Beautification Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre proposed a separate ordinance for owners of condominium units and houses registered to AirBnB and other self-styled home accommodations to pay proper taxes, secure business permits, and submit to the city’s regulatory laws. The proposed ordinance made it to the second reading.

“We have guidelines in the tourism code about home-stay. They should have their own rooms and other basic amenities that should be there. But we will check [the home-stay aspect]. I think it’s a very big industry,” said Tecson.

Although they are open to the possibility of home-stay accommodations in the city, she said they will also be careful with the implementation. She cited that a popular condominium urban residence in Manila City that ventured into AirBnB currently faces problem and complaints from the regular residents. The residents had been complaining that they can no longer use the amenities like pools because there are many AirBnB tourists using it instead. The condominium’s cleanliness had since been difficult to maintain as well.

“We have to be careful with this. The condos should also look at their respective set of guidelines concerning their residents. They should check if indeed subletting is allowed and okay in their guidelines,” said Tecson.

Japanese hotel eyes branch in Davao

By JENNIE P. ARADO

A JAPANESE hotel is looking into the possibility of putting up a branch in Davao City, an official of the Davao City Investment and Promotions Center (DCIPC).

The company operates 4-star hotels in Osaka and Tokyo.

DCIPC head Lemuel Ortonio said hotel executives visited Davao City last May 24 to signify interest in putting up a branch outside Japan for the first time.

Ortonio said the management of the hotel got in touch with the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Mindanao, which in turn connected them to DCIPC.

During their first visit in the city, the general manager of the hotel wanted to get data on international and domestic tourist arrivals in the city.

Representatives of the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) were present during the meeting and were able to provide what the general manager was looking for. On top of this, they also wanted to know the spending capacity of the Dabawenyos.

“Since this is just their first visit to Davao City, their visit just served as their initial survey of the city,” said Ortonio.

He said Davao City’s rising prominence and good relationship with Japan may have prompted the Japanese hotel to explore the city.

“(If they push through), of course we will have additional hotel facilities especially knowing that it’s a 4-star hotel in Japan. Having this kind of facility with this star rating in the city will help us improve our tourism facilities that we can provide our visitors,” he said.

Davao Food Terminal to open during Kadayawan

By JENNIE P. ARADO

SMALL-SCALE fruit and vegetable farmers will be given more opportunities to sell their harvests as the Davao Food Terminal is targeted to open and start operations during the Kadayawan Festival.

With the help of the Federation of Farmers Cooperative in Davao City (FFCDC), the Davao Food Terminal in Toril, Davao City may serve as “bagsakan” of small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers for their bulk of harvests which FFCDC will connect with potential buyers all over the city.

The fruit and vegetable farmers who will bring their harvests to the Food Terminal are ideally members of FFCDC. City Agriculture’s Office (CAO) head Leo Brian Leuterio said there are currently 50 individual and farmer associations under FFCDC.

“The farmers will not really display their products here. This is a ‘bagsakan’ area. They just bring it there. So since we have the cooperative, they will buy the products at a much better price than gate price. So they wouldn’t need to display their products. Once they arrive there with their harvests, the cooperative will buy it,” said Leuterio.

As the Davao Food Terminal will be a venue for wholesale purchase of agricultural products, there will be a minimum purchase requirement of three kilograms per product.

Leuterio said they are just now finalizing finishing touches in the building before it can be opened to the public such as documents that will issue turn-over of the building as well as the landscaping details of the yard.

The Davao Food Terminal has a proposed total budget of P1.086 billion. This amount has been endorsed by the National Economic and Development Authority – Investment Coordination Committee (Neda-ICC) last March to the Neda board for final approval.

“The Davao Food Complex will help improve the importing and exporting of agro-business products in Mindanao, particularly the Davao Region. The project will focus on the development, marketing, management, and lease of a 20-hectare government-owned land in Toril, Davao City,” Neda said in an earlier statement.

13 centenarians in Davao Region receive 100K cash gift

By Lilian Mellejor (with Carmela Duron/PNA)

DAVAO CITY--The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has awarded Php 100,000 cash gift to each of 13 centenarians in Davao region with ages ranging from 100 to 105 years.

“Our personnel had to go house-to-house in remotest villages to save the older persons from long and bumpy rides and to ensure that the eligible recipient receives the cash award and signs or thumb marks the payroll following the simple turnover,” DSWD-11 Director Mercedita Jabagat said on Monday.

According to Jabagat, some local government units opted to conduct the awarding as a special municipal ceremony in the presence of the mayor, other local officials and the centenarians’ family members.

“We target at least 40 centenarians for 2018.

Earlier, validation of centenarians was conducted by DSWD staff to verify the documents submitted such as birth certificate or Philippine passport, senior citizen identification card or any other Philippine government-issued ID which shows age and citizenship,” Jabagat said.

Other alternative and acceptable documents to prove the claim include a marriage certificate, old school documents, baptismal or confirmation records, birth certificate of children, or an affidavit executed by at least two (2) disinterested persons at least 80 years old with personal knowledge of the centenarian’s actual age or birth date.

DSWD focal for older persons Arris Medrano said, “Most of the centenarians can still move around and some even eagerly responded to queries from DSWD personnel.

Nanay Segundina, who is 101 years old, even sang and danced to express her happiness over the unexpected “gift”.

Most were shocked and teary-eyed but all, including their children and grandchildren, were grateful to God and to the government.

Republic Act 10868 or An Act Honoring and Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Filipino Centenarians, and for Other Purposes also known as the Centenarians Act of 2016, grants all Filipinos who reach the age of 100, whether residing in the country or abroad, a cash award of Php 100,000 as a “centenarian gift.”

Aside from the cash, they will also receive a Letter of Felicitation signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and a posthumous Plaque of Recognition for deceased centenarians who died upon the effectivity of the Act.

Centenarians are also entitled to awards and incentives from their respective city or municipality, to be determined by the local government unit.

President Duterte signed the Act into law in 2016.

OWWA releases P7-M in livelihood assistance to OFWs

By Lilian C. Mellejor (PNA)

DAVAO CITY – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has released PHP7.58 million in livelihood assistance to its member-migrant workers under the “Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay” program during the first three months of the year.

OWWA Davao region Director Petrona Bergado said the money was released to 379 overseas migrant workers out of the 600 applications that OWWA received from those who have returned from overseas across the globe. Each applicant received PHP20,000 in cash assistance for livelihood projects mostly in agriculture production.

There are still 87 applications on a process, said Bergado during Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex. She added that OWWA is assisting with small livelihood projects for OWWA members.

OWWA has allocated PHP12 million for livelihood assistance, on top of the welfare assistance, medical and calamity aid that OWWA members could avail.

A loan facillity is also available for overseas workers who want to engage in business enterprise and scholarship programs – the OFW Dependent Scholarship, the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship and the Sills-for-Employment Scholarship.

The loan program is a partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines and LandBank which offer lower interest rates compared to commercial banking offers. OWWA's role is to provide training on business enterprise under this partnership.

OWWA has recorded 10 million overseas workers, with the Davao region numbering to 201,000 active and inactive members.

For non-members or undocumented Filipinos migrant workers, Bergado said assistance is provided by the National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers.

“OWWA is a membership agency,” she responded when asked the kind of assistance for undocumented overseas migrant workers.

Meanwhile, OWWA is all set for the 23rd Migrant Workers Day on June 9 that will be held at the New City Hall Atrium in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. The event is expected to draw 1,000 active and inactive OFWs who are either members of the OFW Family Circles or permanently returned migrant workers.

Bergado said various activities will be held to honor and empower OFWs. A trade fair will highlight the event and this will also serve as the venue for OFWs to sell their various product lines.

The Migrant Workers day is celebrated pursuant to the Republic Act 8042 or the Magna Carta for OFWs approved in 1995.

Davao City gives school kits to 5,000 children

(Politiko Mindanao)

The city government of Davao has distributed school supplies to 5,000 children in time for the opening of classes on June 4.

Lawyer Raul Nadela Jr., Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s chief of staff, said this was the second year that the city government provided school kits to those who are in need.

Duterte-Carpio received letters from the parents asking help for the school supplies of their children, he said.

“It does not matter if the children are studying in private schools, as long as the parents will fall in line for the school supplies, we will give them the kits,” Nadela said.

The kits consist of six notebooks, pencils, sharpener, crayons and papers.

Davao City provides free HPV vaccine to women

(Politico Mindanao)

The Davao City Health Office (CHO) started Friday the five-day free vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) for women to bolster its campaign against cervical cancer.

CHO chief Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said her office has 10,000 vaccines available for those who are qualified to receive the HPV vaccine.

Those qualified are girls aged nine to 13 and women up to 45 years old.

The month of May has been designated as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the Philippines. The campaign is backed by Proclamation No. 368, which was signed in 2003.

Villafuerte said the city government did not allocate any budget for the HPV vaccines since the Department of Health (DOH) provided them.

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. It is the second leading cause of death among women in the Philippines, next only to breast cancer.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), 12 Filipino women die from cervical cancer every day, even if it is a preventable disease, through screening and vaccination.

The WHO reported that 99 percent of cervical cancer cases, which is the most common reproductive tract viral infection, are linked to genital infection with HPV. HPV infections are transmitted through sexual contact and also through skin-to-skin contact.

Women can protect themselves from cervical cancer through sexual abstinence, monogamy, regular screening and vaccination.

Persistent genital HPV infections can cause cervical cancer in women.

DOLE to hold job, business fairs on June 12

By Ferdinand Patinio (PNA)

MANILA -- Employment opportunities will be available for jobseekers in 19 Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) job and business fairs in 14 regions across the country on June 12, Independence Day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced Friday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III urged the public, especially those seeking employment here and abroad, to visit any of the job and business fairs in various local government units (LGUs) to facilitate their search for employment.

He also reminded the people to be ready with the following application requirements: resume or curriculum vitae (bring extra copies for multiple job applications); 2x2 ID pictures; certificate of employment for those formerly employed; diploma and/or transcript of records; and authenticated birth certificate.

The 2018 Independence Day job and business fairs will run in the following venues:

• National Capital Region (NCR) – Senior Citizen’s Garden, Rizal Park, Manila
• Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) – Porta Vaga Mall Veranda, Baguio City
• Region 1 – Nepo Mall, Dagupan City; Candon Civic Center, Candon City, Ilocos Sur; Pacoy Ortega Gymnasium, San Fernando City, La Union
• Region 2 – Tuguegarao People’s Gym, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• Region 3 – Metro Town Mall, Tarlac City
• Region 4A – Freedom Park, Kaingen, Kawit, Cavite; Sunstar Mall, Sta. Cruz, Laguna
• Region 5 – Ayala Mall, Legazpi City
• Region 6 – 888 China Town Square, Bacolod City
• Region 7 – Negros Oriental Convention Center; Cebu City Sports Complex
• Region 8 – Provincial Covered Court, Catbalogan City
• Region 9 – KCC Mall de Zamboanga, Gov. Camins Ave. Zamboanga City; Zamboanga del Norte Cultural Convention and Sports Center, Gen. Luna St., Dipolog City
• Region 10 – Iligan City
• Region 11 – Davao City Recreation Center (Almendras Gym)
• Region 12 – KCC Mall Convention Center, General Santos City

The TNK, an initiative of DOLE and the Department of Trade and Industry, will be held in commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence on June 12.

The one-day event aims to bring employment opportunities and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.

The 2018 Independence Day will be observed with the theme, "Kalayaan 2018 Pagbabagong Ipinaglaban, Alay sa Masaganang Kinabukasan".

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