Davao City News November 2015

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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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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.

Asia CEO Forum in Davao on Tuesday

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

SOME 60 company owners, top government officials and executives from various business organizations in Mindanao. are set to convene in Davao City for the Asia CEO Forum slated at the Marco Polo Hotel Tuesday, December 1.

The city will be hosting the event for the first time.

Touted as the largest gathering of business executives in the country and a vital business-related event in the Asia Pacific region, the forum is aimed at promoting Philippines, Davao City in particular, "as a premier business destination to global decision makers."

The forum is organized by Asia CEO in partnership with Marco Polo Hotel-Davao.

"The event will essentially bring Mindanao’s key business leaders in one forum and allow them to hear the insights of the guest speakers as to how we can progressively move forward as a city,” Marco Polo Davao marketing and communications manager Josef T. Ledesma said in an interview with Sun.Star Davao.

Asia CEO website bared that the forum “functions as an activist to promote the activities of local and multinational organizations across Southeast Asia."

The event will bring in presenters, who are leaders in their industries and engaged in pursuits of significance to the entire region.

Resi Cayabyab, site director of Ibex Global, one of the largest Business Processing Management (BPM) locators in Davao, will discuss the industry’s opportunity for growth and employment in the region.

Real Estate industry will also take center-stage as head of research, consulting and valuation of JLL Philippines, Claro Cordero will also do his share as he tackles the growth of the key real estate sector in Davao and south of the Philippines.

Jun Palafox, principal architect and urban planner Palafox Associates, will share about nation’s best known architecture and urban planning firm.

Jesus Melchor Quitain, city administrator, will also be presenting Davao City as a viable investment hub in Mindanao.

Asia CEO Forum is staged annually in the country, this year, for the first time Davao City will be hosting the event furthering its bid of being as a premier business destination in the country.

Career fair set in Davao

(ASP)

IN a bid to further provide better jobs in the country, Jollibee Foods Corp. is set to stage a career fair in Davao City, dubbed as "#BeelongInJollibee Career Fair" slated on December 9 at the NCCC Mall of Davao Activity Center.

With over 50 managerial and crew job vacancies in the city, the company intends to level up the career paths of jobseekers and potential professionals of any age in thuis part of the country.

"This is actually the first time Jollibee is mounting its own career fair to introduce what we can offer as a potential employer and, at the same time, attract prospective candidates for our various vacancies. It also gives us an opportunity to better understand the needs and preferences of jobseekers in different parts of the country," human resource manager for talent management M'Lai Villagracia said in an online interview.

She added that the company plans to run the event in key cities in Visayas and Mindanao first, and eventually bring it to Metro Manila and other key areas in Luzon next year.

"We hope to find candidates that can address the over 50 vacant positions that we have in Davao," she said.

The fair is open to all jobseekers willing to be part of the leading Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) in Asia.

Organizers are expecting some 200 applicants to participate in the event.

"We provide continuous career development programs and competitive compensation and benefits," Villagracia said.

She also assured that Jollibee employees would enjoy working for the company and feel a strong sense of belongingness by providing a work environment that enables them to discover their full potential not merely as career professionals, but as people.

More than just a mere career fair, #BeelongInJollibee will also feature the company's programs and contribution in the food service industry. Jollibee is an iconic Filipino brand with presence in other countries.

"We invite everyone to visit our Career Fair on December 9 at NCCC Mall of Davao, whether you are interested in working for Jollibee or even just curious to learn about our company and the food service industry," Villagracia said.

After the #BeelongInJollibee in Davao, the company will also stage the same event in Cebu City (December 18) and Cagayan De Oro City (December 21).

City urged to sign IRR of Children's Code

By Christine Joice C. Cudis

DAVAO-based non-government organizations have called for the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Children's Welfare Code which was submitted to the city council in 2006.

"Davao is vying for a grand slam as the Most Child-Friendly City in the country and yet the IRR of the children's code has not been signed by the City Legal Office," Joeffel Carreon of the ACT for Children Alliance said during the I-Speak Forum on Thursday,

The Davao City Children's Welfare Code is a landmark legislation that institutionalizes policy and program responses to many child rights challenges.

A review of the code was proposed in 2006 which resulted to a change of its name. It is now the "Comprehensive Children and Family Support System in Davao City".

According to Talikala executive director Jeanette Ampog, the signing of its IRR will allow more children to access health services.

"This will strengthen the mark Davao City has been striving to mold an image of a platform that is pro-children," she said.

ACT for Children has continued the call for the support of the city government to ensure that the IRR is signed as early as possible.

"The Children's Month is commemorated every November. Thus, it will be a timely yet significant gesture of respect to finally sign the IRR of the code," Carreon said.

DTI training held to understand halal

(ASP)

THE regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiated a training and seminar under the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Roving Academy (Smera) in Davao City in a bid to help SMEs have a deeper understanding about the halal industry and its bright prospects.

Dubbed as “Understanding the Different Aspects of Halal” slated on Friday at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, Magallanes St., Davao City, some 70 SMEs industry players in the food processing sector with the DTI’s trade promotion officers and processed fruits and nuts point persons actively participates in the event.

“Actually, the food processors themselves requested this kind of training. It only proves how they really wanted to tap and seize the opportunities in the Halal industry,” said DTI Davao director Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi.

The seminar focused on the Halal’s global market opportunities and challenges, value chain, business opportunities, Halal’s historical perspectives, Halal in the Asean economic community and the steps on how to secure Halal certification.

“This is a positive indicator because the SMEs wanted to involve themselves with the prospects and opportunities of the Halal industry, they are interested on how to make their businesses a Halal certified establishment,” Ambi said.

Ambi also said that the Halal industry is very lucrative and has a big market which the country needs to take advantage especially with the Asean integration.

Meanwhile, stakeholders working for the promotion and development of halal industry are pushing for every Halal certifier in the country to be accredited abroad to expand the industry's global reach.

Romeo Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) director for Investment Promotions, Foreign Relations and Public Affairs said in an earlier report that accrediting the country's Halal certifiers with the international market is one of the major actions pushed by stakeholders.

“We only have a few who are accredited from abroad. The more certifiers being accredited abroad is better for us, because if one is accredited abroad it can penetrate the market where bigger demand for Halal is,” he said.

He cited Islamic Da'Wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP) as a perfect example. IDCP is accredited and recognized in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and all other Arab countries.

Montenegro also said that coordination of the various agencies that are working for Halal development must continue to improve with more effective mechanism and policy for Halal promotion and development.

Asean countries with established Halal industry are Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, among others.

Mindanao social work students gather on social protection forum

(PNA), LAP/LCM/CARMELA C. DURON/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 26 (PNA) -- Social work students from 18 schools in Mindanao participated in the forum on social protection programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held at the Ateneo De Davao University on Thursday, November 26.

The one-day forum is organized by the National Association of Social Workers Incorporated (NASWEI) in partnership with the regional office of DSWD.

DSWD-11 Regional Director Priscilla N. Razon said the main topics are Pantawid Pamilya, Kalahi-CIDSS and Sustainable Livelihood programs. Other DSWD initiatives for discussion include the Listahanan National Assessment, Convergence Strategy, and the Social Welfare and Development Indicators.

Further, best practices on social protection as implemented by DSWD program beneficiaries and partners shared by Romelyn Barrios-Magallanes, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental; Vanessa Ilustre-Diez, Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer-turned KALAHI-CIDSS Community Empowerment Facilitator of Baganga, Davao Oriental; and Gee Phannie Coscos, Pantawid Pamilya Scholar of Malita, Davao Occidental.

Razon said social protection is defined as policies and programs that seek to reduce poverty and vulnerability to risks and enhance the social status and rights of the marginalized by promoting and protecting livelihood and employment, protecting against hazards and sudden loss of income, and improving people’s capacity to manage risks. It has four components – social welfare, social safety nets, labor market interventions and social insurance, she said.

Moreover, social protection operational framework includes: 1) protect and prevent people from falling from their current income/consumption level due to various risk factors; 2) build capacity and adaptability to ensure that better quality of life is maintained and sustained; 3) expand opportunities for income expansion and improve human capital investments in the long term; and 4) sustain standard of living in spite of exposure to risks of different types, Razon added.

DA XI outlines support to Davao irrigators

(PNA), RMA/LCM/CHERRY MAE D. PALICTE/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 25 (PNA) - The Department of Agriculture (DA) here is intensifying its support to Irrigators Association (IA) in Davao Region in achieving rice sufficiency for the coming years by providing production support and other appropriate assistance.

Speaking during the IA Congress on Monday, regional director Remelyn R. Recoter assured the members of the Irrigators Association (IA) its continuing programs that can boost and help the rice farming community.

She said that the agriculture sector strengthened its support to rice farming by responding to the challenges on climate change.

With the threat of El Niño phenomenon, Recoter said, “environment and soil stresses are the main concern of our farmers. With that, the agri sector will support you by providing drought and saline tolerant varieties for the fields affected by El Niño.”

Recoter also added that DA XI would continue its support on mechanization through farm providers program.

“DA will also support the expansion of planting areas of farmer-cooperators, in coordination with their respective provincial or municipal agriculturists,” she said.Meanwhile, Recoter also urged youth to consider a career in agriculture to reverse the country’s aging farmer population and ensure the sustained growth of this critical sector.

“We are hopeful our younger generation to pursue on the agriculture sector. They are not only becoming a producer but they could also be a best entrepreneur in the farming industry,” she said.

She added that the country had the problem of an aging farmer sector population in which the average age is 57.

“Let us encourage our youth to join the DA programs like capability enhancement trainings for them to understand and somehow get encouraged in embracing the farming world,” she said.

PH shipping firm eyed to serve Davao-Gensan-Bitung sea route

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

A PHILIPPINE-based shipping company has already secured a special permit to operate within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) sub-economic region, an official of the Mindanao Development Authority said.

Romeo Montenegro, Minda director of investment promotions and public affairs, told reporters Monday at the sidelines of Energy Conservation Program (Enercon) at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites that they are looking into the possibility if Platinum Shipping Lines' BIMP-Eaga special permit can be utilized for the shipping company to serve the Davao-General Santos-Bitung sea route.

"We just learned that Platinum Shipping, which applied for the Davao-Gensan-Bitung service route, was previously issued a BIMP-Eaga special permit in Zamboanga, so we are checking now if whether that special permit can already be used also for the route," he said.

But he expressed optimism the company can serve the route as the permit covers the BIMP-Eaga.

Once determined that the permit which was previously issued is viable for Davao-Gensan-Bitung sea route, the Philippine-based vessel can start its operations.

Platinum Shipping is a Cagayan de Oro City-based shipping company.

The idea of a Philippine-based vessel to serve the sea route was pushed after delays in the operations is noted when regulatory framework problem was faced by the originally-planned Indonesian vessel.

It was also said that the Philippine vessel will best served the route because they see no problem in acquiring regulatory requirements with the Philippines, than in Indonesia.

In a report, some problems in acquiring regulatory requirements is the International Maritime Organization certificate along with the other safety permits that will allow it for international voyage.

The trade sea route was established through an agreement sealed in April of last year by PT Kanaka, North Minahasa Chamber of Commerce of Indonesia, Philippine-based cargo company ARREE Freight Express, and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII).

The sea route was supposed to begin last June 13 with the departure of MV Beverly of Indonesian-based shipping line PT Kanaka from Bitung. It was supposed to dock in General Santos City on June 14, en-route to Davao City on June 16.

However, some changes of plan were noted late last year, as PT Kanaka Lines’ MV Beverly, a shipping vessel with a capacity of 120 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were planned to be replaced by a roll-on, roll-off (roro)vessel, a chassis roro (Charo) in particular, by a new Indonesian vessel company.

The trade sea route is part of the Philippine and Indonesian government and private sectors’ efforts especially with the Asean integration.

Montenegro also pointed out that when the operations of the sea route will start, it will be initially served by cargo vessels and eventually be served by vessel with a passenger service.

DTI-Davao City holds free marketing seminar

(DTI-DCFO/IMU/JMM)

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 23 – Entrepreneurs who are new in the business can take advantage of the free seminar that the Department of Trade and Industry-Davao City Field Office (DTI-DCFO) will conduct on November 27, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The one-day seminar, which will be held at DTI Conference Room, 2/F Mintrade Building, Monteverde-Sales Streets, Davao City, will focus on “Determining Your Market”

DTI-DCFO Director Engr. Edwin O. Banquerigo said that in business, one of the first things that entrepreneurs should understand and plan is to decide which segment of the population they should target.

“It is wrong to think that the product is for everyone or assume that people in the local market will want it,” he pointed out.

“This training aims to help business owners understand about the target market and see the relationship between knowing the target market and designing a marketing strategy.”

He added that topics that provide the framework for analyzing the product, customers, competitors, marketing tools will be discussed.

“DTI’s trainings are conducted through the Department’s Small and Medium Enterprise Roving Academy (SMERA) Program, which a continuous learning program to equip MSMEs with knowledge, skills and capabilities to become competitive in the domestic and global markets,” he further narrated.

Aspiring entrepreneurs and students are targeted as beneficiaries/participants SMERA to encourage more citizens to embrace entrepreneurship and help in nation-building.

“This is DTI’s contribution in addressing the call of the administration for inclusive growth and poverty by providing opportunities for learning to various sectors like women, farmers, youth, indigenous people, Muslims, PWDs, among others,” he said.

As of November this year, DTI-DCFO has conducted 56 trainings which benefitted 1,483 participants from Davao City.

Interested participants may call up Ivy M. Uy at (082) 224-0511 local 205.

Ayala Business Club focuses on soldiers' children

(ASP)

CHRISTMAS season is on, time to find again the truest meaning for this holiday seasons!

In light for making this yuletide season even more thoughtful and meaningful, the Ayala Business Club of Davao (ABCD) with the Hero Foundation Inc. launched its "Adopt-an-Angel" project, which intends to give hope to the little angels of the country's soldiers.

ABCD is a Davao-based family of companies under the Ayala Group. This project came to life for the benefit of the Hero foundation which provides educational assistance in the form of stipends to children and dependents of Filipino soldiers who risked their lives in the line of their duty.

"The project aims to help these children obtain a college degree, or a certificate in a vocational course, in order to give them a competitive chance in finding good and decent jobs or profession," Kennedy Kapulong, ABCD new president, said last Friday during club's induction ceremony of its new set of officers at the Seda Abreeza Hotel.

The "little angels of hope" lanterns can be purchased at P1,850 per piece from November to January of next year.

For queries and reservations, you may bcal (082) 322 8888 or email dvo@sedahotels.com

"Purchase these little angels of hope and make a brighter future for our soldiers' children. This will in return provide them better opportunity to help their families and become productive members of our society," Kapulong said.

Meanwhile, another set of new officers were inducted last Friday to continue the mission and vision of the group for its partners and the community. The club elected Kapulong as new president, Rodante Rodriguez of Makati Development Corporation (MDC) as internal vice-president, Janice Parreno of Abreeza Mall as external vice-president, Koche Ang of Globe Telecom as secretary, Mirasol Tan of BPI-Abreeza as treasurer, Sheryl Mae Gutierrez of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Lanang as auditor and Arnold Mendiola (BPI MS Insurance) and Mabel Enriquez (BPI Family Savings Bank) as Public information officers (PIOs).

ABCD former president, Luigi C. Escano, in his speech, presented the group's accomplishments during his term. These are, Davao Gulf SOS project, ABCD Employees Fun Games and Lifestyle, participation in the Treevolution: Greening Mindanow, and Adopt an Estero project, among others.

Among the companies under the ABCD includes the Abreeza Mall, Ayala Land, Avida Land, Alveo Land, BPI, BPI Family Savings Bank, BPI MS Insurance, BPI-Philam Life Insurance, ., Globe Telecom, MDC and Seda Abreeza Hotel.

This year, Ayala Corporation celebrates its 181st year in the business.

The first Christmas tree lights up

By Jinggoy I. Salvador

DECKED in holiday classic tones of green, gold and red, Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Christmas tree was the first to light to welcome the Holiday Season in its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, a tradition celebrated by all Davao City hotels.

Neil Rumbaoa, Vice President for Marketing and the children from the House of Hope, a shelter for children with Cancer, were the guests of honor with the clients and guests of the hotel, friends in the industry and affiliates within the SM group of companies graced the ceremony. The Himig Singers serenaded the affair with Christmas carols.

General Manager Pavan Kakar was grateful for all those who came and celebrated the hotel’s joyous tradition of welcoming the holiday season, “We share with you our heartfelt gratitude for your support. This is also a chance for us to get together and welcome the brightest and most celebrated time of the year. We’re delighted to have you all with us tonight.”

While the Christmas Tree will be the hotel’s main attraction for the entire Season of Giving, a special exhibition in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), unveiled earlier in the day, will be seen at Park Inn’s lobby.


DTI to set up more negosyo centers in Davao Region

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

IN SUPPORT of budding micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region is set to establish around 10 to 12 more negosyo centers by next year, an official said.

The establishment of negosyo centers is one of the landmark programs of DTI providing assistance and facilitation to SMEs in terms of business registration, trainings, consultations, and information packages, Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, DTI regional director, said.

Ambi said that they are still in the process of identifying potential locations for the centers in the region.

“We are still identifying the locations of these planned 10 to 12 centers because we want to make sure that it is strategically located. The location should be viable and most probably we will choose those places where there are more numbers of MSMEs,” she said adding that they are working closely with the agency’s provincial officers as they know more about the location.

Davao Region has a total of six centers established this year, two for Davao Oriental (Mati and Cateel) and one each for Davao City, Davao del Sur (Digos), Davao del Norte (Tagum), and Compostela Valley (Nabunturan).

On top of the planned 10 to 12 centers to be put up, two centers are already in the pipeline and will be established within the year or early next year – one each in Samal and Malita, Davao Occidental.

DTI has allocated some P12-million budget for the negosyo centers.

“The budget will be poured in the operations for the existing six and for the establishment of the additional ten to twelve centers,” Ambi said.

She added that only some P1.5 million will be allocated for the capital outlay or funding for fixed assets, equipment needed, hardware which are mostly required.

“Our challenge is only small amount is allocated for the capital outlay, most of the budget are devoted to the maintenance, operations and wage for the center’s staffs,” said Ambi.

For Davao City, the first negosyo center was launched last July in Davao City Investment and Promotions Center (DCIPC) office in Magsaysay Park Complex.

It costs P800,000 and has a total area of 110-square-meter floor area.

The agency allocated some P4.7 million this year for the establishment and operations of centers.

The establishment of the negosyo center is pursuant to Executive Order 12, series of 2015, or An Order on the Establishment and Management of a Negosyo Center in Davao City signed by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on May 3.

This is in support also to Republic Act 10644, or An Act Promoting Job Generation and Inclusive Growth through the Development of the MSMEs or the Go Negosyo Act, authored by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV.

"It is vital to support our MSMEs because these are the best contributor to job generation and inclusive growth," Senator Bam Aquino said earlier adding that estimated 99 percent of the country's business sector is composed of MSMEs. The program aims to establish a total of 1,600 centers nationwide within four to six years.

Startup weekend opens in Davao

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

IN A bid to empower local startup business scene, a technology group stages anew the the three-day Startup Weekend Davao (SWD) 2015, which opens today and runs until November 22 at the PLDT-Smart Business Center in Davao City.

Angel Abella, vice president of Startup Davao, told Sun.Star Davao in an interview that in its fourth year, the 54-hour event will gather some 100 local technopreneurs, developers, designers and business professionals to tackle local problems through the use of technology.

"The SWD 2015 is aimed at creating ideas, execute it and be a game changer startup. It will highlight the role of startups in boosting the Philippine economy,” she said.

“Startups can help solve problems such as social inequality, financial literacy and healthcare provisions. The Philippine startup ecosystem is still in its infancy," she added.

The Philippine Roadmap for Digital Startups said that by 2020, the objective is to achieve at least 500 Philippine startups with a cumulative valuation of $2 billion.

In a primer released by Startup Davao, as of 2015, the industry estimated "around 100 startups with $40 million in funding, 250 founders and 1,700 highly-skilled jobs created."

Dulce Rose Lada, SWD global facilitator and TechTalks.ph COO, for her part, said that for the past Startup Weekends, it had given participants' inputs and industry overview, both local and global especially insights Filipino businesses need to compete in the global scale.

"Most especially, the event encouraged participants to build their own startups and, from there, build a synergetic community of startup movers and shakers," Lada said.

The winning ideas from local SW events will then be joining the Global Startup Battle (GSB). The top three teams in each city will compete in two regional rounds. Two regional winners from six regions will then face off against other teams to become the GSB Champ.

Winning teams move into an online video pitch competition for a chance to win prizes designed to help their startup idea succeed.

“Also for this year, government offices had an involvement of the three-day event, it is a sign of the strong private-public partnership,” Abella said.

The panel of judges are Joey Limjap, Vice President & Head of ICT Research and Development of PLDT, Ernie Tomas Jr., Chief of the Investment Promotions Division of the Mindanao Development Authority, Eric Clark Su, CEO and Co-founder at Lifebit, John Naranjo, CEO & Founder at Ingenuity, Rica Villanueva-Gadi, Managing Director at New Options Worldwide Outsourcing Services.

Mentors for the event are: Timmy de Jesus, Country Manager for the Philippines at JFDI. Asia-Joyful Frog Digital Incubator, Eddie Ybañez, CEO and Co-Founder at MiCab, Gilmar Padua, CEO at Infinityhub.com, Eliza Kirsten, President, Creative Director & Owner of Illumedia; GlorypearlDy, CEO & Founder at SwitoTwins, Inc., Marvin Te, Creative Director at Plainly Simple Studios, Franch Maverick Arellano Lorilla, COO and Co-Founder, Heat Stress Analyzer by CloudFarmm, and Jan Rey Altivo, CEO and Co-Founder, Heat Stress Analyzer by CloudFarm.

In its website, it was posted that Startup Weekend is a “global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs and considered as the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 1800 past events in 120 countries around the world in 2014.”

DSWD 11 all-out support to Serbisyo Caravan nets P68-M

By Carmela C. Duron [(PNA), CTB/LCM/CCD/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 18 (PNA) --The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has reported a net amount of Php 68 million-worth of services and programs as its gesture of full support to the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) Region 11 Serbisyo Caravan for the past six years.

Among the Department’s programs are Sustainable Livelihood, Pantawid Pamilya, Kalahi-CIDSS, Social Pension and Supplementary Feeding, DSWD Regional Director Prisclla Razon said.

Being one of the prime movers of ARENA XI, DSWD has extensively provided vital programs and services to the various communities where Serbisyo Caravan has been.

Organized and spearheaded by ARENA XI or Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region XI, the Serbisyo Caravan delivers frontline government services in depressed communities in South Eastern Mindanao.

Composed of heads and assistant heads of over 50 regional offices of national government agencies based in Davao City, ARENA XI likewise spearheads the inter-agency quarterly flag raising ceremony at People’s Park, conduct of quarterly lecture series, and annual sports festival.

”During the two-day caravan, we always ensured that children enrolled in day care centers in the community are provided with nutritious hot meals. Together with barangay health workers, DSWD workers facilitate the on-site feeding and nutrition-education to both children and parents,” Razon said.

Also, groundbreaking rites for Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects were conducted as well as payout of Cash For Work and subsidy to grantees of Pantawid Pamilya both for regular and MCCT-IP, she added.

In the latest two caravans in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte and Compostela town, Compostela Valley, implemented sub-projects under Kalahi-CIDSS include corn sheller, solar dryer, drainage line canal, low-cost solar LED home lighting system, tire path, community activity center, double-barrel box culvert, 3-classroom high school building, 2-classroom elementary school building, potable water system, and a multi-purpose building.

Meanwhile, Razon said livelihood trainings on Cultural Bead-Accessory Production, Indigenous Basket Production, Native Goat Dispersal, Organic Ginger Production, Cultural Management on Sustainable Vegetable Production, and Organic-Based Lowland/Upland Vegetable Production were launched during the caravan in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte.

Further, DSWD workers set up several stations for the most awaited distribution of family food packs to disadvantaged families. To date, DSWD has allotted 21,000 family food packs.

DSWD also handed over assorted educational supplies, raincoats and school bags, and more than 100 assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, quad canes and walkers to persons with disability.

In a span of six years, Razon said Serbisyo Caravan has reached out to as far as the municipalities of Boston, Cateel, Governor Generoso and Mati City in Davao Oriental; Don Marcelino and Sarangani in Davao Occidental; Digos City and Sta. Cruz in Davao Del Sur; Kapalong and Talaingod in Davao del Norte; Paquibato District in Davao City; and Maco, Nabunturan and Compostela in Compostela Valley province.

On its 16th leg, she said the Serbisyo Caravan has leveled up and became a whole nation initiative dubbed National Serbisyo Caravan with participation of the Cabinet Cluster for Peace Security and Justice led by Undersecretary Emmanuel Bautista. And no less than DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman headed the turnover of programs and services in Barangay Sto. Niňo, Talaingod, Davao Del Norte last June.

Member agencies of ARENA XI will continue to converge, convoy and convey their premium services for as long as there are people who are determined on improving their lives by rigorously participating in government initiatives.

Davao's position as smart city gets boost

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

IBM Philippines has urged the Davao City Government to venture to a new system that is cognitive to further boost its position as a smart city and to be ahead from among other big cities globally.

"I am hopeful that local government units, such as Davao City, will also show interest in the transformative value of cognitive system. This new system will continue Davao as the lead established smart city," IBM Philippines president and country general manager Luisito "Luis" Pineda told reporters in a recent press briefing.

Pineda and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte met last Thursday night at the SMX Convention Center to discuss the matter.

Cognitive system represents an entirely new model of technology, which underscores "unstructured data through sensing and interaction."

Unstructured data are information that remains out of reach for traditional computer systems.

He explained in a statement that the company saw the need to shift cognitive system as years passed, the Information Technology (IT) has been reordering driven by simultaneous developments in data, analytics, cloud, mobile, social media, and the "Internet of Things."

"These things are coming together so fast that industries, individuals in business need to be relevant and they need to address those concerns. The shifts are causing us to rethink what we need to do in the future because inevitably data with these convergences of shifts are fundamentally transforming industries, profession and global society," Pineda said.

Davao became a smart city in 2013 as it implemented IBM's Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) solution, enhancing the city's Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) by integrating and analyzing relevant information collected from multiple agencies in real time, significantly improving their response time to emergencies.

The city invested some P120 million for the project. The IOC will help coordinate the city's emergency services such as police, fire, anti-terrorism task force, and the K9 urban search and rescue services.

At present, IBM new cognitive system through “Watson” has been gaining momentum as it is now used by new clients in a global scale. Some of the countries using IBM Watson’s cognitive systems are Australia’s ANZ Global Wealth (financing) and Deakin University, South Africa’s Metropolitan Health (healthcare), Spain's CaixaBank (banking), among the firsts in the Asean countries are Singapore’s DBS bank and Thailand’s Bumrungrad International Hospital. DBS bank is the first in Asia to use IBM Watson.

RPAB approves PHP432.8-M road projects in Davao Region

(PNA), JMC/LCM/CHERRY MAE D. PALICTE/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 16 (PNA) -- The Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) has approved a total of PHP432.8 million in farm-to-market road (FMR) projects for Region 11.

The four approved FMR projects were:

1. Rehab of 10.23 km Sonlon-Camansa FMR in Asuncion, Davao del Norte amounting to PHP143.5 million;

2. Concreting of 11.47 km Barayong-Mabini-Bala FMR in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur (PHP136.75 million);

3. Rehab of 11.47 km Poblacion-Naboc FMR in Monkayo, Compostela Valley (PHP117.05 million); and;

4. Rehab and construction of 3.2 km FMR Purok 4-6 and 8 in Brgy. Subasta, Calinan, Davao City (PHP35.5 million).

The RPAB evaluates and approves project proposals for PRDP funding in the region and it is chaired by the Department of Agriculture regional director with members from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Trade and Industry.

PRDP is a special project of the DA which aims to promote an inclusive, value-chain oriented agriculture and fisheries development.

Davao del Norte planning chief Josie Jean Rabanos said the proposed Sonlon-Camansa FMR will reduce half of the travel time for transport of high-value crops such as cacao and cardaba banana.

"It will also reduce transport and hauling cost from PHP300 to PHP200-250. We are also expecting expansion of farm production areas from 1,634 to 2,947 hectares as road access encourages farmers to produce more crops," she said.

Meanwhile, Magsaysay Mayor Arthur Davin said the concreting of the Barayong-Mabini-Bala FMR in his town would facilitate development of commodity value chain from input provision, farming, processing and marketing of products such as cacao, rubber, mango, coconut, and banana.

"The FMR project in Barangay Subasta on the other hand will further boost the cacao production in the area and will link beneficiaries of DA-funded drying facility and cacao center to the buying centers in Calinan proper," DA regional director Remelyn Recoter said.

Recoter, who also chairs the RPAB, said that the approved subprojects will be endorsed to the Mindanao and national project offices for review and issuance of No Objection Letter.

City gearing up for Pasko Fiesta

By Ivy C. Tejano

THE Davao City Government is once again gearing up for the lighting of colorful lights and other adornments on San Pedro street, particularly in front of the City Hall, as the city prepares for the Yuletide celebration.

The lighting up is slated on December 4 when the city kicks off this year's staging of Pasko Fiesta.

City Administrator Melchor Quitain said the city has been celebrating Christmas by lighting the trees and putting decorations at the City Hall, Rizal Park and Osmeña Park.

He said they have encouraged businessmen on San Pedro Street, Magallanes, and City Hall Drive to lighten up their establishments with Christmas lights and decors for the city to look brighter and bubbly.

"We had a meeting with the businessmen in these areas, and we requested them to cooperate with us. We’re not forcing them. We hope they will cooperate. Everybody will put on the lights on December 4," Quitain said.

Quitain said they are now finalizing their preparation for the upcoming Pasko Fiesta celebration.

Davao City government allots huge land for agriculture use

(PNA), LAP/LCM/DIGNA D. BANZON/LDP

DAVAO CITY (PNA) -- The city government has allotted the biggest portion for land usage to agriculture with 45.68 percent of the total land area or 111,465 hectares.

This was disclosed by Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) head Ivan Cortez. Cortez said this was detailed in the proposed land use plan for 2013 to 2022. This is for the reason that the city is aiming for food security in the future.

After agriculture, Cortez said the city has 24.65 percent or 60,135 hectares as conservation area; environment management comes next with 8.14 percent or 19,853; and, residential at 6.31 percent or 15,387 hectares. Tourism development comprises 2.39 percent or 5,834 hectares. The city's forest covers 13,996 hectares or 5.74 percent.

He said the city also allocated for rural settlement with 5,464 hectares or 2.24 percent of the land area of the city.

Other classifications that consisted of over 1 percent of the city's land area are for industrial of 3,707 hectares or 1.52 percent; commercial purposes at 2,624 hectares (1.08 percent); agro-industrial, 1,719 hectares (.70 percent); and, institutional at 1,280 hectares (.53 percent).

The rest are for planned unit development, parks and recreation, easement buffer, open space, special use, waste management, treatment, utilization and disposal, and inland water.

Meanwhile, Cortez said that under the Zoning Ordinance the City has 38 zone classifications.

He said the city has guides on specified zones, citing for instance that the watershed map indicates areas needing protection and preservation while the soil map is used mainly for agriculture concern. It also indicates landslide and erosion susceptibility and those areas that are prone to liquefaction.

Cortez also enumerated the structure plan of Davao City where the poblacion area as Central Business District and Toril, the secondary growth area. The urban growth centers are Bunawan, Mintal-Tugbok, Calinan, Baguio and Eden-Catigan-Tagurano.

Mindanao stakeholders gather to strengthen management of river basins

(PNA), JMC/LCM/FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 13 (PNA) -- Over 200 members of the River Basin Organizations (RBO) gathered here to strengthen management of Mindanao's river basins in the next three years.

The RBO aims to address the different problems among the eight identified river basins in Mindanao that includes Agusan, Tagoloan, Ranao-Agus, Tagum-Libuganon, Buayan, Malongon, Mindanao and Davao River basin.

Each organization is composed of multi sectoral groups, including the local government units, religious and academe, among others.

According to Yvette Valderia, Development Manager Officer IV of the Policy Planning and Project Development Office, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) each organization identified the problem of their assigned river basin.

The organizations were also the one that creates a master plan for the protection of the river.

“The conference conducted is the RBOs kickstart to strengthen the organization, because they can’t really implement projects if they are not strong enough. In terms of institutionalizing them, it is the phase of our engagement with the RBOs,” Valderia said.

Valeria added that the next phase that the RBOs will undergo is the implementation of the project based on their master plan that they have created.

The Mindanao River Basin has a total PHP2.21 billion worth of projects implemented in October such the flood control system and reforestation.

MinDA chair, Luwalhati Antonino said they are “expecting the full implementation of the projects recommended under the Mindanao River Basin (MRB) Master Plan of which detailed engineering design is ongoing by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Office”.

Among the identified issues of the eight river basin, flooding is the most common one, she said.

Joan Barrera, Project Development Division Chief, said most of the rivers have heavy siltation, reason for the floods in Mindanao.

Barrera also mentioned the weakening of the river banks due to its overuse and lack of vegetation.

She said that based on the master plan submitted by the RBOs, two approaches are expected to solve the problem.

“Based on the master plan there were two approach to solve the problem, one is non-structural and structural,” she said.

“The non-structural is the vegetative covers in a way of rehabilitating the river thru planting trees while the structural is in a form of putting dykes and the flood control projects,” Barrera explained.

While there are no rivers considered dead, Valeria said there are still things that should be done to save the rivers.

Meanwhile, Development Manager Officer III, Rolando Pinsoy said that big companies surrounding the river basins already committed to support the project.

“We’ve already talked with the big companies and we got positive response. Through their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) they will cooperate with the project they just need to align their projects,” he said.

“By next year, maybe we will conduct a matching of the private companies and river basins,” Pinsoy added.

DA 11 strengthens Agri-Fishery Mechanization

By Cherry Mae D. Palicte [(PNA), CTB/LCM/CMDP/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 12 (PNA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office held a Mindanao-wide consultation and drafting of Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Plan (RAFMechP) to enhance farm productivity and fast track the adoption of farm mechanization in the country.

Composed of implementers, academe, farmers’ organizations, and local manufacturers, the consultation aims to provide recommendations, voice out suggestions and concerns regarding agri-mechanization for the benefit of the agricultural sector especially the farmers and fisherfolk.

DA Regional Director Remelyn Recoter said RAFMechP is under the National Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Program (NAFMP) associated with the Agricultural and Fishery Mechanization (AFMech) Law, otherwise known as Republic Act (RA) 10601 which was passed to address the agri-mechanization concerns of the country.

In the drafting and review of the RAFMP per region, five components of the NAFMP must be considered which include the Support Services, Provisions of Quality and Safe Machines, Local Manufacturing to lower down the cost of agri-machineries, Research Development and Extension, and Human Resource Development.

The NAFMP is an ongoing project which will cover FY 2016-2022 with a proposed national budget of 8 billion pesos for the year 2017 which is expected to increase after the NAFMP is fully furnished.

Based on a data from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) (2011), the Philippines ranked as one of those Asian countries with a low level of farm mechanization. Mechanization is the use of machines necessary for the production, harvest, handling, and processing of agri-fisheries products.

Philippines is an agricultural-based country of which 32% or 9.7 million hectares of its land area is devoted to intensive cultivation.

Director Recoter said the crafting of plans is a significant step to enhance farm productivity in the agriculture areas which will further create jobs and improve farm productivity.

She added that farm mechanization enable farmers to overcome the challenges of ASEAN economic integration.

“If the country wants to compete with the ASEAN economic integration trend, the Philippine agriculture needs to fully implement farm mechanization,” Recoter stressed.

3-day national gab on education, tourism here

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

IN A bid to strengthen tourism and business sectors' competitiveness in the country specifically in Mindanao, some 100 local and international education and tourism experts, policy makers and researchers will convene for the 1st International Conference and 19th National Conference on Economics of Education and Tourism on November 19-21 at Grand Menseng Hotel, Davao City.

Organized by the Council of Economics Educators, Inc. (Cecon), with its student arm, the Council of Economics Students (Cecon-Ces) and Holy Cross of Davao College, Inc. , the three-day conference will highlight the education and tourism experts, policy makers and researchers’ presentation theoretical and empirical papers on all aspects of economics education, economics tourism and related economic issues.

This year’s conference focuses on the theme: "Economics of Education and Tourism: Towards a Global and Local Collaborations."

"The conference will provide an opportunity to assess the reasons why in spite of our country's diverse natural and man-made attractions, we are still lagged way below our Asean neighbors. In addition, the conference will discuss successes; lessons learned and identify remaining gaps, challenges and emerging issues on the topic," Teresa P. Fabiana, president of Cecon said.

She also said that the event will encompass in-depth presentation of established academic researchers from the different private and public colleges and universities.

“The conference presents a great value and an excellent opportunity to meet Economics Educators and share knowledge,” Fabiana added.

The Conference is open to interested tertiary and secondary faculty members and students, and likewise staff from the public and private sectors engage in tourism and education.


Pantawid kids to gather for annual Children’s Regional Congress in Davao City

(PNA), FFC/LCM/CCD/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 10 (PNA) -- The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will conduct the three-day annual Regional Children’s Congress and Awarding of Winners for the Search for Exemplary Children of Pantawid Pamilya on November 11-14 at Eden Nature Park and Resort.

“Children beneficiaries are considered one of the stakeholders of Pantawid Pamilya. They play an important role in fulfilling the education and health outcomes of the program.

"With this, it is important that they are equipped with the right knowledge and skills for them to reach their full potentials as members of Pantawid Pamilya households, and ultimately of the community where they belong. In order to do so, Pantawid Pamilya developed the Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children, an avenue that will recognize the children beneficiaries of the program who set excellent examples at home, in school and in their community,” said DSWD 11 Regional Director Priscilla Razon.

The search began in 2012 and is already it its 4th year of selecting and celebrating the exemplary children of the program.

The top three finalists from the regional search in each region will qualify to participate in the National Children’s Congress in Metro Manila. The awarding of the regional winner and provincial winners will be on Friday, November 13. The regional winner will receive PHP20,000 and plaque, while the provincial winners will receive PHP10,000 each plus plaque.

The Regional Children’s Congress is a series of activities and workshops that aim to teach the children participants the importance of the role of the child within the Filipino family and in nation-building.

During the workshops, children participants are given a chance to discuss the issues that directly affect them. They are also given a chance to air their voices through policy recommendation and support solicitation that may include their appeal for the institutionalization of Pantawid Pamilya.

This year, DSWD is happy to welcome all 78 children beneficiaries from all over Region 11 to this year’s children’s congress.

It is expected that these activities will encourage the children participants to be responsible not only in complying with the conditions and the ideals of the program but more so in becoming outstanding citizens who will be emulated by children and even adults. This is also a strategy to encourage children to nurture habits and values that would mold them to be good citizens by being responsible at home, school and in their communities.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a human development program of the Philippine Government that invests in the health and education of Filipino children belonging to poor households.

4 more eco-zones in Davao

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

FOUR more economic zones in Davao Region have already been approved while 10 others are in development stage, data obtained from Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) bared.

Three of the four proclaimed economic zones are in Davao City, These are Information Technology (IT) centers -- the ACI IT Business Centre on JP Laurel Avenue, in Bajada, Ayala Business Center and Felcris Centrale while the remaining one is Samal Casino Resort, a manufacturing zone.

"When we say “proclaimed” economic zones, it means the president has already issued the proclamation thus enabling the economic zones to be ready for potential locator companies,” Elmer H. San Pascual, Peza promotions and public relations group manager said.

He said that aside from these recently proclaimed economic zones, another 10 economic zones are now being developed.

These included four IT centers and park (Abreeza Corporate Center2, Aeon Towers, Davao Park District, Tesda Davao Information Tech. Center), four manufacturing centers (Anflo Special Economic Zone, Astorga Business and Industrial Park, Davao Del Sur Industrial Economic Zone, Malita Industrial Zone) and two tourism hubs (Hijo Tourism Economic Zone, The New Lanang Project).

He said these economic zones that are yet to be proclaimed are seen to pour big and sustainable investments in the city.

At present, Davao has a total of 14 operating economic zones -- these are AJMR Agro-Industrial Economic Zone, CIIF Agro-Industrial Parak-Davao, DADC Economic Zone, Hijo Special Economic Zone, First Oriental Business and Industrial Park, Abreeza Corporate Center, Filandia IT center, Luisa Avenue Square IT Center, NCCC Davao IT Center, Robinsons Cybergate Davao, SM Lanang Premiere IT Center, The Annex-SM City Davao IT Center, Damosa IT Park, and Matina IT Park.

Of the 14 operating, nine are devoted IT centers and Business process management (BPM) industry, three for agro-industrial and two for manufacturing.

Once the four recently-proclaimed and development in progress economic zones will be operational, the city will have a total of 28 operating economic zones.

“With Peza, we are mandated to promote investment so that we can create employment and also generate exports,” San Pascual said.

According to Peza, as of this year, there are already a total of 334 operating economic zones in the country and as of December of last year, a whopping P2.8 Trillion in investments were poured to the Philippine economy from the 334 economic zones for the last 20 years.

Peza also noted that as of third quarter (Q3) of this year, the economic zones nationwide have a total of 3,635 locator companies. San Pascual shared that Japan-based firms constitutes the biggest investment, about 30 percent of the total locator companies recorded.

Some of the locator companies that invested in Davao are Concentrix Services Corporation, Ibex Global Solutions Inc., SSI Philippines Inc., Sumifru Corp., Bentley House Furniture Company, Kapacor Group Inc., and Phildutch Polyme Inc., among others.

Of the 334 total economic zones in the country, 70 are in export processing and manufacturing zones, 177 are IT centers, 45 IT parks, 19 tourism zones, two medical tourism parks and 21 are agro-industrial. San Pascual noted that of the 21 agro-industrial zones, 18 of which are located in Mindanao.

He also mentioned that with creation of Peza in 1995, the government is can now partner with the private sector or allow solely the private company in developing an economic zone.

“Most of our private economic zone developers partnered with foreign companies for the development of their zones. This partnership proves to be very useful as far as attracting investments because when their economic zones are ready, their partners are the one that are promoting their economic zones for locators from a particular country,” San Pascual said.

Locator companies in a Peza operating economic zones were able to get fiscal incentives from Peza, these includes having income tax holiday until eight years, special five percent tax on gross income, zero value-added tax rate on all local purchases including telecommunications, power and water bills and exemption from payment of local and government imposed taxes and fees.

DTI’s market encounter to promote rubber industry

By Carina L. Cayon (PIA-XI)

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 8 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry in the region is set to hold the Philippine Rubber Industry Market Encounter (PRIME) in a bid to position Mindanao as a hub of rubber processing.

The PRIME slated on November 10-11 this year at SMX Lanang, Davao City is expected to gather more than 700 participants from the sectors of rubber growers, manufacturers and producers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

DTI Davao City Director Edwin Banquerigo said they are also hoping for foreign delegations to join the event, especially from Thailand where the biggest rubber production is and Malaysia which has the best manufacturing technology.

Banquerigo said the market encounter hopes to draw P1.5 billion in investments and P1 billion from potential sales and transactions from the rubber industry in Mindanao.

He raised the importance of PRIME in promoting the industry among rubber players to improve productivity and quality.

The DTI official believed that the country could match up Thailand’s annual production of 1.8 metric tons per hectare. Philippines is only producing 0.7 metric tons per hectare yearly.

Banquerigo said the country needs to expand rubber production and improve quality to get premium prices.

He also suggested for a more value adding investments.

From the 2014 production of over 450,000 metric tons, six per cent increase in the productivity is targeted per year starting 2015 until 2020.

“We would like to hit production of 1.9 metric tons per hectare by 2020,” Banquerigo stated.

He said as of last year, the country has a total area of 217,000 hectares planted to rubbers, mostly found in Mindanao.

Zamboanga Peninsula leads the most production followed by Soccsksargen area, North Cotabato and Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Banquerigo said they are pushing Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Zamboanga and ARMM as processing areas.

He added that one of the potential markets is the Yokohama Tires based in Subic, which produces 21,000 of tires daily.

Malagos Chocolates wins Davao Business Awards

By Antonio L. Colina IV (MindaNews)

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/07 November) – For having put Davao City on the world’s chocolate map, homegrown premium chocolate maker and international awardee Malagos Chocolates, was named the first recipient of the Davao Business Awards last Friday at the 3rd Davao Investment Conference (ICON).

The award was conferred at the closing of this year’s Davao ICON at the SMX Convention Center by Architect Daniel T. Lim, former president of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) and chair of the investment gathering held November 4 to 6.

“This year, as we launch the Davao Business Awards, we are giving a special citation to a Davao brand that has made a mark in the chocolate industry and is now internationally renowned as one of the best chocolates in the world. Just this year, they received two international awards,” he said.

In April 2015, the Malagos Chocolates brought home the Bronze Award for its 100 percent Pure Unsweetened Chocolate under the Best Unflavored Drinking Chocolate at the 2015 Academy of Chocolate Awards in London.

Last month, its 65 percent dark chocolate won silver in the 2015 International Chocolate Awards’ World Drinking Chocolate Competition in Hanover, Germany under the Dark Drinking Chocolate category, specifically drinks made with milk.

Lim said the Davao Business Awards aims to give recognition to outstanding achievements, best business practices across business sectors. “Awards will be given to recognize new as well as existing businesses that have significantly impacted on the continuous growth of Davao City’s economy,” he said.

He added that this recognition was based on “the nature of the project in support to the Comprehensive Development Plan of the city, as well as its value adding to existing local products, local employment generation tax contribution.”

Charita Puentespina, owner of the Puentespina Farm where the Malagos Chocolates is made, is credited for having put the city on the “map of chocolates” in the world.

“Chocolates are international products or food that are enjoyed by everyone. We have a very good chocolate here, very good source of the beans. We just need to come up with the proper growing and proper post harvest, and very good processing, so that we can come up with a very good product,” she said.

The Malagos Farm and Garden Resort has 25 hectares of land in Malagos, Baguio District where 80 percent of the bean requirement for chocolates are drawn while the other 20 percent come from the farmers, Puentespina added.

The Malagos Chocolates requires about 40 metric tons of cocoa beans a year, she said.

“We partner with the farmers who are willing to do quality fermentation, and follow the proper way of harvesting of cacao beans,” she said.

The firm is also exporting at a small quantity to London, Japan, Singapore, and the United States.

Puentespina envisions Malagos Chocolates as one of the leaders in the chocolate industry in five years “because we have very good quality beans.”

“We are working on the production from the side of the farmers to produce the required amount of the beans, so that we can be able to supply the export market. The interest now because of the awards, a lot of people are wiling to buy our product. Our product, the dark chocolate, is the chocolate that is good for the health,” he said.

She said the company trains the farmers on the best farming method so that cacao trees yield good cacao beans.

There are at least three partner cooperatives, each having around 100 farmers who sell beans to Malagos.

“Those who want to sell to us, we give them marketing contract, so that they can get financing from the bank,” she said.

Davao City soon to have brown rice mill

By Karina V. Canedo

DAVAO City Councilor Marissa P. Abella said that a milling station for brown rice is set to be installed in the Agri Pinoy Trading Center (APTC) at Daliao Toril.

Abella, chair of the committee on food and agriculture in a media interview after a committee hearing last Wednesday said that in order to reduce amount of brown rice and be made available and the local restaurants, Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice) had talked with the Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala to add a milling station of brown rice in the APTC.

“According to Phil Rice senior science research specialist Ms. Hazel Antonio, of Philrice that they are able to talk with secretary Alcala to add a milling station for the brown rice at the APTC,” Abella said.

She added that this is the feedback of Philrice representatives present in the committee hearing on the opposition of some Davao city hospitals to the proposal of Phil Rice in the committee to craft a brown rice ordinance and to include brown rice to the menus of different food establishments.

According to the representatives of hospitals in the city, brown rice is very expensive and is less available.

Abella said the milling station will solve the problem of availability and cost of the brown rice.

“Yung fresh na mga palay, doon ipapa-mill sa trading center para may availability ang brown rice. If this ordinance will be passed hopefully, its monitoring measures will be included in the Implementing Rules and Regulations,” Abella said.

The Philrice promotes brown rice because of it health benefits.

Davao City poised to win Hall of Fame award

By Karina V. Canedo

THE Davao City Social Services and Development Office is confident to win the next Most Child Friendly City Award, an official said.

"Based on our meeting with the council children we are so confident that again this time, we will vie for the child friendly city hall of fame," Mae Aquino, member City Council of Welfare of Children Secretariat under the Office of CSSDO, said.

Aquino, speaking at the I-Speak Media Forum held at the City Hall Conference room, said that this is because of the available institutions in the city for the children in conflict with law (CICL), organized structures for day care children and other organized structures not just in the city but also in the barangay level.

She also added that the collaboration of non-government organizations and government organization is one of the biggest contributing factor for the city to avail the award.

She said that the validation of the child-friendly city is set to be held in the middle of November.

"Dili sila fixed sa ilang validation because they are assuming that we are sustaining our programs for the children so wala na ni pahibaloay anytime they would go to us for validation (There is no fixed date validation because they are assuming that we are sustaining our programs for the children that is why anytime they would go to us for validation)," Aquino.

She said that it is a prestigious award because it will go under assessment by a team composed of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and non-government organizations.

Aquino said Davao City is one of the most those looked out by many because even in our first search Mandaluyong was supposed to be the hall of famer but it is was who got the award.

She said that since then they are very serious in the documentation process of their different activities and they are confident this time that they can show proper documents to the validators.

She also said that the total amount of P550,000 won by the city for the same award was spent for the strategic and development planning of the council for the welfare of children, Search for Most Child friendly barangay, and purchase of documentation equipment of their office.

As in case they would get the award for the validation done this year, Aquino said that they are set to strengthen the search for Most Child Friendly Barangay as they have seen that it has helped encourage Barangay Children Protection Council to perform more.

Davao city can be declared as Hall Of Famer of this award after having two consecutive wins in years 2013 and 2015.

Visit Davao Fun Sale to expand

By Christine Joice C. Cudis

THE 2016 Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDFS) will not only venture on hotel, mall, and restaurant promotions as organizers are bent to include art and sports component to make the event more enticing.

Artist Bai Manginsay of the art group, Tabula Rasa said during the monthly art talk at the Park Inn Hotel Tuesday that they are going to make the event more educational and action-filled to fill the 10-week event (March-May 2016).

Performance, visual, literary, and film artists in Davao are set to showcase their works during the event.

Sports enthusiasts will also enjoy the great outdoor adventure which will include a triathlon, trail run in the Island Garden City of Samal, and boulder's challenge.

There will be a socials night for those who availed of the tickets.

On the other hand, Tabula Rasa said more components to be included in Visit Davao only mean an opportunity for the city to recognize the importance of having a structure dedicated for art to push for a unique identity for the city.

"The only thing that we can be proud of as Dabawenyos today is we can walk anytime during the night but we do not have a strong art industry yet," said Manginsay.

He also added that the it is time for the city to be decorated to earn distinction from the others.

Int’l Literary Fest On Nov. 20-21 in Davao

By Christine Joice C. Cudis

THE sixth Philippine International Literary Festival (PILF) will be held for the first time outside Metro Manila, as organizers announced on Tuesday that it be held on November 20-21 at the Abreeza Ayala Mall, Davao City.

Acting Director of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) Attorney RhiaAladin said that this move was done to address Manila centrism as there are also a number of aspiring artists outside the metro.

"We chose Davao to encourage its publishing community as there are a lot of literary works worthy to be published but the authors do not have the channel to make it happen," she added.

Formerly called as the Manila International Literary Festival, it was changed into a more general term in 2012 to gather and attract more participants.

It is a landmark project of the NBDB which aims to celebrate literature and promote best publishing practices through discourse on the issues of authorship and readership which shapes the local book industry.

The two-day event themed as Lalang: Writing in Place. Creating Your Place will provide a venue for intimate discussions with the participants' literary idols.

Lalang means 'likha' (creation) in five different Filipino languages.

The event will tackle on the relevance of a place in the creation and appreciation of literature as well as whether the writer has enough influence to the place.

The registration per day will be 300 for professionals; for students and faculty members, they will be offering for a lesser amount which is 100 per day.

It also comes with a festival kit which the attendees will surely appreciate.

Davao city-wide children's gab set Nov. 27-29

(KVC)

A CITY-WIDE children's congress will be conducted as one highlights of the month long celebration of the National Children's Month (NCM), an official said.

NCN is celebrated in the month of November. The three-day children's congress is slated on November 27-29. Davao City City Social Services and Development Office head Maria Luisa T. Bermudo on Monday said the congress will gather representatives from different barangays of the city.

She said selection of participants from each barangay will be done during the barangay children's congress which will be conducted on November 19-20.

Bermudo said they are set to gather statements from participants and consolidate it to come up with one single statement which will be the focus of the city-wide children's congress.

"Ipresent nila by barangay then by district to come up with a common statement," Bermudo said.

Bermudo hopes that through the event, the children's voice on various issues affecting them will be heard.

She said this is actually the first time for the city to celebrate the NCM in the month of November as it was previously celebrated in October.

"Through RA 10661, the celebration is moved to November," Bermudo added.

Also part of the activity will be the review of the previous resolutions which were adopted in last year's staging of the congress.

2-day rubber forum set in Davao City

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with Philippine Rubber Industry Association (PRIA) and Department of Agriculture (DA), is set to stage anew the National Rubber forum dubbed as Philippine Rubber Investment and Market Encounter (Prime) 2015 on November 10 to 11 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere in Davao City.

In its second year, Prime 2015 centers on the theme: “Expanding Opportunities for Sustainable Growth.”

Some 700 to 800 participants composed of rubber industry stakeholders, and government officials, among others from across the country. International dignitaries and speakers will also grace the two-day event.

Edwin O. Banquerigo, DTI-Davao City Field Office director, told Sun.Star Davao in a phone interview that Prime 2015 is intended to serve as a platform to launch the manufacturing resurgence program for the rubber industry by positioning Mindanao as new manufacturing hub for rubber products.

He also said that one of the challenges confronting the industry is how to improve productivity without sacrificing the quality.

"To improve productivity is to provide quality and good seedlings, and this can be achieved by introducing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to the farmers, improving nursery operations, and usage of the right technology," he said, adding that all of these issues and concerns will be discussed in the two-day event.

Prime 2015 will have business conference, business matching and exhibit, which will “provide access to information related to business opportunities in the entire rubber industry value chain with emphasis on value adding through processing and manufacturing.”

Five plenary topics will be highlighted during the event these are the Rubber Industry Outlook (the current world rubber industry outlook, future pricing of rubber products as well as the future of tire industry), Mindanao as a Rubber Manufacturing Hub and Government Support (Mindanao to be promoted as Rubber Manufacturing Hub), Productivity for Sustainable Growth (Productivity as a tool to sustain the rubber industry), Investing in Rubber, Value adding for Sustainable Growth (various opportunities in rubber products processing) and the Industry Competitiveness through Science and Technology (Science and Technology plays vital role for the development of the rubber industry).

Banquerigo also mentioned that in terms of production, Philippines has to cope with globally. Thailand’s production is at 1.8 metric tons (MT) per hectare while Philippines is only producing some .7 MT per hectares.

Mindanao’s rubber-producing regions are Zamboanga Peninsula, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos.

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