Davao City News October 2013

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Davao City - Archived News
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The Seal of Davao City
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Davao City Map Locator
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Map of Davao City
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Davao City Hall
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Davao City Montage

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 all set for All Souls', All Saints' Days

(PNA), PDS/ASA/JUDY G. QUIROS/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 31 (PNA) --Traffic Management Center (TMC) chief Dionesio Abude on Thursday assured traffic cops are deployed in major public and private cemeteries in anticipation of heavy traffic during the long weekend holidays.

He identified these cemeteries as Davao Memorial Park, Forest Lake, San Pedro, Orchard, Chinese Cemetery, and Buhangin Memorial Park.

Abude said they have provided sufficient space for entrance and exit points in all cemeteries to allow a smooth traffic thereby avoiding traffic jams.

He said the TMC has closely coordinated with the cemeteries' respective managements to ensure a systematic flow of traffic during All Souls' and All Saints' Days when people are expected to flood the cemeteries.

He also said TMC has closely coordinated with Davao City Mayor's City Mayor's Office-Drainage Management Unit and Demolition head Yusop Jimlani over the identification of specific areas for the street vendors.

In Buhangin, they have identified some loading bays to allow free flow of traffic and to reduce congestion.

While in Davao Memorial Park they have coordinated with the park management to provide a 500-meterentrance and exit for pedestrians. They are also identifying places wherein street vendors can sell.

Jimlani for his part has confirmed that the city will still observe strictly the 1/3-2/3 policy imposed on street vendors during the holidays to ease traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, Abude reiterated they will also be observing the recommendation of the Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ticketing or numbering system for parking areas to inform the visitors on the availability or non-availability of parking areas.

Also, Police Regional Office director Wency T. Pascual has deployed close to a thousand policemen to entire region to maintain peace and security not only during the 2013 barangay elections but also for the upcoming holidays.

In an interview, he said the policemen who were mobilized will be back to their regular units after All Souls Day on November 2.

Davao farm resort going into organic farming

(PNA), LAP/ASA/LOVELY A. CARILLO/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 30 (PNA) -- Twenty years ago, a visit to Davao City would not have been complete without a tour of GAP Farm and a photo taken with its iconic giant carabao in the background.

As the younger generation takes over, the destination is slowly repositioning itself in the tourism industry as a showcase for organic farming.

“The farm has been cleansed from chemical since 2009 and we are trying our best to convert from chemical to organic farming now,” resort manager Lenny V. Castillo said.

GAP Farm along Diversion Road boasts of a 10-hectare area planted to a variety of trees like durian, rambutan, santol and lanzones.

The largest tree population is rambutan, with 400 fruit-bearing trees planted all over the hilly area.

“My father started to develop the farm in 1973 but only made it operational n 1983,” she said.

The resort, she added has provided an ideal destination for family outings and student field trips for almost 30 years now and is still trying to find ways to reinvent itself albeit conservatively.

Castillo said they are planning to add more attractions in the farm in the next five years. They started with the construction of a new wading pool for babies and toddlers, in addition to the existing adult pool which is a favorite destination for swimming trainings during summer.

She said a zipline is also being considered although they are still studying such a big project and are looking for consultants who can guide them in putting it up.

Families who prefer quiet adventures can go to GAP and explore the hills while taking refuge under the tall trees that have seemed to magically sprout all over the place. “Kaya nga GAP because my father vowed never to leave a gap on the ground without a tree,” she added.

In the meantime, the resort continues to cater to private and corporate functions. It has six function halls for company launches and seminars as well as three swimming pools that can be rented out on an exclusive basis.

DCWD to partner with private company in P10-b Davao-Tamugan surface water project

(PNA), LAM/ASA/JGQUIROS/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 29 (PNA) -– The Davao City Water District here is eyeing partnership with a private company in the implementation of its P10-billion Davao-Tamugan surface water development project.

DCWD spokesperson Imelda Magsuci said of the eight private water providers who joined the road show conducted by DCWD in April this year for the Davao-Tamugan project, only one company submitted its proposal to partner with DCWD in the project.

“The provider that submitted its unsolicited proposal to DCWD after the road show was JV Angeles Corporation, based in Manila,” Magsuci said.

After said company submitted its proposal, DCWD Board created a committee to evaluate the proposal of JV Angeles Corporation.

A negotiation between DCWD and JV Angeles Corp. pushed through, but was stalled due to the contention as to whether the 2013 or 2008 guidelines on the bidding process will be followed.

Magsuci said DCWD continues to resolve the issue on the guidelines and hopes that evaluation will be finished this year so that the project will be started by 2014 and meet the 2017 target completion time frame.

At present, DCWD is extracting about 280,000 cubic meters of water per day at about 3 percent growth rate due to rapid urbanization of Davao City, Magsuci said.

Once the Davao-Tamugan project is completed, it is projected to extract water at an initial average of 250,000 cubic meters per day up to 300,000 cubic meters.

Construction of the project is projected within a three-year period.

Wanted: anti-child labor barangay officials

By Tyrone A. Velez (Davao Today)

Davao City – Winners of today’s barangay election in three of the city’s industrial barangays face the tough job of sustaining the campaign against child labor.

Joefel Soco-Carreon, media officer of Kaugmaon (the Cebuano word for future) Foundation pointed out that incumbent punong barangays (barangay captains) in Ilang, Callawa and Panacan would finish their terms.

A high number of child labor cases were found in these areas, in a city where there is an average of 100 working children for each of the 182 villages, the group said.

Kaugmaon’s program in these villages, including the Tibungco village, includes helping 338 child workers, aged seven to 17, who worked as vendors, scavengers, factory or farm workers.

Kaugmaon executive director Florie Butiong-Tacang said their campaign has only reached ten per cent success in minimizing child labor working on hazardous conditions.

Their study showed cases where children worked in packing urea fertilizer in a refinery, and others cleaning bottles for a recycling plant. In both cases, children worked without protective gear and even worked overnight for days.

“The challenge is for the community to be aware and point out these cases of exploitation,” Tacang said.

Outgoing barangay and Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) officials also shared Kaugmaon’s sentiments that the program needs to be continued to address the problem of child workers.

Having new officials in barangays would also mean having a new composition for the BCPC and this means re-introducing the program and starting all over again.

Aning Nerosa, a purok leader and BCPC member of Barangay Tibungco, said she finds the program had made strides among stakeholders in her area.

“When I go to the market in the morning, manangpit sila (the children would greet me). Then I would check on them, see if they have eaten their meals already, that they are wearing slippers or taken bath before coming to the market,” Nerosa said.

Most children in the market are engaged in selling food or fried bananas, collecting garbage or doing errands.

Nerosa said monthly meetings with the children, parents and other village members helped in forming values to uphold children’s rights.

“Candidates said they would adapt Kaugamon’s program. Actually it’s a barangay program, and it’s important that this will be continued. That’s the important thing. As for me, I will commit myself as a child advocate,” Nerosa said.

Another official, Nelda Sabigon, a kagawad and co-chair of the BCPC of Barangay Callawa, also said it would be a challenge for the new officials to continue this program.

She shared her experience wasn’t easy in the beginning as fellow councilors at first thought children working in farms harvesting bananas or fishing does not constitute as child labor.

Children in Callawa, the lone agricultural barangay in the second district, worked in banana farms and earn 60 pesos a day.

“They (children and farmers) work as early as four a.m. until eight. And they get to work because their pay is cheaper,” said Sabigon.

“It’s really in our culture that a child helping the family is a good thing. Even with my fellow officials, they don’t think (farm work) is child labor,” Sabigon said.

Davao City was a Presidential Awardee last 2012 for the Most Child Friendly City in the highly-urbanized category.

Based on the 2000 Census, there are already up to four million Filipino child laborers. In Davao City, Kaugmaon estimated 18,000 child laborers in the city.

Based on the website of the International Labor Organization, “child labor” is defined as “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development.”

Davao app developers make doctors, hospital search easy

(PNA), PDS/ASA/LOVELY A. CARILLO/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 27 (PNA) --Searching for one physician in the community can take time and effort unless you have a family doctor. But with the development of this application for mobile phones, finding doctors and soon hospitals will be as easy as logging in to a website.

"FindMyDok" is a web application created by Dabawenyos Arjay T. Legere, Jed Adrian Varon and Yvanne Espina. It does not only make it easy for patients to look for doctors in their communities but also enables doctors to find other doctors for referral purposes.

It was one of the "Top 20 finalists of 2013 IdeaSpace", an idea incubator based in the Philippines and backed by the MVP Group, which aims to find promising start-ups and provide funding for them.

While this is not the first doctor database in the world, Legere said, “They are not as updated, not tied up with a medical organization and not as mobile friendly.”

The developers tied up with the North Cotabato Medical Society to make the free software relevant not only to patients but also to the health community in the area.

Despite the lack of funding, he is again planning to come up with "FindMedSpace", another web application that can be used to search for hospitals. Just like the "FindMyDok" app, "FindMySpace" will provide an updated list of hospitals and their contact details. The two apps will be integrated with each other to make the search for doctors and hospitals more efficient, he added.

“We are still raising funds for the app but we are developing the platform already,” he said.

The "FindMyDok" app can be used by anyone who has connection to the internet, whether through a computer or a mobile phone.

3 Jaro sisters to join Milo Marathon nat’l finals (Sports)

By Lolito T. delos Reyes [(PNA), CTB/ASA/LTDR/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 25 (PNA) -- The Jaro sisters from Davao City will not only be gunning for pride and glory when they vie for the women’s crown in the 37th MILO Marathon 42K national finals slated on December 6 in Manila.

They will also be making history.

There have been two sisters running side by side in the grand finale like 2003 Milo Marathon Queen Liza Yambao and her twin sister Luisa Raterta of Bicol and the Tolentino sisters Ellen and Aileen of Cavite.

But there have been no three sisters running together at the same time.

And the Jaro sisters – Cynthia, 23; Criselyn, 21; and Celie Rose, 19 – are the first, according to Davao leg organizer Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports.

Of course, in the men’s side there are the famed Sabal brothers Elmer, Gerald and three-time champion Cresenciano (2005, 2007 and 2009) of Sultan Kudarat.

The Jaro sisters booked seats to the national finals during the Milo Marathon elimination race held in Davao City and Gen. Santos City.

Cynthia, a graduating Bachelor of Physical Education Major in Sports and Wellness Management at Brokenshire College, ruled the Davao leg by clocking one hour, 30 minutes and 43 seconds. She was followed in second place by Criselyn (1:32:49), who will also be graduating in March at Brokenshire with a diploma on Bachelor of Business Administration.

Celie Rose qualified by placing third in General Santos with a clocking of 1:31:55.

Actually, all three should have already made history last year but Cynthia got sick and failed to run in the Cagayan de Oro qualifying race.

Criselyn, meanwhile, made it in the General Santos leg but was advised by her coach not to finish the 42K national finals to prepare for two school-based national competitions – the PRISAA and the University Games.

Celie Rose, however, topped last year’s Davao leg and placed seventh in the 42K national finals.

“This year, I hope to still make it on the top 10 so that I can apply for a college scholarship in Manila,” said Celie Rose, a 4th year high school student of Crossing Bayabas, Toril in Davao City.

Cynthia and Criselyn, too, are aiming for top 10 finishes in Manila.

All of them, actually, are gearing up for a grand finish and make their presence felt in Manila.

Cynthia is currently applying with the Philippine Air Force together with running teammates Anthony Nerza and Michael Constantino.

Nerza, a PE third year student, successfully defended his 21K title in the men’s division in Davao with a time of 1:11:18, surpassing his time last year of 1:12:34.

Major Davao tribes benefiting from tourism industry

(PNA), LAM/ASA/AAPENA/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 25 (PNA) -- Major tribes living in the rugged mountains of the Davao Region are benefiting from the various programs set into action by the tourism industry in the region.

The tourism industry revealed programs, projects and activities that are reviving and revitalizing the ancient arts and crafts of Davao’s major tribal groups which are big attractions for tourists, visitors and travelers coming to this southern city.

“Training the young among the tribes is the best way to keep the arts, crafts and traditions of our major Davao tribes alive,” says Mary Ann Montemayor, chairperson of the Regional Tourism Council.

Promoting the local culture and tribal crafts is being pushed by the tourism industry here as its major strategy to boost tourism revenues in the Davao region, according to Montemayor.

To keep these traditions alive for the next generation, one of their goals is to make the “school of living tradition” an institution, which will keep training the young among the tribes to continue making the same tribal designs, arts and crafts that make each tribal group in Davao distinct from one another.

Montemayor said the tourism industry wants to help preserve the tribal arts and culture in this “school of living tradition” which is a series of training programs for the young tribal generation.

Tribal arts and craft products from the different tribes had been given prominence recently in tourism and trade exhibitions during big events here like the annual Kadayawan Festival that include on-site weaving by tribal weavers churning out exotic and colorful shawls and bandanas.

The major tribal groups benefiting from this program of the tourism industry cluster are the Bagobo tribes from Tibolo village in Davao del Sur and Marilog, Davao City; the Mandaya tribes of Caraga town, Davao Oriental; the Mansaka tribes of Maragusan town, Compostela Valley province and the Samal tribes of Samal Island, Davao del Norte.

A German editor who loves planting trees

By Aurelio A. Pena [(PNA Features), DSP/ASA/AAP/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 24 (PNA Features) -- Ullrich “Ulli” Kronberg, a German editor of two sailing magazines in Hamburg, doesn’t even mind if his tree-planting efforts is actually boosting the government’s National Greening Program set into motion some years back by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

No one can probably match the passion of a German national for trying single-handedly to keep planting Philippine mahogany trees, first in the Island Garden of Samal, Davao del Norte and next in Surigao province.

This writer was impressed when he saw some of the mahogany trees that were planted by school children of a Samal elementary school, a tree-planting project Ulli helped organized a few years back. All the trees had grown so tall towered above the rooftops of the school building, their thick dark green foliage providing cool shades around the school grounds.

Seeing how the beachlines of Samal island were being eaten up by the strong current of Davao Gulf some years ago, he mounted an island-wide mangrove reforestation project together with the DENR, backed by the Hamburg-based Mama Earth, a German environment organization whose members are totally devoted to world-wide projects that can improve the earth’s environment.

“You have such a beautiful island in this wonderful country, the only way we can keep it that way is to keep planting trees, “ says Ulli, who runs a beachside resort and restaurant named after his Filipina wife Preciosa at Miranda village, Babak district in Samal.

Although he works as chief editor of two Hamburg-based sailing magazines, Ulli edits all articles from staff writers and freelance contributors right from his “editorial office” at his home near Davao Beach Club at Lanang, Davao City--that is, after he brings his three children to school and gives final instructions to his kitchen crew and restaurant staff in Samal.

If you have the chance to meet this German magazine editor, you’d probably mistake him for one of those motorbike racers in Germany with long disheveled hair, a big rugged figure in loose trader’s shorts, prancing about in beach slippers, but ready to disarm you when he breaks into an easy smile.

But of course, he’ll talk to you about planting trees. “It’s a good investment for your future if you plant trees. You like to join our tree planting project?”

Unlike most Germans, Ulli can talk English with anyone easily, of course, with the same heavy German accent, but his English is much better than some Germans that I know.

His passion for sailing had never left him since he’s still so active in his late 50’s. If he doesn’t jump on his big black motorbike to go to his Samal restaurant-resort, you’ll probably find him sailing across the narrow channel of the Gulf on his small, white sailing boat, powered only by the wind that blows against the white sail with Ulli controlling the ropes and rudder.

In some ways, I envied his lifestyle, sailing around the Gulf here, feeling the winds of Davao on your face, getting wet from the foamy waves splashing on the boat and watching fishermen in their small bancas waiting for some fish below to swallow their baits until the yellow sun sets below the distant mountain ranges of Mount Apo.

It could be a very nice way to retire in Davao, just sailing around, doing some fishing of your own, with absolutely nothing to worry about.

City to send only Minda gold medalists in BPinoy

(SDD-CMO)

THE City Government of Davao will send a lean but mean delegation to the 2013 Batang Pinoy National Championships slated from November 19 to 23 in Bacolod City.

Sports Development Division officer-in-charge William “Butch” Ramirez said because of budgetary constraints, the city will send only the gold medal winners in Mindanao qualifying leg of the Batang Pinoy last August in Tagum City except for wrestling and cheerdance events.

“Much as we wanted to send a bigger delegation, we cannot do so for lack of funds,” Ramirez said. “But, rest assured we will be sending a strong delegation, one that is capable of giving pride and glory to the city of Davao.”

The city allocated P1.5 million for the participation of the Davao delegation in the City of Smiles numbering around 95.

The Davao City athletes will be competing in medal rich swimming events, athletics, softball, taekwondo, judo, chess, karatedo, badminton, lawn tennis, soft tennis, arnis and weightlifting.

Spearheading the city’s campaign will be multi-gold medal winner in swimming Samantha Jane Cambronero and medal distance runner Jomar Angga.

Batang Pinoy is an annual sports competition organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for athletes 15 years old and below.

European businessmen eye Mindanao for agro-processing

By Manuel T. Cayon

DAVAO CITY—Businessmen belonging to the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) said they see opportunities in agricultural processing in Mindanao, particularly coconut-water processing.

Martial Beck, ECCP vice president and general manager, said European businesses remain upbeat in the country’s economic prospects and expect more companies to invest in the country.

Beck said European businessmen are particularly keen on Mindanao as possible investment site for agriculture and fisheries production.

“[The Philippines] has lots of coconuts here. In Europe there’s a big demand for coconut water,” he said during the second joint meeting of foreign chambers in Davao City held at the Seda Hotel here over the weekend.

In 2012 the value of Philippine coconut-water exports increased by 23 percent from 16.7 million liters worth $15.1 million in 2011, according to data from the trade department.

In the same year Philippine coconut-water export earnings from the US increased by 29 percent to $14.2 million. The United States accounted for 76.25 percent of the total Philippine coconut-water exports

Earlier, the Mindanao chapter of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines indicated its plan to encourage Japanese investors to put their money in the region’s manufacturing and agro-processing sectors.

Beck noted that European firm Holcim is already engaged in developing Mindanao’s infrastructure.

The Davao City chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines spearheaded the gathering of foreign businessmen to explore opportunities in the region.

Davao City Police receives new vehicles

(PIA/RG Alama)

DAVAO CITY Oct. 21- The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will be receiving brand new mobile patrol vehicles and motorcycles to address the lack of patrol assets.

The city purchased 22 Toyota Hi-lux patrol vehicles and 20 units of 125 cc motorcycles to augment the city police's current fleet of 20 patrol vehicles.

According to Frank Villaroman, head of the Public Safety Command Center the new motorcycles and pick-ups will be distributed to the different police stations for visibility patrols and "target hardening" against all forms of security threats.

The new patrol assets is the city's answer to the DCPO's request for new patrol vehicles to then newly-sworn Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in July.

DCPO chief Police Senior Superintendent Ronald Dela Rosa said that the current Toyota Tamaraw FX jitney type patrol vehicles are already 10 years old and are fit for replacement.

Aside from patrol cars and motorcycles, the DCPO policemen will be receiving their new Glock 17 pistols this month. The Glock pistols are part of the national government program to procure new service side-arm for the country's policemen.

Corteza stays alive at U.S. Open

By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan

DAVAO City pool shark Lee Vann Corteza hacked out five straight wins at the losers' bracket to keep his hopes alive in the 38th U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship in Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.A.

The China Open 2013 champion Corteza, who along with Dennis Orcollo brought home the gold medal of the World Cup of Pool held recently in London, demolished American player Oscar Dominguez, 11-6, yesterday afternoon.

The Dabawenyo grabbed a 4-2 lead then stretched it, 8-4. With Corteza on the hill, Dominguez won two frames but succumb to a costly error allowing the latter to wrap up the match.

Corteza toyed with American Jeremy Sossei, 11-1, after escaped with two hair-raising victories over Imran Majid of Great Britain, 11-10, and Mike Dechaine of U.S. A., 11-10, Corteza also survived past Japanese Hayato Hujikata, 11-9.

He was relegated to the loss side of the tournament after absorbing a 1-11 defeat at the hands of Johnny Archer. He whipped American T. D' Alfonso, 11-7, and subdued Spain's Marc Claramunt Vidal, 11-7.

Corteza earlier vowed to improve his 17th place finish in the 2011 edition of the cuefest.

Some 5,000 candidates file COCs in Davao City

(PNA), FPV/ASA/JUDY G. QUIROS/LDP

DAVAO CITY — About 5,000 candidates for Punong Barangay (Barangay Captain) and Kagawad (Barangay Councilman) filed their Certificate of Candidacy (COCs) in this city.

Some individuals who arrived past 5 p.m. Thursday, and attempted to file their COC were denied as the cut-off time for the last day of filing was 4:45 p.m.

Davao City first district election officer Atty. Aimee Ampoloquio was forced to read before the late filers Thursday afternoon an election rule on late filers.

Some known personalities have joined the barangay elections in Davao City including former city councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad and January Navares-Duterte, wife of Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte.

Rumors are rife that it was Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who convinced Trinidad to run in preparation for her comeback to the city council by becoming the next president of the city’s Association of Barangay Captains.

The young Duterte was ABC president and eventually became vice mayor.

Meanwhile, Librado is viewed the strongest opponent of Jonathan Santes running for Punong Barangay of Barangay 74-A, Crossing Matina. Santes is the elder brother of incumbent Barangay Captain Joel Santes.

Santes when asked to comment about the Dutertes’ backing of Librado had this to say: “I can’t match their resources and influence at the final stage of campaign but I hope our leaders will stand against the avalanche of goods that I know will sway votes in the end of political contest. Destiny is a favorite word of Mayor Duterte and I hope this will fall on my favor this time.

He said his purpose of running is to “truly serve”. His hopes to win are pinned to his being a Santes. Librado was contacted for comment but she did not reply.

At least 391 barangays in Southern Mindanao have been placed under the watchlist of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as areas of election concern.

Chief Superintendent Wency Pascual, Region 11 police director earlier said Compostela Valley has the most number of election hotspots with 101 barangays.

He however said there were no urban barangays identified as hotspots similar to those located in the far flung barangays where rebel insurgents breed.

The Commission on Elections strictly reminded candidates for the Barangay Elections to abide by the rules to avoid disqualification as the campaign period started Friday.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. in a statement, specifically cited that candidates for the October 28 barangay elections should abide by the regulations on the size of campaign posters and not to put them in prohibited areas.

“There are common poster areas identified during the May elections and they remain, just follow the rules,” he said.

“We have the same rules under the Fair Elections Law and we are not changing it. We will be as strict as we were in the May elections,” he added.

BIMP-EAGA simplifies port security rules, sees freer flow of goods and people

(PNA), CTB/JS/PR/UTB

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 18 (PNA) -- Security heads of the BIMP-EAGA have completed the draft of a guidebook that contains the simplified security rules and procedures for the sub-region’s sea routes in a bid to strengthen cross-border trade between and among its focus areas.

In a meeting held here Thursday, security heads of member-countries crafted the guidebook that streamlined the rules and procedures as well as security principles and policies in all secondary ports of BIMP-EAGA. The guidebookis designed to ensure the security of people and goods plying within these secondary ports.

The BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a sub-regional cooperation created to spur business activities within the economic area.

“Ports are considered as the nerve centers of commerce and trade,” said Abdul Ramin Bin Hussin, chairperson of the BIMP-EAGA Security Sector, while adding, “security within secondary ports is vital for their survival.”

BIMP-EAGA secondary ports are entry points which are not yet compliant with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPFS) standards but are already engaged in cross-border trading activities. The Sitangkai Port in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi belongs to this category.

He said the crafting of the guidebook came at an opportune time when ASEAN member countries prepare for the greater economic integration in 2015.

In July this year, security heads of BIMP-EAGA member countries met in Puerto Princesa, Palawan to discuss the streamlining of international port standards and guidelines to address vulnerability to threats and iron out security policies, processes, and procedures within the sub-region.

The move was aimed at enhancing further the economic viability of cross-border businesses and encourage private sector-led trading within BIMP-EAGA.

As the country’s official coordinating office for BIMP-EAGA, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) underscored the need to map out strategies to accelerate and secure the gains of the economic cooperation since itsinception 19 years ago.

Romeo Montenegro, MinDA investment promotion and public affairs director, said that the guidebook is designed to enhance the efficiency of BIMP-EAGA entry and exit points in facilitating freer movement of people, goods, andservices as ASEAN prepares for a single market and production base.

"We have laid out the mechanisms that will harmonize Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security rules, regulations, and procedures in recent years,” said Montenegro, while adding “these mechanisms have resulted inthe resurgence of the private sector’s renewed interest to do business in BIMP-EAGA.”

Montenegro said the private sector plays a vital role in realizing the development goals of the economic cooperation.

He cited the partnership between the chambers of commerce of Davao City and Manado as a welcome development especially in revitalizing trade between Mindanao and North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

“We are gaining headways in terms of facilitating the resumption of Davao-Manado air link and the implementation of Davao-General Santos City-Bitung roll-on roll-off (RORO) service,” said added.

He said that MinDA also sees brighter prospects in its efforts to revive the Puerto Princesa-Kota Kinabalu air link and to make the RORO service between Brooke’s Point, Palawan and Kudat, Sabah lucrative for businessmenfrom both ends.

Montenegro said that the crafting of a simplified guidebook on security procedures shows the BIMP-EAGA leaders' resolve to assist investors in their business endeavors.

BIMP-EAGA is Asia’s largest economic sub-grouping with an estimated population of more than 50 million. With trade ties that date back to the 17th century, the sub-grouping holds immense potentials in agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, and tourism, among others.

Davao rice farmers lured into catfish growing

(PNA)

DAVAO CITY—It started with only 200 square meters area that rice farmers in Los Amigos allocated for hito (catfish) growing within their respective rice fields many years back.

Barangay Captain Angelico Santander Jr. told the Philippine News Agency they learned of the technology of growing hito from the government through the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Santander said there was a time in the past that their yield with rice farming was no longer viable, that is why they looked for other projects that will help them augment their income.

He said for over 10 years now of growing hito in between their rice farming, there were already changes in their way of living as most of the farmers were able to send their children to school and finish college and got employed.

Santander also said farmers already were able to purchase transportation that they use for their farm products. He said through the years, the 200-square-meter hito farm of some farmers had been expanded to 5 hectares and gets a gross income of P1 million.

Santander said initial capital ranges between P50,000 and 80,000 depending on the area.

With the success of growing hito in Barangay Los Amigos, farmers in the neighboring barangays like Calinan, Balengaeng, Tagakpan and Tugbok also ventured into the project.

Santander said they had organized their group and formed the Los Amigos Aquaculture Producers’ Group.

“We want to formalize our group into cooperative,” he said.

He said they are also venturing into other projects because there are markets that have tapped them for supplies.

Although talks are still ongoing, he said Japan market needs about 3 tons daily of the African hito that they produce organically.

However, he said they are already supplying the different big markets of Davao City and supermarkets.

He said they are very careful of getting other commitment and bringing out their produce outside of Los Amigos because right now there are already 19 restaurants that operate along the highways of the barangay from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

These restaurants need about 1,500 kilograms daily.

He said the restaurants already have a captive market of travelers going toward Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon and vice versa, aside from tourists and residents along the area.

Los Amigos also houses eight new subdivisions, while colleges and universities of Davao City already have acquired areas for their expansion.

Santander said they also have prepared their zoning plan and allocated areas for commercial development.

He added that with the government’s direction toward tourism, they are now discussing with the Department of Tourism (DOT) on their move to focus on agri-tourism.

Other than the DOT, he said, they are also in talks with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Trade and Industry to help beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to also engage into hito growing.

Davao Dragon Boat group to formally elect set of officers next month (Sports)

(PBA), CTB/ASA/LOLITO T. DELOS REYES/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 16 (PNA) -- The Davao Dragon Boat Association (DDBA) will soon be formally organized with the election of officers next month.

This was agreed during the second organizational meeting held Tuesday afternoon at the conference room of the SK Building at the Almendras gym.

Retired Maj. Gen. Charly Holganza, who helped organized the Bohol International Dragon Boat competition last year, presided over the meeting attended by City Tourism Officer Lisette Marquez, a member of the Executive Committee.

Also present were Central 911 Davao Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel Jaldon, City Sports Development Division Deputy Chief Goldie Delvo, paddler Jersy Lerin of Philippine Rowing Association, Bugsay Dabaw president Dan “Jhun” Bacus and vice-president Jimmy Javier, Theo Espina of Tribung Mindanao Moutaineering Club (TRIMMOC), Samal Kayakfest organizer Lolito delos Reyes of ForePlay and the representatives of the Philippine National Red Cross Davao Chapter, Davao Wild Water Rafting and Ateneo de Davao University.

“We will invite more stakeholders and paddlers during the elections,” Holganza said.

He said that City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is fully supporting the dragon boat not only because it promotes sports and tourism but it also helps in environmental awareness.

“We can help clean the Davao River and the coastal areas here,” he said.

At least two dragon boats will be purchased by the city to jumpstart the activity.

“Our aim is to make Davao City the dragon boat capital in Mindanao,” Holganza said.

A trainer from the Philippine Dragon Boat Association will soon be hired to train and help the would-be paddlers and members of the dragon boat teams in Davao for at least one month.

DDBA will have its first competition in March during the Araw ng Dabaw celebration in preparation for the first-ever Davao International Dragon Boat competition on May 1-4, 2014.

The DDBA Executive Committee was earlier formed last week with Holganza as the chairman while the other members are Mayor Duterte’s executive assistant Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, city sports consultant Glen Escandor and City Sports Development Division OIC William “Butch” Ramirez.

Davao City to get rid of street vendors thru “Tiange sa Katawhan”

By Judy G. Quiros [(PNA), DSP/ASA/JGQ/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 15 (PNA)--The Davao City government is eyeing to establish night markets purposely to clear the city’s main streets of street vendors.

Retired Col. Yusop Jimlani of the City Mayor's Office-Drainage Management Unit tasked by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to address the problem of street vendors now reaching over 3,000, said the project proposal titled “Tiange sa Katawhan” was already submitted to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Monday for approval.

He said the City Planning Development Office (CPDO) has identified five potential areas to serve as night markets. These are: Ilustre extension from Bangkerohan underpass to Pichon Street; Ilustre Street from Duterte Street to General Luna; Padre Faura Street to Pagasa; Magsaysay Avenue from Bangoy to Alvarez streets and Agdao.

He said the night market concept is replicated from that of Asian countries like Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Though similar night markets are already existing in Cagayan de Oro and Tagum cities, the technical working group (TWG) of the “Tiange sa Katawhan “ project studied on what would best fit the Davaoenos when they go to a night market.

The night market areas will serve about 830 stalls, but the number might go higher with the population of the city’s street vendors to have ballooned to over 3,000, Jimlani said.

He clarified that the night markets would not only serve the “ukay-ukay” traders but also to other products except for wet products as those sold in wet markets. It would also include playgrounds and coffee shops, he said.

The proposed project sets 6 p.m to 5 a.m as night market hours.

Jimlani said they would again be calling the street vendors and conduct a raffle in selecting those to be awarded of stall slots.

In terms of hygiene and security, the plan includes the installation of portable toilets and security personnel, respectively.

Jimlani is confident Duterte would approve the project proposal so the problem of street vendors would be solved.

Meanwhile, pending approval of the plan, demolition of street vendors found violating the 1/3-2/3 policy in which the street vendors are only allowed to occupy 1/3 of the street and the 2/3 as open space for the pedestrians will push through.

Jimlani said demolition operations will resume without let-up since the warehouse where the confiscated wares will be dumped is now 90 percent finished.

BFAR 11 to hold Fish Processing Technology training

(PNA), FFC/PTR/ASA/LAC/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 14 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 11 will hold a training on Fish Processing Technology on Tuesday at the regional office in Ramon Magsaysay Avenue here.

"We are inviting those who want to learn new skills especially in fish processing, which they can use for livelihood later on," BFAR regional director Fatma Idris said.

The second day of BFAR's Fish Conservation Week celebration will push through despite the holiday declaration.

Idris said the Fish Processing and Technology as well as Fish Preservation training will be conducted for free and ideal for housewives, students, out-of-school youths and other sectors of society who want to learn more about fish processing and earn more in the process.

She said there are various money-making opportunities using the country's natural resources such as fishery.

However, she added, livelihood opportunities in this sector should not be limited only to fishing but also to added value products like processed food which are now being sold in the supermarkets.

"This is our way of building the capabilities of our people; by knowing the different methods of processing and preserving our fish resources, we also do our part in conserving this resource," she said.

Davao City Fisheries Officer Jose Longo said they will also distribute fishing gears the whole week from October 14-18 except Tuesday as part of the Fisheries Week celebration.

WWF study cites Davao City as among those least vulnerable to climate change

By RAADEE S. SAUSA

Davao City on the southern coastline of Mindanao has emerged as the least vulnerable to the impact of climate change among eight cities in the Philippines, and it could continue its strong economic growth by institutionalizing sustainable environmental measures, according to a 2012 study released by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Weather data from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration over a 20-year period, from 1990 to 2010, show that while the city experiences year-round rainfall and lies in a typhoon-free zone, there has been a “moderately increasing trend in annual rainfall,” said Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, chief executive and vice chairman of WWF.

Tan recently shared the results of the WWF study entitled “Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impacts.”

The study analyzed weather data recorded over two decades in eight cities that, besides Davao City, also included Baguio City, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, Dagupan City, Laoag City and Zamboanga City.

The information was used to predict how climate change could affect trade and industry in these areas for a 50-year period and how local authorities and private stakeholders can counter its adverse consequences.

The study revealed that Davao City would have to deal with climate change impacts such as rising sea levels, increased sea surface temperatures, ocean acidification, and variability in the amount of rainfall.

“Unless and until this rainfall trend reverses itself, it is likely that Davao’s growing economy will have to manage increased rainfall, river flow, and flooding,” Tan said.

The report looked at certain industries in the city and their vulnerability to environmental disturbances.

For instance, rising sea levels may create problems for the city’s ports, a nerve center of Davao City’s economy that caters to a variety of ships handling both cargo and passengers.

In agriculture, there is the danger of rat infestation following heavy rains.

The city has been enjoying economic growth as a result of the generally robust agricultural, shipping, trade, and tourism sectors, Tan noted.

Agriculture is Davao’s largest economic sector with banana, pineapple, durian, mango and papaya as the top fruit crops in 2010. Durian showed the most significant increase in terms of fruit crop production from 1990 to 2010.

Also, banana production was tagged as the sectoral leader in tonnage and has more than doubled over 20 years. Corn production delivered a robust pattern of growth, more than doubling from 1990 to 2010.

The study also showed that tourism is a vibrant sector with significant growth recorded over the last 10 years. In 2010, the total estimated tourist receipts of the city hit P9.55 billion.

To protect all these gains, the study recommended sustainable, integrated area development for Davao City. “Its opportunity is to do things the right way,” it cited.

This means the effective and sustained management of essential utilities like water and power, basic services, and food security “driven by innovative agricultural formulas.”

It also suggested effective and sustained management of “climate-smart” zoning, mass transit, land use and infrastructure, and efficient land and sea access to developed centers in Mindanao and nationwide.

“Davao has found its place in the sun. [It] should take a close look at the city’s shipping fleet and port facilities, and take the necessary steps to ensure that they are upgraded to deal with the impacts of climate change,” it said.

Banana growers eye creating industry board (Feature)

By Aurelio A. Pena [(PNA), CTB/ASA/AAP/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, Oct 12 (PNA) --There's an idea floating around the Philippine banana industry that the creation of a “banana board” can help solve the industry’s various problems.

This is similar to the Australian Banana Board, the Malaysian Rubber Board, or the Palm Oil Board of Malaysia which are being looked up to as “models” by some executives of the local banana industry who are seriously studying this possibility.

This idea had been discussed several times during meetings between officials of the Department of Trade and Industry and executives of the Federation of Banana-based Cooperatives or FEDCO and it seemed to have gained ground these past months.

“All we wanted is an official body composed of industry executives and government officials who can decide on many problems besetting the banana industry like low buying prices, aerial spraying, new markets,etc,” says Rene Dalayon, chief executive officer of FEDCO and chair of the Mindanao Banana Growers and Exporters Association.

Despite all the meetings however, nothing solid had been decided yet as both industry and government are still unsure how the “banana board” will look like ---what the structure will be, how it will function, and what the board is expected to do, among others.

The creation of this “banana board” had been started by the small banana growers and small exporters due to the many problems faced by this sector in the industry. No one in the industry is surprised why the small banana growers desperately wanted to put up this “banana board”.

Invitations had been sent many times by Dalayon’s group to the big exporters represented by the Pilipino Banana Exporters and Growers Association or PBGEA, but no one from the group showed up during meetings set up by the DTI to discuss the creation of the “banana board”.

PhilExport Davao chapter president Ferdinand Maranon of Sagrex Foods, a banana chips exporter, kept insisting in several meetings that the big exporters under PBGEA will never agree to a “banana board” set up in the Davao Region since many of the problems raised by small banana growers are being blamed on the big exporters.

“They’ll shoot it down even before you set it up. It’s not a good idea for the banana export industry,” Maranon told the industry group during one meeting.

One of the biggest complaints of small banana growers is the “low buying price” of fresh Cavendish bananas being paid by the big exporters at the farms after the fruit is delivered to the packing plant for processing and packaging.

A “low buying price” would mean less than its minimum of .50 per carton box (13 kgs) of fresh bananas, ranging from .80 to .00 while a “good high buying price” would mean about .80 to .80 a box.

Whether or not a “banana board” has any business of controlling the prices of the fruit, or whether the price should be left alone to the supply and demand forces in the market to establish the “buying price”--- was one of the many points discussed by Maranon, Dalayon, other stakeholders, with DTI Regional director Marizon Loreto in one meeting.

They agreed however that an in-depth study be made on the various industry boards of Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, looking at their structure, the board composition, the functions, duties, and the advantages of having a similar board for the banana industry in the Philippines.

Innovation Expo 2013 features pyroclave waste treatment

(PNA), FPV/ASA/JUDY G. QUIROS/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 11 (PNA) -- Pyroclave , an environment- friendly technology in treating infectious wastes, presented its Filipino-invented innovation at the opening of Innovation Expo 2013 Friday.

Inventor Roderick Dayot , vice president of RAD Green Solution, shared to the participants how pyroclave technology treats medical wastes without polluting the environment.

He explained that pyroclave technology is a non-burning or incineration thermal process, environmentally-safe, and low-cost medical waste system.

He said RAD Solution’s pyroclave machine is placed at the hospital provided that the hospital can produce 300 kilos of infectious waste a day for treatment. The RAD charges P20 per kilo of infectious waste treated, he said.

At present pyroclave machines are placed at the San Pedro Hospital in Davao City, another one or the first offsite facility is located in New Carmen, Magtuod right in front of the dump site. RAD Solution has also placed a pyroclave machine in Cagayan de Oro, and the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga.

Dayot explained that pyroclave technology heats infections wastes using liquefied petroleum gas and water turning the wastes to another fuel called Syngas and finally the wastes turning into a safe disposable charcoal.

Dayot said pyroclave technology impressed their clients abroad because of its hands-free management.

The machine is operated through touch screen control and remote management system. Also, the machine automatically stops at the programmed operation time.

RAD Green Solutions presented its innovation in Silicon Valley, California after being one of the winners in the ON3 Pitching Competitions in 2011 which is a business competition for start-up companies involved in Information Technology (I.T.) and green technology.

Dayot said pyroclave technology impressed people in California because of its hands-free management.

The machine is operated through touch screen control and remote management system. Also, the machine automatically stops at the programmed operation time.


Davao City plans river promenade, rehab of parks

(PIA/RG Alama)

DAVAO CITY Oct. 10 (PIA)- The City Government of Davao particularly the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) is eyeing the development of a river promenade along the Davao River and the rehabilitation of existing public parks.

Eliza Madrazo, CENRO head said that they have submitted the river promenade plan to the City Planning and Development Office for approval.

The plans will entail the continuation of the river promenade from Bolton Bridge up until Generoso Bridge. A river promenade was built at the riverbank beside Bolton Bridge but has been neglected, Madrazo said that the plan under the Davao River Development Program will have the promenade expanded.

She said the promenade will be useful as view decks where people can watch fluvial parades. Future plans will include the expansion of the promenade into Madapo, an area beyond Generoso Bridge.

She said that though the riverbanks of the proposed promenade are occupied with settlers, it has been identified as a permanent hazard area and the settlers are eligible for relocation.

Part of the plan is for the other side of the river bank to be covered with trellises and its banks planted with mangroves to hide illegal settlers and at the same time prevent them from throwing garbage along the river.

A small river park is planned at the Tiongko Football Field just beside the Bolton Bridge. Madrazo said it will be developed as a coastal park.

Madrazo hopes that the project will be implemented within three years during the term of incumbent City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Aside from River Promenade, Madrazo said they are proposing a budget of P2-million for the fencing of Osmeña Park, right beside the Sangguniang Panglungsod Building.

Madrazo said they are planning to make Osmeña Park, a retiree park where kiosks, benches will be put up for the elderly visiting the park. She noticed that some people have been making the park as home or sleeping quarters to the detriment of other park goers thus the need to fence in the public space.

If implemented Osmeña Park will be modelled after the People’s Park where there is an opening and closing time for park visitors.

Another plan according to Madrazo is for them to meet subdivision owners and homeowner association presidents, where they are encouraged to plant trees in vacant lots and among roadsides as part of the climate change adaptation strategy of the City Government.

More than 11,000 runners joining 37th National Milo Marathon Davao leg

(PNA), LAM/ASA/LREYES/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 9 (PNA) – There are now more than 11,000 runners listed in the 37th National Milo Marathon qualifying leg slated on Sunday at Roxas Avenue here.

“We have more than 11,000 already all in the 5K while the rest are from the 21K, 10K and 3K,” said local race director Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports.

There are 300 runners now in the 21K, 200 in 10K and 100 in the 3K.

“The 5K is already closed for registration,” said Sai, who said that they are aiming a target of 14,000 runners.

Last year’s leg had 13,200 runners.

Meanwhile, last year’s 21K men's open champion Anthony Nerza of Davao City is again picked as the heavy favorite while last year’s women’s winner Flordilisa Donos is not yet listed to defend her crown which leaves Cynthia Jaro of Davao City and Judelyn Miranda as the early favorites in the distaff side.

“Sila pa rin ang top picks sa men and women’s open 21K. Wala kasing mga dayo,” Sai said.

The 21K winners will advance into the National Finals slated on December 8 in Manila.

Milo Sports Executive Andrew Neri, consultant Pat Goc-Ong and national organizer Rio dela Cruz will arrive on Friday.

DSWD-11, partners mark elderly Filipino week

(DSWD-11/Carmela Cadigal-Duron)

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 08 – The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Regional Coordinating and Monitoring Board (RCMB) and the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Older Persons (RIACOP) spearhead the observance of the Elderly Filipino Week.

Proclamation No. 470, declares every first week of October and every year thereafter as Linggo ng Nakatatandang Pilipino or the Elderly Filipino Week.

This year’s celebration carries the theme, Nakatatanda: Pagtulungan Isulong Benepisyo’t Karapatan Tungo sa Maginhawa at Masayang Pamayanan.

To underscore the observance, DSWD National Office suggested the conduct of advocacy activities such as Media Launch, Walk for Life, Reading of Message and Prayer at the flag raising ceremony, Forum on RA 9994 or The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, Consultative Conference for Older Persons, Thanksgiving Mass and Photo Exhibit.

Earlier, DSWD met up with heads and representatives of LGUs and national line agencies to report on their respective issues and concerns relative to implementation of programs for older persons.

DSWD also conducted radio announcements and interviews to drum up the event.

DSWD Focal Person on Older Persons Berlita A. Silagan said DSWD will host a culminating event on Thursday, October 10 at the DSWD Conference Hall where the offices of DSWD, DILG, DOH, DOLE, DA, DTI and PhilHealth will provide updates on RA 9994.

Recognition of the Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda and Payout of Social Pension to Davao City beneficiaries will also be slated Thursday at DSWD-11, she added.

Meanwhile, some 51 residents of the DSWD Home for the Aged are celebrating the event through parlor games and a special dinner.

SM Science Discovery Center indicates economic progress in Davao City

By Judy G. Quiros [(PNA),DSP/ASA/JCQ/LDP)]

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 7 (PNA) -- The recent opening of the world-class Science Discovery Center at SM Lanang Premier here, the first in Mindanao, proves the remarkable economic growth in the city of Davao, Department of Tourism (DOT 11) regional director Art Boncato said.

“The recent economic boom brought about by the influx of investments and tourism, we are seeing many positive changes unfold in the landscape of Davao City. We are seeing our city grow and step up its potential,” he said.

The SM Science Discovery Center Lanang serves as a key towards growth. It brings with it more opportunities for the city to sustain advantage not only in business and tourism, but also in education. It will provide a unique, tech-based platform for helping our educators teach our youth about concepts in science, technology and other related topics, he said.

Boncato also recognized that apart from being the pioneering advanced educational facility the SM Science Discovery Center is distinct for being the first highly advanced, interactive science center with a full dome planetarium not only in Davao City, but in the entire Visayas and Mindanao region.

“Also, it is the 2nd in the Philippines after its branch in SM Mall of Asia in Metro Manila,” he said.

Boncato said the DOT thanked SM for choosing are very thrilled that SM has chosen Davao City as new home for its Science Discovery Center.

“I am certain that this would be a great addition to our efforts in promoting our brand of tourism throughout the Philippines and across the world,” he said.

Lawmaker eyes bill regulating drones in PH

By Germelina Lacorte (Inquirer Mindanao)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan said it might be high time to pass a bill monitoring and regulating the use of drones in the country because of the number of accidents involving these hi-tech devices.

Ilagan said drones have figured out in accidents that happened in Tawi-Tawi and even in Pikit, North Cotabato, but government agencies supposedly tasked to monitor these devices are still at a loss how to go about monitoring them.

“I had asked the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communication) about the need to register it (drones) but they don’t know how to do it yet,” Ilagan said in an informal forum with Davao reporters over the weekend.

“In Tawi-Tawi, there had been an accident involving drones. I asked the DOTC who are licensing them? Whether manned or unmanned, they need to be monitored, but who? Who will assess whether drones are responsible for the accidents or not? Who will regulate the drones?” she said.

She said the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Department of National Defense (DND) seemed to be at a loss as how to deal with it.

“Who are the owners of these drones, why are they not registered?” she asked.

Although a resolution has been filed in Congress to investigate the presence of drones and how are they used in the country, there might be a need to file a bill if these devices are being used by too many people, according to Ilagan.

“You can’t prevent a private individual from operating one, so, there’s a need to regulate, monitor and check what purpose they are used and who are using them, and to assess, in times of accidents,” Ilagan said. “These are high-tech devices used for various purposes. These can also bring about disasters, hence, someone should be held accountable for,” she added.

In Davao city, the regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earlier announced the agency would use drones to monitor illegal logging activities in the far-flung areas of the region.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte earlier confided he refused the US’ proposal to make the city’s old airport as a launching pad for drones in Mindanao.

The question came up after Ilagan was asked to comment over Duterte’s possible change of mind over the entry of US’ forces in Davao following the two explosions here in September.

“It would be a very serious matter of concern if the mayor changes his stand because he’s the only mayor in the country who has been very consistent in barring the US forces entry in Davao,” Ilagan said.

Dakila partners with MTV Exit in campaign vs human trafficking in Davao City

(Inquirer)

DAVAO, Philippines—Following the success of the Freedom Ride, a pioneering event that brought together 6,000 cyclists in a nationwide campaign against human trafficking early this year, Dakila partnered with MTV Exit for a youth-driven initiative against human trafficking and exploitation in the Philippines.

Dakila renewed its partnership with MTV Exit’s human trafficking campaign following the efforts of the Department of Justice Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ – IACAT) to revitalize its information and awareness campaign in Davao City and adjacent areas.

The MTV Exit Youth Jam featured three-day youth training, forums in various schools in Davao, free film screenings at the Davao Cinematheque in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and a free concert held last September 21 at the Matina Town Square in partnership with Davao Music Nation (DMN).

Dakila partnered with MTV Exit for a youth-driven initiative against human trafficking. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The concert featured local artists such as Maan Chua, lucas, Lost Tribe, Anne Mendoza, South Breed and Umbro. Dakila brought in the rock band, Franco, a staunch advocate in the fight against human trafficking.

The MTV Exit roadshow aimed to empower youth advocates in Davao to sustain the campaign against human trafficking. Dakila’s artist-members singer-songwriter Nityalila Saulo, photographer Ralph Rovie Eya, and seasoned thespian Erolle Linus Miranda mentored 25 youth ambassadors from all over Davao in using their creative medium of choice to forward their advocacy against human trafficking at the Youth Jam Training held last September 13-15 at the Ateneo de Davao University.

Saulo breathed new life into words as she taught songwriting while Eya laid down the essentials of photography, as Miranda encouraged truth in acting.

Making it a point to inspire change and social transformation, Dakila Spokesperson Ayeen Karunungan gave a comprehensive crash-course on advocacy communications followed by a talk on project management by Communications Manager Ayrie Ching, capped off by Executive Director Leni Velasco’s discussion on the finer points of effective and creative project planning and communication strategy.

Dakila president and multi-awarded journalist, musician and pop culture icon Lourd de Veyra mentioned during the launch of Dakila’s anti-trafficking campaign last March, “Not only are we a country with 10 million of our countrymen working abroad and where disasters, armed conflict and poverty force most of us to find better opportunities and safer living space elsewhere, but also a society where the luster of city life and promise of fast cash continue to attract people from the rural communities. As a result, more people are becoming vulnerable to human trafficking.”

“In the face of the growing number of victims of human trafficking in the country, the MTV Exit Youth Jam is a welcome contribution to the prevention efforts,” said Dakila spokesperson Ayeen Karunungan.

“We admire the passionate drive of Davao’s youth ambassadors in engaging their fellow youth to embrace the campaign. We are very positive that with these 25 new youth leaders as ambassadors and with the participation of Davao’s artists, we will be seeing more initiatives on line and on ground to help curb human trafficking in Davao.”

The MTV EXIT Davao Roadshow is made possible by MTV Exit, in partnership with Dakila, through the sponsorship of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Davao pomelo promoted as region's first GI

(Sun Star Davao)

AIMED at becoming as Davao Region's first Geographical Indication (GI), the protection, development, and promotion of Davao pomelo will be the main focus of the Department of Trade and Industry's consultative meeting with stakeholders slated Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. at Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City.

The Davao Pummelo Industry Association (DPIA), through DTI-Davao Region and the Intellectual Property (IP) of the Philippines, is expecting to assemble pummelo farmers and processors from Davao, South Cotabato, and North Cotabato to participate during the GI consultative meeting.

The meeting aims to inform pomelo stakeholders about this GI initiative, solicit ideas and suggestions for code of practice, present charter draft, and roll-out the roadmap.

Series of meetings and workshops have been conducted since 2012 involving appropriate private and government agencies and came up with an initial draft of the GI code of practice.

A GI is a name used for products that have distinct qualities, produced according to traditional methods, and carries a certain reputation that are all attributable to its geographical origin. Having a GI mark increases marketability of products in the global playing field.

It is seen as a powerful economic tool to create markets for local products by capitalizing on geographic origin as well as distinct traditions, rich history and cultural identity associated with it.

The goodwill generated through time by the particular quality and character of the products from a town, city, or province can be encapsulated in a symbol and used as a competitive advantage under a GI.

There are a number of successful GIs throughout the world. To name a few: Champagne from France, Blue Mountain coffee from Jamaica, Darjelling tea from India, and Gruyere Cheese from Switzerland.

For inquiries, interested participants may contact Marie Lou M. Gabiana of the IP Field Operations at (082)224-0511 local 417 or at 0917-897-7534.

Asean delegates to join in 15th Davao Trade Expo

By Reuel John F. Lumawag

DELEGATES from the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) are expected to take part in the upcoming 15th Davao Trade Expo (Date), slated on October 17 to 19 at the SMX Convention Center Davao.

Date 2013 chairperson Arch. Agatha S. Valencia, speaking in Wednesday's Club 888 forum, said they have partnered with Department of Trade and Industry in Davao Region, Board of Investors, and Davao City Investment Promotions Center to facilitate a business matching between Asean investors and local exhibitors.

"In trade missions done in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) have promoted and invited them to the event and they have showed interest to come here," Valencia said.

She added that since there are some areas in Malaysia and Indonesia that import some of the agricultural products from Davao Region, they have signified interest to come here to see what available agricultural produce farmers have.

She also said that during the Global Economic Summit last month in Mumbai, city representatives, DCCCII president Arch. Daniel T. Lim and trustee John Y. Gaisano, also invited investors from Mumbai to come.

As of press time, a company from Thailand has confirmed to conduct a booth exhibit in Date 2013. DCCCII is yet to confirm the number of foreign exhibitors and delegates who will attend the three-day expo.

"Due to some local incidents, some foreign delegates have their reservation to come, which is unfortunate. However that does not stop us to pursue the event," said Valencia.

This year's Date will focus on the five golden crops: cacao, cassava, coconut, coffee, and corn. These are the crops that are also being pushed for intercropping.

Agriculture Secretary Proseso J. Alcala will be the event's keynote speaker who will discuss about "Golden Opportunities: Policies and Priority Programs in Cacao, Coconut, Coffee, Corn, and Cassava."

Davao public school students to train in IT

By Lovely A. Carillo [(PNA), LAM/ASA/LACARILLO/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 2(PNA) -– Several colleges in this city and the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Davao, Inc. are set to train high school students to meet the increasing demand for Information Technology (IT) professionals here and abroad.

“We are graduating less than a thousand students with IT degrees such as Computer Science, Information Technology and Information Management in the region every year but even these are not enough for all the service providers and IT companies in the city,” said Atty. Samuel Matunog, ICT Davao, Inc. president.

At present, there is a 70 percent gap between the demand and supply of professionals in the IT sector and around 40 percent gap in the Business Process Outsourcing sector.

National ICT Council of the Philippines (NICP) president Lizabel Holganza said there are 67 Business Process Outsourcing and IT operators in Davao, 15 percent of which are considered big operators while 85 percent are small and medium companies. But these 85 percent small companies absorb 80 percent of the total BPO and IT workforce in the city so we have to help them develop their niche, she added.

“We have a shortage in IT professionals and this is one of the reasons why Accenture could not yet locate here even if they want to, considering that majority of their needs are IT professionals who know coding and not just call center agents,” Matunog said.

As a long-term solution, the ICT Davao is set hold the Summer Workshop for IT Kids (SWIT Kids) Summer of next year to acquaint public school children on the basics of information and communication technology.

“We are encouraging schools to revise their curriculum and integrate ICT even for Grade 1 students so we can start them young,” he said.

But while he wanted Grade 6 students to be part of SWIT Kids, he was informed that they better involve the Grade 7 students since they will stay intact for four more years and it would be easier to follow up on their learning every year.

Matunog said several colleges and universities in the city have committed to be part of SWIT Kids including the University of Mindanao which can accommodate 104 students, University of the Immaculate Conception which can accommodate 80 students in their computer laboratories and the University of the Philippines which can accommodate 40 students.

The students will not only be given classroom instruction during the free two-week summer program but will also be involved in practical ICT operations with senior ICT students as their teachers and industry players as advisers. There will also be interventions for the SWIT Kids after the summer program so they can continue enhancing their IT knowledge.

“We are encouraging schools to introduce IT in their curriculum because they can double or triple their program if they start the students early,” he said. When these students get to College, the schools will already be able to know their market.

The SWIT Kids will be chosen by their respective schools based on an aptitude test. They should be good in Science, Mathematics and Communication because most IT professionals consider communication skills as a weakness.

The SWIT Kids Training Program will be conducted in different schools simultaneously.

ICT-Davao set to hold iEx 2013

By Reuel John F. Lumawag

THE Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is set to stage the 2013 Innovation Expo (iEx) on October 11 and 13, 2013, at Seda Hotel and SM City Davao, respectively.

This year's iEx will highlight healthcare and education, as among the key sectors of ICT in Davao Region.

ICT-Davao president Samuel Matunog, speaking in Monday's Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City, said the iEx 2013 will be comprised of three new activities such as iForum, iAuction, and iRobotics.

Matunog said that the iForum will feature new innovations in healthcare and education sectors. A total of 150 delegates are expected to participate in the iForum, slated on October 11, 2013, at the Seda Hotel.

Among the discussions on healthcare will include Pyroclave, integrating ICT in managed care delivery, and increasing profits through embedded e-Claims while the topics on education will include teaching & e-learning, online learning technology, and BookShelf, to name a few.

The first-ever iAuction, meanwhile, allows auction of pre-owned gadgets. "iAuction is our answer to recycling electric junk. Here, participants can put out preowned gadget so that somebody else can use it," National ICT Council of the Philippines (NICP) president Lizabel G. Holganza said.

During the iAuction, Dabawenyos can buy items like hardware and software sold 50 percent lower from its suggested retail price.

Matunog said that they are expecting at least 10 brands to be auctioned, with around 150 bidders to flock in droves on October 13, at the SM City-Annex.

"The proceeds from the iAuction will go to our Summer Workshop for IT or SWIT Kids. This is our initiative to provide basic IT knowledge to kids from grade seven to grade 12 or from first to fourth year high school," Matunog said.

On the same day, iRobotics will also take place at the SM City-Annex, wherein the organizers, along with the academic institutions, will showcase in an exhibit the creations, innovations, and talents of students who championed in robotics and programming.

Around 300 students and enthusiasts are expected to visit the exhibit where 15 to 20 robots will be displayed.

Speakers from Philippine Science High School (Philsci), University of Mindanao (UM), Ateneo de Davao University (Addu), Holy Cross of Davao College, Apo Learnings, and AMA Computer College will also take part in the forum in iRobotics.

The iEx 2013 is organized by ICT, NICP, Department of Science and Technology (Dost), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and City Government of Davao.

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