Davao Oriental News December 2011

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Davao Oriental Province

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.
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Provincial Capitol Building of Davao Oriental

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.

2011: A year of triumphs, challenges

THE year 2011 witnessed a challenging year to the police and military in Davao Region.

Law enforcement units in the region including the Police Regional Office (PRO), Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Army's 10th Infantry Division, Task Force Davao (TFD), Public Safety Command Center (PSCC), and even National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), found 2011 triumphant because of achievements and commitment to serve and protect the people at all times.

Drug test

It was disappointing that 15 police personnel, three soldiers, five personnel of the Traffic Management Center (TMC), and three personnel of the Central 911 in Davao Region were tested positive of illegal drugs following a series of random drug tests conducted by PDEA in September. Officials, however, took with optimism that the experience would never happen in 2012.

Of the 15 cops found positive of using drugs, 10 policemen are from Davao City Police Office (DCPO), two from Davao Oriental, two from Davao del Norte, and one from Davao del Sur, said Senior Inspector Gretchin Cinco, PRO assistant spokesperson.

Also, two soldiers from TFD and one from Army's 10th Infantry Division, and eight personnel from the Davao City Government were positive of drug use.

"We will not tolerate this. We will not allow abuses to be committed by our personnel," Chief Superintendent Jorge E. Corpuz, PRO-11 deputy director for administration said, adding that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been working on to improve its image and this unwanted development will be a stain to the image-building efforts of the organization.

It can be recalled that Mayor Sara Duterte said that random drug tests at the City Government would continue until her term ends in 2013.

The mayor added that she wants all in Davao City free of drug users and drug dependent employees, while the PDEA under the leadership of Emerson R. Rosales vowed to continue their responsibility as drug enforcers.

The euphoria of the authorities on their achievements continues when the CIDG, under the leadership of Senior Superintendent Pedro B. Cabatingan, filed charges before the City Prosecution Office against three men they arrested after a raid in a cyber pornography den at Km. 11 Sasa in Davao City last April.

Cabatingan said the arrest of the suspects identified as John Michael Martisano, 31; Ferdinand Dahang, 32; and Jumar Sanchez, 23, came after a month-long surveillance on the cyber pornography activities of the suspects. The police also rescued five persons, some of them minors, during the raid.

The operation continues as the CIDG confiscated around seven hundred computer units and servers in a massive police raid on a business process outsourcing company (BPO) for allegedly selling pornographic materials at Sobrecarey Street on August.

Judge Isaac G. Robillo Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 11 in Davao City issued the search warrant on Cyber City Teleservices, one of the pioneer BPO companies in the city. Some employees of the firm will be charged with violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act 8792 or the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, which provides for the recognition and use of electronic commercial and non-commercial transactions.

Chief Inspector Edilberto Leonardo, chief of CIDG-Task Force Maverick, said earlier assessment of forensic examiners on the computer units and domain server showed there was indeed selling of pornographic materials.

However, personnel of the CIDG were surprised when the fiscal dismissed the case against the call center for lack of evidence.

Prosecutor Gaye Canete-Magdagasang, in her resolution dated October 7, however, said: "There is, however, no showing or no evidence at hand or no proper description that would strengthen the claim of the officers (CIDG)."

Authorities remained unfaltered amidst troubles and difficulties -- the DCPO proved the PNP has remained the strong institution when they figured in a shootout with a suspected kidnapper of a six-year-old son of a businessman in Davao del Sur on October. The boy, a kindergarten pupil at Matina Central Elementary School, was rescued in Lizada Village in Toril.

Another year highlight was in August 2011 when authorities rescued some 10 young human trafficking victims from manpower recruitment quarters at Matina in Davao City.

The rescue operation, conducted on 747 Molave Street in Juna Subdivision in Matina, came after a resident of Mintal complained to authorities that his niece from Maguindanao was being held there and will only be released if he pays P15,000 for board and lodging.

The successive landslides in Pantukan, Compostela Valley, due to heavy rains will not be forgotten as well. These were the days when the military put their firearms down to assist other government personnel for the rescue and relief operations.

The incident resulted to three fatalities, injury of 10 people while 22 others were missing in Kingking village due to the landslide at 7 a.m. of April 22. Reports said a similar landslide struck the village of Kingking on the same site and a nearby community in 2009, leaving 21 dead, including children.

On March 3, a miner was killed while five others were injured when another landslide hit a gold-rush area in Pantukan. The mudslide happened around 12 p.m. in the village of Kingking in Pantukan, after three days of continuous heavy rain.

On August 16, three small-scale miners died while four others were injured when a landslide hit a mining area in Sitio Tagutong, Barangay Andap in Compostela Valley Province, at around 7 p.m.

Despite the stern warning, illegal miners and their families have defied government warnings and built bunkhouses and shanties near where they eke out a living by digging in narrow, dangerous shafts, where accidents are common.

Despite the challenges, tragedies and successes, one thing is important -- that people must learn from the past and face the 2012 with optimism.

Green welcome

With 2011 coming to a close, the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) urged Davaoeños to reflect on what have been achieved during the year, and at the same time to go green in welcoming 2012.

The DLPC advised residents to consider the green ways in holding the Filipino tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve with a blast without spending much money and power.

The first tip is to keep the celebration simple with electronic invitations such as using ceiling fans or personal fans instead of air conditioning. Ceiling fans will help circulate the cool air.

DLPC urges for a green New Year's Eve

With 2011 coming to a close, the Davao Light and Power Company urged Davaoeños to reflect on what have been achieved during the year, and at the same time to go green in welcoming 2012.

DLPC advised to consider the green ways in holding the Filipino tradition of celebrating the New Year's eve with a blast without spending much money and power.

The first tip is to keep the celebration simple with electronic invitations such as using ceiling fans or personal fans instead of air conditioning. Ceiling fans will help circulate the cool air.

Another advice is to decorate some green plants inside your home, as this will also help cool the air when the weather gets hot outside.

In cooking efficiently, DLPC recommended using microwave instead of the regular oven if possible. It said a microwave consumes less electricity and doesn't heat up the room.

Another food preparation tip is to have simple, easy-to-make and locally grown appetizers.

DLPC also suggested to turn-off the main house lights for a more dramatic mood, and to watch Christmas lights glitter in darkness. This could be best when opening gifts.

Gifts that don’t need batteries are also best to give, as it will save money as well as the environment in the long run.

Davao Region unemployment rate hits 3-year low

The unemployment rate in Davao Region has hit a 3-year low, according to figures from the Department of Labor and Employment.

According to DOLE-XI Regional Director Atty. Joffrey Suyao, the unemployment figure taken from January to July 2011 is pegged at 5.8 percent. This is lower compared to the 6.1 percent unemployment rate of 2010. The unemployment rate in 2009 registered at 5.9 percent.

The region has an employment rate of 94.2 percent as compared to national average of 92.9 percent.

“Although the growth is small, but this is something we can build upon,” Suyao said.

Suyao credits the current construction boom with the building of hotels and malls, the entry of more investments as current drivers for employment growth. He added that peace and order continues to be the main attraction of the region particularly in Davao City.

According to the National Statistics Coordination Board; the jobless rate in the country for 2011 (January to October year) hit at around 6.4 percent. This is the lowest jobless rate since 2007 when it unemployment rate registered 6.3 percent. The employment growth translated to 2.1 million jobs created from January to October of this year.

According to Press Secretary Edwin Lacierda, the jobs growth is a manifestation of government’s efforts to create conducive business and investment environment.

2 farmers from Davao Region bag National Gawad-Saka awards

DAVAO CITY- Two farmers and a farmers’ group in the region bagged the National Gawad-Saka awards, and are set to receive the award on December 13 from President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang.

The Department of Agriculture recently named the Gawad-Saka awardees from the Davao Region to include lady farmer Anna Cagulada of Dujali, Davao del Norte who was cited as the outstanding rice farmer in the country.

Aside from being hands on in her farm, Cagulada also functions as a public servant being a Barangay Kagawad in her hometown.

She will receive Presidential Trophy, and Presidential citation which will personally be given by President Aquino.

Cagulada will also receive P100,000 cash to finance additional input capital in her farm.

Another farmer awardee is Benjamin Lao of Bansalan, Davao del Sur, cited as outstanding organic agriculture farmer.

Lao owns an integrated and diversified farm with coconut as his main crop using mainly organic inputs.

He invented and developed coconut sugar and syrup products which are getting high demands both from the local and international markets.

Lao will also receive P100,000 cash award, Presidential Trophy and Presidential citation.

The Four Seasons Fruits Corporation from Tagum City was cited as outstanding agri-entrepreneur for its big impact to the production and income of small banana growers in Davao del Norte and nearby provinces.

FSFC is a banana processing company that ships products here and abroad. It is chaired by Ian C. Neo.

The company will receive P100,000 as additional operations capital. A Presidential trophy and Presidential Citation will also be given to the awardee.

DA regional executive director Oscar Parawan lauded the above mentioned farmers for achieving the highest and the most prestigious award in agriculture industry.

“We are proud of these outstanding farmers, they are our heroes in agriculture and they will serve as our partners in pursuing our goal for food self-sufficiency,” Parawan said.

He added that these farmers will also serve as the model for other farmers and fishers in the region to strive more and will continue to venture on new technologies introduced by DA and other government agencies to increase their income and production.

Feature: ARENA XI Serbisyo Caravan continues to touch lives

Senior citizens received pension fund. Indigents got medical services. Farmers brought home seedlings and seeds. Households received compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Fisherfolks took tilapia fingerlings and micro entrepreneurs received livelihood assistance.

These were among the benefits and services that the Serbisyo Caravan delivered to residents of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley where the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) XI conducted the second leg of its caravan of services last November 29.

Medical needs

Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo T. Uy got overwhelmed with the presence of regional directors and the pool of services that they brought along with them.

While expressing his gratitude, he was also hoping that ARENA XI would come back next year and again haul government services to other towns in his province.

He particularly took note of the medical services as among the topmost needs of his people, and that he hoped that the medical outreach would be done in longer days so more people would be able to benefit from it.

Mayor Romeo Clarin of Nabunturan said he observed that more residents avail of the free surgery, medical and dental check-ups and medicines.

Dr. James Dumdum who headed the medical outreach team in the caravan said the team had targeted to do ten major surgeries and 100 minor surgeries such as cyst excisions.

A dozen surgeons, three anesthesiologists, one pediatrician, an ophthalmologist and an internist volunteered their services during the ARENA Caravan medical outreach in Nabunturan.

The Davao Regional Hospital (DRH) spearheaded the conduct of such surgical mission with the support of the Department of Health (DOH) XI which supplied the drugs for major surgery and medicines for minor surgeries.

While providing security during the caravan and entertaining people through its Marching Band, the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army also conducted a separate dental service.

Released cash and other goods

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI made some 190 indigent senior citizens in Nabunturan happy as they took home their social pension given them in cash.

DSWD XI released some P407,500 social pension payouts given in line with the full implementation of Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

The law provides a monthly stipend of P500 to indigent senior citizens of 77 years of age and above, to augment what they have for their daily subsistence and medical needs.

Meanwhile, other agencies also made actual distribution of goods and materials.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) dispersed about 29,500 pieces of Tilapia fingelings.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) gave out some 500 pieces of durian seedlings and 200 packs of assorted vegetable seeds.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs), while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) distributed land titles to patentees under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

While receiving applications for teachers exam, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) XI turned over 2,000 pieces of pencils to Gov. Uy who would be giving them away to Grade I pupils in public schools of the province.

The Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) turned over during that day an Abaca solar dryer to Nabunturan LGU and to Monkayo LGU.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) XI handed over scholarship grants, while the Department of Energy (DOE) distributed 3,000 energy saving lamps.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released P300,000 worth of livelihood assistance to those making a living in the informal sector in Nabunturan.

Other delivered services

Other services rendered were lectures, consultation/dialogues, briefing/ orientation seminar, information drive on various government programs, forum and counseling, processing of documents, licensing, online registration, technology training, and business name registration.

Distribution of wheelchairs and other assistive devices to persons with disabilities was also part of the services delivered.

Other participating agencies are Philhealth, the Departments of Education, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, Justice, Public Works and Highways, Interior and Local Government.

The Serbisyo Caravan in Nabunturan also got the support of the National Statistics Office, Commission on Audit, National Economic and Development Authority, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Internal Revenue, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Public Attorney’s Office, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Coconut Authority, Quedancor, Agricultural Training Institute, National Food Authority.

Other supportive agencies included the Commission on Human Rights, Philippine Information Agency, Land Bank of the Philippines, Maritime Industry Authority, Government Service Insurance System, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Police Commission, Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Plant Industry.

The ARENA XI Serbisyo Caravan first hauled and pooled the services of government line agencies to Boston and Cateel towns in Davao Oriental in August this year.

ARENA XI earned in Davao Oriental the appreciation of local government officials especially that of Provincial Gov. Corazon Malanyaon who saw the outpouring of services, and of social and economic benefits for her less fortunate constituents.

Davao Oriental Philippine Councilors League (PCL) president Vicente Castillones pushed for a resolution commending the ARENA XI Serbisyo Caravan as a model of delivering government services to poor communities.

ARENA XI President Achilles Gerard Bravo, regional director of the Department of Budget (DBM) XI, targetted to bring the caravan of government services to identified poor towns where people badly need national government attention.

Just like in its first leg in Davao Oriental, Bravo again looked at the recent ARENA Serbisyo Caravan in Nabunturan as a triumph over hectic schedules as it brought together 47 national line agencies and government-owned-and-controlled corporations (GOCCs) with their agency heads.

TESDA Davao soars with high employment rate- 6 of 10 graduates get jobs

Six out of 10 graduates of vocational courses of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Davao region were able to land jobs this year, buoying up the shares of skilled workers in the various industries in the country.

TESDA Region XI (Davao Region) reported that 15,760 out of the total 25,272 trainees who completed their respective courses this year found employment after graduation.

The number of graduates was culled from the total number of enrollees which reached 35,653. Of those who graduated, 20,510 underwent assessment, and 17,573 were issued certification as TESDA Specialista.

TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said the figure was very encouraging as this clearly indicates that the agency is successfully achieving its mandate to train for jobs and to produce graduates that industries need.

“We are slowly coming to grips with the problem of mismatch between education choices and the skills required by businesses,” Villanueva said, adding that “at the end of the day, it’s above all an issue of quality.”

Graduates cannot just apply for jobs without taking and passing the competency assessment. More and more companies require job seekers to show proof that they possess the knowledge and skills they require.

A technical vocational graduate, who passes the assessment, is issued a certification. The TESDA certification attests the competencies of the qualification and that he has earned the right to earn the badge of excellence, that of being a TESDA Specialista.

This serves as a kind of quality assurance for TESDA graduates before they plunge in to the real world of work, said Villanueva, who was in Davao recently for the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Industry Forum.

The forum aimed to provide the framework for evaluating the needs of the captains of the 11 industry clusters in the region. These are the prime movers of the economy involved in sectors such as banana, coconut, mango, seaweeds, woods, construction, information communication technology, livestock and poultry, machineries, tourism and mining.

TESDA officials in the region are aiming for an 80 percent employment rate for their graduates.

Davao Region is composed of Davao City and four provinces – Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.

There are a total of 248 institutions providing technical vocational and training, including public and private schools, private enterprises and community-based centers in the region.

Trainers in the region number to a total of 1,468 while accredited assessment centers total to 175.

As of November 18 this year, TESDA has released scholarship vouchers for the region worth about P30 million.

TESDA provides scholarships through its two main programs namely, the Training for Work Scholarship Program and the Private Education Student Fund Assistance (PESFA).

At least P2.3 million is still due for release to Davao City, Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur under the PESFA scholarship.

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