DAVNOR'S BRIGADA ESKWELA ASSURES SMOOTH OPENING OF CLASSES

Wednesday 22nd of May 2013
TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, May 22 -- The success of the Brigada Eskwela will guarantee the smooth and orderly opening of the regular classes on June 3, a local DepEd official here said. Davao del Norte Division Superintendent Josephine Fadul said she is confident the beginning of the School Year 2013-2014 will go on quietly, since classes will no longer be hampered by minor repairs and clean ups in schools. “Regular classes starts on June 3 and cleaning and repair of school facilities are not allowed anymore,” she said. She said that the advent of the Brigada Eskwela made it possible for all the pupils to be attending their lesson...
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Army to run after landmine explosion culprits
CAMP PANACAN, DAVAO CITY May 22 (PIA) -- A top military commander ordered a pursuit operation against the perpetrators behind the two explosions of improvised landmines along the Tagum City-Mawab national highway 6 am Tuesday. Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division said the incident called for forceful intervention by government since the incident happened right in a major access road where civilians travel. “We must run after the persons behind the criminal ac...
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DavNor public HS grad wins int’l science tilt
DAVAO DEL NORTE, May 22 (PIA) -- Panabo National High School graduate Judel Jay A. Tabsing brought home honor as the 4th Grand Prize Winner in the Plant Science Category during the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona U.S.A. from May 12 to May 17. Tabsing was the only one among the Filipino contingent to the ISEF 2013, who won a prize during the event organized by Intel International. Other winners were from New York (1st prize), Hawaii ...
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  • DSWD XI presents results of child protection rapid assessment

    DAVAO CITY, May 21 (PIA) -- Taking the lead of the Child Protection Working Group (CPWG), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI recently presented results of the Child Protection Rapid Assessment (CIPRA) conducted in selected municipalities and provinces affected by Typhoon Pablo. In the opening ceremony before the presentation proper, Director Priscilla N. Razon explained that the assessment aimed to help gauge the impact of Typhoon Pablo especially on children, ide...
  • DPWH-XI monthly presscons as part of transparency initiatives

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, May 21 (PIA) -- As part of its transparency measure, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XI is calling for monthly press conferences. DPWH XI Mariano R. Alquiza bared this objective of DPWH XI in a press conference yesterday (May 20) at the Davao del Norte DPWH District Engineering Office in Tagum City, Davao del Norte where Alquiza was on the regular meeting with district engineers. “We are practicing transparency in our operation,” he said. During t...
  • Philippine-Indonesia Joint Naval Exercise starts

    DAVAO CITY, May 21 (PIA) -- The navies of the Philippines and Indonesia formally commenced the joint civil-military exercise named Corpat-PHILINDO XXVII-13 Tuesday 9May 21) in a simple ceremony at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Headquarters in Camp Panacan. The exercises is aimed at improving the interoperability of both contingents in guarding their respective territorial waters in the Celebes Sea against terrorism, smuggling and illegal fishing. Captain Severino David, deputy commander of...
  • List of new Tagum City leaders now complete

    CITY OF TAGUM, DAVAO DEL NORTE May 21- The list of new set of leaders in Tagum City is finally known after the City Board of Canvassers (CBOC) of the Commission on Electionsfinally proclaimed last May 17 the ten (10) Councilors who will compose the 6th City Council of Tagum. On May 15, the CBOC already proclaimed incumbent Vice Mayor Allan L. Rellon and Councilor Geterito Gementiza as the Mayor-Elect and Vice Mayor-Elect of Tagum City, respectively. Proclaimed as City Councilors last Friday ...
  • PH elections gets online boost from Google

    DAVAO CITY May 21 (PIA) -- With millions of Filipinos getting online everyday, internet search giant Google has stepped up to provide online support to help voters and information-hungry netizens during the conduct of the May 2013 elections. This with its Precinct-Finder which was first launched in 2010 and the recent Google Election page which was launched in February of this year. The Philippine election page allows Filipinos to visit one site and be updated with election news from differen...
  • Cramped detention centers, a deterrent to crime-DCPO

    DAVAO CITY May 21 (PIA) -- Severely overcrowded detention centers in Davao City's police stations can be a deterrent to crimes. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief Police Senior Superintendent said the presently overcrowded detention facilities can be used to dissuade people from committing a crime. Dela Rosa said that detention cells are presently 500% overcrowded. A typical detention cell can only accommodate 20 people. The DCPO chief pointed out that Sta. Ana Police Station currently has...
  • DavSur Congresswoman-elect vows to continue son’s scholarship program

    Correction: Paragraph 4 should have read: Cagas, an incumbent provincial board member, won in the Congressional race at the recently concluded May 13, 2013 local elections with a margin of 1, 338 votes over political opponent incumbent Vice Governor Atty. Arsenio Latasa (and not Vice Mayor, our apologies). DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, May 21 -- Newly-elected Congresswoman of 1st district of Davao del Sur Mercedes “Didi” Cagas vowed to continue the scholarship program of his son, incumbent Re...
  • PNP, AFP refocuses on crime and terror-prevention after polls

    DAVAO CITY, May 20 (PIA) -- Police and military authorities in the city are back to focusing on fighting crime and terror following the proclamation of all winners in the recently concluded midterm senatorial and local polls. Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the Davao City Police Office said the police in the city are back to the normal mode in pursuing law enforcement duties against all forms of criminality. “We are back to normal mode. I told my policemen to focus on ...
  • Hedcor to plant at least 200,000 trees this year

    DAVAO CITY, May 20 -- Hedcor reaffirmed its commitment to protect the watershed through its reforestation efforts in Davao City and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. For the first quarter, close to 14,000 trees were already planted after a series of tree planting activities which covered 14 hectares in Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and Tamugan, Davao City. Over 100 volunteers both from Hedcor and from the community took part in the tree planting. “We started early in our tree planting activ...
  • DavSur has new governor, vice-gov

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, May 20 (PIA) -- The province of Davao del Sur will have a new provincial governor and vice-governor by July this year, in the persons of businessman Claude P. Bautista and incumbent provincial board member Aileen Almendras, respectively. Bautista was declared winner by the Provincial Board of Canvassers after garnering 215,927 votes, leaving behind his opponent incumbent Congressman for first district Marc Douglas Cagas IV with a margin of 54,337. The incoming gover...
  • Week-long Brigada-Eskwela kicks off in Davao City

    DAVAO CITY, May 20 (PIA) -- The Brigada Eskwela (School Brigade) clean up drive kicked off Monday in all schools of the city with parents, students and teachers helping one another to prepare the classrooms, buildings and surroundings for the opening of classes on June 3, 2013. Emerita Mapula, principal of the Cesario Villa-Abrille Elementary School at Barangay 76-A lauded the support of the parents in the clean up activity. She also urged other stakeholders in the community to participate. M...
  • New Firetrucks for Davao, Tagum and Digos cities

    DAVAO CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection XI unveiled the acquisition of three modern fire trucks that will augment the fire fighting and rescue capability in the cities of Davao, Tagum and Digos. Chief Inspector Carlos Duenas, City Fire Marshall said the new fire truck has boosted the morale of his members since they can now respond to other contingencies aside from putting off the fire given its additional equipment for rescue operation. He said the Austrian-made fire trucks ...
  • Special election in Compostela town pushes through

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, May 17 (PIA) -- The special elections in Barangay Gabi in the Municipality of Compostela has pushed through today, May 17 as mandated by the Commission on Election (COMELEC) Resolution 9702. Provincial election supervisor Atty. Jennifer Ancla explained that Brgy. Gabi has two clustered precincts but only the clustered precinct 22 situated in Gabi Elementary School is holding a special election to allow the 808 registered voters to cast their choice of leaders. The said c...
  • Youth picks Tagum Coop as best in savings program

    TAGUM CITY, May 17 --Tagum Cooperative was recently ranked among the Mindanao Youth Choice awardees during the Grand Nights Award of the 1St Mindanao Youth Expo which the National Youth Commission (NYC) held on May 05 at the Davao Recreation Center in Davao City. NYC particularly picked Tagum Cooperative as the Most Outstanding Youth-Based Savings Program, and recognized its contribution “to the welfare and development of the youth society while incorporating social responsibilities.” In...
  • 'Lowly' fungus makes P200,000 for DavNor

    TAGUM CITY, May 17 -- Davao del Norte's strong support to organic agriculture is paying off. The Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO) noted an unprecedented increase in the demand of the Compost Fungus Activator (CFA), Trichoderma Harzianum, which is used to decompose rice straws to serve as organic fertilizer. From less than 1,000 packs per month, PAGRO has distributed 4,199 packs of CFA last month based on its report. According to Dr. Anastacia Notarte, assistant provincial agriculturis...
  • Summer employment program to benefit poor students

    TAGUM CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- Grantees of the Special Program for Students (SPES) in the province are happy the provincial government has finally deployed them to their respective assigned offices. The province facilitated the employment contract of the first batch of SPES with 140 recipients after the lapse of the election ban, which froze the implementation of the program as Comelec prohibited the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds, including the hiring of employees, from Mar...
  • Except for 2nd dist. Davao City poll winners proclaimed

    DAVAO CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The City Board of Canvassers here yesterday evening formally proclaimed the winning candidates in the local polls. The BOC first declared the winning of incumbent Representative Karlo Nograles and the councilors-elect of the first district, followed by incumbent Representative Isidro Ungab and the councilors-elect of the third district which came in full attendance, and incumbent Representative Mylene Garcia-Albano. Later the night, the BOC proclaimed the winning of...
  • PCAB-Davao calls on contractors to renew license

    DAVAO CITY, May 16 – The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) has called on contractors to renew their licenses soonest to avoid rush, delay and penalties. Starting the first day of February, PCAB, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has already been accepting renewal applications for the fiscal year 2013-2014. However, it has been observed that some who are into the construction business have not yet submitted their renewal application. Per record...
  • 63 year-old woman finishes in Tagum’s alternative learning system

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, May 16 (PIA) - The recent graduation ceremony of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in Tagum City was truly a sight to behold: learners all dressed in white togas, each one wearing a smile as they received their certificate of completion signed no less than the secretary of the Department of Education. But nothing’s more amazing than the sight of an old woman receiving her high school diploma, with her children and grandchildren rushing towards her after the ce...
  • Island Garden City of Samal poll winners proclaimed

    ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, Davao del Norte, May 16 (PIA) --The City Board of Canvassers Chairperson Lilia Luna proclaimed Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) City Mayor Aniano P. Antalan and Vice Mayor Al David Torres Uy as winners of the May 13, national and local elections at exactly 12:30 p.m. last May 14, by virtue of Comelec Resolution 9700. The IGaCoS top four winning Councilors in the three districts were as well proclaimed. For Babak District City Councilors were Richard Guindolman,...
  • Comelec proclaims DavNor provincial winners

    TAGUM CITY, May 15 (PIA) – The Provincial Board of Canvasser (PBOC) formally declared the winning candidates of the province during proclamation rites at about 11 a.m. at the SP Session Hall. PBOC Chairwoman Atty. Ma. Febes Barlaan proclaimed re-electionists Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr., 1st District Congressman Antonio Rafael Del Rosario and 2nd District Congressman Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. as victors in the second automated elections last Monday. Del Rosa...
  • PH exports rice anew from Mindanao

    DAVAO CITY, May 15 (PIA) -- The Philippines has strengthened its entry to the global market as rice exporter with the export of another three-ton shipment of black, red and brown rice to Hongkong from the Don Bosco Multi-purpose Cooperative in M’lang, North Cotabato. The ceremonial send-off was held at the Tefasco Wharf in Panacan, Davao City this Wednesday morning, May 15. Agriculture Undersecretary Dante Delima, Amalia Jayag-Datukan, regional director of the Department of Agriculture 12,...
  • DavSur local election winners proclaimed

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, May 15 (PIA) -- Most of the city and municipal Board of Canvassers here have already proclaimed local winners from mayoral positions to councilors, since Tuesday shortly after automated results came out. The municipal BOC of Malalag chaired by acting election officer Sitti Miriam J. Codah was among the early boards to proclaim winning candidates before 12 noon of May 14. The board announced incumbent Mayor Roel O. Paras to have won again the position, enabling him to...
  • 9 DavSur towns transmit election returns as of May 14

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, May 14 (PIA) -- Nine municipalities out of 14 towns and one city in the province have successfully transmitted their respective election returns to the Provincial Canvassing Center at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall as of 3 p.m. today. The towns that completed canvassing and transmission were Bansalan, Hagonoy, Magsaysay, Matanao, Padada, Don Marcelino, Malalag, Sta. Maria and Sulop. The delay in the transmission of election returns in Digos City, Sta. Cru...
  • Public urged to be vigilant against power sabotage on election day

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, May 11 (PIA) -- An official of electric cooperative here has called on the public to be vigilant against power sabotage intended to mar the election process on Monday and during the canvassing period. Engr. Godofredo Guya, general manager of the Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative, urged the residents here to immediately report to police authorities and barangay officials any suspicious move and actual act of impairing electric lines especially during the counting of b...
  • Meet the new Tagum Coop Chairperson

    TAGUM CITY, May 10 (PIA) -- Christened with a gentle-sounding name-Miriam. Her nickname “Yam” bears out her approachable and gentle personality. Tagum Cooperative's newest Chairperson, Miriam Baloyo or Madam Yam as she is fondly called has set a track record of 34 years in the banking industry before joining Tagum Cooperative. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), she left the industry as a retired manager of the Philippine National Bank. She started serving as an officer of Tagum Coope...
  • Gov’t provides funding to roll out Sahatra program for Bangsamoro

    DAVAO CITY, May 10 (PIA) -- The national government has allotted about P600 million to roll out various socio-economic projects for the Bangsamoro areas under the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program, Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras said. In a press conference at the Insular Hotel Davao, Almendras explained that the fund will initially be used to implement quick projects that would not need a thorough needs assessment. Almendras was in Davao City to meet the Joint Coordinating Committee me...
  • DavNor trains IP kids to become elite runners

    TAGUM CITY, May 10 (PIA) -- Ten school children belonging to the Indigenous People (IP) community in Talaingod will have the privilege of carrying the name of the province in major athletics events after making it to the Talaingod-DavNor Runners Team. The members of the new team were selected out of 22 candidates during the recent final qualifying round at the Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center in Mankilam, Tagum City. The event was graced by National Athletics Coach Renato Unso, wh...
  • DavNor defends National Pop Quiz title

    TAGUM CITY, May 10 (PIA) -- The province of Davao del Norte successfully defended its crown in the National Population Quiz when Kate Gizelle Samsona clinched the 2013 competition held in Tacloban City, recently. Provincial Health Officer Agapito Hornido said 16-year old Samsona, who just graduated valedictorian from the Sto. Tomas National High School, bested 16 other contestants after garnering 24 points in the contest. Samsona received a P15,000 cash prize, medal and a trophy in the compe...
  • Top military regional commander assures AFP readiness in May 13 polls

    DAVAO CITY, May 10 (PIA) -- The top commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Eastern Mindanao assured the readiness of the military in providing security to ensure peaceful elections on May 13. Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command said that all Precinct Count Optical Scan machines in its areas of jurisdiction have the corresponding security by police and soldiers. He said almost all of the PCOS machines are already in the respective municipal...
  • Tagum Coop gives value to voluntary blood donation

    TAGUM CITY, May 10 (PIA) -- On its eighth year of its Mass Blood Donation Program, Tagum Cooperative has again inculcated the importance of giving blood. Tagum Cooperative Board of Directors Chairperson Miriam Baloyo highlighted the relevance of donating blood during the opening ceremonies of the Mass Blood Donation activity last Saturday at the conference hall of Tagum Cooperative Main Branch. With facts gathered through her research, Baloyo debunked the common notion that donating blood...
  • Comelec XI urges the voters to go out and vote early on May 13 polls

    DAVAO CITY, May 10 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections XI guaranteed its promptness to run the May 13 national and local polls in Davao Region. Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado, regional director of the Comelec XI said the defective Precinct Count Optical Scan machines were they only glitch they experienced so far in the past days of testing and sealing since May 6. He said the defective PCOS machines were sent back to Manila either for possible repair or replacement on Saturday and Sunday. Balisa...
  • Davao Region celebrates 2013 world day of safety and health at work

    DAVAO CITY, May 10 -- With the goal of safeguarding the health and welfare of the Filipino worker and pursuant to the mandate of International Labor Organization, Department of Labor and Employment and its partners commemorated the “World Day of Safety and Health at Work” last Sunday, May 5, in the city. Over 100 nurses, safety practitioners, safety officers, occupational health doctors, professional organizations, trade unions and different industry workers participated in the activity ...
  • World-class arena to rise in Davao City by 2015

    DAVAO CITY, May 10 -- A world-class, multi-purpose arena currently under construction in Davao City is expected to be completed by 2015. According to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ the Name Above Every Name, the center dubbed the King Dome will be the country’s largest dome and can seat about 52,000 people. The five-hectare site is located in the 23-hectare Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound beside the Davao International Airport. Pastor Quiboloy said that the dome...
  • Government workers to take part in GSIS blood-letting

    DAVAO CITY, May 8 (PIA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Davao City branch office is set to carry out a blood-letting activity on Friday, May 10 as part of the agency’s celebration of its 76th anniversary this month. GSIS Davao has so far registered some 95 volunteers who pledged to share their blood through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Davao City Chapter. Cezar Allan G. Aurelio, GSIS blood-letting coordinator, said the volunteers are personnel from different government o...
  • Tribal farmers grateful for P10-M road, bridge project

    TAGUM CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- Farmers and residents belonging to an Indigenous Peoples community in Dagohoy, Talaingod, this province, praised the government for implementing the P10-million farm-to-market road (FMR) and bridge project that alleviated their life. Barangay Councilor Jun Katwa, a member of the Ata-Manobo Tribe, said the two-km Dagohoy, Talaingod-Semong Kapalong FMR, with a 36-linear meter RCDG bridge component, made their life easier. Katwa, who tends some tracks of farm land in ...
  • Authorities ready to secure Compostela Valley

    DAVAO CITY, May 07 (PIA) -- Military and police authorities in Compostela Valley Province have assured their readiness to handle security matters during the May 13 elections. The entire province of Compostela Valley is placed under of concern due to presence of “lawless elements” particularly New People’s Army (NPA) but government authority officials said that necessary preparation had been in place to counter and preempt possible disruption of a peaceful election. Guesting in the Ka...
  • 1.7M day care children to benefit from DSWD Feeding Program

    DAVAO CITY, May 7 – Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman said that 1,755,034 children in 45,389 day care centers nationwide will benefit from the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for school year 2013-2014. In the 2013 DSWD budget, it has allocated more than P2.9 billion for the program covering all 17 regions including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Secretary Soliman explained that the SFP is th...
  • New Navy commander assures full support during May 13 polls

    DAVAO CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- The new commander of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao assured its full support to the police and military in ensuring peaceful elections on May 13. Captain Antonio Habulan Jr., newly-installed commander of the NFEM said the Navy is taking its cue from Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz, the commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command for the task that they will perform on the elections. “We will follow and support all peace and order activities called for by the Eas...
  • Taxi company takes on anti-trafficking advocacy campaign

    DAVAO CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- The anti-trafficking advocacy campaign will soon reach the television monitors of taxi cabs in Davao City as part of the heightened crusade against trafficking in persons (TIP) in the region. A one-minute video infomercial on anti-TIP is expected to be viewed from the TV screens of 500 taxi units of the Maligaya Taxi Company that agreed to take on the campaign for six months starting June up to December this year. Assistant Regional Prosecutor Barbara Mae Flores ba...
  • New health facilities to benefit Pablo-hit towns in Davao Oriental

    BAGANGA, Davao Oriental, May 7 -- At least fifteen barangay health stations are set to benefit the three coastal towns hit by typhoon Pablo—a commitment that the Mindanao PhilSaga Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the provincial government vouched to put up. This was confirmed on Friday by the Foundation President, Dr. Victor P. Salvado during the ground breaking ceremony of the first of the fifteen health stations held at Barangay Salingcomot in Baganga town. Setting off for the first ti...
  • Police in Caraga, Socksargen, Davao ready for the May 13 polls

    DAVAO CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- The country’s top cop assured the readiness of the Philippine National Police to perform its peacekeeping functions on May 13 polls. Police Director General Allan Purisima, chief of the PNP told his directors in the regions in Caraga, Socksargen and Davao to execute their plans to ensure peaceful elections in all localities and barangays on the Election Day. He said the police must do its job to ensure the peaceful conduct of elections. “They just have to do the...
  • NPA tries to make presence felt in Region- Army

    MAWAB, Compostela Valley, May 6 -- Atrocities made by the New People's Army is designed to sow fear and to make their lean presence felt, Armed Forces of the Philippines 10th ID spokesperson Lyndon Paniza said. Paniza in an interview revealed some forms of activities which he said were desperate moves by the rebel group to gain public cognizance. The military recently uncovered extortion activities of the NPAs which allegedly asked revolutionary taxes from small businesses in Monkayo town...
  • LGUs urged to fully implement Juvenile Justice Law

    DAVAO CITY, May 3 (PIA) -- An official of the National Youth Commission cited the need for local governments to fully implement the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act or Republic Act 9344. Undersecretary Leon Flores, III, chair of the National Youth Commission said that often it is not the fault of the child to commit a crime. “We have to look at his environment, the family situation and the juvenile justice system is one of the intervention programs to keep them away from criminal activities....
  • PMA cadets showcase silent drill in Panabo City

    PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte, May 3 (PIA) -- Ninety-two cadets composed of 18 women and 74 men of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Gabay Laya” Class of 2016 performed their 45-minute silent drill under the heat of the scorching sun in the Panabo Multipurpose Tourism Cultural and Sports Center grounds, Panabo City. The delegation was welcomed by Mayor Jose Silvosa Sr. during their courtesy call. The visitors were composed of Head of the PMA Delegation, Cmdr Junjie B. Tabuada, PN together w...
  • Tagum City holds 1st Labor Day Job Fair

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, May 3 (PIA) -- A Labor Day Jobs Fair organized for the first time by the Department of Labor and Employment in Tagum City drew job applicants from the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, and Davao Oriental. Handled by DOLE Davao del Norte provincial office, the May 1 Labor Day Job Fair registered 2,228 applicants, of which 1,864 were for local employment while 364 were for overseas work. One hundred sixty-eight were hired on the spot, of which 138 were for local ...
  • Navy commits sea assets for May 13 polls

    DAVAO CITY, May 3 (PIA) -- The Philippine Navy in Eastern Mindanao will be committing its naval assets to support the conduct of the May 13 elections. Commodore Isabelo Gador, outgoing commander of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, said the deployment of the navy in the region is coursed through the Eastern Mindanao Command. In line with the mandate, he said that personnel, equipment, and assets will be ready to assist and support Comelec. He said the five naval vessels of NFEM will be used t...
  • MARINA professionalizes domestic sea travel

    DAVAO CITY, May 3 (PIA) -- The Maritime Industry Authority in Davao Region sworn in their respective professions Thursday 101 deck and 102 engine officers in an unprecedented move to professionalized domestic sea travel. Atty. Gloria Banas, deputy administrator for operations of the Marina who presided over the oath-taking-ceremony spoke with pride on the achievement of the Marina XI in professionalizing the ranks of local seafarers. She said the activity realizes one of the Marina’s objecti...
  • Davao consumer organizations to federate for stronger voice

    DAVAO CITY, May 3 -- The 24 consumer organizations (COs) in Davao Region are forming a federation in a bid to make a stronger stance towards consumer protection and empowerment. Department of Trade and Industry-Davao Region (DTI-Davao) Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulation Division (CWTRD) chief Rachel S. Remitio said such move of the region’s consumer organizations is a manifestation of their strong commitment as consumer advocates. “As a federation, these consumer organizations will be w...
  • Seventeen soldiers lauded for heroic feat

    CAMP PANACAN, May 2 (PIA) -- The military cited 17 members of the 66th Infantry Battalion for a job well-done after figuring in an encounter with the New People’s Army which resulted to the death of two rebels and the recovery of several high-powered fire arms in April 25, in the hinterlands of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley. Lt. General Noel Coballes, commander of the Philippine Army granted the merits to the soldiers in a simple ceremony at the 66th Infantry Battalion Headquarters in Baranga...
  • Davao Region, major beneficiary of tourism road program

    DAVAO CITY May 2 (PIA) -- Motorists passing to Loyola and Porras Streets in the residential-commercial area of Barrio Obrero will have to bear the traffic for a while with road construction clogging its busy streets. The street projects are part of the unique Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) convergence action called the TRIP which stands for Tourism Roads Infrastructure Program. The infrastructure program involves the identification of roads ...
  • Wounded rebel in Comval clash passes away

    DAVAO CITY, May 2 (PIA) -- A wounded member of the New People’s Army whom soldiers tried to save following a firefight last week in Barangay Katipunan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley passed away last Monday, April 29 due to multiple organ failure. Major Rosa Maria Christina Manuel, executive officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations said Renier Perez alias Ka Arnel who hailed from Barangay Tulalian, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte expired several hours after he was rushed by soldiers to the h...
  • DavSur electric coop asks for public understanding on brownouts

    DIGOS CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR, May 1 (PIA) -- The Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. has asked for public understanding and patience on the continuing brownouts in the province. DASURECO general manager Engr. Godofredo Guya raised the need for the residents to be more enduring of the power situation as they announced through text blast to the media that the province could experience longer brownout period starting April 25. Guya explained that the prolonged brownout was due to “severe po...
  • DepEd-ARMM launches mechanism to protect teachers on May polls

    DAVAO CITY, April 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Education of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) formally launched on Monday in a hotel here, the DepEd Election Response Network (DERN), a mechanism ensuring the safety of public school teachers who will serve in the May 13 polls. Atty. Jamar Kulayan, education secretary of the ARMM said the DERN will provide security and even legal assistance to teachers even after the election is through, in all areas when they figure on elec...
  • DOLE XI lines up 31,105 jobs on the Labor Day jobs fair

    DAVAO CITY, April 29 (PIA) -- A total of 31,105 jobs will be offered in Davao region on the jobs fair set by Department of Labor and Employment XI on the 111th year- celebration of Labor Day on May 1 in the cities of Tagum and Davao. Speaking at the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the SM City, Atty. Jeoffrey Suyao, director of the DOLE XI said 3,922 local jobs and 27,183 overseas job-placements will be up for grabs with the participation of 155 local and 66 overseas firms, respectively. He said the ten in...
  • PWDs urged to participate in job fairs-DOLE XI

    DAVAO CITY, April 30 (PIA) -- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are urged to participate in the slated job fairs in the region in time for the observance of Labor Day on May 1 (Wednesday). Department of Labor and Employment regional director Joffrey Suyao assured that everyone is welcome, especially the PWDs to choose and apply from among the more than 30,000 jobs to be opened during the job fair events. Suyao said his office is coordinating with the officers of PWDs organizations to discuss on...
  • Comelec-XI all set for May 13 polls

    DAVAO CITY, April 30 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections in the region is all set for the May 13 mid term national and local elections, said Comelec regional director Atty. Jay Balisado. Comparing to the 2010 polls, Balisado said they are “practically ahead of the timeline” in preparation for the upcoming elections. He cited the schedule of the Final Testing and Sealing (FTS) of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines slated on May 6 at the polling precincts. In distant areas tho...
  • GPH calls on CPP-NPA-NDF to speed up peace process

    DAVAO CITY, April 29 (PIA) -- The Philippine Government is mulling on a new approach to pursue talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, National Democratic Front and New People’s Army to peacefully resolve the armed conflict amid the impasse in the negotiations and the increasing violent activities of the rebels in the countryside. Health Undersecretary Alex Padilla, chair of the government peace panel, said the government will be taking the approach called special track as proposed...
  • Army, PNP readies Quick Reaction Forces for polls

    DAVAO CITY, April 26 (PIA) -- The army and the police are readying their quick reaction forces (QRFs) to secure the May 13 elections. The QRF and police’s rapid deployment forces are part of the security measures being instituted by the Philippine National Police and the Army’s 10th Infantry Division. Major General Ariel Bernardo commander of the 10th Infantry Division said these units are highly mobile units which can respond to any untoward situations in the field. He said that battalio...
  • Police reports 172 election gun ban violations in Davao Region

    DAVAO CITY, April 26 (PIA) -- The police in Davao Region has accounted a total of 172 gun ban violations from its January 13 implementation up to April 24, 2013. Speaking in the AFP-PNP Press Corps conference at the Task Force Davao Headquarters, Superintendent Marlon Pinote, supervisor of the Election Monitoring Action Center of the Police Regional Office XI said the campaign led to the confiscation of a total of 106 assorted firearms, 33 high powered weapons and 73 of low caliber. He said a ...
  • IGaCoS, first Salintubig recipient

    ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, April 26 (PIA) -- The city government of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) received a P2-million grant from the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) Program of the national government identified as one of the priority areas for the Bottom- Up Planning and Budgeting Projects (BUPBP). The Salintubig program aims to provide sufficient and potable water to all the households in the barangay that anchored to the local poverty alleviation redu...
  • UN-World Food to add P2-M nutrition support to ComVal

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley Province April 26 -- Adding to the various interventions that the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP) is extending to Compostela Valley Province is the P2-Million support to the Provincial Nutrition Program with Governor Arturo T. Uy as the Provincial Nutrition Council Chair. A memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing on a Tripartite Agreement was successfully done at the Capitol on April 22 with Governor Uy representing the PLGU; UN WFP Mindanao Operation Hea...
  • Labor Day job fairs bring 30,000 vacancies

    DAVAO CITY, April 26 (PIA) -- Job seekers in the region will be given opportunities for possible employment in local and overseas companies that will offer 30,893 vacancies in job fairs set on Labor Day. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-XI) will lead three simultaneous job fair events at SM City Davao and Gaisano Mall in Davao City and at Gaisano Mall in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, in celebration of Labor Day on May 1. DOLE-XI regional director Atty. Joffrey Suyao bared that about...
  • Maternal deaths seen to go down with ultrasound at health centers

    TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE, April 26 (PIA) -- Maternal Mortality Rate in Mindanao is expected to go down with more rural health doctors trained to use the ultrasound for early detection of pregnancy complications. Department of Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Romulo Busuego shared this vision as he revealed the target of DOH to train about 100 rural health doctors to use the ultrasound in diagnosing complications of pregnancy. The DOH formally started rolling out the program Tuesday on...
  • Campaign materials, fruit waste ups Davao City's trash collections

    DAVAO CITY April 25 (PIA) -- Fruit wastes and campaign materials have contributed to the rise of the daily collected trash in Davao City. Dolores Remojo Officer-In-Charge of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office said that based on data taken from the weighbridge at the Davao City Sanitary Landfill daily trash collections for the month of April has gone up to 430 tons as compared to the previous collections weighing 410 tons a day. Remojo said that the 20 tons increase are mostly fr...
  • Cadet’s ‘Silent Drill’ aims to invite young Tagumeños to study in PMA

    TAGUM CITY, April 26 (PIA) -- The scorching heat of the sun welcomed the cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Gabay Laya” Class of 2016 as they showcased their silent drill performance in the Freedom Park grounds, Tagum City. This is part of the cadets' annual Southern Cruise in the selected areas in the Mindanao. “This is to encourage the young and intelligent young people to study in the Academy and as well as to promote the PMA in the Southern Region,” said Sgt. 3rd ...
  • Rebel killed in Comval clash

    DAVAO CITY, April 25 (PIA)-- One rebel was killed, another one wounded and several high powered firearms were recovered following an encounter between members of the 66th Infantry Battalion and more or less 30 New People’s Army rebels 9:00 a.m. Thursday, April 25 in Barangay Apogon, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Battalion said the body of the lone fatality was brought to the nearest barangay center for identification and a decent...
  • AFP, PNP pursues rebs after twin attacks

    DAVAO CITY, April 25 (PIA) -- A police officer assured that the peace and order in Mabini, Compostela Valley has gone back to normal after two armed men opened fire on the police station using a grenade launcher 7:35 pm Tuesday. Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan, director of the Compostela Valley Police Office said police and military observed an alert level three since Tuesday night by putting up checkpoints and conducting pursuit operation against the perpetrators who took advantage of t...
  • SSS reaches out to informal sector

    DAVAO CITY, April 24 (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS) is reaching out to the informal sector with its unique AlkanSSSya program. The AlkanSSSya are specially made- cabinets installed in the workplaces of the informal sector like tricycle terminals, marketplaces which acts like piggy banks where workers can deposit about P10-P15 a day which pooled at the end of the month will be collected by the SSS. Their daily payment will be considered as their P312 monthly contribution for SSS cov...
  • News feature: Celebrating lifelong learning of IPs in Davao del Norte

    TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE April 24 (PIA) – Melecio Bustamante, 66, never thought that he would ever see the day that he will be able to read and write. Like many members of an indigenous people (IP) community in Tibulao, Carmen, this province, Bustamante never went to school and was deprived of acquiring basic literacy until two years ago. The elderly native basket-maker recounted how life was so difficult and sad at the time when he could not even write his name and count money. “...
  • Governor says relief goods distribution are properly monitored

    MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL, April 24 (PIA) -- Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon Malanyaon assures the public that distribution of relief goods for Typhoon Pablo victims are being properly monitored. In a statement, Malanyaon said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the World Food Organization (WFO) are accounting and monitoring the distribution of relief goods to Pablo victims in hard-hit towns of Baganga, Boston and Cateel in the province of Davao Oriental. “How can ...
  • MILF urges followers to participate in May 13 polls

    DAVAO CITY, April 24 (PIA) -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has appealed to all its constituents to participate in the May 13 elections. Mohaqher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace-panel said their group normally does not issue an appeal on the people regarding elections. However, they have to issue an appeal now since the elections will have an impact on the ongoing peace talks between their group and the government, he said. Iqbal said the MILF prefers to convey its concern for the pe...
  • PMA Yearlings wow Dabawenyos of their silent drill

    DAVAO CITY, April 24 (PIA) -- Ninety two cadets of the Philippine Military Academy Class 2016 started entertaining the city residents by performing silent drills as their primary activity during the Davao leg of their southern cruise at the open field of the University of Southeastern Philippines, Tuesday. 2Lt. Christin Joan Pamplona, community relations officer of the Task Force Davao said the cadets will also be performing 10 am and 2 pm in the cities of Panabo and Tagum, respectively on Ap...
  • Tagum receives “child-friendly city” national recognition

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, April 24 PIA -- The City of Tagum is among the few local government units in the country that have been recognized for their efforts to protect, promote, and preserve the rights of children, thus earning the title as a “Child-Friendly City.” City Councilor Maria Lina F. Baura, vice chairperson of the Local Council for the Protection of Children, represented Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy in the awarding ceremony last April 17 at the University of the Philippines in...
  • AFP chief of staff wants impartial military during polls

    DAVAO CITY, April 24 (PIA) -- A top military officer ordered the soldiers to be impartial at all times in view of the May 13, 2013 national and local midterm elections. General Emmanuel Bautista, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines told reporters that the primary guidance for this election is to help the poll body conduct peaceful elections side by side with the police. Bautista said soldiers must be non-partisan in the whole electoral process. He said they still awaiting fo...
  • Google calls on volunteers for precinct-mapping project

    DAVAO CITY, April 24 (PIA) -- Google Philippines is calling for volunteers to contribute to its Map-Your- Precinct Project 2013. The Map-Your-Precinct project aims to help Filipino voters to find their precincts or voting centers using Google maps. The system entails the help of mapping volunteers which inputs details of the locations of precincts to Google mapmaker. The project started in 2010 was conceptualized with the entry of automated elections which made changes in precincts due to clu...
  • DavOr eyes dev't of palm oil industry in 3 towns

    BOSTON, Davao Oriental, April 23 -- At least 20,000 hectares in the three typhoon-devastated towns of Davao Oriental's eastern coast were identified potential areas for cultivating oil palm. This came from a team of expert agronomists and agri-business specialists from the Indo Food Company under Indonesia’s largest conglomerate—the Salim Group of Companies who visited the province in response to an invitation from Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon who is keen at tapping huge investment opport...
  • DavNor vies to host Palarong Pambansa 2015

    DUMAGUETE CITY, April 23 (PIA) -- Before thousands of delegates and spectators from around the country, Davao del Norte signified its intention to host Palarong Pambansa. Every delegation from the country’s 17 different regions showed off something that speaks of the region they are representing at the opening parade of this year’s Palarong Pambansa, but Region XI made sure their message comes across. Impressed on a huge and long banner carried by the region’s athletes was the province's...
  • DavNor starts building sports champions

    TAGUM CITY, April 23 (PIA) -- The province of Davao del Norte is setting out its quest by building sports champions with the launch of its first-ever sports camp at the Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center which started last April 18 until the 30th. The sports clinic provided a better alternative for hundreds of kids to fruitfully enjoy their summer vacation, by learning the fundamentals and sharpening their skills in sports. Aside from physical benefits, the children, aged six to 16 ...
  • Illegaly-placed campaign posters targetted in Oplan Baklas

    DAVAO CITY, April 22 (PIA) -- The three district offices of the Commission on Election in cooperation with the Davao City Police Office and the Bureau of Fire Protection continued its Operation Baklas, a clean-up drive aimed at ridding political propaganda materials off the non-designated poster areas. Lawyer Aimee Ampoloquio, election officer of the District 1 of Davao City, said their operation yielded plenty of political propaganda both from the incumbent officials and aspiring candidates g...
  • Butuan studes wins anti-drug video contest

    DAVAO CITY, April 20 -- A production team composed of students from Fr. Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City copped the grand prize in the first Kontra : 1st Mindanao anti-drug TV Advertisement Contest organized by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Their 45-seconder TV advertisement entitled “Chicken” shows a young man experiencing hallucinations while dining with his friends. The video which creatively reveals the hallucinatory effects of drug abuse was adjudged as the best ent...
  • Comval Guv cautions public on swindlers using his name

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, April 20 (PIA) -- Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo Uy cautions the public, especially the business sector from giving in to anyone who calls to ask for donation in his behalf or on behalf of the provincial government. In a press conference Thursday, Uy revealed that a “deception and swindling” activity had been going on using his name and the provincial government done through phone calls to businessmen who were allegedly asked to donate. He further revealed...
  • City Tourism Office to intensify promotion of Davao City as tourist destination

    Davao City, April 19 (PIA) -- The City Tourism Office is looking at intensifying its promotion of Davao City as a tourist destination with more activities that will attract visitors here and abroad to generate more jobs. Jason Magnaye, head of the City Investment Promotion Center and the City Tourism Office said that bringing in more visitors to the city remains a challenge for the local government and the accommodation agency. Even then, he said tourist arrival brings more jobs to the city. ...
  • DavNor public high school student to join int’l science fair

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, April 18 (PIA) -- One of the seven Filipino high school student participants to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) hails from Panabo City, Davao del Norte. Judel Jay A. Tabsing, a 16-year old- fourth- year- high-school student of the Panabo National High School will join six other Filipino high school students to the Intel ISEF which will be held in Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona, U.S.A. on May 12 to 17. Other Filipino contingent members to the ...
  • City Council lauds Lt. General Jorge Segovia as commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command

    DAVAO CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- The city council of Davao commended Lt. General Jorge Segovia, outgoing commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command for the peace being enjoyed by the city and all areas under his jurisdiction. Thirteen councilors agreed on a resolution authored by Councilor Bernie Al-ag citing the exemplary performance and accomplishments of Segovia as former commander of the 10th Infantry Division and eventually the chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command. Al-ag cited Segovia’s le...
  • Army confident of insurgency waning in Davao Oriental as government addresses roots of dissent

    DAVAO CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- A top military officer expressed confidence that the insurgency problem in Davao Oriental will totally die down as the government and stakeholders continue to reach out and strengthen the effort to assist former rebels to start life anew. Colonel Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade said the provision of livelihood checks to the nine rebel returnees only shows the seriousness of government to address the roots of insurgency. “This endea...
  • DavSur PWDs received free artificial legs

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, April 18 (PIA) -- Some 114 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the province here have recently benefited from a leg prostheses grant amounting to about P3 million from the Fil-American Association of Central New Jersey (FAACNJ). The FAACNJ assistance for the PWDs was in partnership with Davao del Sur Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO). Rosula B. Aldanese, PSWDO focal person for PWDs program, said 95 of the beneficiaries were fitted and have ...
  • Military commanders propose measures to strengthen disaster preparedness

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, April 18 (PIA) -- Military commanders in typhoon Pablo-hit provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental have proposed measures to strengthen disaster preparedness, mitigation and response during the recently conducted Typhoon Pablo Lessons Learned/After Action Review. The review was organized by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Agencies (UN OCHA) in close coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), held in Nabunturan, Compostel...
  • International Organization for Migration supports ‘Tindog ComVal’ Movement

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE,April 18 (PIA) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has affirmed its support to the “Tindog Compostela Valley Movement,” by facilitating the construction of 300 houses for the homeless victims of typhoon Pablo. Rizalino “Jorie” de los Santos IOM Provincial Coordinator said the IOM is committed to finish 110 houses apportioned to: New Bataan- 42 units; Compostela- 46 units and; Montevista- 22 units. Construction of other houses are still ...
  • Task Force Davao vows to keep its rank clean from drug dependents

    DAVAO CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- A military unit in-charge in the campaign against terrorism and other forms of criminality in the city vowed to keep its rank clean from illegal-drug dependents. 2nd Lt. Chrystin Joan Pamplona, civil-military operations officer of the Task Force Davao issued the statement after 400 of its members proved negative in the latest random drug test conducted in the contingent. She said the random drug test covered Colonel Casiano Monilla, commander of the TF Davao down...
  • DavOr opens half-way house for rebel returnees

    DAVAO ORIENTAL, April 18 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Davao Oriental recently inaugurated the half-way house for rebel returnees which cost P1.7 million funded by the Office of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). The facility was designed to provide enabling services for “total rehabilitation and development of former rebels,” Provincial Gov. Corazon Malanyaon said. The half-way house is located in Sitio Magay at the compound of the Provincia...
  • OCD to strengthen disaster mgt councils in Davao Region

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, April 18 (PIA) -- Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) regional director retired BGen Lorito G. Rirao is planning to strengthen disaster councils in the Davao Region. Attending the series of After Typhoon Pablo Action Review conducted in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, Rirao gathered inputs on how to strengthen the capacity of local governments to carry out disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and rehabilitation. In an interview, he sa...
  • OCD eyes to strengthen disaster mgt councils in Davao Region

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, April 17 (PIA): Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) regional director Brig. Gen (ret.) is eyeing for a much strengthened disaster councils in the Davao Region. COMPOSTELA VALLEY, April 17 (PIA) -- The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) plans to strengthen disaster councils in the Davao Region. In a series of After Typhoon Pablo Action Review in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, OCD regional director Lorito G. Rirao gathered inputs on how to str...
  • DavSur Comelec sets election schedules

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, April 17 (PIA) -- With less than a month toward elections, the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor here has set its final instructions for the election officers (EOs) and schedules of activities, including the delivery of election paraphernalia. Atty. Gay Asuncion Enumerables, Davao del Sur provincial election supervisor, laid down the work plan for the province before the EOs together with the officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces o...
  • DOE-XI invites applicants for vacant positions

    DAVAO CITY, April 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Energy-Mindanao Field Office (DOE-MFO) based in Davao City is inviting qualified applicants to apply for its two vacant permanent positions of Science Research Specialist II. DOE-MFO Director Manuel M. Llaneza said one of the qualification standards set for the position is an education attainment of Bachelor’s Degree relevant to the job, preferably in Economics, Mass Communication, Information Technology or Computer Science. The applicants must...
  • DTI warns consumers anew vs butane canisters filled with LPG

    DAVAO CITY, April 17 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has warned consumers anew against possible hazards that may be caused by butane canisters filled with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Reports have reached DTI of rampant unsafe practice of consumers using butane canisters as containers for household LPG. Based on the memorandum issued by DTI-Bureau of Product Standards director Lawyer Pedro Vicente C. Mendoza, butane canisters are made of tin and tin canisters are not refillab...
  • Produkto DavNor boosts tourism in New Corella

    NEW CORELLA, Davao del Norte, April 16 (PIA) -- The new Produkto DavNor Pasalubong Center in Poblacion, New Corella, Davao del Norte province will provide a big boost to the rising tourism industry of the municipality. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the launch of the souvenir shop on Thursday will not only serve as a marketing facility for locally-made products, but will also offer a venue for the tourists to complete their experience in visiting the town. The Governor said tourists, in...
  • Soldiers in Davao Region to exercise maximum visibility on Election day

    DAVAO CITY, April 16 (PIA) -- The military will exercise full visibility in all barangays on May 13 midterm national and local elections so that the residents will have the confidence to cast their votes and to participate in the polls. Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division said that all personnel will be deployed on field to maximize visibility so that the people will feel secured and will freely vote according to their conscience, without the fear o...
  • Davao Oriental opens halfway house for peace

    CITY OF MATI, Davao Oriental, April 16 PIA -- Pushing for the total rehabilitation and development of former rebels, the provincial government of Davao Oriental in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Philippine Army inaugurated on April 10 the newly constructed halfway house for rebel returnees. Considered a novel project that props the peace and development efforts of the province, the facility will serve as a transition shelter that will pr...
  • Army conducts clearing operations in preparation for May 13 polls

    DAVAO CITY, April 16 (PIA) -- A top military commander said they have conducted several security operations against the communist rebels as part of the preparation for the May 13 midterm national and local elections. Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division said that from January to March, 2013, his troops conducted a total of four division-initiated military operations, 13- brigade initiated operations, 52 battalion level operations. He revealed that ...
  • Multi-agency conducts Typhoon Pablo after action review

    DAVAO ORIENTAL, April 13 (PIA) -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI along with the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Agencies (UN-OCHA) will visit the Davao Oriental to conduct Typhoon ‘Bopha’ Pablo Lessons Learned/After Action Review. Barry Armstrong, head of UN-OCHA Davao Sub-Office explained the activity was designed to capture the various interventions delivered by multi-responding agencies including that of the national and local governments. Retired Brig...
  • AFP, PNP in DavSur gear up for the elections

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, April 13 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here are gearing up for the coming mid term elections, assuring of sufficient forces to ensure a secure and fair election (SAFE) on May 13. The Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office (DSPPO), the 39th Infantry Battalion and 73rd IB under AFP’s 10th Infantry Division have set their respective security measures and deployment plans in preparation for the election. In ...
  • DavNor peaceful as election campaign goes full-blast

    TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE, April 13 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte is expected to stay relatively peaceful even though election campaign goes full blast, as observed by election deputized agencies. The police and the military consider rebel groups not a threat to the holding of peaceful election in May while the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has noted the receptiveness of political candidates to notices of violations sent to them. Guesting during the recent Kapihan sa Kapitolyo, Col. Buenav...
  • Governor cites success of peace program

    MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL, April 12 (PIA) -- Governor Corazon Malanyaon said the military’s Peace and Development Program (PDOP) has been successful in ridding the province of New People’s Army influence. She said the reasons for PDOP’s success are the full support of the Philippine Army to the development direction set by the provincial government. She said this has created a synergy “characterized by shared goals, shared values and levels of commitment, the same target, the same ti...
  • Second Candidates Forum tackles families in politics

    DAVAO CITY April 12 (PIA)- The Philippine Information Agency XI’s candidates forum tackled multiple family members serving and running for public service positions which saw the attendance of first district congressional candidate Luis Bonguyan and reelectionist Vice-Mayor James Gamao. The forum held today at the PIA-XI office in Davao City is part of the PIA-XI’s support to Comelec resolution 598 which deputizes government agencies particularly the PIA to assist the Commission on Elections...
  • Security prep under review for May 13 elections

    DAVAO CITY, April 12 (PIA) -- Deployment of police and soldiers in election-watchlist areas in Davao City and Davao Region remains a work in progress and under fine-tuning to ensure its effectivity even beyond May 13 midterm elections, according to Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, regional director of the Police Regional Office XI. He said deployment of security forces is one of the primary concerns in the conference today of the members of the Joint Election Security Coordinatingl Center co...
  • DTI-XI holds free business seminar on April 16

    DAVAO CITY, Apr. 12 -- The Department of Trade and Industry – Davao City Field Office (DTI-DCFO) will be conducting a one-day seminar to equip those who want to start their own business. Dubbed “Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset”, the seminar is set on April 16, 1:00 to 5:00 pm, at the DTI Conference Room, 2/F Mintrade Building, corner Monteverde and Sales Streets, Davao City. The seminar is the first module in the DTI Entrepreneurship Development Training. DTI-DDCFO director Teo...
  • Davao City ups IEC on strengthened smoking ban

    DAVAO CITY, April 12 (PIA) -- The Anti-Smoking Task Force of Davao City has doubled its efforts in the information and education campaign (IEC) to keep the people aware of the new anti-smoking policy which will be fully implemented on May 31 this year in the city. Speaking at the I-Speak Forum, Dr. Domilyn Villareiz, co-chair of the Anti-Smoking Task Force said the IEC currently targets the barangays chairs who will deliver the information down to their respective constituents. She said that ...
  • Prov'l govt, TESDA sponsor free traing for ComVal women thru Livelihood Training Caravan

    NABUNTURAN COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, April 11 (PIA) -- Women in the province of Compostela Valley can now avail themselves of the free training thru the “Livelihood Training Caravan” sponsored by the Provincial Government through the Compostela Valley Provincial Council of Women (CVPCOW). Women Development Program Coordinator Rheabie Cobrado said the free training caravan is conducted in partnership with Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Last March, about 30 wo...
  • Panbo Mariculture Park marks 7th anniversary

    PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte, April 11 (PIA) -- The local government of Panabo City led by Mayor Jose L. Silvosa Sr. joined the seventh Founding Anniversary with a theme “Mariculture Park, Padayon alang sa Kalamboan ug Panginabuhian” of the Panabo Mariculture Park last March 25-30 at the Mariculture Park Bagsakan Center, Barangay Cagangohan. Silvosa attended the event and encouraged stakeholders to support the fishery business. He said that stakeholders, fishers, and the local government pl...
  • 183 DavOr barangays cleared from rebel influence

    MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTTAL, April 11 (PIA)-- Davao Oriental’s 183 barangays and its 10 towns and a lone city have been cleared of rebel influence by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command. During the Area Clearing Completion Ceremony held April 10 in Mati City, Lt. Gen. Jorge Segovia, commanding general of AFP Eastern Mindanao Command, declared the ending of the “grim chapter in the history of Davao Oriental.” He gave credit to Peace and Development Pr...
  • Power company expands to malls, airwaves

    DAVAO CITY, April 11 -- The utility firm Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) has opened its first mall-based full-service center and also started airing its first radio program. The radio program titled Kaalaman sa Kuryente or Power Knowledge is aired over DXUM-Radyo Ukay every Thursday 2 p.m.-3 p.m. The program started broadcasting last April 4 and is hosted by Amy Cabusao. Several resource persons from the company will be available during the duration of the program. The radio project aims...
  • Army airs concern over safety of civilians with landmine use

    DAVAO CITY, April 10 (PIA) -- The military expressed concern over the continued use of landmines by the communist rebels in Compostela Valley on the safety of residents. Colonel Angelito de Leon, commanding officer of the 1001st Infantry Brigade based in Maco, Compostela Valley said that on the first week of April, 2013 alone, nine improvised landmines had been recovered by the soldiers in various clearing operations, four of which in Barangay Libudon, Mabini, Compostela Valley and five others...
  • DavSur Comelec clarifies on damaged PCOS

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, April 9 (PIA) --A provincial Comelec official here clarified that the damage caused by power outage to 11 precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines was “minimal and manageable,” saying it should not alarm the public. Edgardo Sadili, Davao del Sur provincial assistant election supervisor, said the damaged PCOS were part of the 43 machines used during the extensive training in the province that started March 7 and ended April 5. “It is only natural for a machi...
  • DavSur Comelec enforces “Operation Baklas”

    DAVAO CITY, April 9 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices in Davao del Sur are set to enforce this week the “Operation Baklas” or the removal of campaign materials outside the authorized common poster areas. Davao del Sur Assistant Election Supervisor Edgardo Sadili bared that the city and municipal Election Officers in the province have been ordered to conduct “Operation Baklas” in their respective areas, on or before April 13. Sadili told the Philippine Information A...
  • Stronger AFP, PNP presence in rebel-affected areas on Election Day

    DAVAO CITY, April 9 (PIA) -- The Davao City Police Office is planning to augment the number of police and soldiers in three districts of the city under the election-watch list to guarantee that the residents will cast their votes despite the presence of the rebels. Speaking in the Monday’s Kapihan sa SM, Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the DCPO said the presence of both the police and soldiers will be maximized in the countryside so that the residents will participate in ...
  • DOT-XI promotes major summer activities

    DAVAO CITY April 9 (PIA) -- From beach escapades to mountain adventures, the Davao region tourism industry has set a flurry of events to attract summer visitors. During the recent Kapihan sa PIAmedia forum held Friday, April 5 the Department of Tourism XI led by Regional Director Art Boncato and partners from the local government and the private sector jointly announced two major events for the summer. The third Mt. Apo Boulder-Face Challenge (April 27-28), is a grueling 24-hour adventure race...
  • Minor rebel returnee endorsed to DavNor's social welfare office

    STO TOMAS, Davao del Norte April 8 (PIA) -- Military authorities endorsed a minor under the care of the Provincial Welfare and Development Office of Davao del Norte, following her surrender after four months of joining the rebel movement. Lt. Colonel Llewellyn Binasoy, commanding officer of the 60th Infantry Battalion handed over Ana (not her real name), 17 to the PSWD-Davao del Norte for stress debriefing and medical treatment due to her suffering in the company of rebels under front committ...
  • 52 DavNor barangays cleared from NPA influence

    TAGUM CITY, April 8 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has cleared 52 barangays in five local government units of the province free from the affectation and influence of the communist rebels. The Army’s Area Clearing and Validation Board (ACVB) has declared the CNN or Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) has lost their influence in 13 barangays of Panabo City; 17 in Tagum City; four from the municipality of Kapalong; 14 from A...
  • Three areas in Davao City under election-watchlist

    DAVAO CITY, April 5 (PIA) -- The Davao City Police Office has placed three areas here in the May 13-election-watch-list due to the presence of communist rebels. Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the DCPO said these areas are the districts of Paquibato, Marilog and Baguio. He said the presence of the rebels might have an effect on the participation of residents in the electoral exercise. De la Rosa said that as part of the security measures, the Joint Security Coordinating Co...
  • PWDs rights to be strengthened in the grassroots

    DAVAO CITY, April 5 (PIA) -- The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) will be pushing for the strengthening of its regional counterparts to ensure thorough implementation of laws that protect and promote the rights of Persons with Disability (PWDs) at the grassroots level. NCDA-Regional Program Coordinator Ruth Tacujan said NCDA has proposed directions for the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA) that would focus on the reactivation of its priority sub-committees and enabling ...
  • Women candidates share insights during forum

    DAVAO CITY, April 5 (PIA) -- Two lady candidates vying for two different elective positions in Davao City shared their platforms and visions of governance during the Candidates Forum held at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) regional office in Davao City, Friday. The attendees to the first Candidates Forum were Joji Ilagan Bian, an independent candidate who is running for the congressional seat of the second district of Davao City and Maria Belen Acosta, a candidate under the Hugpong sa T...
  • Food packs support to typhoon victims continues

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, April 5 (PIA) -- The provincial government of the Compostela Valley continues with its distribution of family food packs to Typhoon Pablo victims in the province. The LGU through the Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office (PSWDO), are now on the fifth round of distribution starting way back from January 2013, providing typhoon-victim families whose farms and houses were devastated and livelihood wiped out. The food assistance is a continuous effort of the...
  • PNP Davao sees peaceful elections on May 2013

    DAVAO CITY, April 4 (PIA) --The Davao Region Police Office has projected a peaceful conduct of elections among rival political parties of local candidates in most parts of its jurisdiction. Chief Superintendent Anselmo Pinili, assistant regional director for administration of the Police Regional Office XI said based on their assessment no major contest is expected among the local candidates vying for public positions in Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, and Davao del Norte, except in Davao del...
  • Five young Dabawenyos off to Manila for Jr. NBA national training camp

    DAVAO CITY April 4 (PIA) -- Five Dabawenyo kids will join five other young promising southern cagers for the Jr. NBA national training camp in Manila this April 26-28. Paolo Coquilla, Wynch Hart Montemayor, Mahloney Tarranza, Cornelio Reta and John Cañete will join, Jan Gabriel Sobrevega and Jose Antiporda from Bacolod City, John Lloyd Bernales and Lorenz Viajar from Bukidnon and Anthony Sistoza from General Santos as representatives of the Mindanao region. The kids ages 10-14 were among th...
  • World Vision sets voter’s education campaign in Davao

    DAVAO CITY, April 4 -- The World Vision in partnership with the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) is set to hold a voter’s education campaign dubbed “Eleksyung Pinoy 2013” on Thursday April 4 in the city. World Vision Advocacy Specialist in Mindanao Vina Villar said major discussions in the voter’s education include social accountability, political dynasty and party list system. “We’d like to advocate the holding of clean, honest, orderly, peaceful and credible election...
  • Cops, soldiers urged to be more vigilant against rebel abductions

    DAVAO CITY, April 4 (PIA) -- Members of the police and military have been warned to be cautious especially in distinguishing checkpoints run by government forces and by rebels when travelling in conflict-affected areas. Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino, chief of staff of the Police Regional Office XI issued the reminder to prevent the recurrence of abduction of police officers and soldiers by the communist rebels. He said government forces must remember that checkpoints set up by either the ...
  • Davao Light assures stable power during election day

    DAVAO CITY, April 3 (PIA) -- The power utility firm Davao Light and Power Company assured that the supply of electricity in Davao City and other service areas like Panabo City and Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte will remain stable even beyond the election period, despite the power curtailment being observed in other areas in Mindanao due to power shortage. Speaking in the Club 888 business forum at the Marco Polo Hotel, Ross Luga, consumer relations service officer of the Davao Light said they expe...
  • TESDA offers DSWD training for work plan

    DAVAO CITY April 3 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is targeting about 1,080 youth beneficiaries for Davao City and Davao del Sur for its cash-for-training program funded by the DSWD. Engr. Nestor Tabada TESDA Provincial director covering the city of Davao and the province of Davao del Sur said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has allotted P21.6 million for the cash-for-training program of which P12- million will be for Davao del Sur and ...
  • Eastmincom chief stands firm against rebel demand for cop's freedom

    DAVAO CITY, April 3 (PIA) -- A top military commander supported the position of the 10th Infantry Division not to suspend military operations to give in to the conditions of the New Peoples Army to release an abducted police officer. Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command said the rebels would always ask for suspension of military operations prior to the release of a kidnapped victim. He said the military would never yield to any demand from a rebel group. “We ...
  • DavNor Guv cites contribution to PNoy social contract

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, April 3 (PIA) --Davao del Norte Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario views some accomplishments of his administration as contribution to efforts on realizing the social contract of President Benigno S. Aquino III with the Filipino people. In delivering his recent State of the Province Address (SOPA), Del Rosario incorporated reports on accomplishments of national programs and projects he adopted and mainstreamed in his development agenda dubbed P.E.O.P.L.E. ...
  • Geologist urges vigilance among New Bataan poblacion residents

    NEW BATAAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY, April 3 (PIA) -- Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Geologist Beverly Brebante has urged residents of New Bataan to be always vigilant of flash floods and floods which she said would usually occur due to the towns topographic location. During the Makigsayod Information Forum in New Bataan held last month, Brebante made residents especially of the town poblacion (referred to as Barangay Cabinuangan), understand the geographic hazards that they have to deal with...
  • Tagum Mayor Uy extends thanks as end of three-term tenure nears

    TAGUM CITY, April 2 (PIA) -- Bidding farewell after serving the city for three consecutive terms, Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy profusely thanked his constituents, local government executives, barangay functionaries and even the business sector. He marked the day of thanksgiving as “The Mayor’s Report: Tagum 2004 to 2012” which he delivered on March 26 at the atrium of the new City Hall of Tagum lined up as among his legacies during his nine-year administration. His executive report too...
  • Davao Region to start updating its Regional Development Plan 2011-2016

    DAVAO CITY, April 2 -- It’s all systems go for the updating of the Davao Regional Development Plan (RDP), 2011-2016, and revalidation of the results matrices (RMs) and Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP) for the same period. This comes as a parallel effort pursuant to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s directive to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), to facilitate the updating of the Philippine Development Plan and its accompanying documents at the national ...
  • Davao del Norte stronger after 2012 setbacks

    TAGUM CITY, April 1 -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said that the province has not only recovered but came out stronger and more resilient after surviving shocks in 2012. These setbacks include the P36 million budget cut due to the 4.8 percent reduction in the internal revenue allotment, China’s banning of export bananas from the Davao region for quarantine issues, as well as, the massive devastation of Super Typhoon Pablo amounting to P4-billion worth of crops and infrastruc...
  • GK’s Bayani Challenge gives new hope for Cateeleños

    CATEEL, Davao Oriental, April 1 -- Taking the challenge of changing lives and bringing hope to those in need, 610 volunteers from across the country assisted the building of shelters for typhoon victims in Cateel during the five-day Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge 2013. The volunteer event also hoped to support the Davao Oriental provincial government’s Building Back Better Movement to assist typhoon Pablo victims build new homes. The five-day activity which started last March 23 up to Mar...
  • Saudi Arabia needs 1,000 staff nurses

    DAVAO CITY, April 1 (PIA) – The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has announced that the Ministry of Health-Hospital Operation Program (MOH-HOP) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is in urgent need of 1,000 staff nurses. Under its Government Placement Branch, POEA has posted that KSA’s MOH-HOP is looking for qualified Muslim female applicants, not more than 40 years of age, who will be assigned to different hospitals in Makkah region. The applicants should meet the following...
  • Comval GK Volunteers offer love and sweat for Holy Week

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, April 1 (PIA) -- It is a week-long sacrifice under the scorching heat of the sun and being away from home but it is all worth the effort as attested by the Team De La Salle University from Manila. This as the National Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge in Barangay Osmeña, Compostela drew to a close last March 27, just in time for the Holy Week. “It is fulfilling. We see that it is beneficial to both volunteers and builders. Natuto kaming mahalin ang kapwa (we learn...
  • Relative peace monitored in R-XI during Holy Week

    CAMP MANUEL YAN, MAWAB, COMVAL April 1 (PIA) -- The military has assessed a relative peace in all the areas covered by the 10th Infantry Division during the commemoration of the Holy Week. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said the heightened alert observed by the soldiers paid off with the zero atrocities monitored in the countryside compared to the week prior to the Holy Days. He said the rebels could have used also the occasion to reflect and to rest. Pa...
  • Heroes rise for homeless in Sta. Cruz, Davao Sur

    STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, Mar. 31 (PIA) -- The local chief executive here found heroes and heroines from the volunteers who shared their efforts, skills, time and resources in the five-day “Bayani Challenge 2013” which aimed at building homes for disaster survivors. Sta. Cruz Mayor Joel Ray Lopez has only praises and appreciation for more than 700 volunteers from various sectors in the municipality which was among the 37 towns and cities nationwide that participated in the simultaneous Gawa...
  • 13th National Caving Congress Set on April 8-12

    DAVAO CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) -- The Philippine Speleological Society (PSS) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-XI (DENR-XI) is set to hold the 13th National Caving Congress on April 8-12, at the municipality of New Corella, Davao del Norte. The five-day event which will be hosted by the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD) of DENR carries this year’s theme: “Harmonizing Management Interventions for the Sustainable Use of our Caves and Cave Resource...
  • Hotel exec bullish on PH prospects

    DAVAO CITY March 27 (PIA) -- A hotel executive bared that his company is bullish on the potentials of the Philippines as an emerging hotel market in the Asia Pacific Region. “You have an expanding middle class, young and dynamic population plus the presence of low cost airlines and a growing government spending on infrastructure,” says Simon Barlow, Asia Pacific president of the Carlson Rezidor Group. The Carlson Rezidor Group of Hotels is one of the largest hotel group in the world opera...
  • GK Bayani Challenge in Compostela ends on a happy note

    COMPOSTELA, COMVAL, March 27 (PIA) -- On the culmination of the five-day Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge 2013 in Compostela town in Compostela Valley Province, children joined young volunteers in cheering house workers to go on doing the finishing touches of houses. Even Gov. Arturo T. Uy got enticed with the sway and joined them in dancing the tune of GK Bayani Challenge theme song entitled, “Walang Imposible” with which the children of families of existing GK homes have come to know ...
  • Police and military observe heightened alert for the Holy Week activities

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 27 (PIA) -- Authorities heightened the security of the city to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during the commemoration of the Holy Week. Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the Davao City Police Office said police and military personnel under Task Force Davao are deployed in churches, terminals, ports and airports and other places of convergence to monitor and act immediately on contingencies. He said tighter security checks will be imposed at the ...
  • Rising from the ruins of ‘Pablo’

    BAGANGA, DAVAO ORIENTAL, March 26 -- Approaching from Caraga town, the idyllic roadside towards the neighboring Baganga has started to turn green. Various weeds and shrubs in abundance crept and have almost covered an assortment of felled trees, mostly coconut. Along the road, piled coconut lumber are primed as housing material for permanent shelter and other serviceable structures for Typhoon Pablo victims. The once beautiful scenery in this side of the east coast is almost back to what ...
  • AFP brands NPA harassment as act to gain public sympathy

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 26 (PIA) -- The military believed that the latest harassment carried out allegedly by the communist rebels 5:30 am Monday, March 25 in Barangay Magangit, New Bataan, Compostela Valley was a desperate move to get the support of the residents back to the rebel movement. Major Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, commanding officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion said the rebels only wanted to show that they are still active in the area. He said that instead of winning public ...
  • New hotel opens in Davao City

    DAVAO CITY, March 26 (PIA) --The 204-room Park Inn by Radisson hotel was formally opened in Davao City last Friday, March 22. The P750-million midscale hotel owned by SM Hotels and Conventions is run by Carlson Rezidor group of hotels, the 9th largest hotel group in the world. The hotel in Davao is the first Park Inn by Radisson brand in the Asia Pacific Region. The formal opening ceremonies was attended by bigwigs from Carlson Rezidor and SM led by Hans Sy, president of SM Prime, Elizabeth S...
  • Youth's crucial role in 2013 elections cited

    DAVAO CITY, March 26 (PIA) -- An official of the National Youth Commission cited the need to strengthen the voters’ education among the youth for them to choose good leaders will deliver good governance to the country after the midterm elections. Assistant Secretary Earl Saavedra of the National Youth Commission said the participation of the youth in the elections is crucial since they comprise the majority of the country’s population. He said the youth must shun away from choosing candida...
  • Peace advocates welcome continuation of talks between GPH-MILF

    DAVAO CITY, March 26 (PIA) -- An official of a peace network in Mindanao welcomed the announcement of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III about the resumption of talks between the government peace panel and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on the Framework Agreement of the Bangsamoro. Atty. Mary Ann Arnado, convenor of the Mindanao People’s Caucus, said the President’s announcement underscored his quest to pursue a lasting peace in Mindanao. She hoped that the continuation of the talks w...
  • Mt. Apo summer climb kicks-off today in Kidapawan City

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 25 (PIA) -- The mountain-climbing season officially starts today up to April 7, on the tallest mountain peak of the country, Mt. Apo at Kidapawan City, North Cotabato. Joey Recimilla, supervising tourism officer said this year’s climb highlights the zero-garbage campaign of the city government. He said for the past decades, Mt. Apo has been the dumpsite of all garbage like plastic bottles, cellophanes, liquor bottles, shoes, slippers and clothing left by undisciplined mountai...
  • Medical-Dental outreach marks Army Day in Mati, DavOr

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 25 (PIA) -- Soldiers and volunteer doctors served 914 patients during a medical-dental reach-out activity in commemoration of the 116th Philippine Army founding anniversary in Sitio Sudlon, Barangay Central, Mati City, Davao Oriental, Friday, March 22. Captain Reginaldo Celada, civil-military operations officer of the 701st Infantry Brigade said residents availed of services ranging from regular medical and dental consultations, circumcision, feeding program and bloodletting. H...
  • New twists greet Compostela GK Bayani Challenge volunteers

    COMPOSTELA, COMVAL PROVINCE, March 25 (PIA) --Gawad Kalinga builders in the Municipality of Compostela had a new kind of experience in volunteering to build houses during this year’s Bayani Challenge. Added to the sweat and muscle pains of Gawad Kalinga build, was the meaningful feeling that they did it for the benefit of those who had lost their homes to the wrath of Typhoon Pablo. Gracing the opening of the GK Bayani Challenge 2013 in Barangay Osmena in the Municipality of Compostela, Comp...
  • DAR-XI set to distribute P12M farm equipment to farmers

    DAVAO CITY, Mar. 23 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform-XI is set to distribute more than P12 million worth of farm machineries and equipment to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Region XI under its Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) project. DAR-XI Regional Director Fidel B. Morales said suppliers have started to deliver these farm implements at the DAR Regional Office Compound in Catalunan Pequeno, Davao City. Jaime A. Ceniza, Jr., DA...
  • DavSur experiences 3-hr. rotational blackout daily

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Mar. 23 (PIA) -- The entire province of Davao del Sur has been experiencing a three-hour rotational blackout daily since the start of March this year. Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Dasureco) General Manager Engr. Godofredo Guya said power is shut down intermittently for three hours following an advice from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) due to power shortages in Mindanao. Guya said there’s no other alternative to address the power sh...
  • DPWH-XI supports relocation of Brgy. Andap residents to safer ground

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-XI) would no longer recommend for the construction of structures in Barangay Andap, New Bataan, Compostela Valley, after the Department of Science and Technology classified the area as critical for dwelling following typhoon Pablo which wrecked havoc in the area on December 4, 2012. DPWH-XI Regional Director Engr. Mariano Alquiza said residents in Brgy. Andap are even advised to relocate since their place is prone to ...
  • Sta. Cruz, GK to build houses for flood survivors

    STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, Mar. 22 (PIA) -- The local government of Sta. Cruz and the Gawad Kalinga here will be converging the business sector, academe, religious groups, and civil society organizations to build houses for flood survivors in a simultaneous nationwide “Bayani Challenge.” Sta. Cruz town will be joining 38 other municipalities and cities from 33 provinces in a five-day voluntary house construction activities starting March 23 to March 27, to benefit victims of natural disaster...
  • PDEA-11 nets biggest bust in years

    DAVAO CITY, March 22 (PIA) -- The drug-bust conducted on March 19 in Davao City is considered the biggest apprehension in recent years. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 Regional Director Emerson Rosales said that the confiscated shabu is the largest in the past four years. About P1.08 million worth of shabu were recovered from a couple during the joint buy-bust operation conducted by the PDEA and the operatives from the San Pedro Police Station in an apartment inside the market community ...
  • Rabies in Samal: A public health concern

    ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, March 22 (PIA) -- More than 200,000 undergraduate students of Holy Cross of Babak Inc.(HCBI) gathered for the rabies symposium as part of Rabies Awareness Month Celebration at Babak school campus, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal, March 15. For a better grasp of rabies virus contamination, a film showing on Rabies Case and actual rabies vaccination was made by the staff of the City Veterinary Office in the campus. The symposium was facilitated by the C...
  • Peaceful settlement on framework agreement and Sabah claims urged

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 21 (PIA) -- Peace advocates supporting the peace process, urged government to pursue the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front anchored on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and not to be distracted by the Sabah claim espoused by certain sector. Speaking to reporters prior to the holding of a peace rally supporting the government-MILF peace talks last March 21, Atty. Mary Ann Arnado, convenor of the Mindanao People’s Caucus said the peace talks between gov...
  • PhilHealth to members: Pay premium before deadline

    DAVAO CITY, Mar. 20 (PIA) -- PhilHealth-11 expects its members to make a beeline to their office beating the deadline of paying their premium this month. PhilHealth regional office is reminding all members under the Individually Paying program to remit their contribution for the first quarter of the year, covering January to March, before the deadline on March 27. In anticipation of the high volume of foot traffic, services will be extended on March 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Office o...
  • Typhoon-displaced women trained on rug-making

    NEW BATAAN, Compostela Valley, March 21 (PIA) -- About 40 women coming from typhoon-displaced families living in bunkhouses in New Bataan engaged in a productive activity through the help of the Compostela Valley Provincial Council of Women (CVPCW). The council of women of the province had tapped the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) to teach the women to weave assorted-color rags into rugs, said Fe Circulado, RIC president in a recent interview, CVPCW has initially provided them with five sac...
  • DTI issues warning on fake ICC helmet stickers, asks public support

    DAVAO CITY, March 20 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued a warning against possible purchase of motorcycle helmets with fake Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers. The said advisory has cited the brand names Ben 2, KH, NSS, Oscar, Cobra, Pioneer, 2A, and Sunstar which possibly bear fake ICC markings. These brands are imported by Double E Trading, based on the record of DTI’s Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) with a registered address of No. 525 Femii Building, A. Sor...
  • Third wave of info forum on Pablo slated in Comval town

    NABUNTURAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, March 20 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Compostela Valley through the Provincial Information Management Cluster will roll out on Thursday, March 21, the second wave of the Makigsayod Information Forum in the Municipality of Montevista, Compostela Valley Province. Translated as getting informed in vernacular, “Makigsayod” is designed to resolve issues and concerns of Typhoon Pablo-affected families in the five worst-hit municipalities of Compo...
  • Top Mindanao exec backs integrity of 2013 elections

    TAGUM CITY, March 20 (PIA) -- A top local chief executive in Mindanao expressed his confidence the votes of the Filipinos will be adequately protected in the May 2013 automated elections. Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, current president of the Confederation of all the Local Chief Executives in Mindanao (Confed) is convinced the ballots would be very secure during the midterm polls, since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is implementing added safeguards, on top of the securi...
  • Davao Region gets huge chunk of tourism roads infra

    DAVAO CITY March 20 (PIA) -- The Davao Region is getting the biggest chunk of the tourism roads project for 2013. Based on Department of Tourism (DOT) figures, Region XI was allotted P1.4 billion from the P11.8 billion Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) budget. It got the biggest share among other regions. "The Provincial Tourism Officers, Provincial Planning Officers have submitted many proposals, we vetted it and submitted it to Manila,” Art Boncato, regional director DOT-XI said...
  • Sustained rebuilding brings stability to typhoon-hit DavOr

    MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL March 20 (PIA) -- Theirs is a story of exceptional courage, determination and strength in a time of overpowering grief, hardship and weariness. Survivors of the most monstrous typhoon Pablo nodded in agreement as the province’s chief executive Governor Corazon Malanyaon told them that they would “soon see the better days.” The Governor says the super typhoon Pablo tagged as one of the world’s deadliest “has brought out all the inner personal strength” th...
  • ComVal to host a weeklong National Bayani Challenge

    NABUNTURAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, March 20 -- Simultaneous with the other 33 provinces nationwide, ComVal will be hosting a weeklong National Bayani Challenge on March 23-27, 2013 at Barangay Osmeña, Municipality of Compostela. There will be 50 duplex-type Gawad Kalinga (GK) houses to add the existing SOP Kahiusahan Uswag GK Village, tapping as beneficiaries those poor families still living at the evacuation centers due to fully damaged houses caused by Typhoon Pablo. National and in...
  • Sta. Cruz LGU gets P2.9M royalty tax from hydro plant

    STA. CRUZ, DAVAO DEL SUR, Mar. 20 (PIA) -- The local government of Sta. Cruz, this province, recently received a total of P2,942,263.10 as the municipality’s share of royalty tax from HEDCOR Sibulan, Inc. (HSI) for the latter’s hydropower operations in Barangay Sibulan. HSI Grid Manager Nuel Medelo has turned over a check to Sta. Cruz LGU which was represented by Mayor Joel Ray L. Lopez in a turn-over ceremony on March 11, 2013. Medelo said that aside from the royalty tax, HSI has also b...
  • Mindanao power barges now running 24/7

    DAVAO CITY, March 19 -- Originally aimed as back-up power generation plants, the power barges of Therma Marine are now operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week with rising demand for power coupled with thinning power supply in Mindanao. Therma Marine, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power has two power barges moored off Nasipit in Agusan del Sur and in Maco in Compostela Valley- the two barges produce about 200 Mega Watts for the Mindanao Grid. About 23 electric cooperatives and distribution utilit...
  • DavNor police readies election measures

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, March 18 (PIA) -- Police security measures for the upcoming May 2013 elections are now ready, said PSupt. Alan A. Ladra, chief of operations of Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office (DNPPO). Gracing the Monday, March 18 convocation at the Davao del Norte's Bulwagan ng Lalawigan on behalf of police director PSSupt. Eduardo Wycoco, Ladra discussed the setting up of police election monitoring centers from the provincial to the municipal levels. The DNPPO has also ...
  • DOLE-XI allays fears of job loss under Kasambahay law

    DAVAO CITY, March 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment in Region XI (DOLE-XI) has allayed fears of job loss among domestic workers with the passage of RA 10361 or the Kasambahay Law. One of the provisions of RA 10361 is the setting of minimum wages for domestic workers pegged at workers at P2,500 for the National Capital Region; P2,000- for chartered cities and P1,500 for municipalities. Other responsibilities for employers of domestic workers are the requirement of having emplo...
  • Rock bands converge for typhoon victims

    DAVAO CITY March 15 (PIA) -- Popular Manila-based OPM bands, local indie musicians and military bands are joining together for a three-day concert aimed to help Typhoon Pablo shelter rehabilitation efforts. “Panagdait Davao: Ipadayon ang Tabang” (continue the help) is envisioned to be a fundraising activity for the benefit of the indigent families whose houses were destroyed by super typhoon Pablo. The beneficiaries are located in the affected municipalities of Boston, Baganga and Cateel i...
  • DOLE XI starts consultation series on Kasambahay law

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 15 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment XI has started consultations on the Batas Kasambahay or Republic Act no. 10361 which institutes policies for the protection and welfare of domestic workers. Sonia Delfin, Senior Employment Labor Officer of the DOLE XI said the initial consultation on Thursday was conducted with the members of the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council composed of representatives from the management, government and the labor sector. She s...
  • Grilled delights in first Dabaw Sinugba Festival

    DAVAO CITY March 14 (PIA) -- Highlighting the grilled specialties for which Davao City is known for, a private group is holding the first ever Dabaw Sinugba (grilled) Festival. The event will be held this March 14-17 at the Tienda del Mercado in Juna Subdivision this city. The Sinugba Festival will bring together the city’s local and international barbeque and grill businesses from pork, chicken barbeque, grilled sea food, kababs and designer burgers for four nights. The Festival will also...
  • EMB- XI organizes Davao River stakeholders meet

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 14 (PIA) -- The Environment Management Bureau Resources XI (EMB-XI) has organized today, March 14, the Davao River Water Quality Management Area Board that will oversee protection and improvement of the water quality of Davao River. The organization was based on the DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-04, aimed at protecting and improving the water quality of the Davao River to make it a sustaining resource for the people of the city. Speaking in the organizational meeting at ...
  • Davao City visitor arrivals breach 1-million

    DAVAO CITY, March 14 (PIA) -- Visitors to Davao City for 2012 breached the 1-million level. City Tourism Operations Head Jason Magnaye said visitor arrivals tallied at around 1.075 million. This is a 45% increase from 2011 visitors which numbered 744,000. Magnaye attributed the surge in visitor arrivals to two factors, on of these is the increase in flight connectivity as several airlines added several connecting destinations to the city. Among these flights include Davao-Clark, Davao-Kalibo...
  • Sto. Tomas, DavNor Mayor delivers State of the Town Address

    STO. TOMAS, Davao del Norte, March 14 (PIA) --Municipality of Sto. Tomas Mayor Maximo M. Estela delivered his 16th and last State of the Town Address (SOTA) Tuesday, March 12, at the town’s Municipal Cultural Center. Estela, who has been the mayor of Sto. Tomas for 21 years, is stepping down with the hope that he has left a meaningful legacy to the people of Sto. Tomas. “I could not imagine how and what I will be doing after June 2013 but I am certain I will be missing the regular routine ...
  • DavNor town allots P22M for calamity preparedness

    STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, March 13 (PIA) --The municipal government of Santo Tomas in Davao del Norte has earmarked up to P22-million to prepare for future calamities. The municipality is one of those affected by Typhoon Pablo, with its infrastructure severely damaged. “We have suffered damage in infrastructure amounting to about P61 million and agricultural crops of about P71 million,” Sto. Tomas Mayor Maximo M. Estela said during his State of the Town Address held Tuesday at the Munic...
  • Durian Summit to tackle improved fruit production

    DAVAO CITY March 13 (PIA)- A durian summit will be held here on March 13 to 14 to tackle issues that hinder durian production in the region. durian growers in the country are lagging behind Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of production per hectare, said Larry Miculob, president of the Mindanao Fruit Council. Miculob said neighboring countries have an annual yield of 10 tons per hectares year this compared to local production which could only amount to 2 tons per hectare. He said there is ...
  • 1,600 Dabaonons benefit from legislator's project

    PANABO CITY, March 12 -- After successfully offering livelihood opportunities to more than a thousand of his constituents last year, Davao del Norte Representative Anton F. Lagdameo Jr. will provide another round of livelihood projects this March at selected areas in his district. Around 1,600 non-working mothers and out-of-school youths (OSY) will benefit in the second round of Barangayanihan Livelihood Program to be conducted from March 12,13,14 and 16. Congressman Lagdameo’s office will ...
  • Gov’t earmarks P3.8B to solve Mindanao’s power problem

    DAVAO CITY, March 11 (PIA) -- Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) Chairperson Secretary Lualhati Antonino is confident that Mindanao’s power crisis will soon be solved as the government earmarks P3.8 billion for the country’s power capabilities. “The Aquino administration has set aside P1.67 billion for the repair and rehabilitation of the country’s hydropower plants,” Antonino said. Hydropower plants are supposed to have a maximum lifespan of only 30 years, she said, but our hydro...
  • Despite manpower lack, NBI-11 continues mandate

    DAVAO CITY, March 11 (PIA) -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)here is undermanned and understaffed and yet it continues to perform its functions efficiently. “We need more employees because the whole NBI 11 is undermanned when it comes to investigative agents and understaffed when it comes to administrative support,” NBI 11 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Lauro Reyes said. However, the Bureau has to contend with the present number of employees considering the government’s fre...
  • DOT-XI cites MICE Con 2013 gains

    DAVAO CITY March 11 (PIA) -- The recently concluded MICE Con 2013 (Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibits Conference) has brought tangible benefits to Davao, according to the regional office of the Department of Tourism. “We are now regarded as the next generation destination for MICE,” said Art Boncato, Regional Director of the Department of Tourism during the March 9 luncheon held for MICE Con participants at Park Inn Davao at the SM Lanang Premiere complex where the three-day confere...
  • WASH intervention now at 45% months after typhoon Pablo

    TAGUM CITY, March 8 (PIA) -- The WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Cluster has achieved an estimated 45 percent of its target intervention in communities affected by typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley three months after the typhoon struck. The WASH Cluster, headed by the Department of Health and UNICEF, met in Tagum City to discuss what has been accomplished and what needs to be done when it comes to the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene in the affected areas. ...
  • Orgs and individuals cited for heroism at the height of typhoon Pablo

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 8 (PIA) -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) conferred formally the Bayaning Likas (Bakas Parangal) Award to 62 military, police, provincial and local government executives, rescue and volunteer organizations who showed extraordinary feat in responding to distress areas during and after the onslaught of typhoon Pablo in December 4. The awarding ceremony, Friday was led by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, chair of the NDRRMC, with Undersec...
  • Davao City expects busy days after MICE Con 2013

    DAVAO CITY, March 8 (PIA) -- Expect busy years ahead for Davao City after the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Conference being held at the SMX Convention Center from March 6 to 9, 2013. “Our main objective in hosting MICE Con is to make Davao City at the top of the list of companies and event planners when they choose venues for their meetings and conferences from here on,” Davao City Tourism and Investment Officer Jason Magnaye said Friday. Magnaye said there are ...
  • Seoul Tourism expert shares the Gangnam success

    DAVAO CITY, March 8 (PIA) -Participants to the Meetings, Conventions and Exhibition (MICE) Conference being held at SMEX Convention Center learned today the secrets of the success of Seoul, Korea’s tourism. MICE 2013 host Davao City hopes to make the city the center of convention and tourism in the next years and City Tourism and Investment Promotion officer Jason Magnaye said they are learning from the success of the other cities like Seoul. Seoul Tourism Organization Vice President Maureen...
  • Phl in need of 37,000 hotel rooms by 2016

    DAVAO CITY, March 8 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has called on investors to invest in the country’s hotel industry saying “we will need an additional 37,000 rooms by 2016 to cope with the influx of arrivals.” Aquino was in Davao City Thursday to open the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) Conference held at SMEX Convention Center from March 6 to 9. “Perhaps you’d consider setting up shop or expanding here, and giving our countrymen even more chances ...
  • Batangas aims to replicate DavNor’s economic enterprise model

    TAGUM CITY, March 8 -- The success of Davao del Norte’s economic enterprise department has inspired the Province of Batangas to replicate the model in order to improve its health services. Pedrito Martin Dijan, the chief of staff of Governor Vilma Santos, said the Provincial Government of Batangas is very interested to adopt the structure of the Provincial Economic Enterprise and Development Office (PEEDO) of Davao del Norte. Dijan, together with Provincial Administrator Victor Reyes and 1...
  • ‘Daang Matuwid’ inspires DavNor women

    TAGUM CITY Mar. 8 (PIA) -- President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s efforts to combat corruption and improve the national economy has more than caught the admiration of the women sector in the province. Mrs. Milagros “Inday” Garcia-del Rosario, president of the Provincial Officials Spouses Initiative (POSI), said the women are truly inspired by the President’s “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path) campaign, which she said is a pro-women policy. She noted the decrease in the incidence of c...
  • NGO recommends proper water treatment re-education for DavOr families

    TAGUM CITY, March 8 -- The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) recommended the re-education of communities affected by Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental, especially when it comes to water treatment methods. “A very big majority of the beneficiaries source their drinking water from deep well through jetmatic pumps and springs so there is a need to re-educate them on proper water treatment methods,” CRS Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Coordinator Lucille Isnani said. The CRS conducted a KAP or...
  • PNoy lauds DOT for tourist arrival growth

    DAVAO CITY, March 8 (PIA) -- President Benigno Simeon Aquino III gave the Department of Tourism high marks for sprucing up the tourism industry by making its more fun in the country advocacy worked. The President spoke before participants to the Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, Exhibitions Conference yesterday at SMX Convention Center. He said the DOT in 2011 exceeded by two million its 2016 target of 30.5 million domestic travels. “It means that in just a year and half, we alread...
  • Moral recovery key to DavNor's social dev’t- Gov

    TAGUM CITY, March 8 -- The Davao del Norte province is rooting for a stable and morally-upright citizenry that serves as a pillar of a strong and progressive society. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said this makes the Spiritual and Moral Recovery Program (SMRP) of the province an indispensable component in attaining social development. “I believe that no economic development is achieved and sustained unless people cultivate in them the right positive attitude,” the governor stressed. Del...
  • Panabo pugs dominate in 2013 national championships

    PANABO CITY March 8 -- The Barangay Una Boxing Team once again showed class and supremacy as they romped away with majority of the medals at stake in the recently concluded 2013 ABAP National Amateur Boxing Championship held in Maasin City, Southern Leyte last February 19-22. The event was participated by 173 boxers representing various cities and provinces nationwide. All in all, the Panabo City, Davao del Norte-based team snatched 7 golds and 2 silver medals out of 14 participating boxers wh...
  • Phl to campaign for more international events - PNoy

    DAVAO CITY, March 7 (PIA) -- The government will be actively bidding to host international events in the next few years. President Benigno Aquino III disclosed this during his speech, Thursday, at the opening of the 2013 MICE (Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibits) Conference at the new SMX Convention Center in Davao City. “We in the Philippines have long wanted to explore other avenues for growth. In fact, my administration has been actively campaigning to host some events in the next fe...
  • Church rebuilds homes of 100 typhoon hard-hit families

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, March 07 (PIA) -- The Catholic Parish of Babag in Monkayo, Compostela Valley is rebuilding the homes of 100 families which were washed out by floods due to Typhoon Pablo. Barangay Babag Parish administrator Emerson “Em-Em” Luego said the on-going construction of 100 housing units for 100 worst-hit families in Barangay Babag came about from the instruction of Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz of the Diocese of Tagum who wanted that assistance be spent on rebuilding homes “for ...
  • WASH Sector sets sanitation indicators for Pablo-affected communities

    NABUNTURAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, March 7 -- The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector, headed by the Department of Health, has agreed on a set of sanitation indicators for the communities affected by Typhoon Pablo. “These indicators will help us ensure that the Pablo-affected communities who may be living in evacuation centers or occupying temporary learning centers have good sanitation practices,” Engineer Rex Labadia of the DOH said during Tuesday’s WASH meeting held in Na...
  • DavOr to choose best regional peacemaker for nat'l award

    MATI CITY, March 7 -- The Davao Oriental Provincial Committee Peacemaker Awards Committee is set to convene this week to evaluate the Board of Peacemakers in the ten municipalities of the province. The committee will also choose the regional contenders who will vie for the 2013 Search for Outstanding Board Peacemaker, an annual program of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The program is designed to recognize the significant contributions of the Lupon Tagapamayapa (boa...
  • CSC-XI calls for nominnees in 2013 search for outstanding public servants

    DAVAO CITY, Mar. 7 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission in the region has reiterated its call for government officials and employees to submit nomination for the 2013 Search of Outstanding Public Officials and Employees which has a deadline set on March 29. CSC-XI Regional Director Annabelle Rosell said the awards are the highest and most coveted recognition given by the government to individuals or group of individuals who have excelled or shown utmost dedication and commitment in public serv...
  • BIR kicks off tax campaign in Davao

    DAVAO CITY, March 6 -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue has kicked off its annual tax campaign aimed at meeting the bureau’s tax collection target. BIR Deputy Commissioner Nelson Aspe said that BIR’s tax collection goal for 2013 is set at P1.2 trillion. Last 2012, BIR narrowly missed its collection goal of P1.066 trillion as the Bureau collected P1.057 trillion or 98% of the target. However Aspe said that the collection figures grew by about 14% from 2011. Aspe said they are expecting P30-...
  • Davao City mulls of expanding free kidney treatment to other hospitals

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 6 (PIA) -- The local government is looking at expanding the access of treatment for kidney patients from the Southern Philippines Medical Center by decentralizing the services of the Lingap Para sa mga Mahihirap or free medical fees to other hospitals in the city. Acting Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, speaking during the observance of the World Kidney Day in one of the malls in this city, said the plan includes provision of dialysis machines to smaller hospitals and for the city govern...
  • Davao all set for MICE Conference

    DAVAO CITY March 6 (PIA) -- Davao City is all set for MICE Con 2013 which will be held on March 6-9 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang, one of the newest shopping and convention complex in the city. The conference which focuses on the MICE (Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions) will be the biggest convention the city will host after the 2006 Asean Tourism Forum. Lisette Marquez,spokesperson of Duaw Dabaw one of the city's partners in the hosting of the event said that around...
  • Davao city marks 10th year of airport bombing

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 5 (PIA) -- Acting Mayor Rodrigo Duterte cited the need to look into the reason why terrorism prevails and threatens many countries including the United States up to now. Speaking to reporters after commemorating the 10th Year anniversary of the explosion at the waiting area of the former terminal of the Davao International Airport Tuesday, he said that terrorism continues to threaten civilizations with its causes still existing and unresolved. “Unless we address the underlyi...
  • Own home: A dream come true for TADECO agrarian beneficiaries

    PANABO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE March 5, -- Leonardo Compania worked for years as a security guard at the Floirendo-owned Tagum Agricultural Development Company Inc (Tadeco), one of the biggest banana producer in the Philippines. Like most people, he and his family dreamed of owning a house someday. In his quest to have more in life, Compania became a member of the Central Tadeco Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CTARBEMPCO) sometime in 2005. However, his family’s dream...
  • Phl Eagles go online to increase global awareness

    DAVAO CITY March 5 (PIA) -- The lives of two Philippine Eagles are being streamed online as part of a global awareness project for the endangered avian species. Dennis Salvador, executive-director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation said that the project aims to present the Philippine Eagle on a global scale. Salvador said that little has been known of the raptor internationally which is listed as critically endangered. The set-up involves placing video cameras on a cage containing two breeding...
  • Six former rebels get LGU assistance

    DAVAO CITY, March 4 (PIA) -- Six former rebels received six sacks of high-breed corn and one sack of rice each from the local government unit of Kapalong, Davao del Norte a week after they surrendered to the government. Captain Harold Ho, civil-military operations officer of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade identified the recipients as Otoy Boy-ang, Lino Molohinday, Randy Agbang, Maugan Malibato, Gamai Mai and Botchoy Mantog, who all hail from Sitio Mulig, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Nort...
  • Deceased organ donation advocacy campaign set in Davao City

    DAVAO CITY, March 2 (PIA) -- An advocacy campaign on deceased organ donation and transplantation is set to be held in the city as part of the activity in celebration of the World Kidney Day on March 4 (Monday). The Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (PhilNOS) will lead the advocacy drive during the World Kidney Day to be organized by the Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN) Davao Chapter at the Abreeza Mall, this city. Aside from providing inputs on organ donation and transplantation, the ...
  • New Davao hotel bullish on midscale market

    DAVAO CITY, March 2 (PIA) -- Park Inn Davao is bullish in the growth of the mid-scale travelers market in the region. “You need more hotels of this kind here,” says Geir Sikko, General Manager of Park Inn Davao. The hotel owned by SM Hotels and Conventions is the first Park Inn by Radisson hotel in the Asia Pacific region. Sikko describes the mid scale market as somewhat a notch above backpacker tourists and below five-star travelers. He estimates that 60% of the world traveler market is...
  • Rice standoff at DSWD-XI resolved peacefully

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development XI and a coalition of progressive groups came up finally with a compromise agreement resolving the stand-off on the release of 10,000 sacks of rice for the alleged unserved survivors of typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley after a more than one hour meeting, Wednesday night. The signing of the memorandum of agreement between officials of the DSWD XI and the Barug Katawhan was witnessed by the Balsa Mindanao, Provincial ...
  • Fewer schools seeking tuition fee hikes- CHED XI

    DAVAO CITY, Mar 1 (PIA) -- An official of the Commission on Higher Education in Davao Region has noticed a reduction in the number of private colleges and universities seeking tuition and matriculation fee increases for the school year 2013-2014. Speaking in the KapIhan sa PIA Friday, Raul Alvarez, director of the CHED XI said 29 out of 80 academic institutions in Region XI submitted their corresponding proposal to increase school fees compared to 45 private colleges and universities last year...
  • PDEA launches Mindanao-wide anti-drug TV Ad contest

    DAVAO CITY, March 1 -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has launched a school-based TV advertisement contest for its anti-drugs advocacy campaign. PDEA’s Kontra: The First Mindanao Anti-Drugs TV Ad Competition seeks to gather students from across Mindanao to produce either 30 seconder, 45 seconder or one minute television advertisements with the theme “Kabataang Ligtas sa Droga, Kinabukasan ay Kay Ganda.” PDEA-XI regional director Emerson Rosales hopes that student filmmakers and ...
  • Tourist arrivals in Region 11 reach 1-million mark

    DAVAO CITY, March 1 (PIA) -- Visitor arrivals in Region XI has reached the one-million mark. This was bared by Department of Tourism Region XI Officer-in-Charge Eden Larano-David basing the numbers on hotel booking figures. David said that visitor arrivals have grown 20% from the previous years, a large percentage of the tourists are business travellers particularly those in MICE (Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibitions) related events. He estimates that 40% of the visitors are on MICE ...
  • P110,000 raised in Musikahan Festival for typhoon victims

    TAGUM CITY, March 1 -- The Musikahan Festival held in the city from February 19 to 24, was able to raise P110,000 based on the initial assessment of the organizers. “The Festival was able to get more than P100,000 in pledges alone during the festivity,” Tagum City Information Officer Cromwell Bonghanoy said. He added that the donation boxes alone, which were placed in strategic locations during the nightly concerts, raised P10,000 in cash. Bonghanoy said this year’s Musikahan sa Tagum Fe...
  • NGO network appeal for investigation on DSWD incident

    DAVAO CITY, March 1(PIA) -- A network of Mindanao and national-based Non Government Organizations (NGOs) has declared its full support for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) even as it appealed for an investigation of the looting incident at the DSWD XI office, Tuesday. “We strongly support DSWD’s position for systematic and orderly way of distributing the 10,000 sacks of rice for families displaced by Typhoon Pablo,” Philippine Partnership for the Development of Huma...
  • Consumer Education now part of DavOr state college curriculum

    MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, March 1 -- Consumer Education has now become a part of the extension activities of the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology, through its Social Science and Humanities Department. The inclusion is aimed at educating the school communities on the rights and interests of consumers in the province, said Onesimo Sungahid of the DOSCST, and one of the facilitators in the conduct of consumer education The State College is currently assisting the Depart...
  • Left out of assistance, old story - Gov. Uy

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- Claims on being left out of relief assistance is a rehashed story, Compostela Valley Provincial Gov. Arturo T. Uy said. In an interview, Uy cited as an "old story" the claims of those who joined the militant-led mass action last Tuesday, Feb. 26 that ended up looting the Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Office 11 of relief supplies. "Tanan nakadawat ug relief goods (All have received the relief goods). The Purok leaders ha...
  • Tagum to focus on people services as it turns 15

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 27 -- The City of Tagum is turning 15 on March 7 and the local government under Mayor Rey Uy has prepared a variety of services that will make life a little better for Tagumenos during the week-long celebration. “The first week of March will be a red-letter day for Tagumenos not only because it is the 15th Araw ng Tagum (on March 7) but because of the many services the city government has prepared for them,” Tagum City Information Officer Cromwell Bonghanoy said during a pre...
  • Athletes display true grit at DAVRAA 2013

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- More than winning the games, the delegates to this year’s Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet have come to demonstrate their strength of character and spirit. Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the indomitable fortitude of the athletes comes into play as the best in the region compete in 18 sporting events during the week-long competitions. According to him, such mettle, combined with youthful energy, can help the ravaged region rise ...
  • DepEd shells out P1B for classroom rehab in 'Pablo'-stricken areas

    TAGUM CITY, Feb 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) hopes to welcome students of typhoon-Pablo stricken areas in Compostela Valley and in Davao Oriental in regular classrooms by June 2013. “The Department has already shelled out P1 billion for the rehabilitation of damaged classrooms in the provinces hit by Pablo,” DepEd spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said. Atillo said they are doing everything to make sure that before school year 2013 to 2014 starts, all classrooms in the said ...
  • Sports loving senator is Davao Norte's sports darling

    TAGUM CITY, Feb.27 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte has chosen Senator Pia Cayetano to be the “Sports Darling” of the province in its bid to get the support of the national government for the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in 201 Cayetano, who led the lighting of the torch during the opening of the Davao Region Athletics Association (DAVRAA) Monday, was the first athlete to officially make a full 300-meter run across the rubberized oval of the Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center. “She w...
  • New DavNor sports center to spur econ growth

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- The new Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center (DNSCC) is seen to further improve the economic landscape of Tagum City and Davao del Norte. Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario Monday told media practitioners that the P242-million newly opened sports center of the province will spell economic benefits from the thousands of visitors who will be going to Tagum City to witness various sports events. Citing the five-day Davao Region Athletic Association (DA...
  • DavNor Sports Center an investment in the youth’s future

    TAGUM CITY, Feb 27 (PIA) -- The P242-million Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center is not only a real estate investment but an investment in the future of the youth. “We have never heard those shouting for a long period of time,” Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said, referring to the loud shrieks of laughter coming from schoolchildren participating in the five-day 2013 Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) Games which started Monday. Some people have questioned del R...
  • DavNor farmer's son high-jumps 1st gold in DAVRAA ‘13

    TAGUM CITY Davao del Norte, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- The DavNor Pioneers athletic team drew first blood in the Davao Region Athletics Association (DAVRAA) Meet after clinching gold in the high jump at 10 am, Feb. 26 at the new Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center. Albert Jay Callejo, 16, and a junior student of Quezon Memorial Institute (QMI) in Kapalong, Davao del Norte scored the first gold in the week-long competition when he successfully dominated the pole vaults in the high-jump event fini...
  • DSWD-XI office looted, stands firm on rice aid

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 26 (PIA) -- An officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development XI has remained steadfast in its stand not to release the 10,000 sacks of rice being demanded by Barug Katawhan, a coalition of progressive organizations allegedly for the survivors of typhoon Pablo as long as the group does not comply with the list of beneficiaries. Priscilla Razon, director of the DSWD XI issued the statement even as several boxes of foodstuff were allegedly looted by members of the Bar...
  • US provides more aid to Pablo victims

    CATEEL, Davao Oriental, Feb. 26 -- The United States Government has donated 2.1 million kilos of rice for the typhoon-stricken provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley to help feed thousands of families affected by typhoon Pablo. US Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry K. Thomas, Jr. personally handed over the rice donation at the Cateel Typhoon Response Hub last February 20, which will be channeled through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for fair and transpare...
  • DavNor eyeing to be the sports capital in Mindanao

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- The Davao del Norte provincial government is eyeing to become the sports capital in Mindanao with the Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) Meet opening at its newly completed P242-million sports complex. Provincial Sports Coordinator Giovanni I. Gulanes in an interview echoed the vision of Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario who saw that Davao del Norte would get situated in the “sports map.” “Events would then follow once we have the facility. Th...
  • DavNor quarry collections up

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- Local government officials in the province of Davao del Norte were asked to closely monitor the sand and gravel extraction activities in their respective areas in order to further increase quarry fees collection. Provincial Treasurer Regina Ricafort urged the local officials to continue its tight enforcement of taxes, fees and other charges on the extraction and transport of quarry resources, while cracking down on illegal operations. “Local officials have a bi...
  • DavNor Gov pushes for provincial tourism code

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has directed the revitalized Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) to work out the immediate passage of the Provincial Tourism Code to spur investments and sustainable growth in the province. “The first job I gave them is the crafting of the Provincial Tourism Code, which is our tool in addressing the gaps in the tourism sector,” del Rosario said, after administering the oath of office of the new PTC set of officers. De...
  • DavNor eyed as educational tourism hub

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- The province is being eyed as the next educational tourism hub in the region, with the launch of a local academy run by the provincial government. Philippine Councilors League – Legislative Academy (PCL-LA) Executive Director Hilario Caminero bared the emerging potential of the province for this type of tourism during the inauguration of the Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI). Caminero, who conceived the highly specialized learning system that now allows...
  • Sunny weather greets thousands on DAVRAA opening in DavNor

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- After days of rain and flooding, the sun finally shone in Davao del Norte and on the thousands of athletes, coaches, spectators, and organizers who have been preparing for the 2013 Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) for months now. “I have invited Senator Pia Cayetano to open the facility which she ground broke before,” Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said during a press conference held Monday morning a few hours before the official opening...
  • DavNorte has new P242M sports complex

    TAGUM CITY, Feb.25 (PIA) -- The new P242-million Sports and Cultural Complex will be highly advantageous to government in terms of quality and return on investment (ROI), said Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario The complex is already being used by the province as venue for the five-day Davao Region Athletics Association (DAVRAA) 2012 Games. Under a turnkey arrangement, contractor Young Builders Corporation invested in the “design and construction” of the Davao del Norte Sports a...
  • 76th Araw ng Dabaw formally opened

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- The Araw ng Dabaw Celebration kicked off officially, Monday, in a simple ceremony sans Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who was on official leave of absence. The affair was well attended though by local government officials from members of the city council, department heads of the city government, representatives of the diplomatic corps, regional directors of line government agencies, police and the military. In a statement read by Jason Magnaye, acting chief of the City ...
  • Stage set for DAVRAA 2013

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Feb 22 - All roads lead to the new Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center (DNSCC) for the grand opening of the week-long Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet on February 25. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the province is now ready to play host to some 5,000 athletes, coaches and officials from six cities and four provinces in Region XI. “We are ready for the games,” the governor declared. The governor personally supervised preparations at the P243-mil...
  • Gov’t agencies take stronger stance vs pyramid scam

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 22 – Government agencies here have taken a stronger stance in fighting the proliferation of pyramid scams in a bid to further protect the Filipino consumers. The Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 08 series of 2002 issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) states that pyramid sales scheme or chain distribution plans “means sales devices whereby a person, upon condition that he makes an investment, is granted by the manufacturer or his representative a ri...
  • DSWD assures funds, aid for ‘Crising’ victims

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 22 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured victims of typhoon Crising that there are enough funds and relief supplies. DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman said that P15.84 million in standby funds, P10.45 million in family food packs, and P42.44 million worth of relief supplies were prepositioned in the DSWD Field Offices IV-B, IX, X, XI, XII, CARAGA and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) affected by the typhoon. In Region X, a total of 644 famil...
  • Duterte welcomes release of a soldier, policeman by rebels

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 22 -Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte welcomed the release yesterday of a soldier and a policeman, 34 days after they were captured by communist rebels in Sitio Mangob, Barangay Imelda, Laak, Compostela Valley. He was thankful that Private First Class Jezreel Maata Culango of the 60th Infantry Battalion and Police Officer 1 Ruel Pasion of the San Isidro Police Office in Davao del Norte were treated well, evidence that the rebels followed the international protocol in handling prisoners...
  • Overseas Filipino workers help fellow Mindanaons in Davao Oriental

    DAVAO ORIENTAL, Feb.22 (PIA XI)- The Bayanihan Spirit prevailed among Filipinos abroad who pulled their resources together to help the victims of typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental. ZAMNAC (Zamboanga Del Norte Association of California), a group of Zamboanga natives residing in California, USA, turned over to the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental a total of 13 boxes of medicines and medical supplies for the three severely-hit municipalities in the province namely Boston, Cateel and Baganga. ...
  • Comelec checkpoints personnel barred from opening trunks

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 22 (PIA) -- Military personnel manning Commission on Elections (Comelec) can only seize illegal firearms that can be seen by the naked eye, and desist from asking the motorists to open their trunks or compartments. While checkpoints are regularly conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Comelec has assumed responsibility for the checkpoints at least during the election period. Comelec XI regional director Wilfred Balisado said checkpoint personnel are not allowed to ...
  • A night of soulful music with Coke Bolipata

    TAGUM CITY, Feb 22 (PIA) -- International and local artists made Tagum City a hub during the 12th Musikahan sa Tagum Festival slated in the city from February 19 to 24, 20. But more than that, the Festival gave the artists a chance to extend assistance to the survivors of typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley through their music. World-renowed violinist Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata and his students Pundaquit Virtuosi of Zambales filled the Atrium of the New City Hall of Tagum with soulful music on...
  • IGaCoS students harvest awards in Nat'l Science Quest

    IGaCoS, Feb 22, (PIA) -- Bernadeth C. Cabigas of the Holy Cross of Babak, Inc. and Jayson R. San Juan of Samal National High School bagged the championship trophies in their respective events in the recently concluded 10th National Science Quest held at the Teacher’s Camp in Baguio City on February 8-10. Cabigas, a third year student representing the private schools, bested 17 other national contestants in her event THI- SciDama. Her event used the concepts of the temperature and humidity ind...
  • Young Tagumeños make it big

    For students their age, they achieved big. Yet, for this triumvirate who hails from the state-run University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), the launching of the Tourism Resource Information Portal which they helped develop within two months is a “humbling experience.” Jive Gumela, the unassuming lad who led the three-man team of graduating Information Technology students from USEP, broke into what he calls “tears of joy” when their project was introduced by Councilor De Carlo ...
  • First pyroclave-based medical waste treatment facility launched

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 22 (PIA) -- A family of inventors formally launched today the first bio-medical waste treatment facility at the landfill in Barangay Carmen, Davao City. Roderick Dayot, co-founder of RAD Green Solutions, said their machines will use pyroclave technology in disinfecting infectious medical wastes disposed by hospitals and health centers. He said using the novel technology of exposing the wastes to heat energy without burning them, medical wastes can be reduced to its simplest for...
  • Feature:Couple finds hope in Comval's temporary shelters

    The scene was like straight out from a movie---except that it wasn't cinematic fiction, it was real. As onrushing water held them captive - Rogelio Saging held tight his 3-year-old special child while his child, Rudyard, a third year high school student, followed close behind. The current was so strong, the water heavy with silt, gravel, boulders and clumps of fallen trees that they almost lost their hope of surviving. And then the unthinkable happened, he and his wife Violeta saw with their ...
  • Rescuer dead, 40 houses destroyed in DavNor floods anew

    TAGUM CITY, Feb 21 (PIA) -- A local rescuer drowned as he tried to save residents trapped in rampaging waters during flash floods that occurred Thursday dawn, Feb. 21, in Barangay Sampao, Kapalong, Davao del Norte. Nelson Jeminez, 40, a member of the Marilag rescue group, was found dead in a nearby packing plant minutes after the rope he was clinging on snapped. Fourteen houses were also totally destroyed and 26 houses partially damaged in nearby Barangay Sto. Nino, Talaingod town, when the...
  • DavNor assessing status of forest lands

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 21 -- The Davao del Norte Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) is presently conducting an assessment of the actual state of its forest land. “Out of the 346,280 total land area of the province, up to 46.5 percent or 160,833 hectares are forested land,” PENRO officer-in-charge Brigida Q. Cudal said. Of the total land area, 53.5 percent or 185,447 are classified as alienable and disposable land. Cudal said they have sought the assistance of the Munic...
  • DOST launches Smarter Phl program in Davao City

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 21 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) formally launched the Smarter Philippines program aimed at maximizing the use of information communication technology to spur inclusive growth and improve the quality of lives among Filipinos. Speaking in the launching program at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said, in Davao Region, Smarter Philippines can be best understood by local residents to their access to information on climate c...
  • DavSur biz council to build homes for flood survivors

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- The Business Council of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Inc. has accepted Gawad Kalinga’s challenge of a five-day volunteerism of building new homes for the flood survivors in Sta. Cruz town. Through its president, Jose B. Villaflor, the Council accepted and committed support to GK’s 2013 Bayani Challenge which includes the municipality of Sta. Cruz as among the 39 municipalities and cities in the country as sites for the heroic five-day event engaging volunteers to b...
  • Academy better than junkets for politicians-PCLLA

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 21 --Politicians would be better off going to the Philippine Councilors League Legislative Academy (PCLLA) and complete their degrees instead of joining junkets that only waste people’s money. This was the message imparted by PCCLA Executive Director Hilario Caminero during the launching of the Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI) at the Bulwagan Hall of the Provincial Capitol Monday. “Let’s do away with massive spending of government money through junkets,” he s...
  • Gov’t. mulls getting unused TV frequencies to broaden internet reach

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- The national government is mulling of harnessing unused television frequencies to further internet connectivity to remote communities in the country. Commonly called as TV white spaces (TVWS) these are unutilized television frequencies in UHF and VHF bands which can be used for data communications. “TVWS is an ideal wireless data delivery medium for the Philippines, with its long distance propagation characteristics and the ability of its signals to travel over ...
  • DavOr sees solution to clearing typhoon debris

    DAVAO ORIENTAL, Feb. 20 (PIA) --The provincial government of Davao Oriental is closing on its goals of keeping fallen coconut trees from rotting as Provincial Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon has made government agencies agree to partner in managing huge volume of tree debris accumulated as a result of Typhoon Pablo. Malanyaon led a coordination meeting held last Feb. 19, focusing on recovery and rehabilitation of Typhoon Pablo-affected communities in Davao Oriental during which debris manageme...
  • Cabinet Secretaries convene in ComVal

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Feb 20 (PIA) -- The National Government Secretaries comprising the National Task Force Pablo arrived in Nabunturan for a meeting and briefing at the Compostela Valley Provincial Capitol on February 15, together with the provincial team headed by Governor Arturo T. Uy, Congresswoman Maria Carmen Zamora, Congressman Rommel Amatong, and Vice Governor Ramil L. Gentugaya. Also present also were Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members, mayors, heads of national line agen...
  • Musikahan sa Tagum officially opens

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 20 -- The week-long 12th Musikahan sa Tagum Festival officially opens at the Atrium of the New Tagum City Hall at 4 p.m., February 19. “The opening will feature Musikahan Exhibits, the Creativity Fair, the Trading Post and of course the launch of the 2013 MTV Competition through a Celebratory Concert,” Tagum City Tourism Council Chairperson Alma Uy said. Uy said they are reinventing this year’s Musikahan Festival because it will not only be about music competitions bu...
  • DOLE, fastfood chain links up for youth employment program

    DAVAO CITY Feb. 20 (PIA) -- McDonald’s Philippines and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has continued its partnership to provide an all year-round SPES (Special Program for Employment) for underprivileged but qualified youths. The linkage began in 2012 where McDonald’s offered about 3,600 slots for students and out-of-school youths across the country to become crew members in its stores. In Davao City, over 102 students in two batches have undergone SPES in eight of its ...
  • DavNor LGU vigilant as river continues to rise

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 19 -- The response team of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) in Davao del Norte continues to be vigilant even as the water levels in the different tributaries in the province continue to rise. “The water levels in the different tributaries are gradually on the rise due to the continued rains,” PDRRMC Executive Officer Sonio Sanchez said. He said there is a noted swelling of the waters in Libuganon, Saub and other tributaries in the provinc...
  • Fixed bridge restores access in three typhoon-hit DavOR towns

    CARAGA, Davao Oriental, Feb. 20 -- The three typhoon-devastated coastal towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston are now accessible as the Manurigao Bridge (also called Baogo Bridge) that was devastated by typhoon Pablo last December and replaced by bailey panels is now open. Situated in the village of San Antonio, the bridge was formally opened last Wednesday, February 14. Governor Corazon Nuñez-Malanyaon, First District Representative Nelson L. Dayanghirang and DPWH District Engineer Joselit...
  • MGB declares areas in DavNor village as no habitation zone

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 20 -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has declared three puroks in Barangay Mambing in New Corella in Davao del Norte Province as no-habitation zones after a landslide occurred in the said areas on Saturday, February 17. “We will no longer allow the evacuated families to come back to their old residences as it is no longer safe for them,” Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) Executive Officer Sonio Sanchez said Tuesday. The safety of Puroks...
  • DavNor to launch PLGU learning institute

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 17 -- The provincial government will enter into agreement with the Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) and the Philippine Councilors’ League-Legislative Academy (PCL-LA) to start the Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI). Governor Rodolfo del Rosario will lead the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA), with DNSC President Dr. Jonathan Bayogan and PCL-LA Executive Director Dr. Helario Caminero, during the convocation program on February 18 at the Bulwagan ng Lala...
  • DavNor Guv suspends classes in 8 municipalities

    TAGUM CITY, Feb 19 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has declared the suspension of classes in eight municipalities in the province in view of tropical depression “Crising” which, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa), was moving closer to the southern tip of Davao del Sur as of 11 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 19). “The Governor has declared the suspension of classes only in the eight municipalities under the Dava...
  • Residents warned to stay alert as Crising batters Davao Region

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 19 (PIA) -- Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio ordered the suspension of classes from preschool to high school Tuesday due to bad weather brought about by tropical depression Crising. She also placed all rescue units run by the Emergency Response Center Central 911 and the barangays rescue groups on heightened alert due to the possible swelling of Davao River and other tributaries in the city and landslide on the highland areas. “Per Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomic...
  • Chapel to rise in DavNor rehab center

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Feb. 18 (PIA) -- Drugs and alcoholic dependents undergoing treatment at the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center (LPRRC) established by Davao del Norte Provincial Government will experience enhanced spiritual nourishment when a chapel will soon be built in the area. Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, representing the provincial government, has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed this Monday morning (Feb. 18) with Tagum Cooperative represented by...
  • DavNor's disaster council vows to promote culture of safety

    TAGUM CITY-The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (PDRRMC) vowed to promote a culture of safety in the province to enable its residents to become resilient amid the onslaught of natural disasters in the province. The pronouncement came even as the PDRRMC officially launched “Oplan Andam” during the provincial employees’ regular Monday Convocation held at the Bulwagan Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Mankilam, this city. “We are officially launching Oplan Andam which ...
  • Tagum Coop provides P.5-million fund for drug rehab chapel

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Feb. 18 (PIA) -- A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between the Tagum Cooperative and the Province of Davao del Norte for the grant of a half million financial assistance that the former will provide to the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center in New Corella, Davao del Norte. “The MOA binds the two signatories to work together in making a difference in the lives of alcoholics and drug dependents undergoing rehabilitation in Luntiang Paraiso,” ...
  • More vibrant tourism sector in DavNor seen

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Feb. 18 (PIA) -- A more vibrant tourism campaign for Davao del Norte can be expected now that the Davao Tourism Council has been re-energized and a new set of officer inducted. “The Provincial Tourism Council officers will help us realize our tourism thrusts which are hinged on three strategic directions,” Provincial Tourism Officer Noel Daquioag said Monday during the induction of the new set of officers of the Davao del Norte Provincial Tourism Council by Gove...
  • New Bataan would likely experience fate of Brgy Andap, must relocate

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, Feb. 18 (PIA) -- The poblacion areas of New Bataan town in Compostela Valley Province will suffer the same fate as the ill-fated Barangay Andap if another storm as strong as Pablo will again come, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman revealed in a meeting of Task Force Pablo held Friday at the Provincial Capitol of Compostela Valley. She, however, said that a place about 400 meters north of the Poblacion is safe for relocation of residents. Soliman b...
  • Residents urged to cooperate in checkpoint operations

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 18 (PIA) -- The Task Force Davao urged the public to cooperate in the checkpoint operations in the city’s entrance since it is for their safety and security. Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana, executive officer of the Task Force Davao, emphasized that in public buses, everybody including women must get down to ensure that thorough visual inspection is done. He issued the statement following the observation that only men are obliged to get off the bus during inspection while the women...
  • AFP find ways to make sure rebel returnees don’t go back to the mountains

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 15 (PIA) --The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is tracking New People’s Army (NPA) surrenderees or rebel returnees to ensure they do not go back to the mountains. “We track them person-to-person kung asan na sila to make sure they are back in the mainstream,” 10th Infantry Division Commanding General Major General Ariel Bernardo said during the Hermes Club press conference held at the Waterfront Hotel Friday. “We had a total of 442 surrenderees and 220 regular sur...
  • 10th ID to expand operation in NorthCot by March 2013

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 15 (PIA) -- A top military commander confirmed the expansion in the area of responsibility of the 10th Infantry Division to include six municipalities and one city in North Cotabato effective March 1, 2013. Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division said the plan had been approved by the national headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and would cover areas where communist rebels are present. He said part of the forthcoming changes w...
  • Students' book cart project needs volunteers, books

    DAVAO CITY- A group of mass communication students from Ateneo de Davao are calling for volunteers and book donors to their Tulak adBOOKasyon project which will be held this Saturday (February 16.) Charles Tolosa one of the organizers of the event said that the project aims to use push carts to collect books at Dona Vicenta Subdivision. The collected books will be donated to Davao City’s Balay Pasilungan street children center. Tolosa said they are looking for volunteers to push the carts an...
  • May 2013 Reg’l Career Congress to address job mismatch

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Feb. 15 (PIA) --The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI hopes to address the job mismatch problem in the Philippines through the conduct of the Regional Career Congress in Davao City on May 31, 2013. “We are inviting guidance counselors to join us during the Career Congress because they are in the best position to help us correct the job mismatch,” DOLE XI Senior Labor and Employment Officer Lariele P. Arce said. Arce said they are expecting up to 250 ...
  • DOH promotes four o'clock habit amid climate change

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 15 (PIA) -- An officer of the Tropical Disease Unit of the City Health Office urged households to be more serious in destroying breeding grounds of dengue-carrying-mosquitoes by cleaning their home and surroundings regularly amid changing weather condition. Elizabeth Banzon, public health nurse and head of the Tropical Disease Unit said the residents still need to improve the observation of the four o’clock habit which calls for regular cleaning inside and outside the houses...
  • Authorities to stop groups from blocking the Davao-Agusan Highway

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 15 (PIA) -- Police and military authorities vowed to prevent groups from blocking the Agusan-Davao highway again to force the Department of Social Welfare and Development to release 10,000 sacks of rice allegedly for distribution to survivors of typhoon Pablo. Speaking in the AFP-PNP Press Corps briefing Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said that although the military respects the right of people to air their grievance through assembly, grou...
  • Water Sanitation and Hygiene needs being assessed in temporary learning spaces

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 15 --The Education Cluster is now in the process of assessing the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) requirements of around 163 Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. The TLS were set up as a response by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Education Cluster, to the academic requirements of the children in areas affected by Typhoon Pablo, specifically where most schools have either been partially or totally damaged. D...
  • CIPI conducts ISO 9001:2008 surveillance at DOST-XI

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 12 – The Department of Science and Technology XI (DOST) subjected itself to the second surveillance audit under ISO 9001:2008 on February 5-6, 2013 and enrolled 21 operational processes involved under the standard. The surveillance audit was done by the Certification International Philippines, Inc. (CIPI) with Engr. Renato David as auditor. The scope includes provision of packaging and labeling assistance, innovation system support, consultancy and technical services, techn...
  • SM tops job posting at Philjobnet with 450,000 jobs for 2012

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Feb. 15 (PIA) --Southern Mindanao has topped the number of jobs posted at Philjobnet with 450,000 jobs posted online from January to December 2012 even as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI urged establishments to register their companies with the jobs portal. Philjobnet, the official jobs portal of the government of the Philippines, was specifically mentioned by President Benigno Aquino III when he visited Davao City February 5, because of its role in...
  • Huge gap of water kits in ComVal, DavOr noted

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Feb. 14 (PIA) --The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has noted a huge gap in the distribution of water kits between the typhoon-Pablo affected municipalities in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. Davao Oriental WASH Coordinator Burgess reported a gap of 5,985 water kits in the distribution of these materials in the province. Compostela Valley WASH Coordinator Jose Luis Diago however reported that in his area, there is a huge gap of 64,260 in the distribu...
  • DTI-Davao’s investment promo, financing facilitation generate P9.4B investments

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 14 -- The investment promotion and financing facilitation initiatives of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region bolstered its investment generation in 2012. The preliminary annual report of the agency revealed that these interventions pushed the investments to hit P9.455 billion, 13 percent higher than its annual target of P8.4 billion. The financing facilitation services rendered by DTI-Davao Region brought in P43.826 million investments, generated through...
  • Davao City to hold simple anniversary fete

    DAVAO CITY Feb. 14 (PIA) -- The City will be holding a much simpler Araw ng Dabaw as compared to last year. This according to Lisette Marquez festival director of Duaw Dabaw Foundation who said this year’s city founding anniversary slated on March 16 will be simpler as compared to last year. Marquez said that last year’s Araw ng Dabaw was a milestone for Davao City as it celebrated its 75th year of cityhood. This year’s celebration will have fewer events compared to last year; it also...
  • ComVal to have a blood bank laboratory

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, Feb. 14 --The province of Compostela Valley will soon have a Blood Bank and Public Health Laboratory following the ground breaking ceremony and ceremonial laying of capsule held last February 8 at the Provincial Capitol Ground. The ceremony was graced by Asst. Regional Director Ma. Socorro De Gracia of the Department of Health (DOH)-XI. The groundbreaking heralded the start of construction for the first phase of the project using the initial P5.0-Million fund give...
  • Reg'l health body rechecks effectiveness of herbal plants

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 14 (PIA) -- An officer of the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium in Davao Region revealed that there is an ongoing study rechecking the effectiveness of herbal plants and medicines. Dr. Warlito Vicente, chair of the Consortium said most of their work is designed to come up with scientific remedies to the health concerns of ordinary residents. He said the consortium is studying herbal medicines that might be helpful on burn management, diabetes, and dengue fever...
  • P245-million allocated for Samal island infrastructure

    DAVAO CITY Feb. 14 -- The Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) will be allocated at least P245-million worth of infrastructure projects for 2013 mostly to be used in the upgrading of its road network. Department of Public Works and Highways Davao del Norte District Engineer Fernando Ongkingco Jr. said the allocation will be used to fund the improvement and upgrading of the city’s circumferential road. The development of the road is identified as an infrastructure project support to IGaCoS ...
  • DavNor steps up grassroots disaster readiness drive

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Feb. 14 (PIA) -- As natural catastrophes continue to worsen resulting from climate change, the provincial government is directly confronting the threat of calamities by making the vulnerable communities ready and resilient at all times. Over a thousand families have already benefited from the heightened household-based disaster preparedness campaign since the province launched Oplan A.N.D.A.M. (Advocacy on Natural Disasters Awareness and Management) last week....
  • DavNor Prov’l. Tourism Council reactivated, vows to bounce back

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 13 --The Provincial Tourism Council of Davao del Norte vowed to bounce back and become more active in promoting tourism in the province now that it has been reactivated. “People may perceive the Tourism Council as inactive but in reality we are working on the tourism guidelines for the Tourism Code of the province,” Provincial Tourism Council president Araceli Ayuste said. Ayuste admitted that the Council has not been very active primarily because it was waiting for the To...
  • Egg layer project sparks bayanihan in DavNor town

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- Starting out would have been more difficult without government support. This was what Jesusa Ballos recalled as to how their egg layer production project began after receiving the P250,000 grant through the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) in partnership with the local government. “At the start, it was really difficult if you only think about it,” said Ballos, chair of Pag-asa Livelihood Project Association (Pag-asa). “But we were united,”...
  • 2012 unused funds urged for rehab of Pablo-affected areas in Diwalwal

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- Partner agencies of the Program Monitoring and Coordination Center of the National Task Force Diwalwal (PMCC NTFD) are enjoined to use the remaining funds for 2012 activities to rehabilitate typhoon Pablo-affected areas within the Diwalwal Mineral Reservation Area (DMRA). Agencies are called to put in their funds “for the rehabilitation of infrastructure, shelters and school facilities affected by typhoon Pablo at the DMRA in accordance with their respe...
  • No more bakwits in DavNor but thousands remain in DavOr-CHR

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Feb. 13 (PIA) --The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) called attention to the situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) or bakwits in vernacular in Davao Province particularly in Davao Oriental. “Davao del Norte was fast in early recovery because there are no more bakwits here but thousands are still in makeshift tents in Davao Oriental,” CHR XI IDP Focal Person Junitte Rose Barroquillo said. She said children who are living in makeshift tents along the h...
  • Panabo Mayor proposes P5-M center for minors in conflict with law

    PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte, Feb 13 -- Panabo City Mayor Atty. Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. has proposed a P5-million rehabilitation center for minors in conflict with the law during a meeting held last January 31 at the City Mayor’s Executive Conference Room, Panabo City Hall. This proposal is Mayor Silvosa’s concrete response to an earlier fellowship prayer and breakfast meeting where he was joined by members of the city's religious sector and which discussed several issues confronting the city...
  • Gov’t interventions in Mt. Diwata bring changes

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- Government interventions delivered in the gold-laden Mt. Diwata in Monkayo, Compostela Valley have brought significant changes and improvements of conditions in the area. An evaluation on the projects and activities conducted by the Program Monitoring and Coordination Center of the National Task Force Diwalwal (PMCC-NTFD) found improvements in Mt. Diwata particularly in its peace and order situation. Comparing the conditions noted in Mt. Diwata before 2004 a...
  • Davao City PNP to mark an 'X' on houses of shabu pushers

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 13 (PIA) -- Authorities will commence Wednesday the identification of suspected shabu pushers at Barangay 23-C by marking an " X" on their houses. Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said the marking of bold letter X starts on the house of a barangay chairman in whose house, a pusher had been identified. He made the announcement after the barangay head handed him a list of suspected drug-pushers in his barangay, Tuesday. De L...
  • 13 artists visualize Tagumpay ng Tagum mural

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 12 --Thirteen artists who have volunteered their talent and effort have painted their own vision of Tagum City’s past, present and future, depicted in up to 80 paintings now on display at the Grand Mall of Tagum City starting Monday, February 11. “Tagumpay ng Tagum is an art exhibit which will showcase the destinations, landmarks, and monuments of Tagum," exhibition curator Nestor Horfilla said during the opening of the art exhibit, Monday. These are the artists’ vis...
  • GK, Phil. Navy initiate housing, infra projects in Cateel

    CATEEL, Davao Oriental, Feb. 11 -- In partnership with the provincial government, the Gawad Kalinga Foundation and the Philippine Navy are installing their own respective brainchild projects in the town of Cateel —one of the most devastated towns in this province' eastern coast after the onslaught of typhoon Pablo. On Wednesday, the first housing project in Cateel town was launched courtesy of the Gawad Kalinga Foundation who will initially put up 154 housing units to be constructed in more t...
  • CHR pushes for approval of Bakwit Bill

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 11 -- The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is pushing for the approval of a Bill that will help protect the rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). “There is no specific Philippine Law that protects the rights of the IDPs,” CHR XI lawyer and IDP focal person Atty. Junitte Rose Baroquillo said Monday in an interview Based on the United Nations’ definition, IDPs or Bakwits in the dialect, are persons “forced or obliged to flee or leave their homes or places of hab...
  • Davao City posts hike in revenue collection

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 11 (PIA) -- The City Government of Davao posted a 22.6% increase in revenues and taxes in January of this year as compared to the same period in 2012. Rodrigo Riola, City Treasurer bared the January 2013 (Jan. 2- Jan. 31) collection figures which amounted to P589.1 million is higher than the P480.3 million collected last 2012 (Jan. 2- Jan.31). The figures were boosted by the number of business permit applications which were higher this year as compared to the figures in the s...
  • Duterte welcomes approval of CCTV Camera Ordinance

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 11 (PIA)-- Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte welcomed the approval of the local ordinance requiring business establishments with a capital outlay of P3-million to set up closed-circuit television cameras in there respective establishment to deter and to monitor the occurrence of criminal incidents. Speaking in the public affair program, “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa,” the Mayor said business owners must install high-quality CCTV cameras that can grab clear images of people and th...
  • DavNor Guv bats for tourism master plan

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 11 -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has urged all the municipalities and cities in the province to come up with their own tourism master plans and align it with the national government’s tourism development direction. “The Governor is set to issue a memorandum to all municipalities urging them to come up with their own tourism plans,” Davao del Norte Provincial Tourism Council President Araceli Ayuste said. Ayuste said even Samal which is already a popula...
  • More ODA commitments for Mindanao eyed

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 8 --Mindanao has now been placed in the radar of foreign countries extending Official Development Assistance (ODA) after it hosted the 2013 Philippines Development Forum (PDF) which was attended by development workers and ODA providers. “This is the beauty of holding the conference here because the ODA partners now get a feel of Mindanao,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said. While the stock of ODA commitments now is the result of processes prior to the Conference, he s...
  • Police call for a stop to rebel atrocities, to spearhead a human rights rally

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 8 (PIA)--The Police Regional Office is set to spearhead a human rights rally at the Freedom Park Saturday as part of its campaign to put a stop to all violent incidents perpetrated by the communist rebels. Superintendent Filmore Escobal, chief of the community relations of the Davao Region Police Regional Office, said the rally will push for the release of two government personnel abducted by the New People’s Army in Laak, Compostela Valley, stop the use of improvised landmine...
  • Command Post accepts all donations for systematic distribution

    TAGUM CITY CITY, Feb. 8 (PIA) --The distribution of goods and food packs intended for typhoon-devastated residents of Compostela Valley would be more efficient if the donors coordinate with the Command Post instead of directly distributing their donations. “The policy is for the donors to coordinate with the Command Post first and allow the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help in the distribution,” New Bataan Mayor Lorenzo Balbin Jr. said during Friday’s Kapihan sa ...
  • 190 temporary shelters for New Bataan eyed by March 2013

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 8 --Typhoon-displaced residents of New Bataan will soon have 190 new temporary shelters from the provincial government and the Pineda Foundation. “We are starting the construction of the transition houses for displaced residents in the municipality,” New Bataan Mayor Lorenzo Balbin, Jr. said during the Kapihan press conference at the Philippine Information Agency, Friday. Balbin said the provincial government through Governor Arturo Uy is targeting the construction of up t...
  • JR. NBA reigniting kids interest in basketball

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- Zane Garfin plays soccer. Brylle Juris Carillo plays tennis. James Paolo Ancheta on the other hand, used to be a Taekwondo champion. These kids and a hundred others more are into various sports but they gathered at the Ateneo de Davao Grade School Gym on February 3, 2013 to participate in the Jr. NBA Philippines Basketball Camp, a basketball program spearheaded by Alaska and brought to Davao City by Phoenix Petroleum. “Davao breaks history by gathering the most num...
  • Flooded families get food donations from cooperatives

    CARMEN, Davao del Norte, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- Some residents in four flooded barangays in Carmen, Davao del Norte received food packs over the weekend donated by cooperatives from Luzon and Visayas. Four hundred residents in barangays Guadalupe, Tuganay, Salvacion and Maligaya of Carmen town benefited from the food assistance distributed by Tagum Cooperative which served as the conduit of Cebu CFI (Court of the First Instance) Community Cooperative, San Jose Del Monte Cooperative in Bulacan, Nova...
  • Official pleads for more help for Typhoon Pablo victims

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, Feb. 7 -- Speaking during the plenary session of the House of Representatives last January 21, 2013, Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora recounted the misery Typhoon Pablo brought to her constituents, and appealed for more assistance and compassion for the victims. The ComVal lawmaker emotionally articulated that, in all her years, Compostela Valley has not been visited by a strong typhoon, and that people knew nothing about this natural calamity. “Pero noong ika-4 ng Disye...
  • Duterte hits anew the Juvenile Justice Law

    Davao City, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte took pot-shots anew on the Juvenile Justice Law saying it has no provision for the after-arrest procedure for children in conflict with the law. Speaking before the 4,000 members of the League of Councilors of the Philippines at SMX-Convention Center, Wednesday, he stressed that a minor must be put behind bars once he commits a major crime regardless of his age. Duterte said that while imprisonment is a punitive action for adults as a form...
  • P2.9M for San Isidro in DavNor up for release

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 7 -- The municipality of San Isidro in Davao del Norte’s poverty alleviation efforts is set to move forward with the release of P2.9 million subject to certain conditions. “This is in response to the request of the local government unit to the National Anti-Poverty Council (NAPC) but which will be implemented by DOLE,” Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Davao del Norte Provincial Director Milagros Gutierrez said. Gutierrez said San Isidro is one of the 605 focused...
  • Live streaming PDF presscon between Manila, Davao media concludes Forum

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) --Unknown to the organizers, the 2013 Philippine Development Forum (PDF) ended with a vote of confidence to Davao City’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry through the conduct of a live streaming press conference between the Davao-based and the Manila-based media. Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Soliman, World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi and Mindanao Development Authority Secre...
  • OFWs urged to become OWWA members

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 7 -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is encouraging all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to register and become OWWA members no matter where in the world they may be working. “While we provide assistance to all OFWs, it is only the members who can enjoy most of the benefits provided by our office,” OWWA XI Regional Director Ma. Elvira Arcilla Ador said during Monday’s Convocation held at the Provincial Capitol. However, she said, OWWA does not receive ...
  • Safe relocation sites for Pablo-affected areas in Davao a priority-PNoy

    DAVAO CTY, Feb 7 (PIA) -- President Aquino said government is focused on looking for safe relocation sites for typhoon Pablo-affected communities in the three Davao provinces as part of its long-term rehabilitation program. Aquino, who was in the city Tuesday to address the 2013 Philippines Development Forum, said the Mines and GeoSciences Bureau is expected to come up with a list of geo-hazard or build and no-build zones that are unsafe to flooding and landslides. The priority of government, ...
  • PNoy: We relocate communities to save lives

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 6 (PIA) -- President Aquino underscored that saving lives as the primary reason for relocating residents living along hazard-prone areas like river banks in response to the changing weather condition. Speaking in a press briefing following the closing program of the Philippine Development Forum held in Davao City, he explained that it is imperative for government to look for funds to realize the effort of keeping people from harm’s way. Aquino said it is a disservice if gover...
  • Intensified anti-illegal drugs-campaign kills one, arrests two in Davao Region

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 6 (PIA) -- Authorities gunned down one person and arrested two others in three separate occasions Tuesday as the campaign for illegal drugs intensified in Davao Region. Nephi De la Cruz, spokesperson of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XI identified the respondent who was killed after resisting arrest as Onse Arimao 51, married and a resident of Bakuring, Brgy. Madaum, Tagum City, Davao del Norte. He said Arimao was facing double-murder and illegal-drug charges when he s...
  • WB country chief underscores job creation

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- A top official of the World Bank emphasized the need to meet the challenge to create more jobs to achieve inclusive growth. Motoo Konishi, country director of the WBi explained inclusive growth to mean “creating jobs” which he viewed as the driver of inclusive growth, taking lessons he gleaned from other countries. Konishi anchored his talk on inclusive growth as this year’s PDF banners the theme, “President Aquino’s Social Contract: Moving Forward in Ach...
  • PNoy sticks to job-creation-promise for Filipinos

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 6 (PIA) -- The Aquino administration remains faithful to its commitment of creating more jobs for Filipinos in the middle of its six-year term amid a remarkable 6.6 percent growth in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “I don’t think we are shifting priorities from our policy of job creation na una kong pinangako,” President Benigno Simeon Aquino III said during a press conference held after the 2013 Philippine Development Forum (PDF) held in Davao City. Aquino, who vowed t...
  • Australian aid to Typhoon Pablo reaches P432million

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 06 (PIA) -- Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Twedel announced that the Australian Government has so far infused a total of P432 million to Philippine government as response and rehabilitation efforts to build back typhoon Pablo-hit areas and to assist affected families. He revealed that the total humanitarian response and rehab funds of Australian government include the fresh assistance worth P126 million in response to appeals of the Philippine Government and the United N...
  • Climate change, risk reduction high on RDR’s priorities

    Davao City, Feb. 5 -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario mulled of another strategic direction that will guide him through his last term, taking into consideration the current realities of climate change, disaster risk reduction, and globalization. He said his governance will pursue the daunting task of resuscitating the development momentum of the province marred by the successive onslaught of calamities, which brought multi-billion loses to crops and infrastructure, buoyed by the g...
  • DavOr, Comval enter into a memorandum of understanding on climate change

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 5 (PIA) --The provincial governments of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Climate Change Commission (CCC) on Monday to roll out a project designed to enhance their capacity to handle disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). The MOU was signed in the presence of Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Twedell and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Country Director Toshihiro Tanaka, who both pledg...
  • P75-M housing project in DavOr to emerge soon

    BAGANGA, Davao Oriental, Feb 5 (PIA) -- After the devastation caused by typhoon Pablo, hope sparks the town of Baganga as the first 300 shelter homes funded by the PLDT-Smart Foundation under the Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) Group of Companies, is on its way to emerge soon. The housing project will benefit 300 families currently displaced and temporarily sheltered in bunkhouses in the village of Lambajon, after the storm demolished their houses. Led by Smart Communications, PLDT-Smart Foundati...
  • WB calls on RP gov’t to increase infra spending to 5% by 2016

    DAVAO CITY, Feb 5 (PIA) -- An officer of the World Bank has encouraged the Philippine government to increase its infrastructure spending if it wants to realize its goal of achieving inclusive development for the people. Motoo Konishi, country director of the World Bank and co-chair of the Philippine Development Forum in a press briefing Tuesday said infrastructure spending by government needs to increase from 2.6 percent to 5 percent of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by 2016. He said that ov...
  • New sources of growth needed to sustain economic performance, NEDA chief says

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- Socio-economic Planning Sec. Arsenio Balicasan cited the need to create new sources of growth to sustain the country’s economic performance, benefiting the greater majority of Filipinos. Speaking at the opening of the 2013 Philippine Development Forum (PDF) he explained the relevance of seeking new sources of growth to sustain the country’s economic growth that would benefit every Filipino. Balisacan mentioned manufacturing, business process outsourcing (B...
  • Authorities assure full control in the peace and order of East Coast communities in Davao Oriental

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- Authorities assured full control of the peace and order condition in Boston, Cateel and Baganga, Davao Oriental two months after typhoon Pablo hit the East Coast communities on December 4, last year. Colonel Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade which handles the anti-insurgency campaign in the area said that police and military authorities are able to thwart the efforts of the communist rebels to regain lost grounds after they were displac...
  • WB country chief underscores the need for job creation in the country

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi emphasized the need to meet the challenge to create more jobs to achieve inclusive growth. Speaking during the opening of the 2013 Philippine Development Forum (PDF) which he co-chairs, Konishi explains inclusive growth to mean “creating jobs” which he viewed as the driver of inclusive growth, which he added he gleaned from other countries. Konishi anchored his opening talks on inclusive growth as this year’s PDF ba...
  • Public hearing on amendments to the law creating licensing board for contractors set

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) is set to conduct a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act No. 4566 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City on February 5. RA 4566 is an act creating the Philippine licensing board for contractors, prescribing its powers, duties and functions, providing funds therefore, and for other purposes. Marizon S. Loreto, director of the Department of ...
  • 2013 Phl dev’t forum opens in Davao City

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- The 2013 Philippine Development Forum opened formally at the Marco Polo Hotel, Monday with the theme, “President Aquino’s Social Contract: Moving Forward in Achieving Inclusive Growth and Good Governance.” The plenary sessions started off with presentation and panel discussion regarding the overall progress of the social contract and macro-economic and fiscal developments discussed by Department of Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Department of Budget an...
  • Typhoon-ravaged small banana growers seek lower financing rates

    TAGUM CITY, Feb. 4 -- A top officer of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) assessed it may take a while for the banana industry in the three Davao Provinces to recover from the destruction caused by Typhoon Pablo as the small growers need more government support to help them rehabilitate their farms. Stephen Antig, executive director of the PBGA said the small banana growers still need more financial assistance from the government despite the loans being offered by t...
  • Mt. Diwata barangay captain calls for repair of public schools

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Feb. 01 (PIA) -- Gold-rush area Mt. Diwata Barangay Captain Rodolfo Boyles Wednesday pressed for assistance to build back schools in his barangays as school children continued to suffer attending classes under roofless rooms. Attending the meeting of the Project Monitoring and Coordination Center National Task Force Diwalwal (PMCC-NTFD), Boyles revealed in an interview that school children in Mt. Diwata in both elementary and high school, have been attending classes si...
  • MDF participants set to go to typhoon-Pablo affected areas

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 1 (PIA) -- Some participants of the Mindanao Development Forum 2013 held in the city Friday are set to go to the typhoon Pablo-affected areas tomorrow in the different Davao Provinces to do volunteer work. Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MinDa) chairperson Secretary Lualhati Antonino said the MDF is divided into different parts with the first part consisting of overviews and updates on Mindanao’s growth and the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement (FAB). “We need to cre...
  • DavOr guv calls for unity in Baganga with start of resettlement project

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 1 (PIA) -- Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon urged residents of Baganga, Davao Oriental to show unity by supporting one another as all forms of assistance pour in from government and various sectors for the survivors of typhoon Pablo. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremonies on the construction site for a resettlement project for residents who lost their homes in Barangay Lambajon, she said that survivors must show gratitude to the benefactors by helping one anothe...
  • Mindanao’s growth potentials to increase- officials

    DAVAO CITY, Feb. 1 (PIA) -- Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson Secretary Lualhati Antonino reported that Mindanao did well over the last two years but it could perform better if the constraints to its development are properly addressed. “Mindanao’s performance came as a result of improved peace condition, improved investment climate and improved macro-economic performance,” Antonino said during the Mindanao Development Forum held in Davao City Friday. She said there is a ...
  • DAR puts up farm-to-market road in Talaingod

    TALAINGOD, Davao del Norte, Jan. 31 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is set to start the construction of a farm-to-market road project worth more than P40 million that would benefit over 20,000 residents in the municipality of Talaingod. The DAR-Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project 3 (ARISP) will implement the road construction along the junction of the National Road Sto. Niño-Sitio Igang, Palma Gil Road in said town. The project which costs a total of P40,612,376 with f...
  • DavNor to identify new areas for Convergence in 2013

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- Officials of the Davao del Norte Province are now looking at new areas for the Convergence activities for 2013 considering that there is a greater need for the program due to the continuous flooding in the province. “Convergence is basically the delivery of basic services which is more needed by the people now especially the health and social services sectors because of the flooding,” Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) head Josie ...
  • Number of poor Filipinos in Mindanao down-DSWD

    DAVAO CITY. Jan. 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that while the 2009 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey show 9.4 million Filipinos could not afford to lead decent lives, the number of poor people in Mindanao has greatly decreased over the years. “Malaki ang difference ng pagbaba ng poverty incidence sa Mindanao (there is a big difference in the reduction of poverty incident in Mindanao) based on the latest SWS survey,” DSWD Communication Developmen...
  • UN Habitat to seek funding for Davao’s flood plans

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- Davao City officials are banking on the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to look for fund sources for the city’s climate change adaptation plans. The city is one of the four cities identified as pilot areas for UN-Habitat’s climate change adaptation studies. The other cities are Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo and Butuan. “We are still in the planning stage where the agencies concerned are conducting workshops and databanking for the formulatio...
  • Tagum's Miranda II Bridge sturdy despite frequent floods in DavNor

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Jan. 31 (PIA -- The Department of Public Works and Highways assured commuters travelling between Davao and Tagum City about the safety of the Miranda Bridge II. The frequent flooding in Davao del Norte, which usually leads to the closure of Miranda Bridge to traffic, has made Miranda Bridge II the main gateway to and from Tagum City. “Miranda Bridge II is a Reinforced Concrete Deck Girder Bridge so it is safe and can withstand the bulk of traffic passing the bri...
  • DavNor to launch Oplan A.N.D.A.M.

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- The Province of Davao del Norte is taking its successful emergency planning to a higher level by launching this February the barangay disaster preparedness campaign to make every household ever ready to face natural calamities. Dubbed Oplan ANDAM (Advocacy on Natural Disasters Awareness and Management), the community-based disaster risk reduction campaign seeks to protect, especially the vulnerable families from the adverse impact of natural catac...
  • Increase in Mindanao budget to be tackled in forum

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- Calls for increasing the share of Mindanao in the national budget will be among the matters to be tackled in the coming 1st Mindanao Development Forum (MDF) to be held on February 1 at the Marco Polo Davao. The MDF is touted as a high-level multilateral meeting aimed at providing the platform and public discourse on Mindanao's Development Agenda. Over 300 heads and representatives of various Official Development Assistance offices including members of the diplomatic...
  • DavNor steps up agriculture damage reporting

    TAGUM CITY— Typhoon-free no more, the province of Davao del Norte has stepped up its reporting of damages and losses in agriculture to get the right interventions in times of calamity. Some 100 agriculturists and coordinators from the 11 local government units (LGU) in the province gathered recently in Capitol, Tagum City for a workshop that shall arm them with a uniform template and standard computation in making estimates of damages and losses. The Provincial Government, under the instru...
  • Int’l community helps rebuild damaged shelters

    DAVAO CITY Jan. 29 (PIA) -- Donations from the international community has helped rebuild 42,000 houses and structures throughout the areas struck by typhoon Pablo in Southeastern Mindanao last December 4. Tom Bamforth, shelter cluster coordinator of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the cluster has provided emergency shelter and housing kits to rebuild about 42,000 houses. He said that these came from the international assistance from United Nation agenc...
  • Army repairs 82 houses, gov't buildings in typhoon areas

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 30 (PIA) -- A total of 82 houses, nine government facilities and one chapel had been repaired by the Joint Task Force Tambayayong, an initiative of soldiers to help areas hardest hit by Typhoon Pablo which struck the region last December 4, 2012. Captain Severino David, spokesperson of the EastMinCom disclosed the information based on the report of Colonel Edgardo Clerigo, commander of the JTF Tambayayong. The number of rehabilitated structures comprised of 60 houses repaired ...
  • Gov reminds Talaingod residents that good roads lead to better income

    TAGUM CITY, Jan 30 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario told the residents of the tribal town of Talaingod to take full advantage of excellent road conditions to improve productivity and income. The Governor said that quality roads and bridges are critical links to a better economy and a better future. Yet, according to him, these vital infrastructures will come to naught if the communities do not maximize their benefits in enhancing economic productivity and bettering their...
  • A local crisis committee working to free rebel hostages

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 30 (PIA) -- The local government unit of Laak, Compostela Valley province will be negotiating with New Peoples Army rebels for the freedom of an abducted soldier and a policeman who have been in the hands of the latter for the past 12 days. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said Private First Class Jezreel Culango and PO1 Ruel Pasion remain in the hands of their captors after they were held captived by the rebels disguised as soldiers on Janua...
  • Volunteerism saving Tagum City millions for Musikahan

    TAGUM CITY, Jan 29 --Musikahan sa Tagum 2013, slated in the city from February 19 to 24, 2013, is not only about music. It will also also promote the spirit of volunteerism in the country. “The promotion of Volunteerism is one of the commendable aspects that we should not forget about Musikahan,” Davao del Norte Provincial Tourism officer Noel Daquioag said. Daquioag said the the proceeds of the Musikahan will be used to help in the rehabilitation of typhoon-stricken Compostela Valley ...
  • Davao City targets 5 thousand new jobs in IT-BPO industry

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 28 (PIA) -- About 5,000 jobs are expected to be added to the Information Technology- Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry in Davao City. Bert Barriga, President of ICT Davao, an umbrella organization of IT groups in Davao City, said that with the present 16,000 IT-BPO workforce in the city by year’s end they are hoping it would go up by 21,000. Barriga said that big call centers will be locating in the city declining to name these companies as a matter of policy am...
  • Tail end of cold front brings higher flood level in DavNor town

    KAPALONG, Davao del Norte, Jan. 28 -- Days of heavy rains and strong winds caused by the tail end of a cold front brought flooding to the municipality of Kapalong last January 19-20, 2013 which was higher compared to the flooding brought by Typhoon Pablo. After the reported water upsurge in the river tributaries in some barangays, Mayor Edgardo L. Timbol, Municipal Disaster Risk Reducation Management Council Chairperson thru the Action Officer Mr. Gaspar T. Balinggao mobilized the Communica...
  • National artists to stage concert caravan for Typhoon Pablo survivors

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 28 (PIA) – Singers Leah Navarro and Danny Javier will lead other national artists in staging a concert caravan set first week of February in Typhoon Pablo-devastated areas in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Priscilla Razon, regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-XI), bared that the concert caravan will be held on February 4, 5 and 6 in the municipalities of New Bataan, Compostela and Monkayo in Compostela Valley, and...
  • Davao Oriental LGU organizes rebuilding movement

    MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, Jan. 28 -- Different government agencies recently convened to plan out the Building Back Better(BBB) Movement. The movement’s mission is to start mobilization and operation of the task forces that would aid the immediate priorities in restoring Davao Oriental better especially the hard-hit municipalities of Baganga, Boston and Cateel during the recent Typhoon Pablo disaster. “Beauty is restored; hearts are transformed; lives are improved”, Davao Oriental Governo...
  • Cash-crop growing in typhoon-affected areas encouraged

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 28, (PIA) -- An executive of an agricultural firm supported the plea of farmers in the areas affected by typhoon Pablo to plant fast yielding crops while waiting to revitalize banana and coconut industries. Speaking during the 8th Mindanao Media Summit held over the weekend, Rufino Leano, research and development specialist of the Monsanto Philippines said the areas devastated by the typhoon in December need crops that can be harvested in a shorter period of time. He said othe...
  • DSWD to roll out P10.5B for continuing Typhoon Pablo assistance this 2013

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte , Jan. 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) gears up for continuing work this year as it targets to roll out P10.520 billion for various projects for the relief assistance, rehabilitation of areas affected by super-typhoon Pablo. The DSWD presented during the recent Partners Forum its intention to continue assisting the 233,354 typhoon-affected families in the four provinces of the Davao Region through various services using the 201...
  • Women-friendly space to be replicated in other typhoon-hit areas

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- A Women-Friendly Space (WFS) will soon be put up in the town’s evacuation centers to serve the needs of women survivors of typhoon Pablo in Monkayo, Compostela Valley province. Department of Social Welfare and Development regional director Priscilla Razon said the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will replicate the WFS program not only to Monkayo but also in other typhoon-hit areas in the region. The WFS was piloted by UNFPA in New Bataan, Compostela Valle...
  • DavNor recent flooding displaced more families than Typhoon Pablo

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- The recent flooding in Davao del Norte due to incessant rains of the tail-end of the cold-front displaced more families compared to the number of residents who had left their homes due to Typhoon Pablo. Progress report released by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) last Friday showed a total of 59,008 affected families with a number of affected individuals which ran a total of 274,537. Of the affected families, a to...
  • ComVal Gov warns typhoon victims of job scams

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy warned Typhoon Pablo victims to be wary of job offers that are too good to be true as these might turn out to be job scams. “Naa ko’y gipangutana nga residente kay naluoy ko kung kinahanglan ba niya ang tarbaho pero nibalibad sya kay gi-offeran sya manarbaho sa Digos (I asked a resident out of pity if he needs work but he declined saying he was offered a job in Digos),” Uy said. Uy said he was told that th...
  • Tagum’s Musikahan Festival beckons to country's rondalla groups

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- Various Rondalla groups in the country can now take part in the world-famous Musikahan sa Tagum Festival 2013 slated in the city on February 19 to 24. “Musikahan is not only the country’s longest-running music festival but it is also one of the most-attended with thousands of revellers coming to the city to witness the various competitions,” Tagum City Tourism Council chairperson Alma Uy said. Uy said Rondal-Awit or the pluked string ensemble...
  • P250,000 at stake in Tagum City’s Musikahan Festival 2013

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 25 (PIA) -- The grand prize winner of this year’s Musikahan sa Tagum Festival slated on February 19 to 24 can win up to P250,000 so expect the best chorale performances in this part of the world. “But only the choral group that will win all the four genres will get the grand prize of P250,000,” Tagum City Tourism Council Chairperson Alma Uy said during a press conference held in Abreeza Friday. The four genres for the choral competition during the Musikahan Festival inclu...
  • DSWD to grant P 4.7 B-housing aid only in certified-safe areas

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will grant shelter assistance only for units built in certified hazard-free zones. In a presentation during the Partners Forum and Consultation last Thursday (Jan. 24), DSWD said it will require from borrowers, clearance from the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) to make sure that any housing units or even a temporary shelter is built in safe areas. “Dapat dili na sila mobalik sa area nga gibahaan, ug d...
  • DavNor Guv pushes reinvigoration of tourism industry

    TAGUM CITY, Jan 26 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario gave out orders to reinvigorate the province's tourism industry. In a focus group discussion among tourism stakeholders recently, Assistant Provincial Administrator Romulo Tagalo said the governor wants to strengthen the tourism industry of the province. “The governor is mindful of the marching order of the President to increase domestic tourist arrivals to 35 million and international arrivals to 10 million,” said ...
  • DSWD protection cluster attends to child issues

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 26 (PIA) -- Two towns severely-hit by typhoon Pablo have already come up with their protection profile giving a deeper analysis on the need for protection of highly vulnerable sectors especially the children. The Department of Social Welfare and Development - 11 (DSWD - 11) which heads the Child Protection Working Group (CPWG), recently launched the Municipality Protection Profile of the Boston, Davao Oriental and Monkayo, Compostela Valley. The Protection Cluster has categ...
  • DavNor sustains lead in nutrition program

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 26 (PIA) -- The province of Davao del Norte kept its dominance in implementing the government’s nutrition program as it garnered its second grand slam in the regional nutrition awards. The province once again won three major award categories that include the Regional Green Banner Awards for the provincial, city and municipal levels. The municipal category was clinched by the municipality of New Corella, while the city level was secured by the Island Garden City of Samal. The...
  • DavNor provides speedy aid to flood victims

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Jan 26 (PIA) -- The provincial government responded immediately to the needs of thousands of residents affected by the massive flooding that recently hit the province. After dispatching the rescue teams from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) to assist local rescuers at the height of the flash floods since Sunday, the province promptly responded to the requests of the flood-hit municipalities for augmentation of relief assistance. As of Januar...
  • Senior citizens don’t just fade away in Davao del Norte

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 26 -- The elderly population in the province do not just fade away since the provincial government sees to it that they continue to be very visible in the development undertakings even in their twilight years In a bid to further promote the welfare and sense of importance of the elderly sector, the province organized the council of the elderly, known as the ACHIEVERS (Active, Caring, Happy, Inspired, Energetic, Volunteers for the Elderlies’ Welfare, Rights and PrivilegeS). ...
  • Flashfloods hit Davsur barangays

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- Flashfloods brought by the incessant heavy rains that occurred from late afternoon up to late evening on Thursday in some parts of the region, struck five barangays in Hagonoy and Sta. Cruz towns of Davao del Sur province, causing some 25 families to evacuate to nearby elementary school. Though there were no reports of casualty, injury and missing persons from both affected towns of Hagonoy and Sta. Cruz, damage assessment to properties have been pursued by the resp...
  • Pre-emptive evacuation saves lives in DavNor

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 25 (PIA): Pre-emptive evacuation helps in saving lives of people, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Executive Officer Sonio Sanchez said. In a press conference held earlier, Sanchez gave merit to efforts of local government units (LGUs) in executing pre-emptive evacuation to take residents away from the flood-prone areas way before flood-waters come rushing and overflowing. He attributed less casualty turn-out in Davao del Norte to pre-emptive evacuatio...
  • Davao Oriental town residents need livelihood to rebuild

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 25 (PIA) A resident and spokesperson of the local government unit in Boston, Davao Oriental cited the need for a livelihood that will provide income to coconut communities displaced by typhoon Pablo in Boston, Davao Oriental in December 4. Judith Binabae, spokesperson of the municipal government of Boston said a sustainable livelihood is important for affected resident to regain back their purchasing and to spur again the local economy. He said many families depended much on th...
  • More than 100 bands to join Tagum’s music fest

    DAVAO CITY-It will be an endless week of singing and celebration as more than a hundred bands have indicated their intention and commitment to join Tagum City’s 2013 Music festival slated on Feberuary 19 to 24, 2013. “More than 100 bands are joining and will be playing their music for Tagum’s fund-raising activity for the victims of typhoon Pablo,” Tagum City Tourism Council chairperson Alma Uy said. Uy said the bands are only some of the musicians who have responded to the city’s ap...
  • DTI-Davao meets with LTO on ICC stickers on helmets

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 25 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region has met with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional officials and enforcement personnel to discuss matters concerning the implementation of the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009. In the meeting recently, DTI made a briefing among the LTO participants on the relevant points of the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) Memorandum Circular No. 01 and 01-A series of 2012 as basis for the certification of helmets and ...
  • WFP to send P164-M worth of rice to R-XI flood victims

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 25 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI is expecting the arrival of additional rice assistance worth P164 million from the World Food Program (WFP). “WFP’s rice assistance will come in two tranches, the first one is expected to arrive tonight (Wednesday),” DSWD XI Regional Director Priscilla Razon said in an interview during the DSWD Partners’ Forum and Consultation held at the Apo View Hotel from January 23 to 24. DSWD, however, said it has n...
  • DavNor PAGRO pushes for tree planting

    TAGUM CITY-The typhoon and the continuous flooding in Davao del Norte can only get worse unless the people realize that it is time to seriously plant trees and nurture their growth. “It is time to reforest and plant trees to address the problem,” Davao del Norte Provincial Agriculturist Dominador Encarnacio said, admitting that the flooding problem is escalating every year. He said the water level in Davao del Norte during last week’s flooding as a result of the continuous rain is worse ...
  • Minda Board passes resolution for river way task force

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 24 (PIA) -- Members of the Mindanao Development Authority MinDA) Board of Directors have passed a resolution for the creation of a river way task force that will look into the condition of river systems in Mindanao as initial step to rehabilitate local government units hit by flood during the onslaught of typhoon Pablo and the current weather disturbance. Speaking to reporters following the first planning session for the Mindanao Development Plan for 2013 at the office of the Mi...
  • Davao City to set up CCTV in upstream rivers

    DAVAO CITY Jan. 24 (PIA) -- The City Government of Davao will be setting up CCTV (Close Circuit TV) cameras in identified upstream rivers as a pre-emptive measure in case Davao River swells up again and cause massive flooding. Magno Adalin chief of the Davao City Public Safety Office says the system dubbed Telemetric Monitoring System will be installed in Tamugan and Lacson Rivers identified as upstream tributaries of the Davao River. Adalin said that based on studies it would take two hours f...
  • Army clear landmine blast site in DavOr

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- Members of the 28th Infantry Battalion recovered the electric wire which the rebels used as detonating cord in blowing up a military convoy which left one soldier killed and 13 others wounded in Sitio Mainit, Barangay Calapagan, Lupon, Davao Oriental last 12:20 am Tuesday, Jan. 22. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said the rebel used a command detonated improvised explosive device in inflicting harm on the soldiers who were cond...
  • TF Davao to keep tight watch on City amidst disaster response mode

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 24 (PIA) -- Tighter security is still being imposed in Davao City despite the rescue and emergency response mode observed by authorities due to the unpredictable weather condition. Colonel Casiano Monilla, commander of the Task Force Davao said tight inspection on random and established checkpoints and security patrols are conducted regularly by his unit to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. “We remain alert with the conduct of checkpoint operation in Lasang, Lacson...
  • Davao City eyes to revise zoning plan of flood areas

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA)-- The City Planning and Development Office of Davao City is eyeing the revision of its Comprehensive Land Use Plan particularly in reclassifying flood-prone areas. Robbie Alabado CPDO head said that flood-prone areas as identified in the flood map prepared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in 2007 will be reclassified from residential zones into parks and commercials zones. He said that the revisions in the city’s zoning ordinance will take into consideratio...
  • Flood takes heavy toll on Carmen town agri

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 23 (PIA): The Municipality of Carmen is losing more than P21 million in agriculture and fisheries when floodwaters from three major rivers have swamped for two days its rice fields and aquaculture fishpens. Municipal Mayor Marcelino Perandos, in an interview Tuesday, said the massive flooding that has hit his town since Sunday evening (Jan. 20) has displaced a number of families and has substantially ruined farming livelihood of his people. In a separate interview, M...
  • Rebels chided anew for DavOr ambush

    MAWAB, COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Jan 23 (PIA) The military chided the communist rebels anew for the explosion of an improvised explosive device that left one soldier killed and six injured last Tuesday (Jan.22) in Sitio Mainit, Barangay Calapagan, Lupon, Davao Oriental. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said the New People’s Army once more showed its cruelty by disrupting a humanitarian activity intended for the survivors of typhoon Pablo. He identified the lone ...
  • Agri damage estimate in DavNor reach P301-M

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 23 -- Continuous rains that caused flooding in Davao del Norte province has resulted to a cumulative agriculture damage amounting to P301,705,290 as of January 21, 2013. This is only a partial and initial result as it does not include the agricultural damages in the municipality of Kapalong yet, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said. “The damage in agricultural is greater now compared to the damages resulting from Typhoon Pablo because the water level is higher no...
  • Trainer’s manual vs illegal recruitment, human trafficking underway

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is set to come out soon a trainer’s manual designed to provide inputs on safe migration, and in an effort to combat illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons. The IOM has partnered with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in the production of the trainer’s manual that bears the title: “Pathway to Safe Migration: Campaign Against Illegal Recruitment, Trafficking, and Irregular Migratio...
  • International donors vow to help rebuild typhoon-struck towns in DavOr

    MATI CITY, Jan. 23 -- Heeding the province’s call for help, international organizations and national agencies responds to Davao Oriental’s aid with the hopes to help rebuild after the devastation caused by the ravaging super typhoon Pablo that nearly wiped out all properties and livelihood in the three towns of Boston, Cateel and Baganga. Recently, representatives from big donor countries head out in a donor mission program to the typhoon-stricken towns within Davao Oriental after its first...
  • DepEd DavNor declares indefinite suspension of classes in flooded areas

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 23 -- The Department of Education Division of Davao del Norte has ordered the indefinite suspension of classes in the elementary and high school levels of the areas greatly affected by the flooding. “We have directed our district supervisors to suspend classes in the areas affected by the flood starting Monday,” DepEd Davao del Norte Division officer-in-charge Aurelio Divinagracia said. The suspension order stands for as long as the floodwaters subside, he added. He said m...
  • Solar dryer makes life easy

    ASUNCION, Davao del Norte, Jan 22 (PIA) -- In the middle of a farming community here lies a facility which has been making life easy for farmers and residents alike. To those residing in Brgy. Canatan and Upper Cabaywa, having a solar dryer in their place makes day-to-day chores less laborious. “Before, we had to set up trapal (tarpaulin) by the side of the road to dry our produce,” said one resident, Glenda Cedon, “and we had to do it for three days.” Now, Cedon said, with the sam...
  • Davao City schools suspend classes anticipating heavy rains

    DAVAO CITY – Several private educational institutions in Davao City cancelled their classes this Tuesday afternoon in anticipation of heavy rains as forecasted by the PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration). As of 3 pm, 12 private schools suspended their classes among these included Ateneo de Davao University, San Pedro College, University of Immaculate Conception, Brokenshire College, St. Peter’s College of Davao, Holy Child College, Jose Maria Coll...
  • Flood-waters spill over national highway

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Jan. 22 (PIA) -- The three-day continuous rain due to tail-end of the cold-front since Friday evening has sent huge volume of water spilling over the national highway connecting Davao del Norte to Davao City. Since yesterday morning until today, portions of the national highway connecting Davao City to Davao del Norte capital city of Tagum particularly along barangays Tuganay to Guadalupe in Carmen town, are still submerged in about knee-deep flood-water, hinde...
  • DTI-Davao: No more issuance of ICC stickers for helmets

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 22 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region has reiterated anew that it is no longer issuing Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers for motorcycle helmets. The issuance of ICC stickers was pursuant to the implementation of the joint Administrative Order No. 1:2011 of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and DTI, in consonance to Republic Act 10054 or the Helmet Law. The DTI-Davao started the issuance of ICC stickers for motorcycle...
  • Rescue units on standby alert as heavy flooding hits Davao

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 22 (PIA) -- The Davao City Government gave school authorities and private firms the discretion to suspend classes and work, respectively due to the bad weather brought about by the tail-end of cold front which the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Services Administration predicted to prevail up to January 26. Emmanuel Jaldon, chief of the Emergency Response Center Central 911 said the alert has been issued based on the weather advisory that the light to moderate to heavy rainfa...
  • Pablo’s impact won’t derail May 2013 polls in devasted towns of DavOr

    MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL – Despite the school facilities destroyed by Typhoon Pablo in the province of Davao Oriental, the Commission on Elections said that election will definitely push though as scheduled on May 13, 2013. Sergio Manligoy, Provincial Election Supervisor, and City of Mati Election Officer, divulged that election will go as scheduled because the office already has the hard copy of the documents of the different local offices, particularly the list of voters, for the 2013 mid...
  • Floods displace 39,000 persons in DavNor

    TAGUM CITY, Jan 22 -- Like the rains that show no sign of letting up, the number of evacuees also continues to rise in the province of Davao del Norte. As of Monday, Jan. 21, 9:15 a.m. the provincial disaster and risk reduction management report said that after four days of continuous rains, 9,425 families or 39,037 individuals have been displaced due to the tail-end of the cold front, which is now considered to be an inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Of this exodus, the municipality o...
  • More assistance for “Pablo” victims in DavNor

    TAGUM CITY – The distribution of relief goods for the victims of Typhoon Pablo in the province continues with the arrival of more truckloads of food packs coming from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Arlene Semblante said the agency has already sent over P35-million worth of relief assistance to the province. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario hailed the aid from the DSWD, which,he said, has given a big boost to the relief...
  • DavNor vital roads still impassable due to flooding

    TAGUM CITY- The continuous rains since last week resulting to flooding in most parts of Davao del Norte has left most of the province’s vital roads impassable althought there is power, water and communication in the province. Provincial Information Officer Romulo Tagalo said latest reports from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) show flooding in various low-lying areas due to heavy rains with moderate to strong winds. Among the roads that have remained imp...
  • Promotion of senior citizens’ welfare everybody’s business

    TAGUM CITY-The chairperson of the Council of Elderlies in Davao del Norte province called for more laws that will empower the elderly to be alive and be more active even after retirement. “The promotion of the welfare of senior citizens is everybody’s concern,” Council chair and New Corella Vice Mayor Petronilo Jocson said Monday during the regular Convocation held at the Provincial Capitol. This is actually one of the achievements of the administration of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, ...
  • DC Business Bureau records increased biz renewals

    DAVAO CITY Jan. 21 (PIA)- The Davao City Business Bureau has recorded an increase of business renewals this 2013 as compared to figures last year. Atty. Tristan Domingo, chief of the Business Bureau bared that there were 28, 824 applications for business permits this 2013 as compared to 28,344 applications listed last year. Domingo said that the 2013 figures could still rise as people are still transacting at the Business Bureau for business permit renewals which will end today (Jan. 21). The...
  • The search for abducted soldier, policeman still on-going

    CAMP MANUEL YAN, MAWAB, Compostela Valley, Jan 21 (PIA) -- The search for a soldier and a policeman who were abducted by the rebels in January 17, continues as higher authorities warned all security personnel to be wary of the deception employed by the rebels to score on its propaganda campaign. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said Private First Class Jezreel Culangao and PO1 Ruel Pasion remain in the hands of their captors who could have fled to Sitio Tugp...
  • State of Emergency declared in DavNor

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 21 -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has declared a State of Emergency in the province due to the continuous rains and flood that has inundated the province for several days now. “The province is practically under the water for four days now so I have declared a state of emergency,” del Rosario said. The declaration included the suspension of classes in the elementary and high school department in all municipalities Monday, he said, excluding the three cities...
  • Swollen Davao River affects more than 10,000 families in Davao City

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 21 (PIA) -- Local authorities continued to monitor the extent of the flood caused by the overflowing of the Davao, Lasang, Lipadas and Talomo Rivers which affected a total of 10,280 families with 35,136 dependents in 17 barangays Sunday, January 20 due to bad weather. Emmanuel Jaldon, chief of the Emergency Response Center Central 911 told a meeting of the members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at the city hall that all displaced families are housed ...
  • Typhoon-hit provinces, flooded

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 20 (PIA) --Widespread flooding occurred in the previously typhoon-hit provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental due to continuous rains since Friday night brought by the tail-end of the cold front. Two bridges in Davao Oriental have collapsed; some areas in the four towns in Davao del Norte were flooded; and barangays in almost all towns in Compostela Valley are experiencing flooding as rivers and creeks overflow with surging flood-waters. Thi...
  • LGU, Congress partner to provide more help for Pablo victims

    MATI CITY DAVAO ORIENTAL – First District Representative Nelson Dayanghirang is coordinating strongly with the provincial government of Davao Oriental for the numerous undertakings geared towards the upliftment of the typhoon victims plight “After New Year, residents started coming back and gradually worked on their temnporary shelter. This is their primary need, that is why, we are working on this now, along with other agencies. I am also waiting for the materials that I ordered to help th...
  • Pablo can’t stop elections in ComVal

    TAGUM CITY-“Typhoon Pablo can’t stop the conduct of the election,” according to Compostela Valley 1st District Representative Maria Carmen Zamora but she cautioned campaigning politicians to veer away from the traditional ways of campaigning. While the campaign season is at hand, Zamora said most of the politicians in the province are more focused on relief and rehabilitation efforts since most of them are running unopposed. “Life has to go on..Pablo can’t stop election from pushing ...
  • DSWD to provide 10K sacks of rice to ComVal protesters if they follow SOP

    DAVAO CITY –Following the negotiations made between government officials and the group that barricaded Montevista National Highway last Tuesday, January 15, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman has explained in several media interviews the response of DSWD that the department will release the demand of 10,000 bags of rice once the latter agrees to the DSWD standard procedure on Relief Distribution. The Secretary was around Tuesday and Wednesday along with the UN Donor Mission for...
  • LTO XI: Helmet Law covers everyone including law enforcers

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 18 (PIA)- The Land Transportation Office XI (LTO-XI) warned traffic cops and traffic enforcers of local government units that they are not exempted from the use of prescribed and standard helmets as provided by law. Macario Gonzaga, assistant regional director of the LTO XI said traffic enforcers are supposed to be the models in the compliance of the Helmet law so that motorists will conform to the regulation. He said the LTO will also conduct random inspections even helmets of...
  • P2M-earmarked for ComVal’s disaster preparedness training

    TAGUM CITY-Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy has earmarked at least P2-million for the conduct of disaster preparedness and capability trainings for disaster volunteers in the province to prepare for possible calamities in the future. ComVal was one of the provinces hardest hit by typhoon Pablo which ravaged Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte and other areas in the country when it made a landfall in Baganga, Davao Oriental on December 4, 2012. “The P2 million budget is only for capability bu...
  • Army urges militants to suggest better ways of relief distribution

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Jan 18 (PIA) -- Officials from the Philippine Arm's 10th Infantry Division yesterday urged militant groups to suggest and share a system of distribution for the relief goods rather than disrupt government operation to serve families and individuals who suffered from the blows of super-typhoon Pablo. Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th ID, made the call as he pointed out the need for solidarity among the people in communities, including militants and insurgent...
  • DavNor first province to insure ricelands with PCIC

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 18 -- Farmers in the province may no longer be anxious about the onset of pestilence and calamities that could wipe their crops out with the enrollment of their farms in the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). Governor Rodolfo del Rosario on Tuesday signed the memorandum of agreement for the insurance coverage of an initial 2,000 ricelands in the province, together with PCIC-XI OIC-Regional Manager Bonifacio Pales and Dioscoro Granada, Board of Director of the PCIC M...
  • ComVal Gov urge PNP to file case versus protesters

    TAGUM CITY, Jan 17 (PIA) -- Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy maintained that the government will treat protesters with maximum tolerance but urged the Philippine National Police to file charges against those who blocked the road in Montevista Tuesday (January 15) which hampered relief efforts and other economic activities in the area. “We are with the government and we want to exercise maximum tolerance as much as possible even if we know that the rally is illegal,” Uy said during a p...
  • Tyhoon Pablo damaged P94M-worth DENR projects

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 17 -- Typhoon Pablo damaged P94 million-worth of forestry and coastal management projects of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region XI. Based on the Geographical Information System (GIS) data, Pablo wiped out P28 million worth of seedlings planted under the National Greening Program (NGP) in 2011 and 2012, DENR 11 reported. Most seedlings planted in the affected areas were falcata, rubber, narra, cacao, coffee, indigenous species and other fruit t...
  • DSWD’s Core Shelter Assistance in the works

    DAVAO CITY Jan. 17 (PIA)-- The Department of Social Welfare and Development is working on providing Core Shelter Assistance to victims of typhoon Pablo whose homes were totally devastated. DSWD-XI Regional Director Priscilla Razon said the project is expected to be started after six months as they are still identifying suitable sites for resettlement with the help of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). Razon said the CSA are for permanent structures and hopes that the sites being prepare...
  • R-XI export pathways program contributes 36% of region's exports

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 17 -- The Export Pathways Program (EPP) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Davao Region fared well last year and even contributed more than a quarter of the entire exports figure generated from the agency’s initiated interventions. The EPP was piloted by DTI-Davao Region in 2006 to provide a package of tailored-fit assistance for a specific micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) at a given stage of their business. With the program’s success in the r...
  • Hedcor plants thousands of trees to preserve watersheds

    STA. CRUZ, DAVAO DEL SUR, Jan. 17 – Renewable energy developer Hedcor reaffirmed its bid to preserve and protect watersheds by planting thousands of trees. Recently, the company attained a milestone of over 600,000 trees planted in watersheds across the country. “This year our target is to plant at least 200 thousand trees in our watersheds,” Jabonillo said. “We will also strive to maintain a survival rate of 90% or more,” he added. Hedcor has long recognized the importance of wa...
  • Capitol employees commit full support to rebuilding efforts

    MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL– With a membership of 615 regular members, the Provincial Government Employees Association of Davao Oriental (PGEA) is throwing its full support to the rebuilding efforts of Davao Oriental under Governor Corazon Malanyaon. Nenito Bandigan, PGEA President, said that the association is giving all out support to the moves of the provincial government even providing volunteer effort for the relief drive. “We gave our little contribution for the typhoon victims. We h...
  • Relief operations continue without let-up despite protest actions

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- Relief and recovery efforts by government in disaster affected areas will continue to ensure that all survivors of typhoon Pablo receive assistance and their lives return to normalcy, a top official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Davao Region said. Priscilla Razon, regional director of DSWD XI said their agency will maintain its relief distribution system, despite the claim of progressive organizations that the goods do not reach the...
  • DavNor solon sees healthier Filipinos with Sin Tax Reform Law

    TAGUM CITY, January 16 (PIA) -Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Anthony del Rosario said Filipinos can expect more healthcare benefits as a result of the enactment into law of Republic Act 10351 or An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco. “Up to 80 percent of the P34 billion increase to the government revenue during the first year of the law’s implementation will be used for health insurance coverage while 20 percent will be for health facilities,” del Rosario...
  • Militant groups used typhoon victims in Montevista blockade -Guv

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Jan. 16 (PIA): Provincial Gov. Arturo Uy this morning alleged typhoon victims were just being used to stage a protest rally yesterday in Montevista town which fully blockaded an intersection of the national highway going to Butuan City and to towns of Compostela and New Bataan. In a phone interview, he bared reports of municipal mayors of typhoon Pablo-affected towns telling him that buses were rounding up morning of January 15 in barangays, and that someone was convincing ...
  • Experts report debris flow as the phenomenon that strike in New Bataan

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, January 16 -- In a Geo-Hazard Mapping Presentation conducted last January 10 at the Provincial Capitol, The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) reported on January 10 to the officials at the Provincial Capitol what happened in New Bataan on December 4, 2012 during the occurrence of Typhoon Pablo was a debris flow or a moving mass of loose mud, sand, soil,water, and boulders. ...
  • School's gensets help restore power, water supply in DavOr, ComVal

    TAGUM CITY-The generator sets loaned by the Ateneo de Davao University to the communities in Davao Oriental and in Compostela Valley have alleviated the typhoon-affected communities’ need for power and water after the tragedy brought by Typhoon Pablo. “We initially wanted to help restore the electricity of the affected communities but realized that the generators were also helpful in charging up the water pump stations,’ Atty Romeo Cabarde, chairperson of the Ateneo’s University Commun...
  • DavOr Gov. counts spirituality in rebuilding efforts

    MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, Jan. 15 (PIA)- Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon has put in spirituality to rebuild the province back from the ruins of super-typhoon Pablo. Last Monday (Jan. 14) she sponsored the Davao Oriental Dedication Ceremonies , bringing together leaders from various religious sects offering petitions for restoration, deliverance, healing and unity. The dedication ceremony was held forty days after the Typhoon Pablo which sowed immense destruction when it mad...
  • DTI: No more extension on ICC helmet sticker issuance

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 15 (PIA) -- The Davao City field office of the Department of Trade and Industry will no longer extend the issuance of free Import Commodity Clearance stickers for the helmets of motorists who failed to beat the deadline on December 28, 2012. Roberto Barlis, consumer welfare officer and spokesperson of the DTI-Davao City said the public has been given ample time to avail of the ICC stickers since the mandatory certification was passed into law in 2009, and with the implementatio...
  • DA extends free field plowing service to ComVal

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE----- The province is grateful for the free plowing services in rice and corn fields extended by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Offices 10 & 12 to the Typhoon Pablo victims. DA Region 10 sent 2 farm tractors while DA Region 12 sent eight tractors to facilitate the plowing of the farmers’ fields. Corn fields located at Barangays Mapaca, San Miguel, and Osmeña, and the rice fields at Barangays Lagab, Aurora, Brgy. Siocon were the first barangays of th...
  • Bridge serves as refuge in midst of flood

    ASUNCION, DAVAO DEL NORTE—Living near a bridge in this town also has an advantage despite the perennial flooding. Though their houses are the first to be flooded whenever the river overflows, residents near a river in Brgy. Cambanogoy counts on the bridge near their houses as their refuge in the event flood becomes unbearable. “If floodwater rises so high that we have to leave, we will all go to the bridge,” said Virginia Baltazar having experienced the December 2012 flooding when typhoo...
  • DavNor firms up data capture system for disasters

    TAGUM CITY – Banking on its initial success in terms of disaster response and emergency relief, the provincial government is taking further steps in improving its system to sharpen the data it gets from the ground during disasters. The province has conceptualized a model for the systematic reporting of disaster loss, after Governor Rodolfo del Rosario mandated the frontline offices of the Capitol to put in place vital mechanisms for the standard accounting of extent of damages. He said acc...
  • DSWD sets cash for work rate at P226 per day

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 14 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has set the rate for all Cash for Work (CFW) jobs at P226 per day effective January, 2013 to ensure a standardized implementation of the government’s program. The standardization of the CFW rate was raised as an issue by international partners working with the different Philippine government agencies for the relief and rehabilitation of communities ravaged by Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley and in Davao Oriental...
  • Region 10 Comelec offical calls for unity for safe, fair elections

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 14 (PIA) -- A top officer of the Commission on Elections in Davao Region called for support to make the midterm elections safe and fair. Atty. Wilfredo Balisado, director of the Commission on Elections XI, told participants to the “Unity Walk and Ecumenical Prayer Rally for Safe and Fair Elections (SAFE)" that everyone should ensure that elections are peaceful, clean, honest and orderly. Elections will be held on May 13. He said the gun ban is one of the measures that will ...
  • Indonesia sends aid anew for typhoon Pablo victims

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 14 (PIA) -- More humanitarian aid arrived from Indonesia on Saturday for the survivors of Typhoon Pablo in the hardest hit areas in Davao Region as relief and rehabilitation effort continues to bring back normalcy on the affected communities. Captain Severino David, deputy commander and spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command formally received the goods brought in by Commodore Ari Soedewo of the Indonesian Armed Forces on board naval vessel Kri Makasaar 7 pm Saturday at th...
  • Grab kits for Davao del Norte families eyed

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 11 -- The Davao del Norte provincial government is set to provide disaster grab kits to families who will be selected at random as part of the disaster preparedness plan of the province. “The grab kits will include flashlights, toiletries, transistor radios and food in pouches,” Davao del Norte Assistant Provincial Administrator Romulo Tagalo said during yesterday’s Kapihan sa PIA. He said while the disaster awareness campaign of the province reached as far as the barang...
  • Gov't to hasten efforts to bring normalcy to typhoon survivors

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- Government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Education in Davao Region have hastened efforts to normalize the lives and activities of typhoon Pablo survivors in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. Carmela Duron, spokesperson of the DSWD XI said that as the agency sustains the basic needs of the survivors, it is also conducting needs assessment to determine the extent and duration of helping typhoon Pablo survivors...
  • DavNor sports complex eyed completion for DAVRAA

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 11 -- The Provincial Government of Davao del Norte is looking at completing the P240-million Davao del Norte Sports Complex in time for the opening of the Davao Regional Athletic Association or DAVRAA in February this year. The sports complex had a soft opening last December 12, 2012, but is not yet totally completed. Among the finishing works include façade and landscaping works. Romulo Tagalo, Davao del Norte Assistant Provincial Administrator said that apart from the sp...
  • Hedcor reaches out to orphans and children with cancer

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 11 -- For the second year running, Hedcor and the Aboitiz Foundation distributed gifts to children with cancer at the House of Hope in the Southern Philippines Medical Center. The gifts consisted of toys, books and other essential items. "The gifts give the kids a reason to smile," said Hedcor's Rolando Pacquiao in a statement. Hedcor also distributed gifts to children in three other orphanages, namely, the Field of Dreams and the Haven of Hope orphanages in Davao and the DSW...
  • Philhealth’s run race aims for mother, child protection

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) is set to hold a run race on February 17 this year, aiming to generate funds for mother and child protection efforts. Philhealth Regional Vice President Dennis Adre said the Philhealth Run 2013 targets at least 108,000 runners in 18 sites nationwide. In Davao City, the assembly area is at SM City Ecoland to start at 5:30 am, and to end up at Crocodile Farm as the longest distance under category 18-kilometer ...
  • Legarda pledges for typhoon victims’ housing

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- The typhoon hit provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley recently got the commitment from the Senate Climate Change Committee chair Senator Loren Legarda for financial assistance for building houses for displaced families. In her visit to Compostela Valley Province, Legarda promised First District House Representative Maria Carmen Zamora to donate P1 million to each of the severely affected towns which mostly are located in the 1st district of the pr...
  • Mindanao’s sole public cancer center boasts of P134-M radiation machine

    TAGUM CITY, Jan 11 (PIA) --The efficient operation of the only government-owned Cancer Center in Mindanao highly depends on the continuous operation of the P134-million Linear Accelerator machine but the people behind the Center are confident it will remain operational for a long time. “This is a very sophisticated machine that is comparable to the machine being used by St. Luke’s and other private hospitals in Manila and other parts of the country,” Department of Health (DOH) Assistant S...
  • Cancer Center for Mindanao: A ray of hope among the hopeless

    TAGUM CITY, Jan 10 (PIA) -- Imagine a place where people can enjoy an atmosphere of cleanliness and happiness. This is a place where cancer patients they can go biking or just drop by the nearby mall or watch their favorite movies without worrying about how they look. No, this is not a preview of the latest high-end subdivision in town, but Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Anthony del Rosario’s vision of an ideal community for cancer patients in Davao del Norte. This vision may ju...
  • DavOr addresses infra needs of Pablo affected towns

    MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, Jan. 10 -- Plans are already laid and work is starting to address the infrastructure needs of typhoon stricken municipalities in the province of Davao Oriental, based on the infrastructure needs assessment report from the Davao Oriental Provincial Engineering Office. The immediate intervention came just days after Pablo badly hit Baganga, Cateel, and Boston, with Gov. Cora Malanyaon in full supervision of the operation. In his report, Asst. Provincial Engineer Ruel ...
  • Gov. RDR urges LGUs to increase absorptive capacity

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 9 -- Local government units (LGUs) should increase their absorptive capacity in order to take advantage of the increasing resources coming from the national government. Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario in a statement said that the anti-corruption campaign instituted by President Benigno Aquino III has improved the national economy and increased essential revenues vital in bankrolling important programs and projects, particularly in the countryside. He said that ...
  • Legarda pushes for geo-hazard implementation

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA)- Senate Committee chair on Climate Change Senator Loren Legarda presses for the implementation of geo-hazard assessment as she wages an education and information campaign on better understanding of geo-hazard maps and weather reports. In a press conference upon her arrival in Davao City last Monday, Legarda pointed out the need to get serious about implementing the geo-hazard assessment but she called on the concerned agencies of the government to conduct grassr...
  • Duterte: Funds used as cash assistance not from gov't

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vehemently denied using government funds as cash assistance to residents ,rebels and soldiers alike when he reached out typhoon- ravaged- area in Barangay Ngan, Compostela, Compostela last December 26. Speaking to reporters, he explained that the funds came from a philanthropist who had been helpful in supporting the medication of cancer patients at the Southern Philippines Medical Center. Duterte said that as a gesture of gratitude, the...
  • LGU Panabo simplifies process for investors

    PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte, Jan. 10 -- The City Government of Panabo has finally put in place a system to serve investors who want to renew and open a business in Panabo City. The Permit and Licensing Section (PLS) under the City Government has spearheaded the Business One-Stop-Shop (Panabo BOSS) which started last January 2 until January 20 at the ground floor of the Panabo New City Hall. PLS will accommodate clients even on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and with extended o...
  • DavNor solon cites gains of PNoy’s “Daang Matuwid”

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 10 -- Davao del Norte First District Congressman Anthony del Rosario hailed the anti-corruption campaign of President Benigno Aquino III, which he said has paid off in improving the national economy. Del Rosario said the president’s vigorous anti-corruption campaign and reforms for greater government transparency and accountability has resulted in the surprising Philippine economic growth of 7.1 percent in the third quarter of 2012. The unprecedented growth made the countr...
  • OCD 11 warns communities to be alert against weather disturbance

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 8 (PIA) -- The Office of Civil Defense XI has warned communities near rivers and mountains to be alert all the time due to the possibility of landslides and flash floods brought about by intermittent rain caused by a low pressure area hovering Mindanao. Tony Cloma, Jr., operations head of the OCD XI said the uncertainty generated by the current weather condition must keep all disaster risk reduction and management councils ready. He said that disaster risk reduction and managem...
  • DavNur Guv to dep’t heads: Align budget to rebuild typhoon-ravaged areas

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 8 -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario gave marching orders to all the department heads of the provincial office to help rebuild the communities destroyed by typhoon Pablo. “Let’s start the year with a tall order—all department heads should build back and build better; align all department budgets to building back communities ravaged by Pablo,” del Rosario said during the first convocation of all provincial employees at the Provincial Government Center Monday...
  • DavNor Solon cites excise tax, parenthood laws as major gains

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 8 -- Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Anthony del Rosario assessed the gains of 2012 and cited the two laws signed last December as two of the most important accomplishments of the Aquino administration not only for 2012 but also during the President’s first term in office. Del Rosario said it is important to start the year right on a positive note by focusing on the successes of 2012. “The signing of two very important laws last year was President Benigno S. Aq...
  • DavNor to insure 2000 has. of farmland with PCIC

    TAGUM CITY Jan. 7 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved the enrollment of up to 2,000 hectares of farmland with the Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to ensure that the crops are covered in case of calamity such as the recent typhoon Pablo which destroyed billions of rice lands and banana farms in the three Davao provinces. “Kani nga scheme mag work murag Philhealth nga kung masalanta man ang crops kung enrolled sya sa PCIC makakuha ug benepisyo (the scheme works much...
  • DENR-XI to start massive reforestation in typhoon-hit areas

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 07 – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI) will soon start reforestation and rehabilitation efforts in the typhoon Pablo-affected areas of Compostela Valley Province and Davao Oriental. This is part of its National Greening Program (NGP) target for 2013. Through the cash for work scheme, members of people’s organizations (POs), local people and barangays residents will be hired for a continuous period of 90 days for site preparation, hauling of seedli...
  • DavNor officials monitor LPA, pre-emptive evacuation urged

    TAGUM CITY Jan. 7 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte officials continues to monitor the weather in the province as the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reports in its 5 am bulletin that at 4 a.m. Monday, a low pressure area (LPA) was estimated at 300 KM Southeast of Mindanao. “The Office of Civil Defense (KCD) has advised the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management (PDRRMC) to encourage the local government units to con...
  • Enough food packs for DavNor evacuees-PSWDO

    TAGUM CITY Jan. 4 (PIA) - The Provincial Social Welfare Department Office of Davao del Norte has assured evacuees that there is enough supply of food packs for them despite the huge requirement brought about by Typhoon Pablo and the continuous flooding in the area. “We are coordinating with concerned national agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) when it comes to food supply as they are providing us with food packs,” PSWDO-Davao del Norte Department Head Arle...
  • CCT partners cites collaboration as key in poverty alleviation

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 4 (PIA) -- “Both civil society organizations (CSOs) and government workers need to understand and manage the collaborative process. Collaboration is the key to alleviate the poor. Both parties have to trust each other and learn from each other.” This was the statement made by Dr. Arturo D. Aportadera in his message at the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) held at Grand Men Seng Hotel recently. “Our journey with...
  • Classes stalled in Cateel as school still filled with evacuees

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 4 -- Classes in all schools affected by Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley resumed Thursday except for one school in Cateel which served as a temporary shelter for the evacuees after the typhoon. “We were alarmed when one school, particularly the Cateel National Agricultural High School failed to open up and start classes because it is still being used as an evacuation area,’ Department of Education (DepEd) spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said. Atillo said...
  • DSWD-XI needs more volunteers for repacking

    DAVAO CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Office in Davao Region has called for more volunteers to help in the repacking of relief goods for the survivors of typhoon Pablo in the provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela at the Interagency Relief Operations Center within the compound of the Department and Highways XI in Panacan. Evangeline Grandeza, integrated-gender development officer of the Pantawid-Pamilyang Pilipino Program of DSWD XI said the number o...
  • Classes resumes in typhoon-affected Davao provinces

    TAGUM CITY Jan. 3 (PIA) -- “Dayon ang opening sa klase karon (Classes will resume today)” was the pronouncement made by Department of Education (DepEd) XI spokesperson Jenielito “Dodong” Atillo yesterday. Atillo, who personally visited the affected areas with DepEd XI Regional Director Dr. Gloria Benigno to ensure the smooth resumption of classes on January 3, 2013, said it is imperative that the students return to school immediately. “If we don’t get them back to the classrooms, ...
  • Mindanao electric coops learn from typhoon Pablo

    DAVAO CITY Jan.3 (PIA)- Rural electric cooperatives in Mindanao have learned something after the onslaught of typhoon Pablo last December 4, which damaged hundreds of millions of electric cooperative equipment. The Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative lost about P258-million of equipment mostly poles and other electrical equipment, about P218-million of these destroyed equipment were in the hard-hit Compostela Valley Province. Sergio Dagooc, president of the Association of Mindanao Rural Elect...
  • Classes continue even after flashfloods in New Bataan

    TAGUM CITY, Jan 3 (PIA) -Flooding in New Bataan, Compostela Valley has not deterred teachers and students from going back to their makeshift classrooms in barangay Central Kabinuangan, Thursday. Students and teachers trekked to the three tents set up by the Department of Education and aptly called learning spaces on January 3, 2013, the day when classes were supposed to resume after Typhoon Pablo has wreaked havoc on their classrooms and their lives. “There is no problem in Davao Oriental wh...
  • DANECO to lose P66M in power revenues due typhoon damage

    TAGUM CITY, Jan. 3 -- The Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO) is set to lose at least P66 million worth of revenue every month, until its power lines are able to transmit power to its consumers as a result of the damage wrought by Typhoon Pablo last December. “Mga 30 to 40 percent ang mawala sa DANECO in terms of revenues (DANECO is set to lose 30 to 40 percent in revenues),” said DANECO OIC Manager Engr. Benedicto Ongking said during the Kapihan sa PIA Friday. Ongking said the ...
  • Coops in Luzon, Visayas donate funds for typhoon Pablo victims

    COMPOSTELA, Compostela Valley, Jan 3 -- Cooperatives in Luzon and in Visayas have coursed their donations through Tagum Cooperative to reach out to Typhoon Pablo victims in Compostela Valley province. Tagum Cooperative Board Chair Norma Pereyras said a total of P370,000 in donations was entrusted to Tagum Cooperative. The fund comprises P300,000 from the Cebu CFI (Court of First Instance) Community Cooperative, P10,000 from San Jose Del Monte Cooperative in Bulacan, P20,000 from Novaliches D...
  • Coco levy fund eyed for farm rehab in Comval, DavOr

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Jan 2 (PIA) -- The coco levy can be a substantial source of fund to rehabilitate the typhoon-devastated coconut farms in Compostela Valley and in Davao Oriental, Philippine Coconut Administrator Euclides Forbes said. In an interview with the media, Forbes revealed that using the coconut levy fund no longer bears any legal impediment that would hinder President Benigno S. Aquino III to order its utilization to bring back the productivity of Davao Oriental which used t...
  • Davao City Police sues 49 firecracker ban violators

    DAVAO CITY, Jan 2 (PIA)-The Davao City Police office formally sued today 49 adults for violating the City Ordinance No. 060-02 which bans the use of firecracker and pyrotechnics in any occasion including the New Year revelry. Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the Davao City Police Office, said the police have to show its resolve to fully implement the ordinance which has spared lives and limbs for the past ten years since its implementation in 2002. The City Ordinance No. 06...
  • DSWD ensures fair share of foreign donations

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 29 --The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ensuring that Typhoon Pablo displaced families get their fair share of international donations. In an interview, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Institutional Development Vilma Cabrera said DSWD determines the allocation by taking into consideration the number of displaced families vis-à-vis the number, pieces or units of donated items whether food or non-food. “What we did is allocate it in accordance w...
  • Security units on full alert following blasts in Tacurong, Cotabato City

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 28 (PIA) -- Authorities have placed all security units in the city on full alert following the series of bomb blasts and shooting incidents in the cities of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato. Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana, executive officer of the Task Force Davao said police and military units in the city have imposed maximum presence in areas of convergence like public markets, malls, terminals, ports, and airport and the city streets to keep the residents safe and to enhance...
  • Typhoon-affected families get P4.2M cash grant from HRC

    TAGUM CITY Dec. 28 (PIA)--The Human Response Consortium-Oxfam has distributed P4,212,000 unconditional cash grants for the 2,808 families affected by Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. “The unconditional cash grants were given to vulnerable groups like the elderly, and residents in the affected areas whose houses were badly damaged by the typhoon,” HRC-Oxfam Information Management Officer Eula Ganir said. Ganir said this is just one of the interventions of HRC in the a...
  • R-XI's disaster awareness, readiness and response need improvement-AFP

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 27 (PIA) -- A top military commander cited the need to improve all stakeholders' skill, awareness, preparedness and response in handling disasters such as that of the impact of typhoon Pablo. Speaking during the press briefing at the Inter-agency Relief Operations Center at the depot of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Panacan, Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division said local government units must be given the proper risk assessmen...
  • DOH XI stress need for proper use of hyposol

    TAGUM CITY, Dec 27 -Typhoon-affected residents of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental do not only need water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). They also need proper information on how to maximize these resources. “A lot of people think that Hyposol is sprayed on the mouth just like Listerine which is a wrong notion,” Department Of Health XI WASH Coordinator Engr. Rex Labadia said yesterday during the regular meeting of the WASH Cluster consisting of the DOH and various international organiza...
  • Panabo City inaugurates P30-M Food Centrum

    PANABO CITY, Dec 27 -- Local grilled chicken, pork and other local delicacies will soon be available at the P30-million Food Centrum at Barangay New Pandan. Inaugurated last December 19, the edifice will be officially opened to the public early next year. The said Centrum, located beside the Association of Barangay Council building, was constructed to accommodate the food vendors who now sell their products in a location which is being eyed by the city government as the venue for the Market Co...
  • Pablo changes landscape of Barangay Andap in New Bataan

    NEW BATAAN, Compostela Valley, Dec 27 (PIA) -- At the heart of Barangay Andap in New Bataan, Compostela Valley boulders, huge rocks and rushing waters now occupy the spot where the barangay hall, the covered court, the health center and the complete elementary school building once stood. There used to be flourishing agricultural farms of various crops, a thriving tourism industry with mountain and spring resorts, a growing barangay with its infrastructure but these were gone after that earl...
  • DAR to provide loan assistance to typhoon-hit farmers in Region 11

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will give production loan assistance to Davao region farmers to recover from the destruction brought by typhoon Pablo. In a recent visit in the region before the holidays, DAR Secretary Virgilio R. Delos Reyes said the department will be providing financial assistance to farmers. “We don’t have relief goods to give but we are here to assist in providing production loan to the farmers to recover from the destruction brough...
  • Hydro developer plants 600,000 trees for reforestation

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 27 -- Run-of-river hydropower developer Hedcor has planted more than 600,000 trees to date. The milestone was reached during this year’s reforestation activities in Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Davao City, and Davao del Sur. This year alone, the company planted close to 300,000 trees. Over the years, Hedcor has consistently planted trees to contribute to the protection and conservation of watersheds. Every employee takes part in the environmental effort. Each team member is commit...
  • Delivery of noche buena packs continues - DSWD-11

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 27 (PIA) -- Government continued the relief and rehabilitation efforts for victims of typhoon Pablo in calamity-affected areas of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. Priscilla Razon, director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office 11, told reporters that except for the towns of Laak and Maco, almost all towns in Compostela Valley already received their noche buena packs. Speaking at a press briefing, she said the DSWD still has to deliver 7,705 noche bue...
  • DavOr, NHA to provide housing assistance for Typhoon Pablo victims

    MATI CITY, Davao Oriental – The National Housing Authority and the provincial government of Davao Oriental are developing ways to provide shelter assistance to Typhoon Pablo victims, “We will work on the restoration. Meaning we will build a new Baganga, new Cateel, and new Boston. And to do this, the provincial government will ask the concerned local government units for an ordinance delineating areas on the ground that are no building zones. No building zone are 30 meters away from the sh...
  • Take care of kidneys; watch your diet this holiday, public urged

    TAGUM CITY, Dec. 22 (PIA) -- It’s holiday season and it’s time to keep a close watch on what to eat and drink. Kidney transplant surgeon Dr. Ismael Crisostomo of the Davao Regional Hospital (DRH) on Thursday, Dec. 20 urged the public to be conscious about what they are eating and drinking especially during the holiday season to spare vital body organs, especially the kidney, from malfunctioning. Guesting in the yearend edition of the Kapihan sa Kapitoloyo of Davao del Norte, he explai...
  • DA grants DavNor P8.528 M for livestock rehab

    TAGUM CITY DAVAO DEL NORTE, Dec. 22 (PIA) -- The Province of Davao del Norte will be receiving P8.528 million grant for the rehabilitation of the livestock sector in towns worst-hit by Typhoon Pablo, Provincial Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario announced Thursday. After guesting at the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo, Del Rosario signed a contract of donations that the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte entered into with the Department of Agriculture (DA) specifically to restock lost livestock. The g...
  • Aid comes pouring for Compostela Valley

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Dec. 22 (PIA) -- Aid is pouring in to the province of Compostela Valley as the province is bracing to rise again amidst the devastation brought about by Typhoon Pablo. The list of donors from the Incident Command Post (ICP) of Compostela Valley showed more than 360 individuals, families, corporations, small and medium entrepreneurs, academe, civic and non-government organizations which have extended relief assistance for the displaced families and individuals. The I...
  • PAGASA detects incoming storm, mass evacuation seen in DavOr

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 21 (PIA) -- As the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warns of another tropical storm coming, Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon is eyeing mass evacuation of residents especially from the three newly typhoon Pablo -hit towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston. Guesting in the Kapihan sa PIA, Malanyaon said the absence of any safe place where people can be evacuated from the three coastal towns where typhoon Pablo left imme...
  • DavOr Guv orders total evac of east coast towns due to another typhoon

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 21 (PIA)-- Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon has ordered a total evacuation of residents in Baganga, Cateel and Boston as another weather system threatens to hit these areas recently ravaged by typhoon Pablo. Speaking at the Kapihan sa Philippine Information Agency, she said it is the best move in order to save and protect the residents from any eventuality as the looming storm might batter again the disaster-stricken areas in the coming days. Malanyaon said the pro...
  • BFAR XI holds relief repacking Xmas Party

    NEW BATAAN, Compostela Valley, Dec. 21 -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) XI and representatives from the other regional offices did not postpone their Christmas Party but spent it repacking rice, sardines and 'bulad' for the typhoon-affected residents of New Bataan in Compostela Valley. “The event was more effective in creating a bond among the employees during Christmas because we know we were doing something for the typhoon victims,” BFAR XI Assistant Regional Direct...
  • Bunkhouses in ‘Pablo’ hardest-hit towns ready before year ends -DSWD

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 21 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development said bunkhouses for victims of Typhoon Pablo will be completed before the year ends. “Our target date for completion of the bunkhouses is before end of December. At least before New Year our typhoon-affected and homeless families in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley will have roof over their heads,” said Director Priscilla N. Razon of the Deparment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). As temporary shelter, t...
  • P10-M farm implements for DavNor farmers

    TAGUM CITY Davao del Norte, Dec. 21 -- The food security program of the province got a boost from the P10-million worth of farm machineries, equipment, and post-harvest facilities given by the national government to the farmers. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario led the turn-over of the farm tools to 24 farmer associations and cooperatives, during a simple ceremony at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan. He said the arrival of the implements is very timely as they came in handy for the rehabilitation of th...
  • Capitol employees share a simple Christmas salo-salo

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Dec. 21 -- Instead of pursuing to the scheduled Christmas Party on December 14, the provincial government employees only shared a simple salo-salo during lunch right after the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist officiated by Rev. Fr. Alex Adaya, Asst. Parish Priest of San Roque Parish in Mawab. The mass held at the Capitol was offered to the Typhoon Pablo victims. It was also a thanksgiving for those who were spared from danger brought by the typhoon, and for the...
  • House proposes creation of rehab task force for typhoon-affected areas

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 21 (PIA) -- The House of Representatives has called on the creation of a Presidential Task Force that will oversee the relief, resettlement, rehabilitation and livelihood services and infrastructure support for areas hardest hit by typhoon Pablo. Representative Maria Carmen Zamora said House Resolution No. 22 if considered by the President will give focus on the rehabilitation and rebuilding of devastated areas. The measure is authored principally by House Speaker Feliciano Be...
  • Comvalenyos spread shower of love

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Dec. 21 -- The ComVal Scholarship Program (CVSP) scholars of the province and youth volunteers spread ‘showers of love’ to children victims of Typhoon Pablo. In partnership with the Office of Congresswoman Maricar S. Zamora and the City government of Tagum, through its fire truck spearheads “Shower of Love” to children ages two to twelve (2-12) years of age who are temporarily living in the evacuation centers and temporary shelters in the respective municipalities...
  • DOLE XI provides P660T worth of livelihood projects

    TAGUM CITY, Dec. 21 -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) secretary Rosalinda Baldoz witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in the city Wednesday that will provide P660,000 worth of livelihood projects to three labor unions in Compostela Valley affected by the wrath of Typhoon Pablo. “The amount is DOLE’s support to workers who are part of the three unions, which are accredited partners as seed capital for their livelihood projects,” Baldoz said. The amount is st...
  • DSWD distributes ‘noche buena’ packs to typhoon victims

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 20 -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman will start the distribution of ‘noche buena’ packs in New Bataan on December 22. A total of 173,000 noche buena packs will be distributed in all severely affected areas in Davao Region. Further, DSWD Regions XII and X will be helping in the packaging of the ‘noche buena’ packs. Each ‘noche Buena’ pack contains 1 ½ kilos bihon, 2 cans corned beef, 2 packs fudgee bar, 1 bot...
  • DA grants over P1-M for rehab of DavNor farms

    TAGUM CITY, Dec. 20 -- The Department of Agriculture has awarded over P1-million worth of subsidy for the rehabilitation of ‘Pablo’-stricken farm lands in Davao del Norte. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala personally handed to him the certificate of turned-over of the grant, during the latter’s visit to Compostela Valley province on Wednesday. He said the subsidy includes 5,000 bags of certified rice seeds and 1,000 bags of open-pollinated and hy...
  • DSWD, pastoral care volunteers conduct stress debriefing to ‘Pablo’ victims

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 20 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Claretian Pastoral Care of the Sick deployed volunteers to conduct stress debriefing to families affected by typhoon ‘Pablo’ in New Bataan, Compostela Valley, Monday. Thirteen Pastoral Care Volunteers led by Fr. Arnold M. Abelardo, conducted stress debriefing sessions to typhoon-victims to help them cope with the trauma brought by the calamity. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a process t...
  • DavNor pours out sympathy to ComVal

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 20 (PIA)- Like a loving mother caring for her child, the Province of Davao del Norte showed her love and sympathy to daughter Compostela Valley province by giving up its institutional Christmas party and shelving the last convergence missions for two of its depressed barangays in order to save donations for the victims of Typhoon Pablo. Davao del Norte was not really spared from the wrath of the super storm as it suffered about P7 billion-worth of damages to crops and infrastruc...
  • Damage to R-11's coco industry to reach P8 billion

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Dec. 20 (PIA) -- A top official of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) estimated the damage brought by typhoon Pablo to the coconut industry in Davao Region at P8 billion. Undersecretary Euclides Forbes, administrator of the PCA, said the destruction of the coconut plantations in Davao Oriental will surely affect the overall annual production of coconut products nationwide since the province had been the number one producer of copra prior to the storm. He sai...
  • Damages of typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental

    DAVAO ORIENTAL, Dec 19 (PIA) -- Typhoon-affected families in Davao Oriental, especially in the three badly-hit towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston are seen getting off to start anew as some are now erecting makeshifts, tents while a few are opening up their small stores to sell few stuff of food. However, the wide-scale damage that typhoon Pablo made in Davao Oriental can still be seen: totally wrecked houses, warehouses, school buildings; gone to wastes farmlands; toppled communication line...
  • OWWA aids OFWs disaster-stricken families in Region 11

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 19 (PIA) -- Part of the total 7,500 families overseas workers hailing from the disaster stricken areas in the region each received P5,000 assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in a simple ceremony at its regional welfare office Tuesday. Carmelita Dimzon, administrator of the OWWA said, the P60 million financial relief assistance to the families of overseas foreign workers affected by typhoon Pablo in Davao Region is a simple government gesture to sho...
  • Davao Oriental gears for agri rehab

    DAVAO ORIENTAL, Dec. 19 (PIA) -- Provincial Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon is gearing towards providing livelihood for residents affected by typhoon Pablo saying tractors and other agriculture farm machine will be arriving middle of December to start preparing ground-work for agriculture rehabilitation. In a press conference, she revealed the initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to borrow from other LGUs some farm equipment which can be used to clear farm fields from debris littered ...
  • 'Now is not the Time for Selfishness and Politics' – DavOr Guv

    MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, Dec 19 -- “Now is not the time for selfishness.” In making rounds for the relief distribution in four barangays of Baganga, and one barangay in Cateel, Gov. Cora Malanyaon repeated those words which she hoped will explain it all to the typhoon Pablo victims what everyone must do to address their situation and to uplift them from their plight. “I appeal to you not to believe in any speculation, any malicious reports that would only derail our efforts to stand a...
  • Barangay Musikahan showcases ‘Takna sa Kalipay’

    TAGUM CITY, Dec 19 -- A solo singing contest will unravel the singing talents of all component barangays in the City of Tagum dubbed “Takna sa Kalipay (Happy Hour)." Divided into three categories, children to senior citizens can compete until the grand finals with a total cash prize of more than P20,000. Each contestant is gauged by their mastery, technique, performance, and quality tone of voice during the elimination round. The remaining barangay elimination rounds will be in Canocotan ...
  • DavNor Town reels from Pablo

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Dec. 19 (PIA) -- They were saved as super typhoon Pablo hit their barangay but their homes and livelihood were not. The typhoon manifested its strength at around 5 a.m., recalled Teresita Luis, Purok 6 leader of Brgy. Cabidianan in the municipality of New Corella, Davao del Norte. What came after were roofs coming off, trees falling, and water rushing inundating their homes. “All the chicken we raised died,” said Luis whose house was damaged when a coconut tree fell. ...
  • Rebuilding begins in affected parts of Davao Oriental

    DAVAO ORIENTAL, Dec. 18 (PIA) -- Typhoon-affected families in Davao Oriental especially in the three badly-hit towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston are seen getting off to start anew as some are now erecting makeshifts, tents while a few are opening up their small stores to sell few stuff of food. However, the wide-scale damage that typhoon-Pablo took a toll Davao Oriental can still be seen: totally wrecked houses, warehouses, school buildings; gone to wastes farmlands; toppled communica...
  • PDRRMC operations: Behind the scenes

    TAGUM CITY Dec. 18 (PIA)-By the morning of December 5, Rubber boats were being hauled aboard the dump trucks even as the rescue workers of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (PDRRMC) were reviewing their schedules for the day. There was a semblance of calmness but an outsider visiting the Center would observe that each person was moving with a sense of purpose and of urgency. After all, it was the second day of rescue operations after Typhoon Pablo’s landfall in Baganga...
  • Townmates pitch in to help stricken DavOr town

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 18 (PIA) -- Cateelenos from all over the world are pitching in to help their townmates devastated by typhoon Pablo which struck the region last December 4. Cateel was one of the east coast towns of Davao Oriental hardest hit by Typhoon Pablo destroying houses, infrastructure and farmlands. Cash donations totaled P233,000 as of December 17. In 12 days after the calamity they were able to send 10 trucks of relief goods reaching 13 out of the 16 barangays in Cateel. Several Cateel...
  • DavNor employees donate to 'Pablo' victims

    TAGUM CITY, Dec 18 (PIA) -- Instead of prepping up for their annual Christmas party, Capitol employees here gave their share and repacked relief goods intended for the victims of typhoon Pablo. The personnel repackaged the boxes of sardines and noddles, sacks of rice, and clothes. The provincial government scrapped this year’s Christmas party as a gesture of empathy towards those greatly affected by the calamity in other provinces. Provincial Administrator Norma Lumain issued Memorandum...
  • Army pursues search and retrieval on areas hardest hit by typhoon Pablo

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 18 (PIA) -- The military has changed the focus of its on-land procedure from search and rescue to search and retrieval operation on the areas hardest hit by storm Pablo. Speaking at a press briefing, Major Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, commanding officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion said the soldiers continue to search for missing bodies particularly in the barangays of New Bataan, Compostela Valley, where a flash flood drowned several people and trapped them in de...
  • DSWD releases P3.7-million burial aid for families of Typhoon ‘Pablo' victims

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released P3.73 million as burial assistance to the families of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ casualties in Davao Region. The agency has allotted P10,000 for each deceased household member. Laureana Quinto, 75, of Brgy. Poblacion Monkayo, lost her husband due to cardiac arrest at the height of Pablo’s onslaught. “First time gyud ni nga nahitabo diri sa Monkayo. Hadlok kaayo gyud. Dako kaayo nga tabang ang diyes ...
  • Soldiers welcome suspension of military ops for the holidays

    CAMP MANUEL YAN, Compostela Valley, Dec.17 (PIA) -- Members of the 10th Infantry Division welcomed the declaration of the suspension of military operation (SOMO) from midnight of December 16 to 1 a.m. on January 3. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said the SOMO is a big relief to residents especially to areas hard hit with the typhoon but with the presence of communist rebels. He said protecting civilian communities will continue to be a top priority even ...
  • Davao City meat supply normal - city vet

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 17 (PIA) -- The meat supply in Davao City remains adequate for the rising demand this holiday season and despite the onslaught of typhoon Pablo in the region. Dr. Cherrie Rayos, acting assistant City Veterinarian said that the meat supply for Davao City has not been affected by the devastating effects of typhoon Pablo which struck Davao Region December 4. Rayos said that the typhoon had no damaging effect in the meat, livestock and poultry industry in the city, she cited that ...
  • DavNor asks national govt. for help in rebuilding

    TAGUM CITY, Dec 17 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte may be the least-hit province of typhoon Pablo’s wrath but it nevertheless needs the aid of various national government agencies for rehabilitation. “In the rehabilitation phase of this disaster, we are hoping that the horrible magnitude of damage will urge various national government agencies concerned to also come to our aid and help bring normalcy in the lives and economy to Davao del Norte,” Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said...
  • DOST, Davao del Norte provincial gov’t to set up flood forecasting center

    TAGUM CITY Dec. 17 (PIA)-The provincial capitol in Davao del Norte is set to house the Tagum-Liboganon River Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (TLRFFWC) which will be partly financed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). “The Center will serve as a hub for all forecasting and warning activities for the Tagum-Liboganon River Basin and all its tributaries and allied rivers,” Engineer Rogelio Corcino, DOST XI provincial science and technology coordinator for Davao del Norte, ...
  • DSWD changes food pack rations to lengthen food supply

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 14 (PIA) --The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has adjusted the amount of food rations included in the food packs being distributed to the families displaced by Typhoon Pablo in the three Davao Provinces to lengthen the food supply. “We have increased the number of kilos of rice in the food packs, from three kilos of rice good for two to three days, to 10 kilos of rice which is good for three to five days,” DSWD XI Social Welfare Officer 4 Pedrita Dimakil...
  • Comval brgy receives aid from DavNor local gov’t

    MONKAYO, Compostela Valley Province Dec. 14 (PIA) -- Barangay Naboc of Monkayo, Compostela Valley this morning, Dec. 14 received relief assistance it ever had so far after typhoon Pablo, and this came from the provincial government of Davao del Norte. Barangay Captain Alex Avila was glad that Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo P. Del Rosario along with other local chief executives and department heads took time delivering relief goods and medical services to barangay Naboc which lies along Na...
  • DavNor prov’l. employees donate to typhoon victims

    TAGUM CITY Dec. 14 (PIA) -- Close to a thousand employees of the provincial government of Davao del Norte committed to donate a portion of their salaries to the victims of Typhoon Pablo. “The employees have agreed that their donations for the victims of Typhoon Pablo be deducted from their salaries,” Assistant Provincial Administrator Romulo Tagalo said. Tagalo said that while he does not have the exact figure of the salary donations, they committed the following amounts: P2,000 from the ...
  • Shift to relief and recovery operations recommended

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 14 (PIA) -- A top military commander affirmed receiving a recommendation from the incident command posts in the disaster stricken towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston, Davao Oriental to shift the focus of the soldiers from search, rescue and retrieval to recovery and rebuilding of destroyed communities. General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division said the ICTs recommended the termination of the search and rescue operation and concentrate instead on early rec...
  • Lack of purchasing power in typhoon areas despite price-freeze

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Region 11 continues to monitor the price of basic commodities in the typhoon-affected areas in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental but notes the lack of purchasing power in the area. “There is an automatic price-freeze in the areas affected by the calamity for the next 60 days after the areas have been declared under a state of calamity,” DTI Consumers Welfare Division Chief Arnulfo Ganaan said Tuesday. Ganaan said ...
  • DavNor eyed as venue for 2015 BIMP-EAGA games

    TAGUM CITY, Dec. 13 -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario is bent on hosting the 2015 Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area Friendship (BIMP-EAGA) Games by 2015. “We want to rally everyone for 2015---the time of Mindanao will come,” del Rosario said, confident that the province will bag the sports event with the completion of the state-of-the-art Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center which had its soft opening on December 12, more or less a year afte...
  • Families, communities urged to take part in fight vs trafficking

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 13 (PIA) -- Families and communities were urged to actively take part in the efforts of combating human trafficking as the nation observed yesterday the International Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Malou Bermudo, chief of the Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO), emphasized the crucial role of families and communities including the barangay councils to help prevent residents from falling prey to traffickers. Bermudo said families and the communitie...
  • DSWD-XI extends P19M assistance to typhoon victims

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 13 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region has extended more than P19-million worth of assistance to the 176,617 families affected by typhoon Pablo in four provinces of the region. In its report as of 6:00 p.m. of Dec. 12, DSWD-XI has given various kinds of assistance amounting to P10.462 million to Mati City and ten municipalities in Davao Oriental which has 43,683 affected families. All evacuees have returned home except for families i...
  • DTI has “very good” sincerity rating among bizmen, SWS says

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 12 – In the newly-released survey results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been regarded as “very good” in sincerity by the enterprises which were surveyed. The result is part of the Transparency and Accountability in Governance (TAG) 2012: Surveys of Enterprises on Corruption by the said public polling body of the country. DTI was among the three government agencies that garnered a “very good” rating under this sur...
  • Comval Province to submit Typhoon Pablo impact assessment

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 12 (PIA) Compostela Valley Governor Arthur Uy ordered all Mayors to submit to him all data pertaining to the impact of typhoon Pablo to their respective communities. In a meeting with the League of Municipal Mayors yesterday, he said local chief executives must submit number of families affected, number of houses either partially or totally damaged, destroyed infrastructure like roads and bridges or estimated damage cost to agriculture. Uy said the data must be submitted to hi...
  • Segovia: calamity areas ill-prepared to handle strong typhoons

    EASTERN MINDANAO COMMAND, Davao City, Dec 11 (PIA) -- A top military officer said areas hardest hit by typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental are not used to strong and destructive weather systems. Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said facilities like gymnasiums, school buildings and barangay halls were supposed to be the strongest structures where residents took refuge. “These facilities were no match to the strong wind that deformed even ...
  • Davao typhoon victims eligible for emergency loan - GSIS

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 12 (PIA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is extending emergency loans to victims of natural disasters, this time, to victims of typhoon Pablo that hit Davao a week ago. “GSIS members from the city already flocked to our office and lined up at our kiosks since Friday,” Edwin Alconera of GSIS said Tuesday. The loan may be availed of between December 7 and January 5, 2013. The initial news release from GSIS indicated that only GSIS members living or working ...
  • Informal classes eyed in typhoon affected areas

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 12 (PIA)- The Department of Education in Region XI is wants classes to resume even in an "informal" mode in some areas affected by Typhoon Pablo. DepEd XI regional spokesman Geneilito Atillo said some classes have already been resumed particularly in Compostela Valley which were among the provinces worst-hit by the typhoon which made landfall last December 4. Atillo said they are eyeing the return of classes through informal education services among which included holding class...
  • DavNor Capitol to shelve X’mas Party for Pablo victims relief assistance

    TAGUM CITY DAVAO DEL NORTE, Dec. 11 (PIA): The annual Christmas Party of the provincial government of Davao del Norte will be shelved as employees, provincial department heads and provincial chief executives have decided to spend Christmas with Typhoon Pablo displaced families and individuals in a barangay of Compostela Valley. With Provincial Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario at the lead, they will load up their relief goods of food, water and medicine into the Convergence for Peace and Develo...
  • Hedcor Sibulan bags DENR's environmental performance award

    STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, Dec. 11 – Hedcor Sibulan was recently recognized as among the most earth-friendly companies in the country this year. The company based in the municipality of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur province was awarded the Seal of Approval by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its efforts in incorporating green policies in its business platforms. In a statement, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said "the (winners) were chosen because of their exempl...
  • Davao is ready for Ad Congress bid

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 11 (PIA)-Winning its bid for the 23rd Ad Congress will not only give prestige to the city but will provide a boost to its tourism efforts with up to 5,000 people, 90% from outside Davao City, expected to join the Congress next year. We will formally present our bid to the Ad Board and Execom on December 17 but we still have to meet and decide on our presenters,” Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) chief Jason Magnaye said. He added that they already got the templat...
  • Samal Island being positioned as tour spot for Koreans

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 11 (PIA)-The Department of Tourism (DOT) has identified the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) as a priority area for investment for 2013 and is being positioned as a top destination for Korean tourists. “The Koreans are looking for beaches where they can spend their vacation and we are positioning Samal Island as a top destination,” DOT XI regional director Art Boncato said. He said the Koreans top the country’s tourist arrival for this year as it hit the one million m...
  • Naval assets deployed to search for missing fishermen

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 11 (PIA) -- Vessels and aircraft of the Philippine Navy are deployed to conduct search operations for hundreds of missing fisherman, nearly a week after typhoon Pablo hit a huge area in Southern Mindanao. Captain Robert Empedrad Commander of the Joint Task Force Maritime Search and Rescue, the Philippine Navy has deployed four ships and two islander aircraft for the search of an estimated 300 fishers mostly tuna catchers who remains unaccounted for. Among the vessels are the P...
  • DSWD Sec raises human trafficking concern in Pablo-torn areas

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 11 (PIA) -- Social Welfare Sec. Corazon "Dinky" Soliman Sunday raised concern over abuse and trafficking that may happen to women and children displaced due to Typhoon Pablo. In her meeting yesterday with representatives and officials of international humanitarian agencies, she cited such as part of gender-based concern to be taken account to prevent women and children from migrating and eventually ending up as victims of traffickers. "We'll have an information campaign ...
  • Majority of Dabawenyos prepared for disaster, survey reveals

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 11 (PIA) --More than half of Davao City residents believe they are prepared against typhoons, a survey conducted by the University of Mindanao’s Institute of Public Opinion which ran from November 20-28 revealed. Dr. Linda Arquiza, director of the IPO said that the survey involved around 1,400 respondents from the city’s 162 barangays using a 3% margin of error. In the survey about 52 out of 100 Dabawenyos believe that they are ready for a storm, 19/100 would be frant...
  • Foreign aid arrives as gov't. race to save communities hit by Typhoon Pablo

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 10 (PIA) -- More relief assistance arrived from Indonesia and the United States of America as the government continues its search, rescue and retrieval operation and in sending more help to areas affected by Typhoon Pablo. The Indonesian National Defense Force handed the relief goods and cash assistance to the government 8 am Monday at the Davao International Airport. The delegation was welcomed by Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command. Brian G...
  • DSWD puts up relief hubs to fast-track distribution

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 10 (PIA) -- Relief hubs will be established to fast-track distribution of relief goods to typhoon Pablo-displaced families and individuals, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said over the weekend. In a press interview Sunday, during her meeting with humanitarian agencies, Soliman said outside of Davao City, Nabunturan will serve the badly hit areas in Compostela Valley and Trento (Agusan del Sur) will cater the typhoon-struck areas in the provinces of Agusan del Sur a...
  • Depletion of forest cover aggravates flashfloods-DENR 11

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 10 (PIA) -- A top officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao Region cited the depletion of the forest cover which aggravated the occurrence of flash flood in New Bataan, Compostela Valley and the towns of Cateel, Baganga, and Boston, Davao Oriental amid the onslaught of typhoon Pablo Tuesday. Josilyn Marcus Fragada, director of the DENR-11 said the devastation created by the storm to many communities only revealed the long practice of illegal loggin...
  • Aquino distributes relief assistance to Typhoon Pablo victims in Compostela Valley

    NEW BATAAN, Compostela Valley, Dec. 7 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III distributed relief assistance to victims of Typhoon Pablo here even as he called for the speedy retrieval of missing victims. Speaking before some 559 displaced families in New Bataan, President Aquino said he wanted that the missing are properly accounted, and that all efforts are exerted to recover them, if possible “all of them alive.” He also wanted to know why New Bataan experienced such tragedy, and h...
  • PAGASA urges public to become vigilant

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 7 (PIA) -- The Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has urged the public to become more vigilant in the aftermath of typhoon Pablo which lashed southeastern Mindanao last December 4. "Kinahanglan magpakabana ug magbantay " (We should become more aware and be vigilant) ,Gerry Pedrico, PAGASA Davao weather station chief said. Aside from the typhoon the region will have to contend with other weather systems like thunderstorms an...
  • Airport desk filters trafficked minors

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 7 (PIA) -- The anti-trafficking desk at the Davao International Airport is doing its role in checking trafficked persons particularly minors. Teresita Pioncio Focal Person of Trafficking in Persons, Children’s Concern Division of the City Social Services Division Office (CSSDO ) Davao City said that ever since its reactivation in April of this year, it has offloaded many minors traveling alone or those accompanied by individuals not their parents or legal guardians. Pioncio ...
  • Gov. bats for declaration of DavNor as calamity area

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 7 --Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario is hopeful that the province will be declared as a calamity area by next week in order to respond to the financial needs of the community. “I have already submitted my proposal to the Sangguniang Bayan and I am hopeful that they will approve it by next week,” del Rosario said while waiting for the arrival of President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Davao International Airport Friday. He said the declaration of the province as...
  • Roxas visits calamity-affected Davao provinces

    TAGUM CITY, Dec. 6 (PIA) -- Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Thursday afternoon, visited the provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley to see how government can best assist the victims of typhoon Pablo which swept Tuesday, December 4, in almost the whole Davao Region. Roxas told media President Aquino is making sure that needed services and assistance are delivered immediately to answer the needs of displaced families, victims whether injured or dead. His first stop was Davao Ori...
  • P33.6-M worth of bangus, fish cages in Panabo destroyed by 'Pablo'

    PANABO CITY Dec. 6 (PIA) -- Investors in Panabo City’s Mariculture Park are facing a bleak Christmas after they suffered millions of pesos in losses as a result of typhoon Pablo which ravaged the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Banganga, Davao Oriental on December 4. “At least P33.6 million worth of bangus and fish cages have been destroyed due to the typhoon and this is only a conservative and partial estimate,” said Maria Lourdes Campeon of the Bureau of Fisheries and...
  • Zero casualty in DavNor but P1B worth of agri, infra damaged

    TAGUM CITY, Dec. 6 (PIA) --Typhoon Pablo left the province without any casualties but with almost P1-billion worth of damages in agriculture and infrastructure. “The zero casualty status is an indication of how well-prepared the disaster workers in the province are,” Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) executive officer Sonio J. Sanchez said yesterday. However, he said, the province’s agriculture and infrastructure has not been spared with P60,000 worth of ...
  • More bodies retrieved in calamity areas

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 6 (PIA) -- Search and retrieval operation yielded more bodies on the third day in the aftermath of typhoon Pablo as authorities searched for missing residents in the hardest hit areas in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Liza Mazo, director of the Office of Civil Defense XI in her report to the National Risk Reduction and Management Council said that as of 6:00a am Thursday, the death toll in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental rose at 322 with 194 in Co...
  • MARINA-XI appeals to vessel owners to help in relief mission

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 5 -- The Maritime Industry Authority Regional Office XI (MARINA XI) is appealing to all motorboat and fishing boat operators in Mati City and in nearby localities to provide assistance in carrying needed goods and supplies to isolated towns in Davao Oriental. This as the towns of Cateel, Baganga and Boston has been rendered inaccessible due to roads and bridges destroyed by typhoon Pablo which struck the province last December 4. The MARINA XI appeal comes in the wake of Dep...
  • Transport assets mobilized to reach isolated DavOr towns

    MATI, Davao Oriental, Dec. 5 -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has ordered the mobilization of all transportation assets that could bring goods and services to the three isolated coastal towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston. In a briefing this morning, he told the media that transporting such goods and services will take a 300-kilometer travel from Mati City. He directed Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon Malanyaon and Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat to "commandeer" the fishing ve...
  • Residents flock as Philhealth conduct MOVES in Samal

    ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, Davao del Norte, Dec. 6 -- Philhealth XI conducted its third course of Philhealth Mobile Orientation, Validation and Enrolment Scheme (MOVES) in the Island Garden City of Samal last November 28, at the Peñaplata Gym. The event also saw the turn-over of the Per Family Payment Rate (PFPR) to the Local Government, amounting to P1,861,250, to fund the purchase of medicines, supplies and improve local health care facilities. More than a thousand residents arrived at th...
  • AFP'S Eastern Mindanao Command on disaster response mode

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 5 (PIA XI) -- A top military officer has placed all units in Eastern Mindanao in “disaster response mode,” even if typhoon Pablo has left Mindanao. Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command said the soldiers expect an increase in search, rescue, relief and retrieval operations in the next hours. He said preparations are also being done for the collection of relief goods with the arrival of assistance and donations for the affected residents. “W...
  • Military casualties due to Typhoon Pablo confirmed

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 5 (PIA) -- The military confirmed losing several personnel in a flash flood which washed away a temporary detachment in Barangay Andap, New Bataan, Compostela Valley as Typhoon Pablo swept through the province Tuesday morning. Brig. General Yerson Depayso, deputy commander of the 10th Infantry Division in his briefing to Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas at the Police Regional Office XI prior the visit to disaster-stricken areas, said the soldiers were deployed ...
  • Hedcor grants technical training for OSY

    STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, Dec. 5 (PIA) -- Hedcor has given opportunities to five out-of-school-youths (OSY) to complete a Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) course under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda). The course calls for 268 hours of practical training where upon completion, the scholars will be qualified for Tesda’s assessment toward a level 2 National Certification (NC) in SMAW. The National Certification will help the youth land higher-paying jobs wher...
  • Davsur town provides relief to Typhoon Pablo victims

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Dec. 5 (PIA) -- The local government of Don Marcelino town immediately responded to the need of food for the 229 families whose houses were either swept away or partially damaged by a storm surge brought by Typhoon Pablo on Tuesday. The LGU provided rice and medicines to the affected families who have been taken in by relatives shortly after having been temporarily housed in schools and barangay gymnasiums, said Maya Johnson, action officer of Municipal Disaster Risk ...
  • 3 DavOr coastal towns still isolated

    MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, Dec. 05 (PIA) -- Three coastal towns in Davao Oriental remain isolated a day after Typhoon Pablo swept over the province, prompting the provincial government to step up efforts to reach the areas. Provincial Governor Corazon Malanyaon this morning revealed that her efforts to reach Baganga where Typhoon Pablo made a landfall, failed because part of the Manurigao Bridge connecting Caraga town to Baganga, collapsed. Few hours after Pablo made a landfall at around 3:3...
  • Typhoon 'Pablo' batters Dav Or

    DAVAO ORIENTAL, Dec. 04, (PIA) -- Typhoon Pablo swept through the Province of Davao Oriental causing death to six individuals, toppling electrical posts and cutting communication lines and felling a number of trees along highways and local roads. Provincial Planning and Development Officer Freddie Bendulo, vice team leader of the Disaster Assessment and Monitoring Center of PDRRMC Davao Oriental said, his team still has to get the names of the six casualties monitored and still has to con...
  • Typhoon Pablo destroys several houses along DavSur coast

    DIGOS CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR, Dec. 4 (PIA) – Several residential houses along the coastal barangays in two towns in Davao del Sur were damaged after a storm surge generated by Typhoon Pablo hit the affected areas at dawn today. In Don Marcelino, some 58 houses in four coastal barangays were totally damaged and 20 were partially destroyed, affecting 79 families with 395 individuals. Maia Johnson, chair of Don Marcelino Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said the prevent...
  • Davao City responds to Typhoon Pablo victims

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 4 (PIA)- A storm surge brought about by a rare typhoon (Tropical Storm Pablo) which visited the city led 275 families to vacate their homes along seven communities along the shoreline of Davao City. In a post-storm-assessment at the Public Safety Command Center, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio assured the affected families who are temporarily housed at the gymnasium of their respective areas that the city government will provide them assistance in terms of food and shelter. She said ...
  • Typhoon Pablo hits Davao Region inflicting damage to life and property

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 4 (PIA) -- A total of 2,810 people from 554 families were displaced in the onslaught of typhoon Pablo in Mabini, Compostela Valley, Tagum City and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; and Baganga, Boston, Caraga, Mati City, Banaybanay, Manay and Lupon in Davao Oriental. Liza Mazo, director of the Office of Civil Defense XI in her report to the National Risk Reduction and Management Council said many of the displaced families were those who were evacuated from baranga...
  • Feature: MindaComNet: Communicating Mindanao’s Opportunities

    “What is the greatest opportunity for Mindanao today?” This was the tone set by Secretary Sonny Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) at the start of the Mindanao Communicators’ Congress and Workshop held at the Waterfront Hotel in Davao City from November 28 to 30, 2012. The almost 200 participants, most of whom government information officers in Mindanao, responded unanimously with the one word that has eluded Mindanaoans for years—“Peace!” Using the...
  • Davao City eyes hosting of APEC 2015

    DAVAO CITY Dec. 4 (PIA) -- Davao City is eyeing the hosting of a significant meeting in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit this 2015. A delegation from the APEC secretariat visited the city last November 28 to look into Davao City’s facilities particularly the accommodations, venue and other infrastructure. The country was chosen to host the APEC 2015 Summit during this year’s APEC Summit in Russia held last September. Davao has been identified as one of the places to ho...
  • Warning storm for DavNor province down to Signal No. 2

    TAGUM CITY Dec. 4 (PIA)- The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has lowered the Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) for Davao del Norte province to Signal No. 2 as of 11 a.m. today (from Signal No. 3 as of 5 o'clock this morning). This came after the slight weakening of typhoon Pablo when it made a landfall over Baganga, Davao Oriental this morning. Pagasa reported that Pablo is now traversing Bukidnon province and is expected to be 140 km Southw...
  • PWAs consider discrimination more challenging than the disease

    TAGUM CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) -- How do you describe a PWA or a person living with HIV-Aids? Definitely not how you would describe 28-year old Mel Bordo who has been living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) for five years now, but who looks fit and healthy. Bordo has once again proven wrong the people’s preconceived ideas about how a PWA should look like when he gave a testimony of his life and health condition Monday, Dec. 3, at the Bulwagan Hall...
  • Mindanao communicators push 12 resolutions during confab

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 03 (PIA): The recently concluded 2012 Mindanao Communicators Congress yielded 12 resolutions seeking to institutionalize information offices, to widen network and collaboration among communicators, and to thank supporters of the event. Presented during the plenary session on the last day of the 3-day congress, the resolutions gave spirit and amplified support towards the realization of this year’s theme, “Communicating Mindanao’s Opportunities and Best Practices.” Th...
  • Classes, work suspensions in DavComval due to Pablo

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Dec. 03 (PIA): Classes were suspended in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) raises public storm warning signal (PSWS) in Davao Region provinces from No 1 early today to No. 3 in Davao Oriental and to No.2 in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley with the entry of typhoon Pablo. As of 1:00 p.m. Davao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDR...
  • Classes, work suspended in DavComval due to Pablo

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Dec. 3 (PIA) -- Classes were suspended in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) raises public storm warning signal (PSWS) in Davao Region provinces from No 1 early today to No. 3 in Davao Oriental and to No.2 in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley. As of 1 p.m. Davao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) executive officer Sonio Sanc...
  • 8th Mindanao Film Festival opens in Davao City

    DAVAO CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) -- One of the country’s longest regional film festival will open this Tuesday night, December 4 with a screening of acclaimed indie film director Arnel Mardoquio’s film “Crossfire.” The festival which is supported by the National Commission on the Culture and the Arts under its regional cinema program is slated to run from Dec. 5-11 and will be held at the Gaisano Mall Cinema 5. Aside from Crossfire, the festival will also screen 34 short films plus two other ...
  • Davao Region braces for typhoon Pablo

    DAVAO CITY, Dec 3 (PIA) -- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has placed the all personnel of the Emergency Response Center Central 911, police, military and all volunteer groups on alert in preparation for the onslaught of the tropical storm Pablo. She ordered the agencies to assign half of their personnel to disaster response activities at this time. Duterte-Carpio also ordered barangay disaster teams to conduct pre-emptive evacuation once rivers and other tributaries swell due to heavy ...
  • DavNor will be world-class province - Guv

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Nov 30 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte —"World-class" is the adjective the province hopes to be described in four years time. When asked what the province will become in 2016, Governor Rodolfo del Rosario gave members of the media an instant reply. “We hope to make Davao del Norte world-class,” the governor said in a press conference recently in Capitol, Tagum City during the holding of the roadshow of the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2011-2016 for Region 11. One of the ...
  • Peace is greatest advantage of Mindanao - Coloma

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 30 (PIA) -- The greatest potential in Mindanao is peace which came about as a result of signing of the Bangsangmoro Framework Agreement (BFA) said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma in his keynote address at the Mindanao Communicators’ Congress and Workshop held in Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City. The worldwide recognition of the Agreement is a milestone accomplishment of the national government which has long been coming ...
  • Railway network, a necessity for Davao Region-Guv

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 28 (PIA)-The railway network system is proving to be a necessity for the Davao Region and has been included by the region’s development planners for consideration in the region’s area development plan. “Aaabutan ko pa yan (it may yet become possible during my term),” Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said in a press conference held at the Bulwagan Hall of the Provincial Government Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Del Rosario said “kulang na ang road n...
  • Mindanao Communicators’ meet in Davao City

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 28 (PIA)- Public information and communication officers from all over Mindanao gathered in Davao for the 2012 Mindanao Communicators’ Congress and Workshop which started yesterday (Nov 28) until tomorrow (Nov 30). The congress and workshop held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao welcomed the presence of more than 150 delegates during the opening ceremony held last November 28, which was graced by Secretary Sonny Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (...
  • IPs seek government help as evacuation continues

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 28 (PIA) -- A tribal leader has asked the intervention of Mayor Sara Dutere-Carpio to allay fears of several members of the indigenous peoples who evacuated from their farms in Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District after they were allegedly harassed by members of the New People’s Army. Datu Roel Arthur Ali, deputy mayor for the Ata tribe in Paquibato said the number of evacuees rose from 17 to 21 families after more IPs feared for their lives following the encounter of soldiers...
  • Feature: Tagum Coop’s Norma Pereyras, working from the heart

    This woman holds this year’s crown as the Most Outstanding Cooperative Leader in the Philippines, besting two other nominees to the 2012 Gawad Parangal of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), but such an award is seen as long overdue because she has been living and giving her best all the time. She’s a vibrant woman, mother, wife, entrepreneur, church volunteer, Rotarian, Girl Scout leader, gender and family enrichment advocate, lector, resource speaker, mediator rolled into one...
  • Guv urges capitol workforce to patronize Pasalubong Center

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 28 (PIA): Provincial Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario calls on provincial government department heads and employees to patronize products sold at the Produkto DavNor Pasalubong Center. In his speech during the launching last Monday, Del Rosario directed provincial government heads to buy gifts for children, elderly and even for jail wards this yuletide season, from the newly opened local product outlet showcasing the produce of small and micro entre...
  • Davao hopeful over Ad Congress bid

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 28 -- The City Government of Davao is hopeful over its bid for 2013 Ad Congress after an inspection team from the congress organizers visited the City last November 23-27. Davao City Investment and Promotions Center head and current City Tourism Operations Office chief Jason Magnaye said the inspection team were visibly impressed with the facilities in the city. One of the highlights in the visit was the inspection of the brand new SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premiere, o...
  • High poverty incidence in R-XI a challenge to dev’t planners

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 28 (PIA) --The high poverty incidence in the Davao Region continues to prove quite a challenge to the area’s development planners despite its proven resiliency during the 2010 global economic crisis. “The high poverty incidence of the region, almost one fourth of the region’s families, continues to prove a challenge,” OIC Assistant Regional Director Miguel Herrera III of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) XI said during the Regional Development Plan Roads...
  • 3 conflict-affected brgys in DavNor town placed under state of calamity

    SAN ISIDRO, Davao del Norte, Nov. 28 (PIA) --The Sangguniang Bayan of San Isidro in a special session last Saturday, Nov. 24, declared the three-conflict affected barangays of Pinamuno, Datu Balong and Monte Dujali under a state of calamity. The declaration allows the municipal government to use part of the calamity fund to augment relief operation to assist the 480 affected families reported by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) to the Office of Civil Defe...
  • Army craft solutions to calm IPs in Paquibato

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) -- The military has mulled medium and long term solutions to help address the concerns of the indigenous peoples who evacuated their homes in the highlands of Paquibato District after they were allegedly being harassed by the New People’s Army. Major Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, commanding officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion said one medium term solution to the problem is the immediate neutralization of the rebels' armed threat. He said the soldiers ...
  • Fishers earn from cash-for-work program

    ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, Nov 28 (PIA) -- About ninety (90) farmers and fishers from Talicud Island here received cash subsidy each amounting to P3,036 after 11 days of participation to the training and community work activities in their respective barangays implemented by the city government of Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) through the City Social Welfare and Development. last . The “cash for training and cash for work” beneficiaries were small-scale farmers and fishers, in exc...
  • Davao City Hall declared as a historical site

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 27 (PIA) -- Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Ludivico Badoy, chair of the National Historical Commission unveiled formally today the marker declaring the city hall of Davao as historical site. The simple rite in front of the city hall building was witnessed by department heads of the city government, local legislators, regional directors of line-government-agencies and members of the diplomatic corps. The local government building was built as a municipal hall by the American gov...
  • News feature:Bangus, from a tiny town to the world

    PANABO CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) -- What started out as a dream project for the city of Panabo has now turned into a multi-million business for the local government. Not too many people know that the Panabo City Mariculture Park is a brainchild of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario when he was still the Secretary for New Government Centers during the previous administration. The Park started out with a 1,075-hectare area in 2006 covering the barangays of Cagangohan, J.P. Laurel, and San Pedro but which has...
  • Additional troops to augment TF Davao during yuletide festivities

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 27 (PIA) --Additional troops from the 10th Infantry Division is expected to beef up Task Force Davao during the coming Christmas holiday festivities. Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana executive-officer and spokesperson of TF Davao, said they are expecting 100 to 120 personnel coming from the 10th ID to beef up the unit in support to the security plan of Davao City for the Christmas season. The focus will be securing the Pasko Fiesta celebration and the convergence points of lumads (in...
  • PIA-XI announces job vacancy

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 26 (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency in the region is announcing its job vacancy for Administrative Aide VI position that requires working knowledge of bookkeeping, budgeting and administrative operations. Applicants must meet the following qualifications: completion of two-year studies in college preferably with 21 units in accounting, and with one year relevant experience and four hours of relevant training. Other qualifications include Civil Service eligibility (...
  • Comelec Davao City cleanses list of voters

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 26 (PIA) A local election officer revealed that cleansing of the list of voters is going on to ensure that only the qualified registered voters can exercise the right of suffrage in the 2013 midterm elections. Atty. Aimee Ampoloquio, election supervisor of the City’s First District, said those to be deleted on the list of voters will be voters who have sought to transfer registration outside Davao City, upon the confirmation of the office of the Commission on Elections (Come...
  • 1 dead, P18.7 -M early damage estimates in DavNor Flood

    TAGUM CITY, November 26 (PIA) – The recent spate of flooding that hit the province left one man dead and an initial damage to crops worth P18.7 million. Its impact on infrastructure and properties is still being accounted for. Displaced residents of the municipalities of Kapalong and Asuncion have already returned home and started getting back on their feet after the floodwaters subsided in their towns last Thursday (Nov. 22). However, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Di...
  • SMEs hope to gain wider market with 'pasalubong' center

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 26 (PIA): Small and medium enterprise (SME) exhibitors of Produkto DavNor Pasalubong Center are hopeful to gain wider access to markets now that the local product outlet is officially opened. During the grand opening Monday (Nov. 26) of DavNor Pasalubong Center located at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao del Norte Provincial Office, some SMEs producers were optimistic to have more customers and even expand the product distribution beyo...
  • Housing project for differently-abled persons draws big support

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 26 (PIA)-Differently-abled persons expressed excitement for a new home and workplace after the start of the housing project construction at the relocation site in Barangay Los Amigos. Debra Estraba, president of the Samahan ng mga Kapansanan sa Dabaw said the long wait is over for different-abled persons to have a permanent place to live. She said the oldest among them has stayed in Our Lady of Victory Training Center, a private facility for persons with disabilities for 27 y...
  • Film producer urge LGUs to start promoting their places as shooting locations

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 26 (PIA)- Local Government Units should start promoting their places as shooting locations now that the country has been the site of two big international productions. Lope Juban Jr., head of the Philippine Film Studios which brought the hit reality show Survivor USA to Caramoan in Camarines Sur and the Hollywood action flick The Bourne Legacy to shoot in Manila and Palawan, said that this is the country’s best chance to promote itself to the world as a film location for their...
  • DavNor San Isidro LGU distributes relief to conflict-displaced families

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 23 (PIA): San Isidro Municipal Mayor Rosebella Isabelita-Nana distributed relief goods in two of the three armed -conflict-affected barangays during an activity held last November 23 . In a phone interview, Mayor Nana said food packs were delivered to evacuees from sitios of barangays Monte Dujale, Dato Balong and Pinamuno where some residents had left their homes due to armed encounter between the government forces and the New People’s Army. Each ...
  • Multi-sectoral feeding program benefits DavOr pupils

    MATI CITY Nov 26 (PIA) A multi-sectoral initiative led by a civic organization together with soldiers and teachers reached out to 989 pupils in the province which heralds the launch of a four-month-feeding program here and two towns of Davao Oriental. The military said the feeding program launched from November 21 to 23 would be the second batch of beneficiaries from 14 elementary schools in Mati City, San Isidro and Governor Generoso, respectively. The program included elementary schoo...
  • Tagum lights up Giant Holiday Tree

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 24 – On a moon-lit night, this bustling city has formally lighted up its 110.50-foot Giant Holiday Tree, continuing its decades-long tradition of lighting the city’s official Christmas icon that gathered more than 5,000 people who witnessed the much-awaited event. People gathered in excitement at the Freedom Park last November 21 to witness the lighting ceremony of the city’s holiday tree with local officials claiming it as the “tallest Christmas Tree...
  • Davao City starts 18-Day Anti-VAWC Campaign on Nov. 26

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 23 (PIA) – Women leaders and advocates here will once again come together to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women in the 18-Day Anti-VAWC Campaign set to be launched on November 26 in the city. The City Government of Davao through the Integrated Gender and Development Division, in partnership with various stakeholders will hold a Launching Program on Monday at 2:00 pm onwards at the Rizal Park Ground, San Pedro Street, this city. IGDD Officer-in-Ch...
  • Tagum City allots P300T for 2-week Parochial Fiesta

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 23 (PIA) – The Tagum City local government has allotted a meager P300 thousand for the two-week Parochial Fiesta which started last November 9 and will culminate November 30, but got the commitment of various sponsors. “We have a lot of entertainment shows for the people during the Fiesta but the city did not spend much for the festivity,” Tagum City Administrator Rafael Abrenica said. Abrenica said the opening day alone, which was sponsored by San Migue...
  • Mindanao to showcase investment potentials in Malaysia

    Davao City, Nov 23, (PIA) – A total of 53 Mindanao and Palawan companies will take part in the consumer fair among countries under the East Asian Growth area and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle from November 30 to December 2,2012 in Melaka, Malaysia. Romeo Montenegro, chief of the communications division of the Mindanao Development Authority said the consumer fair will showcase unique products from subregions’ member countries for direct purchase by consumers and to seek pot...
  • CARP beneficiaries: From banana farm workers to entrepreneurs

    TAGUM CITY, Nov 24 (PIA) - People would easily dismiss that the country’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program is a failure, but despite its flaws and the many sad stories, there are beneficiaries who have realized their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs due to CARP. Take the case of the beneficiaries belonging to the Checkered Farm Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative, or CFARBEMPCO, in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. “We were already CARP beneficiaries since the 1980s, b...
  • International Film Expo opens in Davao City

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 22 (PIA) --Leading players of the local and international film industry have converged in Davao City for the International Film Expo (IFX) which will run from November 23 to 24 at the brand new SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premiere. The IFX is spearheaded by the Film Development Council of the Philippines in partnership with the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc (DCCCII). The Expo will feature exhibitors particularly film equipment suppliers, production ...
  • Biotech Summit in Davao City

    by Jeanevive Duron-Abangan DAVAO CITY, Nov. 22 (PIA): Farmers from settlers, indigenous peoples and Muslim communities will join agriculture scientists, farming technicians and farmer leaders in today’s (Nov. 22) Farmers’ Summit on Biotechnology held here in Davao City. Bearing the theme, “Harnessing the Power of Life”, the summit is organized by Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, Biotechnology for Life Media and Advocacy Resource Center and the Philippine Information Ag...
  • Lady cops to be deployed in the city for the holidays

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 22 (PIA) -- The city’s top cop has bared a plan to deploy more policewomen on the streets for the holidays. Police Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the Davao City Police Office said this move is part of the security preparations for the Pasko Fiesta celebration where more people come to the city for vacation, shopping and revelry. He told the AFP-PNP Press Corps that 50 new cops half of them policewomen will augment the existing number of the city police t...
  • 745 families displaced by floods in Davao Region

    TAGUM CITY, Nov. 22 (PIA) -- Floods affected a total of 745 families when an inter-tropical convergence zone last November 20 (Tuesday) brought heavy rains to the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Reports from Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI Regional Director Liza R. Mazo said these families were residents of 32 barangays in nine towns of the three flood-affected Davao Region provinces. Davao Oriental was hardly hit as two persons drowned with one still m...
  • PH working towards EITI accreditation

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 21 (PIA): The Philippines is now working towards getting an Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) accreditation in line with implementation of Executive Order 79 which seeks to institutionalize and implement reforms in the Philippine mining sector. Bantay Kita National Coordinator Cielo Magno Monday revealed that the national government had already identified the agencies to form part of the interim MSG, and sit along with members of the civil so...
  • Two drowned, one missing as flashfloods hit Northern, Eastern Davao

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 21 (PIA)- Two persons drowned and one missing as flashflood brought about by a heavy downpour hit Barangay Poblacion and Barangay Bitaogan, San Isidro and Barangay Kabagayan in Tarragona, Davao Oriental. Liza Mazo, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense XI identified the fatalities as Romeo Luis, 55 of Tarragona and Nicholas Rota, 11 of San Isidro, all in Davao Oriental. She said the search is still on for Dindo Ugapang, 15 of Barangay Bitaogan, San Isidro. “Lui...
  • Apex Mining earmarks P45-M for ComVal IPs

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 21 (PIA)-Apex Mining has downloaded at least P45-million as of October 2012 for the intended share of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Compostela Valley (ComVal) in the income of the company’s mining venture in the area. “But we are still determining how the funds will be best used for the benefit of the IPs,” National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) ComVal Provincial Officer Shirley B. Iguianon said. The NCIP is however faced by the challenge of determining the app...
  • City Dad hopes for CCTV-camera measure

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 21 (PIA)- A city lawmaker expressed hope that the closed-circuit-television-camera ordinance will be passed into law now that the measure got ahead of the second reading in the recent session of the city council. Councilor Victorio Advincula Jr., chair of the city council committee on social services and co-author of the proposed measure said installing CCTV-camera in business establishments will not only serve as deterrent to criminal acts but also to pursue criminal complaints...
  • City Dad sees attendance at the city council improving

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 21 (PIA)- A city councilor has seen an improvement in the attendance among members of the city council following a privilege speech calling his colleagues to observe proper time during sessions. Councilor Melchor Quitain, chair of the committee on ethics said that immediately after his speech during the November 13 session, the attendance among his colleagues in the sessions thereafter got better. He said there is no more backlog as far as pending measures are concerned as the...
  • Luxury hotel in Tagum enjoys up to 50% occupancy rate

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 21-A luxury hotel in Tagum City, which has opened its doors to the public last July 5 and will be fully completed by next year is enjoying brisk business with up to 50 percent occupancy rate. “We are averaging an occupancy rate of 45 to 50 percent which is considered very good by most hotels,” Big 8 Corporate Hotel General Manager Carol Bacaltos said. The hotel is already 80 percent complete, she said, and 52 of the 121 rooms have been turned over by the contractor to the ho...
  • EITA Council to lessen corruption, tax avoidance

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 20 (PIA)-The establishment of the Extractive Industry Transparency and Accountability (EITA) in Compostela Valley, which was an offshoot of the global Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI), is seen as a deterrent to corruption and tax avoidance. “The EITI (and in effect the EITA) can help minimize the leakages in government which include corruption and tax avoidance,” EITI member and National Coordinator of Bantay Kita Assistant Secretary Cielo Magno said during...
  • TF Davao head assumes as 1002nd Infantry Brigade chief

    DAVAO CITY, November 20 (PIA)- A high ranking military officer affirmed assuming as commander of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade based in Barangay Pulutana, Malungon, Sarangani effective November 21. Colonel Marcos Norman Flores, chief of the Task Force Davao said his marching orders were released by the Philippine Army Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo as part of the military revamp brought about by the promotion of many senior officers. He said his new assignment took effect in November 8 but th...
  • CHR-XI continues mandate despite logistics lack

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 20 (PIA)- Despite lack of resources, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region XI office is pursuing its mandate of investigating cases regarding human rights violations in the region. Emil Cajes, Officer-in-Charge of the CHR XI Investigation Division said that they cannot just turn their back on these cases despite their lack of personnel and equipment. He said there are only seven investigators assigned in the region and there are instances where the CHR will conduct on its...
  • Davao del Norte delegation brings home 47 medals

    TAGUM CITY, Nov 20 (PIA) – Governor Rodolfo del Rosario congratulated the Davao del Norte delegation for bringing home 47 medals in the recently-concluded Batang Pinoy 2012 Mindanao qualifying leg in Dapitan City, even as he said that winning medals is not as important as participating in sports competition. He attributed the success of the Davao del Norte to the grassroots sports development program of the province. The delegation bagged 16 gold, 13 silver and 18 bronze medals in the quali...
  • Soldiers pursue rebels in the hinterlands of Comval

    CAMP MANUEL YAN, Mawab, Compostela Valley Province – Members of the 25th Infantry Battalion conducted a pursuit operation against a group of armed men in the mountains of Sitio Bongabong, Barangay Awao, Monkayo, Compostela Valley following a firefight that left one alleged rebel killed Sunday. Lt. Colonel Cesar Molina, commanding officer of the 25th IB said they are still establishing the identity of the lone fatality that fell during the 45-minute gun battle with soldiers. He said two high-...
  • 18 kilometers of Davao watershed perimeter delineated

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 19 (PIA)- A total of 18.4 kilometers of watershed perimeter in Davao City's watershed areas were delineated this November in a five-day survey which covered four barangays. According to Edgar Barquin of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region XI (DENR-XI) and team leader of the 11-man delineation team, the survey covered the barangays of Tambobong,Tamugan, Gumalang and Wines in Davao City's Calinan District. He said that the 18.4 kilometers of delineated per...
  • Fewer IP visitors expected in Davao during holidays

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 19 (PIA) - An official of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has expected a more manageable number of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) who will come to the city for the holidays. Geraldine Gulles, officer-in-charge of the emergency program of the CSWDO said indigenous peoples from the highlands of the city are expected to come on December 5 to do Christmas carolling and will be sent home on December 24. She recalled that last year, the CSWDO served a total of 4,50...
  • Regl Devt. Plan to boost DavSur’s agro-industries

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Nov. 19 (PIA) – The Regional Development Council (RDC) has emphasized the relevance of the Davao Regional Development Plan 2011-2016 to Davao del Sur’s economic growth, saying that the Plan has embodied strategies to specifically sustain the province’s agri-industrial industry. Sara Duterte-Carpio, chair of the Regional Development Council-XI (RDC-XI) and current Davao City Mayor, said the identified strategies will further boost the agri-industrial developmen...
  • Business starter kits distributed to 12 DavNor communities

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 19 (PIA)-Some of the communities in Davao del Norte with high poverty incidence are being prepped to become entrepreneurs as they received their starter kits for their own businesses from Governor Rodolfo del Rosario Monday. The starter kits, which were distributed at the Bulwagan Hall of the Provincial Government Center, depended on the identified business project of the communities under the Ugmad Komunidad (UK) project which started February this year. The program is funded b...
  • CHR XI recommends payment to grenade blast victims

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA)-The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Davao Region has recommended the indemnification of the victims in the grenade blast that wounded several persons in Barangay Fatima, Paquibato District last September 1. Emiliano Cajes, Jr., officer-in-charge of the Investigation Division of the CHR XI said the recommendation for payment to the victims followed the findings that a human rights violation was committed in the grenade explosion. He said the New People’s Army (N...
  • Comval launches council for transparent, accountable mining industry

    TAGUM CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA): Compostela Valley Provincial Governor Arturo T. Uy formally launched this morning the Provincial Multi-Stakeholder Council for Extractive Industry Transparency and Accountability in line with President Benigno S. Aquino’s Executive Order No. 79 seeking to institute reforms in the Philippine mining sector. Uy signed on Oct. 16, 2012 the Provincial Executive Order 020 series of 2012 citing the necessity of organizing a local multi-stakeholders council pursuant to...
  • Provincial government to further develop tourism

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Nov. 16 (PIA) – The fire incident that burned down a floating restaurant late evening Wednesday (Nov. 14) at Barangay Aplaya here would not discourage Senior Board Member Mercedes Cagas of the first district from developing more tourist areas in the province. Cagas even committed to make double effort in improving the tourism industry in Davao del Sur after the floating restaurant at Aplaya Baywalk in Digos City was razed in fire by still unidentified perpetrators. ...
  • BPO potential of Tagum seen if landline telecoms interconnect

    TAGUM CITY, Nov. 16 (PIA): Davao del Norte Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario has called on telecommunication companies operating in Davao del Norte to interconnect with each other as he sees the potential of Tagum City in hosting a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center. He has taken note of Tagum City and Davao del Norte to have a number of graduates who can be tapped to become call center agents but “there is no single BPO here, instead they work in Davao City and come hom...
  • Innovation key to Davao's IT development

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 16 (PIA)- An official from the Department of Science of Technology has urged the Davao ICT (Information Communication Technology) sector to sustain their focus on innovation citing tremendous potentials of the city. Deputy Executive Director of the DOST-ICT Office (ICTO) Bud Melchor said that innovation is the key in getting a greater market share in IT and Business Process Outsourcing Markets. He said that in 2010 global spending in IT BPO for engineering innovation has reach...
  • Davao City LGU welcomes deeper probe on carnapping syndicate

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 16 (PIA)- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio welcomed the need for the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to intensify its probe on the possible participation of people in government on the series of carnapping incidents linked to Ryan Yu alias Baktin. She said that an investigation by another law enforcement agency like the NBI is important to show the extent of the carnapping syndicate operating in Davao City. “An investigation will determine the extent and possible c...
  • Tagum City to light up famed giant Xmas Tree

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 16 (PIA)-Expect the Tagum City Hall and the nearby areas along the Freedom Park to light up on November 21 with the lighting ceremony of the 109-foot Christmas Tree located at the Freedom Park at around 7 p.m. “Tagum City became popular when it built the country’s tallest Christmas Tree in 2006 at 153 feet,” Engr. Nemar Jumarito of the City Engineer’s Office said. The city’s Christmas Tree was reduced to only 113 feet in 2011 but still had an interesting design. Jumar...
  • IGACOS city gov't distributes cassava plantings for mass prod'n

    ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, Nov. 15 (PIA): About 15,000 one-meter stalks of golden yellow variety cassava planting materials are being distributed by the City Agriculture Office under its Food Security Program-Alternative Staple Food Production Project to farmers in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS). The Alternative Staple Food Production Project aims to establish a demonstration farm as source of planting materials for expansion of cassava farm to other farmers willing to explore in c...
  • Don't cut coco trees: PCA tells farmers

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 15 (PIA)- An officer of the Philippine Coconut Authority in Davao region discouraged the farmers to cut their coconut trees despite the low price of copra compared to the higher price of coconut lumber pegged at P18.00 per board foot. Speaking in the “ARENA Forum On-Air,” Rose Villaroel, project development officer of the PCA XI revealed that based on their monitoring, 800 coconut trees are cut monthly in various coconut farms in the region due to the lure of higher price ...
  • DOST-XI urges LGUs, entrepreneurs to adopt food technology

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 15 -- For only P5, a child may have the nutrition he or she would need. The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in an effort to eradicate malnutrition, developed a complementary food technology making affordable nutritious food blends and snack food for children for a price not exceeding P5 per 20-gram pack. DOST-XI, in a monitoring visit and media forum conducted here recently, urged local government units and ent...
  • Seized illegal drugs burned

    TAGUM CITY, Nov. 15 (PIA): About P1-million worth of confiscated illegal drugs were burned during the closing ceremony of the Anti-Drug Abuse, Prevention and Control Week observance in the province of Davao del Norte. The disposed illegal drugs were secured by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) from the 42 cases decided in the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 under Presiding Judge Rowena Adlawan. Attending the ceremonial act of campaign against drug abuse, PDEA Deputy Re...
  • NEDA XI holds consultation for a synchronized development plan

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 15 (PIA)-The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) XI has bared the 10 strategic areas for the development of the Davao Region under the Davao Regional Development Plan for 2011 to 2016 during the Provincial Development Council (PDC) Consultations held Wednesday at the Provincial Government Center in Mankilam, this city. “The conduct of the consultations with the local government units and the national government agencies will ensure that the national government’s p...
  • Army chides latest HR complaint as mere propaganda

    CAMP MANUEL YAN, Mawab, Compostela Valley, Nov. 15 (PIA) --The military brushed aside as mere propaganda the complaint of a farmer who was allegedly mauled by members of the 66th Infantry Battalion in Barangay San Roque, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said the aggrieved party could have filed his complaint to the police for proper investigation He said the complaint could have been heard in the venue where the accused can a...
  • DOE holds Interim Mindanao Electricity Market consultations

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 14 (PIA)-About a hundred representatives from electric cooperatives and various industries and power producers participated in the second-leg of government-led consultations held earlier today on the plan to establish the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM) aimed at addressing the electricity shortfall and to meet the increasing power demand in the island. Speaking at the Apo View Hotel in Davao City, Undersecretary Josefina Patricia Asirit of the DOE said the plan aims...
  • Ayala Foundation brings TenMoves campaign to Tagum

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 14 (PIA)-The Ayala Foundation has localized the TenMoves (The Entire Nation Moves) Campaign with the launch of the “TAGUMpisahan Ko TenMoves” in Tagum City, Wednesday. “TenMoves aims to look for funding for the construction of 10,000 classrooms all over the country.,” Ayala Foundation, Inc. Senior Manager for Mindanao Operations Archimedes Velasco said during the launch of Ten Moves at the New City Hall of Tagum City. Velasco said the Department of Education (DepEd) ha...
  • Christmas lights show to highlight Davao City’s 'Pasko Fiesta'

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 14 (PIA)- A grand Christmas light show will be one of the main highlights of the Pasko Fiesta, an annual Christmas festivity in the city. Lisette Marquez executive-director of Duaw Dabaw, one of the organizers of the Pasko Fiesta, said that the light show will be put up at the lawn of the People’s Park. It will start on December 21 until January 1, 2013. The light show was inspired from the Ayala Triangle Christmas light show in Makati and is estimated to cost around P2-mill...
  • Three R-XI studes vie for IDP national poster-making contest

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 14 -- Three students from Davao Region who joined the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) poster making contest are going to compete for the national level on November 15 in Caraga. “This contest aims to increase the awareness for the protection and promotion of the rights of the internally displaced persons,” said Atty. Junitte Rose Baroquillo, team leader of the Commission on Human Rights–United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees IDP team. The three students who w...
  • New city agri officer bares priorities

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 14 (PIA)- The new officer-in-charge of the Davao City Agriculturist Office (CAO) has bared his priorities a week after being sworn in to the office replacing erstwhile OIC CAO head Leo Avila who is currently running for a seat in the Davao City Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Council). “Just take out the letters C-A in CACAO.” Says new CAO OIC Val Turtur relating his new position in the city government vis-a-vis his former job in the cacao sector as the executive director ...
  • Hedcor installs automated weather forecasting system in DavSur

    STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, Nov 14 – Hydro-electric power firm Hedcor has partnered with the Weather Philippines Foundation to deliver faster and more reliable weather forecasts. The run-of-river hydropower developer has installed an automated weather system (AWS) in its Sibulan hydropower plant at Barangay Sibulan in the municipality of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur province. This enables Weather Philippines to monitor weather conditions in real time. Using solar power, the AWS measures wind ve...
  • DavNor solon focuses bills on health and wellness

    TAGUM CITY, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- Fighting and eventually surviving lymphoma - a life-threatening disease, Davao del Norte Representative Antonio Rafael G. del Rosario has been crafting health and wellness-related house bills and house resolutions. Recently guesting in the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo, Del Rosario said his prominent concern on health is anchored on his commitment to promote health and healthy lifestyle among Filipinos that he bannered during his campaign in 2010. Eight of his 27 crafte...
  • ComVal expands Women and Development Program through UNFPA

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Nov. 13 -- The province has expanded its health services to the women sector through the Women Development Program with the funding assistance extended by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). UNFPA officials has convened with Compostela Valley Governor Arturo T. Uy and his department heads on November 5, 2012 at the Capitol to come up with a simplified system in rendering women’s health services to the province’s barangays. One system identified is a...
  • Peace and Devt Agreement signed in DavOr town

    SAN ISIDRO, Davao Oriental, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- The Armed Forces and the municipal government inked formally Monday the memorandum of agreement citing the lead role of the San Isidro Municipal Peace and Order Council in the internal security operation in the area. San Isidro Mayor Edgar Flor Saulon signed the agreement as chair of the MPOC with Lt. Colonel Francisco Lorenzo, Jr., commanding officer of the 28th Infantry Battalion in behalf of the military. The local chief executive said it is hi...
  • Verify first complaints against the soldiers in Paquibato - City Mayor

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio cited the need for city councilors to verify first the information about soldiers encamped at a government infrastructure in the countryside before approving a resolution driving away the soldiers from the establishment to that effect. She said it is very important to establish first the veracity of this type of information whether it is either hearsay or propaganda from progressive groups supporting the cause of the rebels. ...
  • Panabo inks MOU with gov’t agencies on campaign vs illegal recruiters

    PANABO CITY, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- The city government of Panabo recently entered into an understanding with national government agency officials to strengthen the campaign against illegal recruitment. Panabo City Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr., Atty. Jaime P. Gimenez representative of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, Carmelo Elaya representative of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Carmelita Dimzon, Department of Labor and E...
  • P325 M allocated for Nabunturan-Maragusan Road in 2014

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley Province, Nov. 13 --The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)- ComVal has revealed the allocation of another P325-million pesos fund to be added in 2014 for the on-going road concreting of Nabunturan-Maragusan National Road. This is apart from the budget allocated for 2012 and 2013. This chunk is part of the P3.5-billion pesos planned budget for the infrastructure projects to be given to the eleven municipalities of province by the national government t...
  • CSC pushes for excellence of state agencies

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC-XI) is pushing for organizational excellence and integrity in all government agencies in the region through CSC’s “Leadership Branding: Coaching for Integrity and Excellence” program. CSC-XI Regional Director Annabelle Rosell said CSC intends to be recognized as coach for government institutions to pursue integrity and excellence in achieving their respective organization’s vision and mission. This leadership brand throu...
  • Comval Dev’t Council holds consultation on proposed AIP 2014

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Nov. 13 -- A consultation-dialogue was held on the proposed CY 2014 Annual Investment Program (AIP) of different agencies and stakeholders to align the efforts with the directions of the current administration and ensuring that the directives of the national government have been complied with. The Provincial Development Council chaired by Gov. Arturo Uy has spearheaded a special meeting for such purpose last November 6 at the capitol with the Regional Development ...
  • Davao del Norte Ugmad Komunidad moving forward with livelihood project

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 13 (PIA) -- The livelihood component of the Ugmad Komunidad program of the province of Davao del Norte is moving a step forward after undergoing a series of trainings for the past year. Beneficiaries now ready for actual production. “We are now guiding them through the actual production of their respective products with the support of course of their coaches and mentors,” Davao del Norte Livelihood Management Development Division (LMDD) officer-in-charge Gloria Pamugas said...
  • Army renews support to agricultural production in Davao Oriental

    BAGANGA, Davao Oriental, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- The military has affirmed its support to the establishment of the Cateel Agricultural Production Center in Barangay San Alfonso. Lt. Colonel Krishna Murti Mortela, commanding officer of the 67th Infantry Battalion said making the CAPC operational manifests the commitment of the soldiers to peace where members of the military contingent strengthen partnership with the farmers. “The soldiers of the 67th IB will be the solid partners of the farmers,” ...
  • 300 MW Aboitiz coal plant construction in full swing

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 12 (PIA)-The construction of the P25-billion, 300-MegaWatt (MW) coal-fired power plant owned by Aboitiz Power Corporation located at the boundary of Davao City and Davao del Sur is in full swing and is expected to start operating by 2015. “The plant will be able to meet a substantial part of the power requirements of Mindanao which is expected to have a shortfall of 484 MW by 2014,” Aboitiz Power Mindanao Affairs First Vice President Manuel Orig said. Aboitiz had the chance ...
  • Mayor approves guidelines for IPs on Christmas visit

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 12, (PIA) Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has approved the guidelines for the indigenous peoples who are expected to visit the city for the holidays. The policy which will take effect from December 3 to the 23rd assures the accommodation, peace and order maintenance, personal hygiene and sanitation, use of toilet, bathrooms and cooking areas, proper waste disposal, proper behavior and information and education activities for indigenous peoples while they are in the city. She said sh...
  • DavNor athletes win 47 medals in Batang Pinoy 2012

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 12 (PIA)-Team Davao del Norte won a total of 47 medals in seven sports events during the recently concluded Mindanao leg of the Batang Pinoy 2012 Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission (POC-PSC) which kicked off in Dapitan City last November 7, 2012. Davao del Norte Provincial Government Sports Division Coordinator Giovanni Gulanes said the team got a total of 16 golds during the presentation of all the athletes who participated and won in the Batang Pinoy 201...
  • Dad urges orderly visit of IPs this Christmas

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA)- A city councilor urged members of the indigenous peoples not to come to the city in droves so that they can be accommodated properly by well-wishers and the local government. Councilor Berino Mambo-o, head of the city committee on the indigenous peoples suggested that children and pregnant women must be left behind in their respective communities so that someone can watch over their dwelling. He said that in the past, those who all together left their dwelling in th...
  • More aggressive anti-drug effort pushed in Davao del Norte

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 12 (PIA) -- The provincial government has pushed for a more aggressive stance in the fight against drug addiction as the Provincial Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Board (PDAPRB) started the one-week Anti-Drug Abuse Prevention Week Monday. “Drug addiction is a very dangerous problem but we are trying our best to prevent it and make people aware of the menace,” Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said. There is no leniency for this crime, he added. He said there are milli...
  • DavNor solon pushes for a stem cell facility in Mindanao

    TAGUM CITY Nov. 9 (PIA)-Davao del Norte District 1 Representative Antonio del Rosario is pushing for the establishment of a stem cell research and storage facility in Mindanao through House Bill 5037. “The Science and Technology Committee has already approved the Bill but is now pending with the Technical Working Group as Congressman Jules Ledesma wants to make sure the law is complete before it comes out of the Committee,” del Rosario said. He said they are asking the inputs of concerned ...
  • Feature: Familiarizing Liboganon River

    Seldom do we hear reports about Davao del Norte flooding that reaches the national highway, the way it happened in the 1980s or in 1990s. Despite such a lull, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) has not let its guard down against possible floods. Last week of October, the Reduce the Risk (RDR) Rescue Teams of PDRRMO took some members of the Davao del Norte media to a familiarization tour of Liboganon River, considered as one of the river basins in Mindanao. It wa...
  • DCPO chief urges heightened vigilance

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 9 (PIA)- The Davao City Police Office is urging the public to be more vigilant and be on alert in the onset of the coming yuletide season which will see a hike in criminal activities. Police Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, DCPO chief said that one of the criminal activities they are now encountering is the proliferation of counterfeit money. Dela Rosa said they are sure that that the circulation of counterfeit bills will increase with the coming season particularly si...
  • DavNor team advances in Batang Pinoy Games

    DAPITAN CITY, Nov. 9 -- The Davao del Norte contingent easily pulled off 14 medals when the action shifted to high gear on the second day of the Batang Pinoy 2012 Mindanao Qualifying Leg, here. The morning drizzle on Thursday never dampened the spirit of the DavNor athletes, who eventually clinched five gold, five silver and four bronze medals as another golden day closes at the week-long qualifier games participated by 45 local government units in the island. Kimberly Dangli came out on to...
  • Cebuano news: DavSur provincial LGU gi-renovate ang daycare center sa Bansalan

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Nov. 9 (PIA) -- Gitunol bag-o lang sa panggamhanang probinsyal sa Davao del Sur ang usa ka Daycare Center nga gi-renovate alang sa mas comportableng pagtulun-an sa mga magtutungha sa Barangay Alegre, Bansalan, niining probinsya. Ang pag renovate sa Daycare Center nga nagkantidad og P300,000 gikalipay sa mga molupyo ug sa panggamhanang barangay nga gipanguluhan ni Brgy. Captain Reynante Cagape. Sa pakigpulong ni Governor Douglas Cagas atol sa turn-over ug blessing ce...
  • Police and military authorities ready to file murder charges against the New People's Army for the ambush of four soldiers

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 9 (PIA) -- The police and military have joined forces to expedite the investigation and filing of cases against the perpetrators involved in the ambush that killed four soldiers in Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District on November 4. Superintendent Johnson Almazan, chief of the Investigation and Detection Management Service of the Davao City Police Office said their operatives are working closely with the soldiers in filing murder charges against the rebels as he underscored the...
  • RDRRMC maps out efficient disaster management plan

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 8 (PIA) - Members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management (RDRRMC) in Davao Region are mapping out plans to effectively mitigate, prevent and respond to natural and man-made calamities in a three-day session at the Apo View Hotel. Liza Mazo, director of the Office of Civil Defense said the activity participated in by more than 39 partner government agencies revolves on the discussions on prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response anchored on ...
  • Panabo City government workers to receive up to P15T Xmas bonus

    PANABO CITY- It’s still over a month before Christmas Day but the local government employees of Panabo City can rejoice early as Mayor Jose Silvosa, Sr. has announced that they would be getting a substantial Christmas bonus. “The regular employees will get P10,000 to P15,000 while those under job orders will get P2,000 for Christmas,” Silvosa said. Silvosa said the giving of Christmas bonuses for the city employees has almost become a tradition, and the city will continue to give it for ...
  • International cocoa convention slated in Davao

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 8 (PIA)- The first international convention to gather stakeholders in the cocoa industry dubbed as Kakao Konek will be held in Davao City this November 21 to 23. With events to be held in Apo View Hotel and Abreeza Mall, it will be graced by about 300 to 400 delegates. According to Wit Holganza, event organizer, the convention will revolve around five major activities; the cacao conference, cacao farm tours, Kacao Kulinarya, buyers-sellers night and the Sikwatehan sa Barrio (ne...
  • Samal Boy Scout bags general championship in prov'l jamborette

    ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, Nov. 08 (PIA): Boy Scout of the Philippines-Island Garden City of Samal(BSP-IGaCoS)contingent was awarded as the General Champion in all scout sections in the recently concluded 27th Council BSP Jamborette/Kab-o-Rama held at Cambanogoy Central Elementary School, Asuncion, Davao del Norte last October 27 – 30, 2012. IGaCoS City Mayor Aniano P. Antalan, without second thoughts during the Local School Board Meeting prior the said jamborette, approved the additional b...
  • DavNOr Girl Scout Council grabs grand slam national awards

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 08 (PIA) - The Davao del Norte Girl Scout Council this year has been named as the grand slam winner of national awards. The said council has been recognized nationally as the Outstanding Girl Scout Council outsmarting 98 other Girl Scout councils in the entire country for two consecutive years. Along with the highest recognition for the Girl Scout Council category, Council President Providencia P. Nunez and Council Executive Leah Joy D. Gonzaga also re...
  • Davao cops told to intensify campaign against all forms of criminality

    Davao City, Nov 7 (PIA) - Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome ordered the Police Regional Office XI to intensify all efforts against all forms of criminality. He issued the order during an executive meeting with all police officers in Davao Region following the awarding of the best security agency in the country to the Dasia Security and Investigative Agency at the Royal Mandaya Hotel Tuesday night. Bartolome said he wants the police to take note of areas where there are intense politica...
  • Panabo’s 40 bgys to be equipped with mini-ambulances

    PANABO CITY-Each of the 40 barangays of Panabo City will soon be equipped with its own ambulance to ensure the health and well-being of the residents at all times. “We now have up to 17 ambulances donated by Congress to Panabo City,” Panabo City Mayor Jose Silvosa, Sr. said during a press conference held at the Panabo City Hall Tuesday. Soon, all the barangays of the city will have its own ambulance, he added. Silvosa said the city also has five new city-funded ambulances worth P1 million...
  • Panabo City’s P30-M Food Centrum to open by yearend

    PANABO CITY, Nov 7 (PIA) -Residents of Panabo City will have a new destination when it comes to their culinary needs by end of this year with the opening of the P30-million Food Centrum located along the highway. The Food Centrum, which is part of the Annual Investment Plan of the city for 2013, is a multipurpose building located in a one half hectare property beside the Hall of Justice. “The Centrum was constructed to accommodate the food vendors who now sell their products in a location w...
  • Army to sustain peace efforts despite soldiers death

    DAVAO CITY, Nov 7 (PIA) A top military officer declared that the soldiers will not be distracted in implementing the peace and development outreach program (PDOP) in the countryside despite losing four companions in an ambush in Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District Sunday afternoon. Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division today said that four days after the ambush, his troops remain dynamic in its effort for the PDOP in the far-flung communities. He maintained that...
  • Framework agreement to benefit Davao Investment Conference

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 7 (PIA)- The signing of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last October 15 will be of big help to the upbeat enthusiasm of businessmen in the coming Davao Investment Conference (iCon) 2012. Sebastian Angliongto Mindanao iCon Chairman said that the framework agreement will be of big help in erasing the negative perceptions about the region. He said that Davao particularly in the past 15-20 years has not been in the news...
  • TESDA cites DavSur as outstanding partner in bringing skills training program

    DIGOS CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- The provincial government here was recently conferred the 2012 Regional Kabalikat Award for Local Government Unit (LGU) Category for being an outstanding partner of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in improving the middle level manpower. Davao del Sur provincial information officer Nilda S. Aniñon said TESDA bestowed the award to the provincial LGU particularly for establishing the Mobile Training Van-Alay Para sa Barangay program that ...
  • CSC-XI calls on support for Contact Center ng Bayan

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has enjoined all government agencies in the region to support the Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB) project. CCB is an information and communication technology-based tool that gathers complaints on government frontline services. In CSC Regional Memorandum Circular No. 004 Series of 2012, CSC-XI Regional Director Annabelle B. Rosell has asked this support from all heads of the national government agencies, government-owned and controll...
  • Davao City dad condemns Paquibato ambush

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- A city councilor strongly condemned the ambush allegedly perpetrated by communist rebels which killed four soldiers in Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District last Sunday afternoon. Speaking at the privilege hour during the regular session of the city council, Councilor Karlo Bello, chair of the committee of human rights expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of the soldiers and condemned the incident. He said the soldiers were servants of the Filipino peo...
  • Comval Gov. Uy launches Gawad Parangal, delivers State of Children’s Report

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Nov. 6 -- The provincial government launched on October 25 the Governor’s Award which gives recognition to LGUs, individuals, and organizations who exemplify good governance in different fields of endeavor and who have raised the image of the province. “The award is conceptualized since I am well aware that there are people who have contributed much for Comval. I believe this can be a powerful stamp of distinction where more will be inspired to achieve sim...
  • CSC DavSur hopes province to produce outstanding civil servants

    DIGOS CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission field office here is hoping to discover potential awardees in the province for the yearly search for outstanding officials and employees in the government service, after recently launching the CSC Honor Awards Program (HAP). Richard Ortiz, CSC Davao del Sur field office director, called on government workers in the province to nominate public servants with exemplary work performance, integrity and probity, or heroism act to be recognized ...
  • NGO opposes United Nations' call to legalize prostitution

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) --A non-government organization working for the welfare of women and children in prostitution here expressed opposition to the United Nations call to legalize the flesh trade worldwide in order to prevent the spread of human-immuno virus (HIV). Jeanette Ampog, executive director of Talikala said the best way to stop the spread of the disease is to take women and children out of prostitution. She said women and children are at risk of infectious diseases because they ...
  • Banay-banay rice farmers go techie

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) -- Rice farmers used to recall instructions of their forefathers when solving problems on rice farming. That however is no longer the practice of farmers in the municipality of Banay-banay in Davao Oriental. They now access the internet, search the web for information and talk to experts either via videoconferencing or short messaging system (SMS). Their modern way of solving rice farming problems has made the Farmers’ Information Technology Services (FITS)...
  • Filmmaker creates trilogy of HIV, AIDS films

    DAVAO CITY Nov. 6 (PIA) -- A locally-made full-length film that tells the implications of promiscuous behaviour and HIV (Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus) infection is ready and set for nationwide release. Positive (Silhouettes of the Light) is the third independent film from 28-year old Malalag-born filmmaker Arthur Warren Zata. In 2011 he created two short films Positive 1 (Primitive) which deals with stigma and discrimination of an HIV- afflicted individual and Positive 2 (Perspective) which ...
  • Pasalubong Center making Davao del Norte products accessible

    TAGUM CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) -- Gina Floren, wife of a fisherman in Panabo City, used to pray that her husband get a good catch for the day to make ends meet. Today, she still prays for a good catch not only for her husband but for the husbands of 18 other members of Cagangohan Women’s Association (CWA) who have fish to catch and for them to bottle. “Mga asawa mi sa mga fishermen na nag training sa fish processing unya kami na karon ang naga debone ug naga process sa bangus (We are a group o...
  • Mindanao Banana Congress to hold biz-matching activities

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 6 -- To augur influx of investments into the region, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is spearheading the conduct of business-matching activities during the Mindanao Banana Congress here on November 7 and 8. The two-day conference is a gathering of at least 500 banana industry stakeholders from all over Mindanao which will be conducted at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier here. DTI-Davao Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said that in the business-matching,...
  • Two Army brigades get new commanders

    CAMP MANUEL YAN, MAWAB, COMPOSTELA VALLEY Nov. 6 (PIA) --Two Infantry Brigades under the 10th Infantry Division have new commanders, according to Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division. Colonel Angelito De Leon replaces newly promoted Brigadier General Roberto Domines as head of the 1001st Infantry Brigade based in Maco, Compostela Valley while Domines assumes the post as assistant commander of the 7th Infantry Division in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. Paniza ...
  • DavSur LGU refurbishes Day Care Center

    DIGOS CITY, Nov. 6 -- Daycare pupils at Barangay Alegre in Bansalan town this province were provided with a more conducive learning environment with the renovation of their Daycare Center courtesy of the provincial government unit. Nilda S. Aniñon, Davao del Sur provincial information officer, said the newly renovated center was turned over in October this year to the Barangay Council headed by Barangay Captain Reynante Cagape. She said the local government unit of Davao del Sur province sp...
  • Mindanao Banana Congress set in Davao City on November 7-8

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 6 -- At least 500 banana industry stakeholders from all over Mindanao will gather Wednesday, November 7 - November 8 at SMX Convention Center in Davao City for the Mindanao Banana Congress. The stakeholders are composed of growers, farmers, cooperatives, suppliers of production inputs, traders, exporters, logistics players, industry associations, agrarian reform communities, research institutions, academe, other support groups and participants from government agencies and lo...
  • Army pursues rebels after deadly ambush

    CAMP MANUAL YAN, MAWAB, Compostela Valley, Nov. 6 (PIA) -- The military launched pursuit operations against members of the New People’s Army following an ambush that killed four soldiers 5:30 pm Sunday (Nov. 4) in Sitio Cinco, Brgy. Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division identified the victims as Privates First Class Ahian Vir Dolero , Marvin Lauronal, Noel Sigan whose remains are now in Villa Funeral Homes, Panabo City...
  • DavOr solon wins second Nat’l Kabalikat Award

    MATI CITY, Nov. 6 -- Second Congressional District Representative Thelma Z. Almario bags her second National Kabalikat Award as she topped 17 contenders from across the country in the Local Legislative Category of the 2012 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) National Awarding Ceremony held at TESDA Central Office, Taguig City. The national award was presented to Congresswoman Almario during the regional office’s 18th Anniversary Celebration held at the Regional Train...
  • Outgoing brigade chief hopes sustained convergence program

    STO. TOMAS, Davao del Norte, Nov. 6 (PIA) -- Newly promoted Brig. Gen. Lysander Suerte of the 1003rd Infantry “Raptor” Brigade recently turned over his post to Col. Buenaventura Pascual with high hopes that socio-civic initiatives would be sustained. Speaking during the turning over ceremony held on Oct. 31 at the 1003rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Brgy New Visayas, Sto Tomas, Suerte echoed the assurance of Provincial Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario that the provincial government will c...
  • Feature: Comval receives substantial dev't. funds

    Compostela Valley is receiving substantial funding assistance for health, agriculture and infrastructure development seen to bring people closer to government. Technical Working Team head Manolo Serafin Cayme of the Provincial Special Projects Management Committee revealed that funds are coming from the Office of Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP) and from European development assistance...
  • Gov urges DavNor entreps to push products, tourism

    TAGUM CITY -Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario is encouraging entrepreneurs in the province to take advantage of tourism growth in the region by pushing their products to the market. “There are up to ten flights in Davao City everyday so you can just imagine the number of people arriving in the city on a regular basis,” del Rosario said. Most of these people , he said, won’t stay in Davao City all the time so we have to develop our tourism and be ready when they come. He said ...
  • Davao City to define watershed areas

    Davao City, Oct. 31 (PIA) The city government will conduct a survey to define clearly the expanse of watershed areas in the city, according to Christoper Asibal, forester and deputy chief of the City Environment and Natural Resources. He told reporters that the survey is part of the implementation of the Watershed Code, a policy that protects the drinking water source of the city. The Watershed Protection, Conservation and Management Ordinance No. 0310-07of Davao City covers eight watersheds n...
  • LGU Tagum to fabricate chairs for Davao City schools

    DAVAO CITY - The Local Government of Tagum City is set to fabricate school chairs for the Department of Education (DepEd) - City Schools Division of Davao as Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy officially received four (4) container vans filled with lauan lumbers equivalent to 39,144 board feet which are originally donated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the City Government of Davao last October 24, 2012. Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte led the formal turn-over of the said lumber t...
  • Davao police beefs up security in time for All Saints day

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 31 (PIA)The Davao City Police Office has beefed up the number of members to ensure the security and safety of residents in time for the commemoration of the holidays and the long weekend. Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the Davao City Police Office, said 230 members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion will be assigned in various precincts in the city to assist the local police in maintaining peace and order in memorial parks, cemeteries and other points...
  • Presidential sister supports Panabo's quest for quality education

    PANABO CITY, October 31 - Presidential sister Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Aquino-Abellada visited Salvacion Elementary School to witness and spearhead the turn over of the newly pre-school classroom with library on October 23, 2012 at Salvacion Elementary School. Aquino-Abellada serves as the chairperson of Aklat, Gabay, Aruga, tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization engaged in the construction and development of fully furnished pre-school classro...
  • IGaCoS bus accident victims identified

    ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, Oct. 31 (PIA): The City Information Office of the Island Garden City of Samal has identified persons dead and wounded in a bus accident that occurred at yesterday (Oct. 30) 10:30 a.m. at Km. 16, Barangay Pob. Kaputian District, this city. As of 2:00 p.m yesterday, identified dead were Simforiano T. Rubio Jr. – Bus Driver; Rin Marjun Senok from Kaputian; Mary Hazel Monion from Agdao, Davao City; Milagros Cahanap from Davao City; and Alfredo Baja of Cawag, ...
  • Davao del Norte on red alert for Undas

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 31 -- The Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office (DNPPO) has placed the whole province under red alert from October 31 to November 2 as part of its security preparation for Undas 2013. “We have established hub stations in every cemetery all over the province to ensure the safety of the people during the observance of the All Souls and All Saints Days,” DNPPO officer-in-charge Police Superintendent Jessie Estrada said. Estrada said all the hub stations are already set up ...
  • Local leaders review Framework Agreement

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 30 -- Local chief executives (LCEs) in the Davao region are now studying the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro so they can come up with a collective critique on the deal that promises genuine lasting peace in Mindanao. The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-11 on its recent regular meeting approved a resolution enjoining all the governors and mayors in the region to make their comments on the framework, together with their respective legal officers. The opinions of t...
  • Comelec admits it is powerless over premature campaigning

    TAGUM CITY Oct. 24 -- Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code may have prohibited campaigning prior to the campaign period but this provision lacks teeth and is not enough for the Comelec to stand on when it comes to premature campaigning. “Our hands are tied when it comes to premature campaigning but candidates who have already filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) but who have their images displayed on large tarpolines, billboards and other campaign materials should be warned that it ...
  • Tagum’s efforts on anti-squatting recognized

    TAGUM CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- The National Drive Against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates (NDAPSSS) has recognized the initiatives of the Tagum City against professional squatters and squatting syndicates as a best practice worthy to be emulated by local government units nationwide. Vice President Jejomar C. Binay led the awarding ceremony held at SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia on October 8. The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, which Binay heads as its s...
  • PPOC chair bent on maintaining violent-free elections in Davao del Norte

    TAGUM CITY, Oct 30 -- The province of Davao del Norte has its own issues to contend with but one of the most important concerns facing the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) is the maintenance of a violent-free election. “We have peace issues that must be discussed, resolved and sustained but one of the more imperative issues that we should strengthen now that the election is near is to maintain violent-free elections in Davao del Norte,” PPOC chairperson Governor Rodolfo del Rosario...
  • RPOC-11 to assess programs, projects in conflict areas

    TAGUM CITY, Oct 30 -- The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-11 will look into and assess the impact of numerous government programs and projects implemented in conflict-affected areas in the Davao region. Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario, RPOC-11 chair, said the council is setting up a mechanism to determine whether the interventions being poured into the conflict-prone communities are attaining their desired impact. The governor has pushed for the evaluation of the projects after notin...
  • Increase in Community e-Centers seen

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- Community e-centers (CeCs) will continue to grow in number nationwide as the National Computer Center (NCC) continues to push its way to “unserved and underserved areas” even at the barangay level. In an interview, NCC Director for Field Operations and Philippine Community e-Center Program Manager Cheryl Ortega revealed that the new PCeC roadmap considers installing CeC for self-reliant barangays. However, she explained that this would be done through clust...
  • Probe results on armed clash to be released this week

    CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, Oct 30 (PIA) -- A military officer revealed that the result of the investigation of the encounter between members of the 27th Infantry Battalion and a group of armed men might be out this week. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the unit pursued the investigation to come up with findings immediately. The encountered happened in Sitio Aliong, Barangay Kimlawis, Kiblawan last October 22,...
  • Army will not condone violations of ROE

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- The Armed Forces will not condone any acts of violations by its soldiers particularly in rules-of-engagement (ROE). This as the army has recalled its soldiers involved in the deadly October 18 clash in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur. The clash killed three civilians, a woman and two of her teenage sons when soldiers under the Bravo Company of the 27th Infantry Battalion raided a village in Kiblawan Town in Davao del Sur following reports of the presence of an armed group l...
  • Davao del Norte Sports Complex expected to be completed by Nov. 30

    TAGUM CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- The P242.8-million Provincial Sports Complex is expected to be completed by contractor Young Builders Corporation (YBC) on November 30. This is barely a year after Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and YBC President Gilbert Yu signed the design and build contract on October 13, 2011. “The contractor experienced a negative slippage during the early part of 2012 due to flooding in the province but they are positive they will be able to meet the November 30 deadline set b...
  • Comelec bares calendar of activities, reminds last day of reg.

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Oct. 30 (PIA) -- The Commission on Election (Comelec) has disclosed its calendar of activities after the five-day filing of Certificates of Candidacies for all elective positions set from Oct. 1 to 5 this year. Comelec lines up the calendar of activities in Resolution 9385 (issued on April 3, 2012) which also sets the periods to effect prohibitions in connection with the May 13, 2013 national and local elections. As October is about to end, Comelec reminds t...
  • Peace and dev't teams to avoid using brgy halls as temp base

    CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, Oct 30 (PIA) -- A top military commander has ordered peace and development teams (PDT) in the countryside to avoid using government buildings as temporary base while conducting reaching out activities. Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division issued the policy in lieu of the attack on soldiers stationed in a barangay hall in Barangay Calabcab, Maco, Compostela Valley noon of October 21 which left seven soldiers and two civilians wounded an...
  • 'Pangayaw' an unlikely scenario - officials

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 30 -- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have cautioned people from labelling even the simplest conflicts involving indigenous people as “pangayaw” or tribal war. “People should be very careful when using this term because it is very seldom for pangayaw to happen among the lumads,” General Lysandro A. Suerte, Commander of the 1003rd Brigade said. Suerte said quarrels or misunderstandings between two families ar...
  • Military to explore peace possibilities in Talaingod town

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Oct 30 (PIA) -- A military officer sees the Ata-Manobo populated town of Talaingod as the last frontier to push the Peace and Development Program (PDOP) in Davao del Norte. In the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting in Davao del Norte, General Lysander Suerte of the 10th Infantry Division said the number of peace and development teams (PDTs) should be considered before entering Talaingod, the farthest town in Davao del Norte that borders with th...
  • MinDA officials hope power projects to be on track by 2014

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- Mindanao officials are hoping that committed power projects will be on schedule by 2014 to meet projected growth in power consumption in the region. Romeo Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) communications division chief, said that the island’s power consumption is growing 4.5 percent every year. He said the government is targeting an additional 1,000 megawatts of power by 2020 to meet the demand. He said that by 2014 they are eyeing about 600 meg...
  • MinDA bares options to improve power situation in Mindanao

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) -- An official of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) disclosed plans for Mindanao to cope with the increasing demand of electricity in many urban areas by activating other sources of electricity. Romeo Montenegro, chief of the communications division of the MinDA said after the preventive maintenance of the Iligan City diesel power plant in the next six months, it can deliver 100 megawatts to the Mindanao grid. He said that by April 2013, power supply from th...
  • Tagum Coop reap national awards

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Oct. 29 (PIA) -- Home-grown Tagum cooperative emerged this year as the “Most Outstanding Large Cooperative”. Its chairperson, Norma Pereyras was also adjudged as the “Most Outstanding Cooperative Leader.” The awards were part of the Gawad Parangal Search for Most Outstandign Cooperatives, Coop Leaders and Cooperative Development Office in the local government units (LGU) that the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) stages annually since last year. T...
  • DavNor crime volume down from last year

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- Decreased crime cases is always good news. In Davao del Norte, compared with last year’s third quarter report to this year, total crime volume in the province is down by 4.8 percent. The number of crimes from July to September this year was 379 which is more than four percent lower as against the recorded number in the same months last year, according to the report of the provincial police office to the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) during the third...
  • Timberland folks hail convergence caravan

    TAGUM CITY, Davao Del Norte, Oct. 26 -- Residents of a timberland community in New Corella town greeted warmly the convergence outreach of the province that brought a huge array of government services to the area. Cecilia Cabuga, 65, was overwhelmed by the many services received by throngs of people flocking to the one-stop caravan of services of the Davao del Norte Convergence for Peace and Development mission in Barangay El Salvador. “Dili ko makatuo nga ing-ani kadaghan ang gidala ni G...
  • DavNor Guv assures Confed’s role in peace deal

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 25 -- The Confederation of Local Chief Executives in Mindanao (Confed) will play a vital role in the framework peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Confed Chair Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has asked him to help ensure the success of the GPH-MILF framework agreement. The concurrent chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-XI said...
  • Army urged to relocate away from communities

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- Two city councilors renewed calls to keep the shelter of soldiers away from the houses of residents particularly in Barangay Pandaitan, Paquibato district to ensure the safety of civilians in the event rebels launch attacks. Speaking at the regular session of the city council Tuesday, Councilor Jimmy Dureza said soldiers must consider the safety of civilians in setting up camps within the community. He said military base must locate themselves away from the populat...
  • DavNor school officials urged to relay class disruption due to conflict

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- The governor of the province on Tuesday advised school administrators to immediately inform local officials about cases of local conflict affecting school children. Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario made his call in the Peace and Order Council (PPOC) during which Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Superintendent Josephine Fadul revealed that public schools in Barangay Gupitan, Kapatagan and Barobo in Kapalong, Davao del Norte recently suspen...
  • Framework Agreement confirms common effort for peace- RPOC

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Oct. 25 -- The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro is a confirmation of a nationwide effort to seek lasting peace, said Region XI's Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chairperson. Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario of Davao del Norte and chairperson of RPOC said during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting Tuesday such effort to work for peace has been reverberating even at the regional and provincial level. He added the framework...
  • Davao del Norte sets disaster protocol for media

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 24 -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) has established a protocol or system that should be observed by members of the media for their safety and proper dissemination of information in times of disasters. “It is important for media practitioners to check in or register with the Operation Center not only for them to be able to get the information they want but also for their own safety,” PDRRMC Special Operations Officer Sonio J. Sanchez sai...
  • Peace, dev't efforts in Comval brgy to continue despite attack

    CAMP MANUEL YAN, Mawab, Compostela Valley, Oct 24 (PIA) -- The military has tightened the security in Brgy. Calabcab, Maco, Compostela Valley after the attack of some 60 members of the New People’s Army (NPA). The clash happened Sunday at 11:45 a.m., which left two rebels dead and nine persons, comprising seven soldiers and two residents, wounded. Lieutenant Col. Jerry Borja, commander of the 71st Infantry Battalion, said the peace and development effort of government will continue as additi...
  • Rabies-free Samal City eyed by 2015

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Oct 24 (PIA) -- The local government of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) is preparing for the declaration of the city as rabies-free by 2015, five years earlier than the national target of 2020. “Samal would have been declared rabies-free as early as two years ago if not for the single rabies case which was inadvertently attributed to the city,” Dr. Renato Embate, Provincial Veterinarian Office chief, said. The rabies case came from Davao del Sur and b...
  • AFP cites role of reservists in disaster management

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 23 (PIA) -- A military offical yesterday said reservists plan an important role in disaster management especially in the province of Davao del Norte and Davao City. “The reservists are trained and organized so they are easy to mobilize whenever there is a disaster,” General Lysander A. Suerte, Commander of the 1003d Brigade, said during the Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting held in Tagum City. This has already been proven in previous disasters in Davao City and in ...
  • 2 rebels killed in encounter with gov't troops

    CAMP MANUEL YAN, Mawab, Compostela Valley, Oct 23 (PIA) -- Two rebels were killed while eight others including seven soldiers and one civilian were wounded following an encounter between rebels and government troops in Barangay Calabcab, Maco, Compostela Valley noon of October 21. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division identified the wounded soldiers as Sgt. Marlon Parong, Corporal Romualdo Tangonan, Privates First Class Erwin Manabat, Jaypee Sionillo, Carmelo Cac...
  • DA-11 to investigate chicken deaths in island

    TAGUM CITY, Oct 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture Livestock Division is set to conduct an investigation into the death of at least a thousand chickens dumped along the shores of barangays Camudmud and Balet in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) Sunday. “Dr. Edunel Sala of the Samal Veterinarian Office has already coordinated with DA's Livestock Division and Dr. Mercado will go to the area today to investigate the incident,” Davao del Norte Provincial Veterinarian Office Head D...
  • Mati City fest to recognize gay community

    MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, Oct 22 (PIA) -- The gay community in Mati City, Davao Oriental will have a grand time in this year’s 12th Sambuokan Festival, which will simultaneously be held with the 109th founding anniversary of Mati. City Mayor Michelle Rabat allowed the Mati City gay community who bonded themselves into a group called “Pink Society,” to hold an event dubbed, “Pagkamalipayon, Ipadayon (Let’s continue the happiness),” City Information Officer Juvy Tanio said. Slated o...
  • Comelec sees more vigorous Davao Oriental elections

    MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, Oct 22(PIA) -- Winning the 2013 elections in Davao Oriental will be a vigorous pursuit as most candidates are running with rivals except for five who will be running unopposed. Data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Davao Oriental Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor showed that only top the offices in the municipality of Boston and in the province are left without rivalry. Among those uncontested are the provincial governor’s seat which only incum...
  • DTI to intensify monitoring of Xmas light products

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is asking consumers to be more vigilant on the products they see and buy in the market even as it vowed to intensify the monitoring of Christmas lights and decorations starting November this year. “We have started monitoring the stores as early as October but our monitoring will be more intensified by November onwards as this is the time when Christmas decorations are in high demand,” DTI 11 director Marizon S. Loreto ...
  • Davao City to participate in the Eidul Adha feast on Oct. 26

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 22 (PIA)-The city government will participate in the beef sharing tradition which is in line with the Feast of Sacrifice or Eidul Adha of the Islamic faith, according to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. She told reporters that the beef-sharing will be in partnership with the Integrated Center for Alternative Developments (ICAD) Foundation which allotted funds for 50 cows to be slaughtered and distributed on participating barangays during the occasion. Duterte-Carpio said the city...
  • DavNor Guv cites role of spirituality in people dev’t.

    TAGUM CITY Oct. 22 (PIA) -- The separation of the Church and State may be a time-honored principle but in the province of Davao del Norte, spirituality is an important ingredient in fulfilling the roles played by the provincial employees and the provincial government. “When I committed myself to leadership in government, I also committed to support programs that will enhance the spiritual aspects of the people,” Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said yesterday during the regular ...
  • Army to probe deadly clash which killed 3 civilians

    CAMP MANUEL YAN, Mawab, Compostela Valley, Oct 20 (PIA) -- A top military officer ordered the immediate creation of a board of inquiry (BOI) to look into the circumstances in the encounter between members 27th Infantry Battalion and a group of heavily armed men at 6 a.m. on October 18, in Purok Uno, Sitio Aliong, Barangay Kimlawis, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur. The clash left three civilians dead and one wounded. The BOI must look into the possible violation in the rules of engagement by the soldie...
  • Builders urged to veer away from substandard materials

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 20 (PIA) -- Builders and contractors have important roles to play in ensuring the safety of the public so they should be critical when choosing the products they use. “The use of substandard and uncertified construction products can affect your reputation so make sure you only choose those that have been certified in terms of quality and safety,” Philippine Product Safety and Quality Foundation Inc. (PPSQF) representative Alex Yanson said on Thursday during the Consumer Fair...
  • Banana’s nutrition value highlighted in slogan contest

    TAGUM CITY Oct. 19 (PIA) -- “Saging: sa bawat kagat, sustansya ang katapat” goes the slogan that won for high student Clark Marvin Tan of the Tagum National Trade School in Davao del Norte, the first prize in the recently concluded Regionwide Banana Slogan Contest. “The contest is a side event of the First Mindanao Banana Congress (scheduled in the city from November 7-9 this year) and is aimed at promoting the nutritional benefits of banana,” Department of Trade and Industry XI Regiona...
  • DC Police dismantle carnapping group

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 19 (PIA) -- Davao police has dismantled a carnapping group that had been pestering the city since November 2011, following the arrest of its four members. Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the Davao City Police Office, said the members were captured in separate operations beginning October 15. He said a suspect apprehended Monday while riding a stolen gray Toyota Innova in Tandag City told the whereabouts of his three other cohorts in Davao City. The ve...
  • Davao City gov’t workers assured of up to 15,000 X'mas bonus

    DAVAO CITY Oct. 18 (PIA) -- Christmas will come early for employees of the Davao City government with the early release this November of the remaining portions of their 13th month pay, half of which was already released last June. “We will start to release the 13th month pay of the local government employees by November,” Assistant City Administrator/Human Resource Management Office Department head Edwin Alparaque said yesterday. Alparaque also assured the employees that they will be given...
  • Davao City all set for Oplan Kaluluwa; deploys 154 personnel

    DAVAO CITY Oct. 18, (PIA) -- The Davao City Traffic Management Center (TMC) is all set for the observance of this year’s All Saints and All Souls Day on November 1 and 2. “We have deployed a total of 154 personnel to the various cemeteries and nearby the vicinity for this year’s Oplan Kaluluwa,” Senior. Inspector Manuel Espaňola of TMC said yesterday during the regular iSpeak Program at City Hall. Espaňola said TMC has a total of 370 personnel which they hope to utilize to ensure tha...
  • Implementation of international population and development program in Mindanao review slated

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 18 (PIA) -– The Commission on Population in the region will be spearheading today Oct. 18, in the city a review on the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Mindanao. Popcom regional director Maduh Damsani said the review will be done in a Consultation Workshop for Mindanao at Grand Menseng Hotel in Davao City, aiming to gather regional and local inputs on the gains and accomplishments of the ICPD agenda. Damsani explained tha...
  • MSMEs still vital in investments growth in Davao del Norte

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 18 --The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises still play a vital role in generating investments in the country in Davao del Norte where 44 percent of the total investments generated from July to September this year was contributed by newly-registered MSMEs. “Up to P101.765 million of the P233.35 million total investments generated during the third quarter of 2012 was contributed by the MSME sector,” Department of Trade and industry Davao del Norte Field Office acting provinc...
  • City Mayor lauds police for crackdown buak-kotse gang

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 18 (PIA) -- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio lauded the Davao City Police Office for the disbandment of a robbery group allegedly responsible for breaking in on private cars in the city. She said with this development, the police can now focus in solving other criminal incidents that happened in the city recently. Duterte-Carpio urged the police to continue working to ensure that the city residents and visitors are safe. “We congratulate our police for exerting more effo...
  • Tagum co-op tops list of Phl co-ops

    TAGUM CITY, Oct 17 (PIA) -- The Tagum Cooperative topped the list of the Top 20 cooperatives in Southern Mindanao in terms of net surplus and was also chosen as the country’s most outstanding large cooperative during the 11th Cooperative Summit held in Cagayan de Oro City last week. Next are the Sta. Ana Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Davao City with a net surplus of P24.97 million and the Agdao Multi-Purpose Cooperative with a net surplus of P22.34 million. “The cooperative was previously c...
  • Water pumping stations to be constructed in LGU Tagum-owned lands

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Oct. 17 -- The Local Government of Tagum City has renewed ties with its staunch ally in environmental conservation—the Tagum Water District (TWD) to provide safe and potable water for the constituents of the city. City Councilor De Carlo “Oyo” Uy, who represented City Mayor Rey Uy, led the signing of the memorandum of agreement last October 8, 2012 with TWD under the leadership of its new general manager, Nelly M. Gentugaya. The MOA signing formalized the do...
  • News Feature: Reaping the fruits of DavNor convergence

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Oct. 17 (PIA) -- The provincial government’s Convergence for Peace and Development in partnership with the 1003rd Brigade of the Philippine Army has generated positive results and is starting to reap the fruits of its service in its one year of implementation. In a report, the caravan of services locally known as “ The Convergence” has served 29,617 beneficiaries with a total cost of P7.9 million as of September this year. The Convergence combines the ...
  • DOST-11 exec affirms depleting fish catch in Davao Gulf

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 16 (PIA) -- An official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-11) confirmed research findings that there is a general depletion of fishery resources in ten locations surrounding Davao Gulf from 2000 to 2010. DOST-11 regional director Dr. Anthony Sales said the depleting fish catch can be attributed to factors like water pollution, destroyed fishing habitat, diminishing sea grass, conversion of mangrove planting areas to recreational resorts and poor fishing practi...
  • LGUs urged to adopt DOST nutrition program

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 16 (PIA) -- An official of the National Nutrition Council in the region has mulled over introducing to the local government chief executives the nutrition interventions developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to address malnutrition among children. NNC-XI Regional Head Ma. Theresa Ungson has expressed a plan to set a forum with the LGUs to bring up DOST Pinoy, a package of nutrition intervention strategy to reduce the prevalence of underweight among six to 3...
  • Gov’t has enough resources to cater to rebel returnees – Army

    CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, Oct 15 (PIA) -- Government has enough resources to cater to the needs of rebels who return to the folds of the law. Colonel Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade issued this statement following the surrender of a former leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) to the local government of Mati City, Davao Oriental Thursday. Ricardo Lucnod ended his involvement with the NPA in August 2012 and decided to surrender to Mayor Michelle Rabat of Mati Ci...
  • Islamic Institute supports peace agreement

    DAVAO CITY Oct. 15 (PIA) -- The Al Qalam Institute of Ateneo de Davao University has declared its support for the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in Malacanang today by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “It is well crafted but we just want to be sure that all voices of the people will be heard as we cannot allow the same mistake that happened before during the GRP - MNLF peace talks,” Al Qalam Institute of Ateneo de Davao Uni...
  • DTI DavNor issues 3,000 ICC helmet stickers

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 15 -- The Provincial Office of the Department of Trade and Industry XI in Davao del Norte has issued a total of 3,392 Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers in the area since August 6, 2012. This covers Tagum City, Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella and Dujali. “This includes the 709 ICC stickers we have issued to the residents of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCos) last October 8,” Provincial Trade and Industry Development Analyst Delvin Santos said. DTI brought the...
  • Residents discouraged from joining new co-ops during election season

    TAGUM CITY, Oct 15 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte may be gearing itself up as the center of cooperativism in the region but the residents have been warned against joining newly-formed cooperatives especially during the election season. “We encourage people to join cooperatives that are already strong instead of joining new ones that may have been formed only for purposes of solicitation during the election period and which will quickly disappear after the election,” Humber Cabunoc, supervising co...
  • Police deploys motor-riding cops to run after criminals

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Oct. 12 (PIA) – The Davao del Norte Police Office (DDNO) has deployed motor riding cops to counter emergence of motor riding criminals. Admitting that motor-riding criminals are indeed a problem, Davao del Norte Police Provincial Director Edgardo Wycoco said 42 police elements have been trained and equipped with motor-riding skills to match the speed of fleeing criminals riding on a single motorcycle. Some of those trained have been sent to their local police of...
  • 12 candidates run unopposed in Compostela Valley

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Oct. 12 (PIA) –--Twelve candidates in Compostela Valley will be running unopposed in the 2013 elections as revealed by the Commission on Election (COMELEC) list of candidates who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC). Spread wide across the local government levels from the provincial, congressional to the municipal, all of the candidates running without rivals are seeking for re-election come mostly from the administration’s Liberal Party umbrella. Among them are...
  • FNRI urges for double efforts to curb malnutrition

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 12 (PIA) -- The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) urged government stakeholders in the region to double their efforts in curbing chronic malnutrition, following survey results particularly showing Davao Region has high prevalence of underweight children. FNRI Senior Science Research Specialist Cynthia A. Nones reported that FNRI’s 2011 Updating of Nutritional Status of Selected Filipinos reveal that 20.2 percent or about two in every 10 Filipino children aged 0-5 ...
  • Authorities affirm positive impact of gun ban in preventing crimes in Davao City

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 12 (PIA) -- Authorities said the gun ban policy imposed twice in the city this year reduced greatly the occurrence of crime incidents during Araw ng Dabaw in March and Kadayawan Festival in August. City Public Safety Command Center Chief Magno Adalin said based on their assessment, index crimes in March and August this year marked at 283 and 125, respectively, far lower compared to the number of index crimes in the same months in 2011 and 2010. He said in the month of March ...
  • PHILJA holds capacity building on environmental laws in Davao

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 12 -- The Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) of the Supreme Court of the Philippines recently conducted the 18th Multi-Sectoral Capacity Building on Environmental Laws and Rules of the Procedures for Environmental Cases held at Marco Polo Hotel, this city. The three-day training aimed to equip participants with knowledge on basic environmental laws, rules, regulations, administrative processes and court-related rules of procedure for environmental cases. In partnership wit...
  • Barangay assembly day set on October 14

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 12 -- The Barangay Assembly Day for the 2nd semester of 2012 is set on October 14, 2012, pursuant to Proclamation No. 260 issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III on September 30 last year. Among the activities to be conducted in the assembly is the State of Barangay Address (SOBA) with emphasis on first semester accomplishments, financial report and updates on on-going programs and projects for calendar year 2012. Posting of barangay budget, statement of income and expenditu...
  • Peace talks transparent, all sectors consulted says government official

    DAVAO CITY , Oct 12 (PIA) -- A member of the government peace panel said the Moro National Liberation Front had been consulted in the crafting of the framework agreement that will serve as the roadmap for the ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Senen Bacani, member of the government peace panel issued the statement following the reaction of Nur Misuari, leader of the MNLF who said the framework agreement was illegal and will not solve the conflict in Mindanao. He said t...
  • Univ. of Mindanao, DavNor LGU tie-up soon

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 12 --The new academic institute of the provincial government of Davao del Norte is working on a possible partnership with the University of Mindanao (UM). UM Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Eugenio Guhao, Jr. visited the province to explore potential tie-up with the Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI) for the launching of flexible degree-earning trainings for undergraduate employees of the Capitol. Guhao welcomed DNLI’s proposal of enrolling its undergraduat...
  • Davao City garbage collection up

    DAVAO CITY Oct. 11 (PIA) -- Garbage collection in Davao City is up 7.5 % from 2011 figures. Engineer Joseph Felizarta City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) chief said from January to September of this year their office has recorded 411 tons of garbage being collected daily as compared to 2011 figures of 382 tons/day. Felizarta attributes the increase of garbage collected to the growth of Davao City with new malls, condominiums and subdivisions being opened and expanded. He said tha...
  • Construction bodies ink MOA for contractors’ evaluation

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 11 -- The Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) through one of its implementing boards, the Philippine Domestic Construction Board (PDCB) forged a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE-Davao Chapter) to jointly implement the Construction Performance Evaluation System (CPES) in the region. The signing took place recently during the 2012 Mindanao Construction Show and Conference. Engr. Sonia Valdeavilla, office...
  • Tagum government turns over school furnitures out of confiscated logs

    TAGUM CITY, Oct 11 (PIA) -- The local government of Tagum City has provided new school chairs to five schools in Asuncion town out of confiscated logs under its Care for School Chairs (CFSC) Program. The elementary schools that received new chairs were located in Pamacaun, New Loon, Sagayen, Concepcion and Napungas. Last October 5, 380 school chairs were sent to Sagayen Elementary School, Conception Elementary School and Napungas Elementary School. A total of three hundred seventy eight (...
  • Chairs for kids, Tagum's entry to Child-Friendly City Award

    TAGUM CITY Oct. 11 (PIA) -- Give Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy your hot logs and he will give you school chairs in return. This might as well be the battlecry of the local government ever since Executive Order No. 23, which mandated a total log ban, was issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III in February 2011. The same battlecry may finally clinch for the city the highly-coveted Child-Friendly City Award after being a consistent finalist for the past years. “We hope to finally get the Pres...
  • Army deploys PDTs in Davao del Sur

    CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, Oct. 11 (PIA) --The military has deployed more peace and development teams (PDT) in nine barangays of Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur to reach out to residents in mountainous areas. Lt. Colonel Norman Zuniega, commanding officer of the 39th Infantry Battalion, said 81 soldiers comprise the PDTs which have the responsibility to conduct consultations and asses the basic services of government needed by residents. “They are expected to reach out and assess the basic services...
  • CDA cites DavNor coop sector

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) has recognized the exemplary performance of the cooperative sector in Davao del Norte. Addressing the recently held Cooperative Month opening rites held in Sto. Tomas, CDA Regional Director Elma Oguis revealed that the sector delivered highest performance on membership, total assets and in net surplus. CDA XI data on cooperative performance showed that cooperative membership in Davao del Norte swelled at a rate of ...
  • Two-hour-power outage looms in Mindanao

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- An officer of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has announced the need to implement a two-hour power outage in most areas of Mindanao daily following the shutting down of one independent power producers since October 6 for consumers to cope with the shrinking supply of electricity. Bambi Capulong, spokesperson of the NGCP-Southern Mindanao Field Office said the shutting down of the Steag State Power Incorporated based in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental s...
  • Tagum hails agri-fishery assistance

    TAGUM CITY, Oct 10 (PIA) -- Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy extended his gratitude to two government agencies based in Region 11 for officially turning over P2.4 million that will be used to fund programs and projects initiated by this city’s local government. Regional Director Fatma Idris of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Office-11 turned over the check amounting to P1.2 million that will be used for the construction of a community-based multi-species hatchery geared towards the...
  • Davao LGU welcomes DOT support for Ad Congress 2013 bid

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio welcomed the endorsement of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. for Davao City’s bid for hosting the 23rd Advertising Congress in 2013. She said it will be more significant for the city to be the venue of the Ad Congress as it would highlight the area as a destination for conventions and meetings in the country. “We will just hope that we will get to host the Ad Congress next year,” Duterte-Carpio said as she stressed that the event...
  • Bigger infra budget for 2013

    DAVAO CITY Oct. 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways in the Region is expecting a bigger infrastructure budget for 2013. DPWH Region XI Director Mariano Alquiza said that for 2013 there will be an allocation of P7.280 billion worth of projects spread out across the different engineering districts in the region. About P4.2 billion was allocated for the region in 2012. Alquiza said the increase in the infrastructure budget is in line with President Benigno Aquino’s promise ...
  • Dav Nor Guv urges prudence from capitol offices

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 10 --The governor of Davao del Norte enjoined anew the various offices of the provincial government to keep an eye on their expenses and to avoid wasting limited resources. Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario urged the Capitol departments to pursue sound fiscal management by complying with the austerity measures and pursuing maximum effectiveness and efficiency in attaining the vision and goals of the province. “Every peso counts as we pursue our P.E.O.P.L.E. development thr...
  • Malaria-free Davao del Norte eyed by 2020

    TAGUM CITY Oct. 9 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Davao del Norte seeks to make the province free from malaria by 2020 with the help of the more than a million financial grant from the Pilipinas Shell Global Fund of the USAID for the campaign’s operations. “As of January 2012 we only had three cases of malaria but we still have to wait for the stratification of the Department of Health to determine the endemicity of the province,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Agapito Ornido said. ...
  • Mindanao’s urban poor hub to rise in Tagum

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 9 -- The City Government of Tagum will host the Urban Development Resource Center of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP). Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy led the signing of the deed of usufruct between the PCUP headed by its Chairperson, Mr. Hernani B. Panganiban last October 5, 2012 held at the DepEd Conference Hall in Apokon, this city. The establishment of the center was made possible through Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution 911, s-2012 approved by the 5t...
  • Peace constituency crucial in peace talks success

    DAVAO CITY Oct. 9 (PIA) -- A strong peace constituency is needed to ensure the success of any peace talks. Mary Ann Arnado of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus said that the recent landmark draft framework agreement forged by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines was made with the support and presence of a broad peace constituency which involved peace networks, grassroots organizations, religious, academe and business sectors. Guesting during the Kap...
  • Youth caravan vs drug abuse set in Davao

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 9 (PIA) --Youth leaders and other stakeholders will be converging today in the city for a nationwide caravan that aims to convey the ill effects of substance abuse and dependence. The National Youth Commission and the Dangerous Drugs Board will spearhead the event dubbed “Nationwide Caravan on Youth Drug Abuse Prevention and Control” to be held at Ateneo de Davao University, Jacinto St., Davao City. Bearing the theme “Intensifying youth empowerment efforts to zero-in on...
  • Davao Norte reels from 5% IRA cut

    TAGUM CITY Oct. 9 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Davao del Norte is still reeling from the 4.8 percent reduction of its internal revenue allotment (IRA) prompting the Provincial Accountant’s Office (Pacco) to implement stringent disbursement and liquidation rules. “We haven’t recovered from the IRA reduction nightmare and our financial managers are still figuring how to carry out the different programs of the province efficiently even with limited resources,” Davao del Norte Gov...
  • COMELEC DavNor reveals full list of candidates for 2013 election

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Oct. 9 (PIA) -- The Commission on Election (COMELEC) Davao del Norte provincial office has come up with the complete list of candidates who filed their certificates of candidacies (COCs) last week at the city, municipal and provincial levels. Within the five-day COC filing period from Oct. 1 to 5 last week, only incumbent Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario of Liberal Party (LP) and Norberto Mijares who registered a nickname “King Norberto”, filed for the provincial governor pos...
  • Mayor wants better conditions for IPs on holiday visit

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 9 (PIA) -- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio ordered the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) to coordinate with Councilor Berino Mambo-o, representative of the indigenous communities in the city council in crafting a plan to cater to the indigenous peoples who will visit the city for the holidays. She said the CSWDO and Councilor Mambo-o’s office will take the lead role in taking good care of the lumads who are coming to the city in December. Duterte-Carpi...
  • Confed chair supports “Bangsamoro” entity

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 9 -- The Chairman of the Confederation of all Local Chief Executives in Mindanao (Confed) expressed full support to the government’s peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), creating a new autonomous political entity called “Bangsamoro”. Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the deal ending the decades-old separatist insurgency of the MILF reflects the commitment of every Filipino to build a harmonious, stable and progressive nation. ...
  • Peace framework of GPH- MILF draws wide support

    Davao City, Oct. 8 (PIA) -- Local Davao officials and representatives of civil society organizations expressed support to the newly crafted peace-framework agreement in the talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front calling it a positive step forward to peace and stability in Mindanao. Speaking to reporters Monday, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the local government of Davao City will support to the aspirations of the people in the areas under the Bangsamoro as the gover...
  • DLPC donates computer units to San Vicente national high school

    PANABO CITY,Oct. 8 -- San Vicente National High School in Barangay San Vicente this city is a recipient of five computer units from the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC). The computer units will be used by students under the “Hello World Computer Project” of the Department of Education where high school students with computer subjects shall have the opportunity to expand their knowledge on the use of computers. “Blessed kami kay gi recommend mi ni Mayor Silvosa nga mahimong recipie...
  • Military denounces rebs for killing of ex comrade

    CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, Oct 8 (PIA) --The military chided the New People’s Army anew for their alleged links to the killing a former comrade last October 7 at the victim's house in Sitio Fairview, Brgy. Central, Mati City, Davao Oriental. Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division identified the victim as Ruperto Cadungog, farmer, married and a father of seven children. He said the victim was a former leader of the rebels and was alias Ka Toper. Paniza said Cadungo...
  • Catfish industry in Davao City fully recovers - city agri office

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 5 (PIA) -- An officer of the City Agriculture Office welcomed the full recovery of the catfish industry in Barangay Los Amigos, Davao City a few years after several fishponds in the area were destroyed due to a flash flood in 2009. City agriculturist Leonardo Avila III said the fishponds in the area have an average yield of one ton per day, more than enough for domestic consumption and supply to other markets in Mindanao. He projected a 360-ton yield in 2012, far more than the ...
  • Samal IP Bgy, City Council reps takes oath

    ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, Oct. 5 -- Barangay tribal chieftains who were chosen to be the Indigenous People (IP) representative in their respective barangay council and Datu Alfonso San Juan, IP mandatory representative to the City Council, took their oaths of office on October 2 before City Mayor Aniano P. Antalan. Antalan encouraged the IP leaders to unite and strengthen their group. He also urged them to push for resolutions in the city council that will focus on their priority plans, in...
  • Comval village chiefs strengthen solid waste management

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley Province, Oct. 4 -- Barangay Captains in the province recently converged in a Solid Waste Management (SWM) Forum, aiming to strengthen the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 in their respective barangays. Among the topics discussed are Social and Environmental Impacts of Solid Waste, Salient Features of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and the Roles of Barangay Officials in the implementation of RA 9003....
  • Kidney specialists recommend annual urinalysis to detect kidney illness

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 4 (PIA) -- Local kidney specialists have urged residents here to undergo regular medical check-up not only to ensure good health but to check if their kidneys are functioning well. Speaking in the weekly “Arena Forum on Air” over radio station DXRA, nephrologist, Dr. Ma. Theresa Bad-ang expressed alarm over the reported 15 percent increase in the number of kidney patients nationwide from 9,000 in 2011 to 10,500 as of September 2012 based on the data from the Renal Disease Co...
  • DavOr communities venture into coco materials production

    MATI CITY, Davao Oriental Oct. 4 (PIA) -- The regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry here is engaging several communities in Davao Oriental in the production of coconut-based materials. Provincial Director Belenda Ambi of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) XI in an interview said that more coco-twining communities are now being developed to meet the demands for coco-nets. Other than coco coir and coco peats, DTI has noted an increase in demand for coco-nets which are ...
  • Living heroes honored in Davao del Norte

    TAGUM CITY, Davao Del Norte Oct. 2 -- Over 300 officials and employees of the provincial government were honored for their outstanding achievements in pursuing responsive, accessible, courteous and effective public service (RACE). The ceremony was held in observance of the 112th anniversary of the Civil Service, with the theme, “Kawani, Ikaw ay Isang Lingkod Bayani,” highlights heroism in public service. Provincial Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the whole world must know that these ...
  • DavNor town intensifies investment promotion

    CARMEN, Davao del Norte, Oct. 3 (PIA) -- The local government of Carmen is intensifying its investment promotion to entice more investors to locate their businesses and pour investments into the municipality. Municipal Mayor Marcelino Perandos said the Municipal Council last year passed the Local Tax Incentives Code granting tax exemptions to investors, and that the Business Bureau of the municipal government had streamlined the processes of approving business permits. “Our business bure...
  • Credit Surety Fund pours in P30M loans to DavNor coops

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Oct. 4 (PIA) -- Member-cooperatives of the Davao del Norte Credit Surety Fund have more reasons to invest and expand their businesses after a total of P30 million have been loaned to them by the DNCSF as of August 2012. “We have grown better in the past three years with 17 cooperative-members and a total accumulated guaranteed fund of P14.7 million,” DNCSF Chairperson Celso Cubio said yesterday during the CSF’s 3rd Annual General Assembly in Tagum City. Cubio...
  • WITH COMMENT/ DA turns over P3.6M check, farm tractors to Davao del Norte

    Among those turned over by Alcala included a check amounting to P500 to the City Treasurer of Tagum City to support the city’s advocacy awareness on nutritious and alternative food program -- P500 lang talaga yan. DAVAO CITY-Davao Region’s corn industry is expected to get a boost by the Department of Agriculture's turn-over of a total of P3.6 million in checks and farm tractors to Davao del Norte during the closing ceremony of the three-day 8th National Corn Congress held at the Waterfront...
  • Busting myths key in breast cancer survival

    DAVAO CITY Oct. 3 (PIA) -- Debunking the many unfounded myths and taboos about breast screenings is the key in increasing the chances of breast cancer survival in the country which has one of the lowest survival rate among Asia-Pacific countries. Dr. Geoffrey Lei a member of the Davao Cancer Society said that in a recent study conducted in 2005, the Philippines had a 40% survival rate in breast cancer as compared to other Asia Pacific countries which ranges from 80 to 90%. Lei said the key ...
  • DA sec seeks P600M funding for EL Nino

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 3 --Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has proposed an additional funding of P600 million to prepare and minimize the effects of the El Nino phenomenon. “We need the additional funds as we brace against the El Nino phenomenon but if will not be approved then we just have to make do with what we have,” Alcala said in an interview Friday, Sept. 29 after the closing ceremony of the 8th Corn Congress held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City. The El Ni...
  • Davao Cinematheque hosts Cine Europa

    DAVAO CITY, Oct 3 (PIA) -- The Davao Cinematheque will feature a selection of films from the European Cinema during the Cine Europa 15 Film Festival starting October 4. The festival which runs until October 21 is the fourth staging of the annual program of selected European films in Davao City; however, this will be the first time it would be held at the Cinematheque which is run by the Film Development Council of the Philippines. European Union Ambassador Guy Ledoux together with Ambassador...
  • Soldiers, NGOs reach out to children with cancer

    CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, Oct 3 (PIA) -- Soldiers and non-government organizations reached out last Tuesday to children afflicted with cancer at the House of Hope at the compound of the Southern Philippines Medical Center. 1Lt. Joy Damasco-Naling, an officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, said the activity was in line with the International Children’s Day celebration. She said 17 children and 30 guardians were served with food and received treats from participating organiz...
  • DavNor’s LP, Kusog Baryohanon coalition bets file COCs

    TAGUM CITY,DAVAO DEL NORTE Oct 3 -- The governor here led the alliance of the Liberal Party (LP) and Kusog Baryohanon (KB) candidates in submitting their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2013 elections. Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario was with 1st District Congressman Anthony del Rosario, Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr and the LP slate for board members of District 1. These include Shirley Belen Aala, Lawyer Raymund Joey Millan, Antonio Lagunzad, Vicente Eliot and Robert So. T...
  • Region-XI budget director to assume Caraga office

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) -- A top official of the Department of Budget and Management in Davao Region formally bade farewell as he assumes as the new director of the DBM in Caraga Region effective on October 5 due to the retirement of the director and assistant regional director of DBM-XIII in Butuan City. Speaking during the quarterly flag-ceremony of the Association of Regional Executive Directors of National Agencies XI held at the People’s Park, Achilles Bravo, director of the Departm...
  • DILG asks police to stay neutral during polls

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 2 -- The Department of Interior and Local Government provincial office has again reminded the Philippine National Police to remain neutral during the conduct of the 2012 Elections. The filing of the Certificates of Candidacy (COC) started yesterday, October 1, 2012. However, the campaign season will start on February next year. “There is actually no problem here in the province because the police here appear to be objective when it comes to keeping their neutrality during ...
  • Mawab sets GK Partners Forum, pledges pour in

    MAWAB, Compostela Valley, Oct. 1 -- The Municipality of Mawab took the first step in making true Compostela Valley Governor Arturo T. Uy’s promise of having a Gawad Kalinga village in every municipality in the province by holding the Gawad Kalinga Partners Forum on September 28 at Miko’s Brew, Tagum City. The forum was able to generate pledges and commitment for the realization of the soon-to-be “Pagsandugan Uswag-GK Village.” Forty-one houses worth P85,000 each along with constructio...
  • DavNor eyes increase in local revenue generation

    TAGUM CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) -- The province of Davao del Norte aims to enhance its local autonomy and self-reliance through economic enterprise and the generation of sustainable local revenue. “This can become possible with the creation of the Provincial Economic Enterprise Development Office (PEEDO),” PEEDO Department Head Ma. Eliza L. Andin said during the Monday Convocation held at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan in Davao del Norte. Andin said the province is highly dependent on the IRA or Inter...
  • ComVal joins World Rabies Day Celebration, extends free dog vaccination

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley Province, Oct. 1 --The province conducted several activities in celebration of the World Rabies Day celebration held last September 28. An information, education, and communication campaign on animal and human rabies virus and massive registration and vaccination of more or less 200 dogs at Maco Municipal Gymnasium were conducted. As one of the priorities in global health, the celebration aims to raise people’s awareness on the impact of rabies and how it can ...
  • Vigilance key in combating NPA extortion-Army

    CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, October 1 (PIA) -- A military officer lauded the residents of Barangay Telafas, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat for their vigilance in alerting local authorities about the presence of rebels in the area that led to a 45-minute firefight which left two rebels dead and one member arrested, dawn of Saturday. Lt. Colonel Alexis Noel Bravo, commanding officer of the 27th Infantry Battalion said the timely information sent by the residents was enough for authorities to respond pro...
  • Hedcor's 20th plant to rise in DavSur

    STA CRUZ, Davao del Sur, Oct. 1-- Construction is ongoing for the Tudaya 2 hydroelectric power plant, Hedcor's 20th plant, providing employment for a number of residents around the site. Project Manager Rodolfo Laguna said they are taking advantage of the good weather condition, noting that the project is progressing according to schedule, according to a statement from Hedcor. It would take around 18 to 20 months for the construction of the plant to be completed, which includes structures su...
  • Army predicts peaceful 2013 elections in Davao Region

    DAVAO CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) -- A top military commander has predicted a relatively peaceful conduct of election-related activities in Davao Region up to the election day on May 13, 2013. Brig. General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Battalion said the region has no direct threat to peace and security related to election activities based on their latest monitoring. He said that though the police has been given the lead role in keeping the peace during elections, the military is prep...
  • Diabetes, hypertension services available in health districts

    DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Sept 29 (PIA) -- The Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Program, a joint undertaking of the Davao City government and Handicap International, has reduced influx of diabetes patients to the Mindanao Diabetes Center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center. The center has only been receiving diabetes patients who need tertiary care such as therapy and rehabilitation, following the implementation of the CVD program in the city since 2011, MDC Diabetes Nurse Educator Elena Z...
  • Phl workforce to face global competition on 2015

    DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Sept 29 (PIA) -- It’s fight or flight for the licensed Filipino workforce when global competition sets in by 2015 as a result of the full implementation of the (Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Economic Community (AEC). This was the challenge made by Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) Commissioner Jennifer Jardin-Manalili to the 46 PRC-regulated professions that will have to compete with the Asean workforce. The 46 professions belong the four gene...
  • DILG ups criteria for Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept 29 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has raised the standard requirements for the Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping. DILG has raised the bar higher for the Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping to be awarded next year for deserving local government units (LGUs), DILG Davao del Norte Provincial Director Alex Roldan said in an interview. Other than the basic requirements, the DILG expects LGUs to have no questionable financial transaction...
  • Zero human rights violations key in getting people support – Army

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 29 (PIA) -- Zero human rights violation has helped the soldiers in easily winning the confidence of residents in the countryside to work together in the peace and development outreach program of government. Speaking at the “Arena Forum,” a public affairs program of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies aired at radio station DXRA, Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, chief of the Public Affairs Office of the 10th Infantry Division (10th ID), cited the zero human ri...
  • Coastal barangay revitalized with projects, services

    CARMEN, Davao del Norte, Sept 29 (PIA) -- The isolated coastal barangay of Barangay Taba in Carmen, Davao del Norte is expected to come alive economically and culturally as the provincial government has poured in various projects and services in the area. Provincial Muslim Officer Emilio Quirod felt the upbeat mode of his fellow residents in Barangay Taba which he describes as laid-back with roads of potholes leading to dead-end areas that hinder free flow of goods to markets. “Walay lami an...
  • DavOr town issues EO to support LRED program

    SAN ISIDRO, Davao Oriental, Sept 28 (PIA) -- The Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED) program got support from San Isidro’s local government unit (LGU) as it bids to spur economic growth further. LRED is a process spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) by which stakeholders from both public and private sectors are mobilized to become partners in a joint effort to improve the economy of a defined sub-national territory which would increase its competitiveness. S...
  • DA calls on farmers to prepare for El Nino

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 28 (PIA) -- An officer of the Department of Agriculture urged farmers to plant ahead to cope with the impact of the El Nino phenomenon, which is projected to come in January 2013. The El Niño, which is caused by an abnormal warming of surface ocean waters in the eastern tropical Pacific, will initially cause below-normal rainfall that would later progress into drier conditions. Speaking in the initial press briefing of the 8th Corn Congress at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, As...
  • Davao Sur's top honchos benchmark Tagum's best govt practices

    CITY OF TAGUM, Davao del Norte, Sept. 28 (PIA) -- Emphasizing that this city's best government practices are indeed worth emulating, Davao del Sur Governor Douglas R. Cagas led a 37-man delegation in a one-day visit last September 25 anchored on the mission to take a glimpse of the programs and projects of the local government here. Mayor Rey T. Uy shared his administration's achievements which Cagas described as the driving force that sets the bar of excellence in local governance. Cagas, i...
  • Comprehensive feeding program seeks to address malnutrition in Tagum City

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept 28 (PIA) -- The City Nutrition Council re-launched the Supplemental Feeding Program to serve 161 severely underweight pre-school children from 23 barangays. City health Action Officer and City Councilor Joedel T. Caasi, who spearheads the supplemental feeding program, said these malnourished children were found to have poor performance at school, and were also susceptible to illnesses. Each of the undernourished children underwent laboratory test and medical c...
  • Waterfront Davao hosts media forum anew

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 27 (PIA) -- Hermes Club, a monthly gathering of the Davao media will again be hosted by Waterfront Insular Davao, 20 years after it was conceived within the confines of the prestigious hotel. Named after Hermes, the messenger of gods in Greek mythology, the Hermes Club gathers newsmakers and the local media in a Greek-inspired forum, where members of the media are considered as demi-gods in session under the guidance of Zeus and Titan. The role of Zeus is bestowed to Efren Elb...
  • Davao del Norte forum tackles FOI Bill

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept 27 (PIA) -- A forum on the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill was held on September 23 at the Bulwagan Hall of Davao del Norte to create awareness on the bill now pending in Congress. “As of 2006, over 100 countries have passed the Freedom of Information Bill and some of these FOIs do not only cover government but also private entities as well,” Mindanao Times editor-in-chief Amalia M. Bandiola said during the forum entitled, “Confidentiality and the peopl...
  • Comelec XI welcomes the creation of campaign finance unit

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 26 (PIA) -- An officer of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Davao Region welcomed the creation of the campaign finance unit in the poll body that will look into the campaign spending of all candidates in the 2013 midterm elections. Atty. Danilo Cullo, regional lawyer of Comelec 11, said Comelec Resolution 9476 is timely to ensure that the campaign expenses of political candidates comply within the parameters set by law. He said the measure will ensure the compliance of ...
  • Talikud Island residents gets P300T Negosyo-To-Go Financing

    TAGUM CITY, Sept 26 (PIA) -- The mostly fishing-dependent residents of Talikud Island in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) Davao del Norte are gearing up for the possible influx of tourists in the area with the help of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-11). The entry of tourists in the area will mean extra earning opportunity for the people provided they have the products they can sell to these tourists, said Gloria Excelsa Pamugas, Davao del Norte Technology and Livelihood De...
  • DA and corn industry players must work together-Kiko

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 26 (PIA) -- A legislator challenged corn industry stakeholders to work together in coming up with measures that will improve the quality of life of corn farmers in the country. Speaking during the opening program of the four-day 8th Corn Congress, Senator Francis Pangilinan, chair of the senate committee on agriculture and food, said all support programs of government like billions of investment in farm-to-market roads and irrigation will be meaningless to farmers if they them...
  • LTO urges motorcyclists to bring in use helmets to DTI

    DAVAO CITY Sept 26 (PIA) -- The Land Transportation Office (LTO-11) urged the motorcycling public to bring their in-use motorcycle helmets to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-11) regional office for inspection. This is in consonance with the provisions of Republic Act 10054 which is known as the "act mandating all motorcycle riders to wear the standard protective motorcycle helmets while driving and providing penalties therefore." The nationwide implementation of the law is set to beg...
  • New trends highlight Tagum electrical engineer convention

    CITY OF TAGUM, Davao del Norte, Sept 25 (PIA) -- The 16th Southern Mindanao Regional Conference of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEEP) held in the atrium of the new city hall of Tagum last September 21 highlighted the new trends and the vital role of electrical practitioners in ensuring electrical safety in the region. In his speech being the convention’s keynote speaker, Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy challenged electrical engineers in the region to stren...
  • PESO Tagum join forces with USeP, Brgy. Apokon in Job Fair 2012

    CITY OF TAGUM, Davao del Norte, Sept 25 (PIA) -- The city’s Public Employment Service Office targeted to reduce the unemployment rate of Tagum as it partnered with University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) and the Barangay Council of Apokon in a one-day job fair at the barangay gymnasium, September 20. About 500 applicants, mostly fresh graduates, came in to register and about 32 applicants were hired-on-the-spot, as reported by The Light, the official student organ of USeP.. Thursday...
  • Davao del Norte receives seal of good housekeeping

    TAGUM CITY, Sept. 25 -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has conferred the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) to the Province of Davao del Norte for its efforts in promoting good local governance. Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario received the SGH marker from DILG Provincial Director Alex Roldan, as provincial officials and executives join them in a simple rite at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan during ceremonies held last September 17. The SGH seal was signed by the late DILG Sec...
  • ComVal fish farmers gain more skills trainings

    COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, Sept 25 (PIA) -- Series of skills training on fish production have been conducted by the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office (Pagro), in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the local government units. Aiming to help provide income and livelihood to Compostela Valley residents, aquaculture is one industry being focused. On September 19-21 residents of “Ang Bag-ong Malambuong Mabini USWA...
  • Provincial gov’t employees take early time off to dine with families

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- Provincial government employees of Davao del Norte went home early yesterday to join their families in dinner. Acting Provincial Governor Victorio Suaybaguio issued yesterday morning Memorandum Circular No. 45, directing department heads to allow their personnel to leave at 1 p.m. to join their families for dinner, in observance of the nationwide “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day” or “Famealy Day.” The provincial government of Davao del Norte...
  • Regional ecotourism body to fund plant nursery for eco-military park

    MAWAB, Compostela Valley, Sept. 25 -- The Regional Ecotourism Council (REC) agreed to shoulder the building of a plant nursery to sustain the ecotourism activities of the Camp Manuel T. Yan, Sr. Eco Military Park and Tribal Village in Brgy. Tuboran, Mawab, this province. The Technical Working Group (TWG) created by Governor Arturo T. Uy and chaired by Col. Ricardo Nepomuceno of the 10th Infantry Division to develop the eco-military park requested the nursery project at the 3rd quarterly meet...
  • NHTS survey eyed for improvement

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept 25 (PIA) -- Suggestions were given to improve the conduct of National Household Targeting System (NHTS). Elvie Bahinting, NHTS for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) Regional Project officer, said in an interview that suggestions had been endorsed to the national office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) after a national consultation was held in Davao City, together with local chief executives, indigenous peoples and informal sector leaders. ...
  • DOLE-XI reaches out to workers in remote areas

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 25 -- The Department of Labor and Employment in Davao Region is expanding its delivery of services to stakeholders as it reaches out to more disadvantaged workers in far-flung communities in need of assistance. Steered by Regional Director, Atty. Joffrey Suyao, DOLE-XI joins the roster of national government agencies (NGAs) in bringing a convergence of services directly to the beneficiaries through the “Serbisyo Caravan,” a banner project of the Association of Regiona...
  • DTI DavNor eyes creation of bamboo council

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept. 25 (PIA) --The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao del Norte Field Office is looking forward to the creation of the Provincial Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) to maximize the business and the environment benefits of bamboo. DTI Provincial Director Vedastito Galvez envisioned such body to get organized in the province of Davao del Norte, after holding the Forum on Eco-Industry Using Bambo for Riverbank Rehabilitation and Sustainable Busin...
  • Comprehensive feeding program launched anew in Tagum City

    TAGUM CITY, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- The City Nutrition Council re-launched the supplemental feeding program to the identified 161 severely underweight pre-school children from the 23 barangays that was jumpstarted in Barangay Mankilam last September 12. This is to arrest the growing number of malnourished children in Tagum City. Each of the undernourished children was given first, some laboratory test and medical check-up to assess its physical condition before they could be enrolled in a 90-day fe...
  • DavNor trainings benefit upland residents

    SAN ISIDRO, DAVAO DEL NORTE, Sept. 25 --Twenty-nine participants from a grassroots group- Dacudao Eco-tourism Livelihood Association (DELA) have just finished a cocoa and durian processing training held under the province's unique initiative: the Ugmad Komunidad program. The two-day seminar, conducted in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the office of 1st District of Congressman Anthony del Rosario, was the 10th batch since Ugmad Komunidad kicked off in June this ...
  • Davao hopes to attain BPO target

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 25 (PIA) --The information technology (IT) industry in Davao is bullish in attaining its BPO targets in 2016. ICT Davao an umbrella group of IT players in the city has pegged a target of 30,000 workers in the business process outsourcing industry by 2016. Currently BPO workers in Davao City is estimated at about 16,000. Wit Holganza, ICT Davao president said that last 2011 they registered a 26% increase in ICT workers in the city; they are expecting 30% more workers by 2012...
  • Compostela Valley celebrates tourism month

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Sept 25 (PIA) -- The province has joined the whole world in celebrating tourism month this September. With the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Energy,” the month-long celebration is packed with activities, which will be from September 12 to 28. The activities include the launch of Reed Bed Project Initiative, foam outdoor party, wine making training, fruit juices and concentrates training, ComVal Science Coordinators Tour, semestral break regional promotions...
  • Panabo PESO assists more than 500 job seekers

    PANABO CITY, Sept. 25 -- The City Government of Panabo through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO) listed around 500 registered job seekers and 147 applicants of which are now up for final interview during the job fair held at the Davao del Norte State College, Barangay New Visayas last September 19, 2012. About 8,000 available jobs have been offered by the 35 different companies, 17 of which are overseas and 18 local employments. The job fair not only benefitted Barangay New Visaya...
  • PRC urges professionals to renew licenses at SM mall

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 24 (PIA) -- The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in the region has urged professionals to renew licenses as it offers faster and more efficient ID renewal system which has recently been made available at SM City Davao. PRC-XI Regional Director Josephine Villegas-Liamzon said establishing the PRC ID Renewal Center at SM mall would provide comfort and convenience for professionals to renew and claim their IDs. In the ceremonial opening of the center on September 21 at t...
  • Davao City government assures assistance to prostituted women, their children

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 24 (PIA) -- The city government is not remiss in offering livelihood opportunities to prostituted women and their children in Davao City, an official of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) said. Marilou Bermudo, head of the CSWDO said the city government caters to prostituted women as clients by giving them home and skill-based livelihood activities, enrollment to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Ber...
  • Army recruitment exams in Davao City yield more takers

    CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, Sept. 24 (PIA) -- A total of 1,240 examinees took the entrance exam as part of the recruitment program of the Philippine Army at the University of Mindanao in September 22. 1Lt. Joy Damasco, public affairs officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion said 107 male and 73 female examinees took the tests for officers candidate course and officers preparatory course. She said 959 male and 74 female examinees took the test for the position as candidate soldier...
  • Coast Guard ready for oil spill cases in Davao Gulf

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 22 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that it is ready to respond in cases of oil spills in the Davao Gulf. Guesting in September 19 in the Club 888 forum on occasion of the National Maritime Week celebration, Captain George Ursabia, commander of the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, said the PCG has the equipment to respond to spills and leakages of oil and other hazardous materials. The PCG in the district is equipped with marine pollution booms, a skim...
  • RPOC human dev’t committee holds organizational meet

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 22 --The Human Development Committee of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Davao Region has held an organizational meeting to set its goals. “We want to organize and spell out our functions and responsibilities,” said Social Welfare and Development Assistant Regional Director and RPOC Human Development Committee Chair Priscilla N. Razon. Razon said the council must coordinate and collaborate efforts in delivering programs that can respond to conflict in the...
  • Mothers of malnourished children undergo training for livelihood

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley Province, Sept 22 (PIA) -- Some 23 mothers of malnourished children adopted by the provincial government's “Adopt-A-Child” Nutrition Program have undergone a three-day training on Beauty Care Services for their alternative livelihood. Gathered at Nueva Visayas covered court in Mawab from September 19-21, the trainees were taught of beauty care services like pedicure, manicure, and nail care. Through its Special Programs Unit (SPU), the provincial government jo...
  • Army to continue peace efforts in DavNor despite loss

    DAVAO CITY Sept 21 (PIA) -– The military vowed to continue its peace and development efforts in the far-flung barangays of Davao del Norte despite losing two soldiers in an encounter with communist rebels last September 13 in Mt. Tambuko, Brgy. Dagohoy, Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Colonel Lysander Suerte, commander of 1003rd Infantry Brigade, said the Army’s desire to extend peace efforts will not wane despite the incident. “This will not also affect our pursuit to seek justice for the...
  • Army pursues recruitment drive

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 21 (PIA) -- The military continues its recruitment for new candidate soldiers through the Philippine Army Battery of Tests at the University of Mindanao in Davao City, Holy Trinity College in General Santos City, and Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology on September 22 and September 23, respectively. Major Rosa Maria Christina Manuel, executive officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, said applicants must not be beyond 25 years old, Filipino ci...
  • PRC ID renewal system available soon at SM Malls

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 21 (PIA) -- Professionals will soon experience a more convenient renewal and pickup of their identification cards as the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is set to open its ID Renewal System on Friday, September 21 at SM City Davao. PRC-11 Regional Director Josephine Villegas-Liamzon said the opening of PRC-SM City Davao ID Renewal System will be at 6 p.m. at the Customer Service Area of the mall. Villegas-Liamzon said the activity will be part of the simultaneous nati...
  • Davao del Norte LGU, Army extends help to the countryside

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 21 (PIA) -- A total of 1,400 residents of Barangay New Santiago, Asuncion, Davao del Norte benefited from free medical and social services as the provincial government of Davao del Norte, police and soldiers under the 1003rd Infantry Brigade reached out to the community on September 14. Captain Nathaniel Morales, civil-military operations officer of the 1003rd Brigade said services were extended to the residents ranged from medical and dental treatment, x-ray, electrocardiogram...
  • Brgy urges Army to stay in Fatima, Paquibato District

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 20 (PIA) -- The barangay government of Fatima urged the soldiers to stay despite calls by progressive groups to pull their base out of the barangay center to spare residents from the cross-fire. Based on Barangay Resolution No. 45 series of 2012, the Fatima Barangay Council asked the military leadership to retain the presence of the peace and development team under the 69th Infantry Battalion assigned in the area citing the confidence and friendly relations established betwee...
  • Philippine Coast Guard eyes new vessel for deployment to Mindanao in 2013

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 20 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coast Guard is eyeing a new multi-role vessel to be deployed in Southeastern Mindanao in the latter half of 2013. Captain George Ursabia, commander of the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, said their district hopes to receive one of the new Japanese made multi-role patrol vessels, which can be utilized for search-and-rescue. Ursabia said the district has no search-and-rescue (SAR) ship after the 35-meter SAR vessel BRP Ilocos Norte was red...
  • Mall in Davao adopts green archi

    DAVAO CITY Sept. 20 (PIA)-- SM City’s newest premier mall in the Davao City, which is set to open on September 28 this year, takes malling to a new level with the adoption of green architecture components in the construction of the SM City Lanang Premier. “We have installed a rain-catchment system capable of handling 550 cubic meters of water in accordance with the new city ordinance requiring a rainwater catchment system for all new constructions,” SM City Lanang Premier mall manager Cl...
  • Access to education, nutrition essential in peace-building efforts

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 20 (PIA) -- Many people have always equated peace with arms and violence or the lack of it, but peace builders in the Davao Region equate peace with other factors too, including access to education and nutrition. “Nutrition is a right and for as long as there is hunger there will never be peace,” Ma.Teresa Ungson, National Nutrition Council XI regional chief, said during a press conference held at SM City Davao last Sept. 17. On the other hand, Maya Flaminda J. Vandenbroec...
  • 3,000 residents benefit in Presyo Diskwento Caravan in Lupon

    LUPON, Davao Oriental, Sept 20 (PIA) -- Over 3,000 people from the different barangays of Lupon took advantage of the Presyo Diskwento Caravan conducted in their area. As part of the founding anniversary celebration of Lupon, the caravan offered as much as 80 percent discount to basic and prime commodities. The Presyo Diskwento Caravan is an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which is aimed to bring relief to consumers from the rising prices of goods. This is in part...
  • PRC Mindanao to hold seminar on competitiveness of professionals

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 19 (PIA) -- The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) regional offices in Mindanao will be hosting a seminar/workshop on Friday, September 21 in the city, to focus discussions on competitiveness of professionals and global mobility of Philippine professions. PRC takes partnership with the Philippine Association of Professional Regulatory Boards (PAPRB) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in holding the seminar/workshop in preparation for the “First Professional Summ...
  • Davao Gulf Management Council urges stakeholders to uphold maritime safety

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 19 (PIA) -- The Davao Gulf Management Council (DGMC) has urged stakeholders to uphold maritime safety in the Davao Gulf Area. Speaking during occasion of the National Maritime Week celebrations in Davao City last September 17, DGMC Chairman Leo Avila said he looks forward to a maritime industry, particularly in the Davao Gulf area, that is fully compliant with the International Safety Management Code. “For those who are not from the industry, the code emphasizes that safety...
  • State workers celebrate 112th Civil Service anniversary

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 18 (PIA) -- The whole workforce of all government agencies and institutions are observing this month, the 112th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, giving honors to state workers’ heroism. The Civil Service Commission spearheads the celebration with the theme “Kawani, Ikaw ay Isang Lingkod Bayan” which also intends to showcase the triumph and sacrifices among the men and women in public service. In Davao Region, CSC-XI commenced the anniversary with a Holy Mass offici...
  • WHO recognizes ComVal as filariasis-free province

    NABUNTURAN, Sept 18 (PIA) -- Since 2011, the province of Compostela Valley has been continuously recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Filariasis-Free Province. This was shared by Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Renato Basañes, who also said that Governor Arturo T. Uy was the Model LGU Chief Executive during the First National Neglected Tropical Diseases Stakeholders Forum, spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH). ComVal is the second province in Mindanao and the se...
  • DA to give 10 Farmers’ Organization solar dryers

    NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley Province, Sept 18 (PIA) -- Ten rice farmers’ organizations have been tapped to receive solar dryers from the Department of Agriculture. These organizations, which were chosen by Governor Arturo T. Uy, are Lateral B and C Farmers’ Irrigators Association, Lagab Farmers’ Irrigators Association, Lateral E Bagongon Irrigators Association, Curvada Lagab Farmers’ Irrigators’ Association, Lateral B East Farmers’ Irrigators Association, San Jose-Lagab-Aurora La...
  • DFA opens office in Davao mall

    DAVAO CITY Sept. 15 (PIA) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs opened on Friday, Sept. 14 its Regional Consular Office in SM City Davao. Described as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between SM chain of malls and the DFA, this is the second DFA satellite consular office opened in an SM Mall. In August 31 the National Capital Region East passport office was opened in SM Megamall. The SM Davao office is the second of its kind in the country. The former RCO was located in a rented building i...
  • Army peace teams not limited to political boundaries

    GOVERNOR GENEROSO, Davao Oriental, Sept 15 (PIA) -- The 10th Infantry “Agila” Division of the Philippine Army (PA) will deploy its peace and development teams beyond the political boundaries where its troops are being stationed and will send them even to peaceful areas. Brig. General Ariel Bernardo, commanding general of the 10th ID, PA, announced this move in a press conference during the recent government service caravan in Governor Generoso considered as the most peaceful town of Davao O...
  • 2012 Investment Priorities Plan covers hospital services, iron products

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 14 (PIA) -- Hospitals and medical facilities, and iron and steel products have been listed as part of the 13 preferred areas in the 2012 Investment Priorities Plan, to be eligible for incentives. The establishment and operation of primary and secondary hospitals and the development of iron and steel businesses are two additional features in this year’s IPP which was presented in a roadshow activity today at the Apo View Hotel, this city. BOI Governor Oliver Butalid said co...
  • 8th Knowledge Exchange Conference slated in Davao City this October

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 14 (PIA) -- Davao City is the venue for this year’s gathering of managers and knowledge workers of community e-centers for the 8th Knowledge Exchange Conference on Community eCenters (KEC on CeCs) this October. Bannering the theme, “Seizing Opportunities through CeCs for Inclusive Development” the annual gathering aims to promote collaboration, cooperation and communication among community electronic centers (CeC) stakeholders who are expected to share knowledge gene...
  • BOI underscores 5-point strategy for investment development

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 14 -- An official of the Board of Investments (BOI) has emphasized the importance of five-point strategy in order to corner more investments. Luna Gracia P. Ahmad, BOI-Head Office’s Senior Investment Specialist, said an effective promotional strategy must consider five major activities, which include the establishment of an Investments Promotion Center (IPC), passage of Local Investment Incentive Code (LIIC), creation of a Speakers’ Bureau, tag line, and promo collaterals...
  • CHED Davao unveils new building

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 14 (PIA) -- The new home of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED 11) was blessed and inaugurated yesterday morning, September 13. The blessing was graced by top CHED officials led by Commissioner Patricia Licuanan along with top school officials from private tertiary academic institutions and (SUCs) state universities and colleges in the region. Licuanan said in her speech that the building will help CHED to achieve its goals in becoming a high performing agency adding t...
  • Panabo City holds fashion jewelry training for women

    PANABO CITY, Sept. 14 -- The city government of Panabo has conducted a fashion jewelry seminar for a women in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry. “Mao ni ang pinaka-enjoy, malamboon ug mapuslanon nga livelihood training nga akong naapilan,” (This is the most fun, productive and useful livelihood training I participated) recalls Josephine Jonelas,a member Sto. Niño council of women/Rural Improvement Club (RIC) who is one of the participants in the one-day “Borloloy”...
  • DSWD XI builds alliance with info officers, media practitioners

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- The Department of social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI is stepping up information dissemination of its three major poverty alleviation projects as it forges alliance with media practitioners and local government information officers. DSWD XI has conducted a two-day orientation from September 11 to 12 for LGU information officers and media practitioners on the convergence framework of its unified poverty alleviation strategy dubbed Tatsulo DSWD Convergence ...
  • Gov't services, assistance rain down on Kapalong

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Sept 13 (PIA) -- Over 4,000 constituents benefited from the widest array of government services in one setting when the Arena-11 Serbisyo Caravan joined forces with the local convergence program of the province in the municipality of Kapalong. A crowd of beneficiaries crowded the Kapalong Town Square and nearby facilities last Friday to avail of the millions worth of services and assistance brought by the Association of Regional Executives of National Government Agencies (NGAs)...
  • Mother-based medium of instruction good for kids, says expert

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) --Teaching young kids using their mother-based medium of instruction is better than trying to teach them using their second or third language. Cecille Osoria-Van Zante, literacy specialist of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), said that numerous studies have supported mother-based medium of instructions. SIL is a faith-based non-profit organization committed to serving language communities through language development. In partnership with the Department of E...
  • City gov't eyes rehab of congested public cemeteries

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 12 (PIA)- The city government of Davao City is eyeing the rehabilitation of congested public cemeteries. Gerardo Castillo officer-in-charge of cemetery operations City Economic Enterprises (CEE) revealed that the nine public cemeteries in the city are already congested leaving poor families with no choice but to bury their dead in more expensive private cemeteries. A 10-year rental fee for a public cemetery grave lot under the current revenue code is pegged at P1,000 for chil...
  • DavNor SP unveils paperless session, public safety code

    TAGUM CITY Davao del Norte, Sept. 11 -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao del Norte marked two major milestones in its legislative performance with the launch of its paperless session and signing of its public safety code. Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario graced the SP’s 34th Regular Session of the SP on September 10, 2012, as the Provincial Board started off its electronic legislative sessions. The governor also signed the Public Safety and Security Code of Davao del Norte during the ...
  • DOT eyes more tourists flying in to Davao

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept. 11 (PIA) -- More domestic and international tourists are expected to fly their way to Davao Region as the Department of Tourism (DOT) currently works to position the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (FBIA) to serve as an active secondary international gateway of the Philippines. In his talk in a recent convocation at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, DOT XI Regional Director Art Boncato revealed the plans of DOT to improve the access and connectivity of t...
  • Laak to celebrate Kahimunan and Fruit Festival 2012

    LAAK COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Sept. 11 -- The local government unit of Laak led by Mayor Reynaldo B. Navarro will once again celebrate its Kahimunan Festival simultaneous with Fruit Festival this September 21, 2012. Kahimunan is a Dibabawon term for unity amidst cultural diversity. As diverse and exotic as their culture are, the Dibabawons, Muslims, Mandaya and other minority groups in the Municipality even the Visayan flocked to the Municipal Hall Ground of Laak to showcase not only their cultural ...
  • Panabo City recognizes achievers, partners

    PANABO CITY, Sept. 11 -- The local government of Panabo City gave recognition to achievers and partners of the LGU in their development programs. Headed by Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr., Panabo City has cited Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC), Dr. Francisco Dela Peña and six city drivers during the Monday convocation sponsored by the City Civil Registrars Office on September 3 at the New City Hall Lobby. DLPC Panabo branch was awarded because of their rural electrification project Oplan Is...
  • College courses offered to undegrad capitol workers

    TAGUM CITY, Sept. 11 -- Undergraduate employees of the Provincial Capitol will soon realize their college dreams through the specialized educational system of the Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI). Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario said the DNLI, which is set to start operations before the year ends, will initially benefit provincial personnel who have not been able to finish their baccalaureate degrees. The DNLI Board of Trustees, which is chaired by the governor, approved on its mai...
  • DavNor provides tools, farm animals for countryside devt

    TAGUM CITY, Sept. 11 -- The provincial government of Davao del Norte has implemented the turn-over of farm implements and draft animals, and dispersal of fingerlings to beneficiaries held at the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office (PAGRO) to jumpstart economic development in the countryside. Seventeen heads of carabao each paired with harrow and plow were distributed to one beneficiary from each municipality, five from Dynamic Vegetable Growers Association and one from PAGRO under the Depar...
  • Sta. Cruz to employ Text2Teach program

    STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, Sept. 11 -- The local government unit here would soon employ the Text2Teach program in ten public elementary schools in partnership with the Department of Education and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. Sta. Cruz Mayor Joel Ray L. Lopez signed on September 3 a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with DepEd Davao del Sur Division Schools Division Superintendent Reynaldo B. Mellorida and Senior Director Mario A. Deriquito of the Ayala Foundation, Inc., for the implementation of said ...
  • Hydro power project to hire hundreds of Sta. Cruz residents

    STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, Sept. 11 --Hedcor, a hydropower firm, has began the process of hiring close to 400 locals to work in the construction and development of the Tudaya 2 hydroelectric power project in this municipality. The 7-megawatt run-of-river project is expected to take around 14 months to build. The Bagobo-Tagabawa tribal members and residents of Barangay Astorga are given preference over job opportunities that the project brings. More jobs are in the offing when Hedcor begins con...
  • DavNor gov inks MOA for Pabahay sa Lumad

    DAVAO DEL NORTE, Sept. 11 --Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario led the signing of the memorandum of agreement for the housing project for members of the Langilan-Manobo tribe in Sitio Paiton, Dagohoy, Talaingod, this province. The Governor said the Pabahay sa Lumad project will provide decent shelter to 102 Lumad families affected by the implementation of the Lake Paiton development plan. The project will be funded by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) in the amount ...
  • Samal Island civil service sportsfest kicks off

    IslanD Garden City of Samal, Sept. 11 -- The city government’s Sportsfest 2012 competition kicked off with a colorful parade which started at the Peñaplata Freedom Park and converged inside the Samal Multi-purpose Gym in Barangay Peñaplata , Samal District on September 4. Joining the parade were city officials and employees inspired by the theme “Ang Empleyadong Lagsik sa Trabaho Abtik (An Employee fit for work is quick and smart)” The city offices were divided into four teams and...
  • New tertiary hospital to open in Davao

    DAVAO CITY Sept. 10 (PIA) - -A modern tertiary medical center is slated to open its doors to the public this September 16. This will be the P300-million Metro Davao Medical and Research Center owned by a group of Filipino-Chinese businessmen situated in the old Cuison Hotel along J.P Laurel Avenue, a bustling thoroughfare which is home to modern shopping malls, gleaming corporate high-rises, condominiums and spanky new hotels. Dra. Yvette Yenco-Tan, medical director of the facility said the...
  • BOI to launch 2012 investments priorities plan roadshow in Davao

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 10 (PIA)-- The Board of Investments (BOI) is set to kick-off its 2012 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) Roadshow in the city on Thursday (Sept. 13), packaged to encourage stakeholders. In a press statement, BOI said the roadshow embarks on a revamped approach this year, as an opportunity to rally other key partners and agencies to be an integral part of IPP. “It is our way of conducting a personalized and harmonized interaction with our stakeholders in light of the usual ...
  • Job matching organized for Australian, New Zealand alumni

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 8 (PIA) -- The Philippine Australian Alumni Association (PA3i) is conducting a job matching event exclusive to Australian and New Zealand alumni on Saturday, September 8, 2012, 1-5 p.m., at the IDP Training Center, 7th Floor, Dona Salustiana Tower, 104 Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City. This is in partnership with the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Inc. (ANZCHAM) and the IDP Education Pty. Ltd. ANZCHAM Vice President for External Aff...
  • Davao del Norte comes up with tourist greetings

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept 8 (PIA) -- Everyone in Davao del Norte is encouraged to greet each other with “DavNor Morning” as part of a tourism campaign designed to promote the local tourist spots in the province. In a recent convocation, Provincial Tourism Officer Noel Daquioag roused the crowd of provincial government employees to his “DavNor Morning” greetings expected to become a byword of a welcoming visitor. Such greeting is tied to the vision of making Davao del Norte a pr...
  • DSWD XI brings full goods in Serbisyo Caravan

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept. 8 (PIA)-- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI brought with it substantial amount of services as it joined the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan in its five successive trips around the Davao Region. DSWD made an offsite distribution of cash grants and social pension funds , turned over checks for supplementary feeding, and launched livelihood assistance programs amounting to nearly P30 million. Aside from the medical-surgical-dental outreach, t...
  • Davao Norte welcomes serbisyo caravan in Davao

    TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept. 7 (PIA) -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario welcomed Arena Serbisyo Caravan which will stop in the municipality of Kapalong, after visiting other provinces in the Davao Region. The Arena Serbisyo Caravan will provide medical-dental services and will also be delivering P3.5 million worth of services from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI which will be giving P915,7000 cash grants to 636 household beneficiaries of Pantaw...
  • ARENA-XI “Serbisyo Caravan” rolls out in Digos City

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Sept. 7 (PIA) -- The Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA-XI) has rolled out its “Serbisyo Caravan” in Digos City on Tuesday, Sept. 4, helping more than 3,000 people of Digos. Achilles Gerard Bravo, ARENA-XI president and regional director of the Department of Budget and Management XI, said Digos City Mayor Joseph Peñas requested for this one-stop shop delivery of services in time for the one-week celebration of the city’s founding an...
  • ARENA-XI commits to continue convergence of services

    DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- The Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA-XI) has committed to continue bringing together government programs and mandates direct to various stakeholders all over the region. ARENA-XI President Achilles Gerard Bravo of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM-XI) said the “Serbisyo Caravan” would continue delivering a one-stop shop of services to reach out to more Davao Region constituents especially in far-flung area...
  • LTO-XI urges motorcyclists to get helmet stickers

    DAVAO CITY Sept. 6 (PIA) --The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the region has urged the motorcycling public to secure their import commodity clearance (ICC) stickers for protective helmets before the imposed deadline on January 1, 2013. LTO-XI Regional Director Gomer Dy during his guesting at Club 888 Media Forum at Marco Polo Davao on Wednesday (Sept. 5) said the helmet law (RA 10054) mandates all motorcycle riders to wear standard motorcycle helmets while driving; the law also applies to...
  • Private, gov't agencies urged to join Arena XI

    GOV. GENEROSO, Davao Oriental, Sept. 6 (PIA) – Officers of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (Arena) in Region 11 urged the private sector and government agencies to take part in its Serbisyo Caravan. Arena President Achilles Gerard Bravo of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) XI said the consortium already has the support of the Yuchengco Foundation of the Yuchengco Group of Companies. Arena XI has yet to firm up an agreement with Yuchengco Foundation w...
  • Davao City eyes more parks in zoning changes

    DAVAO CITY Sept. 5 (PIA) -- The city needs more parks for its growing population and these need would be incorporated in the revisions of the present zoning ordinance. Davao City 3rd District Councilor Arnulfo Cabling said the ideal ratio would be 10 square meter of parks per person. He said that at the present Davao City there are not enough parks for its 1.4 million people. The Councilor said that the ongoing discussions on the revisions of the Comprehensive Development Plan and the correspo...
  • Mt. Hamiguitan wildlife sanctuary eyes UNESCO recognition

    GOVERNOR GENEROSO, Davao Oriental, Sept. 04 (PIA) -- Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon is optimistic that the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary will get recognized by UNESCO as among the world heritage sites. She told the media that a team from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is due to arrive in October this year to do a ground validation at Mt. Hamiguitan which has been declared by the national government as a protected area by ...
  • ‘Serbisyo’ caravan turns service day into fiesta

    GOV. GENEROSO, Davao Oriental, Sept 4 (PIA) -- Some 4,000 people flocked to the poblacion of Governor Generoso turning the day into fiesta when the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (Arena) Serbisyo Caravan brought varied government services from 30 national line agencies on August 30. Micro enterprises were earning as people spread around the venue for distribution of conditional cash, social pensions, medical and dental services, legal consultation, information and educa...
  • Army reacts to grenade attack motive

    DAVAO CITY Sept. 4 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army on Tuesday reacted to reports that the reason for the grenade attack at an army detachment in Barangay Fatima in Paquibato District in Davao is the presence of drunk, unruly soldiers. "Just because the person is drunk, doesn't mean you had to throw a grenade at him," Colonel Lysander Suerte of the Army's 1003rd Brigade said of the recent motives behind the grenade attack in Barangay Fatima in Davao City's Paquibato district last Saturday evening...
  • Army condemns grenade attack in brgy fiesta

    DAVAO CITY Sept. 3 --The Philippine Army has condemned the grenade throwing incident which occurred in the evening of September 1 in a crowded covered court in the hinterlands of Paquibato district, Davao City. The grenade attack injured 41 civilians, with two individuals in critical condition. The grenade thrower apparently lobbed the grenade at the nearby Army detachment but bounced off the outpost's netting and landed at the nearby covered court where many people were watching a circus ...
  • Mindanao business leader bullish on PH growth

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 3 -- One of the leading figures in the Mindanao business sector is bullish on the growing Philippine economy with many businesses growing under the rosy environment. Vicente Lao president of the Mindanao Business Council said the 6 – 7% growth in the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is a very good indicator considering that China’s growth is slowing down and the United States showing downturns. Lao who is also the Regional Development Council co-chair said the country is e...
  • DOST-11 strengthens food safety program

    DAVAO CITY, Sept 1 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology in the region recently expanded the composition of its Davao Food Safety Team (DFST) as it took in additional members to beef up the program on food safety. The fourth batch of DFST members together with the current officers and members took their oath of office during the re-launching of the team on August 24 at the D’Leonor Hotel, Davao City. DOST-XI Regional Director Anthony Sales said widening the team’s membership a...
  • Coast watch stations improves PN capability

    DAVAO CITY, Sept. 1 -- The Coast Watch Stations (CWS) set up across southern and central Mindanao has greatly improved the Navy’s capability in maritime security and safety. Captain Robert Empedrad Deputy Commander of the Philippine Navy Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao said the past year have seen the Navy interdict suspicious vessels and seacraft aside from rescuing three to four vessels with the help of the CWS. Empedrad said coast watch stations helps the navy preserve its assets from wear...
  • Davao Cinematheque gives tribute to Dolphy

    DAVAO CITY Sept. 1 (PIA) -- Davao Cinematheque is paying tribute to the departed Dolphy, King of Comedy with a retrospective of some of his movies. Lolita Lacuesta, head of the Davao Cinematheque said the screenings of Dolphy films is open to the public for free. The retrospective started last August 30 and will run until September 2. The Dolphy retrospective was conceived to honor Rodolfo “Dolphy” Vera Quizon’s numerous and unprecedented contributions to Philippine cinema. Similar Do...
  • Arena Serbisyo Caravan to revisit Davao Oriental

    DAVAO CITY, Aug 31 (PIA) -- National line agencies in Davao Region will again be hauling various government services in the Arena Serbisyo Caravan in Davao Oriental August 30 and 31. A flagship project of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (Arena-11), the Arena Serbisyo Caravan first rolled out last year in the municipalities of Boston and Cateel, Davao Oriental. It will have its come-back in Davao Oriental particularly in the municipality of Governor Generoso and in M...
  • World Bank specialist asks DA to improve value chain of agri products

    DAVAO CITY, Aug 31 -- World Bank’s (WB) lead rural development specialist Carolina Geron underscored the need for the Department of Agriculture (DA) to look into the value chain of different commodities to boost farmers’ productivity. Speaking during recent wrap-up meeting of the WB review mission for the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), Geron stressed the need to integrate value chain approach in agriculture sector for growth to be more inclusive and broad-based. A value cha...
  • DAR turns over P76-M infra projects to ComVal farmers

    DAVAO CITY, Aug. 31 (PIA) -- Secretary Virgilio R. de los Reyes of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has led the turn-over ceremonies of more than P76-million worth of infrastructure projects to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from two municipalities in the province. The projects were implemented under the DAR-Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) Phase 3, covering the towns of Maragusan and Montevista, this province. The local government of Maragusan headed by Mayo...
  • Samal opens new public memorial park

    ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, Aug 31 --The city government of the Island Garden City of Samal has opened the Samal Island Memorial Park in Barangay San Miguel, Samal District last August 23. Samal Island Memorial Park, also called Pahulayan Memorial Park, is a public cemetery furnished with amenities comparable to a private memorial park. It offers 62 mausoleum lots, with 42 square meters per lot area, and 2,005 subterranean lots offered in the first phase of the project. The city government b...
  • DOE to improve lighting systems of 12 Mindanao LGUs, public schools

    DAVAO CITY, Aug. 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Energy (DOE) is set to improve lighting systems of 12 local government units and public schools in Mindanao in an effort to save electricity expenditures and reduce carbon emissions. DOE recently signed a memorandum of agreement with three city government units and nine educational institutions for the implementation of a retrofitting initiative of selected government office buildings under DOE’s Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP). Evel...