Mabel Sunga Acosta

Go Team Mabel!!!

noreply@blogger.com (KIWI BULACLAC) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:47:00 +0000

PWC Wins 8th Acosta Cup

noreply@blogger.com (JC) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:44:00 +0000

The 2011 Acosta Cup ended in a classic showdown between Ateneo Lady Knights and Philippine Women's College yesterday afternoon. The drizzle and cold weather did not seem to faze both teams as they tried to outmatch and outdo each other in the playing field in their bid for the championship title.

A minute before the final whistle blew in the second half, Lady Knights defender Natasha Doromal was flagged for a handball foul just outside the penalty box. July Bunac of PWC took the direct free kick and eventually scored the only goal of the 70-minute match. With the win, PWC obtained its first-ever Acosta Cup title.

Immediately after the game ended, awarding of prizes for the top three (3) teams followed. Former 1st District Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta personally handed the medals and trophies to the winning players. The second-runner up place was automatically awarded to D'DS for ranking third in the over-all team standing.

Recognition and appreciation are extended to the tournament sponsors: PHILSAGA, KTM Davao, Ducati Davao, DIMDI Center Inc., and Dr. Roy Ferrer, without whose support the 8th Acosta Cup would not have been realized.

8th ACOSTA TEAM STANDING

noreply@blogger.com (JC) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:28:00 +0000

*PWC College and Lady Knights will vie for the championship title in this year's Acosta Cup. The schedule of the championship game is yet to be arranged. The position of 2nd runner up is automatically held by D'DS for placing third in the team standing.

AS OF 4 DECEMBER 2011

TEAM	GP	WIN	DRAW	LOSS	GF	GA	PTS
PWC College	5	4	1	0	30	5	13
Lady Knights	5	4	1	0	27	3	13
D’DS	5	3	0	2	16	7	9
PWC High School	4	1	0	3	4	27	3
Nakamata Kickers	4	0	1	3	1	22	1
UP Mindanao	5	0	1	4	3	13	1
Win = 3 points; Draw = 1 point; Loss = 0 point; GP = Games Played; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against; PTS = points

UPDATES on 8th ACOSTA CUP

noreply@blogger.com (JC) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:10:00 +0000

FINAL ELIMINATION GAME:
December 10, Saturday, 2pm –
PCW HS vs. Nakamata Kickers

GAME RESULTS:

December 3, Saturday
PWC HS vs. Lady Knights : 0-9
PWC College vs. Nakamata Kickers : 7-1

December 4, Sunday
D'DS vs. Nakamata Kickers : 6-0
PWC College vs. Lady Knights : 2-2

SCHEDULE OF GAMES:
Dec. 3, 2011, Saturday
2pm - PWC HS vs. Lady Knights
3:30 - PWC College vs. Nakamata Kickers

Dec. 4, 2011, Sunday
7am - Nakamata Kickers vs. D'DS
3:30pm - PWC College vs. Lady Knights

NOVEMBER 30 GAME RESULTS
PWC HS vs. UP Mindanao : 3-2
Nakamata Kickers vs. Lady Knights : 0-9
PWC College vs. D'DS : 3-1

Game Sked for Nov. 30, Wednesday:
8am - PWC HS vs UPMin
2pm - PWC Coll vs D'DS
3:30 -Tambayan vs Lady Knights

GAME RESULTS

November 26, 2011, Saturday
PWC HS vs D'DS (0-6)
UPMin vs Lady Knights (0-4)

November 27, 2011, Sunday
UPMin vs D'DS (1-2)
PWC College vs PWC HS (10-1)

November 19, 2011, Saturday
PWC College vs. UP Mindanao (8 – 0)

November 20, 2011, Sunday
Lady Knights vs. D'DS (3 -1)
UP Mindanao vs. Tambayan (0 – 0)

SCHEDULE OF GAMES

November 26, 2011, Saturday
2:00 PM PWC High School vs D'DS
3:30 PM UP Mindanao vs Lady Knights

November 27, 2011, Sunday
2:00 PM PWC College vs PWC High School
3:30 PM UP Mindanao vs D'DS

8th ACOSTA CUP BEGINS. . .

noreply@blogger.com (JC) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:56:00 +0000

The 8th ACOSTA Cup - Ladies' Open Football Tournament - kicked off on 19 November 2011 at the Tionko Football Grounds. There are 6 teams competing in this year’s event – the biggest number of teams so far that participated in an 11-a-side women's open competition. The teams are: PWC College, PWC High School, Ateneo Lady Knights, D'DS, Tambayan, and UP Mindanao.

The tournament is in single round robin format. The top two (2) teams will vie for the championship, while the third highest ranking team in the overall standing will automatically be declared 2nd runner up. Now on its 8th year, the tournament is sponsored by former Davao City Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta in her commitment to promote women’s football in the city.

KAPAMILYA RUN

noreply@blogger.com (MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Editorial: Leadership and political will | Sun.Star

noreply@blogger.com (MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 04:41:00 +0000

Editorial: Leadership and political will | Sun.Star

Editorial: Leadership and political will

Saturday, July 2, 2011

JUST when Davao City residents thought it has had enough excitement for the week, their city mayor lands on national television breaking news not just because of the floods that killed more than two dozen people and displaced thousands, but because she punched a court sheriff.

Lines were drawn, immediately. The non-Dabawenyos saying how rude our mayor is, while the Davao people breaking out in loud cheers. This much was apparent in comments on social networking sites and the interview by Manila radio commentator Gani Oro over dzBB, where he provoked the mayor when after explaining everything that came before the punching, he accused the mayor of taking the law into her hands. The dial tone he got soon after was like the loud roar of approval by Dabawenyos.

Definitely, we are not for politicians who seek extra-judicial remedies. But, we understand what the mayor wanted to prevent but which happened, all because one other bureaucrat who saw no wisdom in having the mayor's presence while houses are being demolished.

Earlier on, City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte had already made it clear that she cannot do anything about the demolition since it was a court order and that it had to be implemented. She's a lawyer, and she knows that is how the law works. But all she was asking for was to be there. Thus, she was trying to ask for just two hours, just to take on the heat of a court-ordered demolition. The court sheriff didn't see wisdom in that; he simply has to do his job and that is to serve the demolition order and have it implemented. As the mayor anticipated, a riot erupted before she arrived.

And that is what is lost in a lot of bureaucrats: the understanding that most of the time, the people, especially the masses, would just want their leader to be there when the worst hits them. Their leader need not even have to cause a demolition order to be stopped, and their leader may even just watch on the sidelines with them while their houses are ripped to pieces. For them, that is enough. Mere presence of a respected person, sometimes, is enough because in that mere presence, they find some assurance that somebody in authority has seen their situation, and thus will be able to think up of some concrete actions.

This was what was lost on President Benigno C. Aquino III when he arrived to visit the flood victims of Cotabato City more than two weeks after tens of thousands of evacuees have already been suffering from the floods. Thus, by the time he arrived, the people no longer saw in him the leader they believed in. No wonder both the Cotabato city mayor and the people did not have anything good to say about his visit. Apparently, still clueless about the nuances of leadership, Malacañang attacked the Cotabato city mayor instead and enumerated what has already been given - including the heavy equipment that was removing the water hyacinths from Rio Grande de Mindanao coursed through the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the sacks of rice coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Much like a father making up for his absence by delivering all that a child wants, when the child only needs his presence.

There are nuances of leadership for a people to respect and follow their leaders, and most of the time, these are not about material things and sweet promises. Leaders after all, are looked up to for their vision, guidance, and reassuring presence.

When Mayor Inday called for a two-hour hold so she can be there with the people, even after she said she can no longer do anything to stop the demolition, she demonstrated an understanding of this kind of leadership, and thus we can only applaud, but, let us make this very clear: not for the punches thrown but for the understanding.

Now, on to the more demanding work of re-building better, the work that is waiting for us after the killer flashflood; let's hope that the mayor has just as much guts, grit, and punch to undo all the wrongs that has been done before. And this includes development projects that bring more threat than good to the greater number of people in the future. The flashfloods that killed almost three dozens were caused by misguided actions of decades ago. This just proves that our actions today can become our children's undoing tomorrow. We pray that the mayor is up and ready for this greater fight.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 02, 2011.

1st Summerfest in Davao City

noreply@blogger.com (Mimz Ayunan) — Sun, 01 May 2011 16:37:00 +0000

The City of Davao will be having its first Summerfest this coming April 29 to May 29, 2011. The month-long occasion will involve sports, music and cultural activities. The event is organized by the Davao City Government in participation with the Small Hotels Association of Davao, Davao Association of Tour Operators and Davao Tourism Association, Davao Travel Agency Association, GUIDE- Davao, Davao Cooperative Center for Visitors and Convention, and Davao Airline Operators Association.

The First Davao Summerfest was realized to address the need to hold an event since there is nothing happening in Davao during summer season. The Summerfest will also compliment the other existing festivals in Davao namely, Araw ng Dabaw, Kadayawan Festival and Pasko Fiesta. This event is expected to attract more tourists and sports enthusiasts.

This year’s Summerfest will feature activities that geared towards sports, eco-adventure, and entertainment. Among the activities include a Soccer Tournament, a horse show, marathon, judo championships, frisbee competition and adventure races.

The holding of the Summerfest is a positive development for Davao as this will not only bring income to the city but this will also promote Davao as a major summer destination in the Philippines.

Below are the activities for the upcoming summerfest:

Davao Summerfest Opening Program
April 29, 2011, 5:30 PM, Peoples’ Park
Organizer: City Government of Davao

PFF Suzuki U23 Mindanao Championships
April 28 – 30, Tionko Field
Organizer: Davao Football Association, Inc., Philippine Football Federation

Davao Riverfront Corporate City 13th Davao Horse Show & Competition
April 29 – May 1,
Organizer: Davao Horse Club

17th NFMC Annual Convention Castrol Motokhana
April 30 – May 1, NCCC Mall Open Parking Area
Organizer: National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs, On Any Sunday Riders

PFF Smart Club Mindanao Championships
May 4 – 6, Tionko Field
Organizer: Davao Football Association, Inc., Philippine Football Federation

Daba Daba Ultimate Frisbee Tournament
May 7 – 8, Tionko Field
Organizer: Mulatto Davao

Run to Reduce Marathon
May 8, Around Davao City
Organizer: Aboitiz Group of Companies

Davao Riverfront Phil. Autocross Championship Series Round 2
May 8, Speed City, Davao Riverfront Corporate City
Organizer: Shago Racing

National Judo Championship – Youth Division
May 8, Gaisano Mall of Davao
Organizer: Holiday Judo Club

1st Davao City Host Lions Club Football Festival
May 14-15, Tionko Field
Organizer: Davao Football Association, Inc.

6th Pomelo Tee Golf Tournament
May 20 – 22, Rancho Palos Verdes
Organizer: Directors of Rancho Palos Verdes

Davao Aero Marathon Summerfest 2011
May 27, 2-6 PM, NCCC Mall Atrium
Organizer: Bee Fit Gym/Holiday Gym & Spa

Eco.city Celebrity Adventure Race
May 28 – 29, Around Davao City
Organizer: City Government of Davao

Other events:
Summerfest Kaan Dawet
May 8-15, Bolton St., 6 PM-2AM
Organizer: Davao Association of Tour Operators

Santacruzan
May 21, San Pedro Church
Organizer: City Government of Davao

Source: Davaotourism.com & Davao Daily

Davao offers resettlement to Japan disaster victims - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

noreply@blogger.com (MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:11:00 +0000

Davao offers resettlement to Japan disaster victims - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Davao offers resettlement to Japan disaster victims
By Jeffrey M. Tupas
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 14:38:00 04/07/2011
Filed Under: Foreign affairs & international relations, Disasters (general), Philippines - Regions

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte says he would welcome even the entire population of earthquake-devastated areas in Japan if they want to come and temporarily settle here.

Duterte disclosed in a statement issued earlier this week that at least 20 elderly Japanese were due to arrive in Davao and live in the city temporarily while their villages back home were being rehabilitated following the great earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last month.

Duterte said he came to knew of the plan of some Japanese nationals to seek refuge in the city—referred to as "Little Tokyo" before World War II because of the large number of Japanese settlers—from a Japanese friend. He said the initial batch of 20 retirees were due anytime.

"The best that we can do is to help them, after all Filipinos are treated very well in their country. We look forward with hope for the Japanese people," he said.

Duterte said the city government will make sure the visitors will be treated well.

"I don't mind how many of them will be coming over, as long as they behave well while they are in Davao. They can even be as many as thousands," he said.

Araw ng Dabaw 2011 Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Mimz Ayunan) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:17:00 +0000

74th ARAW NG DABAW SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

DATE/TIME ACTIVITY VENUE

14-Mar-11/7:30am Opening Ceremonies Quezon Park

14-Mar-11 Pakonsiyerto ni Mayor Rizal Park

14-Mar-11 Kaon ta Day, Lingaw ta Bai Bolton St

15-Mar-11/1-6pm Sayawan sa Da’n
City Hall Drive-San Pedro-Legazpi-Rizal-Bolton

15-Mar-11/8pm Mutya ng Dabaw (Finals) Davao City Recreation Center

15-Mar-11 Pakonsiyerto ni Mayor Rizal Park

15-Mar-11 Kaon ta Day, Lingaw ta Bai Bolton St

16-Mar-11/6am Thanksgiving Mass San Pedro Church

16-Mar-11/7:30am Parada Dabawenyo/Banda Hudyaka

City Government's Full Support to GSP

noreply@blogger.com (Mimz Ayunan) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:04:00 +0000

Mayor Sara Z. Duterte & Vice Mayor Rody Duterte

together with the members of the 16th City Council

pledged their support to the 27th Girl Scout Encampment

to be held on April 11 to 16, 2011 at

GSP Camp Corazon, Bankas Heights, Toril Davao City

Angelo Reyes commits suicide - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

noreply@blogger.com (MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:11:00 +0000

Angelo Reyes commits suicide - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Medvil, PWC top Acosta Cup foes | Sun.Star Network Online

noreply@blogger.com (MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 02:49:00 +0000

The 7th Acosta Cup Ladies Football Open is ongoing every Saturday at Tionko Field every Saturday in Davao City. Awarding of champions on December. This event is sponsored by Jollibee (JTC Group), RDL Pharmaceuticals, Davao Football Association of Davao and Mabel Sunga Acosta. Let's support women and girls in sports! click on link

Medvil, PWC top Acosta Cup foes | Sun.Star Network Online

Halal Ordinance

noreply@blogger.com (Mimz Ayunan) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:01:00 +0000

ORDINANCE NO. _____

Series of 2010

AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING RESTAURANTS, FASTFOOD CHAINS, EATERIES, FOOD STALLS IN MOVIEHOUSES, SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY CANTEENS AND OTHER FOOD ESTALISHMENTS WHICH SERVE HALAL FOODS TO ACQUIRE HALAL ACCREDITATION FROM THE DAVAO CITY MUSLIM ULAMA HALAL CERTIFYING AND MONITORING AGENCY PRIOR TO POSTING THE TITLE WORD “HALAL” WITHIN THEIR PREMISES OR TO USE THE “HALAL” LOGO IN THEIR BUSINESS NAME

BE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Davao in Session Assembled:

SECTION 1. TITLE. - Be it ordained that this Ordinance shall be also known as the “HALAL ORDINANCE”.

SECTION 2. PURPOSE OF THIS ORDINANCE. – It is the purpose of this Ordinance to require restaurants, fastfood chains, eateries, school or university canteens, and other food establishments which serve Halal foods to acquire Halal accreditation from the Davao City Muslim Ulama Halal Certifying and Monitoring Agency prior to posting the title word “Halal” within their premises or to use the “Halal” logo in their business name, in order to advance and protect the rights, culture and lifestyle of Muslims to consume religious-sanctioned products and to improve and maintain the harmony, understanding and social peace and order of Davao City for the promotion of sustainable progress and development.

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS

A. ) Food Establishments – refer to all restaurants, fastfood chains, food stalls, eateries, canteens in schools and function halls serving foods and beverages;

B. ) Davao City Muslim Ulama Halal Certifying and Monitoring Agency – refers to a government office authorized by the National Halal Accreditation Board to issue Halal certificates and accreditations to food establishments in Davao City;

C. ) Halal-Processed Food and Beverages – refer to permissible and non-pork-based food and beverages which are processed and prepared using utensils that have not been used in preparing non-Halal food and beverages;

D. ) Halal-Processed Meat – refers to meat from animals, like cow, chicken and goat, which Muslims are allowed to consume, and which animal was slaughtered in accordance to Islamic rituals;

E. ) Haram Meat or Forbidden Animals – refers to pigs and animals that have been killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a headlong fall;

F. ) Muslims – refer to those natural persons who follow the Islamic rites, tradition and culture.

SECTION 4. COVERAGE. – This Ordinance shall cover the following:

A. ) All restaurants, fastfood chains, eateries, food stalls in moviehouses, school or university canteens and other food establishments serving Halal foods and beverages within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City;

B. ) Halal Foods and beverages served in any occasion in any function hall in Davao City, including but not limited to seminars, workshops, meetings, forums, weddings and birthdays.

SECTION 5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS, PROPRIETORS, MANAGER AND STAFF OF ALL RESTAURANTS, FASTFOOD CHAINS, EATERIES, FOOD STALLS IN MOVIEHOUSES, SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY CANTEENS AND OTHER FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS OR ANY FUNCTION HALLS IN DAVAO CITY. – Owners, proprietors and managers of all restaurants, fastfood chains, eateries, school or university canteens and other food establishments or function halls in Davao City are required to perform and undertake the following measures in their operation:

I. To acquire Halal accreditation from the Davao City Muslim Ulama Halal Certifying and Monitoring Agency, in case the establishment offers halal-processed food and beverages;

II. To display Halal logo in front of food establishments offering Halal-processed foods and beverages;

III. To display the necessary documents within their premises, pertaining to the Halal accreditation acquired from the Davao City Muslim Ulama Halal Certifying and Monitoring Agency;

IV. To observe proper sanitary procedures in preparing Halal-processed food and beverages;

V. To avoid using kitchen wares and utensils that have been used in preparing haram-based food, in the preparation and processing of Halal food and beverages; and

VI. To refrain from mixing meat from Haram or forbidden animals as defined in Section 3 of this Ordinance, with animal meat used or mixed in a Halal-processed food;

SECTION 6. PENALTIES. – The following are the penalties for any violation of this Ordinance:

Owners, proprietors or managers of food establishments or any person, whether ambulant vendor or not, who violated any provisions of Section 5 of this Ordinance shall be penalized by:

First Offense	Fine of not less than P500.00 but not more than P1,000.00, at the discretion of the Court;
Second Offense	Fine of not less than P1,000.00 but not more than P2,000.00, at the discretion of the Court;
Third Offense	Fine of not less than P2,000.00 but not more than P5,000.00, and revocation of business permit and license to operate and closure of the establishment, at the discretion of the Court.

SECTION 7. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – Should any of the provision of this Ordinance be declared inoperative by the Courts for being inconsistent with the Constitution or the law, the other unaffected provision of this Ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. REPEALING CLAUSE. – Any ordinance, local issuances or rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Ordinance shall take effect 15 days following its publication in a newspaper of local circulation and its posting for three consecutive weeks at conspicuous places in the City Hall.

MARIA BELEN SUNGA ACOSTA

Proponent

Mayor turns over P68-M worth of vehicles, rescue equipment

noreply@blogger.com (Mimz Ayunan) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 11:13:00 +0000

DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Friday turned over more than P68 million worth of emergency vehicles and equipment to Central 911 as part of the city's Peace and Order and Disaster Preparedness Program.

These include equipment for communications, water search and rescue, collapse structure rescue, firefighting, high angle rescue, and medical.

Duterte said the purchase of said equipment is not a legacy but a fulfillment of what he promised to the people of Davao.

"These are state of the art. I'd like to make it clear especially for those who are non-believers, this is worth P68 million. We have amphibians, vehicles that can swim in water and travel in land, more water boats which can help us in emergencies," Duterte said in an interview at Davao Convention and Trade Center where he headed the joint meeting of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), People's Law Enforcement Board (Pleb), and City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac).

The equipment are expected to improve even more the response of the Central 911 under Ret. Col. Mario Monsanto, who is the chief operating officer of the Davao City 911 Center.

Members of response teams under Central 911 also received a lecture from the City Mayor on the proper use of the equipment. Duterte recalled a time when a rushing fire truck ran over a student outside University of Mindanao in Matina.

"That's what I really do not like. You do not kill another person while trying to save another. Ayaw ko yang nago-over speeding kayo. Emergency does not mean you have to go over speeding. Take good care of it and use it wisely," he said.
The equipments are valued at P68,543,643.30.

Some 21 units of vehicles sum to P46,311,302.50, which breaks down to rescue vehicle, multi-purpose water tanker, Argo amphibious all terrain vehicle, ambulance, and 10 police mobile patrol cars.

The communications equipment sum to P2,400,000 made off a sum of 130 units of Icom M34 Marine VHF Portable Radios, Motorola GP-3188 VHF Portable Radios, Motorola VHF Base Radio with Larsen Antenna.

The water search and rescue equipment sum to P5,936,300 some of which are inflatable rubber boats, rigid hull fiberglass boats, personnel floatation devices.

The Collapse Structure Rescue Equipment summed to P2,078,510 some of which are Vibrascope Victim Location System, chainsaw Cut-off Saw, Diamond cutting wheel.
Firefighting equipments sum to P5,167,252 some of which are self contained breathing apparatus, turn-out gears, chrome halligan tool.

The high angle rescue equipment sum to P436,768.80 most of which are ropes, adjustable anchor strap, double pulley with aluminum sheave and others.

The medical equipment summed to P6,204,510 some of which are AED little anne training system, ambulance cot, automated external defibrillator. (JCZ)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on June 12, 2010.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/mayor-turns-over-p68-m-worth-vehicles-rescue-equipment

Order vs smoking in schools welcomed

noreply@blogger.com (Mimz Ayunan) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 05:19:00 +0000

DAVAO City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) welcomed Saturday a recent memorandum from the Department of Education (DepEd) banning smoking in public schools.

DepEd No. 73 series of 2010 "Smoking ban in public schools" issued May 28 but published recently orders the immediate effectiveness of a smoking prohibition "inside school premises including open or covered spaces around school buildings."

ASTF co-chair Dr. Domilyn Villareiz lauded the move that "DepEd has joined other National Government offices with issuance versus smoking like the Civil Service Commission and the Land Transportation Franchise Regulatory Board."

The said memorandum addresses to all hands of DepEd that school heads are instructed to put up "No Smoking" signs in conspicuous places around the school compound. A sign bearing "You are entering a no smoking area" must be displayed in entry points such as gates and side entrances, the order states.

Regional and division officials are instructed to oversee the implementation of the order in schools under their supervision.

Villareiz said the order would also help in monitoring schools in far flung areas.

"It's also good because we cannot monitor schools in far flung areas. Putting up no smoking signs would be of help," Villareiz said in an interview Saturday.

"This would also make teachers and school staff to become role models for the children. Aside from the memo, the DepEd will also teach students about the effects of smoking," she added. (Jade C. Zaldivar)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on June 6, 2010.

SMOKING BAN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

noreply@blogger.com (Mimz Ayunan) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 05:03:00 +0000

Department of Education Memorandum ( DepEd Memo No. 73)

Series of 2010

To: Undersecretaries/Assistant Secretaries

Bureau/Center/Service Directors

Regional Directors

Schools Division/City Superintendents

Heads, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools

1. Effective immediately, smoking will be prohibited inside school premises. This includes open or covered spaces around school buildings.

2. School heads are instructed to put up NO SMOKING signs in conspicuous places around the school compound. A sign bearing "YOR ARE ENTERING A NO SMOKING ARE" must be displayed in entry points such as gates and side entances.

3. Regional and Division officials are instructed to oversee the implementation of this order in schools under their supervision.

4. For strict compliance.

Sgd.

MONA D. VALISNO

Secretary

View Full DepEd Memo No. 73, 2010

Sayon ra ni! cooking manual

noreply@blogger.com (KIWI BULACLAC) — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:10:00 +0000

Inauguration of the Davao City Livelihood Training Center

noreply@blogger.com (KIWI BULACLAC) — Wed, 26 May 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Davao City Livelihood SkillsTraining Center

noreply@blogger.com (KIWI BULACLAC) — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:26:00 +0000

Automated process of voting

noreply@blogger.com (Mimz Ayunan) — Sun, 09 May 2010 10:05:00 +0000

With the new automated process of voting, it is important that we familiarize ourselves with the process so that our votes will not be wasted. I learned a few things from Mr. Gener about the election ballot that could be informative for all of us:

Mr. Gener said that the ballot is very, very sensitive to marks, ink, H20, stains, scratches, folds, sweat, etc. If, say, you have grime on your hands, or your hands are wet, or your sweat drops onto the ballot, the PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan) Unit will not read it. So, keep your hands very clean before voting. That is why the indelible ink will be put on your finger after you're done voting, and not before, and wh y you will be given your ballot in a folder, a "Ballot Secrecy Folder", so that you can lessen the actual handling of the ballot with your hands.
Shade the egg-shaped hole beside your chosen candidate fully (you will be provided with a marker). Don't check, line, X, dot, or half-shade it, because the PCOS Unit will not read it. Try not to go beyond the lines also (well, not too much).
Mr. Diaz said that there will be a barcode going around the ballot. If this is marked, even scratched, in any way, the ballot will be spoiled. He said that if anyone else handles the ballot, watch them well, in case they intentionally scratch the barcode with a fingernail to prevent your ballot from being counted. He used as an example that if you're obviously for a candidate that, say, an unscrupulous precinct official is against (hopefully, there's no such thing as an unscrupulous precinct official ;-P), that official may scratch your barcode to prevent your vote from being counted.
You will have four tries to put your ballot through the PCOS Unit. You can put it in forward, backward, front side up, back side up, whichever, but only four tries. If after the 4th try it doesn't read properly, goodbye ballot.
You will get one chance to have your ballot changed if you don't like it. That's when they first hand it to you. Inspect it right away. If you see any folds, scratches, or marks, you can ask for a change (which may lengthen your voting process, Mr. Gener added).
Bring a list of your chosen candidates on a piece of paper so that you won't spend too much time filling out the ballot. If you make your decisions on the day itself without a list, you could spend a long time filling it up.
Watch the readout on the PCOS Unit when you insert your ballot into it. Mr. Gener said that if successful, it'll read, "Congratulations! Your ballot has been scanned." If not, it'll say why (improper shading, etc.) Get that "Congratulations" message before leaving to make sure your vote is counted.
Bring an ID (Voter's ID is best, but if you don't have one, driver's license, passport, etc. any valid ID with your address and preferably a photo is all right) to present to the BEI (Board of Elections Inspector). If you can find out beforehand through your barangay, also get your Voter's ID number, precinct number, and your sequence number (the number beside your name in the voter's list). This'll speed up your voting process.
The ballot you are given will only be readable by one specific PCOS Unit. In other words, only one machine will be able to read your ballot, because it's pre-registered there, so when you're ready, line up at the proper machine. Don't line up at the wrong machine; your ballot won't be read, and it may spoil your vote.
Polls open on May 10, 2010, at 7 a.m. and end at 6 p.m.
Mr. Gener said that the Comelec told him that with the PCOS Units, we will know the winner of the elections in 5 days. Otherwise, the PCOS Units will allow for a manual count since all votes will be recorded inside the machines (let's hope it doesn't come to that, because it's going to take the usual weeks and weeks to finish the count).
The PCOS Units have internal batteries that can last 16 hours in case of power outages. Since the voting period only lasts 10 hours, there's a 6 hour buffer. But still, let's hope for no brownouts on May 10, 2010.
The PCOS Unit will print out the vote count in what looks like a very long cash register receipt (whose print will last for 5 years, he said), which will be put into a sealed box that'll be sent to the Comelec for prop er counting. Also, the PCOS Unit will count the number of voters who are voting based on the ballots inserted into it, so again, watch the screen on the machine to make sure of voter count, as well as other important messages.
Mr. Gener said that you should vote only the exact number you should vote for. So, vote for only 1 president, 1 vice president, 12 senators, 1 party list, 1 mayor, 1 vice mayor, 1 member of the House of Representatives, etc. (the limit will be there on your ballot as a "Vote for not more than ____"). If you vote for more than the stipulated number, that particular portion of the ballot is spoiled. You may, however, vote for less (as in, if you can't find 12 worthy senatoriables to vote for, it's all right to vote for less than 12).
Mr. Gener stressed repeatedly that in voting this time, one should not make mistakes. It's asking a lot from us, but he said that over and over again. His words: "Don't make mistakes, otherwise, you'll spoil your ballot".
Of course you'll also be asked to do the usual signing of forms and marking of thumbprints.

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NOGIE TRUTH

noreply@blogger.com (MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA) — Sat, 01 May 2010 17:39:00 +0000

NOGIE TRUTH

noreply@blogger.com (MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA) — Sat, 01 May 2010 17:39:00 +0000

A Resolution Supporting the Campaign for Proper E-waste Disposal of ICT Davao, Inc.

noreply@blogger.com (Mimz Ayunan) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:28:00 +0000

Coun. Mabel Acosta passed a resolution supporting the campaign on proper disposal of electronic wastes. The resolution was co-sponsored by: Coun. Isabel Reta and Coun. Danny Dayanghirang.

Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta, Coun. Isabel Reata and Mr. Ricardo Floriendo led the openning of

Davao's e-Tapok e-Waste Collection Event

Lanang, Davao City

April 25, 2010

Privilege Speech of Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta - On Dismissal of the Case

noreply@blogger.com (Mimz Ayunan) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:15:00 +0000

Privilege Speech of Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta
Regular Session of the 15th Council, Series of 2010
April 20, 2010 (as transcribed from City Council proceedings)

Madam President, my colleagues in the City Council, friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

I rise on personal and collective privilege, Your Honor, to express my indignation, regarding the recent dropping of murder charges against two prominent members of the Ampatuan clan, in connection with the November 2009 massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao.

In an interview, Justice Secretary Alberto Agra declared that he granted the petition for review of suspended ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan and Mamasapano Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, and ordered the dropping of the multiple murder case against them for lack of evidence, saying that there was no proof that the two have conspired with the others accused of the said crime. He further stated that mere relationship and having the same name does not establish conspiracy. Also, in another news item, Agra expressed that, “While we condemn the killing of the 57 victims of the massacre, nevertheless, media, if not public, outrage cannot be a reason for a sweeping and senseless indictment."

The controversial decision, however, only elicited harsh remarks and criticisms from concerned associations such as the National Prosecution Service, the NUJP and most importantly the families of the victims of the gruesome massacre. Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano in protest of Justice Secretary Agra’s resolution, in a statement said, “The Department of Justice is supposed to be the sword and shield of law and order. We are deeply concerned that the resolution will all the more convince a long skeptical public that our criminal justice system is impotent when the accused are politically influential”. Further, he added, “We pray and hope that despite difficulties and setbacks, justice will ultimately be served to the victims of this tragedy. It is along this line that we earnestly and respectfully request Acting Secretary Agra to revisit this resolution". Finally he stressed that, "This is not the role of the DOJ in a preliminary investigation or in a petition for review. This is the sole function of the courts. Our task is merely to determine probable cause”.

Assenting to the statement of Chief State Prosecutor Arellano, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) states that it is not Agra who must declare the innocence or guilt of the Ampatuans but the court. In a news item, they elaborated that the decision to drop the charges should have been left to the court considering that it has been filed and the commitment order against the suspects has been issued. Moreover, NUJP Secretary General Rowena Paraan said Agra should not only inhibit from the case but should also resign from the DOJ for "hijacking the judicial process and subverting the very justice he should be upholding."

Madam President, I am saddened and discomforted by this incident, Your Honor, of the outright manifestation of the distorted sense of justice that is governing the country at present. I am one with the NUJP in saying that the order of Justice Secretary Agra is clear proof that justice, law, and democracy is elusive in our present government. Seemingly, there is a blatant display of a government which does not operate through the rule of law but through political expediency; that there is a disconcerting perception where the justice system can be easily manipulated and maneuvered by the politically influential; and that the real victims are not given the justice that they deserve.

Your Honor, it may be true that we lack neither the authority nor the power to decide on the innocence or guilt of the Ampatuans. Conversely, neither does Justice Secretary Agra. As NUJP stated in their statement, “By issuing the order, the man supposedly sworn to uphold justice in this country has preempted that prerogative of the court”. I will reiterate, Your Honor, NUJP’s statement saying that, “Agra has hijacked the judicial process and subverted the very justice he should be upholding”.

More significantly, amidst all these controversies and scandals, we must not forget the real victims of the November 23 massacre of 57 persons—the unwilling and innocent families who now appear to be caught in the dirty works of politics. What crime has the family members of the aggrieved politician done to deserve their fate? What crime has the slain journalists, who were only there to cover the filing of candidacy, done to deserve this senseless and gruesome death? Or the persons who happened to pass by at the unfortunate day and time and place?

The relatives of the massacre victims now worry not only for the injustice but also for their safety. Their families are certainly dismayed upon learning of Agra’s decision and expressed their plan to appeal the ruling. It is but unfortunate for them to realize, Your Honor, that two of the very suspects of the crime done to them and their loved ones are being cleared.

I speak, Your Honor, as a leader of this city, as a journalist, as a wife, as a mother, as a citizen of this nation, and empathize with those who still believe that there is still hope for justice in our country. I call on the Filipino people to condemn this latest atrocity. Let us remain vigilant and express our deepest and strongest sentiments, unceasingly and relentlessly as history unfolds. For if not, Your Honor, I fear the next generation of Filipinos would have neither respect nor love for our country and the people and institutions that govern it.

Thank you very much Your Honor, and maayong buntag kanatong tanan.