Davao City News Feed

Floyd Mayweather Jr. out as next foe for Manny Pacquiao

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:24:00 +0000

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Manny Pacquiao should now train his sight on an opponent other than Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Much as the Filipino eight-division world champion wants to fight the unbeaten Mayweather soonest, the American justice system deprived him and the fight fans of the dream showdown until after the first half of 2012.

Lawyer Jeng Gacal, Sarangani Rep. Pacquiao’s chief of staff, told the Inquirer Thursday that Mayweather’s three-month jail sentence starting on Jan. 6 effectively quashed hopes of the megabuck bout happening in May— or even in June—as envisioned by the Filipino superstar’s promoter Bob Arum.

“Apparently, he [Mayweather] is out of the picture,” said Gacal. “Unless a suspension [of the three-month jail sentence] occurs, there’s no way for the fight to push through.”

Even that is wishful thinking as half of Mayweather’ six-month sentence has already been suspended by Las Vegas Judge Melissa Saragosa.

With Mayweather unavailable until early April, Pacquiao and Arum may have to look for other candidates, who, however, will bring in far less money to the fight than the flamboyant American, the former pound-for-pound king.

According to Gacal, if Mayweather fails to get another suspension of [the three more months of his sentence], the short list of possible Pacquiao foe will be made up of Juan Manuel Marquez, who is very keen on a fourth fight with the Filipino; Miguel Cotto, who is seeking revenge from a 12-round stoppage handed him by Pacquiao in 2009; and World Boxing Organization light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.

Against Marquez, whom he beat by majority decision last month, Pacquiao earned at least $25 million. That would pale in comparison, however, to a projected Pacquiao earnings of at least $50 million against Mayweather.

Before Mayweather’s guilty plea and eventual sentencing, Pacquiao had already agreed to a smaller share of the prize purse and to an Olympic-style drug-testing just to lure Mayweather back into the negotiating table.

The Mayweather camp can still appeal the decision, but the motion would only prolong the court proceedings and endanger the chances of the Pacquiao fight pushing through.

Davao City Treasurer’s Office says no increase in business tax in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:11:00 +0000

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AN OFFICIAL of the City Treasurer's Office (CTO) assured Thursday the City Government's plan to increase the business tax will not take effect in 2012.

Teresita Reyes, chief of the CTO's Treasury Operations Revenue Unit, told Sun.Star Davao in an interview that the proposed hike on the tax rate is one of the measures that will be implemented by the City Government to cope with the possible effects of the slashed Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of the city.

"Basta mao lang na ang sigurado sa karon, wala pay mahitabong increase sa tax rate sa 2012 (One thing is sure, presently, there will be no increase on the tax rate for 2012),” Reyes said.

Should the city's legislative department, through the recommendation of the City Hall, amend the existing Tax Code of Davao City, this will be the second instance that the business tax rate will be raised.

The first time the city increased the business tax was in 2005.

Among the 26 business classifications in the city, businesses under the retailer sector pays the highest tax rate at two percent for the first P400,000 of its income and one and a half percent for the excess.

Under the retailer section are supermarkets and groceries of big shopping malls in Davao City.

The first time that the city's IRA share was slashed for almost P160 million was in 2009 due to the global financial crisis. The second time was when the Supreme Court ruled with finality the cityhood status of 16 municipalities which decreased the city's IRA share by P360 million.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 23, 2011.

Buffer zone sought for power plant

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:09:00 +0000

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DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio wants to require Aboitiz Power Corp. (APC) to establish a buffer zone around the 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant it will build in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Ms. Duterte-Carpio said in a recent interview that the buffer zone would be among the mitigating measures the company must adopt to ensure that the impact of the planned P25-billion power plant on the environment and peoples’ health would be minimized.

The mayor made the call after the city council overrode her veto on the conversion of a portion of the 51-hectare project site from protective medium industrial zone category to protective heavy industrial zone in order to accommodate the plant.

She added the city council’s committee on environment is finalizing its computation on how large the buffer zone should be.

APC President and Chief Executive Officer Erramon I. Aboitiz said his company will ensure that the power plant, which will utilize new technology, will have minimal impact on the surrounding environment and communities.

“We would like to assure her (Ms. Duterte-Carpio) and the people of Davao City of our determination to, at all times, keep the development and operation of the plant at a level that measures up to stringent health, safety, and environmental protection standards that are expected of us,” he said in a recent statement.

He said the power plant would be “equipped with proven capabilities to safeguard the health of people and the environment.” -- C. Q. Francisco

‘Payong-payongs’ still ply national roads

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:09:00 +0000

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DESPITE a stern warning, "payong-payong" drivers remain defiant to the order of Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte not to solicit passengers along national highways.

This defiance reportedly led to the death of a 15-year-old boy, after he fell from a motorcycle and ran over by a mini-truck in Lubogan, Toril, Davao City around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Police Officer 2 Jefferson F. Torno, investigator of the Toril police station, identified the victim as Christian Nico Varo Gerasmio of Purok 1 Lubogan, Toril, Davao City.

The motorcycle driver was identified as Noel Parrot Castro of Kasama Village in Toril, while the mini-truck driver was identified as Lemboy Babao Coma of Calinan. Police said the two are holders of Professional Drivers License (PDL).

Initial investigation showed the victim was onboard a Honda motorcycle with sidecar whose driver was soliciting other passengers when a color white Isuzu mini-truck bumped the rear portion of the motorcycle.

The victim was declared dead on arrival at the St. John Hospital.

The two drivers are detained at Toril police station.

Duterte earlier said motorcycles with sidecar (payong-payong) could only operate in barangay areas and not on national highways as they are road hazards.

The vice mayor also warned all public utility vehicle operators and drivers to follow the City Government's policies.

Duterte added that whoever will not follow the 30-40-kilometer-per-hour speed limit policy and not using the prescribed warning device of the Land Transportation Office will be arrested.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 23, 2011.

Good Samaritans pour in for 'Sendong' victims

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:06:00 +0000

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DAVAO CITY, Dec 22 (PIA) -- Local government units and various private organizations here in Region XI sent financial and other forms of donation to help the Tropical Storm Sendong victims in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

Starting Tuesday morning, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte sent P3 million assistance; P2 million of which was in the form of relief goods while the remaining P1 million was in cash as financial assistance to the victims.

That same day, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario led the send off of four dump trucks filled with P1 million worth of relief goods. As chair of the Confederation of Local Chief Executives in Mindanao, he then asked all governors and mayors of all LGUS in the island to send donation to victims of Sendong.

Seeing the needs of the flash flood victims in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City, the local government of Mati City, Davao Oriental through Mayor Michelle Rabat sent P200,000 cash assistance for both Cagayan and Iligan calamity victims.

Other initiatives from the private sector also surfaced after learning about the incident. Professional photographers in the city like Jojie Alcantara, Rene Lumawag, Rhonson Ng, Bob Mata, Paul Borromeo is organizing Shoot for Hope on December 30, a photography workshop aimed at raising funds for the victims of the typhoon Sendong.

Private establishment like the Mail and More has become a drop off point for bottled waters, clothes, noodles, biscuits, coffee, canned goods, medicines, blankets, mats, mosquito nets. Donations will be sent directly to DSWD 10, which will be airlifted by Air 21.

Other drop off points are LBC Express branch, Davao Peacebuilder Community located at the 2nd Flr. Coffee for Peace, McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City (beside EastWest bank, across McDonalds), JCI Davao Region, Philippine Red Cross and ABS CBN Davao.

Smart subscribers all over the country may send help to those affected by typhoon Sendong. Smart Money users can instantly transfer funds through their mobile phones to the official Baha Fund account number 5577 5130 6822 1104. Donors may also deposit cash to the same Smart Money account number in any Banco De Oro branch nationwide or through Hapinoy and Cebuana Lhuillier outlets. Subscribers may donate to #Sendong victims via text. Just send RED to 4143. Valid donation amounts are 10, 25, 50, 100.”

Globe Subscribers may also send donation through GCASH by texting DONATE and send to 2882.
Also, the Cebu Pacific Airlines is offering free shipping of donations.
The Mindanao Development Authority shares this directory information to guide the public who want to send in their cash or kind donations through these institutions. (PIA/Mai Gevera-Macapagat)

Illegal billboards in Davao city increasing

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:03:00 +0000

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SEVERAL giant billboards inspected by the City Building Office (CBO) are found to have violated the law regulating the installation of billboards in the country.

Jaime Adalin, CBO chief, told Sun.Star Davao that since they started the strict monitoring of giant billboards in the city, upon the order of Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte a few months ago, they already checked a total of 245 billboards across the city.

Of this number, 52 have been issued first notice of violation, 42 subjected for hearing, and three have been issued final notice of violation.

Among the common violations of billboard owners are their failure to secure valid permit, which is necessary before they could install the billboards.

"Hindi naman siya ganun ka alarming, dumami lang (The number is not that alarming, but it's increasing) after we had intensified our monitoring as ordered by the mayor," Adalin said.

Aside from this, Adalin also launched the program dubbed as "Operation Bantay-Balaod" in August wherein all his men are encouraged to report any illegal construction or billboards in the city.

He said giving incentives to CBO employees contributed a lot in monitoring erring people behind the illegal billboards.

Adalin said City Ordinance 092 regulates installation of billboards and other advertising materials in public places.

Under the Presidential Decree (PD) 1096, otherwise known as the National Building Code of the Philippines, particularly on rule 20 that regulates installation of signage, it is the task of the local government to monitor the strict compliance of the same law.

"New free-standing and roof mounted off-premise signs or signboard structures along national and provincial roads shall have a setback of five meters at the front and two meters at the sides and rear. The setback provision shall be measured from the front yard property line of the private property to the outermost edge of the billboard display frame," the additional rules and regulations of the PD 1096 read.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 23, 2011.

Davao Region unemployment rate hits 3-year low

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:21:00 +0000

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DAVAO CITY Dec. 22 (PIA) -- The unemployment rate in Davao Region has hit a 3-year low, according to figures from the Department of Labor and Employment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

MGB-XI worried over planned resolution on mining-free city

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:09:00 +0000

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The regional office of Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) hopes to attend the committee hearings on the proposed resolution to declare the city as mining-free zone for the agency to explain its possible implications.

“We are very much worried on the proposed resolution … We are surprised on why they are planning to ban open-pit mining and underground mining,” Edilberto Arreza, regional director of MGB-XI, said yesterday in the weekly Club 888 forum at Marco Polo Davao Hotel.

He said at least five local mining firms have signified their intention to operate in the city pending their applications before the agency and endorsement from the local government unit.

He added the industry itself, if it is done responsibly, will not cause environmental problems and pollution. Risks will be mitigated if the firms follow the guidelines set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Last week, the city council okayed on first reading the proposed resolution prohibiting mining in the city. The measure was authored by Councilors Victorio U. Advincula Jr. and Paolo Z. Duterte. It was referred to the committee on environment and natural resources for appropriate action.

The proposal stated that open-pit mining and underground mining should be banned in the city except quarrying for landfill and sand gravel purposes to protect the city from the possible risks made by the industry

“The nature of mining processes creates a potential negative impact on the environment both during the operations and for years after the mine is closed,” the proposed measure cited. It added that the industry could result to soil erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity and contamination of soil.

Zamboanga Sibugay and South Cotabato have also passed a measure banning of open-pit mining in their respective areas.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has also called earlier the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and MGB to keep mining out in the city especially in Paquibato and Marilog except quarry operations since it is allowed by the city government.

“I have already declared that mining is out of the question as it will bring more problems than solutions and we can learn a lot just by a cursory examination of local government units with mining areas,” she said in her second State of the City Address on Sept. 20.

SPMC new building to open in March next year

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:04:00 +0000

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The P25-million annex building of Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) is targetted to be opened to patients by March next year.

SPMC chief Leopoldo Vega said yesterday in an interview that the facility can house 150 patients to prevent them from being placed in the alleys and gymnasium under the vicinity of the health facility. At present, 50 patients are seeking shelter in the gymnasium and 20 along the alleys.

“The annex is one way to address the problem,” he said.

He said the hospital is currently experiencing a shortage of rooms with the growing number of patients. This year, the center registered 1,300 individuals who are hospitalized in the facility with persons from outside Davao City.

The hospital is a 1,200 bed capacity.

But despite that the center has started improving its infrastructure, he admitted that they still lacked manpower. “We hope that the number of employees will be increased now with the passage of the General Appropriations Act,” he said.

The objective of the act is to fulfill the priorities of the administration in promoting social services, supporting economic growth and reducing poverty.

He said the center needs 3,500 workers against its current number of personnel with 1,725 nurses, doctors and support staff. The hospital has a ratio one nurse for every 30 patients and one doctor per 40 patients. Ideally, there should be one nurse for every 12 patients and one doctor per 10 to 15 patients.

Manila, Cebu, CDO are most dangerous places for journalists

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 04:33:00 +0000

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MANILA, Philippines - Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro are among the world's most dangerous places to be a journalist, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Thursday.

The 3 cities are included in RSF's list of 10 most dangerous places for journalists for 2011.

The group said most of the murders and physical attacks on journalists in the Philippines take place in these 3 metropolitan areas. It said paramilitary groups and private militias responsible were classified as “Predators of Press Freedom” in 2011.

"The government that took office in July has still not come up with a satisfactory response, so these groups continue to enjoy a total impunity that is the result of corruption, links between certain politicians and organized crime, and an insufficiently independent judicial system," the RSF report said.

The organization said 2 Filipino journalists were killed this year: radio journalists Gerardo "Doc Gerry" Ortega of Palawan and Romeo Olea of Iriga City.

Other places listed as the most dangerous for journalists in the world are Mogadishu, Somalia; Cairo's Tahrir Square, Egypt; Misrata, Libya; Veracruz state, Mexico; Khudzar, Pakistan; Deraa, Homs and Damascus, Syria; Sanaa's Change Square, Yemen; Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and Manama, Bahrain.

The Committee to Protect Journalists earlier ranked the Philippines third on its 2011 Impunity Index, regarding it as one of the worst countries not only in terms of the number of journalists murdered regularly, but also by the ability of the government to solve the related crimes. Iraq is ranked first and Somalia, second.

The Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign also listed the Philippines as the 5th most dangerous country for journalists.

via abs-cbnnews.com

Mayor Sara Duterte: Pasko Fiesta going well

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:52:00 +0000

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FOR Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte, all activities and events lined up for this year's Pasko Fiesta celebration is going well.

Though still a few days before Christmas, Duterte said she is satisfied by the performance of the steering committees that handled, for the first time, the annual Pasko Fiesta.

The mayor also lauded all Dabawenyos and those who traveled all their way to the city just to celebrate and take part in the activities that the City Government had prepared.

"I would like to extend the gratitude to the Davao Chinatown Development Council (DCDC), Duaw Davao Festivals Foundation, and the Davao Tour Operators Association for partnering with the Davao City Government," Duterte said.

She said she takes pride in the events and activities that have been laid down by the organizers and the city that really showcased how cheerful and creative Dabawenyos are.

"I cannot compare it with last year because this is the first time these groups handle the events for Pasko Fiesta, and there were a few events last year," the Duterte added.

For this year's festival, the city allotted almost P3 million for prizes for various events.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 22, 2011.

Davao footballers plays for flood victims in DFAid II

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:48:00 +0000

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DAVAO CITY, Dec. 21 -- There is a reason to go back to the field on Christmas eve.
Football players will play a weekend more on Saturday, this time to raise funds for the flood victims of the devastating Sendong which recently hit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City and claimed some 1,000 lives.

Dubbed DFAid II, the fun games will be staged at the Davao Crocodile Park football complex with four football fields playing simultaneous games. It will be the second DFAid football-for-a-cause after the first one last July 7 to help raise donations for the flood victims of Matina.
DFAid II is organized by the Davao Football Community and Bravetower Events Promotions in cooperation with Davao Football Association (DFA), Davao Crocodile Park, Mindanao Travel Channel, and ABS-CBN.

“Yes, we are going back to the football field on Christmas eve to help the flood victims. We celebrated our Christmas party on the same day the floods hit Cagayan de Oro and we felt we need to go back and play, not to celebrate but to help,” said Boboy Arrieta of the DFC after declaring that there will be football games this Saturday.

The DFC has already declared no games on Saturday after the completion of the three-leg DFC tournament and its Christmas party last Sunday.

Neil Bravo of sports firm Bravetower said he spoke to Davao Crocodile Park Football Academy coach Christian Ea who was in Cagayan de Oro with the Metro TMS club in the ongoing Philippine Futsal League Mindanao and was told of the situation in the calamity-hit city.

Bravo was told by Ea that there were even reports that there were some players and referees whose families perished in the floods.

“We hope that our football community will respond the way they did during the first DFAid. Maybe even more this time because of the gravity of the situation and the spirit of the Christmas season,” Bravo said.

He added that Davao Crocodile Park president Sonny Dizon expressed elation over the social responsibility shown by the sports community.

ABS-CBN Davao through DXAB head Andy Rara already responded to receive and deliver the donations to Cagayan de Oro.

DFAid II will be a fun games format with teams playing 7-a-side. All four fields will be used simultaneously. Registration will be P500 per team with all proceeds going to the flood donations. Players and even non-players are encouraged to bring foodstuff, clothing, and bottled water which are the immediate need of the flood victims.

DFAid I was among the first sports-driven project to help raise relief goods and donations to flood victims during the June 25 flashfloods in Davao.

Davao City executives hand P4M to ‘Sendong’ vicitms

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:47:00 +0000

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Photo via Desdimona Aportadera

Photo via MindaNews

ILIGAN CITY -- The Dutertes of Davao City flew to the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro Wednesday to personally deliver P1 million cash to each of the two cities ravaged by Tropical Storm Sendong (international codename: Washi) Friday last week.

Sending cash has become the practice when the city sends donations to beleaguered cities and provinces because it allows the receiving agency to use the money immediately. This was first done when Typhoon Ondoy hit Luzon, and the city sent over its police chief to hand-carry P10 million in cash to the Philippine Red Cross.

Mayor Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte flew in two separate choppers and landed in Iligan City past 10 a.m. The two Dutertes then went to the Iligan City Hall to meet with Mayor Lawrence Cruz.

Inside Cruz's office, Mayor Duterte presented him one duffle bag containing P1 million in cash. This is aside from the three dump trucks -- full of groceries and bottled water that was transported from Davao City all the way to Iligan City.

Cruz expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Dabawenyos for their help. He said the donation will go a long way especially so that they a still conducting retrieval and clean-up operations.

He said as of Wednesday, they have recovered more than 300 bodies with more than 400 still missing and are believed to have died as well.

After visiting Iligan, the Dutertes then flew to Cagayan de Oro City to meet with Mayor Vicente Emano who is a longtime political friend of Vice Mayor Duterte.

There, the Davao City officials also presented another duffle bag containing P1 million in cash to Emano for the Cagayan de Oro City to use in alleviating the plight of thousands of residents affected by Tropical Storm Sendong.

On Tuesday afternoon, another three dump trucks full of groceries and bottled waters were also endorsed by Magno Adalin to the Cagayan de Oro City Government as part of Davao City's donation to the flood victims.

The convoy of relief goods has also become a practice of sorts, which was first started in 1991, when the City Government was among the first to respond to the Ormoc flood that killed more than 6,000 in just a few hours. That was the first time the city sent off a convoy of dump trucks to bring over foodstuff and clothing.

Vice Mayor Duterte said they have allotted a total of P4 million and not just P3 million for flood victims of Northern Mindanao, as a way of showing Dabawenyos' sympathy to the flood victims.

He said Dabawenyos know how difficult it is to be hit by a ravaging flashflood considering that Davao City was also hit by the same calamity early this year that resulted to the death of more than 30 people.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 22, 2011.

28 groups to join ‘Lamdag Parada’, happening tonight

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:16:00 +0000

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Twenty-eight groups have already committed to participate Lamdag Parada, a Disney-inspired electrical float parade, by next week.

Orly Escarilla, spokesperson of Pasko Fiesta, said yesterday in the weekly I-Speak forum at the conference room at the city hall that they are still expecting more participants before the event on December 21.

“We hope to exceed the number of participants in the event last year,” he said.

He said six companies will participate in the large float category; six in small float category and 16 individuals to become as best Christmas character. The contest is open to any person, institution, commercial or business establishment.

The first prize for the best lighted theme float under large category is P150,000 while the winning participant in small category will get P50,000.

The first prize for the winning Christmas character can have P15,000.

The parade will start at R. Magsaysay Ave. to Rizal Park.

It was first conducted last year. Last year, there were at least 11 competing floats out of 37 participating contingents.

The winning contingent last year was the float of New City Commercial Center which featured a magical theme showcasing a castle with fairies, unicorn and blue Christmas lights. The firm was followed by the float of Davao Tourism Association.

The briefer of the activity stated that the “Lamdag Parada is the city’s version of the world-famous electric light parade and will again feature holiday lights on elaborate floats.” At present, the organizers have no record yet on how many contingents will participate this year.

The city with the Duaw-Davao Foundation, meanwhile, has also lined-up more activities for Pasko Fiesta this month. Among the activities include nine mornings and Pasko sa Litsonan ng Chinatown at Chavez Street that would start today.

There would be also new year’s eve countdown party fun run by 12 midnight of December 31.

Davao City Councilors to discuss proposal to create disaster body next year

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:14:00 +0000

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The city council will discuss the proposal to create the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office early next year.

Councilor Marissa P. Salvador-Abella, author of the proposal and chair of the committee on environment and natural resources, said it was recently approved for first reading. It was co-authored by Councilor Melchor Quitain.

Salvador-Abella said the creation of the office is pursuant to Republic Act 10121 or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act that mandates every local government unit to establish a City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office

The creation of the office should also be strengthened, she added.

Sec. 12 of the Act cites that there should be an office “which shall be responsible for setting the direction, development, implementation and coordination of disaster risk management programs within their territorial jurisdiction.”

With the creation of the office, Mario Verner S. Monsanto, chief operating officer of Central 911 and part of the body drafting the creation of the proposal, said earlier that it would be easier to get 70 percent of the calamity fund for pre-disaster activities as based on the law.

He said the unused budget from the calamity fund will not also fall under general fund on the annual budget. The city has currently a calamity fund of about P85 million.

“The office will operate and enforce the implementation of the law apart from having City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council which is the policy-making body on disaster risk reduction,” Monsanto said.

Salvador-Abella, meanwhile, pushed for the continued campaign for a healthy environment such as reduction of wastes, tree planting, saving water and energy.

“But this is a collective effort which rests not solely in the hands of the government but of the residents of this city who are all at risk to calamities. Hand in hand we must act and must act now before it is too late,” she said in her privilege speech yesterday in the special session.

Dureza: Mindanao typhoon-free?

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:48:00 +0000

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THE last time I can recall Mindanao, specifically Davao, was hit by a typhoon was about 40 years or so ago.

Typhoon "Titang" circa late 1960's veered its course and slammed the coastal towns of Davao del Sur, including Davao City. I was a new reporter of the Mindanao Times then just fresh from college.

Mindanao is traditionally "outside the typhoon" belt. Although typhoons are born in the Pacific Ocean east of the island, they start their westerly course northwards and always miss us. In fact, Mindanao boasts of its comparative advantage in agriculture in that we are immune and free from typhoons. But not over this weekend.

Typhoon "Sendong" hit northern Mindanao and up this time, Cagayan de Oro, the hardest hit, is still reeling from the shock.

LUCKY. I called up our relatives in Cagayan de Oro City as I knew their house was built near the river. My uncle, the late Felimon Dureza, was a retired bus driver of the Jesuit's Xavier University and I was told that the university helped the family with a lot for a home in Barangay Carmen. The house just disappeared with the rushing waters.

Our lucky cousins saved themselves, 10 of them, including small children, by climbing a big mango tree that was just outside the window. The house was shattered and they clung for dear lives on the branches until they were rescued. I am sure countless horror stories will start filtering out when the smoke clears.

SAD CHRISTMAS. With the many dead and homeless, perhaps we can spare a little bit of our blessings this Christmas season for those suffering victims.

Deaths from Sendong nearing 1,000: NDRRMC

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:47:00 +0000

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DEATHS FROM a storm that devastated Northern Mindanao at the weekend dramatically rose to nearly a thousand on Tuesday, according to an update from the state disaster agency, as recovery and relief efforts go on full swing with the declaration of a state of calamity in affected areas.
A 6 a.m. bulletin of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) tallied 957 deaths and 49 others missing in seven regions in Mindanao and the Visayas that were affected by tropical storm Sendong (international name: Washi), while damage to agriculture has reached nearly P2 million.

More than 280,000 individuals are being served in and out of evacuation centers, the report noted, out of over 380,000 affected persons in 13 provinces.

The number of casualties has approximated the combined deaths from tropical storm Ondoy (Ketsana) and followed by typhoon Pepeng (Parma) that battered the main island of Luzon in late 2009, according to official data.

President Benigno S. C. Aquino III visited the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in Mindanao on Tuesday and declared a state of calamity in storm-affected areas, effectively mobilizing national resources to augment relief and rehabilitation efforts of local governments.

Sendong exited the country on Sunday after causing massive flooding in the port cities of Cagayan and Iligan early Saturday. The region is normally spared from storms, with the last severe weather condition recorded 12 years ago.

In a briefing in Cagayan de Oro aired over state-run dzRB, Mr. Aquino said the government will also assist other calamity areas.

“We will be assisting not only Cagayan but also Iligan, Negros Oriental and Iloilo,” he said.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Abigail D. Valte explained that price control is automatically implemented in areas under a state of calamity. Victims are also entitled to interest-free loans from government financial institutions, while local government units are authorized to take loans here and abroad if needed.

The President has also directed agencies to utilize P1.17 billion in calamity funds for rehabilitation and rescue operations in the affected cities.

Mr. Aquino outlined priority reconstruction activities, namely, bridge repair (estimated at P90 million); rehabilitation and reconstruction of the water system (P54 million); and reconstruction of at least 500 houses in Iligan and an initial 1,000 houses in Cagayan.

He assured that the government can shoulder the cost, including an option to avail of supplemental funding from a loan facility of the World Bank in times of national calamity, while countries such as the United States and Japan have offered their assistance.

The government is also reviewing preventive measures and will be deploying automatic water level sensors in the 18 major river basins, with an initial 1,000 units worth P150 million earmarked for the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the president said.

“We would like to assure you that we are going to fine-tune all of the systems in place so that now we can prevent this tragedy from ever happening,” said Mr. Aquino. “There is going to be a fact-finding… exactly where we can augment the systems that are in place so that there are no casualties of this magnitude ever again.”

In the long-term, the President is eyeing the relocation of persons from the danger zones, particularly the Isla de Oro and surrounding communities in Cagayan de Oro, and a doubling of reforestation efforts to create a natural barrier against flood.

“Our first priority is to relocate [residents] to areas that no longer pose a danger to them,” said the President. -- with reports from Noemi M. Gonzales

Davao City sends P3-M aid to ‘Sendong’ victims

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:37:00 +0000

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SIX dump trucks containing P2 million worth of groceries were sent by the Davao City Government to the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Tuesday, along with four other vehicles to complete a ten-vehicle convoy. The remaining P1 million will be in cash.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte headed the send-off party composed of 44 men from the City Hall.

The Davao team, headed by Magno Adali, left around 6 a.m. and arrived in Cagayan de Oro past 3 p.m.

The team left three dump trucks of groceries in Cagayan de Oro and brought the other three to Iligan City.

Duterte said they initially included El Salvador City in the beneficiaries, but officials of the city requested Duterte to instead donate their share to Cagayan de Oro victims.

Davao Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to fly to Cagayan de Oro Wednesday or Thursday to personally deliver the P1-million cash that will be divided among the two most affected cities in Northern Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths in the Tropical Storm Sendong (international codename: Washi) that ravaged Mindanao Friday evening could surpass the 1,000 mark, making it the world's worst typhoon this year.

Based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the death toll has reached 957 as of Tuesday. Injured people numbered to 1,582 and missing has remarkably decreased to 49.

Northern Mindanao has the most number of casualties with 905, of which Cagayan de Oro has 579, Iligan with 279, and Bukidnon with 47 deaths. Central Visayas Region has 39 deaths, Davao Region has five deaths, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has four deaths, Zamboanga Peninsula has three dead and Caraga Region has one dead.

In Bukidnon, three of the 47 reported deaths were said to be police responders doing disaster response operations.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 21, 2011.

Davao City Government needs 67 more employees

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:38:00 +0000

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THE City Government of Davao still needs a total of 67 personnel to be assigned to various departments of the City Hall.

Based on the latest notice of vacant positions issued by Erwin Alparaque, acting chief of the City Hall Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) dated December 14, the vacant job postings range from job order positions to regular ones.

Of the 19 departments of the City Hall, the office of the City Administrator has the most number of vacant slots with 13 to be filled in, followed by the City Engineer's Office with 10 vacant positions.

Fourteen City Hall departments also requested for personnel augmentation, including the City Council, which requested eight more personnel.

The 76 vacant positions are almost 50 percent lower than what have been posted by HRMO last October wherein 110 vacant positions were up for occupancy.

The following are the remaining department at the City Hall with the number of vacancies posted: City Accountant's Office, 2; City Agriculturist Office, 5; City Assessor's Office, 2; City Civil Registrar, 4; City Environment and Natural Resources, 2; General Services Office, 5; City Health Office, 4; City Legal Office, 1; City Mayor's Office, 3; City Social Services and Development Office, 2; and City Treasurer's Office, 4.

The vacant positions include administrative personnel for various offices, animal keeper, cemetery caretaker, development officer, engineers, IT professionals, market inspectors, transportation regulations officer, agriculturists, aquaculturist, special agent, local assessment operations personnel, registration officers, building inspector, construction and maintenance general foreman, draftsman, machinist, welder, environmental management specialist, security officer, dental aide, rural health physician, sanitation inspector, statistician, lawyer, drivers, bookbinder, and day care workers, among others. (JOP)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 20, 2011.

Environment Group rules out people's initiative vs coal plant

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:34:00 +0000

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AN ENVIRONMENT group ruled out Monday people's initiative as a means to repeal an ordinance that paves the way for the setting up of a coal-fired power plant in Davao City, saying it "can be subverted through vote buying."

Instead, Dr. Jean Lindo, convenor of No-to-Coal Davao, said they will push for the filing of the case before the court to declare the ordinance reclassifying a portion of the land in Barangay Binugao, where the 300-megawatt (MW) Therma South Energy Project of AboitizPower Corp. is set to be established.

She said even if it is explicitly provided for by the Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines, that the public can reject an enacted ordinance passed by the City Council by way of referendum with a vote reaching 10 percent of the total registered voter of the city, it is not among their options.

The City Council overruled the veto of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on the reclassification ordinance.

"We have ruled out referendum since people's initiative can be subverted through vote buying. We will go to court and we will continue to seek audience to other agencies," Lindo told Sun.Star Davao.

Lindo said they are also mulling to invoke the Writ of Kalikasan before the Supreme Court (SC), but said this will be their last resort aside from worldwide campaign against coal.

She said the emergence of several institutions discussing renewable energy for their operational needs is a good sign, thus she said they are readying for a strategic struggle against coal-fired plants.

"We challenge the local government units, and proponent of the coal-fired plant for an energy audit, health impact assessment, among others," she added. (JOP)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 20, 2011.

Davao Police donate relief goods for flood victims

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:32:00 +0000

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THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao donated Monday around 25 sacks and boxes of clothes and relief goods for the victims of flash floods brought by Tropical Storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.

Senior Inspector Gretchin Cinco, PRO-Davao assistant spokesperson, said the goods were partial donations from their personnel and there will be another batch in the following days.

"The AFP/PNP (Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police) is supposed to have a gift giving for the patients of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), but since mas may nangangailangan pa, we decided that the budget for the gift giving will be donated to the victims of Sendong," Cinco said.

Cinco said the PRO is encouraging its personnel to extend their help and drop their donations for Sendong victims.

Cinco added there were also around 60 personnel from the Regional Public Safety Battalion-Davao deployed in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan to assist the relief and retrieval operations.

"We are doing this for our brothers and sisters especially now that Christmas is fast approaching. And we will continue this as part sa sinumpaan namin sa bayan - to serve and protect our country," Cinco said. (ICT)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 20, 2011.

Davao City Police still clueless on 'chop-chop' lady’s case

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

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THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is still clueless on the case of a "chop-chop" lady found at New Carmen dumpsite, Tugbok District on Wednesday afternoon.

Superintendent Antonio Rivera, chief of the Davao City Police Office's Intelligence and Detection Management Branch (DCPO-IDMB), said the victim remains unidentified and no one has claimed her remains.

Rivera added that those indigents who came to their office last Thursday to claim the victim's cadaver were not her real relatives. “They just misidentified the victim.”

"It so happened that they were also looking for their missing cousin that time so they came to our office, but their cousin appeared the following day. Mao nga hantod karon wala pa ta'y lead sa kaso," Rivera said.

He told Sun.Star Davao that the police find difficulty in solving the case because of lack of information and witnesses to support their investigation.

"We encourage the witnesses to please help us. Our investigation is still ongoing, but we don't know where to start kay wala man jud mi kaila sa biktima (the victim is unidentified)," Rivera said, adding the victim was not an indigent.

Reports said garbage personnel were on the corner of Carnation and Pag-asa streets in Buhangin around 6:30 a.m. when two unidentified men carrying three white sacks requested them to prioritize their garbage.

When the scavengers opened the sacks, they saw human body parts. They first saw a woman's severed head and arms inside a carton box, while the other body parts were found in the three sacks.

Rivera said the two unidentified men were believed to be the suspects.

Collectors described one of them as 5’8” in height, in his late 50's, with gray hair, and wearing striped polo shirt, while the other one was 5'9" in height, in his late 40's, has fair complexion, with black hair, and wearing yellow shirt.

The City Environment and Natural Resources Office is also conducting investigation in Buhangin District, Davao City. (ICT)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 20, 2011.

Dangers of Jeepney in Davao City, Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:14:00 +0000

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Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte agreed with the officials of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Traffic Group of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and public transport groups to tighten the noose against “usu-uso” jeepneys and “bora-bora” motorcycles.

Speaking in an emergency meeting at the Men Seng Hotel Wednesday evening, the vice mayor said the local government can no longer keep a blind eye on overspeeding leading to vehicular accidents which have claimed many lives.

Duterte said the 40-kilometer per hour speed must be observed at all times by all vehicles in the city.

He said “usu-uso” jeepneys and modified mufflers of motorcycles can only operate up to December 31.

Duterte said traffic enforcers will run after “usu-uso” jeepneys which make streets their public terminal.

“Otherwise, we will flag them down and confiscate the vehicles,” Duterte said.

He said reckless drivers must be disciplined by the LTO while the LTFRB will cancel their corresponding franchise.

Duterte advised operators of usu-uso and modified motorcycle mufflers to follow the prescribed standard for engine and mufflers, respectively before the year ends or they will be penalized.

He said even the muffler of his motorbike has been restored to the prescribed standard.

Duterte stressed that authorities will no longer allow poverty as excuse for violations.

“We have to save lives here. We cannot keep a blind eye in face of many violations putting people in jeopardy,” he said.

Davao City Council okays P3-M aid for flood victims in Northern Mindanao

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:44:00 +0000

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THE Davao City Government will extend P3-million assistance to thousands of flood victims in Northern Mindanao areas affected by Tropical Storm Sendong.

In a special session Monday, the City Council passed an ordinance authorizing Mayor Sara Duterte to utilize a portion of the city's calamity fund for those adversely affected by the flashflood.

Of the P3-million assistance, P2 million will be used to purchase food, basic needs of the victims and various relief goods, while the remaining P1 million will be utilized as financial assistance to the victims.

In 2009, the city also donated P10 million to the victims of Typhoon "Ondoy". The donation was coursed through the Philippine National Red Cross.

Then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and members of the 15th City Council donated their one-month salary to Ondoy victims.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 20, 2011.

Davao City Drivers told: Follow rules or be arrested

noreply@blogger.com (aldwin) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:41:00 +0000

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DAVAO CITY Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte warned all public utility vehicle (PUV) operators to follow the City Government’s rules and discipline their drivers.

In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" on Sunday, Duterte said whoever will not follow the 30-40 kilometers per hour (kph) speed limit policy and not using the prescribed warning device of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be arrested.

"Kinahanglan ilang pangaralan, disiplinahon, seminaron, kasab-an, or bunalan ba ron ning ilang mga drivers kay usahay kining mga abusado dili naman mutuo ug balaod (The operators must discipline their drivers because some of them do not follow rules). You are putting the lives of the people in danger)," Duterte said.

He said the PUV operators and drivers know from the start that over speeding in some areas in Davao City is not allowed because of narrow roads and the existence of houses and structures near the highway.

"Ako na silang gihangyo (I ask them a favor) but what happened? Wala jud ta nagkasinabot kay kamo mga operators and drivers sa mga sakyanan mura gani ug walay gobyerno sa siyudad sa Davao," Duterte said.

He said he was disgusted with the persistent complaints against abusive drivers.

An irate vice mayor then ordered the LTO, Davao City Police Office's Traffic Management Group (DCPO-TMG), Traffic Management Center (TMC), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to do the necessary action to address the problem.

Duterte also appealed to the public to write down the vehicle's plate number and report to authorities abusive drivers plying the road.

"It is never wrong for anybody either the civilians to report the matter to authorities. And to the authorities, anyone could block the vehicle unya ingnon ninyo you are violating the law -- not necessary issuing a traffic citation ticket, kay only the deputized TMG and TMC can issue that," Duterte said.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 19, 2011.