Mayor approves creation of task force on climate change

(Source: SunStar Davao, October 16, 2009/ Jade C. Zaldivar)

DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte approved the creation of the city’s task force on climate change.

Signed on July 28 but released only on October 14, Executive Order 23, an order creating and constituting the Davao City Task Force on Climate Change (DCTFCC), mandates key officials to formulate the city-wide plan for climate change and perform functions in accordance to such.

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The functions and purpose of the DCTFCC are the following:

* to oversee, coordinate, facilitate the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of a Summit on Climate Change;

* to conduct rapid assessments on the impact of climate change in the city and to formulate, prepare the Climate Change Plan that would address the situation;

* to recommend measures that would enhance cooperative efforts and mutual assistance among stakeholders that would mitigate the impact of climate change in the city;

* to serve as a repository of all reports, documents, technical papers, and other relevant data and information generated by it;

* to submit monthly reports on its observations and recommendations to the City Mayor;

* to call on any and all national and local government agencies and offices as well as business, non-government and people’s organizations including socio civic clubs to actively involvein any and/or all activities of the Task Force; and

* to exercise all the powers and performs such other functions necessary to attain the purposes and objectives of EO 23.

Duterte, as the City Mayor, or his authorized representative will chair the task force.

DCTFCC vice chair would be committee on environment and natural resources chair Councilor Leonardo Avila III.

DCTFCC members are representatives from the City Planning and Development Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Energy (DOE), Liga ng mga Barangay, and Kinaiyahan Foundation Inc.

Meanwhile, DCTFCC’s operation will be funded by the city after it prepares and submits for approval to the City Mayor its foreseen budget for its maintenance, honoraria, and other expenses incurred in the discharge of its functions.

DCTFCC’s creation is grounded on: Sections 15 and 16 of Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution declares that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness, and the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

The United Nations’ International Panel for Climate Change (UN-IPCC) reported that climate change will likely result to rising global mean sea level, widespread changes in precipitation amounts, ocean salinity, wind patterns and aspects of extreme weather including drought, heacy precipitation, heat wave and intensity of typhoons.

Republic Act 7160, Local Government Code of 1991 states the responsibility of managing the environment has been devolved to the local government units.

Memorandum Circular No. 2008-69, dated April 28, 2009 issued by the Secretary of Department of Interior and Local Government, all chief executives are encouraged to mainstream climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures into local policies, plans, budgets and investment programs as a priority concern.

Finally, this concern on climate change is consistent with the policy of the local government of this city in upholding the rights of every individual, that there is a need to strengthen local mechanisms for the protection of its people from adversities caused by natural hazards.

October Shopping Sale in Davao Malls

(Source: davaobase.com, October 13th, 2009)

It seems like shopping enthusiasts have a reason to celebrate this week as Davao malls are on with the sales!

shoppingChimes Specialty Store

Super Anniversary Sale

October 8 to 18

Gaisano Grand Citimall Ilustre

31st Grand Anniversary Sale

October 2 to 18

October 17 — Grand Midnight Sale

Gaisano Mall of Davao

Inventory Sale ’til Midnight

October 17

SM City Davao

Awesome 3-day Sale

October 16 and 17 — Shop ’til Midnight

October 18 — 10 AM to 10 PM

Other Activities:

October 16, 10 AM at the Event Centre

Dance Battle Auditions

October 17, 2 PM at the Event Centre

Halloween Treats and Holiday Gifts with Chef Gene Gozales

October 18, 10 AM at the Event Centre

Tawagan Caravan with Giselle Sanchez, Ate Shawi and Aiza Seguerra

Victoria Plaza Mall

October Overload 3-day Sale

October 16, 17 and 18

Protecting Davao City’s waters, just a text away

(Source: EDGE Davao, 27 September 2009 /LAC)

Environment protection may seem like a gargantuan task in most countries, but in Davao City, protecting the pristine clear waters of the Davao Gulf is just a text away.

“We have coordinated with Smart Telecommunications for the Save Davao Gulf Foundation Inc’s Infoboard,” city council committee on environment chair Leo Avila said during the recent Club 888 media forum at The Marco Polo Davao.

While most value added service requires the payment of P2.50 per transaction, the SDGFI Infoboard only requires a payment of P1.00, hence it is very affordable for environment advocates.

“If you evidence of pollution in the Davao Gulf, like for example an oil spill, then you may immediately inform the Coast Guard by just texting,” Avila said.

It is fairly easy to be part of the Infoboard. Simply register for free, subscribe to Save Davao Gulf announcements, and you’re on. The P1.00 per message text applies to all Smart and Talk and Text subscribers.

Avila, who is also chairperson of the Davao Gulf management council, said they are encouraging Dabawenyos to take part in protecting Davao Gulf by participating in various activities slated during the observance of Davao Gulf Week. These activities are aimed at lessening the impact of climate change along the coastal communities in the city, he said.

“Those who are living in the coastal areas do not even know what they should do when the sea level rises, so it is important that they join the climate change summit,” he said.

Part of the campaign to protect Davao Gulf includes the preparation of Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps.

“These include vulnerable areas where there are coastal communities that depend on the body of water for livelihood,” he said. Vulnerable areas are defined as areas where there are large amounts of coral reefs, mangroves and sea grasses.

Avila noted the increasing number of volunteers usually gathered by the city when there are coastal cleanup activities. “This has made the city the center of the world’s coastal cleanup,” he added.

JIB holds graduation for Muslim welding trainees

(Source: Mindanao Daily Mirror/ Maya M. Padillo)

At least 47 Muslim welders graduated after one month of attending in Welding Training for Muslims in Davao City last October 16 at JIB Welding Academy in Sta. Ana corner Bangoy.

These trainees were able to finish the whole course Shielded Metal Art Welding SMAW through scholarship from Vice Mayor Sarah Duterte’s office, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

JIBWA chair Joji Ilagan-Bian said the training made these graduates qualified for constructional welders that is in-demand abroad.

“They are now ready to apply for a job,” Bian said.

Bian said the project aims to alleviate poverty and bridge the gap between Christians and Muslims.

“Instead of focusing on conflict, we should not focus on economic empowerment. Let’s do something for the Muslim community,” she said.

The training was launched five months ago and Bian added that she will continue the project and will also expand it to the interested Christians.

JIB welding school is the most modern welding school in the entire country. It was opened to change the attitudes of community towards welding through making it easier to look for jobs abroad.

“We want to create a higher awareness in the community that welding is an important profession.”

No more freedom of spit in Davao

(Source: Philippine Star, August 27, 2009 / Edith Regalado)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Thou shalt not spit.

Members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod passed on third and final reading yesterday the Anti-Spitting Ordinance that prohibits and penalizes spitting in public places to minimize incidence of tuberculosis.

Violators will be fined and jailed.

Davao City, under the helm of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, is very strict when it comes to enforcing the city’s laws and ordinances.

Human rights groups and Amnesty International have criticized Duterte for allegedly tolerating killings of alleged criminals, including young offenders, in Davao.

In 2002, Time magazine called him “The Punisher” for his alleged human rights violations in Davao. But Duterte has repeatedly denied any involvement in the killings.

The local ordinance is aimed at lessening TB cases in Davao, according to author and Councilor Samuel Bangoy.

Bangoy, who chairs the city council’s committee on health, pointed out that tuberculosis can be transmitted through spitting.

Tuberculosis, which is contagious and airborne, can cause death.

Mycobacterism tuberculosis, the bacteria which causes TB, is reportedly able to survive in a dried state for weeks, possibly up to eight months.

The ordinance prohibits both careless and intentional spitting “of saliva, phlegm, mucus, or any substances from the mouth in public places such as city streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, malls, markets, streets, public carriers, public halls and buildings, banks, public squares, terminals, shopping and business centers, schools, churches, hospitals and other similar public places within the city of Davao.”

However, the ordinance would have to be submitted to Mayor Duterte for signature before it can be passed into law.

The ordinance provides that a first-time violator will be fined P100, P200 for the second offense and P300 for the third.

The same ordinance also provides for a penalty of “subsidiary imprisonment not exceeding six months in case of insolvency, or both, such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.”

Aside from the ban on spitting in public, Davao City has also been

known for having pioneered in the strict implementation of a smoking ban in public as well as the ban on the sale and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials.

The ban prohibiting the sale of liquor from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. has also been in effect in Davao City for several years now.

Davao City has been hailed as the most peaceful city in Southeast Asia because of its low crime rate.

Mindanao’s 1st Newborn Screening Center Opens in Davao

(Source: davaobase.com, October 7th, 2009)

Great news for parents — and babies — in Davao and neighboring provinces! A Newborn Screening Center, said to have the capacity to test 50,000 samples per year, has recently opened at the Davao Medical Center.

newborn screeningThis is the first of its kind in Mindanao and only the third in the Philippines. The two other centers are in the University of the Philippines in Manila and in the West Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo.

Newborn Screening is the procedure that tests newborn babies on their second or third day of life to determine treatable genetic, endocrinologic, metabolic and hematologic diseases that may lead to mental retardation or even death. This is a well-adopted practice all over the world, although countries may differ in diseases being  screened.

This is a welcome development for the city, which has also recently offered painless mammography to our women.

Davao has 5T estimated IT professionals

(Source: Sunstar Davao, October 15, 2009/ Carlo P. Mallo)

THE total number of IT professionals in Davao City has yet to be accounted for by the umbrella group of IT organizations in the city, the ICT Davao.

During the Club 888 business forum Tuesday at the Marco Polo Hotel, Bert Barriga of ICT Davao said that a rough estimate will be at 5,000 IT professionals.

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“But this is already a very big estimate,” Barriga said. “If we can only account for the total number of players in teh city, it will be easier to attract more players and markets into the picture.”

At present, Barriga said they do not know how many there are in the labor force and what specializations are available.

“A number of them are home-based and freelancers which is very difficult to track and remains to be unaccounted for,” Barriga said.

Nationwide, there are approximately 160,000 IT professionals at hand.

Moreover, the IT tide in Davao City has been quite slow with only over four Philippine Economic Zone Authority accredited business processes outsourcing hubs.

Despite this, ICT players have remained confident that the sector has a brighter future in Davao City.

“The construction of all these BPO spaces is a show of confidence in the city’s ICT sector,” Lizabel Holganza, president of ICT Davao said.

In recent years, the city has witnessed the spur of growth of IT-BPO services with multiple locations leveraging their strength to become the outsourcing destination for global business processes.

Nationwide, revenues from the BPO industry has already breached the $4.5 billion mark.

“The industry here is still in its infancy stage, and there are still a lot of speculations going on,” Holganza said.

Davao City is among the 2008 Top 10 Philippine IT-BPO Destinations, having been ranked by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) as Number 4 out of 37 Philippine cities in the First BPO Summit last December of 2008.

Despite this seemingly enviable position, Davao City only has one percent market share as against the industry’s total market.

But in the past years, Davao City has seen a 56 percent growth in number of IT-BPO jobs in the city.

UPMin student wins Petron photo contest

(Source: EDGE Davao, 11 October 2009/PDF)

This photo titled, NAGMULA SA KABUKIRAN, NGAYO’Y NASA BAYAN, by UP Mindanao BA Communication Arts student Mishael Jacob L. Pueblas won the grand prize in the Art Petron 2009 Painting and Photography Competition in awarding ceremonies held recently at the Petron Megaplaza, Makati City. The theme of the Competition was “Alay sa Pamilihang Bayan”.

As the Grand Prize winner, Pueblas received a cash prize and a trophy designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva. Another entry by Pueblas titled, GINOONG PALENGKE, was awarded a Consolation Prize consisting of a cash prize and a plaque from Petron Corporation. Pueblas’ entries bested a field of around 800 entries judged by a panel of judges that included National Artist Ben Cab.

Davao Doctors Hospital Now Offers Painless Mammography

(Source: davaobase.com, August 30th, 2009)

standard mammogramThis is good news for Dabawenyas. Instead of having to endure the pain of traditional mammogram tests, women of Davao and neighboring cities and provinces can avail of digital mammography now being offered at Davao Doctors Hospital.

The new Siemens Mammomat Inspiration promises quick and painless mammogram tests. Digital mammography, which uses intelligent compression, may cost double the price of its analog counterpart but is said to yield more accurate results.

Davao Doctors Hospital introduced this new technology early this month. Mammography is used to detect the early signs of breast cancer in women.

CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL 2009

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

DAY 1: FILIPINO-CHINESE DINNER BANQUET

September 30 (Wednesday)

Davao Filipino-Chinese business organizations, civic groups, family clan associations and Chinese schools celebrate the eve of the Chinese National Day.

Venue: Davao Convention and Trade Center (By Invitation Only)

DAY 2: CHINESE NATIONAL DAY

October 1 (Thursday)

60^th Founding Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China

Venue: Friendship Archway, Magsaysay Avenue corner Jacinto Street

6:00 – 7:00 PM         -           Lighting of the Friendship Archway

                                                Unveiling of the DCCDC official logo

DAY 3: LANTERN LIGHTING DAY

October 2 (Friday)

6:00 – 7:00 PM         -           Opening Ceremony

                                                            Traditional Chinese Prayer

                                                            Opening Remarks

                                                            Opening Production Number

7:00 PM – 12:00 MN-           Simultaneous Opening of the following:

                                                            Night Market at Unity Archway (Magsaysay Avenue)

                                                            Food & Entertainment Fiesta (Chavez Street)

7:00 – 8:00 PM         -           Davao Chinatown Lantern Lighting & Judging

8:00 – 9:00 PM         -           City and Barangay Mooncake Game

DAY 4: CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL DAY        

October 3 (Saturday)

Venue: Peace Archway, Sta. Ana Avenue

6:30 PM – 10:00 PM-           Moon Gazing

7:00 PM – 12:00 MN-           Night Market at Unity Archway (Magsaysay Avenue)

                                                Food & Entertainment Fiesta (Chavez Street)

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM  -           Fastest Mooncake Eater Contest

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM  -           Chinese School Musical

                                                A musical showdown of all Davao Chinese Schools

9:00 PM – 9:30 PM  -           Most Mooncake in 2 Minutes Eating Contest

9:30 PM – 10:00 PM -          Awarding Ceremony

DAY 5: FAMILY DAY

October 4 (Sunday)                      

7: 00 PM – 12:00 MN-          Night Market at Unity Archway (Magsaysay Avenue)

                                                Food & Entertainment Fiesta (Chavez Street)

The Chinese Moon Festival 2009 is organized by the Davao City Chinatown Development Council