The safety and security forces in Davao City received a high nine rating out of 10 during the simulation exercises (simex) conducted on Sunday.
Task Force Davao (TF Davao) commander Col.
Darren Comia and Public Safety and Security Office (PSSSO) head Angel Sum
agaysay both gave a 9 out of 10 rating in terms of the security units’ promptness and execution of first-re sponse directives.
“Nakakita lang tayo ng medyo kaunting lapses sa communications na ma dali lang gawin at isaayos,” Comia said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday.
The fourth simex that was conducted this year, however, unlike previous exercises, details to the
nature of the quarter’s ex ercises including the sce nario, location, date, and time were withheld from all security and safety units to fully test their readiness to respond to any possible act of terrorism in the city.
“Napakaganda ng nang yari na simex kahapon de
Government must hold manufactur ing companies liable for polluting the Pani gan-Tamugan watershed, environmental group In terfacing Development In terventions for Sustainabil ity (IDIS), Inc. said.
In a statement released on Friday, IDIS said the results of the brand audit conducted at the water shed from 2020 to 2022 showed that the same in ternational and domestic brands had emerged as top plastic polluters based on
the results of the brand au dits conducted during this period.
The Panigan-Tamugan Watershed, the city’s next source of potable water, is the “most important water shed” in the city, according to the group.
The environmental group said that holding the corporations accountable bears greater significance as the world leaders gather for the first round of talks on the Global Plastics Trea ty in Punta del Este, Uru
The Integrated Gender and Development Di vision of the Davao City Mayor’s Office, in part nership with the Depart ment of Tourism XI, kicked off on Friday, November 25, the annual 18-Day Campaign to end violence against women (VAW) at People’s Park.
“This is an annual event nga ginahimo nato para i-strengthen, i-em phasize our campaign of ending violence against women (This is an annual event that we conduct to strengthen, emphasize our campaign on ending vio lence against women,” said Lorna Mandin, IGDD head in an interview with the City Information Office on Friday.
The event was partici pated in by barangay repre sentatives, especially from the Barangay Council for Women, national govern ment agencies, partners from Non-Governmental Organizations, schools, and private organizations.
Mandin said that the purpose of the program is to reiterate the commit ment of the city and its stakeholders on ending VAW.
“While we have ac complishments, daghan gihapon ang kaso nga an gay nato atubangon (While we have accomplishments there are still a lot of cases that we need to face),” she said, adding that inviting one another for discussion
is very important to know more about the implement ing procedures of anti-VAW laws.
The program included testimonies of women who were assisted by the IGDD, infographics on the Magna Carta of Women and oth er laws that help protect women from abuse.
Barangay Angliongto BCW president Stella Gar zon said that such a cam paign against VAW helps the women become aware of it and the office of the city government that caters to such issues.
“Tungod ani kay aware ang mga kababaihan kung unsa ang amoang adtuan kung naay pareha anang bugbugon naka sa imong bana… Daghan nag aware sa role sa IGDD sa barangay. Naa gyud na sila mutabang. Ang among VAW desk offi cer, aware pud siya ani kung asa siya muduol (Because of this campaign the wom en are aware that they have a place to go, for example, there already exist physical violence.. Many have be come aware of the role of the IGDD in our barangay. They are there to help and our VAW desk officer is also aware of where she would go),” she added.
Garzon committed to helping in the wider dis semination of the ending violence against women programs of the city.
“Dili man dako ang amoang barangay pero
Three militiamen were slain and two others were injured in a gun attack at about 1:20 a.m. Monday in Buldon, Maguin danao del Norte, the Army said.
Lt. Col. Dennis Almora to, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, told reporters that the militia men were part of the Army unit securing the bridge damaged by Severe Tropi cal Storm Paeng last month in Barangay Edcor, Buldon town.
Citing field reports, Al morato said the gunmen fled toward the hinterlands of Barangay Nuyo after the attack.
Two armed men, be lieved to be members of a local terrorist group, ar rived on a motorbike and opened fire on members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAF GU), he said.
Slain were CAFGU members Christian Sil vestre, Ignacio Lozad, and Dondon Ahito. The wound ed were identified as mi litiamen Arnel Cayanan at Calbertson Baggay.
Members of the 5th Marine Battalion Landing Team and Buldon munici pal police officer personnel are still conducting pursuit operations as of this post ing. (PNA)
Law enforcement oper atives have neutralized one of the suspects in the Yellow Bus Lines (YBL) bombing in Tacurong City earlier this month, an offi cial said Monday.
Lt. Col. Lino Capellan, speaking for Sultan Kuda rat police provincial office, said Aiman Mandi Ali re sisted arrest and was killed during Sunday’s law en forcement operation here.
“We were to implement an arrest warrant in con nection with the November 6 bus bombing in Tacu rong City when the suspect opened fire on lawmen,” Capellan told reporters here in an interview Mon day.
Also killed was Ali’s wife Hainurisa, who was in the same house during the 8:30 a.m. operation in Barangay Rosary Heights 6 here.
Capellan said the cou
ple belonged to Dawlah Is lamiya (DI) terrorist group under Salahuddin Hassan, a known DI leader operating in Maguindanao.
Capellan said Aiman was also linked to the Dec. 31, 2018 bombing of the South Seas Mall in Cotabato City.
Policemen found two .45-caliber pistols from the suspect’s home, fragmenta tion grenades, improvised bombs and bomb compo nents, motorbike, multicab vehicle, a drone, and vari ous identification cards.
A passenger was killed and 11 others, including the alleged bomb courier, were injured when an im provised bomb went off inside the Yellow Bus Lines unit near the Tacurong City bus terminal.
In the South Seas mall bombing four years ago, two were killed and nearly 30 were injured. (PNA)
Vice President and Education Secre tary Sara Duterte reminded teachers to draw the line and practice profes sionalism in dealing with their students.
The statement, which became controversial, was delivered by Duterte during the launch of the Child Pro tection Unit (CPU) website and the Learner Telesafe Contact Center national ho tline during the culmination of the 30th National Chil dren’s Month.
In a statement shared by the Office of the Vice Pres ident (OVP), Duterte said that upon assuming her role as the Education Secretary in June this year, not only did she have to think of solu
tions to the problems that had hounded the depart ment for years, but also had to “deal with disturbing and painful stories about learn ers being victims of sexual abuse.”
“Some cases were classic examples of sexual groom ing — a predatory activity primarily by adult offend ers who use their position, resources, charm, and influ ence to carry out their plan against a child or another vulnerable adult,” it said.
This is in line with the
DepEd Order No. 49, s. 2022 entitled “Promotion of Pro fessionalism in the Imple mentation and Delivery of Basic Education Programs and Services” to promote ef fective and efficient policies and programs, which she signed.
In the said order, DepEd school officials and employ ees were ordered to “avoid relationships, interaction, and communication, includ ing following social media with learners outside of the school setting, except if they are relatives.”
“Some do not under stand my position with re gard to professionalism. But truly, if you are a teacher, you have no business drinking
alcohol with your students. And if you are a teacher and you are attracted to a stu dent you are drinking with, that is preliminaries to what you want to do to the child.
Kaya lagi kong sinasabi tal aga sa mga teachers na you should be professional dahil you are dispensing service to these students who are your clients, and therefore you have to be unbiased and you have to be a role model to them,” she added.
Rep. France Castro of ACT Teachers reportedly expressed concern that the new directive could bar teachers and employees from exercising their rights to air grievances. He was
The regional office of the Department of Health (DOH 11) is intensi fying the administration of booster doses in Davao Re gion due to a shortfall.
Dr. Gerna Manatad, as sistant regional director of DOH 11, said that currently there are 667,934 that were given the first booster dose, which is 17.6 percent of the targeted population in the region.
Manatad said for Davao
Region, for the whole total category all the groups that DOH 11 is targeting already accomplished 94.7 percent for the first dose, which is 3.3 million.
She said it is time to am plify administering booster doses.
“Kung titingan natin yung 12 to 17 years old ang laki din ng ating nabakunah an and for the whole Davao Region we have 105.9 per cent na if we are looking into
the target na 136,967. Itong grupo na ito we need really to provide booster dose kasi nagkaroon na sila ng prima ry series. For 5 to 11 years old, yung first dose nasa 45.5 percent pa tayo and this was the target. We need really to cover more children para ma receive nila ang prima ry series. Meron pa tayong around 301,000 na 5 to 11 years old,” she said during Kapihan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex on Monday.
7, 2022.
The three-day Covid-19
On her controversial order for DepEd school officials and employees to “avoid relationships, interaction, and communication, including following social media with learners outside of the school setting, except if they are relatives:”
“Some do not understand my position with regard to professionalism. But truly, if you are a teacher, you have no business drinking alcohol with your students. And if you are a teacher and you are attracted to a student you are drinking with, that is preliminary to what you want to do to the child. Kaya lagi kong sinasabi talaga sa mga teachers na you should be professional dahil you are dispensing service to these students who are your clients, and therefore you have to be unbiased and you have to be a role model to them.”
VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE
Light, easy to use, and explo sively lethal, the hand grenade, so named after a French fruit that resembles its features when it was introduced in 1915, is an in cendiary weapon that has found space in Davao’s turbulent past, violently reaping lives, sowing terror, and maiming limbs.
But August 3, 1982—at least as far as memory can recall—was a milestone in local terror-ism. On that day, three grenades were separately and simultaneously detonated in the cities of Davao, Tagum, and Digos. Though the blasts were purposely exploded to send a spine-tingling message and designed not to hurt anybody, it broke the stable peace and or der in southeastern Mindanao.
The incidents took place six teen months after a grenade was exploded inside San Pedro Ca thedral on April 19, 1981, Easter
Sunday, which caused the death of 17 people and wounding 157 others. The carnage was a re minder ‘that a frightened city can only breed submissive citizens, and a submissive people can eas ily lose the desire to take [an] ac tive role in the progress or devel opment of their community.’
Amid terror, the government, almost without fail, kept declar ing it had placed the situa-tion under control. In a heavily lay ered police-military hierarchy, with generals wanting to get the much-needed attention from the public, assessments were the norm of the day.
In fact, after the August 3 explosions, the top guns had to meet. Among those who showed up was Maj. Gen Delfin Castro, commander of the Unified South ern Command (SOUTHCOM) of the AFP; Brig. Gen. Jose P. Mag
no, Jr., commander of the Central Minda-nao Command (CEM COM); and Brig. Gen Pedrito de Guzman, Philippine Constabulary (PC) Reconnaissance Command (RECOM) XI commander, who led the briefing.
Curiously, grenade-throwing incidents—outside the ambushes in the countryside—mostly oc curred in Davao City, and the list is harrowing and long, among them:
On December 26, 1993, the cathedral was again bombed while an evening Mass was observed. Seven were killed, over 100 were injured, and 50 were in critical condition. Eight hours later, supposed Christian mili tants retaliated by lobbing two grenades at a mosque. No one was hurt.
On March 4, 2003, a grenade exploded at the Davao interna tional airport, killing 21 peo-ple.
A month later, on April 3, suspect ed terrorists bombed the busy Sasa Wharf in Davao City. The blast killed 16 persons, including four cops and a nun, and injured 40 others.
In the 2010s, Panabo City also had its share of grenade in cidents. On October 21, 2010, the headquarters of the 69th Infan try Division at Dalisay, Panabo City, became a target. Thir-teen months later, a militiaman and two civilians were hurt when a fragmentation grenade was lobbed at the provincial detach ment team of the 69th Infantry Battalion at barangay San Roque.
On July 13-14, 2011, two sep arate grenade incidents were re corded at barangay Pan-daitan, Davao City. Less than two years later, on September 2, 2012, 37 people were hurt af-ter a grenade exploded inside a covered court
at Barangay Fatima, Davao City, during a cir-cus exhibition. The bomb was intended for the near by military detachment but it bounced towards the gymnasium after hitting a protective net near the servicemen’s quarters.
On September 13, 2013, two explosions rocked the movie the aters at SM City-Ecoland and Gai sano Mall-Bajada just before clos ing time. No injury was reported, only minor inju-ries.
Three years later, the bustling Roxas Night Market became a target of another shocking gre nade blast on September 2, 2016. Seventeen people were killed and seventy-four were wounded.
Nearly all the incidents—it is the collective assessment of au thorities—were attributed to the insurgents, separatists, and mili tant factions promoting anti-gov ernment activities.
The last of three major global conferences this November 2022 affecting the peace, progress and prosperity of mankind, the Asia-Pacific Economic Commu nity (APEC) meeting in Cambo dia just ended on Nov. 19. This followed the conclusion of the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia on Nov. 16 and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on Nov. 13. The period became known as the “Asian Mo ment” focusing the world’s atten tion on this region and its vitality in guiding the affairs of the globe.
Curtains opened on the “Asian Moment” after several decades of the spectacular peaceful rise of China followed by the consequen tial rise of ASEAN and the tan dem’s successful navigation of the rough waters of the South China Sea stirred up by forces external to the region and the efforts of the same external forces to sup press the fantastic economic progress of Asia with China at the lead through sanctions and trade wars. This success has presented the rest of the global community with a new model of internation al, regional and unique economic relations to associate with.
This desire to associate or re late with this model has brought not only attention from the rest of the world but also the desire to participate in the same process that the international community has begun to seek membership in and engage with for their own na tional future, the establishment of stable and stable international re lations and predictable economic progress in sharing prosperity. Consider some of the most high lighted events in the three sum
mits that constitute the Novem ber 2022 “Asian Moment” which the international media gave spe cial attention to.
One striking coverage of the international media during the Asian Moment was on the first day of the G20 Summit meeting in Bali, Indonesia on Nov. 15 where China’s President Xi Jinping met individually with eight world leaders in that one day alone. That is, French President Em manuel Macron, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, South African President Cyril Ra maphosa, Australian Prime Min ister Anthony Albanese, Senegal’s President Macky Sall, S. Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez and Ar gentina’s President Alberto Fer nandez.
Consultations with Chinese President Xi Jinping was one of the most sought after by world lead ers, a measure of the importance of China’s views on global events and developments, highlighting the significance of engagement with China and a rising Asia with its impact on world affairs. The reason for this is the success of China’s proposals to the world: the call for global unity via a mul tipolar world, win-win diploma cy and economic cooperation through such endeavors as the Belt and Road Initiative, and coop eration to build a - ”Community of Shared Future for Mankind”.
The second highlight of the “Asian Moment” was the Xi-Biden meeting that stretched to three hours and resented the two con trasting world views represented by the two major world leaders. President Joe Biden of the United
States, in all goodwill and sincer ity, proposes “managed coope tition” as the ideal and proper mode of engagement of the two powers. President Xi takes the views, however, that cooperation should be the paramount mode of international relations, even between the two major economic and geopolitical powers on Earth.
“China-US relations should not be a zero-sum game where one side out-competes or thrives at the expense of the other”, the Chinese media quotes President Xi Jining telling Biden, and con tinues, “The successes of China and the US are opportunities, not challenges, for each other. The world is big enough for the two countries to develop themselves and prosper together... China-US interactions should be defined by dialogue and win-win coop eration, not confrontation and zero-sum competition.” I think the world liked the sound of Pres ident Xi words more than the oth ers, hence the attraction to it.
The Xi-Biden summit sent a consoling signal to the world that even though the US spirit of incessant competitiveness exists and pushes perpetual tensions, China is steady in trying to calm the overly aggressive impulse of Western civilization with its mil lennial patience and tolerance, the mark of all and particularly of the oldest Asian philosophies, in general, seeking harmony and compromise, and showing this in its transcendent diplomacy and foreign policy while firmly holding on to the principles of national sovereignty, peaceful co existence and non-interference in internal affairs of nations.
The dilemma of countries and of the real and whole (not just the Western) International Commu nity” is what the Russian journal ist has learned to describe the US with, as a country that is “agree ment incapable”. Not even the Americans themselves can pre dict what US policy can change to be after elections every four years and even announced poli cies like the “policy of ambiguity” over Taiwan actually means what he American Indian used to call “forked tongue” – a deliberate policy that insinuates ultimate betrayal and treachery like hiding a knife behind the back.
While China continues to present bright prospects for common peace and prosperity through cooperation and shar ing, the US continues to hammer on non-real, irrelevant and arbi trarily concocted issues such as Hong Kong, Xinjiang or Taiwan designed simply to provoke and provoke without end. Howev er, China and Asia’s growth and strengthening independent and defense posture can fend off the dangers of conflict and as Sun Tzu says “Win the war without fight ing” while prospects for durable and lasting peace and prosperity increase year-by-year.
ASEAN continues to be per fectly happy with the Asian Mo ment under the shepherding of China’s diplomacy of coopera tion, dialogue, economic sharing of the fruits of trade and com merce, having become the top trading partner of China. ASEAN has taken up the cudgels to cham pion peace, reconciliation and economic cooperation amongst all regions and countries. China’s
Premier Li Keqiang reaffirmed the “comprehensive strategic partnership with a shard future” of China and ASEAN that have withstood the test of time and through “thick and thin”.
While the rest of the world is inexorably drawn to the East, such as Saudi Arabia and then Qatar now gravitating to China closing long-term titanic oil deals likely introducing the “Petroyuan”, Ger many’s Scholz bringing German industrial titans to visit Presi dent Xi Jinping and more recently the European Council President Charles Michel to handshake with China’s president too. It’s all com ing together at this moment in history, paving the globe for a new, fair and just world structure that will lead to the “Forever Peace” humanity has been singing carols to for millennia.
The “Asian Moment” and China’s role in guiding the world community to the next stage of the development of the human community or mankind’s civiliza tion to an era of 500 years of tran quility and progress is at hand, helping humanity leave behind the 500 years of “forever wars” brought about the historic era of Western colonialism, imperialism and Cold Wars. This short assess ment of the historic November 2022 Asian Moment calls on Asia brings me to see true hope in the future of the world and the hu man community.
Editor’s note: The opinions ex pressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not re flect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Office of the Press Secretary.
The Philippine economy will remain “comparatively strong” in 2023 de spite the expected slowdown during the period due to the remaining head winds, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said over the weekend.
In a tweet, Balisacan addressed talks of the anticipated downturn next year, in line with projections on global growth.
“After a likely over
7.0% growth in 2022, yes, we may slow down, given still external head winds and internal chal lenges, but the economy will remain comparative ly strong in 2023,” the
country’s chief econo mist said.
The economy grew by 7.6% in the third quar ter of the year, largely driven by wholesale and retail trade, financial and insurance activities, and construction. This brought the year-to-date average to 7.7%.
This follows the up wardly adjusted 7.5% in the second quarter, and downward revised 8.2%
in the first three months of the year.
Just last week, Fi nance Secretary Benja min Diokno said a reces sion is unlikely given the country’s “very young population.”
The inter-agency De velopment Budget Co ordination Committee (DBCC) expects full-year economic growth be tween 6.5% to 7.5% for the year.
Prices of basic goods have increased by 2% to as high as 13% in the past few weeks amid the Christmas sea son, the Philippine Amal gamated Supermarkets Association Inc. said on Monday.
“Ang itinaas around 2% to around, merong as high as 13%, certain items [The increase in the prices of basic goods is around 2% to as high as 13% in certain items],” the group’s president, Steven Cua, said.
Cua said most of the items with price increas
es are sugar-related like ready-to-drink beverages, chocolate, jelly, and pea nut butter, among others.
He added that more than 20 manufacturers already requested for a price increase, including non-essential items.
“Let’s say 50, 100 items, itinataas nila 20. Inuudlot nila, paunti-un ti, ayaw nila maubusan o mawalan ng market share,” he said.
(Let’s say manufactur ers have 50 to 100 items, they only want to increase the price for the 20. They were postponing the in
crease, gradually, because they did not want to lose market share.)
For Noche Buena items, Cua said buyers could opt for cheaper variants of the goods.
“Merong itinaas, sig uro mga 13% ang import ed fruit cocktail. Ang local hindi tumaas nang ganyan [The price of imported fruit cocktail increased by 13%. The price of local variants did not increase like that.]
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently released a price guide for consumers and
retailers in buying Noche Buena products in time for the Christmas season.
Out of the 223 stock keeping units (SKUs) or product variants in the Noche Buena price guide, 195 saw price hikes, two posted price reductions while prices of the re maining eight were un changed.
Of the 195 that post ed an increase, 94 items were hiked by more than 10%, 51 saw a price in crease of 6% to 10% while 50 were up by 1% to 5%.
The Department of Sci ence and Technology (DOST) on Sunday said it is eyeing to provide entrepreneurship training for scholars taking science, engineering and other relat ed programs.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said training sci ence and engineering schol ars to set up their own busi ness would open up more opportunities to make profit out of their research and in novations.
“Science, Technology, Engineering, Math ang focus nila. Gusto ko magkaroon sila ng at least man lang training ng entrepreneur ship para hindi lang science ang kanilang nakikita. Mag karoon na rin sila ng ideya o ma-expose sila na yung mga scientist, pwede maging en trepreneurs kasi ‘yun ang kailangan natin (They usu ally focus on Science, Tech nology, Engineering, Math. I want them to have entre preneurship training so it’s not just science they see. They can also have ideas or exposure to become en trepreneurs because that’s what we need),” he said in an interview.
Solidum said entrepre neurship training would al low scientists and engineers to elevate themselves from being employees to owners of their own tech compa nies.
“Hindi yung empleyado ka lang. Baka mayroon kang maisip na innovation, either i-commercialize mo ‘yan at ibenta mo yung technology o ikaw mismo ang magde velop ng sarili mong compa ny (So you won’t just remain as an employee. You might think of an innovation that you can either commercial ize or sell or develop your own company),” he said.
He cited the likes of Mi crosoft co-founder Bill Gates and Tesla co-founder and chief executive officer Elon Musk as examples of suc cessful tech entrepreneurs.
Solidum said he also wanted to partner with local businesses to give scientists and engineers a business model to start with.
Currently, he said the DOST is also providing sup port to patent inventions of students taking under the science, technology, engi neering and mathematics (STEM) strand.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it is still looking into the cause of the spike in prices of red onions for the past weeks.
According to DA As sistant Secretary and spokesperson Kristine Evangelista, monitoring activities found that some sellers have hiked prices to up to P300 per kilo gram.
“Ngayon po kami ay na kikipag-ugnayan sa Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) para makita po natin ang supply situation, para makita po natin ang kadahilanan ng pag-spike ng presyo,” she said during a public brief ing.
(We are currently coor dinating with the Bureau of Plant Industry to see the supply situation and to de termine the reason for the spike in prices.)
Data from the DA show that prices of local red on ion averaged P280 per kilo
gram in Metro Manila mar kets last Friday, November 25, unchanged from the same day in the previous week.
This compares with the P250 per kilogram re corded two weeks earlier on November 11, and P180 per kilogram seen on Octo ber 25.
Asked about the cur rent supply situation, Evangelista said the agen cy is still waiting for the report of the BPI based on inventories in cold stor age facilities.
She said farmers expect to start harvesting in De cember, with some saying they are scheduled to do so in the second week and some set for the last week of the month.
“Ngayon po ang tinitig nan natin kung gaano kala ki ang kanilang volume na iha-harvest dahil ito po ay makakatulong sa pagdag dag ng ating supply,” she said.
StartingDecember 1, Philippine Air lines (PAL) will open its twice weekly flights between Cebu and Cotabato cit ies, connecting the Queen City of the South with the seat of the Bangsamoro Autono mous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 75 minutes on Mondays and Thursdays.
In an advisory, PAL said the new air route will also connect Cebu and Tawi-Ta wi, allowing travelers in these areas a “seamless one-stop journey from Cebu to Tawi-Tawi as well as from Tawi-Tawi to Cebu”
via Cotabato.
The Cebu-Cotabato flight (PR2223) departs Cebu at 5:20 a.m. and arrives in Co tabato City at 6:35 a.m. If the passenger is bound for Ta wi-Tawi, the plane leaves Co tabato City at 6:55 a.m. and
arrives at the Sanga-Sanga Airport in Bongao, Tawi-Ta wi at 8:30 a.m.
The flight from Cebu to Tawi-tawi takes a total of three hours and 10 min utes, inclusive of a brief stopover in Cotabato City.
From Tawi-Tawi, the flight to Cotabato and Cebu is at 9 a.m., arriving in Co tabato City by 10:35 a.m.
The plane departs for Cebu at 11 a.m. and arrives there by 12:15 noon.
The Cotabato-Tawi-Ta wi-Cotabato air route had its inaugural flight on June
9 this year.
PAL’s advisory says passengers can now travel more easily between Co tabato City and Boracay, Coron, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, Siargao and Baguio (from Dec. 16) by connecting “through PAL’s Cebu hub, rather than a longer connection via Ma nila.”
The other ways of flying to Tawi-tawi from Mindan ao and the Visayas are via Manila and via Zamboanga City. (MindaNews)
AirAsia on Monday said flights to Taipei in Taiwan and Osa ka in Japan would reopen in December as it expands its international network to cater to increasing de mand.
Flights to Narita,
meanwhile, will reopen in January, AirAsia Philip pines CEO Ricky Isla said.
“We’re practically open in all domestic op erations and we’re build ing up our international flights,” Isla said.
Domestic flights, on
the other hand, have “achieved 100 percent of pre-COVID levels” at least from Manila, Isla said.
November is gearing up to finish with the high est number of passengers flown inbound and out bound, he said.
Isla said although demand has significant ly improved, returning to pre-pandemic level overall could happen by the sec ond quarter of 2023 due to the “catching up” that needs to be done for inter national including China.
20th City Council 10th Regular Session Series of 2022
PRESENT:
Vice Mayor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr.
Councilor Marissa S. Abella
Councilor Nilo M. Abellera Jr.
Councilor Luna Maria Dominique S. Acosta
Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula
Councilor Bernard E. Al-ag
Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre
Councilor Dante L. Apostol Sr.
Councilor Conrado C. Baluran
Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan
Councilor Pilar C. Braga Councilor Augusto Javier G. Campos III
Councilor Jonard C. Dayap
Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus
Councilor Rodolfo M. Mande
Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic
Councilor Bonz Andre A. Militar
Councilor Temujin B. Ocampo
Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz
Councilor Lorenzo Benjamin D. Villafuerte
Councilor Trisha Ann J. Villafuerte Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III
ABSENT:
Presiding Officer
8. Section 31, Paragraph 3, Part I (General Policies) of the 2017 Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions, as amended, dated 3 July 2018 states that, “Agencies are encouraged to set specific or higher standards for their positions, including the required competencies. These standards shall be submitted to the Commission for approval, and once approved, the agency shall uniformly and consistently adopt these in the selection and appointment of employees. The approved qualification standards shall be adopted by the Civil Service Commission in the attestation of appointments of the agency concerned”.
ABE Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Agricultural From Section 4 of Republic Act 10915, “Agricultural and Biosystems and Biosystems Engineering refers to the application of engineering science and designs Engineering to the processes and systems involved in the sustainable production, post production and processing of safe food, feed, fiber, timber and other agricultural and biological materials and the efficient utilization, conservation, and management of natural and renewable resources in order to enhance human health in harmony with the environment.”
Biosystems Any system of mutually interacting biological organisms CSC Civil Service Commission
DA Department of Agriculture
DBM Department of Budget and Management MC Memorandum Circular RA Republic Act
SECTION 4. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 11 OF ORDINANCE NO. 0670-21, SERIES OF 2021 – Section 11.C “Qualifications for the position of Engineer II with Salary Grade 16” shall be amended in accordance with Republic Act 10915 and CSC MC 1901365.
FROM :
A. Ordinance No. 0670-21, Series of 2021, Section 11.C “Qualifications for the position of Engineer II with Salary Grade 16” states:
Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag
On Domestic Emergency Leave Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan
On Domestic Emergency Leave
ORDINANCE NO. 019-22 Series of 2022
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 11 OF ORDINANCE NO. 0670-21, SERIES OF 2021, ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING DIVISION OF THE CITY AGRICULTURIST’S OFFICE, AND THE CORRESPONDING POSITIONS UNDER SUCH DIVISION, DETERMINING THEIR POWERS, DUTIES, AND FUNCTIONS”
Be
that:
SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be referred to as “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 11 OF ORDINANCE NO. 0670-21, SERIES OF 2021, ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING DIVISION OF THE CITY AGRICULTURIST’S OFFICE, AND THE CORRESPONDING POSITIONS UNDER SUCH DIVISION, DETERMINING THEIR POWERS, DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS”.
SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES-
1. The City Agriculturist’s Office of Davao was established as one of the departments created by the City Government of Davao focusing on agricultural services. It envisions the agriculture sector to be dynamic with cohesive communities, self-reliant and empowered farmer entrepreneurs committed to sustainable growth and development in alleviating the plight of marginal farmers, fisherfolks and rural-based entities of the city. It seeks to transform them into socially and economically progressive members of society by setting up favorable scenario/s towards sustainable agricultural development within the context of a balanced ecology. The office commits to pursue sustainable agri-fishery development for self-reliant rural and coastal communities by providing quality and relevant programs and services. The objectives and goals of the office are as follows:
• Initiate and provide access to agricultural and fishery programs and projects that will improve the quality of life of clients;
• Develop agri-fishery entrepreneurs;
• Strengthen farming systems that maintain bio-diversity;
• Provide institutional development support to clients;
• Empower farmers and agri-clientele through a dynamic information and technology access;
• Enhance competencies of personnel in the delivery of services.
The vision of the office is to have motivated and competent government professionals and partners guided by the value of care for the environment, working harmoniously towards an empowered agri-fishery sector of the City.
2. The provision on agricultural and biosystems engineering services is vital and necessary in the development and modernization of agriculture and fisheries, and the implementation of the Food Security Program of the city.
3. Section 454 (c) (2) of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, empowers the Sangguniang Panlungsod to create such other offices as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the city government.
4. Section 458 (a) (1) (vii and viii) of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, authorizes the Sangguniang Panlungsod to determine positions, powers, duties and salaries of officials and employees of the City.
5. The Civil Service Commission in Resolution No. 100759 dated April 20, 2010, approved the QS (Qualification Standards) for Agricultural Engineering positions in the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies, pursuant to Republic Act 8559, known as the “Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1998” approved on February 26, 1998, and Budget Circular No. 2003-03 of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the “Reallocation of Agriculturist and Other Positions Performing Agricultural Engineering Works into Engineer Positions”.
6. Civil Service Commission Resolution No. 1901365 dated November 4, 2019, approved amendments to the qualification standards for Engineer I to IV (Agricultural and Biosystems) positions in the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies/corporations.
7. Republic Act No. 1080 entitled, “An Act Declaring the Bar and Board Examinations as Civil Service Examinations stated that the examinations given by various board of examiners of the Government are declared as civil service examinations.
TO :
1. Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering or Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering;
2. Four (4) years in position(s) involving management and supervision, one (1) year of which is relevant to agricultural engineering or agricultural and biosystems engineering;
3. Forty (40) hours of supervisory/management training/learning and development intervention;
4. Eligibility as stated in Republic Act No. 10915 (An Act Strengthening, Modernizing and Aligning the Practice of Agricultural Engineering in the Country into the Internationally Recognized Practice of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, and for Other Purposes).
B. Ordinance No. 0670-21, Series of 2021, Section 11.C “Qualifications for the position of Engineer II with Salary Grade 16” shall be amended as:
1. Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering or Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering;
2. One(1) year of relevant experience;
3. Four (4) hours of relevant training;
4. Eligibility as stated in Republic Act 1080 “An Act Declaring the Bar and Board Examinations as Civil Service Examinations” (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer);
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval.
ENACTED, on the 13th day of September 2022, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.
ATTESTED:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 11 OF ORDINANCE NO. 0670-21, SERIES OF 2021, ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING DIVISION OF THE CITY AGRICULTURIST’S OFFICE, AND THE CORRESPONDING POSITIONS UNDER SUCH DIVISION, DETERMINING THEIR POWERS, DUTIES, AND FUNCTIONS”
20th City Council 10th Regular Session Series of 2022
PRESENT:
Vice Mayor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. - Presiding Officer
Councilor Marissa S. Abella Councilor Nilo M. Abellera Jr. Councilor Luna Maria Dominique S. Acosta Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Councilor Bernard E. Al-ag Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre Councilor Dante L. Apostol Sr. Councilor Conrado C. Baluran Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan Councilor Pilar C. Braga Councilor Augusto Javier G. Campos III Councilor Jonard C. Dayap Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Councilor Rodolfo M. Mande Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Councilor Bonz Andre A. Militar Councilor Temujin B. Ocampo Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Councilor Alberto T. Ungab Councilor Lorenzo Benjamin D. Villafuerte Councilor Trisha Ann J. Villafuerte Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III ABSENT: Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag
Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan - On
AN ORDINANCE SUSPENDING THE IMPOSITION OF THE RATES AND CHARGES AT DAVAO FOOD TERMINAL COMPLEX (DFTC) FOR A PERIOD OF SIX (6) MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF RESUMPTION OF OPERATION OF DFTC
Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that:
SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE SUSPENDING THE IMPOSITION OF THE RATES AND CHARGES AT DAVAO FOOD TERMINAL COMPLEX (DFTC) FOR A PERIOD OF SIX (6) MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF RESUMPTION OF OPERATION OF DFTC”.
SECTION 2. AUTHORITY Section 192 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, provides that “Local Government Units may, through ordinances duly approved, grant tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs under such terms and conditions as they may deem necessary”.
SECTION 3. SUSPENSION OF DFTC RATES AND CHARGES – The rates and charges at Davao Food Terminal Complex, except for the rental fee of all stalls at DFTC, dormitory fees and Training Hall rental fees, imposed pursuant to Ordinance No. 0706-19, Series of 2019, are hereby suspended for a period of six (6) months from the date of resumption of operation of DFTC.
SECTION 4. SEPARABILITY If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVITY This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval.
ENACTED, September 13, 2022, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.
CERTIFIED CORRECT: For and in the absence of the Secretary:
spite the fact na its unan nounced. Maganda yung response ng lahat ng ating security and safety forces dito sa Davao City kahit pa hindi nila alam kung saan, anong oras, at kung ano ang mangyayari. Ginawa natin ito dahil sa kailangan natin makita yung kahan daan ng bawat isa sa safe ty at security forces para malaman natin kung akma pa ba yung sa ginagalaw nila tungkol naman dito sa USAHAY II,” Comia said.
The conduct of simula tion exercises is consistent with Executive Order No. 62 Series of 2021 signed by former Mayor Sara Duter te “an order adopting the integrated response on terrorism plan (USAHAY) of Task Force Davao and activating the joint security forces cluster in the event of terror attacks.”
Spearheaded by the TF Davao, the activity had a two-part exercise involving improvised explosive de vices (IEDs) placed in two separate locations.
Comia shared that the first alert was raised when an improvised explosive
guay, this month.
device (IED) inside a pas senger bus was intercepted by the TF Davao at the Sir awan checkpoint at 11:30 a.m. Troops immediately locked down the highway and promptly evacuated people and cordoned off the area.
“Base sa ating situation na natanggap outside Davao City katong gi conceptual ized pa ang simex, ang sce nario nga gibuhat gahapon ay naay terorista na naka sakay sa bus na pumasok ng Davao City,” he said.
Shortly after, an explo sion occurred at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bangkal at 12:50 p.m. Within minutes, police re sponders from the Talomo Police Station 3 arrived at the scene. The area was immediately cordoned and traffic was diverted. The DCPO’s implementation of Oplan Dragnet resulted in the apprehension of the alleged perpetrators of the blast. The Task Force Davao then took control of the sit uation and cleared the area.
In both incidents, the city’s security protocols and contingency plan were
successfully implemented and followed.
Comia said the success of the simex is proof that the security and safety cluster is always ready to implement its contingency plans for any act of terror.
He also said future sim ulation exercises shall like wise be unannounced.
The simex was partic ipated by the forces from the TF Davao, PSSO, Civil Security Unit, Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Spe cial Weapons and Tactics, Explosive Ordinance Divi sion/K9 Unit, Tactical Op erations Group XI, Disaster Risk Reduction and Man agement Office (DRRMO), Central 911, Philippine Air Force (PAF), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-Davao), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CI DG-Davao), Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, Coast Guard District Southeast ern Mindanao, National Intelligence Coordinat ing Agency XI, Regional Maritime Unit XI, RFU 11, JSOU3, JSOF1, and the City Transport and Traffic Man agement Office (CTTMO).
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“This is a historic op portunity to address the plastic pollution crisis by reducing the amount of plastic both produced and used by companies via le gally-binding mechanisms and enforcement policies,” it added.
For this year, a total of 1,987 pieces of mixed wastes were recovered from the watershed, with the topplastic-polluting corporations being ranked as follows: Nestle, Oishi, Unilever, WL Foods, Col gate-Palmolive, The Co ca-Cola Company, Prifood Corporation, Rebisco, and Universal Robina Corpora tion.
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pwede ka muadto sa ba rangay kay naay VAW desk didto (Our barangay may not be that women can go there because we have VAW desk),” she said.
also reported stressing that some of the provisions of DO No. 49 “expands and even exceeds” the limits set in the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Philippine Teachers Pro fessionalization Act of 1994.
Meanwhile, Department of Education 11 spokesper
“Yung una meron tayong 90 percent na dapat ma bakunahan with booster ng ating senior citizens and 50 percent dapat sa mga first booster sa lahat ng total population. Ngay on may panibago tayong target dapat makukuha natin yung 5 to 11 years old na makatanggap na ng primary doses. Yung sa 12 to 17 years old kailangan magkaroon na ng unang
Since the brand audit began in 2020, the group said some 7,000 pieces of assorted plastic wastes had been collected. Of these plastic wastes, 57% were food packaging, 10.7% polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, 8.4% plastic bags, 8.35% sachets, and 3.94% cigarette packs.
A number of face masks, sanitary pads, and diapers were also collected from Panigan-Tamugan, it said.
It said the audit is “a participatory initiative where citizen scientists count and document the brands of plastic wastes and help track the man ufacturing companies re
sponsible for plastic pollu tion.”
“We also analyzed the trend from 2020 to 2022 since IDIS started partic ipating (in brand audit). These findings reveal a remarkable consistency of results, year after year, the same companies – large manufacturers – are the top plastic polluters,” the group said.
It said corporations should reinvent “their packaging to be reusable or plastic-free, or redesign their product delivery sys tems to shift away from single-use plastic packag ing and toward refill and reuse.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
The 18-Day campaign to end VAW started on No vember 25 and will end on December 12, 2022. This campaign is in line with Republic Act No. 10398,
son Jenielito “Dodong” Atillo clarified that the Vice Presi dent “just wanted teachers to focus more on important things related to the learn ings of the students” amid the controversy surround ing DO.
“Isa pud niana katong mga magtutudlo should also be given an opportunity to
booster at ito ay protec tion para sa ating mga ka bataan. Pero kahit anong edad from 5 years old and above and from 18 years old and above ay dapat makatanggap na ng baku na,” Dumama said.
Manatad said Davao Re gion is one of those regions identified that still need to widen coverage for vaccina tion.
She said there is a need
“An Act Declaring Novem ber 25 of every year as “National Consciousness for the Elimination of Vio lence Against Women and Children. CIO
mend and tend for their re spective activities kay kining mga magtutudlo nato while they are surrogate parents they also have their very own private lives that they have to tend and mend to mao ng importante ug na kita namo ang importansya niining maong gipagawas nga DO 49,” Atillo said.
to step up the vaccination drive considering that people will soon celebrate Christmas.
“Meron kasi tayong tar get talaga . Ang unang target ay para makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay. Ang ating mga negosyo magbu kas na, ang ating pangkabu hayan tuloy tuloy na, yung ating mga bata na nag-aaral ay protektado at safe,” Du mama said.
Bound by their mission to produce Fili pino sports champions, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Nestle Philippines Inc. - MILO signed a Memoran dum of Agreement (MOA) for the Batang Pinoy 2022 National Championships today, November 28 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila.
PSC Chairman Jose Emmanuel “Noli” M. Eala and Nestle Philip pines Business Executive Officer - Beverages and Confectionery Veronica V. Cruz represented their respective organizations. The Batang Pinoy Games, one of the PSC’s centerpiece grassroots sports programs will be held De cember 17 to 21 in the Province of Ilocos Sur.
“For Batang Pinoy to once again work with Nestle Philip pines and Milo, is truly an honor, as well as a blessing for the Fili pino youth. We hope that we can continue to interest Milo to be a strong partner for PSC, not only for Batang Pinoy but for our en tire grassroots program,” said Eala during the signing ceremony.
Under the agreement, the partnership will continue until the end of 2022.
On the part of Milo, Cruz said that “Milo believes that sports is a great teacher. It is our privilege and honor to be sponsoring the Batang Pinoy and be its long-time partner. We are very excited that Batang Pinoy is happening again and we are one with you in ignit ing the Philippines to be active again and be energized.”
“You can count on us as we con tinue to grow grassroots sports, support our athletes, and nourish kids’ journey to success. We look forward to Batang Pinoy and all other collaborations we will have in the future,” Cruz added.
With the support of MILO and other private sector part ners, the PSC aims to revive and further strengthen its grassroots programs from which rose world class athletes like Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, Olympic