Saturday, March 20, 2021

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DCWD hopes bulk water supply project to start ops before 2021 ends

Posted: 19 Mar 2021 05:20 AM PDT

PROJECT implementers of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) are targeting to start supplying water to its consumers before the end of 2021.

DCBWSP is a joint water project of Davao City Water District (DCWD) and Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. that is expected to provide around 300 million liters of water to the consumers.

The project was supposed to be fully operated in the first quarter of 2021. But DCWD spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod admitted the imposed enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the city from April to May 15, 2020 derailed the construction of the bulk water project.

But when constructions were permitted during the easing of quarantine status, she said Apo Agua immediately resumed operations and implemented "catch-up" plans to meet its timeline.

"Ang ilahang timeline (Based on their timeline), they would be able to complete ang part nila sa proyekto (their part of the project) by end of December 2021, granting that all mitigating measures and catch-up plans are in place," the official said.

She added that Apo Agua is already planning to increase its manpower to expedite the bulk water project and start serving its consumers.

"They are targeting to hire around 4,500 personnel para lang mapaspasan ang pagpatrabaho (just to fast track the construction)," Duhaylungsod said.

The project, worth P12.6 billion, is a strategic infrastructure initiative that will shift the dependence of the city's main water supply from groundwater wells to the more sustainably-sourced surface water from Tamugan River.

Once operational, the DCBWSP will provide over 300 million liters of safe water per day to more than one million Dabawenyos.

Duhaylungsod said they are targeting to fast-track the project in order to start supplying areas with low or no running water supply and that have deteriorating water quality.

She added that the imposed quarantine restriction had caused a high water consumption resulting in some areas experiencing low water supply.

If ever the project will not meet its targeted operation, she said DCWD has reserved production wells as a mitigating measure that could cover the increase of water demand by 2022.

In general, however, the city has still enough water supply to meet the demand.

"While waiting, naa gyud ta (we have) immediate improvement plans na pwede nato magamit (that we can use) just in case wala pa ang bulk water (the construction of the bulk water is not yet done)," Duhaylungsod said.

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Sara Duterte: 1Sambayan sounds authoritarian

Posted: 19 Mar 2021 05:18 AM PDT

PRESIDENTIAL daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio described the 1Sambayan coalition formed by retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio as "authoritarian."

"They claim to be a coalition of democratic forces but they reject so many who do not agree with them. They sound authoritarian to me," the mayor said in a statement issued to the media on Thursday, March 18.

Duterte-Carpio's statement comes the same day 1Sambayan officially launched its coalition to the public.

During the launching, "1Sambayan" said they aim to come up with a single slate of national candidates — president, vice president, 12 senators — who will run against President Rodrigo Duterte's preferred successor and his other bets.

The coalition include Carpio, former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert Del Rosario, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, former Education secretary Armin Luistro, former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza, National Union of Peoples' Lawyers chairman Neri Colmenares, and the Magdalo party-list, among others.

The coalition said they vowed to field a unified opposition ticket in the May 2022 national elections.

In his video message, the retired Chief Justice who also hails from Davao City, said the group "represents the democratic forces in the entire country," including some marginalized and religious groups.

"We have decided to come together to choose the best candidates for president, vice-president, senators. Political parties and groups in the opposition have pledged their support to 1Sambayan and have agreed to abide by its selection of candidates," Carpio said.

He also said, "Unless we are united, we cannot win in 2022."

Duterte-Carpio, however, said the country needs unity as of the moment.

"Kung gusto nila maging successful dapat ang panawagan nila ay magkaisa (If they want to be successful, they should be calling for unity). What this country needs is unity, not messages with the word reject. Othering is the word that comes to mind when they speak," she said.

Carpio, during the launching, called the Duterte government "incompetent" as he criticized the administration's "mishandling" of the Covid-19 pandemic, South China Sea policy, moves to amend the 1987 Constitution, and alleged threats against businesses, media entities and critics.

"They've been tested and everybody's saying kulelat sila (they performed badly). So, we have to offer a better alternative to our people because we don't want the same thing to happen again [and] to continue in the next six years," he said.

1Sambayan's launching comes weeks after several pro-administration groups and supporters had been urging Duterte-Carpio to run or presidency. The mayor already rejected the call despite topping several presidential surveys.

Former longtime aide of President Duterte now Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, whom the president endorsed in public events, also said he is not eyeing for the presidency. But he said he may consider running for president if Duterte will agree to be his running mate.

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Davao City brings back negative RT-PCR test results requirement

Posted: 19 Mar 2021 05:16 AM PDT

STARTING March 23, 2021, the Davao City Government will require individuals entering the city through Francisco Bangoy International Airport, also known as Davao International Airport (DIA), a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result.

Airport Monitoring Team head Generose Tecson told SunStar Davao in a phone interview that RT-PCR tests shall be done by passengers not more than 72 hours before the flight.

Tecson also said that saliva-based RT-PCR tests, still taken not more than 72 hours before the flight, will be accepted if done by the Philippine Red Cross.

For children below 12 years old, tests will not be required unless parents or chaperones tested positive for Covid-19.

She also said that air passengers going to the city must secure their Safe Davao QR Code (DQR).

"So kung (if you have) no negative result and Safe Davao QR, no check-in for Davao," Tecson said.

Tecson said the reimposition of the test is in accordance with City Ordinance 0477-21, Series of 2021, or an ordinance providing for mandatory testing prior to entry into the city via DIA.

The ordinance was signed by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on March 2, 2021.

She added that the "test-before-travel" requirement to all passengers is not in contradiction to the issued Resolution 101 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

"Nakalagay doon na option ng LGU (local government unit) na mag-require ng (It was indicated there that LGUs are given the option to require) testing prior to entry," she said.

According to the IATF, an LGU that will still require a Covid-19 test will be limited to RT-PCR.

Tecson said the city had been pushing the mandatory RT-PCR test to all travelers to the city, even before the reported surge of Covid-19 in some key cities in the country, particularly in Metro Manila and Cebu City, reportedly due to the detected Covid-19 variants.

She said the city is also planning to impose the mandatory RT-PCR for land travelers coming from Luzon and Visayas.

Meanwhile, she said the city, in accordance with the IATF order, will no longer require travel authority from the Joint Task Force Covid Shield and health certificates.

Authorized persons outside residence (Apor) from National Government agencies and their attached agencies need only present their identification card, travel order and travel itinerary.

Earlier, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Infectious Diseases specialist Dr. Marie Yvette Barez urged for the continued implementation of strict travel protocols, including the RT-PCR test, within city borders after noticing a slight increase of admitted Covid-19 patients.

"Inopen na kasi ng IATF diba everything, inistop na ang lahat ng mga RT-PCR (Since the IATF relaxed its policy, they did not made the RT-PCR mandatory). But yesterday [March 16], nag-increase uli yung admission. Although hindi pa man ganun ka-alarming (there is an increase of admission. Although it is still not alarming), but the fact na nag-increase na ulit ang (that there is again an increase of) admission, it could be an effect of those relaxed... everybody became relaxed again," she said.

Barez also said the transmission of the new variant causing case surge might be possible if the city will not be strict in its borders, particularly those in the airport.

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Leading by example, leading with discipline

Posted: 19 Mar 2021 05:15 AM PDT

IT IS only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

That very line of Antoine de Saint-Exupery moved significantly the new director of DepEd Davao Region who then had successfully directed his career trajectory. Now, this destined leader is on for the great game called leadership in Department of Education-Davao Region (DepEd Davao) -- Dr. Allan G. Farnazo, CESO IV.

Yes, all leaders who have wound their journeys in this office had scores of things they could do. But this particular disciplined leader who took the seat now has identified and focused only on the vital few. Just like what John F. Manning, President of a certain General Management Consulting Firm is advancing, the 20 percent of activities that will drive 80 percent of the results, and those most important results are those tied to the organization's most precious asset: its people.

Farnazo is not new to Davao Region as he was formerly the President of the Regional School Paper Advisers Association when General Santos City was still part of Davao Region and it is also in the region where he won Outstanding School Paper Adviser of the Philippines in 1996.

He was a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at Notre Dame of Marbel University, Koronadal, South Cotabato. He completed his Masters Degree in Education majoring Guidance and Counseling at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, General Santos City. He also finished his Bachelor of Laws at Mindanao State University – General Santos City Campus and his Doctor of Philosophy at Sultan Kudarat State University.

He passed the Career Service Professional Exam and passed his Professional Board Examination for Teachers (PBET) in 1992, Career Executive Service Exam in 2003, ranked 9th in the National Educational Management Test (Superintendents Test) in 2005, became CES eligible in 2007, and CESO V in 2009.

He had served as a classroom teacher, guidance coordinator, provincial board member, administrative officer, schools division superintendent, officer in-charge as assistant regional director, and regional director of the department of education.

His recent feat is being chosen as one of the nominees of the 2020 Gawad Career Executive Service Award – an annual presidential recognition for the members of the Career Executive Service whose remarkable accomplishments, excellent performance, and integrity inspire others to transform communities across the country.

Farnazo is a loving husband to Rina Farnazo and a caring father to their three children.

Leadership Style

Practicing the art of leadership with a heart is but apparent to his message as he uttered this line to the stakeholders of 11 schools divisions he visited, "We will not be taking new steps, new directions; we will just perhaps be infusing new dynamism, new spirit, new fervor, and new ways of doing things."

He added, "Hindi ako pumunta dito upang kumanta ng panibagong kanta at pipilitin ko kayong kumanta kasama ko. Pumunta ako rito upang kumanta ng kantang paborito ninyong kantahin. Gusto ko, ang boses ninyo at boses ko ay maging isang bahagi ng isang symphony or orchestra where you love singing the song, and I would like to sing with you."

What he meant is what he wants to see is what is it that his people want to do and he will help them accomplish it. This is so because he has learned difficult and important lessons in life that he cannot just transport best practice into other locations because people there have another story: they have different struggles, they have different priorities, and they have a different context. This is the very reason why over the years of his leadership functions, he never brings any traditions from his previous areas of responsibilities to his new stations as he ought to begin anew.

"I believe in the principle that says, begin where the learners are," he said.

This means that he will begin where everyone is. That together, they all will create and shape the future and direction that are desirable and will fit them. How the children of Davao Region be taught and what they want these learners will be through leadership that will hone their character and their being.

"Bigyan natin ng kongkretong pag-uunawa ang katagang 'No child is left behind,'" he said.

This call for urgency has reference to the discriminating kind of system we have in education. Those standards set apart the children who are physically, mentally, and emotionally challenged from the normal children in our society.

"One child, definitely, is not the same with the other," he said.

He added, "What is important is what is the thing that binds between persons and not how the person looks against and towards others." In relation to this, he quoted another line from Antoine de Saint-Exupery: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

Work ethics

"My passion is in my work! Because I take it by heart when I said no child is left behind," he said.

Farnazo highlights the importance of all children having space in school to learn. This is the prime consideration that each one should be mindful of in the gradual preparation of every school for the normal face-to-face classes.

"I want to share with you a new way of looking into leadership. A leadership that sets your position and your person as a model but not a person that celebrates about his power and the authority that is in him," he said.

He is saying that school leaders have to be true servant leaders -- that is putting the interest of others at the center and making sure that the people's highest priority needs are being served.

The director also keyed in the importance of the establishment of the quality system in every school which is very possible and best implemented in the division through the establishment of the School-Based Management. He then espoused the establishment of an SBM Level III accreditation in the Schools Division Office for at least one big school and one small school in both elementary and secondary schools which will serve as laboratories for benchmarking for the nearby schools.

Leadership Examples

"Napakadaling maging leader pero napakahirap maging disiplinadong leader," Farnazo said.

This is how he sees leadership transpiring in every office and every school now. He cited that discipline begins even the way we dress up; even in the way we beautify ourselves; even in the way we project competence such as talking in public, such as presiding over meetings, such as preparing for meetings so that teachers will have inputs of what to learn in that meeting.

"The Leader is the model and the leader draws his leadership credibility through his examples. Be, therefore, the examples you want for your teachers!" Farnazo said.

As an example, he said that if others can afford to be late in attending to their commitments, a leader cannot, in any way, because he is a leader. True enough, becoming a disciplined leader takes hard work. One has to go into self-chastisement and break himself of the bad habits he'd created.

His example of self-discipline went even as far as the responsibilities of every parent of the school children who are struggling to cope with the distance learning modality of the lesson delivery in the education in the trying times.

"During this time of pandemic those who have invested in education have the high rate of survival. The parents, then, were not serious in their education that's why they are hard up being facilitators of learning at home with their children," he said.

This is somehow an expression of exasperation. Nevertheless, the director sees the positive side.

"Pandemic exposed the strength and weaknesses of every family. Now we have the idea of how much we should work for each family," he said.

Perhaps, the director is right when he regarded that the story of the pandemic is the strength of every family and that the strong family foundation helped people cope with life's adversities.

"I, as the Regional Director can do so less, but I totally believe together we can!" he said.

Farnazo said the success of DepEd-Davao is not solely dependent on his shoulders as what everyone is trying to presume. He then stressed the point that DepED is an organization where all is important, where everyone has a part. Thus, cooperation and participation are hooked on and indispensable for every member.

It is an overwhelming feeling to hear from the director that he has the full trust and confidence in his people to perform the tasks.

"I achieved my goal, na lahat ng reklamo itapon na at lahat ng gawa ay simulan na!" he said.

He even stated some sort of satirical but sincere version of encouragement, "Perhaps the most that I can do to you is sing a song when you are tired, tell you stories when you want some inspirations, or perhaps push you a little harder because you can do better than what you are doing now. I am your number one cheerer! That's the most I can do for an organization as active, as dynamic as the education sector of Region XI."

Public service is about commitment to all the people; counting in the ones who are supposed as queer and the differently-abled. It must be of great degree than just doing a job proficiently and fairly -- It must be a wide-ranging keenness to and for the public and the country.

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Take a bow, Alfonso ‘Boy’ Guino-o

Posted: 19 Mar 2021 05:12 AM PDT

"THIS might be my last show," said the designer at a 2014 Davao fashion show.

He was mistaken.

Boy Guino-o was ahead of his time, but aren't all visionaries? Long before the local weaves crossed the barrier from tribal garments to a fashion rage, this man had elevated the T'nalak to haute couture. As early as the 70's, he started injecting the fabric to his designs. Back then it was referred to as ethnic fashion, but this man called it tribal couture. What other designers didn't dwell on, he started embracing with passion. Eventually, he stamped his name on the Mindanao look.

Perhaps "Badu" would be Guino-o's most notable show. It debuted in New York City in the 90's. It paid tribute to indigenous royalty. Yards of handcrafted weaves were turned to evening fineries, feathers took the form of majestic headdresses, and carabao horns and coconut shells were carved into glamorous accessories.

In the next decade, in 2004, Alfonso Boy Guino-o was conferred the Datu Bago Award for championing the indigenous craftsmanship of the Lumad in Mindanao and incorporating the hand woven fabrics in his designs. The Datu Bago Award is the highest award to be given to a Dabawenyo "who has contributed to the development of the city with exemplary competence and dedication and who best serves as a model of excellence and as inspiration to the residents of Davao."

The Badu show was reprised countless times in local and international runways. One was restaged in Davao in 2014, when the couturier thought it was his last.

Of the show, I wrote, "When Alfonso Guino-o bangs his gong, the Dabawenyos take heed and come, from several generations no less. This has what this fashion designer has achieved growing up with the city, working hard, honing his talent and keeping his cordial demeanor -- the loyalty of a slew of patrons who have become more friends than clients, the love and respect of his peers, and the honorific of Davao's Fashion Czar having exercised his fashion expertise from the day he opened his atelier in the 1950's. He is, perhaps, the only designer who has achieved career longevity successfully in the local fashion arena."

The designer has lived through a myriad of fashion trends. But one would make him proudest and happiest -- witnessing the handcrafted fabrics of the Mindanao tribes become in vogue. The fashion was labeled as "local" not "ethnic." It took decades for the scene to catch up with this man's vision. He must have felt fulfilled.

He is Tito Boy to everyone, but for many others, like Joji Ilagan Bian, he is family. Generations of Ilagan women were dressed by the designer. She laments on her loss.

"Today I lost a father, a. mother, a best friend, a travel and shopping buddy, a personal fashion designer and so much more! Today, I lost a part of myself. I know that Tito Boy will always be with me until the day when we will meet again."

"We laughed, ate, shopped, went on cruises, attended social events, shared secrets. Deep in my heart I know that Tito Boy does not want us to grieve and mourn. He wants us to remember him with joy and happiness."

Take a bow, Alfonso Guino-o. Your fashion legacy and legacy of love will live on.

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For more lifestyle features, visit www.ofapplesandlemons.com.

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Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com.

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Editorial: Risk of a second wave

Posted: 19 Mar 2021 05:11 AM PDT

JUST as we have started to get back on our feet, we are now seeing a sudden surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the country.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) show that Covid-19 cases have been increasing since the middle of February. The Philippines recorded a total of 5,449 new cases on March 12, 2021. This is the highest number of new cases recorded on a single day since the pandemic began.

The spike in cases in the country was pulled up by the high number of new cases being recorded in the National Capital Region (NCR), Calabarzon, Central Visayas, and Central Luzon. Data shows that NCR recorded 25,617 new cases in the last 14 days based on the date of the onset of illness. Calabarzon recorded 7,094, Central Visayas with 4,772, and Central Luzon with 3,861.

At present, the rise in Covid-19 cases has been attributed to possibly the more infectious variants of the Sars-CoV-2, diminishing compliance of some individuals with the minimum health standards, and the movement of more people.

Closer to home, data shows that Davao Region can take a bit of a breather as it is currently experiencing a downtrend in terms of new and active Covid-19 cases. It can be recalled that around the last quarter of 2020 and during the early parts of 2021, Davao Region was recording over a hundred new cases daily with over a thousand active cases.

It is just recently that the region recorded new cases below a hundred and active cases below one thousand. Davao City has also been considered as a 'minimal risk' local government unit (LGU) due to the decrease in cases.

We can attribute this to improved test, trace, and treat capabilities in the region. People observing the minimum health standards could also be attributed to the improved situation in Davao Region and Davao City.

However, there is no room for us to be complacent. As some areas in the country experience what could be a second wave, Davao Region could also experience the same if the people become complacent.

As we have reiterated time and again, if we want to lower the risk of transmission in our community, we have to do our part by following minimum health standards -- wear your facemask, observe social distancing, wash your hands with soap and water, avoid gathering in large groups, and observe coughing or sneezing etiquettes.

The moment we become too complacent, we run the risk of going into enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) again. We all know by now that when we go into ECQ, it will be detrimental to the local economy and to the people.

Hence, let us not forget to follow the minimum health standards. It is through this simple action that we are able to protect ourselves, our loved ones, our community, and our local economy.

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