Tuesday, March 30, 2021

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Davao City to hike Covid-19 testing

Posted: 30 Mar 2021 04:42 AM PDT

THE Davao City Government plans to increase its Covid-19 testing capacity to at least about 1,000 specimens a day.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview on Monday, March 29, that the city's health response clusters were instructed to increase their testing quantity from the average 400 to 700 tests per day.

"Kalakip anang instruction nga dapat i-increase ang testing so that paspas makit-an kung asa ang (Part of the instruction is the need to increase the testing so we could immediately trace the cases of) Covid-19," Duterte-Carpio said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

The mayor said the health response clusters assured ample reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test kits to meet the demand for increased testing quantity.

She said this is in line with her recently issued Executive Order (EO) 18, which orders for the "heightened surveillance and response" for the Covid-19 cases in the city.

According to the EO, "there is a need to recalibrate strategies to prevent and control Covid-19 transmission" in the city due to the surge of cases in Metro Manila and other areas in the country, and the emergence of new Covid-19 variants.

Part of the city's strategies, the mayor said, is to intensify the monitoring of its communities for those with influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined ILI as an acute respiratory infection with the following: a measured fever of more than or equal to 38 degrees, cough, and with onset within the last 10 days.

Section 2 of the EO states that there will be an establishment of "ILI and swab corner" in all district health centers.

Individuals who have ILI symptoms must be immediately referred to district swab centers or to swab sites, if not yet available.

Those who have closed contact with ILI patients must be monitored for signs and symptoms of ILI or Covid-19.

Once they manifest signs and symptoms, they must immediately be swabbed.

Section 3 of the EO mandates all contact tracers, barangay health workers (BHWs), and barangay health emergency response teams (BHERTs) to refer for swabbing those found with ILI or Covid-19 signs and symptoms to the nearest district health centers or Sta. Ana Health Center.

In addition, children and adults with ILI symptoms shall undergo Covid-19 RT-PCR testing. While waiting for their test result, they are required to undergo mandatory home quarantine.

Individuals with ILI symptoms who have tested negative can only be released from home quarantine once they become asymptomatic, except, if they need to work or do business.

The health response clusters are also ordered to make a regular schedule of surveillance swabbing in high-risk areas without implementing the mandatory home quarantine post-swabbing such as but not limited to: business and commercial establishments (i.e. business process outsourcing, banks, restaurants, etc.); public places (i.e. wet markers, supermarkets, stores, etc.); and government offices.

Also included are private offices and agencies (i.e. recruitment agencies, etc.); closed facilities (i.e. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bahay Pag-asa, home for the aged, orphanage, etc.); and other barangays and areas deemed high risk by the City Health Office.

The mayor said the city is more prepared in case they would be able to catch more positive individuals in the community as they have prepared different facilities, including a hotel-type for paying patients.

"Ngano ginakuha nato ang mga tao is para dili na siya makatakod og laing tao ug aron dili na mukatag ang sakit ug cases (We have to continue to detect those who are positive for Covid-19 so that they won't be able to infect others and causes case surge)," Duterte-Carpio said.

She also allayed the fears of the public who get tested for Covid-19, saying that in case they will be yielded positive for coronavirus, they will not be treated as prisoners because they will just be taken from their residences to the hospitals or treatment facilities for them to recover.

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Davao receives 7,200 additional Sinovac vaccines

Posted: 30 Mar 2021 04:41 AM PDT

AN ADDITIONAL 7,200 doses of Sinovac's CoronaVac Covid-19 vaccines intended for remaining healthcare workers in Davao Region arrived on Tuesday morning, March 30.

The vaccines arrived on a commercial flight at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, also known as Davao International Airport.

Department of Health-Davao Region (DOH-Davao) Director Annabelle Yumang, who was present during the arrival, said the additional doses are intended for medical frontliners who were not able to be inoculated with the initial Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.

This is on top of the 36,800 doses of Sinovac and AstraZeneca allocated by the National Government to the region.

Yumang clarified, however, that the 7,200 additional doses come from the 400,000 donated CoronaVac vaccines from the Chinese government to the Philippines that arrived in the previous weeks and not part of the one million doses procured by the National Government that arrived on Monday, March 29.

She said the allotted vaccines will be distributed to all provinces in the region.

She also said there are some parts of the region that have yet to use up all their remaining doses.

As of March 29, the health official said 98 percent out of the 36,800 vaccines were already administered.

She said some of those inoculated with the vaccine experienced mild side effects, while some were admitted due to hypersensitivity reactions, but have already recovered.

Yumang said the region is expecting to receive additional doses to cater to remaining healthcare workers belonging to Group A1 who have not yet received the vaccine.

But she said they are still uncertain how many doses and what brand will be delivered to the region in the coming weeks.

According to the issued DOH Department Memorandum 2021-0099 on February 23, 2021, providing the Interim Guidelines for the Implementation of the National Vaccine Development Plan for Covid-19, Priority Group A1 includes frontline workers in health facilities both national and local, private and public, health professionals and non-professionals like students in health and allied professions courses with clinical responsibilities, nursing aides, janitors, barangay health workers, etc.

She said once all A1 groups will be vaccinated, the A2 or senior citizens will be vaccinated immediately, depending on the availability of the supply and brand.

But Yumag said the DOH is still not recommending the inoculation of the CoronaVac vaccines to seniors. As of now, the vaccines can only be administered to ages 18 to 59 years old.

Meanwhile, she said they are continuously preparing for the listing of senior citizens.

"Kinahanglan ang mga senior citizens, muadto na sa ilang tagsa-tagsang health centers aron sila mapalista (Seniors must go to their nearest health centers to enlist)," Yumang said.

She also said that health workers can also conduct the listing through house-to-house, depending on their strategy, considering some seniors can no longer endure walking or leaving their houses due to their condition.

"Kinahanglan gyud nga naay pamaagi nga mapalista atong mga (They should find ways to enlist our) senior citizens," she said.

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1,800 Davao City workers to undergo random drug testing

Posted: 30 Mar 2021 04:40 AM PDT

AS PART of the city's drug-free workplace program, some 1,800 Davao City workers, including elected officials, will be the subject of the first batch of random drug testing starting April this year.

City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac) Operations Head Ronald Rivera said they will be starting the random drug testing to appointed and elected officials.

"We are aiming to randomly select 10-percent of the 16,000 employees," Rivera said.

He said the selection will be made throughout the year.

He said they will start the selection weekly through electronic selection. The Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) will be tasked to conduct the random selection to be made without prior notice or information of the latter.

The Cadac official said this is in compliance with Executive Order (EO) Number 24 series in 2010, issued by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The EO states the City Government adopts a strict "anti-drug" policy in workplaces.

"The drug free workplace should be in place sa atong (in our) city government to ensure that nobody is into drugs. Kung naa puy (If someone is) found to be with the disease [drug addiction], dapat pud ni sila tagaan og panahon para ilahang matambalan ilahang (they should be given time to recover from their) condition," he said.

Those who will manifest behavioral deviancy, such as consistent absences, incontrolable debts, or other behavioral misconduct, could also be selected in the drug testing.

He said the EO mandates all employees to be subjected under drug testing as required by Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Rivera said the order covers all permanent or regular, whether in the career or non-career service, temporary casual, part-time, and contractual and consultancy basis workers, whether or not they receive compensation, regardless of amount.

The drug test, he said, will be conducted at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

According to the EO, regular employees who will be yielded positive after the confirmatory test will be charged by the committee with an administrative disciplinary action, and termination, in accordance with the Civil Service law and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.

"But since the city is into bringing in treatment for people with addiction, so it will now be the decision of the committee," Rivera said.

However, for those workers under contracts and job orders will be immediately terminated after a positive confirmatory test result.

Rivera said the testing will be shouldered by the City Government.

The executive order has not been immediately implemented due to some amendments made by the assessment committee.

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Editorial: Preventing a post-Holy Week surge

Posted: 30 Mar 2021 04:39 AM PDT

AHEAD of the long weekend, April 1 to 4, several local government units (LGUs) in Davao Region have implemented stricter measures in a bid to curb another surge.

Pre-pandemic, many Filipinos tend to take the time off during the Holy Week to take that needed rest. Some would spend it at home and attend masses while some non-Catholics would go on vacation someplace else.

In anticipation of people going on vacation amid the pandemic, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued Executive Order 19 series of 2021 on March 29 ordering the closure of beaches, beach resorts, and other inland water resorts in the city from April 1 to 4, 2021.

"There is a need to prevent mass gathering in beaches and inland water resorts during the long holiday weekend for Holy Week," the mayor said.

On March 27, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang issued Executive Order (EO) No. 7 series of 2021 imposing Covid-19 interim guidelines in the province in anticipation of the surge of tourists and travelers during the Holy Week.

Davao Oriental will strictly impose a "no QR code, no entry policy" across all border points of the province. The Provincial Government also said it will close all pilgrimage sites such as those found in Pintatagan Welcome Park, Dakong Krus in Governor Generoso, among others, for the duration of Holy Week from March 29 to April 4.

As Covid-19 cases surge in the country's capital, it is just about right for Davao City and Davao Oriental to impose stringent measures during a time when people are expected to go out more.

Hopefully, their policies will help prevent another surge in their respective areas.

Despite not being able to go out for a vacation this year during a long weekend, let us use this time to reflect on what has happened to us the past year. Count our blessings and be thankful for the little good things that we experienced.

For the believers, let us use this time to pray for our nation, our leaders, and our people.

"I enjoin you to please convey these important concerns to our people and to move them to pray fervently and unceasingly for the Lord to intervene, so that we will be spared from this rise of infection, and that there will be an end to this pandemic," Romulo G. Valles, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines President, said in a statement on March 28.

This Holy Week, let us limit our movements to essential activities only, avoid mass gathering, and spend time with our family. Let us take a break from social media or work and take a much needed rest.

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Lizada: Psalm 23, Two

Posted: 30 Mar 2021 04:38 AM PDT

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." -- Psalm 23:2

TAKE note. He makes, He leads, He restores. All verbs in the active voice and from a grammatical point of view, it is the subject that does the action and the object receives it. He makes, He leads and He restores.

Sheep by nature are helpless. Their only defense is by fleeing the danger. They have no sharp horns, camouflage, or even speed. They are basically defenseless and it is the shepherd's job to make them go where he wants them to go. It is his job to lead him to safety. Thus in order to lead the sheep, the shepherd must take an active role. He must lead, he must drive the flock, he must direct.

Green pastures are a place of rest and nourishment. If left alone, sheep will probably wander to oblivion not ever reaching the green pastures. They need a guide to bring them to that place. They need the shepherd to make them lie in those fields. What is your green pasture? What is your place of rest and even nourishment? Will you allow yourself to be brought there?

He leads me beside still waters is a favorite line of mine. I was watching a documentary about Carmelite nuns and how they live their lives in the silence of a monastery. One nun said something that caught my attention. She said, "in here you will discover quickly that it is God that leads you to prayer." Prayer has never been about us. On our own, our prayers quickly become a demand sheet or a letter of complaint. I like the image of "beside still waters." There is a method of prayer that asks you to go to a place in yourself that is still and peaceful. It can be a brook or shore. Even a meadow. You sit there and wait for God. Here is the thing, at least for me. You cannot go there. You need to be led. You need to give up your helplessness and your chaos and your ego to get there and you cannot reach the place until you are open to it. My favorite "still waters" image is one that I came across many years ago. Imagine dawn or dusk and all is quiet. You are sitting on a stone wall looking down a great city. You do not hear anything from the city. There are silence and peace and quiet. You sit there waiting for the Lord. While waiting you just are aware of your surroundings. Then Jesus sits beside you, does not say anything and like you, He gazes at the city. After a while, you begin to talk and He listens. Prayer.

That Psalm continues with He restores my soul and leads me to righteous paths. I never really got the idea of that until now while writing this. If our prayer is sincere and true we will find out that prayer does restore our souls in more ways than one. And its direct result is it will lead us to the right pathways. For His sake.

Quite a handful really. And we can all get receive these gifts if we allow ourselves to be led in His ways.

We are sheep and He is the Shepherd.

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Samante: NBA Shakeup 2

Posted: 30 Mar 2021 04:36 AM PDT

AT THE NBA trade deadline, another round of NBA shakeup made the news. Here is a summary of the high profile team acquisitions:

Miami Heat: Victor Oladipo (Rockets) for Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and 2022 1st Round swap rights, Nemanja Bjelica (Kings) for Mo Harkless and Chris Silva

LA Clippers: Rajon Rondo (Hawks) for Lou Williams and two second-round picks

Portland Trail Blazers: Normal Powell (Raptor) for Gary Trent Jr and Rodney Hood

Chicago Bulls: Nikola Vucevic, Al-Farouq Aminu (Magic) for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter, and two first- round picks, Mo Wagner and Troy Brown (Wizards) for Chandler Hutchinson, Daniel Their (Celtics) for Mo Wagner

Denver Nuggets: Aaron Gordon and Gary Clark (Magic) for Gary Harris, RJ Hampton and first-round pick, Javale McGee (Cavs) for Isaiah Hertenstein, and two second-round picks

Boston Celtics: Evan Fournier (Magic) for Jeff Teague and two second-round picks, Mo Wagner (Bulls-Wizard)

Dallas Mavericks: JJ Redick and Nicolo Melli (Pelicans) for Wesley Iwanda, James Johnson, and 2nd round pick

Buyout pick-ups: LaMarcus Aldridge(Nets) and Andre Drummond (Lakers)

Winners: Miami Heat benefits from getting Oladipo's services for almost nothing. Their core is intact, and Oladipo adds to their firepower. Evidence of Pat Riley's efficient human resources maneuvering.

Runner-up: Chicago Bulls haven't had a pair of All-Stars in a long time, and with Vucevic coming in, Zach Lavine gets an able and strong tandem. Hopefully, this tandem stays for the long haul.

Losers: NBA Fans

While the stars have been aligning themselves with each other in teams, it also robs the fans of a chance to see them play their best games. Two superstars in a team is indeed a great showcase of talent. Still, more than two make the watching experience less exhilarating.

Case in point, Brooklyn. How many games have their stars played in together as a complete unit? There is no hate for them; kudos to their management for pulling this off. But as an NBA fan, I am turned off by this recent trend in the NBA. No more parity, and stars can "rest" and do other stuff because they have other teammates to cover for them.

Of course, this is not the first time that stars have aligned at this magnitude. At most, it is three superstars joining forces.

The 2004 and 2012 Lakers were the last who had more than three, but history hasn't been kind to superteams with more than three superstars.

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‘Biyernes Santo’ now streaming on Vivamax

Posted: 30 Mar 2021 04:35 AM PDT

ON THE day when the Lord is dead, who do you pray to?

On this Lenten season, Vivamax releases a horror movie, "Biyernes Santo."

From the director of "Maria," Pedring A. Lopez, "Biyernes Santo" stars 2019 Cinemalaya Best Supporting Actress Ella Cruz, veteran actors Gardo Versoza, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Andrea Del Rosario, and introduces Via Ortega.

The story is about Roy Asuncion (Gardo Versoza), a former senator who brings his traumatized daughter Aurora (Via Ortega) to a rest house in a distant province for the Holy Week, one year after he lost his wife in a gruesome supernatural attack. He enlists the help of his distant cousin and a young, talented spiritual healer Grace (Ella Cruz) to protect Aurora from dark forces that have been haunting his family every Holy Week.

As the Holy Week progresses, Roy, Aurora and Grace lock themselves inside the rest house, which had been prepared to protect them from the demons that begin to make their presence known. The spiritual attacks intensify on Good Friday -- the day when Jesus died. Roy and Grace do their best to overcome their personal differences in order to protect Aurora. But Grace discovers the secret Roy has been hiding from her and it is too late for her to get out of the rest house and to escape from the devil.

According to director Pedring A. Lopez, the new normal made it difficult for them to shoot the movie. But with all the limited resources, tight deadlines, and difficulties brought by the pandemic situation, he's still proud of how the movie turned out.

"Biyernes Santos" has been streaming on Vivamax since March 26.

Vivamax is available online at web.vivamax.net or download the app on Google Play Store. Watch all you can on Vivamax for only P149/month, and get your Vivamax vouchers on Shopee and Lazada. (PR)

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Holcim pushes for more women in workforce to drive performance

Posted: 30 Mar 2021 04:34 AM PDT

SINCE 2008 building solutions provider Holcim Philippines Inc. has been recognizing employees who significantly contribute to business performance aligned with its core values.

In over a decade that the company has implemented its Saludo employee recognition program, four women have won the top prize -- Mahusay Employee of the Year.

The latest female Holcim Philippines employee to win this top award is Luningning Donato, a chemist heading the quality assurance team of the company's plant in Norzagaray Bulacan. Donato was recognized last January for leading 2020 initiatives that improved the quality of products, raised efficiency of operations, and generated substantial savings.

Conferring its highest employee award to a female employee is important in Holcim Philippines' efforts to attract and retain more women. It shows that in a company with over a thousand employees who are mostly men, women are provided opportunities to excel and recognized for their contributions.

Holcim Philippines is keen on diversifying its talent pool of which only 21 percent are women in 2020. The company believes that improving gender diversity can enrich the company with new perspectives that trigger innovative ideas and approaches that boost performance.

The company's top management is leading this drive. In a message to the company for National Women's Month this March, Holcim Philippines President and CEO Horia Adrian reiterated that the organization will to push for more female talents to enter and thrive in the company.

"I would like to see more women empowered in our company. I would like to see more women in leadership positions, operations and the market. I am convinced they will help us build a better company," he said.

This mindset from the top management reflects on the initiatives implemented to make the company more welcoming for women such as building more female lavatories and breast feeding stations in all its sites. The company also requires a female candidate to be included in all of its recruitment for vacant positions.

Furthermore, Holcim Philippines regularly holds National Women's Month celebration at all sites to show appreciation for female employees' contributions.

The company already has some notable achievements since it focused on improving diversity and inclusion. A woman heads its plant in Mabini, Batangas. The company's Senior Vice President for Finance and Vice Presidents for Strategy, Legal and Compliance, and Communications are women.

Another woman holding a top leadership post is Det Tansingco, Senior Vice President for Organization and Human Resources. She believes that it is important to show women that they can have a successful career in an industrial company like Holcim Philippines.

"Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics or (Stem) are fields that the building materials industry heavily gets its talent from. These are dominated by men not just in the Philippines, but all over the world. To get more women into these disciplines, we need to show female talents that they can succeed in these as well," she said.

Tansingco said that for the past four years, the company has been sharing the stories of its excellent female talents on Holcim Philippines' social media account during National Women's Month. This year, Holcim Philippines featured Donato and other female leaders responsible for initiatives to improve the company's environmental performance, create new digital platforms to engage customers, work with communities, and maximize the efficiency of operations to serve the market.

Tansingco is hopeful the positive reception to these campaigns will help the company attract more female talents, make current ones stay, and encourage the men in the organization to help develop the next generation of lady leaders.

"Sustainability and innovation are two of our focus areas in growing the company. We need people who have the curiosity and passion to drive these. Expanding our talent pool improves our ability to get people with these values. Through our campaigns, we'd like to inspire female employees that they have a place in STEM and show that our company welcomes them," she added.

Tansingco is confident that the company's consistent efforts to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion will help it sustain gains in this area and develop more female leaders.

"We look forward to having more women join Holcim Philippines and add their perspective in transforming the company for the better," she said. (PR)

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Davao's oldest hotel temporarily ceases operations

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 05:47 AM PDT

APO View Hotel announced on Sunday, March 28, that it will temporarily cease operations.

"As the risk of the pandemic is continuously rising, the management has decided to temporarily cease its operation effective March 31, 2021 until further notice as we continue to support the nation's effort to combat the spread of Covid-19," the hotel management said in a statement.

"It has been our pleasure to serve you and we can't wait to open our doors and welcome you all again," the hotel management added.

When the pandemic struck in 2020 and the city implemented a community quarantine in March of the same year, the hotel announced that it will be temporarily closed to the public on March 19, 2020.

The hotel also allotted 50 rooms for frontliners working at the Southern Philippines Medical Center during the early months of the pandemic.

The hotel reopened in August 2020 when restrictions were eased in Davao City.

Founded in 1948, the Apo View Hotel was Davao City's first hotel. At 72 years old, the hotel was the second longest-running hotel in the Philippines.

In 2013, the management of Apo View Hotel was transferred to Eurotel Hotel. In 2016, management of the hotel was transferred to Icon Hotel. Both firms are under the Global Comfort Group Corporation (GCGC), which has around 65 different hotels distributed nationwide.

Since the new management came in, some P280 million has been invested in upgrading the hotel's facilities, refurbishing existing rooms, and constructing new rooms.

During the relaunch of the Apo View Hotel in 2017, the new management also planned to put up three towers at the back of the hotel. These were planned to be residential and office buildings.

The 156-room hotel is the second major hotel in Davao City to have announced that it will temporarily cease operations amid the pandemic.

In 2020, Marco Polo Hotel Davao indefinitely ceased its hotel operations on June 15, 2020.

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Duterte-Carpio gets reports of non-health workers jumping vaccine line

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 05:44 AM PDT

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said she has received reports of non-health workers jumping the vaccination line in the city.

This comes after local government officials and other non-medical workers were reported to have cut in line for the Covid-19 vaccine.

But Duterte-Carpio said she did not receive reports of local officials.

"Local officials, wala, pero duna tay nakuha na mga reports, and confirmed sila nga duna mga nabakunahan sa mga vaccine centers nga wala sa 1-A (We have not received reports of local officials. But we received confirmed reports that there are individuals who have been inoculated in vaccine centers that are not part of 1-A)," the mayor said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday, March 29.

Group A-1 includes those frontline workers in health facilities both national and local, private and public, health professionals and non-professionals like students in health and allied professions courses with clinical responsibilities, nursing aides, janitors, barangay health workers, etc.

This is in accordance with the issued Department of Health (DOH) Memorandum 2021-0099 on February 23, 2021, providing the Interim Guidelines for the Implementation of the National Vaccine Development Plan for Covid-19.

Upon learning, Duterte-Carpio said it is unacceptable.

"Dili na siya OK. Naa gani ta'y (That is not OK. There is a reason why we have a) priority list," she said.

The mayor said she does not have the figure of those who skipped the line and their background.

"Pero ang nahatag sa akoa is (What was given to me is) one name and his companion," she said.

Duterte-Carpio said she no longer asked why and how these individuals got to jump in line, and she told the city's vaccine cluster to strictly observe the priority list.

"Wala nako mangutana unsa ang rason ngano nakasingit, the fact lang nga naa nay nakasingit, giingnan dayon nako nga (I was not able to ask how they were able to cut the line but the fact that they were able to cut the line, I told our vaccination team that) we have a priority list and it was given to us by the national government. Sundon nato para sa atong (We should follow our) vaccination program. We have to strictly follow our priority list," she said.

Prior to the mayor's statement, the issue was already raised by some netizens whose post went viral.

One netizen, who requested anonymity, told SunStar Davao that some doctors let their personal maid and drivers be included in the vaccination, resulting in some frontliners not receiving the vaccine.

He said this happened in a private hospital in the city, where 150 medical frontliners were supposed to be inoculated within the day. But it ended inoculating more than the initial target.

"So ung mga na schedule the next day, di na nabigyan..ang sinabi sa mga di nabigyan, hintay na lang daw sa next batch kasi naubos na daw. Nagtataka sila bakit naubos (What happened is that those scheduled the next day weren't able to avail themselves of the vaccine. They were told to wait for the next batch because they ran out of supply. They were wondering how the vaccine ran out) when in the first place, nabigyan sila nang (there was already a given) schedule," he said in an online interview via Messenger.

Most of those who were not able to receive the vaccine are nurses, he said.

He added they no longer complained because they might not be given the vaccine once the next batch arrives.

He urged the local government to investigate and check the list of vaccinated individuals to determine those non-frontliners who were inoculated ahead.

DOH-Davao Director Annabelle Yumang said in a virtual presser on March 24 that they have not received reports or complaints of medical workers whose family members were also included in the vaccination.

But Yumang said they are constantly monitoring and reminding those in-charge in vaccine sites to strictly abide by the prioritization list.

"Ensure nga ang mahatagan sa atong bakuna (They must ensure that those who will be vaccinated) are those in the masterlist," she said.

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11,000 nabbed for violating face mask ordinance

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 05:42 AM PDT

MORE than a year after the Covid-19 hit Davao City, the City Government reminded Dabawenyos once again of the mandatory wearing of face masks following an increase in the number of violators apprehended, which rose to more than 11,000.

Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay said they already apprehended a total of 11,067 as of March 27, 2021.

Sumagaysay said a total of 1,140 individuals were apprehended during the week from March 20 to 27, bringing the total apprehended individuals to 11,067 since the City Government imposed the mandatory wearing of face masks in May 2020.

"The security sector will continue intensifying its apprehensions for those who do not follow health protocols," Sumagaysay said.

Ordinance 0307-20 or the Face Mask Ordinance took effect on July 23, 2020, and was amended through Ordinance 0416-20 to strengthen the enforcement of the ordinance at the barangay level.

Section 3 of the ordinance states that all persons shall, at all times, wear face masks in public places during the Community Quarantine and/or until after the State of Public Health Emergency is lifted as part of the precautionary and safety measures adopted by the City Government against Covid-19 to control and prevent the transmission of such infectious disease.

The ordinance also penalizes those who are not wearing their face masks properly and those using the wrong type of face masks.

Under the ordinance, violators will be fined P500 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 fine or one-month imprisonment or both for the third offense.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio had also reiterated her call to strictly follow the health protocols, especially the wearing of face masks, as it is the most basic weapon against Covid-19.

"Kanang mask, basic gyud na siya karong panahona sa Covid-19 kay tungod ang kagaw naa siya diha sa laway, ma-inhale siya, posible matakdan ang isa ka tawo. Kinahanglan nga dili ta makatakod, dili pud ta matakdan so ang buhaton nato is tabunan nato ang atoang baba ug ilong (The wearing of a mask is basic in this time of Covid-19 pandemic because the virus is present in the saliva. So whenever another person will inhale it, he or she will be infected. We should not spread the virus and we should not be infected so we need to cover our mouth and nose)," the mayor said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday, March 29.

Aside from wearing of face mask, the mayor also reminded to follow other basic health protocols such as physical distancing and frequent handwashing with soap and water. (With reports from CIO)

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Mayor bars City workers from joining out-of-town 'Run, Sara Run' campaign

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 05:39 AM PDT

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio barred all government employees, including barangay officials, from joining any out-of-town political activities prodding her to run this 2022 election.

Duterte-Carpio issued Executive Order (EO) 17 or "an order prohibiting all government personnel including barangay officials to join any political activities for Sara Duterte outside of Davao City."

"All government personnel, including barangay officials, are prohibited to join any political activity for Sara Duterte outside of Davao City. Activity shall mean to include caravan, meeting, rally, parade, program and all other forms of gathering," Section 1 of the EO states.

The mayor reasoned that traveling for non-essential reasons, including caravan, is banned "because of the danger it poses to the health of the traveler."

She added that traveling in areas with high Covid-19 cases poses great possibility that they will be infected.

"Non-essential travel for political activities gathers people together which increases the risk of transmission," Duterte-Carpio.

She said "government personnel should focus on the Response, Vaccination and Recovery action plan of Davao City for the Covid-19 pandemic."

In an interview with 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio, the mayor said the EO does not have corresponding fines or penalties as it is only an executive order, and that only the 19th City Council can impose penalties.

But she said those who will insist to join and travel outside Davao will be required to be quarantined at the city's facility upon arrival, unlike the regular air passengers who will no longer be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

She also said her order is only limited to the members of the "Run, Sara, Run" conveners while those from other political parties will not be prevented.

"Kung ang isa ka tao naa siya (But if you have a) political activity [nga] totally unrelated sa tao na si (that is totally unrelated or affiliated to) Sara Duterte, you have the freedom to do so," Duterte-Carpio said.

The mayor said a total of 43 individuals, including city barangay officials, who participated in the nationwide campaign, already arrived in the city.

She said they are currently under quarantine at the city's facility and they are already scheduled for a swab test.

The mayor said another batch of caravan participants composed of 20 individuals are also set to arrive in the city.

In a previous report, prior to their flight to Metro Manila on March 17, the mayor said she met with them and discouraged them from joining in the caravan due to the rising Covid-19 cases in the area.

Despite her reminder and appeal, she said the officials still continued with their planned activity.

Duterte-Carpio had been distancing from the calls for her to run for the presidency and even barred her supporters in the city from staging motorcades and ordered for the removal of tarpaulins, posters, and billboards with the text "Run, Sara, Run" in the city.

Despite this, she expressed gratitude to those who are calling on her to run for the presidency in the 2022 elections.

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Duterte-Carpio orders closure of beach, other resorts on April 1-4

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 05:30 AM PDT

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio ordered the closure of all beaches, beach resorts, and other inland water resorts in the city from April 1 to 4, 2021.

Duterte-Carpio signed and issued Executive Order (EO) 19 on Monday, March 29.

Most offices and establishments are closed during these dates in observance of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

"There is a need to prevent mass gathering in beaches and inland water resorts during the long holiday weekend for Holy Week," the mayor said.

The order will take effect from 12:01 a.m. on April 1 until 11:59 p.m. on April 4.

During this period, the abovementioned establishments are prohibited from operating and catering to tourists.

She added the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force is working on preventing a second wave of a surge in Covid-19 cases in the city.

The mayor also said, "There have been successive incidents of minors in violation of the general community quarantine (GCQ) who drowned while swimming in bodies of water."

Recently, two minors drowned and died at the fishpond in South Pacific Golf and Residential Estates in Barangay Catalunan Pequeño. The bodies of the drowning victims were recovered on March 24, 2021, Wednesday, around 2:50 p.m. Based on the investigation of Baliok Police Station, three minors went through the fence to swim in the fishpond.

Duterte-Carpio said "there is a need to prevent these incidents during the long holiday."

Meanwhile, in a radio interview, the mayor said Dabawenyos who will go to beaches and resorts outside the city will not be prohibited but reminded them to stay home this Holy Week and reschedule their travel as an influx of tourists are also expected in these areas.

"Dili man makaabot atong executive order gawas sa (Since our executive order is only limited within) Davao City. We can only remind them nga remember, ang mass gathering ang rason ngano paspas ang takdanay sa (that mass gathering is one of the main reasons why there is a widespread transmission of) Covid-19," Duterte-Carpio said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

Recently, the mayor said they are preventing a possible surge of cases in the city, as experienced in some areas in the country, such as Metro Manila and Cebu City, due to reported transmission of the "infectious" new variants.

The city recently reimposed the "test before travel" policy for air travelers going to the city, and the extension of the 24-hour liquor ban and 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew until May 31.

City Health Office Acting Head Dr. Ashley Lopez had also warned of a possible surge of cases this Holy Week if churchgoers will neglect the observance of minimum health protocols.

The Archdiocese of Davao recently announced that all Lenten activities will be limited to masses and that all religious activities outside churches, including processions, will be skipped this year to prevent mass gathering.

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Editorial: Greening Davao City

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 05:28 AM PDT

AFTER controversies surrounding the cutting of trees around Davao City in the previous years, it is good to know that the City Council is making progress when it comes to creating policies for the "greening" of the city.

Last week, the City Council passed the Treeline Ordinance, which seeks to integrate urban canopy in the city's traffic islands on highway roads and along pavements, parks, playgrounds, and areas of public right-of-way.

In a SunStar Davao report on March 29, Councilor Edgar Ibuyan Jr., committee chairperson on public works and highways, said the landmark ordinance encourages both government agencies and private contractors to integrate urban canopy with an aim to add more trees in the city's main road to add more shade to pedestrians and motorists. The ordinance also targets planting more trees in parks and playgrounds and highways.

"Mainly, we are encouraging everyone, especially the government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and City Engineer's Office (CEO), na when times nga naa projects sa kalsada (that there will be road projects), we must integrate trees to lessen the heat index o ginabati nga init samtang gasubay sa atong kadalanan (or the heat we feel while traversing our roads)," the councilor said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), trees and other vegetation can lower "surface and air temperatures by providing shade." It added that shaded surfaces, for example, may be 11°C to 25°C cooler than the peak temperatures of unshaded materials.

Aside from cooling the city, the addition of trees can also improve how we live in the city. People will opt to walk more because of how shady some areas are.

While it may not be easy to add trees to the central business district of Davao City, the new ordinance allows the city and its urban planners from developing other areas to be greener and cooler.

If implemented properly, the city will be able to balance progress and the environment.

The Treeline Ordinance is the second environmental landmark ordinance passed by the city council under Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte. When he took office in 2019, the vice mayor has stated that environmental policies will be among the priorities of the city council.

The other environmental policy the city council passed was the Single-Use Plastics Ordinance of 2021. It was passed on March 2, 2021, and was authored by Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr., committee on environment chairperson. Mahipus and his committee are also working on an ordinance for the protection of heritage trees in the city.

As the city grows, environmental policies play an important role in ensuring that the development of the city is sustainable. However, we also hope that these ordinances will be implemented effectively and not simply stay as "landmark ordinances."

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Uyboco: Hacking Homeschool

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 05:27 AM PDT

THE homeschooling movement has been in the Philippines has gained a lot of traction in the past decade, and especially last year with schools closed and lockdowns in place.

The most common method of homeschooling is the structured method (also called traditional homeschooling). This is literally just bringing school to home. You enroll with an accredited provider who sends over materials and the child either studies on their own or the parents become the teachers. One parent I know even bought many materials from the school system he was using and now has a mini-school at a corner in his house. This is not a method that I recommend.

It doesn't matter who the provider is, or how good the material/curriculum is. The fact that you are following a curriculum sends a message to the child that someone else dictates what they ought to be studying or learning.

The other method of homeschooling is called independent or "indie." Here, parents and kids can choose which materials they like, and can even do activities not normally in the scope of things one does for school, like go trekking, climbing trees, or playing computer games.

I am more for indie except if the parent dictates too much what the child ought to be learning. They may be mixing and matching stuff but if it's according to the parent's preference more than about the child's, then that sends the same message to the child: that they are really not in control.

That is actually the key issue here for homeschooling parents to understand. You hold in your hands a very powerful opportunity to reclaim your child's education from the outdated system that, like Frankenstein's monster, we have been patching and reviving for decades, when it ought to have been buried and replaced with a better philosophy and paradigm.

I hope you do not waste that opportunity and simply think to bring school to your home. The problem is not with the material nor the method. The problem is with thinking that our kids need us to tell them what to study and learn.

Your kids are learning machines (as are we adults). People never stop learning. As I am typing this, I am learning. As I chat with my friends, I am learning. But the difference is that we adults have the capacity to choose while children in the school system merely follow whatever the curriculum dictates.

Why would we waste so much of our children's time on that, now that we can actually give them the chance and space to explore what it is they really want?

This is how to hack homeschool. Give your kids time and space. If they want to "waste" time (and remember that wasting time is from your point of view), let them. This is their time to explore, make mistakes, to learn and to grow.

Email me at andy@freethinking.me. View previous articles at www.freethinking.me.

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Meditalk: 35 but looks like 50 (part 3)

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 05:23 AM PDT

(Foreword: This is the continuation of our response to Marietta 2021 on her concern on her aged looks.)

DEAR Marietta 2021,

Now, here's more to your list.

10. Potato Chips

The trans fatty acids in potato chips will stimulate the interleukin 6, which is a marker of inflammation, and is associated with aging. Moreover, fried and deep-fried oils, even if they are made with vegetable oils, can impair cell respiration and slow down immune functions. So, get whole grain crackers or chopped veggies like zucchini sticks or celery, instead.

11. High-Salt Foods

These foods can cause you to retain water and feel bloated, which can make your skin look puffy and tired. Moreover, some early studies show that they can damage the DNA, shortening telomeres and making you age fast.

12. Pepperoni Pizza

The nitrates and other compounds in processed meats, such as pepperoni, are pro-inflammatory, which favors aging from inside out. So, if you want pizza, go for veggie toppings instead.

13. High Fructose Corn Syrup

Excessive sugar is damaging to that youth. But, high fructose corn syrup is believed to be the worst kind for your skin and to your overall health.

14. Canned Soup

They are loaded with sodium. And the amount of sodium you see on the label is multiplied for every 1-cup serving. And if there are two servings for the whole can, then you get double the dose.

15. Phosphate-Laden Meat

Conventional red meat are pumped with phosphates to improve their shelf life, tenderness, and flavor. Even though these phosphates are necessary to help our cells function, but, excess of them cannot be processed by the body, causing them to build up. And multiple studies have linked high levels of serum phosphates to higher rates of heart disease, chronic kidney disease, weak bones, and even premature death.

Good luck!

Dr. Fritz

(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She is the co-host of digital page of Superbalita. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, "Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz." For your questions, you may e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don't wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)

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Davao Oriental issues stricter guidelines for Holy Week

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 06:50 AM PDT

THE Provincial Government of Davao Oriental will continue to implement strict measures for those who intend to visit the province in observance of the Holy Week.

Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang issued Executive Order (EO) No. 7 series of 2021 on Saturday, March 27, 2021, imposing Covid-19 interim guidelines in the province during the Lenten season.

The EO stated, "there is a need to keep up with the current Covid-19 trends relative to the constantly evolving situation that the country is facing."

The EO said the province is imposing tight protocols in anticipation of the surge of tourists and travelers during the Holy Week.

Only authorized persons outside residence ages 15 to 65 years old will be allowed to enter the province.

The use of Davao Oriental Digital Contact Tracing System (DavOr DCTS) Quick Response Code will be strictly imposed at all entry points of the province.

"The province shall strictly impose a 'no QR code, no entry policy' across all border points of Davao Oriental," the EO stated.

All tourism establishments were also mandated to strictly implement the "no booking, no entry" policy.

The provincial government also said it will close all pilgrimage sites such as those found in Pintatagan Welcome Park, Dakong Krus in Governor Generoso, among others, for the duration of Holy Week from March 29 to April 4.

All activities related to the Lenten season will also be conducted within their respective churches.

Meanwhile, the provincial government also placed control measures against the new Covid-19 variants.

The EO mandated all travelers coming in from the National Capital Region (NCR) and other areas with detected new variants, including returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and local travelers planning to stay longer than five days in the province to stay at home for seven days with surveillance screening.

All asymptomatic ROFs and local travelers will be put on active surveillance. In case symptoms will occur during the surveillance period, they will be immediately isolated at the barangay isolation unit or any designated local isolation facility.

Dr. Reden Bersaldo, head of the Davao Oriental Provincial Task Force on Covid-19, said the province placed additional measures because they do not want to experience the "post-Holiday" surge just like they experienced after the recent celebration of Christmas and New Year.

Bersaldo said they experienced a peak active case of more than 200 in January and February this year.

He attributed this surge to eased border measures during the period.

"Paningkamutan nato nga dili na kini mausab karon Semana Santa (We will do our best that this surge won't happen again this Holy Week) because we are expecting nga daghan gayud mubisita sa atong probinsya sunod semana (there will be an influx of tourist who will visit the province next week)," the health official said.

He also said church masses and other activities should be confined inside church vicinities and must impose a maximum 50-percent capacity.

Based on the Department of Health-Davao Region data as of March 27, Davao Oriental had a total case of 1,316, with 36 active cases, 1,251 recoveries, and 29 deaths.

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Davao City eyes urban canopy in street islands, parks

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 06:49 AM PDT

DAVAO City will soon integrate urban canopy in its road islands and other areas after the city council passed on third and final reading the Treeline Ordinance.

The 19th City Council passed the ordinance integrating urban canopy in the city's traffic islands on highway roads and along pavements, parks, playgrounds, and areas of public right-of-way on March 2, which was proposed by Councilor Edgar Ibuyan Jr., committee chairperson on public works and highways.

Ibuyan said the ordinance, considered as the city's "landmark ordinance," encourages both government agencies and private contractors to integrate urban canopy in an aim to add more trees in the city's main road to add more shade to pedestrians and motorists.

Urban canopy, according to the US Center for Watershed Protection website, is the layer of leaves, branches, and stems of trees that cover the ground when viewed from above.

"Mainly, we are encouraging everyone, especially the government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and City Engineer's Office (CEO), na when times nga naa projects sa kalsada (that there will be road projects), we must integrate trees to lessen the heat index o ginabati nga init samtang gasubay sa atong kadalanan (or the heat we feel while traversing our roads)," the councilor said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

Based on studies, he said the world's heat index has increased in recent years.

In order to minimize the heat index the people feel, the councilor said mounting treelines in the roads will be a big help.

He cited the treelines along Ecoland Drive in front of John Paull II College as an ideal theme of his proposed ordinance.

The councilor said pedestrians will also benefit from the project as it will provide shade along the road and entice the public to walk.

Ibuyan said the implementing agency of the ordinance will be the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro).

He added that they will decide on what trees to be planted in these areas.

"We are encouraging the [Cenro] nga at least katong mga punuan didto nga padak-an dako (that they plant bigger trees), at least to absorb the heat gikan sa kalsada (coming from the roads), and as we traverse those roads, dili kaayo init atong mabati sa ani nga lugara (we won't feel extreme heat in these areas)," he said.

He added the ordinance also targets to plant more trees in parks and playgrounds and highways.

Ibuyan also specifically included the Department of Public Works and Highways in the implementation of the ordinance to encourage them to include in their future infrastructure projects budget for the integration of trees along highways.

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Mati, outstanding coastal community in Davao

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 06:46 AM PDT

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) named Mati City in Davao Oriental as an outstanding coastal community in the region.

BFAR held the awarding of the regional Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) Search for Outstanding Coastal Community on Friday, March 26, 2021.

The MMK search, a banner program of Bfar, aims to recognize outstanding initiatives and contributions of coastal municipalities or cities to sustainable fisheries management.

It also aims to promote fisheries protection and conservation centers on the significance of sustainably managing the fisheries and aquatic resources and promotes stakeholder's engagement in the cause of resource protection and conservation.

One of its goals is to recognize outstanding initiatives and contributions of coastal municipalities/cities to sustainable fisheries management.

The contest has five general criteria: no illegal fishing, observance of the closed fishing season, the establishment of marine protected areas, clean coastal waters without domestic and industrial wastes, and effective mangrove protection and rehabilitation program.

Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat received the P2-million cheque and plaque of recognition from BFAR during the awarding ceremony.

According to the mayor, the winning prize will be used for the continuing mangrove protection in Guang-Guang Mangrove Park and additional budget for the fisherfolks in Mati.

"This award recognizes our perseverance for fisheries protection and conservation and managing our aquatic resources. Next stop, nationals," she said.

With or without an award, Rabat said the city government remains committed to protecting the environment.

"Because the Mati City would not be where we are now without these abundant marine resources," she added.

Mati will automatically vie for the national level competition of MMK this year.

Meanwhile, the municipality of San Isidro, also in Davao Oriental, won second place and received P1 million plus plaque of recognition, and the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) in Davao del Norte, won third place with P500,000 cheque and plaque of recognition.

Tagum City and Municipality of Lupon also received a plaque of recognition for winning 4th and 5th place, respectively.

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DCWD offices closed on Apr 1, 2

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 06:45 AM PDT

IN VIEW of the declaration of April 1 and 2, 2021 as regular holidays in observance of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, respectively, Davao City Water District (DCWD) has advised customers that its Matina, Bajada, and Toril offices, and SM Lanang Premier collection center are closed on said days and regular operations will resume on April 5, 2021.

No due dates for water bill payment falling on April 1 and 2, 2021.

DCWD's NCCC-VP Mall and Felcris Centrale collection centers remain closed until further notice.

Customers may pay water bills online via Landbank iAccess, Link.Biz Portal and GCash.

The DCWD management has assured the general public that the operations of its technical departments and 24/7 call center will not be disrupted to ensure continuous water service and offsite customer support.

For any concerns related to DCWD's services, customers may contact DCWD through the 244-6767, 235-3293 (DCWD), 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293, and 0908-4410653 hotlines or DCWD's website (www.davao-water.gov.ph) and temporary Facebook page (www.facebook.com/officialDCWD) chat support. (PR)

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TechVoc, saving the unemployed

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 06:45 AM PDT

MORE than a year into community quarantine, borders have temporarily closed, businesses have ceased operation, and a number of Filipinos lost their jobs. Almost immediately, the pandemic became more than just a health concern but mostly an economic crisis. This is especially true for the Philippines whose economic leaders and businessmen were taken by surprise and have not really prepared for what was to come.

Just this March 12, 2021, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole)-Davao Region reported 23,981 workers displayed in the entire region as of March 9, 2021. According to Dole-Davao Assistant Director Jason Balais, the number may change in the coming days as some of them have already been rehired. The unemployment rate in Davao Region is currently at 10.4 percent, the highest it had been in years.

The termination report of Dole-Davao showed that "1,221 workers from 103 establishments that reduced or retrenched employees, while 381 workers from 21 establishments were affected after these permanently ceased operation, and seven establishments temporarily closed affecting 168 workers." Top reasons for termination included the businesses' financial losses, retrenchment to prevent loss, and a combination of market and financial losses.

Just like anyone else, Kevin Joven did not anticipate the financial woes that would come to him in 2020. Pre-pandemic Joven was operating a water refilling station and a co-working leisure hub while also being a licensed portfolio manager in an insurance company. It's safe to say that Joven was doing well financially. But all these were affected by the community quarantines last year.

"At first, I was really devastated and depressed as a start-up entrepreneur. I even thought about giving up life. But then again, life is beautiful and has many surprises in store," Joven shared with SunStar Davao.

Ready to give up, he met someone who knows how to formulate liquid soaps, anti-bacterial fabric conditioner, disinfectants, and dishwashing liquid.

"It was not me who knew how to make liquid soaps but let me call it God's will as I have met people who are knowledgeable and are experts in making quality products. The learning experience is easy if you follow the steps [carefully]," he said.

Joven added that through these people, he learned how accurate measurement, temperature and proper scent application are important.

SoapBerry was established in July 2020 when he immediately began contacting online sellers to distribute his products to achieve a wider reach. He also got help from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao City's Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) online program, which provided him a clearer plan for his business.

Now, their business continues to thrive and not only helped them but also provided employment for other people who lost their jobs by encouraging them to sell SoapBerry products online.

"Our resellers, distributors, and resellers are mostly mothers and we appreciate that SoapBerry has helped them in their daily needs. In SoapBerry, we don't talk about it as a sole business but a livelihood for everyone. As the saying goes, 'bahala'g ginagmay, basta kanunay.' We are now on our 9th month and we are proud to share that we have been supplying LGU (local government unit) offices, hospitals, hotels, stores, and homes," said Joven.

For Ruby Bernales, her current baking business started with the insistence of her daughter to try the baking videos she would watch on Youtube. They started May 1, 2020 when the city was under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and movement restrictions were tighter. Everything started as a hobby for the both of them. They started with choco moist cake, crinkles and banana cakes, which Bernales would sometimes bring to her workmates for a taste test.

"Never in my dreams na mamaligya ko samot na kay pandemic way mga kwarta. Pero sila ang naghatag sa akoa og urge na i-business kay ila gyud ko orderan. I took that as a challenge," shared Bernales.

Not long enough after, what started as a hobby became a small business for Bernales. Even if she is among the few Dabawenyos who still has a job amid the pandemic, she feels grateful to have a backup.

"Sa culinary naa ka dapat willingness to learn and patience. You have to invest in materials and quality ingredients. You must have the passion to be creative and open-minded to the criticisms and people's suggestions," she added.

Now she is happy that she is earning from what was previously a hobby that she diligently taught herself to learn.

What they teach in school

Even if technical-vocational skills can be learned through watching Youtube videos, these are no longer new to many of us. Especially those who went to public high school, technical-vocational studies have long been ingrained in the curriculum even generations before this pandemic.

Davao City National High School Technical Vocation Livelihood (TVL) Track head Avril V. Marino shared that they currently have three strands under the track: (1) Home Economics; (2) ICT; (3) Industrial

"For Home Economics, we offer Housekeeping, Front Office Services, Bartending, Bread and Pastry Production, Food and Beverage Services, Cookery, Caregiving, Wellness Massage, Beauty/Nail Care and Hairdressing. For ICT, we are offering Animation, Programming, and Computer System Servicing. For Industrial Arts, we offer Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Electronic Product Assembly and Services, Refrigeration and Airconditioning Services, Automotive, and Electrical Installation and maintenance," said Marino, who handles the Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II and Wellness Massage NC II specializations.

She said as they offer these programs, they keep in mind that due to financial constraints, not all students may have the capacity to proceed to college. Therefore, one must already acquire specific skills that may be of help for the graduate to land a job or open a business.

"TechVoc Education is important because it will give them specialized training, increase personal development, and higher job opportunities with high earnings, and lessen unemployment. Overall, TechVoc will help your professional skills, improve your current skills, helps you to produce products and have you own business, and train or retrain you to become competent globally," added Marino, who also shared how he was a former overseas Filipino worker and was hired not only because of her degree but also of her Level 1 and 2 skills certificates.

TechVoc subjects in Davao City High normally come in eight subjects and are taught 10 hours a week. The students also spend most of their time in the workshop learning practical skills.

"The training itself is one big reason why it is important, to add up, we should know that the standards taught here are not only the standards locally, competency standards in the training regulation of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to the curriculum guide of the Department of Education are global standards," she said.

Tesda programs

Partnering with local government units, Tesda conducts training now and then to OFWs, farmers, small businessmen, and other beneficiaries. Tesda-Davao Region, for example, Multiplier Training Program on Upland Rice Farming in Sitio Pigdalihan, Barangay Pandaitan, Paquibato District, Davao City. Here, the beneficiaries from five priority barangays were taught profiling, scheduling of farm activities, monitoring and coaching methods.

They have also provided jam-making and tocino-making training programs to former women rebels last March 3, 2021, in Balay Panaghiusa, a halfway home for former rebels. About 16 former rebels benefited from this training. In 2020, Tesda also launched techvoc learning studies for free.

Some of the programs offered by Tesda that are not only beneficial for Filipinos' local employment and business opening but also as employment abroad are Korean Language and Culture, Bartending NC II, Driving NC II, Masonry NC II, Horticulture NC II, Mechatronics Servicing NC II, and Contact Center Services NCII, among many others.

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Editorial: The Metro Davao Development Authority

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 05:40 AM PDT

ON March 22, the House of Congress passed House Bill 8930 on the third and final reading creating the Metro Davao Development Authority (MDDA).

When news broke out, there are misconceptions about the MDDA. To some, the creation of MDDA puts Metro Davao under one governing body while some were quickly able to equate it to traffic management.

However, the MDDA, according to HB 8930 is neither a governing body nor simply a traffic management office.

Among the functions of MDDA includes the formulation of plans aligned to the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP) and the Philippines Development Plan 2017-2022; Set policies concerning traffic, waste management, and public safety and security; prepare and implement or manage metropolitan-wide programs and projects; review and recommend to the Metropolitan Davao Development Council policies regarding land development; monitor the implementation of metropolitan-wide programs and projects; install and administer a single ticketing system for traffic rules and regulations; and prescribe and collect services and regulatory fees, and impose and collect fines and penalties.

According to the bill, the services of the MDDA will include development planning, transport management, solid waste disposal and management, flood control and sewerage management, urban renewal, zoning, land use planning, and shelter services, health and sanitation, urban protection, and pollution control, and public safety.

In a nutshell, the MDDA is tasked to coordinate and promote socio-economic growth and sustainable development of Metropolitan Davao.

Metro Davao covers the cities of Panabo, Tagum, and Island Garden City of Samal (IGACoS) in Davao del Norte; Digos in Davao del Sur; and highly urbanized City of Davao; and the municipalities of Carmen in Davao del Norte, and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur as core local government units. Meanwhile, the City of Mati in Davao Oriental, and the municipalities of Maco in Davao de Oro, and Malita in Davao Occidental are its annex LGUs. The bill made it clear that the MDDA's power and functions will not diminish the autonomy of the LGUs.

The Metropolitan Davao Development Council (MDDC) is the policy-making body of MDDA and approves plans, programs, and projects for Metro Davao.

The MDDA has the opportunity to implement projects and spearhead development across the core and annex LGUs that will allow Davao Region to meet its full potential. In a way, it will allow Metro Davao to plan things properly in the coming years and align projects and programs.

On paper, it is an institution that can bring Metro Davao to new heights. However, the government will have to hire and appoint qualified leaders for the MDDA. Those who are hired for their skills, abilities, and knowledge and not by their connections.

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Mendoza: Who is a real leader?

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 05:40 AM PDT

WHILE I was looking for something to write for this regular column of mine, I came across this very touching story of a young leader who realized at his young age how a real leader shall behave and act properly to be called as such. He realized that leadership is not all about individual prowess but how a team delivered the goods that benefit and give credit to where credit is due -- to the team. This is the story of Jonathan Yabut, which I am going to share with you in toto:

When I was 25 years old, I started becoming a boss of my own with two brand managers reporting to me. I sent and replied to emails fast. I executed projects on time and within the allotted budget. I hit my sales target every year. I made money for the company. People praised me. I was your typical model employee.

Any competitive worker like me expected to be promoted EVERY year. And so when another 12 months passed, I was expecting my name to be announced in the CEO's (chief executive officer's) email about promotions. For the first time, my name wasn't in it.

I clearly remember dashing to my boss's cubicle. "You asked me to finish projects 1, 2, and 3. And I did with flying colors. Why isn't my name there?" I was fuming with anger and confusion.

"Jonathan," my boss calmed me down. "Remember that day when you brilliantly aced a presentation to the CEO and I congratulated you for it? I asked you out for dinner and to tag along anyone you liked in the office. You brought nobody," she added. "I was expecting you to bring your two brand managers who painstakingly helped you prepare those slides. You didn't. And you never even acknowledged them."

I started melting with shame. I realized what I was missing all throughout.

"And this is why I'm not promoting you. You are insecure to share the limelight with other people. You refuse to share the stage. You don't wear a corporate hat. You think it's all about YOU." My boss snapped. "You are a brilliant executioner Jonathan, but you have a lot more to learn about leadership. You can't manage people yet," she added.

This is probably one of the biggest and most painful lessons I've learned in my corporate career about leadership. There is a big difference between being individually good at what you do versus being good at managing people to do what they ought to do. Those who get promoted to leadership and managerial roles possess the latter. When I was younger, I often wondered what kept me from being promoted faster than how I expected to be, and I was missing the value of leadership apparently. At work, I have so many work colleagues who fall into the same trap -- excellent individual players, but fail when they start working with teams or leading teams. They're like the folks in the picture. They sail with other travelers using the same ship with the goal of arriving at the same destination, but they insist to set sail on their own. They refuse to share the steering wheel or let someone steer it once in a while.

Leadership is "pullership," not "pushership." Leadership is about serving the people who work for you, and not the other way around. Leadership is putting the spotlight on your team, and not on yourself. For all you guys out there aspiring to get promoted this year, make sure you are confident to tick this box. It's not just about clocking the most time at work, submitting the best report, or hitting the most amount of sales for the company. Rather, social intelligence and the emotional maturity to lead are essential in promoting people to positions of higher power, and positions requiring people management. Because in the end, the real role of leaders is to make more leaders out of themselves.

This Corner hopes that all aspiring leaders will learn a lesson or two from this sharing of Mr. Yabut who selflessly shared his story for us to learn that leadership is not all about yourself as a leader but on how the team becomes better under your care and guidance.

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ABAG Agri Coop, Ruben Gonzaga ink partnership

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 05:29 AM PDT

ABAG Agri Coop (AAC), an emerging agricultural cooperative based in Mati City, Davao Oriental has entered a partnership with the country's renowned agriculture advocate and Agrihub Health and Wellness Center founder Ruben Gonzaga.

The signing of contract happened on Friday, March 26, 2021 at the GAP Farm Resort, Davao City.

The partnership makes Gonzaga the endorser of the said cooperative to further promote agriculture to the general public. The partnership also allows Agrihub to be part of the coop's featured products.

"There's no other personality who can best represent our agriculture-related efforts than Ruben. We hope that this partnership will be a start of bigger opportunities and breakthroughs between the coop and him," Kelvin Jake Flores, Abag Agri Coop head, said.

Gonzaga, for his part, shared he considers this partnership another opportunity to advance his advocacy on agriculture.

"When the 'Agri Tayo Dito' program ended on TV, people were asking me if it was still up and running. I want to let them know that my advocacy continues especially online. And this partnership will be a very big help in my advocacy," he said.

He added that the ultimate goal is to enlighten the Filipinos' understanding about the potentials and vast opportunities in agriculture.

He is also excited about his products – Agrihub natural products, to be offered with discounts to all AAC members.

Agrihub products are available in Davao Region, South Cotabato, General Santos City, Agusan, Butuan, and some parts of Visayas and Luzon.

Why become an AAC member

Flores emphasized that AAC was founded to provide aid to Mindanao's agriculture sector, especially helping all agriculture players.

"We saw that one of the major challenges in our agri sector is the financing part. We believe that for as long as there is enough financing, the sector will really move," he added.

He said by being a member, the public can participate in helping the sector.

"But the best part here is they can earn while helping the sector," Flores said.

AAC started as an association for more than a year. It became an official cooperative early this March.

At present, ACC has more than 1,200 members mostly from Davao Oriental.

Flores said benefits of the members include health insurance, burial and death assistance, access to business and gadget loans, and other financial assistance.

"We also have a feature that members can access 24/7 their accounts as we plan to transition to a savings coop. Members can also enjoy dividends and patronage funds, and monthly and yearly profit shares," he said.

The coop also has existing agricultural projects like poultry and livestock production, farm adoption, and fishing.

AAC has branches in Mati City and the towns of San Isidro and Baganga as of Sunday, March 28.

"The goal is to establish more branches nationwide," he said.

For more information about AAC, check their Facebook page or contact 09106669232 or 09659343655.

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