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- Davao City forms climate change committee
- Elly Pamatong dies at 78, spokesperson confirms
- Davao de Oro appeals to stay under GCQ with heightened restrictions
- Mayor: Only one Duterte can run for PH’s 2 highest posts
- Davao-Samal Bridge to push thru but no groundbreaking date yet
| Davao City forms climate change committee Posted: 30 Sep 2021 05:31 AM PDT THE Davao City Government formed a climate change committee as the city is not exempted from the worsening climate emergency. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued Executive Order (EO) 47 on September 21, 2021, creating the Davao City Climate Change Committee (DCCC), which is tasked to implement the Local Climate Change Action Plan. The mayor said under the EO, the city is not exempted from the worsening climate emergency with extreme weather events, rising temperatures, sea-level rise, heavy rainfall, and drought being experienced in other parts of the country. The city, according to the mayor, usually experiences flash floods, landslides, and drought. The EO cited the City Government of Davao's Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) 2019-2023 that aims to pursue and secure the city's development gains and sustainability efforts and initiatives by building disaster-resilient and climate change adaptive communities. The City Planning and Development Office-endorsed LCCAP has been approved and adopted through the City Ordinance 0475-21 series of 2021. This stemmed from Rule VIII Section 4, of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009, as amended by RA 10174, which mandates the Local Chief Executive to appoint the person responsible to formulate and implement the LCCAP. The DCCC is composed of the city mayor as chairperson, city administrator as co-chairperson, and the head of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office as vice-chairperson. The members include the City Planning and Development Office, City Disaster Risk Management and Reduction Office, City Health Office, City Engineer's Office, City Agriculturist's Office, City Veterinarian's Office, City Transport and Traffic Management Office, Department of Natural Resources- Environmental Management Bureau, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability, and two representatives from the academe. All offices involved are mandated to name a permanent representative. The committee, however, may designate City Government of Davao employees and/or identify qualified personnel, representatives from the academe, private sector, and other stakeholders. The DCCC is mandated to oversee the implementation of the identified plans, programs, and activities under the thematic areas in the LCCAP; formulate a Strategic Framework on Climate Change to serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities on climate change; coordinate and synchronize climate change programs in the city; and recommend legislation, policies, strategies, programs on and appropriations for climate change adaptation and mitigation and other related activities. The special body is also tasked to conduct Greenhouse Gas Inventory and formulate strategies for mitigating GHG emissions, anthropogenic sources and enhance removal by sinks; oversee the popularization of climate change, local vulnerabilities and risks, relevant laws and protocols, and adaptation and mitigation measures through campaigns and information dissemination; create and publish the efforts, initiatives, and accomplishments of the City in mitigating climate change; and perform such other functions as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Executive Order. Cenro shall serve as the DCCC's secretariat, which will handle all administrative and/or secretarial-related activities. Meanwhile, a Technical Working Group will also be created to assist the committee in the discharge of its function whose composition shall be determined by the members of the Committee. A budget shall be allocated from available and appropriate resources to fund the operations and activities of the committee, including meetings, seminars, trainings, capacity-building, and other administrative costs, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules. Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) Executive Director Mark Peñalver said in a statement lauded the city's EO. "Local government plays a critical role in helping their communities reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. They are often the first to respond to localized climate change impacts, and their strong connections to the community and local knowledge mean they are often best-placed to recognize the need for adaptation at a local scale," Peñalver said. Idis is one of the appointed members of DCCC. "As a committee member, Idis will continue to provide critical and significant inputs to ensure that the climate change action plan will be implemented and promoted," he said. He added the partnership with the local government and other stakeholders is important to build "capacity and resilience: in the communities as it is facing the threat of climate change.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Elly Pamatong dies at 78, spokesperson confirms Posted: 30 Sep 2021 05:31 AM PDT THE founder of paramilitary organization United States Allied Freedom Fighters of the East (Usaffe) and religious group Bulwark of Bathala, lawyer Ragen Elly Velez Lao Pamatong, more commonly known as Elly Pamatong, has died, his "personal spokesperson" confirmed on Thursday, September 30, 2021. Rameses Javier Casten, also Pamatong's political liaison and "adopted son," said Pamatong succumbed to cardiac arrest, contrary to speculations that he died from coronavirus disease (Covid-19), last July 24. He was 78 years old. Pamatong died at his residence in Bitas, Arayat, Pampanga and in accordance to his wishes, he was cremated and his remains are in-urned at the chapel of his religious group in Arayat, Pampanga last August 1. "I am surprised and grateful that our friends from the media have finally found out the loss of Atty. Pamatong, a personality that, as we all know, can draw diverse opinions, but is a significant contributor to the political landscape of Davao City and beyond," Casten said. Pamatong, a vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, ran twice for presidency -- in 2004 and in 2010 elections. However, he was declared a nuisance candidate in both elections. He also ran for governor in Pampanga in 2007 but lost.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Davao de Oro appeals to stay under GCQ with heightened restrictions Posted: 30 Sep 2021 05:30 AM PDT DAVAO de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron is appealing that the province would remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions amid the recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH)-Davao to place the province under a stricter quarantine status. Rachel Joy Pasion, DOH-Davao Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit head, said during the DOH-Davao virtual presser on Tuesday, September 28, that their office is recommending that Davao de Oro be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and Davao City under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) due to the high healthcare utilization rate (HUR). But Uy said in a radio interview on Thursday, September 30, that they already filed a written appeal to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to extend the GCQ status in the province. He said this was the recommendation of the Provincial Task Force on Covid-19 in the previous days. The province was placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions until September 30. Meanwhile, Uy said he observed an increase in Covid-19 cases in the province in the past weeks. This had resulted in the province being classified under "high risk." "We expect more stricter guidelines ahead kay kita nato na dunay mga pagtaas kaso sa tibuok probinsya (because we saw an uptick of cases in the entire province)," he said. The governor said most of their local transmissions are recorded in offices. Despite the heightened restriction, Uy said the tourism industry is still thriving despite having a limited operation capacity. Uy, however, reminded his constituents to limit unnecessary travel or movement to curb the spread of the virus. With the surge of cases, some hospitals in the province are almost overwhelmed. He said they have augmented their Covid-19 isolation facilities in anticipation of the surge. "So far, dili pa man gyud na ing-ana kapuno. Pero sa actual, tungod sa mga restrictions ug polisiya, naga-require ta og RT-PCR [reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction] una makapasulod sa hospital para sa atong biosecurity (it is not fully occupied. But actually, because of our restrictions and policies, we require RT-PCR test results before we will admit them for biosecurity purposes)," Uy said. He said they allow home isolation on special cases but if possible, they need to be transferred to the isolation facilities. As of September 29, the province has recorded a total of 6,283 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 991 active cases, 5,011 recoveries, and 281 deaths.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Mayor: Only one Duterte can run for PH’s 2 highest posts Posted: 30 Sep 2021 05:28 AM PDT A DAY before the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC), Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio insisted that there can only be one Duterte who should be running for the two highest national post next year. Duterte-Carpio made the statement on Thursday afternoon, September 30, during the oathtaking of Davao del Norte members of the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) in Carmen. The mayor, who is the party's chairperson, led the oathtaking of the officials virtually from her office in Davao City. During her speech, the mayor thanked the party members for their commitment in supporting the administration of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, which is the aim of the party. She reiterated that she won't be running for the presidency despite the calls of her party mates and supporters. "Dili siya pwede tungod mao ni duha na pinakataas na posisyon sa nasod -- mao ang president ug vice president. OK ra unta kung ang position dili president og vice president. Pananglitan, muingon ta president ug senador, president ug congressnman, dili na siya kinahanglan istoryahan ug sabutan (We cannot run together for the country's two highest elective posts -- president and vice president. It would have been okay if, for example, one will run for presidency while the other will run as a senator; or president and congressman. Those won't need to be discussed)," Duterte-Carpio said. The mayor reiterated that she will run for reelection as mayor of Davao City in the upcoming 2022 elections. The presidential daughter explained why her father wants to run for vice-president. "Tungod kay si President Duterte, gusto niya siya mismo muhangyo sa umaabot na presidente nga ipadayon iyahang nasugdan sa iyahang administrasyon (President Duterte wants to be the one to appeal to the incoming president to continue what his administration started)," she said. Duterte-Carpio said that she is still young, and she has more years to serve the city and the country. She also thanked her party mates for supporting her reelection bid. She also thanked the some 700 parallel groups lobbying her to run for the presidency for their trust and confidence. The mayor also shared the achievements of her father's administration, particularly the "Build, Build, Build" program, which is the government's flagship program on infrastructure. Duterte-Carpio also encouraged the officials to continuously campaign the government's Covid-19 vaccination program. "Maong ginaawhag tamo tanan as leaders of your communities nga ikampanya ang pagpabakuna sa mga tao (That is why I am encouraging all leaders of your communities to campaign for vaccination among your constituents)," the mayor said. Duterte-Carpio also emphasized the linkage between Davao City and Davao del Norte in the exchange of people, goods, and business. The mayor has not mentioned when she will be filing her COC, which will be from October 1 to 8. She already announced that she will be on leave from October 5 to 8, as she will have an important trip outside the country. Based on the Pulse Asia survey on Wednesday, September 29, Duterte-Carpio remains the top preferred candidate for the presidency. The mayor had also topped various electoral surveys.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Davao-Samal Bridge to push thru but no groundbreaking date yet Posted: 30 Sep 2021 05:14 AM PDT AN OFFICIAL from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) bared that the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project (Davao-Samal Bridge) is still pushing through, but there is still no definite date on its groundbreaking. "The construction of the Samal Island-Davao [City] Connector Project is on stream, and currently the loan negotiation with the government of People's Republic of China and the government of the Philippines is ongoing," Neda-Davao Director Maria Lourdes Lim said during the Davao Regional Development Council Week Virtual Culmination Forum on Thursday afternoon, September 30. The loan negotiation, she said, is currently under the Department of Finance (DOF). She said the preparatory activities before construction are in the form of the formulation of the parcellary plan and resettlement action plan. She said the road-right-of-way acquisition is ongoing, while notice of taking had been issued to affected lot owners in Davao City since June this year. As to the groundbreaking, Lim said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the project's implementing agency, will be the ones who will announce the groundbreaking date. "We'll just wait for the announcement from DPWH as the implementing agency. But right now we can say this is still on stream," Lim said. Lim said one of the project's challenges is in the procurement process because it involves foreign contractors. Since the project is funded by loan from China, there will be a process of selection for contractors that will pursue in the implementation of the project. She added that three Chinese construction companies will be selected and will further undergo evaluation. The selection will follow through after the loan negotiation. Samal Mayor Al David Uy, who previously called out DPWH for the delay of the bridge's construction, also confirmed in a radio interview that the loan agreement is currently being settled by DOF. "Ang ginahulat na lang nila ang (We are waiting for the) notice to proceed kay ang (because the) loan agreement, naipit sa (is still at) China," Uy said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio on September 23. He said DPWH can apply for an exemption. Uy also revealed that DPWH already selected a bidder for the project. The mayor also said the project will not be affected by the election ban in January 2022. The Davao-Samal Bridge is among the big-ticket projects that the present administration has in the pipeline. The SIDC is a two-way four-lane 3.86-kilometer bridge with the main bridge having a length of 1.62-km long. According to the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, the SIDC "will be designed in a cable-stayed structure with the twin towers and double cable planes. The construction duration is estimated to last 60 months." On January 14, 2021, the Philippine and Chinese governments signed a commercial contract for China to finance around $400 million for the SIDC. The two governments began loan agreement negotiations following the signing of the commercial contract. According to a press statement of the Chinese Embassy in January 2021, "The project is expected to break ground in the first half of 2021." Uy said in a previous radio interview that the groundbreaking was projected to commence in January this year, according to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar. DPWH and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) signed the P19.32 billion official contract, which marks the green light for the design and build of theDavao-Samal Bridge Project. DPWH said the China-funded project is envisioned as a modern bridge that will connect the Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao, Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City in between R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction. Data from Neda also showed that the project will have vertical clearance of 45 meters and can serve around 25,000 vehicles a day. They also said the project will include the construction of interchanges with the existing road network, local existing junction improvements, viaducts over sections of land and approach bridges over marine areas. "The project shall be implemented from 2020-2024, with construction period scheduled from 2021-2024. Operation will be from 2025 onwards," Neda said in a press statement.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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