Sunday, May 1, 2022

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Covid-19 cases in Davao City remains low

Posted: 01 May 2022 07:17 AM PDT

DAVAO City remains to have a low number of Covid-19 cases with a positivity rate of 1.15 percent, as of April 24, 2022.Davao City Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said on April 29 that the city is averaging four cases daily and the positivity rate remains within the accepted rate of below five percent."Mababa gihapon atong positivity rate. Naa na gani ta mga adlaw na zero cases," Schlosser said during a radio interview.(Our positivity rate remains low. We even have days wherein we record zero cases.)Schlosser added that the City Government continues to implement the PDITR strategy, or the Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, and Reintegration, to maintain the Covid-19 cases to a minimum.She said the traditional contact tracing, swabbing, and quarantine and isolation program are still ongoing."It's reflective, atoang daily cases, kasi wala man naundang atong PDITR strategy," she said.(Our daily cases are reflective of our efforts with the PDITR strategy.)Schlosser added that the diligent practice in the city with regards to observing health protocols and the high number of vaccinated individuals can be attributed as one of the reasons why Davao City remains under Alert level 1 while the rest of the region ascended Alert level 2 for the period of May 1 to 15, 2022."Happy ko na nagpabilin ta sa Alert Level 1 but just like what I have been repeating here, the status of our city will depend on the cooperation sa mga tao (of the people) and at the same time, atong disiplina (our discipline)," she said.Although the rest of the Davao provinces is under Alert Level 2, interzonal or local travel within the region is not restricted, thus it is possible to transmit the coronavirus disease from one city to another, including Davao City."That's the reason why magpabilin gyod ta na vigilant, wear your face mask labi na sa mga lugar na daghan tao nga dili maiwasan nga naa'y interaction... always think of hand hygiene, and at the same time dako gyod og tabang ang vaccination," Schlosser said.(That's the reason why we have to remain vigilant. Wear your face mask, especially in crowded places where we cannot avoid interaction with other people, always think of hand hygiene, and, at the same time, the vaccination is a huge help.)She added that the city is still anticipating a surge that may be caused by the sub-variant of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 called BA 2.12, which has already been detected in Baguio City.The spokesperson has reminded Dabawenyos to get the booster dose vaccination before Covid-19 cases in the city increase again.

SunStar Davao nominated in 9 categories in 9th GMEA

Posted: 01 May 2022 07:16 AM PDT

SUNSTAR Davao is a finalist in nine different categories of the 9th Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA) announced on Friday, April 29, 2022.This year, SunStar Davao received the most nominations under the Explanatory/Investigative Story of the Year with three finalists, which are the Davao Coffee Rising series by Editor-in-Chief Reuel John F. Lumawag; "Bayanihan or Kopyahan? The Rise of Online Academic Cheating Groups" by Social Media Strategist Ace June Rell S. Perez; and "Olympic Gold Dream Lives On" by contributor Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan.Perez earned the most nominations with additional nominations for his work "SunStarFocus: Food Delivery Drivers Rain or Shine" as a finalist for Best Social Media Video; and "NoFilter: Heavy Siltation Turns River, Coastal Waters to Orange" for Breaking News of the Year for Digital. Perez was also a finalist for the #KwentoNgTagumpay: Uplifting Lives Through Digital Technology for his work titled "Happy Forest Kids: Helping the Youth Living in Remote Areas."Former editor Jennie P. Arado was also nominated for News Report of the Year with her story "Technology by Local Inventor Used to Dispose Medical Wastes from Vaccination Sites"; and Explanatory/Investigative Video Story of the Year for Digital with "How Davao City Faces its Garbage Concern" story.In addition, reporter Ralph Lawrence G. Llemit's story "Mayor to Certify Single-Use Plastic Ban Ordinance as Urgent" was also a finalist for Breaking News of the Year for Digital.Photojournalist Mark A. Perandos is nominated for Photo of the Year for Digital with his submission "BIDA ANG SAYA."Cristina E. Alivio and Perez were also nominated for Newsmaker of the Year while Lumawag was the lone nominee for Editor of the Year. GMEA is an award-giving body focusing on local submissions from Visayas and Mindanao that recognizes news stories in print, radio, television, and most recently, through social media, that have made the most impact on the community it serves.During the last GMEA, SunStar Davao bagged six awards including Editor of the Year for Lumawag and five awards for Perez under Explanatory/Investigative Story of the Year for Digital for his story Infodemic amid pandemic; Breaking News of the Year for Digital for Mati tourism reopens; health measures implemented; Social Media Advocacy of the Year for A Convo series along with graphic designer Reinhart Jerd Belviz; News Report of the Year for Print for The protocol heals or kills?; and Explanatory/Investigative Story or Documentary of the Year for Print for Teachers on the frontlines (a two-part series).

6 Davao school graduates topnotchers in LET-elementary

Posted: 01 May 2022 07:13 AM PDT

A TOTAL of six graduates from various schools in Davao Region are among the topnotchers of this year's March 2022 Licensure Examinations of Teachers (LET)-Elementary Level.A total of 10,039 out of 20,567 examinees or 48.81 percent have passed the exams.Davao Central College's Ermelyn Gang-on Florida claimed the highest spot among Davao student-topnotchers, placing second with an average score of 91.80 percent.Noel Masucol Ramos Jr. from Mati Doctors College landed third with an average score of 91.40 percent.Placing sixth with an average score of 90.20 percent is Monique Recorba Dela Corta of the Holy Cross of Davao College and Elaiza Agbon Taga-an of the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep)- Davao City.Lodiza Lamano Magdilag placed eighth, earning a rating of 89.40 percent, and Emelyn Ali Armodia in 10th place, garnering an average score of 88.80 percent. They are both from the University of Mindanao.The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the result on April 29, 2022.Out of the total passers, 246 were first-timers while 9,793 were repeaters.Meanwhile, the examination results for 37 examinees were delayed pending a final determination of their responsibilities under the rules and regulations that govern licensure examinations.Those who passed the March 2022 LET had an average score of at least 75 percent in all topics and no score below 50 percent in any of them.On Sunday, March 27, 2022, PRC held the third batch of the LET board exam in at least 26 testing centers across the country, namely, Manila, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legaspi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Zamboanga, Bacolod, Bohol, Catanduanes, Catarman, Dumaguete, Sulu, Kidapawan, Jolo, Mati, and Masbate.Between March 2013 and January 2022, the average passing percentage for the Elementary Level exam was 30.74 percent, or three out of ten takers.

Army: 121 minors used by communist groups rescued

Posted: 01 May 2022 07:12 AM PDT

THE 10th Infantry Battalion recorded 121 rescued minors reportedly being used by communist terror groups (CTG) since 2016.Captain Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson of the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division, said in a press release that the latest surrenderers they received are two minors from the Regional Operations Command, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (ROC, SMRC) of the New People's Army along with two others in Barangay Coronobe in Maragusan, Davao de Oro on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.Tito identified only two of the four through their aliases: Jomari, 18, a squad political guide, and Vina, 19, a squad supply officer.Following their surrender, the group assisted 66IB soldiers in locating two M16 rifles they hid in Barangay Andap, New Bataan town.Tito said the two minors were already reported to the New Bataan Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) for appropriate action.10ID commander Major General Nolasco Mempin welcomed the surrender and rescue of the minors."To the members of the CTG, stop exploiting the Filipino youth. Surrender now and abandon the armed struggle that victimized thousands of lives," Mempin said.Tito, meanwhile, told SunStar Davao in a phone interview on Sunday, May 1, that majority of the rescued minors were already brought back to their families.He added that all of them were enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip), a government program that aims to help the rebel members of communist groups to restore their allegiance to the Philippine government. Through this program, he said they can be reintegrated back into the community, be with their families, and start over with their new, normal lives."So far, ang uban, naa na sa ilang respective families, nakabalik na sila sa ilang communities (others had already returned to their respective families and had return to their communities)," Tito said.The army official added that the recruitment of minors in armed struggle is a "clear violation" of the International Humanitarian Law."Gina-condemn nato ang mga kabatan-unan para ma-recruit sila para maggunit og armas ug mulaban sa government," Tito said.(We condemn the recruitment of youth in the arm struggle and revolt against the government.)

DILG-Davao urges public to vote on May 9

Posted: 01 May 2022 07:10 AM PDT

AMID the ongoing threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, an official from the Department of Interior and Local Government-Davao Region (DILG-Davao) urged the public to exercise their right to vote."Di natong pwede isakripisyo ang atong democratic processes tungod nahadlok ta sa Covid[-19], kay magpahadlok ta sa Covid[-19], then we will have a difficult future," DILG-Davao Director Alex Roldan said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.(We cannot sacrifice our democratic process due to our fear of the Covid-19. If we are afraid, then we will have a difficult future.)Roldan's statement comes nearly a week before the national and local elections on May 9.The official also urged voters to abide by the minimum health protocols within the polling vicinity."Ang ako lang hangyo sa mga muboto karong panahon sa eleksyon, bisan pa mag naay kahadlok sa Covid, mag-maintain lang gyud ta og klaro na pagsunod sa health protocols," he said.(I remind all our voters in the upcoming elections to continue to observe minimum health protocols to combat Covid-19.)Roldan also urged the public to continuously support the Duterte administration.Various government offices participated in the Duterte Legacy Caravan on Friday, April 29.The caravan was participated in by 27 government agencies composed of the regional, city offices, and attached agencies of the Philippine National Police, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Department of Interior and Local Government.Roldan said the Duterte Legacy Caravan aims to inform the public about the government's programs, policies and efforts to bring about real change in the countryside.

Sto. Tomas records P45M in damages due to thunderstorm, flooding

Posted: 01 May 2022 07:10 AM PDT

THE Municipal Government of Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte has placed the entire town under a state of calamity in the aftermath of a series of floods brought by localized thunderstorms, incurring nearly P45-million cost in damages.In a press statement, the Sangguniang Bayan passed a resolution declaring the entire Sto. Tomas under a state of calamity.According to the resolution, a total of 11 barangays were heavily affected by severe and heavy thunderstorms.Among the highly devastated are agricultural crops, banana farms and palay areas, including livestock and infrastructure projects."This worst and abrupted flood destroyed agricultural crops and various infrastructure projects and as per Disaster Incident Reprot from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) at least 8,776 families in the municipality were seriously affected with Thirty-four (34) displaced families forcing them to flee from their homes and temporarily stay in evacuation centers," the resolution said.According to the Municipal Agriculturist and the Municipal Engineer Office, a total of 1,653.85 hectares were damaged, bringing a total cost of P15,947,803.50. Infrastructure and road damages cost P3,065,820 and the total estimated costs for rehab/improvement are P25,946,705.The municipal government said the disaster relief and rehabilitation effort costs will be sourced from the quick response fund.Under Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council shall recommend to the Sangguniang Bayan the declaration of a state of calamity and its lifting based on certain criteria."The declaration of a state of calamity is crucial for the Santo Tomas LGU as this will enable the local government to use the calamity funds, impose a price freeze on basic commodities, and allow the entry of rehabilitation efforts," the local government said.

Valderrama: Reconciliation before elections

Posted: 01 May 2022 06:59 AM PDT

THERE'S still one more week left before the elections, and anything can still happen.The worst case is not about candidates fighting and destroying each other. This happens almost all the time. This has become an ugly truth developing into a political culture.The saddest part is when relationships are broken, dreams are shattered, convictions are compromised. We hear these stories from ordinary individuals to known celebrities and personalities.And what do we get after the elections? The winning candidates, whether they are our choices or the ones we dislike most, will take their oath and lead our country. There's nothing we can do about it, but there is something we can do especially to those we have hurt.Filipino citizens have become emotional even before the start of the campaign. The emotions might have stirred from past experiences and present situations. When we allow our emotions to take over and control us, logic becomes unnoticeable.Have we blocked and unfriended a person? Have we had a heated argument over choices of candidates? Have we interrupted a conversation because we do not want to listen to the opinions of the other? Have we uttered unnecessary and demeaning statements? Have we insulted others because of our unsolicited advice?If so, we still have time to patch up our differences. Reconciliation before the elections becomes more genuine because we choose to resolve issues before the pronouncement of winners. After all, there's nothing we can do after the majority has spoken. Que sera sera. Whatever will be will be.If people will be more aggressive in campaigning for the remaining one week, we can make a beautiful transformation for this time. Let's settle what was once disturbed and ruined. Let's heal together.What was predicted to be a chaotic situation after May 9 can be avoided. Chaos will never do us any good. A divided politics is a divided nation.Our beliefs may never meet because our experiences are different. Our way of life is diverse. Our values and needs are distinct. But meeting halfway is possible.Respect is the keyword here. Let us not forget the values our parents and grandparents have taught us. We can meet halfway if we learn to respect our uniqueness including our choices.If we need to persuade others, let it be the effective public speaker way.Be confident with what you say by highlighting facts and the truth. Balance teaching and storytelling. Stories help people retain more information, but make it engaging.Keep it short and sweet. A persuasive speech does that. People would love to listen to something short but meaningful. Something they can connect to, relate to, and learn from.The winning candidates are yet to serve us. Let us give them the benefit of the doubt. Let's not overreact, but let's be watchdogs all the time.Yes, these are all easier said than done. But we can always start with small steps.
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