Monday, May 30, 2022

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Davao City bans loading of provincial bus passengers in bus stops

Posted: 30 May 2022 08:03 AM PDT

THE Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) announced on May 28, 2022, that it will temporarily ban loading passengers at bus stops until further notice.In an online statement, DCOTT said while the ban is in place, all passenger loading for North Bound, South Bound, and West Bound buses should be done at DCOTT only instead of bus stops scattered around the city."In view of the recent incident of a bomb explosion inside a passenger bus, all passengers are advised to board a bus in the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal only. This is for security purposes," the statement read.DCOTT head Aisa Usop told SunStar Davao on Monday, May 30, picking up passengers along highways is also banned but unloading of passengers at designated bus stops is still allowed.However, point-to-point or terminal-to-terminal travel is highly encouraged."Nakig-coordinate ta usab sa (We have coordinated with) the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and mao pud na ang (that is also the) stand ni (of) Regional Director Nonito Llanos... this is for security reasons," Usop said.Usop said the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) had given DCOTT information instructions to implement the temporary suspension.She added that CTTMO will monitor bus stops and other usual loading zones in the city while the Task Force Davao will monitor highways, to ensure that the temporary ban is being followed.Bus operators caught violating will be issued appropriate citation tickets.The DCOTT head said loading of passengers at DCOTT is necessary to ensure proper inspection of passengers and baggage to avoid untoward incidents after the recent bombing incident of a public passenger bus in Koronadal City and another blast near the Barangay Calean bus terminal in Tacurong City, both occurred on May 26.At the same time, Task Force Davao Commander Col. Darren Comia said during a radio interview that they will implement heightened and enhanced security measures at border control points."Nag-recommend na tayo na 'wag na munang magpasakay doon sa mag designated bus loading and unloading zones dito sa downtown Davao City. Dahil ito sa panghitabo last week didto sa Tacurong and Koronadal ng South Cotabato. Naay pagsabog, pagbuto didto and ang pagbuto didto sa bus," Comia said.(We have recommended temporarily banning loading passengers at designated bus loading and unloading zones at downtown Davao City. This is because of what happened last week at Tacurong and Koronadal in South Cotabato, where an explosion took place.)The temporary suspension was recommended by Task Force Davao after the city has been placed under red alert due to the said blasts but Usop has not stated when the suspension or red alert will be lifted.

Whole-genome sequencing lab in UP-Mindanao operational

Posted: 30 May 2022 08:03 AM PDT

THE whole-genome sequencing (WGS) laboratory at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Mindanao was launched last March, according to the Department of Health (DOH)-Davao on May 30, 2022."We launched the expansion of the genome center not only in UP Diliman but also to include Visayas and Mindanao, and that's in Davao last March... Ni-launch na natin ang (We have launched the) Davao genome center together with Visayas genome center," Dr. Gerna Manatad, assistant regional director of DOH-Davao, said during the Kapehan sa Davao press conference on Monday, May 30.The WGS laboratory in UP-Mindanao is a tripartite of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) Mindanao, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), and DOH-Davao.Manatad said the WGS laboratory is coordinating with the Epidemiology Bureau under DOH to fully maximize the facility and cater to specimen samples from Mindanao. In a previous press conference, head of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of DOH-Davao Dr. Rachel Pasion said DOH-Davao was only allowed to submit 65 specimen samples for Covid-19 detection but with the new WGS satellite facility, the PGC in UP-Diliman will be decongested.At the same time, the WGS laboratory can accurately and promptly detect diseases and their sub-variants, particularly Covid-19.

Foundation needs P56 million to transfer Eagle Center to Eden, Toril

Posted: 30 May 2022 08:03 AM PDT

THE Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) will need P56 million to transfer the Eagle Center to Barangay Eden in Toril from Malagos, said Andi Baldonado, PEF development manager."The long term plan is really to move already, kasi hindi na po conducive yong Malagos for breeding and keeping the bird safe para sa mga ganitong threat, avian flu, it's becoming more frequent na, para mas ma-seclude natin 'yong population and avoid the risk of contamination, so we need to isolate them." Baldonado said.(Moving is part of our long term plan because Malagos is no longer conducive for breeding and keeping the birds safe from avian flu. We need to isolate them so that we can protect their population and avoid the risk of contamination.)PEF said in a statement that it only takes a single case of avian flu in the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) to wipe out the captive breeding stock.Earlier, a bird flu outbreak was reported in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, which is around 90 kilometers southwest of the PEC, posing a risk to the 34 eagles in the center.Aside from the outbreak, a python attacked a juvenile Philippine eagle and died inside its snake-proofed and safe enclosure.According to Baldonado, the target location is part of the protected area of Mount Apo.Compared to 8.4 hectares in Malagos, the eyed location in Eden is around 50 hectares and is allotted for conservation."That's very small (Malagos area), it's not enough even for a buffer area, in fact if you look at Malagos right now, yong enclosure namin right now, next to it is farm lot, wala tayong buffer, talagang yong mga agila natin exposed lang to form activities and other residential activities around the area." Baldonado said.However, she said developing the new location comes with a big price tag."This have to take more time, kasi ang laki ng budget na kailangan namin to develop the facility, based on our framework plan, we need at least P56 million to develop enclosures, hospital for the eagles for the area, hindi accessible itong area na ito kaya it all causes a lot of expenses when it comes to construction," Baldonado said.(We need at least P56 million based on our framework to develop enclosures, hospital for the eagles because the location is not accessible, which is why developing it can be expensive.)Baldonado said they hope to get support from the government for the allocation of the budget requirement and to engage with their corporate partners, donors and fundraising activities."We're still working on aligning our plans with the city's plan as well with the development of this area," Baldonado said.PEF said that since the pandemic in 2020, they have recorded 12 eagle rescue cases from Mindanao.Meanwhile, PEF will celebrate its 35th year and presents the Philippine Eagle Week (PEW) in SM Lanang Premier from June 4 to 13, 2022 with the theme "#AgiLaya: Lasting Freedom for the Philippine Eagle."The event will highlight an exhibit from June 5 to 12, 2022, featuring Philippine Eagle conservation milestones.

DOH-Davao: Covid-19 cases in Davao plateaus to 29-32 per week

Posted: 30 May 2022 07:59 AM PDT

THE Department of Health in Davao Region (DOH-Davao) observed that Covid-19 cases in the region have plateaued to 29 to 32 cases per week."We see a pattern of 29-32 cases, weekly yan, 0.4 percent out of 600,000 specimens," Dr. Gerna Manatad, DOH-Davao Assistant Regional Director, said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw sa SM City Davao on May 30, 2022.Manatad said for this week (May 23-29), only 31 cases have been recorded in the whole region while 29 cases on May 16-22, 2022."We hope to sustain this kind of situation in terms of covid cases," Manatad said.Manatad said that they are closely monitoring the new variant of Covid-19."We are also submitting reports, as long as it fits the circumstances or criteria, kailangan nating kolektahan ng sample for genomic sequencing (We need to collect samples for genomic sequencing), we are closely coordinating with the epidemiology bureau and with the Philippine Genome Center... Local Government Units (LGU) as well as mga hospitals na nag-aadmit ng mga Covid confirmed (as well as admitted confirmed Covid patients in the hospitals)," Manatad said.Manatad said that good vaccination coverage helped to slow down the transmission of the virus.Compensation benefitsMeanwhile, DOH said it has released a total of 1,690 compensation benefits for frontliners who caught coronavirus. Of this number 1,677 were mild to moderate cases, 11 were severe and critical cases, and two died.Frontliners in the Health Services who contracted Covid-19 or died from it will receive sickness and death compensation benefits up to P100,000, while the legal heirs will receive up to P1,000,000 from the DOH.The eligible healthcare workers and support staff who have mild to moderate illnesses due to Covid-19 will receive P15,000, while severe or critical illnesses will receive P100,000.The coverage term runs from January 1, 2022, until the nationwide state of a public health emergency is abolished.

Bill expanding Davao Light’s area hurdles 3rd reading

Posted: 30 May 2022 07:49 AM PDT

THE Senate approved on third and final reading the bill expanding the franchise area of AboitizPower subsidiary Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) to Davao del Norte on Monday afternoon, May 30.The Upper House passed on second reading House Bill (HB) 10554 (Committee Report No. 609) or an act expanding the franchise area of DLPC of the AboitizPower subsidiary to include Tagum City, the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro, and Talaingod in Davao del Norte. These areas are currently covered by the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco).The bill will grant Davao Light an expanded franchise area for 25 years, which aims to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted supply of electricity in the said areas.At present, the franchise area of Davao Light only covers Davao City and Panabo City, Carmen, Dujali, and Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte.During the votation, 16 senators voted in favor for the franchise extension, one opposed, and another one abstained.HB 10554 was authored by Palawan Representative Franz Alvarez, Committee on Legislative Franchises chairperson, along with Mindanawon Representatives including Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez, PBA Partylist Representative Jericho Nograles, and Camiguin Representative Xavier Romualdo.Manila Fourth District Representative Edward Maceda also sponsored the bill.The lower passed it on third and final reading on January 24 this year.In the Senate, HB 10554 was sponsored by Senator Grace Poe while Senator Ralph Recto serves as co-sponsor.Senator Risa Hontiveros, who opposed the bill, clarified that while she does not question the integrity of DLPC in providing stable electric supply, she said her vote goes out to Nordeco.The senator said that Nordeco admitted problems in the past decade hounding its the operations due to management issues Hontiveros pointed out that the electric cooperative made strides in improving its overall performance such as bringing down the system loss, revitalizing leadership and workforce, and categorization improvements, among others."However, by repealing Nordeco's franchise seemingly by implication through the expansion of the franchise of another distribution utility into Nordeco's franchise area, are we exposing Nordeco's consumer members, as well as its employees to more risk and uncertainty?" she said."The passage of this law also raises fundamental policy questions vis a vis the granting of franchises to operate electric distribution systems in areas that are still under the exclusive franchise of electric cooperatives," she added.Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who abstained from voting, said that while he understood the sentiments of the Nordeco consumers who had been rallying for improved electric services, he also understood that the electric cooperative has also undergoing difficulties in their collection."As evidence by their collection deficiency of 61 percent in 2021," Gatchalian said, adding that low collection would affect their payment in debts, and issues in investing in capital expenditures (capex), which would affect their service.He also said that once Davao Light takes over the entire Davao del Norte, the remaining consumers of Nordeco in Davao de Oro could expect a surge of power rate from P8.6 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to P15.4/kWh."[It is] a 78.49 percent increase due to increased generation rates, distribution supply metering, charges, and reinvestment fund for sustainable capex," Gatchalian said.The bill is in response to the alleged continued inability of Nordeco to improve its poor service that has exacerbated the miseries faced by his constituents during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.High-ranking officials had criticized Nordeco's operation, including Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez, Governor Edwin Jubahib, and Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Al David Uy.Originally, Maco in Davao de Oro was included in the franchise expansion. However, it was delisted.Davnor Modernization Movement Convenor Ave Rose Castillo, in a statement, thanked the Senate and House of Representatives for listening to their plight "for better power service.""Finally, after many decades, we can experience the electrical services we need and deserve in order to power our homes, businesses, and industries.This is the turning point the residents of Davao del Norte have been clamoring for, and this is what Davao del Norte needs to move forward to progress," Castillo said.In a previous statement, she said that they are dismayed with Maco not being included in the franchise."Maco was dropped from the bill primarily because of the opposition of the current provincial leaders of Davao de Oro," Castillo said."We are dismayed by this development because it will prevent progress in Maco — a strategic port municipality adjacent to the commercial city of Tagum," Castillo added.Davao Light and Nordeco have not issued any statement following the development of the measure in the Senate.

VP Robredo's office set to meet with Duterte-Carpio’s team

Posted: 29 May 2022 11:34 PM PDT

THE office of outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo has agreed to meet with the team of vice president-elect Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio "to ensure a smooth transition" come June 30, 2022.Liloan, Cebu Mayor Christina Frasco, Duterte-Carpio's spokesperson, said on Sunday evening, May 29, that in a letter dated May 27, 2022, Duterte-Carpio requested an initial virtual meeting with Robredo and her team to discuss protocols, policies, precedents and other matters concerning the Office of the Vice President.Robredo, on Monday, May 30, meanwhile, responded to the incumbent mayor's letter.The current vice president congratulated her successor, who will be the 15th vice president in the country."Please be advised that we are ready to meet to answer any questions you may have regarding the Office of the Vice President and to take all necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition," Robredo said.Earlier, Frasco said, "the initial meeting sought will be between the teams, and not personally between the outgoing Vice President and the incoming Vice President."In addition, "It is the intention of vice president-elect Sara Duterte to undertake as smooth and orderly a transition as possible."Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, was proclaimed winner on Wednesday, May 25, after garnering 32,208,417 votes.This is a huge difference from the votes of Robredo's tandem, Senator Francis Pangilinan, who only got 9,329,207 votes.The outgoing Vice President, on the other hand, was defeated by Duterte-Carpio's runningmate, president-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in the presidential race with 32,208,417 votes.Duterte-Carpio and Marcos are set to assume their positions at noon on June 30.

Davao’s chocolate, cacao industries seen to thrive post-pandemic

Posted: 29 May 2022 07:19 AM PDT

A YEAR after being declared the chocolate and cacao capital of the Philippines, the chocolate and cacao industry of Davao is poised to thrive further in the local and global market, but it will take some hard work and time.Under Republic Act No. 11547 enacted on May 27, 2021, Davao City is officially the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines with over 100 homegrown chocolate processors in the city, while the entirety of Davao Region is the Cacao Capital of the Philippines with its hectares of cacao farms producing high-quality cacao beans.Before the Covid-19 outbreak, Davao City produced 6,000 metric tons of cacao beans. In a span of two years, despite the global pandemic, the city was able to produce 7,000 metric tons.Valente Turtur, executive director of the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao Inc. (Cidami), said the increase in production is a good sign. However, it is still far from meeting the global demand."Malayo pa (It's still far), we are way behind as far as demand is concerned. Based on our vision, we want to achieve 10,000 metric tons," Turtur told SunStar Davao on May 27, 2022 at the launching of the Cacao Mindanao Chocolate Fair in SM City Davao.According to Turtur, cacao plantations thrived in Davao Region in the 1970s but saw a slow decline that started during the late 1980s wherein other commodities, such as banana and coconut, took center stage.Thus, the booming cacao and chocolate industry today is relatively young since it was not until the last decade, around the year 2011 or 2012, that the industry was revived."May Department of Agriculture (DA) program kasi na tumulong sa (The DA started a program that helped) farmers that started in 2008 but it took three to four years bago talaga nag flourish yung industry ng Davao (before we saw the industry in Davao flourish)," Turtur said.The Paquibato District has the most cacao farms in Davao City and in Davao del Norte, the village of Sawata in the municipality of San Isidro has 4,000 hectares. But the Third District of Davao City, which covers Calinan, Marilog, and Baguio districts, has the biggest producers in terms of volume.Through this, Davao became known to produce 80 percent of the local demand for cacao in the country, the remaining 20 percent comes from other areas in the Philippines, particularly still in Mindanao.Since production is still low for the global market, the current goal of the industry is to produce quality beans and cacao products.Turtur said pure cacao tablea is still the most famous product, but the industry has also been delving into different variants of high-quality dark chocolates -- some of which have won gold awards globally like home-grown Malagos Chocolate at the World Drinking Chocolate Competition in 2020 and Auro Chocolate at the International Chocolate Awards in 2021."The good thing is, other than Malagos, naa na pud nag develop na mga bagong chocolate na brands so nalipay ta ana but karon, sa tibuok Mindanao or sa Pilipinas, daghan na pud nag himo of chocolate but of course, since nailhan ta, even if muadto ka sa lain lugar sa Pilipinas, they are thinking of Davao chocolate," Turtur said.(The good thing is, other than Malagos, others are developing their own chocolate brands, but other places in Mindanao and the Philippines have also been making their own chocolates. Fortunately, here in Davao, we are known, so even if you go to other places in the country, they are thinking of Davao chocolate.)Other Davao local chocolatiers have been popping up, like El Ray's Chocolab, which is also one of the exhibitors at the Chocolate Fair.Starting as a cacao farm trading dry and wet cacao beans, the family-owned business has recently ventured into chocolate-making."Recently just this year, upon the encouragement of other cacao growers here in Davao, naisipan ng brother ko to come up with a product na mag add ng value sa cacao beans namin," Liza Pareño of El Ray's Chocolab said.Other than fine tablea, variants of dark chocolates, and cacao nibs, the family is also keen on inventing new chocolate products, like their Kutsara de Tsokolate."(This) is actually tablea na per spoon, good for one cup siya na chocolate drink (It's tablea per spoon which is good for one cup of chocolate drink). Pwede mo siya i-dissolve sa (You can dissolve it in) one cup of water and you can add sugar or milk if you like," Pareño said.The cacao industry has also been attracting foreign investors, one of which is the international brand Puratos which uses Davao cacao beans for their Chocolante Philippines Dark 62 percent chocolate coins.For every cacao sale of Davao farmers to Puratos, ten Euro cents are given to the farmers which consolidates to at least P60,000 a year given by Puratos."Every year, si Puratos muanhi diri sa davao, sa isa ka tuig nakahalin sila og one ton, naay equivalent na money depende sa volume na ilang ginabaligya," Rhodel Antonio, Davao sales executive of Puratos, said.(Puratos comes to Davao and gives subsidy per sale, which also depends on the volume produced.)As of now, the industry, along with Cidami, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Science and Technology continues to implement different projects and benefits to help the cacao farmers"Naa sila continuing program para sa atong cacao farmers og sa atong chocolate processors (They have continuing programs for cacao farmers and chocolate processors)," Turtur said, which includes farming technology, hardware and equipment for chocolate-making, and grants for start-ups to begin their chocolate processing business.The industry is now focusing on promoting sales and marketing of the chocolate sector after it was affected during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic through face-to-face promotion and exhibits such as the Cacao Mindanao Chocolate Fair."We don't have much problem sa cacao, sa commodity because ang trading permanenete (the trading is continuous) but the chocolate industry, medyo nag laylow siya gamay so karon, since nag hinay ta ballik sanormal, nakasugod na ta baligya (lay low for a while but since we are slowly getting back to normal, we are starting to sell well again)," Turtur said.To support the cacao and chocolate industry, especially Davao City and Davao Region with this new chapter as the cacao and chocolate capital, Turtur urges the public to support local."You go local, buy local. That's how we encourage our consumers to support our farmers," he said.

DOST notes increase in research, development funding in Mindanao

Posted: 29 May 2022 07:17 AM PDT

DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Guevara said there has been an increase in funding for research and development projects in Mindanao."Nong dumating kami ng 2016, 75 to 80 percent ng R&D napupunta po sa NCR (National Capital Region), Calabarzon, at tyaka Central Luzon funding... Dati ang budget ng 14 other regions ay mga 15 to 20 percent lang, dito sa Nicer(Niche Centers in the Regions) ang budget ng other regions is 70 percent [including Mindanao], ang laki ng share niyo," Guevara said in an interview during the S4CP Summit Mindanao Cluster on May 27, 2022.(When we start our term, the R&D budget of 75 to 80 percent is allocated to NCR, Calabarzon and Central Luzon...our budget for 14 other regions before is just 15 to 20 percent, but under Nicer, it has now 70 percent budget for other regions.)According to DOST, for almost five years, there were 12 Nicer-approved programs in Mindanao with a total grant of P606.6 million.Nicer Program is a DOST-Science for Change Program (S4CP) sub-program that provides grants to qualified Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the regions so that they can conduct quality research aimed at promoting regional development using their existing capabilities and resources.Guevara said that there are four main challenges in Mindanao: inaccessible and unstable power supply, poverty, declining agricultural productivity, and healthcare inequity, which she said can be addressed through research and development (R&D).In Davao City, one of the recipients is Ateneo de Davao University's Renewable Energy R&D Center (MREC). The center is currently building and installing a working micro-scale solar thermal power plant that can generate steam for process heating and electricity.MREC also constructed a floating marine integrated Ocean Renewable system installed in the Pakiputan Strait, Island Garden City of Samal.DOST said there are innovation centers built at the University of the Philippines Mindanao, which is the Center for Applied Modeling, Data Analytics, and Bioinformatics for Decision Support Systems in Health (DSS-H), and Halal Goat Nicer in the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP).Other R&D Nicer funded programs are the Sea Cucumber in Mindanao State University-Naawan, Sustainable Polymers in Mindanao State University-IIT, Bamboo in Central Mindanao University, Native Chicken in Western Mindanao State University, Seaweeds in Mindanao University-TCTO, industrial Tree Plantation in Caraga, Maternal and Child Health in Davao Medical Foundation, and Cacao in University of Southern Mindanao.DOST also introduced Payment Innovation for Solar Home System (SHS) Ownership by Lay Away Routine (Pisolar), a system that provided electricity to households. There are currently 52 households provided with Pisolar in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged area in Mindanao.

PRRD drives around Digos on his motorcycle

Posted: 29 May 2022 07:17 AM PDT

NEARLY a month before retiring from politics, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte was spotted driving around Digos City in Davao del Sur on his motorcycle on Saturday afternoon, May 28, 2022.According to a report from Superbalita Davao, the President was driving around the road of the city around 3:15 p.m., along with his Can-am Spyder Roadster.Longtime aide and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said the president wanted to drive around the city, which he used to do back when has still Davao City Mayor.A day before, the president was spotted at a motorcycle showroom in Davao City, wherein he was welcomed by the staff and customers along the area.As the former mayor of Davao City for 22 years, he had been going around the city on his motorbike. He also drove a taxi at night to patrol around the city undercover, and make sure his constituents were safe.Duterte had been returning to the city for the past few weeks.On May 6, the President attended the miting de avance of the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod-Hugpong ng Pagbabago led by his youngest son, Davao City mayor-elect and incumbent Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte.In his speech, he vowed to continue his crusade against illegal drugs by going back to the streets to look for criminals."Karon og di nako Presidente, wa gyuy magbuot nako. Mag-motor ko o suroy-suroy ko," Duterte said.(Now that I won't be President anymore, nobody can dictate what I do. I will go riding a motorcycle or go around.)Duterte, in his previous speeches, announced that he already started packing up his things early this year."Nag-iimpake na nga ako eh. 'Yung iba pinadala ko na. Iyong madala sa barko, ibinarko ko (I'm already packing. Some of my items have already been shipped)," the President said in his February 7 episode of the Talk to the People.He is set to step down from the presidency on the noontime of June 30.

Group urges next government leaders to protect environment

Posted: 29 May 2022 07:15 AM PDT

AN ENVIRONMENTAL group is urging the incoming local and national administration for the continuous protection of the environment.With the administration of president-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. set to start on June 30, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) Environmental Research Specialist Lemuel Manalo said they are hoping that the incoming administration would consider environmental protection in their decision-making."We call for the decision-makers, especially in the national government... to really put environment as their utmost priority in their decision making," Manalo said.He also reiterated their call to the legislators to make laws that would address environmental problems like flooding. This was one of their calls in their Green Vote survey."We really tell the people to vote for the environment, to really prioritize environmental-protectors to be seated in the government, and as policymakers," Manalo said.He also urged lawmakers to listen to the plight of the people, who will be affected if the environment looms.The environmental advocate also urged the incoming administration of Davao City mayor-elect Sebastian Duterte to address the waste-generation problem of the city and to fully implement the Single-Use Plastic Ban ordinance signed by the latter's sister, outgoing Mayor and vice president-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio.He added that the Comprehensive Land Use Program would be followed by limiting the application of the residential application and enhancing or upgrading the disaster risk reduction and management.Manalo said Idis is also calling for President Rodrigo Duterte to take a stand in the Tampakan Open-Pit Mining in South Cotabato, which they believe would also affect Davao Gulf.

CSWDO: Consultations continue with stakeholders, IPs on bus system project

Posted: 29 May 2022 07:15 AM PDT

THE Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will continue to hold consultations with stakeholders, including the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) on the government's implementation of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS) project.Lawyer Marlisa Gallo, head of CSWDO, in an interview with the City Information Office (CIO), said that consultations with all stakeholders were conducted in coordination with the barangay officials and other concerned agencies but these were halted due to the evolving Covid-19, dismissing claims that the government did not consult communities, especially the IPs, affected by the HPBS."Last year pa naghinay-hinay nata og adto sa ground. Naabtan man gud ta sa pandemic, mao na nga naundang, pero last year ang atoang staff ilabi na ang taga-DOTr naka-focus gyud to sila sa mga barangay. Nagpadala pud ta og advocacy materials sa ilaha," she said.(We have slowly resumed consultations on the ground since last year. The consultations were halted due to the pandemic, but last year, our staff and the DOTr have been focussing on the barangays. We also gave out advocacy materials to them.)Gallo said there will be more consultations meant to popularize HPBS more and give stakeholders a chance to address their concerns. "Ipaabot nato sa atoang social workers sa barangay level na naa ta'y pagabuhaton na pakighinabi sa ilaha aron madungog pud nato unsa ang ilahang gusto mahitabo sa proyekto sa gobyerno," Gallo said.(We will relay through our social workers at the barangay level that we will have dialogue so that we can also hear their side on what they want for this government project.)Meanwhile, DOTr Community Development Officer Erika Nicole Cue in a separate interview with CIO said that a Special Consultation Meeting with IPs was held on October 15, 2021, at the Almacen Training Center Gym, Barangay Catalunan Pequeno.The meeting, which highlighted the project overview, components, and environmental and social, impact assessment of HPBS, was attended by 21 individuals from the IP communities, namely, the Ata Tribe, Tagabawa, Obu Manuvu, Matigsalug, Bagobo-Tagabawa, and Bagobo Klata."They were also informed that the IP Communities will be affected by bus stops only and no major physical displacement will happen to those communities," Cue said.Cue said the Free and Prior informed Consent Process (FPIC) resulted in the awarding of the Certificate of Precondition to the HPBS project by the NCIP.The NCIP, according to Cue, also extended its appreciation to the project in the initial meetings because the HPBS project provides access for IP communities to public transport."The implementers of the HPBS Project constantly remind the public and ourselves that no one will be left behind on our road to progress and development. We are working hard to ensure as well that this project will be inclusive to all sectors of the city," Cue said.Cue said a total of 1,076 bus stops are planned to be built across Davao City, of which 993 are public lands within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) asset, 40 are identified as private lands, and 43 are ongoing identification of landowners since there are no records of land ownership found in government records.The HPBS Project includes six depots, three terminals, bus stops, signal priority, and bus lanes, pedestrian and street improvements, electric bus feasibility, and franchise operations. The full operation of HPBS is targeted for the 4th quarter of 2023.With this project, 29 routes across the city are to be divided into 4 route tiers that will cater to 1,040 new buses replacing the existing jeepney network in the area. (PR)
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