Friday, July 15, 2022

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Tagum gov’t vows to help investment scam victims

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:42 PM PDT

TAGUM City Mayor Rey Uy vowed to assist his constituents who had been victims of the illegal investment schemes. In a press statement, the city government said helping the victims is part of its "100 days checklist" under his administration after being reelected again as mayor after years of political hiatus. "Ginapadayon ang pag-aghat sa mga nabiktima sa investment scams labi na kadtong pursigido mu-file ug kaso nga mukonektar sa City Government pinaagi sa CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE aron mahatagan ug legal assistance (We continue to encourage the victims of the investment scams especially those who are persevere in filing cases to the City Government through the City Mayor's Office so that they would be provided legal assistance)," the city said. City employees who invested in these scams are also urged to come forward. The city urged them to pursue their complaints. "Tambayayong natong hatagan [og] kasulbaran ug hustisya ang mga nabiktima niini nga mga scams (We will help the victims who were scammed by giving them solutions and justice)," the city said. SunStar Davao reached out to the mayor's office for additional details, but they have yet to grant an interview. It was in Tagum City, Davao del Norte where Rigen Marketing and other similar investment scams were first established in early 2019. From there, a lot of others had been founded in other parts of Mindanao and have since branched off to different areas. These scams had already been operating for several years but had only gained attention in early 2019. A month after the release of the cease and desist order (CDO) for Kapa on February 14, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) made permanent the order prohibiting Kapa from soliciting investments after they failed to file a motion to lift CDO within the given period. The schemes have business permits different from the investment nature of how they actually operate, as stated by SEC. Former President Rodrigo Duterte, in the same year, ordered the closure of these illegal schemes. "When it is too good to be true, it is fraud. Biro mo 'yung P100,000 mo would earn P30,000 a month? Ni bangko na 'yung Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas natin magbigay tres lang porsyento. Annually ha...It is a continuing crime. So arrest them and investigate it," said President Rodrigo Duterte on Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy's TV program Give Us This Day aired on June 8, 2019. In October 2021, the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic, Repa (Repa Paluwagan) emerged, which victimized some clients in Davao Region. Later that month, SEC declared Repa a Ponzi scheme and "does not appear as a registered corporation or partnership." SEC issued an advisory after receiving reports and inquiries from the public asking whether Repa's operations in Bohol, Davao, Bukidnon, and Cebu are registered with the Commission and if it can solicit investments from the public. RGL

Those planning to join Kadayawan events urged to get vaccinated

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:40 PM PDT

KADAYAWAN Festival 2022 participants are urged to be vaccinated before August, especially if the organizers decide to make it a requirement before they can join the events, said Task Force Covid-19 Vaccination Cluster-Davao. On July 11, 2022, Al Ryan Alejandre, Kadayawan Execom Spokesperson, said in an interview with the Davao City Disaster Radio that Kadayawan participants might be asked to be fully vaccinated before they are allowed to join events however Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, Vaccination Cluster Head, said that participants should be vaccinated ahead of time before the event. "If we intend to say i-vaccinate nato atong mga participating contingencies we have to do it earlier than the Kadayawan to make sure na mag-spike na ang ilahang immune level (If we intend to have the Kadayawan participants vaccinated, they should get vaccinated before the Kadayawan to make sure their immune levels are high)," Villafuerte said in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio on July 14, 2022. Villafuerte said getting the vaccine a week before the event is not recommended. "Dili ta pwede maghimo og activity sa vaccination a week before, three days before it has to be a minimum of two weeks (We cannot conduct a vaccination activity a week before or three days before the event, it has to be a minimum of two weeks)," Villafuerte said. Villafuerte said that a vaccination card should be presented upon entry to Davao City for participants coming from outside the city. "Kinahanglan pangayoan guro sila og vaccination card if we wanted them na mag-abot sila dire na vaccinated, mao man pud ginahimo sa laing lugar pud (We need to ask for a vaccination card if we want them to come here vaccinated, this is also being practiced in different cities)," Villafuerte said. Villafuerte said it is important to be vaccinated, especially since the event is face-to-face. "Ang problema man gud ani (the problem is), we never know who carries the virus, labi na karun nga asymptomatic ang kadaghanan nga mogawas sa atong mga survey, sa atong mga swab (especially now that our survey and swab tests shows that most of positive cases are asymptomatic)," Villafuerte said. As of July 9, there are 155 active Covid-19 cases from 101 on July 2 in Davao City, 94 are asymptomatic and 61 are mild. Recently, Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of TF- Davao said the predicted influx of cases would only happen if Dabawenyos become complacent in following the minimum public health standards and wearing masks. Schlosser also reiterates that being vaccinated with the primary and booster doses will help shorten recovery time if ever the individual contracts the coronavirus. KSD

856 brgys in Davao declared “drug cleared”

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:39 PM PDT

A TOTAL of 856 out of 1,162 barangays in Davao Region have been declared "drug cleared," said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency- Davao. PDEA-Davao Spokesperson, Noli Dimaandal said that as of May 2022, Davao Region showing a big progress in clearing their barangay. Dimaandal said that Davao City has 67 barangays declared "drug cleared," Davao del Sur has 184, Davao del Norte has 147, Davao Oriental has 168, Davao Occidental has 97 and Davao de Oro has 193 barangays. "Pag moingon man gud kag 'drug-cleared' barangay mao ni siya ang barangay nga affected, so nag-conduct ta og Barangay Clearing Program, pag moingon ta og 'drug-free' nga barangay mao ni siya ang barangay nga has not been ever plug, so pasabot wala gyud siya'y presence ng user and pusher (If you say 'drug-cleared' barangay it's a barangay where illegal drugs were rampant and where we have conducted a Barangay Clearing Program. But if you say 'drug-free' barangay, this is a barangay that has not ever been plugged, meaning no presence of user and pusher)," Dimaandal said in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio on July 14, 2022. Dimaandal said there are still barangays that have to be cleared. "Aside from that basin karun nga month naa na pud tay barangay sa Davao City na ma-declare as 'drug-cleared' barangay kung ma-comply nila tong mga requirements nga kinahanglan (we are expecting a barangay in Davao City to be declared as 'drug-cleared' barangay if they will be able to comply the requirements)," Dimaandal said. Dimaandal encouraged barangay officials to make their barangay a 'drug-cleared' barangay. "That is their legacy if imuhang barangay is 'drug-cleared' less na gyud kaayo ang crime nga mahitabo diha sa imuhang barangay (if their barangay is 'drug-cleared' that would also mean fewer crimes in their barangay)," Dimaandal said. KSD

SPMC notes influx of patients in Emergency Dept.; Mostly non-Covid-19 cases

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:36 PM PDT

THE Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is experiencing an uptick of patients at the Emergency Department (ED), averaging 160 patients a day said SPMC Chief Dr. Ricardo Audan. In an interview with SunStar Davao on July 14, Audan said the influx of patients at the emergency room started to increase last week and even reached almost 200 patients, which is more than the current capacity of 115 beds. "Medyo na-alarm na rin kami (We were alarmed) that's why we released an announcement na kung pwede, yung mga moderate or mild, doon na lang tayo sa hospital (that if possible, moderate or mild cases can turn to the hospital and not the emergency)," Audan said, referring to the announcement on July 13 advising patients that the ED will admit critical cases only for the meantime. He clarified that the ED is accustomed to handling many patients at a time but the sudden influx as of late was unusual for them. "Ang mga cases na marami ang (Most of the cases are) pneumonia, stroke, heart attack or heart diseases and problems, kidney problems, and of course trauma cases," Audan said, clarifying that the patients are non-Covid-19-related. As an alternative, patients with non-urgent cases may turn to SPMC's clinics or online teleconsultation as the ED is inclined to cater to more serious cases. "They make use of our teleconsultation kasi doon pa lang, ma-screen na namin ang patients kung talagang bagay ba sa amin or hindi (because using the teleconsultation, we can screen the patients and determine if they need to be admitted at the ED or not) for that matter," Audan said. The SPMC Chief is hoping that the original emergency room, which is currently under renovation, can finally open next week on July 20 as its approximately 90 beds will help decongest the temporary ED stationed at the veterans ward. Audan said the ED and SPMC are working hard to cater to all patients since most of them cannot afford care and treatment from private hospitals but they are also hoping the traffic of patients will lessen soon. At the same time, the hospital chief said they are waiting for the new trauma facility in order to separate patients with trauma cases from the ED.

Road slip renders road connecting Brgys Callawa, Fatima impassable

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:34 PM PDT

THE road connecting Barangays Callawa and Dalagdag to Barangay Fatima in Paquibato District is closed indefinitely beginning July 12, 2022 due to road slip. Road slip causes great damage to a portion of the concrete pavement wherein a section of a road collapses rendering it impassable. "The probable causes of the slope failure based on our initial findings, the soil saturation caused by the continuous downpour of rain that resulted in water runoff likely weakened the bottom of the slope," Spokesperson of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao Region (DPWH-Davao) Dean Ortiz told SunStar Davao in an interview on July 14. Ortiz said DPWH-Davao observed ground movement in the area before the incident took place, particularly 150 meters in the ground, which weakens and damages the pavement due to the manifestation of cracks. "Halimbawa may cracks, tapos dinaanan pa ng tubig, there is a possibility na lalaki ang mga bitak (If there are cracks, then rain or water passes through, there is possibility that cracks worsen and become bigger)," he said. The cracks were first observed on the eve of July 9 due to persistent ground movement which is a natural occurrence, Ortiz said. He added another factor is the characteristic of the soil which ranges from clay to silty. The road will be closed until further notice since there is still an indication of another landslide. The DPWH-Davao will also conduct various tests and surveys, as well as constant monitoring in the area. "Beyond repair na yung area (The area is beyond repair) so we will request funds for the implementation of remedial measures in that section," Ortiz said. There is no timeline yet as to when the repairs will begin and finish. In the meantime, motorists are advised to take the Katualan - San Roque - Malativas Road going to and from Barangay Fatima. ICM

DOH records 12 cases of Covid-19 variants in Davao

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:32 PM PDT

THE Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on July 12, 2022 that there are 12 new cases of three Covid-19 variants of concern in the Davao Region. Ten individuals are positive with the BA.2.12.1, and one each with the BA.5 and BA.4 sub variants of coronavirus, as presented by DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire during a DOH media forum. The detection was based on the latest whole genome sequencing (WGS) results covering the period of July 7 to 11, 2022. "Sa kasalukuyan hindi pa natutukoy ang exposures (As of now the exposure is not yet determined) because of verification," Vergeire said. She added some of the cases also have mild symptoms but the majority are still being verified whether or not they have a severe case of the disease. It was also not disclosed during the media forum which provinces exactly the cases were detected from but the DOH in Davao Region (DOH-Davao) said they are already coordinating with the local government units (LGU) for investigation. "The DOH-Davao Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) is closely coordinating with the concerned LGUs for intensive case investigation, and to ensure the case management is aligned with the interim guidelines in the management of emerging variants of concern," the agency said in a statement on July 13. Nationwide, 60 new cases with the BA.5 variants were detected wherein as of July 12, 43 are tagged as recovered, 14 are undergoing isolation, and three are being verified. In total, 293 cases were detected with the BA.5 variant. BA.2.12.1 variant had 17 new cases, of which 15 are recovered and two are in isolation, for a total of 87 cases. While BA.4 had two new cases wherein both are tagged as recovered. This variant had a total of 12 cases. With this development, the DOH reminds the public to adhere to the "BIDA" minimum public health standards which include wearing the best-fitting mask, isolating when sick, double-up on protection with vaccines, and ensuring good airflow. ICM

DavOr Gov. reiterates strict enforcement of mining rules near Mt. Hamiguitan

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:30 PM PDT

GOVERNOR Corazon Malanyaon strongly reiterated her position in enforcing strict regulations of all mining activities in the province of Davao Oriental. Earlier today, during the Mining Industry Briefing with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) at the Provincial Capitol, Malanyaon asserted the Provincial Government's authority as an independent Local Government Unit over the mining operations in the province. During the briefing, Malanyaon checked the inventory of all existing mining tenements in the province and the status of mining operations and permits granted by the MGB. "Davao Oriental has never made mining a priority," she said. However, as sustainable mining is part of the national policy, it has compelled the province to assert its rights over taxes and revenue generated from it, which some mining companies have failed to comply with. "If there are no taxes and our province is being exploited, anong benepisyo sa aming mga tao? (What is the benefit to our people). I am just here to protect the interest of my people and my province," Malanyaon said. In the Governor's Inaugural Address, she specifically stated her policy on Revenue Generation. "We will intensify the collection of real property taxes. We will undertake all measures possible to collect every centavo of the extraction and permit fees on sand and gravel, aggregates, stones, and ores sourced everywhere in the province, and which tax collection will be shared with the barangays, municipalities/city. These are the only two major sources of revenue for the province; thus, extensive collection should be enforced," said the Governor. For the province to fully enforce mining regulations, Malanyaon appointed Brigadier General Leopoldo Imbang, Jr. (Ret.), who is tasked with enforcing mining regulations and environmental laws in the province. Brig. Gen. Imbang served as the Commander of the 28th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, and later became the Deputy Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. "I requested General Imbang to help me see to it that everything that is due the provincial government will be given to us, especially concerning extraction and mining fees," she said. While he would enforce the regulatory function of the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), Environment Planner Dolores Valdesco, ENRO Officer, will take charge of environmental protection, preservation, and conservation concerns. Aside from the strict enforcement of mining laws, Malanyaon also emphasized her stand not to allow mining operations within the vicinity of the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Mindanao's only Unesco World Heritage Site. She objected to any plan to expand the mining operations near Mount Hamiguitan. "This early, they [mining operators] should be warned that there should be no encroachment in the protected areas of Mount Hamiguitan," said Malanyaon, noting the province's painstaking efforts to have it inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2014 and its agreement with the Unesco to "protect the area from any intruder." MGB Regional Director Atty. Jasper Alberto Lascano assured the Governor that there are currently no mining activities near Mount Hamiguitan. He said the only area where there is active mining is in Banaybanay town, operated by the Riverbend Consolidated Mining Corporation-Arc Nickel Resources, which has just resumed operations following the lifting of the cease-and-desist order after the company complied with the required and "costly" corrective measures. Lascano further assured the Governor that the agency will fully support the province's stand and will make every effort to ensure that the province's environment and its people's interests are protected. DAVOR PIO

Proposed expanded Anti-VAWC law to cover abused men, LGBTQ+

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 07:26 PM PDT

A DAVAO-based lawmaker has filed a bill that seeks to expand Republic Act (RA) 9262 otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) Act which will also cover the male equivalent of battered and abused wives, and members of the LGBTQ+. Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Representative Margarita Ignacia "Migs" Nograles filed on July 6 House Bill (HB) 1365 or the "Expanded Violence Against Women, Partners, and their Children Act" or otherwise known as "Domestic Violence Act of 2022." Nograles told SunStar Davao in an online interview on Wednesday, July 13, the bill aims to break the norms of abuse, as men are also vulnerable to it. "The amendment of the VAWC law to make it domestic abuse law is to cater to the reality that all genders—men, women, children, and the LGBTQI+ community — are and can be victims of all kinds of abuse as provided under the current law," the neophyte lawmaker said. She added that expanding the VAWC law would be a "faster response" of protection to all kinds of abuse such as "psychological, economic, sexual, and physical abuse." "It's about time that we stop domestic abuse and give everyone equal rights and protection regardless of gender and gender preference," Nograles said. In her explanatory note, she said that men and the LGBTQ+ continue to be discriminated against by society at large "on the basis of misconception and ignorance." "More adversely, members of this community have suffered domestic violence leading to their loss of dignity without the protection of federal legislation," the official said. Nograles hailed her hometown, Davao City, for being the few local government units in the country to have begun the enactment anti-discrimination ordinances that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The city passed, in 2012, the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, which sanctions and penalizes discriminatory acts based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, and health status. Gabriela: No need for VAWC amendment Women's group Gabriela Party-list said in a statement that including men as possible victims of domestic violence "trivializes the fact that an overwhelming majority of victims of domestic violence are women." Citing the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, one in four Filipino women aged 15-49 has experienced physical, emotional, or sexual violence by their husband or partner. Gabriela said that in 2020, the number of cases of violence against women and children reported in the Philippines reached more than 11,000 "Moreover, this data is just the tip of the iceberg, considering that not all victims report their abusers due to fear of retaliation," the group said. Gabriela said there is no need to pass such a bill to protect husbands from alleged abuse from their wives as they can easily file a case for physical injury. "Domestic abuse is about power and control. Therefore, in an abusive relationship, only one person can be the aggressor. And to be called an abuser, you have to have the upper hand in terms of social and monetary capital," the partylist said. In response, Nograles, in a statement posted on her official Facebook page, defended her bill, saying that it "does not diminish the reality that women and children are domestically abused." "The Anti-VAWC law is a law existing and will still exist to protect women and children, the amendment simply makes this cater to all genders and gender preferences to remove, if not eradicate, domestic abuse being done to not only women and children, but now to include men and the LGBTQI+ community," she said. RGL

Rep. Duterte proposes law prohibiting selling of alcoholic drinks to below 21yo

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 07:23 PM PDT

DAVAO City First District Representative Paolo Duterte has proposed a law prohibiting the selling of alcoholic beverages to individuals under the age of 21 years old. Duterte, along with Representative Eric Yap, filed House Bill No. (HB) 1753 or the "Anti-Underage Drinking Act", which was released to the media on Tuesday evening, July 12. The bill, he said, prohibits the access of unqualified individuals to alcoholic beverages. The definition of "unqualified individuals", according to HB 1753, refers to ages under 21 years or years, or even those above 21 but "are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty. exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability." In the bill's explanatory note, the proponents cited the World Health Organization (WHO) study on the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol that alcohol use is the third leading risk factor for poor health globally as it causes an estimated 2.5 million deaths every year. The WHO study emphasized that deaths mostly occur among the youth. In addition, the proponents also said that the Philippines is among the member states of the WHO Resolution WHA63.13, which primarily provides for a global strategy toward improved health and social outcomes for individuals, families, and communities to considerable reduce morbidity and mortality due to harmful use of alcohol and their ensuing social consequences. Among the prohibited acts includes unqualified individuals possessing, purchasing, giving or providing alcoholic drinks. Establishments and qualified individuals who will be selling or giving drinks will also be held liable. Unqualified individuals who will be violating the bill will face the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) for counseling before being handed over to their parents or guardians for the first offense. For the second offense, they will be required to attend, together with their parents or guardians, two consecutive regular sessions of counseling by BCPC. Those who will not be attending the counseling will undergo disposition to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). For the third and subsequent offense, violators will be handed over to the DWSD with jurisdiction over the locality of the residence of the children for counseling and disposition. Establishments and those of legal age who violate the act will be slapped with a P50,000 fine or imprisonment of not more than three months. For succeeding offenses, both penalties shall apply, and the revocation of license to erring establishments. RGL

Davao City Library to open on July 15

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 07:19 PM PDT

THE Davao City Library and Information Center (DCLIC) announced that it will be opening on July 15, 2022. On July 13, 2022, DCLIC said on its Facebook page that visitors will be required to get a Library Card at P30 for a regular ID card or P100 for a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) type of ID. The IDs will have a validity of one year. Those with a regular ID will allow library users to do research inside the library but will only be allowed to use the books but not the computers. On the other hand, the visitors with PVC IDs will be given 1-hour internet access and will be allowed to borrow books and bring them outside the library. The library will be open on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. only. However, DCLIC plans to conduct a survey to determine the preferred time of library users in the city or if they should open 24/7. Earlier, Arnel Enoc, Overall Head, Mobile Library City Library & Information Center (CLIC) said clients should also download the Davao Safe QR application since it will be needed to get inside the building. Once they are inside, they will be instructed to process their ID and fill out a form. The four-storey DCLIC building will include reading areas for kids and adults, an amphitheater, an information technology center, and conference rooms. Also, CLIC will have a coffee shop on the first floor and an open-air organic garden on the rooftop. KSD

Comelec-Davao urges voters to download, print reg form

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 07:13 PM PDT

THE Commission on Election-Davao (Comelec-Davao) advised those who planned to register for the Barangay and Sangguniang Election this year to download the registration form on their own due to the lack of supply. "We encourage people also na mag-download nalang daan sa form kung naa silay facility sa ilahang balay, naa silay computer, naay printer before going to Comelec offices (to download the registration form if they have the means, if they have a computer and printer)," Lawyer Gay Enumerables, Assistant Regional Director, Comelec-Davao, said during the AFP-PNP Press Conference on July 13, 2022. She added that this is to save time and to avoid long queues in getting a registration form. Enumerables said the lack of registration supply was due to the recent National and Local election registration. "Ang forms gyud karun, kulangan gyud me due to the last registration, but our election officers naga papa-reproduce sila sa mga forms, ginapariso nila sa uban sa gawas (We are out of forms right due to the last registration for the May elections. But our election officers are reproducing it by outsourcing it)," Enumerables said. Meanwhile, Enumerables said that there are satellite registrations scheduled on July 16, 2022, Saturday at SM Ecoland for the 1st District. The 2nd District is planned to be at SM Lanang Premier while they are still looking where they can have the registration in the 3rd District. "Pero dili pud the whole time mall, naa silay schedule... didto gyud tanan like walay registration mahitabo sa opisina (But this does not mean that it will be always in the mall and if there's a satellite registration that means there's no registration in Comelec offices)," Enumerables said. Comelec reminded everyone that the registration of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan for the December 5, 2022 election is until July 23, 2022 only. KSD

Official: Davao City hospitalization low despite rise in Covid-19 cases

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 07:01 PM PDT

THE Davao City Covid-19 Task Force said on Wednesday, July 13 that the hospitalization rate remains low despite rising cases in Metro Manila. Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said during a radio interview that this is mostly because Covid-19 cases remain low and majority of patients are home isolated while some are admitted to Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF) due to the mildness of the cases. The TTMF currently has a less than ten percent occupancy rate while the admission rate at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is not alarming. "Katong sa SPMC, approximately 90 percent ang atong utilization dira (In SPMC, the utilization rate is approximately 90 percent) because it's not just Davao City patients, tanan na siya sa Davao region (it caters to anyone in Davao region)," Schlosser said. She added the situation would only cause alarm if private hospitals start to run out of available beds for patients. This follows after the Department of Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said the hospitalization rate might increase by August or September due to rising cases. As of the moment, Schlosser said the Task Force and the local government unit (LGU) of Davao are preparing for more Covid-19 facilities including constructing Covid-19 Cluster Clinics (CCC) and TTMF per district. "We are preparing for the worst all the time. Ingana man ang Davao City (That's what Davao City does), we always prepare for the worst... However, if ang atong giconstruct na TTMF (if the TTMF we are constructing) is not enough, definitely, we will reactivate our previous strategies," Schlosser said, referring to renting hotels and similar establishments to use as additional isolation facilities. The spokesperson said the predicted influx of cases would only happen if Dabawenyos become complacent in following the minimum public health standards and wearing masks. At the same time, Schlosser reiterates that being vaccinated with the primary and booster doses will help lessen recovery time if ever the individual contracts the coronavirus. As of July 9, active Covid-19 cases in Davao City increased to 155 from 101 on July 2. Of the 155 cases, 94 are asymptomatic and 61 are mild. On Wednesday, Schlosser reported 20 new cases. ICM

31 Repatriated OFWs receive financial aid

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 06:58 PM PDT

A TOTAL of 31 Overseas Filipino Workers has already received financial aid under the Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS), through the OFW Families Welfare and Crisis Center. In an interview with Byaheng DO30, Jupanie Bebillo-Simpao, Assistant Focal Person of the OFW Families Welfare and Crisis Center said that those who have availed of the P5,000 assistance are OFWs who got repatriated due to COVID-19. Simpao said that the center, located on the fifth floor of the CSWDO building, remains open to cater to OFWS who are seeking financial assistance. "Visit lang sila diri kay pag ma-interivew sila dili lang na siya diretso-diretso mi muhatag sa assistance, gina-home visit pa na nato sila kay para ma-assess gyud nato ang kinahanglan sa family so magdepende siya sa need sa family (They are welcome to visit our office for an interview. We do not directly give the assistance, we conduct home visits to really assess the need of the family, so it will depend on the need of the family)," she said. Apart from financial assistance, the center was also able to rescue four individuals through the report they received. Among these individuals, three are children, and one is an adult. Of the children, one is a 10-year-old girl who is a victim of sexual abuse, the other two are siblings who are a victims of physical abuse. CSWDO already extended intervention for these individuals. Meanwhile, the rescued adult is an OFW who is a victim of a hit and run incident in Naga City. Simpao said that the financial assistance and rescue of individuals are only among the assistance given by the center. "Gikan nagsugod ang OFW Families and Crisis Center naa nata'y mga 100 plus ka mga natabangan. Ubay-ubay napud ang atoang na-refer sa ilahang mga provinces tungod kay ang Davao City OFW Families and Crisis Center is for Davao City residents ra gyud siya so ang atong ginabuhat atong ginatawagan ang CSWDO sa mga provinces kung asa gyud sila nagpuyo (Since the OFW Families and Crisis Center started, we already extended help to 100 individuals. We also already referred many to their provinces because the Davao City OFW Families and Crisis Center is for Davao City Residents only, so we contact the CSWDO of other provinces where they reside)," Simpao added. The center, launched last May 2022, serves as a central referral hub for concerns of migrant workers. Those who want to raise their concerns may reach the OFW Crisis Center thru 0999 994 3577, or thru their landline number (082) 225 6214, email ofwcenter.davaocity@gmail.com, or message their official Facebook Page: OFW Families' Welfare and Crisis Center Davao City. CIO

Davao City to train corn farmers

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 06:56 PM PDT

THE Davao City Agriculturist Office, in a bid to further bolster the city's food production and curb dependency on external food supply and importations, will be assisting corn farmers in sowing their crops by conducting training on corn-farming technology. In an interview during the Madayaw Davao Program aired over the Davao City Disaster Radio Monday, the City Agriculturist's Office (Cagro) Head Edgardo Haspe said that the city's plans to increase food production warrant ample assistance to all farmers. The thriving corn market, which is currently attracting farmers to plant a cash crop due to its high market price, is given particular attention by the city government. The Cagro Head said that their office slated training programs and other assistance for the city's corn farmers. The Cagro chief said, "Atong makwaan ang dependence sa ubang lugar kung mapalapdan ang production sa humay ug mais dinhi sa Dabaw ... Isa sa ayuda nato kay training. Naa ta'y profiles sa atong mga farmers then we will train them para sa teknolohiya sa pagpananom og mais (We will reduce our dependence on external supply once we have expanded rice and corn production in Davao City ... One of our assistance programs comes in the form of training. We have the profiles of our farmers then we will train them in corn-farming technology)." Aside from the existing pool of corn farmers, the Cagro is currently expecting an increase in the number of corn farmers and cornfield areas in the city. The previous damage caused by the fusarium wilt disease on the city's banana plantation areas encouraged more farmers to resort to corn farming; a transition the office welcomes. "Very wide nga disease ni; dili lang dinhi sa siyudad, apil na pud ang ubang Davao regions. Naa ta'y mga areas gyud na na-igo gyud og fusarium wilt. Mao ni'y isa ka disease sa saging, labi na sa cavendish, nga dili na gyud matamnan og usab og saging for more than thirty years 'no. So ang ilang pwede himuon aning area kay dili na man pwede matamnan og saging, ila na lang I-convert 'no to cash crop (This disease was very far-reaching; not only crops in the city were hit, but also other Davao Regions. We have areas that were really hit by the fusarium wilt disease. This is a banana disease that renders the soil unsuitable for bananas. So what farmers can do since they can no longer plant bananas, they can convert their farm lands into cash crops)," he said. The land is still suitable for cash crops such as corn even after infection from the fusarium wilt disease. However, converting the banana plantations into cornfields can be particularly tricky and will require extensive assistance from the government. "Dili man delikado sa mais ang fusarium wilt so pwede gyud matamnan ... Although kasagaran sa mga farmers nato, labi na sa mga mga karaang farmers, kabalo na gyud sila mananom og mais no, though naa ta'y i-improve gamay. Of course, ang pag-prepare sa luna kay daghan man kayo na'g stumps sa saging, dapat i-prepare 'sa na una tamnan og mais (The fusarium wilt is not dangerous to corn crops so they can really grow that ... Although most of our farmers, especially among the experienced ones, they already know how to farm corn, though we need to improve some areas. Of course, preparing the land since there are a lot of banana stumps, there must be preparations before corn can be planted)," Haspe added. Cagro has already distributed Trichogramma insects to corn farmers. Trichogramma is a species of insect that is often released in farm fields to control the number of other parasitic bugs such as corn borers. The Department of Agriculture cultivates the Trichogramma in BioCon Laboratories all over the country to be distributed to farmers; the insects are then released to corn farms to regulate the number of parasites without resorting to the use of pesticides that contain dangerous chemicals. "Isa man na kay naa man tay BioCon laboratory para sa pasugpo sa Corn Borer no. Naa ta'y Trichogramma 'no gipanghatag para sa atong mga mang-uuma sa mais para sa pagsugpo sa corn borer (One of our subsidy programs comes in the form of training. We have profiles of our farmers then we will train them on corn farming technologies. That's one thing because we have a BioCon laboratory that can help in fighting corn borer. We have been giving out Trichogramma to our corn farmers to help them control corn borers)," Haspe said. As of June 2022, there are over 5, 534 corn farmers in Davao City; this number is expected to rise in the coming months. CIO
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