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DENR-XI lauds Davao City for move to ban plastic bags

DAVAO CITY- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the region (DENR-XI) lauds the City Government of Davao for its move to completely, totally and absolutely ban the use of non-biodegradable and polystyrene foam as food and beverage containers effective June 28, 2012.

The ban of these non-biodegradable containers is spelled out in Section 7, Article V of the Ordinance 0361 series of 2010 of the Davao City Ecological Waste Management of 2009.

The banning of these non-biodegradable containers will significantly reduce the City’s burden on managing wastes that are very damaging to the environment, said DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna.

“Once plastic bags or polystyrene foams are used, most of them go to the landfill or end up littering the environment. And once they become litter, they find their ways into the waterways, streets, beaches and seas,” Sampulna stated.

“Plastics and polystyrene foams clog waterways and pollute our oceans and seas too. The sad reality is since they are non-biodegradables, their decomposition takes very long years,” he added.

Sampulna recalled that during the agency’s coastal clean-up in 2011, most of the garbage were composed of plastic wrappers/containers which form part of the 17,087 kilos of garbage collected.

On the other hand, plastic wrappers/containers also made up most of the 252 sacks of garbage collected during their estero or canal clean activities.

Sampulna further said that DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje has instructed all the field offices in the country to continuously provide technical assistance to the LGUs as far as solid waste management is concerned.

With the upcoming ban on the use of plastic food containers, DENR expects to collect lesser or zero plastic food containers in their next coastal and canal clean up activities.

Davao City daily waste collection lesser by 100 tons

DAVAO CITY- The garbage collected in the city daily by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) has been reduced by as much as 100 tons (per day) with the implementation of the waste segregation ordinance.

CENRO chief Atty. Joseph Felizarta said that before the segregation police was implemented the city was collecting about 500 to 570 tons of garbage per day.

In 2011 it went down to 420 tons and in 2012 it was further reduced to 402 tons according to Felizarta. The reduction translates to savings of P37-million a year from the operating expenses of hauling garbage from collection points to the landfill.

The “No Segregation, No Collection Policy” ordinance was implemented in July 1, 2011 and is in compliance with Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act. The ordinance stipulates that only residual wastes shall only be collected by garbage collectors for disposal at the city’s landfill in New Carmen.

The CENRO chief said that based on current daily collection the modern landfill in New Carmen can take in garbage for about 10 years before it is going to be filled up. Felizarta said that about 20% of the landfill’s first layer has been filled up.

Meanwhile the CENRO will be implementing the ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags and Polystyrene (Styrofoam) food containers starting June 28. The ban is in accordance with the provisions of the Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009 or City Ordinance 0361 series of 2010 (Section 7, Article V) which only permits recyclable and biodegradable plastic bags and containers.

Felizarta said that some biodegradable plastic bags are already being sold in the market or are used by supermarkets and big department stores. He said that one major test of a biodegradable plastic is that it turns brittle when exposed to temperatures reaching 80 degrees Celsius.

He said that an additive is usually added during the manufacturing process of these plastics to make it biodegradable.

According to the ordinance, mall and shop owners who violate the provisions will face penalty ranging from P300 to P5,000 or imprisonment for about six months.

Families, community urged to help drug dependents submit to treatment

DAVAO CITY- An official of the local government-run rehabilitation center in the city has called on the help of the community, families, and other sectors to urge drug dependents to submit to treatment.

Dr. Gene L. Gulanes, manager of Davao City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Drug Dependents (DCTRCDD) raised the need of support to increase voluntary submission of drug dependents to be treated and rehabilitated at the center.

Gulanes said the number of patients admitted at DCTRCDD in Bago Oshiro, Tugbok District this city, has increased this year, “because many have volunteered to be rehabilitated.”

From last year’s 80 patients, this had increased to 96 - 55 minors and 45 adults - and are under treatment at DCTRCDD this year, he disclosed.

However, Gulanes said that the 10 percent increase of voluntary submission is still low as the city government is aiming for more drug dependents to voluntarily submit themselves for treatment, hence the call for communal effort.

Gulanes said the DCTRCDD has enough facility and personnel comprising of social workers, psychologists, nurses, house parents, and administrative workers to handle the program and care for the patients.

He said that the city government has strengthened the capability of the center with its annual budget allocation of P8 million.

The Dangerous Drugs Board has granted a P500,000 assistance to support the center, he added.

Part of the intensified treatment and rehabilitation program is the after care and follow-up program where rehabilitated patients will be monitored through visits of social workers in the community.

Gulanes said that the success rate of rehabilitated drug patients after their release from the center is 80 percent.

Davao City to complete drainage projects in 2012

DAVAO CITY- The city government of Davao is set to complete its nine drainage projects worth P54 million this year.

According to Andrew Lepardo of the City Engineer’s Office-Drainage Division, among these projects include drainage improvements in flood prone areas such as Ponciano, Quimpo Boulevard, Royal Valley, Jade Valley and Matina Pangi.

The drainage infrastructure fund is part of the P546-million Supplemental Budget I passed in 2011.

Among the large drainage projects is the P10-million improvement project in Quimpo Boulevard, a notoriously flood prone area.

Lepardo said that based on studies, the there is only one inlet in the area hence the reason for the quick build-up of water that leads to flooding. Under the drainage improvement project they adding nine more inlets plus enlarged the outflow of water, from 24 inches diameter culverts they are putting in larger culverts 48-inches in diameter. Plus in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) some of the water will flow into the Davao Gulf, in the past there was only one outflow of water that leads to the Davao River, a set-up which led to clogging of the drainage line.

Meanwhile, City Planning and Development Office head Robert Alabado said that the city needs main line or very large canals to alleviate flooding in some areas.

According to a Dutch consultant who studied Davao City’s flooding problems the city would need to install more main drains particularly in the barangays of Dumoy, Buhangin and Lizada. These main drains would then flow out to the gulf.

However Alabado said that these main drains are so expensive to build since aside from the expenses of the infrastructure, one would have to buy land and relocate people for the project to materialize.

Phivolcs: Magnitude-5 quake hits Davao Sur area; quakes rock Negros Oriental

A magnitude-5.0 quake rocked the Davao del Sur area in Mindanao before dawn Sunday, but there was no initial report of damage or casualty.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the predawn quake was tectonic in origin, and was recorded at 2:43 a.m.

In its bulletin, it said the epicenter was 90 km northeast of Sarangani in Davao Del Sur.

Phivolcs did not immediately cite specific areas where the quake was felt.

No damage or aftershock was expected from the quake, it added.

Quakes in Negros Oriental

Meanwhile, Phivolcs recorded at least seven quakes that rocked the Negros Oriental area since Friday night.

The latest quake was recorded at 1:54 a.m. Sunday, with the epicenter at 3 km southwest of Ayungon town in Negros Oriental.

Phivolcs said the quake was measured at magnitude 3.3.

Also on Sunday, a magnitude-2.9 quake hit the province at 12:25 a.m., with the epicenter at 9 km northwest of La Libertad town.

Earlier quakes that rocked the province on Friday and Saturday included:

- May 4, 9:26 a.m., magnitude 1.9, 12 km east of Canlaon City.

- May 5, 5:44 a.m., magnitude 3.4, 8 km southeast of Mabinay, Negros Oriental.

- May 5, 4:45 p.m., magnitude 3.8, 8 km southwest of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

- May 5, 4:54 p.m., magnitude 2.6, 5 km northwest of La Libertad.

- May 5, 5:45 p.m., magnitude 2.9, 15 km northwest of Bais City.

Taiwan firm needs 75 technical assistants

DAVAO CITY– The Taiwan-based Inotera Memories, Inc. is in urgent need of 75 technical assistants, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration announced.

The firm is engaged in the manufacture, development and distribution of wafers.

Maria Carolina B. Agdamag, chief of POEA regional center for Mindanao, said the hiring is under the agency’s Special Hiring Program for Taiwan (SHPT).

Agdamag said the position offers a monthly salary of NT$18,780.

The company needs 40 males and 35 females, 25-35 years old and 20-30 yrs. old, respectively.

Qualifications for male applicants are: vocational or college graduate or above, major in engineering, preferably mechanical and electrical background.

Female applicants must be graduate of four-year course, and must be 150 cm in height and 40 kg and above in weight.

The hired male technical assistants will be assigned in maintenance and repair of wafer machine, while the female workers will operate machine and move materials of semi conductor.

POEA said the hiring company could also consider college level applicants provided that they have work experience related to motor and machinery and with experience in semi-conductors.

The qualified applicants are required to personally submit a detailed resume with job description, school credentials, employment certificates, passport copy and two pieces 2x2 recent picture at the Manpower Registry Division, Window M, ground floor, Blas F. Ople Bldg., Ortigas Ave. corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

Applicants could also register online at www.poea.gov.ph or www.eregister.poea.gov.ph.

The deadline of submission of the documents is set on May 23, 2012.

POEA further announced that representatives from Inotera Memories, Inc. are scheduled to conduct written examination and interview on June 2012.

Army honors wounded soldiers

DAVAO CITY- Wounded soldiers who survived the atrocities perpetrated by the Organized Crime Group-New People’s Army OCG-NPA), were given due recognition by the 10th Infantry Division at Camp Panacan Station Hospital on Tuesday (May 1).

As part of the Labor Day Celebration, 10 Wounded Personnel Medals were pinned by 10ID Commander Brig. Gen. Ariel B. Bernardo to seven soldiers from the 71st Infantry Battalion, two soldiers from the 84th Infantry Battalion and one CAFGU member from the 72nd Infantry Battalion.

The awardees were cited for their gallantry and dedication to the service against the members of the OCG-NPA.

The soldiers and the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit-Active Auxiliary (CAA) will receive cash and more medical assistance from the Philippine Army.

BGen. Bernardo expressed his pride of the soldiers and emphasized the importance of caring for the soldiers’ welfare.

“I am proud of our soldiers for showing high degree of discipline and dedication which prevented the criminals from doing more harm to the people,” he said.

Moreover, he said that every soldier is important and the army has been implementing several policies that cater to their needs. These awards will motivate more soldiers to continue serving the country through peace and development outreach programs. The soldiers who were killed in action will also receive the same benefits and awards.

The soldiers were wounded due to the use of landmines by the OCG-NPA, which is banned under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New people's Army (NPA), National Democratic Front (NDF), and the Government of the Philippines.

BFAR nat’l fisherfolk director hails from Davao

This year’s national fisher folk director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is from the Davao Region.

Fisher folk leader Natividad C. Gunayan, 62 years of age, resident of Nasa Village, Poblacion Lupon in Davao Oriental has been chosen to take the place of BFAR national Director Atty. Asis G. Perez, for one month in line with the observance of the month of May as the “Farmers and Fisher folks Month.”

BFAR XI Regional Director Fatma Idris Tuesday revealed Gunayan as the second woman fisher folk leader chosen by colleagues to sit as the national fisherfolk director.

“This shows that we are empowering women to take hold of positions usually held by men,” she said.

In a separate interview, Gunayan looked at her present position as an opportunity to push forward the welfare of fisher folks as well as to find ways to assist women on fishing, to find alternative livelihood.

“Gibati nako nga dako ko ug kaakuhan o responsibilidad nga mapalambo ang panginabuhi sa mga mangingisda. (I feel that I bear great responsibility to improve the lives of my fellow fisherfolks.),” she said.

In her one-month stint as the national fisherfolk director of BFAR, Gunayan lines up a three-pronged agenda geared towards addressing coastal environment issues, poverty situation of fisherfolks and strengthening BFAR in general.

On top of her agenda is to drum up calls to elevate BFAR into a department as the “Philippines is the only country in Asia where a government agency on fisheries is a bureau only.”

As such campaign has been there since 2005, the fisher folk sector will be bringing a position paper on the conversion of BFAR into a Department of Fisheries to the Senate, and that it is eyeing the support of senators Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel and Antonio Trillanes IV.

Under her stewardship as the national fisheries director, the fisherfolk sector will also be working for the inclusion of the fisher folks as beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“Daghang mga fisherfolks ang wala naapil sa lista sa mga makadawat sa 4Ps. (There are a number of fisherfolks who have not been included as recipients of 4Ps.),” she said.

Along this line, she noted that some have yet to fully grasp the meaning of fisher folks which, she said, refers not only to those catching fish but also to any man and woman involved in the small fishing industry such as fish vendors and fish processors.

During her term, she will also be pushing for intensive coastal protection through massive planting of mangroves.

This runs in line with the thrust of BFAR which is granting an incentive to fisher folks who would want to actively engage in mangrove planting by giving them P3 for each planted mangrove propagule and additional P2 for each grown mangrove.

Meanwhile, Gunayan has also seen the need to assist fisherfolk women in search of alternative livelihood to support their espouses.

“May mga training na sila pero wala silang puhunan. (They already have undergone training but they don’t have the capital)” she said. She also would want women to learn “the values” to sustain their venture, and to stick with their groups’ desire to collectively prosper.

“Di man pwede pa-isa isa lang ang molambo, kay para man kini sa tanan. (Their progress has to collective not individualistic.),” she said referring to government assistance which is usually granted to groups of beneficiaries.

Sta. Cruz flashflood brings P500,000-worth of damage to houses, infra

DAVAO CITY- The flashflood that occurred in a barangay of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur on April 26 has brought damage to houses and infrastructures that amounted to P500,000.

Some 15 houses in Barangay Zone 4 were totally destroyed, while six including two boarding houses were partially damaged, affecting 27 families with 136 individuals including 42 boarders who are working in private companies situated in said barangay.

The flashflood that happened along Pilan River in said barangay due to incessant heavy rainfall on Thursday evening from around 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm also impaired a hanging bridge connecting Barangays Zone 3 and Zone 4.

No casualty nor injury was reported.

Adelaida Badilla, secretariat head of Sta. Cruz Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), reported that the total damage cost to houses and personal belongings of the affected families reached to P300,000.

The cost of damage to the hanging bridge was estimated at P200,000, said Badilla who is also the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of said town.

She said most of the affected families are being housed at the evacuation center at Agripina Elementary School, while the rest are staying with relatives.

In her MDRRMO report as of Sunday (April 29), Badilla said the local government unit of Sta. Cruz has extended food assistance such as hot meals through its community kitchen and five sacks of rice.

The Philippine Red Cross has donated two packs of used clothing, kitchen wares and noodles.

Members of the 39th Infantry Battalion and 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, together with the officials of the municipal and barangay LGUs have done immediate rescue operation and transfer of victims to the evacuation centers.

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