Davao City News May 2017

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Davao City - Archived News

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The Seal of Davao City
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Davao City Map Locator
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Map of Davao City
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Davao City Hall
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Davao City Montage

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.



Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Davao City Aerial View
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Entrance to Davao City
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Nat'l Hwy Through Davao City
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Davao City Victoria Mall
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Old Davao City Airport
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Current Davao City Airport
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Mangrove forests are critical for the stability of coastal areas and the sustainability of fish and marine resources which provide food and livelihood to people in more than 800 coastal towns in the Philippines. USAID, through the Philippine Environmental Governance Project, assisted the local government (Davao City) in establishing, through a local ordinance, the mangrove area as a marine protected area.
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USAID, through the Philippine Environmental Governance Project, assisted the local government (Davao City) in establishing, through a local ordinance, the mangrove area as a marine protected area. A crucial part in effective coastal resources management is law enforcement with Bantay Dagat teams playing a crucial role by safeguarding local waters. In Davao City Philippines, Bantay Dagat members protect mangrove areas from illegal cutting, thus conserving areas for fisheries and marine biodiversity habitats.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

P150-M budget for DOST halal program in Davao Region

By Jennie P. Arado

A P150-MILLION budget proposal for this year for the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Davao Region Integrated Halal Program, which is in partnership with three state universities in Mindanao, is expected to be approved by June.

According to DOST-Davao Regional Director Anthony Sales, the three-year program is a mandate under the Halal Law, which was promulgated in 2015. Components under this program include research and development, testing, human resource development, and technology transfer.

“Under that law, DOST should conduct research and development, help in the development of Halal science and technology experts, help with the transfer of halal-compliant technologies, and to assist in the testing of products and materials whether it is halal or haram,” Sales said.

The proposal was submitted to DOST-Philippine Council for Industry Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and once approved by June, Sales said they will immediately start with the implementation of the program.

The research and development component will be done with the DOST partner schools, Central Mindanao University, University of Southern Mindanao, and the Sultan Kudarat State University.

“We should be able to develop new processing technologies, new products that are halal-compliant and those that can be transferred to the private sectors for commercialization,” Sales said.

He added the program targets to develop halal alternatives for the different existing products in the market such as gelatins, which they are now trying to develop using fish like tuna and bangus.

“The techno transfer component will be done by the DOST. We will be the one to transfer the developed technology. The human resource will be for the Science Education Institute. What we want is to develop curriculum or courses on halal Science and Technology,” said Sales.

He added they target to incorporate halal-concentrated curriculum and courses for high school, senior high schools, and college students for the country to be able to produce scientists specializing in halal and to be able to compete with other countries in terms of human resources especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region.

Sales said they had already been sending their staff to Thailand where the Halal Science Center is. Thailand’s Halal Science Center specializes on trainings and halal product and services development including but not limited to pharmaceuticals, food, and logistics.

“If we have our own pool of halal scientists, the better. We can also enhance our research and development, our techno transfer, and our economic activities if we have experts on Halal,” Sales said.

Resort-inspired living at VerdonParc

By Nelson C. Bagaforo

THE blessing and inauguration recently of VerdonParc's clubhhouse and amenities have proven what DMCI Homes is all about, the country's first Quadruple A builder that promotes a resort-inspired environment that perfectly blends with the community.

The four-tower VerdonParc, strategically located in a three-hectare property at the corner of Ecoland Drive and Peacock and Melate Streets in Ecoland, Matina. Davao City, is the maiden development project of DMCI Builder in Mindanao.

The inauguration of the project's first-rate amenities and modern clubhouse immediately followed after the turnover of units to the first batch of homeowners with the on-time completion of VerdonParc's first building Martel. At least 40 families are now occupying the 10-storey first building.

Martel, consisting of 170 units of one and two-bedroom offerings, is just one of the four residential buildings to rise in the area. VerdonParc features three other towers -- Belvedere, Trevans, and Maurin -- which will have sky lounges designed to provide a setting that perfectly blends with the city's tropical environment, panoramic views, and captivating shoreline. DMCI Homes president Alfredo R. Austria told reporters during the event that they intend to complete the development project by October 2021.

True to its commitment to bring nature's panorama at one's doorstep, VerdonParc has allotted one hectare of lush greeneries and first-class amenities creating a haven of relaxation and comfort for homeowners. And with the unveiling of the clubhouse and amenities, the residents can now indulge anytime in VerdonParc’s fitness facilities, entertainment and game rooms, play areas and leisure zones.

The three towers also come with DMCI Homes’ proprietary Lumiventt design as well as three-story high sky patios to enhance natural lighting and ventilation.

VerdonParc's strategic location also provides convenience to its residents by giving easy access to various commercial establishments, government agencies, churches, educational institutions among others.

Austria said VerdonParc is one of the developments of DMCI Homes known for building quality resort-inspired communities in Mega Manila, Baguio City, Boracay and Davao City.

Built with world-standard craftsmanship borne from D.M. Consunji Inc.'s over 60 years of expertise in the construction and development industry, DMCI Homes continues to uphold its thrust of providing quality homes at best value on or ahead of time.

Davao girls shine at Intel Fair in LA

By Liberato F. Ramos

THEY proved that the acacia bark extract is an effective organic insecticide against the adult black rice bug. For this outstanding science investigatory project, Rubeliene Chezka Gloria, Myrelle Angela Colas and Nadine Antonette Obafial of the Davao City National High School brought home the second grand award of US$1,5000 in the plant sciences from the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in Los Angeles, California on May 14 to 19, 2017.

The trio will be in Grade 10 when schools open in June. They will have the next three years until they graduate from senior high school to hone their research skills with new projects that can be of great benefit to the country.

They brought honor and pride to their school and country, and they also earned a place in the galaxy. Their names will be given to three asteroids discovered by the MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Near Earth Asteroid Research Program (LINEAR).

The Fernandez, Colas and Obafial asteroids will join the main-belt asteroids previously named after Filipinos under that program: 28439 Miguel Reyes, 11697 Estrella, 12088 Macalintal, 12522 Rara and 13241 Biyo. The first was named after Miguel Arnold Reyes, a grand awardee for his materials and bioengineering project in the 2011 ISEF. The other three were those of awardees in the 2002 ISEF: Allan Noriel Estrella and Jeric Valles Macalintal for their physics team project, Prem Vilas Rara for his microbiology study, and Dr. Josette Biyo for excellence in teaching.

The Davao team was part of this year’s ISEF Team Philippines, which included Ricky Dave Mercado of Nabuslot National High School, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro and Maries Ann Silvestre of Juan R. Liwag Memorial High School, Gapan, Nueva Ecija. ISEF Team Philippines was consolidated from among the top winners in the life and physical sciences competition in the National Science and Technology Fair of the Department of Education held in Tagaytay City in December 2016.

The Davao girls extracted their potential insecticide from chipped-off acacia bark. They set up experimental houses with rice plants and black rice bugs. They tested varying concentrations of acacia extract on the bugs for one week to determine which is more effective in killing them. Their coach is Julius Centina.

Mercado examined the morphology of agricultural wastes—coconut husk, banana pseudo-stem and sugarcane husk—and he found that coconut husk fibers, which have more diverse microporous cells, have better noise and hear reduction properties. He competed in the environmental engineering category.

Silvestre investigated the neuro-protective potential of coconut leaf extract using a transgenic worm in a search of a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease and Inclusion Body Myositis. The study competed in biochemistry.

The Department of Education is looking at the victory of the young scientists from Davao National High School as an inspiration for the students who will pursue their science research plans as soon as the schools open in June.

This year, around 1,800 finalists from 78 countries, regions and territories were in the ISEF in Los Angeles to vie for grand prizes in twenty categories. From the best of each category, the three ‘bests of the best’ went home with the Dudley E. Moore award of $75,000 and the two runners-up, Intel Foundation Young Scientist awardees, winning $50,000 each.

Top winner Ivo Zell from Germany got the Moore award for his design of a small flying wing based on a bell-shaped lift distribution. Runner-ups Amber Young from Florida worked on a technique to predict the orbits of space junk circling the earth, and Valerio Pagliarino from Italy addressed how to get internet service to remote areas by using lasers to transmit signals between large high-voltage power transmission towers.

Davao City investments grow by 300% in 2016

By Jennie P. Arado

Investments in Davao City grew to nearly 300 percent to P4.8 billion in 2016 from the P1.5 billion in 2015 according to the data provided by the Board of Investments (BOI)-Davao Extension Office (DEO).

Real estate developments were the major investments put up in the city for 2016 with Phinma Property Holdings Corporation’s Arezzo Place Davao having the highest investment at P1.395 billion, followed by Prestige Homes and Realty Development Corporation going more than P624 million with the development of economic and low-cost housing project of Granville Subdivision in Talomo District.

Other major investments made last year also include the exportation and production of packaging products in Calinan, Davao City by AVLB Asia Pacific Conglomerate Inc., which invested a total of P500 million last year. Kennemer Foods International Inc., exporter and producer of fermented cacao beans, invested around P51.604 million.

A P508-million investment was also made by PNX Chelsea Shipping Corporation for their Oil Tanker–MT Chelsea Dominance, domestic shipping operator.

Other investors include Damosa Land Inc. (P596.592 million), Grupo San Pedro Realty Corporation (P372.10 million), Urbaneast Developments Inc. (P157.887 million), and FTC Group of Companies Corporation (P540.97 million).

In 2015, the biggest investment recorded in Davao City was the GoHotels Davao, Inc. at more than P338.76 million.

It was then followed by Johndorf Ventures Corporation low-cost mass housing project Portville – Davao Subdivision at P322.84 million at Davao Joyful Homes Realty Corporation at P276.62 million.

Though same data shows that investments in Davao City from 2015 until present are mostly composed of real estate and infrastructure development and constructions, in 2015 there was also the arrival of business process outsourcing (BPO) companies such as Cybercity Teleservices (Phils.) Inc. at Sobrecarey St., with a total investment of P118.66 million in 2015.

Filsure Enterprise Corp., which is into the marketing of liquefied petroleum gas and particularly investment in storage, marketing, and distribution had a total investment of P154.10 million in 2015.

Other investors for 2015 include Mountain Haven Development, Inc. (P142 million), Filinvest Land, Inc. (P159.796 million), and 8990 Housing Development Corporation (P85.241 million).

The arrival of foreign investors in the city by 2016 had also become more evident as business partly owned by British, Chinese, American, and Canadian businessmen started to emerge in the city as well.

BOI: P2.5B investments recorded in Davao City

By Jennie P. Arado

TOTAL investments in Davao City for the first quarter of 2017 reached up to more than P2.5 billion with Camella Davao horizontal housing project of Communities Davao, Inc. in Buhangin having the biggest investment as per data provided by the Bureau of Investments (BOI).

Reaching a total cost of P1.047 million, the economic and low-cost horizontal housing project at Communal village, Buhangin District of Camella Davao has topped over the investment of other developments and businesses made for the first quarter 2017. This residential development of Camella Davao has around 1,051 units. The investment also employed more than 280 employees.

Also, for the first quarter, majority of the top investments made were in the real estate and agribusiness industries.

Real estate investments recorded in the first quarter are two projects under Prestige Homes and Realty Development Corporation for the expansion of Granville II and Granville III horizontal residential development (P600 million) and Filinvest Land, Inc.’s economic and low-cost housing development of 2 residential buildings, with 374 units (P400 million).

There were two agricultural investments recorded in the first quarter of this year.

Ahya Coco Organic Food Manufacturing Corporation invested P400,000 for the export and production of processed coconut products while Tierra Agri Technologies, Inc. invested P76 million for the production of controlled inorganic fertilizer.

In total, these investments provided employment for 1,870 employees with the expansion of the housing project in Granville III subdivision by Prestige Homes and Realty Development Corporation having the most employed workers at 519.

Most of these companies are completely owned by Filipinos with some partially owned by foreign partners including Malaysian and Singaporean.

Japanese retail brand opens store in Davao City

(PIA/RG Alama)

DAVAO CITY (PIA)- Top Japanese fashion retail brand Uniqlo will open its first store in Davao City at SM Lanang Premiere this Friday (May 26).

The store opened its doors today for a special preview (May 24) to about a hundred selected shoppers mostly members of the media, bloggers, social media influencers and VIPs.

Uniqlo Philippines chief operating officer Katsumi Kubota said the opening is in time for the 5th year anniversary of the brand’s presence in the Philippines.

The fashion brand will open two more branches in SM City Davao located in Ecoland this June 2 and in SM Cagayan de Oro by the end of June.

The SM Lanang branch is the 37th branch in the country. Combined the stores in the Philippines has about 3,000 square meters of retail space.

Kubota said the three stores in Mindanao will have 100 local personnel. It will also offer the same clothes and accessories sold in its other stores.

“We recognize the economic growth of the region, we are very excited as we are looking forward to bringing our high-quality and innovative LifeWear pieces closer to Dabawenyos.” Kubota said.

The brand is known for its LifeWear; innovative, high-quality clothing clothing following the Japanese principles of simplicity, quality and longevity.

The opening of the stores in Mindanao comes in the heels of the martial law declaration by President Rodrigo Duterte across Mindanao.

Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta of the first district of Davao City and a guest of the store’s special preview said the opening of the store means that the current situation more or less is business as usual but with heightened security measures.

Mindanao Children's Games kicks off May 25 in Davao City

By Jean T. Malanum (PNA)

MANILA, May 24 — All is set for the staging of the Mindanao Children's Games that will kick off at the Rizal Park in Davao City on Thursday.

William Ramirez, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which is organizing the three-day tournament, was in Davao City on Wednesday for the Barangay Sports Education Lecture Series.

“Maguban ta karon, magsama-sama tayo (Let's get together),” Ramirez said before the one-day seminar where he also announced the opening of the Mindanao Children's Games that will be held until May 27.

“This (Mindanao Children's Games) aims not only to encourage interest in sports for health but also to foster peace,” said Ramirez, referring to the project under the PSC's Sport for Peace program.

Ramirez said that crafting and implementing a sustainable and effective grassroots program nationwide is not an easy thing to do, “but together we can achieve something”.

He called on all barangay leaders who attended the seminar to share with their constituents what they have learned.

After Davao City, the Mindanao Children’s Games will be staged in the Cordilleras, Visayas and other conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

Some 30 barangays will compete in the 3x3 basketball for boys, volleyball for girls and 'Larong Pinoy' games.

Meanwhile, during a press conference Wednesday, Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte confirmed the heightened security measures for the city but affirmed that the Mindanao Children’s Games will push through. She also reminded that all activities should be limited only in mornings and early afternoons.

Davao school dominates 2017 LET exam for secondary level

By Alexander Lopez (PNA)

DAVAO CITY – Examinees from the University of Mindanao in Davao City (UM-Davao) dominated the top 10 in this year’s Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in the secondary level.

Seven of the top 10 successful examinees for LET secondary level exam this year are from the University of Mindanao (six from UM-Davao City and one from UM-Digos City in Davao del Sur).

Marian Kaye Fortinez Gallego of UM-Davao City topped this year’s LET secondary exam with a 92.80 percent rating.

Landing in number 5 slot is Gerlie Tampos Albia from UM-Digos City with 91.40 percent rating; two examinees tied for number 6 post – Rosa Mae Asaytona Salazar and Chrestine Bariquit Torrejos, both from UM-Davao City, who got 91.20 rating; and examinee Leslae Kay Cataytay Mantilla of UM-Davao City in number 7 with 91.00 percent rating.

Two more UM-Davao City examinees landed in the top 10 of this year’s LET secondary level exam: Kristine Clarrisse Cabante Planas at number 8 with 90.60 rating and Mark John Tayong Pepito at number 9 with 90.40 rating.

Meanwhile, in this year’s LET examination in elementary level, two more examinees from Davao City landed in the top 10.

Tied at number 7 are examinees Kathleen Crystyl Noquiao Longakit of Holy Cross of Davao College and Jamaika Ann Sarigumba Serra of University of Southeastern Philippines-Davao City, who both got a rating of 88.00 percent.

The LET for 2017 was conducted last March by the Board of Professional Teachers of the Philippine Regulatory Commission.

DSWD to launch film making competition in Davao

By Lilian C. Mellejor (PNA)

DAVAO CITY, May 21 (PNA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI will launch on Monday a film competition that will feature its various program and different rehabilitation centers in Davao region.

DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat said the film making competition aims to advocate DSWD programs as well as support young film enthusiasts and professionals to further enhance their craft and creativity. This will also be a venue to showcase their talents through short but catchy films, she said.

Among the programs that can be featured, Jabagat said, are the Kalahi-CIDSS, Pantawid Pamilya, Sustainable Livelihood, Social Pension, Legal Adoption, Supplementary Feeding, Licensing and Accreditation of Social Welfare NGOs, Reception and Study Center for Children, Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth, Home for the Aged, Home for Girls and Women, among others.

All entries should depict the theme for the competition: “DSWD: May Malasakit”. Jabagat said the films will be showcased in the first Film Festival of DSWD XI.

Jabagat said the contest is open to all amateur and professional videographers.

Up for grabs are the PHP40,000 for the grand winner; PHP25,000 for the second runner-up; PHP15,000 for the third runner-up; and, four more winners will receive PHP5,000 each plus plaque.

”We are inviting all film enthusiasts, students, hobbyists to join the first-ever DSWD Region XI Film Festival,” Jabagat said.

The entry forms are available at the Social Marketing Unit, DSWD Regional Office, Davao City. Submission of entry forms starts on May 22, 2017 and runs until May 31, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. Deadline of submission of video entries is July 3, 2017.

DSWD is the primary government agency mandated to develop, implement, and coordinate social protection and poverty-reduction solutions for and with the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged.

UN firm tests cellphones for real-time crop forecasting

By Alexander Lopez (PNA)

DAVAO CITY, May 21 (PNA) — An international organization is currently working with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to test crowdsourcing using cellular phones to enhance real-time crop forecasting in the country.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said the exercise is focusing on the possibility that farmers, through cellular phones, could improve the speed and reliability of crop production forecasts.

“The project is assessing the potential of SMS-based crowdsourcing technologies to strengthen agricultural market information systems,” FAO representative in the Philippines Jose Luis Fernandez said in a press statement Sunday.

He added that timely crop forecasts are vital in addressing food price volatility, which has strong implications for the economy and is very closely tied to issues such as hunger and poverty.

Crowdsourcing, he said, is a method of gathering information or resources from a crowd of people through the use of technological platforms, offers vast opportunities to improve the flow of information but has been largely untapped by the agriculture sector.

“As an agricultural country where mobile technologies have deeply penetrated even the most remote areas, FAO sees the Philippines as an ideal location to test how effectively farm-level, real-time information could be collected through SMS or text messaging,” he added.

The information would then aid the preparation of crop production forecasts that can serve as a basis for planning and policymaking, he said.

FAO also reported that around 300 rice farmers in Pampanga are currently part of a control group that is sending text messages containing real-time information on standing crops, production area and volume, and other growing conditions such as irrigation.

PSA serves as consolidator and processor of gathered data using a computerized Crowdsourcing Data Collection and Quality Control System (CrowdSS) that automatically computes the quarterly rice forecast, FAO added.

In the same statement, PSA said that the study is going well while participating farmers are equally enthusiastic in this new method of data gathering.

“The potential of this project is very promising as it gives a glimpse of how modern statistics can facilitate the exchange of reliable, relevant and accurate information with anyone through every means possible,” said Vallesteros, Supervising Statistical Specialist of PSA.

Vallesteros added that the testing phase for palay [paddy rice] production is expected to conclude in June 2017, and will provide adequate information on the feasibility and cost-benefit ratio of using crowdsourcing in agriculture.

FAO and PSA are hoping to find the system to work and prove to be the solution to increase access to adequate information that can help avoid breakdowns in the food value chain.

“The result of this exercise will not only help the Philippines but also other countries that are seeking to find new ways of enhancing their forecasting processes,” FAO’s Fernández added.

The ongoing project is part of a larger multi-country FAO program funded by the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation entitled “Strengthening Agricultural Market Information Systems globally and in selected countries using innovative methods and digital technology.”

OWWA announces scholarship grant

By RG Alama (PIA)

DAVAO CITY May 19 (PIA) - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is opening slots for its Education for Development Scholarship Project.

The EDSP is a scholarship program that offers financial assistance to qualified dependents of active OWWA members who shall enroll or is currently enrolled in any four-year of five-year baccalaureate course.

A financial assistance of P60,000 per year shall be provided to the scholar.

Eligible applicants to the EDSP must be a child of an active OWWA member or sibling of a single or childless of an active OWWA member.

For incoming freshmen they must be; single, not more than 21 years old, A grade 12 graduating student with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 80% or belonging to the top 20% of the graduating class and belonging to the top 400 qualifiers of the Department of Science and Technology national qualifying examination.

For those who are already enrolled in the 4th and 5th year in college, they must be singe and not more than 30 years old. With a GWA not lower than B letter grade or 85% equivalence in all academic and non-academic subjects during the last school year attended in full load.

Applicants shall submit the following documents to the regional welfare office.

Accomplished EDSP application form, two copies of 2x2 photos, birth certificate authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority, medical certificate from authorized government physician, certificate of good moral character, Form 137 for incoming freshmen students or transcript of records or certificate of grades for those already enrolled in college (2nd year college and above) and certification from the principal that the applicant has a 80 GWA and is top 20% of the graduating class (for first year college applicants).

The acceptance of applications for school year 2017-2018 starts this June.

Power firm inks MOA with host villages for river protection

By Alexander Lopez (PNA)

DAVAO CITY – Therma South, Inc. (TSI), a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with its host communities for the protection of river systems and creeks in barangays Binugao and Toril in Davao City and Inawayan in Sta. Cruz town, Davao del Sur.

The MOA will pave the way for the full implementation of the “Adopt an Estero/Waterbody Program” of TSI in the area.

Bodies of water to be adopted in the communities include the Inawayan River and the Macaraing Creek in Binugao.

The signing of the agreement Tuesday afternoon was led by Engr. Valentin Saludes III, vice president and plant manager of TSI, together with the representatives of barangays Binugao and Inawayan.

The ceremony was also witnessed by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao region and the officers and staff of TSI and AboitizPower.

“The program will not only focus on the protection of the river systems and creeks in our host communities. This is also a manifestation of our continued support to our partner communities,” said Jason Magnaye, manager of the Reputation and Stakeholder Management (RSM) of TSI prior to the signing ceremony.

TSI sits in a 75-hectare land, a portion of which is situated in Binugao, which is part of Davao City, and the other in Inawayan in Sta. Cruz.

For his part, TSI plant manager Saludes expressed gratitude to the host communities for helping the company in its environmental programs.

“We want to ensure that our river systems and creeks are clean because water is life. This is for our children and the future generation,” Saludes pointed out.

He also emphasized that TSI’s programs for the environment are not only for the purpose of compliance to government regulations but a responsibility of the company to ensure that the surrounding waters in the area are potable for everyone.

Under the agreement, TSI is tasked to take the lead in clean-up drives in the adopted river and creek and to pursue information education campaigns on the importance of riverbank stabilization and river protection.

TSI will also provide assistance in funding for the protection efforts of the river and creek in the community and supply the necessary equipment to ensure that geo-tagging is undertaken in every activity of the parties.

The host communities will take the lead in the mobilization of residents in every clean-up and river enhancement activities, the MOA said.

The local officials are also tasked to coordinate with the landowners near the river and creek, especially in the taking care of planted trees.

The MOA also emphasized that local governments of Inawayan and Binugao must ensure of the enactment of an ordinance that will strengthen solid waste management policies within their areas of jurisdiction.

Davao City bags “Tourism Hub” award

By Lovely Carillo (PNA)

DAVAO CITY, May 17 – Davao City added another feather on its cap after bagging the “Tourism Hub Award.”

“The Tourism Hub Award” is given to a city with programs that does not only attract tourists but also make them feel safe,” Marco Polo Davao general manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin said.

The award was given during the Manila Times Philippine Model Cities Forum and Awards at the new World Manila Bay Hotel in Manila last week.

Wurgler-Cronin, who received the award in Manila on behalf of Davao City, on Wednesday turned over the award to city administrator Atty. Zuleika Lopez.

She said Davao does not only have many tourist attractions, but is also "widely recognized for its effective law enforcement programs that keep locals and visitors feel safe."

“The award would not have been possible without the effective leadership in the city,” she said.

Lopez commended the various departments in the city for its role in the preparation of documentation and other requirements necessary for the award, including the City Information Office and the City Planning and Development Office.

Several cities received awards during the said event, including Bacolod City, which was named the Top Model City. The other winners are Sta. Rosa City for Safe Haven Award for peace and order, Batangas City for Environment Friendly Award, San Fernando City, Pampanga for Business Friendly Award, Tagaytay City for Retirement Haven Award and Paranaque City for Education Hub Award.

Quezon City was recognized for its Programs for Youth Development and Empowerment, while Zamboanga City was recognized for its Programs for Health and Elderly. These cities also received awards: Naga City for Livelihood and Employment Haven Award, General Santos City for Road Home Award and Laoag City for Emergency and Disaster Management Award

Dante Francis Ang, The Manila Times president and chief executive officer, said the awards “aim to recognize effective and innovative local governance that improves the quality of life, make local business environments friendlier, and overall makes this country a great place to live.”

5,000 join launching of 'Brigada Eskwela' in Davao City

By Lilian C. Mellejor (PNA)

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – Over 5,000 students, parents and representatives from the government and the private sector joined the launching of the 2017 "Brigada Eskwela" at the Calinan Senior High School in Calinan District here yesterday.

Led by Education Undersecretary for Finance Victoria Catibog, the six-day Brigada Eskwela kicked off in public elementary and secondary or high schools across the country in preparation for the opening of classes in June.

Jenielito Atillo, Department of Education (DepEd) XI spokesperson, said the launching of Brigada Eskwela at the Calinan Senior High School also aims to convey the message that senior high school has taken off nationwide.

This year marks the full implementation of the K-12 system because there are already entrants to Grade 12, he said.

There are 297 public schools and 189 private institutions offering senior high school curriculum in the region, with Atillo saying the number is expected to increase given the number of applications pending for DepEd’s approval.

Atillo said there are 66,986 senior high school students in the Davao Region.

With this year’s theme, "Isang DepEd, Isang Pamayanan, Isang Bayanihan Para sa Handa at Ligtas na Paaralan," Usec. Catibog underscored the efforts and resources pooled from all sectors.

She said the cooperation of the whole community is for the sake of the children.

“This is not simply (about) attendance but the message here is we are preparing the school for the future of the children. I think the private sector also touches the hearts of everyone that we are doing this for we value education," Atillo said.

Atillo pointed out that children, parents and other stakeholders sacrificed their time, talent and skills even just for a few minutes.

Brigada Eskwela, or the national schools' maintenance week, aims to bring together all education stakeholders to participate and contribute their time, effort and resources to prepare public school facilities in time for the opening of the new school year.

Bagobo Tagabawa tribe develop ancestral land

By Jennie P. Arado

MEMBERS of the Bagobo Tagabawa tribe in the 10 sitios in Sibulan, Toril in Davao City are working together for the development of their 350-hectare ancestral land plantation specializing in cacaos and coffees among other crops.

“We also plant other crops but for now, we target plantation for organic cacaos and coffee. We had our first batch of harvest of cacaos but we still continue planting. When we planted it, we made sure we did not use synthetics and for fertilizers, we only use those from our compost,” Datu Hernan Ambe, their tribal chieftain said in the vernacular.

Ambe said, in this agricultural project, they had been assisted by Foundation for Agrarian Reform Cooperatives in Mindanao Inc. (FarmCoop).

FarmCoop is a Davao-based non-government organization founded in 1995 that provides services to farmers’ cooperatives.

The organization had been assisting 21 cooperatives in Mindanao in a way to develop medium and small scale industries producing processed organic products from bananas, coconuts, cacao, and coffee to give value added to the farm products. Out of the 21 coops, included are the Sibulan Organic Banana Growers Multi-Purpose Coop (Sobagromco) and the Sibulan Ancestral Domain Organic Producer Cooperative (Sadopco).

According to Ambe, FarmCoop provided them trainings and seminars for organic banana, cacao, and coffee plantation and crop management, including also the proper way of making a compost pit for organic fertilizers. He shared inspectors regularly go around the farm to make sure that there are no synthetic materials used in farming.

Currently, their cacao plantation make up around 200 hectares while coffee is around 50 hectares.

“We haven’t sold our harvests yet. The cacaos that we previously harvested were processed in the nursery to grow more seedlings. But this year, we target to have our harvested cacaos per area sold. Our farmers were also already trained to make tableas,” he said adding around a hundred farmers were trained to make tableas and they look forward to this more value-adding products once they have started harvesting cacaos again.

For the remaining undeveloped areas of their ancestral land, Ambe said they will continue with what they have started with organic vegetables and other crops. Aside from cacaos and coffee, they also have bell peppers and bananas. Before, they used to have corns and abaca which they also plan to revive as target crops in the coming years.

“We target to plant more organic vegetables in the remaining land areas to help with our goal to have Sibulan as an organic zone in the future,” he said.

Currently, out of the tribal members from the 10 sitios cooperating together to improve their agricultural land, Ambe said there are around 200 individuals already working hand-in-hand for their community project.

CT scan, MRI charges free for professional boxers -- Ubial

By Lito delos Reyes (PNA)

DAVAO CITY -- The government’s announcement to give free mandatory medical checkup to professional boxers is among the highlights of the ongoing three-day 3rd Philippine Boxing Convention of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) here.

The free of charge medical checkup for professional boxers includes the CT (computed tomography) scan or brain scanning and MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The boxers will not even have to go to Manila for the checkups as these can be availed in regional public hospitals for free.

This was the announcement made by Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial during the convention, which concludes Saturday.

“This is a very good news in boxing because this is what the stakeholders have long been asking for,” said GAB chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra.

A CT scan is a mandatory requirement of the GAB for boxers before their fight. A manager pays PHP5,000 or less for every CT scan while an MRI is worth three times more than the CT scan.

The high cost of MRI and CT scans was one of the problems tackled during the recent dialogue between the GAB and Mindanao stakeholders held here.

“The Department of Health expresses its solidarity with you as you bring together boxing aficionados and stakeholders from all over the country as part of your continuing efforts to develop and uplift the interest in the sport of professional boxing in the Philippines,” said Ubial.

235 'Step' scholarship applicants in Davao City

By Karina V. Canedo

THE Educational Benefits System Unit (Ebsu) of the Davao City Mayor's Office received 235 applicants for the Scholarship on Tertiary Education Program (Step) for the school year 2017-2018.

Ebsu Technical Assistant Emilio Domingo Jr. said their office has closed the applications for the Step program last April 28. Of the 235 applicants, they have listed 110 qualified applicants based on their initial requirements.

Domingo said another interview will be conducted to screen the participants.

He added that they eye to accept a maximum of 130 applicants because a total of 130 scholars have also graduated this year.

Domingo added that the application is still open for those who are vying for law school and medical school scholarship.

He said 10 applicants have submitted requirements for law school while 57 submitted initial requirements for medical school.

"Ranking and interview will be done as part of application process," Domingo said, adding that application for law school will end on May 31 and for medical school scholarship will end on June 15.

Domingo earlier said through the Executive Order (EO) 11, signed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, that the scholarship for medicine and law school, which was earlier granted to indigenous peoples, was opened to all Dabawenyos.

Domingo, in a previous interview, said a total of P15 million has been allocated for the scholarship program, which targets to cater 40 students each for medicine and law school.

He added that each medical school student, per semester, is entitled to P130,000, for tuition and book allowance while P58,000 each will be allotted for the law school scholars.

In an interview on Wednesday, May 10, Domingo reiterated that the students will get to choose their school as long as it is in Davao City.

Requirements for application are certificate of residency from the barangay, certificate of Indigency from the City Social Services and Development Office, and Transcript of Records.

Domingo said the applicant also needs a certification that they passed the National Medical Admission Test for medical school and the Philippine Law School Admission Test.

DOT-XI wants to develop cultural villages

By Digna D. Banzon (PNA)

DAVAO CITY, May 12 -- The Department of Tourism-XI (DOT-XI) is eyeing to develop cultural villages as new destination sites in the Davao region, in partnership with the local government units.

DOT XI regional director Roberto Alabado III said they are now exploring five sites located in Marilog District in Davao City; the Mandaya tribe community in Caraga town, Davao Oriental; the tribal community in Talaingod, Davao del Norte; the Sama Cultural Village in Barangay Tagbaobao in the Island Garden City of Samal; and another village in Davao Occidental.

Alabado said these communities can host tourists.

Alabado said DOT has already set aside a budget for the training needs of the indigenous peoples (IPs) on capacity building.

"It is going to be in partnership with the IPs because we would like to introduce to them eco-tourism," he said in an interview Friday.

Since this is part of the community based eco-tourism program of the DOT, Alabado said it will focus on the cultural aspect of the communities, including the protection natural resources.

The villagers will also be trained on the homestay program, he said.

Once they are equipped with the skills, the community would be able to hosts guests where they (tourists) could experience the way of life of our IPs, Alabado added.

He said the visit of the tourists will include staying in their houses that are traditionally built, interact with the family, dine with them, listen to their stories and learn about their culture.

"This is what we would like our tourists to experience in certain IP communities here," he said.

Tourism department eyes more direct flights to Davao City

By Jennie P. Arado

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) Davao Region targets to have more direct-to-Davao flight connectivity to make it more feasible for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and tourists alike.

DOT-Davao Regional Director Robby Alabado said one of their current priority projects is to add more to the existing direct to Davao flights, not just for tourism purposes but also for the convenience of the OFWs from Mindanao.

“One of the things that we’re working hard on is to have additional connectivity for Davao if we can encourage more airlines to come here. It actually works both ways. There are a lot of OFWs coming from Mindanao. Our OFWs will have easier access going home if we can more flight connectivity direct to Davao. They won’t need to go to Manila anymore,” said Alabado.

He said almost every day there are a lot of OFWs arriving and departing from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), most of them bound to or from Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Dubai.

Alabado said, for a start, the new direct flight connectivity might be available once a week for a better exchange and quicker route for OFWs and tourists from Mindanao.

“Our friends from our neighboring places such as Cotabato and General Santos City will save a lot of money if we would just have a flight from or to Davao City. They would not need to have a flight from Manila, then down to Mindanao still,” he said.

Davao City to showcase flora in China

(KVC)

DAVAO City's floral garden is set to be showcased in the 12th China-Nanning International Garden Expo next year.

Davao City administrator Zuleika Lopez, in a media interview Monday, May 8, said it will be a great opportunity for Davao City to showcase its flora along different participating countries in the world.

Lopez said the city's entry will feature the Kadayawan and other attributes of Davao.

"We will feature the Kadayawan, and (we will also work with) associations of floriculture industry," she said.

She said the concept of the garden will come from the City Government and the execution of the garden will be taken care of by the government of Nanning.

"Walang gagastusin ang city but the design and concept must come from us," she said.

"The City Council passed a resolution that Davao be named the Davao City Garden so when you to go to Nanning and you go to the garden expo, there will be a park there exclusively for the Davao City garden park, so it will be open for the entire year, so it is the best way to promote Davao City to the rest of the world," Lopez said.

She also said that other countries like Singapore and European countries will also participate and will have their delegations be part of the expo.

She said the city will try incorporate Mindanao and Davao culture to the design.

Nanning Mayor Zhou Hongbo, in his speech during Monday's flag ceremony, said that they want to invite Davao City officials to the expo next year and he also extended his appreciation to Davao's support for the expo.

"To my delight Davao is giving support on the continuing construction of the Davao park. We believe that the Davao Park will showcase the garden art of Philippines and Davao. Also, it will become a business card for a more friendly exchange between Nanning and Davao," he said.

Hongbo said Davao is a major city in the Philippines, famous for its dynamism and potential. Through this visit, they look forward in continuing to work closely with the city and achieve common prosperity and development.

Davao City has been Nanning's sister city since 2007.

Hongbo along with othr Chinese delegates yesterday were warmly welcomed by the city officials led by Lopez.

Lopez added that aside from the garden expo, Nanning and Davao City are also set to come up with an agreement for scholarships for deserving Dabawenyos who will be sent to Nanning as cultural exchange students.

"We're finalizing memorandum of agreement for what particular courses, kung sino sino yung mga ating beneficiaies. Once the MOA is okayed (approved), we will submit it to the city council for consideration and approval, so iimplement na natin, hopefully by next year it is good to go," she added.

Lopez said that the CSSDO will identify the scholars but they will first identify the courses that will be applicable here.

Davao City to send 15 students for exchange program in China

By Funny Pearl Gajunera (PNA)

DAVAO CITY, May 9 (PNA) – At least 15 students from Davao City will be sent to Nanning, China next year in line with the sisterhood agreement of the two cities, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said Tuesday.

The mayor said they hope to seal the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the educational exchange program by August.

The students will be on full scholarship in any school in Nanning. The Nanning government will cover the accommodation expenses while the local government here committed to give allowances to the scholars.

Davao City and Nanning are sister cities since 2007 when then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte signed the economic and cultural friendship pact with then Nanning Mayor Chen Xiangqun.

Nanning city government officials led by Mayor Zhou Hongbo are in Davao City since Sunday to discuss the scholarship grants to 15 students and possible joint ventures with local businessmen.

“It is a welcome project between Davao City and Nanning City in China, hopefully we can finish the Memorandum of Agreement by August so we can present it to them by September so by next school year we can send the scholars there,” the mayor said.

The mayor said the scholars will undergo training in writing and speaking Mandarin since it is the native tongue of the people living in Nanning.

The city will look into the possibility of sponsoring students from Nanning as scholars here, to reciprocate the Chinese city's gesture, Duterte-Carpio said.

In June, Nanning will celebrate Nanning Day in Davao City as part of the cultural cooperation between the two cities.

Halal council positions Davao as Halal model city in PH

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

THE creation of Davao City Halal Industry Development Council positions the city closer to its vision of becoming a Halal-friendly model city in the country.

Marilou Ampuan, chair of the Halal committee of the Philippine Tourism Congress and president of Universal Islamic Center said in Wednesdays Habi at Kape media conference at the Abreeza-Ayala Mall that Davao City has ordinances which seek to promote Halal development and awareness.

Other halal-related ordinances that were passed by the city are the prohibition of non-certified establishments of using halal logo which has a corresponding penalty once proven guilty and the creation of halal lane that requires supermarkets, grocery stores and other establishments selling raw fish, seafood, meat, processed meat, and other meat products.

“This council is three years in the making. We are just so glad because Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio now served as the chair of the council. It signals a strong commitment of the city to promote Halal,” she said.

Duterte-Carpio inked the executive order last April 18. The council is composed of 24 members from all industry stakeholders.

Under the ordinance, different government agencies in the entire halal food value chain are called to merge their efforts in coming up with a unified system on production, certification, and marketing to catapult the country in the Global Halal Market.

Davao City Tourism Office head Generose Tecson, for her part said, the council will help people in Davao know about what Halal is.

“We are getting ready for that (Halal model city) already,” Tecson said.

Halal Expo

More visitors and participants are expected to join the Philippine Halal Tourism Expo this year following the heightened support given by the government and private sector.

The expo which starts Friday, May 5, at Abreeza Ayala Mall, is spearheaded by the Universal Islamic Center. Prior to the expo, a business forum and networking event was also held yesterday at Seda Hotel.

“We expect that the number of visitors (in the event) will be doubled as compared last year (200 participants). Apart from local exhibitors, foreign participants from Malaysian (eight investors/participants), Singapore (four) and Indonesia (four),” she said.

On Thursday, a Conference Awareness for better Understanding of Halal in Trade and Tourism Industry was held with keynote speaker from Dubai, Secretary-General of the International Halal Accreditation Forum Mohammed Saleh Badri. Also, a business-to-business session was held.

In a previous interview, Ampuan said the event will serve as a venue for local and international players and stakeholders to meet and discuss opportunities, challenges and plans. The expo will also showcase a wide range of Halal food, products and services from local and international companies.

Ampuan added that the first expo had a "very positive impact" as the Philippine Halal products and services gained international exposure resulting to a growing interest of the country's halal products and services. "On the gains of last year's expo, foreign exhibitors responded positively, in fact, they requested after the event to stage this event again," she said.

Halal has a global chain value of USD 2.6 trillion and is expected to reach USD 3-trillion by 2020.

Holcim, Habitat build tribal village in Davao City

By Armando Fenequito (PNA)

DAVAO CITY (PNA) -- Holcim Philippines, Inc. and the Habitat for Humanity Philippines are constructing a new Matigsalug-Manobo tribal village in Marilog District here.

Holcim has donated 142 tons of cement to build the tribal village for 47 Matigsalug-Manobo families, said Holcim Davao plant manager Xavier Kennedy in an interview Thursday.

Kennedy said the donation will be used for the construction of a concrete pathway and other masonry needs for communal facilities in Barangay Baganihan.

The donation is in line with the company’s commitment to support noble efforts related to construction, such as that of Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

Lawyer Abdussabor Sawadjaan Jr., Habitat’s program manager for Davao and Caraga regions, thanked Holcim for their support to the organization and the Matigsalug-Manobo tribe.

“The assistance will uplift the dignity of the project partners to own a simple, decent and resilient housing unit that will enable them to make a home for their family, without fear of being displaced and be vulnerable to any calamities,” he said.

Sawadjaan said the project will adopt a “Single Detached Bamboo Reinforced House” design duly approved by the National Housing Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

”This design is simple, durable and environment-friendly. It is a permanent and structurally sound shelter structure with floor area of 25 square meters with reinforced concrete for column, footing and a roof beam. The design, standards and specifications are in compliance with National Building Code,” he added.

Sawadjaan said he plans to work with the community in developing the tribal village as a tourist destination that will showcase the tribe’s tradition and culture.

The Matigsalug-Manobo tribe expressed their appreciation to Habitat through “bayanihan” activities such as sacking of aggregates and cement and delivery of construction materials to the project site, which is 400 meters away from the giant eagle statue along the Bukidnon-Davao national highway.

The design of the tribal village was culturally inspired, respecting the Matigsalug-Manobo tribe's affinity to nature.

The tribal village is a collaborative effort of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, BLGU-Baganihan, Matigsalug-Manobo Tribal People Council of Elders, Inc. and supported by the City Government of Davao.

Davao region posts 9.4% growth, beats national average

By Lilian C. Mellejor (PNA)

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – The Davao region continues to be Mindanao’s top economic performer, with its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growing to 9.4 percent, surpassing the national average of 6.9 percent.

Ruben Abaro, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) XI regional director, announced this Thursday during a press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel here.

Abaro said this places Davao Region at third in terms of accelerated growth in the country last year. Eastern Visayas recorded the fastest growth at 12.4 percent followed by Central Luzon at 9.5 percent.

Abaro noted that Davao region experienced an upward trend in the last three years, with a growth rate of 8.2 percent in 2014 and 2015 to 9.4 percent in 2016.

Abaro said the region’s performance surpassed the country’s economic growth, which accelerated from 6.1 percent in 2015 to 6.9 percent in 2016.

In terms of value, Abaro said the region’s economy grew from PHP281.3 billion in 2014, PHP304.4 billion in 2015 and PHP333 billion in 2016.

The region’s economy in 2016 was driven by the industry sector, which grew from 12.2 percent in 2015 to 16.5 percent in 2016 and services with a sustained growth of 7.5 percent. Agriculture declined from 1.4 percent to negative 1.3 percent due to huge damage incurred from the onslaught of El Nino in 2015.

Abaro said the service sector continued to account for the biggest share to the region’s economy because of the good performance of financial intermediation, trade, public administration and defense.

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Ma. Lourdes Lim is bullish the region will achieve the same growth rate or could even achieve a double digit growth rate next year.

Lim is counting on the national government’s massive infrastructure development, which will spur spending in big ticket projects.

She said that Davao City will get a share of the infrastructure program through the Davao City Bypass Road Coastal Road project, the Davao Food Terminal and the Digos – Davao City – Tagum segment of the Mindanao Railway System.

The NEDA director also cited the recently launched Davao-GenSan-Bitung Roll-on Roll-off route.

DTI allocates PHP1.7M for OTOP program in Davao City

By Alexander Lopez (PNA)

DAVAO CITY, May 4 (PNA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is allocating PHP1.7 million for the implementation of the One Town One Product (OTOP) program in the city.

Romeo Vasquez Jr., trade and industry development specialist at the SME Development Division of DTI-11, said on Thursday that the allocation for Davao City is part of the PHP7.9 million funding that the agency will utilize for the implementation of OTOP program for the whole region.

He said that OTOP seeks to transform Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to become innovative and competitive so they can contribute to the economic growth in the countryside.

“The bulk of MSMEs is in Davao City, the reason why DTI has set aside PHP1.7 million for OTOP implementation in the city,” Vasquez said.

He added the other provinces in the region will receive allocations of PHP800,000 each this year also as part of the OTOP program implementation.

Vasquez also announced that 56 MSMEs in the region are currently undergoing assessment and screening to become part of the "Go Lokal" markets or stores in the area.

Out of the 56 MSMEs, 40 have already qualified as Go Lokal markets and outlets after the screening process that started last week, he said.

MSMEs qualified as Go Lokal markets will be provided with support through the OTOP program to further enhance the quality, marketability, and competitiveness of their goods and services.

These MSMEs will also be provided with physical and virtual market channels to sell their goods and services, he added.

Vasquez said the DTI considers OTOP as a priority stimulus program for MSMEs.

The program is among the government’s customized interventions to drive inclusive local economic growth in every region in the country.

China to study deep water port proposal in Davao City

By Cherry Mae Palicte (PNA)

DAVAO CITY, May 2 (PNA) - China's Ministry of Agriculture has expressed its interest to pursue the proposed deep water port at the Davao Fish Port Complex (DFPC) here.

The proposal is being pushed by the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority in Region (PFDA) XI.

Ricardo Oñate, Jr., acting DA-XI regional director, said Tuesday the proposed deep water port, about 30 feet deep, will serve large cargo ships.

Once established, Oñate said the DFPC can accommodate more local and foreign ships, making it a center for collection, processing, storage and packaging of fishery and marine products.

Vicente Lao, chair of Mindanao Business Council, said the project would accommodate bigger tuna carrying vessels particularly from China.

Currently, the port can only accommodate smaller vessels, he said.

“The need for expansion is essential," Lao told Chinese delegates.

Agriculture Vice Minister Qu Dongyu of the People's Republic of China lauded the proposed project.

“We have seen your potential and through that project, you can produce more products for export,” Dongyu said.

Aside from fishery products, Dongyu also encouraged Filipino farmers to produce pork, chicken and other high-value crops.

Hundreds of applicants flock at DOLE-11's job fair

By Lilian C. Mellejhttp://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=The_Philippine_government_favors_and_finances_Islamor (PNA)

DAVAO CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- Hundreds of job seekers, mostly new college graduates, swarmed a local mall here for the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) first Davao job and business fairs, where 19,996 jobs are up for grabs.

As of 3 p.m. Monday, 2,550 applicants have been registered -- 1,750 for local employment and 800 for overseas. Ninety persons were hired on the spot.

Kriztja Marae Labrador, DOLE-11 information officer, further revealed that of the total number, 1,277 were interviewed and 579 were nearly hired.

Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who graced the two-day job and business fairs along with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez at Gaisano Mall, was optimistic there will be more jobs for the Filipinos with the implementation of massive infrastructure projects in the country under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Bello said the implementation of massive infrastructure projects is a main thrust of the Duterte administration in order to generate two million jobs, thereby reducing unemployment rate from 6.5 percent to two percent.

Aside from jobs, Bello said the administration is also offering livelihood programs.

Bello is also banking on DOLE’s partnership with DTI for the five-year "Decent Employment and Entrepreneurship." This agreement aims to achieve full employment by creating about 7.5 million jobs nationwide in main key employment generating sectors, which include manufacturing, food processing, construction, tourism, information technology-business process management, transportation and logistics and retail trade.