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10th ID bashes Canadian gov’t for travel advisory vs Mindanao
The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army criticized the Canadian government for issuing a travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which includes their area of responsibility. Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson for the 10th ID, emphasized that the regions under their jurisdiction are peaceful and free from terrorism and violent threats, contrary to the Canadian embassy's advisory. The division oversees 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities in various parts of Mindanao. Tito expressed bewilderment at the basis of the travel advisory, asserting that the Canadian government lacks awareness of the actual situation on the ground. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the entire Davao Region throughout 2023, with no recorded incidents of terrorism or insurgency. Despite the exclusion of Davao City from the advisory, Tito noted that the region would still be impacted. The Canadian embassy's advisory warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high levels of violence, and encounters between rebel forces and government security authorities. Specific provinces and regions were singled out for caution or non-essential travel, including Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Mindanao. Contrary to the advisory, the 10th ID has been actively weakening and eliminating guerilla forces within its jurisdiction as part of the Philippine Army's efforts to establish an insurgency-free zone. In fact, on October 27, 2023, the Davao Region celebrated its first anniversary as an insurgency-free region in the Philippines. This dispute has led to other related stories, including the Chamber's intention to engage in discussions with the Canadian government regarding the travel advisory, as well as refutations from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and celebrations of the Davao Region's insurgency-free status by the Regional Peace and Order Council. In summary, the 10th ID vehemently opposes the Canadian government's travel advisory, citing the peaceful and secure nature of the regions under their jurisdiction, and highlighting the significant strides made in eradicating insurgency in the Davao Region......»»
Uncertainty looms over Davao-Samal Bridge project amid RoW hurdles
The construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC), also known as the Davao-Samal Bridge project, has faced numerous setbacks due to right-of-way (ROW) acquisition challenges. The project was halted on January 3, 2024, due to issues with landowners near a pier in Lanang at Davao City, leading to delays in the project's implementation. While there have been conflicting statements regarding the project's status, the National Economic and Development Authority-Davao Region (Neda-Davao) aims to complete the detailed engineering plans for the substructure of the west land via dock once the Deed of Transfer Possession in Davao City is released. However, ROW issues continue to persist. Despite these challenges, the project is still considered a priority and is included in the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) for 2023–2028. The project is funded through China’s Official Development Assistance with an estimated budget of P23.04 billion, and negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing with a target completion date in 2027. The uncertainty surrounding the project's timeline remains as ROW hurdles persist, impacting the much-anticipated toll-free four-lane concrete exodus bridge spanning a 3.98-kilometer distance......»»
Continue serving with care, compassion, PBBM tells DSWD
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of serving the public with care and compassion during the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) 73rd anniversary celebration. He commended the DSWD for its continuous efforts in providing aid to disaster victims and the disadvantaged sectors. President Marcos urged the DSWD to treat the poor and vulnerable with kindness and empathy, highlighting the agency's role in uplifting communities. He also noted the significant increase in the agency's budget, particularly for programs such as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior pension, food catering operations, and the food stamps program. President Marcos emphasized that the DSWD's programs are designed to offer a hand up rather than a handout, aiming to empower individuals and families to improve their circumstances. He underscored the government's commitment to dignified giving and support for those in need, emphasizing the agency's role in providing assistance while promoting self-sufficiency......»»
Solo parents to get P1K monthly subsidy
The Local Solo Parents' Ordinance, recently approved by the 20th City Council of Davao City, promises a monthly subsidy of approximately P1,000 for eligible beneficiaries. Councilor Tricia Ann Villafuerte highlighted the ordinance's significance in providing vital support to solo parents and their children, as there are approximately 6,000 solo parents in Davao City. This ordinance is an adaptation of the national law, Republic Act 8972, customized to address the unique needs of solo parents in the city. It aims to meet the essential needs of mothers and their children, including school supplies, consultation, laboratory diagnostics, and financial assistance, such as medical, death, and burial aid. Additionally, solo parents will receive a monthly monetary subsidy of P1,000 and are entitled to a 10 percent discount on select basic commodities, similar to senior citizens and Persons with Disability (PWD). To qualify for the benefits, applicants must submit necessary documents and meet specific criteria, while disqualification grounds include changes in civil status and provision of necessary assistance by the other biological parent as per the Family Code of the Philippines. It's important to note that individuals under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are ineligible for the Local Solo Parents' Ordinance......»»
Council to appeal March 1 as special non-working holiday in Davao City
The Davao City Council is seeking to appeal to the national government to declare March 1 as a non-working holiday in honor of Araw ng Davao, the city's founding anniversary. Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre emphasized the importance of this appeal for the people of Davao, expressing hope that the president will grant their request. This initiative comes as a response to a new bill that designates March 1 as the new founding anniversary, shifting the traditional celebration date from March 16. Despite the bill and law designating March 1 as a working holiday, the council aims to annually request Malacañang to recognize it as a non-working holiday. The appeal is intended to ensure that Dabawenyos can actively participate in the festivities. Additionally, the executive committee of Araw ng Davao is in the final stages of organizing events and activities for the celebration. Discussions have been ongoing, with plans anticipated to be finalized soon. This move reflects the council's commitment to honoring and celebrating the city's heritage and traditions......»»
Travel agencies group warns about cheap, illegal operators
The Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA) has issued a warning about unregistered and illegal travel and tour operators in their area. These operators have been found to be offering travel and tour services without proper licensing, leading to issues such as lack of refunds, scheduling problems, and other travel arrangement discrepancies. Pia Partoza Montano, a travel agency owner and Vice-President for the Travel and Tours Sector of DTAA, emphasized the prevalence of these unauthorized operators, particularly in inbound tourism, and the challenges in monitoring and regulating them due to their large numbers. Montano also highlighted the potential risks associated with using these unregistered agencies, as they may offer cheaper rates but could lead to problems in case of incidents. To address this issue, the Department of Tourism-Davao (DOT-Davao) has introduced a QR code system to help the public verify the legitimacy of travel agencies by accessing data on authorized and registered operators. The DOT-Davao encourages travelers to transact with accredited enterprises to ensure the quality and reliability of their travel arrangements. Currently, there are at least 109 registered travel and tour agencies in Davao City under DOT-Davao's accreditation. The DOT-Davao also provides information on the requirements for registration and renewal for travel agencies on their official website. This warning serves as a reminder for the public to be cautious and discerning when engaging with travel and tour operators to avoid falling victim to unauthorized and illegitimate services......»»
95 areas in Davao Region still grapple with flooding
Ninety-five areas in the Davao Region continue to grapple with flooding, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region (OCD-Davao). Davao del Norte has the highest number of flooded areas, with 64 barangays affected, followed by Davao Oriental with 22, and Davao de Oro with nine. The region has also experienced over 50 landslides, with Davao de Oro leading with 44 incidents and eight in Davao Oriental. Tragically, a significant landslide in Monkayo, Davao de Oro resulted in nine confirmed deaths, one critical injury, and four individuals still under search and rescue operations. Davao City also recorded casualties due to heavy rains. The adverse weather conditions have affected thousands of individuals and displaced over 4,000 families in evacuation centers. The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has provided assistance to the affected families. The heavy rainfall is attributed to a weather system known as a shear line, causing widespread impact in the Visayas and Mindanao areas......»»
Diving tourism contributes 1.3 bln USD to Philippine economy in 2023
MANILA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Diving tourism contributed more than 73 billion pesos (1.3 billion U.S. dollars) to the Philippine economy in 2023, nearly twice the revenue the industry earned in 2022, the country's Department of Tourism said Friday. Diving tourism raked 37 billion pesos (661 million dollars) in revenue in 2022, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said at the Philippine International Dive Expo.....»»
Diving tourism contributes 1.3 bln USD to Philippine economy in 2023
MANILA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Diving tourism contributed more than 73 billion pesos (1.3 billion U.S. dollars) to the Philippine economy in 2023, nearly twice the revenue the industry earned in 2022, the country's Department of Tourism said Friday. Diving tourism raked 37 billion pesos (661 million dollars) in revenue in 2022, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said at the Philippine International Dive Expo.....»»
Groups urge to include placemaking in planning for public spaces
The push for placemaking in planning for public spaces was emphasized by various groups during a recent forum in Davao City. ATTY. Mark Peñalver, executive director of Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis), stressed the importance of incorporating placemaking in public space planning to not only enhance the physical environment but also to promote inclusivity. He highlighted the exclusion of certain sectors in existing public spaces and emphasized the need for stakeholders' input and acknowledgment of their stories in the planning process. Dr. Derlie Mateo-Babiano, an associate professor in Urban Planning Assistant, described placemaking as a means to transform places into spaces that people will cherish. She emphasized the significance of engaging the community in the planning process to understand their cultural, environmental, and other needs. Peñalver also cited a successful placemaking project in Davao Executive Homes, which catered to children, the elderly, and individuals with special needs, demonstrating the positive impact of placemaking. Furthermore, Peñalver advocated for the institutionalization of placemaking in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and other development plans in Davao City. He highlighted the potential of placemaking to ensure that government projects are beneficial to the community. Architect Harold Delima, co-convenor of Placemaking Davao, discussed ongoing workshops with various demographics to integrate placemaking into the city's development. The groups involved are hopeful that placemaking will become a fundamental aspect of public space planning in Davao City, aiming to create inclusive and community-centered environments......»»
[WATCH] Carpio on People’s Initiative: ‘Nothing to do with economic provisions’
'There is no law to implement the people’s initiative clause of the Constitution,' Carpio tells Rappler.....»»
PSSO warns anew vs building structures atop dikes, coastal road
The Davao City Public Safety and Security Office's (PSSO) Coastal Road and Davao River Monitoring Team has issued a renewed warning to Dabawenyos against constructing buildings on top of dikes and along the coastal road. This caution follows the dismantling of 334 illegal structures from October 2020 to the third week of January 2023. PSSO Head Angel Sumagaysay emphasized that these structures, including house extensions, kitchen extensions, cages, and sala extensions, are typically found atop or attached to dikes and gabions near the Davao River. Recent operations in the Talomo District involved the removal of a hut at Purok 8 Iñigo, Matina Pangi, and a reconstructed fisherman's kiosk at the Punta Dumalag section of the Coastal Area. Sumagaysay highlighted that the PSSO collaborates with barangays to identify and address illegal structures, and owners are given the choice to self-demolish or have the PSSO carry out the demolition. Sumagaysay stressed that illegal structures on dikes and gabions pose risks to the structure's integrity, potentially leading to increased flooding and related issues. He urged residents living near the river to refrain from constructing any form of extension or additional structure on the dikes, emphasizing the need to preserve their stability to prevent flooding and overflow. The PSSO does not have a specific target number of structures to dismantle, but rather identifies them during monitoring and inspection, working in coordination with barangays and purok leaders. Sumagaysay hopes that the public comprehends the purpose behind these dismantling efforts, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the dikes to mitigate flooding risks......»»
Carpio: Duterte surrenders PH’s Ayungin rights in China agreement
MANILA, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte gave up the Philippines’ ownership of Ayungin Shoal under the guise of a “gentlemen’s agreement” with China, former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio has revealed. The “gentlemen’s agreement” governs Manila’s maintenance and repair of the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy vessel grounded in the disputed area. READ:.....»»
Sports and medical tourism eyed to sustain Davao-Manado-Davao flights
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 11 January) — Sports and medical tourism is the “low-hanging fruit” that can sustain the possible revival of the air connectivity between Davao City and Manado in Indonesia, a business leader said. Arturo Milan, co-chair of the Regional Development Council, told “Wednesdays Media Forum at the Habi at Kape,” that tourism could potentially […].....»»
Retired SC Justice Carpio on ChaCha: “it’s a fraud … we have to oppose this”
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 26 February) – The aim of those who want to change the 1987 Constitution is political rather than economic and this “fraud” must be exposed in various fora and in campuses, retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said on Sunday. “It’s a fraud. That’s why we have to oppose […].....»»
Screening of Martial Law docu set in Davao to mark Edsa Revolt anniversary
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 24 February) – Various groups will hold a screening of the award-winning Martial Law documentary “11,103” to mark the 38th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship. The screening will be on Feb. 28, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm, at the audio-visual room of Holy Cross of […].....»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
Samal resort gets notice of violation over hawksbill turtle hatchlings
The Department of Natural Resources-Davao Region (DENR-Davao) has issued a notice of violation to Isla Reta Beach Resort in Samal for the illegal possession of hawksbill turtle hatchlings. The resort violated Republic Act 9147, which prohibits the exploitation of wildlife resources and their habitats. The law strictly prohibits collecting, hunting, or possessing wildlife or their by-products, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. In response to the notice, the resort's owner must release the turtle hatchlings within a day, or face legal action. Despite the resort's intention to care for and release the hatchlings after six months, DENR-Davao found 130 hatchlings inside styro boxes and emphasized the critical importance of immediately releasing them to ensure their survival. The Philippines recognizes five sea turtle species, with hawksbill and leatherback classified as critically endangered. DENR-Davao encourages individuals to report wildlife sightings and pledges to conduct public awareness campaigns for wildlife conservation. Isla Reta Beach Resort faced criticism for unauthorized plans to raise the hatchlings......»»
Al-ag proposes to repeal ordinance requiring delivery riders biz permits
Davao City Councilor Bernie Al-ag has proposed the repeal of an ordinance that requires delivery riders to obtain business permits. The ordinance in question, City Ordinance 0612-21 series of 2021, classified delivery riders as independent service contractors, mandating them to apply for business permits. However, a joint memorandum circular issued by various government agencies exempts individuals providing personal services, including delivery riders, from securing business permits. Al-ag emphasized that the city government must adhere to the guidelines set forth in the memorandum. While the proposed repeal is pending, Al-ag advised delivery riders to comply with the existing ordinance. He expressed confidence in the passage of the repeal, citing the solid basis provided by the joint memorandum. Despite a group of delivery riders seeking an audience with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte on the matter, Al-ag's proposal was drafted in response to a separate petition. He clarified that the repeal is not about monetary collection but aligning with national law, which exempts delivery riders from obtaining business permits. Al-ag remains optimistic about the repeal's approval, pointing to the support provided by the joint memorandum as a strong foundation for his proposal......»»
FPRRD opposes disguised Charter change initiative
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte has vehemently opposed the disguised People’s Initiative for Charter change, denouncing the cash-for-signature campaign as repugnant and a disgraceful act during a YouTube interview with Banateros Brothers on January 22, 2024. Duterte emphasized his disapproval of the initiative, urging for it to be halted, particularly criticizing the payment of individuals to sign the documents. He warned that such actions could lead to a new Constitution that might destroy the nation and open avenues for political abuses. Duterte stressed the importance of democracy in the Philippines, asserting that those seeking to remain in power should go through the electoral process. He highlighted that a well-performing and non-corrupt individual would retain power, while those with poor performance would be ousted through the electoral process. Expressing satisfaction with the current Constitution, Duterte argued that it has contributed to stability, reducing conflicts with groups like the New People's Army (NPA). He strongly advised against meddling with the Constitution, cautioning that it would only bring trouble to the country. Duterte pledged active opposition to the initiative, stating that he would campaign against it. Additionally, residents of Calinan District, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Representatives Isidro Ungab and Paolo Pulong Duterte have also voiced opposition to the People's Initiative for Charter Change. Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles, the representative of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist, alleged to have started the cha-cha signature campaign, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of the latest update. Related stories include the denouncement of alleged `vote buying’ in signing the petition for Cha-cha by Davao City lawmakers, Vice President Duterte's condemnation of the cash-for-signature drive, and a prayer rally against PI’s Cha-cha on Jan 28......»»