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Shear line affects over 80-K families in Davao
The shear line in the Davao Region has had a significant impact on over 80,000 families, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region (OCD-Davao). The affected families are spread across Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. Evacuation efforts have been underway, with some families still in shelters. Tragically, casualties have been reported, including fatalities and injuries due to landslides and flooding. The infrastructure has also suffered, with roads and bridges being blocked or damaged. The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has been providing relief to affected residents, and the local government units have also contributed aid. In response to the shear line, the OCD-Davao has raised its Blue Alert status, emphasizing the need for intensified monitoring and immediate mobilization of resources. The situation remains challenging, with ongoing flooding and landslides affecting numerous areas in the region......»»
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......»»
Magnitude 4.3 quake hits Eastern Samar
MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 4.2 earthquake shook Eastern Samar early Saturday morning, the state seismology bureau said. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the epicenter of the earthquake was located east of Hernani. It was tectonic in origin and had a depth of focus of seven kilometers, the Phivolcs said......»»
More quakes hit Taiwan after deadly one this month
More quakes hit Taiwan after deadly one this month.....»»
Xinhua world news summary at 0630 GMT, Jan. 11
TOKYO -- The death toll rose to 213 in the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa on Thursday, after a series of strong quakes of up to 7.6 magnitude jolted the prefecture and its vicinity, local media reported. A total of 52 people remained unaccounted for in the hardest-hit prefecture as of 9 a.m. local time, while at least 567 people suffered injuries due to the quakes, public broadcaster NHK said. (Japan-Ea.....»»
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......»»
DPWH tallies 268 gov’t and school buildings partially destroyed in Hinatuan quake
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Region reported that a total of 268 school and national government buildings were partially destroyed by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on December 2. The estimated damage amounted to P108,497,894.84 for school buildings and P1,899,365.60 for national government buildings. The damages included cracks on walls and falling debris such as ceilings. According to Engr. Alexander Turingan of DPWH XI, there were no reported damages in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur. Franz Irag, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI operations head, emphasized the importance of addressing damages to school buildings, which also serve as evacuation centers during calamities. Dean Ortiz, spokesperson of DPWH XI, highlighted the agency's focus on national roads and bridges, clarifying that they will respond to requests to inspect private and government buildings. Architect Kashagar Toghyani, officer-in-charge of the Office City Building Official (OCBO) of Davao City, urged private building owners to promptly engage professional engineers to assess structural integrity, especially for buildings housing more than 10 individuals. He emphasized the necessity of fire inspections and transparency with building occupants to ensure their safety. The recent earthquakes did not affect government buildings in the Davao Region, and DPWH is committed to conducting thorough assessments and ensuring the safety of buildings and their occupants in the aftermath of the quake......»»
Osaka s Don Don Tei offers easy Japanese dishes in 1st Manila restaurant
Osaka's Donburi brand Don Don Tei opened its first branch in the Philippines......»»
Sanchez keys Davao Occidental squeaker in PSL President s Cup
Justin Sanchez delivered the game-winning basket right before the buzzer sounded to carry Davao Occidental to a thrilling 75-73 squeaker past the hard-fighting Bulacan JT Taipans......»»
Magnitude 4.5 quake jolts Davao Occidental
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake rocked Davao Occidental before dawn yesterday, a day after two strong temblors hit Agusan del Sur, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology......»»
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......»»
Banking 101: Unmasking Financial Lingo
Hey friends, ever get stuck in a conversation where financial terms sound like a different language? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Let’s break down some everyday bank talk in a way that won’t leave you scratching your head. Interest Rates First off, “Interest Rates” – it’s the cost of borrowing money or the high-five […].....»»
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......»»
Phivolcs says no magma coming out of Mayon Volcano after phreatic eruption
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has not detected volcanic earthquakes or magma being spewed out of the Mayon Volcano after the phreatic eruption that occurred on Sunday......»»
‘I don’t like wearing clothes at all’: James Reid shares summer must-haves
If you don't want seeing clothes on James Reid, don’t feel guilty, because the singer, too, does not want to have clothes on himself either......»»
Quakes rock Mindanao areas
Earthquakes rocked areas in Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental as well as Surigao del Sur yesterday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology......»»
PHOTO ESSAY: Waterworld in Carmen
CARMEN, Davao del Norte (MindaNews / 02 February) – Travel from Davao City to Tagum City and other parts of the Davao region, Agusan-Surigao and Manila was cut off Friday due to flooding in Barangay Tuganay. Tuganay connects Davao City with Tagum in Davao del Norte, from where one can proceed to Davao Oriental, Davao de […].....»»
Mati City, 10 municipalities in Davao Oriental suspend classes, work
Following the impact of a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) affecting Northern and Southern Mindanao, local government units (LGUs) in Davao Oriental have collectively suspended classes and government and private offices. The City of Mati and 10 municipalities, including Baganga, Governor Generoso, Cateel, and others, have issued Executive Orders in line with Presidential Executive Order No. 66, series of 2012. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has forecasted moderate to heavy rains in Davao Oriental due to the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) and LPA, posing a risk of landslides and flash floods. The Provincial Local Government Unit of Davao Oriental and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils have reported landslides in Lupon and Cateel, with ongoing clearing operations. The Bureau of Fire Protection and other government agencies have rescued families affected by flash floods in Cateel and Caraga. Franz Irag from the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region confirmed that around 200 individuals or close to 500 families in Davao Region have been displaced and are now in evacuation centers. Additionally, five LGUs in the province of Davao de Oro have also declared the suspension of classes and work in both public and private offices......»»
Rare beetle discovered in Mt. Hamiguitan sanctuary
In a recent discovery, a rare long-horned beetle, Paraskeletodes hamiguitanensis, was found in the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS) in Davao Oriental. The beetle was unearthed during a scientific expedition led by the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental and conducted by a team from Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU). Dr. Milton Medina, a Filipino coleopterist, confirmed the uniqueness of P. hamiguitanensis through careful morphological examination, highlighting distinct differences from its closely related counterpart found in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The discovery sheds light on the limited knowledge of beetle taxonomy in the Philippines and underscores the need for increased scientific and conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots like the Philippines and Sulawesi. Concerns were raised about the global trade of beetle species and the rapid loss of forest cover in the Philippines, emphasizing the vital role of protected areas like Mt. Hamiguitan as essential sanctuaries for biodiversity. The researchers emphasized the need for cooperation with DENR-Davao in promoting biodiversity conservation and encouraged young scholars to explore beetle taxonomy. The discovery of P. hamiguitanensis and several other beetle species in the area underscores the rich biodiversity of Mt. Hamiguitan, with ongoing research aiming to describe more species and uncover many undiscovered ones in the region......»»
Coming soon: Rice for diabetics
Filipino rice lovers may soon need not worry about their blood sugar level spiking when eating the staple as scientists at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) are advancing well with its ultra-low glycemic index (GI) rice......»»