Only 5 barangays in Davao City have active anti-mosquito disease task force
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 January)—Only five out of 182 barangays in Davao City have an active Barangay Mosquito-Borne Viral Disease Task Force. Dr. Thomas Miguel Ababon, head of the City Health Office, said at the iSpeak media forum at City Hall Thursday that mosquito-borne task forces in the city “seems difficult to sustain” despite […].....»»
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......»»
Natural mosquito repellents (part 2)
Natural mosquito repellents (part 2).....»»
FACT CHECK | Roque’s claim that Task Force Davao will be disbanded is false
MindaNews fact-checked the claims of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque that Task Force (TF) Davao will be disbanded as Dabawenyos expressed concern that the city’s security will be weakened if such will happen. His claim is false, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The AFP has refuted the claims of former presidential […].....»»
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......»»
China Will Be Global Force for Peace : Wang Yi
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - China will be a global force for peace and stability, the country's foreign minister, Wang Yi, said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday. - Other Media news - "In the face of complex turmoil in the international environment, China will persist in being a force for peace, a force for stability, and a force for progress in the world," Wang told reporters, AFP reported.Wang mad.....»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 11 March 2024
Three news barangays created in Marawi City Voters in Marawi City ratified the creation of three new barangays during a plebiscite held last Saturday there, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. In a statement, the Comelec said that 2,121 out of 2,265 voters approved the creation of the three barangays. The voters came from the three barangays […].....»»
Task Force Gubat sa Baha to construct water catchment to address flooding
CEBU CITY, Philippines –Task Force Gubat sa Baha (TFGsB) is considering taking advantage of the upcoming El Niño to execute plans to construct a dam and water catchment in Apas, Cebu City, in an effort to address the flooding problem in the area. However, they mentioned that there is still no specific location yet, but.....»»
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......»»
2.4M Dabawenyos working as of Oct 2023
The October 2023 Preliminary Employment report by the Philippine Statistics Authority-Davao Region (PSA-Davao) reveals that 64 percent of the 3.780 million Dabawenyos aged 15 and above are part of the labor force, indicating that 2.42 million individuals are employed. This represents a 1.8 percentage point increase from the previous year. The report also highlights a 97.1 percent employment rate in the Davao Region as of October 2023, with a 2.9 percent unemployment rate, lower than the national average. Despite this, the region still maintains the highest employment rate in the Philippines. Additionally, the report compares employment rates across different regions, with Soccsksargen, Barmm, Central Luzon, CAR, Caraga, Western Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, and Central Visayas surpassing the national average. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) records the highest labor force participation rate among 17 regions, while the Zamboanga Peninsula has the lowest rate. The data is collected through the Labor Force Survey (LFS) conducted quarterly and monthly by the PSA central office and its regional statistical services offices. The Davao Region, with nearly 6 million inhabitants, remains the 7th most populous region in the country......»»
BCPO eyes task force to solve bizman s slay
BCPO eyes task force to solve bizman s slay.....»»
Task force to public: Continue water conservation
As the water level in major dams can drop further during the dry months, the Task Force El Niño is urging the public to continue conserving water to avert a possible water crisis, especially in Metro Manila......»»
Task Force formed to probe ‘severed body parts’ case
Task Force formed to probe ‘severed body parts’ case.....»»
‘El Niño unlikely to cause crisis’
The El Niño phenomenon being experienced in the country is not expected to result in a crisis as food, water and power supplies are adequate during the critical months, an official of the El Niño Task Force said yesterday. Task force spokesperson Joey Villarama said that with all the preparations, interventions and mitigations being done by the government, he does not foresee the El Niño phenomenon creating a crisis......»»
Infectious pertussis disease rising in Philippines with 54 deaths
MANILA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said that the contagious bacterial disease called pertussis continues to spread in the country, noting that 54 children have died from the respiratory disease. From Jan. 1 to March 30, the DOH tallied 1,112 cases, or "almost 34 times that of the same period last year," with 54 deaths. "All 54 deaths are less than 5 years old," DOH.....»»
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......»»
Leyte mayors create task forces vs bird flu
Amid the reported cases of avian influenza or bird flu in Kananga town in Leyte, the mayors of two other towns in the province have created task forces to implement measures to prevent the spread of the disease......»»
How women can reduce their risk of heart disease
Heart Disease: A Silent Killer for American Women Heart disease has emerged as the leading cause of death for women in the United States, according.....»»
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......»»
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......»»
Davao City barangays need to improve disaster response
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 21 February)—Dabawenyos believe that barangays in this city should improve on disaster response efforts to deal with calamities more effectively, according to a survey conducted by the University of Mindanao’s Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO). During “Wednesdays Media Forum at Habi at Kape,” Dr. John Vianne Murcia, UM-IPO director, said that […].....»»