We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Back-to-back strong quakes jolt Agusan province; damages feared
A magnitude 5.8 and magnitude 5.2 hit two different areas in the province of Agusan this Saturday as search and retrieval operations continue in the landslide-stricken island of Mindanao......»»
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......»»
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......»»
FDA delists COVID-19 meds, devices from VAT exemption
The Food and Drug Administration has released a list of COVID-19 medicines that were removed from the group of health products given an exemption from value-added tax or VAT......»»
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......»»
Health and Wellness Products are Booming in Cebu Amid Post-Covid Scenario
The sale of health and wellness-related products is booming in Cebu as the country continues to reel from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic some three years ago. And this is why an exporter couple from Cebu invested in these products diversifying their existing business into a retail market for health equipment. Owners Paul and […].....»»
DSWD-Davao raises child feeding budget to P21
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has increased its budget for the Supplementary Feeding Program to P21 per child, up from the previous P15 allocation. Kyla Denise T. Pamat, a nutritionist dietician at DSWD-Davao, shared in a radio interview on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on January 26, 2024, that the enhancement is a result of a budget insertion in 2023. The 13th cycle targets 122,400 children in Davao Region, with five local government units (LGUs) already initiating the feeding program, while others are in the procurement process. The program focuses on children aged two to four in child development centers and supervised neighborhood places, providing hot meals (rice and viand) for 80 days and alternative meals (pancake, nutribun, and fruit salad) for 40 days during the 120 feeding days. Additionally, selected LGUs with a prevalent number of underweight children receive milk feeding for the entire duration. The 12th cycle showed an 82.27 percent improvement in the weight of underweight children, reducing their number from 4,567 to 784 after the 120 feeding days. Pamat highlighted its alignment with Republic Act 11037, also known as the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, and encouraged LGUs, communities, and parents to support the program for continuous improvement......»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 26 March 2024
P101-M sea wall to rise in Surigao Sur town A P101.3 million sea wall will be constructed in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur to protect lives and properties from storm surges there. Rep. Romeo Momo (1st District, Surigao del Sur) led the ground breaking of the Marihatag Seawall Project last Sunday, March 24. “The project is a […].....»»
Long COVID prevalence in these states according to new CDC report
The latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) from the CDC has shed light on the lingering effects of COVID-19 among residents in certain states.....»»
IN PHOTOS: Palm Sunday’s blessings on the faithful
Take a look at these photographs of mass-goers and the faithful gathering to have their palm fronds blessed this Palm Sunday.....»»
OPM heavyweights to headline Aurora Music Fest
On top of the finest Original Pilipino Music acts that will headline the Aurora Music Festival 2024 on April 6 and 7 in Clark Global City, Pampanga, the event-goers can also marvel at the hot air balloons that will light up Clark’s skyline and savor Kapampangan food that will be available at the venue......»»
‘Bagong Pilipinas’ rally goers urged to keep event trash-free
The rally, expected to gather a large crowd, will take place Sunday afternoon as the observance of the Zero Waste Month draws to a close. .....»»
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......»»
Lapu-Lapu: 2 from city hospital fail drug test, risk termination
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – Two of the more than a hundred employees of the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital tested positive for illegal drugs use during a surprise drug test held on Friday. Garry Lao, executive director of the City of Lapu-Lapu Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (CLOSAP), said the two employees risk termination from government service......»»
Drug test: 3 Lapu CTMS employees fail random testing
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu- Three Lapu-Lapu City employees tested positive in the random drug test initiated by the city’s anti-drug agency. On Monday, January 22, 115 job order employees from the city hall and traffic enforcers from the City Traffic Management System (CTMS) underwent random testing. Garry Lao, executive director of the City of Lapu-Lapu Office.....»»
Fajardo now rated No. 5 in IBF Jr. flyweight world rankings
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Knockout artist Miel “Silent Assassin” Fajardo sees a world title on the horizon after securing the fifth spot in the latest International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight division rankings. The 24-year-old Fajardo, hailing from San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur, shocked the local boxing scene with his ultra-fast first-round knockout victory against Cebuano.....»»
Pharma firms told: Report ties with health care providers
Amid the “prescription for sale” controversy, all pharmaceutical and other medical supply companies are reminded to submit reports on financial relationships with health care providers to the Food and Drug Administration......»»
Rights groups denounce bombing of communities in Abra, Ilocos Sur
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – Human rights groups condemned the recent series of bombings in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur and Pilar, Abra. A news report revealed that at least 137 families of Pilar, Abra fled their homes due to the military operations. According to rights group Kaammoyo ti Kappia (KTK), the clashes… The post Rights groups denounce bombing of communities in Abra, Ilocos Sur appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Rights groups denounce bombing of communities in Abra, Ilocos Sur
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – Human rights groups condemned the recent series of bombings in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur and Pilar, Abra. A news report revealed that at least 137 families of Pilar, Abra fled their homes due to the military operations. According to rights group Kaammoyo ti Kappia (KTK), the clashes… The post Rights groups denounce bombing of communities in Abra, Ilocos Sur appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Rights groups denounce bombing of communities in Abra, Ilocos Sur
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – Human rights groups condemned the recent series of bombings in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur and Pilar, Abra. A news report revealed that at least 137 families of Pilar, Abra fled their homes due to the military operations. According to rights group Kaammoyo ti Kappia (KTK), the clashes… The post Rights groups denounce bombing of communities in Abra, Ilocos Sur appeared first on Bulatlat......»»