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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......»»
India s neighbors adopt its digital payment system
New Delhi has launched its Unified Payment Interface in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, bolstering its influence in the region The leaders of India, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka have virtually launched New Delhi's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) system. The move allows Indian tourists to pay with the app while visiting t.....»»
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......»»
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......»»
DOH raises Code White Alert for Holy Week
DOH raises Code White Alert for Holy Week.....»»
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......»»
60K Penta vax distributed across Davao Region
FOLLOWING the recorded cases of pertussis or whooping cough in the region, the Department of Health-Davao Region (DOH-Davao) revealed that there are around 60,000 Penta vaccines that have been fairly distributed in the different local government units (LGUs) in the 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......»»
MPL PH bares unified schedule for new season
Mobile Legends Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines is ready to start its 13th season this month with a new campaign promoting its unified schedule for the upcoming season......»»
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......»»
Over 600-K affected by shear line in Davao
Over 600,000 people in Davao Region were affected by a shear line, causing unprecedented damage and extensive flooding and landslides. The regional director of the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region emphasized the need to address these issues and called for collaboration to prevent future disasters. The agriculture sector suffered over P50 million in damages, while infrastructure incurred around P25 million in damages. The report also highlighted the impact on road sections, bridges, and houses, with significant assistance provided by OCD-Davao. Plans are underway for a region-wide flooding dialogue and realignment of projects with disaster prevention efforts in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways. Related stories include urging proactive measures in establishing disaster services at barangays and the expedited release of aid for Davao disaster victims......»»
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......»»
P38 daily wage hike for Davao region workers
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 20 February) – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Davao Region (RTWPB-Davao) has approved a P38 daily increase for minimum wage earners in the region, to be implemented in two tranches starting next month. In an announcement released by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Davao on February 19, it said […].....»»
Shear line damages P172-M worth of agri products, infra in Davao region
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 23 January) – The recent heavy rains brought by the shear line destroyed at least P172 million worth of agricultural products and infrastructure in the Davao region. Data from the Department of Agriculture – Davao region (DA-Davao) said the initial damage to palay, corn and other high-value crops reached P145.3 million. […].....»»
DOH, DOLE deny any hand in Cha-cha signature drive
MANILA, Philippines — Representatives of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) denied that their agencies are involved in the controversial signature campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution. The clarification came after Senator Imee Marcos brought up, during the Senate’s Tuesday hearing, that DOH’s Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients.....»»
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......»»
Vaccination rate among children in R-12 low due to misinformation, disinformation
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 06) – Vaccine hesitancy due to misinformation and disinformation remains a major hurdle for the health sector in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) as the region continues to lag in immunization coverage among children. Dr. Edvir Jane Montañer, immunization program manager of the Department of Health (DOH)-Region 12, admitted that the region […].....»»
SEC-Davao advises timely submission of requirements for amnesty payments
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Davao Extension Office is reminding corporations who have participated in the amnesty program to ensure timely submission of required documents by January 31. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of payments and incurring additional penalties as outlined in SEC Memorandum Circular No. 20, series of 2023. Non-compliant corporations must submit their latest General Information Sheet (GIS) and Annual Financial Statement (AFS) through the SEC Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST). Meanwhile, suspended or revoked corporations should submit their petitions along with necessary documents to the Extension Office via email at secdavao@gmail.com. For more information, applicant-corporations can contact SEC Davao Extension Office at 0932-973-8791. It is important to note that the Commission is planning to implement a substantial increase in basic penalties for late and non-filing of reports post-amnesty period, with penalties potentially increasing by up to 1,900 percent......»»
Sinulog’s origins: Tracing the roots of Cebu’s iconic festival
Amid the debates about which Cebu town or city started the Sinulog, an official said they see the annual celebration not as a competition with other Sinulog festivities but as a sincere tribute to the Holy Child Jesus.....»»
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 […].....»»