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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......»»
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......»»
Biz Bureau surpasses 43-K permit renewals
The Davao City Business Bureau has achieved a significant milestone by processing over 43,000 business permit renewals as of January 29, 2024, surpassing last year's numbers. Maribel Paguican, the Head of the Business Bureau, revealed this accomplishment in a radio interview on January 30, 2024. She highlighted the bureau's performance, stating that they had already exceeded the previous year's figures by 270 renewals. Despite the positive outcome, Paguican acknowledged that they are still short of reaching the 46,000 permits issued the previous year. With approximately 2,890 renewals remaining, including 291 applicants considering retirement, the bureau anticipates around 2,599 renewal applicants. Paguican emphasized the upcoming retirement deadline on January 31, urging business owners to comply to avoid penalties ranging from P1,000 to P5,000. She also advised on the required documentation for retirement, emphasizing the importance of submitting the necessary paperwork to facilitate the process......»»
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......»»
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......»»
BSP onboards 1st nonbank electronic money issuer
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) achieved a significant milestone by welcoming OmniPay, Inc. as the first nonbank electronic money issuer (EMI) participant in its Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) payment system, PhilPaSSplus. This move aligns with the National Payment Systems Act and signifies a more inclusive national payment system, allowing nonbank financial institutions to conduct efficient and low-risk funds transfers directly through the central bank. Assistant Governor Mary Anne P. Lim emphasized the BSP's commitment to safeguarding the entire Peso RTGS payment system amidst global trends of diversified participation. With 236 institutions, including various banks and nonbank entities, utilizing PhilPaSSplus for large value transactions and retail payment clearing, the BSP's initiative reflects a broader trend of central banks facilitating direct access for nonbank entities to settlement services. This development comes as international standard-setting bodies work on access guidelines to manage risks in evolving payment systems with new players and financial technologies......»»
QC prosecutor’s office junks ‘grave threats’ rap vs Duterte
The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed the grave threats case filed by ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro against former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying there was insufficient evidence to prove his intent to harm her. Castro accused Duterte of threatening to kill her based on statements he made during two episodes of his show “Gikan sa Masa,.....»»
Atin Ito plans another try at civilian mission to West Philippine Sea - Rappler
Atin Ito plans another try at civilian mission to West Philippine Sea Rappler.....»»
LIST- Special non-working days in PH provinces, cities, towns for March 2024 - Rappler
LIST: Special non-working days in PH provinces, cities, towns for March 2024 Rappler.....»»
Rappler Talk: Was it justice for Jemboy Baltazar’s parents?
Catch this episode of Rappler Talk as justice and police reporter Jairo Bolledo sits down with the teen's parents to talk about their reaction to the court's verdict.....»»
Rappler Talk: UPRI’s Likha Minimo on lessons from the Davao de Oro landslide
Rappler’s Iya Gozum talks with geologist Likha Minimo about the Davao de Oro landslide and the implementation of hazard maps in the Philippines.....»»
Jade Castro and the danger of warrantless arrest: Rappler, Philstar.com explain when such arrest is legal
CHEERS TO Rappler and Philstar.com for calling attention to the highly irregular arrest of filmmaker Jade Castro a.....»»
Rappler Talk: Father Regie Malicdem on the mission of mall chapels
Rappler's Paterno Esmaquel II talks to Father Reginald 'Regie' Malicdem, mission station priest of Landmark Chapel, about the rise of mall chapels in predominantly Catholic Philippines.....»»
[WATCH] Rappler Live Jam: Apoc
This will be the rapper's first time performing solo on the Rappler Live Jam stage!.....»»
Rappler unpacks SC ruling on Estrada plunder, bribery case
CHEERS TO Rappler for an explainer that dissected the case of Senator Jinggoy Estrada and thoroughly discussed the ruling of Sandiganbayan.On January 19, the Sandiganbayan released a 396-page decision acquitting Estrada of plunder but convi.....»»
Radyo5, Rappler spotlight public funds used in Bagong Pilipinas rally
CHEERS TO Radyo5 and Rappler for calling the people's attention to the exorbitant cost of holding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s rally on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.Dubbed Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines,) the rally was described by the state-run Philippine Information.....»»
[New School] For the thrill of it all: Why you should be an intern at Rappler
'From the written word to the big screen and everything in between – there’s a little bit of everything when you volunteer at Rappler'.....»»
Radyo5, Rappler spotlight public funds used in Bagong Pilipinas rally
CHEERS TO Radyo5 and Rappler for calling the people's attention to the exorbitant cost of holding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s rally on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.Dubbed Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines,) the rally was described by the state-run Philippine Information.....»»
[WATCH] Rappler Live Jam: Janine
Singer-songwriter Janine will be serenading the crowd on Rappler Live Jam!.....»»
Liberal laws, policy gaps: Rappler, ANC question need for Cha-cha to open economy
CHEERS TO Rappler and ANC's Market Edge for reviewing current laws that have opened up the economy to foreign investments. In doing so, the accounts question the purpo.....»»