We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
PEACETALK: Room for the human element in the GRP-NDFP peace framework?
NAGA CITY (MindaNews / 9 January) – As we enter the New Year, it has been noted by Satur C. Ocampo that “by all indications, the coming year will see the continuation and even intensification of devastating wars in the world… Even here in the Philippines, deadly hostilities are taking place.” Some of these recent […].....»»
Rhea Gullas Cup: Minglanilla marches to finals, Carcar forces do-or-die duel with Talisay
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Abante Minglanilla and Talisay Aksyon Agad had contrasting outcomes in their respective semifinal matches of the Rhea Gullas Cup 2024 on Saturday evening, March 2, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex. Host team and former champions, Abante Minglanilla, outlasted Naga Atong Garbo, 62-59, while Talisay lost to Sidlak Carcar, 77-83. Minglanilla and.....»»
COMMENTARY: Winning or losing… the flower of our youth
NAGA CITY (MindaNews / 01 March) – It is with particular sadness to note that a young lady lawyer, a compañera, Atty. Hannah Jay Cesista, who just passed the “best bar ever” in 2022, was among those killed in hostilities between the New People’s Army (NPA)-Bohol that she was part of and combined police-military units […].....»»
PEACETALK: The Jolo Siege of 1974, Half a Century Hence: Notes on History, War, Peace, Law and Justice (2)
(Last of two parts) Watersheds in Philippine and Bangsamoro History: War and Peace NAGA CITY (MindaNews / 21 February) – In Philippine national history of the contemporary period of the past five or six decades, there are two clear key watershed events: first, the September 1972 declaration of martial law that established the Marcos dictatorship; […].....»»
Cebu City’s Singapore-like goal is about instilling discipline and respect, city administrator says
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Discipline and respect are what will make Cebu City a Singapore-like city. According to Cebu City Administrator and Lawyer Collin Rosell, speaking on Friday, March 1, during the “League of Lupong Tagapamayapa – Cebu City Chapter General Assembly and Board of Directors Election,” held near a pier in Cebu City, Mayor.....»»
87th Charter Day: Commemorating Cebu City’s founding anniversary
CEBU CITY, Philippines — This coming February 24, 2024 marks the 87th Charter Day of the City of Cebu. It was in 1937 that the city received its charter after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s grandfather and legislator, Vicente Rama, authored a bill that led to its cityhood. Cebu City Charter Day overview To trace.....»»
“Nasaan ang Pangulo?” posts gisakyan og pasiaw sa social media samtang Davao Region gibaha
Giusab sa pipila ka mga social media pages ug accounts ang gamit ug kahulogan sa nausong “Nasaan ang Pangulo?” (Asa ang Presidente?) taliwala sa kusog nga ulan ug mga baha sa Davao region sa unang semana sa Pebrero 2024. (Ang “Nasaan ang Pangulo?” naga-trending sa panahon nila President Benigno Aquino III og Presidente Rodrigo Duterte […].....»»
TYBOX: Understanding Chinoys beyond dragon dances
The Chinese New Year festivity last February 10 was all over my Facebook wall, with Chinese communities in major cities – Binondo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, my Davao, and even Naga – performing the customary dragon dance welcoming the Year of the Dragon. I got to watch Davao Chinatown’s countdown to the New Year online […].....»»
What should bystanders, drivers do in case of encountering accident?
CEBU CITY, Philippines – If one witnesses an accident, whether as a driver or bystander, one must immediately call the emergency hotline. For Cebu City, dial 911; for Lapu-Lapu City, use 9999-72-1111; for Mandaue City, dial 383-1658; and for Talisay City, call 491-4159. This advice comes from Nagiel Bañacia, the head of the Lapu-Lapu City.....»»
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......»»
Councilor urges social media influencers to observe local laws
The Davao City councilor, Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, has urged social media influencers to familiarize themselves with local ordinances before promoting areas to their followers. Ocampo, who heads the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, appreciates the promotion of Davao City by social media influencers but emphasizes the importance of understanding local laws before attracting crowds to specific areas. He expressed gratitude for the promotion but highlighted the challenge of controlling the influx of people once a location is featured. Ocampo plans to collaborate with Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, Chair of the Committee on Tourism and Beautification, to accredit social media vloggers through the local government unit. He underscored the need for accredited vloggers, recognizing their contributions to the city and addressing any mistakes they might make. This initiative aims to balance recognition for positive actions with corrective measures for any missteps. The concerns arose in November 2023 when a Davao City-based environment group criticized a travel vlogger for promoting recreational activities in a river within the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed. Following a waste dumping incident on January 11, 2024, the group urged Dabawenyos, especially vloggers and influencers, to refrain from visiting protected areas for leisure. They emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting rules and regulations before endorsing specific parts of the city......»»
Rama promises to transform Cebu City into a ‘Super City’ by 2031
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Mayor Michael Rama has made another promise to the Cebuanos, and that is to transform Cebu City into a ‘Super City’ by 2031. At the same time, Rama also made a commitment to transform all of the 80 barangays into “city-like barangays” by then. Rama’s ‘Super City’ vision was the highlight.....»»
Palarong Pambansa 2024: Cebu City allocates P205M for games
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu City government has allocated a budget of P205 million for its hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 this July. However, the amount is still subject to deliberation and approval by the city council. READ: DepEd expects Cebu City’s ‘world-class’ hosting of Palarong Pambansa Previously, during the signing of the.....»»
Lapu-Lapu City Hall worker positive for drugs
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Another employee of the Lapu-Lapu City Hall has tested positive for illegal drug use. Garry Lao, the executive director of the City of Lapu-Lapu Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (CLOSAP), confirmed that the employee is one of the 64 individuals working for the City Engineering Motorpool and General Services Office (GSO).....»»
Davao Light pushes for paperless billing
The Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. (Davao Light) is advocating for paperless billing, citing its positive impact on the environment. Fermin Edillon, the head of the Reputation Enhancement Department at Davao Light, emphasized the company's large customer base and the significant paper consumption associated with traditional billing. He highlighted the environmental benefits of opting for paperless bills, urging Dabawenyos to consider this eco-friendly alternative. Despite the availability of paperless billing options, Edillon acknowledged that some still prefer traditional paper bills. However, Davao Light has enhanced its paperless bill services, offering options such as the MobileAP app for internet users and the Ebill text option for those without internet access. While promoting paperless billing, Edillon clarified that traditional paper bills will still be available. Residents expressed support for paperless billing, citing its convenience, but also emphasized the need for considerations, especially for those less proficient with technology. The push for paperless billing aligns with efforts to reduce environmental impact and enhance customer convenience......»»
Groups urge to include placemaking in planning for public spaces
The push for placemaking in planning for public spaces was emphasized by various groups during a recent forum in Davao City. ATTY. Mark Peñalver, executive director of Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis), stressed the importance of incorporating placemaking in public space planning to not only enhance the physical environment but also to promote inclusivity. He highlighted the exclusion of certain sectors in existing public spaces and emphasized the need for stakeholders' input and acknowledgment of their stories in the planning process. Dr. Derlie Mateo-Babiano, an associate professor in Urban Planning Assistant, described placemaking as a means to transform places into spaces that people will cherish. She emphasized the significance of engaging the community in the planning process to understand their cultural, environmental, and other needs. Peñalver also cited a successful placemaking project in Davao Executive Homes, which catered to children, the elderly, and individuals with special needs, demonstrating the positive impact of placemaking. Furthermore, Peñalver advocated for the institutionalization of placemaking in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and other development plans in Davao City. He highlighted the potential of placemaking to ensure that government projects are beneficial to the community. Architect Harold Delima, co-convenor of Placemaking Davao, discussed ongoing workshops with various demographics to integrate placemaking into the city's development. The groups involved are hopeful that placemaking will become a fundamental aspect of public space planning in Davao City, aiming to create inclusive and community-centered environments......»»
Globe reports steep 73.7% decline in blocked bank-related spam, scam SMS in 2023
The telecommunications company Globe has reported a significant 73.7% decrease in the number of blocked spam and scam SMS related to banks in 2023. This reduction is a result of the interception of 21.9 million bank-related fraudulent messages, a sharp decline from the 83.39 million messages blocked the previous year. Globe attributes this achievement to its proactive strategies and strong partnerships with major banks and financial institutions in the Philippines. The company has established anti-fraud alliances with the Bankers Association of the Philippines and individual players in the finance sector, enabling the sharing of data and intelligence to prevent and investigate fraud effectively. Anton Bonifacio, Chief Information Security Officer at Globe, emphasized the company's commitment to combating financial fraud and enhancing security measures for customer protection. Globe has invested approximately US$20 million to improve its spam and scam SMS detection and blocking system and operates a 24/7 Security Operations Center to filter out unwanted messages from both international and domestic sources. Despite certain limitations, Globe remains dedicated to customer protection and emphasizes the need for a unified approach in the fight against fraud. The company is focused on leveraging technology and strengthening alliances with key stakeholders to combat fraudulent activities. As Globe continues to advance its technologies and collaborations, it aims to provide a safer and more secure digital environment for its customers. For more information about Globe and its initiatives, visit www.globe.com.ph. (SPONSORED CONTENT).....»»
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.....»»
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 […].....»»
Overpriced pay parking fees? Report this to Cebu City Hall, says councilor
CEBU CITY, Philippines —A Cebu City councilor is urging the public to report to the city hall pay parking areas collecting overpriced fees. Cebu City Councilor James Cuenco, the city council’s chairman of the Committee on Transportation, Councilor James Cuenco urged those with concerns of overpriced parking fees to contact his office and tell them the.....»»