Davao de Oro: A province reborn

Davao de Oro Province---The province’s nature is like gold’s malleability, it bends, but it will never break. Fused with the right elements; Bayanihan spirit, resilient people and good governance, Davao de Oro will withstand whatever adversity it may experience.

 

As the nation celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the province also celebrates its “Thanksgiving Day” resounding the successful plebiscite which happened a year ago. This day also commemorates the province’s strength in recuperating itself from Typhoon Pablo’s wrath.

 

Unlike the past years where social gathering is allowed, the province celebrates its “Thanksgiving Day” in a new and a simple way of celebration yet the meaning remains pure. “This year’s celebration becomes even more meaningful because nahitabo kini in a middle of a pandemic. Today we are defying all odds. It is a resounding message that no pandemic, no typhoon and adversity can and will prevent us from thanking the Almighty One today. This is His and His alone.” said Governor Tyron Uy.

 

A Eucharistic Mass was offered following the safety protocols of the IATF. The later part of the celebration was made virtually thru the use of social media platforms making it accessible to the general public.

 

The virtual celebration was spearheaded by Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy and Vice Governor Maria Carmen Zamora and was also participated by Sen. Christopher Lawrence T. Go, Sen. Juan Edgardo M. Angara, Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, Philippine Army Major General Macairog Alberto- Philippine's new ambassador to Israel, Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay- New Commanding General of the Philippine Army and Gen. Eduardo Manahan Año (Ret.)- DILG Secretary who gave their virtual messages as guest speakers.

 

December 8, 2020 marks the first anniversary of the renaming of the province from the former Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro. It is a day where its people united as one, finally naming the province to a place of golden opportunities.

 

A year ago, Dabawenyos said “Yes to Davao de Oro” and it happened by virtue of the Republic Act No. 11297. With a voter turn-out of 97% YES votes, a history was made.

 

Davao de Oro is not just a province’s name. It is a reflection of what is and what it will become someday. It mirrors its culture, way of life, its people, and its way of coping to any adversaries and challenges through the spirit of Bayanihan. (Jasteen P. Abella, Information Division, Davao de Oro, photo by Albert Dayao)

DTI-DdO completes the distribution of P2.5M livelihood assistance to MSMEs

Davao de Oro --- More than five hundred micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in 23 identified barangays in the province received over P2.5-million livelihood assistance under the DTI’s Livelihood Seeding Program–Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay – Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (LSP-NSB PBG) with strict adherence of health protocols for COVID-19.

Each beneficiary received a package of various livelihood kits amounting to PHP5, 000 who were residents of Barangay Longanapan, Aguinaldo, Anitipan, Bahi, Golden Valley, Linoan, New Visayas, Bayabas, Sto. Niño, Pagsabangan, Andap, Panansalan, Diwalwal, San Isidro, Bawani, Araibo, Bongabong, Tibagon, Manipongol, Panangan, New Dalaguete, Mayaon, and Conception in this province.

 The program aims to boost micro-enterprises affected by natural and human-induced calamities such as pandemic brought by COVID-19 and intends to provide livelihood opportunities for identified beneficiaries in areas considered as priorities. They also underwent four modules of capability building seminar to develop and strengthen their entrepreneurial competencies during the turn-over ceremony.

There is a Negosyo Center per municipality that promotes ease of doing business and providing access to development services for MSMEs through business counselors in their areas of responsibilities.

This was made successful in partnership with the provincial and local government units that allows a wider reach of business development assistance by bringing government services closer to the people especially in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantage Areas (GIDAs) and vulnerable communities. (Rheafe C. Hortizano, Provincial Information Office, Photo Courtesy of DTI-DdO)

HUMAN THINKS - GOD GUIDES!

[My column in Mindanao Daily, BusinessWeek Mindanao and The Metro Cagayan de Oro Times]
 

I am happy! Yes, I am! I found joy, freedom, and peace of mind, when I discovered what I believe is the secret of a happy life - as an expatriate living in the Philippines for 22 years now. 

I was brought up in a religious family and lived in a parish house up to my 10th birthday. Our Christian life was a fantastic style of religion. Though I was used to it, my attitudes have been really very ungodly. Many times, I was prone to anger and did all possible unpleasant things to others. I gave more attention to worldly things until such time I was deeply immersed in what we call "worldly trend". I did those things simply to enjoy life without caring for other people around me.

But then, suddenly, "someone" (let's call him GOD) interfered. He directed my way. I received plenty of different challenges and tasks - especially, when I decided to stay in the Philippines for good.

Sure, I have always been able to travel around the globe. But, believe me, not every trip or even a single day became a satisfied success or event.

Today I am no more surprised at the painful trials I suffered in the past. Instead of being surprised I tried to rejoice, because I learned that trials are meant to test your faith! Maybe even right now during the time of Corona Covid-19.

When I got the idea to write this piece, I rummaged in some very old books of my late "Lola" (born in 1899!) and found a faded and more or less crumbled-to-dust document. It has been a hand written piece of an unknown Dutch soldier, who must have written  this in mortal agony during his last battle in World War II, dated November 1944. I like to share it with you, my dear reader, because it also reflected my past - and, maybe also yours:

"When I stopped my ungodly attitudes, I learned to pray. But when I prayed, I asked for power to become popular, and He made me weak and taught me how to be obedient. When I prayed, I asked for health to be able to do great things, and He gave me afflictions, to do better things. When I prayed, I asked for riches and abundance, and He gave me poverty to become wise instead. When I prayed, I asked for strength to receive people's glory and fame, and He gave me weakness to let me feel how much I need Him. When I prayed, I asked everything for a wonderful life without problems and trials, living like a king, and He gave me LIFE!"

I didn't receive anything about which I prayed since living in the Philippines as an expatriate. But, I received everything in time and I didn't expect it anymore. More or less against my own free will, all unspeakable and unpronounceable prayers have been answered. I am really very much blessed.

That's what I also feel right now in this moment. I am what I am right now, NOT BECAUSE I PRAYED FOR IT, but, because all unspeakable prayers have been answered.

Human thinks - God guides!