DICT launches Tech4Ed Centers in Davao de Oro

Davao de Oro --- The Department of Information and Communications Technology – Mindanao Cluster 3 (DICT MC3) recently launched a Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (Tech4Ed) Centers and turn-over computer packages in LGU New Bataan, Mainit National High School in Nabunturan and Philippine Army’s 10th SIGNAL Battalion.

 A Tech4ED is one of the DICT’s flagship programs implemented nation-wide that aims to provide access points for individuals and communities to bridge the digital gap and harness the power of ICT in society towards creating a progressive countryside.

 DICT MC3 Assistant Regional Director Engr. Erlito Tancontian underscores the government’s effort to provide easy accessibility to every municipality and barangay in the province particularly for those with minimal or no access to information and government services.

 “The establishment of the Tech4Ed Center is expected to bridge the digital and education divide by addressing the scarcity of ICT resources in the municipality that has hampered digital growth among locals,” Tancontian said.

He also added that Tech4Ed offers eight segment features like eEduSkills, eAssist, eHealth, eMarketPlace, eGovServices, Gender & Development and Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) which all has a special function on a specific purpose from educational, job readiness and business tracking, to government office document transactions.

 The facilities set-up in these centers are open for free use of out-school-youths, students, teachers and entrepreneurs with no internet access, employees, PWDs, senior citizens, and indigenous people.

 As of February 9, 2021, 36 Wi-Fi zones are up in the province under the DICT-UNDP project dubbed “Free Wi-Fi for All Project” and the remaining 86 sites are ongoing implementation.

 Meanwhile, the PLGU-DdO’s Tech4Ed Center received additional four computer packages to further extend the government services among its employees and clients.

Present during the ceremony were DICT Davao de Oro Provincial Officer Engr. Ronilo M. Santa Cruz, Tech4ED Focal Person Eng. Albert C. Gabriel, LTC Jose C Perlas Jr, New Bataan Mayor Geraldford N. Balbin, Assistant School Principal II Sandy G. Yee, and Provincial Information Technology Officer Joyzel R. Odi and other local officials. (Rheafe Hortizano – Provincial Information Office of DdO)

Davao City posts 89% Covid recovery rate

 Photo by Mark Perandos

by: RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT

SunStar Davao City

A LOCAL health official said Davao City is targeting to beat the overall recovery rate in the country as Covid-19 recoveries in the city continue to rise.

City Health Office (CHO) Acting Head Dr. Ashley Lopez said in a radio interview on Wednesday, February 23, 2021, that the city is continuing to experience a downtrend of active cases due to a large number of new recoveries.

According to the Department of Health-Davao Region Covid-19 case bulletin, as of February 23, Davao City had a total of 12,832 Covid-19 cases, wherein 748 were active cases, 11,458 were recoveries and 626 were deaths.

He said the total number of recoveries accounts for an 89-percent recovery rate for the city.

The health official said the city's recovery rate is inching closer to the national recovery rate, which is currently at 93.1 percent.

"Hapit na ta mutungtong sa 90 porsyento. Kinahanglan nato maapsan or ma-overtake-kan nang atong national rate nga 93.1 percent sa recovery rate nationwide (We are now almost at 90-percent. We hope to surpass the current national recovery rate, which is now at 93.1 percent)," Lopez said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

He added, "Kung ato na malampasan nang 93 percent nga recovery rate, then that is very, very good na (If we would surpass the 93-percent national recovery rate, that is already a very good) accomplishment for Davao City."

Lopez noted an estimated 50-percent drop of active cases in the past two weeks.

"In fact, ang (our) number of deaths from March [2020] up to present, murag nipantay na siya sa atong (is almost equal to our) active [cases]," he said.

With the downtrend being felt since February 3, the health official said they are also targeting to decrease the active cases to a single digit or a much lower double-digit.

Lopez also noted a downtrend in Covid-19 cases in the entire Davao Region following the downtrend in Davao City. The city had contributed a high percentage of the total cases in the region.

Davao City, according to the previous Covid-19 bulletin, experienced a surge in Covid-19 cases in mid-October last year when the city was still placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), which started on July 1, until it was reverted to general community quarantine (GCQ) on November 20.

Cases continued to increase until January 2021 brought about by the post-Holiday surge, which was projected to be felt until mid-February this year.

Lopez cited the importance of having a projection or forecasting for Covid-19 cases, as it will be the city government's basis in its response.

Lopez said their projections were “accurate,” although the downtrend was felt a week earlier than what was previously projected.

"Mao na (That is the) advantage when you have accurate data, if you're going to have some anticipations based on the forecasting," he said, adding that their forecast depicts what would be the Covid-19 situation in the city in the coming weeks or months.

He said this progress is facing challenges brought about by the recent discovery of the new Covid-19 variant in the country, now also recorded in Davao City coming from a 10-year-old boy who was asymptomatic and fully recovered.

He also cited the recent recommendation of placing the entire country under MGCQ as a challenge in the city's improving Covid-19 situation.

Lopez said in a previous report that it is still early for the city to shift to a more relaxed quarantine status as the city is still managing to improve its Covid-19 case management.

He also said the recent recommendation of allowing international flights, even with countries with existing new variants, to enter Metro Manila is also another challenge.

According to Lopez, foreigners will now be allowed entry into the country provided they will undergo a 14-day quarantine.

"Problema ani kay kung makasulod (The problem is that once they enter), the question is how far can we monitor or mabantayan kaning pasyente (or monitor our patients)? How far can we go so we can suppress the possible transmission?" He said.

Lopez reminded the public to adhere to minimum health protocols as a measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus while the country waits for the Covid-19 vaccines.

Even with the arrival of the vaccines, he encouraged that health protocols would still be imposed as the vaccine's effect will not take effect immediately.

Igacos won’t allow island-hopping despite tourism reopening

Photo by Ace Perez

By RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT

SunStar Davao City

ISLAND-HOPPING within the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) will still be prohibited once tourism operations within the island resume on March 1, 2021.

Igacos Tourism Officer Jennifer Dagohoy Cariaga said in a radio interview on Wednesday, February 24, that island-hopping, one of the main tourism activities on the island, is still not allowed.

Cariaga did not further elaborate on the reason why the local government had temporarily suspended island-hopping activities.

The prohibition of island-hopping had been an existing guideline on the island prior to the suspension of Samal's tourism activities on December 18, 2020.

In a previous report, island-hopping was suspended to regulate the movement of the public as a mitigating measure against Covid-19.

She also said resort-hopping will also not be allowed.

"Kung asa ka naka-book, dili ka pwede magsuroy. Dili ka pwede mag-resort-hopping (Once you are booked to a certain establishment, you cannot roam anywhere and do resort hopping)," Cariaga said.

As of Wednesday, the city government has yet to issue an executive order (EO) on the complete guidelines, which Cariaga said the mayor will issue within the week.

She also added they would still implement the "no booking, no entry" policy.

As to the operational capacity, only 50 percent of the resort’s capacity will be allowed to maintain the required physical distancing.

Meanwhile, Cariaga said the local government is planning to lift the 24-hour liquor ban as they set to allow establishments to sell liquor. She, however, said liquors should not be consumed in public and even on resorts.

Beach resorts started the resumption of their operation on August 1, 2020, while tourism activities such as island hopping, scuba diving and aqua sports activities resumed on September 16.

Tourism activities on the island were suspended on December 18, 2020, in anticipation of the influx of tourists who wished to celebrate Christmas in Samal.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the request of the Igacos government to reopen its tourism industry.

In a news report from state-owned media PTV Davao on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, Uy confirmed that the IATF granted their appeal to allow the gradual reopening of the island to tourists under a limited capacity after submitting their appeal to the national IATF.

Only resorts and other tourism-related establishments accredited by the local government and the Department of Tourism will be allowed to operate, he said.

Uy added that tourists outside Davao Region will also be allowed to visit Samal, but they must abide by the imposed requirements.

"Kadtong sa mga (Those from) outside Davao Region, they will go through the antigen test. Isa pud na sa gi-unsa pud sa IATF sa amoa (These were the regulations that the IATF ordered us to implement). Anyway, ang (the) antigen, ang mag-conduct ana [is] ang city unya libre na siya (will be provided by the city for free)," he said.