𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗗𝗱𝗢 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁: 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆

To empower coconut farmers and strengthen the coconut industry in the province, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in collaboration with the PLGU-Philippine Coconut Authority, successfully conducted the 2nd Provincial Coconut Summit held at the Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School on August 22, 2023.

DTI Provincial Director, Atty. Lucky Siegfred M. Balleque said the summit is one of the steps of the government that aims to provide a platform for stakeholders in promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development toward the resilience of the coconut sector in the province.

This year’s celebration highlighted several components such as the plenary session, panel discussion, showcasing of food and non-food products through product exhibit, and profiling and registration of coconut farmers.

Status and updates on the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) were discussed by the Philippine Coconut Authority during the plenary session. Sunrise Ventures Corporation also provided inputs on business opportunities for Coco Sugar Production.

Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga graced the event with commitment of support “𝑘𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑝𝑎𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑢𝑛 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜, 𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑝𝑎𝑘𝑢𝑠𝑜𝑔 𝑠𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠, 𝑘𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑖 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑖 𝑠𝑎 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑏𝑜𝑘-𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑦𝑎 𝑢𝑔 𝑠𝑎 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑜𝑑 𝑝𝑎 𝑛𝑔𝑎 ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑦𝑜𝑛, 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎 𝑘𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑔𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑔-𝑢𝑢𝑚𝑎”.

Gov Gonzaga also led the induction of officers for the Coconut Industry Resource Circuit for Leadership Empowerment and Development Davao de Oro (CIRCLED DdO).

More than a thousand coconut farmers gathered at the event, and around 100 key stakeholders, experts, and enthusiasts from across the coconut industry shared a day of insightful discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaborative planning.

“𝑁𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑖 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑘𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑦𝑎 𝑛𝑔𝑎 𝑔𝑖ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑔 𝑠𝑎 𝑔𝑜𝑏𝑦𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑜 𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑛𝑖𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑔𝑡𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑘 𝑛𝑔𝑎 𝑢𝑠𝑎 𝑘𝑎 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑠𝑎𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖ℎ𝑖𝑦𝑜 𝑛𝑔𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑎ℎ𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑡 𝑢𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑎𝑢𝑏𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑔𝑙𝑎ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑠𝑎𝑠𝑦𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑔-𝑢𝑢𝑚𝑎 𝑠𝑎 𝑡𝑖𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑦𝑎,” statement of Mary Ann C. Cabillon, Chairperson of Comval Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative in New Bataan.

She also expressed gratitude to all the concerned government agencies for providing assistance and support from various trainings, orientations on value-adding and production technologies, and the provision of coconut seedlings. (𝑅. 𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑛𝑜, Photos by Jonie Cadiz)

Gov. Gonzaga joins 5th League of Provinces of the Philippines General Assembly

Davao de Oro Gov. Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga joined the 5th General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) held at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City on August 26, 2023.

The LPP brings together more than 80 strong provincial leaders from across the country as it deliberates on current issues, fosters inter-provincial collaboration, and focuses on sustainable development in the region.

Headed by its National President, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., the assembly discusses crucial events and topics aimed at strengthening ties among provinces and enabling them to work together on shared challenges and opportunities. Among those shared in the panel discussion includes the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election 2023, the Provincial Integrated Water Security Planning, Mainstreaming Climate Change in Local Planning and Programming Process, Integrating all provincial jails within the jurisdiction of BJMP, and sharing of best practices of the Province-wide Universal Health Care Program of La Union, among others.

Thus, encompassing a wide range of topics, the assembly served as a platform for the LPP members and key stakeholders to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices, including Gov. Gonzaga, who actively joined in the discussion.

The gathering of the LPP is yet another testament to the power of unity and collaboration, and that “inter-provincial cooperation will drive positive change, enhance resilience, and ensure a brighter future for all Filipinos.” (PAO-IPRD DDO)

Magnitude-5.5 quake jolts Davao Occidental

BY MIKE CRISMUNDO

Aug 29, 2023 11:04 AM

  

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BUTUAN CITY – A magnitude-5.5 earthquake jolted Davao Occidental on Tuesday morning, August 29.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded  the earthquake at 1:59 a.m. and its  epicenter was 214 kilometers southeast of Balut Island in the municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental.

The tremor had a depth of 15 kms, Phivolcs said, and was felt at Intensity I  in Tupi, South Cotabato, and Malungon and Kiamba, Sarangani. 

Aftershocks were expected but no damage is expected.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Southern Mindanao and the Davao Occidental Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council(DRRMC) reported no damage or injury from the earthquake.

Minutes earlier at 1:51 a.m., a magnitude-4.1 tectonic earthquake was recorded and its epicenter was 358 kms southeast of Balut Island and had a depth of 70 kms, Phivolcs said.

No damage or injuries were reported from this earthquake. 

Philtoa's 4th GMM celebrates inclusive tourism and love for the Philippines

General membership meeting reveals plans and programs to revitalize Philippine tourism

BY REY ILAGAN

  

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DOT Secretary Christina Frasco with Philtoa President Fe Abling-Yu

The Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa) recently hosted its 4th General Membership Meeting at the Crimson Hotel Filinvest City in Muntinlupa, with the Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco as keynote speaker. Led by Philtoa President Fe Abling-Yu, the meeting also highlighted Bacolod City as the featured destination, with Mayor Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Benitez in attendance.

Secretary Frasco commended Philtoa for its unwavering commitment to revitalizing Philippine tourism, highlighting the association’s promotion of inclusive tourism development in both established and emerging destinations.

"We recognize that there are several emerging destinations across the country that, if given the right assistance, attention, development, and promotion, have the potential to become key destinations, as far as tourism is concerned,” the tourism chief said. “This is why I'm very grateful to Philtoa, because their focus has not been our world-famous destinations alone, but also in giving opportunities to emerging destinations. This is reflective of true shared tourism governance, where the private sector mobilizes the industry to assist the government to ensure inclusive tourism development." 

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez 

With this, Bacolod City also took center stage at the 4th GMM as a growing "super city" with exciting advancements in tourism, including infrastructure, art, culture, and culinary experiences. Mayor Benitez highlighted upcoming projects such as the Bacolod Convention Center, which can accommodate up to 10,000 people for MICE events; the Bacolod Masskara Museum/Trade Center; and the Orange Project, a prominent art gallery. The renowned Masskara Festival, spanning three weeks, promises a vibrant celebration of sports, food, spirits, and festivities.

To further underscore its commitment to fostering partnerships and growth within the industry, Philtoa President Abling-Yu announced the upcoming 34th Philippine Travel Mart, scheduled from Sept. 1 to 3 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.

She stated: "We are grateful for the strong partnerships with the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Philippine Airlines, BPI, and our media partners. The 34th Philippine Travel Mart is not only a showcase of our country's incredible destinations but also a celebration of our industry's resilience and strength as a major contributor to the country’s growth and progress.”

The association also welcomed 10 new tour operators, an immigration services agency, and 15 hotel and resort properties, increasing the total membership to over 500. 

These additions include Big Golden Furby International Travel and Tours, Inc.; BNG Travel and Tours Services, Inc.; ETravel Zone; ETravelPH Events Management Services; Festive Travel and Tours Services; Godspeed Travel & Tours Corp.; Group Tours Specialists, Inc.; Jimwell Travel and Tours; Landsair Tours and Travel Corp., Mariaynah Travel and Tour; MFly Travel and Tours; RIOR Wanders Travel and Tours; Tobi's Travel & Tour Services, Inc.; Travel Enterprise Corporation; Walk the Planet, Inc; Alpha Suites Makati; Ambassador in Paradise Resort Corporation; Best Western Plus Metro Clark; City Garden Grand Hotel; Discovery Samal; Holiday Suites; Red Hotel, Inc.; Richmonde Hotel Iloilo; Sol y Viento Mountain Hot Spring Resort, Inc.; Timberland Highlands Resort; and ACN Southern Immigration and Educational Services.

As the tourism industry rebounds post-pandemic, Chroma Hospitality Group Vice President Carmela Bocanegra encouraged Philtoa members to capitalize on the opportunity for a strong comeback. “Make 2023 the time of the great comeback,” Bocanegra said.

Secretary Frasco echoed this sentiment, inviting Philtoa to continue showcasing and enhancing the best of the Philippines' destinations. She emphasized that loving the Philippines involves introducing innovative solutions aligned with global tourism trends and localizing that love within specific destinations.

"To love the Philippines is to highlight our love of country, our pride of place, our love for each other, and is a reminder and a call to action," said Frasco. "To love the Philippines... is to try to understand what we can do to introduce difficult but helpful solutions or programs that have never been done before, but are being implemented now in response to global tourism trends. To love the Philippines is to localize this love in your specific destinations."

Alex Eala improves to career-high No. 195 in WTA rankings

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The country’s top Filipino tennis player propelled 22 notches from No. 217 to a career-high No. 195 following her last two performances in Great Britain.

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Alex Eala continued her rise in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) after breaching the Top 200 rankings this week.

Alex Eala is now one of the top 200 female tennis players in the world. (File Photo/Alex Eala Facebook)

The country’s top Filipino tennis player propelled 22 notches from No. 217 to a career-high No. 195 following her last two performances in Great Britain.

She claimed her fourth pro title at the W25 Roehampton before settling for the runner-up honors in W25 Aldershot.

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Now playing in the pros full time, the 18-year-old Eala hopes to add more trophies in her growing collection when she competes in the ITF Tour campaign in Japan and China starting next week.

She is also expected to carry the fight for the Philippine team in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China slated Sept. 23 to Oct. 8. 

Alex Eala continued her rise in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) after breaching the Top 200 rankings this week.