DAVAO CITY IS NOW PHILIPPINES' CACAO CAPITAL

After years of promoting the cacao industry, Davao City finally grabs the recognition as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines given by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday.

Not only that, Davao City is also the regional winner for Organic Program under the local government unit (LGU) category.The two recognition were received by Mayor Inday Sara Duterte from DA Secretary William Dar in a virtual event on Monday afternoon.

“For the past few years now, Davao cacao has been recognized as among the world’s best, with our local brands making waves in international chocolate competitions, and a growing number of Filipino and foreign chocolate makers sourcing their beans here,” Mayor Sara said in her acceptance message.

Mayor Sara noted that from the year 2015 to 2019, the city has produced 2,289 metric tons of cacao, making Davao the biggest cacao producing area in the entire country. “While it is one thing for our cacao and chocolates to be renowned internationally, to be recognized by the national government is just as important for us, for this is an affirmation and a celebration of the efforts of our cacao farmers and processors, and everyone in the cacao industry,” she said.

Mayor Sara also highlighted the contribution of the city’s cacao industry players and organic agriculture partners for Davao City to get the latest recognition.

“I thank all of our cacao industry players and organic agriculture partners because all of your efforts have brought Davao City these accolades.”

The mayor said that the goal of local agriculture is not just to ensure that there is food on the table for each Dabawenyo, but to make it a viable and sustainable industry for our farmers and all stakeholders.Mayor Sara sees the agri awards as an inspiration for the city to continue to work harder for a more flourishing agricultural industry. CIO

DOT-XI GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO 75 HOTELS, OTHERS TO OPERATE

The Department of Tourism (DOT) XI regional Office has authorized 75 accommodation establishments in Davao City to operate under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

Starting this month, 25 hotels, 45 mabuhay accommodations (inns, pension houses, motorist hotels, homestay, vacation homes), three (3) resorts, and two (2) apartelles in the city can operate after DoT XI issued their Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO).

Under the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF–EID) Resolution No. 43 s. of 2020 of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine, accommodation establishments may operate only upon the issuance of a Certificate of Authority to operate by the DOT.

Gene Rose Tecson, the head of the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), said, “Those establishments issued with a CAO are compliant with the standard health protocols set by the IATF and the city government.” Tecson said her office will conduct regular inspections to monitor the compliance of securing a CAO from the DOT-XI as well as the practice of health protocols in the accommodation establishments, especially those restaurants and common areas of the establishments are now open.

The hotel establishments allowed to operate are Red Planet Hotels Davao Corporation, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, Seda Abreeza Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, DusitD2 Davao Hotel, Blue Lotus Hotel, The Madeline Boutique Hotel and Suites, Acacia Hotel Davao, Grand Menseng Hotel, Microtel by Wyndham Davao, Go Hotels Davao, Inc., Ruemango Apartelle and Suites, Hotel Tropika, Lispher Inn, Star Hotel, The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Apo View Hotel, Home Crest Hotel, Infinity Suites, Green Banana Business Hotel, Panorama Summit Hotel, Sunny Point (Davao), Inc., El Bajada Hotel and Crevice Hotel.The Hotel Midori, Davao Obrero Suites, Midori Inn, Red Knight Gardens, The Lanang Suites, Tinhat Boutique Hotel, Domicilio Lorenzo Apartelle, Sumo Asia Hotel, Twin Teres Inn, Queen Karla’s Inn, City North Inn, A Travellers Inn, Roadway Inn, Circle B Inn, Abi Yhors Inn, Princess Perrine Suites, Mushroom Inn, Rhina Treasure’s Inn, Big Ben Apartelle, First Pacific Inn, Jade Dragon’s Suites, Jotel Inn, JBQ Inn, Metropolis Suites Davao, Nath Fen Suites, Inc., Bababoom Inn, Amaranta Suites, Palm Tree Residence, Davao Airport View Hotel, Oyo 165 Circle B Apartelle and Suite, Vismin GV Hotel Inc., Sun My Hotel, The Strand Suites and Dormitel Inc., RJEM Ventures (D’Garden Inn), Emma Victoria’s Inn, Casa Munda Bed and Breakfast, Faircrown Realty Corporation, Megiko Dormitel, VBH Inn, Drive Park Inn, My Hotel, Hotel Uno, Hotel Esse, Jazzy James Country Hotel and the Peridot Suites are the MAB establishments permitted to operate.Also allowed to operate are the Villa Carmelita Resort, Mamay Inn and Resort, Eden Nature Park and Resort, Linmar Apartelle, and Crown Regency Residences Davao.Based on CTOO’s inventory as of September 2020, Davao City has a total of 236 accommodation establishments. CIO

DABAWENYOS URGED TO HEED CALLS FOR EVACUATION DURING DISASTER

With the onset of the rainy days, the Davao City government has called on all Dabawenyos especially those living in flood and landslide-prone areas to be vigilant at all times and heed advice for pre-emptive evacuation.The reminder was issued after the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) rescue teams were facing challenges in evacuating residents of Bangkal during Tuesday night’s flooding incident.“May we remind everyone nga once magsulti og pre-emptive evacuation ang atong City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and Barangay Risk Reduction and Management Office, kinahanglan mapatuman ta sa pre-emptive evacuation so that dili ta maabot sa punto nga kinahanglan na ta i-rescue dinha sa atoang lugar (May we remind everyone to follow once the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and Barangay Risk Reduction and Management Office implement pre-emptive evacuation so we will not reach the point that we need rescue you when the floodwater is high),” said Mayor Inday Sara Duterte over Davao City Disaster Radio on Wednesday.She said that there are still residents who refused and waited for the water to rise and get inside their homes before they evacuate. The mayor said this practice should stop to prevent things to worsen.On Tuesday, Davao City experienced moderate to heavy rain causing Talomo River channels to overflow to nearby residential areas in Barangay Talomo Proper. The responding teams from CDRRMO evacuated around 900 individuals from the affected areas to three (3) evacuation sites.The city government also deployed its Kusina ng Bayan under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to serve hot meals, while 1,000 reusable face masks were also distributed by the City Health Office (CHO). CIOCategorized in Disaster Risk Reduction & Mitigation

DAVAO CITY ALSO IMPOSES STRICTER COVID-19 SCREENING FOR LAND TRAVELERS

The Davao City government has also strengthened the health screening at the entry and exit checkpoints for land travellers entering and exiting the city.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte on Monday said that the people arriving from other Mindanao airports that do not require a negative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and travel by land to the city will be screened at the checkpoints.

“Gipakusgan napud nato atong mga land checkpoints sa entry and exits diri sa Davao City, because we expect na dunay musakay sa ubang airport tapos mag by-land sila padulong diri sa atoa (We have also strengthened screening at our entry and exit checkpoints in Davao City because we expect that there are passengers who landed from other airports and will enter the city by land),” she said.

The Task Force (TF) Davao has created a screening process to check the travel history of passengers entering the city. TF Davao will also coordinate with the City Health Office (CHO) if ever they find Davao residents who arrived from other airports.

Mayor Inday Sara said the TF Davao has also improved the health screening at the checkpoints.“For the past two weeks naa tay gina-construct nga mga facilities para mas ma-paspas nato ang health screening nato dinha sa mga checkpoints nato (For the past two weeks we constructed facilities to speed-up the health screening at the checkpoints),” Mayor Sara added.

The thermal scanner was already installed at the Lasang checkpoint on July 19 while the installation in the Sirawan checkpoint will be done on July 21 and on July 25 at the Lacson checkpoint.Mayor Sara also said the city may conduct a voluntary and random RT-PCR testing for land travellers if the number of cases with a history of land travel will increase. This was previously done for air passengers due to the surge of positive cases since the resumption of commercial flights in Davao International Airport.

“We’ll see with the numbers because makita man nato kung unsay history or unsay exposure sa usa ka-confirmed Covid-19 case (We’ll see with the numbers because we can identify that with the history and exposure of a confirmed Covid-19 case),” she said.

Air travelers entering Davao City are required to present before boarding the negative result of RT PCR test conducted within 72 hours before the trip.Davao City had earlier required Davao-bound passengers to submit upon check-in at any airport of origin a negative RT-PCR result taken 48 hours before the departure date as one of the measures to control the transmission of the coronavirus infection.The requirement was adjusted to 72 hours.The city government was prompted to require a negative RT-PCR after the data from the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit showed that the highest confirmed Covid-19 cases in Davao City were travellers from Manila. CIO

DAVAO CITY RATIONS GROCERY PACKS TO BARANGAY 23-C

The Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSSDO) has delivered 6,266 grocery packs to targetted beneficiaries in Barangay 23-C which is under a 14-day hard lock down since Saturday, July 4, 2020, to control the spread of coronavirus.

CSWDO rolled out the food rationing to Barangay 23-C which is assured of continued assistance from the city government until the lock down measures are lifted.Maria Luisa Bermudo, the Chief of the CSWDO, said her office is targetting two cycles of food packs distribution in the barangay which has a total population of 18,000.

“We have distributed grocery packs to the families in all seven puroks of the barangay containing 15 kilos of rice and assorted canned goods, good for 10 days consumption for the residents,” Bermudo said. Aside from food intervention, the CSWDO is conducting psycho-social support to the affected individuals through their support hotline.Some residents of Barangay 23-C are also enrolled in Work for Davao, the emergency employment program of the city government. Currently, there are 397 residents enrolled in the program.Also, around 383 beneficiaries are recommended for the Eskwela Davao program, the educational assistance program offered for children whose families have lost or reduced their income due to Covid-19. 

Meanwhile, City Health Officer Josephine Villafuerte said that all positive cases in the barangay are in isolation at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and their close contacts traced are isolated in their homes.She assured that health workers assigned in the barangay will continue to provide health services in the areas. Medicines and medical supplies will also be made available at the health centers. 

While addressing Covid-19 situation in the barangay, CHO still holds regular health activities such as nutrition, immunization, tuberculosis, tropical disease control, and the ‘Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio.’Barangay 23-C was placed under a hard lockdown after 88 residents tested positive of the coronavirus. The barangay is considered the city’s “hot spot” and very high-risk area of the coronavirus. CIO

MORE LIQUOR BAN VIOLATORS ARRESTED

Posted on July 2, 2020  by administrator

The city government of Davao has shown that it is serious in the implementation of the liquor ban as the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) continue to apprehend more violators.From March to June, the two offices apprehended a total of 196 individuals for selling and drinking alcoholic beverages.

DCPO head Police Colonel Kirby John Kraft said that concerned citizens, who reported on violators, also played a role in the arrests.“We received tips from various Davawenyos that led to the arrest of these individuals. We actually encourage more Dabawenyos to inform us if they see people violating the liquor ban,” Kraft said.

VRU head Dr. Ashley Lopez said that they have been monitoring online sellers of alcoholic beverages, who have proliferated when the liquor ban due to the pandemic was implemented on April 6.

“Naa lang gihapon gahig ulo labi na mga alcoholics who desperately find ways to drink to satisfy their cravings,” Lopez said.Lopez and Kraft issued warning anew against other possible violators that they too will be arrested. CIO

DAVAO CITY TO IMPLEMENT LOCKDOWNS, BARANGAY ECQ DURING MGCQ

Posted on July 2, 2020  by administrator

Davao City will still implement a barangay Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or house, street, purok, and compound lockdowns during the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“This is to control the transmission especially in identified very high risk and high-risk areas,” Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said in a live interview over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Wednesday.If lockdowns and ECQ happen in specific areas, Mayor Sara said, offices and establishment owners must be considerate to their employees that will be affected by these control measures.

“There will be employees nga dili gyud makasulod not because naa silay sakit but because nasulod sila sa isa ka lockdown. So maghangyo ta mga offices and establishment employers to take into consideration kaning mga ing-ani nga control measures (There will be employees that cannot report to work not because they are sick but because they were locked down. So we are appealing to offices and establishment employers to take into consideration these control measures),” she said.

Lockdowns are implemented in an area with an alarming number of positive Covid-19 cases. When an area is in lockdown, residents are required to 14-day home quarantine. Affected residents will be tested on the 14th day and those who are positive will be transferred to an isolation facility. The individuals who are locked down are those that have exposure to people positive of Covid-19 or have been included in the contact tracing. The city government provides ration and psychosocial support for residents under lockdown. CIO

PHYSICAL DISTANCING TO PREVAIL WHEN ROXAS NIGHT MARKET REOPENS

Posted on June 25, 2020  by administrator

The Roxas Night Market, which remains closed amid the efforts to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), might soon reopen – albeit, with a limited number of vendors, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said.

“We can expect nga ing-ana [control of the number of vendors at the Roxas Night Market] ang mahitabo because of the new normal requirements of [physical] distancing,” Mayor Inday said.

While she cannot give a definite time frame as to when the Roxas Night Market could reopen, she said she was hoping that it would happen very soon.“Of course di nato gusto nga next year pa because dili nato gusto padugayon ang delay sa pagbalik sa trabaho and sa negosyo sa tao,” Mayor Inday said.

She said the reopening of the Roxas Night Market entirely depended on how soon the quarantine measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 are lifted.The Roxas Night Market, despite having been bombed in September 2016, continues to gain popularity as a destination, not only among the locals but also tourists.It was shut down when the virus struck the city a few months back.To cushion the impact of its closure on vendors, they were enrolled in the TUPAD program of the city and the Department of Labor and Employment, under which, they were asked to do minimal work in exchange for P396 per day for 30 days. CIO

4TH ROUND OF FOOD AID TO ‘PIPS’

DAVAO CITY COMPLETES 4TH ROUND OF FOOD AID TO ‘PIPS’

Posted on June 9, 2020  by administrator

The Davao City government has completed the fourth round of the food distribution to the Women/People in Prostitution (PIP) whose source of income is also affected by the movement restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Gina A. Molon, in-charge of the food assistance and the Officer-in-Charge of the Pre-schooler and Children’s Concern Division (PSCCD) of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), said CSWDO has reached out to a total of 323 PIPs in the areas of San Pedro, Legaspi, Anda, Claveria, and Tiongco. Together with the food assistance, CSWDO also distributed hotline number cards in case they would need psychosocial assistance.

Molon said CSWDO has identified these beneficiaries previously because they are already clients of the city government’s different programs, advocacies, and livelihood assistance.

“Ato na man gyud na sila’ng kleyente. In fact, na-organize na nato sila. Naa ta’y organizations sa mga People in Prostitution (They are already our clients. In fact, we have organized them, we have organization for the People in Prostitution),” Molon said.

She added that aside from the livelihood assistance their children are also beneficiaries of the city’s educational program.“Beneficiary nato na sila sa atong mga livelihood ug sa atong educational assistance sa ilang mga kabataan (They are beneficiaries of our livelihood and the educational assistance for their children),” she noted. CIO

DAVAO CITY FIRM VS. GCQ VIOLATIONS

Posted on June 11, 2020  by administrator


The Davao City government has filed charges against over 200 persons who have violated the protocols of the community quarantine.Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay said that 90 cases had already been filed in court against 277 violators for defying the rules on curfew, liquor ban, and social gathering.

Sumagaysay said that on the other hand, 145 cases had also been filed out of the 329 apprehensions for violations of the Food and Medicine Pass (FM Pass).Other cases are yet to be filed as these will be done through regular filing while other apprehended suspects are minors.

“We just have to follow the protocols, especially on the social distancing and wearing of mask,” he said. Sumagaysay said the protocols are being strictly implemented to prevent the further spread of the virus.The city has registered a total of 321 cases since the outbreak started. Of the figure, 192 have recovered but 30 have died.

Currently, 99 cases remain active. Sumagaysay also commended the police authorities for doing their job and ensure that the protocols are strictly implemented. “We are commending the security sector, particularly the Davao City Police Office for continued implementation of GCQ guidelines. We hope that Dabawenyos would cooperate and adhere to the guidelines (because) after all, this is for the good of our community,” he said.

By: CIO
Categorized in COVID-19, Peace and Order

Bye bye Marco Polo Hotel Davao City

Thank you so much Marco Polo Hotel MarcoPolo Davao, GenMan Colin Owen Healy, Ma'am Ariane Cabrera, Ma-am Pearl Peralta-Maclang and the whole staff. I experienced wonderful and unique moments here. Praying for meeting you all again very soon. God bless you more ☺️🙏

From the Office of the City Mayor Davao

General Community Quarantine in Davao City

The City Government of Davao released on Thursday morning a DRAFT of the executive order on the specific guidelines IF the city will officially shift to GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE.


EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. __
Series of 2020

AN ORDER PROVIDING FOR A GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN DAVAO CITY ON 00:01 16 MAY 2020 TO 11:59 PM 31 MAY 2020 UNLESS FURTHER EXTENDED, MODIFIED OR WITHDRAWN

SECTION 2. GUIDELINES. The following guidelines of the GCQ:

1. OMNIBUS GUIDELINES. The Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of the Community Quarantine in the Philippines is hereby adopted for the implementation of the GCQ in the city.

2. QUARANTINE. No one can come out of their house except those using a Food and Medicine pass (FM pass) or those allowed to work under GCQ;

3. GCQ EXEMPTED WORK. Department of Trade and Industry Memorandum Circular 20-22 series of 2020 and its Annex is hereby adopted to enumerate all the offices, establishments and industries allowed to operate during GCQ.

4. GCQ NOT EXEMPTED WORK. All private offices and business establishments who are GCQ exempted, whenever needed, may operate a home office or work from home system for their employees. They shall not be allowed to open to the public or accept clients or customers in their houses.

5. VULNERABLE SECTOR. Any person below twenty-one (21) years old, those who are sixty (60) years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who reside with the aforementioned, shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices. (Omnibus Guidelines Sec. 3 No.2)

6. INDISPENSABLE DEFINITION. Sec. 3 (7) OF THE Omnibus Guidelines provide that individuals below the age of 21 years old and those 60 years and above may enter malls only when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining goods and essential services or for work. Indispensable shall mean necessary because of peculiar circumstances, e.g. senior living alone, emergency, doctor’s clinic inside mall, etc.

7. FM PASS. The Food and Medicine pass (FM pass) shall be used to buy food, medicines or go to the hospital. Two (2) individuals can be named on the pass but only one (1) named person therein can use it at any given time. The FM pass must be used with a valid ID to verify the name indicated therein;

a. FM pass with last digit 1,3,5,7,9 can only be used on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, FM pass with last digit 0,2,4,6,8 can only be used on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, FM pass can only be used from the hours of 5:00AM to 9:00PM. The FM pass cannot be used on a Sunday.

b. Groceries, supermarket, wet market, pharmacy, drugstore must require the presentation of a GCQ exempted workers ID or FM pass and valid ID before entering the store. The establishment can refuse entry if the person is found to violating the rules on the use of the FM pass;

c. The establishment can implement reasonable rules within their premises during the GCQ to protect their employees;

8. CLUSTERING. The clustering of barangays in a district for the purposes of travel is hereby lifted. However, for the protection of the public and to control the spread within a specific community only, everyone is advised to avoid the areas identified to be Very High Risk and Medium Risk based on the risk assessment made. This list shall be published in a separate document.

9. TRANSPORTATION.

a. The schedule of the ban of trucks along the highways is hereby lifted;
b. All vehicles must implement physical distancing inside their units;
c. Jeepneys shall set-up the approved physical distancing seating arrangement with barriers;
d. Private vehicles and Taxis with 1 driver and 1 passenger in front and 1 at the back, observing physical distancing;
e. Tricycle with 1 driver and 1 passenger in front and 1 at the back, observing distancing;
f. Single rider motorcycle or bicycle;
g. Free bus rides from the government;
h. All passengers must present a GCQ exempted employee ID or FM pass whenever required to do so by the driver or law enforcement;
i. Privately employed drivers shall present an employee ID or a certification from his employer and a xerox copy or mobile phone picture of the employer’s ID;

10. SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES. Everyone shall wear face masks in all public places even when inside offices and establishments and must observe at least one (1) meter physical distance from other individuals. Regular handwashing with soap and water should be strictly followed by the employees. Alcohol stations must be available for clients and customers.

11. NEW NORMAL RULES. All offices, schools, institutions, establishments, farm, factories, work site and places of worship must create their New Normal (NN) rules in preparation for the lifting of the quarantine. NN rules shall be implemented until vaccine or medicine becomes available for the public or until lifted by the government. NN rules should institute infection control measures which shall include wearing of face masks, at least 1-meter physical distancing, regular handwashing, regular disinfection of premises and all other no touch/ no contact rules that can be implemented;

12. MASS GATHERING. All public and private mass gatherings are prohibited. Any gathering of more than 10 individuals is considered a mass gathering. Government aid distribution must strictly follow physical distancing.

13. RELIGIOUS CEREMONY. All religious ceremonies, meetings, prayers and gatherings are prohibited. All faith-based groups are requested to make available online ceremonies for their members;

14. GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND NGO/FOUNDATION. All Government offices must be on full operation despite the shifting schedule, work from home arrangements and other work arrangements;

15. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. All private and public educational institutions can implement a skeletal workforce to prepare for online enrollment procedures or any other system that will not create mass gathering and violate physical distancing rules. All institutions should prepare for online classes, distance learning, take home modules, home school program and other programs which do not require students to come to class until face to face classroom instruction may be allowed. The Department of Education Order 007, Series of 2020 dated 11 May 2020 is hereby adopted;

16. LAW ENFORCEMENT RANDOM INSPECTION OR CHECKPOINT. All individuals on the streets or in vehicles whenever asked by law enforcement or barangay checkpoints, must present their GCQ exempted employee ID card or Food and Medicine pass with valid ID whichever is applicable;

a. GCQ and curfew exempted workers need an FM pass to buy food or medicine;

17. LIQUOR BAN. No liquor, alcohol or any other intoxicating drink shall be sold, served or consumed in public until after the quarantine is lifted. Liquor ban shall be 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

18. CURFEW AND EXEMPTION. The curfew hours shall be from 9:00PM to 5:00AM. Within the curfew hours, people cannot go out of their houses, except if cases of emergencies or if going to work in the exempted sectors/frontline offices. The workers in offices, establishments and industries allowed to operate under DTI MC 20-22 series of 2022 are exempted from curfew;

19. SARI-SARI STORE. Sari-sari stores shall be closed from 6:00PM – 6:00AM. They shall not allow people to stay or loiter around the premises;

20. WET MARKET. All wet markets/palengkes shall be closed everyday at 5:00PM for daily disinfection;

a. Residents from other clusters are prohibited to visit the markets in high risk areas such as Bangkerohan Market, Piapi Market and Agdao Market for their own protection;
b. All wet markets/palengkes must have an entrance, exit and one-way direction for people to go through. People cannot turn around and go back and cannot roam around the wet market/palengke;

21. MOBILE PALENGKE OR ROLLING STORE. Mobile Palengke, rolling store, grocery on wheels, or ambulant food vendors who are using different modes of transportation to sell basic food commodities in the barangays shall be allowed. Basic food commodities shall mean rice, bread, meat, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables, cooking oil and other food condiments. There must be a maximum of 2 workers, 1 driver and 1 assistant who shall wear face masks and shall implement proper food handling;

22. WAKE UP AND BURIAL. Funeral Parlors, private and public cemeteries are mandated to impose a “family members only” wake and burial and at all times demand compliance and observance of (1) meter distance between family members, wearing of face masks and frequent hand washing with soap and water;

23. TELEPHONE MEDICINE. 911 shall operate a telemedicine project in coordination with volunteer doctors:

a. Pharmacies and drugstores must accept prescriptions that are in form of text messages wherein the sender is 911 to cater to patients who are accommodated by volunteer doctors conducting telemedicine in the city in coordination with 911;
b. In the absence of a doctor’s prescription, pharmacies and drugstores must allow citizens of their duly authorized representatives to avail of their senior citizen’s discount with the presentation of only their purchase orders/booklets and senior citizen ID;

24. EMERGENCY. There is no need for any ID or pass in the event of an emergency;

25. EXERCISE. Individuals are allowed to exercise or go out in the sun or get some fresh air provided that they are within a few meters from their houses.

SOURCE: City Government of Davao

#CTTO

Database for stranded persons launched

RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT, SUNSTAR Davao

THE Davao City Government, on Monday, April 27, opened a database center for individuals stranded within and outside the city.

The City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) launched the Davao City Stranded Persons Database Center (DCSPDC) wherein stranded individuals must report to the center their situation by providing the following details through the center's provided text hotline and e-mail address posted on the City Government of Davao and CTOO Facebook page.


For residents stranded outside Davao City, they must provide the following: their name, date of birth, mobile number, address in Davao, address currently in, the starting date in the city he or she got stranded, purpose of travel, and persons travelling with and its relationship.

While for persons stranded in Davao, they must submit their name, date of birth, mobile number, address in Davao, the starting date when he or she got stranded in Davao City, home address, city/municipality/province where he or she originates, purpose of travel in Davao City, and persons travelling with and their relationship.


CTOO, in an online post, said DCSPDC will respond to their text or email for additional information.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announced the creation of the center on Saturday, April 25, after receiving various complaints from individuals, especially Dabawenyos stranded outside.

As of now, those stranded outside Davao Region still cannot enter following the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), as recommended by the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Duterte-Carpio also emphasized that according to the IATF-EID, air travel ban inside the region is still prohibited as airport operation is still limited to cargo transport.

Opening the center, the mayor said, is the only help the City Government can do to help those stranded passengers.

The mayor also emphasized the need to collate data from those who were stranded outside the region, in order for the city to prepare their isolation facilities.

She said they would be immediately required to go under 14-day quarantine in case the regional lockdown will be lifted.

However, in Davao City, the city needs to capacitate its isolation facility to more than 1,000 beds.

As of now, she said the city has a current total of 415 bed to its 11 isolation facilities.

"Kung magpasulod daw ta og, let's say, 500 ka tao ang atong 415 ka beds is not enough to accommodate new wave of infection sa mga musulod (Our current 415 bed capacities is not enough to accommodate new wave of infection if we would allow entry of 500 people outside the region)," Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

But she said those who wanted to leave the city can still go out, provided that the city or town they go home to can cater to them.

The mayor, meanwhile, received reports that certain local government units are working on to usher back home their stranded residents inside Davao City. These are Davao Oriental and a certain province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

From the Office of the Davao City Mayor

Department of Tourism Region XI Davao CIty

Assistance sought for pork dealers affected with ASF outbreak

By:  KEN E. CAGULA

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Pork dealers here appealed for government assistance as sales “hugely” dropped in the wake of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.

Earlier this month, authorities declared the entry of ASF in Davao City, initially affecting two villages in Calinan District–Brgy. Dominga and Brgy. Lamanan. Last week, Brgy Inayangan, still in Calinan District, was confirmed to also have ASF cases.

Since then, sales of fresh and processed meat dropped to as low as 50 percent, said pork dealer Eden Guira, during a press conference on Monday (Feb. 24). That is, from P100,000 income/day to only P35,000-P40,000/day.

“That amount is not yet enough for me to pay my laborers,” Guira added.

Teodora Guira, who distributes processed pork products to other areas in Mindanao, said that sales from other provinces also went down after local governments prohibited the sales of processed pork products from Davao City.

“Our buyers from Malungon, Gensan, Mati, Surigao, Butuan, said they were given a memorandum prohibiting the sales of products such as chorizo, embutido, tocino and lumpia shanghai from Davao,” she lamented.

Davao City slaughterhouse Operations Manager Chalemagne Aldevera Jr. noted that from about 500 pigs in a day on previous months, only around 200 pigs were processed at the time of this writing.

“What we are processing are only for the consumption in Davao City because our pork cannot go outside of the city as a result of the lockdown,” Aldevera said.

Allaying fears from other consumers, pork dealers stressed that the meat being sold in public markets in the city came only from registered farms, are provided with certifications, and are not from backyard farms susceptible to ASF. (davaotoday.com)

STATEMENT BY MAYOR INDAY SARA DUTERTE

One Mindanao is with Kenz Patisoy Banial.

“In addition, beginning tomorrow, February 11, all welcome and send-off groups at airports, seaports, bus terminals, and other transportation hubs are permanently banned not only because of the virus but for reasons of safety and security. Only employees, workers, drivers and passengers are allowed in these places.” - Mayor Inday Sara Duterte

STATEMENT BY MAYOR INDAY SARA DUTERTE

The novel coronavirus situation remains very fluid and there is still no answer when it will be stabilized or its spread across the globe be fully controlled.

We have seen an increasing number of people getting the infection worldwide. Our health care facilities in Davao City have limitations and we cannot possibly carry hundreds of sick individuals all at the same time.

Because of these limitations, our plan for us Dabawenyos is to ensure that we do not get the infection. Please read all available information on how you can keep you, your children, and the entire family healthy. It is important to keep your immune system strong. Avoid crowded places and activities that will propagate the spread of the virus.

We have been following the pronouncements of the Department of Health and it has released last February 7 the advisory on public gatherings, thus it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to cancel the following events of the 83rd Araw ng Dabaw celebration: Pasiugdang Pagsaulog, Reyna Dabawenya, Ginoong Davao, Sayaw Pinoy, Kalingawan sa Sta. Ana, Hudyaka, Mutya ng Dabaw, Pasidungog, Araw ng Empleyado, Kanta Bidabawenyo, Parada Dabawenyo, and the Datu Bago Awards.

All preparations made for this year shall all be executed in 2021. We shall leave it to the parents, schools, government/private offices and business establishments to ensure that their children, students, and employees understand the history of Davao City, where we are going with our Byaheng Do30 agenda, how we have shown the past 3 years that we stand tall, united, and resilient and that we shall embody discipline, integrity, and competence in the next 3 years.

In addition, beginning tomorrow, February 11, all welcome and send-off groups at airports, seaports, bus terminals, and other transportation hubs are permanently banned not only because of the virus but for reasons of safety and security. Only employees, workers, drivers and passengers are allowed in these places.

I also hereby order the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure that the price freeze memorandum of the DOH, the price tag, suggested retail price and other pertinent regulations on all goods and commodities are strictly implemented. Business permits of stores caught selling overpriced items and hoarding food and other supplies shall be canceled and their establishment padlocked.

All are hereby enjoined to read the DOH advisory pertinent to their organization:

For workplace — DOLE Labor Advisory #4 Series 2020 and DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0056

For Hospitals — DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0035

For Airports and seaports — DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0063

For residential communities — DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0059

For schools — DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0055 and DepEd Memo 15 s. 2020

For hotels and other similar establishments — DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0057

If you have sore throat, cough, fever, and other flu-like symptoms, do not travel in or out of Davao City. Seek medical assistance immediately. Schools, offices and business establishments are advised to come up with guidelines to ensure that students and employees who are sick are not allowed entry to the school or workplace.

While we have a health issue at hand, please DO NOT PANIC. Instead, report to the authorities and seek immediate and appropriate medical help.

Thank you for your cooperation.

- Davao CIO

German Language Course Davao City @ Ateneo de Davao soon

Meeting with Dr. Benedict V. Omblero, Director of Ateneo de Davao Language Center, Humanities and Letters, School of Arts and Science. Finalizing German language course - starting expected April 13, 2020 (Mondays - Thursdays 1 to 3 pm). Thank you so much Ateneo de Davao for giving me the great opportunity to teach German language (again!). Thank you for your time this morning Dr. Omblero, and thank you Ateneo de Davao President Father Joel.

Davao LGU sets aside P54M to build USEP annex

By Antonio Colina IV 

DAVAO CITY – The City Government of Davao will set aside P54 million to construct an annex buildings of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District to get more children from poor families to proceed to higher education, Mayor Sara Duterte said.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Duterte said that the budget for the construction of the building would be sourced from the 2020 budget of the City Government, which she hopes to see being completed by next year or 2022 at the latest.

She said that the expansion came after Task Force Peace 911, which was created to take the lead in the implementation of a comprehensive peace-building program of the local government for conflict-affected areas of the city, found out that there is a need to put up a college in Paquibato to get more senior high school graduates to study college.

It is high time to put up higher education institution in Paquibato, as its presence would encourage more students, who are constrained financially to afford the expenses of going into college in downtown, according to Duterte.

She added Paquibato was chosen to host the USEP-Annex as it aligns with the university’s mandate to reach out to the students in conflict-affected areas.

“It’s on track, and this project – the USEP-Annex- is already moving,” she said.

The Peace 911 was the successor of the defunct Davao Peace Committee, the local peace panel created to hold localized peace initiative with the New People’s Army operating in the hinterlands of the city.

On December 23, 2019, the mayor asked the Duterte administration to exclude the city from the coverage of the GRP-NDFP peace talks, as it would only dampen the gains of the “Peace 911” in all 13 barangays of Paquibato District and Barangay Dominga in Calinan District.

“To be covered by the ceasefire or the peace negotiations will only disrupt and threaten the gains of our process of peace and development in these communities formerly controlled by the terrorists,” she said.

She claimed that Peace 911, a comprehensive peace-building program of the local government for conflict-affected areas of the city, had successfully removed the remaining communist guerrillas operating in Paquibato District and Barangay Dominga.

She said the civilian-led Peace 911 capacitated the Lumad farmers on farming and marketing, and linked them directly to buyers for their produce through the so-called “Peace Economy.”