Davao logs 170 flu-like illnesses

By Ruth Palo

January 21, 2024 

DAVAO CITY: The City Health Office (CHO) has recorded 170 influenza-like illnesses (ILI) since New Year's Day.

Dr. Tomas Miguel Ababon, officer in charge of the CHO, said that the symptoms of ILIs include coughs and colds, which are very common during the rainy season.

Ababon said that the CHO and the Department of Health recommend that Davaoeños, especially those with comorbidity, observe the minimum health requirements to avoid getting ill.

"If you are not feeling well, stay at home, and in case you go out, wear a well-fitted mask, observe proper distancing; these are the minimum health standards imposed in the city," he said in a weekly media forum.

Most people recover from the illness within a week without requiring medical attention. However, ILIs can cause severe illness or death, especially in people at high risk.

Ababon also said the CHO has administered close to 10,000 vials of flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine in the past year.

Ababon, however, admitted that the supply of these vaccines is running low, and the remaining vials are intended for senior citizens.

He said the vaccines for senior citizens are available in all district health centers and barangay health centers.

Dengue cases, deaths rise in Davao City

 By Ruth Palo

September 20, 2023 50

DAVAO CITY: This city has recorded an alarming number of dengue cases from January to August of the year — 1,506 — higher than the 1,052 recorded in the same period last year, city health officials said on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023.

City Health Office (CHO) Tropical Diseases Division head Melodina Babante said the deaths caused by dengue from January to August have also reached 28 or significantly higher than the 13 that were recorded in the same period last year.

Babante also said dengue cases in the city have increased from irregular weather patterns that aided the breeding process of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

She noted that the fight against dengue must be taken to the community level, asking every barangay (village) to form their own Barangay Mosquito-Borne Viral Disease Task Force dedicated entirely to reducing the number of dengue cases in their area.

The fact that the CHO cannot intervene alone, Babante said, the office is enabling barangay officials to aid in the intervention in this disease.

"The residents play an important role in fighting this dengue disease, we are working with local officials to form a dengue task force," she added.

The task force is critical in performing a coordinated effort to limit the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes by searching for and eliminating breeding places. It could further monitor people under its responsibility for signs of infection and use early intervention to prevent an outbreak, Babante said.

Out of 182 barangay here, only 9 have a Mosquito-Borne Viral Disease Task Force. These villages, she said, have reported the lowest number of dengue infections in recent years, indicating that the task force is efficient in lowering dengue cases.

Another 14 barangay previously formed their own task forces, but these have now remained dormant and must be reactivated, Babante added.

Floods displace 113 families in Davao del Sur

By Ruth Palo

June 23, 2023 

DAVAO CITY: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Davao Region has recorded a total of 113 families displaced by flash floods in Davao del Sur caused by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) affecting the region.

OCD 11 Information Officer Franz Irag, in a media briefing on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, said Kiblawan, Sulop and Sta.Cruz towns and Digos City experienced flooding.

He added that three houses in Digos City were damaged and 10 others were destroyed.

Irag said affected residents had been evacuated to safer places of the three municipalities.

Some of them have been allowed to go back to their homes after floodwaters started to subside, he added.

OCD 11 is yet to release information on infrastructure and agricultural damage.

Irag said they already issued a memorandum order to all local disaster risk reduction and management centers to closely monitor their respective areas of responsibilities and to preposition their response assets.

He also said all affected families were provided immediate assistance such as food packs, tents and blankets.

Davao City prepares for El Niño

By Ruth Palo

DAVAO CITY: The City Agriculturist Office (Cagro) here has prepared for the impact of the El Niño phenomenon expected to hit the country starting next month.

Cagro head Edgardo Haspe said the city is about 80 percent complete in its pre-active phase activities designed to mitigate the effects of the dry spell brought about by the El Niño.

"We are almost done with it, maybe about 70 to 80 percent of the activities for the pre-active phase have been completed. We will review the activities we have conducted this Friday during our regular meeting with the Execom," Haspe said.

He said within the week, Cagro will be able to identify highly vulnerable areas in the city and then later check the available water sources that could be tapped.

"We will deploy water pumps that we can use for the said areas but if there is no available water source and the area is accessible we can use the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office water tanks," Haspe said.

The city, he said, allocated a budget through its disaster funds for the purchase of water pumps.

Haspe said that they were also able to identify irrigation facilities that need repair.

"The engineering department has been asked to make an estimate for the immediate repair to ensure that these irrigation facilities would work," he said.

March 28 is Duterte Day in Davao City

DAVAO CITY: The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City approved on Tuesday, March 28, a resolution declaring March 28 of every year as a day of celebration for former president Rodrigo Duterte's continuing contribution to the city and the country.

The resolution, which is authored by Second District Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr., acknowledges the former president as a "living hero of the Republic" for his contribution to the development of the nation and for uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

The passage of the resolution is in time for the former leader's birthday on March 28.

Duterte served Davao City as vice mayor, mayor, and member of the House of Representatives.

"Honorable Rodrigo Duterte was voted upon by the people as the 16th President of the Philippines and served the people from June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2022," the resolution read.

The copies of said resolution were furnished to the Office of the City Mayor, Office of City Administrator, all departments in the city, and all national government agencies here for their information, guidance, and appropriate action.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod will also provide a copy to the former president himself.

Gun ban implemented in Davao for Ironman race

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

DAVAO CITY: Maj. Catherine de la Rey, the spokesman for the Davao City Police Office, announced the enforcement of the regionwide gun ban from March 20 to March 31 due to the scheduled Ironman 70.3.

Speaking at the AFP-PNP Press Corps briefing Wednesday (March 22) at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, de la Rey said that Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 has suspended the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCOR 4 or PTC 4) in the entire Davao Region.

She said this means that non-uniformed individuals with firearms, even with complete permits and licenses, are not allowed to carry their weapons outside of their respective residences.

"The permit to carry firearms outside of the residence is suspended effective March 20. So, for gun owners, you are not allowed to carry your firearms outside, even if you have the permit to do so," de la Rey said.

She said only police officers, Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, and members of other law enforcement agencies on duty and in uniform during the 12-day suspension are allowed to carry firearms. This is to avoid any firearm-related incidents during the Ironman races.

Random checkpoints have been added outside of the checkpoints in the border areas of the region, de la Rey added.

Violators of the gun ban will have to go back to their area of origin or they may opt to deposit their weapons at the checkpoint areas where they were apprehended. If unable to follow either action, apprehended individuals may have their PTC 4 suspended.

She said the suspension is a great help for the region's security forces as this effectively lessens the threat to look out for.

De la Rey urged everyone to abide by the ban and help the security cluster in maintaining peace and order during the sports event.

"Help the police, the Davao City Police Office — to conduct a peaceful, successful and zero-crime incident execution of the Alveo Ironman 70.3, so let us all work together," she said.

Davao Oro declares state of calamity

By Ruth Palo

March 14, 2023 

DAVAO CITY: The province of Davao de Oro has been placed under a state of calamity due to the extensive damage from the series of earthquakes that hit the province last week.

In a resolution passed on Saturday, March 11, through a special session, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan said the declaration would allow the provincial government to immediately address the needs of its residents displaced by the earthquakes.

Based on Section 21 of Republic Act 10121 or "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010," at least 30 percent of the local disaster risk reduction management fund "shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund or standby fund for relief and recovery programs in order that situation and living conditions of people in communities or areas stricken by disasters, calamities, epidemics, or complex emergencies, may be normalized as quickly as possible."

Based on the latest situational report of the Provincial Risk Reduction Management Council, a total of 194,057 households or 229,647 families were affected by the series of strong quakes.

It also reported that the recent earthquakes left an estimated damage of P265 million to infrastructures.

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake rocked Davao de Oro and neighboring provinces last March 6 while two more strong tremors ranging from magnitude 5.6 to 5.9 were reported the following day with epicenters in the municipality of New Bataan in said province.

Currently, all the concerned agencies are in close coordination to address the need for potable water to nine evacuation centers situated in the towns of Maco, Nabunturan, and New Bataan.

Philippine Eagle Foundation to benefit MiceCon

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

DAVAO CITY: The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) was chosen as the beneficiary of MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions) convention set on March 1-3 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier here.

The city is hosting this year's MiceCon after three years of being postponed.

The PEF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the endangered Philippine eagle and its rainforest habitat.

The Philippine eagle, among the four symbolic icons of Davao City, is a strong symbol apt for this year's MiceCon attached in its logo.

Kennedy Kapulong, the former co-chairman of Davao MiceCon 2023, said that the "majestic" Philippine eagle symbolizes the city's "resilience and strength."

Kapulong said that selecting PEF as the beneficiary is in line with the Department of Tourism's (DoT) advocacy for sustainable tourism.

"Likewise, DoT's sustainability efforts and advocacy can be mirrored with the successful initiatives of the PEF to save the national bird. When I was asked for a CSR partner, PEF was the top choice," he said in a statement Friday.

Ann Pelingon, MiceCon Davao's head for corporate social responsibility (CSR), also believes that the foundation matches what MiceCon aims to achieve — resiliency from the ever-changing times.

"Like Davao City, we are known for being resilient. For how many years, the Philippine eagle has been resilient for how many years. It's symbolic and it's just right that the Philippine Eagle Foundation be our beneficiary," she said.

The pandemic, she said, had hugely affected the PEF's operation. Now with the threat of the avian flu, Pelingon said that the center needs financial help.

She said the MiceCon wants to contribute to the foundation's conservation effort of sustaining the population of eagles not only in the city but for the entire country.

"The center really needs funding, especially in ensuring the preservation of the raptor and other endangered animals being sheltered in the center," Pelingon said.

Proceeds from the convention's registration will go to the PEF. In addition, Pelingon said they are also eyeing the delegates to be the center's potential donors.

"At least the delegates, aside from being potential donors, could also help spread the word in the center's conservation efforts," she said.

With MiceCon's goal of having a sustainable tourism industry, Pelingon said the convention is a great avenue for this advocacy.

Pelingon, a former PEF volunteer, believed in the importance of preserving the eagles, which is an indicator of a healthy environment.

She also hoped that many would heed the call for more volunteers in the foundation.

Carla Salvacion, PEF conservation education program team leader, said they are thankful that MiceCon selected the foundation as its beneficiary.

"MiceCon is a huge help not only in raising awareness but also in raising funds for the center to continue its run," she said.

With the theme "MICEConverge: Blaze New Trails," the three-day conference will serve as a gateway to provide more business opportunities and strengthen ties with domestic and international stakeholders.

It is a hybrid event expected to bring in 500 in-person delegates and up to 2,000 online participants from here and abroad.

Highlights of the event include the MICE Youth Challenge and Power Dressing and Glam Makeup Sessions and Workshops where Davao's finest tourism and product services will be on full display with the sub-themes, "Celebrating Nature," "Celebrating Diversity" and "Celebrating Travel and Technology."

Davao Norte boosts tourism activities

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

DAVAO CITY: The Davao del Norte provincial government has recently launched a program aimed at boosting the tourism industry and economic activities in the province.

The program dubbed #DavNorTravels is a flagship initiative of Gov. Edwin Jubahib's administration, with the goal of showcasing the natural and cultural beauty of Davao del Norte to both local and international tourists.

"DavNor Travels is not just a tourism program but a step towards making Davao del Norte a destination of choice for tourists and investors alike. With this program, we aim to create new job opportunities, stimulate local businesses and boost the local economy," Jubahib said.

With its diverse cultural heritage, breathtaking natural wonders and rich history, Davao del Norte has much to offer to tourists, and through the #DavNorTravels, both local and foreign tourists alike get to experience the province's best.

"Our goal is to make Davao del Norte a hub for tourism and economic growth, and I am confident that with the support of our local government units, the private sector, and the community, we can achieve this. I invite everyone to visit Davao del Norte and experience its rich culture, beautiful landscapes and warm hospitality."

Jubahib alongside other provincial officials led by provincial tourism officer Noel Daquioag, visited the famous tourist and emerging destinations in the towns of Santo Tomas, Talaingod, New Corella and Panabo City, among other areas.

The province's contingent was also joined by local government officials, business leaders and community members. It can be recalled that the Jubahib administration funded several tourism-related infrastructures in various local government units in a bid to position the province as a prime tourism destination in the Davao Region.

In 2023, the Jubahib administration funded P3.84 million to operationalize Davao del Norte's Sustainable Tourism Development Program to boost the tourism industry and stir economic activities in the province.

The tourism industry in the province is classified as sun and beach tourism, diving and marine sports tourism, education and agri-tourism, sports tourism, MICE, events tourism, cultural tourism, and ecotourism.

The province has identified three major areas of destination where people can visit and go.

These are the Island Garden City of Samal with its white sand beaches, diving sites, and water sports, the vast banana plantations in the mainland and the highland journey in nature and culture that include waterfalls, rivers, springs, and lakes at the towns of Kapalong, New Corella, Asuncion, San Isidro and the Ata-Manobo Cultural village in Talaingod.

With its commitment to sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage, the #DavNorTravels program is poised to become a game-changer for the province and its people.

Flood-hit Davao del Norte declares state of calamity

By Ruth Palo

DAVAO CITY: Widespread flooding submerged several towns in Davao del Norte and killed at least two residents, prompting the provincial government to declare a state of calamity on Thursday, January 26.

According to the office of the provincial governor, the declaration came after the damage that Davao del Norte suffered in agriculture and infrastructure in six local government units (LGUs) as a result of bad weather conditions across the Davao Region this week.

At least P50 million worth of infrastructure and agriculture was damaged.

The affected flood-hit LGUs are Asuncion, Kapalong, Santo Tomas, New Corella, Carmen and Tagum City.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has pegged infrastructure damage in the six LGUs at P25,355,000 while in agriculture the damage stood at P25, 097,400.

The declaration of the state of calamity was made to mobilize necessary resources and assist affected communities.

Gov. Edwin Jubahib, who heads the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said they are doing everything to help those affected by the disaster.

"We are working closely with the local government units to provide aid and support to those in need," he also said.

Juhabib reiterated his call for the residents to take necessary precautions and follow the advice of local authorities.

Davao town receives P1M for prefab coffee storage

By Ruth Palo

DAVAO CITY: The regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has turned over P1 million to the local government unit (LGU) of Bansalan in Davao del Sur for the construction of a prefabricated coffee storage in Sitio Gagpang, Barangay Alegre in the town.

The project aims to ensure coffee quality and available supply for marketing.

In a turnover ceremony on Wednesday, January 18, in Davao City, DA 11 regional executive director Abel James Monteagudo said the project is part of the intensified support of the agency for coffee farmers in the Davao Region.

"Coffee beans from the foothills of Mt. Apo are regarded as one of the best in the country and even made headlines as they have won the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition since 2018," Monteagudo added.

With this project, according to him, the number of local and international buyers could increase and there is a need for postharvest facilities to help the coffee farmers meet the required quality and demand.

He said a postharvest facility determines the quality of coffee cherries as every step of postharvest activities can cause significant quality loss and lead to a lower market price.

Davao has no incidents of indiscriminate firing

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

January 3, 2023 

DAVAO CITY: Regional police chief BGen. Benjamin Silo Jr. confirmed Monday there were no recorded stray bullet victims or any reported police personnel who fired celebratory shots during the celebration of the New Year.

Silo said no police personnel or even civilians who indiscriminately discharged their service firearm on New Year's Eve.

Silo had earlier ordered all police chiefs in the region to strictly monitor their team members to prevent any such incident.

"For the record, there were no reports of incidents involving indiscriminate firing or injuries due to stray bullets, and no fire injuries or casualties," he said.

Silo, however, reported a slight leg injury from a small firecracker incident in Davao del Sur.

The victim was identified as Adriane Caña Andao, 19, student, and a resident of Tubod, Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

Based on the police report, the victim lit up a pyrotechnic when it suddenly fell towards him and exploded, injuring his right leg.

Silo, meanwhile, said despite the firecracker ban in Davao City, the police have arrested one person and rescued 11 minors for the illegal use of an improvised bamboo canon called "lantaka."

The Davao City Police Office said 98 lantaka and 20 kwitis had been confiscated. There were no firecracker-related incidents recorded since Christmas and New Year.

Silo commended the personnel and the people of the Davao Region for the safe and peaceful celebration of the Yuletide season.

"New Year's Eve was celebrated peacefully and safely with no major incidents," he said.

Silo thanked the public for their cooperation and participation in their efforts to ensure a safe and secure Yuletide celebration through its program "Ligtas Paskuhan at Bagong Taon 2023."

The regional police deployed 1,178 personnel for Ligtas Paskuhan at Bagong Taon 2023.

1 dead, 3 missing in Davao landslide

By Ruth Palo

December 30, 2022 30

DAVAO CITY: A resident was killed while three others were missing after being buried in a landslide caused by heavy rains the past two days in Barangay Don Salvador Lopez, Mati City in Davao Oriental on Wednesday, December 28.

The Mati City Information Office reported that the landslide happened around 11 a.m. at Purok Sangay, leaving a village road impassable to vehicles.

The landslide isolated seven other districts — Upper Cangusan, Lower Cangusan, Cangusan Proper, Tabon-Tabon, New Camotes, Sta. Cruz and Biasong.

Teams from the local disaster risk reduction and management office, police, military, Bureau of Fire Protection, and City Social Welfare Development Office are in the area to conduct search and rescue operations.

The victim was identified as Cristituto Magmusa Paglanson, 62.

Customs bureau warns public against love scam

By Ruth Palo

December 12, 2022

DAVAO CITY: The Bureau of Customs (BoC) here has partnered with the Philippine National Police-Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (PNP-RACU) in combating the prevalent "love scam" and minimizing further damage to the public.

The BoC in its report Saturday said the collaboration was in keeping with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s economic agenda on public safety and security.

According to the BoC, more people fall victim to this online fraudulent scheme where foreigners befriend Filipinos and engage them in romantic relationships, especially this holiday season.

The foreign friend would then tell them that they have sent gifts. However, payment is needed to get the package that is allegedly being held by the BoC. The gifts, however, do not exist.

In a recent meeting by the BoC and RACU, both agencies discussed the volume of complaints received each month and how the Port's Public Information and Assistance Division deals with them.

The bureau also asked RACU-11 to assist in the information dissemination of the "love scam advisory" of the port to reinforce the public warning of Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz.

The two agencies have exchanged and updated contact information to fast-track concerns and ease data sharing.

Col. Columbo Allan Aberia, RACU-11 director, admits that the scam has been happening for years and that a systematic investigation is a must.

Aberia assured that they will immediately act on the complaints forwarded to them by the BoC-Davao.

Davao opens center for 'the abused'

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

December 1, 2022 2

THE Davao City government opened a Tele-Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) center that houses a medical facility and two city government offices in seven villages here.

The project is in partnership with the Child Protection Network, United Nations Children's Fund, and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

The Tele-WCPU centers will bring free comprehensive medical, psychosocial, and legal services closer to women and children who are victims of abuse with the use of modern technology.

 

The Tele-WCPU centers are located in Barangay Buhangin, Calinan, Marilog, Matina Crossing, Talomo, Tibungco, SPMC-Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Integrated Gender and Development Division, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

The Tele-WCPU centers will connect abuse victims to SPMC-WCPU — a multidisciplinary team of trained child protection doctors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, developmental pediatric doctors, police officers, and lawyers that will render services such as medical follow-ups, mental health follow-ups, legal and social services, and a child helpline that provides consultation on child abuse.

The audio and video consultation at the Tele-WCPU centers are offered for free.

In a report from the City Information Office, Dr. Marie Aimee Hyacinth Bretaña, coordinator of the SPMC-WCPU, said that with the teleconsultation program, the abused women or children no longer need to go to SPMC for follow-up consultations.

"There are villages in Davao City that have high cases of abuse. Through this teleconsultation program the follow-up of cases can be done online but the first consultation still needs to be conducted here at WCPU. Our goal here is really to reach out to our communities," Bretaña said.

She added that after the first consultation at SPMC-WCPU, patients or victims of abuse opt not to return due to distance, financial difficulties, or fear of getting infected with Covid-19. This teleconsultation addresses these concerns.

"Through this teleconsultation program, they can do the teleconsultation in their villages where they are provided a designated room for the teleconsultation because we still need to exercise confidentiality for the patients," she said.

Gladys Manit, a kagawad (officer) of Barangay Buhangin Proper, said that the villages selected were provided with computers by the Unicef for the teleconsultation and as counterparts, they provided the designated venue where the teleconsultations are to be conducted.

"We provided the venue, which is very conducive for the clients for direct consultation," Manit said.

She said that the trained Gender and Development clerk of their village and the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, Violence and Against Women and Children record officer will help entertain the clients.

She said that residents should not hesitate to go to their barangay to connect with SPMC-WCPU.

"This is very important to lessen cases of abused women and children and it could help in the intervention programs for the victims of abuse," she added.

'Davao Bar exams successful, peaceful'

By Ruth Palo

DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) spokeswoman Maj. Catherine de la Rey said the four-day Bar examinations which concluded on Sunday were conducted successfully and smoothly, with no reported security mishaps.

A total of 705 aspiring lawyers took the exams on November 9, 13, 16 and 20 at the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) Senior High School Campus in Bangkal this city.

AdDU was one of the three testing sites in Mindanao for the bar exam.

This was the second time that multiple sites across the country were used for the Bar examinations.

De la Rey, in an interview aired over the Davao City Disaster Radio, said full coordination among the sectors involved yielded favorable results.

"There really was coordination among the security and safety cluster, school administration, and members of the Supreme Court who came to Davao from Manila to conduct the examinations," de la Rey said.

"We are happy to report that from November 9 up to the fourth round of examinations yesterday, November 20, the Mindanao-wide Bar examinations had been conducted peacefully here in Davao City," she added.

The security measures implemented for the exams were proven to be successful, said de la Rey, as the DCPO recorded no arrests or violations of security protocols enforced all over the city.

De la Rey thanked the security cluster for the cooperation of the general public, the examinees, and the members of the Supreme Court for the successful commencement of this year's Bar exams.

'Davao is ready for full in-person classes'

Educational materials are ready for face-to-face classes in Davao public schools in this undated photo from the city government. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By Ruth Palo November 1, 2022 

DAVAO CITY: Over 1.3 million elementary and high school students in public and private schools in Davao Region are ready to resume full face-to-face (F2F) classes starting Wednesday, November 2.

Department of Education Region 11 (DepEd 11) spokesman Jenielito Atillo said that it's all systems go for the full implementation of in-person classes in public and private schools.

Atillo however said private schools were given the prerogative to have in-person classes or to continue with the alternative learning modalities.

Data from DepEd 11 showed that 1,206,291 public school students in the region will be going back to school, while private schools will welcome 136,236 learners.

"Let us not worry about the implementation of the very strict protocols because that is one major requirement actually. This is the number one requirement that we require from public schools and even private schools, the strict implementation of the health and safety protocols," Atillo said.

He added there were private schools that decided to employ face-to-face learning because parents requested it."Many parents really want face-to-face education to be implemented, that is why they seek for schools implementing the face-to-face learning modality," he said.

Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay, meanwhile, said the city is in close coordination with the DepEd, Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Task Force (TF) Davao, and Civil Security Unit, including the City Transport and Traffic Management Office to secure the opening of physical classes.

The city is also ready to implement the "Oplan Balik Eskwela," Sumagaysay said.

He added security personnel will be deployed not only in the poblacion but even in other far-flung areas like Marilog and Paquibato districts.

Davao City honors 32 centenarians

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

October 5, 2022

THE Davao City Government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has honored 32 Davaoeño centenarians in an event at the Grand Menseng Hotel here on Monday, October 3.

Each awardee, present or not, received a plaque and P100,000 cash.

Eligible for the award are those who turned 100 years old after Dec. 2, 2021, the day the Ordinance Honoring Centenarians was passed.

The event had 11 centenarians who were able to personally attend and receive their award. The 22 other centenarians were represented by family members.

Mayor Sebastian Duterte went from table to table to hand over the plaques and cash award alongside Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain, and City Councilors Wilberto Al-ag, Tek Ocampo and Myrna Dalodo Ortiz.

"Once you reach 100 years old, this often includes having a healthy lifestyle. It was also revealed that these centenarians have family members who really take good care of them," CSWDO head lawyer Marlisa Gallo said.

Aside from the cash assistance, the centenarians who came from far-flung areas like Marilog District were also given hotel room accommodations in the morning before the event.

Families of the centenarians said they were elated that their parents were recognized during the event.

Reuben Corro, son of 102-year-old Emma Corro, said "this is really a great help and inspiration for all because according to our neighbors and relatives, they were encouraged to keep themselves healthy so that they could get the promised incentives."