Railway System Pushed in Davao City

By 

ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, SUN STAR DAVAO

A RENOWNED urban planner Felino Palafox Jr., senior partner and founder of one of the country's biggest architectural firms Palafox Associates, is pushing for a railway transport system in Davao City that is seen to be the next urban center in the country.

In an interview with the Davao media at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao, he said that the city has a high "absorptive capacity" to accommodate big businesses who are expanding operations outside of Metro Manila.

He emphasized that the Davao's position as one of the premier urban centers of the country will put the city as a potential area for investments.

This means the city will experience an influx of investors who are looking for alternative areas to do business outside of the already congested Metro Manila, he said.

"We need to identify urban growth centers as counter magnets to the growth of Metro Manila. Davao has the highest development potential to absorb this future growth," he said.

He cited Tokyo, Japan as example of a progressive city with a good transit system.

"At least 80 percent of the population in Tokyo ride the train," he said.

"There are 20 kinds of transport system. Unfortunately, our transportation in the country is obsolete, it's still before the Opec oil crisis in 1973. The transport policy was more vehicles per lane per hour. After the OPEC oil crisis, more people more passengers per lane per hour, so it favors the higher capacity vehicle which is public transit," he said.

In an earlier interview with National Economic Development Authority (Neda) in Davao Region director Maria Lourdes D. Lim said there have been studies conducted on the railway system but another study has to be conducted yet again because there might have been changes in the requirements of the city and the Mindanao in an effort to increase the urban centers' competitiveness.

She also added that agency is planning to coordinate with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) for a study that will include the city's traffic situation and its other development aspects.

Palafox said that an increase in the population should be expected in the city because it has a high absorptive capacity that will receive more developments that the Metro Manila can no longer cater to.

"Davao is three times the size of Singapore, Davao has a good example of good governance and leadership. I am supporting federal form of government to balance the growth. For me, development is not worthy by name unless spread evenly like butter on a piece of bread," he added.

He urged the government to identify more growth centers to maintain the balance of growth and development across the country.

"It's really identifying growth centers as counter magnets to the attractiveness of Metro Manila as the center of government, education, religion, culture, business, trade and commerce," he said.

If a strong quake, or what is known as the "Big One" with a 7.2 magnitude, hits the Metro Manila, it will take 10 years for the Philippine's capital to recover.

Duterte-Cayetano Tandem Push for Decentralization

Office of the Senate Majority Leader

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 603 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

09 December 2015

 

 

Duterte-Cayetano tandem push for decentralization, spreading growth to other regions

In an effort to address the metro's worsening traffic congestion and to achieve inclusive growth throughout the country, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano are pushing for the decentralization of government power to spur development in the countryside.

 

"For the longest time, the drive for development is mainly focused on the National Capital Region (NCR), while the other regions are left to tend for themselves. This is not only unsustainable, it's also inequitable. It's time to think out of the box and overhaul this unequal development paradigm," Cayetano said.

 

Cayetano said the country's NCR-centric economic growth also contributed to the worsening traffic situation.

 

"NCR is perceived by many as the only place where there are real economic opportunities. Thus, people unnecesarily flock to the region creating problems such as traffic, unemplyoment and housing woes. But if development is spread evenly to the regions, we can solve these problems ," Cayetano explained.

 

Cayetano noted that his call for Decentralization is perfectly aligned with Duterte’s advocacy for federalism.

“This is one of the reasons why there is a strong clamor for a Duterte presidency. The mayor not only symbolizes order, he also stands for the empowerment of regions which have long been neglected by the national government," Cayetano said.

 

Cayetano said decentralization will change how the budget is allocated across the country’s 18 regions and 81 provinces. He pushed to allocate 1 billion per region to institutionalize a capital-lending scheme for local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

 

The senator also called for the creation of a Philippine Decentralization Committee (PDC) that will be tasked to enhance the delivery of services in the countryside as well as to study the relocation of several government agencies to different parts of the country. This may in turn provide better opportunities for Filipinos to work and live in other regions, Cayetano noted.

"This is the real change that we speak of - a change that moves people because of opportunities made possible by a strong brand of leadership," he said. "We need to create alternative corridors of development outside NCR. This will not only decongest the already overcrowded capital but will also extend growth throughout the rest of the country. This is the foundation of the proposals that Mayor Duterte and I have long been advocating," he added. #

LEARN ICE SKATING AT SM SEASIDE CITY, CEBU FUNTASTIC. PHILIPPINES. TRAVEL.

Cayetano: Davao City Values Human Rights

Office of the Senate Majority Leader

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 603 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

07 December 2015

 

 

 

Cayetano: Davao City values Human Rights

 

 

Human rights is about protecting life and liberty. It is about respect, justice, and equity.

 

This is the bedrock upon which Davao City stands. It is a city where peace, rule of law, and economic prosperity exist, it gave birth to the first progressive gender code to protect the rights of women and children, it offers a safe haven, a humane and equitable environment that respects the diversity of Christians, Muslims, and indigenous people. No matter how long they've lived there or how fleeting their visit was, Davaoenos and visitors alike share a very safe and comfortable time in the city that refreshes their idea of urban Philippines.  This is why Davao is perceived by many as one of the safest cities in the world. 

 

This is what Mayor Duterte wants to replicate in the whole country. Mayor Duterte symbolizes radical change. His leadership gives importance to the rights and interests of people, long-neglected by government. Most importantly, Mayor Duterte stands for order, not violence. Beyond Mayor Duterte's tough-talk is a humane, peaceful and progressive community. 

 

I hope Amnesty International  and all other international agencies and non-government organizations will open their eyes to what the Filipino people found inspiring in Mayor Duterte. Despite his self-confessed imperfections, Mayor Duterte's vision and achievements command respect and engender hope among a people longing for a better Philippines.

Living Behind Bars

Baby HIV-positive Among 344 Diagnosed in Cebu City This Year

 By 

LINETTE RAMOS CANTALEJO

A SEVEN-MONTH-OLD baby boy is the youngest patient seeking treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), along with a two-year-old boy, a nine-year-old girl, and a 16-year-old boy.

They join 680 other individuals living with HIV, including men who have sex with men, commercial sex workers and people who inject drugs, who visit the government hospital regularly for free medication.

On the observance of World AIDS Day yesterday, officials of the Department of Health (DOH) 7 and the Cebu City Health Department (CHD) highlighted the importance of regular HIV testing among vulnerable individuals so they can be treated immediately and reduce the chance of passing on the infection to their partners and unborn child.

Dr. Ilya Tac-an, head of the CHD’s Social Hygiene Clinic, said early detection is crucial in preventing the spread of HIV in Central Visayas, which now ranks third among regions with the highest number of persons with HIV. In terms of prevalence rate, the region ranks first, she said.

In Cebu City alone, 344 individuals were diagnosed with HIV so far this year, bringing to 1,720 the total number of HIV and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids) cases recorded by the CHD from 1989 to November this year.

Act quickly

Of the 1,720, only 680 are enrolled in the treatment program.

To keep the number from increasing, VSMMC and the CHD give free HIV screening and antiretroviral drugs to individuals admitted to the government’s antiretroviral treatment program.

“It’s very important for a person to seek treatment immediately after he or she is diagnosed with HIV so we can control the virus na mugamay siya so there is a lesser chance to get sick and a lesser chance to pass on the infection to others,” said Dr. Chamberlaine Agtuca Jr., a member of the VSMMC HIV/Aids Core Team.

“This is a lifetime medication and if a patient stops taking the medicines, mugrabe na sad ang HIV infection (the infection will worsen),” he said.

Agtuca said there is a high success rate for their patients who are on medication. Of the 684 patients diagnosed with HIV, less than 10 percent have advanced to Aids, most of whom were diagnosed late.

He said pregnant women with risky sexual behavior should get tested and seek treatment immediately, as this brings down by 96 percent the chance of passing on the virus to the child. 

Protection

In VSMMC, 41 mothers who were diagnosed and treated during pregnancy gave birth to children who all tested negative of HIV.

“As for the four children with HIV, they are doing well under medication and they are healthy, but that doesn’t mean they no longer have HIV. The moment they stop taking the medication, infection will worsen,” he said.

During the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) forum at the DOH 7 yesterday, Agtuca said the number of patients in VSMMC’s treatment center has been increasing.

In 2011, there would only be one to two new diagnoses a month and 14 to 20 consultations.

This year, there are some 35 new diagnoses and 350 to 375 consultations per month.

Of the 684 being treated, 94 percent are male and only six percent are female.

In Cebu City, Tac-an said that based on their surveillance of a sample of 450 individuals with HIV, 44 percent are people who inject drugs. Some 51 percent are men having sex with men and only about five percent are commercial sex workers.

Duterte's Anger and Frustration Directed at Government Failures but NOT at the Pope

Office of the Senate Majority Leader

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 603 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

01 December 2015

Duterte's anger and frustration directed at government failures not at Pope Francis – Cayetano

"Pope Francis is a man of God. He is loved and respected by millions of people, from different religious affiliations worldwide, Mayor Duterte included. But even Pope Francis would never allow people to suffer at his expense."

This is what Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said in response to attacks against Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte over his statements at the PDP-Laban proclamation yesterday.

"Traffic ang minura ni Mayor Duterte hindi si Pope Francis. He was not directing his anger and frustration at the Pope, he was expressing the people's frustration over the government's incompetence in handling the metro's worsening traffic situation and the daily suffering and inconvenience it causes," Cayetano said.

"It is unfortunate that the Mayor's statements were grossly taken out of context. Mayor Duterte deeply respects religious beliefs and the Filipino's spirituality. Those who know him can attest to this. He himself has a deep relationship with God. He doesn't talk about it publicly but I know this personally having discovered this through my constant engagement with him," Cayetano added.

Cayetano said he understands Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Archbishop Soc Villegas statement on Duterte's alleged remarks against the Pope.

"Mayor Duterte's environment and experience brought him up speaking tough, rough and uncensored. The Mayor came from a time and place of great conflict and suffering. While the Mayor's words and statements were stronger than what is deemed socially accepted by some, and may rub some in the wrong way, the most important thing is, he is authentic and his heart is in the right place. He is who he is. He will always fight for the people and never allow them to suffer," Cayetano said.

Cayetano reminded the public that the national debate should focus on how to change the country for the better. "We are here to change the country, not to change him."

In an interview, Duterte said he was merely expressing the people's outrage. He said it was never his intention to hurt sensibilities or disrespect the Holy Father. He said his anger is directed at the government and the 18 years of systemic neglect that has resulted in the suffering of the people.

Cayetano also questioned the sincerity of Press Secretary Edwin Lacierda in defending of the Pope. The senator said Lacierda himself justified the whitewashing of the hiding of the poor during the Pope's visit in the country. He also said the government's lack of action in defending the public from problems like the tanim bala scam and the pilferage/taxing on balikbayan boxes is a great disservice to the people.

"Sec. Lacierda obviously wanted to anger the people by using Pope Francis to score propaganda points. Pero ang tanong ko, tingin ba ni Sec. Lacierda ay sang-ayon ang taumbayan noong tinago nila ang mga pulubi at mga palaboy noong bumisita ang Papa? Tingin ba niya na pabor ang tao na bumiyahe at maipit ng 5 oras sa traffic noong nandito ang Papa kung pwede naman pala pag handaan para maiwasan ito?" Cayetano asked.

"Before Sec. Lacierda points an accusing finger at Mayor Duterte maybe he should look at his own backyard and see how the government's flawed policies and inaction have greatly disadvantaged the people,"Cayetano concluded.###

Christmas at home - Weihnachten zu Hause

Christmas at home. Weihnachten zu Hause.

Matina Enclaves Hosts Dinner for Duterte/Cayetano Team

Facebook: boon or ban?

MON, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINION

KLAUS DORING

I have asked this question already many times in several columns.

Right at this moment, another case from my home country Germany is in the news. “Facebook must ban abusive content” , says German Justice Minister Maas. And he is so very right. Heiko Maas wants Facebook to better enforce its community standards to rein in abusive users. Given the recent rise in anti-migrant and xenophobic posts, he has called for a meeting with Facebook’s European managers.

In an open letter seen by German daily “Tagesspiegel,” which he links to on his Twitter account, Maas tells Facebook that “we need to talk.”

In the letter, which he sent to Facebook’s European head office in Dublin as well as to its German subsidiary, he says the social media site’s community standards needed to be more efficient and transparent.

In the wake of the recent openly xenophobic and hateful attacks on and protests at refugee camps in Germany, Maas said that the Justice Ministry had received many complaints about abusive content not being banned on Facebook.

Often, users get a message saying that the posts they reported did not violate Facebook’s community standards without giving any further explanation “even in very obvious cases,” according to Maas. Since most of us are in Facebook, I am sure, everybody got such messages after reporting something.

Maas also says this standard response had become a “farce” and that users were struggling to understand why Facebook is quick to ban nudity, for example, referring to its community standards, but often fails to ban xenophobic and racist posts.

The implementation of its community standards, Maas says in his letter, “can apparently not be relied on, even though many posts contain comments that constitute the criminal offense of incitement to hatred.” He reminds Facebook that it is legally obliged to delete illegal posts.

Maas emphasizes that his demands do not go against freedom of speech. “But the Internet is not a lawless space where racist abuse and illegal posts can be allowed to flourish.” He stressed that there can be no “misunderstood tole-rance,” and that Facebook urgently needed to enforce its existing rules and assess whether further measures are needed.

In recent months, Germany has seen tens of thousands of refugees and migrants arrive at its borders, with many communities struggling to provide adequate care and shelter. There have been persistent protests and attacks from far-right groups, often coordinated on sites such as Facebook. The attacks drew widespread criticism from polticians, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel calling the incidents “despicable and shameful.”

And here we are: in reponse to Maas’ letter, a spokeswoman for Facebook said they were taking the justice minister’s position seriously, but did not confirm that they would meet with him. I am speechless. And many others too … !

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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook (!) or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com .