Comval holds another "Oplan Pagbabago Tunol Serbisyo"

The province of Compostela Valley under Governor Jayvee Tyron L. UY holds another  "Oplan Pagbabago Tunol Serbisyo" program in the far-flung and conflict affected areas at Purok 4, Barangay Rizal, Monkayo Comval on July 12, 2019.

More than 500 beneficiaries of the said Barangay availed of the different types of government services offered by the different participating National Agencies, private stakeholders and the Provincial and Municipal Government.

The programs and services offered are the distribution of fingerlings by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), consultation and support program for crop insurance by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), turnover of SLPA PAMANA project amounting to Php 300,000.00, facilitate and addressed queries relative to Pantawid Pamilya Program, and information dissemination of DSWDs AICs by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The Department of Agriculture (DA) also turns over 1 unit rice harvester, as well as the conduct of  information dissemination and mobile registration of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), information education campaign for integrated pest management and master listing of farmers by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and provided ready to eat food samples product by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

On the other hand, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) conducts training needs assessment profiling and free haircut services, while the Department of Education (DEPED) provides schools supplies from kinder to grade-1 students. 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) offered libreng tsenilas for school children, libreng gupit and feeding program as well as the Medical and Dental Services by the AFP.

Another services availed by the beneficiaries are the free legal consultations, notarization of documents, late registration and other documents by the Provincial Attorneys Office (PAO). 

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) also conducted information education campaign and student permit application while the Deapartment of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted a rigestration program for rural workers association and orientation of livelihood program and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted distribution of fruit bearing trees.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) conducted orientation on child protection policy for parents and group dynamics for children ages 5-12 years old. 

The private partners joined the program are the Sumiftu which they augmented three nurses and conducted information and education campaign and distributed ripe bananas to the beneficiaries, while the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO) conducted a free membership seminar, received electric bill payments and catered queries of their consumers.

The Oplan Pagbabago Tunol Serbisyo program of the province is another strategy in response to the Executive order no.70 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte for the whole of nation approach to deliver government services to the Geographically Isolated and Depressed Areas (GIDAS) in Comval. Last July 5, the same Tunol Serbisyo was also given to the beneficiaries in Brgy. Araibo, Pantukan. #YestoDavaoDeOro  (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

Be your own coach!

My column in Mindanao Daily, BusinessWeek Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro Times

Maybe, you're a guide, a commander or a conductor? Maybe, you're  a leader, who really knows how to play the first card in the team? Do you know how to direct, to persuade or to precede?

I found a very nice quotation shared by Dr. John C. Maxwell, the leading authority on leadership, who says, "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way!" 

"Nearly all men can withstand adversity. If you truly want to test a man's character, give him power", stressed already Abraham Lincoln. Character is what you are doing in the dark. By the way, nowadays, I wouldn't only mention "men"  alone when it comes to leadership. There are innumerable women holding their own. And that's good so... . 

Remember and look around: in the past and at present, one can observe someone at any corner offering us to lead our way. Politicians compete for our vote of confidence. Athletes and entertainers show us their pictures of success. A lot of different religious leaders pledge, promise and bind in flock gathering.

Well, what are some of the traits that a great leader must have or develop character? Is character really enough? How about integrity? Are you, my dear reader, a leader? Is what you are saying AND  DOING, the same? Are your followers wholeheartedly convinced of your integrity?

Albert Einstein, one of my favorite idols had said, "Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with the important matters!"

Leaders in politics, leaders in clergy, leaders in business - many have been lacking this specific trait in the past, because, after all, what they said is not what they did.  A leader is someone with character, integrity, discipline, and the ability to influence others in a positive way.  A leader must be able to motivate his or her people around, rather than manipulate them or run away in times of difficult decisions... !

Albert Einstein claimed that he had no special abilities, only persistence. But that was enough to develop the General Relativity Theory. 

I learned from my Philippine mentor and book author (German-Philippine Relations), the late Monsignor Professor Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza already during the late 1980's: "It's important to become your own best friend. Be your own coach. Take to your inner self  as if if you were talking to another person you care deeply about. And, pray!"

Sweden's National Youth Football Association is coming to Davao!

By: Hope Militante Fernandez

Together with Football for Humanity Foundation, Maharlika Sports and Mindanao Peace Council, we will host the NYFA Sweden from July 6-12. Part of their visit is to conduct a 3-day classroom and field training certification course at Tionko Football Grounds and Ateneo de Davao University.

Read More: http://bit.ly/2XwQmf7

#DulaTaBai
#DavaoFootball
#WeLiveFootball

P.S. Watch Sweden vs England for 3rd/4th place playoff of the Women's World Cup this Saturday, 11pm. Championship match is between the US and the Netherlands this Sunday, 11pm.

SPORTANDDEV.ORG

Sweden's NYFA to visit Davao City | sportanddev.org

Copyrights: Football For Humanity Sweden's NYFA to visit Davao City Davao City in the Philippines will be host to international delegates of the National Youth Football Association of Sweden (NYFA) from 6 to 12 July, in partnership with the Football for Humanity Foundation led by founder and preside...

Climate Change ...

... Compounds Hunger and Conflicts

There are still people on this globe proclaiming that there is no climate change. It's useless to convince them any more. Fact is: the climate changed already massive and added to warfare worsening hunger and conflicts worldwide, according to one of Germany's largest aid groups. Welthungerhilfe has said many poor have "no more reserves or resilience left" when hit by extreme weather.
   
The world's southern hemisphere poor were bearing the brunt of climate change caused by rich, fossil-fuel consumers of the global North, Welthungerhilfe President Marlehn Thieme said in Berlin several days ago.

Presenting the Bonn-based organization's annual report for 2018, Thieme said climate change amounted to a "question of justice" in ensuring that resources — still sufficient worldwide to feed everyone — reached the poorest.

Hunger victims, often already cut off to outside help by conflict parties, no longer had livelihoods and sustenance as droughts, floods and storms wrecked their fields and eliminated their farm animals.

Yes,  climate change threatens peace efforts. Climate change is threatening the success of peacekeeping missions, according to a briefing by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) circulating on Tuesday. Eight of the ten countries hosting the biggest multilateral operations "are located in areas highly exposed to climate change," it said.

Germany pushes climate change as security risk. Floods, drought and mass migration: all factors why Germany has made the UN's response to climate change its priority at the Security Council. But political roadblocks at home and abroad could complicate action.

If we watch around, we can easily notice, that weather extremes are compounding plight. Citing Cyclon Idai, which in April ravaged Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, President Thieme said weather extremes had become an additional "fatal link" hampering aid workers and restoration of communal nutrition.

Drastic declines in land and oceanic harvests amid rising average temperatures required answers in the form of early warning systems, weather insurance and drought-durable seeds.

Allow me to quote Welthungerhilfe's Secretary General Mathias Mogge. He said, "Coupled with warfare, in which conflict parties cut off entire regions from the outside world, extreme weather was a compounding factor".

The spiral of conflict is becoming more and more dramatic. Villagers are loosing their entire livelihoods. Resources like water and grazing land became scarce, leading to further conflict, in societies where people already had little to withstand emergencies.

Reporting on its 2018 efforts, Welthungerhilfe said it had spent €213.6 ($243) million on the fight against hunger and poverty last year. Public donors provided €155.4 milliion for project work. Private donations amounted to €54.9 million. The largest public donor was the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), which provided €38.6 million.

Hunger, thirst and conflicts because of climate change - meanwhile a never-ending story. Daily in our news. Global and local news. We can't keep our eyes closed any more.

A Maiden Voyage ...

... towards a prosperous ComVal

By: Gerne Boja

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the province of Compostela Valley officially opened its 8th Sanggunian last Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at the new Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall.

In attendance during the maiden session is Vice-Governor Maria Carmen S. Zamora, Senior Board Member Arturo T. Uy, Hon. Nena G. Atamosa, Hon. Kristine Mae T. Caballero-Rañon, Hon. Adolfo C. Ang, Hon. Raul B. Caballero, Hon. Marie Jude M. Fuentes-Lopoz, Hon. Vivencia L. Secuya, Hon. Renato B. Basañes, Hon. Macario T. Humol, and Hon. Joseph T. Jauod, Ex-Officio Members Hon. Raul C. Timogtimog, Hon. Christopher L. Jovita, Hon. Felipe B. Masambo, and Hon. Charlemagne B. Bautista.

Each member laid out their plans and legislative direction for the next three years, highlighting on the partnership between both the executive and legislative branch.

 “The glory and progress of our province should depend on our unified visions and efforts,” said Senior Board Member Arturo T. Uy in his privilege speech.

Part of the strategy of the 8th Sanggunian is to not only create new legislation in support to the administration’s programs but to also review older laws to better fit the current situation of the people.

 “I think it’s about time to revisit all our laws and implement post-legislative review. The purpose of which is to determine whether the piece of legislation is working as it was intended to. If it’s not, to discover why and to address any gap as quickly as effectively as possible,” shared Vice-Governor Maricar S. Zamora.

Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, First District Congressman Manual E. Zamora, Municipal Mayors and Vice-Mayors, as well as the head of offices of the executive branch were present to show their support to the Legislative Branch.

 The success of the maiden session is a reflection of the commitment of the leaders in both the executive and legislative branch to lead with as single vision, and that is to excellence in the service to the people.

Photo Caption: Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy and Vice-Governor Marcar S. Zamora with the new set of Board Members during the maiden session of the 8th Sanggunian of the province of Compostela Valley.

Just Wild Weather?

My column in Mindanao Daily, BusinessWeek Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro Times

In the Philippines, we experience the rainy season right now. "Breakthrough" insights into atmospheric dynamics are emerging from "high-maths" —scrutiny of satellite data, say scientists. Their Nature magazine article identifies "significant connections" between extreme rain events, often far apart. Their premise: global rainfall distribution stems "probably" from planetary waves named after the late Swedish-born American meteorologist Carl-Gustaf Rossby. Just wild weather or is it a climate disruption?

Normally, monsoon rains over northern Queensland last a "few days," says Australia's Bureau of Meteorology. Unprecedented downpours began a week ago, with more forecast and troops sent to a disaster zone. Evacuations have included these residents of Rossela, near Townsville, and German and Swiss tourists plucked from the Diamantina River catchment by a local farmer using his private helicopter.

Indonesia, like much of Asia including the Philippines i.e., weathers annual monsoon rains. Last weekend, the Sulawesi islands counted its toll: at least 70 people were killed as rivers burst their banks and landslides buried village homes. Authorities said a state of emergency would remain in place.

My home country Germany experiences records all-time hottest June temperature. Imagine: the last day of June 2019 has beaten all previous temperature highs for the month. Heat-related deaths have been reported in several European countries. Yes, whole Europe is melting.

A pharmacy sign in Carpentras, a village in southeastern France, which shortly held the country's all-time heat record of 44.3 degrees on Friday. The record was topped again later in the afternoon in the southern village of Villevieille, 100 kilometers (60 miles) to the east, which measured a thermometer-busting 45.1 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit).

Germany set its all-time highest June temperature on last Sunday, with 38.9 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) recorded in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The country has been baking in an early summer heat wave; however, Germany's all-time high of 40.3 degrees Celsius still stands.

Fifty-seven runners at Hamburg's half marathon were hospitalized on Sunday after many collapsed in temperatures of up to 35 degrees Celsius, officials said. Some 141 runners needed treatment in what fire service officials described as "an emergency with mass casualties."

Temperatures in the country's central Rhine-Main region and into eastern Germany were expected to reach up to 39 degrees on Sunday, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

Organizers of Sunday's Frankfurt Ironman event made contingency plans to keep athletes from overheating.

As huge crowds gathered in Paris for the annual gay pride parade, firefighters sprayed water on revelers, some of whom used rainbow-colored fans and umbrellas to counter the heat, which was expected to hit 38 degrees.

Heat-related deaths have been reported in Germany and France, mainly among the elderly. At least eight people drowned in bathing accidents across the two countries.

France's new record temperature of 45.9 degrees was set on Friday near the southern city of Montpellier, the Meteo-France weather service said. It is just the seventh European nation — along with Bulgaria, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Greece and North Macedonia — to record temperatures above 45 degrees.

During Sunday prayers in Rome, Pope Francis said he was praying "for those who have suffered the most from the consequences of this heat."

Meteorologists blamed a blast of hot air from northern Africa for the scorching early European summer, but temperatures are set to drop for the remainder of the week over much of Europe.

Drownings and wildfires - the amazing side effects of climate change.The heatwave sparked large blazes including in Spain, where firefighters on Saturday fought wildfires just as they finally contained another inferno after nearly 72 hours.Wildfires burned down several houses and at least 550 hectares (1,359 acres) of land in the south of France as temperatures hit upwards of 45 degrees on Saturday.The blistering heat also claimed the lives of a 17-year-old harvest worker in Spain and a 72-year-old homeless man in Italy.

Just wild weather or climate change? Do you know the answer, my dear readers?

Taking Oath

Comval Gov. Uy and other elected government officials take oath

Compostela Valley Province--- ComVal Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy together with the newly elected government officials took their oath of office during the conduct of the oath-taking ceremony of elected government officials on June 30, 2019 at the Capitol Grounds, Provincial Capitol, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.

The oath-taking ceremony was officiated by Hon. Judge Cresenciana DC. Cruz of Regional Trial Court (RTC) 11, Branch 3 in Nabunturan and assisted by Hon. Judge Leah Garnett Solde – Annogui of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC).

Second termer Congressman of District – II Hon. Ruwel Peter S. Gonzaga, and first termer Congressman Hon. Manuel E. Zamora of District-I of the province together with the new Vice Governor of the province Hon. Maricar S. Zamora also took their oath of office.


Governor Uy in his message said that his aspirations of a good life for all is embodied in his working platform- "the Bayanihan 4Ps Plus" where the Provincial Government will be divided into five clusters- the Planet or Environment Cluster, People or the Social Protection Cluster, the Prosperity or Economic Growth, Peace or the Peace and Security Cluster and Plus or the Good Governance Cluster.

 He further explain that "it will take a paradigm shift, from being office-focused in terms of programs and projects; the EO mandates the creation of convergence clusters, reminiscent of the bayanihan way we take pride as a province. The clusters will be the primary mechanism in attaining the development goals and thrusts we will set."

Attending the ceremony were the municipal mayors, vice mayors, councilors, barangay officials, heads of National Government Agencies, the men and women in uniform- from the AFP and PNP, friends from the business community, members of non-government and civil society organizations, family and friends of the government officials, and the workers of the provincial government.

 On the other hand, the newly elected board members of District – I, namely: Honorables Nena G. Atamosa, Adolfo C. Ang, Atty. Marie Jude Fuentes-Lopoz, Dr. Renato Basañes, and Joseph Jaoud. While the board members of District-II, are: Honorables Arturo T. Uy, Kristine Mae T. Caballero, Raul B. Caballero, Vivencia L. Secuya and Macario T. Humol who also took their oath of office during the celebration.



“Allow me to thank you for all your help in the last years. No words can perfectly describe how grateful I am... The next three years will be indeed difficult, considering the amount of task we have to fulfill. Brighter and better days are ahead of us. The future is for us to seize, it is for us to claim. The future is here and it is definitely ours,” Gov. Uy ended. (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

World-renowned curator workshop in ComVal

The Provincial Government of Compostela Valley thru the Provincial Women Development Council (PWDC), led by Ms. Sholai Lim, spearheads a workshop on Mindanao Traditional Art on June 24, 2019 at The Big 8 Hotel, Tagum City.

The workshop was conducted by Independent Curator Marian Pastor Roces who introduced the participant to the categories of art created by peoples of Mindanao in centuries past. The workshop also draws from knowledge gained in museum collections all over the world that hold Philippine materials and covered discussions on types, materials, techniques and systems of meaning, among others. She also addressed questions and challenges facing designers and challenged them about making an identity in general.  

Ms. Roces is a famed Filipino curator, author, and founder and president of TAO, Inc., the sole museum development corporation in the Philippines, according to her online profile. She currently heads the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA). Among others, she curated the Philippine Pavilions for World Expos in 2006, 2008, and 2010--- with the first two Expos awarded with Gold Prizes for Best Designed Pavilion.

The one-day event was attended by the PLGU Comval offices from the Tourism, Information, Office of the IP Mandatory Representative (IPMR), national agencies of the Department of Trade and Industry, National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP),  IP Mandaya Work of New Bataan, Mandaya Council of Elders, Comval Artisan, Davao Fashion and Design Council, Inc (DFDC), and Comval’s pride—designer Cheri-Lou Rabanoz Aranjuez.   

“The workshop is an eye-opener, not knowing that we are Austronesians. It made me realize that we are all one. We are brothers and we must treat each other as one. That if we work with each other we must do the Austronesian way of maintaining the balance, “ said Dodjie Batu, President of the DFDC.

He appreciated much the workshop, most especially that the activity was able to extend, not only participants from the province, but also coming from their area in Davao. “This will benefit me in such a way that I understand now how to deal with our brothers and sisters in doing the designs and how to put it in contemporary designs,” he added. (fe maestre/id comval)

Photo captions:

(art workshop)

The Provincial Government of Compostela Valley thru the Provincial Women Development Council (PWDC), led by Ms. Sholai Lim, spearheads a workshop on Mindanao Traditional Art on June 24, 2019 at The Big 8 Hotel, Tagum City. The workshop was conducted by Independent Curator Marian Pastor Roces. (ID Comval) 

The Honorary Consulate of Hungary in Davao opens

By

 Kenneth Irvin Ong

 - EdgeDavao

Suddenly, Durianburg is closer to the world with the establishment of the Honorary Consulate of Hungary in Davao in a simple reception last October 12 at the function room of Verdon Parc.

The third Honorary Consulate of Hungary of the Philippines after the establishment of Honorary Consulates in Angeles and Cebu, the new office provides a live local connection between Hungary and the Mindanao region of the Philippines. The establishment of the new Honorary Consulate is part of  The Embassy of Hungary in the Philippines thrust to be closer to the Filipino. Reopened in March 2017, The Embassy of Hungary in the Philippines is bridging a gap of more than 21 years since the closing of the Embassy back in 1995.

Appointed as the new Honorary Consul of Hungary is businesswoman, advocate, mentor, and tourism advocate Mary Ann “Baby” Montemayor.  Well known in local circles, Baby holds several managing director positions in hospitality and tourism industry, supports local and regional arts and crafts, mentors indigenous initiatives and eagerly participates in the bustling business and tourism activities of Davao.

Officiating the ceremony was Ambassador to of Hungary to the Philippines H.E. Ambassador Dr. József Bencze, who previously served as Ambassador of Hungary to Skopje, Macedonia between 2011-2016 and was Hungary’s National Chief of Police between 2007-2010. Ambassador Bencze presented his credentials to President Rodrigo Duterte on 6 December 2016.

In attendance were members of the diplomatic corps including Hon. Li Lin of China, Hon. Endah Yuliarti Farry of Indonesia, Hon. Maria Lourdes Monteverde of Mexico, Hon. Guilbert Go of the Czech Republic, Hon. Klaus Doring of Germany, Hon. Joji Ilagan-Bian of Bangladesh, Hon. Vicente Lao of New Zealand, and Mr. Ariel Decena representing the honorary consul of South Korea; business leaders; friends from the tourism industry; as well as members of the local government unit with Assistant City Administrator Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo representing Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

A toast to warmer Hungary-Philippine relationships and congratulations!

Davao's DS Foundation joins 2019 APAAF in Macau

Tabula Rasa | 

BY CONTRIBUTOR ON JUNE 22, 2019 in Mindanao times

After months of preparation and fundraising activities, 31 delegates from the DS Foundation for the Differently-abled Inc (DS Foundation), including members, parents and workshop facilitators, flew to Macau and attended the 2019 Asia Pacific International Accessible Arts Festival (APAAF) last June 3-5, 2019. The 2019 APAAF was co-sponsored by Caritas Macau and Macau’s University of Saint Joseph, and was attended by 41 organizations across 15 countries along with 19 rehabilitation groups in Macau.

The three-day art festival saw the gathering of various non-profit organizations and support groups from Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Australia, Thailand, Korea, Japan and Philippines in an effort to strengthen ties and relations among each other in pursuit of creating a world of inclusion and equal opportunity for the differently-abled people.

Over 150 pieces of art works in different forms were displayed at University of Saint Joseph, including cultural paintings, patchwork, hand-made pieces, rice paintings, community music, and more. This is the first time that Philippines attended APAAF and the DS Foundation of Davao City is the first Philippine delegation to this year’s festival.

The DS Foundation is composed of persons with Down Syndrome, persons in the autism spectrum disorder, persons who have a physical disability such as hearing impairment and people who have other types of intellectual disability. The members who attended the 2019 APAAF are Ronace Coprada, Benrafii Omar, Michael Redoloza, Noben Montederamos, Niño Responso, Jenilyne Tadle, Jose Angelo Patal, Luis Raphael Gumban, Ranuel Nobleza, Louiselynn Sevilla and David Jason Lim. They were accompanied by their parents and siblings and by Mrs. Diana Cuison-Sipaco, the foundation’s Executive Director and Ms. Dayenne Sipaco, 2019 APAAF Project Coordinator. Ms. Febe Lybai A. Matthews, Sectoral Council Member of the Parents of Children with Disability under the National Anti-Poverty Commission – PWD sector, also attended the event.

DS Foundation’s Executive Director Diane Sipaco said that it is the group’s aim to undertake socio-cultural activities that will promote wholesome living with differently-abled persons in the community. This trip is a practice of inclusion and mainstreaming at its best.

“I enjoyed it because it was my first time to travel abroad and I was able to see the Ruins of St. Paul plus the very beautiful and tall buildings of the city,” beams 18 year-old Luis Raphael Gumban, who is a person with autism. Benrafii Omar, 27-year-old person with Down Syndrome, also shared his happiness during the trip. “Happy and enjoy [sa laag]. Na amaze ako sa Macau kasi madami lights ang building pag gabi and free foods kaya parati busog.” (I felt happy because I was amazed by the city lights at night and there were many free foods, so I never felt hungry).

“As a parent, I am thankful to APAAF and its organizers for providing an avenue for people committed to helping PWDs learn from each other. It was a great learning experience, especially for us parents, as this opened our minds to the opportunities we could create for our children to make them independent and self-sustaining in the future,” said another parent, Ms. Betty Redoloza, who attended together with her 32-year-old son with Down Syndrome, Michael.

It has been a dream for the DS Foundation to bring their members to international activities to widen their horizons and enable them to meet people from all walks of life. The 2019 APAAF definitely made that dream possible for everyone. We look forward to next year’s Asia Pacific Accessible Art Festival in Bangkok, Thailand! By Izza Aima Montederamos

Photos from top clockwise: Mrs Diana Sipaco, 9th from right, along with other co-organizers of the event receives an appreciation token during the opening ceremony. Ronace Coprada, Michael Redoloza, Benrafii Omar and Louiselyn Sevilla performed a neo-ethnic dance during the event’s Welcome Dinner. The eleven members of the DS Foundation with the officers of the organizing group, Caritas Macau.