Livelihood Seeding Program launches in Montevista Town

To help Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in cushioning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao de Oro Provincial Office thru the Negosyo Center Montevista launched the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay- Livelihood Seeding Program - Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (NSB-LSP PBG) in Brgy. Linoan on September 9, 2020.

LSP is a program of DTI that allows a wider reach of business development assistance by bringing government services closer to the people through partnerships between relevant local government units and DTI officials.

Meanwhile, about twenty (20) Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Barangay Panansalan, Compostela were given livelihood kits amounting to PHP 5,000. Skills training on Kakanin Making was also conducted to broaden the knowledge and capabilities of the beneficiaries. (Rheafe Hortizano, Provincial Information Division)

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

Davao de Oro honors 2020 retirees

Davao de Oro Province--- This year’s Philippine Civil Service Commission celebrates its 120th anniversary with the theme, Philippine Civil Service @120: Public Sector in the Age of Digital Transformation.

In the course of the pandemic, public service remains responsive in serving the general public through the use of emerging technologies, delivering efficient and effective services especially in times of emergencies as reflected with its anniversary theme.

In line with the celebration, PLGU Davao de Oro honors 21 retiring employees with years of service ranging from 8 to 41 years. Among the retirees were two (2) Provincial Government Department Heads, Nora F. Cagas from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) and Eugene Alaba of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO). The provincial government is grateful for their rendered service for years with dedication and hard-work.

“I am very proud of you, kay mi-abot gyud ta sa ani nga panahon ug nakita nato ang developments nga kabahin kita and we recognize that as kaming mga bag-o sa serbisyo. Kami magpadayung inspirado sama kaninyo ug dili namo malimtan inyuhang mga efforts, mga natabang sa atuang probinsya nga nahimugso, gikinahanglan nga kami magpadayun para ang inyuhang paghago kaniadto ug sa karun magpadayun ug mas daghan pang matabangan ug mulambo pa atung probinsya,” said Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) donated 4 (four) Patient Transport Vehicles to PLGU Davao de Oro which was formally blessed and turned-over on September 7, 2020 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds.

These patient transport vehicles will be given to the four (4) provincial hospitals of the province; DDOPH Montevista, DDOPH Patukan, DDOPH Laak and DDOPH Maragusan. The transport vehicles will be of great assistance in the Covid-19 Operations and other hospital related emergencies. (Jasteen P. Abella, Information Division Davao de Oro)

SOCIAL ANXIETY

Social anxiety is the single most common psychological problem according to innumerable survey results worldwide. The magnificent, gorgeous, and excellent isolation, resulting from being nervous when meeting people is really the opposite. The state of being isolated reminds me of being in a hospital with an infectious disease. Especially nowadays in times of Covid-19 ... .

Does the project of giving a speech or going to a social gathering give you the willies?

Relax, there are always ways and solutions to help you by teaching you "never to be nervous again".

I have always been the most silent pupil in elementary and high school. I was ashamed even to talk to or with my teachers. Several not really satisfactory (?) school records have been the result. But, I wanted to become a journalist. I am still one. And, I taught at a state university for more than 12 years.

During college times and while writing the first articles I learned from my first boss, a daily news publisher, to avoid being nervous while meeting people. I was always prepared. Preparation for any communicating situation is a must. I have been invited to many parties and gatherings. I always asked for the guest list. I scanned all newspapers and browsed them on the net.

"In your opinion, who..." or "What do you think of....?" kept the momentum going. That was sometime during the 1960s. Since that time, I was just very lucky to always meet the right people at the right time and place, which kept on teaching me how to avoid splendid isolation. Whether you're delivering a speech, approaching your boss, or joining an important social occasion, do at first your homework.

The most polished, smoothly delivered and spontaneous soundings talks are the result of many hours of work and years-long experiences. The memorable one-liners and moving phrases that went down in history didn't come from the last-minute bursts of inspiration.

I also learned from Harvard University historian Richard Marius, "that good writing is a kind of wrestling with the thought". Or, as New York Times columnist William Safire expressed before: "To communicate, put your thoughts in order, give them a purpose, use them to persuade, to instruct, to discover, to seduce!"

Let's don't forget, that every one of us has something to be proud of and that everyone enjoys talking about it. But, you have to make it happen!

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

BEING ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

OPINION

By KLAUS DORING

 September 1, 2020

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MANY times we compare our life with a way. We talk about a "human life way". We describe a determined human such as, "He's on the right track (way)". We must make our tracks, but we will prepoved not to take a path across a rice-field. We learn that there are many ways to solve problems. We also don't want to stand in other people's way. Sometimes we prefer to keep out of someone's way. Sometimes, we plan already to get someone out of our way. It just happened in my surroundings. Most of all, we do try to find the golden middle course. "Hay nako" - that's the hardest task in life!

Many different ways have been offered to us during our whole life. Whole life?  Mmmmh, let's wait and see and have a cup of tea! How can we be able to choose the right way? The correct one? Which signs on our way can be trusted blindly? These are urgent and vital questions for all of us, and, during this time, important like never before. In the pasty traditions and custom demands have been produced our ways unquestionable. Nowadays permanently, constantly and continually we must think about decisions and look for the correct plan - but, more and more alone!

Today's man is like a ship's captain.This ship contains solid iron. The compass needle is no more able to show the Northern direction as expected, because of the ship's iron inflexible body. You only have one choice: look up to the stars and study their guiding support. A very wise idea by German atom-physicist Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976).

We are all happy and proud while having the perfect means at our disposal. On the other hand, our blindness allows us to intricate and confused destinations in life, aims, goals and objectives. We all know the headlines of our daily life, which always turn us away and distract our views to the stars - means to say: to God.

- Coup d'Etat (ignoring) of human values;
- Total (modern?) emancipation;
- Longing mostly -or only- for earthly luck on the way of all .

Many of these headlines are reality already. But this reality stays behind real dreams and illusions.  Let's keep our eyes open for the most important signs at our way, such as

- Ready to help the unprotected and defenseless weak;
- Struggle for freedom and justice;
- Commitment of peace;
-  Most of all: Love, which doesn't calculate and count - love without measurements, boundaries and limits.

2 Days to go for the DRDP 2017-2022 Midterm Update Virtual Launch

Davao de Oro Province--- Serving as a blueprint towards inclusive growth and development for the entire Davao Region, the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP) 2017-2022 is set to launch its Virtual Midterm Update this coming August 26, 2020.

The DRDP 2017-2022 is complementary to the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 and is strongly anchored on a Philippine long-term vision – Ambisyon Natin 2040, wherein each Davaeno shall live in a “Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay”.

The virtual update will be focusing on raising awareness and engagement of the Davaoenos’ support for the government’s development strategies in the remaining years of the Duterte administration, highlights of the salient features of the Davao Region Recovery Program amid the Covid-19 Pandemic and as for the final segment will be a virtual presser to be conducted in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) XI.

To further disseminate information for the event, simultaneous posting of campaigns was made through social media ensuring to reach every stakeholder both public and private to generate support for the Plan implementation. Campaigns will feature success stories of the provinces from the entire Davao Region for the past three years and dabawenyos’ commitment towards sustaining positive change for the entire region.

Guest speakers for the virtual launch will be DBM Secretary Wendel Avisado and current Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region XI, NEDA Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla, Regional Development Council (RDC) XI Chairperson Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy and RDC Vice-Chairperson and NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes Lim.

(Jasteen P. Abella, Information Division Davao de Oro)

Philippines Has Expensive Turtle Internet

A global digital well-being study reveals the poor state of Internet in the Philippines.

By ESQUIRE PHILIPPINES 

IMAGE Unsplash, Wikimedia, Freepik

ILLUSTRATOR Bianca Papa

Access to the Internet has become a sore spot for the Philippines lately. Now that people are working from home, most are finding that their personal providers are slow, unreliable, or, worst, unavailable, as in there is no connection to the world wide web at all.

The Digital Quality of Life Index 2020, a recent study by VPN provider Surfshark, affirms these connectivity woes. Overall, the Philippines, which is highlighted twice in the 32-page report (and not in a good way), ranks 66 out of 85 countries in terms of digital well-being. 

The Philippines has expensive Internet connection. 

In the Internet Affordability index, which measures the time required to afford the cheapest mobile and broadband Internet in the country, the Philippines lands at 82, besting only a few countries such as Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Albania. Israel wins the round as the country with the most affordable Internet. 

Data also reveals that it takes 1,994 seconds of work to afford the cheapest mobile Internet and 75 minutes of work to afford the cheapest broadband Internet in the country.

The Philippines has poor Internet quality. 

The study’s Internet Quality index measures the average broadband and mobile download speeds and broadband and mobile stability during the pandemic.

Here, the Philippines chugs along at 77, placing it among the countries with the slowest and least stable Internet. Asian neighbor Singapore takes the top spot, while other Asian countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia occupy the five bottom slots in this category. 

The Philippines has less secure Internet.

E-security is gauged via the country’s cyber security efforts and personal data protection. In this index, the Philippines fares better, landing somewhere in the middle at 46.

The United Kingdom is the most prepared to fight cyber crime, taking the top spot, while Bangladesh has the poorest e-security, finding itself at the bottom.

The Philippine government has an above-average Internet presence.

Surprisingly, the Philippine government's above-average online presence—how its services are digitized or can be done over the Internet—hoists the country’s ranking for Electronic Government to 36.

Singapore, once more, takes the crown for having the most developed e-government, while Sri Lanka lags behind the rest at 85.

The study also observes that, for most, the e-security rating correlates with the e-government rank, as seen in the U.K., France, and Finland, all of which rank high in the indices.  

What does it all mean?

The numbers don’t lie. A poor showing in the study reflects the sorry state of connectivity in the Philippines, and this is negatively affecting the lives of Filipinos.

High costs mean limited access. Unstable connections decrease efficiency in work and enjoyment when you’re watching Netflix. Just think of the frustration when a movie stutters and then grinds to a halt.

The pandemic has only put a spotlight on the country’s Internet deficiencies. What should follow next is innovation.

ERRING

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2.  News
3.  Opinion
4.  Erring

OPINION

By KLAUS DORING

 August 24, 2020

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

TO err is human - to forgive is divine. The British poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744) created this saying. And, in my opinion, he was so very right. Erring - having failed to adhere to the proper or accepted standards. How many times have we done something wrong?

In our daily life struggles, we also pass innumerable periods of splendid isolation and act, as William Shakespeare said, "Thoughts are free" by hurting and insulting relatives, friends, and colleagues. Many times we err, and, even if we know it, we don't care. BAHALA SILA...

Maybe we pray and ask for forgiveness. And, we are so sure of having our complimentary ticket in our pockets and pouches. Nobody is perfect - sure! Me too! Yes, I confess! But that's no excuse for broken promises.

How many times do we commit a mistake? How many times are we mistaken, or get astray? How many times do we sin?

How often do we catch ourselves being roving, wandering, and acting eccentric, changeable, capricious, and not dependable? Or, how many people in our surroundings do we meet daily, who err terribly on their decisions? I am not talking about the deviation from right or truth and the sins, blunders, and mistakes, which we make in our daily life.

To err is human, sure - but not if we err willfully, intentionally, or if legal premeditation is done. But the second part of my today's column here is much more important: forgiveness! Yes, forgiveness is divinity - meaning to say: godhead and theological together.

I looked into my dictionaries and found innumerable explanations: "If we can forgive, we are belonging to, or, we are having the nature of God. We might be holy, sacred, heavenly, or a superhuman -being a priest, a pastor, a clergy, or theologian!"

I guess it's already a wonderful situation, after being insulted or hurt by someone to hear the simple expression "SORRY!" Yes, it's coming from the bottom of the heart. "SORRY!" ... - and I ask God also to forgive all my sins and my wrongdoings to others.

Regarding "seeking forgiveness" we can find plenty of passages in our Holy Bible. The most touching part for me is being found in Proverbs 28:13: "You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up, then God will show mercy to you!"

"Erring" taxi drivers never die out. When I returned from my last long trip before Covid-19 stopped all travel plans, I met one, asking me an extra charge of 50 Pesos because of the incalculable waiting period at the airport. The taxi number and company are noted. Just in case... Of course, I didn't pay the extra charge and boarded another taxi....

Yummy yummy in The Philippines

Sure: in Davao City, I trust the Agdao Market when buying seafood. My lunch today: fresh oysters, with cheese oven baked and a glass of white wine. Yummy yummy, indeed.