People's Park in Davao City

 People's Park in Davao City is a four-hectare cultural theme park featuring beautiful attractions like a mini-forest, man-made falls, a dancing fountain at night, fish ponds, children's playground, and a giant durian dome. The park is not only popular among tourists but also among locals who use it for jogging and other physical activities. What's great about People's Park is that admission is free.

People's Park in Davao City, Philippines, is a popular tourist destination and recreational space. Here are key features:

# Amenities

1. Mini-forest with lush greenery

2. Man-made waterfalls

3. Dancing fountain (nightly)

4. Fish ponds

5. Children's playground

6. Giant durian dome

7. Walking/jogging paths

8. Food stalls and restaurants

9. Clean restrooms

# Attractions

1. National Museum of the Philippines - Davao (inside the park)

2. Durian statue

3. Indigenous peoples' cultural displays

4. Local art installations

5. People's Park Pavilion (event venue)

# Events

1. Cultural festivals

2. Concerts

3. Food festivals

4. Art exhibitions

5. Community events

# Essentials

1. *Location*: Camus St, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur

2. *Operating Hours*: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

3. *Admission*: Free

4. *Parking*: Available

# Tips

1. Visit early morning or evening to avoid heat.

2. Wear comfortable shoes for walking.

3. Bring water and snacks.

4. Respect park rules and cleanliness.

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Image No Winter Wonderland

 

No Winter Wonderland Ashfall from the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Monday has blanketed much of Negros Occidental province, like here at Guintubdan Spring in Barangay Araal, La Carlota City. Photo taken on Dec. 10. —LA CARLOTA CITY WATER DISTRICT

Hammering ‘Golden Boy’

 

Hammering ‘Golden Boy’  Hits that can mock even Oscar De La Hoya’s defense, in this Las Vegas fight on Dec. 6, 2008, helped secure Manny Pacquiao’s place in the boxing pantheon. —AP

Bangsamoro Parliament OKs Indigenous Peoples' Act of 2024

BY KEITH BACONGCO

Dec 12, 2024 10:12 PM 

DAVAO CITY – The Bangsamoro Parliament passed the long-awaited Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples’ Act (BIPA) of 2024 on third and final reading during a special session on Dec. 10.

The BIPA, also known as the Indigenous Peoples (IP) Code, was approved with 63 votes in favor, zero against, and no abstentions. 

FARMERS haul bags of corn in Barangay Kuya, South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur. (Keith Bacongco)

The BIPA is one of the priority measures that must be passed during the transition period under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

As mandated by the BOL, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was tasked to pass  the IP Code, one of the six codes eyed to be passed before the end of its term and in time for the first BARMM parliamentary elections next year.

The BTA has passed other priority measures, including the Administrative Code, Education Code, Civil Service Code, Local Governance Code, and Electoral Code. 

The BOL recognized the IP groups within region as Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP), composed of the  Téduray, Lambangian, Dulangan Manobo, Erumanun Ne Menuvu, Higaonon, B’laan, Badjao, Sama Dilaut, Jama Mapun, Sama Bangingi, and Sama Pangutaran, among others. 

In a statement, the Bangsamoro Parliament said the passage of the law is a historic success in  the region’s ongoing peace process and commitment to inclusive governance.

It added that the law seeks to address the long-standing challenges faced by tribal communities in the Bangsamoro region, adding that the newly-enacted law introduces a comprehensive legal framework to protect and empower the NMIPs that represent about two percent of the BARMM’s 4.4-million population.

Many of these IP groups are located in the hinterlands of Maguindanao provinces and some villages in the Special Geographic Areas.

Under the newly-enacted law, one of its core provisions is the explicit recognition of IPs’ ownership over their ancestral domains, referred to as fusaka ingëd, which include the lands, forests, rivers, and other natural resources historically owned and utilized by these communities.

The IP Code also established the Fusaka Ingëd Development Office (FIDO) under the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) which will coordinate efforts for the socio-economic development of ancestral domains.

Prior to its enactment,  various NMIP groups have expressed concern on the version of the IP code that the BTA had been pushing.

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The NMIP groups are wary that the BTA’s version of IP Code may not truly reflect the aspirations of IPs in the region. 

Among the groups that expressed concern are the Gempe te Kelindaan ne Kamal te Erumanen ne Menuvu (Erumanen ne Menuvu), Mënubù Dulangan Tribal Justice and Self-Governance (Mënubù Dulangan), and Timuay Justice and Governance (Tëduray and Lambangian). 

These IP groups have yet to issue a statement on the enactment of BIPA as of posting time. 

BTA Committee on Indigenous Peoples Affairs (CIPA) Chairman Ramon Piang said that the BIPA is an enhanced version of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act.

Piang added that the BIPA is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the Bangsamoro indigenous population.

He said that the law also aims to rectify historical injustices and combat the socio-economic marginalization of IPs, ensuring they have better access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

Under the new law, an Indigenous Peoples’ Council will be created to ensure the voices of tribes are heard in matters affecting their communities.

Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong said that BIPA is aligned with the Bangsamoro government’s larger vision for creating a better and more just society in which no group is left behind in its pursuit of development.  

Bulakan sinking; world-class airport city project may be at risk

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Dec 13, 2024 07:57 AM

  

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A recent study by geologists from the University of the Philippines-Diliman has brought attention to the alarming rate of land subsidence in Greater Manila, Metro Davao, and Metro Iloilo. The municipalities of Bulakan, Guiguinto, and Balagtas in Bulacan stand out for their severe sinking rate of 109 millimeters per year.

While this phenomenon is attributed to various factors, including excessive groundwater extraction, rapid urbanization, climate change, and the natural compaction of sediments, the reality of a sinking Bulakan town puts in jeopardy the broader metropolitan area, existing infrastructure and big projects like the ambitious New Manila International Airport city complex that will rise in Bulakan, Bulacan. This multi-billion-peso San Miguel Corporation project which is designed to cater to the growing demands of the country’s aviation and transportation sectors, promises to stand as a symbol of progress and modernization. 

Bulakan, where the NMIA will rise, is a piece of land that has been inundated for a long while due to factors that include flooding from heavily silted river systems, conversion to fishponds and over-extraction of groundwater that made it more susceptible to land subsidence.

The soft, waterlogged nature of Bulakan is inherently susceptible to subsidence, particularly when subjected to the pressures of urbanization, large-scale construction, and the depletion of groundwater resources. As the land sinks, the structural integrity of infrastructures could be compromised, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the proposed airport project and surrounding structures. Moreover, the risks of flooding in Bulakan and other low-lying areas will only increase, with potentially disastrous consequences for both the airport city complex and the communities that surround it.

The sinking of the Bulacan metropolitan area could also exacerbate existing flooding problems. This could make transportation infrastructure less reliable, hinder mobility, and disrupt daily life for the residents of Bulacan and neighboring provinces. 

To address these growing concerns, government, San Miguel Corporaton, and the  private sector should address the land subsidence and the adverse consequences that go with it. 

Government agencies should take immediate and coordinated action. The National Water Resources Board should enforce stricter regulations on groundwater extraction. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, on the other hand, should prioritize the restoration of natural wetlands and other ecosystems — like engaging in large-scale reforestation projects, rehabilitation of fishponds, and preservation of natural floodplains — to help stabilize the land and mitigate the risks of subsidence.

Moreover, the Department of Public Works and Highways should work closely with local governments and the private sector to ensure that any infrastructure developments, including the NMIA, are designed to withstand the effects of land subsidence and climate change.

Local government units in Bulacan, particularly in Bulakan, should implement comprehensive flood control measures that account for both current and future land subsidence, bearing in mind extreme weather events driven by climate change.

The future of Bulacan — and of the NMIA complex — depends on the collective will to tackle the challenges of subsidence, climate change, and urbanization.

Creamline overcomes ZUS Coffee, stays perfect

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Dec 12, 2024 07:28 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Creamline leaned on its veteran poise as it turned back ZUS Coffee with a hard-earned 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13 victory to remain unscathed in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday, Dec. 12. 

Creamline leaned on its veteran poise as it turned back ZUS Coffee with a hard-earned 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13 victory to remain unscathed in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Alyssa Valdez flashes her vintage form and scores 17 points for Creamline. (PVL Images)

Skipper Alyssa Valdez rediscovered her old touch and carried the cudgels for the Cool Smashers, firing 17 points on 16 attacks and one block.

The win stretched Creamline’s streak to four games, tying with Cignal at the helm.

Despite stumbling in the fourth set that put their backs against the wall, the Cool Smashers still held their ground and unleashed fiery assaults entering the pivotal fifth frame.

But the Thunderbelles refused to give up, grabbing an 11-9 lead with Thea Gagate at the forefront of their attack.

It turned out to be ZUS Coffee’s last stand as Creamline pounced on the Thunderbelles to grab the triumph.

Bernadeth Pons also paced with 17 points for Creamline, which overcame ZUS Coffee’s solid net defense after posting 11 blocks. 

Jema Galanza also sizzled with 15 points while Michele Gumabao was equally unstoppable with 14 points.

Kate Santiago and Gagate had 19 and 16 points, respectively, while Michele Gamit and Glaudine Troncoso combined for 24 points for ZUS Coffee, which absorbed its third loss in five games.