1st IP convergence summit and ...

... 22nd IPRA anniversary celebration held in New Bataan town

Compostela Valley Province---The municipal government of New Bataan, Compostela Valley in partnership with the National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP) and the Mandaya-Mansaka Tribal Executive Council of Elders (MMTECE) celebrates the "1st IP New Bataan Convergence Summit and 22nd Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) anniversary celebration" on October 29, 2019 at the Municipal Gymnasium, New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province.

This year's celebration is anchored with the theme "Empowering Indigenous Peoples through the Whole of Nation Approach.”

A total of 83 council of elders, tribal leaders and Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) of the different clusters attending the program led by the municipal IPMR and Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member Arnel B. Sugnoan together with the Municipal Tribal Chieftain Daniel L. Pagantupan.

During the program Provincial Director of NCIP-Comval Roger S. Lumbin shares about the 14 Thematic Issues and concerns and also explains about the Executive Order No. 70 for the whole of nation approach to the IP leaders.

Director Lumbin expressed his gratitude to the participants during the conduct of the open forum with the national government agencies and the municipal government.

“The gains and the success of our IPRA celebration as far as Comval and New Bataan in particular is considered a historic one. This is because of the influence of our chairperson and at the same time the Executive Director of ELCAC,” said Director Lumbin.

HE added that “why we are here its because we wanted to highlight the celebration of the creation of IPRA law. “Although daghan ta ug mga celebration nga nabuhat in the previous years pero for me this is something special because this is a valuable one and a historic one.”

Also gracing the occasion were New Bataan Mayor Geraldford N. Balbin together with the municipal SB members and the officials from the national government agencies namely: Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante, representatives from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) through Ms. Lovella Mae C. Lagura, and from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office XI with Ms. Lourdes Melody Villanueva.

Meanwhile, the presentation of the Mandaya-Mansaka ADSDPP Annual Investment Plan was also presented by Jake Hanggam the Ancestral Domain Manager of the said town.

The ceremonial signing and pledge of commitment of support was also done with the representatives from the national government agencies and the IP leaders.

On the other hand, Mayor Balbin said that

"ang mga kaayuhan nga gihimo sa mga tribu dako ug tabang sa atua, unya magpabilin ang history sa atuang tribu sa atuang lungsod ug sa tanang mga IPs, dili mahimo ang tanan bisan pa ug unsa ang atong mga plano kung wala ang mga tabang sa national government, provincial government ug sa ubang ahensiya sa gobyerno.”

"Nagpasalamat kita nga ang atuang mga tribu ug atuang mga IPs nahatagan ug pagtagad sa mga programa sa gobyerno para sa kaayuhan sa tanan," the mayor added.

The commemoration of the 22nd Anniversary of the promulgation of Republic Act No. 8371 otherwise known as IPRA is celebrated in the IP Month of October 1-31, 2019. #YEStoDavaoDeOro (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

An unforgettable state visit

Climate change only for the poor?

I think, this question has been answered already many times. Fact is: climate change exacerbates inequalities, not only in poor, developing countries, but also in industrialized, wealthy ones. But, the poor should be given special importance when planning, experts and German National Television's author Irene Banos Ruiz say.

Since the topic "Climate Change" arrived already the last global spot, climate hysteria grows. As drought, flooding and fires lay claim to headlines and landscapes across the world, and as countries and cities grapple with the cost of it all, the highest price is already being paid — by those who are poor or marginalized, Ruiz voiced out. And yes, she is so very right. Such are the findings of a recent study by  researchers Noah S. Diffenbaugh and Marshall Burke. It reveals that the economic gap between rich and poor countries would have been smaller without the climate crisis.

Eight of the ten countries most affected by extreme weather events — such as hurricanes and monsoon rains — between 1998 and 2017, were developing nations with low or lower-middle income, the Global Climate Risk Index of the NGO Germanwatch shows.

"Regions like Southeast Asia are very vulnerable, not only because they are often hit, but because they lack resources to deal with the impact," David Eckstein, co-author of the Index.

Of course, living in the Philippines and experiencing the climate change here since decades, I wasn't surprised any more reading the answer to the question: Where is the most extreme weather? 

1.Puerto Rico, 2. Honduras, 3. Myanmar, 4. Haiti, 5. Philippines, 6. Nicaragua, 7. Bangladesh, 8. Pakistan, 9. Vietnam, 10. Dominca. Although natural disasters are not new, climate change increases their frequency and intensity, making it harder for those affected to cope with the impacts.

"Often, these countries are in the process of rebuilding when they're struck again by an event," Eckstein said.

Oxfam International says the two cyclones that hit Mozambique in rapid succession earlier this year left 2.6 million people in need of food, shelter and clean water. Thousands have had to look for a new place to live.

According to the Switzerland-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre they were among seven million — out of a total 10.8 million people internally displaced between January and June this year — forced to leave their homes because of weather-related disasters and earthquakes.

But even people who do not currently live in extreme poverty are at risk of becoming poor. I listened Harjeet Singh, climate policy lead with the NGO ActionAid International, during a television interview.. He recently visited the Sundarbans, where land has been swallowed by rising sea levels. "People there had resources, but their lives have been completely devastated by climate change impacts," he said. "They've fallen into the poverty trap."

He witnessed a similar situation in Senegal's Saloum Delta, where sea level rise is making it hard for communities to farm or fish. That's how people "become ultra poor and migrate without any resources, and become unskilled labor in urban areas," he explained.

Economic disparities due to climate change aren't unique to poorer countries.  A 2017 study published in the peer-reviewed journal, Science, says higher temperatures in US states such as Arizona will lead to a more intense use of cooling systems, which in turn implies greater energy use and higher costs for consumers.  

Some northern states, however, could benefit through reduced heating use, among other factors. In Maine, for instance, the most northeasterly US state, the gross county product could increase by up to to 10%, while in Arizona it could fall by as much as 20%, the study shows.

In the Spanish capital, Madrid, over 20% of households are at risk of energy poverty — the lack of capacity to keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer, a study requested by regional authorities shows.

Allow me to quote Eckstein from Germanwatch again, who says that initiatives to help countries recover are important, "but what is also necessary is for these countries to prepare in advance."

I.e. Bangladesh, he says, has improved its position in the Climate Risk Index because it deals with climate change impacts better than other countries. Among other measures, it has built seawalls to prevent flooding and introduced early warning systems to evacuate people on time.

Social protection mechanisms to help people relocate and learn new skills also matter.

"If relocation needs to happen, it has to happen in a much more planned manner," Singh said. But since the affected countries often lack the economic and technical capacity to go this far, international support plays a decisive role, he added.

Singh agrees that preventive planning is the key to reducing the inequality gap intensified by climate change.

"Current players are leading us to a 3 degrees [Celsius] warmer world," he said. "We really hope that we don't reach that point, but our planning has to be with that thinking." I can only agree with that my dear readers.

[[My column also @ MINDANAO DAILY NEW, BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO and CAGAYAN DE ORO TIMES.]]

Barangay Health Station

Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy led the turn-over ceremony of the Barangay Health Station at P-5, Prosperidad, Montevista, Comval together with the provincial, municipal and Barangay officials of the municipality of Montevista, Compostela Valley Province on October 24, 2019.

(Photo by: M. Lasaca, PS Comval)

In Comval: Signing and Groundbreaking Ceremony ...

... for Proposed DOLE Provincial Office

Compostela Valley Province--- Deed of Usufruct Signing and Groundbreaking Ceremony for proposed DOLE Provincial Office took place at the Provincial Capitol Lobby, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province on October 21, 2019.

In line with the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley Province’s 4Ps+ program, the construction of the Provincial DOLE Office will contribute to the province’s  prosperity and easy access for all Comvaleños in terms of employment concerns .

The ceremony was attended by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, Dole Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante and other government officials of of the province. The proposed Dole Provincial Building is worth 30 Million pesos and will be constructed within the Provincial Capitol Complex of Compostela Valley.

Together with Governor Uy, Dole Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante signed the contract and was grateful for granting the said project witnessed by PG Department Head of PHRMDO/ Provincial PESO Manager Lara Zaphire Kristy N. Bermejo together with DOLE Provincial Director Albert Degamo.

The proposed 30 Million worth building will become a 1 two-storey building which will serve as the DOLE Provincial Office and 1 building as a training center for all activities by DOLE in Comval. (Jasteen P. Abella, ID COMVAL)

Comval Tourism receives six pearl awards

Compostela Valley Province-- Six (6) pearl awards were received by the Provincial Tourism Office through the Supervising Senior Tourism Operations Officer (SSTOO) Ms. Christine Dompor of Compostela Valley during the conduct of the 20th Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) National Convention on October 2-5, 2019 at the Fort Ilocandia Resort, Ilocos Norte.



With this year’s theme, “Tourism and Jobs: A Better Future for All”, tourism officers and tourism stakeholders from all over the country had convened to share their knowledge, build networks, immersed in different communities and learned from these visits towards sustainable tourism.


According to Dompor, ATOP is an organization of tourism officers from all over the country who aims to strengthen its capabilities in tourism development, strive towards the highest standard of information and services for tourists, promote the welfare of its members and other partners, and foster unity in the industry.

Dompor added that the highlight of the four-day event of the DOT in Ilocos is the pearl awards were the association are being recognize for their exemplary practices, programs, and innovations employed by the Local Government Units (LGUs) in tourism governance. Together with the Department of Tourism (DOT), ATOP encourages Local Chief Executives to actively participate in the country’s tourism development initiatives. The award-giving program also is supported and partnered with the technical partner, the University of Sto. Tomas (UST).

Now on its 15th year, the PEARL AWARD: ATOP-DOT Best Tourism Practices of the Philippines Awards, honors local governments, and tourism officers who have contributed the significantly towards achieving sustainable tourism development in their respective communities.

“As of this year, ATOP added a new set of categories open to all levels, provincial, city and municipal were out of 300 plus entries all over the country, Compostela Valley was able to reap 6 pearl awards,” the tourism officer said.

For Provincial Category Comval were able to receive the 1st Place for Best Tourism Month/Week Celebration for the Tourism Month 2018 activities and 1st Place for Best Tourism Event Sports Festival for Visit Davao Summer Fun in Comval.

While for the Municipal Category Grand Champion for the Best Tourism Festival as Contemporary/other art form in NABIFILMEX of Nabunturan; 1st Place for Best Tourism Event Festival as Heritage Conservation for Lyurot Festival of Golden Valley in Mabini; 2nd Place for the Best Tourism Event-Adventure for the Tapok Tunob sa Langub Caving activity in Mawab, and a Special Citation for Best Tourism Event Festival as Thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest during the conduct of Simbalay Festival in the municipality of Nabunturan

All in all, 6 trophies garnered by the Comval delegation with two (2) LGUs already making names out of its tourism programs and projects.

Attending and receiving the award were led by Christine T. Dompor together with her office staff Prescila A. Decena and Larrah Jay M. Caparas, Jimmy Catamora Municipal Tourism Staff of LGU Mabini, and Leah M. Calamba – Municipal Tourism Officer of LGU Nabunturan. (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

PWDC Chair Sholai Lim strengthen ties with China for greater opportunities

Provincial Women Development Council (PWDC) of Compostela Valley Province Chairperson Ma'am Sholai Lim participated as part of the Philippine delegation to the recently concluded dialogue at the National People's Congress in Beijing, China.

The bilateral talks and institutional visits were arranged by the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Zhao Jianhua for DUMPER Partylist Representative Hon. Claudine Bautista where fellow women leaders like Vice Mayor Josephine Mariscal of Municipality of Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental and Atty. Mary Kristine Joy Paras of the Office of President were also present.

The discussion highlighted the now better relationship status of the Philippines and China under President Rodrigo Duterte's leadership, and the importance of political stability in pursuing genuine developments for the people.

Cong. Bautista and Ms. Lim are set to implement vital projects and programs for the women sector of Davao de Oro. Initial planning was done between the two women leaders on how they can help public utility drivers and empower their families, especially the mothers.

Hon. Mayor Jason Joyce of JAS, Marketing & Communications Consultant Mr. Reymond Pepito, Mr. JP Gabareto of DUMPER Partylist and Mr. Shadrach Lindong of the Office of the Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy were also present during the discussions

(PDWC FB Page/ID Comval)

Not only love is in the air ...

My column in Mindanao Daily and BusinessWeek Mindanao

OPINION

By KLAUS DORING

 October 17, 2019

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WHILE I was staying in Manila for a couple of days, I experienced it 24/7.  Getting into a traffic jam is every driver's nightmare. Endless minutes (or worse: hours) in which nothing's moving forward can turn what should be a short car-ride into a seemingly never-ending odyssey. But congested streets aren't just annoying for commuters — they have far-reaching consequences.

But not only in Manila. Europe's environmental watchdog has warned that city dwellers in Europe are at risk of life-threatening air pollution. The report recommends EU countries take rapid action such as decreasing the number of cars in cities.
    
Poor air quality caused 412,000 premature deaths in Europe in 2016, the most recent year data is available, according to an EU report released on Wednesday. Meanwhile is it 2019.

Sixteen of the EU's 28 member states reported at least one case of unacceptable levels of nitrogen dioxide that surpass legal EU limits. Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain were all found to have unsafe levels of the gas that's among the major vehicle emissions.

The report recommends European countries reduce the number of cars to lower nitrogen dioxide levels — and therefore air pollution.

An air quality expert at the European Environmental Agency and author of the study, Alberto Gonzales Ortiz, warned that air pollution is "currently the most important environmental risk to human health."

The report referred to World Health Organization (WHO) figures that found heart disease and stroke were the most common reasons for premature death due to air pollution, followed by lung disease and lung cancer.

The study also found that certain groups including children, the elderly, pregnant women and people living close to roads and industrial areas were more vulnerable to its effects.

While the level of dangerous particles in European cities was dropping, Ortiz said it was not falling fast enough. In line with EU law, member states are required to examine the level of a range of pollutants and take action if pollutants, such as ozone matter, exceed healthy levels.

As we all know: cities across the whole world pledge air pollution changes, but are they ready? Over 30 mayors from across the globe have pledged to deliver clean air for the 140 million people living in their cities. Delivering clean air on such a scale will take both ambitious targets and concrete action.  Believed to cause 7 million premature deaths every year, air pollution is increasingly recognized as a silent public health emergency.

Quoting British journalist Holly Young, "It's perhaps the most explicit illustration of how closely intertwined our health is to the state of our environment. Its particles have been found in human hearts and brains. It has been linked to asthma, Alzheimers, dementia, cancer, and stroke as well as mental health issues and miscarriage".

Despite its known damage, over 90% of people around the world still breathe dirty air. The Clean Air Cities Declaration announced at the World Mayors Summit this month in Copenhagen is a notable attempt to move the dial in tackling the issue. Held by C40, a network of over 90 cities dedicated to tackling climate change, 35 mayors and pledged to deliver clean air for the 140 million citizens in their cities.

The declaration highlights that the air pollution crisis is one "rooted in social injustice," due to the way it typically hits the poorest and most vulnerable communities hardest. According to WHO it is low- and middle-income countries that suffer the biggest burden from air pollution.

State of the City Address of Mayor Sara Duterte

Here are some visual impressions:

Philippines’ Samantha Lo missing ...

... at Miss Grand International 2019 welcome party in Caracas, Venezuela

BY JILLIANINA ESTEVEZ ON OCTOBER 16, 2019

Samantha Ashley Lo

The 2019 Miss Grand International held its welcome ceremony and press conference with its official candidates at TELEVEN TV Station in Caracas, Venezuela on October 15, 2019. Filipino beauty pageants were worried why Samantha Ashley Lo, 26, of the Philippines was not among the candidates who participated in the event.

Neither Miss Grand International nor Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated has released a statement about Lo’s absence. According to reports, the beauty queen from Cebu, Philippines missed her plane to Venezuela when she arrived in Paris, France where she was not allowed to stay for more than one day.

Lo reportedly had a passport issue, was sent back to the Philippines and is currently trying to get a ticket again to go to Venezuela. These claims have yet to be confirmed.

On October 2, 2019, a send-off press conference was held at the Versailles Tent of Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City, Metro Manila for Lo and Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2019 Leren Mae Bautista. Representing the Philippines, Bautista and Lo will compete in Miss Globe 2019 on October 21, 2019 in Tirana, Albania and in Miss Grand International 2019 in Caracas on October 25, 2019.

On October 9, 2019, Lo took to Instagram to share a photo of herself leaving the Philippines while holding the Philippines flag. She expressed her excitement to arrive in Venezuela.

As of October 16, 2019, Lo’s pre-arrival photo is still in Miss Grand International’s Facebook page. If she makes it to the competition and wins, she will become the international beauty pageant’s first ever titleholder from the Philippines.

Lo is an English as a Second Language instructor. She was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on June 9, 2019.