Mindanao Gold Star Daily News Online | Mindanao News | Cagayan de Oro Newspaper | Online NewsPaper | Mindanao Newspaper | Philippine Local Online News

Davao stakeholders pass resolutions for coco industry

Thursday, 17 May 2012 00:00

COCONUT industry stakeholders in Davao Oriental passed six resolutions during the fi rst-ever Davao Oriental Coconut Industry Business Congress held in Mati city last week to step up the industry's status. Presented by provincial board member Justina M.B. Yu, the six resolutions were endorsed by the Provincial Coconut Industry Development Council (PCIDC) for the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) and local offi cials of Mati City and the entire province to consider. Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon said if the PCA cannot complement the support of LGUs "then we feel hopeless." PCA administrator Euclides Forbes responded saying that PCA-DO will already have three additional staff starting next month. Department of Trade and Industry Davao Oriental director Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi said the provincial coconut industry stakeholders expressed optimism over the adoption and consideration of these resolutions by the concerned agencies.

"We hope that this activity really has opened up a lot of opportunities for you (farmers)," Ambi said, who is also a PDIC member. The six resolutions are the following: Strict implementation of Republic Act No. 8048 otherwise known as the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995: an act providing for the regulation of the cutting of coconut trees, its replenishment, providing penalties therefore and for other purposes and deputizing local government units to assist in its implementation; Requests CIIF to allocate appropriate funding for the coconut development programs in the province; Requests staff augmentation of the PCA-Davao Oriental Provincial Offi ce;

Encourages LGUs of Davao Oriental to create and mobilize respective Municipal Coconut Industry Development Councils; Urges control on the exportation of matured coconuts and coconut seedlings; and Mandates utilization of locally- produced salt instead of the imported one for the Coconut Fertilization Program. Being one of the country's top coconut producers, the PCIDC said the local coconut industry must be given priority, especially that it has been continuously contributing to the Philippines export fi gures. PNA

PNoy needs more time to decide on Agus, Pulangi

Wednesday, 16 May 2012 00:00

DAVAO City--President Aquino said the decision on whether or not to privatize the Agus- Pulangui hydro power plants would not be done overnight. Asked during his visit to grace the People's Organizations Congress in line with Department of Agriculture's Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) at the Grand Regal Hotel here, Aquino said the concerns on the planned privatization cannot be addressed "biglaan." "We need to study everything, the pros and cons, the financial state of Napocor if it is earning or otherwise," he said. Aquino said there were numerous technicalities needed to be studied in order for the government to come up with a concrete stand on Agus- Pulangui hydro power plants. He clarified however that the study is ongoing amid the strong opposition to the privatization plan. Aquino said the proposal that reached him is that the Agus-Pulangui privatization would not take place if the investors are not Mindanaons.

He also said the 30- percent disallowable ownership by a single corporation as provided in the Epira Law should also be considered if Agus- Pulangui is privatized. Aquino said the decision should be based on the law and carefully studied and "not hastily done." Davao del Nor te Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario said what the President said during the recent Mindanao Power Summit was about the creation of a Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee and for Mindanaons to pull their acts together to solve the power supply problem. From there, it would already be possible to come with a Mindanao Power Corp. that would take over Napocor in managing and owning Agus- Pulangui hydro power plants, he said. "We must create our own power corporation," del Rosario said. He added: "We can form our own power corporation that would properly manage the Agus-Pulangui hydro-power plants."

The hydro-power plants are the main source of relatively cheap electricity in Mindanao. It supplies 52 percent of the Mindanao's electricity. During the power summit in Davao, local officials and other stakeholders rejected the planned privatization of the hydro-power plants. They said, "Privatization would only be giving market power to a private entity. If left with the government without the profit motive, hydro power can blend power rates and mitigate spikes in power prices." Instead of privatization, they proposed the creation of the Mindanao Power Corp. that would formulate a viable way to operate and maintain not only the Agus-Pulangui hydro complexes, but the power system of the region "without sacrificing the interest of the people of Mindanao."

Del Rosario said the idea of creating a power corporation is "to have Mindanaoans responsible for powering Mindanao." The proposed corporation is also seen to put up a one-stop shop for power investments and projects in the region. Aquino earlier said having a more consistent energy source would give Mindanao a more convincing business proposition to potential investors--not just in the energy sector. "This isn't just about energy, this is about attracting investments and creating Jobs, and this is about securing the future of this region," he said. PNA

It’s more fun without plastics in Davao

Tuesday, 15 May 2012 00:00

DAVAO City-It seems the new promo tagline of the Department of Tourism "It's More Fun in the Philippines" is doing fine. DOT officials announced about 1.5 million visitors came in the first quarter of this year and more would be coming from Australia, America, UK, Japan and Korea, among other nations. I think among the most visited places are the Palawan underground cave which won the prestigious Seven New Wonders of the World tilt and the little town of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, for its super crocodile "Lolong." However, this projection may be clouded unless the raging territorial dispute between the Philippines and China will be solved amicably. At least 10 contingents of Chinese tourists have allegedly cancelled their trip to the country within the first week of May and travel agencies have feared for the worse scenario. Meanwhile, the Davao-based Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association is complaining that its banana has been refused entry into mainLand China. It becomes more evident the dispute of the two countries over ownership of Scarborough Shoal is a serious national issue that needs international intervention. China made claim to the contested group of islets as part of their territory including the whole of the Philippine archipelago, if we are to believe the assertion of one Chinese media commentator.

But whatever happened in the national scene, life grinds as usual locally. Dr. Jean Lindo, a prominent environmentalist posted this message on my Facebook wall: "It is fun to be living in Davao." Her declaration stems from city hall's announcement of implementing by June of this year City Ordinance 0361, Series of 2010, otherwise known as the Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009. Councilor Melchor Quitain, one of the sponsors, delivered a privilege speech during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod last Tuesday calling for the implementation of the ordinance after almost three years of hibernation. He said during a media interview that it was time to implement the law after several years of preparation and public information and dissemination. The ordinance disallowed the use of nonbiodegradable plastic materials and polysterene foam or commonly known as styro-foam as food and food item packaging in the city. Atty. Felizarta, chief of the City Environment and Natural Resources, suggested that instead of using plastic bags and containers, Dabawenyos would make do with the old-fashioned "bayong" or "buyot," banana leaves, abaca and paper bags, or the new "biodegradable plastic bags and containers." Old folks would agree that plastic bags were unheard of before. During my childhood days stores and market stalls used paper bags for our rice and "tahup" for our hogs. This move of the city council is in line with the government's commitment to reduce carbon footprints and to avert the ill effects of climate change. An expert on climate change from UP Diliman who lectured during a forum at the Ateneo de Davao University said the effect of climate change was irreversible at this point in time. "Scientists are now contemplating on global-scale geoengineering and bioengineering measures to ensure the protection of health and environment of the planet in the long-term", she said. Other geoengineering measures that are in the scientists' do-list are Arctic engineering-presumably to curtail the abrupt melting of icebergs, and Heat transport-presumably a project of laying large vertical pipe systems in oceans and deep sea floors to pump cooler water upward to cool the planet, among other alternative measures.

Let's brace together and pray harder to avert this modern day "clash of David and Goliath" and the devastating effects of climate change. Certainly the conflict brought about by the territorial claim of China of its neighboring isLands and islets will not be settled in our local courts. This will be better resolved in the halls of the International Court of Justice or other international mediating bodies. This political conflict may be beyond us ordinary Pinoys but definitely we can do something about climate change. The prohibition of the use of non-biodegradable plastic as proposed by Councilor Quitain, also dean of UM Law School, is a right move to undertake that we have to support.

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DavNor convergence not for fighting insurgency

Tuesday, 15 May 2012 00:00

Davao del Norte - Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario clarifi ed the convergence initiative of the province is not intended to confront the insurgency problem but to promote the agenda of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. The governor said the primary objective of the Davao del Norte Convergence for Peace and Development is to be able to contribute to the realization of the agenda of the president, especially on peace and human development. "This is not intended to fi ght rebellion. What we are trying to do is promote the agenda of President Aquino," Gov. del Rosario explained during the medical and social outreach in Barangay Magwawa, one of the farthest of Sto. Tomas town, this province.

About a thousand poor residents benefi tted from the essential services brought by the frontline agencies of the province right at their doorstep, in coordination with the armed forces, the PNP and other agencies of the national government. The services include free medical consultation, medicines, minor surgery and circumcision, laboratory, dental care, skin care and haircut, animal care, and legal consultation, among others. Toilet bowls, slippers, toothbrushes, vegetable seeds and fruit tree seedlings were also distributed. Gov. del Rosario also addressed the concerns of the barangay during a dialogue with village offi cials, particularly on their request for a bridge and road maintenance, covered court, water system and health center.

He said Capitol will continue to maintain the provincial road in the barangay, while looking into the possibility of converting it into a national road. At the same time, 1003rd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Lysander Suerte bared the barangay was identifi ed under the government's PAMANA program, which already considered the water system and health center project proposals. "These are small projects that are not so expensive but are very vital to the well-being of the barangay," the governor said.

By NOEL BAGUIO