MINDANAO TIMES, February 3-5, 2023

BY ICOY C. SAN PEDRO

- Bringing COVID-19 vaccination to Ipil’s distant barangays

Sibugay (MindaNews) – Located in a mountainous border area, Domandan is the farthest barangay in the municipality of Ipil, the last mile that health workers of this town would need to go to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine. However, unlike other geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), this Subanen village is fairly accessible by either a habal-habal (public utility motorcycle) or a motorized tricycle cab. The road has been improved after the pandemic lockdowns in 2021, leaving only a couple of kilometers of uncemented road.

IPIL, Zamboanga

FLASH Mob Dancing. To promote the public acceptance of the COVID-19 booster shot, the RHU of Ipil conducted

IPIL COVID-19 vaccine to Ipil Mayor Anamel C. Olegario in February 2021 to demonstrate to the people the need for protection against COVID-19 infection. (Ipil RHU Photo File)

BY JULES BENITEZ / MINDANEWS

No damage from Wednesday’s quake, but ten students fainted

BY RHODA GRACE B. SARON

Fisherfolks, bancas during Q1

THE DAVAO City Agriculturist Office (DCAO) and their boats for proper Agricultural technologist John Necor from the Fisheries Division of the DCAO in an interview over Davao City Disaster Radio, said that Davao City has

bancas (outrigger boat) but actual population.

“Based sa among data mgacent ang wala narehistro, ang uban wala pa kaadto sa among opisina. Amo gyud paningkamutan sa first quarter ma-rehistro

silang tanan (Based on our data, there are more or less yet registered and were not will do our best so that by be registered),” Necor said.

CDRRMO head Alfredo Baloran, in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio on Thursday, Feb. 2, said that the risk assessment team and structural engineers from City Enan assessment at the City Hall and the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

damage, the buildings are suitable for occupancy),”

he said.

their parents on Wednesday night.

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) – The proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) project of the local government of Davao is still pending approval by the National Economic Development Authority Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC), -

mental Jay Christopher F. Bawi-in, chief of the Ecological Solid Waste Management section of EMB, told Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday that the agency would assist the local government in conducting an environmental impact assessment once NEDA-

ICC approves the proposed WTE.

He added that the estimated cost of the proposed WTE project is P6 billion, of which the government of Japan has committed to providing P2.5 billion billion would come from the national government as

“Wala ma’y major damage (There is no major

However, around ten students, seven from Daniel R. Aguinaldo Elementary School and three from Holy Cross of Calinan, were reported to have fainted due to the quake. Baloran said that these students immediately regained consciousness and were fetched by

He said that next for assessment are the minor hairline cracks reported at Jacinto Health Center and Mintal Elementary School, which temporarily suspended occupancy in one of its buildings that sustained a crack.

He said that apart from the registration being mandatory according to the ( /AGRICULTURE’S/11) ( /QUAKE/5)

a counterpart fund.

He said Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted of the project, but funding assistance would come from the Japanese government. Various environmen( /CITY’S/11)

Matina Crossing over-

All SUCs in Davao Region join the call to ban single-use plastic

DIGOS City, Davao del Sur (PIA) – All state colleges and universities in Davao Region will promote the ban on single-use plastics on their respective campuses before propagating the practice to the communities.

Dr. Della Grace Bacal-

tos, professor of the Davao del Sur State College said they are now focusing on single-use plastic and mangrove management as part of the Regional Center for Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development’s initial plan for the ( /ALL/5)

LifeStyle

MINDANAO'S colorful weaves took the centerstage - and the runway - during the gala night of the Mindanao Tourism Expo last January 29 at the grand ballroom of Dusit Davao.

"The unique fabrics of Mindanao remain meaningful, valuable, sacred, and relevant. The art of indigenous weaving has been passed down from generation to generation, and it is now our responsibility to safeguard and patronize this living tradition," said Department of Tourism XI regional director Tanya Rabat Tan during the program.

DOT Davao is the host region of the said expo.

the gala showcased a fashion presentation of the textiles from

various indigenous and Muslim communities in Mindanao as interpreted into modern wearables by some of Davao's top designers.

This includes Aztec Barba (Blaan Gintlo), Egay Ayag and Benjie Panizales (Maguindanao Inaul), Edgar Buyan (Meranaw Landap/Langkit), Emi Englis and Dodjie Batu (Yakan), Bamba Limon (Tausug Pis Yabit), and Wendel Mira (Mandaya Dagmay), all members of the Davao Fashion Design Council.

"Beyond livelihood, weaving is a way of life of our indigenous communities. For centuries, they have proudly showcased their exquisite works, with designs and patterns inspired by their dreams and environs, woven by their bare, powerful, and agile hands, " Tan shared.

She also underscored the DOT's endeavors to preserve Mindanawon arts and culture by supporting weaving communities and showcasing their world-class fabrics through activities and events such as the Mindanao Tourism Expo.

"We pursue to collectively advocate and market the richness of Mindanawon fabrics in our effort to economically impact the lives of our local artisans and enrich the appreciation of our heritage," she added.

DOT Director Tan with designer Nurainie Ampatuan, who designed her Hilyah Signorina Maguindanao Inaul ensemble of saya and banggala sugyang.

MAGUINDANAO Inaul is Egay Ayag's textile of choice.

(photo: JC Molina)

A Yakan number by Dodjie Batu.

EDGAR Buyan and his royal Meranaw Langkit design.

WINDEL Mira's modern take of the Mandaya Dagmay.

Emi Englis' Yakan fabric fashionable work of art. (photo: JC Molina)

Designer Aztec Barba uses Blaan Gintlo fabric for his creation.

February: Art month in Davao City

BY ALEX ALAGON

Abstract Sense proposes an artistic statement of pure human freedom and yet grounded to one’s artistic manifestation of their soul. The exhibit hopes for greater appreciation and connection with the arts while developing a greater and wider mind-set in understanding diversity and humanity, according to Mr. Rob Tanedo, the administrator of La Herencia Davao.

The ribbon cutting of the opening reception was attended by Davao City

Vice Mayor Atty. Jay Melchor Quitain Jr., Mrs. Josie Tionko President of DAFI, Ms. Brenda Barba of PWC, Mr. Kevin Mejos representing NCCA.

Davao City Vice Mayor Quitain who is also a visual artist said he was delighted to see the growing Davao arts community visible through continuous art shows all over the city, all year round. He further encouraged everyone to make more art

RECOGNIZING that the cacao industry is an ever-growing market globally, MS3 Agriventures Corporation, a Davaobased award-winning Halal chocolate producer, eyes forging a livelihood partnership with a Department of Science and Technology XI (DOST XI)-assisted agricultural organization in producing a wide variety of cacao products.

The MS3 Agriventures Corporation targets to partner with the Lumiad Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (LUFAMPCO), an organization assisted by DOST XI through the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology

(CEST) program. DOST XI has provided LUFAMPCO with cacao bean crackers, winnowing machine, grinding machine, hydraulic oil press machine, roaster machine, chocolate melanger, and various choco-making equipment to boost livelihood and productivity of the community.

MS3 Agriventures Corp. CEO and Managing Director, Mr. Neil Santillan, met with the Cacao farmers and discussed the variety of products they can make with cacao such as tea, chocolate spread, cacao vinegar, and cocoa butter.

Sharing his humble beginnings as a chocolate producer, he encouraged the farmers to start their production bit by bit,

“Unta makahatag ni ug inspirasyon sa inyoha ug paningkamutan namo na matabangan mo, sama ang DOST (We hope this will inspire you and we will see to it that we can help you, together with DOST),” Mr. Santillan said.

Mr. Santillan also assessed the harvested and fermented cacao beans in the community and provided direction on the proper fermentation process of cacao which is also based on the standard procedures of MS3 Agriventures.

“Once masunod ninyo ang procedures na gitudlo nako sa inyoha, diri na mi mismo magpalit sa inyoha ug cacao beans kay gwapo ang quality sa inyohang cacao ug sa inyohang yuta (Once you can follow the procedures that I taught you, we will directy buy cacao beans here because of the good quality of your cacao and soil),” he added.

LUFAMPCO actively participated in the discussions led by Mr. Santillan and expressed commitment to work harder so

“Salamat kay nakaabot mo diri para magtabang ug para mas mapaayos namo ang among mga pamaagi sa pag process sa cacao (We are thankful because you came here to help us improve our cacao processing),” said Mr. Rolando Camus, a farmer and a member of the LUFAMPCO Board of Directors.

Mr. Santillan conveyed that he will return to the comprocedures.

“I hope in the future maglambo and managhan ang cacao ug iba pang produkto kay abundant ang inyohang mga tanom diri (I hope in the future, your cacao and other agricultural products will prosper because your crops are abundant here),” Mr. Santillan concluded.

Since 2021, DOST XI has been providing multiple services to LUFAMPCO to help them with their cacao production such as Good Manufacturing Process training and Plant Layout Consultancy service for their chocolate processing center.

DOST XI also has an ongoing project with the MS3 Agriventures Corp. on developing a traceability system using Blockchain Technology to ensure that the cacao products comply with the Safety and Halal requirements. DOST XI

MS3 Agriventures Corp. CEO and managing director Neil Santillan examines the fermented cacao beans of the community.

VICE Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain Jr. (second from left) and Mr. Kevin Mejos of NCCA (second from right), together with the participating artists.

(From left to right) Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain Jr., Ms. Josie Tionko DAFI president, Ms. Brenda Barba of PWC, and Mr. Kevin Mejos of NCCA cut the ribbon to formally open the event.

(From left to right) Ms. Dadai Joaquin, Ms. Elenita Dumlao and Ms. Trixie Borbon.

Mr. Kevin Mejos of the National Commission on Culture and (left) and TIMES editorial cartoonist Alex Alagon (right).

QUAKE...(frompage2)

pass was also closed by the barangay after noticing additional cracks. The CEO already committed to prioritize the assessment for the overpass. The CDRRMO chief said that despite these reports, he was thankful that the infrastructure damage

“So far, magpasalamat ta sa Ginoo kay wala gyud ta'y major infra damage, wala pud ta’y loss of life or injury due to the shaking (So far we are thankful to God since se we do not have major damage, and we also do not have a loss of life or injury due to the shaking),” he said.

As to disaster management in schools, Baloran said that those with four stories or more should ensure that the students were guided correctly at the onset of the

ALL ... (frompage2)

year 2023.

“We have plotted out our activities by having a conference in July where we will be inviting different stakeholders from the academe, local government units, and people’s organizations where we will be presenting management of plastic wastes and a roadmap for plastic waste management in Davao Region,” Bacaltos said.

She said they already talked with Digos City May-

quake, and teachers should remain calm because it may also lead to panic among students.

Baloran also said that the safety of students gathering near roads after the quake should also be considered. He said that re-orientation of teachers, especially the newly hired, on disaster risk reduction and management is a must.

However, the Department of Education has already institutionalized its disaster risk reduction and management measures.

“Gina-practice gyud sa DepEd during ground shaking nga dapat safe gyud ang estudyante (DepEd really practices that in the event of ground shaking the safety of the students are ensured),” he said.

Baloran advised Davaoeños to immediately

or Josef Fortich-Cagas about possibly banning single-use plastic in the community through the formulation of local legislation and lobbying for an ordinance to stop the practice among local businesses.

Bacaltos said all state colleges and universities in Davao Region are expected to come up with their study about single-use plastic to include information dissemination and behavioral change.

report even hairline cracks they observe on their buildings.

“ Kung naay mga ground-shaking, kagabii especially earthquake 6.1 epicenter, expect gyud ta nga naay mga aftershocks kung naay paglihok sa yuta , ground shaking. Dili lang gyud ta mag panic and always gyud tan-awon nato atong safety. After shaking, mugawas ta adto ta sa safe area before nato tan-awon pagbalik atong establishments, amping ta kanunay labi na sa panahon sa kalamidad (If there is ground shaking we must not panic and always check our safety.. after the shaking, we must go out to safe areas and then go back to check on our establishments. We should always take care in times of calamities),” Baloran said.

“We need to change the mindset of the people, to be able to be mindful of the plastic waste management, as part of their lifestyle the reducing or recycling of plastic wastes,” she said.

Bacaltos stressed that people must now consider the ridge-to-reef approach because whatever plastic waste is thrown from the ridge area would end up in the coastal area. (PIA XIJoey Sem G. Dalumpines)

RD PAWNSHOP, INC NOTICE OF AUCTION

This establishment will set at public auction all unredeemed pledges up to the month of SEPTEMBER 2022 Customers are enjoined to verify their receipts for all unredeemed pledge up to the month of SEPTEMBER 2022. Public auction for the following branches will be held at RD Pawnshop,Inc.

RECTO BRANCH C.M Recto St., Davao City

BOLTON BRANCH Bolton St., Davao City

PONCIANO BRANCH DR2 JV’s Peak Blgd., Bangoy St.. Davao City

AGDAO BRANCH Aquino St., Agdao, Davao City

BOULEVARD BRANCH Piapi, Boulevard, Davao City

AGDAO BRANCH 2 Lourdes Bldg., Lapo-lapu St., Agdao,Davao City

BUCANA BRANCH San Pedro Ext., Brgy 37-D, Davao City

SAN PEDRO BRANCH #115 San Pedro St., Barangay 36-D, Davao City

LEGASPI BRANCH Legaspi St., Davao City

UYANGUREN BRANCH R. Magsaysay St., Davao City

JP LAUREL BRANCH G/F Amparo Bldg., J.P. Laurel Ave, Davao City

JP LAUREL BARNCH 2 YL Finance Bldg., JP Laurel, Bajada, Davao City

UYANGUREN BRANCH R. Magsaysay St., Davao City

BOULEVARD BRANCH 2 Lot 5 Blk 1 Piapi Boulevard, Davao City

DAVAO MABINI 895 Mabini Boulevard, Brgy 37D Pob Dist Davao City

ILUSTRE BRANCH V. Ilustre St., Infront Of Felcris, Brgy 3-A Davao City

TORIL 1 BRANCH Saavedra St., Toril, Davao City

TORIL 2 BRANCH Gen. Lao St., Toril, Davao City

CALINAN BRANCH 1 Villafuerte St., Calinan, Davao City

CALINAN BRANCH 2 R. Magsaysay St., Calinan, Davao City

TORIL BRANCH 3 Agton St., Toril, Davao City

MINTAL BRANCH Door 3, RNA Bldg., Santan Bougainvilla St., Mintal Davao City

ULAS BRANCH #206 Ulas, Brgy Talomo, Talomo Dist., Davao City

TORIL BRANCH 4 Prk 9 Mc Arthur Highway, Toril Disrict, Bayabas Crossing, DC

CALINAN BRANCH 3 Prk 16 LA111-1 NCCC Calinan Davao City

MINTAL BRANCH 2 Prk 15 Sampaguita St., Davao Bukidnon Road, Brgy Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City

BAGO GALLERA BRANCH Crossing Brgy Bago Gallera, Talomo Dist., Davao City

PUAN BRANCH Puan, Brgy Talomo, Talomo District, Davao City

MATINA BRANCH Mc Arthur Highway, Matina, Davao City

BANGKAL BRANCH Mc Arthur Highway, Bangkal, Davao City

MATINA BRANCH 2 Sto Nino, Matina Crossing, Davao City

MATINA GALLERA BRANCH Mc Arthur Highway, Brgy Matina Crossing, Talomo Dist DC

MATINA APLAYA BRANCH Phase1 Blk 2 L13 Shanghai Vil Brgy Matina Aplaya DC

CATALUNAN GRANDE BRANCH Catalunan Grande Road, Sitio Escuel Brgy Catalunan Grande Davao City

MATINA APLAYA BRANCH 2 Del Carmen Vill, Near Matina Aplaya Elem School, Brgy Matina Aplaya, Talomo Dist.,Davao City

BANKEROHAN BRANCH Quirino Ave., Bankerohan, Davao City

SANDAWA

City

BUHANGIN BRANCH 2 San Antonio NHA Super Highway, Buhangin Davao City

BUHANGIN BRANCH Km. 6, Superhighway, Buhangin, Davao City

CABANTIAN BRANCH #5 Lucky Plaza Bldg., Cabantian Road, Davao City

MANDUG BRANCH Door#5 Sienes Bldg., Mandug, Davao City

INDANGAN BRANCH Prk San Andres, Deca Homes Phase 1 Brgy Indangan, Buhangin Distrci, Davao City

BUHANGIN GYM BRANCH 44 San Nicolas St., Buhangin, Buhangin District, Davao City

CABANTIAN BRANCH 2 Blk 57 Lot 1 Country Homes, Brgy Cabantian Buhangin Dist DC

BUHANGIN BRANCH 4 Km 5 Buhangin Road, Brgy Buhangin, Buhangin Dist Davao City

MAMAY ROAD BRANCH Unit#20 G/F D3GY10 Bldg. Angliongto Ave.,Brgy Alfonso Angliongto Buhangin Dist., Davao City

CATITIPAN BRANCH Prk 10 Mutual Homes, Catitipan, Brgy Communal Buhangin District Davao City

BUHANGIN MILAN BRANCH Milan, Brgy Buhangin, Buhangin Distrcit Davao City

TAGUM BRANCH 1 Quezon St., Tagum City

TAGUN BRANCH 2 Bonifacio St., Tagum City

TAGUM BRANCH 3 Pioneer Avenue, Tagum City

TAGUM MARKET New Public Market, Tagum City

TAGUM BRANCH 5 Suarez Plaza, Sobrecarey St., Tagum City

COMVAL MABINI BRANCH Public Market, Pob Mabini, Comval

MACO BRANCH Prk 2A, Poblacion, Maco Compostela Valley

TAGUM SAN MIGUEL BR Prk 6 San Miguel, Tagum City

TAGUM MANGGA BR Prk Ilang-ilang, Mangga Visayan Vill Tagum City

NEW CORELLA BRANCH Prk 2, Poblacion, New Corella Davao del Norte

TAGUM QUIRANTE II BR Quirante II St., Magugpo, Poblacion Tagum City

TAGUM BRIZ BRANCH Neo Bldg, Prk Rambutan, Magugpo East, Tagu, City

TAGUM-NCCC BRANCH G/F NCCC, Km55, National Highway, Tagum City

MATI BRANCH 1 Rizal St., Mati, Davao Oriental

MATI BRANCH 2 Madang Public Market, Madang, Mati

TIBANBAN BRANCH Tibanban, Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental

MATI BRANCH 3 Rizal Extension, Mati, Davao Oriental

SAN ISIDRO BRANCH Compra Bldg., San Roque San Isidro, Davao Oriental

MATI BRANCH 4 Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental

BANAYBANAY BRANCH Prk 14 Poblacion, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental

LUPON BRANCH C. Tuballa St., Lupon, Davao Oriental

PANTUKAN BRANCH Market Area, Kingking, Pantukan, COMVAL Province

SAN IGNACIO BRANCH Prk Magbuhos, Brgy San Ignacio, Manay Davao Oriental

CARAGA BRANCH Sobrecarey St., Poblacion, Caraga Davao Oriental

CATEEL BRANCH Dacuycuy St., Poblacion Cateel, Davao Oriental

MANAY BRANCH P5 Castro St., Central Manay, Davao Oriental

PANABO BRANCH 1 Quirino St., Panabo City Davao del Norte

PANABO BRANCH 2 Quezon St., Panabo City Davao del Norte

STO TOMAS BRANCH 1 Feeder Road 2, Public Market, Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte

PANABO BRANCH 3 Purok Atis, Brgy Sto Nino, Panabo City

STO TOMAS BRANCH 2 Melecio Bldng, Magsaysay Ave., Tibal-og, Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte

DAVAO CARMEN BRANCH Stall#28, Carmen Public Market, Davao del Norte

PANABO BRANCH 4 Lucas Bldg., Prk 2 San Francisco, Panabo City

PANABO BRANCH 5 Door#5 Dalagan, Felicisima E.,Prk Mangga, Sto Nino, Panabo City

KAPALONG BRANCH Arellano St., Maniki Kapalong, Davao del Norte

ASUNCION BRANCH Prk 3 Public Market, Cambanogoy, Asuncion, Davao del Norte

COMVAL-LAAK BRANCH Prk 2 Poblacion, Laak, Davao De Oro

NABUNTURAN BRANCH Rizal St., Nabunturan Comval Province

COMPOSTELA BRANCH Magsaysay St.,Poblacion, Compostela Valley

MONKAYO BRANCH Salazar St.,Poblacion Monkayo,Compostela Valley

TRENTO BRANCH Trento Public Market, Trento, Agusan Del Sur

MAWAB BRANCH UCCP Commercial Center, Cor Jampayas St., and Provincial Road Poblacion, Mawab, Compostela Valley

MONTEVISTA BRANCH Jauod Bldg., Pob. Montevista, Comval Province

A-BUNAWAN BRANCH Purok 2, San Teodoro, Bunawan Agusan Del Sur

STA JOSEFA BRANCH Prk 7 Sta Josefa, Agusan Del Sur

COMPOSTELA BRANCH 2 Prk 9 Crossing Gabi, Compostela, Davao de Oro

TRENTO BRANCH 2 Prk 2 Poblacion Trento Agusan del Sur

MONKAYO BRANCH 2 Prk 5 Poblacion Monkayo Davao de Oro

DIGOS 1 BRANCH Rizal Avenue, Zone II, Digos City Davao del Sur

DIGOS 2 BRANCH Luna St., Zone III, Digos City Davao del Sur

DIGOS 3 BRANCH Rizal St., Zone III, Digos City Davao del Sur

MALITA BRANCH Sarmiento Bldg., Quezon St., Malita Davao Occidental

PADADA BRANCH Stall 09 GMA Bldg., Public Market Alemndras, Pob. Padada, Davao Occidental

SULOP BRANCH Purok 1 Poblacion Sulop Davao del Sur

STA. MARIA BRANCH Poblacion Sta Maria Davao Occidental

STA CRUZ BRANCH Integrated Transport Terminal Bldg.,Brgy Zone III, Sta Cruz Davao del Sur

MALITA 2 BRANCH Arboneda Bldg., National Highway, Pob Malita Davao Occidental

CORONON BRANCH Purok Dalia, Coronon, Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur

DIGOS 4 BRANCH Sacred Heart Avenue, Zone 2 Digos City Davao del Sur

KIDAPAWAN BRANCH 3 Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City

KIDAPAWAN BRANCH 1 E. Perez St., Kidapawan City

KIDAPAWAN BRANCH 2 Datu Ingkal St., Kidapawan City

KIDAPAWAN BRANCH 4 Dayao St., Kidapawan City

MAKILALA BRANCH Acasia St., Makilala, Cotabato

ANTIPAS BRANCH F. Cajelo St., Antipas, Cotabato

ARAKAN BRANCH Nabua St., Arakan, Cotabato

MAGPET BRANCH Poblacion, Magpet, Cotabato

BANSALAN BRANCH Viacrusis St., Bansalan, Davao del Sur

MAGSAYSAY BRANCH Poblacion, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur

MATANAO BRANCH Public Market, Pob Matanao, Davao del Sur

PRES. ROXAS BRANCH Poblacion, Pres. Roxas, Cotabato

BANSALAN BRANCH 2 R Delos Cientos St., Pob Dos, Bansalan Davao del Sur Ang tanan nga gi-prenda sa bulan sa SEPTEMBER 2022 nga wala malukat, ang maong mga ahensiya mobaligya pinaagi sa subasta sugod sa 10:00 sa buntag basi sa petsa nga nalista sa taas. Gihangyo ang tanang mga suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo.

WE would like to yield this space to a speech delivEducation Symposium held at the Holy Cross of Davao College on January 25, 2023.

forward to your active participation so we can include all your ideas and valuable inputs.

Rainy days and earth shakes

YES, they always get me down. At least, that had been during all of my active tennis-playing years so many decades ago. The rains then had always been a constant enemy. Never mind the coaching that your real opponent was yourself rather than the person (or persons) at the other side of the net. Never mind the sentiment that rain was good for the plants and better for the farmers. My thinking then was tunnel-visioned and I had a pig-headed view of the world and just like the game’s scoring, love had been nothing to me during those times.

I reckon the world teaches you a lesson. When much older, my work had for a time, occasionally involved going outdoors. Being such, communing with nature had turned out to be one of my mostawaited simple pleasures. I am sure many who fosters a deep love for the outdoors can relate to the feeling of watching the rain fall silently on a sleeping forest below while viewing it from a small tent atop a mountain. Many a time, such simple occurrences offer us a most humbling realization: we are only small of all creation.

EDITORIAL

“One of the things that make Davao a most livable city is the rich diversity of our nature and our culture. Our biodiversity and our multiculturalism. Promoting and preserving that is an important policy of our city government. We planned it that way because we believe that diversity is what makes us creative and resilient.

“That is the reason why I am proposing a city ordinance creating the dedicated to protect and promote Davao cultural heritage and the arts. It will have a Cultural Heritage Section; an Arts Section; and a Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts Section. the arts, the proposed ordinance will also establish the that will be used to support local culture and arts programs, projects, and activities.

“I would like to invite all of you here today to join me in championing the passage of this important piece of local legislation. Our public hearings on this proposed ordinance will start next week and I look

Reporter: RHODA GRACE B. SARON

Published

Lifestyle:

IAN RAY GARCIA

Columnists:

“Most local governments only have local culture and arts councils that get replaced and are vulnerable to local politics. Also, culture and arts matters if something as vital as culture only exists to serve tourists.

“Davao City would like to change all that. We our money where our mouth is to show how culture and arts are critical to the city’s sustainable development. How it is an important element in our survival.

“We are making history today with this “Pakiglambigit” and I hope this is the beginning of a long and meaningful collaboration for cultural education and cultural heritage promotion not just for Davao and Mindanao, but for the entire nation.”

EDITORS’ NOTE:

The rains in the “patag” (as people in the mountains refer to the city), fall fairly on everyone. While it is many things to them; though it could be erratic destroying crops, the rains are never regarded as a curse. Being a part of nature, they generally accept it as it is (and while the additive “warts and all” may seem out of place, as long as one gets the idea, I’m using it.).

On the other hand, I’ve heard it called by manylands. In one area where we used to live in, for example, I had witnessed a neighbor actually shaking place had always been more than knee-deep in water whenever it did.

On the subject of earthquakes, what can one do? We all have our share of the shakes. Cities, particularly those situated near coastal areas, same with country sides and mountain retreats have had their own records of tragedies in the past. All that we can do is to try to limit their effects on us by adhering to already-formulated rules.

Already, many, especially those in social media, have come forward with methods at preventing these and other natural disasters through prayers and new beliefs. Not to say that this is wrong, at least try to be practical and rational. It’s way beyond ‘different strokes for different folks’, is all.

Finally, it’s quite amusing that whenever a tremor is felt, someone on social media instantly posts a your tribe increase.

Cartoonists:

Fear factor in driver’s hiding?

WELL, as we said in our column previous to this one, we predicted that by the time it comes out in the press the driver of the vehicle that bumped and abandoned dead and injured two motorcycle riders at crossing MacArthur Highway-Tulip Drive, Davao City several days ago would have probably surrendered to the authorities. And he did exactly just that.

We know the reason of course. The driver, or the onenouncement of former Davao City Mayor and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte that he was offering a P500thousand reward for anyone who can supply information or document that could lead the authorities to the identity of the driver and the vehicle.

As can be recalled, the statement of the former President was simply worded. But for those who know the man anything that comes out from his mouth if it is addressed to violators of the law, carries with it some kind of veiled threat that the criminals will have to reckon with him if they continue to defy the law.

And so last Wednesday even before our column was set up in the printing press, one man came literally driver of the pick-up vehicle that smashed the motorcycle where young woman Anna Fae Talili was back riding. The motorbike was driven by Talili’s boyfriend who suffered injuries as a result of the road accident.

On the other hand the self-confessed suspect claimed he was the one driving the pick-up owned by the Vice Mayor of Boston town in Davao Oriental. The driver told the police the Vice Mayor was somewhere in Western Visayas when the accident happened and that he did not tell him immediately his vehicle was involved in an accident that killed one and injured another.

When asked why he just abandoned the victims he claimed he was too afraid of what might happened to him. But there was something about the confession of

the driver. That is, how come he did not immediately inform the Vice Mayor of the accident involving his (the vice mayor’s) vehicle. And how come that after the Vice Mayor knew of the incident he did not order his driver to surrender and turn over the vehicle to the authorities? In in the Municipality of Boston, was clearly condoning the act of his driver.

On the other hand, was the self-confessed driver escapee really the one driving the vehicle? Is he not made the fall guy? Let the investigators be reminded that the driver claimed his boss was in a Western Visayas Province and when informed of the incident he did not immediately ordered his driver to surrender and bring his pick-up to the police. He could have easily done it by simply ordering his driver to surrender through his mobile phone. But he did not. Instead he allowed the driver of his vehicle to hide it in the garage of his rented house somewhere in Matina. Well, the investigators can easily validate the claim of the driver. All the probers have to do is check with the airline companies where he could have purchased his and back.

No, we are not saying it was the Vice Mayor who

was driving the vehicle. We are only trying to establish condonation of the act of his driver.

And this driver of the vice mayor must be somebody in the latter’s family. Imagine, an employee of the Vice Mayor who could be receiving his pay from the local government of Boston wantonly using what could be municipality!

This development however, saddens us because the investigators were unable to secure any positive lead as to the identity of the driver and the vehicle until the offer of a 500 thousand pesos reward by the former President.

We hope that with the driver’s surrender the cases Mayor for condoning a criminal act, will be deliberated court. It is only in that manner that the victims’ families can feel that justice is accorded them.

Now we know that many Filipinos are now willing to participate in electoral processes. What with a good number of 1st time voters, transferees, and return voters registering with the Commission on Elections at the end of deadline day last January 31.

In the Davao Region alone, according to COMELEC as voters who will be added to the existing ones from the start of the listing until the last hour of deadline day.

It is indeed a welcome development. And without doubt it is an indication that the people already know how important their role as voters in determining who the future leaders of this country should be.

We can only hope that such enthusiasm will be sustained by the time the people will vote for their barangay leaders including those who’ll be offering themselves to lead the young people.

Unsung battle at Novaliches bridge in 1945 liberation of Manila

STARTING

local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila will be celebrating the 78th anniversary of their liberation from Japanese rule in 1945.

As the former town of Novaliches was erased from the country’s map in 1903 or 120 years ago, very little is known -- and few people are aware -- of the fact that Novaliches also played a very important role in the campaign to regain the country’s freedom from the 1941-1945 Japanese occupation.

This column narrates how the Tuliahan bridge in Novaliches – one of the gateways to Manila from Bulacan towns and the rest of Central and Northern Luzon -- served as a vital link in the march of allied forces of American Gen. Douglas MacArthur from Lingayen, Pangasinan from Jan. 9 to Feb. 3, 1945 to liberate Manila and nearby areas.

According to the book "Ang Kasaysayan ng Novaliches" (History of Novaliches), written jointly by former University of the Philippines-Los Baños Prof. Rosalina

M. Franco-Calairo and her son, Commissioner Emmanuel Franco Calairo of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the liberating MacArthur forces chose to pass through Novaliches instead of the old Manila North Road in Polo, Bulacan on their way to Manila.

Coming through the old Ipo (Norzagaray)-Novaliches road, now Quirino Highway, the MacArthur men, aidedcial battle with a big group of Japanese soldiers at the Novaliches-Tuliahan bridge on Feb. 3, 1945.

To prevent the passage of the MacArthur troops, the Japanese soldiers tried to blow the bridge, but they failed, fortunately for the prisoners of war awaiting rescue in Manila.

Following is a condensed story of the battle for the Novaliches bridge as excerpted from the 1986 book “Retaking the Philippines -- America’s Return to Corregidor, Manila and Bataan: October 1944-March 1945” by American author-historian William B. Breuer:

“At dawn on February 3, 1945, several thousand emaciated American civilians and military prisoners in Manila awoke with an intense mixture of hope and fear. There was ample evidence that General MacArthur's troops were just outside the city. Deliverance after three

GLIMPSES & GAZES

BY SEVERINO C. SAMONTE

years behind barbed wire might be at hand. But would the Japanese command, facing defeat, massacre them?

“In the University of Santo Tomás camp this morning, prisoners were scrambling for garbage, roots, cats (they had found that cats taste like rabbit) --anything to eat that they could get their hands on. Long gone were the diamond rings and watches the inmates had bartered for condensed milk and rice. Some food had been smuggled in the previous day by solemn-faced Filipino morticians coming for bodies. About a mile to the south, a few of the fourteen hundred bony Americans held at Old Bilibid prison had a delicacy for breakfast: worms and a few frogs caught hopping from outdoor latrines.

“Long before dawn, Lieutenant Colonel Haskett Conner's column had renewed its dash for Manila. This might be "The Day"--the return of armed Americans to the sprawling capital from which General MacArthur and his bedraggled soldiers had been driven ignominiously at Christmastime in 1941. In the minds of the men in the

this man, but General Jonathan Wainwright would be with them in spirit--he was one of them, having once been a brigade commander in the 1st Cavalry Division.

“Nearly an hour before daylight, pilots of the 24th and 32nd Marine Air Groups lifted off from a hastily built

1st Cavalry's sixty-mile dash to Manila, the Leatherneck were reconnoitering the key Novaliches bridge eight miles north of the capital.

“General William Chase was worried about this bridge, which afforded a crossing over a stream that had banks too high and too steep to permit fording. If the span

But word came back from the Marine pilots: Novaliches bridge was still standing. Chase, greatly relieved, sent a

signal to Lieutenant Colonel Conner: grab the bridge.

“Just as Conner's leading tanks approached the bridge, both sides of the approach. Tank hatches snapped shut, brakes squealed, and cavalrymen leaped out and scattered for cover. Foot soldiers tangled with clusters of Japanese into likely hiding places.

“Navy Lieutenant James P. Sutton, a bomb-disposal 1st Cavalry Division, was lying in a ditch, blasting away with a carbine. Major James C. Gerhart of Santa Fe, New Sutton and shouted, "Come with me quick, the bridge is to his feet and ran after Gerhart.

“Reaching the head of the span, Lieutenant Sutton quickly sized up the situation. Indeed, the fuse was burning briskly. With Japanese machine-gun bullets zipping -

sives. The gateway to Manila had been narrowly saved.sives to have blown him halfway to Tokyo: four hundred pounds of TNT and three thousand pounds of picric acid.

“Conner's cavalrymen scrambled back onto their vehicles and the column started across the Novaliches bridge. Major Gerhart's jeep was moving when he hurled himself into it, having just spotted a Japanese soldier runGerhart put the stock of his carbine against his stomach and squeezed the trigger. The running man toppled over. Pleased with his marksmanship, the major turned to a GI and said, "Hell, I've been teaching my boys to shoot from the waist for three years. Now I had to show them that I could do it myself.”

“Conner's mechanized column pushed past burning houses and dead Japanese on the far side of Novaliches bridge. At 6:35 P.M., with dusk settling over the Philippines, troopers wearing the oversized shoulder patch of the 1st Cavalry Division crossed the city limits of Manila, a precarious toe-hold, for the division was strung out to the rear for nearly forty miles.

Toy Bldg., Lapu-lapu St., Agdao, Davao City

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

All Pawned Items that expired during the month of SEPTEMBER 2022 must be renewed or redeemed Two (2) days before the Auction Schedule stated below. If not redeemed or renewed, it will be sold to the public on its respective auction schedule and premises @ 9:00 A.M.

Gibpahibalo ang tanan nga ang DIAGOLD PAWNSHOP, INC. magsubasta sa tanan nga nag expired hangtod sa bulan sa SETYEMBRE 2022, ang tanang prenda ibaligya sa publiko sa mga petsa na nakabutang sa ubos, sa oras nga 9:00 sa buntag.

EXPIRY DATES AUCTION DATES DECEMBER 2022 FEBRUARY 09, 2023

9GEMS Pawnshop Inc.

Egger Bldg., Matina Crossing Davao City Tel. No. (082) 285-7069

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

ALL PAWNED ITEMS EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 2022 AND GADGETS THAT EXPIRES ON JANUARY 2023 WILL BE DISPLAYED IN A PUBLIC AUCTION ON FEBRUARY 14 , 2023 AT 9:00AM.

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

All pawned items that expired during the month of AUGUST 2022, if not renewed or redeemed will be sold to the public on FEBRUARY 16, 2023 at 9:00a.m. at our pawnshop premises.

Gipahibalo ang tanan na ang AL-JOS PAWNSHOP magasubasta sa tanan nga nag-expired sa bulan sa AGOSTO 2022. Ang tanan prenda ibaligya sa publiko karong PEBRERO 16, 2023 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

All Pawned items that expired until the month of JUNE 2022, must be redeemed or renewed Two (2) days prior the Auction Schedule stated below. If not redeemed will be sold to the public on its respective auction schedule and premises at 9:00 A.M. Gipahibalo ang tanan nga ang GOLDVALUE PAWNSHOP, INC., maga subasata sa tanan nga nag-expired kung dili malukat ibaligya sa publiko sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

All pawned items that expired during the month of DECEMBER 2022 , must renewed or redeemed two (2) days prior to the Auction Schedule stated below. If not renewed or redeemed, it will be sold to the public on its respective auction schedule and premises @ 9:00 a.m.

Gipahibalo ang tanan nga ang NARDING PAWNSHOP, INC., maga-subasta sa tanan nga nag-expired sa bulan sa DISYEMBRE 2022. Ang tanan prenda ibaligya sa publiko sa mga petsa nga nakabutang sa ubos, sa oras nga 9:00 sa buntag.

CPB-NGI PAWNSHOP, INC.

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

All pawned items that expired during the Months of SEPTEMBER 2022 (Regular Items) and OCTOBER 2022 (Gadgets) must be redeemed or renewed two (2) days prior to the Auction date schedule as stated below. If not redeemed or renewed will be sold to the public on its respectively auction date schedule at its premises at 9:00 AM

Main – San Pedro Cor. Anda Street Davao City

Tel. Nos. (082) 221-1477; (082) 221-0355; (082)222-5039

Email us @ rosegoldpawnshopdavao@gmail.com

Highest Appraisal and Low Interest Rates at 3%

Rosegold Pawnshop

Lapu-lapu Street, Agdao Davao City

Tel. No. (082) 225-3637

Rosegold Pawnshop Ilustre Street, Davao City (Beside NCCC Hardwaremaxx) Tel. No. (082) 295-6199

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

All Jewelry and other articles pawned at Rosegold Pawnshop San Pedro-Main, Rosegold Pawnshop Ilustre, Rosegold Pawnshop Bolton, Rosegold Pawnshop, Agdao and Rosegold Pawnshop Buhangin from AUGUST 16, 2022 TO SEPTEMBER. 15, 2022

If not redeemed or renewed on or before FEBRUARY 17, 2023 will be sold to the Public Auction on FEBRUARY 20-22, 2023 at Rosegold Pawnshop San Pedro-Main from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

(Fronting Queen Bank)

Tel. No. (082) 222-1561 ; (082) 321-0128

Email: goldstandardpawnshopdavao@gmail.com

Accepts: Jewelry, wholesaler and retailer on all kinds of jewelry

Highest Appraisal and Low Interest Rates at 3%

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

All jewelry and other articles pawned at Goldstandard Pawnshop San Pedro, from AUGUST 16, 2022 TO SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 if not redeemed or renewed on FEBRUARY 17, 2023 will be sold to the Public Auction on FEBRUARY 20-22, 2023 at our Pawnshop premises from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

All pawned items at METRO GOLDBRILL PAWNSHOP that expired if not redeemed or renewed Two (2) days before the Auction will be sold to the public on February 15, 2023.

Gipahibalo and tanan na ang METRO GOLDBRILL PAWNSHOP magasubasta sa tanan nga nagexpired kung dili malukat o matubuan duha (2) ka adlaw una ang pagbaligya sa publiko karong Pebrero 15, 2023.

Roque Bldg., Matina Crossing, Davao City

Tel. # 234-6367

EURO CIRCLE PAWNSHOP

SAN PEDRO ST., DAVAO CITY - TEL. NO.: 227-0521

EURO MAIN PAWNSHOP

ILUSTRE ST., DAVAO CITY - TEL. NO.: 227-7511

MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL - TEL. NO.: 306-0665

EURO STAR PAWNSHOP

ILUSTRE ST., DAVAO CITY - TEL. NO.: 227-0667

EURO SUN PAWNSHOP

SAN PEDRO ST., DAVAO CITY - TEL. NO.: 227-3321

PAWNS NOT REDEEMED/RENEWED WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS AFTER EXPIRY DATES WILL BE AUCTIONED ON AUGUST 17, 2022 AT 10:00 A.M. AT THE RESPECTIVE PAWNSHOPS WHERE THE ITEMS WERE PAWNED.

GABBY’S BRILLIANT PAWNSHOP INC. / GABBY’S INFINITE PAWNSHOP INC.

All Pawned items at GOLDVISION PAWNSHOP, INC., that expired must be redeemed or renewed Two (2) days prior the Auction Schedule stated below. If not redeemed will be sold to the public on its respective auction schedule and premises at 9:00 A.M.

Gipahibalo ang tanan nga ang GOLDVISION PAWNSHOP, INC., maga subasata sa tanan nga nag-expired, kung dili malukat ibaligya sa publiko sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

General Lao, Toril

FEB. 16, 2023

FEB. 16, 2023

FEB. 10, 2023

FEB. 02, 2023

FEB. 28, 2023

FEB. 17, 2023

FEB. 21, 2023

FEB. 24, 2023

TEL NO.: 321-2185 / 234-4844

All Pawned items at GABBY’S BRILLIANT PAWNSHOP, INC. and GABBYS’S INFINITE PAWNSHOP, INC. that expired must be redeemed or renewed Two (2) days prior the Auction Schedule stated below. If not redeemed will be sold to the public on its respective auction schedule and premises at 9:00 A.M.

Gipahibalo ang tanan nga ang GABBY’S BRILLIANT PAWNSHOP, INC. and GABBYS’S INFINITE PAWNSHOP, INC. maga subasata sa tanan nga nag-expired kung dili malukat ibaligya sa publiko sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

BRANCHES AUCTION DATE TEL. NOS. SAN PEDRO FEBRUARY 14, 2023 321-2185

FEBRUARY 02, 2023 234-4844

DAVAO VAULT SP

JULY 2022

AUGUST 2022

FEB. 14, 2023

FEB. 14, 2023

FEB. 14, 2023

Door #7Realty Bldg. beside Lakitan Mall San Pedro street, Davao City (Tel No.: 228-9322

THE LAST MILE...(fromfrontpage)

“Going up to Domandan is a lot easier now,” said Heizel Jane Bordado, 33, municipal health nurse assigned in the area.

Bordado bought a motorcycle, which she drives to Domandan as commuting by public transport is costly and timeconsuming. Riding a tricycle would cost P50 pesos each with three other passengers or P200 for a lone passenger who wants to avoid long waiting hours. The distance from the town center of Ipil to the village is estimated at 12 kilometers, a 45-minute drive for the nurse. Her travel costs to the barangay, like most of other rural health workers, is not covered by the Rural Health Unit (RHU). Such was the case even during the pandemic.

“I used to get minor bruises from accidents in navigating the rough road on my motorbike and I spend my own money for the gasoline,” Bordado said.

Distance and cost of travel are among the factors for the inability of the RHU to achieve 100% of its vaccination target for barangay Domandan. Of its estimated 849 residents, 466 aged 18 and above were prioritized for vaccination, of which 354 or 76% were vaccinated.

The vaccination success for booster shots was bleaker. Of the same target number of individuals from barangay Domandan, only 12 availed of the booster shots.

Roughly 70% of the population of Domandan lives below poverty line and are subsidized by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the national government. The main source of livelihood of the residents is rubber plantation farming.

The situation is similar in Barangay Taimalang, another GIDA in Ipil, which has a population of 2,083 individuals as per data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The actual population according to the RHU data is 2,232 individuals. Of the 1,423 individuals aged 18 and above who were prioritized for vaccination. Only 559 individuals availed of primary vaccination, roughly 39.28% of the target. Only 25 availed of the booster shot as of January 11, 2023.

Barangay Timalang is seven kilometers away from the town center, accessible via rough roads. The cost of passenger transport aboard a habal-habal is P150 per trip. Mae Aisa Cañete, 37, the rural health nurse assigned in the village, also drives her own motorcycle to reach the area.

The village is populated by Subanen and Visayans. Of the estimated 372 households, 81% are

indicating that they live below the poverty line. Like the residents of Domandan, their main source of livelihood is rubber plantation farming, in addition to coconut farming.

Punishment

“Dili na g’yud ko magpabooster pa tungod kay luya ang lawas ug laylay ang mga bukton (I will never have a vaccine booster shot because the body becomes),” said Donald Gumugod, 62, the punong barangay (village local chief executive) of Domandan.

Gumugod said the same sentiment is shared by other members of his village. “Ang mga tawo magbinantanay sa unsa ang nahimong epekto sa bakuna sa uban, (Villagers keenly observed what the effect of the vaccination was to those who had the shots),” the punong barangay said. He explained that the side effects exhibited by those who were injected with the vaccine convinced others not to get themselves vaccinated.

The nurses assigned in Domandan and Timalang said residents of the rural barangay tended to view the COVID-19 vaccination as a “punishment.”

“They were averse to the side effects of the vaccine, which rendered them feeling sickly for a few days,” Bordado said. “For them, it is like a punishment,” she added.

Myths and wrong information are also prevalent among the local residents. The most Bordado and Cañete, were: the vaccine causes sterility, will result to illnesses, or will turn the vaccinated person into a zombie.

People also believed that their distance from the town center will serve as barrier against COVID-19.

The punong barangay thought that his village did not have COVID-19 cases as they went on a total lockdown at the height of the pandemic in 2021. However, the RHU recorded two COVID-19 positive cases of individuals from Domandan – one in 2021 and another in 2022.

Timalang registered two COVID-19 positive cases and one probable case in 2021. immediately quarantined and given medical care, preventing further transmission.

The villages of Domandan and Timalang had an established barangay health system that enabled them to cope with the pandemic. Domandan has a newly constructed barangay health station with three barangay health

workers (BHW) and one nutrition scholar taking turns on duty at the facility. For their services, the BHW receives a monthly allowance of P1,500 each from the barangay government and P3,000 from the RHU. Timalang, on the other hand, also has a barangay health station with eight BHWs and two nutrition scholars. They get the same monthly allowance.

Root Causes

More than the misinformation and myths, poverty and lack of post-vaccination support were seen as the bottom line for the low vaccination rate in the two

“The cost of transport from their barangay to the central vaccination center is prohibitive for many of the residents of Timalang, said Cañete. The same was the case for Domandan, according to Bordado.

Bordado also said residents who refused vaccination were apprehensive because they did not have easy access to health services in case of adverse effects on them. “They do not have the means of communications with the health responders,” she said.

She also added that many residents were averse to the vaccination because in the event that they suffer side effects, even mild effects like fever and prolonged fatigue, the poor did not have money to buy paracetamol and supplements to alleviate their conditions.

Bordado said post-vaccine care is a weak aspect in the vaccination process.

Bordado and Cañete further explained that for the poor villagers, feeling sick and not being able to work for even just two days is not an acceptable option because this would mean not being able to bring food to the table for the entire family.

Post-COVID-19 Health Care

Explaining the behavior of the adult population who were averse to the vaccination, Dr. Adnilre Verzon, Municipal Health Officer (MHO) of Ipil, said “malnutrition among adults in rural and far-flung areas is high.” While adult malnutrition may be the underlying vulnerability of the adults to the side effects of the vaccine, such as fever and general feeling of fatigue, “there is no study corroborating this observation,” she said.

Dr. Verzon is recommending the provision of adequate medicines for the anticipated side effects of the vaccination. This includes 10 tablets of paracetamol for fever and pain, and

possible allergies. She said the RHU provided such medicine support in the earlier part of the vaccination campaign but this was not continued because the RHU ran out of supplies. The MHO also recommended post-COVID-19 vaccination care. She said continuous monthly monitoring should be undertaken to assess untoward reaction for a year. In addition, she said teleconsultation should be established areas immediate access to consultation with health workers after the vaccination. While cellphone signal is available in these areas, the cost of communication may not be affordable for many of the residents belonging to poor households.

Dr. Verzon lamented the lack of financial provision for the transportation of COVID-19 health care workers assigned innual budget of the RHU and the municipal government had been fully sourced for COVID-19 intervention for the past three years. External support for the transportation of health workers is needed.

Heroes for Health

COVID-19 infection has slowed down in the municipality of Ipil since the first cases were recorded in July of 2020, and reached its peak in 2021. Records from the RHU indicated that when the pandemic started in 2020, 64 individuals were infected, eight of whom died. In 2021, the infection peaked to 1,125 positive cases, killing 47 of its residents. By 2022, the number of cases went down to 310 positive cases and the severity of the infection was losing steam with only two recorded deaths. At the start of 2023, the number of COVID-19 cases is down to only three individuals.

“When referral hospitals in Zamboanga City started not to accept patients from our municipality in 2021, we knew that the COVID-19 pandemic was a serious matter,” said the 62-year old Anamel C. Olegario, mayor of Ipil.

“We did not hesitate in immediately allocating resources to combat the contagion,” the mayor said. The municipal government disbursed P6 million for food assistance during the lockdown in 2020. In 2021, another P2 million was allocated to supplement expenditures for the vaccination of local residents. In 2022, additional P2 million was allocated for COVID-19 response.

On top of the municipal allocation, funding from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (MDRRM) fund was also mobilized for COVID-19 response. According

P4.743 million was allocated in 2020, another P6.7 million in 2021, and P4 million in 2022. For 2023, a fresh fund amounting to P1.5 million was allocated for COVID-19 response. The MDRRM budget was mostly allocated for medical supplies, medicines, support for transportation, and food for emergency responders.

The municipality of Ipil also

received P18 million from the national government through the Bayanihan I program, another P30 million was allocated for medical equipment under the Bayanihan II program.

More than the availability of funds, the mayor said the support of civic groups, business community and individuals in the municipality helped the local government beat the pandemic.

“We enjoyed the support and cooperation of the residents of Ipil, which made the battle against COVID-19 a winnable endeavor,” the mayor said.

Ipil’s battle against COVID-19 took its toll among the frontliners. From 2020 to 2022, a total of 20 barangay health workers, two barangay nutrition scholars, 40 municipal health personnel, and six members of the disaster response team were infected with the virus. The mayor and the two medical doctors of the RHU were also infected. One barangay health work died.

The MDRRM officer and his pool of volunteers were quarantined four times in a span of two years.

Working with the RHU, the MDRRM office was responsible for transporting COVID-19 patients and those who were probably infected because of close contact with an infected person to hospitals and quarantine facilities. They disinfected cases of infection. They were also assigned to transport locallystranded individuals.

“Helping those from the GIDA was challenging,” said Hinggo. The MDRRMO said lack of transportation, drivers, and communication equipment connecting the center with the isolated areas made the task

The MDRRMO and the RHU had only one ambulance and one rescue vehicle at their disposal to cover and respond to emergency incidences in the 28 barangays that comprise the entire town.

In the end, Ipil succeeded in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

In 2021, the Inter-agency Task Force Against COVID-19 prioritized 65,586 individuals for primary vaccination. This target corresponded to 80% of the population aged 15 and older. Of this target, the municipal government was able to vaccinate 62,486 individuals, equivalent to 95.27% accomplishment rate.

Based on the ratio of reported cases recorded by the RHU, the cases of infection in 2021 and 2022 dramatically dropped by 72.44% and cases of COVID-19 related deaths dropped by 95.74% after the successful primary vaccination campaign in the entire municipality. This ratio is based on layman’s computation and does not account for the number of populations tested for COVID-19 infection, as there is no data for such.

The MHO also observed that the cases of severely affected individuals also greatly decreasedment. From 2022 to 2023, “there had been less admissions in the hospital and decreased cases of

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF PEDRO NAPISA, CONCEPCION NAPISA DANDAN, JOSEFA NAPISA

UY and FELCIANO C. NAPISA WITH PARTITION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late PEDRO NAPISA who died intestate on May 9, 1957 at Pikit, North Cotabato; at the time of his death he is the registered owner of a parcel of land covered by OCT No. 19, Lot No. 102, Colony 1, Ac-3, Psd-124712-020499, with land area of ONE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND (160,000) SQUARE METERS more or less;

That CONCEPCION NAPISA DANDAN, who died intestate on May 11, 2019; at Ladtingan, Pikit, North Cotabato;

That JOSEFA NAPISA UY, who died intestate on November 21, 2010 at Ladtingan, Pikit, North Cotabato;

That FELICIANO C. NAPISA, who died intestate on November 21, 2017 at Ladtingan, Pikit, North Cotabato;

That pursuant to Sec. 1 Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, the above-mentioned described property has been the subject of EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF PEDRO NAPISA, CONCEPCION NAPISA DANDAN, JOSEFA NAPISA UY and FELCIANO C. NAPISA WITH PARTITION, made and executed by and among their heirs per Doc. No. 351; Page No. 77; Book No. XII; Series of 2023 of the Notary Public Atty. VINCENT ANTHONY L. SUNGCOG.

(MT-Feb. 3, 10 & 17, 2023)

COVID-19-related deaths,” Dr. Verzon said. This observation is validated by the data from the Ipil RHU Surveillance Unit indicating a COVID-19 hospital admission of 255 cases in 2021 and 88 in 2022.

The downtrend of COVID-19 hospital admissions in Ipil is likewise observed in the entire province of Zamboanga Sibugay. According to records of the Department of Health provincial admission for the entire province in 2021 was 893 cases and 452 in 2022.

“Cases for COVID-19 in the province have already decreased,” said Dr. Herbert Saavebeen recorded at the start of 2023.

The DOH awarded the municipal government of Ipil the “Heroes for Health Award” in 2023 for “…the admirable resiliency and commitment to successfully implement the Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, Recovery, and Vaccination (PDITR+V) strategy and unrelenting efforts and invaluable services rendered in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic.”

Low Uptake for Booster Shots

For the frontliners against pandemic continues. “The entire province of Sibugay has not yet reached the 70% target vaccination coverage,” Saavedra said.

Zamboanga Sibugay’s population as of the May 2020 census of the PSA is 669,840.

Primary vaccination for the entire province reached 87.88% of the target population, corresponding to 416,858 individualsond vaccine shot reached 82.6% of the target population.er shot, only 14.74% of the target was achieved. For the second booster shot, the accomplishment is only at 2.21% of the target.

“There is low acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine booster shots,” Dr. Verzon said. “This is despite the efforts of the health personnel to convince people of the necessity for additional vaccination,” she said.

Bordado and Cañete, the two nurses assigned in the hinterland barangays, said residents no longer see the need for the booster shot. They also expressed communicating the need for the booster.

“During our campaign for the primary vaccination against COVID-19, we told the people that the vaccine will protect them from the severity of the disease. What do we tell them now as regards to the booster shot? Our message for both the primary vaccines and the booster shots are the same, thus the people no longer see the need to get another shot,” they said, adding the people “could see that the situation has greatly improved as the cases and severity of infection in the municipality have already dropped.”

Still the RHU continues to exert effort to deliver the COVID-19 booster shots to the people and to the remote areas. The RHU’s vaccination site in the town center continues to operate daily. Complementing the centralized effort, the RHU deployed the nurses to conduct vaccination in the barangays, especially the GIDAs.

“The DOH, with the assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is assisting the RHUs in the delivery of the vaccine said. He added that recently, the ICRC donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), vaccine carries and disposable syringes to the Ipil RHU.

To boost the campaign, the RHU conducted a municipalpeople to avail of the booster shot vaccination in 2022. The event carried the message, “Sabaysabay tayong babangon, magpabooster ngayon.” (We shall recover together, get a booster shot now). (Jules Benitez / MindaNews)

BARMM execs wants end of sea turtle poaching in Sulu

Davao Ros-Ver Pawnshop, Incorporated

Ilustre St., Davao City

Tel # 224-1204; 222-6086

AUCTION SALE!

The DAVAO ROS-VER PAWNSHOP, INC. and NEW PAG-ASA PAWNSHOP will be having its JOINT AUCTION on all unredeemed pawned items left during the month of December 2022. The said items will be sold to the public at the following VENUE AND DATE.

Gipahibalo ang publiko na ang DAVAO ROS-VER PAWNSHOP, INC. og ang NEW PAGASA PAWNSHOP; magsubasta sa tanang prenda nga naremata atong Disyembre 2022. Ang tanang prenda dungan nga ibaligya sa publiko sa mga sumusunod nga dapit og petsa:

was deeply saddened about been enticed to kill and sell

He said he plans to visit

CITY'S... (frompage2)

“We need to collabo

wildlife in the ocean and the (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)

AGRICULTURE'S... (frompage2)

law, it also benefits the

“Aside sa naa sa naa gyud na atong balaod na kailangan sila magregistro, isa pud na siya para mahibal-an nato sa Davao pila kabuok mananagat sa Davao pila kabuok bangka, pagmarehistro sila ato pud nang ginapasakay libre pa sa para sa ilang bangka

law, it is also one way of -

He also said that the -

“ Mahibal-an nga taga-Davao sila. Naa sila’y gigunitan nga papeles na registrado, naa sila’y lisensya sa pagpanagat

FEBRUARY... (frompage4)

Kevin Mejos of NCCA

bangus

“ Ginahan-ay sa balaod, pagma- na as magsugod na siya og develop

By Rhoda Grace B. Saron

CULTURAL... (fromBACKPAGE)

cities in the Philippines to

(Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

have a chance to watch

society, both the past and

as well as the bounty and

Davao included the ani

LifeStyle

Japan Foundation’s Eigasai 2023 in Davao

THE Japan Foundation-Manila in cooperation with the Consulate General of Japan in Davao brought back the Eigasai 2023/ Japanese Film Festival 2023, which featured the screening of 10 award-winning full length Cinema and Cinematheque lastance during the opening were Japanese Consul General

main mission is to enhance the mutual understanding Japan Foundation-Manila was established in 1996 as its 18th arts and cultural exchanges, Japanese studies and intel-

ment event is the screening of the Eigasai or Japanese

( /CULTURAL/11)

EIGASAI

JAPANESE

JAPAN

CONSUL

JAPANESE