DavNor Capitolympics 2012 is ON!

DavNor Capitolympics 2012 begins. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario delivers his message at the opening ceremony of the Provincial Government's annual health and wellness program dubbed as "DavNor Capitolympics 2012" held in Capitol, Tagum City. Until December, the Provincial Sports Development Office will be holding various sports events with the participation of the different provincial offices. Photo by DavNor Sports

1st place
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan cheerleading team performs at the opening ceremony of the Provincial Government's annual health and wellness program dubbed as "DavNor Capitolympics 2012." The team emerged as the champion of the cheerdance competition held in Capitol, Tagum City. Until December, the Provincial Sports Development Office will be holding various sports events with the participation of the different provincial offices. Photo by DavNor Sports

2nd place
The cheerleading team composed of the Provincial Engineer and Provincial Planning offices performs at the opening ceremony of the Provincial Government's annual health and wellness program dubbed as "DavNor Capitolympics 2012." The team got the 2nd place in the cheerdance competition held in Capitol, Tagum City. Until December, the Provincial Sports Development Office will be holding various sports events with the participation of the different provincial offices. Photo by DavNor Sports

3rd place
The cheerleading team composed of the Provincial Economic Enterprise, Health, and Provincial Social Welfare performs at the opening ceremony of the Provincial Government's annual health and wellness program dubbed as "DavNor Capitolympics 2012." The team won 3rd place in the cheerdance competition held in Capitol, Tagum City. Until December, the Provincial Sports Development Office will be holding various sports events with the participation of the different provincial offices. Photo by DavNor Sports

DNLI explores tie-up with UM Davao

The Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI) is exploring possible partnership with Mindanao’s largest University, UM Davao, to launch a flexible degree-earning trainings for Capitol’s undergraduate employees.

No less than the prolific Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University of Mindanao, Dr. Eugenio S. Guhao, Jr., visited the provincial government for the talks, together with PCL – Legislative Academy Executive Director, Dr. Helario T. Caminero.

DNLI’s proposal of enrolling its undergraduate employees using their department’s training program is welcomed by Dr. Guhao, saying that the University’s program in off-site classes across Region XI provides them ample experience to respond to Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario’s innovative program.

The good prospect of this initial negotiation is expected to lead to the signing of tripartite memorandum of agreement between and among UM-Davao, PCL-LA, and DNLI come October 2012. The team is poised to beat the timeline set by Gov. del Rosario to open the Institute for blended classes in November.

UM’s proposal is to offer BA in Political Science to undergraduate employees of Capitol, with action-research as final requirement. Opening for Masters in Public Administration is also suggested for Division heads, Assistant Department heads, and non-Capitol employees.

Priority shall be those permanent or co-terminus employees who served the Provincial Government for a period of at least five (5) years. Per records of the Provincial Human Resource Management Office, some 168 capitol employees will qualify for the program.

In his opening statement at the first meeting of the Institute’s Board of Trustees (BOT) last 

September 22, 2012, Chairman del Rosario stressed the importance of overcoming the time constraints experienced by qualified Capitol employees in order to improve their credentials and compete with fresh graduates in terms of career advancement.

Provincial Administrator, Mrs. Norma A. Lumain is happy of the outcome of the talks. She is assisted by DNLI Executive Director and Asst. Provincial Administrator, Mr. Romulo D. Tagalo.

Freedom of information will widen access to govt services

By Noel Baguio

Mindanao Media Forum Convenor and Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia Bandiola urges the public to support calls for the Congress to immediately pass the Freedom of Information Bill at the Davao del Norte Capitol convocation program. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – The Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill will pave the way for more efficient access to government services if enacted into law.

A Davao City-based journalist said that aside from being a highly effective tool in exposing corruption, FOI will also facilitate greater participation in governance and better delivery of government programs and services if the people know what projects and assistance are available in their areas.

“The FOI would help ordinary citizens effectively avail of government services and programs, such as housing, health, education, livelihood, etc.,” Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia M. Bandiola said.

Bandiola, was invited to speak on the FOI before provincial officials and employees at the recent Convocation Program at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, with the theme “Confidentiality and the People’s Right to Know: The Right Balance”.

The Convenor of the Mindanao Media Forum, said the measure, which is now called People’s Ownership over Government Information (POGI), will promote greater transparency in government, which is the first defense against corruption.

“The FOI is the people’s best defense against corruption and it is an important pillar of a healthy democracy,” she said.

Bandiola bared the piece of legislation, which invokes the Constitutional right to have access to official records, documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions and government research data, will not only benefit the media, but the whole citizenry, as well.

She further urged the public to support calls for Congress to pass the pending bill.

In a speech read by Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario said that as truthful, accurate and up-to-date information are very important to the mass media, the challenge now is “how to achieve balance between confidential information and public matters.”

(From left) Davao del Norte Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr. Mindanao Media Forum Convenor and Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia Bandiola, OIC Provincial Administrator, Board Member Hernani Duco, OIC Prov'l Information Officer Romulo Tagalo, and Board Member Dr. Daniel Lu after the convocation program that tackled the Freedom of Information Bill. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr. hands over the token to Mindanao Media Forum Convenor and Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia Bandiola, who spoke on Freedom of Information Bill at the Davao del Norte Capitol convocation program. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr., left, ushers Mindanao Media Forum Convenor and Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia Bandiola, center, and former Department of Energy Asst. Secretary Leonilo Lariosa at the recent convocation program at the Bulwagan. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

All DavNor LGUs are good housekeepers

Davao del Norte receives seal of good housekeeping

by Noel Baguio

Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario, center, shows off the Seal of Good Housekeeping conferred by DILG Provincial Director Alex Roldan, left. Huddled with them are Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr., and other provincial officials and executives at a simple rite at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan. Ondoy Laguitao

Davao del Norte - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) conferred the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) to the Province of Davao del Norte for its efforts in promoting good local governance.

Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario received the SGH marker from DILG Provincial Director Alex Roldan, as provincial officials and executives huddled besides them in a simple rite at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan.

The SGH seal was signed by the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, who initiated the project two years ago to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in local governance.

Roldan said the province will receive P7 million from the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) for scoring high in planning, fiscal management, transparency and accountability, and, valuing of performance information.

He bared all the component cities and municipalities of the province earlier garnered the SGH seal for meeting the government’s standards of good governance last year.

The compliant LGUs have since received their financial aid of P3 million for the cities and P1 million for the towns coming from the PCF.

Del Rosario said the award shows that the province, under his leadership, is performing its best to serve the best interest of the people.

He assured the province shall continue to espouse the principles of accountability and transparency, particularly in pursuing its human-centered development agenda P.E.O.P.L.E.

“We value good governance as a tool to achieving our development goals. We value transparency and accountability as required by the DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping, which is a broader benchmark for LGUs,” he said in his State of the Province Address early this year.

Ugmad Komunidad Livelihood Training benefits upland residents

by Ladenice C. Tolibas/DavNor PIO

Shortly after the closing ceremony, facilitators and officials pose for a souvenir photo with the 29 newly graduated trainees of the Livelihood Training Program last September 19.

San Isidro, Davao del Norte, September 19, 2012 – Twenty-nine participants from Dacudao Eco-tourism Livelihood Association (DELA) finished Cocoa and Durian Processing Training held under the Ugmad Komunidad program of the province.

The 2-day seminar, which was conducted in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the office of the 1^st District of Congressman Anthony del Rosario, was the tenth batch since the Ugmad Komunidad kicked off last June 21 this year.

The graduates successfully made crunchy sweet and savory durian pastillas, yema, tarts and chocolate candy bars that deliciously melt in the mouth.

Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario launched the Ugmad Komunidad, in pursuit of his P.E.O.P.L.E. agenda, to help poor Dabaonons learn skills which they can use to earn gainful income, as well as, to promote locally-made products to tourists.

The training aims to assist the participants to maximize the use of locally-available raw materials in developing livelihood ventures that can improve the quality of their lives.

Present during the culmination program were Asst. Provincial Administrator Romulo Tagalo, Dacudao Brgy. Captain Victoria Gader, OIC-Livelihood Manpower Dev’t. Division Head Gloria Pamugas and DELA President Cornelio Mercado.

The participants successfully presented their work during the Tabliya and Durian Processing Training Program last September 19, 2012 at Dacudao, San Isidro.

Asst. Provincial Administrator Romulo Tagalo congratulated the graduates of the livelihood training program held at Dacudao, San Isidro on September 19.

DavNor surges economic development in partnership with the Department of Agriculture

by Freedom Merriam D. Bolipata/PIO-DavNor

Harrow and plow are also part of the package distributed together with the carabaos.

Davao del Norte – Economic development surges in the province with the recent turn-over of farm implements and draft animals, and dispersal of fingerlings held at the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office (PAGRO).

17 heads of carabao each paired with harrow and plow were distributed to one beneficiary from each municipality, five from Dynamic Vegetable Growers Association and one from PAGRO under the Department of Agriculture's High Value Crops Development program. 

Gov. RDR hands over the Hito Fingerlings to one of the beneficiaries.

In the said event, about 10,000 hito fingerlings were divided among 10 in-land fish growers from the five municipalities namely San Isidro, Asuncion, Talaingod, New Corella and Kapalong. Each recipient took home 500 fingerlings.

Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario personally handed out the certificates of turn-over to all beneficiaries. 

Datu Libuangan, one of the beneficiaries of the carabaos.

To sustain the program, PAGRO shall oversee the placement of farm implements and attachments from DA as it ensures that the aim to produce food, sufficient enough as for us not to import is achieved with the establishment of the said program.

Govt Services, Assistance Rain Down on Kapalong

by Noel Baguio

Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario leads the distribution of social pension to some elderly
 at the ARENA-XI Serbisyo Caravan, headed by DBM-XI Reg'l Dir. Achilles Gerard Bravo, 3rd right,
in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, as graced by 1st District Congressman Anthony del Rosario, right. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO.

Davao del Norte, September 12, 2012 – Over 4,000 constituents benefitted from the widest array of government services in one setting when the ARENA-XI Serbisyo Caravan joined forces with the local convergence program of the province in the municipality of Kapalong.

PhilPost personnel help in handing out cash allocation to 4P beneficiaries
out at the joint ARENA-XI Serbisyo Caravan and convergence outreach
in Kapalong, Davao del Norte. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO.

Hordes of beneficiaries crowded the Kapalong Town Square and nearby facilities last Friday to avail of the millions worth of services and assistance brought by the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region XI (ARENA-XI).

Budget and Management Regional Director Achilles Gerard Bravo, who is President of ARENA-XI, led about 250 officials and personnel from the 36 participating NGAs in serving constituents at the 10th and last leg of the serbisyo caravan.

The whole contingent of the Davao del Norte Convergence for Peace and Development, led by Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario, further augmented the massive display of government services.

The governor expressed his satisfaction to see for the first time all the regional directors in one setting personally attending to the needs of the constituents. “This is really a big boost to the convergence program of the province,” he said.

1st District Congressman Anthony del Rosario distributes wheelchairs
at the joint ARENA-XI Serbisyo Caravan and convergence outreach
 in Kapalong, Davao del Norte,  led by DBM-XI Reg'l Dir. Achilles Gerard Bravo
 and Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario.  Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO.

Bravo lauded the province for initiating its own convergence activities that shares the same purpose of bringing the government closer to the people, in coordination with the army, the police and other agencies.

He bared ARENA-XI’s one-stop-shop of services and the convergence program are the only one of its kind in the whole country, where the various national and local line agencies banded together to haul essential services directly to the communities.

“It is a pleasure to work with the convergence program of the province, as we have long been hearing about its numerous accomplishments,” he said.

According to him, the recipients were able to save a lot of time and money by directly availing the vital services at their doorsteps instead of going to capital cities or towns.

Health workers give free medicines at the joint ARENA-XI Serbisyo Caravan
and convergence outreach in Kapalong, Davao del Norte,
led by DBM-XI Reg'l Dir. Achilles Gerard Bravo and Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario. 
Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Services during the caravan include medical, dental and surgical services, legal services, livelihood and capital assistance, supplemental feeding, OTC payment for 4Ps and social pensioners, agri-services and animal care, issuance of ICC stickers, mobile licensing, dialogue, among others.

The ARENA-XI Serbisyo Caravan has already served over 20,000 beneficiaries in the region, while the convergence program of the province have so far served about 40,000 recipients since their start last year.