one mindanao - april 15, 2014

31

Upload: pia-mindanao

Post on 28-Mar-2016

217 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

An Electronic News Magazine of PIA Mindanao cluster.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014
Page 2: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

More than 700 LAWig TESDA scholars complete trainingRobert RoperosCARAGA REGION TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 161

Malacanang urges public: Pay taxes before April 15 deadline

NATIONAL

8

Page 4

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

Dinagat IOs learn Basic Photography

PIA-13 enhances Dinagat IOs’ skills on Basic News Writing

Hiring of nurses for Dubai, Saudi on-going at DOLE-10 office

DOT-XI, DavNor LGU work ways to increase resorts’ income

BSP to demonetize peso notes by 2015

14 12

26

29 26

Information to Empower Filipinos

9

7 10

WESTERN MINDANAO

DepEd holds guidance program formulation, career employment coaching

LBP launches ‘Visa Debit Card’

22 22

Alma L. Tingcang

Gideon C. Corgue

DOLE-10

Joey Sem G. Dalumpines

Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Jennifer P. Gaitano

Jennifer P. Gaitano

Page 3: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014
Page 4: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

More than 700 LAWig TESDA scholars complete training

Some 733 scholars of the LAWig Technical Education and Skills Development

Authority (TESDA) Scholarship program have completed their skills training and received Certificate of Completion.

During the Commencement Exercises held recently in Agusan del Norte Provincial Covered Court here, Cong. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun of the first District of Butuan City and Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte emphasized that the scholarship program that his constituency office has sponsored is one way of helping his constituents who, like him, has experienced difficulties and hardships during his school days.

The official recalled that when he was still in college until he enrolled in a Law school in Manila, he was forced to look for a job to support his education. He said he finished his Bachelor of Laws in six years, instead of the regular four years. “This is because I still have to look for job to support my schooling… This is the reason why I want to help my constituents who cannot afford to go to school yet

By Robert Roperos

Page 5: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

5

they are interested to be trained and educated,” Fortun said. Also, TESDA-Caraga regional director Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. said the LAWig TESDA scholarship program entails a good and practical concept as graduates of TESDA is starting to continue their journey. “Lawig is a Cebuano term which means journey… Thus, the concept of this scholarship program is pointing out the journey of the scholars as they enter new chapter of their lives – that is, to find a job… We are setting you off on a journey… that is why events like this is a milestone because we

are embarking you to start off your journey,” Dir. Sunico said. The official also stressed with the ASEAN integration that will be implemented in 2015, there is a need for the Filipinos to be at par excellence with the other neighboring countries in the Southeast Asian Nations. Sunico further explained that during this period, the mobility of goods, products, and services within the ASEAN region is fast and easy. Because of this, the official said the government is now investing on the development of

Page 6: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

the country’s human development. “Human development is our competitive advantage compared to our neighboring ASEAN countries. This is the reason why the national government is investing much on developing our human resources,” Sunico said. Among the technical-

vocational institutions which have provided trainings to LAWig scholars are Agusan Colleges, Agusan Institute of Technology, AMA Computer Learning Center-Butuan, Butuan City Colleges, Butuan City Manpower Training Center, Butuan Doctors’ College, Center for Healthcare Professions-Butuan, Caraga State University, Father Saturnino Urios University, Global Competency-Based Training Center, Philippine Electronics and Communications Institute of Technology, and Saint Joseph Institute of Technology.

Page 7: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

7 APRIL| PAGE

Palace says visit of US President an opportune time to strengthen ties with our ally

Malacanang said on Sunday that the forthcoming visit of United States President Barack Obama is an opportune

time for the Philippines to further strengthen its ties with our ally.

Across the Nation

“Ang nakatakdang pagdalaw ni Pangulong Barack Obama ay magsisilbing magandang pagkakataon para palakasin at gawing higit na matibay pa ang masinsin na pakikipag-ugnayan ng Pilipinas sa Estados Unidos,” Communications Secretary Herminio

Coloma, Jr. said in press briefing aired over government radio dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

He said the United States is a valuable partner of the Philippines in the field of defense and security, an economic, livelihood and business partner.

“Batid natin na ang Estados Unidos

Page 8: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

8 APRIL 2014 | PAGE

ang ating pangunahin at istratehikong partner sa larangan ng defense at security, at isa rin pong partner ng ating bansa sa larangan ng ekonomiya, kabuhayan, at negosyo,” Coloma noted.

He added that both Filipinos and Americans see that the visit will further boost friendship between the two countries.

“At maraming dekada na ang pakikipagkaibigan ng mga Pilipino at Amerikano kaya’t umaasa po tayo na ang darating na pagdalaw ni Pangulong Barack Obama ay higit pang magpapatibay at magpapalakas sa pagkakaibigan at pakikipag-ugnayan ng dalawang bansa sa isa’t isa,” Coloma said. PND

Malacanang urges public: Pay taxes before April 15 deadline

Malacanang urged the public to pay their taxes before the 15 April 2014 (Tuesday) deadline.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a press briefing aired over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, also warned the public that non-compliance has its legal consequences.

“Ang sinumang hindi makapagsumite at makapagbayad ng kanilang income tax ay pagmumultahin ng 25 porsyento ng kanilang kabuuang kita at karagdagang 20 porsyentong interes bawat taon,” said Coloma.

He reminded the public that the taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is the lifeblood of the country’s economy and the main source of funds for the government’s programs and projects.

Coloma said this year the BIR’s target revenue is 1.4 trillion pesos, which is nineteen percent (19%) higher than the government’s goal last year.

BIR is campaigning and encouraging individuals, groups and business owners to file their Income Tax Returns and pay their taxes on or before the scheduled deadline.

“Ang kampanya ng pamahalaan na ibayong pag-igtingin ang paglikom ng wastong halaga ng buwis ay bahagi ng pagpupunyagi na itaas ang katumbas na halaga ng buwis sa kabuuang gross domestic product (GDP) ng bansa o tax-to-GDP ratio sa pagitan ng 16 hanggang 18 porsyento sa taong 2016,” Coloma explained. PND

Page 9: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

9APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

A Mindanao bishop call a ceasefire in the region during the observance of the Holy Week

Hoping that the same respect will be given to the Christians similar to the one afforded for Ramadan, a Mindanao prelate is calling for a ceasefire in the

region during the observance of the Holy Week.“I am calling all our Muslim brothers

to respect Christians as we observe the Holy Week...I hope that there will be no clashes that will occur this week. Just as we respect the Ramadan, I also hope they will respect the Semana Santa because we are all brothers and sisters,” said Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

He added, “We hope that they give importance to our request and respect the Holy Week, whether you are Muslim or Christian.”

Jumoad issued the statement after last

Friday’s clash between the military and the Muslim terror group in Tipo-Tipo and Al-Barka in Basilan that resulted in 20 fatalities and 45 wounded as of the last count.

At the same time, he is confident that the incident will not deter the faithful from observing the Holy Week.

“We will not allow the danger to hinder us to profess our faith because we trust that God will provide our security,” Jumoad added.

With this, the Catholic prelate reported that many faithful attended Palm Sunday at the Basilan diocese.

Page 10: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

10APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

PIA Caraga chief expresses support for promotion of Dinagat IslandsBy Venus L. GaciaSAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands - Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Northern and Northestern Mindanao information cluster head and Caraga regional director Abner Caga expressed the agency’s intent to support Dinagat Islands in hyping its rich culture, local resources, business opportunities and ecotourism for its economic and socio-cultural development through information and communication.

Page 11: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

11APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

PIA Caraga chief expresses support for promotion of Dinagat Islands

Caga mentioned in his message during the conduct of the 3-Day Seminar-Workshop on Basic News Writing, Script Writing, Photography and Video Production held in this town that it’s an opportune time to introduce, further to the public the province to gain countrywide and even worldwide appreciation and to inspire tourists to visit the place.

“This seminar-workshop is very helpful in motivating the local information officers (IOs) to produce and share valuable information and variety of stories about Dinagat islands,” said Caga.

He added that with ample knowledge and skills, information officers will be empowered to dominate the talking points of the province.

Meanwhile, Caga introduced to the participants the Advance Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS), an original

concept of PIA Caraga. He said, it will help the community in building disaster resiliency.

Caga is making sure that no province within Caraga region will be lagged behind and the best way is to integrate communication to create impact to the people.

Ma. Jane Mayola, public information officer of Dinagat Islands, expressed her appreciation to the PIA Caraga team for imparting their expertise in the field of communication.

“We hope to sustain and strengthen the role of IOs in information dissemination and influence the community on the ground. We also believe that PIA Caraga has been balanced and inclusive in their advocacies that would impact to sustainable development,” said provincial information officer IV of Dinagat Islands Rosario Roxas Jra.

Page 12: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

12APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

PIA-13 enhances Dinagat IOs’ skills on Basic News Writing

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands -- To enhance the news writing skills of the provincial and municipal information officers here, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga personnel conducted the Seminar-Workshop on Basic News Writing on Monday held at the San Jose Pension House, Justiniana, San Jose, this province.

By JENNIFER P. GAITANO

“News is defined as a report of a current happening or happenings in a newspaper, or on television or radio. Others also defined news as something told as having just happened; or information about something that happened or will soon happen,” reiterated Venus Garcia, Information Officer II of PIA-Caraga.

In her discussion, Garcia emphasized that to decide on what to report, one must sort out news from non-news. “To do this, ask yourself the following questions about anything you think may be news: 1) Is it new?; 2) Is it unusual?; 3) Is it interesting or significant?; and 4) Is it about people,” she said.

She further reminded the

Page 13: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

13APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

participants that if the story or news is not new or unusual, if it is not interesting or significant, and if it will not affect the readers’ or listeners’ lives, then it’s not news. Do not publish it or broadcast it as news.

“Choose the important elements of the story to highlight. Don’t pull all the “who, what, when” into one sentence. Decide which are the most important and relate it first. And remember, keep it short; use short sentences. The lead should be short and concise, telling the reader what you want to say,” stressed Garcia.

Garcia also clarified that when writing a news, it must be written in an active voice; it should be written logically in sequence of events; and in controversial issues, the writer must not forget to get both sides of the persons involved.

“Always attribute source. Don’t copy others’ work,” she added.

Meanwhile, the participating information officers submitted their news articles during the workshop for critiquing and enhancement.

Along with the basic news writing, participants also learned the television news script writing, basic photography, and video production and editing. It is a Three-Day Seminar-Workshop that will run until Wednesday, April 16.

Page 14: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

14APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

Dinagat IOs learn Basic Photography

BUTUAN CITY-- The provincial and municipal information officers here learned basic photography during the Day-2 of the Three-Day Seminar-Workshop on Basic News Writing, Script Writing, Photography and Video Production spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga held on Tuesday at the San Jose Pension House, Justiniana, San Jose, this province.

“What we see in our eyes is temporary – we may remember it, but we cannot record it accurately or show it to other people. To do that we need a camera. We use camera to acquire photography,” remarked Gerie Mae Coco, photo/video editor/senior layout artist of PIA-Caraga.

Coco described that photography is a method of recording images by the action of light, or related radiation on a sensitive material.

“Rule of Thirds is derived by creating two vertical imaginary lines that divide the View Finder into three equal vertical columns; and another two imaginary horizontal lines that divide the View Finder into three equal horizontal columns. The point at which the (imaginary) vertical and horizontal lines intersect, is the ideal place where the subject of the center of interest is to be located. This is to

achieve balance and interest,” bared Coco.

Coco further reminded the participants to always be respectful of your subject. “Remember when photographing someone, be sensitive to potential privacy issues,” he emphasized.

He also revealed that the following are the important principles in photography: 1) Un-clutter the picture, Zoom in; 2) Put subject off-centre/Rule of thirds; 3) Use of frames, lines and diagonals; 4) Dramatic perspective (create impact by photographing your subjects from unexpected angles); and 5) Panning (create a moving object with a camera to capture the motion), among others.

The participants were given workshop on how to capture a good photograph with the best caption.

By JENNIFER P. GAITANO

Page 15: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014
Page 16: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

Dominga MallongaDOST-Caraga Regional Director

for more details visit us DOST National Website: http://www.dost.gov.phDOST Caraga Website: http://caraga.dost.gov.ph

Page 17: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014
Page 18: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014
Page 19: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014
Page 20: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

20APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

RDRRMC, OCD-IX holds provincial summit on DRRM for chief executivesBy Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC-IX) through the Office of the

Civil Defense (OCD-IX) in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur holds a two-day Provincial

Summit on Disaster Risk Reduction Management for local chief executives of Zamboanga del Sur being conducted from

April 14 -15, 2014 at Alindahaw Hotel, this city.

Page 21: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

21APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

The two-day event aims to strengthen the significant roles and responsibilities of local chief executives (LCEs) in disaster risk reduction management; learn from experiences of selected local DRRMC’s and stir community based solutions; and, institutionalize and implement knowledge in DRRM planning, tools and protocols, demonstrated during the Regional Summit. OCD-9 Officer in Charge Emilia V. Julhajan in her message during the opening program expressed her sincere gratitude to the provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur led by Governor Antonio H. Cerilles for the full support extended in the conduct of the said summit.“ The conduct of this summit will also ensure that we are all able to spread our messages up to the grass-root level and fully explain and answer all questions related to RA 10121, better known as the “Act of Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System,” Julhajan said. The summit is being participated by local chief executives of every municipality in the province together with their planning officers and Disaster Risk Reduction Management officers.

Page 22: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

22APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

DepEd holds guidance program formulation, career employment coachingIPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Department of Education (DepEd) here recently held a live-in Training Workshop on Guidance Program Formulation and Career Employment Coaching at Roderic’s Hotel and Resort on April 7-8, 2014. Some 60 guidance counselors from secondary schools and colleges in the province attended the workshop. In an interview, Dr. Mona Lisa M. Babiera, guidance services division coordinator of DepEd-Sibugay said the activity was conducted so that guidance counselors will be ready in time for the opening of school year 2014-2015 in June. “The training workshop is conducted quarterly with the following topics for discussion; Conceptualizing School Guidance Program in School Setting, Factors Influencing Career

Development and Decision, Guidance Program Development and other related topics,” Dr. Babiera explained. The role of guidance counselors in the K-12 Implementation, ethical standards related to Career Guidance Advocacy activities as well as career decision making process were also discussed during the 2-day workshop. The activity was held in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Office headed by Elamsalih E. Ungad and the Guidance Counselors Network.

By Alma L. Tingcang

LBP launches ‘Visa Debit Card’ By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – To provide a safe, convenient and reliable mode of payment for the consumer, business, and public sector clients, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) recently launched its newest card product dubbed Land Bank Visa Debit Card (VDC). The LBP has entered into an agreement with Visa Worldwide Pte., Limited in January this year to develop the Land Bank Visa International Debit Card and to ensure that the bank is capable to offer the latest electronic card payment services and technology to its individuals and corporate customers. LBP Branch Manager Lina K. Pacio,

in an interview with PIA staff said the VDC is a new product or service designed to enhance the level of satisfaction of the customers. “In the VDC, all card holders can enjoy the advantage of convenient and cashless purchases not only locally but internationally,” she added. The VDC, Pacio said, provides

Page 23: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

23APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

DepEd holds guidance program formulation, career employment coaching

LBP launches ‘Visa Debit Card’

advantage over the regular ATM card because it allows card holders to shop on line, pay bills and purchase over the phone and via email,” she added. Pacio said the card holders can use the VDC for their everyday purchases in department stores or in any establishments with Point of Sale (POS) terminals. “You don’t have to line up or queue outside the ATM terminals. Just simply bring the card and you can perform electronic bank transactions with greater convenience,” Pacio assured the card holders. “With the VDC, you can just swipe and sign for your in-store transactions local or international. It also allows bills payment using the card number and transfer funds via Land Bank ATMS,” Pacio announced. The card can be used in millions of retail outlets and at more than 1.9 million ATMs worldwide. “Can you imagine how wide the coverage of the VDC is? You can now transact electronic bank transactions at more than 1.9 million ATMs worldwide where the Visa Logo is displayed,” Pacio stressed.

To better serve its clients, LBP launched also its i-access program. Pacio said the program offers the following features: 1) it can account a summary of the current and available balance as the date and time of inquiry, 2) transact details of account history for the past 60 days, 3) check status of checks issued, 4) allows to pay bills immediately, 5) allows to transfer funds to other account, 6) allows to request LBP branch for new check books, and 7) allows immediately tag lost/stolen ATM card as “hot card”, etc. “The client need not go to the bank. He can check status of his saving within the confine of his home and office with the use of internet facility by visiting to our website: [email protected] , register and log-on,” Pacio explained. Pacio said the local government units (LGUs) in the province are now starting to avail of the programs where some of them have already signified their intention to support it. Pacio invites Pagadianons to avail of the programs saying that it provides greater convenience and access to all their clients.

Page 24: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

24APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

El Salvador opens House of Pasalubongby Sharmaine Cariño

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - To continue to serve the people with souvenir and pasalubong products, a revived pasalubong center in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental has opened on Friday, April 11.

Page 25: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

25APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

The House of Pasalubong was originally opened to the public last June 2008. This is a project owned by the city government which was envisioned to alleviate the living standards of the people by giving them additional livelihood and source of income. According to City Social Welfare D e v e l o p m e n t (CSWD) Officer Ann V. Prospero, this project is the product of convergence and work to make an avenue where the city’s own products are displayed and sold. City Mayor Atty. Alfredo Q. Tan said this will help especially the disadvantaged women in increasing their income and help their families at the same time generates employment to the area. He challenged the suppliers which include the government sectors in nutrition, tourism and health in sustaining this project and also the local public officials who will work hand in hand to these suppliers. Senator Bam Aquino IV representative and political analyst Benjie Navea Jr. congratulates the development of the program, its organizers and its members. “Very supportive po ang ating mahal na senador sa ganitong

programa, mayroon nga po kaming tinatawag na ‘Go Negosyo’ Bill which helps small scale entrepreneurs na mapalaki nila ang kanilang mga businesses,” (Our senator is very supportive on this kind of program. We have this ‘Go Negosyo Bill’ which helps small scale entrepreneurs in expanding thier businesses) Navea said. Among the partners of the city government are the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Ma. Eliza Pabillore, DTI - Misamis Oriental Provincial Director, hopes to utilize and apply the Department’s Shared Service Facility (SSF) program in order to empower the capability and capacity of the producers and the House of Pasalubong itself.

Page 26: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

26APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

Hiring of nurses for Dubai, Saudi on-going at DOLE-10 officeby DOLE-10

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Skills International Co. Inc. with POEA License Number 020-LB-013112-R is recruiting 100 to 200 staff nurses, senior nurses and charge nurses for Dubai and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with minimum salary of $2,200 per month.

Applicants should have at least three years minimum experience in tertiary hospitals. Qualified applicants will be posted at Dubai Health Authority in UAE, King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital and Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Saudi Arabia.

Interested applicants are advised to personally submit, from April 14-16, their application letters resumes at Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 10, Monte Carlo Building, Phase 1, RER Drive Subdivision, Kauswagan Highway, this city.

BSP to demonetize peso notes by 2015by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is encouraging the public with old series peso notes to have them exchanged before they are demonetized.

Dexter Erick Demafeliz, senior research specialist at the BSP Cagayan de Oro Branch, said BSP is set to demonitize the old currency notes by 2015 to give way to the full circulation of the new generation currency bank notes. The new generation currency

series, in denominations of P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1000, was first circulated in 2010. We target to demonetize the old currency notes next year but we are still waiting for the circular on the demonetization, Demafeliz disclosed during the media forum organized by

Page 27: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

27APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office 10 recently. He said the old currency notes will be removed from circulation and will no longer be used for payments or exchange once demonetized. During the media forum, Demafeliz also explained the enhanced security features of the new generation currency that makes its difficult for counterfeiters to copy. These include embossed prints, alphanumeric and asymmetric serial number, security fibers, watermark, see-through mark, concealed value and security thread. The P500 and P1000 also have optically variable device (OVD) and

optically variable ink (OVI) as added security features. The OVD allows the image of blue-naped parrot in P500 and south sea pearl in P1000 to change its colors when the note is rotated at 90 degrees. The OVI, an embossed “1000” denominational value at the lower right corner of the face of the note, changes color from green to blue when viewed at different angles. Demafeliz also asked members of the media to help in informing the public on the security features of the new peso notes. He said an informed public can help in safeguarding the integrity of the currency.

Page 28: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

28APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

Davao to experience normal summer

DAVAO CITY- With tropical de-pression Domeng downgraded into a Low Pressure Area and veering away from the region, Davao is ex-pected to experience normal sum-mer. Engineer Gerry Pedrico of the PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geo-physical and Astronomical Services Administration) Davao Station said that Domeng as of the latest update had weakened into a low-pressure area. As of the most recent bulletin (10:00 a.m. April 11) the LPA was es-timated at 550 kilometers Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. Pedrico said that the LPA will bring rains to affected areas. He said that parts of Davao Region would ex-perience cloudy skies in the morn-ing and rainshowers in the evening brought about by the LPA. He said that based on data, the country will experience normal sum-mer. Davao Region climate has an

evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year and no pronounced dry pe-riod. Pedrico said that summer season began in the last period of February and will end in the first week of May. Meanwhile with the onset of the summer season the Department of Tourism along with tourism industry players in the region is gearing up with a series of events designed to attract tourists to the region this time of the year. Among these activities include the Summerfrolic along Dahican Beach in Mati City, capital of Davao Orien-tal. The Island Garden City of Samal has launched its Visit Samal program, Compostela Valley has its Destina-tion Summer in the beaches of Pantu-kan while Sta Cruz town in Davao del Sur is gearing up for its Boulder-Face Challenge which is a extreme race to the peak of Mt. Apo while Davao City has its sports-inspired Davao Sum-merfest. (PIA/RG Alama)

Page 29: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

29APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

DAVAO CITY-The Department of Tourism (DOT) is working cur-rently with the Davao del Norte Provincial Government in finding ways to improve the income of the resorts in the Island Garden City of Samal in the event entrance fees are no longer allowed. Eden David, tourism officer of the DOT 11 said that the resorts in Samal are highly dependent on entrance fees especially that more visitors enter the resorts

during the day than those sleep-ing over. “We need to find oth-er means to increase the income, given that the en-trance fees have to be taken out given the law that al-lows three meter ease-

ment of the shoreline,” David said citing that the program is support-ed by the United States Agency for International Development. She said the program needs the support of the local govern-ment units and all sectors affect-ed by the policy on open access on all shorelines based on the Presidential Decree 1067 or Water Code of the Philippines, given the

DOT-XI, DavNor LGU work ways to increase resorts’ income

Page 30: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014

30APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

tourism potential of Samal Island. David said there is a need to go beyond entrance fees as source of revenue. She said they currently study-ing other options available to resort owners to earn more. The PD 1067 provides that all properties bordering on wa-ter are subject to legal ease-ment of varying dimensions like three meters for urban areas, 20 meters for agricultural areas and forty meters for forest land. The Water Code also guaran-tees the public access to the beach for purposes of recreation, sal-vage and fishing and covers even titled property with beach head.

David said the Department of Tourism 11 also supports commu-nity-based tourist destinations like the caves in Composte-la Valley and Davao del Norte, cultural village near Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, and the re-sorts in IGACOS. “It follows the criteria like ac-

cessibility like roads, commu-nications prior its promotion as tourist destination,” she said. David said that in some ar-eas, the local government units take the lead in the promotion of their tourist destinations like the Subangan Museum, Dahi-can beach resort and food tour-ism in Mati City, Davao Oriental, the eco-adventure in Davao del Sur, the resorts in Compostela Valley, IGACOS which remains as key area destination and the culture, leisure market, lifestyle, peace and order in Davao City. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Page 31: One Mindanao - April 15, 2014