Team DavNor dazzles in Batang Pinoy Finals

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Cebu City – Friendly hostilities in the 2015 Batang Pinoy National Finals, here, have provided a stage for the athletes of the Province of Davao del Norte to put on another dazzling performance.

DavNor’s 34-man team snatched 21 medals, particularly six golds, five silvers and ten bronzes, after slugging it out against the best teams all over the country, in the 15-under national sporting event.

Baston-wielding arnisadores led the team’s medal haul with Mary Gweneth Lim, Harrison Cerillo and Noah Gonzales whipping the gold in the labanan pinweight, welterweight and lightweight, respectively.

Cerillo suffered a painful sprain in his right forearm early into the elimination rounds. He said his thirst for honor and pride, and lots of prayers kept him going.

With true grit, he beat three other strong contenders to crush the competition despite his hurting arm.

“I wanted to offer my success to our Lord Almighty,” he said.

George Neri Jr. won silver in the labanan flyweight, while Jay Mabanag cornered the bronze in the bantamweight.

Kate Diane Faelogo swept the bronze both in the anyo solo baston and the labanan flyweight.

The wushu squad added two more golds, with Latrell Andre Dennis Pantastico and Roni Marielle Santiago thrashing the gold in the wushu sanda under 48 kg. boys and under 48 kg. girls, respectively.

Ron Japeth Mena and Philip Jacob Taganas also both grabbed the bronze in the under 48 boys .

Kyla Cielo Bernaldez further chipped in another gold in the table tennis singles girls, while teaming with Vince Carl Seismundo to win silver in the mixed doubles.

Taekwondo jin Louis Jude Andrae Dumdum kicked the silver in the bantamweight, while Christian Rhyan Chung, Giery Mei Amodia, Ileana Vanessa Edna Fuentes and Lei Anne Frances Naval grabbed the bronze in the heavyweight boys, lightweight girls, welterweight girls and flyweight girls divisions.

Karatekas Kenneth Telin and Marjore Ledesma likewise punched a silver in kata novice boys and bronze in kata girls, respectively. While, thrower Jhon Rafael Lamatan delivered the silver in the shotput event.

Provincial Sports Coordinator Giovanni Gulanes said his lean team really delivered. “Working to meet what was expected of us guaranteed our success,” he said.##

DavNor beefs up GAD program

Nice Tolibas/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – Some 29 gender and development (GAD) focal and alternate personnel from the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte attended the Gender Mainstreaming in Local Government Cum Benchmarking recently in the Province of Iloilo.

Led by Board Member Janet Gavina, the study tour sought to further strengthen the GAD program in the province by learning the workings of a genuine gender-responsive local governance.

Provincial GAD Coordinator Judeza Pingoy said the DavNor GAD team intended to learn about the best practices of Iloilo, which was certified by the Philippine Commission on Women as among the five GAD Local Learning Hubs in the country.

Iloilo has formulated its Results-based Monitoring & Evaluation Framework and built up its convergence of women’s economic empowerment to attain gender-responsive governance.

It can be recalled that Davao del Norte revolutionized the implementation of the GAD program in the local governance in 1998, as one of the pillars of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario’s minimum basic needs (MBN) development approach.

The successful mainstreaming of gender sensitivity and responsiveness, resulting to increased appreciation of the role of both women and men in realizing the vision of the province led the women sector to baptize the governor as “The GAD Father”.

Under del Rosario’s shifting development strategies, the province pursued the mainstreaming of the GAD program in the policies, programs and projects of the Provincial Government.

The province enacted the Provincial GAD Code in 2010 to institutionalize the implementation of GAD programs and activities in the province.

Pingoy said the province is now beefing up its initiatives to empower women by pursuing results-based management framework in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of GAD programs, along other mechanisms.##

DavNor GAD focal persons, led by Board Member Janet Gavina paid a courtesy call to Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. during the Seminar on Gender and Development Mainstreaming Cum Benchmarking held on November 9, 2015 at SP Session Hall, Province of Iloilo. Photo by Nice Tolibas/DavNor PIO

Iloilo Human Resource Management Officer Alma Ravena (from left) introduces DavNor Provincial GAD Coordinator Judeza Pinggoy (2nd from right) to Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. during Seminar on Gender and Development Mainstreaming Cum Benchmarking held on November 9, 2015 at Session Hall, Province of Iloilo. Photo by Nice Tolibas/DavNor PIO

DavNor GAD focal persons participate in a workshop during Seminar on Gender and Development Mainstreaming Cum Benchmarking held on November 9, 2015 at Session Hall, Province of Iloilo. Photo by Fielse Quilo/PGO-GAD Division

DavNor GAD focal persons attend the Seminar on Gender and Development Mainstreaming Cum Benchmarking with Iloilo GAD Chairperson Velma Jane Lao held on November 10, 2015 at Century 21 Hotel, Quezon Street, Iloilo City. Photo by Fielse Quilo/PGO-GAD Division

Davao del Norte keeps winning streak

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Koronadal City (October 28, 2015)– It is harvest time for Team Davao del Norte, as the contingent grabbed a total of 34 medals at the end of the third day of the 2015 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifier in this city.

Provincial Sports Coordinator Giovanni Gulanes is upbeat the DavNor Team will rake in further medals with the finals yet to be concluded for the swimming, arnis, karatedo, and table tennis on the fourth day of the games.

He attributed the strong showing of his 54-man athletic delegation to the state-of-the-art Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex and the no-nonsense provincial sports development program of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario.

“So far, we have maintained our standing over the years,” he said, alluding to the increasing repute of the province in producing more and more competitive and champion athletes.

DavNor’s taekwondo jins led the medal reaping with Christian Rhyan Chung,14, Jude Louise Andrae Dumdum, 14, and Lei Anne Frances Naval, 12, nabbing the gold in the boys heavy, boys bantam and girls fly weights, respectively.

The silver was grabbed by Giery Mei Amodia, 13, in the girls light, Trecia Mae Onato, 13, in the girls lightheavy and Louie Victorio, 12, in the boys finlight class.

While, Daven Benito Ricafort, 14, and Ileana Vanessa Edna Fuentes, 12, clipped the bronze in the boys bantam and girls welter, respectively.

Swimmer Eryk John Omandam, 11, clinched another gold in the boys 12 & under 200-m butterfly, at the same time as, Zuhri Porza, 13, won bronze in the girls 13-15 400-m freestyle.

More bronzes were pocketed by Cyrus Dave Lucero, 12, in the boys 12 & under 200 freestyle and Vince Rey Anthony Navarro, 12, in the boys 200 breaststroke.

Karateka Marjorie Ledesma, 13, pinched one more gold in the girls kata advance, as Jan Kritzmer Pedro, 15, bagged 2 bronzes in boys advance and intermediate kata. While,Ma. Erikah Cancio, 13, had another bronze in boys advance kata.

Kyla Cielo Bernaldez, 13, and Vince Carl Seismundo, 14, also took the silver in the table tennis mixed doubles.

Batang Pinoy is the government’s grassroots sports development program that inculcates the value of teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship and patriotism among young athletes ages 15 year old and below.##

Team DavNor shines in 2015 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Leg

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte (October 27, 2015) – Players of the Province of Davao del Norte gave their best shot to grab 19 medals on the second day of the Mindanao Leg of the 2015 Batang Pinoy Games in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

Fresh from hosting the “Best Palaro Ever” last May, Team DavNor had hoped its 89 strong delegation will bring home more medals in the seven events it is taking part in the grassroots sporting.

The Arnis squad is leading the medal harvest, as arnisadors Kate Dian Faelogo, 15, and Harrison Cerillo, 14, clinched the gold in the solo baston, and labanan welterweight, respectively.

Noah Gonzales, 15, secured the silver in the sword and dagger individual, as Faelago won the bronze in the same category.

Cerillo, George Neri, Jr. (13) and Jay Mabanag (14) further earned the silver in the synchronized dolo baston, as well as, the bronze in the sword and Dagger Synchonized.

Athletics’ Annie Mary Depone, 13, grabbed both the gold in the 1500-meter running and the silver in the 800-meters.

Jhon Rafael Lamatan, 15, likewise sealed the silver in the discus throw, besides the bronze medals in the shot put and javelin throw.

Talaingod-DavNor Runners’ Maria Fe Basong, 12, further settled the bronze in the 1500-meter running event.

Karateka Kenneth Telin, 15, won the kata novice, while Jan Kritzmer Pedro, 15, grabbed the silver in the kata event.

Team DavNor’s swimmers swept the 400-meter 12-under, with Cyrus Dave Lucero, 12, clinching the gold, Eryk John Omandam, 11, the silver and Jayvee Cuevas, 12, the bronze.

Shanaia Liv Asiseo, 15, also secured the bronze in the 400-m 13-15 years old category.

The Philippine Sports Commission- Philippine Olympic Committee (PSC-POC) BP games is a nationwide grassroots sports development program that provide both in-school and out–of-school children ages 15 years old and below the opportunity to become sports heroes.##

Dabaonons told to conserve water

by Noynoy Gorgonio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Anastacia Notarte asked the people of Davao del Norte to conserve water in order to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

Even though Davao del Norte is not considered a high risk, the provincial government is not taking any chances with the looming dry spell that is forecast to affect 32 provinces toward the end of the year.

During the 2nd Provincial Organic Agriculture Congress last September 3, 2015, Notarte stressed every Dabaonon has a role to play, particularly the farmers, to mitigate the effects of the dry spell.

“One should knowingly take notice how to conserve water. Our rice farmers, in particular, should always be observant if the rice paddies are already full. They should apply intermittent irrigation. They should save water instead of disposing the excess water to the rivers,” Notarte said .

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) early this year identified the province of Davao del Norte as among those affected by the dry spell.

Notarte cited some measures implemented by her office, to include insuring the rice farms, distribution of drought-resistant seeds, as well as, installation of water pumps that could irrigate ten hectares of rice land each.

The official further explained that a farmer should avail of the rice crop insurance given to farmers.

The program is a disaster preparedness program of the provincial government to mitigate the severe effect of El Niño.

She stressed that the insurance is a big help in case the rice cropping fails, especially that the indemnity could at least cover part of the losses.

She added a farmer can also utilize the fund to go for substitute crops for food sufficiency.

With the looming El Niño, Notarte now doubts whether the province can still sustain its food sufficiency level.

She said the 86 percent rice sufficiency of the province is expected to drop in case the dry spell prolongs, although Davao del Norte is belong to the medium-risk vulnerability of El Niño compared to other provinces in the country.

At present, Davao del Norte is producing 4.47 tons of rice per hectare in all ecosystem as compared to the previous year that has a yield of 4.09 tons per hectare.

The El Niño phenomenon is an unusual warming of the sea surface temperature across the equatorial Pacific Ocean that results to extreme weather.

This would mean drought for the continents of Asia and Australia, while the other parts of the globe like the US expect more rains.##

Great day for mothers! DavNor’s safe motherhood caravan a big hit

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – Thousands of mothers availed of the free caravan of maternal health care and services on Tuesday during the 1st Provincial Safe Motherhood Day at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.

Department of Health (DOH)-XI Regional Director Abdullah Dumama lauded the province for the success of the activity, which highlighted the commitment of the provincial government in reducing maternal and newborn deaths.

“This is the most successful, most organized and most clean safe motherhood caravan ever held in the Davao region,” he said.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Agapito Hornido revealed that as of 2:20 pm, they have already served 1,820 pregnant mothers with pre-natal care and services.

“We have originally targeted 1,000 pregnant mothers but we are surprised with this huge turnout,” he said, as he assured everyone will be catered while supplies last.

The services include comprehensive pre-natal care, such as cardiovascular screening, renal screening, chest x-ray, blood screening/letting, ultrasound demo, 12 lead ECG, oral health care, immunization, consultation, as well as, vitamins and essential medicines, personal hygiene and beauty care.

The mothers were also given free meals and snacks.

The occasion, which top bills the theme, “Luwas nga Pagbuntis ni Nanay, Gasa ni Gob. RDR nga Ti-unay” (Safe Pregnancy, the Governor’s Genuine Gift), is in celebration of the 81st birthday of the governor.

The governor said the advocacy on safe motherhood is the most enduring gift that society we can ever give to mothers.

He said it is a shame that countless mothers in our country are still dying from pregnancy and childbirth when technology and medicine are now available to prevent such a tragedy.

“Motherhood is supposed to be a joyful occasion and not a tragic event,” del Rosario said.

The governor cited the province has made some strides through the Service Delivery Network, among other interventions.

He bared the province reduced the under-five mortality rate to 23 percent per 1,000 live births, which is lower than the 27 percent national target.

However, he said the challenge remains in maternal mortality rate, since the province recorded 33 deaths last year.

During the event, the governor increased the yearly allowance of the barangay nutrition scholars and barangay health workers to 3,000, in recognition of their role as an important link of the province to attain its target in reducing maternal and infant deaths. ##

Pregnant mothers get free dental care, among many other maternal care services, during the 1st Provincial Safe Motherhood Day at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Mankilam, Tagum City

A nurse gets the vital signs of a pregnant mother during the 1st Provincial Safe Motherhood Day at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Mankilam, Tagum City

Mothers get free beauty care, among many other maternal care services, during the 1st Provincial Safe Motherhood Day at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Mankilam, Tagum City

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario stresses the commitment of the province of Davao del Norte to the reduction of maternal mortality and infant death, during the 1st Provincial Safe Motherhood Day at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Mankilam, Tagum City

Quake, tsunami drills in Oplan ANDAM 2

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – Coastal communities prone to storm surge and tsunami, as well as, barangays within the fault lines get the priority in the second phase of the feted disaster preparedness program of the province.

After the successful implementation of the first edition of the Oplan A.N.D.A.M. (Advocacy on Natural Disaster Awareness and Management) program in 66 flood-prone barangays, the province will launch Oplan A.N.D.A.M. 2 to teach people how to get to safer grounds in the event of earthquakes, tsunamis and storm surges.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council approved the start of the Oplan A.N.D.A.M. 2 next month, during its regular session last August 24, 2015 at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan.

Romulo Tagalo, Executive Director of the Provincial Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CCA-DRRM) Council said the upgraded program aims to teach the communities the telltale signs of impending landslides, storm surges and tsunamis.

“We will implement this for the community people to be aware of the evacuation routes, warnings and signals,” he said.

Tagalo stressed the significant role of the concerned government agencies during the actual evacuation drill in the two-day event.

He revealed the first day will feature synchronized workshop on basic first aid and life-saving techniques, security and safety, evacuation camp management, animal safety, coastal resource management, critical incident stress debriefing, warnings and signages, and technical and logistics assistance.

The actual community drill will be held on the second day, mobilizing all barangay functionaries and ordinary folks on site.

A feedback session will be held after the drill, highlighting the lessons learned and the improvements that need to be put in place to increase awareness, including modifications to the sign locations and the routes to make the evacuation easier.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario welcomed the innovation as a “very important intervention to ensure zero casualty in big earthquakes, storm surges and tsunamis.”

Four barangays will benefit from the program this year, while over 20 more barangays will be served next year.##

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario gestures as he presides over the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting, which approved the implementation of plan A.N.D.A.M. 2 next month. Reymund Facioll/DavNor PIO

OIC-PENRO and CCA-DRRM Director Romulo Tagalo briefs the members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on the details of Oplan A.N.D.A.M. 2. Reymund Faciol/DavNor PIO

Students perform the earthquake drill in one of the Oplan ANDAM caravans. PDRRM

DavNor to hold safe motherhood day

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – It’s a date. Dabaonon mothers will have a day out on September 1, 2015 for the Safe Motherhood Day organized by the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte.

With the theme, “Luwas nga Pagbuntis ni Nanay, Gasa ni Gob. RDR nga Ti-unay” (Safe Pregnancy, the Governor’s Genuine Gift to Mothers), the whole-day activity aims to increase awareness on maternal and new-born child health.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Agapito Hornido said the event, which marks the 81st birthday celebration of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, highlights the province’s thrust of heightening public attention to the issue of safe motherhood and the importance of citizen’s participation in achieving it.

“Every mother has the right to live and survive pregnancy and childbirth,” he said.

A variety of free maternal health care and services will be available to mothers during the activity to be staged at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Mankilam, Tagum City

These include comprehensive pre-natal care, such as cardiovascular screening, renal screening, chest x-ray, blood screening/letting, ultrasound demo, 12 lead ECG, oral health care and immunization, consultation, as well as, vitamins and essential medicines.

Gov. del Rosario has reiterated, in a number of occasions, the provincial government’s commitment to the improvement of maternal, neonatal and child health, particularly in attaining Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.

In his message of support during the recent launch of the World Health Organization Subnational Initiative: AcCESS for Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) in the Davao Region, the governor stressed that MNH approaches should create a strong sense of local ownership to ensure efficiency and sustainability.

“We need to pool our resources together to meet the basic health needs of our women and children,” he said in his message read by Hornido.

The governor also cited the Service Delivery Networks (SDN) program employed by the province that was fueled by his administration’s public-private partnership strategy to improve the delivery of health services.

He revealed the formation of the Inter-Local Health Zones, identified by clusters that consist the SDN, resulted to the expansion of the delivery of maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition.

He revealed the program resulted to the significant reduction in maternal and neonatal deaths in the province.

While services are being served in various maternal health stations in the premises of the sports complex, a safe motherhood program will be held at the RDR Gymnasium.

Experts and celebrity mothers will talk on the crucial subjects of government and motherhood, pre-birth wellness, as well as, teenage pregnancy and co-morbidities.

The event will be capped by a concert and pyromusical show, featuring one of the highest-paid entertainers in the country.##

An IP mother cuddling her baby attends a Alternative Learning System completion ceremony. nobags

A mother receives vitamins and medicines for her baby during a medical outreach of the provincial government of Davao del Norte. nobags

A pregnant mother receives maternal care in Tagum City. CIO

DavNor upgrades disaster awareness campaign

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – After two years, the provincial government of Davao del Norte ups the ante in its community-based disaster awareness campaign aimed at ensuring people’s participation in attaining zero casualty and easing the impact of natural calamities.

Romulo Tagalo, Executive Director of the Provincial Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CCA-DRRM) Council said the province is implementing the second phase of the Oplan A.N.D.A.M. (Advocacy on Natural Disaster Awareness and Management) program starting September 2015.

“We are implementing Oplan ANDAM 2 by next month,” Tagalo announced during one of the series of meetings called for the purpose.

He said this time around the program will target the coastal areas of the province.

According to Tagalo, buoyed by the success of the Oplan A.N.D.A.M. 1, Governor Rodolfo del Rosario deemed the program should expand its reach to build disaster ready and resilient coastal communities.

He revealed the program will now focus on tsunami drill, with orientations on basic life-saving techniques, earthquake drill and critical incident stress debriefing.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario launched the program in 2013 to teach communities simple technologies that will help them reduce their vulnerability and build their resilience to calamities.

Andam is a Cebuano word for “prepare.”

The program targeted the 64 flood-prone barangays in the province highlighting lectures on first aid, water sanitation and hygiene, river bank protection, bio-gas technology and botanical concoction, earthquake/fire drills and critical incident stress debriefing.

Tagalo, who is the Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, said important stakeholders, such as the concerned provincial offices, LGUs, schools, the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bureau of Fire Protection, among other agencies, will continue to play an important role in the program.

It can be recalled that the Oplan A.N.D.A.M. is a defining factor for the province to win the Best Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Award during the 2015 Regional Search for Gawad Kalasag Excellence.##

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario distributes emergency kits during the Oplan ANDAM.

Members of the local media learn basic life-saving techniques at the Oplan ANDAM caravan in Cuambogan, Tagum City last year.

members of the Oplan ANDAM technical working group thresh out details of the implementation of Oplan ANDAM 2. PDRRM

A staff of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Division conducts maintenance on the Water Level Monitoring System (WLMS) with Automatic Rain Gauge (ARG) installed at Mahayahay (Lawang) Bridge, Cambanogoy, Asuncion. PDRRM

Gov urges public to use provincial hospitals

by Lunesito Gorgonio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – Governor Rodolfo del Rosario is urging every Dabaonon to take advantage of the three provincial hospitals for speedy delivery of basic health services.

The governor stressed the Davao del Norte hospitals, particularly the Samal, Carmen and Kapalong zones are now equipped to cater to the medical needs of the people.

He said that basic health concerns that do not yet need specialized care can be covered by the provincial hospitals to avoid overcrowding of the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City.

Del Rosario revealed that with the impending conversion of DRH into a medical center, primary health care should be left to the rural health centers and the provincial hospitals.

“When DRH becomes a medical center it should only offer highly-specialized medical services like cancer treatment and major surgeries, among others,” he said.

The hospital only has a 200-bed capacity but is currently admitting more than double the number since they cannot turn down the admission, particularly of poor patients seeking medical treatment.

The governor said normal pregnancies and other outpatient cases can be treated outside the hospitals.

“Kailangan dumaan muna sila sa mga series ng mga health providers natin at yung hindi na kaya, dalhin na sa mga hospital natin,” the governor said.

As he puts it, this will minimize mortality rate and congestion in the hospitals towards effective and efficient dispensing of needed medical services.

Del Rosario pushed for further improvement in the capability of the rural health centers and the provincial hospitals to advance services.

He said DavNor hospital Carmen Zone is prepped up to become a “mother and child” facility, equipped to serve pregnant women in the province.

He likewise disclosed the current upgrading of the Samal Zone hospital to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the Island Garden City of Samal.##

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario urges to use provincial hospital from 200-bed capacity into 600-bed capacity during Kapihan sa DRH.