DavNor gov suspends classes anew

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte, November 11, 2013 – Governor Rodolfo del Rosario again declared the suspension of classes in all levels both in public and private schools, as a preemptive measure taken against the impending threats of Tropical Depression Zoraida.

The governor made the declaration at exactly 11:40 am on Monday at the Executive Committee meeting at the Capitol Building to ensure the safety and security of the Dabaonons during the onslaught of the storm.

The suspension of classes started Monday afternoon and will remain effective until lifted by the mayors of the respective local government units within the province.

The weather disturbance, which put the entire province of Davao del Norte to Storm Signal Warning No. 1, is expected to make landfall along Surigao Del Sur on Tuesday afternoon.

Pagasa said that as of 4 am Monday, TD Zoraida was at 950 km Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum winds of 55 kilometer per hour as it moves Northwest at 28kph.

It can be recalled that Gov. del Rosario activated the incident command system of the province and also suspended classes in all levels last November 6, 2012 in preparation for the onslaught Super Typhoon Yolanda.

“Let us not take any chances. It is better to be OA and prepared than be sorry,” he said.

At least 10,000 people in central Philippines are feared to have been killed by Yolanda, which made a world record as the strongest tropical storm to hit land in world history.

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario declared the suspension of classes in all levels in preparation for TD Zoraida, during the executive meeting at the Capitol Bldg last November 11, 2013. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario declared the suspension of classes in all levels in preparation for TD Zoraida, during the executive meeting at the Capitol Bldg last November 11, 2013. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario declared the suspension of classes in all levels in preparation for TD Zoraida, during the executive meeting at the Capitol Bldg last November 11, 2013. noel baguio/davnor pio

Carp beneficiaries get help on property concerns

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – Recipients of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in the province received welfare counseling and legal advice on the issues and concerns regarding their properties.

Provincial Treasurer Regina Ricafort organized the forum with CARP beneficiaries, together with the heads and representatives of concerned government agencies to address the problems faced by the recipients in the ownership of their emancipation patents (EPs) or Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs).

DENR Legal Management Division Chief Engr. Noel Apale, Land Bank’s Agrarian Operation Center Head Romeo Cabanial, DAR OIC-Legal Officer Atty. Joselito Pingoy and Registry of Deeds Chief Atty. John Paul Devilleres provided legal advices to the participants.

They were joined Ricafort, OIC-Provincial Administrator Norma Lumain, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Edd Mark Wakan, Provincial Assessor Engr. Joyce Gualberto.

The officials tackled concerns on overlapping titles, land disputes, delinquent taxes and other pressing matters.

Ricafort said the activity is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the beneficiaries to pay their real property taxes for the benefit of the local economy.

It can be recalled that the PTO cracked down on delinquent tax payers and set the auction of overdue real properties late this year.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario reminded the participants of their social responsibility to promptly pay taxes, as their great contribution to the prosperity and stability of the economy.

He said taxes provide the essential revenues for the government to meet socio-economic targets, as well as, its thrust of generating employment and business opportunities.

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, 2nd left, together with heads of concerned national and provincial agencies tackle the concerns and issues of CARP benefiaries regarding their EP and CLOA ownership at the Bulwagan. noel baguio/davnor pio

CARP benefiaries present the issues and concerns regarding their ownership of EP and CLOAS to the heads of concerned national and provincial agencies at the Bulwagan. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario asks the CARP benefiaries to promptly pay their taxes during a forum at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario confers with Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Nicasio Lemente at the forum with CARP benefiaries at the Bulwagan. noel baguio/davnor pio

DavNor beefs up ‘healing field’ tag

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte, November 5, 2013 – The province of Davao del Norte launched the opening salvo of the Anti-Drug Abuse Month celebration by fortifying its distinction as a “healing field” of the region.

The event was highlighted by the inauguration of the Chapel of the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center (LPRRC) in New Corella town that has been a haven for victims of drug and alcoholic dependency for 14 years now.

Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Undersecretary Edgar Galvante and Asec. Benjie Reyes graced the launching of the LPRRC Chapel, which was preceded by the ceremonial groundbreaking of the proposed Activity/Mess Hall for adult residents of the facility.

The center’s place of worship was donated by the homegrown billionaire Tagum Cooperative in the amount of P500,000, as part of its corporate social responsibility aimed at facilitating the spiritual nourishment of the residents.

While the DDB provided the funds for the construction of the upcoming mess hall of the facility, which is one of the few successful rehabilitation centers in the country being entirely operated by a province.

Usec. Galvante turned over the P5 million check to Governor Rodolfo del Rosario during the ensuing kickoff program.

The DDB official said the projects will fortify Davao del Norte’s prominence as the ‘healing field’ of the region.

He lauded the commitment of the provincial government in providing holistic interventions for the transformation of drug and alcohol dependents to be able to safely return into the mainstream society.

Dependents admitted at the center goes through a so-called “Therapeutic Community Approach” treatment modality during their six months stay that generously involves their families and loved ones.

As the province pushed for more aggressive stance in the fight against drug addiction, Gov. del Rosario said he started the facility in 1998 to give the dependents a second chance.

“Victims of illegal drugs deserve a second chance and this is what the province is giving them – a second chance,” he earlier said.

DDB Undersecretary Edgar Galvante, 2nd left, Tagum Coop Chair Miriam Baloyo, and Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario lead the inauguration of the new Chapel of the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center in New Corella, Davao del Norte, as highlight of the Anti-Drug Abuse Month celebration opening salvo. noel baguio/davnor pio

DDB Undersecretary Edgar Galvante turns over the P5-million check to Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario for the construction of the Activity/Mess Hall of the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center in New Corella, Davao del Norte, as highlight of the opening salvo of the Anti-Drug Abuse Month celebration of the province. noel baguio/davnor pio

DDB Undersecretary Edgar Galvante gestures as he lauds the commitment of Davao del Norte in providing holistic interventions for the transformation of drug and alcohol dependents. noel baguio/davnor pio

DDB Undersecretary Edgar Galvante, center, and Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, 3rd right, lead the groundbreaking of the proposed Activity/Mess Hall of the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center in New Corella, Davao del Norte, as highlight of the Anti-Drug Abuse Month celebration opening salvo . noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, DDB Undersecretary Edgar Galvante and Asec. Benjie Reyes sign the memorandum of agreement for the turn over of the P5-million check intended for the construction of the Activity/Mess Hall of the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center in New Corella, Davao del Norte, as highlight of the opening salvo of the Anti-Drug Abuse Month celebration of the province. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario banters at the opening salvo of the Anti-Drug Abuse Month celebration of Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio