Obama's Victory To Increase Investor Confidence

The Davao City Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is optimistic that the victory of United States President Barack Obama will increase investor confidence not only in the US but in other countries as well.

"We are optimistic but also realistic---we do not expect that a solution to the US recession will happen in the next 6 to 9 months but investor confidence will definitely increase," DCCCI president
Simeon Marfori said . The increase in investor confidence may not be to the previous level, he added, but it will increase with his victory.

Marfori sees a resurgence of the country's Business Process Outsourcing or BPO sector even with the slowing down of the US economy. With the American companies gearing towards cost-cutting measures, he said, they will then outsource their non-core activities to other countries like the Philippines.

It is good business sense to outsource non-core jobs since it will cost less than employing over-qualified personnel in the US who ask for higher salaries. Filipinos can look forward to more outsourced jobs in the following sectors: graphic design, content development, transcription and call centers.

However, those in the BPO sector are still worried about Obama's stance against outsourcing since he has declared his intention to end tax breaks for companies outsourcing their services outside the US. Some Americans consider the outsourcing trend as the reason why many of them are jobless.

50-100T OFWs To Lose Jobs Due To World Financial Crisis-DOLE

(In Photo) DOLE XI RD Atty. Jalilo dela Torre

The Department of Labor and Employment XI yesterday confirmed that an estimated 50 to 100 thousand Overseas Filipino Workers are set to lose their jobs due to the world financial crisis.

"But this number is very negligible compared to the number of OFWs we have worldwide," DOLE XI regional director Atty. Jalilo dela Torre said during yesterday's UGNAYAN sa Royal Mandaya press conference.

On the other hand a total of 590 thousand are in danger of being displaced because of the financial crisis. Among them are OFWs who work in the United States under temporary working visas (129T), seafarers working in cruise ships (130T), factory workers in South Korea, Taiwan and Macau (268T) and household service workers in Singapore, Macau and HongKong (48T).

Dela Torre however said that in general there is no displacement of OFWs due to the financial crisis. He said the employment of two million OFWs in the Middle East and 500,000 OFWs in Europe is secure and stable.

He said there are lots of potential labor markets for OFWs like Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Guam.

Braga Urge Criminalization Of Making Herbal Medicine False Claims

Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga is urging Congress to craft a law that will criminalize the act of making false claims about medicine and herbal supplements.

Braga said it is high time that the Bureau of Food and Drug as well as the Department of Trade and Industry should look into businessmen who take advantage of the wide acceptability of herbal medicines especially in the province.

The lack of scientific study and guidelines on their efficacy or effects to humans should be enough reason to worry. However, the claim of BFAD that these are food supplements and are therefore not under their jurisdiction makes the situation worse, she said.

Braga said the advertisements for these herbal supplements claim that they have many cures and have good effects on health. Take for example the case of an old man who cannot walk because of arthritis and yet suddenly after taking the herbal supplement he is shown to be able not only walk but even jog, she added.

"Many of these herbal drugs are sold over the counter much like the ordinary medicine," she said. She added that even the DOH encouraged the use of herbal medicines.

These herbal medicines should have been studied and tested by BFAD first before being sold in the market to protect consumers not only from falls claims but also from the possible harmful effects of these products, Braga said.

She said celebrities, doctors and other endorsers of herbal drugs should be held responsible when somebody dies after taking the herbal drugs they endorse. Congress, she said, should craft a law that will criminalize the act of making false claims about medicines or herbal supplements.

Council Grills Maa Bgy Captain Laud On DMC Project

The City Council in today's session grilled Maa barangay captain Loreto Laud, Jr. over the issuance of the certificate of no opposition he issued for the DMC real estate development project in Shrine Hills.

Councilor Teresa Mata Marañon asked Laud about the issuance of the no-opposition certificate considering the disapproval of the Maa residents about the development. Laud however said there was no petition at the time he issued the certificate.

Knowing that the residents of Maa are up in arms against the further development of the area sans an independent geo-hazard study, Laud said he would stand by his decision to issue the certificate provided DMC will stand by its word that it would set up all the mitigating measures to ensure the safety of the people.

However, Laud said he is recommending the conduct of an independent geo-hazard study for the project to make sure it will not endanger the lives of the Maa and nearby residents.

Maa Residents Show Full Force In Today's Council Session

Live blogging at the City Council

Maa residents are starting to fill up the session hall of the City Council showing full support for their purok leaders' quest to bar the further development of Shrine Hills by real estate developers.

Councilor Sudagar delivered a privilege speech on the environmental and well as historical and cultural value of the Datu Luho Creek which is being used as the sole drainage area of all subdivisions in the Maa are.

More on this later..

Badjaos Warned: Be Good Or Face Physical Punishment

Badjaos who roam around the city asking for money or food are free to do so provided they do it in a respectful manner. Otherwise, they would face the wrath of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte asked the deputy mayors to advise the Badjaos to change their ways or else he has no choice but to inflict physical harm on them. "Makatilaw gyud mo ug tamparos nako (you will get a taste of how I slap)," he said.

This was the mayor's reaction after receiving many complaints about the bad behavior of Badjaos who in many occasions have spitted on their victims especially students who tend to ignore them when they ask for money.

Mindanaoans Prefers MEDA Than NEDA

Mindanaoans are pushing for the creation of the Mindanao Economic Development Authority in view of Malacañang's decision to place the Mindanao Economic and Development Council (Medco) under the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) by virtue of Executive Order 757.

"Why place Medco under NEDA when Mindanao can have MEDA to oversee its development, " asked several Mindanaoans. Medco, a multi-sectoral body which includes members from both government and the private sector, is tasked with the overall planning strategy for Mindanao's programs.

Mindanaoan representatives Datu Pax S. Mangudadatu and Simeon Datumanong have already introduced House Bill 5255 which provides for the creation of MEDA in the House of Representatives. MEDA, which will act as an implementing agency for Mindanao programs, is expected to facilitate and promote the socio-economic development of Mindanao.

MEDA, according to Kusong Mindanaw convenor Rey Magno Teves, would ensure that the island's programs and projects will be given continued focus.