Dengue scare in Davao Region

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed a resolution declaring the Province of Davao del Sur in a state of calamity due to the continued rise in dengue cases in the Province.

“A total of 600 dengue cases have been noted in the province with Digos City on top of the list,” Davao del Sur provincial information officer Nilda Aniñon said during a press conference held at the Philippine Information Agency two weeks ago.

Aniñon said this is followed by Bansalan with 95 dengue cases, Sta. Cruz with 52 dengue cases and Malalag with 26 dengue cases. Dengue has also claimed the lives of 14 people from the Province, majority are from Digos City.

Expected to follow said declaration last Friday is Digos City, with 10 lives in the city already claimed by dengue. Digos City Mayor Joseph Peñas said the dengue cases in the city have reached an alarming level and the local government has to act now to prevent further deaths.

Davao City has not been spared from dengue cases, with 14 deaths due to dengue registered in the city for the first half of the year. While reports from the City Health Office shows a decrease in the number of dengue cases in the city from 1,690 in January to June 2009 to 1,130 dengue cases for the same period this year.

Davao City has the most number of dengue cases in Southern Mindanao, followed by Davao del Norte with only 220 dengue cases. Health officials here however said the higher number of dengue cases in the city can be attributed to the larger population of the city and the accessibility of health institutions in the city which makes it easy for the public to report an infection.

Dengue

While the term dengue used to have an evil connotation no thanks to the word itself which was based on the phrase “Ki denga pepo” from Swahili which means an evil spirit cased cramp-like seizure, there is really nothing un-spiritual about dengue.

The culprit has been identified as the Aedes aegypti mosquito which usually bites during the early part of the day. While it is not contagious, a person infected by the dengue virus can also become a source once bitten by a mosquito.

A person bitten by the carrier mosquito can develop a fever within 6 days after the transmission of the virus. Among the symptoms are headaches, nausea and vomiting, high-grade fever,, rashes on the skin and even nose or gum bleeding. However, it is important to have the patient diagnosed for dengue through a blood test the soonest possible time.

Preventing Dengue

One of the best ways to prevent dengue is to clean the surroundings, ridding your environment of plants , old bottles and rubber tires that can serve as habitats for mosquitoes.

However, those who want to be assured of more protection opt for mosquito repellents with DEET or Diethymetatoluamide. While it does not kill mosquitos and other insects per se, DEET can prevent mosquito bites.

DEET works by masking the smell of carbon dioxide usually given off by the human skin. And since insects hunt for their meal by following the scent of carbon dioxide, DEET fools the mosquitos into getting their bite elsewhere.
Insect repellents like OFF Lotion can however be highly priced at about P30 for the smallest tube and P120 for the largest repellent.

Enterprising companies (like Johnson & Sons, Inc—the company behind OFF Lotion) have also started selling anti-mosquito candles like the Citronella Bucket to give people more options when it comes to protecting themselves from mosquitos and in effect from dengue.

The anti-mosquito candle is not only protective, but it can also provide a more relaxing atmosphere. The wax can burn for up to 50 hours. You can also get the traditional anti-mosquito coil for a cheaper option.

You can also go for the natural way of preventing mosquito bite sand that is through the use of the oil of lemon eucalyptus, which is derived from plants.
But if you want the age-old method of protecting yourself from mosquitos, the use of mosquito net which is very affordable at P100 to P300 depending on its size, is perhaps the best option for the bedroom

CCNA Review, Certification Exam Now in Davao City

Information Technology professionals need not go to Cebu or Manila anymore to get their CCNA Certification thanks to the establishment of the Concentrix Institute right in Davao City.

“This is a pioneering institute here in Davao City and depending on its success, we will be offering it next in our Manila office,” Concentrix Davao Site Director Gerardo Dumael said during the launch of the Institute this morning. Concentrix Institute, a wholly-owned subsidiary of leading Fortune 500 company SYNNEX, is located at the Damosa IT Park in Davao City.

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Certification Training Course is being offered for a very affordable fee of only P26 thousand, way below the prevailing rates in Metro Manila. Dumael said the four-month CCNA Training is very friendly even to those who have to work during weekdays since the training is being held from 9am to 6pm every Saturdays and Sundays.

Graduates of the CCNA Training can get the Training with Certification Exam Package for only P40 thousand per person.

“We have been granted full certification by Pearson VUE as its Authorized Test Center for the CNNA and other IT-related certifications,” Concentrix Training Center head Takuya Nishiyama said.

Nishiyama said Concentrix aims to be recognized as a premier quality training provider for English Proficiency, Leadership and Management as well as for Technical Knowledge and Development.

“We use state-of-the-art facilities and cutting edge equipment for our on-site, off-site in-house training course, which are combined with classroom discussion,” he said. And since the Certification Exam is being offered right in Davao, Nishiyama said, students are able to save on travel and accommodation expenses.

Dumael said that after the CCNA Training, the graduates can expect to have the ability to “install, configure, operate and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks.”

The CCNA Training Program of Concentrix has already produced 77 graduates, with a 100 passing rate for Batch 1 to Batch 6. The next Batch of CCNA Training will start on June 26, 2010.

LTO XI is 4th top performing region for 2010

The Land Transportation Office XI ranked fourth in the overall top performing regions for 2010, following Regions IV-Batangas, III-Pampanga and National Capital Region which took the first, second and third places respectively.

“Among the basis for its selection include the region’s revenue collections, infrastructure projects all over the region, road safety program and the Citizen’s Charter,” LTO XI oic regional director Atty. Jesus Zozobrado III said.

The selection also took into consideration the ISO report based on ISO 9001:2000 to 9001:2008 certification. Among the LTO XI District Offices that have been certified are the Metro Davao Licensing Center, Tagum City and Mati. The Compostela Valley and Samal Extension Offices are set for ISO Certification this year.

ISO 9000 is included in the family of quality management systems standards being maintained by the International Organization for Standardization or ISO. Among the requirements before the certification is granted include the keeping of adequate records, set of procedures applied to all the key business processes, monitoring of these processes to ensure their efficacy, checking of output for defects, regular review of the processes and continuous improvement.

LTO became ISO-2001 Certified after its revenues more than doubled thanks to the agency’s successful computerization project which reduced the renewal of driver licenses from months to only hours, and car registration from days to only hours.

“It takes a lot of effort to be ISO-Certified so we continuously provide ISO Awareness seminars for our people,” Zozobrado said. Among the seminars conducted by the LTO XI include the Quality Management Systems Briefing, Re-tooling seminar for cashiers, Deputy Document Controller Retooling Seminar and Re-tooling Seminar for Supply Officers.

Zozobrado said the launch of the Citizen’s Charter and Road Safety Advocacy of the region last December were also factors that helped LTO XI to be included in the Top 5 performing regions nationwide. The Citizen’s Charter, which came as a result of Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act, aims to improve the efficiency in the delivery of government service to the public.

“We hope to be more efficient and effective in providing the necessary services to the people with the implementation of the Citizen’s Charter along with the ISO Certification,” he said.

Zozobrado said good governance for LTO relies on two things---the efficiency of the internal operations which is already part of the LTO’s ISO and the achievement of customer or client satisfaction which is now being addressed through the Citizen’s Charter.

Water or power? Mayor Sara chooses water

The burning issue between water and power has once again been put to rest by Mayor-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio after she informed Davao City’s business sector that she will definitely choose water over power, anytime

Duterte-Carpio presented the economic platform of her administration to members of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII).

“I’ve been adamant about the proposal to amend the watershed code of the city and told the councillors that such an amendment will not happen during my tern as Vice Mayor,” she said.

She said there is a reason why the Tamugan River has been declared a protected area. This is primarily because it serves as a recharge zone of our underwater aquifers, she added.

A recharge zone is an area of land through which water passes through holes or cracks in soil and rock to fill an aquifer. Deep rooted trees should be planted in recharge zones so that the rainwater can refill the aquifers

“If you ask me which is more important—water or power—I will say water,” she said. She however admitted that since there will be a new vice mayor effective July (the present Mayor Rodrigo Duterte), and a new City Council then they might just change their minds.

Duterte-Carpio however said that even if the new City Council decides to amend the Watershed Code, it will still be forwarded to the Office of the Mayor for approval.

Sally Leuenberger, who was one of the attendees, reacted to Duterte-Carpio’s statement, saying both water and power should be considered since they are both useful to business.

It can be recalled that the issue of water versus power became intense when the Davao City Water District protested the use of the Tamugan River by Hedcor for its hydropower plant project.

The conflicting views between DCWD and Hedcor dragged the city council in the issue. Members of the City Council however disapproved Hedcor’s use of the Tamugan River and used the Watershed Code as the basis.

“The Tamugan River was declared a protected area because it is one of the main sources of Davao City’s potable waters; opening it up for other uses will endanger our water source,” councilor Rachel Zozobrado said. Zozobrado was one of those who intensely opposed the amendment of the Watershed Code.

The choice of water over power elicited various responses from the business sector. Some agreed with Dutert-Carpio’s pronouncement saying that Davao is known all over the world for its clean and potable water and this is one of the city’s competitive advantage. Others however disagreed and said that business also needs power to operate.

“At the end of the day it is the public’s interest that should prevail,” Mindanao Business Council chairperson Vicente Lao said. “This time I agree with the mayor’s stand because I think we should also prioritize water,” he added.

Lao said when out water resources is gone, we can no longer produce it. On the other hand, he added, power can be produced from various source.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has already signified his intention to favor water over power when it comes to choosing between the two resources.

Hedcor’s hydropower project is being eyed as one of the solutions to the power crisis being experienced by Mindanao today. However, when push comes to shove, it appears that the new Mayor of the city has spoken and she has spoken in favor of protecting Davao City’s recharge zones.

Davao’s anti-spitting ordinance more than just a lifestyle change

Davao City’s Anti-Spitting Ordinance elicited a lot of laughs when it was first introduced to the halls of the City Council. “Such a trivial resolution,” most Dabawenyos commented.

However, there is more to the Anti-Spitting Ordinance than what is perceived by the public. For one, the ordinance seeks to promote not only the cleanliness of the streets of the city, but more importantly, it seeks to protect the health of the people.

“We have a high case of drug-resistant Tuberculosis; these are patients that do not respond to medicine even after six months,” Davao City National Tuberculosis Program medical coordinator Dr. Ashley Lopez said.

TB cases in Davao City, which has increased from 1,568 in 2008 to 1,617 in 2009, is considered to be the highest in the region.

“Tuberculosis is still considered one of the killer diseases in the country despite the advancements made by science in terms of providing a treatment for this medical condition,” City Council Committee on Health Dr. Samuel Bangoy said.

The Anti-Spitting Ordinance provides that "no person or persons shall carelessly or intentionally spit saliva, phlegm, mucus, or other substances from the mouth in the city streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, malls, markets, streets, public carriers, public halls, and buildings, banks, public squares, terminals, shopping and business centers, schools, churches, hospital, and other similar public places within the City of Davao."

Spitting has been identified as one of the factors in the spread of TB in the city considering that the Mycobacterism tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes most TB, is airborne, and can survive for up to eight months in dried state.

The proper way to spit, Lopez said, is to use a tissue paper and then throw it properly. Bangoy said disallowing Dabawenyos from spitting in public will help the city in its campaign to stop the spread of TB and other diseases.

Lopez said a closer look at countries with zero cases of TB shows that these are the countries with very strict laws against spitting in public. Singapore, one of the countries that has an anti-spitting law, has experienced a steady decline in TB cases from 1,712 in 1997 to 1,256 in 2006.

Violators of Davao City’s Anti-Spitting Ordinance will be asked to pay a fine of P100 for the first offense, P200 for the second offense and P300 fine or a subsidiary imprisonment of not more than six months for the third offense or both, depending on the discretion of the court.
Among the symptoms of TB include blood-stained sputum, cough for two weeks, shortness of breath chest pains, back pains, fever, chills, night sweats, poor appetite, weight loss, general feeling of tiredness and illness.

This is another landmark ordinance for the city, in addition to the Anti-smoking ordinance enacted in 2002 and the firecracker ban also in the same year.

Felcris Toril in Davao now open!

The largest branch of the Felcris Supermarkets in Davao City opened its doors to the public today. Felcris Supermarket and Department Store Toril branch is the 6th branch, with the other five branches located in Calinan, Ilustre, Quirino, Magsaysay and Sales.

Occupying an area of almost 7,500 hectares, the two-storey Felcris Supermarket is the biggest so far. The Supermarket is a response to the demand of Toril residents for an accessible supermarket and department store, which sells affordable groceries and dry goods.

Toril residents flocked to the Supermarket early. even before the doors were opened to the public. The opening of the store is just in time for the school opening since the store offers a wide array of school supplies for all ages.

Felcris Supermarket Toril has also leased the front portion of the establishment, specifically near the highway, to various stores such as Mang Inasal, Honeybear, a bank and other stores. Cindi Yap said this is just the start of more exciting things for Toril residents.

Manufacturing, Wood and Food Industry Showcased in Davao Event

Three industries took centerstage in Davao City starting Thursday with the opening of the three-day Manufacturing Technology Davao on May 27. The show was held in the city three years ago and is now back with a blast!

Event organizer Global-Link MP chief executive officer Patrick Lawrence Tan said what makes this year’s show a must-see is the fact that it gathers in one roof “three specialized industry shows” including the Total Office Products Show (T.O.P.S.), Woodmach Davao (Woodworking & Furniture Making Technology) and the Davao Food Expo.

The Manufacturing Technology Show, which will be held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, is open to the public for free.

Tan said this is one of the most successful shows in Manila and they are bringing it to Davao “because we know how strong the demand and growth potential is here.” He added that the exhibitors believe in the Mindanao region’s growth and they feel there is a need for businesses to have access to world class products and technologies of they want to remain competitive in the global market.

“This exhibit is the perfect venue for them to do exactly that,” Tan said. The Show offers a complete business experience, he said, since this is a one-stop destination for them to find all they need, book all their business deals and learn more about the industry.

The T.O.P.S. Show Davao will offer free seminars and trainings on office and business solutions for SMEs, technical presentations on CAD Design software, and other IT seminars.

The Food Expo 2010 is the 4th International Exhibition on Food and Beverages, Plastics, Packaging and Processing Technology, Bakery Equipment and Ingredients, Confectionery, Handling and Catering, Hospitality Industries, Franchising and Business Opportunities.

Among the products that will be displayed during the Expo include cake production equipment, baking equipment, bakery and confectionery, baked products, confectionery products and equipment, canned good and beverages, food ingredients and additives, health food and drinks, industrial bakery equipment, storage and refrigeration and many more.

Visitors will be able to witness free product demonstrations using the most advanced technologies, new product choices that will change the way they do business, on-site discounts and free seminars.

Dabawenyos still have until Saturday to see the exhibit.