Classes in Davao suspended due to heavy floods

Classes in Davao City public and private schools (elementary and high schools) have been suspended due to heavy floods barely a week after the start of classes. The Office of the City Mayor announced as early as 5AM today the suspension of classes in public schools within the poblacion adn Talomo areas. City Administrator Wendel Avisado said while it may be discretionary on the part of private schools to follow the mayor's directive, the schools usually do so when the situation calls for it.

Matina area is flooded, with the street just in front of GSIS somehow unpassable. Matina Aplaya has knee-high waters already while Acasia Street near Ateneo de Davao in Matina is also flooded. Stella Maris and Ateneo de Davao have declared a suspension of classes.

RICE MISADVENTURES 2: NBI raids rice warehouse repackaging NFA rice but NFA declares it is authorized

The National Bureau of Investigation raided several warehouses over the week and in one warehouse, they found out that NFA rice is being repacked and repackaged. However, National Food Authority Davao Manager Lorenzo Camayang said it is one of the warehouses of the NFA and is authorized to repack the NFA rice which is intended to be sold to compete and discouraged retailers from increasing the price of commercial rice.

Camayang said the NBI was not aware that the said warehouse was under the NFA. Turns out that NFA could not even properly coordinate with the NBI. Why not just give the NBI a list of the NFA accredited and owned warehouses to avoid bloopers like these in the future--if this is indeed a blooper?

RICE MISADVENTURES: NBI raids 40 rice warehouses, 15 with minor violations

The National Bureau of Investigation reported to the City Council Tuesday that they have inspected 40 rice warehouses of rice retailers in Davao City particualrly in the areas of Uyanguren, Bangoy and Toril. At least 15 of the warehouses raided had minor violations.

Among the violations were:
1. no labels on the packaging or sacks of rice
2. failure to keep a record book of the daily transactions
3. Substandard weight which means each sack is less than the 50 kilos required

NBI said a case has already been filed with the Department of Trade and Industry.

Manila Times Gets Flak From Mindanao Journalists

The June 2, 2008 issue of Manila Times drew flak from various sectors in Mindanao particularly Mindanao journalists who criticizes the paper's portrayal of Mindanao as "strife-torn". This negative portrayal of Mindanao is said to be economic sabotage because even papers with a small amount of credibility (not in reference to the Times) gets to be read by decision makers and businessmen who might change their minds about investing in Mindanao just because of a blurry, much more erroneous and ignorant report.

The questionable article stems from an AFP release published by the Times on the unannounced Zamboanga visit of US Joint Chief of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. Mullen, who was with US Ambassador Kristie Kenney was accompanied by AFP chief Lieutenant General Alexander Yano when he visited the Edwin Andrews air base just days after a bomb exploded outside a US project office located near the base.

A lot of news organizations have conducted seminars for journalists on reporting about Mindanao. I and several other Mindanao journalists have attended such seminars but I am not aware if the journalists from Manila and other correspondents were also invited or had the chance to attend such seminars in the past. Perhaps Press secretary Jesus Dureza should make this part of his initial project aside from reiterating equal treatment between Manila and provincial media.

Mindanao is an island composed of several regions and cities. Zamboanga itself is composed of several cities, not all of them war-torn as this paper (and other papers for that matter) want to project. Mindanao includes Davao and I believe (as most people agree with) that Davao is safer than Manila so why not call Manila strife-torn as well? I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that maybe, this is not deliberate but can be blamed on ignorance.

Perhaps, an apology or even just an erratum is in order.

Put Smokers In Jail

Smokers should be placed in jail. The violators, that is.

It is every person's right to fill his lungs with poisonous smoke but such right is also subject to existing LAWS and other people's right to live.

I am live blogging straight from the Smart-sponsored tennis clinic being held at the SIR Tennis Court. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Smoking Ordinance violators here who smoke even if there are kids (their own kids included) around.

The Tennis Court has a canteen or mini clubhouse where the spectators and even the kids stay. Even without the ordinance banning smoking in public places, these people should have the decency and the common sense to inhibit from smoking in public especially when there are kids around and there are possibly asthmatic people around.

With the increasing number of violators around, the City government of Davao should perhaps set up Anti-Smoking Centers where concerned citizens can easily report smokers who violate the ordinance. Another idea is to appoint civilian or non-government agents who can apprehend violators.

Senators In The Wrong Job?

I was raring to write about this since last month but just did not have the time as I was awashed with other writing jobs. But hey, haven't you noticed how some of our senators seems to be holding the wrong jobs? I don't know how to say this with grammatical persuasion but take the case of these senators.

Mr. Palengke Mar Roxas seems to be at a dilemma if he continues to be Mr. Palengke or a labandera. His Tide commercial has outdone his image as the market man when he was still DTI secretary. He might be holding a business degree from Wharton but wouldn't he be better off as a labandera using Tide?

Senator Pia Cayetano may have started her political career right with her concern for sports and health but look at where she is now---selling Downy para bumango ang labada nyo!

Senator Ping Lacson admitted he does not drink alcoholic beverage so why is he endorsing this alcoholic drink the name of which escapes me? His website tags his priorities as HOPE--Health, Order, Progress, Education. he has always been a man of conflict or a conflicting man (whichever you prefer) and this time this is evident with his thrust in politics and his endorsement of an alcoholic drink which is generally bad for the health. Lacson is also endorsing a beauty clinic which is better since he does look nice and clean considering his age.

I admire Loren Legarda for her guts but I have never personally liked her. Maybe because she uses Ariel and I use Mr. Clean?

Senator Chiz Escudero should have lived up to his name by selling cheez whiz and not Chantra or whatever herbal supplement he is selling.

Senatory Manny Villar's advertising strategy is noticeable because he does not sell a product. He sells himself. Just like the S&T or Sipag and Tyaga advertisement before which personified his rise to wealth and power (I was able to interview him several years back and his business acumen is admirable). Nowadays, he sells the idea of helping the OFWs, the unsung heroes of our generation. But wouldn't it be better if he helped workers get better jobs and legal opportunities abroad rather than helping them when they have already been duped by illegal recruiters?

The 2010 national elections is still two years away but it seems our politicos have already prepared for the fight early on.

RP's Deteriorating Healthcare Industry

We recently had a medical emergency in the family and the whole experience was really an eye opener. I have started compiling materials for a special report on the country's healthcare industry and it sucks even from the government side.

The realities I have been exposed to have urged me to start another blog, as if I can still cope up with additional writing demands but nevertheless I believe it is important to spread the word about some of the inadequacies (in fact there are plenty) and stupidity of the Philippine healthcare industry.

Now I understand thsoe who have gone ahead and decided to settle in foreign countries for good not because they do not love their country but because they are more concerned with the quality of healthcare their family will get.