Ronald dela Rosa: Moving up and dreaming on

Want to know the real worth of a person? Ask the people he works with. If this is true, then it would be easy to tell that despite his hard stance (no pun intended), Davao City Police Director Senior Superintendent Ronald Dela Rosa is a “fun boss” to be with who had none of the airs that usually infect a person of his stature.

He has become such a celebrity, thanks to his many conquests and accomplishments, that he would be several pesos richer if he charges a fee for every person who wants to have a photo session with him. Despite his seeming confidence when it comes to his work, he becomes shy when people show their admiration for him but beams when they call him “Vin Diesel” and not his namesake, The Rock.

As dela Rosa officially turns over today (October 25) the rein of the DCPO to Sr. Supt. Vicente Danao Jr., chief of the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division in Davao Region, he also leaves behind the many uniformed men and women who have learned to respect him from the time he started his stint as Davao Police Chief in February last year.

After almost two years in office, “Bato” (as he is fondly called by most Dabawenyos) has established a record that will be too difficult to equal. No one will argue that he has somehow grown into the hearts of every Dabawenyo who think of him as their homegrown hero.

Dela Rosa considers the DSWD incident, where he and his men had to stop hungry people from stealing sacks and sacks of rice from the Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office, the most dramatic. “There was pressure to stop them but I was desperate kay kabalo ko daghang mangamatay,” he said.

However, the kidnap-for-ransom incident was also the most action-filled since it involved an actual shootout which left several of the kidnappers dead. He considers the incident involving a Malaysian terrorist and his wife one of the most suspenseful considering that he had a very encounter with a ready-to-be-detonated IED or bomb.

Dela Rosa is mighty proud of reducing by almost 60% the circulation of illegal drugs in the city since he took over DCPO, thanks to Oplan Tukhang (Tuktok-Hangyo).  “Effective kayo ang personal appeal para sa mga suspected drug pushers—it worked both ways as they knew they were already identified but they are being given a chance to live provided they stop their activities,’ he said. 

While Tukhang was highly successful, dela Rosa said there are those who still opted to continue with the illegal drug trade because it is really lucrative. Another successful strategy which he is proud of is Oplan Pakgang (Pitulon ang Kabatan-onan sa Gang) or Disciplining Youths in Gangs.

Ironically, dela Rosa’s most glaring accomplishment is also the source of his frustration. “I would have wanted to accomplish a drugless society where there is zero drug use but he admits this is almost impossible,” he said. For as long barangays like 23-C exists, it will be difficult to completely eradicate the drug trade in the city. This barangay, also known as Mini Forest, is an identified depressed are with mostly transient residents who just drop off drugs and leave.

While dela Rosa’s tour of duty officially ended on October 18 and he is now officially the Chief of Staff of the Intelligence Group in Camp Crame, this promotion is only part of his dream to do a “McArthur” and say “I shall return!” He said he dreams of coming back to the city as its Regional Director.

The 51-year old dela Rosa sees himself retiring five years from now when he turns 56 so that he can come back to his hometown in Bgy. Bato, Davao del Sur where he wants to be elected as mayor. “I still think that after becoming a policeman, the next best way to serve the people is through politics,” he said.

Despite his accomplishments and challenges, he keeps himself grounded by spending time with his family especially on Sundays when they hear mass, watch a movie and eat dinner. Bonding time with his only son means watching and playing basketball. For his two daughters, nothing beats watching movies. He admits to being very strict with his daughters even if one is already working in real estate and another graduating in college.

“Maybe they do not have boyfriends yet because they want someone like me who does not smoke, drink or engage in any vice,” he said.

For someone who grew up wanting to be a policeman because “I always see marines in our barangay and liked their uniforms,” dreams do come true. For someone who took a scholarship in MSU Marawi to go to school because his father’s income as a driver and his mother’s income as a fish vendor were not enough to send him to school, completing a Philippine Military Academy education was a dream come true. 

Whether it is a lucky streak or a product of hard work and dedication to his job, life has indeed become a dream come true for dela Rosa. And maybe, fate would somehow make his dream of becoming the mayor of Sta. Cruz come true.

(NB: This article was written way back 2013 when Mr. Ronald dela Rosa was still Chief of the Davao City  Police Office. This is not in any way intended to convince people to vote or not to vote for him, but to give them a glimpse of the man)

Hugpong to junk candidates paying extortion money to NPA

Candidates found to be paying extortion money to the New People’s Army (NPA) will be outrightly junked from the Hugpong ng Pagbabago - Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HNP-HTL).

The leadership of the HNP-HTL gave this stern warning in a statement sent to the media yesterday.

“The alliance will outright junk candidates who will be giving in to the demands of the NPA, a terrorist organization behind countless of horrendous crimes against the people,” the statement read.

Requiring candidates to pay in exchange for access to campaign in far-flung areas only shows the NPAs perverted views of democracy. The election ensures that people freely exercise their right to choose their leaders — and the NPA extortion scheme is an absolute travesty of the essence of the election, it added.

The HNP-HTL said paying the NPA is tantamount to bowing down to them and subscribing to their destructive ideology. 

“It is also as good as playing blind to the crimes they committed in the past, and supporting the crimes and more acts of terrorism they will commit in the future. “

“Paying to the NPA makes candidates NPA terrorists themselves,” it added.

URC flour mill: From Davao to the world

Ever tried Magic Flakes, Presto and the various flavors of Nissin Instant Noodles food brands? Then you have probably tasted something that's partly made in Davao!

You may not be familiar with the brand name URC Flour but it has been in the industry for 49 years and is one of the top flour millers in the country. For sure, you have tested and tasted its product as it supplies flour products to URC's Branded Consumer Foods Division. 

"From Davao City to the ASEAN and the rest of the world," might as well be the new tagline of the Universal Robina Corporation (URC) as it inaugurated it's over a billion-peso flour mill in Km.10 in Sasa Thursday, March 21.

“Opening the plant here in 1994 was fueled by our desire to help support the growth in the area and be a vital catalyst to spur the export business in the South-East Asia region from this part of the Philippines,” according to JG Summit Holdings Chief Executive Officer Lance Gokongwei.

URC's flour mill in Davao is expected to serve as the company’s export base for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). After all, it is the only flour mill in Southern Mindanao and the second URC flour plant in the Philippines.

With the expansion, the plant's milling capacity is increased from 600 metric tons to 900 metric tons of high-quality flour per day.

"This is a strategic move for the company to help support the growth in the area and export business for Southeast Asia, ” Gokongwei said.

URC has chosen strategically to locate here and be the sole flour plant in South Mindanao because of its belief in the prospect for growth that will be spurred by developments in the region.

The flour mill will not only serve the entire Davao Region’s 7 million population but the entire Visayas-Mindanao area and the ASEAN.

Our current capacity enables us to serve the Mindanao market and by increasing our manufacturing capacity we will now be able to tap into the export market. 

URC has adopted six schools in Davao through its Flourish Pilipinas campaign that provides multi-media toolkits for senior high-school teachers and students for their bread and pastry production. The company has donated a year's supply of flour to these schools. 

“It's been 26 years since we planted our seed here in Mindanao and it has continued to flourish. Let me reiterate our Group's commitment to our vision of making lives better for the Filipinos with the expansion of our flour facility here today,” he said.

TRAVEL BA IKA 'NYO?

Ordinance to institutionalize permeable paving systems in Davao

The City Council has approved last week an ordinance institutionalizing Permeable Paving Systems in the construction of car parking spaces, walkways, open spaces, low-traffic roads of establishments in Davao City is set to be institutionalized with the approval last week of the ordinance

“Permeable Paving System (PPS) is a storm water management facility that allows water to move through void spaces within the pavement and eventually infiltrate into underlying soils,” said Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III, chair of the committee on public works.

Zozobrado said Article 3, paragraph 3 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change provides as a guiding principle that the Parties to the convention should take precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent, or minimize the causes of climate change and mitigate its adverse effects;

“The use of the PPS is one of the alternative options eyed to solve the environmental problems caused by conventional concrete,” he said.

Zozobrado said Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution declares that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. He added that the Local Government Code (LGC) expressly and/or impliedly grants the Local Government Unit the powers to efficiently and effectively carry-out its function and promote the general welfare.

“The local government code also empowers the Sangguniang Panlungsod to enact ordinances aimed at regulating the use of streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, bridges, parks, and other public places and approve the construction, improvement, repair, and maintenance of the same,” he said.

Zozobrado said the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of Davao City (Zoning Ordinance) was enacted for the purpose of, among others, promoting and protecting the environment, health, sanitation, safety, peace, comfort, convenience, and general welfare of the inhabitants in the locality; 

The committees on Public Works and Highways and Environment and Natural Resources jointly convened in July to push for the ordinance after the Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) Inc. requested the passage of more environment-friendly construction policies in the city.

IRR for Mental Health pushed

 Mental health advocates are pushing for the enactment of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health Law, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in June this year.

The Act establishes “a National Mental Health policy for the purpose of enhancing the delivery of integrated mental health services, promoting and protecting the rights of persons utilizing psychiatric, neurologic and psychosocial health services.”

“Before, drug addicts were jailed and even killed but with the passage of the law, drug addiction is now considered a disease,” said Atty. Genevieve Brandares-Paulino, Dean of the Cor Jesu Law School in Digos, Davao del Sur.

Her husband Patrick G. Paulino, runs the Serene Valley Recovery Center, Inc. in Digos, a spiritual recovery center that reaches out to those with substance use disorder, most of who could not afford the expensive treatments available.

Patrick himself has the disease of drug addiction and is trying to recover from the illness even as he goes around conducting fora to make young people aware of mental illness and the disease of drug addiction.

With the passage of the law, which was pending in Congress for 20 years, the approach now is for the recovery and reintegration of drug addicts to the society. The principal authors of the law are Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo for the House version and Senator Risa Hontiveros.

The Law defined drug addiction as a “chronic relapsing disease of brain reward, motivation, memory andrelated circuitry. Dysfunctions in the circuitry lead to characteristic biologicalpsychological, social and spiritual manifestations.”

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) and World Health Organization show that seven Filipinos commit suicide every day, with one in every five Filipino adults suffering from a form of mental health concern with depression and schizophrenia as the most common. In 2012 alone, a total of 2,558 suicide cases due to mental health problem was recorded in the country.

“Mental health is a basic human right and full access to mental health services is a fundamental human right,” Brandares-Paulino said. Rehabilitation and medical help is very expensive, she added.

In Digos City alone, there are many hospitals all capable of addressing a person’s physical health. “But there is no mental hospital in Davao del Sur because Congress did not find mental health important.”

The Mental Health Act mandates Philhealth to “ensure that insurance packages equivalent to those covering physical disorders of comparable impact are available to patients affected by mental disorders.”

At present, Philhealth has a package rate of P7,800 but it only covers the fees for hospitalization brought about by acute attacks of mental and behavioral disorders.

“Rehabilitation is very expensive and we hope that the IRR will already cover psychiatric consultations and medicines,” she said. As it is, patients and their family have to wait for an attack before they have Philhealth coverage.

Senator Sonny Angara earlier urged Philhealth to cover the psychiatric consultation fees and medicine so those who are afflicted with mental illness can get early intervention which is crucial in treating the condition.

Despite the increasing awareness on mental illness, there is still stigma attached to the condition. It is hoped that the signing of the law, whic

h came amid high profile suicides including that of Chef Anthony Bourdain who reportedly had problems with drugs, will help society understand mental health better.

The Law mandates local government units to integrate mental health care in its basic health care services and update local hospitals with such services and personnel capable of providing mental health services.

Chapter IX of the Law on Mental Health for Drug Dependents specifically mentions the voluntary submission of drug dependents to confinement, treatment and rehabilitation.

Brandares-Paulino narrated how the family “adopted” someone suffering from depression, but who hanged himself and took his own life despite the love and care. “It was a big blow to us. We gave him love but we are not doctors.”

Mental health disorders and drug addiction are complicated condition. And as Brandares-Paulino said, “it is wrong to believe that mental disorders can be chased away by positive thinking without the help of a mental health professional.”

Adopting Baron Geisler: Wild Child No More?

In the course of the couple’s advocacy to help people deal with their mental disorders, they met celebrity Baron Frederick Von Geisler, who was also suffering from his own demons.

Before he became known as the WIld Child of television reality show “Pinoy Big Brother”,  Baron Frederick Von Geisler or simply Baron Geisler to fans was on his way to becoming one of the local cinema’s best actors. He may have started his career with a stint in “Ang TV”, “Tabing Ilog” and some teeny bopper roles along the way but he has proven himself worthy to becoming one of the better actors among his batch and he even has Cinemalaya and PMPC Awards to prove that. Baron acted so naturally that he took over his character, whatever role he was playing at any given time.

But along with the accolades came the series of accusations against him including sexual harassment, unruly behavior and alcohol addiction among others. Baron was playing the bad boy role to the hilt for years. Unfortunately, he was not acting.

Some people thought that fame and fortune got into Baron’s head or simply a case of a celebrity whose ego has grown too big for comfort. However, it turns out that he was suffering from mental illness even before he entered show business.

“As a child I already showed signs of ADHD. I had plenty of toys and I always got what I want, if not I would cry the entire day and throw tantrums,” Baron said. 

He attributed this attitude to having this feeling of “entitlement”, and it developed through the years and even when he entered show business.

“At the age of 12 (which was almost around the time he entered showbusiness) I started drinking alcohol, at 13 I started taking shabu.” He also narrated how he tried to commit suicide at the age of 10 just because “I didnt have it my way!”

Despite having a mother who was a disciplinarian and who won “use her belt to discipline me” Baron said his condition got worse because of peer pressure.

Since he was already earning his own money, he had his own car at 16, and at 21 had a mansion and was a “multimillionaire.”

“I had a lot of anger towards my mother.” he started seeing a psychiatrist at 19. But being in showbiz and hanging out with the wrong crowd did not help.

While he had not thought of it at that time, he realized now that he had a big house and lots of money but there was an “existential vacuum.” He had a comfortable life and a nice family, “but I was not satisfied with my life and so I was drinking and drugging.”

All of these were taken from him in many instances. “Our house burnt down, I was slapped with so many cases, acts of lasciviousness.”

Baron hit rock bottom when his mom died last year. Worse, his family got tired of his antics and gave him “tough love.” One of the worst things he did was to smoke inside a plane and that cigarettes “was the most expensive I smoked since I paid P50,000 for one stick so I would not end up in jail,” he added.

“I was given many chances nothing mattered because when I’m up there lumalaki ang ulo ko and I forget everything. That was until my friends in the business asked me to join their cell group and introduced me to Christ,” he said.

In October last year, a friend urged him to check into a rehabilitation center. “But I never believed in rehab; I had no God, I even pledged allegiance to Satan at one time” he said.

A violent altercation with his brother-in-law due to money issues sent Baron to jail. This, he believed, was his life’s turning point.

“I had to lie on filth and since no one visited me I had to beg so the guards would give me scraps of rice and fish; it was so degrading i had no choice but to ask God to get me out of that rotten place. And if he did, i promised to dedicate my life to him,” he said.

No one wanted to talk to him in jail, he settled for a dead cockroach which he named “johnny”. “I was so lonely for many days I was sleeping beside the cockroach and conversing with it, it was insane. The only thing that kept me sane was god’s word”

Then one day, a miracle happened. His sister and brother-in-law visited him and decided to dismiss the case against him. 

“I asked their forgiveness and asked them to please bring me to Cebu as I want to be cured there,” he said. Finally, Baron found a center where he foudn meaning in is life. It was only then when he realized he had a purpose in life and that life was meaningless without god.

Despite that realization, Mr. von Geilsler admitted that every waking hour is a battle. He said he wakes up everyday feeling bad, and so he prays and ask god’s grace to cover him.

Baron said he has survived this far not only because of God’s words but also with the help of medication. It is important to see a doctor if you have a mental condition, he added.

“Keeping myself sober is hard. I am still a work in progress,” he said.

Baron has a different aura these days. He goes around talking to young people about his life and his struggle against mental illness. There is, however, no guarantee that he will totally recover, or even maintain being sober or sane. What’s important is that he has found his god, and he believes.

The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale goes to Davao

Dabawenyos have been salivating for months now after the Big Bad Wolf, perhaps the biggest book sale in the world, went to Manila and then to Cebu. The wait is over because the BOOK SALE will finally come to Davao City particularly at The Tent at Azuela Cove from November 23 to December 2 this year.

Malaysian book shop BookXcess has finally relented to the unceasing demand from Davao bookworms. The venue may be a lot smaller than the usual venues of the Big Bad Wolf BOOK SALE but they are definitely not letting that issue stop them from letting Dabawenyos experience the event.

“Any book sale event usually costs an estimated US$3 to US$5 (roughly P160 million to P288 million) depending on the country and the size of the event,” BookXcess co-founder and executive director Jacqueline Ng said in Monday’s press conference where they officially declared Davao as venue of the next Big Bad Wolf Book Sale.

While she did not mentioned the exact amount needed to mount the event, Ng said staging the world’s biggest book sale requires costly logistics to include rental of the venue and the payment for hundreds of event workers, not to mention the cost of the books.

“In Davao the venue is quite small and we will be selling one million books compared to Jakarta where the venue is a 20,000 square meter area with up to five million books,” she said. The Davao venue is a lot smaller with a 2,000 square meter area with only a million books up for sale which means the overhead costs involve could be lesser.

The brand new books, which includes fiction, non-fiction bestsellers, young-adult fiction as well as an extensive collection of children’s books, will be sold at a discounted price of 50 to 90%.

Ng did not disclose the target sales they expect from Davao but given that the one million books will be sold at P200 each, the book sale will have an estimated sales of P200 million.

However, she said they do not really consider the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale as a business-for-profit venture since the objective is to just “make ourselves sustainable and we do not go bankrupt.”

She said they work with sponsors who help with the logistics and in the event publicity. The goal is to provide people with better access to books and at a cheaper price, she added.

“If we looked at it in cents and dollars then the company would not have started at all,” she said.

Big Bad Wolf Philippines Marketing Head Miguel Mercado said it took a lot of effort to bring the Big Bad Wolf in the city given the challenge of choosing a venue for the book sale. The book sale, which will be open to the public 24 hours a day, will be held for 10 days.

Mercado said the Big Bad Wold Book Sales has always attracted hundreds of thousands of people, with the biggest number of visitors recorded in Jakarta with 700,000 people. This is followed by Kuala Lumpur with 500,000, Bangkok with 300,000, Manila with 250,000 and Colombo with 150,000.

Since the Big Bad Wolf Book Sales was first held in 2009 at Dataran Hamodal, Petaling Jaya in Malaysia, it has been to eight cities. The largest number of books sold so far was in Kuala Lumpur with 4.5 million books.

“In the next year or two we will be in 30 cities. Dubai Book Sale just happened, then Europe, South America and Central America,” he said.