Mabel Sunga Acosta

PWC Wins 8th Acosta Cup

2012-01-09T11:44:00.004+08:00

The 2011 Acosta Cup ended in a classic showdown between Ateneo Lady Knights and Philippine Women's College yesterday afternoon. The drizzle and cold weather did not seem to faze both teams as they tried to outmatch and outdo each other in the playing field in their bid for the championship title.

A minute before the final whistle blew in the second half, Lady Knights defender Natasha Doromal was flagged for a handball foul just outside the penalty box. July Bunac of PWC took the direct free kick and eventually scored the only goal of the 70-minute match. With the win, PWC obtained its first-ever Acosta Cup title.

Immediately after the game ended, awarding of prizes for the top three (3) teams followed. Former 1st District Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta personally handed the medals and trophies to the winning players. The second-runner up place was automatically awarded to D'DS for ranking third in the over-all team standing.

Recognition and appreciation are extended to the tournament sponsors: PHILSAGA, KTM Davao, Ducati Davao, DIMDI Center Inc., and Dr. Roy Ferrer, without whose support the 8th Acosta Cup would not have been realized.

8th ACOSTA TEAM STANDING

2011-11-29T18:28:00.011+08:00

*PWC College and Lady Knights will vie for the championship title in this year's Acosta Cup. The schedule of the championship game is yet to be arranged. The position of 2nd runner up is automatically held by D'DS for placing third in the team standing.

AS OF 4 DECEMBER 2011

TEAM	GP	WIN	DRAW	LOSS	GF	GA	PTS
PWC College	5	4	1	0	30	5	13
Lady Knights	5	4	1	0	27	3	13
D’DS	5	3	0	2	16	7	9
PWC High School	4	1	0	3	4	27	3
Nakamata Kickers	4	0	1	3	1	22	1
UP Mindanao	5	0	1	4	3	13	1
Win = 3 points; Draw = 1 point; Loss = 0 point; GP = Games Played; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against; PTS = points

UPDATES on 8th ACOSTA CUP

2011-11-22T20:10:00.017+08:00

FINAL ELIMINATION GAME:
December 10, Saturday, 2pm –
PCW HS vs. Nakamata Kickers

GAME RESULTS:

December 3, Saturday
PWC HS vs. Lady Knights : 0-9
PWC College vs. Nakamata Kickers : 7-1

December 4, Sunday
D'DS vs. Nakamata Kickers : 6-0
PWC College vs. Lady Knights : 2-2

SCHEDULE OF GAMES:
Dec. 3, 2011, Saturday
2pm - PWC HS vs. Lady Knights
3:30 - PWC College vs. Nakamata Kickers

Dec. 4, 2011, Sunday
7am - Nakamata Kickers vs. D'DS
3:30pm - PWC College vs. Lady Knights

NOVEMBER 30 GAME RESULTS
PWC HS vs. UP Mindanao : 3-2
Nakamata Kickers vs. Lady Knights : 0-9
PWC College vs. D'DS : 3-1

Game Sked for Nov. 30, Wednesday:
8am - PWC HS vs UPMin
2pm - PWC Coll vs D'DS
3:30 -Tambayan vs Lady Knights

GAME RESULTS

November 26, 2011, Saturday
PWC HS vs D'DS (0-6)
UPMin vs Lady Knights (0-4)

November 27, 2011, Sunday
UPMin vs D'DS (1-2)
PWC College vs PWC HS (10-1)

November 19, 2011, Saturday
PWC College vs. UP Mindanao (8 – 0)

November 20, 2011, Sunday
Lady Knights vs. D'DS (3 -1)
UP Mindanao vs. Tambayan (0 – 0)

SCHEDULE OF GAMES

November 26, 2011, Saturday
2:00 PM PWC High School vs D'DS
3:30 PM UP Mindanao vs Lady Knights

November 27, 2011, Sunday
2:00 PM PWC College vs PWC High School
3:30 PM UP Mindanao vs D'DS

8th ACOSTA CUP BEGINS. . .

2011-11-22T19:56:00.003+08:00

The 8th ACOSTA Cup - Ladies' Open Football Tournament - kicked off on 19 November 2011 at the Tionko Football Grounds. There are 6 teams competing in this year’s event – the biggest number of teams so far that participated in an 11-a-side women's open competition. The teams are: PWC College, PWC High School, Ateneo Lady Knights, D'DS, Tambayan, and UP Mindanao.

The tournament is in single round robin format. The top two (2) teams will vie for the championship, while the third highest ranking team in the overall standing will automatically be declared 2nd runner up. Now on its 8th year, the tournament is sponsored by former Davao City Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta in her commitment to promote women’s football in the city.

KAPAMILYA RUN

2011-11-11T23:00:00.000+08:00

Editorial: Leadership and political will | Sun.Star

2011-07-02T12:41:00.003+08:00

Editorial: Leadership and political will | Sun.Star

Editorial: Leadership and political will

Saturday, July 2, 2011

JUST when Davao City residents thought it has had enough excitement for the week, their city mayor lands on national television breaking news not just because of the floods that killed more than two dozen people and displaced thousands, but because she punched a court sheriff.

Lines were drawn, immediately. The non-Dabawenyos saying how rude our mayor is, while the Davao people breaking out in loud cheers. This much was apparent in comments on social networking sites and the interview by Manila radio commentator Gani Oro over dzBB, where he provoked the mayor when after explaining everything that came before the punching, he accused the mayor of taking the law into her hands. The dial tone he got soon after was like the loud roar of approval by Dabawenyos.

Definitely, we are not for politicians who seek extra-judicial remedies. But, we understand what the mayor wanted to prevent but which happened, all because one other bureaucrat who saw no wisdom in having the mayor's presence while houses are being demolished.

Earlier on, City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte had already made it clear that she cannot do anything about the demolition since it was a court order and that it had to be implemented. She's a lawyer, and she knows that is how the law works. But all she was asking for was to be there. Thus, she was trying to ask for just two hours, just to take on the heat of a court-ordered demolition. The court sheriff didn't see wisdom in that; he simply has to do his job and that is to serve the demolition order and have it implemented. As the mayor anticipated, a riot erupted before she arrived.

And that is what is lost in a lot of bureaucrats: the understanding that most of the time, the people, especially the masses, would just want their leader to be there when the worst hits them. Their leader need not even have to cause a demolition order to be stopped, and their leader may even just watch on the sidelines with them while their houses are ripped to pieces. For them, that is enough. Mere presence of a respected person, sometimes, is enough because in that mere presence, they find some assurance that somebody in authority has seen their situation, and thus will be able to think up of some concrete actions.

This was what was lost on President Benigno C. Aquino III when he arrived to visit the flood victims of Cotabato City more than two weeks after tens of thousands of evacuees have already been suffering from the floods. Thus, by the time he arrived, the people no longer saw in him the leader they believed in. No wonder both the Cotabato city mayor and the people did not have anything good to say about his visit. Apparently, still clueless about the nuances of leadership, Malacañang attacked the Cotabato city mayor instead and enumerated what has already been given - including the heavy equipment that was removing the water hyacinths from Rio Grande de Mindanao coursed through the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the sacks of rice coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Much like a father making up for his absence by delivering all that a child wants, when the child only needs his presence.

There are nuances of leadership for a people to respect and follow their leaders, and most of the time, these are not about material things and sweet promises. Leaders after all, are looked up to for their vision, guidance, and reassuring presence.

When Mayor Inday called for a two-hour hold so she can be there with the people, even after she said she can no longer do anything to stop the demolition, she demonstrated an understanding of this kind of leadership, and thus we can only applaud, but, let us make this very clear: not for the punches thrown but for the understanding.

Now, on to the more demanding work of re-building better, the work that is waiting for us after the killer flashflood; let's hope that the mayor has just as much guts, grit, and punch to undo all the wrongs that has been done before. And this includes development projects that bring more threat than good to the greater number of people in the future. The flashfloods that killed almost three dozens were caused by misguided actions of decades ago. This just proves that our actions today can become our children's undoing tomorrow. We pray that the mayor is up and ready for this greater fight.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 02, 2011.

1st Summerfest in Davao City

2011-05-02T00:37:00.005+08:00

The City of Davao will be having its first Summerfest this coming April 29 to May 29, 2011. The month-long occasion will involve sports, music and cultural activities. The event is organized by the Davao City Government in participation with the Small Hotels Association of Davao, Davao Association of Tour Operators and Davao Tourism Association, Davao Travel Agency Association, GUIDE- Davao, Davao Cooperative Center for Visitors and Convention, and Davao Airline Operators Association.

The First Davao Summerfest was realized to address the need to hold an event since there is nothing happening in Davao during summer season. The Summerfest will also compliment the other existing festivals in Davao namely, Araw ng Dabaw, Kadayawan Festival and Pasko Fiesta. This event is expected to attract more tourists and sports enthusiasts.

This year’s Summerfest will feature activities that geared towards sports, eco-adventure, and entertainment. Among the activities include a Soccer Tournament, a horse show, marathon, judo championships, frisbee competition and adventure races.

The holding of the Summerfest is a positive development for Davao as this will not only bring income to the city but this will also promote Davao as a major summer destination in the Philippines.

Below are the activities for the upcoming summerfest:

Davao Summerfest Opening Program
April 29, 2011, 5:30 PM, Peoples’ Park
Organizer: City Government of Davao

PFF Suzuki U23 Mindanao Championships
April 28 – 30, Tionko Field
Organizer: Davao Football Association, Inc., Philippine Football Federation

Davao Riverfront Corporate City 13th Davao Horse Show & Competition
April 29 – May 1,
Organizer: Davao Horse Club

17th NFMC Annual Convention Castrol Motokhana
April 30 – May 1, NCCC Mall Open Parking Area
Organizer: National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs, On Any Sunday Riders

PFF Smart Club Mindanao Championships
May 4 – 6, Tionko Field
Organizer: Davao Football Association, Inc., Philippine Football Federation

Daba Daba Ultimate Frisbee Tournament
May 7 – 8, Tionko Field
Organizer: Mulatto Davao

Run to Reduce Marathon
May 8, Around Davao City
Organizer: Aboitiz Group of Companies

Davao Riverfront Phil. Autocross Championship Series Round 2
May 8, Speed City, Davao Riverfront Corporate City
Organizer: Shago Racing

National Judo Championship – Youth Division
May 8, Gaisano Mall of Davao
Organizer: Holiday Judo Club

1st Davao City Host Lions Club Football Festival
May 14-15, Tionko Field
Organizer: Davao Football Association, Inc.

6th Pomelo Tee Golf Tournament
May 20 – 22, Rancho Palos Verdes
Organizer: Directors of Rancho Palos Verdes

Davao Aero Marathon Summerfest 2011
May 27, 2-6 PM, NCCC Mall Atrium
Organizer: Bee Fit Gym/Holiday Gym & Spa

Eco.city Celebrity Adventure Race
May 28 – 29, Around Davao City
Organizer: City Government of Davao

Other events:
Summerfest Kaan Dawet
May 8-15, Bolton St., 6 PM-2AM
Organizer: Davao Association of Tour Operators

Santacruzan
May 21, San Pedro Church
Organizer: City Government of Davao

Source: Davaotourism.com & Davao Daily

Davao offers resettlement to Japan disaster victims - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

2011-04-08T11:11:00.000+08:00

Davao offers resettlement to Japan disaster victims - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Davao offers resettlement to Japan disaster victims
By Jeffrey M. Tupas
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 14:38:00 04/07/2011
Filed Under: Foreign affairs & international relations, Disasters (general), Philippines - Regions

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte says he would welcome even the entire population of earthquake-devastated areas in Japan if they want to come and temporarily settle here.

Duterte disclosed in a statement issued earlier this week that at least 20 elderly Japanese were due to arrive in Davao and live in the city temporarily while their villages back home were being rehabilitated following the great earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last month.

Duterte said he came to knew of the plan of some Japanese nationals to seek refuge in the city—referred to as "Little Tokyo" before World War II because of the large number of Japanese settlers—from a Japanese friend. He said the initial batch of 20 retirees were due anytime.

"The best that we can do is to help them, after all Filipinos are treated very well in their country. We look forward with hope for the Japanese people," he said.

Duterte said the city government will make sure the visitors will be treated well.

"I don't mind how many of them will be coming over, as long as they behave well while they are in Davao. They can even be as many as thousands," he said.

Araw ng Dabaw 2011 Schedule

2011-03-14T00:17:00.002+08:00

74th ARAW NG DABAW SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

DATE/TIME ACTIVITY VENUE

14-Mar-11/7:30am Opening Ceremonies Quezon Park

14-Mar-11 Pakonsiyerto ni Mayor Rizal Park

14-Mar-11 Kaon ta Day, Lingaw ta Bai Bolton St

15-Mar-11/1-6pm Sayawan sa Da’n
City Hall Drive-San Pedro-Legazpi-Rizal-Bolton

15-Mar-11/8pm Mutya ng Dabaw (Finals) Davao City Recreation Center

15-Mar-11 Pakonsiyerto ni Mayor Rizal Park

15-Mar-11 Kaon ta Day, Lingaw ta Bai Bolton St

16-Mar-11/6am Thanksgiving Mass San Pedro Church

16-Mar-11/7:30am Parada Dabawenyo/Banda Hudyaka

City Government's Full Support to GSP

2011-03-14T00:04:00.005+08:00

Mayor Sara Z. Duterte & Vice Mayor Rody Duterte

together with the members of the 16th City Council

pledged their support to the 27th Girl Scout Encampment

to be held on April 11 to 16, 2011 at

GSP Camp Corazon, Bankas Heights, Toril Davao City

Angelo Reyes commits suicide - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

2011-02-08T10:11:00.000+08:00

Angelo Reyes commits suicide - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Medvil, PWC top Acosta Cup foes | Sun.Star Network Online

2010-12-03T10:49:00.000+08:00

The 7th Acosta Cup Ladies Football Open is ongoing every Saturday at Tionko Field every Saturday in Davao City. Awarding of champions on December. This event is sponsored by Jollibee (JTC Group), RDL Pharmaceuticals, Davao Football Association of Davao and Mabel Sunga Acosta. Let's support women and girls in sports! click on link

Medvil, PWC top Acosta Cup foes | Sun.Star Network Online

Halal Ordinance

2010-07-28T23:01:00.003+08:00

ORDINANCE NO. _____

Series of 2010

AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING RESTAURANTS, FASTFOOD CHAINS, EATERIES, FOOD STALLS IN MOVIEHOUSES, SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY CANTEENS AND OTHER FOOD ESTALISHMENTS WHICH SERVE HALAL FOODS TO ACQUIRE HALAL ACCREDITATION FROM THE DAVAO CITY MUSLIM ULAMA HALAL CERTIFYING AND MONITORING AGENCY PRIOR TO POSTING THE TITLE WORD “HALAL” WITHIN THEIR PREMISES OR TO USE THE “HALAL” LOGO IN THEIR BUSINESS NAME

BE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Davao in Session Assembled:

SECTION 1. TITLE. - Be it ordained that this Ordinance shall be also known as the “HALAL ORDINANCE”.

SECTION 2. PURPOSE OF THIS ORDINANCE. – It is the purpose of this Ordinance to require restaurants, fastfood chains, eateries, school or university canteens, and other food establishments which serve Halal foods to acquire Halal accreditation from the Davao City Muslim Ulama Halal Certifying and Monitoring Agency prior to posting the title word “Halal” within their premises or to use the “Halal” logo in their business name, in order to advance and protect the rights, culture and lifestyle of Muslims to consume religious-sanctioned products and to improve and maintain the harmony, understanding and social peace and order of Davao City for the promotion of sustainable progress and development.

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS

A. ) Food Establishments – refer to all restaurants, fastfood chains, food stalls, eateries, canteens in schools and function halls serving foods and beverages;

B. ) Davao City Muslim Ulama Halal Certifying and Monitoring Agency – refers to a government office authorized by the National Halal Accreditation Board to issue Halal certificates and accreditations to food establishments in Davao City;

C. ) Halal-Processed Food and Beverages – refer to permissible and non-pork-based food and beverages which are processed and prepared using utensils that have not been used in preparing non-Halal food and beverages;

D. ) Halal-Processed Meat – refers to meat from animals, like cow, chicken and goat, which Muslims are allowed to consume, and which animal was slaughtered in accordance to Islamic rituals;

E. ) Haram Meat or Forbidden Animals – refers to pigs and animals that have been killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a headlong fall;

F. ) Muslims – refer to those natural persons who follow the Islamic rites, tradition and culture.

SECTION 4. COVERAGE. – This Ordinance shall cover the following:

A. ) All restaurants, fastfood chains, eateries, food stalls in moviehouses, school or university canteens and other food establishments serving Halal foods and beverages within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City;

B. ) Halal Foods and beverages served in any occasion in any function hall in Davao City, including but not limited to seminars, workshops, meetings, forums, weddings and birthdays.

SECTION 5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS, PROPRIETORS, MANAGER AND STAFF OF ALL RESTAURANTS, FASTFOOD CHAINS, EATERIES, FOOD STALLS IN MOVIEHOUSES, SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY CANTEENS AND OTHER FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS OR ANY FUNCTION HALLS IN DAVAO CITY. – Owners, proprietors and managers of all restaurants, fastfood chains, eateries, school or university canteens and other food establishments or function halls in Davao City are required to perform and undertake the following measures in their operation:

I. To acquire Halal accreditation from the Davao City Muslim Ulama Halal Certifying and Monitoring Agency, in case the establishment offers halal-processed food and beverages;

II. To display Halal logo in front of food establishments offering Halal-processed foods and beverages;

III. To display the necessary documents within their premises, pertaining to the Halal accreditation acquired from the Davao City Muslim Ulama Halal Certifying and Monitoring Agency;

IV. To observe proper sanitary procedures in preparing Halal-processed food and beverages;

V. To avoid using kitchen wares and utensils that have been used in preparing haram-based food, in the preparation and processing of Halal food and beverages; and

VI. To refrain from mixing meat from Haram or forbidden animals as defined in Section 3 of this Ordinance, with animal meat used or mixed in a Halal-processed food;

SECTION 6. PENALTIES. – The following are the penalties for any violation of this Ordinance:

Owners, proprietors or managers of food establishments or any person, whether ambulant vendor or not, who violated any provisions of Section 5 of this Ordinance shall be penalized by:

First Offense	Fine of not less than P500.00 but not more than P1,000.00, at the discretion of the Court;
Second Offense	Fine of not less than P1,000.00 but not more than P2,000.00, at the discretion of the Court;
Third Offense	Fine of not less than P2,000.00 but not more than P5,000.00, and revocation of business permit and license to operate and closure of the establishment, at the discretion of the Court.

SECTION 7. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – Should any of the provision of this Ordinance be declared inoperative by the Courts for being inconsistent with the Constitution or the law, the other unaffected provision of this Ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. REPEALING CLAUSE. – Any ordinance, local issuances or rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Ordinance shall take effect 15 days following its publication in a newspaper of local circulation and its posting for three consecutive weeks at conspicuous places in the City Hall.

MARIA BELEN SUNGA ACOSTA

Proponent

Mayor turns over P68-M worth of vehicles, rescue equipment

2010-06-12T19:13:00.000+08:00

DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Friday turned over more than P68 million worth of emergency vehicles and equipment to Central 911 as part of the city's Peace and Order and Disaster Preparedness Program.

These include equipment for communications, water search and rescue, collapse structure rescue, firefighting, high angle rescue, and medical.

Duterte said the purchase of said equipment is not a legacy but a fulfillment of what he promised to the people of Davao.

"These are state of the art. I'd like to make it clear especially for those who are non-believers, this is worth P68 million. We have amphibians, vehicles that can swim in water and travel in land, more water boats which can help us in emergencies," Duterte said in an interview at Davao Convention and Trade Center where he headed the joint meeting of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), People's Law Enforcement Board (Pleb), and City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac).

The equipment are expected to improve even more the response of the Central 911 under Ret. Col. Mario Monsanto, who is the chief operating officer of the Davao City 911 Center.

Members of response teams under Central 911 also received a lecture from the City Mayor on the proper use of the equipment. Duterte recalled a time when a rushing fire truck ran over a student outside University of Mindanao in Matina.

"That's what I really do not like. You do not kill another person while trying to save another. Ayaw ko yang nago-over speeding kayo. Emergency does not mean you have to go over speeding. Take good care of it and use it wisely," he said.
The equipments are valued at P68,543,643.30.

Some 21 units of vehicles sum to P46,311,302.50, which breaks down to rescue vehicle, multi-purpose water tanker, Argo amphibious all terrain vehicle, ambulance, and 10 police mobile patrol cars.

The communications equipment sum to P2,400,000 made off a sum of 130 units of Icom M34 Marine VHF Portable Radios, Motorola GP-3188 VHF Portable Radios, Motorola VHF Base Radio with Larsen Antenna.

The water search and rescue equipment sum to P5,936,300 some of which are inflatable rubber boats, rigid hull fiberglass boats, personnel floatation devices.

The Collapse Structure Rescue Equipment summed to P2,078,510 some of which are Vibrascope Victim Location System, chainsaw Cut-off Saw, Diamond cutting wheel.
Firefighting equipments sum to P5,167,252 some of which are self contained breathing apparatus, turn-out gears, chrome halligan tool.

The high angle rescue equipment sum to P436,768.80 most of which are ropes, adjustable anchor strap, double pulley with aluminum sheave and others.

The medical equipment summed to P6,204,510 some of which are AED little anne training system, ambulance cot, automated external defibrillator. (JCZ)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on June 12, 2010.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/mayor-turns-over-p68-m-worth-vehicles-rescue-equipment

Order vs smoking in schools welcomed

2010-06-06T13:19:00.000+08:00

DAVAO City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) welcomed Saturday a recent memorandum from the Department of Education (DepEd) banning smoking in public schools.

DepEd No. 73 series of 2010 "Smoking ban in public schools" issued May 28 but published recently orders the immediate effectiveness of a smoking prohibition "inside school premises including open or covered spaces around school buildings."

ASTF co-chair Dr. Domilyn Villareiz lauded the move that "DepEd has joined other National Government offices with issuance versus smoking like the Civil Service Commission and the Land Transportation Franchise Regulatory Board."

The said memorandum addresses to all hands of DepEd that school heads are instructed to put up "No Smoking" signs in conspicuous places around the school compound. A sign bearing "You are entering a no smoking area" must be displayed in entry points such as gates and side entrances, the order states.

Regional and division officials are instructed to oversee the implementation of the order in schools under their supervision.

Villareiz said the order would also help in monitoring schools in far flung areas.

"It's also good because we cannot monitor schools in far flung areas. Putting up no smoking signs would be of help," Villareiz said in an interview Saturday.

"This would also make teachers and school staff to become role models for the children. Aside from the memo, the DepEd will also teach students about the effects of smoking," she added. (Jade C. Zaldivar)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on June 6, 2010.

SMOKING BAN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2010-06-06T13:03:00.001+08:00

Department of Education Memorandum ( DepEd Memo No. 73)

Series of 2010

To: Undersecretaries/Assistant Secretaries

Bureau/Center/Service Directors

Regional Directors

Schools Division/City Superintendents

Heads, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools

1. Effective immediately, smoking will be prohibited inside school premises. This includes open or covered spaces around school buildings.

2. School heads are instructed to put up NO SMOKING signs in conspicuous places around the school compound. A sign bearing "YOR ARE ENTERING A NO SMOKING ARE" must be displayed in entry points such as gates and side entances.

3. Regional and Division officials are instructed to oversee the implementation of this order in schools under their supervision.

4. For strict compliance.

Sgd.

MONA D. VALISNO

Secretary

View Full DepEd Memo No. 73, 2010

Sayon ra ni! cooking manual

2010-05-27T02:10:00.004+08:00

Inauguration of the Davao City Livelihood Training Center

2010-05-27T01:01:00.007+08:00

Davao City Livelihood SkillsTraining Center

2010-05-27T00:26:00.011+08:00

Automated process of voting

2010-05-09T18:05:00.005+08:00

With the new automated process of voting, it is important that we familiarize ourselves with the process so that our votes will not be wasted. I learned a few things from Mr. Gener about the election ballot that could be informative for all of us:

Mr. Gener said that the ballot is very, very sensitive to marks, ink, H20, stains, scratches, folds, sweat, etc. If, say, you have grime on your hands, or your hands are wet, or your sweat drops onto the ballot, the PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan) Unit will not read it. So, keep your hands very clean before voting. That is why the indelible ink will be put on your finger after you're done voting, and not before, and wh y you will be given your ballot in a folder, a "Ballot Secrecy Folder", so that you can lessen the actual handling of the ballot with your hands.
Shade the egg-shaped hole beside your chosen candidate fully (you will be provided with a marker). Don't check, line, X, dot, or half-shade it, because the PCOS Unit will not read it. Try not to go beyond the lines also (well, not too much).
Mr. Diaz said that there will be a barcode going around the ballot. If this is marked, even scratched, in any way, the ballot will be spoiled. He said that if anyone else handles the ballot, watch them well, in case they intentionally scratch the barcode with a fingernail to prevent your ballot from being counted. He used as an example that if you're obviously for a candidate that, say, an unscrupulous precinct official is against (hopefully, there's no such thing as an unscrupulous precinct official ;-P), that official may scratch your barcode to prevent your vote from being counted.
You will have four tries to put your ballot through the PCOS Unit. You can put it in forward, backward, front side up, back side up, whichever, but only four tries. If after the 4th try it doesn't read properly, goodbye ballot.
You will get one chance to have your ballot changed if you don't like it. That's when they first hand it to you. Inspect it right away. If you see any folds, scratches, or marks, you can ask for a change (which may lengthen your voting process, Mr. Gener added).
Bring a list of your chosen candidates on a piece of paper so that you won't spend too much time filling out the ballot. If you make your decisions on the day itself without a list, you could spend a long time filling it up.
Watch the readout on the PCOS Unit when you insert your ballot into it. Mr. Gener said that if successful, it'll read, "Congratulations! Your ballot has been scanned." If not, it'll say why (improper shading, etc.) Get that "Congratulations" message before leaving to make sure your vote is counted.
Bring an ID (Voter's ID is best, but if you don't have one, driver's license, passport, etc. any valid ID with your address and preferably a photo is all right) to present to the BEI (Board of Elections Inspector). If you can find out beforehand through your barangay, also get your Voter's ID number, precinct number, and your sequence number (the number beside your name in the voter's list). This'll speed up your voting process.
The ballot you are given will only be readable by one specific PCOS Unit. In other words, only one machine will be able to read your ballot, because it's pre-registered there, so when you're ready, line up at the proper machine. Don't line up at the wrong machine; your ballot won't be read, and it may spoil your vote.
Polls open on May 10, 2010, at 7 a.m. and end at 6 p.m.
Mr. Gener said that the Comelec told him that with the PCOS Units, we will know the winner of the elections in 5 days. Otherwise, the PCOS Units will allow for a manual count since all votes will be recorded inside the machines (let's hope it doesn't come to that, because it's going to take the usual weeks and weeks to finish the count).
The PCOS Units have internal batteries that can last 16 hours in case of power outages. Since the voting period only lasts 10 hours, there's a 6 hour buffer. But still, let's hope for no brownouts on May 10, 2010.
The PCOS Unit will print out the vote count in what looks like a very long cash register receipt (whose print will last for 5 years, he said), which will be put into a sealed box that'll be sent to the Comelec for prop er counting. Also, the PCOS Unit will count the number of voters who are voting based on the ballots inserted into it, so again, watch the screen on the machine to make sure of voter count, as well as other important messages.
Mr. Gener said that you should vote only the exact number you should vote for. So, vote for only 1 president, 1 vice president, 12 senators, 1 party list, 1 mayor, 1 vice mayor, 1 member of the House of Representatives, etc. (the limit will be there on your ballot as a "Vote for not more than ____"). If you vote for more than the stipulated number, that particular portion of the ballot is spoiled. You may, however, vote for less (as in, if you can't find 12 worthy senatoriables to vote for, it's all right to vote for less than 12).
Mr. Gener stressed repeatedly that in voting this time, one should not make mistakes. It's asking a lot from us, but he said that over and over again. His words: "Don't make mistakes, otherwise, you'll spoil your ballot".
Of course you'll also be asked to do the usual signing of forms and marking of thumbprints.

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NOGIE TRUTH

2010-05-02T01:39:00.001+08:00

NOGIE TRUTH

2010-05-02T01:39:00.000+08:00

A Resolution Supporting the Campaign for Proper E-waste Disposal of ICT Davao, Inc.

2010-04-26T22:28:00.004+08:00

Coun. Mabel Acosta passed a resolution supporting the campaign on proper disposal of electronic wastes. The resolution was co-sponsored by: Coun. Isabel Reta and Coun. Danny Dayanghirang.

Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta, Coun. Isabel Reata and Mr. Ricardo Floriendo led the openning of

Davao's e-Tapok e-Waste Collection Event

Lanang, Davao City

April 25, 2010

Privilege Speech of Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta - On Dismissal of the Case

2010-04-24T02:15:00.003+08:00

Privilege Speech of Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta
Regular Session of the 15th Council, Series of 2010
April 20, 2010 (as transcribed from City Council proceedings)

Madam President, my colleagues in the City Council, friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

I rise on personal and collective privilege, Your Honor, to express my indignation, regarding the recent dropping of murder charges against two prominent members of the Ampatuan clan, in connection with the November 2009 massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao.

In an interview, Justice Secretary Alberto Agra declared that he granted the petition for review of suspended ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan and Mamasapano Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, and ordered the dropping of the multiple murder case against them for lack of evidence, saying that there was no proof that the two have conspired with the others accused of the said crime. He further stated that mere relationship and having the same name does not establish conspiracy. Also, in another news item, Agra expressed that, “While we condemn the killing of the 57 victims of the massacre, nevertheless, media, if not public, outrage cannot be a reason for a sweeping and senseless indictment."

The controversial decision, however, only elicited harsh remarks and criticisms from concerned associations such as the National Prosecution Service, the NUJP and most importantly the families of the victims of the gruesome massacre. Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano in protest of Justice Secretary Agra’s resolution, in a statement said, “The Department of Justice is supposed to be the sword and shield of law and order. We are deeply concerned that the resolution will all the more convince a long skeptical public that our criminal justice system is impotent when the accused are politically influential”. Further, he added, “We pray and hope that despite difficulties and setbacks, justice will ultimately be served to the victims of this tragedy. It is along this line that we earnestly and respectfully request Acting Secretary Agra to revisit this resolution". Finally he stressed that, "This is not the role of the DOJ in a preliminary investigation or in a petition for review. This is the sole function of the courts. Our task is merely to determine probable cause”.

Assenting to the statement of Chief State Prosecutor Arellano, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) states that it is not Agra who must declare the innocence or guilt of the Ampatuans but the court. In a news item, they elaborated that the decision to drop the charges should have been left to the court considering that it has been filed and the commitment order against the suspects has been issued. Moreover, NUJP Secretary General Rowena Paraan said Agra should not only inhibit from the case but should also resign from the DOJ for "hijacking the judicial process and subverting the very justice he should be upholding."

Madam President, I am saddened and discomforted by this incident, Your Honor, of the outright manifestation of the distorted sense of justice that is governing the country at present. I am one with the NUJP in saying that the order of Justice Secretary Agra is clear proof that justice, law, and democracy is elusive in our present government. Seemingly, there is a blatant display of a government which does not operate through the rule of law but through political expediency; that there is a disconcerting perception where the justice system can be easily manipulated and maneuvered by the politically influential; and that the real victims are not given the justice that they deserve.

Your Honor, it may be true that we lack neither the authority nor the power to decide on the innocence or guilt of the Ampatuans. Conversely, neither does Justice Secretary Agra. As NUJP stated in their statement, “By issuing the order, the man supposedly sworn to uphold justice in this country has preempted that prerogative of the court”. I will reiterate, Your Honor, NUJP’s statement saying that, “Agra has hijacked the judicial process and subverted the very justice he should be upholding”.

More significantly, amidst all these controversies and scandals, we must not forget the real victims of the November 23 massacre of 57 persons—the unwilling and innocent families who now appear to be caught in the dirty works of politics. What crime has the family members of the aggrieved politician done to deserve their fate? What crime has the slain journalists, who were only there to cover the filing of candidacy, done to deserve this senseless and gruesome death? Or the persons who happened to pass by at the unfortunate day and time and place?

The relatives of the massacre victims now worry not only for the injustice but also for their safety. Their families are certainly dismayed upon learning of Agra’s decision and expressed their plan to appeal the ruling. It is but unfortunate for them to realize, Your Honor, that two of the very suspects of the crime done to them and their loved ones are being cleared.

I speak, Your Honor, as a leader of this city, as a journalist, as a wife, as a mother, as a citizen of this nation, and empathize with those who still believe that there is still hope for justice in our country. I call on the Filipino people to condemn this latest atrocity. Let us remain vigilant and express our deepest and strongest sentiments, unceasingly and relentlessly as history unfolds. For if not, Your Honor, I fear the next generation of Filipinos would have neither respect nor love for our country and the people and institutions that govern it.

Thank you very much Your Honor, and maayong buntag kanatong tanan.

Black Propaganda

2010-04-05T21:36:00.004+08:00

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF COUNCILOR MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA

Regular Session of the 15^th Council, Series of 2010

March 30, 2010 (as transcribed from City Council proceedings)

Madam President, my colleagues in the City Council, friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen, maayong buntag.

I rise on a personal and collective privilege Madam President to decry the electoral gimmicks designed at smearing my person and my candidacy.

Just this morning, I woke up to news that I am a subject of a column, and its title reads, “The Millionaire Councilor.” It was written by a columnist. . .It says here and if I may quote, “Of course, if true as published in the local media, that there’s no problem about Acosta being a multi-millionaire. By her own sworn declaration in her SAL that her net worth is P16 million she can always defend her statement. And it also says, “. . .The only trouble is when the people begin asking where she got the money because it would certainly irritate her. But she should not be offended. She is a public servant. A government official like her is subject to people’s scrutiny.” It says here that, “. . .the lady councilor receives P60,000 monthly salary, allowances and other fringe benefits in her position as lawmaker.” And it has in fact made snide remarks even against a preacher, and says that while my husband may be well paid by a billionaire preacher, “. . .we are talking of Acosta’ s net worth and not that of her husband.”

I would just like to state categorically, your Honor, that when we state assets and liabilities, it is conjugal. Therefore, whatever my husband owns, I own, and whatever I own, he also owns because it is joint. I would like to state for the record, your Honor, although I intend to prepare a detailed press statement regarding this malicious attempt to, shall we say, undermine my candidacy and perhaps, more than that, maliciously smear my reputation as a legislator and as a public servant. Madam President, for the record, my husband is a former air force pilot. When he got out of the active armed service, he had the rank of Major and worked as a corporate pilot for different companies.

I would like to state for the record, your Honor, that when my husband was a young lieutenant in the armed forces, they were offered under the Insular Government Properties a lot which is about 500 square meters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, Metro Manila. This is a small lot, your Honor, intended for residence of those who are in active service. He was a young lieutenant. He did not have money. So he took a loan and paid that property little by little every month, under salary deduction. It so happened that when that property became the subject of the Bases Conversion Act, when it was sold and it became private property now, the price of that property, every year increases because Fort Bonifacio as we all know is very, very near Makati City, which is the central in the business district of Metro Manila. And we all know that Fort Bonifacio now is no longer a military base but a bustling business center. And every year, and perhaps every few months, the properties --- the assets or the real estate value of that --- goes up.

Why should anybody try to impute upon me or my husband anything other than that? If it was by good turn, or by way of good fortune that my husband was able to acquire that property when he was still single and while he was still a young lieutenant, which he paid every month through salary deduction, why should it be begrudged upon him that he has now a property in Fort Bonifacio? He has served his country well and he has honestly paid for these loans that he had when he was single; and when he was a young lieutenant without the person of Mabel Acosta by his side; when he was struggling to serve his country well; when he was a gunship pilot defending his country going to Mindanao, going to places where he would put his life and limb at risk. And now, that he has the good fortune along with one thousand plus others who have served the military with all their heart, with all their mind, and with all their dedication to the country; now that the base was converted and is now prime property, why should it be begrudged upon him?

I do not have P16 million in cash, your Honor. I do have P1 million because when I was awarded Ten Most Outstanding Councilors in the Philippines, it was not only a trophy and a plaque that was awarded to me. To our surprise when we got to Cebu, I was also awarded P1 million by Senator Edgardo Angara. I could honestly say I am a millionaire, but it is only a ONE-millionaire, because we did not receive it in cash. We received P1 million, each of us ten awardees of The Most Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines, in project, not in cash, which I must utilize before the end of my term in June 30. But that, I could honestly say, the P1 million that I have is unfortunately not in cash but it is in kind.

That property, your Honor, was purchased by a very very minimum amount because it was suppose to subsidize the residence of those in the active service. And now, while it is worth millions, is not yet in our possession. It has no title yet. Why? It is because that 500 sq. meter lot in Fort Bonifacio is occupied by the Philippine Navy – it is now the Philippine Navy Golf Club. And what is supposed to be a row of houses is all green because it is presently occupied by the Philippine Navy Golf Club. Hence, we could not have it titled. And when there were new guidelines that were submitted and we were instructed in the City Council that we follow the new guidelines on the SAL, it was specifically cited, properties without titles should not be included. Henceforth, from a big SAL, our net worth went down. Note Madam President that our net worth as husband and wife started with a big amount because there were no guidelines yet saying that properties without titles should not be included. From a big SAL it went down every year because we have so many loans. We have housing loans, salary loans just like any government employee. We also have private loans, so instead of going up, our net worth was going down because we have a growing family. We have four children, that is why we have to contend with the economic crisis that is beset upon us.

I am stating this, your Honor because if my net worth kept on escalating, that would have been alarming. But note that our net worth as husband and wife has been going down. And what is the alarm there? How about congressmen, especially in the first district, whose net worth keeps on sky rocketing? In fact, there was a headline in a local newspaper that one congressman here in Davao City, his assets and liabilities actually rose by 70%. And that could not be said, your Honor, about my SAL. I am saying this, your Honor, because all these are cropping out because it is the heat of the political season. But I will not take this sitting down because it attempts to smear my credibility as a legislator or my integrity as a public servant.

Your honor, in the proper time I will give a detailed statement regarding this and I challenge this opinion writer. . .Note that there is a world of difference between an opinion column and investigative report. An opinion column only focuses on the opinion of a certain writer. An investigative report your honor is done impartially and has documents to show for it. It has a very very wide perspective and does not center on what the writer personally thinks and believes.

______________

On another matter Madam President, a concerned citizen sent me an SMS message with the information that several of my campaign paraphernalia in Barangay Baliok, Talomo District were taken down and burned in public by the barangay captain and one of his kagawads on Saturday evening.

Needless to say Madam President, the blazing episode is yet another politically motivated scheme aimed against me and my campaign. It seems that my enemies are no longer satisfied with simply creating and spreading black propaganda; they have upped their ante and started to physically destroy my campaign posters, without any thought to the money and sweat poured into their production, or to the fact that they are committing an election offense by doing so.

Destruction of the campaign materials aside, what is more grim and repugnant about the whole incident, Madam President, is that it was committed by public officials. The malefactors, according to the accounts and text messages, are the barangay captain and a barangay kagawad of Baliok, individuals who have the privilege and fortune of being elected to public office. That they have been elected into office does not exempt them from observing the law, nor are they immune from criminal prosecution. Their position does not make them privileged citizens of this city. The mandate to serve the public by virtue of their election does not make them any more different from the rest of us.

Public office is a public trust, so provides the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Hence, public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives. Accordingly, the barangay captain and the barangay kagawad concerned, as persons in authority, should be the epitome of respectability, trustworthiness, and proper decorum, and their conduct should always be above reproach. In the same breath, if and when they see or get reports, they should be the ones to reprimand citizens who commit these acts and bring them to face the full force of the law.

I understand that political partisanship cannot be avoided, and barangay officials cannot always observe political neutrality. But let it be said Madam President, that elective officials are first and foremost public servants and they have an accountability to the public, and their commitment to their constituents who elected them to such position supersedes any political allegiance they may have.

Let this incident serve as a warning that malicious and premeditated acts intended to destroy or tarnish a candidate’s person or campaign will not be tolerated. Let us all be reminded that respect for each other and one another’s property is paramount for the conduct of a free, orderly, and honest election in Davao City.

Daghang salamat Madam President og maayong buntag kanatong tanan.

MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA

City Councilor, 1^st District

New interactive guide plots voting obstacle course

2010-04-02T21:53:00.004+08:00

Click this link to watch through Adobe Flash Player

A least a dozen things can go wrong during the first automated elections this May 10, according to a new interactive voting guide, The Journey of the Vote, developed by GMANews.TV. Voters are told to prepare for brownouts, long lines, and pre-marked ballots being fed into the voting machines. And that's just the beginning, as a weak signal and a breakdown of machines could hamper the counting.

But the guide also suggests ways voters can address the problems, such as simple solutions like bringing a flashlight to brownout-prone areas or following the election personnel who transfer memory cards.

A range of other possible choke points and loopholes are presented, along with the responses from the Comelec and actions that voters can undertake to safeguard the ballot.

This guide is a work-in-progress and will be updated as needed, incorporating the general instructions and resolutions from the Comelec as soon as these are released, as well as feedback from readers on various ways to protect the voting, counting and canvassing process.

Source: GMA NEWS

Mayor Rody formally endorsed Mabel Sunga Acosta as an official candidate of Hugpong for 1st District Congress

2010-04-01T21:36:00.005+08:00

Tulungan natin sila!

2010-03-21T09:41:00.003+08:00

Marami na naman sa atin ang nainis at nadismaya sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema na hayaan na lamang si Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo na siyang pumili ng susunod na punong hukom sa pinakamataas na hukuman sa ating bayan. Marahil ang ating pagkainis ay ga ling na rin sa ating kawalan ng tiwala kay Pangulong Arroyo kung kaya’t iniisip nating lahat na marahil itong hindi katanggap-tanggap na desisyon ay parte lamang ng isang mas malaking plano kung saan patuloy pa rin ang pamumuno ni Pangulong Arroyo kahit matapos na ang kanyang termino sa Hunyo ng kasalukuyang taon. Marami sa atin ang gusto nang matapos ang pa nunungkulan ni Arroyo dahil na rin sa dami ng mga kalokohan at pagnanakaw na nangyari sa administrasyong ito kagaya ng NBN-ZTE Scam, Ferti lizer Scam at Textbook Scam. Ngunit tandaan natin na hindi lamang si Arroyo ang dapat sisihin sa paghihirap na nararanasan nating lahat dahil sa korapsyon na pa tuloy na lu malago sa ating gobyerno dahil may mga naging kasama rin siya sa Kongreso na nagbigay suporta, tumulong at nakinabang na rin sa kanya.

Ilan sa mga kongresistang ito ang makakalaban ng aming mga kasama han sa Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance tulad ni Jess Lorenzo ng Nueva Ecija na siyang lalaban kay Rep. Rodolfo Antonino na kilalang malapit na kakampi ni Arroyo sa Kongreso. Si Antonino ang kasama ni Rep. Matt Defensor ng Quezon City na siyang nagtutulak sa tinatawag nating Charter Change o Cha-Cha upang mapalawig pa ang termino ni Pangulong Arroyo. Si Antonino rin ay isa sa mga kongresistang patuloy na humahadlang tuwing ihahain ng oposis yon ang Impeachment laban kay Arroyo kaya naman hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin natin malaman ang katotohanan sa mga samu’t saring kontrobersya na kinasangkutan ni Arroyo. Kaya naman dapat nating suporta han si Lorenzo sapagkat sa ilang taon niyang pagbibigay serbisyo sa mga taga-San Isidro, Nueva Ecija nakita natin ang pagsasaayos ng buhay ng mga tao roon. Kapag ikaw ay may sakit sa kanilang lugar, libre ang konsulta sa doktor at libre ring ibinibigay ang gamot na iyong kailangan. Marami ring nadalang pribadong grupo at foundation si Lorenzo sa kanilang lugar tulad ng Gawad Kalinga at Ateneo de Manila University na tumutulong sa kanilang pabahay at pagpapaganda ng ka lidad ng edukasyon. Hindi pa man nasa puwesto si Lorenzo marami na siyang natulungan, kaya sigurado akong pagnahalal siya bilang kongresista, aasenso ang lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija.

Isa pang kasama han namin sa Kaya Natin! ay si Konsehala Mabel Su nga-Acosta ng Davao City na noong isang linggo lamang ay naparangalan bilang isa sa mga pinakamagaga ling na konsehal sa buong Pilipinas. Sa nakaraang ilang halalan, si Acosta ang laging nakakakuha ng pinakamaraming boto kumpara sa mga iba pang konsehal sa Davao. Dito ipinapa kita na talagang buo ang tiwala ng kanyang mga kababayan sa kanya dahil na rin sa dami ng mga programang nai lunsad niya patungkol na rin sa edukasyon, kalusugan at pagbibigay ng trabaho sa mga kababaihan. Makakalaban ni Acosta sa pagka-kongresista ng Davao City ang anak ni Speaker Prospero Nograles na alam naman nating lahat na talagang malapit na kakampi rin ni Arroyo at siya ring patuloy na humaharang sa kahit anong imbestigasyon patungkol sa mga iskandalo kinasasangkutan ni Arroyo. Hindi ba’t si Nograles din ang isa sa mga nagtutulak na baguhin ang Saligang Batas para manatili pa sa puwesto si Arroyo?

Ngayong malapit na ang halalan, papayag ba tayong mga tiwali at kurakot na naman ang maging mga pinuno natin? Hindi pa ba tayo nagsasawa sa ganitong kalagayan sa ating bayan na iilan lamang ang umaangat habang ang karamihan ay patuloy na naghihirap? Kung ayaw na natin ng ganito, tulungan natin ang mararangal at matitinong mga kandidato tulad nina Jess Lorenzo at Konsehala Mabel Sunga-Acosta. Sila ang lumalaban para sa tapat, matuwid at maayos na gobyernong magbibigay ng tamang serbisyo para sa bawat Pilipino.

Sa mga nais tumulong sa kanila, mag-text sa 0919-9575444.

By: Mayor Jesse Robredo, Naga City

Source: Abanteonline

There are still good women leaders

2010-03-21T07:43:00.001+08:00

It can be a curse to be a woman under the regime of a most distrusted president—a woman. While all politicians are never spared from all sorts of criticism, I am very irked when the jokes about Mrs. Arroyo and her misdeeds are said to be because of her gender. Those critics must not put lump all women with her.

No matter how despised Mrs. Arroyo is, I am still proud of being a woman for so many reasons. Six of them I came to know in Kaya Natin!

In this month of celebrating women and women’s contribution to society, I would like to share with you some reasons to continue thanking God for women politicians despite the disgust we all feel with our woman head of state.

Of the fifteen champions we have, six, so far, represent us women. And in these women of substance, I see so much of what I hope one day to become—a trailblazing, effective, ethical and strong leader with a good sense of family and country.

Not surprisingly three of these strong-willed Kaya Natin! women come from Nueva Ecija where political killings and electoral violence seem to always pervade the province’s vast plains. One really must learn to stand her ground in places like this. Mayor of San Isidro Sonia Lorenzo is one of my favorite KN! idols.
Mayor Lorenzo transformed San Isidro from a sleepy fourth class municipality to a thriving second class municipality in less than five years!

She also has very strong bridging leadership skills as evidenced by her ability to draw prestigious private organizations such as Gawad Kalinga, the Ateneo Center for Educational Development and the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to Nueva Ecija and help in delivering programs in her municipality. Mayor Sonia’s brand of participative governance has greatly enhanced government service delivery to her people.

Also from Nueva Ecija are Mayors Marivic Belena of San Jose and Baby Congco of Cabiao. Though she comes from a long line of traditional politicians, Mayor Baby has transformed the way her local government responds to the needs of the people with more than mere band-aid and dole-out solutions but really empowering and longer-lasting service.

In efforts to further develop San Jose City as the gateway to the north, Mayor Marivic Belena initiated the Agad na Serbisyong Bayan where health, medical and dental services and other direct forms of assistance are given to the people at the grassroots level. This way previously inaccessible services and help have reached the most needy and deserving people. She also formed Task Force Kaayusan to solve the problem of pernnially congested traffic.

Further up north, Kaya Natin! has two other women champs—Mayor Mary Jane Ortega of San Fernando, La Union, and Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela. Mayor Mary Jane is like the mother of the KN! Champs. Her brand of leadership has made her a model of a lot of local government chief executives especially in her efforts in environmental protection and rehabilation.

Touted as the media darling and favorite of the group is Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela. But do not let her charming appearance fool you. This lady is one tough cookie! Not only did she beat fair and square the well-entrenched political dynasty of Isabela, she is one local chief executive who sure knows how to get things done. Through her exemplary leadership, she has championed the interests of Isabelino farmers and the environment.

In 2007, then US Ambassador Kristie Kenney personally conferred to Padaca the prestigious International Women of Courage Award, a prize that was also conferred to former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Padaca won it for her unceasing work for the development of Isabela. In 2008, Gov.Grace was among the eight Ramon Magsaysay Awardees. The intenational RM committee gave her Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize for “empowering Isabela voters to reclaim their democratic right to elect leaders of their own choosing, and to contribute as full partners in their own development.”

One of the newest additions to the KN! family is Davao City Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta. Councilor Mabel’s nomination as one of the Ten Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP) of 2009 is another feather on the cap of one of the hardest working councilors I know. Councilor Mabel currently chairs the committee working on the Data Banking System of Local School Board and “Love Ko ang Libro: Happy Reader, Future Leader” reading program.

The innovative data bank project will contain information on local schools that will be of great help to researchers and interested benefactors of the Adopt a School Program. The reading program hopes to “instill the basics of loving books to children.” The stories to be read are folk tales that will promote the protection of the environment and love for Filipino culture.

These are just some of the many things we can continue to be proud of as fruits of the hard work of good women leaders. Despite the disgrace we women feel when we think of Malacañang, there are reasons still to celebrate being a woman in politics!

Eirene is VP of Kaya Natin! and serves as a consultant for several organizations. “mailto: eirenejhoneaguila@gmail.com ”eirenejhoneaguila@gmail.com .

Source: TheManilaTimes.Net

DepEd & Office of Coun. Acosta launch "Love ko Ang Libro" Reading Program Today

2010-03-19T08:31:00.008+08:00

DAVAO City, in partnership with the Department of Education and other sectors, will launch Friday a reading program to develop the love of books and liesurely reading at the People's Park.

The program dubbed "Love Ko ang Libro" is open to everybody especially children.

The reading session will be held every Saturday, 4 p.m. at the park's reading center, Councilor Ma. Belen Sunga Acosta said during Thursday's I-Speak media forum at the City Hall.

"This is part of the "Happy Reader: Future Leader" campaign of the government. This targets children, who are still at their elementary grades, to go back to the basics, to really appreciate holding the books in their hands and read books leisurely in a relaxing environment," Acosta said.

Although the city has a high literacy rate, Acosta said, the city's sectors want to forward a cause that would enhance the means to literature already provided by schools.

"Mataas naman ang city in terms of literacy rate, around 80 to 90 percetn, but this is to become a supplement and not to cancel out what are the available means for reading," said Acosta who is chair of Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on education, arts and culture, science and technology. Acosta said the books that are featured at the reading center are mostly books of Filipino authors.

"The books will be about the Filipino culture, native or folk stories," Acosta said.

"It is not unusual to hear dancing or singing in the park, pero wala pa akong naririnig na may reading center sa isang park. Maybe the city is even first in providing a reading center in this way. she added.

"Research would show na children are more receptive when they are relaxes and that's what the park provides. If parents what their children to spend time reading books and enjoy then this is really a good way to have that," Acosta said.

"Iba yung experience ng reading ng mga bata when they are inside a four-walled library, nagmamadali na makaintindi dahil pagkatapos merong book report o may exam. Mas masarap magbasa ng libro kung nasa lungar ka na nakakarelax at mas naiintindihan mo yung binabasa mo," she added.

Acosta said the maid reason for the program was the rising accounts that children are more attached to computers that to books.

"We don't discourage the use of the internet because it is very helpful to research. But there's a lot of difference between gaining grades because you copy and pasted text from the internet and reading an encyclopedia," Acosta said.

"I also do not prefer the way movies are shown to students when the movie is based on a books. Mas maganda pa rin yung binabasa ang libro," Acosta said. (Jade C. Zaldivar)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on March 19, 2010

The 73rd Araw ng Davao Parade

2010-03-19T03:02:00.012+08:00

Mabel Sunga Acosta, One of the Ten Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines

2010-03-13T11:02:00.005+08:00

Sa milabay nga katuigan,

dungan kita mipalambo sa atong dakbayan...

Diin atong gipasibaw ang tiunay

nga serbisyo sa Dabawenyo....

Kana tungod nagkanunayang kita

NUMBER 1 sa inyong kasing-kasing

(sa tulo ka termino) ug kamo usab kanako.

Busa mapasalamatan kita og

dako sa inyong pag salig.

Ug karon, gikan sa konseho,

ang mulo ug pangandoy sa Dabawenyo,

dalhun nato ngadto sa KONGRESO...

Hinaut, duyog gihapon kita sa pag abot sa panahon...

MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA PO, AT YOUR SERVICE...

Sta. Ana NHS Student Bags 2010 Campus Journalist of the Year Award

2010-03-09T09:58:00.003+08:00

A 4th year Student of Sta. Ana National High school is this year's Campus Journalist of the Year Award winner. Mr.Adrianne John Luncido, bested 12 other contenders from 7 different public schjools from the three districts of Davao City.
Adrianne, will receive a Mabel Sunga Acosta Medalion of Excellence for Journalism, a certificate of recognition, and a cash prize of two thousand five hundred pesos courtesy of Don Ceasario Villa Abrille Foundation and Mrs. Josefina Manaois of Davao Emcor.
Lawrence entered the competition purely to check the progress of his skills as a journalist: “I entered on the off chance. I really didn’t expect to win. I entered the competition that it might be worthwhile for me of doing, and I won.”
Other winners of the completion are who will also be receiving medals and cash prizes are: 1st Runner-up: Julie E. Leyva of (Talomo NHS); 2nd Runner-up: Lyster Bonhoc (Bernardo Carpio NHS); 3rd Runner-up: Karl Segovia (Davao City Special NHS)
CJTY is an annual search initiated by the office of Mabel Sunga Acosta in 2002. It was created to discover young talents in the field of campus journalism. It is open to 3rd and 4th year students enrolled in any public secondary school in Davao City which has an active school paper. This year's judges is made up of top media professionals Amalia Cabusao, Editor in Chief of Mindanao Times, Andy Rara, DXAB Station Manager; Alex Roldan, Broadcaster and City Information Office of Davao Chief.

ACOSTA 2009 TOCP REGIONAL WINNER

2010-03-05T01:29:00.002+08:00

Another Dabawenya soars high!
The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines declares Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta of the First District of Davao City as the Regional Winner for Region XI of The Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP) Awards for 2009.
TOCP is an annual partnership involving the Office of Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Philippine Councilors League (PCL) and JCI Philippines. Now on its second search, TOCP aims to recognize our nation’s local legislators for their selfless dedication to their solemn oath and their outstanding achievements which benefitted significantly their constituents, the community and the nation.
Councilor Acosta will join the other regional winners for the Final Judging where the National Winners will be selected. Among the regional winners, only ten will be proclaimed as 2009’s The Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines. The Awarding Ceremonies will be held on March 12, 2010 at the Philippine Councilors League End Term Conference in Cebu.

A RESOLUTION URGING THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs) IN DAVAO CITY TO CONSIDER THE APPEAL OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) IN AL

2010-03-02T15:54:00.000+08:00

A Resolution Proposed by Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta

during February 23, 2010 Regular Session of the 15th City Council

A RESOLUTION URGING THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs)
IN DAVAO CITY TO CONSIDER THE APPEAL OF THE
COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) IN ALLOWING
STUDENTS WITH DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS TO TAKE THEIR EXAMS

WHEREAS, higher education institutions (HEIs) in the city have imposed an increase in tuition and school fees every passing school year;
WHEREAS, Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 (Education Act of 1982), and Republic Act 7722 (Higher Education Act of 1994) grant the authority to the HEIs to impose these increases, subject to certain rules and regulations;
WHEREAS, CHED Memo Order No. 07, Series of 2007, which amended Section 8 of CHED Memo Order No. 14, Series of 2005, further provides that any increase in the tuition and other fees in all levels to be made by private HEIs shall be subject to consultation with stakeholders and approval of the CHED;
WHEREAS, it has been the practice of HEIs to proscribe students who have outstanding financial obligations with the school from taking their examinations unless and until they have fully settled their accounts;
WHEREAS, due to financial constraints and because of the escalating school fees, many students often delay the payment of their towering school obligations and consequently, they are not able to take their mandatory tests on time;
WHEREAS, recognizing the present economic downturn and the burden of swelling school fees to parents and students alike, CHED issued Memorandum Order No. 02 on January 22, 2010, calling to all private HEIs for flexibility in the implementation of the “No Permit, No Examination” policy or any such policy that prohibits students from taking their periodic or final examinations due to unpaid tuition and other school fees;
WHEREAS, we understand that HEIs are not without reasons for the imposition of increases in the school fees, given that they have to pay the salaries of their teaching and non-teaching personnel, and for the upgrade of their facilities, among others;
WHEREAS, we believe that solutions other than the “No Permit, No Examination” policy can be formed which would address both the need of the HEIs to collect payment from their students and the need of the students to take their exams in compliance with their school requirements;
WHEREAS, the cost of living nowadays has soared dramatically and the cost of education has become too expensive a commodity for ordinary Filipinos;
WHEREAS, it would be a tragedy when the education of our youth becomes a casualty to the economic demands of our educational institutions;
WHEREFORE, premises considered, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that a resolution be passed urging the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Davao City to consider the appeal of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in allowing students with delinquent accounts to take their exams;
RESOLVED FURTHER, that copies of this resolution be furnished to Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Davao Association of Colleges and Universities, the City Mayor’s Office, the City Legal Office, and to all others concerned for their information and guidance.

MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA
City Councilor, 1^st District

Congratulations to ABS-CBN TV 4 DAVAO for Conducting the 1st Interschool Newscasting Competition in Davao City

2010-03-02T15:50:00.004+08:00

A Resolution Proposed by Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta

during February 23, 2010 Regular Session of the 15th City Council

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING ABS-CBN TV 4 DAVAO FOR CONDUCTING

THE 1^ST INTERSCHOOL NEWSCASTING COMPETITION IN DAVAO CITY INTENDED TO DISCOVER AND HARNESS YOUNG TALENTS

WHO HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME FUTURE BROADCASTERS

WHEREAS, ABS-CBN TV 4 Davao, located at located at Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City, is a television station that is part of the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation;

WHEREAS, ABS-CBN TV 4 Davao has been bringing service to the Davaoenos and the entire Davao region by broadcasting quality news and entertainment programs since the 1980’s;

WHEREAS, in order to discover and harness young talents in the field of broadcasting, ABS-CBN TV 4 Davao commenced the conduct of the 1^st Interschool Newscasting Competition in Davao City on November 2009, which was participated by more than 10 schools and around 400 students from all over the city;

WHEREAS, the participating students were tried in their skill of delivering news in three languages, namely: English, Filipino, and Bisaya, and were judged according to the following criteria: Delivery – 35%, Pronunciation and Diction – 30%, Voice Quality – 15%, Appearance on Cam – 15% and Overall Impact – 5%;

WHEREAS, on February 20, 2010, the finals of 1^st Interschool Newscasting Competition was culminated at SM Davao, with Ms. Diana Grace Juaban from AdDU, declared as the Champion, Mr. Cirilo Corminal, Jr. from UM, declared as 1^st Runner-up, and Ms. Christine Mae Camus from HCDC, declared as 2^nd Runner-up;

WHEREAS, the act of ABS-CBN TV 4 Davao of discovering young talents who have the potential to become future broadcasters, through the conduct of its 1^st Interschool Newcasting Competition, is truly a laudable and commendable act;

WHEREAS, this pro-active project provides a very valuable contribution in upgrading the academic skills and perspectives of the academe;

WHEREAS, it also provides an important social contribution as it sends a strong message to society that professionalism and idealism in the youth can start in the university and could be furthered through journalism even after they have finished their studies;

WHEREFORE, premises considered, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that a resolution be passed and approved, commending ABS-CBN TV 4 Davao for conducting the 1^st Interschool Newscasting Competition in Davao City to discover and harness young talents who have the potential to become future broadcasters;

RESOLVED FURTHER, that copies of this resolution be furnished to the ABS-CBN TV4 Davao, Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Cross of Davao College, University of Mindanao, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), National Union of Journalist in the Philippines (NUJP), City Mayor’s Office and all others concerned for their information and guidance.

MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA

Councilor, 1^st District, Davao City

The Winners of The 1st Interschool Newscasting Competition in Davao City

No Permit, No Exam

2010-03-02T15:38:00.003+08:00

Privilege Speech of Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta

Re: NO PERMIT, NO EXAM

Delivered during February 23, 2010 Regular Session of the 15th City Council

Madam President, my colleagues in the City Council, friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen, Maayong buntag.

I rise on a personal and collective privilege to take up the “No Permit, No Exam” policy of some higher educational institutions (HEIs) in connection with the CHED Memorandum Order No. 02, issued by Mr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles, Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), last January 22, 2010. Said CHED Memo essentially appeals to HEIs for flexibility in the implementation of “No Permit, No Examination Policy” or any such policy that prohibits students from taking their periodic or final examinations due to unpaid tuition and other school fees.

As a background Madam President, the provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 (Education Act of 1982), and Republic Act 7722 (Higher Education Act of 1994) grant the authority to the HEIs to impose increase in the tuition and other school fees, subject to rules and regulations. However, CHED Memo Order No. 07, series of 2007, which amended Section 8 of CHED Memo Order No. 14, series of 2005, provides that any increases in the tuition and other fees in all levels to be made by private HEIs shall be subject to consultation with stakeholders… and approval of the CHED.

In sum, the HEIs, Madam President, can therefore increase their tuition and other school fees provided they comply with the provisions and guidelines contained under the existing laws and issuances of the CHED. It is for this reason, Madam President, why increases in tuition and other school fees have become a perennial concern of our parents and students whenever the opening of classes would come.

Madam President, it is a known fact that increases in tuition and other school fees have continue to become unabated every school year. Thus, considering the economic difficulties by many of our fellow Filipinos, the yearly increases in the said school fees have obviously become too much a burden for our parents and students to bear.

Generally, Madam President, due to economic hardship, many students often delay the payment of their towering school obligations. Thus, many HEIs often impose the “No Permit, No Exam Policy” to forbid students from taking their periodic or final examinations unless they pay the balances of their unpaid tuition fees and other school charges. That is precisely why, Madam President, CHED Memorandum Order No. 02, series of 2010, was issued – to provide a momentary yet welcome relief to parents and students who are financially hard-up in life.

Madam President, the rationale for the issuance of Memo No. 02, series of 2010, is contained in Section 1 thereof which provides, if I may read:

“Section 1. Rationale and Background

The recent economic recession has greatly affected most of the countries in the world, including the Philippines, As prices in the world market rise, the cost of basic commodities and services in the country becomes prohibitive. Education is one of the basic services that are often affected in times of economic recession. Filipino families value education in view of its role in poverty alleviation and total human capital formation. The government likewise recognizes that this is vital to the attainment of the nation’s development goals. Consequently, the unabated increases in tuition and other school fees has unduly burned affected families and students enrolled in HEIs across the nation.”

Madam President, we understand that our HEIs are not without reasons for the imposition of increases in the school fees. We understand that for the most part, a huge percentage of the money collected from the increases go to the salaries of the HEIs’ teaching and non-teaching personnel, and for the upgrade of the HEIs facilities. We understand that the law allows HEIs to determine their rate of tuition and other school fees, subject to rules and regulations. And the government, particularly the CHED, can only do very little to prevent the proposed increases in tuition and other school fees. CHED for the most part can only appeal to HEIs to not impose increases, postpone such increases, and in the case of CHED Memo Order No. 02, series of 2010, allow students to take their exams despite the outstanding school fees and obligations.

Time has greatly changed, Madam President, and the cost of living has soared dramatically for ordinary people to afford; wages have not really increased substantially, and the cost of education has become too expensive a commodity for the ordinary Filipinos. Madam President, I feel for our parents and students, and I feel for our HEIs as well.

However, I believe that education should not be deprived for financial/economic reasons alone. In this regard, Madam President, I urge our HEIs to consider the appeal of CHED in Memo Order No. 02, series of 2010, and allow students with delinquent account to take their exams.

Thank you, Madam President.

Calendar of Activities

2010-02-28T22:34:00.002+08:00

Thanksgiving Mass

Date Start: 16th, March 2010

Date End:16th, March 2010

Venue:San Pedro Cathedral

Paradabawenyo

Date Start: 16th, March 2010

Date End:16th, March 2010

Venue:Main Davao Streets

Banda Hudyaka

Date Start: 16th, March 2010

Date End:16th, March 2010

Venue:Rizal Park

Pakonsiyerto ni Mayor Rody & Inday Sara

Date Start: 16th, March 2010

Date End:16th, March 2010

Venue:Rizal Park

Mutya Ng Dabaw Coronation

Date Start: 15th, March 2010

Date End:15th, March 2010

Venue:CAP Auditorium

Grand Opening: Araw Ng Dabaw

Date Start: 14th, March 2010

Date End:14th, March 2010

Venue:in front of City Hall

Sayawan Sa Da’n

Date Start: 14th, March 2010

Date End:14th, March 2010

Venue:People's Park

Datu Bago Awards

Date Start: 14th, March 2010

Date End:14th, March 2010

Venue:Royal Mandaya Hotel

SALIDAbaw

Date Start: 13th, March 2010

Date End:13th, March 2010

Venue:Gaisano Mall

Opening: Reinvented Museo Dabawenyo

Date Start: 12th, March 2010

Date End:12th, March 2010

Venue:Museo Dabawenyo

People's Park Presents

Date Start: 12th, March 2010

Date End:16th, March 2010

Venue:People's Park

Kaon Ta Day, Lingaw Ta Bay!

Date Start: 12th, March 2010

Date End:16th, March 2010

Venue:Bolton Street beside SP

Mutya ng Dabaw 2010 Presentation of Community Projects

Date Start: 9th, March 2010

Date End:9th, March 2010

Venue:SM City Mall

Magnegosyo Ta Day Fair Trade (SP Lobby)

Date Start: 8th, March 2010

Date End:16th, March 2010

Venue:SP Lobby

Mutya ng Dabaw 2010 Talent Showcase

Date Start: 4th, March 2010

Date End:4th, March 2010

Venue:Gaisano Mall

Mutya ng Dabaw 2010 Fashion and Press Presentation

Date Start: 1st, March 2010

Date End:1st, March 2010

Venue:Gaisano South CitiMall

Agri-Trade Fair and Exhibit

Date Start: 1st, March 2010

Date End:30th, March 2010

Venue: TBA

Service Caravan/Barangay Events

Date Start: 1st, March 2010

Date End:12th, March 2010

Venue: Respective Barangays

Mutya ng Dabaw 2010 Selection of 15 Finalists

Date Start: 25th, February 2010

Date End:25th, February 2010

Venue:NCCC Mall

Mutya ng Dabaw 2010 Screening

Date Start: 19th, February 2010

Date End:19th, February 2010

Venue:ORODERM Hotel

My EDSA Story

2010-02-19T22:44:00.003+08:00

Acosta: My Edsa story
By Mabel Sunga Acosta
1st Congressional District, Davao City

I WAS born and raised in Davao City, the only daughter in a brood of six. When I passed the Upcat after high school, I eagerly looked forward to UP life. And now, looking back, I know that I got more than just an interesting university life -- I became a part of world history in that uniquely Pinoy phenomenon that is "Edsa."

The "in" thing at that time was denim and "yellow" accessories. Yellow shirts with Ninoy Aquino's face, or slogans "Di ka Nag-iisa" or "Laban" signs in yellow caps, headbands, wristbands, yellow confetti in rallies, etc., all in defiance of an oppressive Marcos rule.

I remember that so many students and teachers in the Diliman campus attended rallies in and out of the university, there was only a handful seen inside the classrooms. Such that there was a memo issued advising students to indicate their preference in the grading system between the usual numerical system or just a PASS or FAIL mark. Students running for honors chose the standard numerical grading, but most of us opted for the latter. At that time, history was unfolding and was a poor second to mere academic discussion.

After a rally inside campus, we would ride a bus that would drop us at Edsa-Kamuning. Then we would walk the far stretch of the highway all the way to Ortigas, marching, singing, looking, and finally getting lost in the crowd.

There were speakers with bullhorns, sound system playing "Bayan Ko" and other rally standards, Edru Abraham and his theater group doing a street play, a businessman giving away loads of free sandwiches from inside his car ("hay naku, mabuti na lang, salamat po!" we, hungry students would mutter), street hawkers selling bottled water and junk food, vehicles honking their horns.

There were different groups of people all doing their thing -- singing, chanting slogans, praying the rosary, gawking at celebrities, holding instant reunions with friends. There was not much pagers and cellphones then, and it was a pleasant surprise to see that friends and acquaintances were also there at Edsa sea of people from different walks of life. I even saw some high school friends like Matthew Santamaria and others, despite the crowd.

People would point out to Kuh Ledesma and the Apo Hiking Society, Teddy Boy Locsin, Mayor Binay, and other politicians and celebrities, even sexy stars that I do not recognize. Truth to tell, it was more like a day street party. Despite the presence of tanks and soldiers with loaded guns at the other end of the highway and the political crisis, there was also a mardi gras-like atmosphere in the mad adrenaline rush that followed mixed emotions of defiance, fear, awe, anxiety, patriotism, recklessness, etc.

The sea of people would sometimes overflow and sometimes thin out at different times of the day, depending on rumors of violent dispersal, Marcos leaving the country, or calls for more warm bodies to come and pray as if to exorcise coming troops, etc. Despite the uncertainty of the situation and increasing tension, the indomitable Filipino spirit ignores the danger and simply breaks free, manifesting in different forms-through songs, chants, prayers, free speech, performing arts. Or just simply walks the stretch of highway, as a curious onlooker, or as defiant citizen.

I wish I had my photo taken at Edsa. But I was just a poor "probinsyana" with a meager allowance from my Kuya Danny who was starting out as a cadet engineer in Laguna. Cameras and camera phones were not in vogue among students then. Even if they were, I could not afford them on a student's allowance. Friends from the Journ Club were luckier. Snapshots of Ed Lingao in classic dark shades, together with some nuns who were praying in front of military tanks, for instance, were immortalized in newspapers and documentaries.

The people and events that unfolded reminded me of tapestry much like the Bagobo native cloth, which is created through a painstaking and backbreaking process, and requires meditation and inspiration from the gods. But the end results of which give satisfaction not only to the body but also to the soul. While there was action in Edsa, all over the country, the Filipino people including my fellow Davaoenos, also manifested their desire for freedom and peaceful change through prayer rallies, binding the nation as one. Despite the dire situation, the deeply spiritual side of us always prevails. And that's what makes the tapestry all the more unique, significant, and complete.

I am forty years old now, and an elected city councilor in the City of Davao, married to Rey, an ex-Air Force pilot who also saw action as a government troop in the several coup attempts in the succeeding Cory Administration, a far cry from the college student that I was way back when. But the fire and fervor of hope for this nation, and faith in its people remains in me. I would tell and re-tell our four children my Edsa story, hoping that history would not be forgotten but lodge in the hearts and minds of generations of Filipinos to come.

We are a talented but confused race, some say. Perhaps, the reason why the dilemma of graft and corruption, injustice, poverty, etc. still hound us. We learn the lessons of history the hard way. Nevertheless, I am glad our soul has a steadfast homing device and always finds its way back to God in any adversity. That is why Edsa happened as it did.

When I remember Edsa, I am reminded of the many reasons why I am proud to be Pinoy. As we grow as a people, I know that we shall eventually overcome all the trials and crises before us. Nobody can bind the spirit of the Filipino.

Published at Sunstar Davao (February 24, 2006 issue)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2006/02/24/oped/mabel.sunga.acosta.councilor.davao.city.html

Roger Paconla Free Artwork Shop

2010-02-16T02:10:00.006+08:00

One of the Best!

2010-02-14T23:22:00.003+08:00

“Muslims, Christians and Lumads converge in Mindanao. Peace and stability in that region rests on the people’s ability to live in harmony. Local School Boards know the local situation best and are critical to building this peace through better education. Davao City, through Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and City Councilor Mabel Acosta, chairman of the council committee on education, has built a strong Local School Board over the past decade that could serve as a model for other cities.”

One of the best
By Roger M. Balanza

Education is a major focus of the administration of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Without fanfare, Davao City has established basic foundations in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), other national government agencies and private educational institutions to make the city’s educational system one of the best in the country.
At the core of this initiative is the Local School Board which links with DepEd to provide scholarship, infrastructures, salaries for teachers and other basic needs of the local public school system.
Outside of the public school system, the city government locks arms with private institutions to support their programs and projects and establish conditions for students to pursue their education in a safe community.
This article, from an outsider who has extensive background on the Philippine educational system, should place Davao City on top of the heap among local government units in terms of seriousness and dedication to provide for the education of children.
The author, Juan Miguel Luz, is the associate dean of the Center for Development Management at the Asian Institute of Management. He can be reached at juanmiguel.luz@gmail.com and www.mikeluz.net.

Source: DURIANBURGDAVAO

Davao City Education Program Praised - On Education

2010-02-14T23:11:00.005+08:00

Education
A key driver of growth
By Juan Miguel Luz

FOR SCHOOLS in Mindanao, Manila is too far away to be responsive to local situations. Concerns are likely to get lost in the competition for attention in the Department of Education (DepEd).
Local School Boards (LSB) are the key to making local decisions that meet local needs. LSBs were created by the Local Government Code to help fund public school needs through the Special Education Fund. But LSBs can do much more than that.
The Davao City LSB is a case in point. More than just funding shortfalls, it has focused on interventions that, in my view, provide system-wide solutions for the entire system.
Over the past nine years, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who sees education as a key driver of growth, and councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, who has managed the city’s education agenda as chair of the committee on education, have led the Davao City LSB.
Three very able superintendents have co-chaired the LSB in that period: Dr. Susana Estigoy (now regional director for Southern Mindanao), Dr. Gloria Labor (who retired mid-2007) and Dr. Helen Paguican. Other members include the city treasurer, the president of the Sangguniang Kabataan, the president of the city federation of Parents-Teachers Associations, the representative of teachers’ organizations and the representative of non-academic personnel of public schools.
Davao City has a significant Muslim population, both indigenous (Kalagan and Sama) and from across Mindanao (Maguindanaoan, Maranao, Badjao), a sizeable indigenous Lumad populace and migrants from the Visayas and Luzon. As the largest city in Mindanao, Davao City has 286 public elementary and 69 public high schools with over 250,000 students and 6,671 teachers (SY 2009-2010). Because of the city’s ethno-linguistic diversity, it is one of the most complex school systems in the country.
Over the past two years, the Davao City LSB has worked with an annual budget of P177 million (2008) and P204 million (2009) to fund:
Salaries of locally funded public school teachers (123 elementary and 178 secondary) to help fill the teacher shortage;
School health and nutrition, including bio-intensive gardens in 50 elementary schools for school feeding;
School-building construction and furniture;
Workbooks, materials and supplies;
Payment of water and electricity for public schools;
School sports.
These expenditures are common for LSBs nationwide. However, the Davao City LSB has pioneered in four specific areas where the potential of LSBs can best be realized.
First, it has become the venue for reviewing school and teacher performance. To succeed, these reviews have to be fair and critical. The Davao City LSB has taken politics out of teacher appointments and promotions by subjecting these to a multi-stakeholder process.
Second, in late 2002, Acosta (in her first term) brought to the attention of DepEd the issue of teacher payroll as a teacher welfare concern. With salaries paid by central office checks, she argued that because of the distance, local teachers found it very difficult to deal with the DepEd central office regarding salary discrepancies like underpayment and over-deduction. The LSB solution: regional payroll servicing.
In 2004, Region XI was the first region to decentralize teacher payroll. All teacher payroll was subsequently decentralized to regional offices nationwide by 2005.
Third, in early 2005, Davao City became one of the first three cities to set up a Library Hub to provide public schools more access to books as a way to bring up the low reading rates of elementary pupils. This was a partnership between Dole Asia, a private company that provided the seed fund, the city government which helped with the venue (an old warehouse near city hall), and DepEd. Today, over 200 Library Hubs have been set up nationwide.
The most innovative program of the Davao City LSB, however, has been its support for Madaris education as far back as 2001, even before the DepEd moved on this. An ALIVE (Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education) curriculum was developed with the DepEd to help Muslim Filipino children acquire a deeper appreciation of their culture as well as give them better learning opportunities in English, science and math.
Today, the Davao City LSB supports ALIVE in 30 public elementary schools and funds an ALIVE coordinator who supervises 104 asatidz (learned teachers) who handle the two subjects.
Finally, under the management of Acosta and Paguican, the LSB has set up a Davao City School Board Data Bank System that tracks school-by-school performance, a GIS-based school location map (to locate high schools and feeder elementary schools and match this with schooling indicators) and a joint program with the Institute of Indigenous People’s Education (IIPE) to provide a more responsive education experience for the city’s Lumad population.
Muslims, Christians and Lumads converge in Mindanao. Peace and stability in that region rests on the people’s ability to live in harmony. Local School Boards know the local situation best and are critical to building this peace through better education. Davao City, through Duterte and Acosta, has built a strong Local School Board over the past decade that could serve as a model for other cities.

DAVAO CITY,AYOS NA!

2010-01-24T23:09:00.002+08:00

On Teachers’ Welfare During Elections

2010-01-15T07:45:00.011+08:00

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF COUNCILOR MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA
On Teachers’ welfare during elections
2nd Regular Session of the 15th Council, Series of 2010
January 12, 2010

"As the Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Arts and Culture, Madam President, I feel for our teachers. I see their requests as valid and legitimate, considering the importance of the role that they play in our electoral process. All of us, elected officials have in fact, witnessed for ourselves the sacrifices of our teachers just to ensure that every voter’s vote gets to be counted; that the will of the electorate is at all times reflected in the results of the election. During the performance of their function, often times they stay up late, and experience harassments and threats on their lives, and worse, some of them even get killed in the performance of their duty.
I call upon my colleagues in the 15th City Council, let us rally behind and support our teachers in their demand for better conditions than what they have experienced in the past elections. They deserve no less. Not only for this coming May 2010 elections, but in all other similar endeavors as well."
(TO READ THE FULL TEXT OF SPEECH, PLS. CLICK THIS LINK)

January to February 2010 Schedule for the Mabel At Your Service Livelihood Training Program

2010-01-12T14:27:00.001+08:00

January 14, 2010 (08:00 A.M.-12:00NN)
Tocino & Chorizo making with The University of Mindanao 4th Yr. Nursing Students
at Km. 6, Matina Pangi, Davao City.
January 15, 2010 (1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.) Binangkal & Fishball making at Pantinople Village, Maa, Davao City

February 20, 2010 (1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.) Binangkal & Fishball making at Talomo, Cemento, Davao City.

February 22, 2010 (1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.) Binangkal & Fishball making at Times Beach, Matina Aplaya, Davao City.
February 26, 2010 (1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.) Binangkal & Fishball making at Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City.

February 27, 2010 (1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.) Binangkal & Fishball making at Bliss, Bago Aplaya, Davao City.
February 28, 2010 (1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.) Binangkal & Fishball making at Purok Malambuon, Bucana, Davao City.

Regular Training sessions are scheduled every Tuesday & Thursday from 1:00P.M.-4:00P.M. at the M.A.Y.S. Livelihood Training Center. Bookings for training sessions in your Neighborhood, Barangay, School or Office and other inquiries, please contact:

The Office of Mabel Sunga Acosta, Rm-19, 2nd Flr., Sangguniang Panlungsod Bldg., San Pedro st., Davao City.
Tel.# (082) 222-08-55 Loc. 218, 418 (fax), mobile#0916-937-8496, 0916-894-6274 and look for
Mr. Ariel Capidos, Ms. Donna Metran-Escosora and Ms. Eden Colina.

Mabel at DXRD-AM's "Baruganan"

2010-01-06T14:43:00.003+08:00

DXRD-AM has recently invited Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta to their morning talk show program "Baruganan" to discuss current issues and updates on the achievements of the City Council and Local School Board.

Councilor Acosta said that the City Government has continually provided windows of opportunities through technical and educational assistance to our less fortunate students where there is a strong number of recipients of the S.T.E.P. and A.L.S. graduates in the city as well as the graduates of the "Mabel At Your Service" Livelihood Training and Seminars.

With the program and commitment of the City Government in truly empowering the masses, students as well as people who seek skills development to augment their income, can easily sign up for the numerous types of livelihood trainings and seminars for free.

Councilor Acosta updated that since 2001, has also achieved significant development. The system is well tailored through carefully structured program designs to be more responsive to the needs of students, schools and teachers. The Arts and Culture Council as well as the Davao Museum has been established. Salaries of City-paid teachers is now at par with national-paid teachers. Even the issue of teachers salaries at Farmer's Bank has been solved at the shortest time. Elated with the fast results, some of the affected teachers sent her gifts last Christmas which she humbly refused, saying that "It is part of my work, it is my job to help."

List of Local Candidates for Davao City

2009-12-11T08:30:00.003+08:00

MAYOR
1 Buezon, Rodrigo, Sr.
2 Duterte, Sara
3 Marcellones, Magdaleno
4 Nograles, Prospero
5 Sulamin, Rodrigo Jomoc

VICE MAYOR
1 De Guzman, Benjamin
2 Duterte, Rodrigo
3 Macaraeg, Roberto

CONGRESSIONAL

1st District
1 Acosta, Maria Belen
2 Custodio, Bernard
3 Duterte, Jocelyn
4 Millendez, Anacleto
5 Nograles, Karlo
6 Olan-Olan Robert Elnar
7 Zamora, Juan

2nd District
1 Alcebar, Dexter
2 Bian, Joji Ilagan
3 Dayanghirang, Danny
4 Garcia, Mylene
5 Mahipus, Diosdado

3rd District
1 Advincula, Victorio, Sr.
2 Al-ag, Wilberto
3 Braganza, Gerardo
4 Cañada, Gregorio
5 Lopez, Ruy Elias
6 Ungab, Isidro

COUNCILORS

1st District
1 Abellera, Nilo, Jr.
2 Andolana, Domingo
3 Antolin, Rodolfo Farma
4 Avila, Lester Lawrence
5 Avisado, Wendel
6 Bonguyan, Jo Anne
7 Bornea, Inocentes, Jr Ripdos
8 Braga, Pilar
9 Cirilo, Carlos
10 Delos Reyes, Hector
11 Dolor, Shane
12 Fuentes, Eddie
13 Galicia, Emmanuel
14 Galido, Arlex
15 Gonzaga, Edwin
16 Ho, Jeff
17 Ibuyan, Edgar
18 Laviña, Evelyn
19 Leonar, Ranoelo Carillo
20 Librado, Leah
21 Lim, Christian
22 Lu, Ferdinand Carabuena
23 Macasaet, Ernesto, Jr.
24 Magandia, Mangompora
25 Manding, Amil Bangsa
26 Militar, Napoleon
27 Mojica, Prospero
28 Paconia, Rogelio
29 Parilla, Pablito
30 Ponteras, Randy
31 Quitain, J. Melchor
32 Ramirez, William
33 Reyes, Stella Marissa
34 Rivera, Benjamin
35 Santos, Joel
36 Tabelo, Michael
37 Vergara, Antonio
38 Villarente, Rene
39 Virador, Joel
40 Yap, Alberto
41 Yap, Jocelyn

2nd District
1 Alcebar, Richard
2 Alejandre, Alryan
3 Alterado, Ernie
4 Alterado, Senforiano, Jr.
5 Amban, Jose
6 Aportadera, Angelo
7 Aportadera, Michael
8 Apostol, Dante
9 Aquino, Leonardo
10 Bangoy, Gerald
11 Bonguyan, Louie John
12 Cabling, Arnolfo
13 Cagatin, Leopoldo
14 Casilao, Ariel
15 Dayap, April Marie
16 Dureza, Jimmy
17 Galido, Dino Ferdinand
18 Lapitan, Lito
19 Lumanog, Joji Jude
20 Monteverde, Tomas IV
21 Noriega, Rhoda
22 Orcullo, Bethoven
23 Orcullo, Nenita
24 Pichon, Anthony
25 Rodriguez, Luis, Jr.
26 Salvador-Abella, Marissa Pacaldo
27 Saucejo, Joseph
28 Sederiosa, Elvira
29 Unla, Richard

3rd District
1 Aballe, Lyndon
2 Adalin, Magno
3 Advincula, Victorio, Jr.
4 Al-ag, Bernard
5 Baluran, Conrado
6 Bantiles, Rogelio
7 Bello, Karlo
8 Caingles, Salvador
9 Casumpa, Genaro
10 Dalodo, Domingo
11 Dalodo-Ortiz, Myrna
12 Dolor, Allan
13 Gerodias, Ernesto
14 Guillen, Daniel
15 Gutierez, Lucio
16 Lasay, Samuel
17 Layao, Aldion
18 Lopez, Rene Elias
19 Mata-Marañon, Teresita
20 Manaois, Cecilio, Jr.
21 Montajes, Rogelio
22 Pantig, Gregorio
23 Reyes, Reynaldo
24 Saberon, Caminero
25 Santander, Angelico
26 Sucayre, Lolito
27 Sumandang, Allan Joy
28 Trinidad, Eduard
29 Villafuerte, Jose Louie
30 Zozobrado, Rachel

Pasko Fiesta 2009, Pahalipay ni Mayor Rody Duterte

2009-12-09T14:46:00.004+08:00

Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and his youngest daughter, Veronica, led the traditional switching on of the Christmas lights of the Rizal Park. The Mayor expressed his gratitude to the people of Davao City as the annual activity has become a symbol of hope and happiness to the common Davaoeño.

The Pasko Fiesta 2009, Pahalipay ni Mayor Rody Duterte, was a crowd drawer as there were presentations coming from the the Magallanes Alumni Rondalla, Matina Central Elementary School Choir and U.I.C. Girls Choir.

Next was a dance number from the group Housemates, the smooth music from the Kaliwag Theater Collective and a Tibetan inspired dance number from the Philippine Academy of Sakya which drew wows from the crowd.

Mabel At Your Service and the T.G.I.F. Project

2009-12-01T09:49:00.015+08:00

Team Mabel with the group Dabaw Anonymous has recently culminated its "Adlaw with Nanay", and the highlight was the awards of Project: T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Feedin' Day), with 5 pupils who were awarded "Best Gainers" coming from the different Grade levels of S.I.R. Elementary School.

The Project:T.G.I.F. focuses on activities promoting health and wellness of the pupils of S.I.R. Elementary School along with their parents, this with the energetic Davao Anonymous group composed of: Juan Gadi, Rica Villanueva, Raffy Sucaldito, Melissa Gandionio and George Peponio.The T.G.I.F. project focuses on sustaining the eating and dietary lifestyle of students as well as hygiene and basic school needs.

The event that sunny Friday morning was was packed with different activities for the pupils, parents and teachers. An exercise session with members of the BeefitGym, a slogan making contest where members of Team Mabel distributed school supplies for the pupils, a free medical check-up for parents and a deworming session for pupils with volunteer doctors: Dr. Shalon Victoriano, Dr. Karol Lesiguez and Dr. Seurinane Espanola was also conducted. After that, a hearty lunch of pancit lomi guisado with vegetables prepared by volunteer parents was shared by the participants and organizers.

The 5 winners for the monthly challenge for pupils who showed robust health improvement aptly called the "Best Gainers" won a free expenses tour to some of Davao's tourist attractions as well as a free shopping spree. The event was also supported by School Principal, Mr. Ronaldo Seras and School Nutrition Head Officer, Mrs. Leonila Laroza.

30 AMPC members, the newest M.A.Y.S. free Livelihood Training & Seminar Graduates

2009-11-29T10:56:00.000+08:00

Some 30 members of the Agdao Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. has completed all the courses offered by the Mabel At Your Service Livelihood Training last Thursday, November 26, 2009 at the M.A.Y.S. Livelihood Training Center.

The graduates, composed of AMPC members who availed the M.A.Y.S. free training seminars were all satisfied with their newly acquired skills on: Cooking, Handicrafts, Baking, Food processing, Accessories and Jewelry making, Bread and Pastries making, Home Decorations & Souvenir items, Candle making, Soap making, Flower Arrangement & Gift Wrapping, etc.

The commencement excercises was lead by Team Mabel with Donna, Kuya Ariel, Ate Eden and special guests.
After the awarding of certificates, the attendees were treated to a sampling of the graduate's favorite recipes and the salu-salo that afternoon was indeed a feast! Congratulations to the new Graduates!

For Bookings and inquiries, interested individuals or parties please contact:The Office of Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, Rm. 19, Sangguniang Panlungsod Bldg., San Pedro St., Davao City. Tel. Nos. (082)222-0855 loc 218/418, (fax) Mobile# 09169738496 / 09168946274 look for Ariel Capidos or Donna Metran-Escosora