They are still having trouble at Heathrow airport since last week’s reported foiling of a terrorist plot to blow up airliners flying to the US from London.
So, once again the center of attention was focused on this man. He who has long been the centerpiece at an artist’s booth in one of Davao’s malls. He may be the world’s most wanted and maybe even hated man. But here, mall goers just admired the artist’s hands.
The campaign of Davao for an “open skies” policy has gained a tremendous boost last week when NEDA Director General Secretary Romulo Neri brought up the idea to the President.
The President, accordingly, gave consent to study the proposal.
Three years ago, Davao asked for this air liberalization policy but the President granted only the request of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark. Since then, many new foreign air lines - mostly budget carriers - serviced the central Luzon airport.
An “open skies” regime for Davao and the eventual service by more foreign air carriers would augur well to the goals of develoment in Mindanao. It would benefit not only local travelers and foreign tourists, but many Mindanao overseas contract workers returning home from abroad.
Some of my schedules for this month:
August 8 - Forum on Child Labor in Commercial Agriculture at Kuya Ed’s Restaurant;
August 10-12 - Mindanao Island Congress of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL);
August 13 - Motorcade and launching of the Davao Musicians Association where I serve as adviser - Magsaysay Park to MTS;
August 15 - Opening Thanksgiving Mass for the Kadayawan 2006 Festival (up to August 20);
August 21 - Cocktail reception for 61st Independence Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia at the Indonesian Trade & Cultural Promotion Center;
August 30 - Septermber 1 - Liberal Leadership Training of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation at the Asia Institute of Management; my topic New Public Management in Practice: Case Study of the City of Davao
Highlights of the Calendar of Business of the City Council regular session on August 8:
Invocation - Councilor April Marie C. Dayap (youth sector representative);
First Reading - Item Nos. 2655 - 2684 (30 Items)
e.g. Item No. 2660 - Letter-request from the Davao Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for exemption from the payment of amusement tax for the benefit concert featuring the Himig Singers on August 17, 2006 at the CAP Auditorium;
Item No. 2678 - Application for Development Permit (DP) of New Fatima Homeowners Association located at Mintrade Drive, Barangay Centro, Agdao District containing an area of 10,198 square meters;
Item No. 2682 - Application for Preliminary Approval & Locational Clearance (PALC) of Catotal Realty and Agri-Dev Corp for a subdivision at Barangay Calinan Proper, Calinan District, containing an area of 39,135 square meters.
Unfinished Business - Item No. 2137-B on the sale of expired food products and those without expiry dates;
Commitee Reports (Deferred Items) - (6 Items)
e.g. Item Nos. 2057, 2067 and 2147 all relative to the reported occupation and illegal cutting of trees of watershed areas in Barangay Carmen, Baguio District, threatening the destruction of sources of water for five barangays;
Item No. 2485 - Situation Report on the Davao City Coastal Zone and Recommendations of the Coastal Resource Management Technical Working Group;
Committee Reports (New Items) - (24 Items)
e.g. Item No. 2407 - Application for DP of Palm Ridge subdivision located at Barangay Malagamot, Buhangin District, containning an area of 56,800 square meters;
Item No. 188 - Request for Congress to enact legislation for the establishment of additional branches of Metropolitan Trial Courts in Davao City.
Posted as comment at my new blog on the 2007 election.
“I am lost in cyberspace, but lost not in vain after all. I found your blog site and i immediately positioned myself for further investigation. I can only hope that all these community projects you have been talking about will come into fruition.
Although I have been away for over a quarter of a century (I recently visited the beautiful city of Davao last July 2006, I must admit I am at awe as far as progress and improvement this city achieved. I must say, kudos to all of you.
As a Dabawenyo at heart, there is something I wish to speak out. Inspite of the progress and improvement I have witnessed thereof, there are still a lot of improvements to make concerning the welfare of our young children. I am shocked to see young children sleeping on the streets.
They are everywhere.
Is there something we could do to take care of these children. Why are they on the street living miserably neglected? Is there something our local governance can do to help and alleviate this poverty? These children should be at a school environment to learn and acquire education.
Thank you,”
Cornell
There are 29 elected officials in Davao City. Three representatives to Congress, the city mayor, vice mayor and eight councilors for each of the three districts.
Of the 29, only five have expiring terms next year. Congressman Ruy Elias Lopez of the 3rd district, vice mayor Luis Bonguyan, and councilors Emmanuel Galicia (1st district), Jimmy Dureza and Gerald Bangoy (2nd district).
Their vacant positions are up for grabs in the May 14, 2007 polls.
The hotly contested one would be the post of vice mayor. As many as 10 names have been mentioned as probables. The next vice mayor would have a good chance to replace Mayor Rodrigo Duterte when he bows out of office for his sixth term in 2010.
The probables include:
Third term congressman Ruy Elias Lopez;
Third term councilors Jimmy Dureza and Emmanuel Galicia; councilors Mabel Acosta, Leo Avila III, Diosdado Mahipus;
Former city and vice mayor Ben de Guzman;
City administrator Wendel Avisado; 1st congressional district chief of staff Karlo Nograles; and retiring police officer Sid Lapena.
Take your pick.
Another medical transcription school is opening in Davao City today. It’s goal -”building careers for brighter future.”
The Davao site of the MTC Academy is at the old Ecohome furniture shop along E. Quirino Avenue infront of Tower Inn Hotel.
I will represent Mayor Rodrigo Duterte at its ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m.
Interested? Contact its administrator - Lizabel “Wit” Holganza.
Related post - Davao opens transcription school