BY ALEX ALAGON
BY DEANNE MAE URBIZTONDO AND MARINA O. VILLEGAS/CMU Interns
FREE kidney screenings and health education will be offered to the public in Davao City this week as the Department of Health marks National Kidney Month, a move that comes as the region reports approximately 6,000 dialysis patients.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, June 22, Dr. Richelle May Cajoles-Pagarigan, an adult nephrologist, urged the public to join the culmination program on June 26, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at SM Annex.
The event, which is part of the National Kidney Month, will feature talks by doctors and nutritionists on healthy diets, alongside a ‘Pista sa Nayon’ with dancing and raffles for current dialysis patients and nurses. Limited screenings for diabetes and high uric acid will also be available.
The goal is to empower, educate, and advocate for greater awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
In line with National Kidney Month, the Department of Health has lined up various activities and programs to raise awareness about CKD through discussions on healthy lifestyles that can help prevent and delay the disease’s progression.
“We invited speakers, including doctors and clinical nutritionists, to share information and discuss healthy diets that can help prevent and delay the progression of CKD,” Pagarigan stated.
Pagarigan noted that Region XI has an estimated 6,000 dialysis patients, most of whom suffer from modifiable risk factors like sedentary habits, sleep deprivation, and high-sodium diets.
“The earlier we start imparting knowledge on nutrition, the more the kids become empowered to choose on their own what’s good for their body when they get older,” Pagarigan said.
BY KHADIJAH SALACOP, FRANCINE ALYXIA PALMES & ACE PAGLINAWAN/CMU Interns
THE DUAW Davao 2026: All-In Expo officially opened on Monday, June 22, at Ayala Malls Abreeza, bringing together stakeholders from the tourism, cultural, creative, and food sectors to showcase the city’s diverse offerings.
The expo features tourism showcases, films and arts exhibits, cultural and creative industry displays, locally produced goods, fashion and design exhibits, food products, and other attractions to promote Davao City’s identity as a destination for culture, creativity, and tourism.
Exhibitors include representatives from the tourism sector, creative enterprises, cultural organizations, educational institutions, local entrepreneurs, and food producers. Several booths highlight community-based tourism initiatives, artistic works, handcrafted products, and local culinary offerings.
As one of the major highlights of the month-long Duaw Davao celebration, the All-In Expo serves as a platform for collaboration among government agencies, tourism stakeholders, artists, creatives, academic institutions, and private organizations while providing visitors with an opportunity to experience the city’s cultural and tourism landscape in one venue.
The Duaw Davao 2026: All-In Expo runs from June 22 to 24 at Ayala Malls Abreeza and is open to the public.
The opening ceremony gathered officials from the city government, tourism agencies, cultural organizations, academic institutions, exhibitors, along with chiefs of 11 tribes and private sector partners supporting this year’s Duaw Davao celebration.
Also present during the ceremony was the newly crowned Reyna ng Davao 2026, Kylie Pasaje, who joined city officials and guests during the opening program and exhibit tour.
Following the inauguration, guests were taken on a guided walkthrough of the expo, where participating organizations showcased products, services, destinations, artworks, and cultural presentations representing various sectors of Davao City’s tourism and creative economy.
Tourism Management students from The Joji Ilagan International Schools assisted in guiding VIP guests through the exhibition area and provided information on featured displays and participating exhibitors.
TEN PEOPLE were rushed to medical facilities after a Butuan-bound passenger bus suffered a catastrophic tire blowout, careened into a center island, and triggered a secondary motorcycle crash along the C.P. Garcia Highway in Panacan late Saturday night.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:39 p.m. on June 20, directly in front of the Shin Yahagi Motors Corporation.
An initial investigation conducted by the Davao City Police Office revealed that a Golden Dragon bus, operated by the Davao Metro Shuttle Corporation under the “Go Mindanao Metro Shuttle” line, was traversing the highway in a south-to-north direction.
The bus, bearing plate number NAY8264, was fully loaded with 58 passengers en route to Butuan City, according to the DCPO report.
The bus driver, identified as 45-year-old alias Allan of Tagum City, told investigators that one of the vehicle’s front tires suddenly exploded, causing him to lose control of the heavy vehicle and crash into the highway’s center island.
As the bus struck the barrier, a shower of heavy debris was thrown into the opposite lane.
Angelo, an 18-year-old resident of Panacan, was riding a blue Suzuki FV110 motorcycle in the opposite direction when he encountered the wreckage.
Unable to avoid the scattered debris, Panaguiton’s motorcycle slid violently across the pavement.
Medical responders from the A-04 ambulance unit arrived swiftly at the scene to provide immediate first aid to the teenage rider.
The victim, who sustained various physical injuries, was subsequently evacuated to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Bajada, Davao City, for emergency treatment.
While 49 of the bus passengers managed to escape the impact without severe injuries, nine individuals inside the Metro Shuttle required immediate hospitalization. They were transported to the nearest medical facilities for treatment.
Following the rescue and clearing operations, both the damaged bus and the motorcycle were towed to the Sasa Police Station for proper administrative disposition.
The bus driver was also brought to the police station for questioning as traffic investigators verify the mechanical failure claim.
THE NORTH Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) of the communist insurgent movement is nearing complete disbandment after government troops neutralized its top field commander during a fierce firefight in Malaybalay City on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Operating on a tip-off from local civilians, combat troops from the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) intercepted a group of rebels in Sitio Nalumusan, Barangay Silae.
The intelligence-led raid triggered a brief but intense five-minute shootout, forcing the remaining insurgents to flee south and abandon their fallen leader.
The military identified the casualty as Romeo Mampinsahan, known within the underground movement by his aliases Kakoy and Yuman.
Accordingly, Mampinsan held a critical position as the Commanding Officer of Headquarters Force NEO under the NCMRC.
Following the clearance operations at the encounter site, infantrymen recovered Mampinsahan’s body along with two high-powered firearms.
The death of Mampinsahan deals a crippling, structural blow to the New People’s Army (NPA) hierarchy in the province. According to the 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade—led by Brigadier General Seigfred C. Tubalado—the 8IB has now successfully taken out exactly half of the regional committee’s core command.
With three of its six primary leaders now removed from the battlefield, the military reports that the operational capabilities and command-and-control functions of the remaining insurgent elements in Bukidnon have been severely diminished.
Lieutenant Colonel Jeorge R. Jallorina, commanding officer of the 8IB, praised the professionalism of his troops but extended a stern warning coupled with an offer of clemency to the remaining three leaders hiding in the mountains.
“The neutralization of a key CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) leader is a significant step toward weakening the remaining insurgent structure in Bukidnon,” LTC Jallorina said. “While we extend our sympathies to the family of Romeo Mampinsahan, we continue to call on the remaining members of the NCMRC to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law. The government is ready to help them start a new life.”
Jallorina emphasized that the battalion is working under a strict timeline set by higher military headquarters to officially declare Bukidnon an “insurgency-free” province.
Tactical operations are slated to intensify in the coming weeks. However, the Army maintains that the door remains open for peaceful reintegration and state-backed livelihood programs for rebels who choose to surrender.
A LEGAL officer of the Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) XI urged the public to pursue legal channels to secure the welfare of abandoned and foundling children.
Atty. Kristelle May Cagatin, legal officer of RACCO Davao, called local government units to develop foster families and implement foster care programs.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, June 22, RACCO Davao reported that the region currently has 50 accredited foster parents, who have foster children.
The agency reported there are already 63 foster children in the whole region.
“Aside from the general public, we wanted our LGUs to develop foster families as the number of abandoned children increases, and it is better to have one-on-one care rather than putting them in an institution,” Cagatin said.
LGUs with foster family programs include Davao City; Sta. Cruz, Digos, Malalag, and Sulop of Davao del Sur; Malita and Don Marcelino of Davao Occidental; Panabo, Tagum of Davao del Norte; Monkayo of Davao de Oro; and Lupon, Davao Oriental.
Under RA 10165, or the Foster Care Act, qualified foster parents must be of legal age, at least 16 years older than the child (a requirement waived for relatives) and must demonstrate genuine interest, capacity, and commitment in parenting and able to provide familial atmosphere for the child.
“One of the misconceptions of the foster care program is nag-apas lang ang parents sa subsidy pero dili kana ang ginatanaw, ato gyud gina suta ang financial capacity,” she said.
Foster parents receive a monthly subsidy of P8,000, which increases to P10,000 for children with special needs.
Social workers will also assess if the foster parent can provide a healthy and harmonious relationship with each family member.
“We are looking at the best interest for the child, when we say best interest is the totality of the circumstances, not just financial, or genuine interest, but the right placement of the foster child,” she said.
RACCO Davao is also conducting pre-adoption and foster care forums to raise public awareness, targeting child-caring agencies, orphanages, churches, and LGUs.
Cagatin also called for legal adoption as under Republic Act 11642, adoption has been shifted to an administrative process, removing the need for court proceedings and significantly shortening the timeline.
She said the process can now be completed within six to nine months, provided all documentary requirements are complete, including a mandatory appearance to issue the order of adoption.
Before a child can be adopted, the child must first be declared legally available for adoption through the Certificate Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA).
Following the creation of the National Authority for Child Care in 2022, RACCO XI recorded 162 children who were issued CDCLAA.
Out of 162, there are 80 who have Order of Adoption, meaning their placement in a foster family has been legalized.
Meanwhile, 73 of 162 have ongoing petitions, where seven are for matching, and two are intercountry adoption cases and have been closed.
At present, there are 17 cases placed in residential care facilities, and 10 are in child-caring agencies, totaling 27, where 21 already have an Order of Adoption, and six are ongoing petitions for adoption.
THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has partnered with Mercury Drug to expand medicine access for crisis aid beneficiaries.
DSWD announced on Monday, June 22, that beneficiaries of its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program can use guarantee letters (GLs) at selected branches of the country’s largest drugstore chain nationwide.
In Davao Region, 15 Mercury Drug branches across several provinces have been identified as participating outlets under the arrangement, covering areas in Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro.
Selected branches in Davao City include Davao- Lapu-Lapu located along N. Torres and Lapu-Lapu Street; Davao-Mintal at National Highway in Tugbok; Davao-Bajada at J.P. Laurel Avenue in Bajada; Davao-Sales at Governador Sales Street in Poblacion District; Davao del Sur Davao City Lacson at Porras Street corner Lacson Street in Barrio Obrero, and Davao del Sur Ateneo Business Center inside the Ateneo Business Center in Poblacion.
In Davao del Sur, participating branches are located in Digos City along Estrada 1st Street and in Bansalan along Ramon delos Cientos Street in Poblacion Dos.
Branches in Davao del Norte are situated at CityMall Tagum along the National Highway in Barangay Visayan Village; along Maharlika Highway in Carmen; and along McArthur Highway in Toril.
In Davao Oriental, participating outlets are found in Mati City’s Barangay Dahican; along Mabini Street in Mati; and along C. Tuballa Street in Lupon.
Davao de Oro is also covered through the Mercury Drug branch along the National Highway in Nabunturan Poblacion.
DSWD’s GL serves as a payment guarantee for medicines and other covered services under the agency for the qualified applicants without upfront payment, with DSWD covering the cost directly.
AICS beneficiaries are advised to present GLs at participating Mercury Drug branches displaying the signage “DSWD Guarantee Letter is accepted here.”
The partnership is part of the agency’s continued effort to make social protection services more accessible, particularly for individuals and families facing medical emergencies and other crisis situations who rely on AICS assistance.
The AICS program provides financial and material aid to individuals in crisis, covering medical, burial, educational, and other pressing needs.
Dr. George T. Yang’s Asia Pacific Tambuli Lifetime Achievement Award is received by his son Kristopher Yang (six from left) at the awarding ceremonies held on June 5.
Manila, Philippines — Dr. George T. Yang, the visionary behind McDonald’s Philippines, recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards, a fitting recognition for a career dedicated not just to serving Filipino customers, but taking care of people and communities as well.
In the 1970s, Dr. Yang read an article about the global expansion of quick-service restaurants, saw an opportunity, and was inspired to reach out to McDonald’s Corporation. But the competition was stiff: Dr. Yang had to battle with top Filipino conglomerates with massive resources who also had their eyes on the brand. Still, Dr. Yang persisted—he made constant follow-ups with the McDonald’s Corporation, and even trained as a crew member in Hong Kong to fully immerse himself in various aspects of the business.
When asked by the McDonald’s Corporation how many stores he wanted to open, his answer was a very conservative “ten.” But he made a promise: “If you select me, I’ll be in the store, running it myself.”
From a single McDonald’s store opened in 1981 in Morayta, Manila—of which Dr. Yang himself was the first store manager—he has led the brand’s remarkable growth in the Philippines, now considered as one of the largest McDonald’s markets in the world. At present, McDonald’s Philippines has over 860 stores nationwide, with many more in the pipeline.
Under Dr. Yang’s watch, McDonald’s Philippines became fully Filipino-owned in 2005, anchoring the brand’s growth in local leadership, while also contributing to national economic growth and nation-building. In 2025, Dr. Yang, together with President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang, was granted a new 20-year license to operate McDonald’s in the Philippines—a testament to the business leadership and integrity built and maintained over the past 45 years.
Said Dr. Yang: “If a business wants to be sustainable, it must go beyond profits, it must teach proper values, it must reach for the common good, and these should be part of the purpose of the business. I continue to believe that business, if done right, can be a force for good.”
Customer first
As a Filipino company, McDonald’s Philippines tirelessly sought to understand what makes Filipino customers tick—not just what they like and how they behave, but what they truly value. Dr. Yang recognized that a truly customer-centric approach requires adapting to the local culture.
Through persistence and deep insight into the Filipino customer, Dr. Yang championed innovations that later became staples of the brand: Chicken McDo with rice and gravy, Burger McDo, and McSpaghetti. These items remain beloved nationwide and stand as proof of his belief that listening to customers is the foundation of meaningful innovation.
McDonald’s Philippines has also been at the forefront of digital innovation, launching its first delivery website in 2009, followed by the McDonald’s app in 2014, and most recently, the MyMcDonald’s Rewards. It is also the first quick-service restaurant in the country to introduce self-ordering kiosks and cashless payments.
Purpose beyond profit
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes not just Dr. Yang’s stewardship of the business, but also his enduring commitment to purpose beyond profit.
“Numbers alone do not tell the story,” said Dr Yang. “What matters more to me is why we grew and who we grew with. From the very beginning, bringing McDonald’s to the Philippines was never just about introducing a global brand. It was about creating opportunity—especially for the Filipino youth.”
Even in McDonald’s early years in the country, Dr. Yang believed that every manager and service crew member should be hired directly by the company. Since then, this practice has remained, helping generate up to 100 jobs in every store.
In addition, each employee is given the opportunity to become their best selves through world-class training. The company dedicates up to 2.8 million training hours for employees across all levels. In 2024 alone, McDonald’s invested at least PhP84 million in upskilling its employees.
Said Dr. Yang: “Today, McDonald’s Philippines employs over 75,000 people, and 70 percent of our crew are working students. Every year, around 4,000 of these young men and women graduate with a college degree—not despite working, but because they were given the chance to work. That, to me, is success.”
Guided by Dr. Yang’s vision and values, the company has become one of the most dynamic employers in the country. Just last year, McDonald’s Philippines was named Employer of the Year by the People Management Association of the Philippines, attesting to the company’s commitment to employee well-being and development as an integral part of long-term business growth.
A commitment to communities
Dr. Yang’s “purpose beyond profit” mindset has also led to McDonald’s efforts to make a difference in people’s lives. He said: “I have always believed that education is the great equalizer. It changes lives not just for today, but for generations.”
In 1996, Dr. Yang founded the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Philippines, and has been a champion of literacy and early childhood education for 30 years.
In partnership with the Department of Education, RMHC implements Read to Learn, a program that helps public elementary students, particularly those in Grades 1 and 2, strengthen their literacy skills. To support early childhood development, RMHC has also built Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Centers in underserved communities, working closely with local government units and Social Work and Development offices. These centers provide safe spaces that address the developmental needs of preschool children. To date, 56 Bahay Bulilit Learning Centers have been established nationwide and have benefitted over 40,000 children since.
Inspired by Dr. Yang’s heart for education, McDonald’s Philippines has also introduced initiatives that help students and teachers. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, various stores transformed their party rooms into McDonald’s classrooms to support online classes; when pandemic restrictions were lifted, the same party rooms became Night Classrooms for students in need of a quiet spot to study. McDonald’s also found a way to upcycle store furniture from renovated stores into sturdy classroom chairs, tables, and shelves for public schools, under the ReClassified program.
Together, McDonald’s and RMHC’s education programs address an important call: Feed the Mind. To date, these programs have provided support for at least 13.2 million students, 30,000 teachers, and 14,500 schools nationwide. For its impact on learners and communities, Feed the Mind has been named APAC Tambuli Corporate Program of the Decade.
Aside from supporting education, McDonald’s also donates over 122,000 meals to families in need, including victims of natural disasters, through its McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen program. Its employees contribute over 1,000 volunteer hours to help with vulnerable groups, environmental initiatives, and disaster relief.
On top of these, McDonald’s has made investments in reducing its environmental impact. Under the Green and Good platform, McDonald’s is integrating green-building solutions in its stores, using recyclable packaging, and has significantly reduced its reliance on single-use plastic.
Now in its 20th year, the Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards recognize “people, businesses, and brands that drive performance through purpose.” In ceremonies held on June 5, Dr. Yang’s Lifetime Achievement Award was received by his son, Mr. Kristopher Yang.
A MASSIVE, multi-front law enforcement sweep across Davao City has culminated in the arrest of 94 individuals, including more than a dozen high-value fugitives, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reported.
The widespread operations, spanning June 14 to June 20, 2026, targeted illegal drugs, unregistered firearms, underground gambling networks, and hidden felons under the command of DCPO director PCOL Peter Bauzon Madria.
Netting top fugitives and crime elements
The operational matrix for the week highlights an intensified focus on tracking down individuals evading the justice system, accounting for a significant chunk of the total arrests.
Manhunt for wanted persons
Intelligence-driven tactical units executed 32 operations against wanted individuals. The targeted raids resulted in the capture of 32 fugitives, notably locking away 14 of the city’s “Most Wanted Persons” who had been actively evading law enforcement.
De-escalating loose firearms
In an effort to keep lethal weapons off the streets, the DCPO conducted 15 dedicated operations against unregistered or loose firearms.
The sweep successfully accounted for 15 firearms and resulted in the filing of three criminal cases:
- 4 firearms were directly seized during tactical operations (leading to 3 arrests).
- 7 firearms were voluntarily surrendered by residents.
- 3 firearms turned in for official police safekeeping.
- 1 firearm recovered by field operatives.
Anti-illegal drugs operation
The anti-illegal drugs team sustained its pressure on local street-level dealing by carrying out 33 separate buy-bust and raid operations.
The crackdowns put 39 suspects behind bars and yielded:
- 119.767 grams of shabu (Methamphetamine hydrochloride) carrying a Standard Drug Price (SDP) value of ₱814,415.60.
- 16.9 grams of marijuana valued at ₱2,028.00.
Illegal gambling raids
Measures to suppress community-level illegal gambling syndicates led to 13 separate operations.
Officers arrested 20 individuals, confiscated ₱26,770.00 in active bet money, and initiated 13 formal court cases.
DCPO leadership re-emphasized that the high volume of arrests across the seven-day period was executed with rigorous adherence to standard Police Operational Procedures and strict respect for human rights.
Madria extended credit to the grassroots network of local leaders and residents whose timely tips fueled the operations.
“These achievements reflect not only the dedication of the men and women of DCPO but also the strong partnership with the community, barangay officials, and the local government unit,” the DCPO stated. “Together, we continue to build a safer and more peaceful Davao City.”
THE NORTH Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) of the communist insurgent movement is nearing complete dismantling after government troops neutralized its top field commander during a fierce firefight in Malaybalay City on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Operating on a tip-off from local civilians, combat troops from the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) intercepted a group of rebels in Sitio Nalumusan, Barangay Silae.
The intelligence-led raid triggered a brief but intense five-minute shootout, forcing the remaining insurgents to flee south and abandon their fallen leader.
The Military formally identified the casualty as Romeo Mampinsahan, known within the underground movement by his aliases “Kakoy” and “Yuman.”
Accordingly, Mampinsan held a critical position as the commanding officer of Headquarters Force NEO under the NCMRC.
Following the clearance operations at the encounter site, infantrymen recovered Mampinsahan’s body along with two high-powered firearms.
Leadership structure halved
The death of Mampinsahan deals a crippling, structural blow to the New People’s Army (NPA) hierarchy in the province. According to the 403rd Infantry Brigade—led by Brigadier General Seigfred C. Tubalado—the 8IB has now successfully taken out exactly half of the regional committee’s core command.
With three of its six primary leaders now removed from the battlefield, the military reports that the operational capabilities and command-and-control functions of the remaining insurgent elements in Bukidnon have been severely diminished.
Ultimatum issued as deadline looms
Lieutenant Colonel Jeorge R. Jallorina, commanding officer of the 8IB, praised the professionalism of his troops but extended a stern warning coupled with an offer of clemency to the remaining three leaders hiding in the mountains.
“The neutralization of a key CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) leader is a significant step toward weakening the remaining insurgent structure in Bukidnon,” LTC Jallorina said. “While we extend our sympathies to the family of Romeo Mampinsahan, we continue to call on the remaining members of the NCMRC to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law. The government is ready to help them start a new life.”
Jallorina emphasized that the battalion is working under a strict timeline set by higher military headquarters to officially declare Bukidnon an “insurgency-free” province.
Tactical operations are slated to intensify in the coming weeks, although the army maintains that the door remains open for peaceful reintegration and state-backed livelihood programs for rebels who choose to surrender.
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