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Davao City to embrace AI-robotics in government services 

by Contributor
written by Contributor

BY RHENA JEAN H. BATOBALANI AND DEANNE MAE C. URBIZTONDO/CMU Interns

A LAWMAKER proposed an ordinance that will introduce artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, as well as smart tools to enhance the delivery of government services.

During the Pulong Pulong sa Dabawenyos on Tuesday, June 16, Councilor Bonz Andre A. Militar, chairperson of the committee on information technology, said the city plans to deploy AI-powered robots as early as next year following a feasibility study.

Militar said the program funding will be incorporated into the local government’s budget, although they don’t have any estimated cost for now. 

However, the initial plan is to provide three robots for Sangguniang Panlungsod and parks, although this may still change depending on the results of the committee hearing on the matter. 

Militar clarified that the AI robots will not replace government employees, and will even ease their administrative tasks. For example, some basic functions include processing customer queries or documents. 

“It’s just a support for our employees to make their work faster. So, we will not replace them. It is just a tool we will install in our system, in our government agencies, so checking, approval, and composing of documents will be faster,” Militar said. 

Militar stressed the proposed ordinance is still at the committee level and will undergo several hearings before it is presented to the plenary.

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IGDD backs call to remove occupational permits of women in prostitution

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE INTEGRATED Gender and Development Division (IGDD) backed the lawmakers move to remove the Davao City government’s policy of requiring occupational permits for women in prostitution.

IGDD head Lorna Mandin said the move has finally reached in the Sangguniang Panglungsod after years of advocacy

“Ang among opisina mosuporta sa unsang pamaagi and we also coordinate with other offices and LGU paunsa sya ma concretize,” Mandin said during Ispeak on March 6.

Mandin said prostitution, in any way, is illegal as stipulated in the Women’s Development Code of the City.

Chapter II, Article 18 of the Code says: “Prostitution shall be recognized as a violation of human rights and exploitation of women who have no real choices for survival.”

Mandin stressed that payment of annual occupational fee from prostituted women is an irony, provided the City Code clearly prohibits such act.

While the proposed removal of occupational permits is considered, these workers still have to comply with the health card.

“Health card is a requirement, we know all workers have to get a health certificate so as not to compromise public health,” she said.

Along with the discussion on removal of occupational permits, the office also eyes to address the stigma on “pink cards.”

Workers whose nature of work is entertaining others, regardless of whether or not sexual acts are involved, are issued the pink cards from the City Health Office.

These cards are renewed annually and the holders are to undergo basic laboratory tests including stool and urine tests, and extra laboratory tests are conducted like Hepatitis B and Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) for those workers with possible involvement of sexual acts.

VDRL test is to see whether the patient has syphilis, an infection transferrable through sexual activities.

Mandin said there is a gap in the alignment of local laws which is in this case the Women Development Code and the requirement of the national law which is the revenue code and the sanitation.

“All agencies will have to sit down to align the laws,” she said.

IGDD hinted at plans to revisit and review the Women’s Development Code as it turns 30 years since its establishment in 1994.

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Poblacion barangay chairmen to undergo seminar in renaming brgy names

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

FORTY village chairpersons will undergo a seminar as the next step in the City Council’s plan to rename the 40 Poblacion barangays from current numbers and letters to something easier to remember.

The office of the proponent councilor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. called the meeting to ensure a smooth process as part of the proposed ordinance renaming the numerically designated 40 barangays under the First Congressional District.

The Davao City Culture and the Arts Office (DCCAO) was tasked to conduct the seminar, scheduled on Nov. 12, 2025, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Building.

In an earlier interview, DCCAO head Oscar Casaysay lauded the initiative to rename barangays, but they should consider cultural and historical landmarks in the process.

Quitain emphasized that while there is a need for a plebiscite to officially rename barangays, the Sanguniang Barangay should list options and consult with the National Historical Commission in line with Section 11 of the Local Government Code.

A series of consultative meetings were held, with the latest on Sept. 25, gathering stakeholders such as the Commission on Elections, Department of Interior and Local Government, City Legal Office, and the Barangay and Cultural Communities Affairs Division.

Netizens also lauded the initiative to rename the barangays, including Reynaldo Al-ag, who commented: “I totally agree, very good idea by Hon. Quitain. It’s really hard to locate the place or barangay if numbers are being used.”

Hares Meadow also commented: “And dapat those barangays are named after Davao City’s culture and heritage.” 

User Naprey Almario chimed in: “Its about time. Kapoy na kaayo sige butang og landmark just so makatuod ang gitultulan.”

Under the first congressional district, there are 40 barangays in Poblacion namely: 1-A, 2-A, 3-A, 4-A, 5-A, 6-A, 7-A, 8-A, 9-A, 10-A, 11-B, 12-B, 13-B, 14-B, 15-B, 16-B, 17-B, 18-B, 19-B, 20-B, 21-C, 22-C, 23-C, 24-C, 25-C, 26-C, 27-C, 28-C, 29-C, 30-C, 31-D, 32-D, 33-D, 34-D, 35-D, 36-D, 37-D, 38-D, 39-D, and 40-D.

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One step closer 

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas
  • Proposed clamping ordinance hurdles second reading 

LAWMAKERS passed the Wheel Clamp Ordinance on second reading on Tuesday, Oct. 14, paving the way for its adoption and implementation. 

The Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday’s regular session approved on second reading the ordinance authorizing the use of wheel clamps for illegally parked vehicles in selected areas in the city.

The ordinance further amends Davao City’s Traffic Code as proposed by Councilor Luna Acosta, in a bid to strengthen the enforcement of traffic regulations.

Acosta stressed that illegal street parking contributes to the traffic problems. 

Owners of the illegally parked clamped vehicles will face penalties of P2,000 for light vehicles and P5,000 for trucks and other heavy vehicles.

Vehicle owners who refuse to pay parking fees in pay parking zones will be subject to clamping as stated in the ordinance. 

Clamping zones include those already established as illegal parking areas or vehicles parked across any line or marking of a parking space.  

In addition, the ordinance also covers parking any vehicle for the purpose of waiting, resting, washing, cleaning, greasing, painting, or repairing, or any installation of any car accessories and/or tinting, except repairs due to an emergency; and parking to display for sale or to sell goods and merchandise. 

Acosta said they initially identified Daang Maharlika Highway, Sandawa, Quimpo Boulevard, and Tulip Drive to be declared as clamping zones.

The City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) will determine more clamping zones, considering factors such as traffic volume, PUV routes, and other traffic concerns.

The ordinance will have a pilot study duration in the first quarter of 2026.

CTTMO representative Atty. Eduardo Perez said that the office has requested the purchase of additional clamps to ensure the smooth pilot implementation next year. He said they will first install clamping zone signs to warn motorists. 

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Lawmakers move to institutionalize aid for medical and burial expenses

by Admin
written by Admin

BY ARNELYN L. LAPATIS & MEKYLA JANE TICAR/CMU Interns

THE 21ST City Council tackled the proposed ordinance institutionalizing aid for medical and burial expenses during the third regular session on Tuesday afternoon, July 15.

Councilor Ralph Abella formally introduced the measure, which institutionalizes the allocation of a portion of each city councilor’s official budget specifically for assistance with verified medical and funeral expenses.

“Those having a low income or an indigent for verified medical or funeral needs—now that is covered,” Abella said.

To access the aid, constituents must submit a letter of request and relevant supporting documents to their councilor’s office. Once verified, the city treasurer will release the funds.

“So to protect, there is an oversight and reporting (mechanism),” Abella said. “Although the semi-annual report per councilor is monitored by the office of the vice mayor and the city budget,” he added.

Councilors moved for its immediate consideration, with no objections raised. The motion was approved and marked for first reading.

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NewsPolitics

Neophyte councilors of 21st City Council take on committee chairmanships

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

NEOPHYTE members of the 21st City Council took their oath on Tuesday as chairs of their respective committees.

While newbies in lawmaking, they were elected to lead the committees previously held by their predecessor relatives from the 20th City Council.

Doce Apostol will chair the franchises and public utilities committee, which was previously held by his brother, former councilor Dante Apostol.

In his inaugural speech, Doce, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Management and former barangay chairman of Panacan from 2018 to 2025, said he will follow the leadership of his late father Fortunato Apostol Sr., a former barangay captain, and appointed city councilor and brother Dante.

“Sa tanan hagit sa akong kinabuhi, ang pag pangga sa akong pamilya, ug ang pagsalig sa mga katawhan sa Barangay Panacan…labi na sa segundo distrito, maoy nagpabilin nakong kusog ug inspirasyon,” he said.

In an earlier interview with Doce after the proclamation on May 14, he said he will focus on addressing economic concerns of all sectors, but stressed he will approve everything in the plenary as long as in line with the Duterte programs.

During his stint in the 19th City Council, former councilor Dante Apostol pushed for PUV routes in the city’s bypass roads and ancillary roads to decongest traffic in main roads.

Doce will handle the pending Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association applications for routes and extension of routes, which will be a challenge pending the implementation of the High Priority Bus System.

Meanwhile, Jopet Baluran, a registered nurse and a law student, will chair the transportation and communication committee, which was chaired by his father, former councilor Conrado Baluran.

In his inaugural speech, Jopet said he will continue the work of his father for the past 18 years. 

“I will give my full support to acting-mayor Baste Duterte and fully cooperate with the leadership of the City Council in building Davao City, a home not only child-friendly, but friendly to all people who respect, and uphold justice, and abide by the law,” he stressed.

Jopet will be facing challenges in the city’s evolving road conditions, including the traffic congestion and the city’s future public transportation trajectory.

His father, Conrado, openly lambasted TomTom Traffic Index survey, which placed Davao City as the 8th most heavily congested city worldwide.

Councilor Ragde Ibuyan, a certified public accountant, will handle the Government Enterprises and Privatization, chaired by former councilor Edgar Ibuyan, his brother.

Ibuyan said in his inaugural speech that he will push programs aiming to increase the economic self-reliance of the city down to the local level.

“We will strive to uphold due diligence in every endeavor, in every review, and in every task that we do.  We will make sure that public, private partnerships are also prioritized,” he said.

To name a few, Ragde will be confronted with the challenges in the administration of the city’s public markets and local economic development.

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