BY ALEX ALAGON
BY APRIL MARGRETTE ALNAS & BRAELL EBRADO/UM INTERNS
THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI said 119 repatriated overseas Filipino Workers in Davao Region will receive P10,000 cash aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
According to Engr. Rhuelo Aradanas, regional director of DSWD XI, said the 119 names were included in the tentative masterlist of validated OFWs endorsed by the DSWD Central Office.
He said some OFWs have already received their payouts.
“Mostly from the Middle East. To date, there are 119 OFWs on the list validated within the Davao Region,” he stated.
Additionally, repatriated OFWs who recently returned to the country are encouraged to report to the Department of Migrant Workers for validation and endorsement as AICS beneficiaries.
Aside from the AICS, DSWD also said the OFWs can enroll in the department’s sustainable livelihood program as they reintegrate into their communities.
BY CLIFFORD JAMES L. DANDUAN/UM Intern
TRICYCLE drivers who failed to claim their ₱5,000 cash relief assistance will be given another chance, as the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region XI said there would be a one-day special payout on a still unknown date.
A total of 387 out of 437 qualified tricycle drivers in the city have already claimed their cash assistance as of April 8, according to data posted by the DSWD XI on its Facebook page.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the SM City Davao on Monday, April 13, DSWD XI regional director Rhuelo Aradanas said they must first complete the distribution of cash aid to tricycle drivers in Davao Region before setting the date for the special payout.
”We will just make an announcement because our payout is continuous. After this batch for TODA municipalities, we expect that there will still be unclaimed assistance from the municipalities. We will consolidate everything so that the special payout can be completed in just one day,” he said.
He cited the primary reasons for the unclaimed cash aid, which included errors in the drivers’ names and the inability to show up for the release.
”Most of those unclaimed cases were from beneficiaries who did not show up,” he added.
Aradanas also clarified that personal appearance to verify their IDs is one of the requirements for collecting the payout.
During the first payout last Wednesday, April 08, driver information was collected and enrolled in the beneficiaries’ monitoring system, now serving as DSWD XI’s basis for future cash relief assistance.
The masterlist will serve as the basis if the DSWD XI decides to release successive payouts through the e-wallets.
THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) XI said Monday that a total of 20,608 operators and drivers in the region are expected to receive fuel subsidies.
The Fuel Subsidy Program is funded under the Department of Transportation’s 2025 General Appropriations Act to provide financial relief to 13,636 operators and 6,972 drivers.
LTFRB chair Nonito Llanos III cited official program data from the regional office and submitted the numbers to the central office for validation and cleanlisting.
A combined total of P81,250,500 is earmarked for this program. Of this amount, P57,195,500 is designated for operators, while Php 24,055,000 is set aside for drivers.
Target beneficiaries and denominations
Llanos said the subsidy program categorizes beneficiaries by vehicle type, with varying rates per unit for operators and per individual for drivers.
“The PUJ drivers are already covered by AICS, they will be receiving a lesser amount to have an equitable distribution of the funds of the government, so kadawat naman sila og AICS from DSWD, under fuel subsidy naa silay madawat but to the tune of P1,500,” Llanos said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI is set to provide P5,000 cash relief assistance to each PUV driver under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
To note, the DSWD provided aid to tricycle drivers across the region over the three-day period from April 8-10, where a total of 12,539 tricycle drivers received P5,000 in cash each.
Meanwhile, the operators of jeepneys, which are not included under AICS, will receive a higher rate of P5,000 per unit per operator.
The operators of Modern Public Utility Jeepney (MPUJ), Public Utility Bus (PUB), and Modernized Utility Vehicle Express (MUVE) will receive P10,000 per unit.
Operators of traditional PUJ operators, multicab, traditional UVE, and school transport will receive P5,000 per unit.
Meanwhile, the operators of Transport Network Vehicle Services will be receiving P1,500 per unit.
For the rate per driver, the drivers of TPUJ, MPUJ, and multicabs will receive P1,500 fuel subsidy on top of the P5,000 from AICS.
Meanwhile, drivers of taxis, buses, mini-buses, TUVE, MUVE, and school transport will receive P5,000.
DSWD regional director Rhuelo Aradabas said the tentative dates for the payout will be April 28-30, but the official list is still with the central office.
THE CITY Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) prepositioned emergency vehicles, including ambulances, to strengthen the emergency response system while saving fuel costs in answer to the global oil crisis.
In an interview with city-run disaster radio, CDRRMO chief Alfredo Baloran said they anticipate reducing fuel consumption while maintaining prompt response to emergencies.
Baloran said emergency units are now being stationed in strategic locations across the city, such as in Ulas and Bajada, to ensure faster response times.
“Instead of returning to base after every operation, responders are instructed to proceed to designated standby points nearest their area of operation,” Baloran said.
As part of the fuel-saving methods, CDRRMO is coordinating closely with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to streamline and maximize the use of resources in times of fire emergencies.
Baloran cited common issues encountered during fire responses, including but not limited to false alarms and incidents where fires have already been extinguished upon arrival.
“This results in unnecessary deployment of personnel and equipment, so we are coordinating with the BFP,” he said.
The office is also addressing technical glitches that affect the 911 emergency hotlines, noting that some 911 calls are being rerouted to other areas, such as the National Capital Region and Cebu, due to system errors.
To resolve this, the CDRRMO is working with IT engineers and telecommunications companies to identify and fix the problem.
Baloran warned the public against prank calls, especially during these times when the city government is saving fuel to prioritize legitimate emergencies.
The CDRRMO handles an average of 4,000 calls daily, but only about half are considered legitimate emergencies, wasting critical resources and delaying response to real emergencies.
Baloran added that the city is pushing for an ordinance to centralize emergency assistance systems, ensuring that all calls are properly routed and responded to within Davao, including the handling of prank calls.
“We advise the callers who experience misrouted emergency calls to report the incident to 911, so the number can be listed and relayed to telecom providers for immediate action,” he said.
SENATOR Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday expressed support for Davao City’s newly formed Inter‑Agency Task Force on Emergency Socioeconomic Crisis Response, which Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte established to manage rising fuel‑driven pressures on transport, goods, and livelihoods.
At the same time, Escudero urged other local government units (LGUs) to consider adopting similar mechanisms to help ease the burden of the ongoing oil crisis on Filipino households. He said a coordinated local action can make a difference while national measures are underway.
He said Mayor Duterte’s move to activate a city‑level task force shows proactive local governance at a time when surging fuel prices are pushing up transport costs and affecting the prices of basic goods.
“Ang proactive governance na pinakita ni Mayor Baste ang kailangan ng ating mga kababayan upang mabilis na matugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan sa mga panahong ito,” he said.
Davao City’s task force was created through Executive Order No. 07, Series of 2026, which mobilizes various departments to stabilize prices, ensure the supply of essential goods, protect jobs, and coordinate with the Davao City Price Coordinating Council.
The order took effect immediately following the national government’s declaration of a State of Energy Emergency.
The veteran lawmaker said the framework adopted by Davao City, which includes subcommittees on peace and security, employment, social intervention, economic measures, health, and energy, can serve as a template for other LGUs facing similar pressures from the oil price surge.
He earlier pushed for targeted fuel support for sectors heavily affected by the crisis, including jeepney and tricycle drivers, transport operators, farmers, and fisherfolk.
Escudero, who served as Sorsogon governor from 2019-2022, said LGU‑level task forces can complement national assistance programs by ensuring that interventions reach communities faster and are tailored to local conditions.
POLICE raised the death toll to six after a speeding wing van truck lost control and mowed people and 22 vehicles near the Marilog District Barangay Hall along the Davao-Bukidnon National Highway on Saturday, April 11.
According to the DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Caballero, five victims, including the truck driver and two helpers, were pronounced dead at the scene, while a 71-year-old bystander later succumbed to his injuries at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
The previous report placed the dead at four.
The Isuzu wing van (Plate No. CAH 1281), loaded with assorted snack products and driven by 40-year-old Rodrigo, was reportedly negotiating a steep, curved descent when it lost control.
According to witness Samuel, the truck was traveling at “excessive speed” before it tipped over, swerved to the right, and plowed into the Barangay Marilog gym and a crowded parking area.
The fatalities include the driver and his two young assistants from Panabo City: Remarc, 21, and Alias Lauren, 15.
The tragedy also claimed the lives of local residents and community leaders who were near the barangay hall, like alias Ireen, 29, who died on the spot; alias Jose, 71, who died during treatment; and one additional bystander (identity pending official release).
Six others were injured, including two purok leaders and three barangay tanods who were on duty. While some sustained minor injuries and refused transport, others remain in stable condition at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.
The impact was severe enough that it damaged the structural integrity of the Barangay gym and crushed 18 motorcycles and one motorcycle with a sidecar, two motorized tricycles (Bao-Bao), a Nissan van, and a Sportivo.
According to the police, preliminary findings indicate reckless imprudence as the apparent cause.
IN RESPONSE to the World Bank’s call for greater transparency and shared accountability, the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project will launch “Bantay MIADP,” a mechanism that will institutionalize safeguards of project implementation against fraud and corruption.
This is in response to the World Bank’s challenge to implement the Institutional Strengthening Action Plan (ISAP), a strategic document designed to enhance organizational capacity, governance, and accountability, while mitigating fraud and improving service delivery.
MIADP Legal Officer Atty. John Dy Flauta, Bantay MIADP focal person, said the Bantay MIADP is a two-pronged approach that aims to warn, or ‘bantay’ (in Visayan/Filipino), all stakeholders against fraud in the duty to safeguard the Project’s implementation and fund utilization.
Bantay MIADP highlights key ISAP features, such as the detection of procurement and contract management red flags, in a way that is more understandable and resonant to its intended audience.
World Bank Task Team leader Maria Theresa Quiñones commended the Project team for developing the catchy idea of communicating ISAP to its stakeholders.
Further, she hopes that Bantay MIADP will contribute towards their shared goal of ensuring transparency and delivering quality subprojects in Mindanao’s ancestral domain.
“We envisioned Bantay MIADP as a battle cry toward a more inclusive and participatory mechanism for safeguarding public funds, especially those intended for the indigenous cultural communities,” said MIADP project director Macario Gonzaga. (Ereka Oton/DA-MIADP)
QUICK-THINKING citizens and a rapid police response led to the arrest of a burglary suspect caught in the act at a medical laboratory and driving school along Quimpo Boulevard early Sunday morning.
The suspect, identified only by the alias Russel, was apprehended at approximately 2:35 a.m. on April 12, after concerned citizens alerted Central 911 to a break-in at the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Medical Laboratory and St. Vincent Driving School in Barangay 39-D.
Responding officers from the Mobile Patrol Unit and San Pedro Police Station (PS2) arrived to find the suspect exiting one establishment and attempting to smash the glass door of another.
Police subdued the suspect inside the premises. Upon his arrest, authorities recovered a backpack containing a blender and an undetermined amount of cash in various denominations.
DCPO city director Col Peter Bauzon Madria praised the synergy between the public and law enforcement.
“This incident clearly demonstrates that crime prevention is a shared responsibility,” Madria said. “The vigilance and prompt reporting of our citizens, combined with the professional response of our officers, are key factors in maintaining peace in our city.”
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Southern Mindanao denounced and strongly condemned the planned US military oil depot in Davao Region, considering it a grave violation of Philippine sovereignty.
The planned US depot is targeted to be constructed along the western coast of the Davao Gulf, covering areas in Davao City and Davao del Sur.
BAYAN noted that on March 31, the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) issued a formal solicitation for contractors to bid on a Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) project in the said area.
“BAYAN-Southern Mindanao rejects the DFSP project as it constitutes a grave violation of Philippine sovereignty,” the group said in an official statement on Sunday, April 12.
The DFSP forms part of a broader network of refueling hubs intended to support US military vessels and aircraft operating across the Pacific.
BAYAN said alarmingly, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has “openly welcomed” the project, and maintained the project falls under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
EDCA allows US forces, troops, planes, and ships to increase rotational presence and access to and use of Philippine military bases and facilities.
The group also cited Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, who has downplayed concerns that the DFSP could make the region a potential target of attacks by US adversaries.
“As consistently raised by concerned groups for years, increased US military presence in the country heightens the risk of the Philippines being drawn into geopolitical conflicts among global powers,” BAYAN stressed.
The group noted that the country will host the largest-ever Balikatan exercises, including amphibious landings, live-fire drills, and other war simulations, which will involve over 8,000 troops from the US, Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan from April 20 to May 8, 2026.
“Such activities not only escalate regional tensions but also pose real threats to communities through potential human rights violations, environmental destruction, and the militarization of civilian spaces, all in service of advancing US strategic interests in Asia,” BAYAN said.
It stressed that these developments are part of the “broader US imperialist strategy of pivoting to Asia and containing rival powers such as China and Russia.”
“We likewise denounce the Marcos Jr. administration for its outright subservience to US imperialism,” the group said, noting that under the admin, the US-Philippines Bilateral Defense Guidelines further deepened US intervention in the country’s military and political affairs.
The bilateral defense guidelines led to the expansion of EDCA sites and the deployment of the US Typhon missile system in Northern Luzon, and the planned DFSP in Mindanao is “yet another step in intensifying US military presence in the country.”
The group called on the local government units of Davao City, Davao del Sur, and neighboring provinces to categorically reject the DFSP project and “uphold the region’s security and sovereignty against foreign military encroachment.”
The group demanded to nullify all unequal and lopsided agreements, including the EDCA, the Visiting Forces Agreement, and the Mutual Defense Treaty.
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