Human Rights

‘2006 Worst Year for Human Rights in Davao Regions’

The Southern Mindanao office of the human-rights group Karapatan released today “The 2006 Human Rights Situation of Southern Mindanao.” The report detailed abuses, mainly by state security forces in the region, against civilians, activists, peasants and workers. This year, it said, “is the worst for human rights since the toppling of the Marcos fascist dictatorship in 1986.”

(more…)

Continue Reading‘2006 Worst Year for Human Rights in Davao Regions’

The Ritual at Tudaya Falls

Click on image to view slideshow
Click on the image to view Cheryll D. Fiel’s pictures of the ritual.

A giant power company plans to build a hydroelectric plant in Tudaya, a village in Davao del Sur. Proponents of the project said the plant would “not only offer solution to the power crisis in the offing, but at the same time provide livelihood opportunities and other benefits to the communities.” The Lumads in the area, however, are up in arms, claiming that the plant would desecrate Tudaya Falls, which is their worship ground, and destroy their way of life. They also accuse Hedcor, the power company, of misleading members of the tribe. They expressed their opposition to the project by holding a sacred ritual last week. Davao Today?s Cheryll D. Fiel was there.

(more…)

Continue ReadingThe Ritual at Tudaya Falls

Davao City Wins Another ?Green Banner? Award

For the second year, Davao City won the Green Banner Award, one of the prestigious and outstanding awards given to a local government unit, city or municipality of the region because of its relentless campaign in promoting and implementing its nutrition program.

(more…)

Continue ReadingDavao City Wins Another ?Green Banner? Award