Articles by David Ezra M. Francisquete

Health

Davao de Oro launches DDO-Iris to digitize provincial healthcare

THE provincial government of Davao de Oro officially inaugurated the Davao de Oro Integrated Referral Information System (DDO‑Iris) on November 17, a major step toward modernizing healthcare services in the province. The system digitizes the referral process, enabling smoother and faster transfers of patients from Barangay Health Stations (BHS) to Rural Health Units (RHUs) and up to the four provincial hospitals. DDO‑Iris builds on earlier innovationsIn August 2025, the Provincial Information and Communications Technology Office (Picto), in partnership with the Provincial Health Office (PHO), rolled out the DDO E-Referral System. That system was developed to improve patient navigation, ensure consistent and accurate medical data, and allow hospitals to prepare in advance for arriving patients. During the pilot phase, simulation exercises were conducted in Barangays Cabidianan and Sta. Maria in Nabunturan, while the Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital in Montevista served as a testing ground for system integration.Governor Raul G. Mabanglo has strongly backed the DDO‑Iris as part of the province’s commitment to Universal Health Care and the broader digital transformation of government services. To recall, during his 100-Day Progress Report, Mabanglo said:“Kon magpadayon ang pakig‑alayon sa nagkalain-laing ahensya sa gobyerno ug pribadong institusyon, inubanan sa partisipasyon sa matag-usa, walay hagit nga dili nato kaya nga atubangon,” emphasizing the power of collaboration. A broader healthcare revitalization driveThe launch of DDO-Iris is only one pillar in what Gov. Mabanglo describes as his health‑sector priority during his first 100 days in office. In his formal progress report, he reiterated his commitment to revitalizing healthcare in the province. Under his leadership, the provincial government issued Task Force Kahimsog, which oversees the rehabilitation of the four provincial hospitals: Montevista, Pantukan, Maragusan, and Laak.In Pantukan, Mabanglo personally inspected hospital facilities and coordinated with local officials, the Provincial Engineer’s Office, and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to push for urgent upgrades. Plans include expanding outpatient departments, improving emergency rooms, upgrading laboratories, and constructing new buildings to accommodate more patients.Through Task Force Kahimsog, Mabanglo has established a multi-sectoral framework involving hospital chiefs, health office representatives, provincial administrators, and other stakeholders to ensure systematic improvements across all four hospitals. Immediate tangible improvementsBeyond planning, Mabanglo’s administration has delivered concrete upgrades. In July 2025, 60 new hospital beds were distributed across the four provincial hospitals, easing capacity issues and improving patient comfort. Additional donations of wall-mounted electric fans and wheelchairs further enhanced hospital facilities, particularly at DDOPH Montevista, where overcrowding and poor ventilation had been observed.Mabanglo has remained hands-on, inspecting hospital operations and assessing facility needs, ensuring that improvements are implemented quickly and efficiently. A vision for accessible, resilient healthcareThe launch of DDO‑Iris underscores Governor Mabanglo’s vision to make public health services more accessible, efficient, and data-driven. Coupled with hospital rehabilitation efforts under Task Force Kahimsog, and with tangible upgrades already in place, his early administration has prioritized healthcare revitalization as a core pillar of governance.During his first 100 days, Mabanglo has acted decisively: implementing digital tools to improve referral workflows, upgrading hospital infrastructure, and enhancing patient care capacity. These initiatives demonstrate a holistic approach—strengthening both the technological and physical foundations of healthcare delivery in the province. If sustained, these measures could mark a turning point in Davao de Oro’s public health system, moving toward a more resilient, patient-centered, and equitable model for all residents. DEF

Politics

PDEA: Drug testing in schools must follow national guidelines

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office-Davao Region (PDEA-Davao) clarified that schools may only conduct random drug testing among students if they comply with national policy requirements, foremost of which are a formal Memorandum of Agreement with PDEA and the written consent of parents or guardians.Regional Director Edgar T. Jubay made the statement in a radio guesting earlier this week as the agency intensifies its anti-drug initiatives across the Davao Region, with a particular focus on the vulnerability of young people to peer influence and risky environments.As part of PDEA’s ongoing demand reduction initiative, agency personnel have been visiting campuses to conduct room-to-room lectures, school forums, and anti-drug symposiums. These activities aim to educate students on the dangers of substance use and equip them with the awareness necessary to resist pressure and avoid harmful behavior.Jubay added that PDEA continues to collaborate with teachers, school administrators, barangay anti-drug councils, and local government units to further strengthen early intervention strategies. Orientation sessions for school personnel are also being conducted to help identify behavioral red flags that may signal drug involvement among students. Call for stronger community vigilanceAuthorities have reiterated their call for parents, educators, youth groups, and community leaders to stay alert, emphasizing that constant guidance and open communication play a crucial role in protecting children and adolescents. Jubay stressed that the youth remain highly exposed to influences within their surroundings, heightening the need for active community monitoring. Legal frameworksRandom drug testing in schools is supported by Republic Act 9165, which authorizes confidential and non-punitive testing for students in secondary and tertiary institutions as part of the country’s broader drug-prevention strategy. The law makes clear that results cannot be used to suspend, expel, or penalize learners; instead, students who may test positive must be provided with counseling, intervention, and rehabilitative support.To guide implementation, the Department of Education issued national guidelines for random drug testing in secondary schools, ensuring that parents are properly notified, procedures follow strict protocols, and results are handled with full confidentiality. All testing must be conducted through DOH-accredited laboratories, the only facilities authorized to perform drug testing under Philippine law. The government also shoulders the cost of mandated tests under RA 9165, ensuring accessibility for all students.These safeguards reinforce that school-based drug testing is intended as a child protection and public health measure, not a punitive one. As PDEA-Davao expands its education and prevention efforts, national policies continue to emphasize collaboration among schools, families, and communities in maintaining safe and drug-free learning environments. DEF