The City Government of Davao inaugurated on Monday, February 6, 2023, the city-owned Php6.18 million, 200 feet monopole tower in Purok 3, Barangay Langub, Davao City that made the signal of the Davao City Disaster Radio covers the whole of Davao City and reach nearby provinces.
The inauguration was led by Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte and attended by Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain, City Information Office Officer-in-Charge Harvey James Lanticse, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Officer-in-Charge Alfredo D. Baloran, Davao City Disaster Radio Station Manager Derf Maiz and other city officials and guests. Fr. Emmanual “Bong” Gonzaga also led the blessing of the tower, transmitter house, and technical room.
Lanticse, in his speech during the event, said that the inauguration and ceremonial switch on is momentous since the Davao City Disaster Radio celebrated its third anniversary last February 3, 2023. The inauguration symbolizes the continuity of commitment of the DCDR to Dabawenyos and even now to wider areas outside Davao City.
“Padayon ta maningkamot nga ihatod sa Dabawenyo ang impormasyon nga kinahanglan nilang mahibal-an ug pinaagi sa atong bag-ong tower from 3,000 watts to 10,000 watts, mas gipakusgan ug mapalapdan ang atong broadcast (We will continue to deliver to Dabawenyos the information that they need to know and through this new tower, from 3,000 watts to 10,000 watts, we can strengthen and expand our broadcast),” Lanticse said, adding that with the tower, DCDR’s signal can already reach the whole of Davao City, even as far as Marilog and Paquibato and nearby provinces.
These areas are the Island Garden City of Samal, Panabo City, Carmen, Sto. Tomas, Tagum City, a portion of Mawab, Davao de Oro, a portion of Nabunturan, Maco, Mabini, Pantukan, a portion of Lupon, Davao Oriental, Sta. Cruz, Digos City, and a portion of Matanao Davao del Sur, a portion of Malalag, a portion of Baluyan, Sarangani Province, and a portion of San Fernando, Bukidnon.
Baloran, in a separate interview after the event, said that the people in Davao City can monitor updates on activities, services of the government, and, especially updates on the weather conditions.
“Siyempre dili man nato ma-isa-isa nag adto sa ilang mga balay, pinaagi sa atong DCDR madali nato mahatag ang current information regarding sa atong mga activities ug unsa ang atong angay ipaabot, especially sa kanang weather disturbances (Of course we cannot go to each house and through DCDR we can easily give current information on our activities and especially the things we need to give during weather disturbances),” Baloran said.
Maiz said that radio, as a medium of communication, remains relevant and the expansion of DCDR’s radio signal is a huge asset to keep Dabawenyos informed and safe.
In his speech, Mayor Baste encouraged Davao offices to use and utilize the radio station in relaying important information to Dabawenyos.
“Gamita ninyo ang radio kay ang pinaka-importante ma-disseminate ang information labi na sa balaod aron dili maglalis para makasabot gyud unsa ang gusto sa gobyerno ug unsa ang kinahanglan sundon sa tao (Use the radio because it is very important to disseminate information, especially on laws so that people can understand what the government wants and what are the things that they should follow),” he said.
He added that information dissemination is very important in knowing the direction of the government for the people of Davao as a whole.
The DCDR tower was funded under the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund (LDRRMF) of 2019 and 2020.
Davao City, by virtue of RA 11538 which lapsed into law on May 18, 2021, secured a National Franchise to Operate, Install and maintain an FM radio station. On June 7, 2022, the scope of the DCDR franchise expanded from maintaining an FM radio to Digital TV under the amendments of RA 11842.
After Shrine Hills, the location of the first rented tower of DCDR was declared as a no-build zone, Barangay Langub was identified by the DCDR to be the alternative area to set up the monopole tower. CIO
