Zamboanga del Sur News November 2015

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Province of Zamboanga del Sur - Archived News of Zamboanga del Sur

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Provincial Capitol of Zamboanga del Sur, Santo Niño, Pagadian city

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs. Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Lapuyan Falls: The favorite haunt of the fair Subanen maidens of Sitio Baga and all its neighboring areas, usual meeting place with many a young country swain in some secluded cavern beneath the rocky forest lane.

Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines

Village of Pedagan

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion. But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened . Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions. Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE? Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace? WHY?? There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance: The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Lintugop, Aurora

Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur

Provincial human resource management office of santo niño pagadian city

Civil Service Commision office in santo niño pagadian city

DOLE grants Kabuhayan starter kits to farmers in Tigbao town

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371447035813/dole-grants-kabuhayan-starter-kits-to-farmers-in-tigbao-town
• Tuesday, November 10, 2015

By Gideon C. Corgue (ALT/GCC/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)

TIGBAO, Zamboanga del Sur, Nov. 9 (PIA) –The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) thru the local government unit of Tigbao distributed 12 units of Kabuhayan starter kits (KSK) to rural farmers in barangay Nangan-Nangan during the ‘Matapat Serbisyo Caravan’ (MSC) held here recently.

The distribution ceremony was led by Anecito Ochotorena of DOLE, assisted by Mayor Danilo E. Dalid and Lt Col. Alvin Luzon, commanding officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.

The MSC is a convergence of government agencies who pooled their resources together to be delivered to the poorest communities, as well as acquaint them of the services that they can avail from participating institutions.

Dalid sad the KSK package consisted of plow, bag pack sprayer, coat, sweat shirt and boots which were given to recipient farmers to help them sustain their livelihood and augment their income.

He said the starter kits were just part of the 30 units that he requested from the DOLE intended for the farmers. The municipality is basically an agricultural area.

Punong Barangay Ranel Redel, who is also a farmer was grateful to DOLE, the GU and 53rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army for spearheading the activity.

“Dako kaaayo ang among kalipay nga gihimo kini nga kalihokan sa among barangay. Bisan ug labihan kalayo kining among dapit apan gihatagan ug dakong pagtagad sa gobyerno ang among katawhan aron makapahimulos sa mga serbisyo ilabi na paghatag sa Kabuhayan starter kits sa mga mag-uuma aron among magamit sa kalihokan sa pagpanguma,” Redel said.

(We are very grateful that this activity was conducted in our barangay. Even if our place is very far, yet the government gave much attention to our people so we can avail support services especially the granting of Kabuhayan starter kits to farmers.)

A 62 year-old farmer-recipient, Juanito Gualeza thanked the government for launching the MSC saying that the farming tools he received will be used to cultivate his 2-hectare farm planted with corn.

Fernando Tumbao, a 44-year old farmer said with the starter kits, his tillage practices will be faster and easier.

Dalid urged the beneficiaries to take care of the starter kits because it will help provide sustainable livelihood and improve their standard of living.

58th Araw ng Lapuyan highlights 1st 'Kamgbegu Festival'

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1361447036264/58th-araw-ng-lapuyan-highlights-1st-kamgbegu-festival-
• Monday, November 9, 2015

By Alma L. Tingcang

To brighten the festivities in celebration of the 58th Araw ng Lapuyan, the culture-rich Subanen tribe of this peaceful town in Zamboanga del Sur held the 1st “Kamgbegu Festival” (Feast of the Harvest) to thank God for a bountiful harvest.

“After a good harvest, the Subanen people express their thanksgiving by holding a feast and inviting people to share the blessings from God, which is typically a Subanen culture,” Mayor Daylinda P. Sulong said happily.

The launching of the 1st Kamgbegu Festival was replete with colorful dance presentation from JH Cerilles State College, dancers with their vibrant costumes wowed the audience and received a loud applause from guests and local spectators.

The drizzle which later turned to a heavy downpour did not dampen the spirit of the graceful dancers with the cheering crowd awed at their overwhelming performance.

Indeed, Lapuyan has been transformed from a quaint little town to a bustling agricultural center, and yet preserving the rich Subanen culture through the School of Living Tradition established by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts with the support of the local government.

Mayor Sulong also cited the support of the provincial government especially the opening of JH Cerilles State College (JHCSC) campuses throughout the province making tertiary education accessible to distant municipalities.

“It will be easier because we have JHCSC here in Lapuyan. Parents need not worry about sending their children to the city to acquire college education, it is right at our doorstep,” the lady mayor proudly announced.

She also mentioned the road network project connecting Kumalarang, Lapuyan and Margosatubig and other infrastructure projects, and the opening of Margosatubig Regional Hospital for the health needs of the marginalized sector.

Gracing the festival was Governor Antonio H. Cerilles, who is known as an adopted son of Lapuyan. He was given a shield as a token by Mayor Sulong, symbolizing that the governor will protect the Subanen and the people of Zamboanga del Sur.

In his inspirational message, Governor Antonio H. Cerilles said, “Lapuyan is considered an interior town. Not anymore. There is now a law which makes Kumalarang-Lapuyan-Margosatubig a national road project.”

He said the project has been finalized on October 20, and added that the road to Bulawan is already a national road with an allocation of P60 million.

The governor said, “We are looking at the total development of the province with the ongoing construction of the coastal road connecting Dumalinao to San Pablo, Dinas, Dimataling, Tabina, V. Sagun and Margosatubig.”

Zamboanga del Sur has been hailed as the 5th most competitive province in the Philippines and declared as peaceful and development ready by the AFP and PNP. “I want to maintain that, so investors from outside Zamboanga del Sur will come,” said the governor.

“I know we can do better. We are not an industrialized province but basically an agricultural one. But we can do better by showing our support to the government and whoever sits as president,” he added.

“In the area of athletics, we are the only province with a sports academy. I hope and pray that other provinces will copy us. I hope they come and see what we are doing, how we can turn barangay people to become national athletes,” Cerilles underscored.

“We must think as a people with one vision and mission, we need to cooperate and recognize the total effort of the people of Zamboanga del Sur for the progress and development that we all desire,” the governor concluded. (ALT-PIA9/Zamboanga Sibugay)

Bill penalizing refusal to give child support pushed

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/08/1519755/bill-penalizing-refusal-give-child-support-pushed
• Sunday, November 8, 2015 2:07 pm

By Rosette Adel

MANILA, Philippines – A lawmaker filed a bill to make parents who refuse or fail to provide legal child support suffer legal consequences.

Manila Rep. Rosenda Ocampo, also vice chair of the House Committees on Basic Education and Culture, on Games and Amusement and on Natural Resources, authored House Bill (HB) 6079 to penalize parents who neglect their responsibility of giving child support without justifiable cause.

“Apart from the emotional trauma, the parent who has custody of the child is left with the difficult task of single-handedly raising the child or children,” Ocampo said citing that child support is one of the main issues faced by separated couples.

“Hence, the welfare of the child is compromised, especially when the custodial parent does not have the means to sustain the needs of the child,” she added.

Ocampo said the present Constitution does not penalize anyone obliged to give legal child support but intentionally remit the support.

She said with the present laws, “the custodial parent can only file a motion to cite the obliged parent for indirect contempt for refusal to comply with a valid court order mandating the support provisions.” Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

The Manila solon lamented that this makes it easier for the obliged parent to disregard the support owed to the child even if the parent is financially capable.

“Ultimately, it is the child who suffers the most from this conflict,” Ocampo said.

To address the growing number of neglected children, Ocampo authored HB 6079 proposing penalties of fines and imprisonment against the obliged parent if found guilty of refusing or failing to give legal child support without justifiable cause.

The parent who commits any of the prohibited acts enumerated in this act shall be fined P25,000 or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than one year or both and the lump sum settlement of the total unpaid legal child support for the first offense.

For subsequent offenses, the bill raised the fine to P50,000 or imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than two years or both and the lump sum settlement of the total unpaid legal support.

Ocampo said that the approval of HB 6079 will compel parents to comply with the court order to provide the legal child support and ensure that their child or children still get the best possible care, despite their severed relationship.

HB 6079 is currently referred to the Committee on Welfare and Children chaired by Zamboanga Del Sur Rep. Aurora Enerio Cerilles.

Eight Zambo govt employees sacked

• Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/eight-zambo-govt-employees-sacked/227495/
• Saturday, November 7, 2015

By REINA TOLENTINO

THE Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal from the service a municipal accountant and seven other employees of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur after they were found involved in the anomalous purchase of expired and overpriced medicines worth P1.8 million in 2009.

Ordered dismissed in a 10-page decision signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales were Municipal Accountant Martin Blanco Jr., Eleuterio Galleto, Bids and Award Committee members Gasmelba Felicitas, Marcos Bahinting, Melita delos Santos, Nikki Omboy, Jerry Gene delos Santos and Lina Lou Gitalan.

All eight were found guilty of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and the Ombudsman ordered Molave municipal mayor to immediately enforce the same.

According to Commission on Audit (COA) findings, the medicines were overpriced by as much as 152 to 836 percent and the process did not undergo public bidding, no eligibility check done, and no bid bonds from the bidders.

Also, the delivery, inspection and payment for the medicines were processed in one day after the opening of the bids.

Aside from their dismissal, the employees also face cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from reemployment in the government service.

CIDG files charges against arrested Briton for pornography, cybercrime in Pagadian City

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=2&rid=823139
• Friday, November 6, 2015

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (PNA) -– The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has filed criminal cases on Wednesday against a British national they arrested for pornographic activities in this city.

Chief Insp. Arnold Ventura, CIDG provincial chief, identified the accused as Peter William Cannel, a resident of Rosario subdivision in Barangay Dao, this city.

Ventura said among the cases filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office against Cannel included Republic Act 9775 otherwise known as the “Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009,” R.A. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012,” and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Ventura said Cannel was arrested in a raid Tuesday afternoon at his residence in Barangay Dao, this city. The foreigner bought the house and had been staying in the subdivision for almost five years already.

At the same time, he said they have rescued five minors, who are being victimized by the suspect in his alleged acts of pornography.

He said they confiscated from the residence of the suspect firearms and ammunition, assorted sex toys, computers, pornographic videos and photos of his minor-victims uploaded to the internet.

He said the raid was carried out based on a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19 in this city.

The raid was carried out following a week-long surveillance on the alleged illegal activities of the British national.

1FAB troopers urged to stay nonpartisan during elections

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1431446616347/1fab-troopers-urged-to-stay-nonpartisan-during-elections
• Thursday, November 5, 2015

By Franklin P. Gumapon (FPG/PIA9)

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur, Nov. 5 (PIA) – As the national and local elections are nearing, Brigadier General Leandro A. Loyao III, Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) commander, has reminded the troopers of the 1st Field Artillery Battalion (1FAB) to stay away from partisan politics.

Speaking in the recently held change of command ceremony at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an in Barangay Pulacan here, Loyao told the soldiers that they should not take part in any partisan political activity/event during the election period, but focus on maintaining peace and order instead.

Loyao came all the way from the AAR national headquarters at Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija to preside over the change of command ceremony between outgoing IFAB commander, Lt. Col. Sonny M. Sales and incoming commander, Lt. Col. Hubert Acierto.

Sales, who served as IFAB commander from Oct. 15, 2013 to Oct. 28, 2015, has been reassigned to the national headquarters to act as inspector general.

During his stint as 1FAB commander, Sales took the lead in several civic and community activities such as tree planting, coastal cleanup, “brigade eskwela,” among others.

The outgoing commander also expressed his gratitude to the civilians, local government units as well as national government agencies for helping the unit in accomplishing its programs and activities.==

Reg 9’s science high school to rise in Zamboanga town

• Source: http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-provinces/190919/reg-9-s-science-high-school-to-rise-in-zamboanga-town.html
• Wednesday, November 4, 2015

By A. Perez Rimando

DUMALINAO, Zamboanga del Sur—The Department of Science and Technology has chosen this progressive town as venue of the agency’s Philippine Science High School to serve beginning next school year.

Western Mindanao or the Zamboanga Peninsula is the country’s only region without a national science high school.

The school will sit on a five-hectare lot adjacent to the Rebokon National Agricultural School.

The property was donated by the mayor of Dumalinao town, Ace Cerilles.

The proposed site of the school is a 25-minute ride east from the capital city of Pagadian.

Science and Technology Undersecretary Fortunato dela Peña said the Rebokon area would be an ideal venue for the science high school. “The fast-growing coastal village is populated by peace-loving and cooperative Christian farming families,” Cerilles added.

The Philippine Science High School focuses on science and mathematics to attract deserving students who belong to the Top 10 of their class.

The scholars are entitled to free tuition, allowance, textbooks and other relevant instructional materials and are encouraged to pursue careers in science and technology.

Dela Peña said the department intends to allot P400 million for the construction of a two-story academic building, a student dormitory, a laboratory, and teachers’ salaries.

RM’s coco coir project improves quality of life of rural women

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371446444891/rm-s-coco-coir-project-improves-quality-of-life-of-rural-women
• Tuesday, November 3, 2015

By Gideon C. Corgue (ALT/GCC/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)

RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Zamboanga del Sur, Nov. 3 (PIA) – To alleviate poverty and usher development in the countryside, the office of 1st district Representative Victor J. Yu, the local government unit of RM, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Women Empowerment–Rural Improvement Club (WEMRIC) established a coco coir processing plant in barangay Poblacion of this town.

Congressman Yu has allocated P2-M for the coco coir equipment and looming apparatus, PCA provided decorticating machine worth P450,000, while the LGU provided free trainings on the proper operation of tools, equipment and machinery.

The project is aimed at empowering women to operate a profitable Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), developing and producing locally and globally competitive coco coir products, and improving the quality of life of rural women.

Mayor Leonilo D. Borinaga Jr. said the coco coir processing plant provides an alternative livelihood income to poor families in the 27 barangays of Ramon Magsaysay, a 4th class municipality.

Accordingly, it created an impact on women and empowered them to have more freedom to shape their own lives, encouraged them to act as role models and helped boost the family’s income.

“The attraction for women is that the earnings they generate from the project are theirs, as compared to earnings from farming which belong to the family,” Borinaga explained.

The good mayor said the wives felt that their husbands could no longer support all their dependents especially in preparing for the college education of their children, thus, they endeavored to complement their husband’s efforts to lighten the load of raising a family.

Despite their active involvement on the project, they have not relinquished their traditional role in household chores and responsibilities.

At the start of the project in 2013, Borinaga recalled that WEMRIC members have produced 10 to 15 coco coir geonets per week but now, they can produce as much as 150 to 200 geonets in a week. “With this output, the women can earn as much as P600 a day,” he added.

According to the mayor, there is no problem with the market, saying that the coco geonets they produced are delivered directly to contractors.

“The contractors and various local government units are the main buyers of coco geonets in our municipality. There is a great demand of coco geonets because the contractors will use it as more sustainable alternative to concrete and rip-rap, and for slope protection and erosion control,” Borinaga said.

“The women are no longer tempted to do homespun illegal games such as playing cards for money because they are now focused on the project,” Borinaga concluded.

“Voice of the People” tells of changed lives through government interventions

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1351446447275/-voice-of-the-people-tells-of-changed-lives-through-government-interventions
• Monday, November 2, 2015

(ALT/CAL/PIA-9 Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY, 2 Nov (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development IX (DSWD-9), in cooperation with the civil society organizations (CSOs) hosted a stakeholders’ forum dubbed as “Voice of the People: Listening to those who matter most” at Chandler Suites on October 29, this city.

Pantawid Regional Program Coordinator Evangeline Poquita said the activity is in keeping with the DSWD-CSO partnership framework, “Bantay, Gabay Tulay at Kaagapay.”

“Bantay is for the conduct of anti-corruption campaign and activities; Gabay is the provision of technical assistance especially during trainings of the beneficiaries; Tulay is for the implementation of feedback and monitoring mechanism; and Kaagapay is for the implementation of projects and activities on poverty reduction,”Poquita explained.

The activity focused on the message, ‘Kaya ko ang Pagbabago, sa tulong ng pamahalaan, nagbago ang buhay ko kaya kailangan kong maging aktibong mamamayan,” Poquita said.

“It also served as an avenue for DSWD’s partner-beneficiaries to share their testimonials on how the department has helped them change their lives, what these changes are, and their plans for the future given that they now have changed lives,” Poquita further explained.

Parent leaders Agnes Ronda of Vincenzo Sagun, Lolita Quimot of Aurora, Analiza Dumagal of San Miguel and Arlyna Suarez of Dumalinao whose lives were remarkably transformed through the program shared their testimonies.

Assistant Regional Director for Operations Consejo H. Usman was so thankful for the support of all stakeholders, saying that, “the DSWD alone cannot do this, we cannot say we are successful because of our efforts. But it’s because of the partnership that we have with you.We say, Padayon ang atong program implementation.” (Let’s continue with our program implementation).

“Padayon ang atong testimonials nga nag-ingon dakong pagtabang ang ilang nadawat,” (Let’s continue with our testimonials telling of the big help they received). Let us hear the change, the transformation that happened in their lives, be it a woman or a man, as well as the children of every family that has benefitted from the Pantawid Pamilya Program,” Usman said.

In attendance during the forum were some 200 parent-leaders from the municipalities of Kumalarang, Guipos, San Miguel, Tigbao, Tukuran, Sominot and Tambulig, together with partner national government agencies (NGAs), CSOs, municipal links, and regional and provincial employees of the DSWD.

DSWD-9 conducts forum on Senate Bill 2960, House Bill 154

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1351446102937/dswd-9-conducts-forum-on-senate-bill-2960-house-bill-154
• Sunday, November 1, 2015

By Claro A. Lanipa (ALT/CAL/PIA-9 Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office IX (DSWD FO-9) conducted a forum on Senate Bill 2960 and House Bill 154 better known as “An Act to Reduce Poverty and Promote Human Capital Development by Institutionalizing a Conditional Cash Transfer Program,” held at Four Queens Resort, this city.

Senate Bill 2960 was introduced by Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, while House Bill 154 was authored by Representative Susan A. Yap of the Second District of Tarlac.

Regional Director Zenaida L. Arevalo said the forum aimed to discuss the provisions of the bill and at the same time propose and suggest significant measures for possible inclusion in the bill.

Participants include all provincial, city and municipal social welfare and development officers from the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur together with representatives from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Health (DOH), DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

The suggested measures made by forum participants for possible inclusion in the bill are: prohibition of program beneficiaries to use the cash assistance for their vices such as; purchase of liquor or any alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, gambling and illegal drugs. Every household must also establish their own toilet in support to cleanliness and sanitation, among others.

As the department mandated to look into the social protection services and various welfare programs, DSWD has started implementing the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program since 2009 promoting education, health and values formation among families and their children.

DSWD believes that this move to institutionalize CCT is a sound step considering the substantive and significant impact of the program among the 4.4 million households nationwide as shown by various evaluations conducted by private and government organizations.