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==Fire kills 2-yr-old boy in Pagadian City, razes 9 homes==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/08/31/1156011/fire-kills-2-yr-old-boy-pagadian-city-razes-9-homes
*Saturday, August 31, 2013 5:01 pm
:By Roel Pareño (philstar.com)
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A two-year-old boy died after accidentally setting a house on fire while playing with matches in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on Thursday.
Police said that the boy died after being trapped inside the burning house. The fire also spread to eight more homes.
Pagadian City Police Station reported the lone fatality was identified to be the son of Rolando Lorona, caretaker of the house in Purok Makiangayan, Barangay Balangasan.
Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, Spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), said the fire broke out at around 6:20 a.m. It took firefighters at least two hours to put out the fire.
Huesca said fire investigators disclosed that the fire started from the house of Aurelio Pabatao, where Lorona's family is living as caretakers.
He said that based on initial investigations, the boy was seen playing with matches before the fire broke out.
The fire's estimated the damage was pegged at P2.5 million.
==Anti-illegal gambling drive stepped up in Pagadian==
*Source:http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2013/08/anti-illegal-gambling-drive-stepped-up.html
*Friday, August 30, 2013 9:59 am
:By Gideon C. Corgue (PIA9)
PAGADIAN CITY – Twenty four units of video karera machines (VKMs) confiscated by policemen were destroyed Tuesday by the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) at Camp Abelon headquarters this city.
Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Thomas Abellar, the Anti-Illegal Gambling Task Force (AIGTF) chair, led the destruction of the VKMs as witnessed by the local media and the public.
A pay loader pounded on the VKMs until completely destroyed.
Abellar in an interview said “the government is serious in its campaign against illegal gambling operations in the province.”
“The destruction of VKMs meant to show that the government is serious in its campaign against illegal gambling,” Abellar said adding that “the existence of illegal gambling is a social menace in our society.”
Abellar said he is proud of the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) operatives for the successful seizure of VKMs from operators.
He said the operations conducted by his men, was in response to the directive issued by Governor Antonio Cerilles on July 26 to stamp out all forms of illegal gambling activities in the province.
“I am warning the operators to stop engaging in illegal gambling activities to avoid being penalized for violation of gambling laws,” Abellar declared. “We will pursue our operations against illegal gambling activities until these will be completely stopped,” he added.
Abellar also warned the illegal gambling operators that the government would never hesitate to file formal charges against them if they continue to operate VKMs in their establishments.
“We will also file charges against unscrupulous cops who act as maintainers or protectors of gambling machine operations,” Abellar emphatically stated.
==Zamsureco-1 consumers experience 3-4 hours daily rotational brownout==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=559912
*Thursday, August 29, 2013
:(PNA), FFC/TPGJR/CSA/EBP
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Aug. 29 (PNA) -- The Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative-1 (Zamsureco-1) is sourcing out alternative sources of electricity to address the current power shortage of the cooperative.
Zamsureco-1 information officer Levi Cabatcha said the power consumers being served by the cooperative will experience three to four hours daily rotational brownout starting Thursday from the two-and-a-half-hour power curtailment a day they were experiencing since last July 29.
Cabatcha said they are looking for any available power supply they could get from the Mapalad Power Corporation (MPC) and from the Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI) to be able to meet the electricity demand of the cooperative’s consumers.
The Zamsureco-1 is serving 69,857 power consumers in this city and in the 24 of the 26 municipalities of this province.
Cabatcha explained the daily rotational brownout has increased to three to four hours daily after one of the coal-fired power plants of the STEAG State Power, Inc. (SPI) was placed under preventive maintenance inspection.
Cabatcha said the Unit 2 of the 105 megawatts power plant of SPI will undergo preventive maintenance check starting Thursday, August 29.
The maintenance check is expected to complete by the last week of October, this year.
Since last July 29, the Zamsureco-1 consumers were experiencing two-and-a-half-hour daily rotational brownout when the National Power Corporation (Napocor) placed the Agus-4 and Agus-6 hydroelectric power plants under preventive maintenance check.
The two hydroelectric power plants have a total of 380-MW.
Cabatcha said Zamsureco-1’s contracted power with Napocor has been reduced by at least eight MW daily with the preventive maintenance check of the three power plants.
Zamsureco-1 needs a total of 36-MW to be able to cater the electricity needs of its consumers, according to Cabatcha.
==PNoy bats for total rural electrification==
*Source:http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2013/08/pnoy-bats-for-total-rural_28.html
*Wednesday, August 28, 2013 4:46 pm
:By Claro A. Lanipa (PIA9)
PAGADIAN CITY – With the implementation of Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) and the Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP) of the present administration through the National Electrification Administration (NEA), a total rural electrification is projected to achieve before President Aquino’s term ends.
Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative I (ZAMSURECO I) Information Officer Liberal Cabatcha during a media forum on Thursday reported that as of July 1, 2013 there are still 23,860 un-energized sitios and puroks all over the country.
These un-energized sitios and puroks are set to be energized on the following target schedules: 2013 – 10,394 sitios with a total budget of P7.38 million, 2014 - 7,073 sitios with a budget of P6.36 million, and 2015 – 7,291 with an approximately budget of P7.3 million. “The budget allocation will come from the national government,” Cabatcha said.
It can be recalled President Aquino signed Republic Act 10531 on May 9, 2013 and mandated the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to implement total electrification by way of enhancing distribution system development of electric cooperatives.
Under this electrification program, the first 30 indigent member-consumers who will apply for connection in a sitio or purok are entitled to receive P2,500 worth of electrical materials, to include free kilowatt meter, 30-60 meters service drop wire and free installation inside the house. Instead of a private electrician to do the work, a lineman of the electric coop will do the installation, Cabatcha explained.
Meanwhile, ZAMSURECO I has 1,032 sitios and puroks to be energized under this program with a budget allocation of P94,109,193.96 from the national government through the NEA.
ZAMSURECO I has joined this year’s celebration of National Electrification Awareness Month with the theme, “Electricity: An Enabler in Improving Lives in the Countryside.”
==City gov’t capacity beefed up vs disaster==
*Source:http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2013/08/city-govt-capacity-beefed-up-vs-disaster.html
*Tuesday, August 27, 2013 1:31 pm
:By Gideon C. Corgue  (PIA9)
PAGADIAN CITY – The establishment of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRMMC) and the existence of Barangay Response Emergency Team (BERT) is a great help in responding to natural and man-made calamities.
Thus declared Mayor Romeo Pulmones during the city government’s commemorative program marking the 37th anniversary of earthquake and tsunami which wrecked havoc in this city in August 1976.
The commemorative program was held last Aug. 16, at F.S. Pajares Avenue corner Warlito Pulmones Street, Santiago District here.
Pulmones recalled that on August 17, 1976 at 12:11a.m., where he was then a 10-year old boy, a violent earthquake which had spawned tsunami occurred in the city leaving thousands dead and massive damage to properties along coastal barangays.
Pulmones said his administration would give priority in the implementation of the provisions of Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as “An act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management System” by establishing CDRRMO and providing personnel therefor.
Pulmones said the city government is now strengthening its capacity to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from the impact of disasters saying “that disasters are real and could happen anytime and anywhere.”
CDRRMO action officer Haron Damada said the chief executive established the CDRRMO on May 24, 2013, and subsequently assigned 20 personnel to man the office.
Pulmones thanked Governor Antonio Cerilles for supporting the CDRMMC by conducting extensive training on BERT members providing with the knowledge and skills for effective disaster management.
“I thanked Governor Cerilles for actively supporting the CDRMMC by training BERT members at the provincial government center in barangay Dao,” Pulmones said adding that “they are the first responders during disasters.” 
Damada said the city has a total of 1,669 trained BERT members following the establishment of the CDRRMC.
==VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS==
*Source:http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/news/73656-VEHICULAR-ACCIDENTS.html
*Monday, August 26, 2013
:By SPO1 Anden Jalali Aminulla (PNP-PRO9)
On or about 9:30in the morning of August 25, 2013, along the national highway of Purok Manga, Barangay Camanga, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, wherein, an XRM, Honda and a Honda Wave were involved in an accident.
The XRM Honda motorcycle, colored red and white with licensed plate 6205 JR is owned by Jarmar Gutib, a resident of Barangay Butong, Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay and was driven by Erick Curiosa y Pacoan, 32 years old, married and a resident of Purok Tres, Barangay Sayao, Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur.
While, Honda Wave, colored black and red, with licensed plate 1744 JG, is owned by Casiano Dacol y Erojo and was driven by Jumar Dacol y Lagnasan, 28 years old, married and both residents of Purok dos, Barangay Lapidian, Pagadian City.
Investigation conducted disclosed that prior to the incident, the XRM Honda motorcycle loaded with fish boxes on both sides was travelling from Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur and bound for Pagadian City, while Honda Wave motorcycle with three (3) passengers on board, came from Barangay Lapidian, Pagadian City and also bound for Pagadian City Proper.
However, upon reaching the said place, the Honda Wave accidentally bumped by XRM Honda.
As the result, the passengers of Honda Wave motorcycle, identified as Neneng Pipania, of legal age, her daughter, Jen-Jen Pipania, 14 years old, and Ritgen Chuing y Dacol, of legal age, single and all are residents of Purok Dos, Barangay Lapidian, Pagadian City, sustained injuries and were rushed to Jamelarin Hospital for medical treatment.
Both drivers are presently under the custody of Pagadian City Police Station, while investigation is being conducted to determine the culpable driver.
09205475746 is the contact number of Pagadian City Police Station Investigator.
--
On or about 5:00 in the afternoon of August 25, 2013, along the national highway of Purokk Orchids, Barangay Camanga, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, a vehicular accident took place, wherein, a single motorcycle accidentally crashed into signed post.
The said motorcycle is a Suzuki Raider 150 CC, colored black and red, with licensed plate JG 9453 and was driven by Ian Mangao, a resident of Pagadian City, with Helcheshedic Eskul, a resident of Barangay Banale, Pagadian City.
As the result, driver and his back rider sustained injuries on their bodies and were rushed to Pagadian City Hospital for medical treatment and in critical condition.
The said motorcycle incurred damages, wherein, its headlight, gear lever and foot rest were broken.
Investigation conducted disclosed that prior to the road mishap the said motorcycle was on her way to Pagadian City from Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur.
However, while negotiating along the curve portion of the road, the driver overshot the road and lost control of the steering bar, thus, resulted to the accident.
The responding policemen found out that both driver and back rider were under the influence of liquor.
The said motorcycle impounded at Tukuran Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
09166152558 is the contact number of Tukuran Municipal Police Station.
==Marina to go after ‘colorum’ seacrafts==
*Source:http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/zamboangatoday/index.php/top-stories/14991-marina-to-go-after-colorum-seacrafts-.html
*Saturday, August 24, 2013 12:23
:By Nonong Santiago
Marina regional director Atty. Irving Saipudin the other day disclosed that starting next month, they will run after colorum sea vessels in Region 9.
Saipudin said at least 30 percent of the more than 1,700 passenger and cargo vessels including fishing boats are still unregistered.
According to Saipudin, the bulk of the unregistered watercrafts come from the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Sibugay.
He said aside from Marina, three other government agencies the National Telecommunications Commissions, Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources have bonded together to assist one another in registering these vessels.
“We will start in September until December in the registration. Hindi ko alam kung bakit itong mga owners ng Vessels can buy P100,000 engines pero registration lang of P5,000 they cannot afford,” Saipudin said.
He appealed to all the owners of unregistered boats to already register and avoid huge fines.
==First Cavalry Squadron marks 37th founding anniversary==
*Source:http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2013/08/first-cavalry-squadron-marks-37th.html
*Friday, August 23, 2013 1:32 pm
:By Claro A. Lanipa (PIA9)
PAGADIAN CITY – The First Cavalry (Eagle Eye) Squadron, Mechanized Division, Philippine Army (PA) commemorated its 37th founding anniversary last Aug. 16 at its headquarters, Camp Col. Jacobo E. Zobel, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Anchored on the theme, “37th year of gallant service, wisdom gained and experiences learned… continuously enhancing capability to respond significantly on present challenges,” the event was capped by a sports fest among its units, tree planting activities where 1,000 seedlings of mahogany trees were planted at Barangay Navalan and a bloodletting among its troopers.
The bloodletting activity, which was performed by the medical team of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) headed by Dr. Delia Pastoriza, was able to collect 11,250 cc of different types of blood.
In his message, squadron’s commanding officer Lt. Col. Antonio John Divinagracia said, “as we close the chapter of the 37th years of committed gallantry in every campaign our unit had participated in, we have set our right war fighting capability to another dimension to overcome the changing challenges of the succeeding years to come.”
He said this year’s theme must serve as an inspiration that we must prepare for the future “as we achieve the valuable accomplishments last year.”
On the other hand, MGen Mayoralgo M. De la Cruz, Assistant Division Commander, Mechanized Division, PA, who served as the guest of honor and speaker, disclosed that as part of the AFP’s modernization program  of the Aquino Administration,  114 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) from the United States of America are expected to be delivered by December this year. “And another 24 assorted vehicles coming from Israel will also be delivered early next year. These armored vehicles are equipped with the state of the art technology,” De la Cruz added.
Meanwhile, MGen. Nicanor Dolohan, Mechanized Division Commander also conveyed his message as read by BGen dela Cruz to all the officers, enlisted personnel, staff and their dependents  as they celebrated their 37th founding anniversary of PA’s pioneering armor unit.
“Today, after 37 years the 1st Cavalry Squadron formerly known as the 1st Light Armor Battalion (1LAB) continuous to serve with increasing responsiveness and commitment to professionalism and service quality,” he said.
“We do recognize the compelling need to improve its facilities, acquire better technology and capabilities, obtain specialization and enhancing skills of its personnel toward better responsiveness in performing our duties and responsibilities,” Dolohan further said.
He also commended the unit for having remained steadfast in the fulfillment of its mission in the face of change.
==Zamboanga coastal village gets top marine conservation area award==
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/472259/zamboanga-coastal-village-gets-top-marine-conservation-area-award
*Thursday, August 22, 2013 4:06 pm
:By DJ Yap (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines—In a remote coastal village in Zamboanga del Sur, the task of protecting a marine sanctuary falls upon a six-person team of environmental workers who keep the sea and mangrove forest safe from greedy commercial fishers.
But the job is made more difficult by pirates, warlords and insurgents lurking in the surrounding conflict-ridden pockets of Mindanao, according to officials.
For meeting and rising above these challenges, the Tambunan Marine Protected Area in the small fishing town of Tabina was declared the most outstanding at the 4th Para El Mar Awards and Recognition held at the InterContinental Manila in Makati City on Aug. 15.
Para El Mar means “for the sea.”
The award seeks to recognize outstanding local efforts in conserving and sustainably managing coastal and marine resources, and serves as a learning opportunity for MPA managers to exchange and share best practices, organizers said.
The event was convened by the MPA Support Network and its partners the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the UP Marine Science Institute, the Coral Triangle Support Partnership, the United States Agency for International Development, and the German Agency for International Cooperation.
The Tambunan MPA received a cash prize of P100,000 during the awarding ceremony at the Intercon attended by almost 300 guests from government and non-government agencies, academic institutions and local partners.
“Considering that they have these realities that they’re facing every day, and still they made so much effort for conservation, I think that gives them an edge compared to the others,” one of the evaluators, marine scientist Dr. Hilly Ann Roa Quiaoit of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan said of the Tambunan MPA.
“When they talk about piracy, it’s a reality they face every day,” she said in an interview.
Fishermen told the judges how they would need to give monthly dues to the so-called “mafia” of pirates in the area, she said. “Someone had just bought an engine boat, and it was taken by the pirates,” Quiaoit said.
Rey L. Sumagang, chief of Tabina’s municipal agriculture and fishery division that manages the Tambunan MPA, said the problem of “bad visitors” was not as bad as in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
But it is still there.
“If you will look at the Philippine map, Tabina is at the bottom. In front of it is Maguindanao …Then there is Cotabato, and then there is Basilan. That’s what we’re facing across the sea,” he said with a laugh.
“We know what sort of people are there. I can’t say the bad visitors all came from there but it’s hard to pinpoint,” he said.
But Sumagang said the community had taken measures to try to keep them away. “We talked to the mayor, and we talked to the extortionists. We gave them livelihood. We prioritized giving jobs to their spouses,” he said. “We don’t have as many bad visitors now unlike before.”
He said the secret to effective MPA management was a good working relationship with the local government.
“If you’re managing the MPA, the important thing you should have harmony with the mayor. You have to introduce improvements, innovation, so that by the time there is change of leadership, the people will have already accepted you. Then the mayor will also accept you,” he said.
The Tambunan MPA is both a mangrove area and marine sanctuary located in the village of Malim and extending 50 meters seaward from the shoreline.
The mangrove area spans 1,700 meters of coastline and an area of 103.5 hectares, while the marine sanctuary covers 1,000 meters of coastline and an area of 95 hectares.
The MPA is rich in mollusks, crustaceans like squid, octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters, blue crabs, shrimp and mangrove crabs. It is also frequented by abundant pelagic fish, such as mackerel, jacks, sardines, and sailfish, as well as coral and sand fish, including parrotfish, eels, siganids and goatfish.
Sumagang, a veterinarian, said absolutely no fishing and other human activity, excepting scientific research, was allowed inside the protected area. The only fishing takes place outside “buffer zones” some 100 meters away from the sanctuary.
“The good thing is the rural communities near the sanctuary have responded positively to what we do,” he said.
Quiaoit echoed his sentiment, saying, “They worked with the community, so they also had a perspective on the ground, and they’re quite aware of how important it is to preserve the area,” she said.
Another interesting “best practice” employed by the town is the strict adherence to ordinances that seek to connect conservation and local governance.
Sumagang said fisher folks who wanted to get their fishing vessels registered with the town government as mandated by regulations would have to show a “tree-planting certificate” duly signed by the district chair proving that they did plant 10 mangrove trees in one year.
“If you live 100 meters from the shoreline, you still have to plant 10 mangroves every year. If you apply for a marriage license, you would need to plant 10 mahogany trees. If you need to have an electric line connected, of course you’d need to get a permit from engineering, you’d need proof to show you actually planted 10 mahogany trees,” he said.
Quiaoit said the judges found the policy interesting and surprisingly effective.
“We even had to ask for evidence, and they were able to provide evidence. You see the consciousness of the whole LGU, such that the regular operations of the municipality, they try to connect it with conservation,” she said.
“It’s a good practice that LGUs can follow. It’s a good consciousness among the people, like, ‘what, I’m just going to get married, and I’d need to plant a tree?’” she said.
Sumagang’s proudest moment did not come from winning the Para El Mar, but something that happened on a recent Saturday.
“Our mayor had a civilian escort, and we were on standby at a cottage. The escort went to the sanctuary to check out the shells. He wasn’t going to take anything. He just wanted to look. Suddenly, a nine-year-old boy shouted ‘Sir, sir, you can’t go there. That’s our sanctuary’.”
“We almost dropped down to our knees,” he recalled. “Imagine that coming from a nine-year-old boy! It shows how [conservation] is in the consciousness of the people,” he said.
Even if my work is done, or I’m transferred, or I’m dead, I’m sure the next generations will preserve and sustain the MPA. That is the kind of acceptability I see from the community,” Sumagang said.
==Agri office holds Pamana, BUB workshop==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2013/08/21/agri-office-holds-pamana-bub-workshop-299012
*Wednesday, August 21, 2013
:By Bong Garcia
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) held a two-day consultation workshop for the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) and Bottom-up Budget (BUB) -- both aimed at helping farmers and the people in Zamboanga Peninsula alleviate their status and increase their production and income capacity.
The two-day event, held in Pagadian City from Thursday to Friday last week, was attended by some 150 agriculture and local government personnel coming from the cities of Zamboanga and Isabela and the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay.
“The project (Pamana) is a great help to the farmers and the people in Zamboanga Peninsula materializing their hopes to alleviate their status, increase their production and income capacity. The project also responds to the Food Staple Sufficiency Program (FSSP) wherein sufficient supply of food is guaranteed,” DA Regional Technical Director for Operations Engineer Dennis Palabrica said.
Pamana and BUB are the national government's programs for peace and development in conflict-affected areas (CAAs) as well as communities covered by existing peace agreements, Palabrica said.
He said that each recipient will receive development programs according to the needs of the people residing in the region. The government has an allotment of P300 million for 2014.
He said Pamana’s objective is to improve governance through partnerships with national and local institutions, building capacities for governance, enhancement of transparency and accountability mechanism.
He said it also aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability in conflict affected areas through sustainable rural development, community infrastructure and focused delivery of social services.
Meanwhile, the participants of the two-day consultation workshop have submitted project proposal that include the following: Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) Network Services; rehabilitation, repair and concreting of sidewalks and drainage; construction of warehouse and rice milling station; municipal food terminal center; provision of banana processing; equipment construction of fish landing; completion of fishing port and construction of post harvest facilities; provision of planting materials to upland farmers; farm input materials; animal and livestock dispersal; construction of cold storage; and, construction of banana and cassava food processing.
“The BUB and Pamana projects are very effective means of delivering the government services to the people. The recipients themselves proposed the projects that are essential to their livelihood. It empowers communities and strengthen their capacity to address issues,” BUB Focal Person Raul Ramon Bucoy said.
==1st cavalry squadron soldiers donate blood to IPHO==
==1st cavalry squadron soldiers donate blood to IPHO==
*Source:http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2013/08/1st-cavalry-squadron-soldiers-donate.html
*Source:http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2013/08/1st-cavalry-squadron-soldiers-donate.html
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