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==Raps filed vs 2 cops==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2014/11/10/raps-filed-vs-2-cops-375779
*Monday, November 10, 2014
:By Bong Garcia
THE police have filed criminal charges against two policemen before the Pagadian City Prosecutor's Office, an official said Monday.
Pagadian City Police Director Glenn Dulawan identified the respondent-policemen as PO1 Razul Lawi, 32, and PO1 Ray Julius Sta. Teresa.
Lawi has been assigned in Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur, while Sta. Teresa has been with the Regional Public Safety Battalion in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).
Dulawan said they were charged Monday for alarm and scandal, as well as indiscriminate firing.
Dulawan said the charges against them stemmed from the illegal discharge of issued service firearms around 3:30 a.m. Sunday at the corners of Sanson Street and Pajares Avenue in the village of San Pedro, Pagadian City.
The two policemen have allegedly fired their service firearms into the air following heated altercations with guest relations officers at a KTV bar in the area, according to Dulawan.
He said the two policemen boarded a tricycle and tried to escape but was arrested following information provided by witnesses.
He said they were detained at the headquarters of the Pagadian City police headquarters.
==Dumalinao buys emergency rescue vehicle==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2014/11/09/dumalinao-buys-emergency-rescue-vehicle-375581
*Sunday, November 9, 2014
:By Bong Garcia
MAYOR Ace William Cerilles of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur announced that they are equipped and ready to provide assistance to the town’s residence in time of disasters.
Cerilles made this announcement as they purchased a P710,000 emergency rescue vehicle (ERV), which is the first of its kind in the province of Zamboanga del Sur that comprises of one city and 26 municipalities.
Cerilles said they are not praying for a disaster to occur “but should it strike, we are ready.”
Cerilles said they decided to purchase an ERV in response to the request of his constituents to gear up for climate change adaptation, mitigation and resiliency.
Cerilles said the purchased of the ERV is his priority since six of the 30 barangays of Dumalinao are flood-prone areas.
These are the barangays of Rebokon, Pantad, Metokong, Mama, Bagong Silao, and Bibilik.
Cerilles said the ERV was purchased from the Cebu City-based Pasajero Motors Corporation utilizing the calamity funds of the municipality.
The ERV is a fiberglass dinghy powered by a five horse power outboard motor and equipped with a three kilovolt-ampere (KVA) generator set and two sets of 500-watt halogen lamps.
It also has built-in fire extinguishers, a chainsaw, an axe, life jackets, boots, hard hats, ropes and flashlights.
Cerilles said they will purchase another similar vehicle next year.
==Climate change workshop set==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2014/11/07/climate-change-workshop-set-375227
*Friday, November 7, 2014
:By Bong Garcia
THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that 12 local government units (LGUs) consisting of five cities and seven towns are set to undergo a three-day training workshop on the formulation of Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) in Zamboanga Peninsula.
DILG Regional Director Paisal Abutazil said the training workshop is scheduled to be held from November 11 to 13 in Pagadian City.
Abutazil said the participating LGUs, which have been identified as most vulnerable to disasters in the region, are the following: Bayog, Molave and Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur; Diplahan and Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay; Labason and Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte; and the cities of Dapitan; Dipolog; Isabela; Pagadian; and Zamboanga.
Abutazil said the target participants are the City and Municipal Risk Reduction Management Officer, Planning and Development Officer, Agriculturist or Social Welfare and Development Officer, Environment and Natural Resource officer, Local Government Operations Officer, Health Officer and City or Municipal Council environment committee member.
He said the training is aimed to provide the participants an understanding on how vulnerability assessment helps in responding to challenges.
He said the training also serves as an avenue for the LGUs to update their ecological profile and formulate their LCCAP, which shall then be integrated in the Comprehensive Development Plan or Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
He added the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments provides essential tools for informing the development of such adaptation priorities and plans, as well as development of appropriate climate adaptation strategies needed to manage effectively the un-avoidable impacts of climate change.
Experts from the Department of Science and Technology and Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be the resource speakers of the three-day training.
==Mayor bares Dumalinao town is now disaster-ready==
*Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1361415174221/mayor-bares-dumalinao-town-is-now-disaster-ready
*Thursday, November 6, 2014
:(FPG/ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sibugay)
DUMALINAO, Zamboanga del Sur, Nov. 6 (PIA) – “We’re not praying for a disaster but should it strike, we are ready,” thus said Mayor Ace William E. Cerilles in a recent interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
Responding to the needs of his constituents and gearing up for climate change adaptation, mitigation and resiliency, the good mayor recently acquired a disaster rescue vehicle for the town amounting to P710,000.00 from calamity funds.
“We bought this emergency rescue vehicle (ERV) because this is what we need, so I made it a priority. We have flood-prone areas like Barangay Rebokon and the  coastal barangays of Pantad,  Metokong, Mama, Bagong Silao, and Bibilik,” the young mayor clarified.
He said there is a bridge in Barangay Matab-ang on the way to Rebokon which is impassable during heavy rains because of flooding. The local government has made the necessary repairs to make it accessible even through incessant rains.
The emergency rescue vehicle, acquired on October 30, 2014 is the first of its kind in the province and was bought from Pasajero Motors Corporation in Cebu City. Mayor Cerilles intends to buy another unit next year to better serve his constituents and hopes that this will be replicated in other municipalities.
It is equipped with a fiberglass dinghy, 5hp outboard motor, 3KVA generator set, 2 sets 500 watts halogen lamps, fire extinguishers, chainsaw, axe, life jackets, rain boots, hard hats, nylon ropes, flashlights and other accessories needed during emergency rescue operation. 
Cerilles said the Barangay Emergency Response Team (BERT) composed of 260 members are ready for any eventuality should a disaster hit their town. To upgrade their skills and readiness to respond to disasters, a recent training held on October 26-29 was a boost to their capability.
On the other hand, LGU officials are always on the alert and monitoring the situation in all 30 barangays of the municipality. With the cooperation and vigilance of everyone in the community, there is no doubt that Dumalinao is a disaster-resilient town, coping with extreme weather condition and cushioning its impact in the lives of everyone.
==DTI-ZDS to conduct rubber quality improvement advocacy seminar==
*Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1351415172299/dti-zds-to-conduct-rubber-quality-improvement-advocacy-seminar
*Wednesday, November 5, 2014
:(FPG/CAL/PIA9 with reports from DTI-ZDS)
PAGADIAN CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA) – As one of the champion products of Zamboanga del Sur and with the continuing advocacy of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to improve the quality and adherence to internationally adopted standards in the rubber industry, the DTI provincial office here will conduct a Rubber Quality Improvement Advocacy Seminar on Nov. 11, 2014 at Chandler Suites this city.
DTI Provincial Director Ma. Socorro M. Atay said the seminar would tackle the Philippine National Standards (PNS), International Organization on Standardization (ISO) 2000:2013 specifications for technically specified rubber as well as other important topics.
Director Atay said invited resource persons will elaborate on the topics mentioned to advocate for an improved rubber quality products in the province.
Rubber farmers/growers and traders from all over the province were invited to attend the said seminar, Atay said.
==Exporting to the ASEAN seminar set on Nov. 11==
*Source:  http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1351414994683/exporting-to-the-asean-seminar-set-on-nov-11
*Tuesday, November 4, 2014
:(FPG/CAL/PIA9/JNL-DTIZDS)
PAGADIAN CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) – With the ASEAN Economic Community fast approaching, it is but imperative for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to raise the level of awareness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) and prepare them for the vast opportunity and market potentials AEC has to offer.
With these, the DTI Zamboanga del Sur provincial office has set a seminar entitled “Exporting to the ASEAN” on November 11, 2014 at Chandler Suites, this city.
DTI Provincial Director Ma. Socorro M. Atay said the seminar will also equip the participants on relevant information such as export procedures and documentary requirements needed to access the AEC market.
Expected to attend this seminar are interested MSME’s or businessmen and women in the city and in the province as well.
==Roving academy set for SMEs==
*Source:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/business/2014/11/03/roving-academy-set-smes-374528
*Monday, November 3, 2014
:By Bong Garcia
A FOUR-DAY Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Roving Academy (SRA) will be conducted in Zamboanga Peninsula, said an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
DTI OIC-Regional Director Sitti Amina Jain said the SRA is scheduled next week from November 10 to 14 in the different parts of the region.
“This (SRA) is one of the banner projects of DTI for us to bring the programs of DTI closer to our clients,” Jain said, adding that it is aimed to capacitate the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Jain said the SRA will kick off November 10 in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte; November 11 in Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur; November 12 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; November 13, Zamboanga City; and, November 14 back to Dipolog City.
The participants will be taught on components traceability of food to ensure good quality of the products, exporting to Asean Economic Community, and Rubber Quality Improvement, said Jain.
She said the participants of the SRA will be from the food industry, rubber processors, and potential exporters. 
The SRA’s resource speakers are officials from the Manila-based Philippine Trade Training Center, which is the training arm of the DTI.
==Police: Undas in Zambo Sur generally peaceful==
*Source:  http://www.9news.ph/news/regional/2014/11/02/police-undas-in-zambo-sur-generally-peaceful
*Sunday, November 2, 2014
:With a report from Jong Cadion(9News Online)
Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur – Local authorities on Sunday (Nov. 2) declared a “generally peaceful” celebration of All Souls Day here.
Senior Superintendent Sofronio Ecaldre, Zamboaga del Sur Police Provincial Director, said that no untoward incident was reported to them as of Saturday midnight due to tight security measures jointly implemented by police and the Local Government Units (LGUs).
Police were on red alert since Friday (Oct. 31) up to Monday (Nov. 3) to ensure the safety of people flocking the cemeteries here.
Ecaldre said random check points manned by the Provincial Public Safety Battalion were established along the national highway to secure motorists against highway robbery and all forms of criminalities.
Tight security was also implemented at the Integrated Bus Terminals (IBT), public markets, shopping malls and coastal areas, while Police Public Assistance Centers were also in place in public and private cemeteries in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council down to the municipal and barangay levels.
In Pagadian City, tight security and strict implementation of rerouting of all public transport and private vehicles were also enforced going to and from Barangays of Paglaum, Sta. Maria, and Tuburan routes to Pagadian City Public Cemetery and Memorial Garden.
The Public also commended the LGU of Pagadian for providing multi-cab vehicles for free rides within the vicinity of public cemetery and memorial garden.
According to Superintendent Glenn Dulawan, the chief of police of this city, most of the problems they have encountered were minor ones like missing graves especially at the public cemetery.
==Public warned vs bogus environmental compliance certificates==
*Source:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2014/11/01/public-warned-vs-bogus-environmental-compliance-certificates-374180
*Saturday, November 1, 2014
:(SDR/Sunnex)
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warned Saturday the public against fake environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) circulated by unscrupulous individuals.
The warning was issued following the discovery of a fraudulent ECC supposedly issued to an indigenous peoples' organization for a gold mining project in Zamboanga del Sur.
The bogus ECC, purportedly issued by the DENR to a certain Balabag Indigenous Peoples' Minahang Bayan Producers Cooperative (BIPMBP), bore the forged signatures of DENR officials, including that of Secretary Ramon Paje.
It supposedly gives BIPMBP the clearance to conduct "open pit and tunnel method" of mining gold and other minerals covering some 25,000 hectares in Sitio Balabag, Bayog town.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Leo Jasareno, however, clarified that no such ECC was issued by the DENR.
"Per DENR records, no such issuance exists and the signatures affixed to it are forged," Jasareno said.
He said his fake signature appeared under the "Recommending Approval" heading while that of Paje under the "Approved by" heading.
"Even if a project involves a mining project, ECCs are not being recommended for approval by the MGB. ECCs are granted by the DENR only through the Environmental Management Bureau or EMB, not MGB. MGB does not grant ECCs," Jasareno said.
The forged ECC, dated October 20, 2014 with number ECC-R9-MBC-001-2014, used the EMB's letterhead and the DENR's official logo, complete with 12 "conditionalities" and even a provision on its volume extraction at 240 tons a day "utilizing an open cut method by benching through minimal equipment and manual labor."
The EMB letterhead, however, revealed already the forgery because of a wrong address, that is, North Avenue instead of Visayas Avenue.
Jasareno said Paje has already ordered an investigation into such violation and file appropriate charges against the perpetrators as evidence warrants.

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

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Seal of Zamboanga del Sur Province
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Zamboanga del Sur Map Locator
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Municipalities within Zamboanga del Sur
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Provincial Capitol 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.

Zambosurlapuyanfalls.jpg
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.
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Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines
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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:
  1. 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.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Lintugop, Aurora
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Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
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Provincial human resource management office of santo niño pagadian city
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Civil Service Commision office in santo niño pagadian city

Raps filed vs 2 cops

By Bong Garcia

THE police have filed criminal charges against two policemen before the Pagadian City Prosecutor's Office, an official said Monday.

Pagadian City Police Director Glenn Dulawan identified the respondent-policemen as PO1 Razul Lawi, 32, and PO1 Ray Julius Sta. Teresa.

Lawi has been assigned in Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur, while Sta. Teresa has been with the Regional Public Safety Battalion in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

Dulawan said they were charged Monday for alarm and scandal, as well as indiscriminate firing.

Dulawan said the charges against them stemmed from the illegal discharge of issued service firearms around 3:30 a.m. Sunday at the corners of Sanson Street and Pajares Avenue in the village of San Pedro, Pagadian City.

The two policemen have allegedly fired their service firearms into the air following heated altercations with guest relations officers at a KTV bar in the area, according to Dulawan.

He said the two policemen boarded a tricycle and tried to escape but was arrested following information provided by witnesses.

He said they were detained at the headquarters of the Pagadian City police headquarters.

Dumalinao buys emergency rescue vehicle

By Bong Garcia

MAYOR Ace William Cerilles of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur announced that they are equipped and ready to provide assistance to the town’s residence in time of disasters.

Cerilles made this announcement as they purchased a P710,000 emergency rescue vehicle (ERV), which is the first of its kind in the province of Zamboanga del Sur that comprises of one city and 26 municipalities.

Cerilles said they are not praying for a disaster to occur “but should it strike, we are ready.”

Cerilles said they decided to purchase an ERV in response to the request of his constituents to gear up for climate change adaptation, mitigation and resiliency.

Cerilles said the purchased of the ERV is his priority since six of the 30 barangays of Dumalinao are flood-prone areas.

These are the barangays of Rebokon, Pantad, Metokong, Mama, Bagong Silao, and Bibilik.

Cerilles said the ERV was purchased from the Cebu City-based Pasajero Motors Corporation utilizing the calamity funds of the municipality.

The ERV is a fiberglass dinghy powered by a five horse power outboard motor and equipped with a three kilovolt-ampere (KVA) generator set and two sets of 500-watt halogen lamps.

It also has built-in fire extinguishers, a chainsaw, an axe, life jackets, boots, hard hats, ropes and flashlights.

Cerilles said they will purchase another similar vehicle next year.

Climate change workshop set

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that 12 local government units (LGUs) consisting of five cities and seven towns are set to undergo a three-day training workshop on the formulation of Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) in Zamboanga Peninsula.

DILG Regional Director Paisal Abutazil said the training workshop is scheduled to be held from November 11 to 13 in Pagadian City.

Abutazil said the participating LGUs, which have been identified as most vulnerable to disasters in the region, are the following: Bayog, Molave and Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur; Diplahan and Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay; Labason and Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte; and the cities of Dapitan; Dipolog; Isabela; Pagadian; and Zamboanga.

Abutazil said the target participants are the City and Municipal Risk Reduction Management Officer, Planning and Development Officer, Agriculturist or Social Welfare and Development Officer, Environment and Natural Resource officer, Local Government Operations Officer, Health Officer and City or Municipal Council environment committee member.

He said the training is aimed to provide the participants an understanding on how vulnerability assessment helps in responding to challenges.

He said the training also serves as an avenue for the LGUs to update their ecological profile and formulate their LCCAP, which shall then be integrated in the Comprehensive Development Plan or Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

He added the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments provides essential tools for informing the development of such adaptation priorities and plans, as well as development of appropriate climate adaptation strategies needed to manage effectively the un-avoidable impacts of climate change.

Experts from the Department of Science and Technology and Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be the resource speakers of the three-day training.

Mayor bares Dumalinao town is now disaster-ready

(FPG/ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sibugay)

DUMALINAO, Zamboanga del Sur, Nov. 6 (PIA) – “We’re not praying for a disaster but should it strike, we are ready,” thus said Mayor Ace William E. Cerilles in a recent interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

Responding to the needs of his constituents and gearing up for climate change adaptation, mitigation and resiliency, the good mayor recently acquired a disaster rescue vehicle for the town amounting to P710,000.00 from calamity funds.

“We bought this emergency rescue vehicle (ERV) because this is what we need, so I made it a priority. We have flood-prone areas like Barangay Rebokon and the coastal barangays of Pantad, Metokong, Mama, Bagong Silao, and Bibilik,” the young mayor clarified.

He said there is a bridge in Barangay Matab-ang on the way to Rebokon which is impassable during heavy rains because of flooding. The local government has made the necessary repairs to make it accessible even through incessant rains.

The emergency rescue vehicle, acquired on October 30, 2014 is the first of its kind in the province and was bought from Pasajero Motors Corporation in Cebu City. Mayor Cerilles intends to buy another unit next year to better serve his constituents and hopes that this will be replicated in other municipalities.

It is equipped with a fiberglass dinghy, 5hp outboard motor, 3KVA generator set, 2 sets 500 watts halogen lamps, fire extinguishers, chainsaw, axe, life jackets, rain boots, hard hats, nylon ropes, flashlights and other accessories needed during emergency rescue operation.

Cerilles said the Barangay Emergency Response Team (BERT) composed of 260 members are ready for any eventuality should a disaster hit their town. To upgrade their skills and readiness to respond to disasters, a recent training held on October 26-29 was a boost to their capability.

On the other hand, LGU officials are always on the alert and monitoring the situation in all 30 barangays of the municipality. With the cooperation and vigilance of everyone in the community, there is no doubt that Dumalinao is a disaster-resilient town, coping with extreme weather condition and cushioning its impact in the lives of everyone.

DTI-ZDS to conduct rubber quality improvement advocacy seminar

(FPG/CAL/PIA9 with reports from DTI-ZDS)

PAGADIAN CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA) – As one of the champion products of Zamboanga del Sur and with the continuing advocacy of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to improve the quality and adherence to internationally adopted standards in the rubber industry, the DTI provincial office here will conduct a Rubber Quality Improvement Advocacy Seminar on Nov. 11, 2014 at Chandler Suites this city.

DTI Provincial Director Ma. Socorro M. Atay said the seminar would tackle the Philippine National Standards (PNS), International Organization on Standardization (ISO) 2000:2013 specifications for technically specified rubber as well as other important topics.

Director Atay said invited resource persons will elaborate on the topics mentioned to advocate for an improved rubber quality products in the province.

Rubber farmers/growers and traders from all over the province were invited to attend the said seminar, Atay said.

Exporting to the ASEAN seminar set on Nov. 11

(FPG/CAL/PIA9/JNL-DTIZDS)

PAGADIAN CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) – With the ASEAN Economic Community fast approaching, it is but imperative for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to raise the level of awareness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) and prepare them for the vast opportunity and market potentials AEC has to offer.

With these, the DTI Zamboanga del Sur provincial office has set a seminar entitled “Exporting to the ASEAN” on November 11, 2014 at Chandler Suites, this city.

DTI Provincial Director Ma. Socorro M. Atay said the seminar will also equip the participants on relevant information such as export procedures and documentary requirements needed to access the AEC market.

Expected to attend this seminar are interested MSME’s or businessmen and women in the city and in the province as well.

Roving academy set for SMEs

By Bong Garcia

A FOUR-DAY Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Roving Academy (SRA) will be conducted in Zamboanga Peninsula, said an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DTI OIC-Regional Director Sitti Amina Jain said the SRA is scheduled next week from November 10 to 14 in the different parts of the region.

“This (SRA) is one of the banner projects of DTI for us to bring the programs of DTI closer to our clients,” Jain said, adding that it is aimed to capacitate the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Jain said the SRA will kick off November 10 in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte; November 11 in Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur; November 12 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; November 13, Zamboanga City; and, November 14 back to Dipolog City.

The participants will be taught on components traceability of food to ensure good quality of the products, exporting to Asean Economic Community, and Rubber Quality Improvement, said Jain.

She said the participants of the SRA will be from the food industry, rubber processors, and potential exporters.

The SRA’s resource speakers are officials from the Manila-based Philippine Trade Training Center, which is the training arm of the DTI.

Police: Undas in Zambo Sur generally peaceful

With a report from Jong Cadion(9News Online)

Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur – Local authorities on Sunday (Nov. 2) declared a “generally peaceful” celebration of All Souls Day here.

Senior Superintendent Sofronio Ecaldre, Zamboaga del Sur Police Provincial Director, said that no untoward incident was reported to them as of Saturday midnight due to tight security measures jointly implemented by police and the Local Government Units (LGUs).

Police were on red alert since Friday (Oct. 31) up to Monday (Nov. 3) to ensure the safety of people flocking the cemeteries here.

Ecaldre said random check points manned by the Provincial Public Safety Battalion were established along the national highway to secure motorists against highway robbery and all forms of criminalities.

Tight security was also implemented at the Integrated Bus Terminals (IBT), public markets, shopping malls and coastal areas, while Police Public Assistance Centers were also in place in public and private cemeteries in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council down to the municipal and barangay levels.

In Pagadian City, tight security and strict implementation of rerouting of all public transport and private vehicles were also enforced going to and from Barangays of Paglaum, Sta. Maria, and Tuburan routes to Pagadian City Public Cemetery and Memorial Garden.

The Public also commended the LGU of Pagadian for providing multi-cab vehicles for free rides within the vicinity of public cemetery and memorial garden.

According to Superintendent Glenn Dulawan, the chief of police of this city, most of the problems they have encountered were minor ones like missing graves especially at the public cemetery.

Public warned vs bogus environmental compliance certificates

(SDR/Sunnex)

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warned Saturday the public against fake environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) circulated by unscrupulous individuals.

The warning was issued following the discovery of a fraudulent ECC supposedly issued to an indigenous peoples' organization for a gold mining project in Zamboanga del Sur.

The bogus ECC, purportedly issued by the DENR to a certain Balabag Indigenous Peoples' Minahang Bayan Producers Cooperative (BIPMBP), bore the forged signatures of DENR officials, including that of Secretary Ramon Paje.

It supposedly gives BIPMBP the clearance to conduct "open pit and tunnel method" of mining gold and other minerals covering some 25,000 hectares in Sitio Balabag, Bayog town.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Leo Jasareno, however, clarified that no such ECC was issued by the DENR.

"Per DENR records, no such issuance exists and the signatures affixed to it are forged," Jasareno said.

He said his fake signature appeared under the "Recommending Approval" heading while that of Paje under the "Approved by" heading.

"Even if a project involves a mining project, ECCs are not being recommended for approval by the MGB. ECCs are granted by the DENR only through the Environmental Management Bureau or EMB, not MGB. MGB does not grant ECCs," Jasareno said.

The forged ECC, dated October 20, 2014 with number ECC-R9-MBC-001-2014, used the EMB's letterhead and the DENR's official logo, complete with 12 "conditionalities" and even a provision on its volume extraction at 240 tons a day "utilizing an open cut method by benching through minimal equipment and manual labor."

The EMB letterhead, however, revealed already the forgery because of a wrong address, that is, North Avenue instead of Visayas Avenue.

Jasareno said Paje has already ordered an investigation into such violation and file appropriate charges against the perpetrators as evidence warrants.