Zamboanga del Norte Province, Philippines News

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Province of Zamboanga del Norte - Archived News

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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Zamboanga del Norte

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.

Over 9,000 additional poor families in Zanorte, now new beneficiaries of 4Ps

DIPOLOG CITY - More than 9,000 poor families from Zamboanga del Norte province were added as beneficiaries to the government's anti-poverty program - the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Mr. Resty Ragas, 4Ps Provincial Grievance Officer said, 9,696 additional poor families in Zamboanga del Norte identified thru the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction survey were among the more than 40,000 families in the region to benefit the program.

The new batch of 4Ps beneficiaries, belonging to set 6 of the 4Ps beneficiaries were enrolled in the program after the registration and validation were conducted from September to November 2012.

Under the Program, each family-beneficiary will receive a maximum of P1,400 monthly allowance for the health and educational needs of the children, until they reach 14 years old, provided they comply with the requirements set under the program.

Each studying child is expected to spend 85% of their time in school and should not incur three absences from classes in a month while those ages below 5 years must be regularly brought to the health center for medical check-up and the needed immunization.

Meanwhile, Ragas reminded the beneficiaries of their responsibilities under the program, like their attendance and participation in the monthly Family Development Session regularly called by their designated parent-leader.

Ragas also warned parent-leaders to refrain from calling for a meeting among parents other than what is mandated under the program. He urged them to closely coordinate with their Municipal or City Links before holding any meeting.

He issued this warning after receiving report that some parent-leaders are holding a meeting not for Family Development Session but to discuss election-related issues, particularly on the candidate to be voted this coming 2013 election.

Ragas also cautioned the 4Ps aspirants not to be fooled by the promises of some local politicians of their assured membership to the program once they will vote for a particular candidate this coming election.

The Provincial Grievance Officer clarified that the transfer of voting precincts won’t affect the membership of the 4Ps beneficiaries as long as proper coordination is made to the Municipal or City Links regarding the transfer of residency.

Ragas stressed that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is an anti-poverty alleviation program of the national government and its would-be beneficiaries are determined only through the NHTS survey conducted the DSWD and not by any politician.

DepEd to hold accreditation and equivalency test next month

  • Source: www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1441353653281
  • By: Alfonso T. Ruda
  • Saturday, November 24, 2012

DIPOLOG CITY- The Bureau of Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education is all set to conduct this year’s accreditation and equivalency (A & E) Test in Dipolog City in December.

Ms. Catalina S. Barinaga, Dipolog City Schools Division ALS Supervisor said they have already received the advisory from DepEd Central Office for the conduct of the said test on December 16 this year.

The examination will be conducted in two separate venues.

The examination for the out-of-school youths (OSYs) will be held at the Zamboanga del Norte National High School (main campus) in Barangay Estaka, while the examination for the detainees of the Dipolog City Reformatory Center at Barangay Upper Dicayas, this city will be held inside the reformatory complex.

A total of 758 qualified examinees, 683 out-of-school youths and 75 residents of the Dipolog City Reformatory Center, will be taking this year’s A & E test.

Meanwhile, 580 OSY and 56 detainees will take the Secondary level while 103 OSY and 19 detainees will also take the elementary level.

Successful examinees in the elementary level are eligible to enroll in high school in the opening of classes of the succeeding school year. On the other hand, those who will pass the secondary level will be eligible to enroll in college.

The Accreditation and Equivalency Test, originally scheduled last October 7 was postponed twice for administrative reasons.

Zambo Norte tablea producing farm gets boost from DOST

The Roteo Farm located in Barangay Pian, Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte that produces tablea (raw native chocolate in tablet form) got a boost from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

DOST regional information officer Jill Cindy Cruz-Cañete on Wednesday said the DOST has recently approved the release of P131,400 to upgrade the tablea production facility of Roteo Farm.

Cañete said the funds will be used by the management of the Roteo Farm to acquire new equipment to include a roaster, grinder and molder.

Through the upgrade project, Cañete said the Roteo Farm is expected to produce better quality tablea, increase production and income by 70 percent.

The DOST will also provide training on good manufacturing practices (GMP) and basic sanitation and hygiene for food handlers to the farm’s workers, she said.

The Roteo Farm, which processes cacao into tablea, is owned by Teosistas Balladares, who inherited the farm from her parents.

The farm was able to acquire facilities such as solar and mechanical dyer, fermentation boxes and shredder for cacao peels through the new technology introduced by Cocoa Foundation of the Philippines (CocoaPhil).

However, Cañete said the increase of demand for tablea pushed Balladares to seek DOST’s assistance through the SETUP to upgrade the farm’s existing processing facilities.

She said that the Regional Technical Evaluation Committee of DOST highly recommended the approval of SETUP assistance considering the management’s capability and technical know-how to man the project, the high demand for the finished product as well as the high profit and the impact that will be generated from the project operation, she said.

SETUP, a flagship program of DOST, is a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in implementing technological innovations and improvements in their operations to boost their productivity and competitiveness.

3 Siocon cops dismissed over illegal drug use

Three policemen in Zamboanga del Norte were dismissed from the police service for illegal drug use, the Philippine National Police said on Tuesday.

Police Regional Office 9 director Chief Superintendent Napoleon Estilles said the three policemen, who belong Siocon Municipal Police Station, tested positive for illegal drugs.

Estilles also directed the relief of the station chief of the Siocon police station and ordered the entire 45 police personnel of the station to undergo the back-to-basic re-training course with the subject of Character Aptitude and Development Program in the Regional Support Training Unit (RSTU) of Camp Abendan in Barangay Mercedes, Zamboanga City.

He said the discovery of the drug use among the policemen came after his command received reports about some lawmen pushing and using drugs in the area.

Estilles immediately directed the subjected police personnel to report to the regional headquarters to undergo the re-training program as a sanctioned disciplinary action.

Earlier, Estilles also dismissed from service six erring cops to include a police chief inspector who were found guilty of the administrative charges lodged against them due to misconduct.

Globe completes Mindanao leg of $700M modernization program

Ayala-controlled Globe Telecom Inc. has completed the Mindanao leg of its $700 million network modernization and transformation program. According to Robert Tan, chief technical adviser of Globe, Davao City and adjacent provinces are now fully equipped with a new generation mobile systems capable of supporting fourth-generation Evolved High-Speed Packet Access or 4G HSPA+.

Mobile services in Mindanao regions, which include Zamboanga and Misamis, now have better mobile coverage, increased data speeds and better network reliability.

“In terms of service quality after the upgrade, our call set-up rate improved dramatically. Now, a call you make in Davao consistently gets connected even at first try,” Tan explained.

Completed HSPA+ cell sites in Mindanao include Tipo-tipo in Basilan; Cabanglasan, Impasugong, Malaybalay and Sumilao in Bukidnon; Don Victoriano Chiongbian in Misamis Occidental; Norala and Santo Niño in South Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Columbio, Isulan, President Quirino and Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat; the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur; Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental as well as the whole of Compostela Valley.

“These comprise over 4,000 Globe cell sites already swapped with the newest, best-in-class infrastructure, while simultaneously increasing 4G HSPA+ footprint,” Tan said.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu himself confirmed the enhanced network service, particularly in streaming data.

“For those who have been following me in social media, I had a pleasant experience of visiting Davao which has now been modernized. I achieved speeds up to 5 mbps in that network almost constantly,” Cu said in a statement.

The Davao region also was the first to have the rollout of fiber optic cable which will significantly increase capacity and resiliency to accommodate and protect more voice, SMS and data traffic.

Cu likewise confirmed that very soon, Davao will join Manila, Cebu and other ultra-connected cities in the world by experiencing long term evolution (LTE) with the service’s quick expansion in the premier city of the South.

Also, the province of Sulu, the City of Surigao and Butuan are earmarked for modernization to the new Globe network for the fourth quarter of 2012; Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur is set to follow suit for the first quarter 2013.

ZaNorte Rubber Cluster Team formed

DIPOLOG CITY- In keeping with the national government’s goal of doubling rubber production by 2016, the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Zamboanga del Norte has organized the ZaNorte Rubber Cluster Team.

After presenting the issues and opportunities involving rubber production, DTI Provincial Director Noel Bazan facilitated the creation of the rubber cluster team with the Department of Agriculture (DA) as chair.

The team has also three vice chairs coming from the farmers association, business/traders group and the processor sector. Its members are the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU), Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), and other stakeholders in the rubber industry.

DTI, on the other hand, serves as the team’s secretariat.

A report from the DENR’s provincial office disclosed that Zamboanga del Norte has around 1,200 hectares planted to rubber.

It was also learned that the DENR is targeting to cover 100 thousand hectares to be planted with rubber under its National Greening Program (NGP).

GSIS opens emergency loan window for members in two Zambo Norte towns

DIPOLOG CITY- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has opened an emergency loan (EL) window for its members residing or working in the municipalities of Siocon and Sirawai in Zamboanga del Norte to help them and their families recover from damages brought about by super typhoon Lawin.

GSIS President and General Manager (PGM) Robert G. Vergara said P12 million has been allotted for the EL window, which is open from 22 October 2012 to 20 November 2012.

The provincial board of Zamboanga del Norte declared Siocon and Sirawai under a state of calamity after strong winds and heavy rains battered the two municipalities for three days in September, displacing over 1,600 families in the southern region.

To qualify for EL, applicants must be residing or working in the areas; must not be on leave of absence without pay; have no pending criminal or administrative charges; have no arrears in premium payment; have no loans that remain unpaid for six months or longer; and do not belong to a government agency suspended by the GSIS for nonpayment of premiums and loans.

Eligible applicants may avail of up to P20,000 EL payable in equal monthly installments for three years.

“To give our members ample time to adjust, payment of the first amortization has been extended to three months,” PGM Vergara said, adding that the applicable interest rate has been reduced to 6 percent and the service charge waived.

Members with existing ELs must have paid at least 12 monthly amortizations to renew their loan, which may only be filed after the anniversary date of the previous EL.

Interested members may apply for an emergency loan online via the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System kiosks deployed in GSIS offices, provincial capitols, or municipal halls.

They can also submit their loan application over the counter at the nearest GSIS office. Loan application forms are available at GSIS offices or downloadable at www.gsis.gov.ph.

In anticipation of the influx of loan applicants, the GSIS assured its members that the Zamboanga del Norte office will have sufficient number of personnel to answer queries and receive applications on weekends.

Baby dead, 27 hurt in vehicular accident in Zambo Norte

A six-month-old baby girl was killed while 27 others were injured when the truck they were on board slammed on the roadside Sunday in Tampilisan town, Zamboanga del Norte, police said.

Senior Superintendent Sopronio Elcaldre, Zamboanga del Norte provincial police director, said the victims were traveling aboard the mini-truck with plate number SGD 215 owned by the Mabuhay municipality and driven by a certain Seferino Bohol Anunat, 53. Anunat was driving without license.

The group was traveling from Liloy town in Zamboanga del Norte to Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province when the truck met the accident along the highway in Barangay Kamol in Tampilisan town about 9 a.m. Sunday.

Elcaldre said Tampilisan police investigation disclosed that while the truck was negotiating the highway on high speed, the vehicle tried to overtake a motorcycle when it careened to its side, lost control and swerved on the roadside.

He said all the victims were rushed to the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Hospital for treatment but the infant, whose name was withheld , was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians.

SC: Ex-Dapitan City mayor Dominador Jalosjos ineligible to run for public office

The Supreme Court has upheld its earlier ruling that former Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte mayor Dominador Jalosjos Jr. should not have been allowed to run for public office since his past criminal concviction in the 1970s has rendered him "perpetually" ineligible.

In a 21-page ruling, the court voted 9-3-2 to deny a motion by Jalosjos—brother of convicted rapist Romeo Jalosjos—seeking to reverse a February 2011 SC ruling that upheld two Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolutions dated May 10 and August 11, 2010, ordering the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy on the grounds of "false material representation."

Jalosjos and three others were convicted on April 30, 1970 for robbery and were sentenced to a maximum of prison mayor (four years, two months and one day) by the Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 18. He appealed the case with the Court of Appeals but was denied in 1973.

On June 17, 1985, Jalosjos filed a petition for probation, which was granted by the court. Two years later, in 1987, the court granted the petition of Jalosjos' probation officer to revoke his probation.

In December 2003, Parole and Probation administrator Gregorio Bacolod issued a certification that Jalosjos had fulfilled the terms and conditions of his probation. The Sandiganbayan later convicted Bacolod for issuing a falsified certification for Jalosjos.

"Jalosjos' certificate of candidacy was void from the start since he was not eligible to run for any public office at the time he filed his certificate of candidacy. Jalosjos was never a candidate at any time, and all votes for Jalosjos were stray votes," the court said.

The court said Jalosjos committed "false material representation" when he made a false statement in his certificate of candidacy that he was eligible to run for public office.

The court said the prison mayor penalty handed down on Jalosjos was grounds for his disqualification to run for public office under Section 40 of the Local Government Code and under Section 12 of the Omnibus Election Code.

"The penalty of prison mayor automatically carries with it, by operation of law, the accessory penalties of temporary absolute disqualification and perpetual special disqualification," the court said.

The court said Jalosjos should have been disqualified from running for public office "immediately once the judgment of conviction becomes final."

The court also ruled that Agapito Cardino, Jalosjos' rival in the 2010 mayoral race, should be considered to have run that year unopposed.

The court directed the Comelec to form a Special City Board of Canvassers that would proclaim Cardino as the duly elected mayor of Dapitan City.

"Despite a prior perpetual special disqualification, Jalosjos was elected and served twice as mayor. The Comelec will be grossly remiss in its constitutional duty to 'enforce and administer all laws' relating to the conduct of elections if it does not motu proprio bar from running for publuc office those suffering from perpetual special disqualification by virtue of final judgment," the court said.

The Court stressed that "perpetual special disqualification means that ‘the offender shall not be permitted to hold any office during the period of his disqualification,’ which is perpetually.”

DOE to conduct inspection on LPG dealers and gasoline station in ZaNorte

  • Source: www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1441351064041
  • By: Alfonso T. Ruda
  • Thursday, October 25, 2012

DIPOLOG CITY- The Department of Energy (DOE), together with several government agencies, will soon conduct an inspection on all liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and gasoline dealers in Zamboanga del Norte.

The inspection will be conducted amid reports and complaints on violations committed by some unscrupulous LPG and gasoline dealers in the province.

In a coordination meeting held in Dipolog City, DOE-Mindanao Field Office Head Nilo Geroche said the inspection would assess the compliance of the LPG and gasoline dealers in the province on the requirements set by the department.

Aside from DOE, other members of the inspection team are representatives from Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police and Treasurers Office and Licensing Division of the Local Government Units.

Geroche said member-agencies will have its specific task during the inspection.

The DTI will check on the products’ quality; BFP on the business establishment’s compliance on the fire safety standards and the LGUs for the establishment’s business permits and its compliance to local ordinances concerning its business operation.

Engineer Edmar Derla said DOE will then hold a meeting with the members of the inspection team to assess the level of compliance among LPG and gasoline dealers in the province.

To further protect the consumers from unscrupulous practice of illegal traders, an extensive information education campaign is also slated to be held after the inspection.

ALERT: Dipolog City broadcaster rebuked by City Council for “offensive” question

The City Council of Dipolog has passed a resolution rebuking a local journalist for asking a political rival of the city mayor a question that supposedly put the incumbent official in a bad light.

The City Council on September 25, 2012 passed Resolution No. 12-862 condemning “the insinuation made by a radio reporter that the administration of Dipolog City has the propensity of employing violence and terrorism against its political opponents.”

At a press conference on Sept. 17, Leo Cimafranca, manager and news anchor of RMN dxKD in Dipolog City, asked mayoralty candidate Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon: “Pananglitan mogamit ug terorismo ang pikas kay karon diri sa Dipolog dili nato ikalimod nga daghang patay nahitabo nga unsolved (For example, if the other side uses terrorism because we cannot deny that there are a lot of unsolved killings that happened).

The press conference was held at Carreon’s residence in Barangay Sicayab, Dipolog.

Carreon, the Nacionalista Party’s bet for mayor, is running against incumbent mayor and Liberal Party candidate Evelyn T. Uy.

The vice mayor and the entire city council is allied with Uy.

Cimafranca is a known critic of the local administration.

The resolution, adopted on the motion of Councilor James P. Verduquez and seconded by Councilors Ruben B. Legorio, Dante G. Bagarinao and Kenny Val U. Ong, made the following conclusions:

1. That Cimafranca “alluded” to the present Dipolog City administration under Mayor Evelyn T. Uy when he mentioned “pikas” (the other side);

2. That in saying “pananglitan mogamit ug terorismo (for example, if the other side uses terrorism),” Cimafranca was “obviously implying that there is a possibility that we would employ violence and terrorism against the group of Cely Jalosjos-Carreon;” and

3. In saying, “Dili (nato) ikalimod nga daghang patay nahitabo nga unsolved (we cannot deny that there are a lot of unsolved killings that happened),” Cimafranca “was clearly making a connection between the (sic) suppressed possibility that we would employ terrorism against the group of Cely Jalosjos-Carreon and certain cases of (sic) killing in the City, as if implying that we somehow know about the killings in Dipolog City.”

The City Council resolution also claimed Cimafranca’s question “(sic) is certainly malicious and irresponsible. Partraying (sic) this administration as a group that has the propensity to employ violence against its opponents is highly uncalled for.”

DA to begin massive corn planting in Western Mindanao

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is embarking on a massive corn-planting program in nine municipalities and one city covering some 1,300 hectares here in Western Mindanao.

DA’s Regional Corn Coordinator Felizardo Salomes said the program is aimed to produce at least an average yield of 3 tons per hectare or a total production of 3,900 metric tons of white corn grains in support to the Food Staple Sufficiency Program of the DA.

The areas identified for corn planting are Diplahan, Imelda and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay province; Dapitan City and Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte; and Bayog, Lakewood, Tukuran, Mahayag and Dumingan, Zamboanga del Sur.

The corn-planting program will be launched in the target areas in December this year and in January next year, Salomes said.

The seeds for the program will be provided by the Production Support Services Component of the Agri-Pinoy Corn Program under its seed-exchange subsidy, Salomes said.

He said that five packs of Bio-N seed inoculant will be given out per bag of corn seeds to minimize input requirements, particularly urea.

He said the Zamboanga peninsula is generally sufficient in white corn for human consumption and it can address high demand for white corn in Central Visayas as there are more Cebuanos whose staple is corn.

He said that in terms of market access, corn can be transported to Cebu via the ports of Sindangan and Liloy towns and Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte.

He said water may be the limiting factor in other areas but water supply is just adequate even in the absence of rain in the 10 identified areas in the region.

“Harvest falls on the dry months and post-harvest is not a problem. The advantage of off-season production is that price is high due to the scarcity of supply,” Salomes said.

“This will provide better income for the farmers,” he said.

Team Mindanao wins Nat’l Chef Wars

A TEAM of culinary professionals and students from Mindanao competed and won the national Chef Wars during the National Food Showdown held at the World Trade Center in Manila last September 21 to 22.

DMC College Foundation Inc. of Dipolog City is the national champion in the student division with Philippine School of Culinary Arts (Visayas-Cebu) as second runner-up and Asian College (NCR) and University of Baguio (Luzon) as third runner-up.

In the professional division, Monster Kitchen from Cagayan de Oro won as first runner-up.

Resorts World (NCR) was the champion while Radisson Blue Hotel (Visayas-Cebu) was second runner-up and Le Monet Hotel (Luzon) as third runner up. The Mindanao teams emerged as winners in the last Kumbira, a culinary show and competition staged annually by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (Cohara), which was held last August 15 to 17 at the Atrium of Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

For six years now, Kumbira is the host of the Mindanao Chef Wars, a regional competition that brings the winners to compete in the national finals in Manila during the Food Showdown.

“Cohara has always supported these competing teams in their preparation to the national finals. Our Mindanao teams have shown a track record of winnings in the six years of Chef Wars” says Cohara President Joanna L. Yu.

The Chef Wars competition is a real challenge for both students and professionals as a team of three prepares three dishes in one hour using the specified main ingredient following a theme for each category. At the finals this year, the professional division competed using eggplant as the main ingredient on classical Mediterranean cuisine while students were given wood ear mushroom as main ingredient highlighting modern provincial Filipino cuisine.

It took a while for the students from Dipolog to realize that they were the champion.

Judges savored DMC College Foundation Inc.‘s entries of Beef Kimus with Sambal Sauce, Chicken Randa and Sinucmane, which earned them a Gold and Champion of Chef Wars 2012 Student Division.

“With the successful results, it is expected that there will be more culinary enthusiasts joining in next year’s Kumbira, which is already scheduled on August 14 to 16, 2013,” said Eileen E. San Juan, Vice-Chair for Mindanao of the National Food Showdown and past president of Cohara. (PR)

OWWA awards Model OFW Families in Region 9

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Zamboanga Peninsula Region has awarded this year’s regional winners for the Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) in a ceremony held on October 6, 2012 at the Garden Orchid Hotel, this city.

The awardees were the family of Dr. Orlando P. Paber from Zamboanga City for land-based category, while the family of Mr. Ramon G. Lubaton from Dipolog City bagged the award for sea-based category.

OFW Paber worked as a physician at Dammam Central Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 9 years and specializes in EENT. He is currently a resident physician at the Zamboanga Doctors Hospital.

Meanwhile, OFW Lubaton was a chef in a cruise ship, working for almost 20 years overseas. He was nominated by the City Government of Dipolog and the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP).

Paber and Lubaton will represent Region 9 in the National Awarding Ceremony to be held on December 6, 2012 in Manila.

The event was attended by Congresswoman of the 1st Congressional District of Zamboanga City and House Deputy Speaker Ma. Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar.

Also present during the occasion were Heads and representatives of the DOLE – Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), corporate sponsors, national government agencies, non-government organizations, OFW Family Circles of Region IX, licensed recruitment agencies in Zamboanga City and media partners.

An audio-visual presentation of the annual awarding ceremonies for the past seven years highlighted the event in its goal to give due recognition to the outstanding achievements of the Overseas Filipino Workers and their families who exemplified strong family ties, contributed positive outcome in the community, and who have demonstrated financial stability and success in business venture.

Four regional finalists and their achievements through Pro-Show were also featured.

Now on its eight year, OWWA continues to give honor to OFWs and their families. This year’s sponsors are Globe Telecom, Inc. and Bank of the Philippine Islands.

Each awardee received a plaque, P20,000 in the form of G-Cash, Trolley Bags and 10 pcs Globe IDD cards worth P100 each from Globe Telecom.

Members of this year’s Regional Screening and Selection Committee are OWWA Regional Director Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain, Ladjakaya S. Abubakar (OFW Federation), Nida P. Dans (Non-Government Organization), Ramon L. Follosco (Media) and Angeles C. Engalla (MOFYA 2012 Coordinator).

The criteria for judging are: wholesome OFW Family (50%), civic / community involvement of OFW & Family (20%),success in OFW and / or family members education or profession (20%) and success in managing family finances (10%).

The event gave a traditional Mindanaoan atmosphere as all OWWA staff were dressed in colorful Muslim Attire and the guests were entertained with a cultural and ethnic dance presentation performed by the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College Cultural Dance Troupe.

TVIRD sends out $10.5-M copper shipment

PAGADIAN CITY- Following its mandate in empowering disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals and groups for an improved quality of life, the Department of Social Services and Development (DSWD) is implementing the Reintegration Program for Deportees and Returning Overseas Filipino Workers.

In a report on its Web site on Thursday, the miner said it had shipped out 5,026 dry metric tons (DMT) of copper concentrate containing 18.25% copper. The shipment is its 31st copper concentrate shipment for the year.

The copper was sourced from TVIRD’s 508-hectare copper-zinc mine in Canatuan, Zamboanga del Norte.

The shipment, said the miner, left the port of Santa Maria in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte last September 29.

The copper was sold to Chinese metals and minerals trader MRI Trading AG in accordance with an off-take agreement between TVIRD and the dealer.

Phivolcs: Magnitude-5.2 quake hits Zamboanga del Norte; aftershocks expected

A magnitude-5.2 quake jolted the Zamboanga del Norte area in Mindanao Tuesday afternoon, with state seismologists warning of possible aftershocks.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake was recorded at 2:25 p.m. and was tectonic in origin.

In an updated bulletin, Phivolcs traced the epicenter of the quake to 19 km southwest of Sergio Osmeña Sr. town in Zamboanga Del Norte.

The initial bulletin had measured the quake at magnitude 5.4.

Phivolcs' updated bulletin said the quake was felt at:

- Intensity III: Dumaguete City; Zamboanga City; Labason, Zamboanga del Norte - Intensity II: Dipolog City; Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte

While Phivolcs said no damage is expected, aftershocks are possible.

For its part, the United States Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 5.1.

For its part, the United States Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 5.1.

According to the USGS, the epicenter was:

- 14 km north-northwest of Dumingag - 24 km northwest of Mahayag - 30 km northwest of Molave - 33 km south of Dipolog

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