Zamboanga del Sur News July 2014

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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
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Zamboanga del Sur
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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.

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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

Typhoon ‘Henry’ slows down

By Ellalyn De Vera

Typhoon “Henry” (international name “Matmo”) has slowed down but maintained its strength as it continues to move northwest over the Pacific Ocean on Sunday noon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the eye of the typhoon is at 420 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar at around 10 a.m. Sunday.

It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

It also continued to move northwest but slower at 13 kph.

If it maintains its present speed and direction, typhoon “Henry” will be at 440 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes by Monday morning.

By Tuesday morning, it will be at 360 km east-northeast of Aparri, Cagayan and at 210 km north-northwest of Basco, Batanes by Wednesday morning.

It may not make landfall over the country but the typhoon is expected to bring moderate to occasional heavy rains and thunderstorms over Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Dinagat Islands, Siargao Island, and Surigao del Norte.

PAGASA warned residents in these areas against possible flashfloods and landslides due to heavy rains.

The enhanced southwest monsoon will bring cloudy skies and light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental.

Fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts were advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao due to big waves generated by the typhoon.

Pagadian City to host ‘Batang Pinoy’ Mindanao qualifying leg

(PNA), JBP/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION/PJN

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, July 19 (PNA) -- This city is playing host to this year’s “Batang Pinoy” Mindanao qualifying leg.

The sports event, which is scheduled to be held from September 10-14, more than 5,000 athletes from across Mindanao will see action in the different athletic competitions.

Provincial Information Officer Marivic Jongco said Gov. Antonio Cerilles and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) represented by Commission Jose Luis Gomez and Atty. Jay Alano have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the conduct of the sports event here.

The “Batang Pinoy” is a sports activity for children 15 years old and below.

It is a program of the PSC to address the need for a comprehensive grassroots sports program centered on values formation inherent in the practice of sports and to eliminate the child’s chances of becoming juvenile delinquent.

Meanwhile, Jongco said that another MOA was signed by Cerilles and the PSC officials making this city as the national headquarters for the Sepak Takraw National Team.

P49-M needed to open science high school

By Bong Garcia

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said that at least P49 million fund is needed to open a Philippines Science High School (PSHS) in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Martin Wee, DOST’s assistant regional director for administrative support and technical services, said the P49 million will be spent for the construction and operation of the science high school.

Wee said the funding will be used to construct the building and facilities, including an academic building, a dormitory, and a laboratory.

He said the funding will come from the DOST, which will manage the PSHS.

An evaluation team headed by DOST Undersecretary Fortunato Dela Peña has already inspected last week the two proposed sites where to establish the science high school.

One of the proposed sites is at the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport (Zamboecozone) at Barangay Talisayan, Zamboanga City and at Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.

Zamboanga Peninsula is among the three regions in the country that do not have science high school.

The other two regions are Calabarzon and Mimaropa.

Tour guide training held

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

THIRTY-SEVEN individuals and members of an adventure group have undergone a week-long Eco-Guides/Mountain Guides training conducted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

DOT Regional Director Mary June Bugante said the training was designed to accredit eco-guides and mountain guides, specifically for Mt. Timolan.

Mt. Timolan is the highest peak in Zamboanga del Sur and is one of the tourist destinations in the Zamboanga Peninsula region. It has an area of 2,691,189 hectares, spanning in six barangays in the municipality of Tigbao and one each in Guipos and San Miguel towns.

Bugante said the participants of the training were residents of seven of the 18 villages of Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur, and members of the Pundok sa Aktibong Pagadianong Adbenturero organization of Pagadian City.

Some of the topics include gender and development, overview of the Philippine tourism industry, history and culture, effective customer service and tour guiding techniques, childwise tourism and sustainable tourism and ecology.

Also discussed were flora and fauna and bird watching, introduction to mountaineering, basic caving, compass and map reading and wilderness emergencies and jungle survival.

The resource speakers were Marilou Silorio and Wenceslao Galeza of the DOT regional office; Mr. Roderick Gonzales of DOT central office; Renefe Tremedal of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts; Jaime Barrientos, a DOT-accredited speaker for tour guiding accreditation; Evangeline Estoconing of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Anthony Arbias and Adrian Constantino of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines; and, Edwin Aguilar, Melchor Padilla and Larry Andres of the Makati City Disaster Risk and Response Management Office.

Bugante said they will also conduct a similar workshop on cave guiding for Zamboanga del Norte.

Health fair for IPs held in Dumingag town

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

DUMINGAG, Zamboanga del Sur, July 16 (PIA) – To reduce poverty and address issues concerning the rights of cultural minority groups, the United Nations Population Fund Program (UNPFA) and European Union (EU) in coordination with Rural Health Unit successly conducted a two-day “Health Fair” in barangays Ditulan and Upper Landing on July 11-12, respectively.

The UNPFA, a UN organization whose work is to promote the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity and the EU, the funding agency, have been continuously supporting the implementation of maternal, neonatal, child health and nutrition (MNCHN) program in the municipality.

IP-MNCHN program manager Dr. Cenelli Bernadette Sabay of the UNPFA, said “the activity is part and parcel of the MNCHN Project Mindanao implemented in Dumingag in October, 2012.”

The event involves the UNPFA as a major implementing partner on reproductive health concerns.

The UNFPA, which will run from 2012-2016, is funded by the EU.

Sabay said the event aimed at contributing to significant, sustainable improvement in maternal and child health towards meeting the Millineum Development Goals 4 and 5, to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health by 2015.

Capping the event were the turnover of medical equipment and FP commodities to Rural Health Unit/Birthing Facility, distribution of certificates of live birth to 493 recipients from six IP barangays, lecture on IP rights, birth registration, and gender-based violence, provision of medical and dental health services, mobile birth registration, family planning and reproductive health session, and distribution 182 “dignity” (hygiene) kits to IP pregnant and lactating women.

Sabay said the two-day event has served the following barangays: Dilod, Dulop , Guintanan, Saad, Salvador, and Sunop.

As an abode of IPs in the province, Dumingag has been chosen as one of the five project sites for MNCHN in Mindanao, Sabay explained.

AFP modernization program underway, says military official

By Gideon C. Corgue

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur –The modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now underway, according to Major General (MGen.)Romulo Cabantac Jr., vice commander, Philippine Army (PA).

In a recent media interview following the change of command ceremony at the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division here, MGen.Cabantac disclosed that that “the AFP had acquired new military hardware.”

“When I attended the 67thPhilippine Air Force (PAF) Day last July 1 at Clark Airbase in Pampanga, I saw four Huey helicopters from South Korea. The remaining 17 Huey helicopters will be delivered on the third quarter this year, specifically in September,” Cabantac said.

Cabantac said the acquisition of new military hardware is part of ongoing AFP’s modernization program during the term of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

The AFP modernization program is mandated under Republic Act No. 10349, otherwise known as the revised AFP modernization act. This program will go for 15 years covering all branches of the AFP such as the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy and Philippine Army.

Cabantac said the modernization program forms part of the AFP’s capability upgrades aimed at securing the country’s territory and respondingto any disaster quickly,” he explained.

“There are also new armored personnel carriers to be delivered soon afer the bidding is done to boost the AFP’s support capabilities,” Cabantac added.

On 18 March 2014 the Philippine Army had also procured brand new M4 carbines to replace the Army’s automatic rifle.

“There are 88,000 new rifles and bullet proof vest to arrive this year,”Cabantac announced.

When asked what would happen to the old rifles, Cabantac said: “We are still studying if we will give it to the CAFGU or reservists.”

Pagadian City tricycle driver cited for exemplary honesty

(PNA), SCS/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION/JSD

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, July 14 (PNA) – The local police has commended a tricycle driver who demonstrated exemplary honesty by returning a wallet containing cash, a check and an ATM card he found on a street in this city last week.

Local police chief Supt. Glenn Dulawan identified the driver as Alejandro Mendoza, 36, of Barangay Tuburan, this city.

Dulawan said on Monday that Mendoza turned over to them last July 8 a brown wallet containing a driver’s license, company identification card (ID), automated teller machine (ATM) card, P2,460 in check and P6,960 cash.

Dulawan said the wallet belonging to Samuel Delima of NDV Rosario Heights VIII, Cotabato City was found by Mendoza along Roxas St. in Barangay San Pedro here.

He said the ATM has an existing balance of P98,000. Its Personal Identification Number (PIN) is written at the back of the card.

“Such act manifested great virtues from a lowly tricycle driver who is struggling to make both ends meet,” he said.

Dulawan has written Mayor Romeo Pulmones recommending the giving of due recognition to Mendoza for exemplary honesty.

DTI exec, 3 others hurt in accident

By Bong Garcia

A TOP official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and three other personnel of the agency were wounded when the vehicle they were riding turned turtle along the highway in Zamboanga del Sur, the police said Sunday.

The police identified the victims as DTI-Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Director Ma. Socorro Atay and her two office staffs Crisvil Sarsalejo, and Judith Guatno, and the office driver, Maynard Fernandez, 39.

The accident occurred around 10:20 p.m. Friday at Sitio Tiniguiban in the village of Poblacion, Kumalarang, Zamboanga Del Sur, said the police.

The police added that the victims were traveling from Zamboanga City en route to Pagadian City when the vehicle they were riding turned upside down and fell into a ditch at the side of the road, resulting in the injury of the four DTI personnel.

The police, quoting Atay, said the road was very slippery since it was raining at that time when they met the accident.

The victims were brought to a hospital in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, the police said.

Man dies, boy hurt in Zambo Sur gun attacks

By Bong Garcia

ONE person was killed while a boy was wounded in separate gun attacks in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported Saturday.

Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, information officer-in-charge of Zamboanga Peninsula Police Regional Office, identified the victims as Eddie Alosbanños, 32, who died on the spot, and Demetrio Trazona Jr., 12.

Samuddin said Alosbaños was killed in an ambush around 1:45 a.m. Saturday in the village of San Pedro, Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur province.

Samuddin said investigation showed that Alosbaños was driving his motorcycle on the way to San Pedro coming from the village of Sta. Lucia when waylaid by an unidentified gunman.

The Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) recovered five empty shells of M16 armalite rifle from the crime scene.

Trazona was shot and wounded around 7:25 p.m. Friday in the village of Daniel Mantos, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur.

The police said Trazona was searching for spiders at a cornfield when shot by an unidentified gunman.

Both incidents are continuously being investigated to establish the identities of the suspects, the police added.

DILG sets 2-day SPMS orientation workshop in Pagadian City

(PNA), SCS/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION/EBP

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, July 11 (PNA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has scheduled the conduct of a two-day Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS) orientation workshop in this city.

DILG Regional Director Paisal Abutazil said the orientation workshop will be held from Monday until Tuesday and will be attended by 35 officials and personnel of the agency based in this region.

Abutazil said the implementation of the agency’s SPMS is pursuant to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Circular No. 6, Series of 2012.

He said the circular aims to concretize the linkage of organizational performance and ensure effectiveness and improvement of individual employees’ efficiency by cascading the institutional accountabilities anchored on the establishment of rational and factual basis for performance targets and measures.

Abutazil said the SPMS is important as it puts premium on the final outputs toward the realization of organizational mission and vision.

He added that it is in this light that the rating for planned and/or intervening task shall always be supported by reports, documents or any outputs as proofs of actual performance.

He advised the participants to bring with them their approved Annual Operations Plan and Budget Current Year 2014, Action Plan for the monthly targets and office success indicators when they attend the orientation workshop.


Bayog town to conduct earthquake drills in schools

By Claro A. Lanipa (FPG/PIA/CAL with reports from Bernadine A. Gabawan, PIO-Bayog)

BAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur, July 10 (PIA) – In line with the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month, the municipal government here will conduct a series of earthquake drills in selected elementary and high schools starting yesterday.

Early this month the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) conducted an orientation to the school principals/heads of selected elementary and high schools together with their respective barangay officials and other stakeholders.

The conduct of the earthquake drill will start today, July 9, at Damit National High Schools to be followed by Bobuan NHS on July 10, Bayog NHS on July 11, Kahayagan Elementary School (KES) on July 15, Dipili ES on July 16, Seventh Day Adventist Academy on July 17, Damit ES on July 18, Depore ES on July 22, Mataga NHS on July 23, Salawagan ES on July 24, Balukbahan ES July 28, Lamare ES on July 29 and Bayog Central Elementary School on July 31.

Mayor Leonardo L. Babasa Jr. urged everyone particularly the School Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to help and support the activity particularly in the earthquake drill.

Zambo del Sur to get 81,000 bags of imported rice

From a report by Jong Cadion (Solar News Online)

Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur – The National Food Authority (NFA) is set to receive 81,000 bags of imported rice of 50 kilos each intended for this city and province, Nieves Toca, manager of the Pagadian City office of the NFA said on Tuesday, July 8.

Toca said 5,000 of the 81,000 bags allocation have recently arrived in Pagadian from Zamboanga City.

She said the rest of the allocation will be shipped in batches, also from Zamboanga City.

Toca said the imported rice allocated for Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur is part of the 800,000 metric tons imported by the government this year.

The imported NFA rice is being sold at P32 a kilo at the market to cushion the effect of the continued increase in the price of commercial rice.

The NFA rice would serve as buffer stock to be supplied to the market should there be a in commercial rice.

At the moment, the city and province could count on a buffer stock of at least 51,000 bags of 50 kilos each of locally-produced and imported rice.

“We have nothing to worry here in Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur," she said. "It is now planting season.”

She noted that the province, which is composed of one city and 26 towns, usually has a surplus of rice stocks since it serves as the rice granary of the region.

Zamboanga del Sur has 72,365 hectares of lands planted to rice, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS).

Zambo. Sur IP students, OSY undergo climate change advocacy writing workshop

By Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY, July 8 (PIA) – The two-day Journalistic Writing Workshop sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), with the support of the US Embassy was recently concluded here at Anastacia Pensionne.

About 30 participants who are grantees of the NCIP’s Educational Assistance Program (EAP), including out-of-school youth attended the workshop with the theme, “IP Youth: Advocates for Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency.”

NCIP Regional Director Timuey Woylim P. Wong inspired the students with his own story. His father died when he was still eight years old. Being a working student, he encountered difficulties and struggled with inferiority complex, but that did not deter him from pursuing his goal.

“This is a great opportunity to learn and to develop your skills. With all our office’s limitations, we have to partner with other agencies to provide you with this training,” the NCIP-9 chief said.

A brainchild of PIA-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga, the journalistic writing workshop hones the writing skills of participants, complementing the training acquired in school.

Ms. Yolanda De Guzman of the Public Affairs Division, US Embassy, Manila told the participants: “RD Wong’s story is very inspiring because you cannot get anything or everything just by doing nothing, you really have to work hard for it.”

“The US embassy is very glad that we are partners in this undertaking. And this is the first time that we are having this kind of project with indigenous peoples,” De Guzman pointed out.

She said 70 percent of the assistance funds that the US Embassy gives goes to Mindanao to help build better communities.

She also urged the participants to put their heart and mind into the writing workshop and actively participate in the exercises. “Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your skills in English and learn the basic skills in writing,” Ms. De Guzman urged.

Mr. Fidel Ebillo, Jr. NCIP Community Affairs Officer also discussed government interventions to help the indigenous peoples in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

Pagadian gears up for Asean integration

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

PAGADIAN CITY, July 7 (PIA) –The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (ZSPCCCIFI) have invited businessmen, local chief executives, legislators, and other sectors of society to join the 4th Pagadian City Business Week and Small Medium Enterprise (SME) week starting July 6-10.

DTI-Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Director Ma. Socorro Atay said in a recent press conference held at the DTI conference room that businessmen, local chief executives (LCEs), muncipal councilors, Municipal Enterprise Economic and Development Officers (MEEDOs), local enterprise and promotion officers, media and other sectors of society are encouraged to join the weeklong activities for them to be apprised on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Integration by 2015.

“We are gearing up towards Asean economic integration,” Atay declared. “Our country is aiming to compete with other Asean countries in the free flow of goods, services, and finances by 2015. That is why we need to hasten our preparation.”

The ASEAN economic integration is the full realization of an ASEAN Economic Community in which the region will be transformed “into a single market and production base, a highly competitive region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy.”

Philippines is now preparing to be integrated in the Asean economy along with Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In a forum to be conducted, Atay said, the topic on Asean integration will be thoroughly discussed to equip businessmen the knowledge for them to be able compete themselves with other businessmen in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries.

Meanwhile, ZSPCCCFI President MerlouQuisumbing said the activities lined up for the celebration include a city walk and dawn prayer around the city strees on July 6, opening ceremony and SME week sale on July 7, July 8, Barangay Livelihood Entrepreneurship Seminar and Simple Bookeeping Seminar at Tiguma Barangay Hall on July 8, business forum on Asean integration, business continuing planning for MSME, and getting ready for the Asean Economic Community for LGUs at Guillermo Hotel on July 9, agri-aquaculture forum on July 10, and business night on July 11.

Quisumbing said the celebration is mandated by Republic Act No. 9501, also known as an act to promote entrepreneurship by strengtehing development and assistance programs to micro, small and medium scale enterpises.

This year’s business week celebration carries the theme, “Strengthening Competitiveness and Sustainability of SMEs,” while the SME week has for its theme, “Cooperation, Integration, Progress and Transformation.”

Philippine authorities renew commitment to respect human rights

By Jong Cadion and Ely Dumaboc

PAGADIAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 6, 2014) – Philippine authorities have renewed its commitment to respect and uphold human rights following a recent forum organized by Amnesty International in Pagadian City in the southern province of Zamboanga del Sur.

The forum brought together various law enforcement agencies, the police and military authorities, among others. The Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology also vowed to implement fully the Anti-Torture Law.

Antonio Bayamban, Amnesty International coordinator, said the law guarantees full respect for human rights. It also ensures the human rights of all persons, including suspects; detainees and prisoners are respected at all times.

Under the law, no person placed under investigation or held in custody of any person in authority or, agent of a person authority shall be subjected to physical, psychological or mental harm, force, violence, threat or intimidation or any act that impairs free will or in any manner demeans or degrades human dignity.

It also ensures that secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado or other similar forms of detention, where torture may be carried out with impunity, are prohibited. The law fully adheres to the principles and standards on the absolute condemnation and prohibition of torture as provided for in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and various international instruments to which the Philippines is a State party.

Lt. Col. Victor Tanggawohn, Jr, of the Philippine Army, said assured troops follow the strict implementation of law and the respect of human rights of every citizen. “The Anti-Torture Law has set direction to government troops be professional soldiers,” he said, adding, the military’s Oplan Bayanihan program showed transparency and good acceptance among stakeholders where military operation was remove to address insurgency problems.

Tanggawohn they continue to educate government soldiers and incorporate human rights in the conduct of training of troops.

Among those who participated in the forum were representatives from the City Prosecutor’s Office, Public Attorney’s Office, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and members of the media.

AI holds forum on anti-torture law in Pagadian City

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

PAGADIAN CITY — The Amnesty International (AI)-Pagadian City group is holding a forum Friday on Anti-Torture Law in this city.

AI Assistant Regional Coordinator Antonio Bayamban said the forum is aimed to update the stakeholders about the Anti-Torture Law in this province.

Bayamban said the forum is also aimed to raise public awareness on Anti-Torture Law citing every person has inherent human rights that have to be recognized and respected.

He said the participants of the forum include personnel from the City Prosecutor’s Office, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), police, military and the members of the media.

Republic Act 9745 otherwise known as the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 was approved on November 10 2009.

Meanwhile, Bayamban said they welcome the decision of President Benigno Simeon Aquino, III to create a super body to investigate old and new cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave human rights violations.

IPs, OSYs undergo training on journalistic writing

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

PAGADIAN CITY - At least 30 Indigenous People (IP)-students and Out-of-School-Youth (OSY) participated in a two-day Journalistic Writing Workshop conducted at Anastacia Pensionne House in this city starting July 3.

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 9 Assistant Regional Director Franklin Gumapon said the activity hopes to enhance the writing skills of the participants with end in view of empowering them since “they are the most marginalized sector in the region.”

Gumapon said the student-participants are scholars of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

“The participants are NCIP scholars taking up different courses like HRM, education and other courses,” Gumapon said.

He added “the training/workshop hopes to complement the formal training in school so they would become skilled once they graduate.”

NCIP Community Affairs Officer of district 1, Fidel Ebillo, in his welcome message said “first time na na involve sa ganitong pagsasanay ang aming -Educational Assistance Program (EAP) grantees. Ito ay isang malaking simula at hakbangin ng ating mga EAP grantees.”

(It’s the first time that we get involved in this kind of training for our Educational Assistance Program (EAP) grantees. This a big step toward helping our EAP grantees.)

Addressing the participants, he said: “magamit ninyo ni puhun inig manarbaho na mo, o inig manguli mo sa inyong kaugalingung komunidad, nga dili na mu maulaw mag communicate ug makatabang mo pamaagi sa pagsuwat (You can use your learning from this training when you start looking for a job. This will help you improve your communication skills.)”

He said this activity is one great opportunity “na makita o madiscover nga naa diay mo kapasidad sa pagsulat (you will see and discover your talents in writing).”

Meanwhile, Yolly de Guzman of the US Embassy Public Affairs Division, who came here to personally observe the activity, said “this is the first time that we are having this kind of project with IPs.”

She encouraged the participants to really pay attention and put at heart this training-workshop for their own benefit.

IP-student participants came from Western Mindanao State University-Pagadian City; St. Columban College; Southern Mindanao College; JH Cerilles State College- Ramon Magsaysay Campus; JH Cerilles State College -Molave, JH Cerilles State College–Dumingag; JH Cerilles State College Mahayag; JH Cerilles State -Mati, and JH Cerilles State College -San Pablo.

This activity is spearheaded by PIA-9 in partnership with NCIP and US Embassy.

PRC sets mass blood donations in Zamboanga del Sur

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION/UTB

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, July 3 (PNA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Chapter had collected at least 33,759 Cubic Centiliter (CC) of blood during the mass blood donation activity in this city.

The mass blood donation was conducted Tuesday at the City Commercial Center (C3) Mall that marked the first day of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) observance.

The activity also kicked off the observance of the National Blood Donor’s Month (NBDM).

The month of July is designated as NBDM and NDCM pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1021 and Executive Order No. 137, respectively.

PRC-Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Chapter Administrator Hildaliza Muñoz said Thursday a total of 75 qualified donors donated blood at 450 CC each.

Muñoz said most of the blood donors are trainees of the Army’s 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC) cadets from the different colleges as well as walk-in donors.

Muñoz expressed gratitude to the blood donors who responded positively to her call to donate blood.

As this developed, she said they have also set another schedules for the holding of mass blood donation activities.

The schedules are the following: July, Labangan municipality; July 25, Josefina Cerilles College; and, July 29, Tigbao municipality.

Meanwhile, Muñoz said they have scheduled the conduct of a four-day first aid and basic life support training and seminar on the International Humanitarian Law from July 5-8 in the different schools in this city.

She said this year’s NBDM is anchored on the theme “Safe Blood for Saving Mothers.”

Three Pagadian City schools hold earthquake drill

(PNA), SCS/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION/JSD

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, July 2 (PNA) – The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) conducted on Wednesday simultaneous earthquake drills in three schools here in line with the nationwide observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM).

CDRRMC Coordinator Haron Damada said the earthquake drills were conducted in three national high schools located in three coastal barangays, namely Sta. Lucia, San Pedro and Kawit.

Damada said the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) supervised the conduct of the earthquake drill.

He noted that the three schools were severely damaged by the earthquake-triggered tsunami on August 17, 1976.

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