Zamboanga City News April 2012

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Zamboanga City - 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.
Limpapa Beach.JPG
Limpapa Beach

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.

City Museum unveiled

By Sheila Covarrubias (JPA/SC/CIO-PIA 9, ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 30 (PIA) -- The City’s museum or “El Museo de Zamboanga” located at the Jardin Maria Clara in Pasonanca was formally unveiled recently, reinforcing the present administration’s thrust to preserve its culture and history and in line with the City Development Strategy agenda for advancement.

Mayor Celso Lobregat and Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde together with members of the majority in the City Council spearheaded the inauguration that coincided with the celebration of Dia de Ma’am Caling marking the 91st birth anniversary of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat.

Archbishop Romulo Valles officiated the blessing rites for the museum built in the amount of some P11 million. The facility includes numerous features to include the exhibit area, small screening area, lecture area, display area, and souvenir shop. A separate building is set up as technical working area.

The operation of the city museum is pursuant to Ordinance 378 principally authored by Councilors Rudy Lim and Rogelio Valesco Jr.

The city museum will house valuable artifacts, items, collections and memorabilia that have historical, social, and cultural significance of Zamboanga.

Based on the ordinance, "the museum is intended to enhance the interest of the people, specifically the young generation, for them to appreciate the past and diverse cultural personality of the Zamboanguenos and educate, enlighten and immerse them on how the city came to be by representing the old settings to the future.”

Specifically, the museum can provide residents, students, tourists and park goers with cultural enhancement facilities; provide the exhibit area, small screening area, lecture area, display area and souvenir shop; promote tourism, employment and economic activities; enhanced facilities, amenities and activities at the Jardin Maria Clara; established rules and regulations for the safe and peaceful use of the Museum and for the protection and preservation of properties, facilities and natural resources of the museum.

Mayor Lobregat during the turn-over ceremony, which coincided with the commemorative program marking Dia de Ma’am Caling at the Jardin Maria Clara in Pasonanca, said the construction of the city museum forms part of his administration’s development efforts.

The first exhibit to be mounted at the city museum is set for October, the mayor revealed.

The development initiatives include the sprucing up of the establishment of parks and gardens other important infrastructures among others.

The city museum project was undertaken by a private contractor with the supervision of the City Engineer’s Office.

The city museum staff, which is under the Office of the Mayor will take charge of the management and administration of the facility. It will be assisted by the Council of Culture and Arts, a committee that is created based on the ordinance and a technical working group.

Local whiz kid injured in blast from invention

By Julie Alipala (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ZAMBOANGA CITY—A boy, who is regarded as a whiz kid by locals here, lost a hand in a blast while experimenting with an electronic device, which also injured four other children in Barangay Lunzuran on Thursday evening, police said Saturday.

Kyrille Pilangga, an incoming Grade 5 pupil, was showing his latest “invention”—made of joined old electronic circuit boards—to playmates when the home-concocted gadget exploded around 6:55 p.m.

His playmates, Miko Enriquez, James Joseph Reyes, Jericho Bahana and Rommel Austero—whose ages range from 8 to 12—also suffered injuries in the blast.

Senior Insp. Haywien Salvado, commander of the Divisoria Police District, said based on investigation, Pilangga hooked up his experiment to old dry cell batteries in a bid to demonstrate to his playmates how it works. It was not exactly known what the gadget’s function was.

“He was experimenting on an electronic device, it being one of his hobbies, but it went off. Four other children suffered burns,” Salvado said.

He said it was apparent that a short circuit occurred, which caused the batteries to explode.

Joel Jose, chair of Lunzuran, said it turned out that the boy had created an explosive device.

Jose, an uncle of Pilangga’s, said the boy knew many things, including electronics, but the explosion was baffling.

“He is very intelligent for his age. He knows a lot of things beyond what his playmates can understand,” Jose said.

Pilangga, speaking from his hospital bed, said he was not worried about losing his right hand.

He hinted that it was part of the risks of experimentation.

“I already accepted my fate,” the boy said.

P6.5-M barangay hall, road projects unveiled in Zambo

(PNA), LAP/TPG/utb

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Mayor Celso Lobregat together with some councilors motored on Friday to the remote barangay of Dulian-Upper Bunguiao in the east coast and inaugurated more than P6 million worth of infrastructure projects.

Inaugurated were the newly constructed barangay hall costing P3.8 million and a road concreting project amounting to P2.6 million.

The barangay hall of Dulian, Upper Bunguiao, 42 kilometers east of this city, was undertaken by Wil Tan Construction in the amount of P3,897,993.54, while the road concreting measuring 658.30 linear meters was done by Zambusman Construction in the amount of P2,640,720.81 for a total of P6,538,714.35.

In his message, Lobregat stressed that the projects in Dulian-Upper Bunguiao are indications that the infrastructure program of his administration is not concentrated only in the city proper, but are equally spread throughout the 98 barangays of the city.

Lobregat said that within a week or two the barangay of Dulian-Upper Bunguiao will also get its new pick-up vehicle amounting to P997,500 for the barangay’s Community, Environment, Livelihood, Security and Order programs.

Excluding the pick-up vehicle, Barangay Dulian-Upper Bunguiao has, since 2007, received a total of P32.7 million worth of various infrastructure projects from the city government under Lobregat’s administration.

These projects included road networks, slope protection, foot bridges, multi-purpose and health centers, school buildings and other facilities totaling P32,746,972.55, broken down as follows: P1.9 million in 2007; P3.7 million in 2008; P3.3 million in 2009; P8.9 million in 2010; P5.8 million in 2011 and P6.5 million in 2012, excluding P2.5 million worth of other projects which are now under bidding process.

Joining the mayor in inaugurating the two projects were Councilors Miguel Alavar, Benjamin Guingona, III, Aduardo Saavedra, Lilia Nuño and Vicent Paul Elago together with City Engineer Luis Vicente Despalo and the constructors along with the barangay officials headed by Chairman Perfecto dela Cruz.

Zambo barangays receive all-weather road vehicles

(PNA),RSV/Teofilo P. Garcia/utb

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The city government, in celebration of the 91st birthday of the late Mayor Maria Clara “Ma'am Caling” Lobregat, on Thursday gifted 14 of this city's 98 barangays with 4x4 vehicles.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said that the 14 barangays compose the first batch of recipients of the all-weather road 4x4 vehicles to enhance delivery of basic services.

However, only seven of the 14 vehicles have arrived in time for the initial distribution on Thursday and the recipients include the barangays of Taluksangay, Sibulao, Tolosa, Tagasilay, Mampang, Mangusu and Lansones.

Lobregat said that all 90 barangay located in this city's mainland will receive similar 4x4 vehicles each while the eight island barangays will receive a multicab and a motorized banca each.

“These transportation facilities are intended to improve mobility and ultimately accelerate public service in the barangays,” he said.

Each 4x4 vehicle costs P997,500 while each multicab costs P290,000 and the motorized banca costs P150,000 each.

Lobregat said the funding for the purchase of the transportation facilities is taken from the 2011 and 2012 budgets of the city government.

Lobregat has emphasized that the infrastructure projects including the transportation facilities and other services being given to the barangays are meant to help improve the delivery of services to the constituents.

He vowed to continue with the implementation of the projects in fulfilment of his administration’s thrust to bring about more progress and development to the city of Zamboanga.

The distribution, held at the City Hall grounds, was one of the highlights of the Dia de Ma’am Caling marking the 91st birth anniversary of Lobregat's mother.

The elder Lobregat fondly called as Ma’am Caling died on Jan 2, 2004 at the age of 83.

She would have turned 91 years old on Thursday, April 26.

DOLE-9 lines up month-long activities for Labor Day

(JPA/JC/DOLE 9-PIA9 ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 9 have lined up a month-long series of activities for this year’s celebration of Labor Day on May 1 with the theme, “Pagtutulungan, Pagbabago, Disenteng Trabaho.”

Jazmin Sinco, information officer, DOLE in a press statement said, “Job and Livelihood Fairs serve as the highlights of this year’s month-long Labor Day Celebration.”

“As take-off to the celebration, a press conference was held recently with 30 tri-media partners from the Television, Radio, Print and E-news Network in attendance,” she informed.

Sinco added that a simultaneous motorcade will be held on May 1 in the different provinces and cities in the region.

Other lined-up activities in consonance with the Labor Day celebration include distribution of Kabuhayan Starter Kits, Nego-Karts and Livelihood Grants; Raffle Bonanza for the Workers; Skills Demonstration; and Diskwento Fairs.

They will also organize free Medical Screening on Bone Density, Hypertension and Diabetes; Run for Industrial Peace; and Professional Regulatory Commission C Mobile Registration/Renewal of Licenses of Professionals.

Sinco further said that the month-long celebration will also include the conduct of DOLE Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) festival; Talentado Night; SPES Got the Talent; Workers’ Show Time – Concierto de Obreros Year 2; Search for the Outstanding Employers/Employees in the Private Sector; and the DOLE 9 Intermediaries Summit.

All set for 2nd media bowling tournament

by Nonong Santiago

All is set for the second Inter-Media Bowling Tournament sponsored by Police Regional Office 9 commander Chief Supt. Atty. Napoleon Estilles in coordination with the Zamboanga Press Club Inc. at the Tebi and Sean Bowling Center along Gov. Camins Ave., this city.

ZPCI president Philip Abuy disclosed the schedule of the bowling competition will be on April 28 and 29 and May 5 and 6 with at least 12 teams coming from different mediaou tfits participating.

“I am happy to announce that our scheduled bowling tournament will push through this coming Saturday and Sunday with 12 teams participating to include that of the Philippine National Police Media Relations Bureau,” Abuy said.

Abuy thanked Estilles for sponsoring the indoor sports competition that will truly enhance the media personality’s physical and mental well being as well foster camaraderie among the members.

The first media bowling competition was sponsored by District 2 Congressman Erbie Fabian. Abuy disclosed that the first, second and third prize winners will be awarded with P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000 plus trophies respectively during the awarding ceremonies scheduled on May 6.

Mayor cites Camera Club of Zamboanga

(PNA),RMA/TPG/ssc

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Mayor Celso Lobregat has cited the contributions of a group of local photographers composing the Camera Club of Zamboanga for showing “the beautiful, the good and the positive about Zamboanga City” through photography.

Lobregat, who administered the oath of the new set of officers of the Camera Club of Zamoanga on Saturday night, said that the photographers could inspire and even help correct the misperception about Zamboanga City, through pictures.

Lobregat said that the club had helped promote the beauty and promise of Zamboanga, Asia’s Latin City as captured through the photographers’ lenses.

These efforts to help raise interest in Zamboanga go hand-in-hand with the efforts of the administration, he said.

The oath-taking rite, held at the Garden Orchid Hotel, was one of the highlights of the three-day photography event dubbed Mundo de Fotografia,which was marked by photography workshops, exhibits, cameras, accessories and gadget sales, lens cleansing, including hands-on product demo from Canon, Epson and Asus-being among the top sponsors of the activity.

Sixto Kwan Jr. is the elected president of the oldest photography club in this city that was founded in 1982.

The other officers are: Vince Modina Carbon, Vice President for External Affairs; Jess Andrew Yu, Vice President for Membership; Kerwin Baldovino, Vice President for Education; Richard Galande, Secretary; Anton Mari Lim, Treasurer; Rikki Lim, Auditor; John Iringan, Sgt-at-Arms; and, David Luy, Jerry Lim, Kit Lorenzo, John Mabalot, Eric Lavina and Mervin Alvarez as Board of Directors.

The induction ceremony was also graced by famed professional photographers like John Chua, Albert Garcia and several others who shared their expertise to the members and photography enthusiasts present.

Mon Corpuz of the Black Pencil Project whose works were chosen as icons of the newly-adopted slogan of the Department of Tourism “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” was among the invited guests and speaker on the night when the induction took place.

He was also joined by the famed photographer Ramon Chua founder of the PWD Photography with a Difference - an advocacy photography project that supports and upholds people with disability.

During blackouts Fire chief advises use of rechargeable lamps over candles

By R.G. Antonet Go

The Zamboanga City District Fire Marshall is urging the public to use rechargeable lights instead of candles during blackouts to avoid fire incidents. Zamboanga City District Fire Marshall F/Supt. Dominador Zabala Jr., said, “Mas bueno usa rechargeable lamps or flashlights instead of candles during brownouts.”

According to Zabala, this year alone, nine fire incidents were caused by unattended lighted candles. Aside from this, he also reminded that when buying flashlights and rechargeable lamps, always look for the PS mark which means that the product passed high quality standards.

The city recorded three fire incidents in January, three in February, nine in March and five this April. Zabala said aside from the fire incidents caused by unattended lighted candles another cause of fire is faulty electrical wiring.

The office is also reminding the public to immediately call 117 in case of fire. he also gave afew tips such as alarm and call the nearest fire station, close all doors and put wet towels under the doors to prevent smoke from spreading, and to always have a fire extinguisher ready.

The Zamboanga City Fire District has seven firestations located in Sta. Maria, Tetuan, Ayala, Manicahan, Quiniput, Vitali, and the City Fire Station. Aside from these, they also have seven fire sub-stations in Guiwan, Boalan, Sta. Catalina, Upper Calarian, Recodo, Talisayan, Mercedes.

City dad orders renewed anti-dengue efforts

By Sheila Covarrubias (JPA/SC/CIO/PIA 9, ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Apr. 22 (PIA) - - Mayor Celso Lobregat has ordered the City Health Office (CHO) including the Office of City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) to strengthen the drive against the dengue hemorrhagic fever, now said to have reached alarming level.

Mayor Lobregat said the report of high dengue cases calls for renewed efforts in eliminating breeding grounds of dengue carrier mosquitoes. “That is the way we have been doing and to prevent any further increase, we have to double the efforts.”

Citing records, City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos said dengue cases from January 1 to April 15 have reached 502, showing a 50 percent increase as compared to last year.

Of the total 502 cases reported, seven were fatal. Areas with high reported dengue cases were from barangays Tumaga, Tugbungan, San Roque, Tetuan, Guiwan, and Sta. Maria.

In 2011, over 200 cases of dengue were reported from January to April with four fatalities.

In a separate interview Dr. Agbulos said the dengue situation is at the alarming level but it has not reached the alert or outbreak level. He stressed that the situation can be urgently addressed with intensified cleanliness drives and stepped up advocacy campaign. “We call on barangay officials to initiate dengue clean-up drives and to mobilize the students under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) to help in the campaign.”

Doctors, nurses, and midwives assigned in the rural health centers have been instructed to come up with campaigns against dengue.

Zamcelco needs P37M to end 10-hour daily blackout

(PTV/PNA)

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) is negotiating with two banks for a P37-million loan to procure 18 megawatts of supply from Therma Marine Incorporated (TMI) and ease the average 10-hour blackouts experienced by consumers in this city. TMI has earlier pegged a deposit of P72 million but the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) reduced this to P37 million.

Zamcelco vice president Elbert Atilano said that as soon as the amount is secured, TMI will start supplying the 18 megawatts through the lines of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

As part of their agreement, all revenue collections of Zamcelco will be deposited in the bank to ensure collections of monthly power bills by TMI. The city of Zamboanga needs about 85 megawatts at peak hours of the day.

However, the NGCP cannot supply this volume of electricity because it is also supplying other power cooperatives in Mindanao. Atilano said that last Wednesday, Zamcelco received only 41 megawatts instead of the 78 megawatts contracted with NGCP.

There is an expected shortage of electricity, more so, with the shutdown of operations of hydroelectric plants at the Pulangi River in Bukidnon and the Agus River plant in Lanao two days ago.

Atilano said the Pulangi River hydroelectric plant is one of the suppliers of electricity in the region aside from the Maria Cristina Falls in Lanao del Norte. The Pulangi River hydroelectric plant supposed to be operated for a period of only 30 years has been in operation for the past 59 years, thus the need for an overhaul.

Atilano admitted that Zamcelco is receiving an average of a thousand complaints per day amid the serious blackout day and night in the city. He said his office alone is receiving about 500 complaints a day aside from their complaint desk and Zamcelco can not do anything because it is only retailing electricity to consumers from what it gets from the NGCP.

“We cannot do anything because what’s given to us we are just distributing to them," Atilano said. If they get the additional 18 megawatts from TMI, Atilano said blackouts will be reduced from 10 hours daily to only two hours and, hopefully, no more by May 2012.


Over 300 persons donate blood to Red Cross

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao (JPA/MVC - PIA9, ZBST/City Hall Information Office)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Apr. 20 (PIA) -- Three hundred thirty five individuals trooped to the Red Cross Office to donate blood during separate blood donation activities initiated by the City Mayor’s Office held recently.

Forty-five city government scholars volunteered to donate blood for the second part of the activity held last Mar 30. Prior to this, 290 persons from the police force, students and city government employees donated blood last March 20.

The scholars were supposed to join the first activity, but begged to be excluded due to their hectic academic requirements and exam schedules.

However, they informed the City Human Resource and Management Office that they will conduct the same activity as response to the challenge to help save lives after their academic obligations are completed.

According to the city hall, this is the highest number of donors in one activity.

The activity aimed to collect blood to make sure that there is sufficient stock of blood in the blood bank in case of eventualities. Last year, the city was one of the areas hit hard by dengue fever.

The national government, through the Department of Health, called for more blood-letting programs to help those who contracted dengue fever. Red Cross-Zamboanga Chapter was declared the regional blood bank for region 9, and thus, the need for more donors is encouraged to sustain its operation especially if there is dengue outbreak.

After 8 hours brownouts hit city Zamcelco assures lesser blackouts with entry of power from TMI

by Nonong Santiago

The pestering long hours of brownouts being experienced by Zamboanga City will be soon be over. This was assured yesterday by Zamcelco board vice president Elbert Atilano after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) already approved last Tuesday the Provisional Authority of the Energy Supply Agreement (ESA) entered into by the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) and Therma MarineInc. (TMI).

Under the ESA, TMI will supply 18 megawatts of electricity to Zamcelco to augment the present power supply the coop is getting from PSALM and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Atilano said.

Zamboanga City's power requirement is 84 megawatts but due to the power crisis besetting Mindanao, Zamcelco's power supply was considerably dropped to around 45 to 50 megawatts, the reason for the five-hour sectional brownouts the power consumers are experiencing. “But with the provisional authority already approved by ERC, TMI will be delivering the 18 megawatts to Zamcelco. Give us one to two days, blackouts will be lessened between one to two hours only this month of April. In May there will be zero brownouts,” Atilano assured.

Atilano said Zamcelco is now preparing the energy deposit fee amounting to P37 million which will be paid to TMI in the form of Letter of Credit with a one percent interest per annum.

According to Atilano, the public consultation last Tuesday attended by a multisectoral group of intervenors was a prerequisite of ERC in the approval of the provisional authority.

The public hearing was presided by ERC Commissioner Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc with stakeholders coming from the Employment Confederation of the Philippines, Movement for Better Zamcelco, Industrial Group of Zamboanga, Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., barangay officials, and others.

“Actually it was a preliminary hearing where the ERC accepted all presentations and interventions by the different groups,” Atilano said. The board vice president said Taruc has scheduled the next public hearing on May 15, 2012 within which all intervenors will be submitting their respective proposals and counter proposals on the rate adjustments of the cooperative.

Atilano expressed a sigh of relief that ERC approved the provisional authority because delaying it further will be detrimental to the power consumers as the brownouts will be longer by eight to ten hours since Agus 1 and 2 will be undergoing rehabilitation.

Museum in Zamboanga City up for renovation

(PNA), scs/TPG/utb

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The National Museum facility located at the back of the Fort Pilar Shrine is set to undergo renovation in line with the government’s upgrading program this year.

National Museum Director Jeremy Barns said the Zamboanga museum is one of the top three museums outside of Metro Manila that will be rehabilitated this year.

The two others are the museums in the cities of Butuan and Vigan, according to Barns.

“But even among Vigan and Butuan, the most impressive and most historic is undoubtedly Fort Pilar,” Barns declared as he revealed that the National Museum has mobilized a budget of at least P10 million to start the improvement of the structure and exhibits.

He said that more funds are expected to be utilized for the project which will be undertaken in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT).

DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez has agreed to pull resources together with the National Museum for the improvement of the local museum.

“We agreed that we will pull our resources and show our strong support for the efforts of Mayor Celso Lobregat to beautify and enhance and promote Zamboanga as a great city to live in and a great city for tourists to visit,” Barns emphasized.

National Museum Chairman Ramon del Rosario said both the main museum in Manila and the regional museums are getting very strong support from the national government.

“We have given our full budget this year, which is the first time in many years to have achieved that and we will be able to create very beautiful exhibits in various parts of the country trying as much as possible to be very relevant to the places where the museums are,” Del Rosario said.

He said there are a lot of projects and activities set for this year with the full support not only from the government but also from the private sector.

Beng turns over P11M cancer center

by Marvin Segura

The Zamboanga City Medical Center (formerly the Zamboanga General Hospital) will now have its own Oncology or cancer center courtesy of the support and assistance from District I Representative Beng Climaco.

Costing P11 million, the oncology center is the first in the region and was made possible through the efforts of Cong. Cllimaco and the prime movers of the advocacy for a cancer-free city. Funding for the project is taken from Cong. Climaco’s priority development assistance fund (PDAF).

The center’s inauguration set today, April 17, will be led by Cong. Cllimaco with Health Secretary Enrique Ona as guest of honor.

"We are hopeful that this will help a lot of our cancer patients in the city. We are still hopeful that Sec. Ona can help us equip the Oncology Center as we need to make sure that the oncology center is ready to accommodate patients," lady solon said.

She vowed to initiate more programs and measures in line with the advocacy to support and assist cancer victims in the city.

Also expected to grace the event are DOH-9 Regional Director Teogene Baluma, ZCMC Chief of Hospital III Dr. Romeo Ong and other DOH officials, undersecretaries and assistant secretaries who are now in Zamboanga City.

The Gender and Development (GAD) and Tzu Chi Foundation-Zamboanga are also part of the occasion.

It was last October during the Pink October Walk, a fund-raising campaign intended to support the needs of cancer patients at the ZCMC, when Dr. Ong announced the construction of the cancer center through the generosity of Cong. Climaco. He likewise revealed that Mayor Celso Lobregat also allocated funds for the medicines,

On the other hand, Dr. Ong said, the Department of Health has also allotted P16 million for the purchase of a cobalt machine, a cancer radiation treatment facility and P23 million worth of cancer drugs, also through representations made by Cong. Climaco.

Because of this, Dr. Ong said, the ZCMC is now considered one of the only two cancer access points in Mindanao. The other one is Davao Medical Center.

Zamboangueña teacher to vie for an award in Greece

By David Y. Santos (Rappler.com)

MANILA, Philippines – Public school teacher Shateen Danong Seraña, 31, never imagined that her seemingly ordinary concern for the environment and how this would look like for the future of her 2 kids, would someday take her to places beyond her wildest dreams.

After all, she was content with her daily grind as a struggling high school teacher in a remote public school in Zamboanga City.

Next thing she knew, she was in Auckland, New Zealand competing with other teachers from the Asia-Pacific region for leadership recognition sponsored by an American multinational software company.

After winning the top prize, she will soon fly to Greece for the international leg of the contest. Two other Filipino teachers also received separate distinctions.

Filipino educators bested 63 other teachers from 14 countries in the entire Asia-Pacific region after winning in the national round of Microsoft’s annual Innovative Education Forum.

Teaching in a public school

After resigning from a private school where she worked for 5 years, Sereña began teaching in 2010 at the Tuan Datu Hadji Abdulla Nuño High School in Barangay Taluksangay, a community dominated by native Muslims.

She handles the Filipino subject for the sophomore and junior levels, and occasionally serves as the school's librarian and guidance counselor.

“I decided to transfer to government service because I needed job security for my family,” Sereña said in the vernacular Chavacano when Rappler spoke to her by phone.

The school is located in a coastal area with a number of its estimated 500 students coming from neighboring island villages where the presence of lawless and rebels groups has been reported. A number of kidnapping cases has occurred in these islands, and included teachers among victims.

But more than her personal safety, one of Sereña's primary concerns when she transferred to Taluksangay was how the seaside village would stand against natural calamities such as storm surges or tsunamis.

She said she would often discuss with her students horrifying TV images on the devastating effects of the March 2011 Japan earthquake where a ferocious tsunami slammed several coastal communities.

She would also interject her lectures on Filipino grammar or literature with topics on Science and environment-related topics.

Mangrove reforestation

“Jose Rizal's El Filibusterismo actually gave us a preview on how the concept of kaingin (slash and burn) system of farming was introduced during the Spanish occupation,” Seraña said. “I felt the need to make my lectures more relevant with the times.”

“Kaingin and illegal cutting of trees have caused so much destruction because they also contribute to deadly floodings and other man-made disasters. If these abuses on the environment will continue, I pity my kids' future.”

Seraña said this prompted her to choose mangrove reforestation as her project-based learning activity when she was chosen to participate in the Innovative Teacher Leadership Award sponsored by Microsoft’s Global Partners in Learning program.

“In Taluksangay and in many areas in Mindanao, residents cut down and collect the mangroves for firewood, charcoal and even poles for their houses,” Sareña explained. “There is a great need to intensify public awareness that these mangroves can actually serve as buffer to protect coastal areas from calamities such as a tsunami.”

With the help of her colleagues at the Global Filipino Teachers and Coalition for Better Education, a program aimed at improving teaching efficiencies of teachers, Sereña tapped her students to re-plant mangove trees along the coasts of Taluksangay, with propagules or seedlings provided by the local office of the environment department.

“The project entailed processes where our students learned to do research, documentation, and even coordination with people outside the school such as the DENR and the barangay office. They were also required to put these learnings into their journals, thus enhancing their skills to write and express themselves.”

Going online

After creating a significant impact in what could have been a simple school activity, other teachers, students' parents and village officials threw in their support for the project.

The goal of protecting the mangrove reserves spread throughout the community, since students would hold lectures in the neighborhood or encourage their parents to support the initiative.

Students also were also introduced to blogging, using social networking sites to further campaign the advocacy.

It was a tough challenge to connect the students of Taluksangay to cyberspace. Besides a majority of them having yet to actually learn how to use a simple computer, Internet connection in the area is poor since it is located at least 20 kilometers from the city proper. But that did not stop Sereña from pursuing her project.

Quick learners

“I borrowed laptops from teachers and other members of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), then used Internet sticks (dongles) to connect the kids to the net,” said Sereña. “Surprisingly, they learn easily.”

Accordingly, a number of schools have expressed interest in support of the mangrove re-planting project by replicating it in other parts of the city.

The local government has also recognized Sereña's initiative and will allocate additional funding for students who will join in the annual summer job program. This will include mangrove planting.

“This project did not only help the mostly Muslim students boost their morale and personality to interact with the world outside the fences of the school. We have also established better relations -- not only for Taluksangay -- but for Zamboanga City too,” Sereña said.

Zambo LTO gets ISO certification

(PNA), RMA/FMS/rsm

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) - Zamboanga City Licensing division is now ISO-certified, meaning it has passed the International Standard Organization ideal requirements for such an office.

The certification came after a 3rd Party Audit Team just concluded its auditing at the Zamboanga LTO Licensing division and submitted a “no non-conformance findings.”

LTO regional director Aminola P. Abaton said that the ISO 9001:2008 Audit was conducted by TUVRheinland with external auditors Rolando Remitar and Robilyn Josela as their official representatives who conducted the audit.

The Audit team cited positive findings such as regional commitment in quality management system, infrastructure facilities of the main regional office's licensing division, and good record management system.

The ISO family of standards represents an international consensus on good quality management practices. It consists of standard and guidelines relating to quality management systems and related supporting standards.

The LTO regional office was already granted ISO certification in the past for its performance in the delivery of its services and the infrastructures of the regional office.

The regional office in this city is provided with a centralized air-conditioning units to give comfort to its clientele for their transactions at their office.

There are also satellite LTO offices in provinces and cities in the Zamboanga Peninsula that attend to the licensing of drivers and registration of motor vehicles.

The LTO in this city has also opened up last year a small office in a local mall where people can process drivers licenses although the registration of motor vehicles must still be done at its regional office along Veterans Avenue –their old office site since the 1970s.

Abubakar holds bloodletting activity

By R.G. A A. Go

District 1 Councilor Myra Paz Valderrosa Abubakar has conducted a bloodletting activity together with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) last April 9 at the City Health Office.

The bloodletting activity was in connection with the lady councilor’s birthday last April 7. This was the second time she conducted a bloodletting activity for her birthday.

According to Abubakar, 66 bags of blood were collected during the said bloodletting activity which can greatly help the residents of the city and the PRC where she is one of the board of directors.

The bloodletting was participated by her friends, supporters, police, military, civil society, and some members of the Local Government Unit. Abubakar said, “Constant replenishment of our blood in our blood banks is a must, especially when situation will call for more blood supplies and it is so good to share one’s self in knowing you will be able to save a life someday.”

Aside from this, she stressed that “For every drop of blood that we voluntarily donate, we give others a chance to live longer and it is a heroic act of charity.”

The lady councilor herself is a constant blood donor where she is already a member of the galloner’s club of the PRC. Those who are willing to donate their blood may go to the office of the Red Cross Zamboanga City Chapter at Petit Barracks. Qualified to donate blood are those 18 to 65 years old, weighing 50 kilogram or more, with normal blood pressure, and with a hemoglobin count not less than 125 gm/ml.

The Red Cross and the Zamboanga City Medical Center are the only places where residents can get blood.

“Green Caravan” set on April 17-19

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez(JPA/PIA-9 ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) - - In support to the yearly observance of Philippine Earth Day on April 22, the EarthSoul Solutions, Inc., in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be spearheading a “Green Caravan” on April 17 to 19.

Ibno Turabin of EarthSoul said the Caravan will be participated in by various government agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), Non government organizations, business and private sectors.

“The Caravan will start here in Zamboanga City and end in Davao City,” he said

Caravan-participants will be bringing along their vehicles and will travel on convoy from here to Davao City.

Turabin said jump off point of the caravan is at the Paseo del Mar, this city, on April 17 at 8 o’clock in the morning.

“We will have our first stop over in Pagadian City, where a short program will be held in the evening. We will proceed with the Caravan the following day, April 18 and we will have our next stop in Malaybalay, Bukidnon,” Turabin informed.

He said, caravan-participants will have the opportunity to be “exposed” in the good practices (in organic agriculture and environmental protection) of the provinces where the team will have it’s “stop over.”

“Of the Seven (7) watersheds in Mindanao, Four (4) are situated in Bukidnon. When we will have our stopover in Bukidnon, participants will be oriented kung ano ang connectivity ng Bukidnon sa Mindanao,” Turabin said as a teaser to the caravan-would be-participants.

He said the Green Caravan aims to raise level of awareness on environmental issues and concerns, preservation and protection. “Thru this caravan, we want people to internalize the purpose of saving our environment,” Turabin was quoted as saying.

Turabin said during the caravan , educational materials on environmental protection and organic farming will also be distributed.


EarthSoul Solutions is a Mindanao-based environmental advocacy, non-government organization. It's advocacies include among others: to assist natural reforestation using endemic plants and agro -forestry for carbon sequestration; watershed rehabilitation and management; home and industry waste reduction; low-cost waste disposal and recycling technilogy; organic food crops, poultry, live stock and aquaculture and reviving and improving indigenous food crops and farming practices; mangrove rehabilitation and protection, designation and protection of marine sanctuaries and access to farmers to organic agriculture technology.

ZAMPEN ships 329 MT of mango in Q1

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao(JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Apr. 12 (PIA) – Zamboanga Peninsula shipped 329.42 metric tons of mangoes to domestic and export markets for the first quarter of 2012 in a report presented by Mango Industry Cluster during the First Quarter Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Core Group Meeting held last April 3.

Mr. Ferdie Gamorot, Chief of Agri-Business Division of Department of Agriculture 9, said during his presentation over half of the total mangoes shipped went to the export market.

“For the first quarter we shipped 201.5 MT of mangoes to Malaysia, with Zamboanga City as our exit point”, Gamorot said.

Gamorot explained that Zamboanga port has a direct access to Malaysia and that all products bound for that country are being shipped from the city.

According to him, the total export sales reached $110,719.29 or over P4.73 million.

“Our basis for our sale figure is the report coming from the Bureau of Customs”, Gamorot pointed.

The remaining 127.92 MT out of the 329.42 MT sold for the first quarter went to the local market, mainly to Cebu with exit point from Pulauan, Dapitan port in Zamboanga del Norte.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have the figures of total sales as traders do not divulge that. What we only got is the total volume shipped as this passes thru our office”, Gamorot said.

To further improve mango production and sales of the region, the Department of Trade and Industry-9, in partnership with DA-9, came up with an action plan for this year with the participation of all stakeholders. The plan was an offshoot of the Mango Stakeholders Forum conducted last month here.

The industry has also sought the help of Zamboanga City 2nd District Representative Erico Basilio Fabian for trainings on mango processing thru a proposal.

“We will follow up our proposal to Cong. Fabian and we hope for a positive feedback to help our mango industry in the region”, Gamorot said.

Greenpeace, Padalipdan, Zamboanga residents say ‘No’ to coal-fired power plants

By KIMBERLY JANE TAN(VS, GMA News)

Zamboanga City residents and two environment groups on Wednesday are opposing the possible use of coal-fired power plants to address the power shortage in Mindanao.

Greenpeace and Padalipdan Southern Mindanao, as well as Barangay Talisayan chairperson Josephine Pareja said at a press conference Wednesday they are worried that government would use the energy summit in Davao City on Friday to push for constructing more coal-fired power plants in Mindanao.

Such a move would do more harm than good to the people of the region, they said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) already issued an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) for San Ramon Power Inc. (SRPI) to build a 100-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Talisayan, said Pareja.

But the barangay official said they were not consulted about it, adding that they are opposing the venture because it will contaminate their waterways with mercury.

"Kami ang ma-a-apektuhan, hindi po sila, pero 'di nila kami kinonsulta," she said.

"PNoy said that he will allow Mindanaoans to decide what power we want. Well, we don't want coal, we want a clean energy future for Mindanao," she added.

Why is there a need to build a 100-MW power plant in their area when the power shortage they have is between 20 to 30 MW? she asked. "Saan po ibebenta yung 70 to 80 MW?"

At the same press conference, Juland Suaso of Padalipdan said Aboitiz Power Corp. also plans to build a coal-fired power plant in Davao City.

Aside from the possible effect on fishing–the residents' main livelihood–Suaso said the project might generate conflict in the area as Aboitiz plans to move the Muslim cemetery within their 52-hectare property.

"Sa kanilang [Muslim] tradisyon ‘di dapat maalis ‘yun," he said.

He noted the cost of electricity would likely go up, because of the unstable price of coal, and likely be passed on to the consumer.

Suaso claimed the output from the coal-fired power plant would not be for Davao residents, but for the 1,000-MW requirement of mining companies with foreign investors who want to operate in Mindanao.

'Gold mine' of renewable energy

Greenpeace Southeast Asia executive director Von Hernandez said the government–particularly President Benigno Aquino III–should focus on implementing the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP).

"Why are they investing heavily in coal instead of tapping that vast renewable energy proposal?" he said.

According to the NREP, Mindanao is sitting on a "gold mine" of renewable energy resources that have yet to be tapped, Hernandez noted.

He said there is potential for an additional 1,263.9 MW from hydropower, 336 MW from wind power, 36.8 MW from biomass energy, and 5-kilo Watt-hours per square meter from solar power.

"Bakit hindi ‘yun ang investment? You're talking about what kind of future you want for Mindanao, bakit hindi tinitingnan ang options na ito?" he told GMA News Online in an interview after the press conference.

"Mindanao has the potential to become significantly almost 100 percent [dependent on] renewable energy," he added.

Hernandez said that since the passage of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, investors have committed more than $1 billion to the NREP.

"This is in danger of being squandered away because of the government's inability to move on," he said.

Government is being held back by the feed-in tariff rates pending before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Hernandez noted.

The right energy mix

In a phone interview with GMA News Online on Wednesday, Energy Undersecretary Josefina Asirit denied they would use Friday's summit to push for more coal-fired power plants.

"The coal-fired power plants are [the] business decision of investors, they came even before this crisis," she said.

"DOE is not pushing for coal, but that is what is there in the pipeline," she added.

Government is not considering only coal among other sources, although coal has its advantages, the Energy official noted.

Coal-based power plants can run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at its optimum capacity, according to her.

"That kind of generation mix is needed in Mindanao... Because of the seasonality of water and climate change, we do not want that we are too heavily dependent on water alone," she said.

"Renewable energy [has an] impact [on the] grid, not all renewable energy are consistent... but it doesn’t mean that we are not pushing [for the use of renewable energy]," she added, saying several proposals on renewable energy are pending before the department.

Asirit said 32 percent of power plants in Luzon, 33 percent in Visayas, and 11 percent in Mindanao run on coal.

At least three groups are set to build coal-fired power plants in Mindanao, with 200 MW expected to be generated by 2014, she said, claiming the department would not compromise the respective places that would host coal-fired power plants.

Several areas in Mindanao are experiencing daily rotating brownouts due to an output shortage among existing power plants.

Late last March, DOE Electric Power Industry Management Bureau director Mylene Capongcol said the projected peak demand in Mindanao is 1,280 MW but the available capacity is only 1,200 MW.

DOT to media: Focus on positive news

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao (JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST, w/ news from R.G. Go)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Apr. 10 (PIA) – The Department of Tourism-9 (DOT) recently appealed to local media here to help them promote the city by focusing on the positive news.

DOT-9 Acting Regional Director Mary June Bugante also asked the media to lessen their focus on crime stories and other negative news.

“If media will not highlight it, it will not affect the city’s tourism”, Bugante said when asked about the effect of the spate of recent shootings in the city on their tourism program.

The number of shooting incidents have increased with the recent being the incident involving a president of a local university here in broad day light. A press release from Peace Advocate Zamboanga, a non-government organization here, revealed that there are now over 60 shooting incidents reported for this year.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat has also echoed Bugante’s call to the media to shift much of their focus to positive news that will help the city.

Lobregat, in the past, has repeated the same call as negative news will not help the city in attracting tourists and investors to come in the city.

Bugante said media play a big role on attracting or dissuading tourists to come to the city. She said tourists will not know of the shootings unless it is highlighted by the media.

Summer Program

by Tony Pe. Rimando (Manila Bulletin News Bit # 2)

ZAMBOANGA CITY –The first batch of local poor 1,570 college students and the second batch of the 1,600 high school students will start on April 10, and May 4, respectively, their 20-day Summer Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Francisco Barredo said the students, earlier oriented by City Mayor Celso Lobregat, will be assigned to various offices and barangays (villages) with a daily honorarium each of P200 with the city government paying 60 percent and the Department of Labor and Employment sharing 40 percent for their pay.

ERC approves ZAMCELCO supply agreement with TMI‏

(PNA) , br, scs/ASF/jsd

MANILA, April 8 (PNA) - The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has provisionally approved Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative Inc.'s energy supply agreement (ESA) with Therma Marine Inc., the owner of the two 100-megawatt power barges in Mindanao.

ERC said the move allows the immediate utilization of 18 MW of TMI's remaining uncontracted generation capacity and add to the available generation supply in Mindanao. Aboitiz Power Corp. is the parent firm of TMI.

The regulator said the execution of the ESAs between utilities like ZAMCELCO and TMI and the ERC's approval of these ESAs are needed to make available for dispatch the generation capacity of the two power barges to augment energy supply and help meet the electricity demand in Mindanao.

"The ERC's timely action on the applications of the Mindanao utilities to augment their power requirements with power coming from the TMI power barges facilitated the utilization of the generation capacity of these barges for the Mindanao consumers. Were it not for the mandatory 30-day period as imposed by the IRR and confirmed by no less than the Supreme Court in the issuance of provisional reliefs, the ERC would have acted already on all the applications," ERC Executive Director Francis Saturnino Juan said.

ERC said its action on ZAMCELCO's application brings to 16 the number of ESAs between the Mindanao utilities and TMI provisionally approved by the ERC.

These contracts cover 152 MW (inclusive of additional capacity contracted by some of the utilities) of the combined capacity of the power barges.

Only three ESAs remain for ERC's action -- those of Misamis Occidental I Electric Cooperative Inc. (MOELCI I) for two MW, Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative Inc. (BUSECO) for five MW, and Cotabato Electric Cooperative Inc. (COTELCO) for eight MW.

MOELCI I's application for approval of its ESA with TMI was filed on March 23, 2012 and the earliest that the ERC can act on the application is on April 10, 2012 after the expiration of the mandatory 30-day period granted by the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9136 for interested parties to submit their comments or opposition to the application.

BUSECO's and COTELCO's applications were filed on April 2, 2012, and thus the ERC can act on these applications at the earliest in May 2012.

As provisionally approved, the applicable rates for the TMI's supply to ZAMCELCO are broken down into a Capacity Fee of P400 per kiloWatt per month; fixed operating and maintenance fee of P207 per kW per month; and energy fee of P0.4864 per kWh, plus a fuel and lube oil rate, which is pass-through, but subject to a fuel consumption rate of P0.2210 per liter per kWh for Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and P0.00313 per liter per kWh for lube oil or actual, whichever is lower.

The Department of Energy, for its part, said fewer electric cooperatives are experiencing power outages now after the issuance of a department circular which aims to rationalize the power supply in the region.

DOE said not all areas in Mindanao have power outages such as Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Davao.

With the issuance of the circular, areas not experiencing interruptions now include Malaybalay, Dipolog, Dapitan, Valencia, Camiguin, Panabo, Digos, Tagum, Mati, Surigao, Butuan, and Cabadbaran.

This is a result of the issuance of a stop-gap measure last month, DC 2012–03-0004, which directs electric cooperatives to nominate their needed power to supply their demands.

DOE said this now results to less power outage for provinces in Mindanao and current power supply deficit of 100-160 MW from 360 MW during the previous months.

However, the DOE continues to monitor its implementation to ensure strict compliance to the Circular among stakeholders.

Alongside this measure, the DOE is also evaluating other solutions such as the operation of the Iligan Diesel Power Plant (IDPP), which will be able to produce an initial power of 15-20 MW and may increase upon rehabilitation, and the improvements of the Agus and Pulangui hydropower plants.

The Pulangui plant will be rehabilitated this month and DOE is already studying ways on how to mitigate its effect on the power supply. Agus Plant, meanwhile, will be rehabilitated in June.

“We hope that electric cooperatives, power generators, and all other stakeholders will continue to cooperate to temporarily address the power situation in Mindanao and this will be a good start towards a long-term measure needed to provide a stable power supply in the region,” Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said.

Three gun-for-hire groups operate in Zamboanga Peninsula --police

(PNA), RMA/Teofilo P. Garcia/utb

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 7 (PNA) – Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles has ordered to pursue the gun-for-hires that are operating here in Zamboanga Peninsula.

PRO-9 deputy regional director for Administration (DRDA) Chief Supt. Mario Yanga said Estilles issued the order after it was determined that there were three groups of gun-for-hires operating in the region but based in this city.

The police eye one of the three groups as responsible in the recent killing of Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) president Hadji Arturo Ammar Eustaquio, III.

Eustaquio, 63, was gunned down by three unidentified gunmen around 1 p.m. Sunday while coming out of his residential compound at Maestra Vicenta Street, Barangay Sta. Maria, this city aboard a motorcycle.

Police operatives killed, in a alleged shootout, before daybreak Wednesday one of the three suspects in the killing of Eustaquio and arrested the other one in Barangay Guiwan, east of this city.

Intelligence reports showed that two of the three gun-for-hire groups maintain hideouts in the east coast of this city while the other one in this city's west coast, Yanga said.

Yanga said they could not say yet whether the three groups were operating independently from one another or they were being maintained by a particular group of individuals.

“There could be more,” Yanga said.

Zamboangueño pugilist makes first title defense

By Noemi B. Edaga (NBE PIA9/ Bong Garcia SunStar Zamboanga)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 6 (PIA) -- Zamboangueño and Philippine Super Flyweight champion Marvin Mabait left for Cebu on Saturday to continue his extensive training in preparation for his first mandatory title defense.

Mabait, a pride of Zamboanga City, will battle Marco Demicillo on April 22 to defend his title he wrested from Rey Perez last January 28 in Caloocan City.

He is with trainer Jonathan Peñalosa and several other boxers from the Peñalosa stable where he is currently based and training.

Mabait, the mainstay of Blue Stallion stable of 2nd district Congressman Erico Basilio Fabian, will gun for his 17th win against one of only two boxers he drew in the past while both were upcoming pugs in a four-round bout.

Mabait, who hails from Barangay Talon-Talon, five kilometers east of Zamboanga City, puts on line a sterling fight record of 16 wins, 2 draws with no defeat.

He will square it out with Demicillo in a fight card being put up by Rex 'Wakee' Salud, the promoter of his opponent.

Meanwhile, Fabian is optimistic that Mabait will successfully defend his crown.

Zambo BIR confident of hitting P1.8-B revenue collection goal

(PNA), RMA/FMS/rsm

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Bureau of Internal Revenue District Office here expressed optimism that the agency will be able to meet the P1.82-billion revenue collection goal for this year.

Revenue District Office head Merlyn DV. Vicente the bureau's revenue collection rose 17.53 and 22.98 percent for January and February, respectively this year.

Vicente said records show that the bureau collected P 141.67 million in January this year, 17.53 percent higher than the P120.54 million in the same month last year.

She said the bureau also collected P117.75 million in February 2012, up 22.98 percent from the P 95.75 million in February 2011.

Vicente said that the BIR head office in Manila increases the revenue collection goal per district every year. For 2012, the goal was raised to P 1.821 billion.

As this developed, Vicente said that for the month of April 2012 , the office is expected to be crowded with tax payers who will be filing their respective Income Tax Returns (ITRs) .

The bureau has already established temporary desk officers to cater to the tax payers starting from the information section, assessment down to the last payment section.

The rule will be on first come first serve basis so taxpayers must fall in line and wait for their turn.

Vicente said that this was to ensure an orderly process for the tax payers.

Over 1,500 youth in Zambo city to start summer job next week

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao (JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Apr. 4 (PIA) – Over 1,500 youth will be starting their summer job on April 10 as part of the joint Department of Labor and Employment and the city government’s expanded Summer Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) this year.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Mr. Francisco “Kit” Barredo said they will be formally deploying 1,570 students to their different posts next week with a general orientation to be headed by City Mayor Celso Lobregat.

According to Barredo, a student will be paid P200.00 per day for 20 days, or P4,000.00. They will be deployed in different city government offices and barangays, with at least 100 of them to be assigned in mangrove planting under the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR).

Barredo said this number only covers the first batch of the summer job. Another 1,600 student-beneficiaries will also be deployed as part of the second batch of this year’s SPES.

The national government lauded this project citing its vital role in helping indigent students continue with their studies, thus, DOLE was given additional budget for the expansion of the program.

Last year, the regional SPES budget allocated by DOLE IX was P9 million, but with the very positive feedback, the budget was doubled this year to P18 million, P5 million of which was allocated to Zamboanga City. The city government also allocated P9 million as its counterpart to serve the more than 3,000 student- beneficiaries this year.

The first batch will work from April 10 up to April 30, while the second batch will start on May 4 until May 28.

Skylanterns light up Zambo skies on Earth Hour 2012

by Rene V. Carbayas (PIA-9 ZBST)

Hundreds of skylanterns were released in batches to the skies of Zamboanga City at Paseo del Mar on Saturday (March 31) marking the city’s participation to the world-wide observance of Earth Hour 2012.

Every major city in the world, includingthose in the Philippines, shut down power for an hour from 8:30 to 9:30 in theafternoon on March 31 in the global effort to raise awareness about climatechange.

“Switching off power for an hour may not savethe planet, if the intention was merely to save power,” Jovi, an advocate ofEarth Hour said. He said many are skeptical about this idea, including him, butstill believes that skepticism is still part of the debate and “this createdawareness.” Jovi brought his family at Paseo del Mar aspart of their Saturdays night outing. He said that Saturday was special becausehis family, especially his 2 children ages seven and fourteen, will get to experienceEarth Hour observance. “I guess this is the first time Zamboanga will use skylanterns as part of the observance.”

“I have little faith on how the organizerswould use the event to spread awareness and really awaken people on the urgencyof doing concrete response to save the planet,” he said, saying that releasinginto the atmosphere another carbon-emitting lantern is somehow strange andconfusing for him.

More so, he said “there goes the garbageproduced out of the event, the plastic packaging of the lanterns, the lanternsthemselves that will eventually go back to earth as trash somewhere.”

For a staunchadvocate of Earth Hour, Jovi said he was a bit confused. “I guess by way of thelanterns, the city government wanted to keep the people and the crowd togetherfor that hour. The lanterns are visually delightful but how they impacted onthe crowd to do something to save the planet is not certain.”

Students and young people were also in the crowd. Most of them were excited to participate especially in lighting the lanterns. In conversations with some students, many of them are sufficiently aware of the observance saying that switching-off power for anhour is a conscious effort to save electricity.

“For me lightingand releasing the sky lantern into the sky is a symbol of hope,” Sandy, astudent of a local school here said. “It is my voice raised to the skies telling those who would see my lantern from a far that I need my home, my earthfor my future.”

For what it’sworth, Jovi believes sky lanterns can still bring the message and stir debate.He said that what is important is for organizers to be challenged with more meaningful and impacting observance of Earth Hour in the coming years.

Earth Hour is a worldwide event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and held onthe last Saturday of March annually, encouraging households and businesses toturn off their non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about theneed to take action on climate change. The event, conceived by WWF and TheSydney Morning Herald, first took place in 2007, when 2.2 million residentsof Sydney participated by turning off all non-essential lights. Following Sydney's lead, many other cities around the world adopted the event in 2008.

Since then, Earth Hour hasgrown to become what environmental group WWF organizers say is the world’slargest demonstration of support for action on carbon pollution. WWF noted thatthe main goal of Earth Hour is to create awareness around climate change issuesand "to express that individual action on a mass scale can help change ourplanet for the better" and not about the specific energy reductions madeduring the hour being all that's required.

Close to 3,000 join “Earth Hour” activity in Zambo City

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez (JPA/PIA-9 ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Apr. 2 (PIA) -- Close to 3,000 individuals trooped their way on Saturday night to the city’s favorite hangout park-Paseo Del Mar to convey their messages that they are one with the world in the fight against global warming, and share support to effort in energy efficiency and conservation.

People from various sector, government, non government, academe, families with their infants and children, people young and old, even those in their wheelchair, showed up as early as 6 o’clock in the evening and filled the Paseo del Mar ground to share the meaningful celebration of “earth hour.”

“I brought my 8 year old daughter here so that at an early age her eyes would be open to what is happening with our environment and how she could do her share of responsibility in doing something to mitigate climate change,” said one mother-participant when asked why she and her family chose to join the earth hour activity.

Mayor Celso Lobregat who lead the “earth hour” program said, “I know that there are some who are disappointed of why we are doing this symbolic switching off of lights for an hour when in fact we have been experiencing rotational blackout every day.”

“But we have to understand, that despite our problems, we also have responsibilities as part of a global community thus we are supporting and we will continue to support earth hour.”

He said that despite the Mindanao power crisis, the city will continue to do all efforts to rehabilitate mother earth. “We cannot just complain and complain, we have to do something, to share with the planet’s problems and contribute to its rehabilitation,” Lobregat emphasized.

The local chief executive said there are manifestations that the world has its “crisis” like the erratic water supply among others, “we have to share something in restoring the earth to its original state, we need the cooperation and support of all stakeholders,” Lobregat said before the listening crowd.

Lobregat called on all Zamboangaueños to take conscious decision to the effort to mitigate climate change.“Let us all help mother earth from further deterioration, let us continue to make every hour an earth hour.”

The earth hour program started with ecumenical prayers.

Lobregat then led the earth hour countdown at 8:29pm. At exactly 8:30 the power at the Paseo Del Mar was symbolically switched off, that was the time when the crowd started to light their candles and their sky lanterns.

Few minutes after the power switch off, hundreds of sky lanterns were released and illuminated the sky like bright fireflies. Seeing the sky lanterns for the first time, the crowd cheered and clapped.

Region 9 tops child advocacy workshop

by Narabelle Z. Bu (Manila Standard Today)

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Social Marketing Unit of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office IX won special awards during the Review and Assessment Workshop on Children’s Rights held recently in Tagaytay City.

The Awards Conference, organized by the Probe Media Foundation and UNICEF, was the final leg of a project to upgrade the skills of information officers.

DSWD IX presented a 90-second video public service announcement on armed conflict depriving the child’s right to live and develop in a peaceful and orderly environment. Cited for Best Creative technique, it was also among the three nominated for ‘Peer award’.

The winning video showed children amid crossfire between government forces and rebels in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay in October last year.

The social welfare information staff in media production brought attention to the plight of innocent victims who had to endure the trauma of being caught in a battleground instead of attending their classes in school.

During the awarding rites, DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Taradji praised the entries as worthwhile advocacies to bring out the children’s voices while respecting their right to privacy even as the state and rebels have to iron out issues on the negotiation table.

Also recognized for their entries were Regions I, V, X CARAGA and ARMM.

Communication specialist who screened and evaluated the entries were University of the Philippines faculty member Melba Estonilo along with Center for Community Journalism and Development executive director Red Batario with Adelina Alavarez and Jesuit Communications Foundation creative director Pauline Saltarin.

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