Zamboanga City News April 2015

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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.

DTI sets Labor Day Diskwento Caravan in Zambo City

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 30 (PNA) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will conduct a Diskwento Caravan as part of its active participation in the observance of Labor Day this year.

Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI regional director, said the Diskwento Caravan will be held Friday at the compound of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Zamboecozone) in Barangay Talisayan, 26 kilometers west of City Hall.

Jain said the holding of the caravan is in partnership with some of the local canning firms and distributors of basic commodities.

Jain said the caravan is “intended to provide easier access to our workers to very cheap, discounted prices of our basic commodities.”

She said the consumers can enjoy of at least 10 percent discount of all the products on sale during the Diskwento Caravan.

“Our agreement with the distributors and manufacturers is that at least they will be able to give us 10 percent discount. That is the minimum required by DTI. Every time we mount Diskwento Caravan the discount that should be given to our consumers should be at least 10 percent, it should not be lower than that,” she said.

She said that some of the locally-based fast-food chains will also join the caravan aside from the manufacturers and distributors.

Ceferino Rubio, DTI regional consumer protection division chief, said school supplies, uniforms, and shoes will also be sold during the Diskwento Caravan to be participated by some of the local shopping malls.

“We would want the real low income earners to avail of the discounted prices of basic and prime commodities which include school supplies for the children,” Rubio said.

Meanwhile, this year’s observance of Labor Day will be different from the previous year’s as Zamboecozone Chairman and Administrator Christopher Lawrence Arnuco offered to host the celebration providing the free use of the Zamboecozone compound.

Transportation to and from the Zamboecozone will be provided for free with buses on standby in front of City Hall.

Zambo City readies for the opening of the Integrated Bus Terminal

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 29 (PNA) -– The local government has initiated a tour of the PHP175.8 million Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT) to orient and acquaint the concerned stakeholders with the facilities and amenities at the IBT of this city.

City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. led the orientation of the IBT in Barangay Divisoria which was held Tuesday with representatives from the different bus firms.

Among those who joined the orientation were representatives from the Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc. (RTMI) Liza May Bus Company, SSG and Dindo Bus Company.

The RTMI has a fleet of 123 buses plying from this city to as far as Cagayan de Oro City, Liza May has seven buses while SSG and Dindo Bus Company has 10 buses and more than 30 vans.

Orendain said the orientation included a briefing on how and where the buses will be positioned for loading and unloading of passengers, the ticketing process and all other concerns.

Recommendations from the bus company representatives were also welcomed.

Orendain said the orientation was necessary as the city government gears for the opening of the IBT facility.

The City Administrator’s Office will oversee the operation of the IBT.

Orendain said his office will also initiate in the coming days an orientation for concessionaires and other groups of people who will be utilizing or are involved in the operation of the IBT.

He said that all aspects of the operation should be threshed out before the facility will be made fully operational.

Zambo City barangay officials undergo disaster preparedness summit

(PNA), RMA/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 28 (PNA) - The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMO) has completed the Barangay Disaster Preparedness Summit in a bid to equip and prepare the city’s 98 barangays in times of either natural or man-made calamities.

Belen Sheila Covarrubias, City Hall information officer, said that at least 38 barangays composed the third and last batch of participants to the summit held Tuesday at the Centro Latino Convention Center.

Covarrubias said the summit covered orientation on fire safety and prevention measures; storm surge; flood control; earthquakes and tsunami; landslide; and, other forms of calamity as well as climate change adaptation.

Orientation on the utilization of the Barangay Disaster Management Funds highlighted the series of summit.

Among the speakers during the summit included Sylvia Binarao; city accountant; Eng’r. Allan Rommel Labayog, local Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology chief; Supt. Dominador Zabala Jr., city fire marshall, and, representatives from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA).

Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, assistant city administrator and concurrent CDRRMO head, said they prioritized the conduct of the summit for the 98 barangays as a way of drumming up awareness on the need for disaster risk reduction and management with the constantly changing climate.

The first batch of 30 barangays had its summit last Feb. 20 while the forum for the second batch composed of 30 barangays was held March 31.

The participants were mostly members of the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and key barangay officials.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said her administration envisioned a disaster-ready community that would be able to respond to natural calamities and secure lives of its people.

“Human security and a safe environment are paramount and are intertwined with basic human rights, socio-economic growth and our yearning for peace and progress,” Salazar said.

All set for Labor Day

By Bong Garcia

A JOBS fair and a full array of the Dia de Alcalde (Mayor's Day) services will mark this year's Labor Day celebration in Zamboanga City.

The jobs fair will be held at the compound of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Zamboecozone) in the village of Talisayan.

More than 27,000 job vacancies are up for grabs in the jobs fair, which is jointly organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), local government, and the Zamboecozone.

Belen Sheila Covarrubias, City Hall information officer, said the local government will provide free shuttle services to the Zamboecozone for the applicants seeking to join the fair.

This year's Labor Day celebration is anchored on the theme "Disenteng Trabaho at Kabuhayan Alay Natin sa Bayan."

The celebration will also feature a diskwento fair and market-market, Technical Education Skills and Development Authority skills demo, medical and dental outreach, the launch of job search kiosk, and turnover of kabuhayan starter kits.

Zamboanga City marks 'Dia de Mam Caling'

By Bong Garcia

MAYOR Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, first district Representative Celso Lobregat and Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde led the commemoration Sunday of Dia de Mam Caling, marking the 94th birth anniversary of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat.

Lobregat was Zamboanga City’s first woman mayor.

The commemoration kicked off with a Mass at the Holy Trinity Parish in Pasonanca followed by the opening of the exhibit of Mam Caling’s memorabilia at the Museo de Zamboanga and wreath laying at the Jardin Maria Clara.

Salazar the series of activities “is a show of love for a very wonderful lady, who was a leader and exemplary woman.”

“She also taught me to be a woman, she taught me that I should fight and always to remember that I am a woman -- that was Mam Caling Lobregat,” she added.

She recalled special moments with the mayor especially during the latter’s birthday celebrations where she lavished her guests with food and entertainment.

Representative Lobregat, eldest son of the late mayor, presented some mementos of his mother that included publications and personal effects like chaleco and t-shirts used during election campaigns.

He said his mother’s advocacy for the coconut industry led to the implementation of the Cocofed scholarship program.

She also fought against the inclusion of Zamboanga in the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and development (SPCPD), one of the activities resulting from the peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) during the administration of President Fidel Ramos.

“Everybody has his own fond memories of Mam Caling but perhaps I will say Mam Caling was a very compassionate, very caring person but at the same time she was courageous. She was very amiable but was very assertive when she needed to make a stand on issues, she was very independent,” Lobregat said.

Iturralde said Mam Caling was “many things, a leader and a mentor.”

“For many of us, she was larger than life because when she became this City’s first woman chief executive, she became a mother to us all,” Iturralde said.

ZCWD bares water discount scheme

By Dan Toribio

Amid the present water crisis due to dry spell, here is a good news for water consumers.

The Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) Board of Directors chaired by Engr. Efren Aranez has recently approved a scheme in charging consumers using less than minimum service charge with only the actual billing used.

This was announced by Aranez during a press conference yesterday that followed after a dialogue with the city’s top officials and stakes holders regarding the current state of affairs of the local water firm.

The ZCWD manager on the other hand disclosed that the discount scheme will be applied for the months of March and April 2015 only and will be reflected in the consumers’ bill for the month of May.

The scheme will be based on an actual number of cubic meters of water consumed for the billing cycle.

“This program is in line with our commitment to the ZCWD corporate social responsibility of delivering basic services to the people in exchange for commensurate payments,” Aranez said.

Discounts granted in the past were for prompt payment of bills and not anything like what is being offered now.

Zambo Integrated Bus Terminal to start operations in May

By R.G. Antonet A. Go [(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/RGAAG]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 24 (PNA) – City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. announced Friday that the PhP175.8 million Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT) will be operational by the end of May this year.

Orendain made the announcement after leading an inspection Wednesday on the IBT to determine the required manpower for the full operation of the terminal.

The terminal is located in Barangay Divisoria, 6.40 kilometers east of City Hall.

Orendain said at least 70 people are needed to run the IBT, which would operate on a 24/7 basis.

The facility is equipped with an x-ray scanner and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras. It can accommodate more than 600 passengers and has 17 buses’ loading spaces.

The other amenities of the IBT are breastfeeding room, restrooms, offices for line agencies, gift shops and eateries.

Orendain said they will also require the bus firms to establish their own ticket counters.

He said that a terminal fee of P15 for adults and P10 for children, students, and senior citizens will be collected.

Meanwhile, he said the frontage of the IBT will be leased for the establishment of a one-storey shopping mall.

DTI to set up ‘NegoCenters’ in all provinces, cities, towns

By Dominic I. Sanchez (FPG/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 23 (PIA) – To help micro small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in doing business and to ease their access to services, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be establishing “NegoCenters” in all provinces, municipalities and cities starting this year.

According to DTI-9 Regional Director Sitti Amina Jain, the DTI with the support of other government agencies, the local government units and the private sector will establish these “Negosyo Centers” in all of the region’s 67 municipalities and five cities, as mandated by Republic Act 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act authored by Senator Bam Aquino, and which was signed into law last year.

“For 2015, we will start with the five cities to be followed by the municipalities, and at the end of five years, we will have Negocenters in all towns in the region,” Jain said. Each Negocenter has a budget of P1 million.

In Zamboanga City, the date set for the launching of the Negocenter is on July 30, during the ZamPen MSME Conference. “We are expecting Senator Bam Aquino to be here during the launching,” she added.

The Go Negosyo Act, which is the enabling law for the establishment of the NegoCenters aims to foster national development, promote inclusive growth, and reduce poverty by encouraging the establishment of MSMEs that facilitate local job creation, production and trade in the country.

The NegoCenters shall be manned by the local micro small and medium enterprises development council chaired by the DTI. The council shall perform oversight functions and assign personnel to the NegoCenters.

Its main functions include business registration assistance, business advisory services, information and advocacy and monitoring and evaluation of the services for the MSMEs.

PSA launches ASPBI, STEP 2014 in Zamboanga City

By R.G. Antonet A. Go [(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/RGAAG]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 22 (PNA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) held on Wednesday stakeholders’ forum about the agency’s Annual Survey on Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) and Survey on Tourism Establishments in the Philippines (STEP) 2014 stakeholder’s forum in this city.

After the forum, Ronaldo Taghap, PSA interim regional director, said they distributed copies of survey questionnaires to be answered by the participants of the forum within 10 days.

Taghap said among the questions the participants would answer include their line of business, revenue costs, and employment, which will be used to gauge the economy of the region.

Taghap said the ASPBI aims to gather and generate information on the level, structure, performance, and trends of economic activities of the formal sector of the economy in 2014.

He said data gathered through ASPBI will be used in constructing national and regional accounts of the Philippine economy.

He said the STEP is also needed to come up with a reliable statistics and indicators to measure the economic contribution of tourism, which can be useful in the formulation of programs and policies of the industry.

He said the results of the STEP will be used for assessing tourism resources, and available infrastructure of the sector.

DILG awards Zamboanga City Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping

(PNA), FFC/RCK/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 21 (PNA) -– The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has awarded Zambaonga City the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH) for 2014, a distinction the city has held for three consecutive years.

Eng’r. Rodrigo Sicat, head of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), said this city has been duly recognized for its strict compliance to the Full Disclosure Policy (FDP) of the Commission on Audit (COA) and conformity to accounting and auditing standards, rules and regulations.

“This is a good development. It really means that the city was able to maintain its finances in order,” Sicat said.

The GFH is a component of the Seal of Good Local Governance, formerly known as the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH), which the DILG initiated in 2010.

Both the GFH and SGH apply the same minimum criteria which is the unqualified or qualified COA Opinion and Compliance with the FDP.

Sicat said the city government, as a GFH recipient, is entitled to receive a PHP3 million subsidy from the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF).

According to DILG guidelines, Sicat said the PCF subsidy will be used for a specific modular type of project, to be implemented and completed within one year from the date of receipt of the PCF.

Sicat said that upon initial discussions with Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, the PCF subsidy for this city will be used to pursue Security, Health and Education (SHE) projects, with emphasis on education in the barangays and the provision of learning equipment such as computers and pre-loaded encyclopedias.


Zamboanga City allocates PHP21.2-M PhilHealth insurance for indigents

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 20 (PNA) -– The city's local government has allocated anew PHP21.2 million in this year’s annual budget for the renewal of the PhilHealth insurance cards of mostly underprivileged residents here.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the PhilHealth program forms part of this city’s thrust to ensure the well-being of its constituents particularly the less fortunate individuals.

There are 8,865 beneficiaries of the city government sponsored PhilHealth program and they comprise the following: barangay officials including tanods, barangay intelligence network and SCAA members, persons with disabilities, barangay nutrition scholars, members of the Rural Improvement Club, senior citizens, members of the urban poor groups, job order employees of the City Government, barangay nutrition scholars and TB Task Force members.

The new members included pregnant women, new barangay officials and those implementing the Security, Health and Education (SHE) program.

Salazar said the city government contributes PHP2,400 for a year coverage of the health insurance for each of the beneficiary.

She said that similar amount was also spent by the local government for the city government-sponsored PhilHealth program in previous years that ensured the beneficiaries of discounts and other benefits in times of hospitalization including use of laboratories for tests or examinations.

The PhilHealth program falls under health advocacy, one of the three top priorities of Salazar.

The two other priorities are security and education under the SHE program.

2 Anti-Gambling Raids Net 4 Suspects, Shabu Confiscated

By Police Inspector Dahlan T. Samuddin with report from PO2 Jonas D Macasa Jr. (RPIO9)

Zamboanga City - Members of Anti-Vice Section, ZCPO conducted an anti-illegal gambling operation on swertres at the vicinity of Lugoy Grande, Brgy Talon-Talon at about 3:30 PM of April 10, 2015. This resulted in the arrest of Joel Beroya y Solis, 27, resident of Barangay Guiwan. Confiscated from him were various gambling paraphernalia. Suspect is presently detained at Zamboanga City Police Station 11 for filing of appropriate charges in court.

Zamboanga City - Elements of Zamboanga City Police Station 11 (Central) conducted another anti-illegal gambling operation in Macrohon Drive, Barangay Canelar at around 5:00 PM on April 9, 2015. This resulted in the arrest of three suspects, namely, Ambroise Banua, Loren Acosta and Rudy Dagodog. Confiscated from them were a set of dice and bet money. Incidental to said operation, operating team also confiscated three sachets of suspected shabu. Suspects are presently detained at ZCPS11 while confiscated suspected shabu were brought to RCLO9 for laboratory examination.

City completes P9.8M project

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga City Government has completed the construction of a P9.8 million slope protection project in a west coast village of this city.

Belen Sheila Covarrubias, City Hall information officer, said the newly-completed project is located at the San Roe Subdivision in the village of San Jose-Gusu, 3.20 kilometers west of City Hall.

Covarrubias said the slope protection project is a facility intended to mitigate effects of flooding during rainy season as the village of San Jose Gusu is a flood-prone area.

She said the project, which was undertaken by a local private contractor, covers an area of 729 linear meters.

She said the newly-completed project was inaugurated and turned over on Thursday to the San Jose-Gusu officials headed by village chief Joel Esteban.

DOLE sets Labor Day Jobs Fair in Zambo; 32,576 vacancies available

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 17 (PNA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that a total of 32,576 job vacancies are up for grabs in the Labor Day Jobs Fair in this city.

Sisinio Cano, DOLE regional director, made this announcement Friday, citing 25,000 vacancies are for overseas while the remaining 7,576 for local employment.

Cano said the jobs fair will be held at the compound of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Zamboecozone) in Barangay Talisayan, 26 kilometers west of City Hall.

Cano said 12 licensed recruitment agencies for overseas employment and 49 private companies and government agencies will join the Jobs Fair.

He said the top five in demand occupations are: machine and production operators; factory workers; call center agents; sales representatives; and, policemen.

He said they will provide vehicles free of charge to ferry the applicants from the city proper to Zamboecozone.

He advised the applicants to bring their complete documents in joining the Jobs Fair.

The conduct of the Jobs Fair is the main event of this year’s Labor Day celebration in this city, dubbed: Fiesta del Dia de Obrero na Zamboecozone (Labor Day Feast in Zamboecozone).

This year’s Labor Day celebration is anchored in the theme: Disenteng Trabaho at Kabuhayan Alay Natin sa Bayan.

Zambo holds summer festival

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR/EBP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 16 (PNA) -- The city government will be ushering in the summer season with the kick-off of the Summer Festival 2015 tomorrow, Friday.

Dubbed “Summer na Zamboanga (Summer in Zamboanga)”, this year’s festival will formally open with a grand opening program at 4 p.m. at the City Hall grounds, featuring a full line-up of production numbers and presentations from local performers.

Belen Sheila Covarrubias, City Hall information officer, said that among the performers slated to participate are the following: Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) Jambangan Cultural Dance Troupe; Dancing Buddies; Four Twenty Crew; True Family; PS Static; Zamboanga Cosplay Group; Abdel Aziz Masjiril; Marco Onesa; and, Fidel Bas with the Guyz N’ Flizicks.

Covarrubias said a Zumba fitness activity will cap off the summer program launch.

Covarrubias said the City Hall grounds will also be abuzz with activity and photo booths for residents joining the program aside from the performances.

She said the Summer Festival is an annual activity spearheaded by the city government to provide wholesome activities and entertainment to residents throughout the duration of the summer months.

ICRC builds health facility in Zambo transitory site

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO/EDS

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 15 (PNA) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has turned over Wednesday to the city government a newly-completed health sub-station to cater to the well-being of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in a transitory site in this city.

The construction of the P780,000 health sub-station was financed by the ICRC in coordination with the city government through the City Health Office.

The health station is located at the Masepla Transitory Site in Barangay Mampang that houses some 6,000 IDPs.

Timothy Yates, ICRC sub-delegation head, said the health facility will also cater to the well-being of the residents living near the Masepla Transitory Site.

Staffs of the ICRC had been assisting the city government in attending to the plight of the IDP-families displaced during the 21-day September 2013 siege.

The health sub-station will be jointly manned by ICRC and City Health Office personnel.

Meanwhile, Yates noted an improvement at the Masepla Transitory Site.

Summer sports program registration starts

By Bong Garcia

REGISTRATION for the month-long Summer Learn to Play a Sport Program of the Zamboanga City Government is open until April 28.

Belen Sheilla Covarrubias, City Hall information officer, announced Tuesday the registration is conducted at the City Sports Division located at the Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum in Barangy Tetuan.

The sports program, which is provided for free to children ages five to 15, will be from May 1 to 31.

The participants can enroll in classes in arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball, baseball, body building, boxing, chess, dance sport, fencing, football, gymnastics, judo, karate-do, muay thai, pencak salat, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwando, tennis, volleyball, weight lifting, wrestling and wushu.

Covarrubias said the Summer Learn-to-Play a Sport has been proven to be an effective training ground for future Zamboangueño athletes.

Last year, 2,883 children joined in the program.

The sports activities will be held in different venues since the Mayor Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex is being used as a transitory site for internally displaced families.

BFP to establish fire sub-station at Zamboecozone

By R.G. Antonet A. Go [(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/RGAAG/SSC]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 13 (PNA) -– The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Zamboecozone) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Monday forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of a fire sub-station inside Zamboecozone.

Zamboecozone Chairman and Administrator Christopher Lawrence Arnuco said the MOA stipulates that they will provide a 1,000 square meters lot where to put up the fire station manned by the BFP-Zamboanga City Fire District (ZCFD) personnel.

Arnuco said also stipulated in the MOA is that the BFP can use the Zamboecozone area as training ground of the firefighters.

Arnuco said the area they allotted is sufficient for the establishment of a fire station that could accommodate two fire trucks and a dormitory for the personnel.

He said that earlier they thought of organizing a fire brigade for the Zamboecozone but forgo with the plan after they learned that the ZCFD sub-station in Barangay Talisayan is looking for a better place to transfer.

He said the Talisayan fire sub-station will be transferred inside the Zamboecozone with signing of the MOA.

He said they have sufficient water supply to provide the needs of the fire sub-station that will be established inside Zamboecozone.

The signatories of the MOA are Arnuco on behalf of Zamboecozone and Senior Supt. Carlito Oceña, BFP regional director.

Zambo solon, TESDA give starter kits to 66 graduates

By R.G. Antonet A. Go [(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/RGAAG]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 12 (PNA) – A total of 66 technical vocational graduates have received starter kits to enable them to practice their newly-acquired skills to earn a living.

The starter kits were distributed to the beneficiaries on Friday by second district Rep. Lilia Nuño in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Eng’r. Lorenzo Macapili, TESDA regional director, said 26 of the 66 beneficiaries of the starter kits have undergone training on massage; 20, service and maintenance of transportation air-conditioning units; and, 20, maintenance and repair of electronically-controlled appliances.

Macapili said the training of the 66 beneficiaries was funded by the office of Nuño.

“The beneficiaries of the starter kits can start a living,” Nuño said citing it is aimed to provide jobs to the unemployed.

The beneficiaries have also received daily allowance during the training aside from the starter kits given them.

Macapili advised the beneficiaries to put to good use their newly-acquired skills and starter kits.

Paolo Labrador Jr., one of the beneficiaries, said the training and starter kits they received will be of big help in earning a living to sustain their family.

LTO builds Php 5-M edifice in Zambo City

(PNA), RMA/TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 11 (PNA) – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) inaugurated on Friday a two-storey building worth Php 5 million in its compound in this city.

Atty. Aminola Abaton, LTO regional director, said the newly-completed building would house the agency’s operation division, law enforcement office, Zamboanga City licensing center, and the multi-purpose conference hall.

“We want to put up an excellent service to the public that is why we are doing this kind of innovation and expansion,” Abaton said.

He said the funds used in the construction of the new building came from the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), the mother agency of LTO.

The inauguration of the new LTO building was graced by LTO Assistant Secretary Alfonso Tan Jr.

Tan said the LTO personnel would be able to better serve the public in this part of the country with the construction of the new building housing under one roof all its offices.


BIR appeals to power coop to spare Zamboanga City from brownout on April 15

(PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) appealed to the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) to forgo with the rotational brownout on April 15 in this city.

Cresencio Agad, revenue district officer, made the call Wednesday to enable them to better serve the taxpayers on April 15, which is the deadline in the filing of Income Tax Returns (ITR).

“I hope we will be given consideration by Zamcelco that there will be no brownout even only on April 15 so we can continuously serve the taxpaying public,” Agad said.

Agad said they cannot process the ITRs of the taxpaying public during brownout since they don’t have standby power generator. At present, this city is experiencing two to three hours daily rotational brownout brought about by the reduced power generation from the Mindanao grid.

Agad said they expect that taxpayers–businessmen, professionals and workers–will swarm his office to beat the April 15 deadline in the filing of ITRs.

Meanwhile, Agad called on the taxpayers to process early their ITRs and not to wait for the deadline to avoid the rush. He said they expect to collect PhP200 million taxes this month.

Zamboanga City joins 73rd Araw ng Kagitingan

By Teofilo P. Garcia, Jr [(PNA), CTB/TPGJR]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 9 (PNA) – Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Thursday urged the members of the local chapter of Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) to help the government in combating terrorism.

Salazar made the call as this city joined the entire country in the commemoration of the 73rd Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) in simple but fitting rites.

Salazar said VFP members, who include surviving World War II veterans and retired soldiers and policemen, can serve as “force multipliers” in providing security to this city.

Salazar recognized the sacrifices of the VFP members, especially the surviving World War II veterans, for their role in helping protect the country in general and this city in particular.

Rear Adm. Reynaldo Yoma, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander, said the World War II veterans serve as their guiding principle in combating the enemies of the state.

District II Rep. Lilia Nuño has also recognized the sacrifices of the World War II veterans and all the other members of the VFP-Zamboanga City District.

The commemorative program of the Araw ng Kagitingan in this city kicked off with the flag raising ceremony at 7 a.m. at the Rizal Shrine in front of City Hall.

It was followed by a commemorative gathering at the Freedom Fighters Memorial Shrine along Rizal Street few meters away from Rizal Shrine where a floral offering was held.

The program also highlighted with the presentation of World War II Veterans and their surviving spouses.

The commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan is in honor of the war veterans who fought for freedom and liberty during World War II.

This year’s commemoration is anchored on the theme: “Ipunla ang Kagitingan sa Kabataan, Ihanda ang beterano ng kinabukasan.”

355 out-of-school youths graduate in skills training, alternative lessons in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/PR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 8 (PNA) -- Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar urged the newest batch of out-of-school youths (OSY) who successfully completed their skills training to believe in themselves and their capacity to be heroes, to always give their best in all their endeavors in order to succeed.

“Your future will be brighter if you exert all the efforts. Do not be contented with mediocrity but go beyond,” Salazar told the 355 Zamboangueño completers under the Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev) program.

Congratulating them on their achievement, the mayor reminded them to grab the opportunity to carve a better future for themselves.

“Your parents can only provide for you a certain level of training and education. But the success that you will achieve will depend on God’s grace and your own capacity to utilize it. I want you to utilize all of your God-given capacities to really do your very best,” the mayor stressed.

Salazar also called on the graduates not to be content with mediocrity. “I hope that given these opportunities, you will not be mediocre. I want you to go beyond pushing and really do your very best.”

In addition, she urged the youths to always believe in themselves. “Always believe in your capacity as heroes. This is the opportune moment for you and grab that opportunity.”

Salazar shared how she used to be very shy but eventually found her voice after studying overseas for two years. She has since spoken for herself and became who she is, never doubting herself.

“When the siege happened in the city, I was only a two-month old mayor. When it happened, my first priority was to ensure that the civilian population, all of the hostages be protected,” she said. “Because my role is not to please people but to ensure the general welfare of all the 900,000 people of Zamboanga City.”

She added: “I know that God has put me here for a reason and this is now my time. Have I not been here, we would not have this opportunity and we would not have what we call the synchronicity of all the programs and plans destined for young people of the city.”

“I may not be able to touch all of your hands, I will not be able to shake your hands, but know that as mayor of the city of Zamboanga, together will all our partners here, we only want what is best for you. What is best for you will be better for the city of Zamboanga,” the mayor said.

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development, MYDev addresses key constraints to peace and stability in selected conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. It promotes an enabling environment that protects the OSY against unproductive and violent social activities in their communities.

The five-year program aims to actively engage at least 19,000 OSY in workforce and community development activities by developing their basic education competencies, livelihood capacities and life and leadership skills for civic engagement.

MYDev Program primarily supports equitable access to basic education through the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning Systems (ALS), and access to relevant livelihood skills training provided by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other local service providers.

Aside from improving OSY education and employability, the Program integrates life skills and leadership development to create positive perceptions among the OSY toward their community and government.

Zamboanga City to convert controlled dump site into ecopark

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 7 (PNA) -- The Office of City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) is undertaking closure activities at the controlled dumpsite facility in this city and intends to eventually convert the place into an ecological park.

The closure activities at the dumpsite in Barangay Lumbangan started after the opening last week of this city’s PhP75-million sanitary landfill facility in Barangay Salaan.

Gerry Pollisco, OCENR supervising environmental management specialist, said Tuesday the Lumbangan dumpsite, once completely closed, shall be converted into an ecopark as part of the rehabilitation plan and is mandated by law.

An eco-park is a public green area where there is abundance of trees and plants grass and various facilities that allow people to enjoy leisure and rest.

Pollisco said the material recovery facility (MRF) in Lumbangan dumpsite will remain for sorting of recyclable materials and its residuals being disposed at the sanitary landfill while closure activities are being undertaken at the controlled dumpsite.

Pollisco said the initial closure activities in Lumbangan dumpsite began in December 2014 based on Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) for the said facility.

He said the closure improvement activities include slope stabilization to prevent erosion hazards, capping, drainage system, lining and gas vents and numerous others.

He said also included is the social preparation of affected waste pickers or scavengers and possible assistance.

He said the OCENR will also step up monitoring of the Lumbangan area to prevent illegal dumping activities and will also venture into the installation of monitoring wells and implementation of security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the closed site.

1,400 students chosen for Spes summer jobs

By Bong Garcia

THE first batch of 1,400 college students under the Employment of Students (Spes) program start summer jobs at local government offices in Zamboanga City Wednesday.

Lourdes Francisco of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) said the students will attend an orientation before starting work.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar will lead the orientation together with representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), City Human Resource and Management Office, CSWDO and other concerned agencies.

Francisco said the beneficiaries will do surveys and community service in the villages or assist in clerical jobs at City Government offices.

Francisco said that each student will be paid P280 per day or a total of P5,600 for the 20-day work period.

The Spes program is a joint project of the City Government and Dole.

The City has allocated over P9 million for the program.

Francisco said 1,270 high school students will make up the next Spes batch from May 5-31.

The Spes was started 20 years ago to help poor students earn by working during the summer or Christmas vacation.

Third party monitors rehab projects

By Bong Garcia

A THIRD party monitoring team, which aimed to conduct an independent assessment and investigation of projects and programs under the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R), commenced work on Tuesday, March 31.

The projects implemented through the Z3R are for the areas affected during the 21-day September 2013 siege that displaced thousands of families in this city.

The team, which is composed of University of the Philippines Planning and Development Research Foundation (UP Planades) consultants, will be the coordinating mechanism for all agencies undertaking Z3R activities and the local government unit.

Z3R activities include temporary and permanent settlement as well as auxiliary projects as defined in the post-conflict needs assessment (PCNA) study such as schools, places of worship, roads, drainage, and others.

The monitoring team headed by Architect Ten Bellosillo will be establishing a project monitoring office in this city and will be lodged in City Hall with Engineer Joel Mamuya manning the office on full time basis.

Bellosillo said the team will cover all aspects of the Z3R plan and will provide regular monthly progress reports on the implementation of the projects to the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC), the head offices of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and National Housing Authority (NHA) with the intention of identifying bottlenecks and recommending possible actions to address such challenges particularly in the light of the tight schedule that the concerned agencies are observing.

“What will be done is that we will be providing technical assistance to the LGU in terms of apprising everybody of the progress of everybody’s tasks in terms of all of the component projects and also be coming up recommended solutions,” Bellosillo said.

Engineer Rodrigo Sicat, City Planning and Development Coordinator, said the creation of the third party monitoring team was raised some three months ago when issues about the use of sub-standard materials and other concerns in the construction of permanent houses and other projects cropped up.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has recommended to the DPWH and NHA to put in place a third party monitoring team to monitor and assess the implementation of all Z3R projects.

Zambo City under state of calamity

(Philippines News Agency)

Zamboanga City– The City Council has approved the declaration of this city under a state of calamity and authorizing the release of funds for mitigating measures.

City Hall information officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said Thursday that the City Council discussed in a special session the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) to declare this city under state of calamity.

The CDRRMC, chaired by Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, made the recommendation in view of the escalating damage to agriculture and fishery products brought about by the continuing dry spell.

Covarrubias said the declaration will hasten the conduct of cloud seeding operations, the foremost mitigating measure strongly endorsed by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) team that assessed last week the situation in this city.

Covarrubias said the cloud seeding, based on the initial proposal, will require a funding of P3 million as counterpart from DA, P700,000 as counterpart from the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) and P300,000 of the local government.

City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat reported that crop and fishery damage as of March 30 due to the dry spell and bush fires have reached at P132.54 million with over 8,924 hectares of farmlands affected.

Palacat said the affected farmlands are planted to rice, corn, assorted vegetables, banana, rubber, cassava and coconut affected.

Of the total 25 irrigation dams in this city, Palacat also reported that nine have dried up, six are in critical condition while 10 are below the normal water level.

Engr. Arnulfo Alfonso, ZCWD technical services department head, reported the water level at the ZCWD’s diversion dam has reached the critical level of 73.9 meters as of March 30.

The normal water elevation at the diversion dam is 74.20 meters.

The resolution was immediately forwarded to Salazar’s office for appropriate action.

Copies of the same resolution were furnished to the office of Palacat, CDRRMC, City Treasurer, City Auditor, City Accountant and City Budget Officer.

Medical teams deployed for Holy Week

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga City Health Office is deploying medical teams at the Mayor Cesar Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong in time for the Holy Week observance.

The deployment will be done as thousands of Catholic faithful are set to converge from Holy Thursday until Good Friday at Mount Abong-Abong in the village of Pasonanca for the Way of the Cross.

The Station of the Cross is located on the western side of Mount Abong-Abong leading to the foot of Pulong Bato, the highest peak in Zamboanga City.

Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, city health officer, said the medical teams will be headed by seven physicians to attend to emergencies that may arise while the Catholic faithful are on pilgrimage.

Agbulos added that this year, they will not use the mobile van as had been practiced in the recent years.

"We have set up medical tents at the helmet (unknown soldiers' rotunda) area with doctors, nurses and emergency rescue [workers] on duty," Agbulos said.

He said his office has coordinated with other agencies such as Philippine Red Cross, Department of Health, hospitals and the police for a coordinative effort.

He urged the public to bring with them bottles of water to keep themselves hydrated while doing the way of the cross in Mount Abong-Abong. He also advised the public to bring with them protective gears such as hats and umbrellas.

The local authorities expect the number of people to converge at the Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong would reach over 20,000.

ZCWD marks anniversary with blood-letting

By Allen Abastillas

Employees of the Zamboanga City Water District donated 25,200 cc of blood to the Philippine National Red Cross in connection with the water firm’s 41st anniversary on Tuesday, March 31.

The blood letting activity was officiated by men and women of the PNRC Zamboanga City Chapter.

Joan A. Luna, CSR -Blood Services of PRC Zamboanga City, said the activity started at 7:30 a.m.at the Board of Directors Conference Hall at the ZCWD office along Pilar Street. The 25,200 cc is equivalent to 56 blood bags. PRC Zamboanga City Chapter expressed gratiude to the ZCWD personnel for the blood letting and donation made stressing that itswill help save people’s lives.

ZCWD Manager Chito Vasquez said there will be a thanksgiving mass at the Water Plant today, April 1. Former mayor Efren F. Arañez ZCWD chairman of the Board will welcome Mayor Beng Climaco, District 1 Rep. Celso Lobregat and Dist. 2 Rep. Lilia M. Nuño

ZCWD will give recognition and awards to Zamboanga City Police Director Sr. Supt. Angelito A. Casimiro and Col. Ronald V. Juan, commanding officer of the Marine Bataalion Landing Team-1.

Several employees will be awarded for serving the water agency from 10 to 40 years. The category of Loyalty Service awards is from 10 years, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years.

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