Zamboanga City News December 2017

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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.

Zamboanga City gov’t to set-up business one-stop shop

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Zamboanga City Government is laying out the groundwork for the implementation of the Business One Stop Shop (Boss) to ease the processing and renewal of business permits.

The Boss will be housed at the Centro Latino in Paseo del Mar from January 3 to 20.

Its operating hours is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the Boss will house the 10 agencies and offices of government involved in the processing and renewal of business permits.

These are the following: City Treasurer’s Office, City Planning and Development Coordinator’s Office, City Engineer’s Office, City Health Office, City Veterinarian Office, City Administrator’s Office, Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Agriculturist Office, City Tourism office, Bureau of Fire Protection to include the City Licensing and Permits Division.

They will process the business permits utilizing three steps: application, payment and release.

The Boss is based on the business permit and licensing system (BPLS) reforms standards to streamline business registration and renewal process based on certain criterions.

The system commenced last January 2017 and is through a technical support from the United States Agency for International Development-Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity project.

The implementation of Boss resulted to the increase in revenues and issuance of new business permits.

Zamboanga posts increase in tax collection

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Preparations are underway for the establishment of the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) to institutionalize a hassle-free registration of new business permits and renewal of licenses for 2018.

City Permits and Licensing Division Chief Benjie Barredo on Wednesday said the city government generated an earnings of PhP154 million for January 2017 alone.

Of the total earnings, Barredo said that PhP130 million came from business taxes and PhP24 million from other business related fees and surcharges.

Barredo said the total 2017 collection is higher by 13.24 percent or PhP18 million increase compared to PhP136 million in 2016.

He said this came about as the establishment of BOSS resulted in 416 percent increase in the issuance of new business permits totaling 477 in 2017 compared to only 34 in 2016.

He added that the renewal of business permits had registered 9,955 in 2017 compared to only 2,474 in 2016. The city government launched the BOSS in January 2017.

He said the BOSS will be established at the Centro Latino Hall of the Paseo del Mar, where all offices and agencies concerned with the issuance of business permits will have their designated areas to accommodate business registrants.

The renewal and registration of new business permits will start on January 3, the first working day for the year 2018.

The process will last until January 20, beyond which a surcharge will be imposed on late registrants.

First Pinay councilor in NZ wants more recognition for migrants

By RIE TAKUMI (KBK. GMA News)

The first Filipina to be elected councilor in New Zealand has promised to push for policies geared toward cultural integration of migrants, including Filipinos.

"I would like more recognition for migrants and more migrants to actively be involved in the community," said Thelma Bell of Ashburton Ward on GMA News TV's "Investigative Documentaries" that aired on Thursday.

"It doesn't have to be Filipinos. It would be lovely to have another Filipino to come and join, but any migrants: Come and participate."

Bell had been a resident of Ashburton Ward for 23 years before she was elected councilor in 2016 on a platform of representing the migrant community and cultural diversity. Her advocacy is rooted in her own experiences of being a migrant.

Then a fresh graduate of BS Nutrition and Dietetics at the Western State University in Zamboanga City, Bell moved to New Zealand in 1987 and got married to her husband, Brian, in 1989.

As she adjusted to her new life, she decided to move on from being a stay-at-home mother to her two children to teach early childhood education or kindergarten at various schools.

She then decided to run for councilor as she believes Filipinos and migrants in general should be more visible in the community and inject new life into the local government.

Her children, Natasha and Liam, remain supportive of her career as is her husband, who Bell credited for his encouragement and support despite her position putting her on-call at all times.

"Brian has got the personality that gives you freedom to let you decide, to choose, which is really appreciated. I've done so many things because he would just [say], 'You can do it, it doesn't matter to me'," Bell said.

Bell is one of 12 Ashburton councilors under Mayor Donna Favel, who was impressed with the Filipina's standing in the local Filipino community.

"I was talking to a Filipino person yesterday who said that everyone was so proud of Ate Thelma and the way that she is representing the Filipino community at council," Favel said.

Residents urged to report erring trike drivers

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Office of the City Administrator has urged residents anew to report erring tricycle drivers so that appropriate actions can be undertaken.

Assistant City Administrator Cesar Raz said the residents must bring their complaints to the local government, in particular to the Tricycle Adjudication Board (TAB), so that cases can be filed against erring drivers.

Raz has assured the public that measures will be undertaken to resolve all complaints brought to the attention of the TAB.

Earlier this year, the local government, through Ordinance 458, increased the administrative fines for erring drivers and operators.

Violations of the tricycle ordinance can result to administrative fines to P5,000 including cancellation or revocation of the franchise for drivers.

Offenses include refusal to convey passenger or freight to proper destination, and overcharging the authorized schedule of fare and freight, which follows a prescribed fare matrix.

New DOST regional director named

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has appointed a new regional director to head its office in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Martin Wee, who has served for almost 11 months as officer-in-charge of the regional office, was appointed as DOST regional director.

Wee was named earlier this year as the undersecretary for regional operations served as the agency's regional. He served as officer-in-charge after former Regional Director Brenda Nazareth-Manzano.

DOST Regional Information Officer Thelma Diego said Wee's appointment was penned by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 11.

Diego said Wee took his oath of office last December 12 before DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena.

Wee, who had been with the DOST for the past 26 years, has served as the assistant regional director for finance, administrative services, and technical services prior to his appointment as regional director.

He graduated as Magna Cum Laude in 1985 with the course of Bachelor of Science in Fisheries at the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology.

He finished a master course in Bioprocess Technology at Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand in 2001.

DOT-9 welcomes devt of 11 islands

By Allen Abastillas

The Department of Tourism Regional Office-9 (DOT-9) is supporting a proposal for the development of the 11 island group in Zamboanga City.

The development of the Eleven Islands is the subject of a resolution approved by the City Council of Zamboanga.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Kim Elago, also proposed the development of farms as possible tourist destinations.

DOT-9 Regional Director Butch Blanco said that a lot of areas in the country are already developing and promoting eco-tourism and eco-farm tourism in line with environmental preservation and protection.

The projects will be under the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA.)

The resolution has been forwarded to the DOT head office.

ZCMFC conducts coastal clean-up

By Ely Dumaboc

The Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company (ZCMFC) conducted yesterday a coastal clean up drive at Siromon Island, an activity aimed towards keeping the coastal area clean for beach goers.

ZCMFC Commander Supt Alvin Planas Saguban said that a whole coastal clean up drive activity was conducted by his office in close coordination with the Western Mindanao Power Corporation (WMPC.)

Saguban said tons of garbage composed mostly of plastic classified as non bio- degradable and bio- degradable were collected during the whole day activity.

He also lauded the local residents in the area for assisting them in the collection of garbage, an act which signals healthy police and community relations.

Saguban said more activities for the good of the community will be conducted by the police.

2-day ‘Noche Buena Diskwento Caravan’ set in Zambo

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is conducting a two-day “Noche Buena Diskwento Caravan” in two areas to bring closer to the people discounted products for Christmas celebration.

The caravan, which kicked off Wednesday and ends Thursday, is being conducted in Barangays Ayala and Sangali located 16.5 kilometers west and 25.34 kilometers east of city hall, respectively.

DTI Provincial Director Ceferino Rubio on Wednesday said the caravan is being held at the barangay halls of Ayala and Sangali from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Rubio said the participating stores and distributors give at least 10 percent discount on all products they sell.

He said the products included ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, keso de bola, pasta, macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, creamer, among others.

“Shoppers from Sangali and Ayala as well as the neighboring barangays need not trek to the city center when shopping for their noche buena essentials. We will be the ones bringing discounted noche products to our intended beneficiaries, the low income earners,” he said.

“We are therefore inviting the residents of Sangali and Ayala to take advantage of this opportunity to avail of discounted goods,” he added.

Rubio said the conduct of Noche Buena Diskwento Caravan is DTI’s way of bringing discounted products easy and more accessible to low income earners in far-flung barangays in time for the celebration of Christmas.

The Diskwento Caravan is one of the mechanisms of the government to augment income and provide relief to workers through non-wage benefits.

It is a public service conducted by DTI in partnership with big retailers and distributors.

Zamboanga police receive 3 patrol cars

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE City Government has turned over three brand new vehicles worth P4.17 million to the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) as part of its commitment to support the security sector.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar led the turnover of the vehicles that was held on Monday, December 18, and was received by ZCPO Director Vincent Neri Ignacio.

The vehicles--Ford Ranger--will be for the use of the Police Stations 1 (Vitali), 2 (Curuan) and 3 (Sangali).

The vehicles come with an initial 50 liters of gasoline for use of the three police stations in their patrols and monitoring purposes.

Salazar said the local government remains committed to support the security sector for the safety and protection of the residents of this city.

The turnover of the vehicles was witnessed by Senior Inspectors Jiverson Pelovello, Crisanto Yabo and Chester Natividad, the chiefs of Police Stations 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

The City Government has allocated over P800 million as support to the security sector since 2013.

The support comes in the form of transportation and communication facilities, office equipment, rifles, infrastructures and others.

Annual OFW Family Day slated on December 22

By Alma L. Tingcang (ALT-PIA9/Zamboanga Sibugay/OWWA-9 Press Release)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 18 (PIA) -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office - IX (OWWA RWO-9) invites all OFWs and their families in Zamboanga Peninsula to participate in the celebration of this year’s OFW Family Day which will be held on December 22 at the Grand Madrid Ballroom, Palacio del Sur, this city.

OWWA-9 Regional Director Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain said this event is held annually in the 17 regional offices of OWWA all over the country, as well as in its 38 overseas posts as a simple tribute for the contribution of the OFWs to the Philippine economy and to their families from a grateful nation.

It is a grand undertaking to enjoin all OFW Family Circles/Organizations to celebrate the occasion in partnership with the agency’s identified stakeholders and sponsors.

Expected to grace the occasion as the keynote speaker is the former OWWA Administrator and DOLE Secretary Marianito “Nitoy” Roque along with the Zamboanga City 1st District Representative Congressman Manuel “Mannix” Dalipe as the inspirational speaker to the guest OFWs.

To highlight the activity, OWWA RWO-IX has prepared a handful of surprises for the modern day heroes of Region 9 to include parlor games, bonus pamasko raffle draw, among others.

Western Mindanao State University’s well-known dance troupe, Jambangan will also offer dance numbers to entertain the participants along with other performers.

OWWA-9 is expecting 1,500 OFWs and their families to participate during the celebration which will run from 12:00 noon to 6:00 P.M.

ADB approves $380-M loan for Zamboanga road rehab

(KANV)

THE Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors has approved a $380-million loan to fund the rehabilitation of roads in the Zamboanga Peninsula in a bid to help bolster economic growth in Mindanao.

The Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project, ADB’s biggest infrastructure investment in the region, aims to widen and realign 280 kilometers (km) of national roads and bridges in the Zamboanga Peninsula region. The infrastructure will also be equipped with slope protection, elevated pavements and better drainage.

The project, which consists of rehabilitating three core roads and six non-core roads, is estimated to cost at $503 million, with the government to shoulder $123 million in addition to ADB’s financing.

“Improving roads in Mindanao will support the development of economic opportunities in areas such as agribusiness, ecotourism and logistics,” Jeffrey Miller, ADB principal support specialist in its Southeast Asia department, was quoted as saying in a statement.

Meanwhile, Richard Bolt, ADB Country Director for the Philippines, said this project will enhance roads in the region that need “upgrading and improvement.”

“The southern and southwestern side of the Zamboanga Peninsula, in particular, these areas are underserved with better roads. That’s very much what this project is about-to improve the efficiency and safety of selected sections of the road transport network in the area,” Mr. Bolt said in a press conference on Friday.

Mindanao’s road network is less developed than the national average, with only 70% of its roads paved versus 82% in Luzon and 89% in Visayas.

Mr. Miller noted that ADB is looking at finishing the first three core roads: Lutiman-Guicam-Olutanga Road, Alicia-Malangas Road and Tampilisan-Sandayong Road, by the end of 2020.

The other roads, meanwhile, is expected to be completed in 2023, noting that pre-construction studies for these are not complete yet.

“There will be construction starting by the end of the year or early next year, and then [we’re expecting the] roads [to be completed] until the end of 2023,” Mr. Miller said.

Aside from the road rehabilitation, the ADB assistance will help finance the engineering design and improvement of 300 km of national roads in Mindanao, which will be constructed through other projects.

The assistance will also strengthen the institutional capacity of the Department of Public Works and Highways in multi-year planning, fiscal accountability, and human resource management.

Zamboanga City workers receive P25-K CNA incentive

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Each of the 2,000 city government employees will receive PhP25,000 Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentive this year.

City Budget Officer Ferdinando Alvarez on Wednesday said local government employees — regulars, casuals and contractuals including department heads and elected city government officials are entitled to receive the CNA.

Alvarez said they must be in the city government service for a period of four months and still in the service as of October 31, this year, to qualify for the CNA incentive.

He said this year’s CNA incentive totaled to PhP50 million. The source of funds for the CNA incentive is from the savings of the city government expenses, such as traveling, communication, repairs and maintenance, transportation and delivery expenses, supplies and materials, and utility.

The CNA will be released through the different department offices of the city government and not earlier than Friday, December 15.

This is the fourth year that the employees of the city government will receive the CNA incentive.

Soil testing ongoing for construction of flyovers

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is conducting again a soil exploration drilling in preparation for the construction of a flyover along the west coast highway in Zamboanga.

The flyover will be located along the junction of San Roque-Gabilan and Zamboanga City-Labuan highway. It is intended for west-bound vehicles.

The flyover is one of two gigantic projects proposed by first district Representative Celso Lobregat.

The other one, which has completed soil exploration, will be built at the intersection of Veterans and Governor Camins Avenue that would cater to east-bound vehicles.

Lobregat, who chairs the House committee on public works and highway, said the soil exploration is part of the process for the implementation of the two projects.

The construction of the flyovers was aimed to help decongest traffic both in Zamboanga City's east and west coasts.

"The contractor has to establish the soil quality in the said location where the second flyover will be constructed, in order also to determine the type of foundation they will lay down for the said project," Lobregat said.

He said the construction of the two projects, which cost P600 million, will be funded by the National Government through the DPWH. It is in line with the "Build, Build, Build" program of President Rodrigo Duterte.

P38.6-M projects inaugurated in Zamboanga

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

A TOTAL of P38.6 million worth of infrastructure projects were recently inaugurated in the first congressional district of Zamboanga City.

The implementation of the projects was initiated by first district Representative Celso Lobregat, who chairs the House Committee on Public Works and Highways.

These included flood control project in the village of Ayala, P18.6 million; road concreting in Campo Uno, Labuan, P3.8 million; and, three-storey 12-classroom school building at Labuan Central School, P16.2 million.

The first two project were funded through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the third through the Department of Education (DepEd).

Ayala Village Chief Alex Macapili said the flood control project is essential in the community considering they are always being affected once Zamboanga City experience inclement weather condition.

Labuan Village Chief Ronald Maravilla said the road concreting and school building projects are among the many projects initiated by Lobregat in the village.

He said that the road concreting project will hasten the travel of the residents in the area since in Campo Uno is a winding road.

Lobregat have pledged to source out more funds to implement development projects in his district.

DTI opens 4th Negosyo Center in Zamboanga City

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday opened another Negosyo Center in this city to further address the needs of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The Negosyo Center, which is the fourth, is situated in Barangay Curuan, located 50 kilometers east of this city.

The other three are located at the DTI provincial office on Veterans Avenue; Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College; and, Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone in the west coast.

DTI officials, led by DTI-IX Director Sitti Amina M. Jain and DTI-ZCO Provincial Director Ceferino J. Rubio, as well as barangay officials of Curuan attended the launch on Wednesday, December 13.

The event was also attended by other concerned stakeholders.

“Considering the immense size of Zamboanga City and the distance to and from the city center, transportation is one of the major concerns of our MSMEs in far-flung barangays. With the establishment of a Negosyo Center in Barangay Curuan, government services will now be brought closer to MSMEs in the area in order to promote their growth and development,” Rubio said.

The creation of the Negosyo Centers is pursuant to Republic Act No. 10644 otherwise known as the “Go Negosyo Act” that stipulates for the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all provinces, cities and municipalities.

The basic policy of R.A. 10644 is 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 functions of the center are business registration assistance; business advisory services; business information and advocacy; monitoring and evaluation; and, other functions that may be assigned by the MSMED Council as germane to RA 10644 and other related laws.

“As a one-stop-shop for existing and potential MSMEs, the Curuan Negosyo Center will facilitate and expedite the business application process of MSMEs in the east coast in coordination with the local governments and other concerned agencies and will provide assistance in the availment of technology transfer, production, and management training programs and marketing assistance of the DTI and other government agencies,” Rubio added.

Storm surge victims benefit from DOLE program

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A total of 336 victims of storm surge have been employed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the agency’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage (TUPAD) workers in nine west coast barangays in this city.

The employment of the storm surge victims was facilitated by first district Rep. Celso Lobregat.

Of the total, 242 are from Barangay Labuan; 43, Limpapa; 16, 13, Sinunuc; Patalon; five, Ayala; five, Recodo; three, La Paz; and, two, Talisayan.

Lobregat on Monday said the TUPAD beneficiaries will work for 15 days in their respective barangays and will receive PhP296 daily salary. Each will receive a total of PhP4,440.

“This is the way the national government through the DOLE is helping the victims of the storm surge,” he said.

The beneficiaries have undergone an orientation last Friday for them to know their obligations as TUPAD beneficiaries.

Hundreds of residents were displaced when a storm surge hit the west coast of this city in October, this year.

The hardest hit was Barangay Labuan.

Firecracker ban in Zamboanga City stays

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE local government has reminded the residents that the prohibition on the use of pyrotechnic and firecrackers this yuletide season stays.

Assistant City Administrator Cesar Raz said the city will remain fireworks-free pursuant to Ordinance 431, otherwise known as the Firecracker Ban Ordinance of 2014.

The Ordinance 431, enacted September 2014, bans the use, sale, possession, distribution, manufacture, and storage of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices within the territorial jurisdiction of Zamboanga City to eliminate unnecessary injuries, loss of lives, and damage to properties.

Raz said the ban will be enforced at all times, regardless of the occasion.

He said that transshipment of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices destined to other nearby areas are allowed with conditions and criteria.

1st Fast Frigate holds 2-day open house

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Philippine Navy’s Fast Frigate, BRP-Gregorio Del Pilar (FF15), is holding a two-day “open house” activity at the port of Zamboanga City.

The BRP-Gregorio Del Pilar docked at the local port on Sunday, December 10, for the two-day event. The open house ends Monday, December 11.

Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander, said the open house activity is to showcase its capability as a Fast Frigate as well as to give opportunity to the residents of Zamboanga City for a guided tour aboard ship.

Medina said the ship is open for public visitation from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The conduct of the Open House will be facilitated by the Naval Reserve Center-Western Mindanao (NRCen-WM), Civil Military Operations Unit- Western Mindanao (CMOU-WM) and in coordination with all the units of Naval Forces Western Mindanao and the Municipality of Zamboanga City.

BRP-Gregorio Del Pilar is under the command of Captain Ireneo D Battung. The vessel is manned by an 80-man crew.

Medina said the arrival of BRP-Gregorio Del Pilar is aimed to promote peace, develop friendly relations and bring the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) closer to the hearts of the Zamboanguenos and of the Filipino people in general.

The BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF15) is the first Del Pilar Class ship of the Philippine Navy which was commissioned last December 14, 2011.

It was also the second ship named after the revolutionary general, Gregorio Del Pilar, during the Battle of Tirad Pass.

The ship along with one of the PN’s Landing Docks, BRP Tarlac (LD601) recently participated in the ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercises 2017 (AMNEX) held Sattahip and Pattaya Bay in Thailand from November 13 to 22, 2017.

The AMNEX is a maritime security collaboration of navies in Southeast Asia Region which is in conjunction with the commemoration of the 50th Asean founding anniversary.

2017 Zamboanga Peninsula athletic meet kicks off Sunday

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- All is set for the holding of this year’s Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) meet. The ZPRAA meet will be held from December 10 to 17 in Pagadian City.

There will be 40 sports events for men and women in the secondary level while 37 in the elementary level.

Councilor Elbert Atilano, chair of the City Council’s committee on sports, said Zamboanga City is sending 864-man delegation consisting of athletes, coaches and officials.

Atilano said the Zamboanga delegation has high hopes to earn medals in Taekwondo, Pengkat Silat, Swimming, Athletics and in some team sports.

“We focus on individual events with the hope to regaining the championship crown,” he added.

Zamboanga City landed 3rd place in elementary and second in the secondary level in the 2016 ZPRAA meet.

“We hope to improve that standing this year since we studied where we failed to excel last year,” Atilano said.

Recodo village gets P2.24-M wellness center

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Tuesday morning spearheaded the turnover of the P2.24 million newly-constructed wellness Center in the village of Recodo.

Salazar said the construction of the health center is in line with her priority thrust on Security, Health and Education (SHE).

The center, which has an area of 91.02 square meters, was constructed by a private contractor under the supervision of the City Engineer’s Office.

Salazar assured the residents of Recodo that the local government will continue to prioritize health programs to ensure a healthy population that will consequently ensure development and progress in Zamboanga City.

She also called on residents of Recodo and the nearby areas to avail themselves of the services of the center, stating that her administration is exhausting all means to make all government services accessible to people in the villages.

The turnover ceremony of the center highlighted the Dia del Alcalde (Mayor’s Day) program, which provides people the opportunity to avail themselves of a wide array of services for free.

Zamboanga City wins Karate tourney championship

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga City Karatedo team has emerged as the overall champion in the 13th Philippine Karatedo Traditional and Sports (PKTS) Championship.

The tournament was held on Saturday, December 2, at the Sta. Lucia Mall, Cainta, Rizal province.

Hannah Mae Miguel Angeles of the Zamboanga City team harvested three gold medals, the highest number among the city's athletes.

The Zamboanga team reaped a total of 12 gold, five silver and eight bronze medals.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has congratulated the team for winning the championship in the 13th PKTS.

Salazar also thanked the athletes, coaches, the parents and all concerned for their efforts and for bringing honor and fame to Zamboanga City.

Duty-free shop to rise in Zamboecozone

By Bong Garcia

THE Duty Free Philippines is set to be established an outlet on the first quarter of 2018 in Zamboanga City.

Christopher Lawrence Arnuco, Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone (Zamboecozone) chairperson and administrator, made the announcement citing the Duty Free Shoppe will be located at the Zamboecozone complex at Sitio San Ramon in the village of Talisayan.

Arnuco said that he and Duty Free Philippines chief operating officer Vicente Pelagio Angala on Wednesday, November 29, signed a lease agreement for the establishment of the store.

Arnuco said the Duty Free Philippines is “is very positive of the Zamboanga’s prospect for trade and investments.”

He said the people who wish to buy duty-free products need not go anymore to either Clark and Subic or Fiesta Mall once the Zamboecozone Duty Free Shoppe is open.

He added the public will spend less since the Duty Free Shoppe will already be in the city.

The items being sold in Duty-Free stores are tax-free, imported, and cannot be found in any of the shopping malls.

Diaz bags 2 medals in international weightlifting

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Zamboangueña Olympian Hidilyn Diaz on Friday (11:30 a.m. Philippine time) has bagged two medals in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championship In Anaheim, California.

The IWF in Anaheim started on Monday, November 27, and will end on Tuesday, December 5.

Elbert Atilano, Philippine Weightlifting Association vice president, on Friday said Diaz bagged a silver medal in the women’s 53-kilogram (kg) category in clean and jerk lifting 113-kg. The first and third placers are from Thailand and Turkmenia, respectively.

Overall, Diaz lifted a total of 119-kg earning her a bronze medal. Thailand and Turkmenia landed the first and second placers, respectively.

Atilano congratulated Diaz as she continue to bring honor to the country, in general, and this city, in particular.

“Always pray for guidance and keep your feet on the ground,” Atilano added.

He said Diaz’ participation in the IWF is a tune-up game in preparation for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Diaz gained international recognition as she bagged the silver medal in the women’s 53-kg category in the 2016 Rio de Janiero Olympics.

Duty free shop to rise in Zamboanga City

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone (Zamboecozone) and the Duty Free Philippines have entered into a lease agreement for the establishment of a Duty Free Shoppe in this city.

Zamboecozone Chair and Administrator Christopher Lawrence Arnuco on Thursday said the Duty Free Shoppe will be opened in the first quarter of 2018 at the Zamboecozone complex at Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan.

Arnuco said the lease agreement for the establishment of the Duty Free Shoppe at Zamboecozone was signed by him and Duty Free Philippines Chief Operating Officer Vicente Pelagio Angala on Wednesday in Manila.

Arnuco said the Duty Free Philippines is “is very positive of the Zamboanga’s prospect for trade and investments.”

He said the people who wish to buy duty free products need not go anymore to either Clark and Subic or Fiesta Mall once the Zamboecozone Duty Free Shoppe is open.

He added the public will spend less since the Duty Free Shoppe will already be in this city.

The items being sold at Duty Free Shoppe are tax-free and imported which cannot be found in any of the shopping malls.

Zamboanga City receives good governance award

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has conferred the city government the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) or the Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaang Lokal.

So far, Zamboanga City is the only city and local government unit (LGU) in the Zamboanga Peninsula that received the seal, which is a DILG performance-based assessment for LGUs nationwide.

The criteria is focused on four core areas — financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, peace and order as well as business friendliness and competitiveness, environmental protection and tourism, culture and arts.

A total of 448 provinces, cities and municipalities were recipients of the SGLG. The awarding was held November 27 to 29.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar received the award on Wednesday, November 29 in Manila.

DILG Regional Director Paisal Abutazil and Executive Assistant Antonio Orendain Jr., head of the LGU SGLG technical working group, accompanied Salazar in receiving the award.

The city government also received the SGLG in 2016 with a Performance Challenge Fund of PhP3.4 million, which was used for certain projects based on the criteria set by the DILG.

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