Zamboanga City News February 2014

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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.

Zambo is hotspot for birding, says int’l bird expert

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Birders, or bird-watchers from all over the world are interested to visit Zamboanga because of the presence of a great variety of species here, said an international birding expert during a bird-watching trip at the Zamboanga City State College of Marine Science and Technology (ZCSCMST) fishpond in Rio Hondo.

Mark Wallbank, a birder from the United Kingdom said that there are approximately 185 different species that are either migrants or residents, and this is a good reason why many birders want to personally visit the area.

Wallbank is one of about a hundred local and international birders who are in the city from February 27 to March 1 for the 9th Philippine Bird Festival made possible by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).

“One reason why the birds migrate here is because the environment is so wonderful,” explained Wallbank to high school students who participated in the bird-watching trip.

“The birds like Zamboanga so much,” quipped Wallbank.

One specie known as the great and little egrets, which are considerably large white birds have nested in good numbers in the area.

“These birds are originally from China and have come here to mate, mainly because they like the weather and environment. The eggs will eventually hatch here,” Wallbank said.

In one hour, the bird enthusiasts were delighted to spot and identify 20 different species.

The Philippines has about 670 different species of birds. Zamboanga’s species make up about 28% of the total.

Activities for the bird festival included a parade on February 27 leading to Paseo del Mar, and various bird-watching trips at the Intake Watershed, Bog Lake and Mount Baluno until March 1.

Spanish Embassy official calls on Zamboangueños for continuous cooperation with Spain

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/PR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 27 (PNA) -– Speaking before the crowd during the commemorative program for the 77th Dia de Zamboanga (Zamboanga Day) on Wednesday afternoon, Spanish Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Ignacio Perez Cambra called for continued mutual cooperation between Zamboanga and Spain.

“We nurture high hopes of implementing new projects which will deepen the knowledge of Spain and its culture as means to encourage Zamboangueños to do the same and preserve their unique heritage,” he said.

“To this aim, you will always have a partner in us,” Cambra guaranteed.

He said through “culture and our contribution to the effort rebuild this beautiful city after the recent calamities, we aim to be partners in bringing about prosperity for all Zamboangueños, irrespective of their faith and ethnicity and true to the spirit of harmonious coexistence that has prevailed for hundreds of years and continues to do so.”

“As soon as we delve a little into the history of the Philippines and especially the period we shared we feel attracted to this beacon of Latin culture and way of life in Asia which was for over three hundred years the farthermost outpost of the Spanish crown,” Cambra said.

"Thus it is no wonder that sooner rather than later we find the chance and feel the spell ourselves. A spell made up of a rich history and culture, a distinct personality with regard to the rest of the Philippines, a deep pride of its faiths and beliefs and an iron will to get back on its feet whenever a tragedy befalls it, such as the bloody terrorist attack it suffered last September, he said.

Cambra likewise expressed admiration to the Chabacano language, citing how renowned American linguist John Lipski described the language as “not an illegitimate offspring of Spanish but the result of cross fertilization of two rich cultural traditions.”

“Over 115 years after the end of the Spanish presence in the Philippines, your language has evolved on its own to the extent of becoming a full-pledged one, capable of transmitting knowledge as any of the most widely spoken languages could do with the same precision and wit.”

He said one proof of the future of the Chabacano language can be found in one of the most important global platforms for the transmission of knowledge-- the Wikipedia--which has many articles on the subject.

Cambra represented Spanish Ambassador Pedro Domecq, who was indisposed.

Zambo City to host 9th Philippine Bird Fest

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez (FPG/DIS/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Close to a hundred participants coming from the different regions of the country and other countries are starting to arrive in the city today to attend the 9th Philippine Bird Festival, an annual undertaking and the country’s largest celebration of avifaunal diversity and ecotourism promotion.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Chief Information Officer Roservirico Tan said “birders, bird watchers, conservationists and tourism promoters from all over the country and abroad are expected to flock to the Paseo del Mar to attend the event,” which will run from Feb. 28 to March 1.

Tan disclosed that international organizations such as the Malaysian Nature Society, Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network, Wild Bird Society of Taipei, Tourism Malaysia and Swarovski Optik will be participating in the festival, alongside local organizations and institutions including the Katala Foundation (Palawan), Birdwatch Palawan, Penagmannaki (Negros Oriental), Haribon Foundation, Earth Island Institute, the Philippine Native Plant Society Conservation Society and Save Freedom Island Movement

Tan said tons of activities are lined up during the said bird fest. He encouraged the public to come and view the bird fest which will be held at the Paseo Del Mar. “It is open to the public, free of charge. It will feature bird watching trips, an exhibit on the natural history and bird photos by the city’s leading and amateur nature photographers, films and lectures, and fora on eco-tourism and birdlife management.”

“An activity center featuring bird-themed folklore, crafts and games will be on top for the young and the young at heart, “ Tan added

This year’s bird fest activity is anchored on the theme Pajaros: Bula sin Miedo, sin Lingasa”— Zamboanga’s Spanish-based Chavacano for “Birds: Fly without Fear, without Worries.”

The activity aims to promote the bird watching hobby as a nature tourism activity and drum up support for conservation and restoration of coastal wetlands and the Pasonanca Natural Park, right in the heart of Zamboanga City.

The bird festival is also part of this year’s Feb. 26 Dia de Zamboanga celebration, jointly-hosted by the City of Zamboanga, the Department of Tourism IX and the DENR IX.

RCWC to strengthen promotion, protection of children’s rights in Zambo peninsula

By Dominic Ilagan Sanchez (FPG/DIS/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- The Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) composed of different government and non-government agencies has completed the drafting of their work and financial plans covering a period of three years starting 2014-2016 in a strategic planning workshop held on Feb. 18-20 in a local hotel here.

CWC consultant Maria Virginia Liquigan emphasized that “there are still several areas where the local council needs to improve on.”

“We have identified four areas that we need to strengthen,” Ms. Liquigan said, referring to 1) advocacy on policies and programs for children to LGUs, partners, media and stakeholders, 2) planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs, 3) provision of technical assistance, and 4) reporting.

The RCWC member-agencies were divided into four such groups according to their agency function to come up with a detailed plan to enhance and improve on the current mechanisms. In general, the plan seeks to have a public well informed on the rights of the children, as well as on the programs and services for them.

Ms. Liquigan pointed out that there has been no conduct of a “State of the Children Report” by LGUs in the region, which is preferable to be said every year by the local chief executive. She recommended the RCWC to market this idea to the LGUs, since this is seen to rouse more local accountability towards children’s programs.

In addition, the lack of a databank on children is seen as a major gap in the RCWC. Although various data are generated from the LGUs such as the number of children having access to basic facilities, education, health, and others, there is no general repository of these data, which, as Ms. Liquigan emphasized, “can be very useful for the CWC to come up with more effective programs, projects and activities.”

Moreover, there are still cases of child abuse and child labor in the region. The plans are seen to enable the LGUs to become more responsive pro-actively to address such issues in their localities.

Several municipalities and cities in the region have already been classified as Child-Friendly like Dipolog City. But, as noted in the discussions, several LGUs have still yet to receive the Presidential Award, and to strengthen the functionality of their Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPCs). Many have very modest budget for the implementation of local children’s programs. Ms. Liquigan stressed the principle that “provision of funds for children’s programs should not be seen as charity by the LGUs; it is a right due to the children.”

After the three-day planning sessions that were seen to address the aforementioned gaps, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Regional Director Consejo H. Usman, as secretariat to the RCWC, still committed the agency’s support to the plans.

“We will be supporting, both technically and financially the plans that the RCWC had drafted to ensure their successful implementation for the next three years,” said Director Usman. Like the DSWD, the member-agencies will be contributing their own technical and financial resources.

RCWC member-agencies that attended the planning workshop include the DSWD, the National Youth Commission (NYC), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Nutrition Council (NNC), Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA), and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Non-government organizations include the Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN) and Human Development and Empowerment Services (HDES). Representatives from the local governments of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga City were also present.

The CWC was created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 603, or the Child and Youth Welfare Code.

Cinematheque opens in Zamboanga

By Marinel R. Cruz (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

To provide another alternative screening venue for independently produced movies, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will open its fifth cinematheque in Zamboanga City on Wednesday.

The inauguration of the 160-seater Zamboanga Cinematheque will be witnessed by FDCP chair Briccio Santos, local government officials and foreign dignitaries.

According to Santos, it is only fitting that the fifth cinematheque is located in Zamboanga City, “which is one of the pioneering locations that actively exhibited films even before World War II.”

Earlier, the FDCP established cinematheques in Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo and Marawi.

“We hope that with this [new cinematheque], the glory of movie-going will be revived,” the FDCP chief said.

“The facility is designed to be an alternative screening location of diverse films ranging from Filipino classics to foreign works,” the council posted on www.fdcp.ph. “It will also serve as a venue for workshops and symposiums as well.”

The inauguration on Wednesday will coincide with the opening ceremony of the 2014 Zamboanga International Film Festival, which will be held until Sunday.

Pablo Berger’s “Blancanieves,” a 2012 Spanish silent film based on the fairy tale Snow White, is the opening film.

Also to be unveiled that day is a statue of the late filmmaker Manuel Conde, sculpted by artist Jonas Roces. Conde’s son, actor-director Jun Urbano, is guest of honor.

Also expected to attend are Jorge Domencq, Spain’s ambassador to the Philippines; Michel Stanilas Villar, counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs of the Embassy of France; Celso Lobregat, 1st District Zamboanga City representative; and Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, Zamboanga City mayor.


Winning scripts

Meanwhile, the FDCP chose nine winners for its 2013 Genre Film Scriptwriting Competition.

The first three winners received P200,000 each: Eduardo Lejano for his script “Habagat” (hybrid); Agustin del Mundo Sugatan Jr. for “Jeepney, Jeprox, A Pinoy Rak” (comedy); and Jose Alejandro M. Eduarte for “Wakasan” (action).

The six succeeding scripts each won P100,000: “As One” (horror) by Juvy Grado Galamiton; “Bacao” (thriller) by Edgardo Vinarao; “Frat War” (horror) by Hector M. Fernandez; “Maligamgam” (comedy) by Jerome Zamora; “Misteriyoklas: The Beki Files” (hybrid) by Mario L. Mendez Jr.; and “The Unbelievers” (action) by Reuben R. Canoy.

The nine winning scriptwriters will participate in a story-pitching session to be held at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City next month.

(Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)

City sets documentary of Zambo mayors

By Bong Garcia

YOUNG Zamboangueños will have the opportunity to take a trip down the memory lane as the Zamboanga City Tourism Office is launching on Monday its newest educational activity showcasing local history and leaders.

The activity, dubbed the Documentary of Zamboanga City Mayors, will feature a presentation on the history of Zamboanga City and the profiles of this city’s leaders who have held the post of “Alcalde” (Mayor) for the past 77 years.

The City Information Office said in a statement that the event is aimed to provide the students the knowledge about this city’s past and heritage.

A total of 690 students form 22 elementary, secondary and tertiary schools will participate in the opening of the documentary on Monday.

The documentary, which is set to be held at the Centro Latino, will be in three separate batches from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Documentary of Zamboanga City Mayors is part of the line-up of activities for the 77th Dia De Zamboanga (Zamboanga Day).

This year’s Dia de Zamboanga will banner the theme of Build Back Better.

The celebration of the Dia de Zamboanga marks the day when the first set of city officials headed by Mayor Nicasio Valderoza was installed into office.

Three-day peace journalism training reels off in Zamboanga City

(PNA), SCS/TPGJR/PJN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 22 (PNA) -- A three-day training course on Peace Journalism for selected college students opened here on Saturday, aimed at building capacities of college writers and aspiring journalists who will contribute to the building of the local print media as mechanism for peace.

The three-day course involves an intensive training for 14 young journalists, mostly editors, writers or senior mass communications students of government and private universities and colleges in this city.

It is being held under the auspices of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through Enhancing Governance Accountability and Engagement (ENGAGE) in partnership with the city government's Public Information Division.

City Hall information office chief Sheila Covarrubias said the students will undergo a 10-day practicum in some media outlets after which they will report back to the organizers for outputs and feedbacks after the three-day training.

Covarrubias said the training program includes review on straight news writing, understanding conflict; understanding peace; introduction to the theories and concepts of peace journalism; review of news features writing; discussion on peace, conflict and violence in journalism; war journalism versus peace journalism; review of feature writing; conflict resolving media; journalism ethics and visioning.

ENGAGE, a US-funded project, views the training course as one of the necessary steps to address peace building needs of this city.

There is also a need to open up avenues among the local print media and organizations on peace journalism.

The print media and media establishments in general are among the potential mechanisms for promoting peace and mechanisms.

This potential can only be maximized if these medium is infused with the principles and practice of peace journalism and good governance as part of the realm of development communications.

NYC invites youth leaders for 10th Nat’l Youth Parliament

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The National Youth Commission (NYC) here invites youth leaders to actively participate in the 10th National Youth Parliament (NYP) slated on May 15-19, 2014 in Metro Manila.

Applicants must be active youth leaders, ages 15-30 years old, and must not have been a previous NYP delegate.

Successful applicants will form part of the delegates to the 10th NYP.

During the parliament, delegates will have the opportunity to get involve in plenary debates and discussions aimed at coming up with policy recommendations.

The parliament stimulates our law-making process, as the policy recommendations made during the NYP are subsequently endorsed and lobbied to concerned government institutions.

“This is a nationwide gathering of young leaders, conducted every two years, where the delegates can scrutinize youth issues and recommend policies that will enhance our youth situation in the country,” said Evangelyn Olandag of NYC 9.

Olandag said the successful applicants will be given free food and accommodation during the duration of the parliament.

“Free food and accommodation will be accorded to them kung nasa Manila na sila (when they are in Manila), but travel expenses from point of origin to Manila and back will be shouldered by the participants,” Olandag explained.

Interested applicants are advised to submit or email their application letter/ letter of intent together with the fully accomplished 10th NYP application form to nyp10@nyc.gov.ph. Application form and guidelines may be downloaded at www.nyc.gov.ph

Video resume is strongly encouraged as this is what the Screening and Selection Committee will use in assessing the applicant‘s delivery and persuasion skills since both are essential qualities of a would-be-delegate to the NYP. It is the closest thing to a face-to-face interview which the committee opted to do away for practical reason.

Applicants may send/email their video resume to d41977vy5h7a@m.youtube.com

“For applicants who are not yet technology savvy, they may visit our office (located at 3rd Floor, Land Bank building, Veterans) and we can assist them in encoding and sending their application data, they may use our computers there,” She said.

Deadline for submission application of application is on March 21 and the notice of successful and unsuccessful applicants will be released on March 28.


Four sport events set for ‘Dia de Zamboanga’ celebration

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 20 (PNA) -– The city government is holding a four-sport event as part of the “Dia de Zamboanga” (Zamboanga Day) presentation next week.

This city is celebrating its 77th Charter Day anniversary on Wednesday, February 26, that marks the day when the first set of city officials headed by Mayor Nicasio Valderoza was installed into office.

Councilor Roel Natividad, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Youth and Sports, said the sports event include basketball, table tennis, karatedo and volleyball for men and women.

Natividad said the basketball tournament dubbed as “Battle of Champions,” will be held free of charge at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum from February 24 to 25.

Natividad said cash prizes and trophies will be given to the winners of the tournament as follows: champion, P12,000; first runner-up, P8,000; second runner up, 5,000; and, 3rd runner-up, P3,000.

He said the table tennis tournament dubbed as “Table Tennis Battle of Champions,” will be held at Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School (DPLMHS) gymnasium from February 25 to 26, while the table tennis competition is for men’s open single and mixed team events with P8,400 at stake including trophies for the two champions, two first runner-ups and two second runner-ups.

He said the “Karatedo Battle of Champions” will be held on Feb. 26 at the DPLMHS gymnasium for 10 categories with P12,400 cash prizes and trophies at stake.

The “Volleyball Battle of Champions,” has been scheduled for February 25 and 26 at the Sta. Maria Central School Covered Court with P26,000 at stake for cash prizes and trophies.

“This is the first time that different sport events will be included in the pre-Dia De Zamboanga presentation,” Natividad said.

Natividad said Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has approved the budget for the holding of the four sport events.

Top level meeting tackles Zambo rehab updates

(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/PR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 19 (PNA) -– The Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) goes a notch higher, as Cabinet officials and the local rehabilitation team led by Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar met Wednesday to fine tune preparations for the plan’s implementation.

Presided over by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson, the meeting held at the DPWH-main office in Manila sought to resolve pending issues that will pave the way for the swift implementation of the program.

Among the issues tackled were the proposed 500 permanent housing units on stilts in Barangay Taluksangay and 1,200 housing units on stilts in Barangays Mariki and Rio Hondo; the dislodging of latrines and portable toilets in evacuation centers and transitory sites; the issuance of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the P2.5 billion to National Housing Authority (NHA); the need to release funds for other components especially utilities; the need for the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to start negotiation for the acquisition of the Mindeva property and the approval of the plans and specifications for the housing units and other infrastructures in the conflict-affected area.

Among those present during the meeting were Secretary Corazon Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Sec. Enrique Ona of the Department of Health, representatives from the Presidential Legal Office and National Housing Authority Chairman Chito Cruz.

The DPWH and NHA to include the UP-PLANADES team in coordination with the local government unit are finalizing all technical plans for the rehabilitation program.

Salazar hopes that all the preparations will be finalized so that the reconstruction of the areas affected with the build back better theme can already commence.

PAGASA set to install Doppler Radar in Zambo City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 18 (PNA) -– The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is set to install in April, this year, a Doppler Radar in this southern port city.

PAGASA-Zamboanga station Chief Meteorological Officer Maribel Hasanah Enriquez said Tuesday the Doppler Radar will be installed at Camp Don Basilio Navarro that houses the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) headquarters.

Enriquez said they have entered in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Westmincom for the installation of the weather forecasting facility inside Camp Navarro.

Enriquez said PAGASA has allocated P100 million to put up the project including the building where the Doppler Radar will be housed.

She said the construction of the building by a private contractor is nearing completion. The equipment will be installed by technical personnel from PAGASA central office.

She said the PAGASA-Zamboanga station will already have the capability to track incoming cyclone and determine its intensity as well as ascertain the amount of rainfall once the Doppler Radar is put in place.

She said the radar will serve the Western Section of Mindanao since similar facilities were installed in Surigao and Cotabato.

Doppler Radars have also been installed in other parts of the country such as in Cebu, Manila and Bicol, she said.

City gears for ‘Dia de Zambo’

By Sheila Covarrubias

Zamboanga City braces for the celebration of “Dia de Zamboanga” on February 26, marking the 77th anniversary since the first set of city officials was sworn into office.

As this developed, Malacanang recently issued Proclamation 717 declaring February 26, Wednesday, a special non-working holiday in Zamboanga City to give residents the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

By the authority of President Benigno Aquino III, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. signed the proclamation February 7 based on a request sent by Mayor Beng Climaco.

A myriad of activities organized by the City Government and others initiated by the private sector have been lined up to celebrate the historical event. The activities started February 9 with the Dia de Senador Roseller T. Lim and will culminate March 1.

Highlights of the celebration are the City-sponsored events starting with the 8th Zamboanga Food Festival on Feb. 21-23 from 6pm onwards at the Plaza del Pilar; Documentary of Zamboanga City mayors on Feb. 24 from 9am to 4pm at the Centro Latino and the Cheer Dance Competition on Feb. 24 at 1pm at the City Coliseum in Tetuan.

There will also be other sports competitions such as the Champion of champions Basketball Tournament will also happen on Feb. 24-26 from 5-8pm at the City Coliseum, Volleyball Tournament from Feb. 25-26 from 8am-5pm at the Sta. Maria Elementary School grounds, Table Tennis from Feb. 25-26 from 8am-5pm and the Karate-Do on Feb. 26 from 8am-5pm both at the Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School. All these sports activities are organized by Councilor Roel Natividad.

On Feb. 25 at 2pm at the Paseo del Mar will be the Drum and Lyre Competition (High School Level) while at 7pm the same day will be the 12th Local Achievers’ Awards at the Centro Latino also in Paseo del Mar.

On February 26 the activities will kick off with the inauguration of the Cinematheque-Zamboanga and the unveiling of the Manuel Conde statue at Legionaire Road followed by the opening of the 2nd International Film Festival at 1:30pm at the cinematheque. All these activities will be spearheaded by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

The screening of the opening film “Blancanieves” will be February 27-28 from 9am to 4:30pm at the MIndpro Cinema 1 and the screening of Spanish films will be follow at the Feb. 28-March 1 from 9:30am-4:30pm at the Cinematheque.

The grand civic military parade will be held on Feb. 26 at 4pm from Ledesma Street to Paseo del Mar to be followed by the Commemorative Program t 4:30pm and the Open-Air Peace Concert also at the Paseo del Mar at 6:30pm.

Other activities included in the Dia de Zamboanga Calendar of Events are the Copa de Ciudad (Open Invitational Bowling Tournament) on Feb. 21-23 from 6pm onward at the Tebi and Sean Recreational Center and the Coronation of the Quest for Miss Red Cross on Feb 21 at 7pm at the Celebrity Hall, Astoria Hotel organized by the Philippine National Red Cross- Zamboanga Chapter.

The Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (ZCCIFI) led by Edwin To is organizing the City-Wide Sale by major shopping malls in the city from Feb. 25-March 2.

New addition in this year’s Dia de Zamboanga celebration is the Birds’ Festival which will draw to the city thousands of bird watchers from all over the country and other parts of the world. Organized by the Department of Tourism and the Wild Bird Foundation, the Birds Festival will kick off Feb. 27 with bird watching from 8am onward followed by the Welcome Dinner at the Centro Latino.

Birding lectures will be held Feb. 28 from 8am to 12noon at Centro Latino. On the same day will be the parade from Plaza Pershing to Paseo del Mar at 1pm followed by the Festival Opening Ceremony and Photo Exhibit at 2pm at Centro Latino.

On March 1, Festival destination and photo exhibit viewing from 8am to 4pm.

The Dia de Zamboanga is also known as the Charter Anniversary of the City. It marks the day when the first set of City officials led by Mayor Nicasio Valderoza was sworn into office. The city’s charter declaring Zamboanga a city was signed by President Manuel Quezon on October 12, 1036.

Ecozone export value index shoots up in ’13

(Zamboanga Times)

The ZAMBOECOZONE export value index showed a remarkably steady upcurve all throghout 2013 as compared to the fugures of 2012 and 2011. Year end figures supplied by the ZAMBOECOZONE Enterprise Services Section reports the total export value for 2013 at US$ 3.6 million. Compared with the 2012 export value figure of US$ 1.04 million, it translates to a significant 251% increase. Suprisingly, the export value figures of 2012 exhibited a outstanding increase as compared to the total export value index of 2011 ofUS$ 148 thousand, which interprets to an impressive 604% increase.

The continuous rise in export value figures is attributed to the excellent performances of two of the biggest exporting enterprises in the ZAMBOECOZONE, Seachamp International Export Corporation (SEIC) and CTK Rubber Corporation (CTK).

SEIC is a wholly export oriented company engaged in the processing, manufacturing and distribution of processed marine products, specifically Octopus and Sillago Fish. SEIC exports its products to the USA, Thailand and Mexico. The Filipino-owned company currently employs nearly a hundred permanent employees in its seven-day-a-week operations. SEIC utilizes the HACCP or Hazard analysis and critical control points operation program, which is a systematic and preventive approach to food safety and biological, chemical, and physical hazards in production processes, preparation processes, and distribution systems.

CTK Rubber Corporation is engaged in the processing, manufacturing and export of technically specified natural rubber exclusively to South Korea. The processed rubber is primarily used in the production of rubber tires in Korea and in turn is exported around the globe. To date, CTK engages the services of 35 semi and highly skilled workers in their two-hectare plant at the ZAMBOECOZONE 2nd Industrial Park. The export value figures is expected to rise dramatically in 2014 with all the indicators predicting a steady rise in demand and uninterrupted production.As of February 6, 2014, the export value summary of January, 2014, showed a total sum of over US$ 526 thousand, which suggest a year end figure of over US$ 6.3 million,if the trend continues, or an estimated increase of nearly 100% when compared to the figures of 2013.

The ZAMBOECOZONE Enterprise Services Section’sspreadsheet also revealed equally impressive figures in the Bring-in Local Materials column for 2013 and the first month of 2014. The total sum for 2013 wasPhp 726.9 million, compared with the total sum of 2012, which was pegged at Php 181.2 million, or an increase of over 300%.

But the more significant figure was that of the January, 2014Bring-in Local Materials value of over Php 101 million, which would correspond to a year-end estimated sum if more than Php 1.2 billion, or a projected increase of over 66% as compared with the figures of 2013. At present, ZAMBOEOCOZONE and freeport has 15 registered locators from varied industries such as manufacturing, processing, utilities and facilities operator, farming estate, management and support services, warehousing, restaurant and catering services, and power generation.

Zambo City Vet strengthens drive vs stray animals

By R.G. Antonet A. Go [(PNA) /TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO/PJN]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 15 (PNA) -- The Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet) has advised the public to practice responsible pet ownership.

City Pound head Dr. Grace Jimenea issued the advice, saying they have strengthened the campaign against stray animals, specifically stray dogs.

Dog catching teams of the OCVet are going around in the barangays catching stray dogs and bringing them to the City Pound in Barangay San Roque, west of this city.

Some of the barangays have also organized their catching team to assist the OCVet in its campaign against stray animals.

The dogs are placed on cages and provided with food and water upon turn over to the City Pound by the catching team.

“To all pet owners and lovers, I appreciate that you will practice responsible pet ownership. Bawal na po yung aso o pusa na pagala-gala sa kalye,” Jimenea said.

“It is also mandatory to register our dogs with the office of the barangay,” Jimenea added.

She said owners of dogs have only three days to claim their pets at the City Pound and required to pay P490 at the office of their barangay chairman.

She said that P300 of the P490 represents penalty, P90 confinement fee, which is at P30 a day, and P100 for mandatory registration.

She said the dogs will be euthanized if unclaimed after three days or if nobody wants to adopt the dog in compliance with City Ordinance No. 242.

Last year, Jimenea said they have impounded a total of 1,857 dogs.

Jimenea said that 118 of the 1,857 dogs were either claimed by the owners or adopted by pet lovers.

President Aquino declares February 26 as a special non-working day in the City of Zamboanga in celebration of 77th Charter Day

(PNA), LGI/PCOO/EBP

MANILA, Feb. 14 (PNA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared February 26, which falls on a Wednesday, as a special (non-working) day in the city of Zamboanga, in celebration of its 77th Charter Day.

The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 717 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on February 7 to give the people of Zamboanga City the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

Zamboanga City became a chartered city in 1937 by virtue of Commonwealth Act. No. 39, when the Philippines was still ruled by a Commonwealth Government under then President Manuel L. Quezon.

Zambo City eyes sisterhood pact with Makati City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 13 (PNA) -– The City Council has expressed its support to the plan of the local government to forge a sisterhood agreement with Makati City, which is dubbed as the business capital of the country.

The support is expressed in the form of a resolution authored by Councilor Rommel Agan and approved during the City Council’s regular session Wednesday.

“The initial step that needs to be done for a city like Zamboanga who wants to have a cityhood agreement should pass a resolution expressing the intention,” Agan said in an interview.

The next step, Agan said, is to transmit the copy of the approved resolution to Makati City and wait for the reply of Makati’s City Council.

He said the mayors of the two cities can forge a sisterhood agreement if the City Council of Makati will reply in favor of such pact.

He said that this city can learn “so many things” about Makati City being one of the first class cities in the country.

This city has entered into a sisterhood agreement with the cities of Baguio, Dagupan, Trese Martires, Tarlac, Cavite, and Zaragoza City, Spain.

World Food Programme donates tools, supplementary food to Zambo IDPs

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 12 (PNA) -– Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has thanked the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for its continued support to families displaced by the standoff last September in this city.

The city government is set to distribute the farming tools and supplementary food donated by the WFP to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are housed at the evacuation centers.

The farming tools and ready to use supplementary food were turned over Tuesday by the WFP to the city government which Salazar gladly accepted.

Among the tools turned over to the mayor by WFP representative Misael Argonza through Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Regional Director Hadjimudin Ridswan were the following: 350 scythes; 150 bolos; 150 pails with cover; 150 plastic containers; 50 crow bars; 25 basins; 150 shovels; 150 shovel spades; 75 big shovels; 150 garden hoes; 150 rakes; 150 sprinklers; 100 gloves; 50 sledge hammers; 54 eye protectors; and 106 rubber boots.

In turn, Salazar handed the tools to City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat, who will distribute it later to the IDPs for food security and livelihood through vegetable production while staying in the evacuation centers.

The WFP also turned over to Salazar boxes of beans from Uzbekistan, cooking oil from Indonesia and 5.3 metric tons of peanut-based ready-to-use supplementary food for children.

The WFP was also unloading at its mobile storage facility at the Zamboanga International Airport 125 metric tons or 2,500 sacks of Vietnam rice.

The cargo is part of the 1,655 metric tons or 33,100 bags of rice allocated for IDPs in this city.

Palacat said the rice will be given to the IDPs as payoff for a week’s work under the food-for-work program of his office.

He said that each family receives a sack of rice for a week’s work ranging from mangrove planting, coastal cleanup and community cleanliness drive.

Greater Sta. Cruz Island remains as the main tourist spot of Zambo City

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 11 (PNA) -- The Greater Sta. Cruz Island remains to be the main tourist spot in this city as 21,982 visitors, to include locals, visited the place in 2013 representing an 87-percent increase in tourist visits compared to that in 2012.

The City Tourism Office reported that the Greater Sta. Cruz Island has recorded an increase of 10,237 visitors in 2013 to 21,982 from 11,745 visitors in the previous year.

The city government has started the construction of amenities and facilities to accommodate the increasing number of guests as part of its support to the development of the Greater Sta. Cruz Island as a major tourist attraction.

City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian-Hernandez said Tuesday that the facilities, which were built last year, include 28 huts, a pavilion, comforts rooms, potable water supply and power supply.

The Greater Sta. Cruz Island is just a 15 to 20-minute ride from this city’s mainland. The embarkation point is at the scenic Paseo del Mar.

The Greater Sta. Cruz Island, which is famous for its pink coralline sand, is a small inhabited island of this city located 2.49 miles south of downtown.

Meanwhile, the Parque de Ciencia (Science Park), which was officially opened to the public in June 2013, has recorded 9,908 visitors during its first six months of operation.

Zamboanga City hosts 9th Philippine Bird Festival

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 10 (PNA) – This city is playing host to the holding of the three-day 9th Philippine Bird Festival, which is a joint undertaking of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.

The festival is set to be held from February 27 to March 1 at the Paseo del Mar, the latest and favorite scenic promenade in this city.

The bird festival has the following objectives: to promote birding in this city; to raise awareness on the importance of preservation and protection of different bird species found in this city; and, to drum up positive activities geared towards improving the image of the city, especially to international birding enthusiasts who are regular delegates to the Philippine Bird Festival.

“We would like to draw attention in particular to the variety of birds that you can find in Zamboanga City. Within the city limits alone, there are a very amazing number of birds,” Wild Bird Club of the Philippines president Gina Mapua, said Monday.

Mapua said that the festival is also aimed at drawing attention to the discovery of the first documented breeding site of the Great White Egrets here in the country, particularly at the fishpond of the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST).

“What makes this unusual is Great White Egrets are migratory, they don’t breed here in the Philippines. They breed somewhere else and they come here during winter but because of the favorable condition found at the fish pond of ZSCMST, the Great White Egrets stayed all year round and breed,” she added.

She noted that the Pasonanca Natural Park, which is one of the old growth forests in Mindanao rich in biodiversity, is home to various species, some of them are even endemic to the region.

Documentation undertaken by international and local ornithologists recorded not less than 200 bird species at the Pasonanca Natural Park.

For this reason, Mapua said the park is classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in the country and is considered as one of the bird watching destinations in the country with visitors mostly coming from European countries.

Part of the festival includes lectures, bird watching and other activities for both the young and adult to enjoy.

Mapua said six foreign delegations have already confirmed to come to this city for the 9th Philippine Bird Festival.

They are: Borneo Bird Club; Asian Raptor Research; Wild Bird Society of Taipei; Bird Conservation Society of Thailand; Malaysian Nature Society; and Tourism Malaysia.

The local delegations will include conservation and nature organizations such as the following: Haribon; Katala Foundation; Bird Watch Palawan; Senand Manaki; Philippine Native Plant Society; Polilio Island Bio-Diversity Conservation; Save Freedom Island Movement; and, Balanga Bird Club.

Exhibit, FOZYL mark 8th Dia de R.T. Lim

By Sheila Covarrubias

A memorabilia exhibit featuring photos and personal items of the only Zamboangueño senator Roseller T. Lim will run starting today, Feb. 9 until the end of the month in observance of the senator’s 99th birth anniversary.

Organized by the City Government, the exhibit will open at 6pm today at the City Museum in Pasonanca and is aimed to perpetuate the memory of the late senator who is one of the city’s illustrious sons.

The exhibit entitled “El Gallo Sulankang” will coincide with the awarding of the Five Outstanding Zamboangueño Young Leaders (FOZYL) also at the City Museum and jointly organized by the City Government and the Zamboanga Jaycees.

The two activities- exhibit and FOZYL awarding ceremony are main highlights of the Dia de Roseller T. Lim, now on the 8th year, marking the late senator’s birth anniversary.

This morning the Dia de Roseller Lim activities will kick off with a mass at 8:30am at the St. Joseph Church to be followed by the program and wreath laying ceremony at the R.T. Lim Monument in Normal Road at 9:30am.

Born on February 9, 1915, Roseller Tarrosa Lim was the oldest of nine children born to Don Antonio Lim and Mercedes Robinson-Tarrosa.

Fondly called “Ross” or “Ller” by family and friends, he was a known scholar and master debater of his high school class and graduated as Valedictorian from the Ateneo de Zamboanga High School.

He pursued and earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Siliman University in Dumaguete City in 1940 and passed the bar examinations later that year with an 84.4% rating.

Prior to his stint in the political arena, he taught at the Ateneo de Zamboanga, served as the dean of the College of Law of the Zamboanga AE Colleges (now Universidad de Zamboanga) and as appointed as Fiscal of Zamboanga.

He became a staunch advocate of labor reforms and went on to found the Mindanao-Sulu-Palawan (MINSUPALA) Labor Organization, becoming its first president.

He was a member of the House of Representatives for six years and the Philippine Senate for eight years.

Lim holds the distinction of being the first and only Zamboangueño to have won a seat in the Senate.

Among the bills which were enacted into law during his eight-year stint as Senator were those amending the Social Security Act, the Magna Carta of Labor, the Philippine Labor Code, the Women and Children Labor Law, the establishment of an Apprenticeship Training System in the Philippines and creation of the National Apprenticeship Council.

On July 5, 1976, Lim died from a fatal heart attack at the Makati Medical Center at the age of 61.

City monitors temp biz permit requirements

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

The Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) will be keeping watch to ensure that business establishments comply with the requirements for the issuance of permits within the prescribed completion period.

BPLO Chief Benjie Barredo said the Office will closely coordinate with different departments of the local government to ensure that business operators who were initially issued temporary permit to operate (TPO) will complete all the other requirements for the business permit.

A list of all permit applications will be forwarded to concerned departments such as the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR), City Tourism, City Veterinarian, City Treasurer, City Agriculturist, and the City Legal Office, to monitor the compliance of businesses operating within their scope and jurisdiction.

To date, a total of 2,209 business permits and 904 TPOs have been issued by the Licensing Office, while 8,751 permits are currently on process.

Under the streamlined business permits renewal process, once issued with a TPO, business establishments have 90 days to complete all requirements and paperwork for business application and renewal.

Non-compliance of the requirements within the 90-day period is cause for revocation of TPO, issuance of notice of closure, and actual closure of business establishment.

Requirements for the business permit include the barangay clearance, locational clearance, sanitary and health certificate, and community tax certificate for the current year.

Depending on the kind of business being operated, additional documents, certifications, and clearances may also be required.

Zambo City pushes new road projects

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/FELINO M. SANTOS/JSD

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 7 (PNA) -– The City Engineer’s Office has initiated negotiations with lot owners as well as homeowners as the city government is set to open new roads in a bid to decongest traffic in this city.

City Engineer Luis Vicente Despalo said some 200 lot owners occupying prime properties will be affected by the opening of the three new road projects.

These road projects are from Veterans Avenue to Talon-Talon Loop in Barangay Talon-Talon; from Mayor Agan Avenue in Barangay Camino Nuevo to Gov. Ramos Avenue in Barangay Sta. Maria; and, from Mayor Agan Avenue to Veterans Avenue.

Despalo said the new roads that will be opened will be as wide as 20 meters to provide ample space to vehicular traffic.

The city government is pushing for the implementation of the road projects to decongest traffic from and to the city proper as well as in downtown area since the number of vehicles continue to increase.

Majority of this city’s streets are narrow except for the Mayor Agan Avenue, Gov. Camins Avenue and Veterans Avenue.

DTI sets industry assessment, planning for Zamboanga Peninsula's top products

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 6 (PNA) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is scheduled to hold next week a two-day industry-wide assessment and planning workshop for the six top products of this region.

DTI Regional Officer-in-Charge Sitti Amina Jain made the announcement Thursday, citing the two-day event will be held from Wednesday (Feb. 12) until Thursday (Feb. 13) in Ipil, the capital of Zamboanga Sibugay.

“We need to regularly assess where each industry is now relative to where it was when the Regional Development Council-9 (RDC-9) first identified them as champion products way back in 2005. Assessment is necessary because we want to keep tract of the growth of the industry and if the growth, is a result of our interventions,” Jain said.

The top products of the region are seaweeds, mango, rubber, coconut, and processed fish.

Abaca was later added in the list through RDC-9 resolution in 2011.

Specifically, Jain said the objectives of the assessment cum planning workshop are: to assess and evaluate the implementation of the industry cluster program in 2013; and, to formulate strategies to better integrate and harmonize convergence activities of concerned government and support institutions to the cluster plan.

“At the end of the two-day session, we should be able to come up with the 2014 action plan for each industry that already integrate each agency’s interventions and which are duly validated by the private sector representatives of said industries,” she said.

Zambo City govt rehabs multi-million dancing fountain

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 5 (PNA) -–The dancing fountain, which is the center of attraction at the scenic Paseo del Mar, this city, is back to normal operation since Monday night.

City Administrator Antonio Orendain, Jr. made the announcement Wednesday as he confirmed that the P27 million musical fountain has malfunctioned late last year.

Orendain said the fountain's electrical wiring was grounded due to flooding brought about by the incessant rains last October 4 to 8.

Orendain said the wiring was checked one by one by the City General Service Office and City Engineer’s Office personnel.

The contractor that constructed the fountain shipped for free the “special wires” needed to fix it, Orendain said.

He said the fountain was finally fixed and started its shows Monday night.

The dancing fountain is the main attraction at the scenic Paseo del Mar, which is the newest promenade of this city, especially during night time.

Tzu Chi begins classroom project in Zamboanga City

(Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 4, 2014) – The Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is building dozens of semi-permanent classrooms in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines in an effort to help address the shortage of rooms in public schools, now being used as temporary shelters by villagers displaced by war between rebels and security forces late last year.

The fighting in September – triggered by attacks of Moro National Liberation Front separatist rebels - left more than 400 people dead and wounded and forced over 120,000 people to flee their homes. The street battles last more three weeks and left many villages in ruins.

At least 80 pre-fabricated rooms made from aluminium and polypropylene are being built or under construction in schools in the villages of Talon-Talon, Tulungatung, Taluksangay, Ayala and Sangali.

On Tuesday, the Tzu Chi Foundation led by Dr Anton Lim initially handed - in a ceremonial turn over - six classrooms – built in Talon-Talon National High School – to Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar, who praised those behind the humanitarian project.

“We are building at least 80 semi-permanent classrooms for public school students in Zamboanga and this is part of the world-wide projects of Tzu Chi Foundation. We are helping the students by building these classrooms which will last for many years in an effort also to decongest public schools,” Lim told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Lim said each pre-fabricated room costs around $7200 (P326,952) and this does not include the platform which is about $700 (P32,000). The classroom can hold up to 75 students and is designed with adequate ventilation and sound-proof walls.

He said Tzu Chi volunteers are helping build the rooms in Zamboanga City. “Tzu Chi volunteers are working on this project in Zamboanga and we are thankful for each and everyone who are working hard for this project,” Lim said.

Materials used in the rooms came all the way from Taiwan and were all manufactured by Tzu Chi volunteers.

Lim said the Tzu Chi Foundation, founded in 1996 by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, is also eyeing in building at least 1,000 housing units for war victims in Zamboanga - many of them are still in temporary shelters and evacuations sites.

“We are scouting for areas where we can build initially about 200 houses, but we are looking at 1,000 units along the way, to help provide shelters to families displaced by the fighting last year,” he said.

Just recently, Tzu Chi Foundation also erected dozens of similar classrooms in Leyte province in central Philippines which was ravaged by typhoon Haiyan last year. The project in Leyte is part of the rehabilitation efforts by the Buddhist group which also launched there its cash-for-work and clean-up program, including medical and humanitarian missions.

Among Tzu Chi missions include charity, education, humanity, medicine and environmental protection.

City dad asks other LGUs to financially support PRC-Zambo Chapter

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 3 (PNA) -– Councilor Vincent Paul Elago, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Health, has asked the other local government units (LGUs) of nearby places to provide financial support to the local chapter of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

Elago made the call citing the PRC-Zamboanga City chapter does not only cater to the blood needs of patients from this city but even from nearby provinces and those brought to the hospitals in this city.

Patients from nearby provinces are brought to this city since the hospitals here, both public and private, are equipped with latest and modern medical equipment.

The patients being brought here are from the nearby provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which are part of the autonomous region and from the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

Elago’s call also came after the City Council has forwarded the resolution he sponsored for his committee to study the proposal that the P2.5 million subsidy the city government provides to the local PRC chapter be solely used to help bonafide residents of this city.

“We are not saying that we don’t want to extend help to the patients that are brought to the hospitals here from the nearby provinces. They should also understand that we only want the city government funds will be used to patients who are residents of this city,” he said.

The P2.5 million subsidy coming from the city government is being used to purchase reagents for blood testing to ensure the blood released by the local PRC Blood Bank are clean.

Olympian’s cousin breaks lift record

By Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star)

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Zamboanga’s Mary Flor Diaz, first cousin of Olympian weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, lived up her pedigree and lifted her way to a record-shattering triumph in the Batang Pinoy National Finals at SM Transport Hub.

Following in the footsteps of Hidilyn, Mary Flor easily conquered the girls’ 44-kg division with lifts of 54 kgs in snatch and 62 kgs in clean and jerk for a winning total of 149 kgs. Her three lifts shattered the Batang Pinoy’s old marks of 50-61-111 set by Tagbilaran’s Elien Rose Perez in 2012 in Tacloban.

“Maganda yung performance ko sa training kaya expected ko na rin mag-break ng record (I was doing well in training so I actually expected to break records),” said the high school junior from Universidad de Zamboanga.

The youngest of four siblings, Mary Flor grew up with a barbell at their home in Mampang, Zamboanga and has taken a liking to lifting, just like her kuyas. There’s also the influence from Hidilyn, currently the country’s top female lifter.

Boholano Perez, a national junior mainstay and veteran of the Asian Youth Games, and Cebuano brothers Evangelito Dale and Jhon Febuar Ceniza grabbed a share of the spotlight with record-breaking conquests as the Batang Pinoy reached its climax.

Perez reigned supreme in her new weight category, 48-kgs, and did 57-62-119, erasing the 50-61-111 standard of Margaret Colonia in 2012.

Jhon Febuar, 15, scored a breakthrough gold in the Batang Pinoy with his romp in the boys’ 46-kg class built around 63-76-139, improving the meet mark of 55-75-125. Kid brother Evangelito had his own moment of glory, winning the 42-kg division in record fashion, his 60-80-140 eclipsing the old 45-70-106.

Bacolod City and Negros Occidental put an exclamation point to their co-hosting of the premier joust for 15-and-under athletes with victories in softball and futsal, respectively.

The Bacolod softbelles tripped giant-killer Pasig, 6-3, to emerge No. 1 at the Bacolod National High School grounds. The home squad unloaded two runs in the first inning to seize control and went on to post a 6-0 tear at the end of the fifth. They quashed Pasig’s late charge to secure the victory in the sport that ranks high among Bacolod’s favorite.

Negros leaned on the goals of John Michael Moreno, Philip Joseph Maluwes, Louie Gumawa, Johne Michael Malaga and Melchor Taclobos to beat Tanauan City, 5-3, for the futsal diadem at Negros Occidental Multi-purpose Center.

Over at the Panaad Sports Park and Stadium, Mandaue’s Lorraine Hann, Jezreel Tan, Shaia Uy and Yuan Chiongbian ruled triathlon’s mixed relay aquathlon competitions in 59 minutes, 52 seconds.

Chiongbian, a silver medalist in boys’ triathlon, anchored Mandaue’s triumph in the swim-run race with a time of 13:23 as they edged Cebu’s Issa Priagula, Josh Canares, Aaliyah Mataragnon and Ralph So (1:03:05) and Laguna’s Ingrid Renee Dizon, Barryn Ilson Barrido, Hannah Angelika de Guzman, and Isiah Miguel Dizon (1:03:48) for the gold.

Hann submitted 15:12 while Tan and Uy clocked 14:40 and 16:37, respectively, to complement Chiongbian’s fast time in the event, originally a triathlon relay but played as aquathlon (swim-run) after rains from Basyang made the bike course slippery and muddy.

Quezon City bets dominated wrestling at Gaisano Mall with eight gold medals, courtesy of Ralph Lester Maraingan (bulinggit boys 29 kg), Lea Monique Gonzaga (bulinggit girls 37 kgs), Abigail Valena (bulinggit girls 40kgs), Heidi Mae Pinon (44 kgs), and Lovely Joy Martinez (48 kgs).

Cebu City ruled three of four events in lawn tennis, with Zethley Alferez accounting for the girls’ singles crown and the doubles plum in tandem with Jana Marie Pages and Jan Godfrey Seno taking the boys’ singles. Chris Justine Prulla of San Jose City and Neil Tanggalin of Baguio City won the boys’ doubles.

Baguio bets topped taekwondo hostilities at Bacolod National HS, snaring five mints from Angela Joyce Gaw (girls finweight), Phoebe Kate de Guzman (girls welter), Ma. Kaye Romvar (girls middle), Craemer Juris Quiambao (boys fly), and Alfritz Arevalo (boys feather).

Agriculture official warns Zambo prawn farmers against deadly virus

(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/PJN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The Office of the City Agriculture has warned prawn farmers in Barangay Vitali of a possible outbreak and infestation of White Spots Syndrome Virus (WSSV) on the shrimp farming industry with the onset of hot weather.

Barangay Vitali, which is located 73 kilometers east of this city, is known as the main source of crabs, lobsters and prawns since prawn farming is the source of livelihood of majority of the residents in the area.

Rico Tabal, head of the Field Agriculture Office 6 based in Barangay Vitali, issued the warning after reports reached his office from fishpond operators indicated a “possible infestations of prawns by WSSV.”

Tabal said they are very aware of the possible onset of WSSV infestations “during this time of the year and last year, and is likely to hit again this year the local prawn farming industry.”

He expressed alarm over the emergence of the WSSV which has already been detected in some prawn farms in Baragay Vitali.

He said the main manifestation of the disease is the white spots mark in the head and tail of the infected shrimp.

He said the WSSD can wipe out all population of shrimps in ponds in just few days time.

He said his office is preparing measures to address the possible outbreak of the WSSV infestation at the fishponds in Vitali.

He said a dialogue among growers and stakeholders is scheduled to be held on February 7 at his office with the personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to see how the infestation can be contained if not eradicated.

Tabal said there is a need to control the possible spread of WSSV as it could drastically affect the volume of shrimps produced by this city.

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