Zamboanga City News February 2015

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Zamboanga City - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Limpapa Beach.JPG
Limpapa Beach

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

BIR set to launch tax take campaign in Zambo City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is launching its tax collection campaign on Wednesday, March 4 in this city.

Atty. Alert Alocilja, BIR regional director, said the launching of the tax campaign was aimed at reminding taxpayers of their obligation to the government.

“We are doing it (launching) every year to inform the taxpayers in the region that we are now beginning out campaign for the collection of income tax for 2014,” Alocilja said.

Alocilja said the deadline for the filing of Income Tax Return (ITR) would be April 15 and surcharge and other penalties would be slapped for late payers.

“There will be no extension, once the deadline has lapsed, penalties will be enforced," he said.

He said the tax campaign for this year was anchored on the theme: “Angat pa Pinas, Register, File, and Pay.”

He said there would be briefing on taxpayers’ account monitoring program and lectures that include information on what are the new directives from BIR central office during the launching of the tax campaign.

He said that resource speakers from BIR central office, namely Elenita Mariano, Silverio Sante, Lourdes Fernandez, and Nelson Alvero are arriving here to join the launching of the tax campaign.

The revenue district officers from the different parts of the region are scheduled to grace the launching of the campaign.

The BIR regional office has been tasked to collect Php 6.57 billion in taxes this year.

City Hall bares winners of Local Achievers 2015

By Vic Larato

The city government has announced the Local Achievers 2015 awardees, who were honored during the awards nights at Centro Latino Wednesday, one of the highlights of the 78thDia de Zamboanga celebration.

Mayor Beng Climaco bestowed the prestigious awards to the winners and thanked them including the nominees for their individual and corporate contributions to the development of Zamboanga.

Among the many nominees, the following emerged winners in different categories: Esmael U. Tan and Mercury Drug Corp. for the Top Individual Taxpayer and Top Local Corporate Taxpayer, respectively, for having paid the highest tax to the city government in 2014; Chezka Luy Centeno in Sports; Marco Alfino Miranda for Culture and Arts; Sr. Insp. Hingming Ladjaali for Public Service; and Jessica Mariano Francisco for City Government Service.

For the Academic category, the awards went to the Western Mindanao State University (Institution) and teacher Genevieve Kulong (Individual); Nonito Bernardo for Investment Promotion; Jimmy’s Satti for Tourism-Oriented Establishment; Maj. Jaran Abdula, PA, and M/Sgt. Joseph Fernando, PA, for Community Service.

The awards are conferred annually to Zamboangueños who have attained exceptional achievements and victories in various fields of endeavors.The search covers the fields on sports, culture and arts, public service, City Government service, community service,investment promotion, tourism-oriented establishment and the highest award- Orgullo de Zamboanga Primiar.

This year’s panel of judges was composed City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr., Chief Executive Assistant Dr. Genaro Yap Aizon, Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary Zenaida Jaime and JV Atilano.

ZSCMST sets 1st Zambo Bird Festival

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

The successful hosting of the 9th Philippine Bird Festival in this city last year has prompted the birding community to form another bird festival.

With this, the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology with the support of the Department of Tourism and the wild Bird Club of the Philippines. ZSCMST’s aquaculture site is one of the havens for numerous bird species which also caught the attention of the bird watchers. The event is slated on February 27, 2015 with lined-up activities like photo exhibits, face painting, origami and coloring, lecture and symposia, film showing and bird watching.

Itwill be participated by different government and private agencies, public and private higher education institutions, elementary and secondary schools. This is an endeavor to continually promote bird watching as an activity, maintain the value of environmental awareness, and to highlight the distinctiveness of the city in the birding community having recognized the first documented breeding ground of the Great Egret in the Philippines.

OBFP-Zambo gears up for fire prevention month

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 25 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has lined up activities for the celebration of the 48th Fire Prevention Month in March in this city.

Sr. Insp. Paul Carpio, Zamboanga City Fire District (ZCFD) administrative officer, said Wednesday the fire prevention month activities will kick-off with a motorcade to raise public awareness of the month-long event.

Carpio said the other activities included the Berong Bombero sa Paaralan, March 3 to 7; Takbo Laban sa Sunog, March 7; refresher training for volunteer fire brigade and barangay disaster control brigade, March 9; open house for all fire stations, March 11 to 13.

He said there would be fire safety awareness campaign in the different barangays, testing of fire hydrants, fire drills, and identification of fire prone areas.

He said they have also lined up contests such as the drawing contest for elementary; poster making for high school; photo contest; and singing and dance contest.

The fire prevention month is being observed every month of March pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 115-A signed on Nov. 17, 1966 by then President Ferdinand Marcos.

The theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Month is “Kaligtasan sa Sunog: Alamin, Gawin, at Isabuhay Natin.”

City Government sets jobs fair

By Bong Garcia

OPENINGS for local and overseas employment are up for grabs at the jobs fair in Zamboanga City on February 26.

City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the jobs fair will be held at the Red Cross Training Center in Pettit Barracks as part of the city's 78th Charter Day anniversary celebration dubbed as the "Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga."

Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga marks the day when the first set of city government officials headed by Mayor Nicasio Valderoza was sworn into office in 1935.

Covarrubias said six Manila-based recruitment agencies and several locally -based national government agencies including canning factories have confirmed participation in the fair.

Covarrubias said among the openings for overseas employment are for nurses, engineers, waiters/waitresses, caregivers and cleaners.

Male or female high school graduates could apply as cleaners.

Covarrubias said available local jobs include office works and positions for canning factories.

She encouraged qualified internally displaced persons (IDPs) to take opportunity of the one-day fair.

Thousands of city residents who were displaced during the September 2013 siege of the city are still housed in transitory sites.

Covarrubias said interested individuals are encouraged to register at the Public Employment Service Office at the Pettit Barracks until Wednesday, February 25.

Zambo City filmfest reels off Feb. 23-25

By Sheila Covarrubias

Nurturing and inspiring Zamboanga-based and young filmmakers to contribute their talent and ingenuity to the film industry, the City Government holds starting today the Zamboanga Film Festival as part of the highlights of the 78th Dia de Zamboanga Festival.

A total of 18 pre-selected entries –9 each for the live action and animation categories will be screened starting today Feb. 23-25 at the Zamboanga Cinematheque in Legionnaire Street. The screening schedules are 10am, 12nn, 2pm and 4pm.

The filmfest is a joint undertaking with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) which operates the cinematheque.

Red Carpet night cum awards night will be held February 25 at Centro Latino where the grand winner for each of the two categories will be known.

The film entries are submitted by young film makers, some of them students of the different colleges and universities in the city.

The finalists for the live action category are as follows: (1) El Cara de Mama by Kimberly Joy Kilat, (2) El Letratista by Ryan Covarrubias, (3) Quando by Mark Kim Tayona, (4) Sombra by Sheena Mae Alcala, (5) Escondido Amor by Icy Mae Colipano (6) Apasol by Ryan Joseph Murcia (7) Con Enfermedad y Buen Salud by Joseph Vincent Suarez, (8) Si el Curiosidad Mata Con el Gato by Aedrian Deniel and (9) Yesterday by Mark Anthony Lee.

On the other hand, the finalists for the animation category are as follows: (1) Balut by Jefrey Ramos, (2) Su Hyong by Lance Ayrton See, (3) Poaching by Wella Lynne Saclolo, (4) El Limosnero by Alexis Cheong, (5) Bira’y Bira by Martin Luigi Bugante, (6) El Bloques by Danica Jane Follero, (7) Atubanga by Danie Alted Nebrija, (8) Flaw? Where? by Jade Christel de Guzman and (9) Dragon Fruit by Richard John Barredo.

Zambo by-pass road 66% complete

By Bong Garcia

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that the by-pass road project is 66 percent complete and cited right-of-way as the most common problem they encountered.

Engineer Artemio Marsera, who oversees the implementation of the by-pass road project, said the lot owners wanted that they will be paid, as the road will cross their property. The problem, though, is that they do not have land titles, he added.

Marsera said they are initiating remedies to avoid legal confrontation with lot owners so as not to delay the implementation of the project.

He said the 35-kilometer by-pass road will link Zamboanga City's east coast to the west coast from the village of Guisao in the east to Sinubung in the west.

The implementation of the project started in 2012 and is expected to be completed next year.

On Friday, Marsera accompanied some members of the City Council who inspected the project. The inspection was initiated by the City Council through a resolution sponsored by Councilor Rogelio Valesco Jr.

Valesco said the inspection was conducted to determine how the local government can help hasten its implementation.

City’s traffic lights upgrade continues

By Sheila Covarrubias

Upgrading and improvement of the city’s signal lights and traffic system continues as part of the City Government’s thrust on public safety.

This, as Mayor Beng Climaco and General Services Officer Engr. Rene de la Cruz yesterday led the switch-on ceremony for the upgraded traffic lights system in the Veterans Avenue-Camins intersection (Sta. Cruz area), the second in a week’s time.

Last February 10, the newly-installed LED traffic lights with digital countdown timers installed at the Gov. Camins-Canelar intersection were first unveiled. To follow in the coming weeks are the upgrading of traffic lights in the junctions of Mayor Jaldon-Canelar and Veterans Avenue-Tetuan.

A total of P9 million has been allocated for the upgrading and improvement of the four intersections which is expected to be totally completed by March 2015, according to Engr. De la Cruz.

Aside from the new traffic lights, the upgrades also included the replacement of the traffic controllers in several of the City’s intersections.

De la Cruz said an additional P10 million budget will be requested in the Supplemental Budget for the upgrade of the traffic lights in the Veterans Avenue, Gov. Lim Avenue and Baliwasan Chico intersections.

The GSO chief said the traffic light upgrading and improvement project is the first since the traffic lights were put up in 1999.

The project is handled by a private firm contracted through proper bidding process.


USAID-ENGAGE sets women conference, CSO summit in Zamboanga City

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR/PJN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 20 (PNA) -- The United States Agency for International Development-Encourage Global Anticorruption and Good Governance (USAID-ENGAGE) is organizing a two-day Women’s Conference and a summit for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in this city.

The two-day activities, which is in partnership with the local government and other agencies, is aimed to expand citizen’s participation in governance.

City Hall information officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the Women’s Conference is scheduled to be held on February 24 at the Centro Latino Convention Center while the CSO Summit on February 25 at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Covarrubias said the Women’s Conference will see the convergence of women leaders to discuss the challenges confronting the women sector in this city.

She said the conference’ discussion will focus on the following: the status of women’s conditions and rights in the work place and communities; status of women’s conditions and right in governance; promoting women’s health and the gender code of this city.

The women’s confab is anchored on the theme: The Women’s Conference: Strengthening Women’s participation in governance and asserting the Women’s development agenda.

She said the CSO Summit will gather leaders from various non-government organizations (NGOs) and CSOs in this city to discuss the people’s needs in the areas of security, health and education.

Covarrubias said the discussion will focus on the current situation in the area of security, health and education and propose strategies to mobilize and expand citizen’s support for these priorities.

The summit is anchored on the theme: The CSO Summit: Mobilizing and Expanding the support of Civil Society for Security, Health and Education.

Zamboanga opens 8-day grand market sale

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

THE first-ever "Grandioso Venta del Mercado (Grand Market Sale)" reeled off Thursday with Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar leading the opening ceremony of the event.

Salazar said the sale, which is being held at Plaza de Pilar, will run for eight days or until February 26. It is coupled with nightly live entertainment show.

The Grand Market Sale is one of the activities the City Government has lined up to commemorate the city's 78th charter day, locally known as the "Dia de Zamboanga."

"Dia de Zamboanga" marks the anniversary of the installation of the first city official in 1935.

The Grand Market Sale features the city's agri-fishery products and other goods that are considered innate and distinct to selected barangays under the "One Barangay One Product."

City Investment and Promotion Officer Marie Angelique Go said the activity hopes to gather in one venue the city's agri-fishery businessmen, micro- small-and medium entrepreneurs, native food chefs and dealers of village products.

Go said 25 businessmen, entrepreneurs and dealers have signed up for the event.

The sale aims to reach out to the city's 98 villages and look for products that will be showcased during the "City of Charm" scheduled sometime in September, with some businessmen from China coming over.

P13M Zamboanga passenger terminal completed

By Bong Garcia

THE P13-million Passenger Terminal 2 of the Zamboanga City port will open by the second quarter of this year.

Liberto Dela Rosa, port manager, said the construction of the terminal building is finished and will open once air-condition units, public address system, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and chairs are installed.

Dela Rosa said the terminal will serve passengers bound for Sandakan, Sabah, and Manila. The facility has a capacity of 250 passengers.

Passenger Terminal 1 will be for passengers bound for other parts of the region as well as Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, according to Dela Rosa.

The port of Zamboanga is one of the busiest in the country

Foreign, local birders to join 1st bird fest in Zambo City

(FPG/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

The Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) here is now gearing up for the first locally-organized bird festival, tentatively scheduled on February 26-27. Foreign and local members of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines are expected to join.

“Because of last year’s Philippine Bird Festival in Zamboanga City, many foreign and local birders have recognized the city as a birding destination,” shared DOT Regional Director Maryjune Bugante in a press conference last week.

The 9th Philippine Bird Festival was held February last year, barely six months after the siege. About a hundred members of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines came and joined in the activities. Many of them are foreign tourists coming from Denmark, France, England and other countries.

“Promoting this activity is a challenge, considering the peace and order situation. However, we would like to note that last year, the bird festival was the first big event in the city after the siege,” said Bugante. “We would like to continue what was started, and the Wild Bird Club has been supporting us.”

Bugante explained that it was the bird club’s recognition of Zamboanga as having the highest count of migratory birds in the entire country that led to the holding of this activity. “They do this bird count every year,” she added.

“We are expecting many birders to join since most of them want to see for themselves the rich species of birds here, of those that they only see on Facebook,” Bugante stressed.

Bugante emphasized that the bird festival is not just about promoting tourism. In part, it is also promoting environmental awareness.

Part of the activities includes bird watching in the ZSCMST ponds where several migrant Egrets have made their residence and breed. Other activities include film showings for students as well as lectures from the bird experts.

Meanwhile, ZSCMST President Milavel Nazario shared her excitement for the activity. “We are very proud to host this first Zamboanga bird festival,” she said. “This is a very positive development for Zamboanga, and we have to move on from what had happened,” she said.

The ZSCMST’s bird sanctuary is located in ground zero of the 2013 siege. “We want to show the public, local, national and international, that we have moved on.”

Zambo City marks increase in 2014 local revenue collection

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 16 (PNA) -- The city government registered an increase of 10.75 percent representing P.22 billion in its revenue collection in 2014 compared to that in 2013.

This was announced by City Treasurer Soledad Li, who disclosed the 2014 revenue collection of this city reached P2.25 billion from P2.03 billion in the previous year.

Li attributed the increase in the local revenue collections to the intensified sending of demand and follow-up collection letters, intensified inspection of business establishments, and the recommendation of closure of business establishments with delinquent accounts and no business permit.

Li said they also forwarded the delinquent accounts to the City Legal Office for appropriate legal action.

Li said the big chunk of this city’s 2015 revenue came from the 2014 Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) amounting 1.69 billion.

She said the other sources of local revenues are collections from Real Property Taxes and other local taxes, Permits and Licenses, Social Income, Business Income and other incomes, this city’s share from the National Wealth, Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (Zamboecozone) and from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

She said they will continue the intensified collection of Real Property Taxes and other local taxes to further increase the income of the city government.

Info session set on EU GSP+

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) has scheduled a one-day information session on the European Union's Generalized Scheme of Preferences (EU GSP+) in Zamboanga City.

DTI Regional Director Sitti Amina Jain said the activity, which is set to be held on February 24, is aimed to make exporting to EU easier for developing countries like the Philippines.

Jain said they are targeting 100 participants, mainly exporters, the academe, and the different industry players throughout Zamboanga Peninsula to attend the information session.

She said speakers from EMB-Central Office are coming over to discuss the overview of EU GSP+ and the opportunities under this initiative.

Resource persons from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) or the Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR) will tackle about the Rules of Origin in the export business, she added.

Jain also said that a team from Doing Business in Free Trade Areas (DBFTA) will expound on EU Help Desk to help clarify questions regarding the initiative.

She said the objectives of the EU GSP+ Information Session are as follows: to know the importance of EU GSP+ in exporting goods to European Countries; know where are those countries most in need in exporting; to further promote the core principles of sustainable development and good governance; and enhance the legal certainty, stability and predictability of the scheme.

GSP is subject to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Law, particularly to the General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the so-called "Enabling Clause," which allows for an exception to the WTO "Most Favored Nation" principle.

At present, the GSP+ covers 13 nation beneficiaries, namely: Armenia, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Georgia, Guatemala, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Peru.

The GSP works by reducing tariffs for goods entering the EU market, in turn helping exporters generate additional revenue critical to the growth of their income and supporting economic growth and jobs creation.

78th ‘Dia’ events finalized

By Sheila Covarrubias

Everything is set for the celebration of the Dia de Zamboanga on February 26, marking the 78th anniversary of the installation of the first set of City officials in 1935.

Main highlight of the celebration will be the grand civic military parade to be followed by the commemorative program on Feb. 26 and the conferment of awards to Local Achievers on February 27 covering various fields of endeavours.

The different City Government sponsored activities are the Drum and Lyre competition (secondary level) and the city –wide cheer dance competition on February 20 at 1pm at the City Coliseum; the Zamboanga Film Festival (public screening), short film (live action and animation) and music video (live action and animation) on February 23-25 at the Cinematheque Center. The Awards Night will be on Feb. 25 at the Centro Latino.

Other activities organized by the City Government include the Grandiosa Venta de Mercado from Feb. 18-28 at the Plaza Pilar and the Kasalang Bayan on Feb. 27 at the City Hall lobby.

Also forming part of the city activities is the Juego na Dia de Zambonaga organized by the City Sports Division.

Various other activities, organized by private groups are also included in the Dia de Zamboanga calendar and these include the Couple Run 2k15 on Feb. 15 at pm; Chinese New Year celebration on Feb. 19; Nadia: Un Musical Chavacano on Feb. 19-21 at 6:30pm at the ADZU Brebeuf gym; WMSU Alumni Fun Run on Feb. 22 at 5am; Women’s conference participation in Governance on Feb. 24 at 8am at Centro Latino; Paolo Onesa- The thanksgiving Concert on Feb. 25 at the WMSU gym; ROTARUN YEAR 4 on Feb. 25 at Jardin Maria Clara; CSO Summit- Mobilizing and Expanding CSO Support for Security, Health and Education on Feb. 25 at 8am and the 18th Celso L. Lobregat Cup- Open Dart Tournament on Feb. 27-28 at Ram’s Beer Garden and Restaurant.

The Dia de Zamboanga marks the day when the first set of City officials headed by Mayor Nicasio Valderoza was installed into office. The installation took place over four months after President Manuel L. Quezon approved the Charter of Zamboanga on October 12, 1936.

ZSCMST, DOT set bird festival in Zamboanga City

(PNA), RMA/TPGJR/SSC

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 11 (PNA) -– The Zamboanga State Colleges of Marines Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), is holding the first local bird festival this month.

DOT Regional Director Mary June Bugante said Wednesday the bird festival is set to be held on Feb. 27 and “will mostly be held in the ZSCMST grounds.”

“This event is an effort to continually promote bird watching as an activity for tourists, sustain awareness on the value of environmental protection for tourism, and to highlight the uniqueness of this city in the birding community having recognized the first ever documented breeding ground of the Great Egret in the Philippines,” Bugante said.

The ZSCMST fishpond is documented as the first breeding ground of the Great Egret in the country and is the home of other bird species.

Dr. Milabel Nazario, ZSCMST president, said they have lined-up activities that include bird watching, lectures and symposia, photo exhibits and film showings.

The bird watching will be held at the ZSCMST fishpond and at the Pasonanca Natural Park, the home of up to 200 birds.

Nazario meanwhile urged the residents to help promote local tourism.

The first local bird festival is anchored on the theme Dia de Aves: “Discubrir Naturaleza en Ciudad (Day of the Birds: “Discover the Nature within the City).

The festival is also in partnership with the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP).

This city has successfully hosted the 9th Philippine Bird Festival last year.

City upgrades traffic lights

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

The city government unveiled yesterday the newly-installed traffic lights in one of its major thoroughfares as part of its efforts to upgrade and improve the traffic facilities in this part of the region.

Mayor Beng Climaco together with General Services Office (GSO) head Engr. Rene Dela Cruz led a simple switch-on ceremonies yesterday morning of the new LED traffic lights with digital countdown timers installed at the Gov. Camins intersection.

The Gov. Camins upgrade is just the first in the series of installations set for this year. According to Dela Cruz, next in line to be upgraded are the Sta. Cruz and the Mayor Jaldon intersections.

The GSO expects to complete the upgrades on the two intersections by March 2015.

The upgrading project has a total allocated budget of P9 million from the city government. Aside from the new traffic lights, the upgrades also included the replacement of the traffic controllers in several of the city’s intersections.

An additional P10 million will be requested as supplemental budget to upgrade three more intersections, said Dela Cruz.

These will include Gov. Lim (ZCMC) intersection, the Veterans Avenue intersection and the Baliwasan Chico intersection.


Zambo’s Sta. Cruz Island folks undergo scuba diving training

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR/EDS

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 10 (PNA) -- The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), a U.S. Recreational and Technical Scuba Training agency, has set a scuba training project for selected residents of the Greater Sta. Cruz Island, this city.

The training is aimed to make the participants qualified underwater volunteers for the Coral Reef restoration and grafting project spearheaded by Sangkalikasan, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST).

Dr. Michael Macrohon, resident instructor, said there are 12 male villagers aged 18 to 40 who are undergoing training, which started last week until the end of this month.

Macrohon said there is a need of “Coral Grafting” and “Artificial Reef Placement” for reef preservation and rehabilitation in Sta. Cruz Island, which is a protected area as declared under Presidential Proclamation No. 271.

He the training will benefit both the villagers and the improvement of the Greater Sta. Cruz Island that are frequently visited by domestic and foreign tourists because of its pink sand beach, huge, beautiful, soft and hard corals that can be seen with a simple mask, snorkel, and fins in which these are accessible in shallow depths.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Mary June Bugante said they support the conduct of the training since it is in line with the Sta. Cruz Island Community Based Tourism Project.

The tourism project is aimed to develop the Samal Banguingui community as a tourist attraction and to provide alternative source of income by engaging them in other productive undertakings.

Zambo marks 9th Dia de Roseller

By Sheila Covarrubias

Mayor Beng Climaco will lead today, February 9, the series of activities for the Dia de Roseller T. Lim marking the 100th birth anniversary of the one and only Zamboangueno senator Roseller T. Lim.

Now on its 9th year, the commemoration, themed “Celebrating a century legacy of greatness and service” will kick off with the unveiling of the installation art at the Plaza Pershing at 7:30am to be followed by the flag raising ceremony at the Plaza Rizal fronting City Hall at 8am.

The immediate family and relatives of the late senator to include his daughter Rosamie Lim as well as his brother former Vice Mayor Roberto T. Lim and nephew former Councilor Rudy Lim will join in the activities.

At 8:30am after the flag raising event, Mayor Climaco will lead the Lim family and other guests including other City officials and employees in the viewing of the R.T. Lim memorabilia exhibit at the City Hall lobby featuring the late senator’s personal effects and other mementos.

The activities will continue in the afternoon with the 4pm commemorative mass at the Carmelite Monastery in R.T. Lim Boulevard followed by the wreath-laying ceremony at the R.T. Lim monument along Normal Road at 5pm.

The commemoration rite will cap with the awarding ceremony for the Five Outstanding Zamboangueño Young Leaders (FOZYL) 2015 at Garden Orchid Hotel at 6:30pm.

Roseller Tarroza Lim was born on Feb. 9, 1915 and served as a member of the Senate and House of Representatives from 1949 to 1963. He also served as Court of Appeals Justice from his appointment in 1973 until his death.

Public records show that Lim was known as the “Great Filibuster”, after he filibustered in April 1963, for more than 18 hours in an attempt to prevent the election of Ferdinand Marcos as president of the Senate.

A municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, now Zamboanga Sibugay, was named after Roseller T. Lim by virtue of Batas Pambansa 183 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos on March 16, 1982. A boulevard in the city was also named after him.

The commemoration of Dia de Roseller T. Lim is based on Ordinance 283 approved by the City Counil in 2006. A bronze monument was carved at the Rotunda of the normal road and R.T. Lim Boulevard.

Search for 2015 Zambo City Achievers now on

By Sheila Covarrubias

The annual search for the Local Achievers Award, one of the main highlights during the celebration of Dia de Zamboanga in February 26 is now on.

Aimed to confer honor and prestige to Zamboangueños who have attained exceptional achievements and victories in various fields of endeavours, the search covers the fields on sports, culture and arts, public service, City Government service, community service, investment promotion, tourism-oriented establishment and the highest award- Orgullo de Zamboanga Primiar.

Deadline for the submission of nominations will be on February 16, 2015. Nomination forms can be secured at the City Public Information Division under the Office of the City Mayor located at the City Hall annex building. For inquiries, call telephone numbers 990-1356.

Awarding ceremony—the 13th since it started in 2002 is scheduled on February 27 at 7pm at Centro Latino in Paseo del Mar.

The various fields included in the Top Achiever Awards and their criteria include Sports- individual or team for outstanding athletic performance in their respective sporting events in internationally or nationally recognized competitions; Culture & Arts (Performing and Visual Artists)- individual or group promoting Zamboanga’s culture through music, dances, paintings and literary works; Public Service- individual or group for dedication and exemplary service to the people of Zamboanga; City Government Service- an individual for extraordinary performance in the service of the City Government;

Community Service (Barangay/Civic groups)- for exemplary service rendered by an individual or group in the upliftment of a barangay; Investment Promotion- individual or group for promoting Zamboanga City as a sound investment area through their products; and Tourism Oriented Establishment- a tourism-oriented establishment for its major contributions to the promotion of the city through its outstanding delivery of service.

Orgullo de Zamboanga Premiar is the highest honor and is bestowed on a single individual in recognition of his/ her significant and meritorious contributions to the city.

There are also two award categories- the top local corporate taxpayer which is bestowed on a corporation for paying highest tax locally that directly benefits the city and the top local individual taxpayer which is conferred on an individual for paying highest tax locally and is based on the business taxes paid to the office of the City Treasurer.

Candidates may come from any field, including the academe, business and government. Those contributions must be documented and supported by several individuals who can personally attest to the importance of the candidate’s contribution. Nomination of this award may be made by any individual, group, organization or institution.

ZamboEcozone to mark 20th year

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority otherwise known as the ZamboEcozone and Freeport Authority celebrates the 20th year anniversary of its Charter day on February 23.

Nearly 20 years ago at Malacañang on February 23, 1995 Former President Fidel V. Ramos signed into Law Republic Act 7903, thus creating the ZamboEcozone and Freeport Authority. The principal author of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, or more commonly known as the ZamboEcozone Law, was former Zamboanga City Congresswoman, the late Maria Clara L. Lobregat.

The brain child of the city’s beloved matriarch, “Tita Calling”, ZamboEcozone’s mandate is to encourage economic growth in the Southern part of the country, with Zamboanga City as the center for trade and investment.

One of the major events of the month-long celebration of the zone’splatinum anniversary is the conduct of a pair of agri-business seminars, dubbed, “Cacao Agri-business Seminar” and “Seminar on Hog and Fowl Raising”. The said seminars will be presented in partnership with ZamboEcozone locators AHS Agri-aqua Ventures, Ascent Feed Specialist Incorporated and San Miguel Foods Incorporated.

The dual seminars is scheduled for February 20, 2015, at 9:00-11:30 AM for the Cacao Agri-business Seminar, and 1:30-4:00 PM for the Seminar on Hog and Fowl Raising – at the ZFA Conference Room, ZamboEcozone Admin Building, San Ramon, this city. The seminars aspires to directly benefit the farmers and farming estate owners from all over the city, particularly in the city’s west coast, and would likewise be beneficial and contributory to the sustainability of some of our existing locators. It intends to orient and enjoin the participants to engage in these agri-businesses to augment and uplift the socio-economic lives of the farmers in the area.

Both seminars will be free of charge, however, as seats are limited, interested participants must coordinate with their respective Barangay Chairpersons for reservations and pre-registration.

The Authority has also lined up a series of weekend extravaganzas to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Starting on the weekend of February 7-8, ZamboEcozone will be abuzzed with exciting and fun-filled activities and a fascinating commodity fair.

The weekend extravaganzas will feature the following activities: a 2-day Soccer 7 A-Side tournament, Singing Contest, and the Bikini Open Presentation of candidates, on February 7-8. Bowling, Basketball, andVolleyball competitions are scheduled on the 15th.

The StreetDance/Hip Hop competition, anAutocross Display and Show, and the Bikini Open Coronation Night is tabled for February 21.

All the scheduled weekend extravaganzas will feature a commodity fair, dubbed, ZamboEcozone Twenty @ 2015 Market Market, which will display and sell various goods and wares. The extravaganzas will be highlighted by a nightly live band to entertainthe zone’s guests. The fair and nightly party will be held in front of the ZFA Admin building.

The market market booths and stands will be offered free of charge to the concessionaires.

Everyone is invited to come during the weekends and celebrate with us as theEntrance Fee will free of charge. However, the use of swimming facilities will still be charged.

The affair of February 22 and the actual charter day events are reserved exclusively for the officers and staff of the Authority and invited guests. These will include the Anniversary Night, a motorcade, Eucharistic celebration, a cook fest and other activities.

After one score, the ZamboEcozone and Freeport has 20 registered locators coming from varied industries and has generated a total of 981 employment and 695 million in actual investments out of the over 13 billion committed investments, as of the end of 2014.

Nineteen prospective locators are currently in different stages of registration within the zone. The total committed investments of these would-be-locators is nearly 280 million pesos, with a total aggregate area requirement of 2,262 hectares.

The economic gains that the ZamboEcozone has achieved in the last 20 years coupled with the growing investors’ confidence underscores the all-important role of the ZamboEcozone as the hub in the development of Zamboanga Peninsula, making the region a vibrant and dynamic player in the ASEAN Integration.

DTI monitors price decrease of some commodities in Zamboanga City

[(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/RSM]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 6 (PNA) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that the prices of some commodities in this city have decreased by as high as 4.65 percent.

“Per our monitoring, we noticed a decrease in the prices of milk ranging from .8 percent to 2 percent translating to P.50 to P2.00 per 300 milliliter (ml) can,” Eng’r. Rolando Acuña, DTI provincial director, said Friday.

Specifically, Acuña said that Alaska milk decreased from P53 to P52, Milk Maid from P64 to P63, and Carnation by P.50.

Acuña also noted a decrease in the prices of sugar by 4.65 percent, with one-kilogram (kg) of brown sugar decreasing by P1 and white sugar by P2.

The biggest price drop monitored by the DTI was noted in the prices of steel bar, according to Acuña.

“The biggest decrease is in the prices of steel bars. The price dropped from 2 percent to almost 10 percent,” he said.

He said the decrease in the oil prices is one of the factors that contributed to the price decrease of some of the commodities.

“It is one of the factors that contribute to the price decrease, the other being the stiff competition among manufacturers. There is a healthy competition among them by offering lower price,” he said.

“Another reason is the price of components or ingredients used to manufacture products. We have noted a decrease in component price,” he added.

Acuña said prices of other commodities regularly monitored by the agency remain stable and well within the suggested retail price (SRP).

However, Acuña pointed out that they will have to review the existing SRPs for possible adjustment with the continuing decrease in oil prices.

“With this scenario, DTI needs to review our prevailing SRPs to validate if the improved oil price warrants a price decrease. Again, we also have to consider other factors other than the oil price,” he explained.

“First, companies and producers submit their proposed SRPs. DTI will then review, check, and validate it. We will now see the cost of component and see whether their computation is properly done. Their selling price plus their profit margin, will now give you the suggested retail price,” he expounded how they come up with SRPs.

Licomo folks get P8.2 milion projects, avail of Dia de Alcalde

By Sheila Covarrubias

Four projects worth a total of P8.2 million were turned over by the City Government to barangay Licomo yesterday signifying continuous support to the barangay folks.

Mayor Beng Climaco spearheaded the turnover of a spill way and 3 farm-to-market road projects together with members of the City Council and other city government officials.

The turnover ceremony coincided with the conduct of Dia del Alcalde, an outreach program highlighting the city’s frontline services foremost of which are the medical and dental services by the City Health Office.

The same outreach program also featured services rendered by the City Agriculturist Office, City Veterinarian Office and City Civil Registrar’s Office.

Eduardo Caloyloy, Licomo barangay chairman expressed gratitude to the City Government for the continuous support intended to help improve the plight of the constituents.

Together with Mayor Climaco during the Licomo activities were Councilors Mike Alavar, Roel Natividad and BG Guingona and City Engineer Luis Despalo and personnel from various city departments.

OCENR spearheads ‘World Wetland Day’

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

A mangrove planting activity highlighted the City Government’s observance of this year’s World Wetlands Day celebration held Monday, February 2 in barangay Talon-Talon.

Through the efforts of the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR), led by Engr. Reynaldo Gonzales, around 2,000 mangrove propagules were planted at the National Greening Program (NGP) site in Talon-Talon, an area earmarked for rehabilitation by the City Government in coordination with concerned national government agencies and the local communities in nearby coastal areas.

Joining the OCENR for the activity were members the PNP – Tetuan Police Station, and Task Force Zamboanga – 31st MBLT. A brief orientation for the participants was held prior to the planting activity.

With the theme “Wetlands for Our Future”, the World Wetlands Day celebration seeks to raise public awareness on the values and benefits of wetlands as well as promote the conservation and wise use of wetland areas.

Wetlands are found near the sea or inland and can be seasonal – they are water logged only during parts of the year, or perennial. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem as they prevent flooding by absorbing water, ensure soil that is a unique breeding ground for vegetation that feed fish, give shelter to animals, and purify water by removing sediments.

They also offer substantial economic, social and environmental values which, if managed sustainably, will provide benefits to future generations.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally each year on February 2. This date marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971, a treaty on the preservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

PPA-contracted cargo firm in Zambo to buy Php50-M heavy equipment

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 3 (PNA) -- The Zamboanga City Integrated Port Services Incorporated (ZCIPSI) is purchasing close to Php50 million worth of heavy equipment this year to further boost its cargo handling capability.

ZCIPSI president Samuel Simon said Tuesday the heavy equipments they will purchase are as follows: one unit 45-ton reach stacker, Php20 million; one unit 30-ton forklift, Php20 million; four units 3.5-ton forklifts, Php1.3 million each; two units 20-footer spreader, Php1.2 million; and, weighbridge, Php2.5 million.

“These equipments are required and needed for the port operation,” Simon added.

ZCIPSI is the sole cargo handling firm the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) had contracted to handle in-bound and out-bound cargos at the local wharf.

Simon said they serve at least 12 vessels daily both local and national. Most of the in-bound cargos are coming from Manila.

Simon said they maintain 201 regular staffs, 70 on-call workers, and 570 laborers.

The port of Zamboanga is one of the busiest ports in the country.

Ayala group sees Zambo potential

(PR investments office)

A 21-man team from Manila Water, headed by Pres. and Chairman of the Board, Fernando Zobel de Ayala acknowledged on Friday, Zamboanga City’s investment opportunities.

During his privilege speech, the COO claimed to have felt the progressive leadership of Mayor Beng Climaco.

Mr. Zobel, came for Manila Water as it signed and executed an agreement with the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) to govern their relationship as joint venture partners in the conduct of non-revenue water reduction activities.

Prior to the main event, Investment Officer Apple Go presented the economic scenario and comparative advantage of the city. Go stressed that Zamboanga City is attracting investments from the BPO industry, especially now that outsourcing firms are looking for possible locations outside Manila and Cebu, where industry concentration has driven up labor and rental costs.

The city’s local dialect, Chavacano gives Zamboanga an edge in handling Spanish accounts. The Instituto Cervantes, through Mayor Climaco’s efforts, will be in the city soon.

Engr. Jojo Sicat, City Planning Officer, discussed the viability of the proposed airport transfer. A new site will ensure that efficient delivery of international and domestic flights will be adequately served.

Chairman Chris Arnuco gave the value propositions of ZAMBOECOZONE stating that “Our incentives mean business and we offer the lowest lease rates among competitors.”

Asked whether he thought twice of coming to Zamboanga, Mr. Zobel, with all sincerity, said the recent events did not bother him at all. He mentioned there were several exchange of messages, asking him about the business trip, and he consistently replied, “We always honor our commitment.”

Ayala Corp., the country’s oldest conglomerate, has proven that with every challenge is an opportunity waiting to be conquered. This investor’s confidence will encourage more business activities, which denote more economic returns in terms of jobs created and income earned.

PCSO to launch new lotto game

(Bong Garcia)

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is launching a new lottery game on February 7.

PCSO-Zamboanga OIC-Manager Gloria Ybañez said the new lottery game known as the 6/58 will have its first draw date on February 8.

Ybañez said the minimum jackpot prize of the new lottery game is P50 million for a P20 bet.

The bettors of the new lottery game will have to choose a six-number combination out of the numbers from 1 to 58 on the bet slip.

She said the entry of the 6/58 will provide the public an additional option to bet in lotto games.

The existing lotto games at present are the 6/42, 6/45, 6/49, 6/55, keno, four-digit lotto, two-digit combination and suertres.

Ybañez urged the public to continuously support the different lotto games as 30 percent of the proceeds go to charity.

The biggest chunk at 55 percent is for prize fund and the remaining 15 percent is for the operation of the PCSO.

There are 355 lotto outlets in Zamboanga Peninsula, 131 of which are located in Zamboanga City, said Ybañez.

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