Zamboanga City News February 2017

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

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.

Search for 2016 Gawad Kalasag now open

(PNA), RMA/TPGJR/RGAAG

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) - The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) has announced the search is now open for the 2016 Gawad Kalasag for excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Humanitarian Assistance.

Kalasag stands for Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan.

Sharva Hamsi of the OCD Region 9 on Saturday said the Gawad Kalasag is an annual search for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).

Hamsi said the search was designed to encourage participation of various stakeholders in crafting and implementing DRRM related policies, strategies and programs to protect or shield the hazard prone communities from adverse impact of natural and human-induced calamities.

Hamsi said those who wish to join the search must pass the desk and field validations as well as deliberation.

She said they had until next week, Feb. 28, to submit application to join the search. The awarding of winners is on July in time for the National Disaster Consciousness Month.

She said the search was opened for the following categories namely: city, municipality, and provincial disaster risk reduction and management officers; hospitals; schools; early learning centers; higher education institutions; urban and basic government emergency and responds management; civil society organizations; volunteers; people’s organizations; private organizations.

She said the winners will receive plaque and cash prizes.

The cash prizes are as follows: first prize, Php 50,000; second prize, Php 30,000; and, third prize, Php 15,000.

A plaque of recognition will also be awarded for the heroic act and special recognition.

BIR to launch tax campaign on March 1 in Zambo

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is set to launch its 2017 tax campaign for Zamboanga region on March 1 in this city.

BIR Assistant Revenue District Officer Fabian Francisco on Friday said the campaign is aimed at winning the support of the taxpayers to paying the right amount of taxes and on time.

Francisco said there would also a tax information drive to include updates on policies of the agency.

He said BIR Deputy Commissioner for Resource Management Group Celia King will be the guest speaker during the launching of the tax campaign.

Expected to attend the event are the Revenue District Officers from Dipolog City; Pagadian City; Zamboanga Sibugay; Basilan; Tawi Tawi; Sulu; and Zamboanga City, all under BIR Revenue Region 15.

This year’s tax campaign is anchored on the theme: “BIR Tunay Na Pagbabago Para Sa Bayan.”

Westmincom, DOH hold fun run in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAP/NYP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 23 (PNA)-- Some 300 personnel of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) and other local medical institutions on Thursday joined the Color Fun Run and Zumba exercises launched in Camp Navarro, this city.

The camp houses the headquarters of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in this city.

In line with the Heart Month celebration, the activity was held as part of the Go4Health strategy of the Department of Health to promote physical fitness, and was made possible through coordination with the Westmincom.

The participants had a three-round run around the grandstand oval of Camp Navarro and was followed by Zumba exercises.

Lt. Col. Joel Mamon, Westmincom’s civil-military operations chief, on behalf of Westmincom commander, Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., has expressed gratitude to the DOH for choosing Camp Navarro as the venue of the activity.

Mamon said Westmincom is looking forward to another collaboration with the DOH.

Gift raffles were also awarded to the participants during the Zumba exercise.

Other participants to the event were personnel of the regional DOH office, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, and Labuan Public Hospital.

Virginia Galaretta, DOH regional health education and promotion officer, has thanked Westmincom for its support to the health advocacy of the agency.

Zamboanga agri office embarks on potato seedling production

(PNA), LAP/NYP/TPGJR/RGAAG

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 21 (PNA) -- The Office of the City Agriculture has embarked on seedling production as it envisions to make this city a potato producer.

Dr. Diosdado Palacat, city agriculturist, on Tuesday said they have purchased 2,000 potato tubers from Bukidnon for seedling production.

Palacat said the seedling production is undertaken in an area in La Paz, an upland village and known as this city’s little Baguio.

The cool climate in the interior make La Paz an ideal place for vegetable growing.

Palacat said the seedlings would be distributed to farmers for mass cultivation and potato production.

He said they expect the first harvest of the locally - produced potatoes by November or December this year.

At present, the supply of potato in this city come from as far as Baguio and in Trinidad, Benguet.

A kilo of potato is sold here at PhP90 to PhP120.

Palacat said prices are expected to decrease to PhP40 a kilo once locally produced potatoes hit the market.

Red Cross to open Summer Safety Institute

By R.G. ANTONET GO

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Zamboanga City Chapter is set to open its 2017 Summer Safety Institute, a series of seminars designed to train participants to save lives.

The seminar is scheduled from April 3 to May 17 this year.

Red Cross officials are encouraging high school graduates and young professionals to take the course to broaden their knowledge on life saving techniques.

Among the skills to be taught during the seminar are: HIV-AIDS awareness, basic disaster management, basic life support, land navigation trekking, survival challenge, International Humanitarian law awareness, ambulance management, first aid basic life support instructor course, rope rescue, basic water safety and first aid.

Some of the activities will be done outdoors while lectures will be given inside the Red Cross Youth Training Center.

Trainers of the participants are highly qualified personnel trained by the International organization.

Participants who complete the Summer Safety Institute will be given their respective certificates.

City Hall announces events for Dia de Zamboanga

By R.G. ANTONET GO

The Zamboanga city government has released its line-up of activities for the upcoming Dia de Zamboanga or Charter Day celebration on February 26.

In a statement, the City Hall Public Information Office has announced Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle-Climaco’s invitation to PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker during the Dia de Zamboanga program.

It was learned that City Hall has also prepared the official list of events for the upcoming observance.

The Charter Day celebration will feature annual and traditional events such as the Achievers’ Night on February 24, the Drum and Lyre Competition and the 80th Dia de Zamboanga commemorative program which will be concurrently held on February 26, and the Grand Civic-Military parade.

Sporting events include the Copa de Ciudad de Zamboanga Open Invitational Triple Men-Ladies Bowling Tournament from February 24-26, 6th Dia de Zamboanga Karatedo Championship from February 24 to 25, 3rd Dia de Zamboanga Juego de Pana, and the Sepak Takraw Tournament from February 25 to 26.

Other activities include the 1st West Metro Inter-Nursing School Battle of the Nightingales on February 23, Fish-Ibig 1: Oplan Isda Tulong sa Bayan from February 24 to 26, Zamboanga Music RunVolution 2017 on February 25, and the Color Blast Fun Run on February 26.

The 80th Dia de Zamboanga marks the Charter Anniversary of the city with the installation of the first set of city officials on February 26, 1937 headed by the city’s first Mayor Nicasio Valderrosa.

The official oath-taking of the city officials followed the signing of the city’s charter on October 12, 1936 which was held at Malacañan Palace.

DTI to open 17 new Negosyo Centers in Region 9

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR/RGAAG

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to establish 17 new Negosyo Centers this year in Region 9, to assist businessmen and aspiring entrepreneurs to have sustainable business.

Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI regional director, told the Philippine News Agency that six of the 17 Negosyo Centers will be opened in Zamboanga Sibugay province, six in Zamboanga del Sur, four in Zamboanga del Norte, and one in this city.

The Negosyo Centers that will be opened in Zamboanga Sibugay will be located in the municipalities of Alicia, Diplahan, Kabasalan, Naga, Olutanga, and Siay.

In Zamboanga del Sur, the Negosyo Centers will be placed in the towns of Duminag, Tabina, Tukuran, Midsalip, Margosatubig, and Dumalinao.

For Zamboanga del Norte, the centers will be constructed in the towns of Sindangan, Sergio Osmeña, Polanco, and Katipunan.

The Negosyo Center for this city will be established in Barangay Vitali, the second to the last barangay towards the boundary with the province Zamboanga Sibugay.

There are at present 20 Negosyo Centers in the region. These are located in the following areas: three, Zamboanga City; one, Isabela City; five, Zamboanga Sibugay; five, Zamboanga del Norte; and, six, Zamboanga del Sur.

“Our objective is to open Negosyo Centers in all areas in Region 9. These (centers) will facilitate easier access to small entrepreneurs when it comes to product development, marketing, financial literacy, production efficiency, and technology transfer,” Jain said.

Jain said the existing Negosyo Centers have assisted around 13,000 Micro, Small, and Medium, Enterprises (MSMEs) in 2016.

She said they are looking forward to 10,000 new businesses to be registered this year in the region through the Negosyo Centers.

DOST to inaugurate P3 million Food Innovation Center

By Alma L. Tingcang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, February 15 (PIA) --- The Department of Science and Technology will undertake a string of activities on February 16 in the city with DOST Secretary Fortunato T. De La Peña gracing the events, Mayor Ma. Isabelle G. Climaco-Salazar and other key officials and personalities.

The three events are the 6th Phil LIDAR 1 Mindanao Cluster Colloquium, the Inauguration of the Zamboanga Peninsula Food Innovation Center (ZPFIC) and the Launching of the Innovation Center for Metals and Engineering.

LIDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging, which uses laser technology to generate detailed, high-resolution 3D maps for flood and hazard simulations. The maps generated through LiDAR also aid in planning, construction, and energy resource mapping.

Hosting the culminating meet will be the Ateneo de Zamboanga with the theme: “Retrospect. Deliver. Realize.”

The final colloquium will discuss the processes and experiences of the program including its outputs that will affect the realization of the project’s vision which is to strengthen the capacity of partner stakeholders and communities in terms of disaster resiliency thru the use of LIDAR products.

Army chief leads reactivation of 54th Engineering Brigade in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAP/NYP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- The Philippine Army last Friday reactivated the 54th Engineering Brigade (EB) to undertake development projects in support to the government’s pacification campaign in this part of the country.

Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, Philippine Army chief, spearheaded the reactivation ceremony held at Camp Arnaldo Fernandez Jr., in Barangay Cabatangan, this city.

“We are not only trained to fight but rather we are also trained to support development,” Miranda said during the ceremony.

At the same time, Miranda has installed Brig. Gen. Arnold Fernandez as the 54EB commander.

Miranda expressed confidence that Fernandez will not falter in his task, citing he is an efficient and competent officer.

Fernandez, for his part, has assured that he would do his best to accomplish the tasks given him and his brigade.

“I am ready to accept these tasks,” he said.

Miranda, meanwhile, thanked Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman for allowing them to use a portion of the ARMM property to house the 54EB headquarters in Barangay Cabatangan, this city.

Originally, Lt. Col. Maynard Camarao, operations officer of the 52EB, said that the 54EB was activated on July 1, 1991.

However, Camarao said the 54EB was deactivated on July 11, 2013 after it was assigned to the different areas in the country.

With its reactivation, the 54EB would be the fourth engineering unit of the Philippine Army.

The other three Army engineer units are the 51st, 52nd and 53rd Engineering Brigades.

Glorioso has placed the 54EB under the tactical control of the Philippine Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command based in this city.

Zambo solon files bill to upgrade Labuan Public Hospital

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA)-- First District Rep. Celso Lobregat has filed a bill that seeks to amend Batas Pambansa Bilang 517, in a move to upgrade the Labuan Public Hospital to a Level II General Hospital.

Lobregat on Wednesday said the passage of H.B. 4945 will upgrade the 10-bed Labuan Public Hospital to a 200-bed capacity, for it to cope with the increasing number of patients.

The hospital, which is located in Barangay Labuan, 36 kilometers west of City Hall, provides preventive and curative services to residents in the barangay and nearby areas such as the municipality of Sibuco and Sirawai in Zamboanga del Norte.

Lobregat said with the rapid increase of population in this city, the existing health facility of Labuan Public Hospital is extremely inadequate to accommodate the increasing number of patients coming to the hospital daily.

The Labuan Public Hospital was created through Batas Pambansa Bilang 517 issued on June 10,1983 or 33 years ago.

“If Labuan Public Hospital will be upgraded to Level II, it will be upgraded into a 200-bed capacity from the recent 10-bed capacity. We have to prepare it for the future especially with the increasing number of population and patients in the west coast,” Lobregat said.

He said given its limited capacity and resources, it is therefore imperative that the Labuan Public Hospital be converted into Level II General Hospital in order to provide more adequate services to its patients.

He said its existing service facilities, professional health care services and the number of personnel have to be upgraded to conform with and be commensurate to its increased functional capacity.

Olympic heroine Hidilyn Diaz to be honored as 2016 Athlete of the Year in PSA Awards Night

By Gerard Ramos (From the wires)

THE cream of the crop of Philippine sports in the past year take centerstage when the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) holds its Annual Awards Night presented by San Miguel and MILO at the LE PAVILLON in Pasay City on Monday.

Hidilyn Diaz, whose silver medal in the Rio De Janeiro Olympics gave this country its proudest moment in 2016, will be recognized with the Athlete of the Year award, the highest honor bestowed by the country’s oldest media organization first established in 1949 and currently headed by president Riera Mallari of The Standard.

The 25-year-old pride of Zamboanga City leads 91 other personalities and entities who are also going to be honored during the formal gala night co-presented by CIGNAL/HYPER HD.

Awards proper starts at 7:30 p.m. to be hosted by Quinito Henson, Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, Carla Lizardo, and Steph Ongkiko.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez lead the local sports community in paying homage to all the stars of the affair being held in partnership with the PSC, Smart, Phoenix Petroleum, Foton, ICTSI, Globalport, Mighty Sports, and Rain or Shine.

Notable titles to be handed out are the Lifetime Achievement Award (Eugene Torre), President’s Award (Milo Rivera), Executive of the Year (Philip Ella Juico), and National Sports Association of the Year (Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association).

Posthumous award will also be extended to beloved sports personalities who passed away over the past year led by legends Carlos ‘Caloy’ Loyzaga, Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan, and Filomeno ‘Boy’ Codinera.

Those who failed to receive their invitations can personally get it at the registration center of the venue during the program also backed by the Philippine Basketball Association, Federal Land, SM Prime Holdings Inc., Meralco, ACCEL, NLEX, MVP Sports Foundation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The 2016 PSA AWARDS NIGHT HONORL ROLL LIST

Athlete of the Year – Hidilyn Diaz Lifetime

Achievement Award – Eugene Torre

President’s Award – Milo Rivera

Executive of the Year – Philip Ella Juico

NSA of the Year – Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) Mr. Basketball – June Mar Fajardo Mr. Football – Misagh Bahadoran Mr. Golf – Miguel Tabuena

Mr. Taekwondo – Jeordan Dominguez

Ms. Volleyball – Mika Reyes

Major Award - Josephine Medina (paralympics), Janelle Mae Frayna (chess), Eric Shauwn Cray (athletics), Marestella Torres-Sunang (athletics), Mary Joy Tabal (marathon), Ian Lariba (table tennis), Kirstie Elaine Alora (taekwondo), Nestor Colonia (weightlifting), Philippine Poomsae Team (Jean Pierre Sabido, Ernesto Guzman Jr., Jeordan Dominguez, Glenn Lava), San Miguel Beer (pro basketball), Jeron Alvin Teng (amateur basketball), Johnriel Casimero (boxing), Yuka Saso (golf), Eduard Folayang (mixed martial arts), Marvin Mangulabnan (superbike), Mark Alvarez (Jockey of the Year), Low Profile (Horse of the Year)

Citation - Ernest John Obiena (athletics), Chezka Centeno (billiards), Rogen Ladon (boxing), Charly Suarez (boxing), Marlon Tapales (boxing), Gretchen Abaniel (boxing), Jerwin Ancajas (boxing), Criztian Pitt Laurente (boxing), Ariana Thea Patrice Dormitorio (cycling), Sofia Chabon (golf), Bernice Olivarez-Ilas (golf), Annie Ramirez (jiu-jitsu), Margarita Ochoa (jiu-jitsu), Joseph Myers (jiu-jitsu), Orencio James delos Santos (karate), Jacob Ang (karting), Brandon Michael Vera (mixed martial arts), Kenneth San Andres (motocross), Pauline Louise Lopez (taekwondo), Juvenile Faye Crisostomo (taekwondo), Patrick John Tierro (tennis), Monica Torres (triathlon), August Benedicto (triathlon), Divine Wally (wushu), Arnel Mandal (wushu), Ramon “Tats” Suzara (volleyball), Johnny Tan (motorsports), National University Lady Bulldogs (women’s basketball), National University Pep Squad (cheerdance), Pocari Sweat (volleyball), RC Cola-Army (volleyball), Philippine Dragon Boat Team, Philippine Fencing Team, Philippine Sailing Team, Philippine Sepak Takraw Team, Phillippine Canoe Kayak Federation, United Football League (UFL), Women’s Volleyball League (WVL), Pru Life (football), TV 5, UNTV

Milo Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Adam Bondoc (karatedo)

Milo Junior Female Athlete of the Year – Kyla Soguilon (swimming)

Tony Siddayao Award - Ancilla Mari Manzano (gymnastics), Khazart William ‘Khaz’ Romoff (karting), Joan Masangkay (powerlifting), Arielle Pascual (skating), Maurice Sacho Ilustre (swimming), Jerard Dominic Jacinto (swimming), Marc Bryan Dula (swimming), Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (swimming), Tara Borlain (triathlon), Samantha Borlain (triathlon)

Posthumous Award - Carlos “Caloy" Loyzaga, Filomeno “Boy” Codiñera, Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, Mariano “Tom” Ong, Cecil Hechanova, Ronnie Nathanielsz, Herminigildo “Hermie” Rivera, Jonas Mariano, Gilbert Bulawan, Emy Arcilla, Benjie Castro, Rogie Maglinas

USAID launches handbook on water security reportage

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project has launched a handbook to guide journalists in reporting on water security.

The handbook titled “Reporting on Water Security: A Guide to Journalists” was launched on Wednesday during a media forum on water security and climate change in Makati City.

Senator Loren Legarda, Senate Committee on Climate Change chairperson and the forum’s keynote speaker, and Clay Epperson, USAID-Philippines deputy mission director, led the launching of the handbook.

“Water is a basic need, yet it is a resource that we have taken for granted,” Legarda told the forum participants.

“This handbook provides you with quick access to information on water and climate change issues and proposed solutions so that you can easily incorporate these into your mainstream media reporting,” Be Secure Project stated on the handbook.

As partner for change, the Be Secure Project recognized the important role the media can play in raising the volume on water security issues; bringing attention to solutions; and educating, informing, and inspiring people to take action.

The 60-page handbook content’s are the following: why address water issues?; water resources in the Philippines; how does climate change impact our water resources?; Philippine laws and programs pertaining to water, sanitation and climate change; how can we ensure long-term water security in the Philippines?;

Reforming the Philippine water sector and establishing a water regulatory commission; amending the Philippine water code; mainstreaming water demand management; promoting sustainable sanitation; increasing climate resiliency of water resources; suggested topics for articles on water and climate change; and, water alliance.

Be Secure Project said that water scarcity in the Philippines is caused by many factors, including climate change, the country’s growing population, and inefficient water use.

“Public awareness activities on water issues to influence policies, practices, and initiatives are an important task that you, the media, can take on. Earning commitment from decision-makers to prioritize these issues will positively affect the lives of millions of Filipinos who are already experiencing or facing the prospect of water-scarce future.”

“Let us not wait for the well to be dried before we act because by then it would have been already too late,” Legarda said during the forum.

The forum was attended by mediamen, local government officials and water district officials from the cities of Bacolod, Cagayan del Oro and Zamboanga.

Among the topics discussed during the forum were water security and sanitation challenges in the Philippines; climate resilience of water resources and water demand management; and, experiences of partners on water security, sanitation and climate change.

The forum’s resource speakers aside from Legarda and Epperson included Ramon Alikpala, senior technical adviser of USAID Be Secure Project; Elisea Gozun, climate resiliency team leader of USAID Be Secure Project; Eng’r. Rodrigo Sicat, Zamboanga City planning and development coordinator; Rachel Beja, Cagayan de Oro Water District general manager; Eng’r. Rowena Calasara, Central Philippine University faculty; and, Arnel Cabungcal, Quality, Safety and Environment director of Coca-Cola ASEAN business unit.

DOLE turns-over P300k worth livelihood assistance to PWDs

By Alma L. Tingcang (ALT-PIA9/Zamboanga Sibugay/With report from DSWD/DOLE)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) --- The Department of Labor and Employment officially turned-over P300 thousand worth of Canteen Establishment cum Bread and Pastry Livelihood Assistance to the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center-III (AVRC) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development- Field Office IX, recently.

About 40 PWD members of the United Clients Builders Association will manage and benefit from the project tol help them engage and start livelihood activities, through the supervision of the center.

Ian Lahi, LEO chief of Zamboanga City urged the beneficiaries to take care of the assistance given to them to boost their family income.

Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Labor and Employment Region IX, Mr. Yahya Centi also expressed his appreciation to the PWD clients and has encouraged everyone to value the opportunity given by the Government to them.

“One thing’s for sure we are committed to you. This is about giving you hope, this is about giving you optimism. This is about hope in your dreams, hope in your realization and hope from day to day. DOLE and DSWD has always been a partner,” Centi said.

The ceremony was attended by the members of United Clients Builders Association, PWDs and DSWD staff.

The PWD clients of AVRC, who are members of the said association underwent trainings under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Baking and Pastry Production for fifteen days.

AVRC-III Superintendent, Leila Awis said that the realization of the said canteen will be implemented as soon as the repair and construction have already been finished.

The clients under the AVRC undergo several phases such as Social Rehabilitation, On-Job Training and Placement.

The center seeks to assist persons with disabilities in achieving the highest level of physical, social and economic adjustment by maximizing their residual capacities through a wide range of social and vocational activities.

DSWD gears for Adoption Consciousness Week

By Alma L. Tingcang (ALT-PIA9/Zamboanga Sibugay/With report from DSWD-9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, February 9 (PIA) --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office IX has set series of activities that will highlight the celebration of Adoption Consciousness Week this February.

The celebration that will run from February 11-19, 2017 is anchored on this year's theme:"Pagmamahal Palaganapin, Legal na Pag-ampon ating gawin."

DSWD Regional Director Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo urged the public to actively engage in the advocacy on legal adoption. “I encourage everyone to seek for consultation and inquiry in the office to consider adoption as an opportunity to build new families for our children. Our workers are ready to facilitate and assist the prospective adoptive families to ensure legal adoption processing," Atty. Solamillo said.

The celebration is set to kick-off with motorcade and will highlight other activities such as Holy Eucharistic Celebration with Adoptive Families and RSCC clients, Adoption Help Desk in Malls, Adoption Information Caravan in some National Government Offices and Adoption Forum for Local Government Units within the week-long celebration.

Media guesting will also form part of lined-up activities that will aid in the advocacy and publicity support of the program.

In 2016, DSWD Field Office IX has recorded 25 Local Adoption and 7 Inter-Country Adoption.

Halal industry development, rubber demand increase among priorities of BIMP-EAGA, ASEAN

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy (ALT/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, February 8 (PIA) - The sub-committee on BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN Concerns of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 Economic Development Committee seeks to prioritize the development of the Halal Industry in the region and increase rubber demand, which has been on the decline for over a year now.

The sub-committee convened on February 7 for its second regular meeting to discuss 2016 accomplishments and updates; developments in the BIMP-EAGA Trade and Investment Facilitation Cluster and Action Plan for year 2017, among others.

“Given that the Philippines is the host of the ASEAN this year, we would like Zamboanga Peninsula region to be present in all of the activities laid underway,” said DTI-9 Regional Director Sitti Amina M. Jain, chairperson of the Sub-Committee on BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN Concerns.

Jain said several activities on ASEAN and BIMP-EAGA will be held in Mindanao, and they are expecting many of the private sectors in the region to participate.

“We hope to come up with a concrete plan on how to move Region 9 to be part of the BIMP-EAGA programs and activities this year,” she said.

According to Jain, ZamPen region has all the high value crops, champion products that makes it on the advantage with open trade. "Get benefit out of it," she urged.

She also underscored inclusive growth for all as the main agenda of the BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN cooperation.

“Walang iwanan sa BIMP-EAGA, walang iwanan sa ASEAN.” she said.

Zamboanga City gov’t implements land use plan

By Bong Garcia(BG/SunStar Philippines)

ZAMBOANGA City Government is pursuing the approval and eventual implementation of its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, a 15-year physical development plan that seeks to address the perennial vehicular traffic problem.

City Planning and Development coordinator Rodrigo Sicat said one of the strategies identified in the plan is the establishment of seven growth areas - Labuan, Ayala in the west coast, the central business district, and Sangali, Curuan, and Vitali in east coast.

“This is to dispense the influx and concentration of traffic in the city proper,” Sicat said, adding the new growth areas are parts of the plan.

Sicat said they shall serve as catchment approach, meaning the City Government, together with the National Government agencies, shall focus on the delivery of vital infrastructures to these areas so the people from the catchment villages will go to these areas.

He said by early February or March, the City Government will be conducting the mandatory consultations and resolutions through the City Development Council and the City Council.

DOH chief leads groundbreaking of PhP293.8-M projects in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAP/NYP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -– Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Jean Rossel-Ubial spearheaded here on Monday the contract signing and groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of PhP 293.8-million worth of projects at the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC).

The signatories in the contract signing aside from Ubial were Dr. Romeo Ong, ZCMC chief, and the representatives of the BENRAM Construction and AIMM Builder and Construction Supply Company that would undertake the projects.

DOH Regional Director Dr. Aristides Tan and Health Undersecretary for Administration, Finance and Procurement Achilles Gerard Bravo stood as witnesses to the contract signing.

Ong said the projects include the construction of PhP 234.5-million five-storey Central Block Tower 1 with roof deck and the PhP59.2-million Emergency and Critical Care Center (ECCC).

Two groundbreaking ceremonies were held in succession after the contract signing activity.

The first groundbreaking was for the construction of the Central Block Tower 1, which was immediately followed by a similar event for the Emergency and Critical Care Center.

Ubial said the completion of the projects would upgrade the capacity and capability of the ZCMC to be able to better attend to the health needs of the people, especially the poor, which is one of the cornerstones of the Philippine health agenda under the Duterte administration.

The ZCMC caters to patients not only from the Zamboanga Peninsula but also those from the nearby regions and the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The Central Block Tower 1 will house the Departments of Surgery, Pediatrics, Surgical and Pediatrics Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Pediatrics Cancer Unit, Burnt Unit, Geriatrics Unit, 20 private rooms, chapel and conference room.

The AIMM Builder and Construction Supply will build the five-storey Tower 1 building in 600 calendar days.

The tower including the roof deck will have a total area of 11,880 square meters.

Ong said the ECCC, for its part, would house the laboratory, X-ray, operating room for trauma cases, women and child protection unit, pharmacy, 32 beds for critical care and a morgue.

The BENRAM Construction Corp. would undertake the ECCC in 365 calendar days.

Ong said the funding for the construction of the two multi-million projects came from the income of ZCMC and congressional appropriations through the initiative of District 1 Representative Celso Lobregat.

Zamboanga City marks 300% hike in business permits issuance

By Bong Garcia(BG/SunStar Philippines)

THE Business Permit and Licensing Division under the Office of the Mayor reported a 300 percent hike in the number of business permits issued with the implementation of the new streamlined process and the establishment of the Business One Stop Shop (Boss) from January 3 to 31 this year compared to same period last year.

City Permits and Licensing Officer Benjie Barredo said his office has issued a total of 10,114 business permits during the 29-day operation of the Boss at Centro Latino Convention Center in Paseo del Mar.

Barredo said they only issued 2,010 business permits during the operation of the partial implementation of the Boss in City Hall from January 2 to 31 last year.

The Boss brought together all offices and agencies involved in the business registration and renewal process to Centro Latino Convention Center.

It operated on extended hours from January 3 to 20 and by virtue of a City Council ordinance, the Boss continued operations, as payment of business tax was extended until January 31.

However, applications for business permits renewal submitted after January 20 were already subjected to surcharges and penalties.

As this developed, Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar thanked the over 10,000 business licensees for complying with the law as well as the Boss team and the different department heads for a job well done during the 29-day operation of the Boss.

Salazar expressed gratitude to the United States Agency for International Development through its Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity program for the technical assistance provided including the study tours in the cities of Valenzuela and Quezon City it sponsored.

PCO roadshow Zamboanga highlights ASEAN, new media communications

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez (ALT/JPA/PIA9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Presidential Communications Operations Office conducted a Roadshow here over the weekend, the second in a row after the Davao leg to bring understanding of what ASEAN is and its importance and benefits to every Filipino.

The Roadshow did not only bring ASEAN information, but also important talks on Freedom of Information, and introduced the participants to what “New Media Communications for Participatory Governance” is all about.

“Bakit po natin ginagawa ang roadshow? Kasi po dapat maintindihan natin, una, kung ano ba talaga ang ginagawa ng PCOO,” said Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin M. Andanar.

‘”Our principal task is to communicate government policies to the masses, to give information and to make people understand kung ano po ang polisiya nang ating gobyerno,” the PCOO Secretary said in contrary to common public perception that PCOO is the spokesperson of the President.

Sec. Andanar shared several platforms it uses in communicating to the people. He said the communications office uses several platforms. They are “all over” - on air ( TV and radio), on print (newspaper) , online (websites, social media) and on ground.

The Secretary also mentioned that the Philippine Information Agency, as one of its communication force is undergoing changes, “para maging on ground communications platform ng PCOO,” he said.

“We are all caught in the middle of internet haywire where we seem to forget that the most important means of communication is physical,” he added.

“Dapat nag uusap pa rin tayo,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, PIA Director General Harold Clavite was honored to be part of the PCOO Roadshow.

We are doing these roadshows sa lahat ng sulok ng bansa, and we will continue to do this sa buong taon,” DG Clavite informed.

More than 200 participants from various sectors attended the activity.

Major facelift for Zamboanga's pink sand beach in the works

By Azer N. Parrocha [(PNA), JBP/ANP]

MANILA(PNA) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday vowed to give the pink sand beach of Zamboanga a major facelift as part of its efforts to fan tourism arrivals in Mindanao.

This comes after Zamboanga’s pink sand beach located in the Great Sta. Cruz Island or Isla de Sta. Cruz was recognized by international magazine National Geographic as one of the 21 Best Beaches in the World.

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo said she has already instructed DOT Region 9 Director Antonio Blanco to coordinate with its infrastructure implementing arm, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to assist the local government in undertaking facilities upgrade, provision of additional cottages and offering more nature-based recreational activities.

The island used to be under the supervision of TIEZA but was turned over to the local government under the City Tourism Office, Protected Management Unit in 2011.

Teo said that the planned development will highlight its conservation and preservation.

“…The outcome should enable locals and foreign visitors alike to enjoy the island’s beauty but still strictly maintaining it as a day destination,” Teo said.

“We would like to attract genuine ecotourists as they take ‘responsible, ethical and sustainable tourism’ to heart,” she added.

Meanwhile, Teo welcomed the inclusion of the island in the National Geographic’s best beaches list.

“We are so proud about this citation and happy about its very timely announcement which comes right after our visit in December when I had pushed for the island’s immediate improvement and development as an ecotourism destination,” Teo said.

In December 2016, Teo visited the island to see the pink sand beach for herself and assure tourists that tourism in the Zamboanga Peninsula is safe regardless of the old stigma attached to its name.

“I personally came here because I want people to know that because ‘the Secretary of Tourism was here’, the more they should come here. I would like to show the world that Zamboanga is safe,” Teo said.

The island is a 3,425-hectare marine reserve which is believed to be bigger than the country’s 24/7 party island, Boracay.

On its website (www.nationalgeographic.com), NatGeo said, “Hardly lacking in gorgeous beaches, the Philippines claims a pink-sand variety, too. The blush color comes from billions of pieces of crushed red organ-pipe coral, seen in every handful of sand. The number of visitors to the island is regulated, and advance arrangements should be made through the tourist office in Zamboanga.”

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Zamboanga_City_News_February_2017&oldid=985729"