Zamboanga City News January 2012

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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.

City watershed awaits DENR MOA for expansion

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez (JPA/PIA-ZBST)

The City’s watershed area will be expanded as soon as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR finalizes a Memorandum of Agreement to be entered into with the Zamboanga City Water District.

Water District General Manager Leonardo Vasquez said the MOA, once adopted, will expand the coverage of the city’s watershed to over 17 thousand hectares of wooded area from its present 10 hectares.

The Water District based on an earlier agreement has taken over custody of the city’s watershed cover, as it protects the water utility firm’s surface water source, critical of the city’s water supply.

The additional wooded area is currently in the DENR’s care as it completes its reforestation program funded by foreign aid agencies.

Vasquez, appearing with his operations chief and Asst. Manager Alejo Roxas in Cuentas Claras over the weekend, hosted by 2nd District Rep. Erbie A Fabian, disclosed this move will help bolster the districts forest cover protection effort in a bid to preserve one of only three existing and active watershed reserves in the country.

Vasquez and Roxas pointed out this will in effect dovetail with a bill nearing passage in the senate of Cong Fabian seeking the establishment of a Pasonanca Watershed Forest Reserve in the category of a Protected natural park.

Vasquez disclosed the Water District is pouring in much of its resources in the protection and maintenance of the Pasonanca watershed area as it is vital in securing the cover for its surface water source.

The ZCWD is supplying potable water to over 65 thousand consumers in the city as well as customers from the island barangays and nearby provinces who buy potable water from Zamboanga.

The water district officials expressed high hopes, the impending passage of the Fabian bill will reinforce the protection of the area from illegal loggers, poachers and scavengers who cause much destruction in the woodland cover.

The Fabian bill is a step away from passage into law as it nears approval in the upper house before going to Malacanang for certification into law by President Noynoy Aquino.

200 expected to attend Red Cross- Zambo city 10th chapter assembly

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez (JPA/PIA-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 30 (PIA) –- Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Zamboanga City chapter is expecting some 200 supporters and volunteers to attend its 10th Chapter assembly set on March 2, in a local hotel here.

PRC administrator Victor Liozo Jr. said they are on their “preparation” stage as the event will highlight the election of 12 Board of Directors (BoD) who will serve for four years.

The 200 participants will decide through election who will be PRC-Zamboanga Chapter’s BoD.

Anchored on the theme “Red Cross 143 in the hearts of every volunteer,” this year’s assembly will also highlight the awarding of chapter and national awards to the supporters and volunteers of Red Cross.

Expected to grace the occasions are Mayor Celso Lobregat, Representatives Erbie Fabian and Beng Climaco-Salazar.

Beng realizes P1.4B projects in 4 years

by MARVIN SEGURA

House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and District I Representative Beng Climaco has implemented infrastructure projects amounting to P1.4 billion within a 4-year period from 2007-2011 in fulfillment of her commitment to help improve the plight of the Zamboangueños.

For 2011, alone the District I congressional office has implemented 247.8 million worth of projects.

“We thank the Department of Public Works and Highways through the leadership of Secretary Singson, Director Jorge Sebastian and District Engr. Merham Acas, the Department of Agriculture for the coordination of our entire farm to market roads being constructed and our barangay officials for making these projects RELEVANT to our people and making them very useful in their day-to-day activities”, Cong. Climaco said, as she made a full accounting of her 2011 accomplishments before the City Council recently.

The P1.4 billion covered various projects that included multi-purpose covered courts, school buildings, drainage systems, water tanks, bridges, road concreting and farm to market roads and many others implemented in 37 barangays in District I including other areas such as the R.T. Lim Boulevard expansion which was undertaken jointly with the city government as well as schools such as the Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga Polytechnic College and many other areas.

From 2011 to this year we see the completion of many projects as all of the 37 Barangays were allotted 1M pesos each for Infrastructure projects of their choice, the congresswoman said.

For 2012, Cong. Climaco said her office will embark in new initiatives, one of which is the proposed new Zamboanga International Airport whereby the Department of Transportation and Communication is currently working to package it for a prospective Public-Partnership Project (PPP) which will eventually be bid out to interested private investors. “This amongst others shall be part of the work that needs to be done.”

This year will also see the continuous construction/ rehabilitation of the R.T. Lim boulevard project.

In the case of the proposed Zamboanga City by-pass road, the congresswoman said she and her counterpart in District I together with Mayor Lobregat worked hard to lobby for the realization of the project.

“I am happy to announce that under the Aquino presidency, this project will now be implemented. The amount of 310 million pesos has been allocated for the opening of this 42 kilometers Circumferential Road from Patalon in the West and Culianan in the East Coast”, she said stressing that people travelling from the west coast would no longer pass through the downtown area to go to the east coast. The same project, she said, will spur economic development in the areas where this will pass through, and at the same time decongest traffic in the center of the City.

“District 1 is set to implement all other lined-up projects and this will cost 600 million pesos covering national and regular funding for our infrastructure projects. In two terms, we have completed and we are set to implement 1.4 billion pesos in infrastructure projects alone. Este todo para con el vivientes del Distrito Uno y del ciudad de Zamboanga. Este el fruta del todo impuestos que ustedes ta paga”, Cong. Climaco emphasized.

She added: “We began with baby steps in the first year of our report and we continue our toddler strides for more contributions to our compoblanos”.

The lady solon’s report also tackled accomplishments in various other areas such as security, health and education and other initiatives being undertaken—all intended to bring about progress and development in the city.

OWWA-9 participates in Annual Migrant Workers Forum on HIV

(JPA/With a report from Mary Jane R. Amarado, OWWA9/PIA9/ALT)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, January 28 - - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, an attached agency of the Department of Labor which is the welfare agency for OFWs recently participated in an advocacy forum aimed at enlisting public support on the campaign against HIV/AIDS.

Dubbed "Annual Migrant Workers Forum on AIDS/HIV", the forum was organized by the City Health Office (CHO), in coordination with the Human Development and Empowerment Services and the Department of Health-Global Fund R6 HIV Project through the AIDS Society of the Philippines.

A report of OWWA Regional Office No. 9 reaching the office of DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said OWWA's participation in the forum is in line with its active knowledge and awareness campaign among OFWs on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

"The forum was an opportunity to inform the participants about measures aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of the HIV-AIDS virus," said the regional office in its report.

"It was also intended to eliminate the stigma and the discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS," it added.

A total of 45 participants, comprising of family members, students, peer groups and overseas Filipino workers attended the forum.

Dr. Kibtiya Uddin and Hazel Manalang were the main forum presentors. Dr. Uddin's discussion focused on the causes, modes of transmission, consequences, and means of prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, while Ms. Manalang discussed the provisions of R.A. 8504, also known as the “Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998”, on current government policies and measures for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.

OWWA Officer Rosellie Florida also made a presentation at the forum, emphasizing the education and training benefits that the OWWA provides to member-OFWs. She also encouraged migrant workers to undergo legal processes in working abroad to ensure their well-being as overseas workers.

8th PAFC Summit supports opportunities for Mindanao

(JPA/YTA/CC/DA/PIA-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) -- This city held recently the 8th Mindanao-wide Provincial Agricultural and Fisheries Council (PAFC) with over 300 participants composed of provincial and municipal AFC officials and members to include farmers and fishery leaders, youth and women (from regions 9,10,11,12,13 and ARMM). The said summit was held at the Regency Convention Center in Pasonanca.

During the opening program, City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat, who represented Mayor Lobregat, in his speech said, “The local government unit under our administration is effectively addressing the problems affecting the agriculture and fisheries sectors with the Office of the City Agriculturist taking the lead in all efforts that promote production, protection and research and development of agri-fishery commodities with strong private participation. Last year, we implemented over P152.58 million worth of agri-fisheries related infrastructure broken down as follows: Irrigation – P21.51 million, Farm-to-market roads – P129.89 million and seaweed dryers amounting to P 1.81 million. This year, I am sure, the figures have tripled.”

Referring to Mindanao as the food basket of the country, he said, “Focus was also given to the implementation of RA 10068 or the Organic Act of 2010 to promote and develop organic agriculture in the city. This is expected to increase productivity, reduce environmental degradation and prevent depletion of natural resources, protect the health of the farmers and help cut expenses on imported farm inputs. We hope to have completed the construction, rehabilitation and improvement of 14 irrigation structures amounting to P32.8 million, construction of 12 prototype seaweed dryers/stilt dryers worth P11.1 million, strengthening of rural-based organizations, the conduct of livelihood trainings and farm demonstrations before the year ends.”

In his message, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Eduardo B. Holoyohoy also pronounced and appeal to the AFCs to help DA amplify the mission of Secretary Proceso J. Alcala of food security thru the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP). “Rice is not the only staple available in our country. Let us learn to eat other staples like corn grits, cassava, gabi or taro, sweet potato, banana and adlai or jobs tears.”

The summit discussed lectures on Guidelines for Halal Food, Roadmap on Coconut Industry, Organic fertilizer, White Corn as staple food, Cassava value chain, Fertilizer and pesticides registration and licensing, DA-DILG Joint Administrative Order No.1 for closed season sardine fishing, Legislative Agenda Under the 15th Congress and DA Priority Legislation, Climate Change, PCA Zamboanga Research Center, and the Proposed AFC Monitoring forms.

Edgardo C. Codilla, President, RAFC Chairmen Association also presented the AFC Mandates and its Manual of Operations; and discussed its amendments for submission and final approval by the Secretary of Agriculture and the National AFC.

Participants of the summit also took the time to visit the Philippine Coconut Authority – Zamboanga Research Center in San Ramon, Zamboanga EcoZone and Free port, and the NJB Dairy Farm in Ayala.

The most pressing of all concerns of the AFC is the fund for mobilization. Mr. Benjamin Donor, the national NAFC representative and National Coordinator for region suggested that the whole Mindanao will prepare resolutions for the release of mobilization fund for the RAFC/PAFC Coordinators and this to be signed by all counterparts. Mr. Donor said that in all his capacity he will bring the concern to the higher authority.

The conduct of the summit is cooperated by the RAFC-IX Chairman Rudy Iglesias, Regional Coordinator Ms Buduriya Parawan, the City Agriculturist Office, CAFC Chair Vicente Gregorio and the Department of Agriculture.

Mayor delivers SOCR

By Nonong Santiago

After nearly a month of break, the City Council yesterday morning convened for its 2012 maiden session highlighting the State of the City Report (SOCR) of Mayor Celso Lobregat, District 1 Congresswoman Isabelle Climaco Salazar and District 2 Congressman Erbie Fabian at the Garden Orchid Hotel, this city.

Hundreds attended the SOCR to include the officialdom of the august body headed by Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde, department heads, city hall employees, businessmen, media personalities and others.

The mayor read his 25-page prepared report that lasted for about one hour and a half.

In his introduction, Lobregat said, “so much has been done during my first term, so much more has been done in my second term, but the best is yet to come, this was the highlight in my SOCR last year and now I tell you the nest is already here and more of the best is coming soon and still to come.”

According to Lobregat, the annual budget for 2012 has increased despite the reduction of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of all the cities brought about by two factors: low collection by the Bureau of Internal Revenue in 2009 and the Supreme Court’s flip flopping decision in the conversion of the 16 municipalities into cities.

The chief executive commended all the department heads for their hard work in propelling the implementation of the city’s infrastructure projects, social services, health services and other visions of his administration.

He said millions of pesos have been allotted for different projects such as farm to market roads, bridges, school buildings, barangays halls and other projects.

Opposition councilors later said the mayor gave little emphasis on the failed Integrated Bus Terminal which is supposed to be his flagship project.

Lobregat also delved on the city’s program for agriculture, housing, flood control, public service, environment, health, veterinary, education, resettlement, barangay, sports, peace and order including tourism.

“I would also like to commend the members of the city council for the significant resolutions and ordinances passed during the year. Our teamwork, shared vision, service with sincerity and placing the city’s interest above all remain our seal of governance,” Lobregat stressed.

He said with Iturralde as presiding officer and the overwhelming majority in the City Council, 2011 has accomplished remarkable feats as a legislative body capably supporting and collaborating with the executive branch on matters considered crucial to the people.

Finally, Lobregat dared the opposition to cooperate with him instead of already eyeing the 2013 elections.

“Con mga amigo mio na oposicion.lejos pa el eleccion. Tiene pa iyo mas de un anyo y sinco meses. Si tiene man unu o dos conustedes ta pensa man contra cumigo na eleccion na 2013, allay a lang kita man encuentro cay asta ahora nuay pa iyo desidi si cosa y donde iyo ay corre. Na 2012 sige kita el consejo di Maam Caling man junto junto kita para el bien del ciudad,” Lobregat said in the vernacular.

“I urge you to join me as we continue to bring about the positive, the good, the best and the beautiful of Zamboanga City. Let us do things right with a sense of urgency,” Lobregat emphasized.

Beng looks forward to new ZC airport, more initiatives in 2012

by Marvin Segura

Salazar in her State of the District Report during the maiden session of the City Council yesterday declared that 2012 is a promising year as she embarks on new initiatives for the 37 barangays under her district and Zamboanga City as a whole.

One of the new initiatives that she looks forward to realizing this year, she said, is the proposed new Zamboanga International Airport. “The Department of Transportation and Communication is presently working to package it for a prospective Public-Private Partnership Project which will eventually be bided out to interested private investors,” Climaco said. “This amongst others shall be part of the work that needs to be done,” she added.

Climaco also vowed to implement in District I all other lined-up projects costing P600 million that will cover national and regular funding for infrastructure projects. “In two terms, we have completed and we are set to implement P1.4 billion in infrastructure projects alone. Este todo para con el vivientes del Distrito Uno y del ciudad de Zamboanga. Este el fruta del todo impuestos que ustedes ta paga,” she said.

“We began with baby steps in the first year of our report and we continue our toddler strides for more contributions to our compoblanos. Con todo con ustedes specialmente el SOLIDO 37 barangay que iyo ta sirvi con dedication junto con mi staff ta reza kame que guia canamon el Dios para el dedicacion y deseo servi con todo. Ustedes di amon numero uno prioridad na Distrito Uno,” the solon concluded in her 11-page district report.

Highlighting Climaco’s accomplishments in 2011 was her program acronymed SHE for Security, Health and Education on which delivering projects to her constituents and performing legislative work in congress were anchored.

“We began the year with our BC Caravan, which brought our team to all the 37 barangays in the district. This carried out the components of primarily consulting our barangay leaders on their own plans for the barangay, finding out what they need and how we can be of help to them,” she said, adding that a medical and dental team was also present to serve the health needs of the people, and cases of upper respiratory tract infection were prevalent among the adults and children.

Initial Security training was also undertaken for barangay officials and tanod in Baluno and Maasin. “We are set to fully implement the outcome of our consultations this year to strengthen the communication system and security in the barangays to supplement our present mechanism that enables barangays to communicate with our Office 24/7, and allowing the 37 barangays to stay connected especially in times of emergency and disasters.”

For the health sector, Climaco said that in her my first term, funding was provided to upgrade the Emergency Ward at the Zamboanga City Medical Center. This year, she added, the 2nd phase will be completed, which is a new two-storey wing that will provide better medical attention to patients during emergency situations in the hospital.

She also worked for the acquisition of a Cobalt 60 Radiation equipment amounting to P16 million which has been approved by the Department of Health even as she assured the inclusion of ZCMC in the DOH’s new initiative of Public-Private Partnership Program.

“The inclusion of the ZCMC in the Department’s PPP will pave the way for the upgrade of some facilities in the hospital. Though these services will be offered at a cost, government will help subsidize indigent patients who need to avail of it,” she said, adding that she has successfully designated a milk bank by the UNICEF to help in the nutritional needs of new born babies and will serve as storage of milk from mothers.

“This brings us closer to achieving two of the eight Millennium Development Goals of the UN in 2015, which is to reduce child mortality and to improve maternal health,” she said, and that Vanessa Tobin, Country Representative of UNICEF in the Philippines, has made sure that the city would benefit from it. “Out of the four cities, namely; Iloilo, Davao, Cebu and Zamboanga, which bidded for it, our city was granted this facility.”

Climaco likewise reported a breakthrough in her scholarship program in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education, benefitting a total of 435 district 1 scholars, 20 of them are in Ateneo de Zamboanga, and the rest in state universities and colleges in the city, excluding the 35 other scholars from funds of the National Commission on Indigenous People.

In addition, Climaco also continued her school and community-based vocational programs with TESDA, having awarded 422 grants to mothers and the youth under her district in partnership with the barangays and non-government organizations.

P18- M SPES budget to benefit 10,000 youth in region 9

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao (JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) -– With the budget of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9’s Special Program for the Employment Students doubled up to P18 million this year, 10,000 students and out of school youth in region 9 can now avail of the program, DOLE 9 Regional Director Ponciano M. Ligutom announced.

Ligutom said with the budget increase, they are also doubling the number of beneficiaries from 5,000 last year to 10,000 this year.

More important, SPES will now be a whole year program, unlike in the previous years where it’s only offered during summer vacation to help students with their tuition fees and other needs.

Under the program, students will be employed by private partners where 60% of the students’ salaries will be shouldered by the company and 40% by DOLE.

Dir. Ligutom said around 40 private companies are expected to participate in this year’s SPES program which will start on February, including Saturdays and Sundays depending on their school schedules.

DOLE is advising interested applicants to go to their office or any Public Employment Service Office (PESO). Applicants should be at least 15 to 25 years old, either student or out of school.

Out of school applicants should enroll to school if accepted in the program.

Zamboanga mayor releases baby turtles

By NONOY E. LACSON

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Mayor Celso Lobregat has released to the sea about 73 hatchlings of Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) at La Vista del Mar Beach Resort in line with his commitment to protect endangered mammals from extinction.

Lobregat said resort workers were surprised to see Thursday night the hawksbill hatchlings crawling their way into the sea, some even lost their way and crept into the kitchen of La Vista del Mar.

This prompted the workers to gather the hatchlings and placed them inside a container prior to their release, Lobregat said.

“The La Vista del Mar workers contacted me about these hatchlings and I immediately called up the authorities concerned to have these critically endangered hawksbill hatchlings released into the sea,” the mayor said, adding that it was the third time a hawksbill sea turtle laid eggs on the beach of La Vista del Mar Beach Resort in this city.

“This is a new beginning and a good start for the year. This release only shows that we in Zamboanga City are concerned with preserving endangered species as a result of our awareness campaign through information dissemination,” Lobregat explained.

The mayor believed that there could be more sea turtle eggs unhatched and buried on the beach of La Vista del Mar.

The mayor here theorized that the mother hawksbill sea turtle laid Centerthe eggs about three weeks ago with a 15 to 30 day incubation period.

The hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae.

The baby turtles, usually weighing less than 24 grams (0.85 oz) hatch at night after around two months. These newly emergent hatchlings are dark-colored, with heart-shaped carapaces measuring around 2.5 centimeters (0.98 in) long.

They instinctively walk into the sea, attracted by the reflection of the moon on the water. Baby turtles that do not reach the water by daybreak are preyed upon by shorebirds, shore crabs, and other predators.

Present during the release of the hawksbill hatchlings were Councilor Nonong Guingona, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Rey Gonzales, City Veterinarian Mario Ariola together with the representatives from the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB).

DOST-IX bares 2011 accomplishments

by Thelma Diego(JPA/T.Diego/DOST/PIA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Science & Technology Region IX (DOST IX) is very pleased to announce that 2011 was indeed a very productive and dynamic year.

Despite of the many challenges it confronted, the Department achieved and even surpassed its targets and goals for 2011. These accomplishments were achieved through the best practices that DOST-IX has incessantly demonstrated over the years. Its tough organizational core values such as excellence, commitment, customer-Priority, innovation, integrity and Teamwork (ExCITe) led to the enormous success of DOST IX organizational goals.

Some of the remarkable accomplishments in 2011 are: The Field Operation Services provided 155 technology interventions to MSMEs in the region through the flagship program Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), which is 19 percent over the target of 130 interventions. Through its local Grants-in-aid program (GIA), DOST-IX implemented 21 community-based projects and funded eight research & development projects.

The regional office has successfully installed a total of ten units of Automated Weather Stations (AWS) and Automated Rain Gauge (ARG) throughout the region. The AWS are monitoring stations equipped with different sensors capable of measuring wind speed and direction, air temperature, air humidity, air pressure, rain amount, duration and intensity, while ARG system uses a tipping bucket that measures the amount of precipitation or rain that has fallen. It gathers and records the amount of rainfall over a set period of time and automatically sends the data to a central based station on a pre-determined interval basis.

In the three-day Intellectual Property and Patent drafting Workshop, DOST-IX has facilitated four patent applications with the Intellectual Property Office Central Office.

The Year 2011 marked the intensification of DOST-IX’s commitment to increase its scholars through the DOST-SEI scholarship. There were at least 698 senior high school students from as far as Jolo, Sulu who sought to hurdle the said scholarship examinations. Moreover, a TRACER has been initiated aiming to track DOST’s scholar-graduates.

The DOST-Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (RSTL) served 1,111 customers in 2011. Out of the 2,311 samples received for analyses, a total of 4,366 tests were conducted. The RSTL offers physical, chemical, microbiological and metrology testing. The laboratories generated and collected testing fees amounting to P2 million.

The DOST-IX has successfully renewed its ISO 9001:2008 Certification. The certification (CIP/4068/07/12/552), dated Feb. 3, 2011, and is valid until Feb. 2, 2014, was issued by the Certification International Philippines, Incorporated (CIPI), an internationally renowned ISO certifying body.

Meanwhile, RSTL–Chemical and Microbiological Laboratories also effectively renewed its three-year accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 version and is valid until 2013. ISO/IEC 17025 is the global quality standard for testing and calibration laboratories.

Another accomplishment of the DOST Regional Office IX in 2011 was the accreditation from the Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO) - Department of Trade and Industry for being the first ISO 17025 Accredited Metrology Lab in the Regions.

DOST IX was evaluated and has been found that they have conformed to the PNS ISO/IEC 17025:2005 requirements and the PAO condition for laboratory accreditation in the field of calibration.

The lead government Science & Technology agency spearheaded the launching of the DOST-STII’S Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosk Stations better known as STARBOOKS project. A first of its kind to be implemented in various rural public schools in the entire Philippines, a total of 8 public schools were selected as recipients. STARBOOKS is a stand-alone information kiosk, which provides thousands of digitized S&T resources in various formats without the need for an internet connection. This innovation is said to introduce digitized library materials in the fingertips of the Filipinos in the rural communities.

DOST-IX maintained its strong linkages with various stakeholders considered as partners.

This year, DOST-IX relentlessly commits itself to deliver quality major products and services consisting of Technology Transfer and Commercialization, Analytical Testing and Calibration Services and S&T Promotion, Information, Dissemination and S&T Scholarships right in every community’s frontier.

Singson: 353 Zambo infra projects done

by Joel E. Zurbano

The Department of Public Works and Highways has completed 353 infrastructure projects in Zamboanga, Secretary Rogelio Singson said.

The lineup consisted of sections of the Siocon-Sirawai road worth P39.6 milion; a section of the Pagadian-Zamboanga City road (P30.4 million); asphalt overlay of Imelda section of Lanao-Pagadian-Zamboanga City road (P30.4 million); and rehabilitation of the damaged portion of Liloy-Ipil road (P33.9 million).

Other projects are school buildings, water system, multi-purpose buildings, farm to market roads, flood control and drainage system projects across the region.

Also completed is the Jose Rizal Memorial State University Sports Complex in Dapitan City, which hosted the 2011 Palarong Pambansa.

Singson said 76 workers from the locality were hired for road maintenance.

At least 59 projects on-going for present and carry-over projects posted an overall accomplishment of 72.43 percent for the P3.75 billion programmed projects for the region.

“The department continued its share of infrastructure development that would spur and support President Benigno Aquino III administration’s program for peace and economic development in Zamboanga Peninsula Region,” said Singson.

The agency’s regional office in Zamboanga was also tasked to help implement the Investment Support Program of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

The DPWH is allotted P125.5 billion under the General Appropriations Act, a 13.5 percent increase from its 2011 budget of P110.6 billion.

Zamboanga mayor orders barangay officials to adopt disaster early warning system

(PNA), LAP/LAM/Teofilo P. Garcia/utb

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Mayor Celso Lobregat on Thursday ordered the officials of barangays identified as prone to flash floods and landslides to develop an early warning system to reduce the risk in case of disaster and other environmental hazards.

Lobregat said the early warning system is very important in every barangay to alert the people of the impending disaster and pave way for the evacuation to safer grounds, thereby reducing the risk of any disaster.

“They should come up with a master plan on the preparedness and mitigation such as determining the evacuation sites, escape routes, mode of transportation, and early warning system per type of geohazard that should be incorporated in the general disaster plan,” Lobregat said.

This, as he warned that flooding is imminent because the city proper is situated on a low-lying deltaic and flood-plain environment where the elevation is typically below five meters above the mean sea level.

A geohazard study conducted by the Geosciences Division of the Mines and Geo-Science Bureau (MGB) showed that 77 of this city’s 98 barangays are susceptible to flood during incessant rains.

These are the barangays of Ayala, Baliwasan, Calarian, Campo Islam, Labuan, Limpapa, Maain, Mariki, Paonanca, Patalon, Recodo, Rio Hondo, San Jose Cawa-Cawa, Sinubong, Sinunuc, Sta. Barbara, Sto. Niño, Talisayan, Zones 1-4, Arena Blanco, Bolong, Busay, Cacao, Culianan, Dita, Divisoria, Guisao, Guiwan, Lamisahan, Landang Gua, Landang Laum, Licomo, Limaong, Lunzuran, Manalipa, Manguu, Muti, Pangapuyan, Panubigan, Pasilmanta, Putik, Quiniput, Salaan, Sangali, Sta. Catalina, Taguiti, Talon-Talon, Taluksangay, Tictabon, Tumitus, Tugbungan, Tumalutab, Victoria, Vitali, Camino Nuevo, Canelar, Cawit, La Paz, San Jose Gusu, San Roque, Tulungatung, Tumaga, Boalan, Bunguiao, Cabaluay, Curuan, Kasanyangan, Mampang, Manicahan, Sibulao, Talabaan, Tetuan, Tictapul and Zambowood.

The same geohazard study showed that 44 of this city's 98 barangays are prone to landslide.

These are the barangays of Tumaga, Divisoria, Lumayang, Lumbangan, Mercedes, Muti, Putik, Salaan, Sibulao, Tagasilay, Taguiti, Tigbalabag, Baluno, Cabatangan, Capisan, Dulian-Upper Pasonanca, Labuan, Limpapa, Maain, Malagutay, Pamucutan, Pasonanca, Patalon, San Roque, Sinubong, Sinunuc, Tulungatung, Bunguiao, Cacao, Calabasa, Curuan, Dulian-Upper Bunguiao, Guisao, Lamisahan, Lanzones, Lapakan, Lauan, Lubigan, Lunzuran, Quiniput, Sangali, Tictapul, Tolosa and Vitali.

The study concluded that urban development reduces the capacity of natural underlying materials to absorb rain water.

Clogged sewers and canals also add to the problem of flooding while waste materials dumped along rivers and creeks also amplified the problem.

Coastal hazard, according to the study, is another problem since there are residential dwellings within tidal flats and high tide levels.

Cultural issue holds back permanent solution to this circumstance.

It was recommended that the effects of storm surges and possibly tsunamis could be mitigated through establishment of buffer zones of about 50 meters above and away the highest tide level for the community along the shoreline.

To avoid potential direct threat to the lives of the community, it is highly prohibited for the community to reside within mangrove areas and tidal flats.

DPWH to implement P200M worth of projects in Zambo for this year

By R.G. A A. Go

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Zamboanga City District Office will be implementing a total of 11 projects in Zamboanga City worth more than P200 Million for the year 2012.

DPWH District Engineer Merham Acas said the projects are under the regular infrastructure program of the DPWH and the funds will come from DPWH Manila. The 11 projects include several road reblocking in the east and west coasts of the city, asphalt overlay, upgrading of the Labuan Limpapa Road, and expansion of bridges.

According to Acas the projects are now undergoing the bidding process. He said they expect some contractors to start some of the projects.

Acas added that aside from these projects, there are still other projects that will from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of congressmen Beng Climaco-Salazar and Erbie Fabian.

He said that both representatives are now in the process of identifying their respective projects. These may include multipurpose covered courts, concreting of barangay roads, improvement of drainage systems, and others. According to Acas, all the projects of the district office are expected to be finished by December 31, 2012.

ZCHRD to facilitate funding of three new health research proposals

By DOST-IX Press Release

In line with its commitment to optimize the use of research to help alleviate the health and nutrition problems in Region IX, the Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development (ZCHRD) through the DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and Pfizer Philippines will have the second round of critiquing of the three (3) research proposals on January 20, 2012 at the Conference Room of the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. IX (DOST IX). The papers will come from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University - College of Nursing (ADZU-CN) and Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) -College of Communications & Humanities, respectively.

The ADZU research proposal aims to focus on describing the perinatal practices of the Subanen, Badjao, and Tausug women. The study, entitled “Documentation of the Perinatal Practices of the Subanen, Badjao & Tausug in Zamboanga City Basis for Enhanced Health Care Services” hopes to develop a framework to improve the perinatal care services of the indigenous people.

On the other hand, the WMSU - College of Communications & Humanities will be delving into the prevalence of mothers who exclusively breastfeed their infants, through a study on “School-Based Nutrition Health Program in Public Elementary Schools in Zamboanga City”. Aside from the prevalence and affecting factors, the research would also identify the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers who exclusively breastfeed.

Another proposal from WMSU is entitled “Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Selected Low Income Barangays in Zamboanga City”. Mainly, the study will target two (2) public elementary schools (pupils ages 6-12 years) with prevalence of malnutrition, determine the common factors leading to malnutrition among school-aged children in terms of socio-economic status, beliefs, and attitudes. The study aims to improve the nutritional condition of the severely malnourished school children ages 6-12 years.

Pfizer’s funding is given through the program “Providing an Enabling Environment for Research in Health (PEER Health). It is an exclusive research grant given to researchers in Zamboanga Peninsula and ARMM through the tripartite partnership of the PCHRD-DOST, University of the Philippines-Manila, National Institutes of Health (UPM-NIH) and Pfizer Philippines Foundation.

The PEER Health Research Grant Program promotes the value of health research by supporting local researches that respond to current and relevant health concerns in the Philippines. Through this program, interested young researchers will be provided funding support, training, and mentoring on research protocol development, project implementation, good clinical practice, research ethics, data analysis, and publication of results in a scientific journal.

For more information, you may visit or call the DOST-IX office at Pettit Barracks, Zamboanga City with telephone numbers (062) 991-1024 and look for Mr. Ricardo Apolinario III.

Zamboanga Peninsula forest boundaries marked

By JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ

AFTER more than a decade of intense work, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday said it has finally completed the delineation of forest boundaries in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Arleigh Adorable, executive director of DENR-Region 9, said that the Regional Assessment and Delineation Teams of the Land Evaluation Party (LEP) has accomplished to delineate of some 5, 590.18 kilometers of forestland boundary in five provinces.

This includes Zamboanga del Norte (1,662.37 kms); Zamboanga del Sur (1,493.28 kms); Zamboanga City (679.78 kms); Zamboanga Sibugay (1,471.32 kms); and Isabela City, Basilan (83.43 kms).

Adorable said that the team’s total output include new lines covering areas that are either proposed for conversion to alienable and disposable lands, proposed for reversion to timberlands and “hotspot areas”.

Hotspot areas refer to those areas located in the hinterlands and coastal areas which are considered impenetrable due to adverse peace and order situation.

In 2000, the government has started with country’s forestland boundary delineation in line with Sec. 4, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which mandates the Congress “to determine by law the specific limits of the public domain.”

In 2008, the DENR through an administrative order included in its delineation program the boundaries of coastal and mangrove areas of the country to enable the RADTs to propose new blocks or parcels within forest zone areas to non-conforming land uses/agricultural areas or vice versa based on secondary and primary data as well as the actual field survey.

Celso, Zamcelco officials tackle power supply woes

by Sheila Covarrubias(JPA / PIA ZBST)

Mayor Celso Lobregat and officials from the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative headed by Project Supervisor Engr. Jess Castro the other day conferred to discuss the power supply issue in view of an impending power supply shortage in the region and entire Mindanao.

The discussion focused on Zamcelco’s proposal to enter into an agreement with a generation company, the Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) for the supply of electricity to its over a hundred thousand member consumers. The meeting, initiated by Mayor Celso Lobregat at City Hall, January 12, was primarily to patch up differences between Castro and the 3-man Zamcelco board composed of president Efren Perez and members Agustin Graciano Jr. and Elbert Atilano Jr.

“We tackled the internal problem besetting them (Zamcelco officials) and other issues surrounding Zamcelco especially the proposal with the TMI”, the mayor said. “Initially it was 20 watts and now what is available from the TMI is only 18 watts and so I asked them to update me on this issue”.

Based on the briefing given him, the Zamcelco will approve a resolution which will be submitted to TMI. “Zamcelco will have to make their intentions formal to TMi because if they do not formalize the intention then as time goes and the power shortage becomes more acute then TMI will start also disposing that available supply of electricity”.

The mayor was briefed on the application process, which also includes the submission of the proposal to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The process will include public consultations to be called by the ERC to decide on the rates.

“But as explained to me by Engr. Castro we have to act right away otherwise it will lose the opportunity to purchase the additional electricity which is needed”, the mayor emphasized.

At present there is a region-wide power supply deficiency problem in Mindanao and according to reports, a wide area in Mindanao including Zamboanga City is already experiencing frequent brownouts and power interruptions.

The situation, according to Engr. Castro will get worse by July, which is barely 6 months away.

13 Zambo city day care centers get kiddie chairs

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez(JPA / PIA ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) -- 13 Day Care centers from the various barangays of the city’s 1st district recently received kiddie chairs for the use and benefit of the daycare children.

A total of 265 kiddie chairs were delivered to these day care centers situated in barangays Sta Barbara, San Jose Gusu, Baliwasan, Calarian, Sinunuc, Cawit and Capisan with the day care in Capisan being the farthest, of which the day care center can only be reached after almost an hour of physical trek.

House Deputy Speaker Beng Climaco who sponsored the kiddie chairs said the initiative was part of her education advocacy program.

“I want the children to be hopeful especially in their first step to early education,” she said in a press statement.

“In our visits to the centers, we saw the basic need of these children. Most of them would still carry their own chairs from their homes to bring to their schools. Chairs in their school are big help already to make the place conducive for learning,” Climaco said in the same pres statement.

Day Care centers in all other barangays in the 1st district are set to also received their share of kiddie chairs.

Far-flung barangay receives P12M infra projects

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao (JPA/MVC/PIA ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 14 (PIA) –- The city government unveiled yesterday another multi-million peso infrastructure projects in Barangay Bolong.

City Mayor Celso Lobregat, together with some key officials, personally turned over five infrastructure projects amounting to P12.3 M.

First to be turned over is an irrigation system project in Paminguitan, Bolong measuring to 70 linear meters worth P459,746 to aid famers in the area. From there Lobregat and his team went to Mangga-Bolong Elementary School to inaugurate the P300,00 fencing project. The city officials also inaugurated a 300 linear meter road project amounting to P2.95 million along the barangay’s famous summer destination, Bolong Beach.

Next to be turned over is the new three-storey, nine classroom building of Bolong Elementary School and its drainage system to ensure that no flooding will occur during rainy season. Bolong is declared flood-prone barangay by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (MGB-DENR). The building costs P8.1 million while the drainage system is pegged at P494,000.

Lobregat said the series of projects inaugurated in the far-flung barangays of the city is a testament of the city government’s goal of expanding development outside the city proper.

In related developments, Lobregat promised the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College of continuous support.

“We commit to help you in whatever way we can”, Lobregat said during the 3-in-1 program celebrating Dr. Nora Ponce’s third year as pesident of the school.

The city government has implemented various infrastructure projects in the school, most especially when a storm surge in 2007 wrecked the schools fences and some buildings, as it is located along RT Lim Boulevard.

Zambo city gov't to take proactive measure against flooding

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao (NBE/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) -– Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat vowed to exhaust all legal efforts to re-open water passages, canals, and drainages in the coastal areas of the city to minimize the impact of flooding and other related calamities during rainy season.

Lobregat, during the City Disaster Rsk Reduction Council meeting, directed all barangay officials of the city’s coastal area to stop construction of structures in high risk areas, to include slopes and riverbanks as part of the city government’s proactive measure.

The mayor singled out Barangay Sta. Catalina as an example pointing that this coastal barangay have several canals and outlets but are now blocked with the establishment of buildings and houses, thus the city is now experiencing floods during wet season.

Lobregat directed the officials of the said barangays to immediately negotiate with the owners of these properties for the possible re-opening of waterways. He added that the city government will have to invoke its powers if needed.

“Whether we like it or not, disasters happen and what the local government should do is to mitigate or minimize risks or loss of lives and damages to properties”, Lobregat said.

Lobregat also stressed that for them to be successful in mitigating effects of calamities, the public should give all their support and cooperation.

Zambo Muslim village receives P5.7-M infra projects

(PNA), LAP/LAM/Teofilo P. Garcia/utb

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The barangay officials and residents of Taluksangay, a Muslim village 19 kilometers east of this city, have expressed their gratitude to the city government headed by Mayor Celso Lobregat for giving them P5.7 million worth of projects which were inaugurated Wednesday morning.

“We are thankful to the mayor for the infrastructure projects that are very useful to the residents of Taluksangay. I am proud to have these projects in my barangay,” said Taluksangay barangay chairman and Liga ng mga Barangay president Abdurahman Nuño.

Nuño, an ex-officio city councilor being the Liga ng mga Barangay president, noted that the architectural designs of the newly constructed two-storey six-classroom building and that of the day-care center are to preserve the Muslim culture of the barangay.

Inaugurated Wednesday by Lobregat were the P719,000 fence surrounding the barangay hall, health center and the new daycare center amounting to P648,000.

From there, Lobregat and other city officials walked their way to the nearby Taluksangay Elementary School where they unveiled the two-storey six-classroom building costing P4.3 million.

With the school’s increasing population, now at 1,600, Lobregat cited the need to construct another building this time with 10 classrooms to meet the required classroom-students ratio of 1 is to 40.

Lobregat instructed City Engineer Luis Despalo to immediately prepare the plans and estimates for a two-storey 10-classroom building, to the delight of teachers, students, parents and barangay officials.

Also, Lobregat said Taluksangay will be one of the barangays in the east coast to receive the first batch of service vehicles that the city government has purchased and will be distributed within the year.

Last year, Lobregat inaugurated Taluksangay’s barangay hall and health center amounting to P2.4 million and P1.4 million, respectively.

Weather monitoring facility to rise in Zambo City

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao(JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -– A much needed weather monitoring facility that will help warn people of Western Mindanao during rainy season will soon be installed here in the city, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)-Zamboanga City Meteorological Officer Maribel Enriquez said.

Enriquez said a Doppler Radar will be installed anytime this year in Hill 900, Barangay La Paz, west of the city. This project is an off-shoot of the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between PAGASA and the city government in October, last year.

Enriquez explained that the radar can track typhoons and determine the volume of rainfall it carries. The facility will help PAGASA give more accurate data and forecast to the public and help local governments in the region prepare in case of a coming typhoon or weather disturbance.

President Benigno Aquino, last year, ordered the modernization of weather monitoring/forecasting equipments in the country to avoid loss of lives during rainy season.

Around 20 typhoons enter the country area of responsibility every year, with 6 to 9 of these, making landfall.


Zambo Youth leaders qualify for U.S-funded exchange program

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez(JPA /PIA - ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- Five youth leaders from this city will travel to the United States for a 5 week exchange program set on April 14 to May 17 2012 at the Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, USA.

The 5 youngsters are among the 27 youth and adult leaders from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and surrounding provinces in the country who qualified for the Philippine Youth Leadership Program (PYLP).

PYLP is a 5 week U.S .-based exchange program on responsible citizenship, community service, leadership and action plan development sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the U.S. Department of State.

The PYLP aims to teach participants conflict resolution skills; realization on the importance of volunteerism in civil society; and introduce participants to the American institutions that promote tolerance and religious diversity.

The program hopes to instill to the participants a sense of civic responsibility and commitment to community development among youth in Mindanao.

The training also hopes to develop a cadre of community activists who will share their knowledge and skills with their peers through positive action; to foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious and national groups and to promote mutual understanding between the United States and the people of other countries.

At the end of the 5week program, participants are expected to cooperatively implement community service projects focusing on peace and leadership when they get back home.

Victoria Adventure Park First in Zamboanga City

  • Source:www.zambotimes.com/archives/41304-Victoria-Adventure-Park-First-in-Zamboanga-City.html
  • Monday, January 9, 2012
by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Thinking of Adventure Tourism as a vehicle for development, Lacuachero, a group of professionals who has passion for adrenaline-rushing adventure tourism activities fell in love with Barangay Victoria and since then envisioned Victoria as a model barangay for adventure tourism development.

“Barangay Victoria is a complete package, they have caves, river, waterfalls and a lot more of nature’s wonders, perfect for adventure tourism activities,” Manny Paster of Lacuachero said.

Putting into actions the group’s dream for Victoria, Lacuachero in partnership with the Zamboanga Adventure Tourism and Eco recreation Society (ZATERS)–a multi-sectoral group promoting adventure tourism, started in 2011 to slowly introduce the barangay’s adventure tourism potentials to local tourists.

More people started to visit Victoria for spelunking (caving), water tubing and the self-fulfilling conquer of the Siete Andanas (seven-stage) waterfalls.

The Proposed Adventure Park

Lacuachero moved their actions to a higher level by proposing to construct and develop the first ever adventure park in Zamboanga City.

The proposal was presented to Victoria barangay council and concerned proponents.

“Lacuachero presented the proposal to the barangay council, June last year.” Paster said.

“We sought permission to use and develop the proposed area,” Paster recalled.

“Then we started cleaning and clearing the proposed area after we got the council’s nod,” he said.

Noble cause

“We saw the eco-tourism potentials of Victoria and how these potentials can help the community, so we decided to do something to help Victoria and its people,” the adventure enthusiast-Paster said.

The young Paster said the group aims to promote Barangay Victoria through Eco-Tourism; develop and conserve the eco-tourism sites of the barangay; provide alternative income to the community during conduct of adventure tourism activities in Victoria; provide opportunities to empower constituents of the barangay socially, politically and economically and make Barangay Victoria as MODEL Barangay for Eco-Tourism.

Paster said Lacuachero and ZATERS shared the same selfless goal and that is to work hand in hand for the promotion of eco-adventure tourism.

“We share the same purpose of all these we are doing. We want to contribute towards preservation of adventure tourism sites through environment friendly practices and minimum impact adventure tourism activities,” he said.

“We want also to create a positive impression about the city through eco-tourism activities and promote her as a must-see destination,” Paster shared.

“The conduct of adventure tourism activities is one strategy of increasing public awareness and appreciation on tourism. It is also an alternative sports and exercise to promote the participants’ well being,” he said.

Paster assured that the group also puts weight on cooperating with other organizations with similar aims.

The Victoria Adventure Park Construction and LGU support

Lacuachero started minor development and construction of the Victoria Adventure Park, June of last year and is still under construction up to this time.

“While it is still under construction, it is already operational and many have already tried our adventure activities in the park,” Paster explained.

Original Plan for its opening was August 2011 but was rescheduled for this year until it is completed.

“Mayor Lobregat sent his engineers the other day to assess the area and I received a text message Thursday, informing me that the mayor has allocated funds for its development,” Paster excitedly said.

“Councillor Gerky Valesco, who is the chairman of the Committee on Tourism visited the area this week and pledged Php100,000 from his funds,” he said with a wide smile on his face.

“With concerted efforts and partnership of private groups and our local government, we are with high hopes of a beautiful Victoria Adventure Park that will surely serve its purpose,” he said.”

Activities in the Adventure Park

The adventure park will offer its “guests” adrenaline-rushing adventure activities like rappelling, rock climbing, tree top free fall, rope courses and a lot more (Rock climbing ,Rappelling, Tree top free fall).

Present Eco-sites of the Barangay include: Pader Cave – where adventure enthusiast can do caving/spelunking ; Water Falls (Siete Andanas) for water activities; Manicahan River – for the conduct of water tubing and other water activities; Mangrove for Mangrove tours, Firefly watching and the latest is the Victoria Adventure Park.

Victoria is located in the main east coast highway, about 24 kilometers from the main city hall.

Records from the city government tells, Victoria was once called Sitio “Kuwangan” a name coined due to abundance of sea shells in the area.

Kuwangan was renamed to Victoria after the victory of the “Nacionalista Party” in the election way back February 1955.

Victoria used to be a sitio under Barangay Manicahan but a resolution separating Victoria from Manicahan pave the way for the creation of a new barangay.

Victoria was created into a barangay on October 25, 1992.

At present, Victoria has Feliciano G. Revillas as it’s “Punong barangay’ (barangay chairman).

“Since the introduction of adventure tourism in Victoria, the community members developed a sense of responsibility in them to protect their natural resources like caves and falls,” Paster proudly ended.

ZABIDA continues to work for peace, development in poor communities

by Aldrin Abdurahim

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 8, 2012) - The Zamboanga Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA) has recently concluded its annual assessment on how to carry various programs in sustaining its vision and missions in Zamboanga City and Basilan province in the southern Philippines.

Fr. Angel Calvo, regional head of the ZABIDA, in his speech, shared how the alliance has strongly influenced the marginalized communities and institutions to be actively involved in peace and development.

ZABIDA said it has a vision to work together to uplift the quality of life of the disadvantaged sectors in Zamboanga City and Basilan province through program services that shall effect more positive changes towards increasing human security for the marginalized sectors.

Fr. Calvo disclosed at the end of the assessment “to check interventions that yields more security at all levels cut across economic, social and peace and governance components.”

The various sessions shared correlates to the program vision of the alliance in adapting mechanisms and processes to better provide services to the marginalized sectors or communities. One of the interventions of ZABIDA is to effectively promote gender in peace and good governance and institutionalize community based economic interventions in targeted communities.

Zambo’s “Merloquet Falls” gets city’s attention for promotion

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez (JPA /S.Covarrubias/CIO/PIA ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 6 (PIA 9) - - After long years of “nesting” unnoticed and “untouched,” Merloquet Falls finally caught the city’s attention to include her in the eco-tourism development.

City Information Officer (IO) Sheila Covarrubias said “Merloquet Falls is one of the city’s natural attractions that is included in the eco tourism program of the local government.”

“This hidden and unspoiled natural falls is one of those attractions included in the city’s promotional materials,” Covarrubias shared.

Zamboanga city mayor Celso Lobregat, on Wednesday, along with some members of the city council and other city officials including Archbishop Romulo Valles trek the rugged and steep terrain leading to the breathtaking Merloquet Falls.

According to Covarrubias, the team’s visit to the falls is a show that the city wants to help promote the scenic falls as one of the city’s famous attractions.

The mayor himself took a wade into the cold and clear water that falls into a natural pool.

Covarrubias said the visit to the falls was a sidelight to the inauguration of 9 infrastructure projects in Mangusu and Sibulao amounting to P16.1million lead by Mayor Lobregat.

The lady IO said, after the exhausting inauguration, the team took a trek to the interiors of barangay Sibulao, Sitio Merloquet, some 78 kilometers east of city where the falls’ majestic beauty lies.

“The dip was a welcome respite after the series of inauguration and long walk,” she said.

Zamboangueño athletes receive incentives

by (PNA) , RMA/LAM/Teofilo P. Garcia/rsm

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Mayor Celso Lobregat released on Friday the city government’s cash incentives totaling P1.4 million to 18 Zamboangueño athletes who harvested medals during the 26th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held from Nov. 11 to 22, 2011 in Indonesia.

Lobregat said the grant of cash incentives to outstanding Zamboangueño athletes in local, national and international sports competitions was mandated under a city ordinance aimed at encouraging the youth to engage in sports and bring honor for this city.

Under the ordinance for international sporting events, a gold medal is equivalent to a cash incentive of P150,000, silver is P100,000 and bronze P75,000, of which 30 percent will go to the coach.

For group events, the incentive will be divided among the number of participating players.

Among the recipients of the incentives, Iris Rañola received a total of P300,000 in whooping cash for harvesting two gold medals in 8 and 9-ball billiards competitions.

Ruben Angeles, Ernesto Binarao and Jonash Ponce divided among themselves the P150,000 for gold medal in baseball, making each of them P37,500 richer.

Ryan Roose Garcia went home with P150,000 for gold medal in basketball.

Lobregat expressed elation when informed that this city’s cash incentives are much higher than the national government.

Rañola volunteered information that the national government gives only P100,000 for gold, P50,000 for silver and P10,000 for bronze.

Other recipients of the incentives were Florante Acuña, Joel Binarao, Orlando Binarao, Roget Rojas and Roberto Iturralde, who shared among themselves the P150,000 for gold medal in softball, giving them P30,000 each, while Margarito Angana, Jr. received P150,000 for gold in wrestling.

The silver medalists of P100,000 each are Jul Omar Abdulhakim (Pencat Silat), Hidilyn Diaz (Weightlifting), and Roberton Torres (Wrestling).

Bronze medalists Dennis Lyod Catipon (Judo), Rolando Claro (Tenung Derajat) and Jimmy Angana (Wrestling) received P75,000 each.

The 18 Zamboangueño athletes formed part of the Philippine team that participated in the recently-concluded SEA Games in Indonesia.

Lobregat thanked and commended the athletes for their outstanding performance in the recent SEA Games that gave honor to Zamboanga City, even as he expressed hope that other youths and athletes will also excel in any sports events.

City turns over P16M infra projects to remote barangays

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez(JPA /S.Covarrubias/CIO/PIA ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- Two remote barangays of the city formally received yesterday various infrastructure projects totaling to P16.1 million.

City Information Officer (IO) Sheila Covarrubias said Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday motored to barangays Sibulao and Mangusu, some 78 kilometers east of the city to unveil the various projects the city has initiated in the said barangays.

“Lobregat first inaugurated the newly constructed covered court worth P2.4 million in Barangay Mangusu,” Covarrubias said.

She added that the mayor proceeded to Dr. Diaz Memorial Elementary School to unveil a P499,000 school fence and to Mangusu Elementary School for the P129,000 pathway and P203,000 drainage system.

Covarrubias also said the mayor went to Brgy. Sibulao to unveil and turn over the P12.9 million five road projects connecting Dabuy and Merloquet.

“Despite the distance from the city proper, the city government displays its concern for the people in Sibulao and Mangusu through the implementation of enormous projects in the area,” she said.

According to her, Lobregat will be inaugurating more projects this year in the various barangays of the city.

The city IO said, “The projects inaugurated yesterday are located in the interiors of the barangays. This goes to show that we are not only concentrating development in the center but also in the interiors.”

Covarrubias said the nine projects inaugurated yesterday was a show of consistency of the city’s commitment in bringing development to the barangays.

BSP-Zambo makes research easier and fun thru EFLC

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao(JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) -– With the aim of giving the public easy access to various economic and financial information, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilpinas – Zamboanga City Branch recently launched its Economic and Financial Learning Center (EFLC), a world-class program that’s easy to use and open for everybody.

BSP-Zamboanga Research Specialist Hermogenes Buenaflor, Jr. said EFLC is open to anybody who wishes to gather valuable information, from finance and economy, BSP’s core mandate and functions, basic knowledge on central banking, and banking system in our country and its evolution, to name a few.

More important, data gathering is made simple.

“The scope and quality of data or information that researchers can easily gather from the EFLC is by any standard, world class and user-friendly, as it openly provides easy access to alternative forms of media that allow visiting researchers to acquire the materials they need with relative ease, through the use and access to EFLC’s on-line computer terminal”, Mr. Buenaflor explained.

However, he pointed that the availability of information is limited only to certain archived materials.

Buenaflor, Jr. stressed that the putting up of EFLC in the city is a strong manifestation of the BSP’s support to the government’s social and economic development objectives.

“The establishment of EFLC and its expansion to the rest of BSP’s regional offices and branches nationwide, including Zamboanga, give substance to an advocacy focused towards supporting the economic and social development objectives of the government, specifically in areas that involve financial education, consumer protection and access to economic information or data”, Buenaflor said.

The EFLC has three main areas, the library, multi-media or internet area, and the numismatic display, showcasing the Philippines’ different coins and bills from past to present. Buenaflor said the facility does not only make data gathering easier and time-saving, it also makes it fun for visitors as doubles up as a museum.

“In some way, EFLC also acts as a “money museum” that will captivate our visitors. This will show how the Philippine Peso notes and coins evolved, provide a memorable and enchanting respite for some educational travel back to time”, he said.

EFLC other functions also include conduct of briefings and lectures relevant to central banking.

Zambo City celebrates New Year peacefully; lesser firecracker victims

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao(ALT/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) -– The city greeted 2012 in a good note, celebrating the New Year peacefully, City Police Chief Sr. Supt. Edwin De Ocampo said in an interview recently.

Col. De Ocampo said the security measures they implemented during the Christmas Holidays were effective, thus the successful New Year revelry. He said the deployment of police personnel in the different areas in the city prevented lawless elements from carrying out their plans.

De Ocampo also lauded the city police force for adhering to the “No firing of guns” policy.

“No one violated the “no firing of guns” policy during the revelry. All the taped gun muzzles were intact during the formation yesterday at the Central Police Station”, De Ocampo said.

However, police said a one-year old boy was hit by a stray bullet during New Year’s Eve.

The victim was identified as Husain Ismael y Jaulana from Campo Islam, Barangay Rio Hondo. The incident happened at about 11:30 pm. The victim is now safe and is recuperating in a local hospital.

In related news, the Zamboanga City Medical Center registered 30 injured persons due to firecracker and one stray bullet victim from December 21 to present, ZCMC Infection Control Nurse Dina Amazona said.

The figure is lower than last year’s 39. However, their figure is based on those who went to the hospitals for treatment. She said there may be more victims.

ZCMC will continue to monitor firecracker-related incidents until January 5.

Amazona said they will also monitor tetanus infection cases until the 21st, taking into consideration those who might have been injured by firecrackers but refused to be treated in the hospitals.

F/B Kent-Ford 2 Rescued after 4 days Ordeal at Sea

by LTJG Ian Sagge, PIO, NFWM

Zamboanga City - The Naval Forces Western Mindanao was informed on the morning of December 29, 2011 on the fate of F/B Kent-Ford 2, a fishing vessel that departed Mapun Pier on December 28, 2011 en-route to Zamboanga City. F/B Kent-Ford 2 has encountered major derangement on its transmission system causing the whole propulsion to stop. The said fishing boat was carrying on-board 7 crew and 17 civilian passengers to include 8 Marine personnel who will be going on New Year’s break this holiday season. What is supposedly a joyous celebration with their families turned out to be battling with strong waves and lost at sea for days with depleting supply of water and food stuff.

Two Navy vessels and one aircraft (PN Islander) and BFAR vessel (MCS 3005) manned by PCG personnel were employed upon receipt of the distress signal. They have a hard time locating the fishing boat since its Global Positioning System (GPS) has also malfunctioned and the only communication being established is thru HF (High Frequency) radio. The vessels and aircraft have searched the area immediately after it was reported distressed since December 29, 2011.

The navy has deployed all their available vessels in Zamboanga, Jolo, Tawi-tawi and Navy Chief, VADM ALEXANDER PAMA directed one navy vessel (PS 36) stationed in Palawan to join the conduct of search and rescue operation on the distressed boat.

Although the PNI 312 navy aircraft was able to establish radio and visual contacts on F/B Kent-Ford 2 on the third day (December 31), the navy vessels found it hard to locate it as winds started to blow stronger and sea condition continued to worsen. But said the distressed fishing boat was finally located by BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS36) and BRP LEOVIGILDO GANTIOQUI (PG384) around 8 pm on New Year’s day after four days of search. A passing vessel named M/V Angel Explorer paved the way for this final stage of search when she was noticed by personnel aboard the fishing boat as it passed very close to their position and was able to identify the vessel’s name. Although the FB was not noticed by the passing vessel for lack of visual communications and due to rough seas, they immediately informed PS36 of the vessel’s name and PS36 immediately contacted M/V Angel Explorer thru the marine band radio to get their position. This position was then used to determine the approximate location of Kent-Ford 2 and thus, the successful search and rescue that followed.

According to Rear Admiral Guzman, who personally supervised the whole search and rescue operation aboard the NFWM Operations Center, the passengers were all exhausted but in high spirits when they were rescued. The personnel aboard the rescuing vessels gave them basic provisions such as food and water. They also tendered medical attention to some passengers who have been ailing.

The navy vessel arrived at Naval Forces Western Mindanao with 20 rescued passengers safe and in good condition while the F/B Kentford including its 7 crew and 5 passengers who opted to stay on board is still being towed by MCS 3005 to Jolo pier which has the nearest PCG station. PG 384 is escorting them to Jolo, closely monitoring and ready to give assistance if need arises. They expected to arrive in Jolo around 9 pm tonight.

PhilHealth, LPG-MA to subsidize health care premiums

(Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 1, 2011) - The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the LPG Marketers’ Association (LPG-MA) have both agreed to use a portion of the party-list group’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to subsidize the annual premiums of indigent families for the next two years.

“We applaud LPG-MA’s resolve to help advance President Aquino’s aspiration to provide every Filipino family adequate health insurance protection. We at Philhealth adhere to the principle that access to insurance is part of an individual’s right to health and is the responsibility of the State and society as a whole,” PhilHealth president Dr. Eduardo Banzon said.

Ty said LPG-MA is initially targeting poverty-stricken families in a highly urbanized city in Central Visayas as initial beneficiaries of the premium subsidy project.

“Many party-list groups have already committed the bulk of their PDAF allotments to projects in Luzon. We are reaching out to the Visayas partly to compensate for the imbalance in resource allocation,” LPG-MA Rep. Arnel Ty said.

Both groups signed a memorandum of agreement.

“Once we’ve selected the city, we will leave it up to the mayor and the barangay officials there to identify the needy family heads or individuals to be enrolled as new PhilHealth members,” Ty said.

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