Zamboanga City News January 2019

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Zamboanga City - Archived News

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

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

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

Zambo City operates 5th material recovery facility

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The city government has started the operation of its 5th Material Recovery Facility (MRF) as it seeks to strengthen the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Act.

Engr. Reynaldo Gonzalez, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) chief, told the Philippine News Agency that the additional MRF located near the sanitary landfill in Barangay Salaan aims to extend the lifespan of the city's Sanitary Landfill System.

Gonzales said the MRF in Barangay Salaan initially will process an average of 15 to 18 tons of garbage a day.

The Barangay Salaan cooperative will help in the recovery of recyclable materials.

He said the city government spent some PHP12.41 million for the construction of the Salaan MRF, over PHP9 million of which was spent for the construction of the MRF building including a unit of anaerobic baffle reactor (ABR). The remaining PHP2.7 million was used to purchase the needed equipment.

Gonzales said the Salaan MRF is one of the components of the SLF second cell, whose function includes the manufacturing of the densified styro pavers.

The other four MRFs of this city are located at the old public market in Sitio Magay, Barangay Zone I; Bagsakan Center at the Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex in Barangay Camino Nuevo; at the old dumpsite in Barangay Lumbangan; and at the city government-owned slaughterhouse in Barangay San Roque.

Zamboecozone 2018 export income reaches USD17.8-M

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone (Zamboecozone) earned some USD17.8 million through the export of local products in 2018.

Christopher Lawrence Arnuco, Zamboecozone chairperson and administrator, said Friday that last year’s income was higher by USD1 million from the USD16.8 million the economic zone earned in 2017.

Arnuco said the Zamboecozone exports octopus and other fishery products. These are being exported to Croatia, Belgium, Portugal, China, Indonesia, Korea, and America.

He attributed the increase in exports to the ease of doing business, availability of supply, and peace and order.

He said the locators of the Zamboecozone have also increased from 39 in 2017 to 48 in 2018.

Meanwhile, Zamboecozone is eyeing to start exporting this year other agricultural products, among them calamansi, coconut, peanuts, and dried fish. The new products are seen to increase the export income by at least 10 percent up to 20 percent.

Zambo power firm undergoes rehab works

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Member-consumers of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) are expected to experience unannounced power interruptions because of technical adjustments.

Zamcelco spokesperson Ferdie Rodriguez said Thursday this came about as Crown Investment Holding, Inc. and Desco, Inc. are undertaking rehabilitation works to improve Zamcelco’s services to its clientele.

Crown Investment and Desco took over, effective January 3, the management of Zamcelco through an investment management contract, paving the way for the infusion of some PHP2.5 billion in fresh capital.

“Expect power interruption every now and then because of the ongoing improvement and rehabilitation of our system. These are part of the plans and program (of the management),” Rodriguez said.

He said the priorities of the new management are the upgrade of the facility, to lower the systems’ losses and to settle the PHP1.1 billion obligation of the electric cooperative.

Rodriguez said the management is also replacing defective lines, rotten poles, and defective electric meters.

Some 18,000 defective electric meters need to be replaced and new distribution transformers will be also installed, he added.

Zamcelco has a total of 120,000 member-consumers serving 86 of this city’s 98 barangays with a power demand of 110 megawatts.

The Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative (Zamsureco) serves the four barangays in the mainland while the National Power Corp.’s Small Power Utilities Group services eight island barangays.

DOLE calls on employers to observe holiday pay rules

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo said workers who were on duty or reported for work during the January 1, 2019 regular holiday must be paid proper wages and benefits.

She emphasized that all employers must strictly comply with the rule on the payment of wages for the regular holiday.

Labor Advisory No. 21 series of 2018, pursuant to Proclamation 555, declares Jan. 1, 2019 as Regular Holiday.

Labor Information Officer Karen Claire Grafia explained, employees who rendered work during regular holiday are entitled to 200% of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours, [(Daily rate + COLA) x 200%]; and an additional 30% of his/her hourly rate for overtime work or for work done in excess of 8 hours- [hourly rate of basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x number of hours worked].

If the work rendered during a regular holiday also falls on his/her day off or rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her daily rate of 200%.[(Daily rate + COLA) x 200%] + [30% (Daily rate x 200%)]

While for work done in excess of 8 hours during a regular holiday that happens to fall on his/her rest day or day off, an additional 30% of his/her hourly rate shall be paid to the employee.((Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200 % x 130% x 130% x number of hours worked)

In cases where employees did not report for duty or work during the regular holiday, he/she shall be paid the 100% of his/her salary for that day. ([(Daily rate + COLA) x 100%].

DSWD undertakes P95.4-M projects in Zamboanga

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is undertaking PHP95.4 million projects that will place all its support facilities in one location to better serve the agency’s clientele.

Ivan Eric Salvador, DSWD regional information officer, on Monday said the projects included the construction of Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), Home for Women (HFW), Area Vocational and Rehabilitation Center (AVRC), and the Processing Center for Displaced Persons (PCDP).

Salvador said all the four facilities will be constructed at the lot of the DSWD in Barangay Mampang, this city.

Except for the AVRC and PCDP, the RSCC is currently located in Barangay Talon-Talon, while the HFW in Barangay San Roque.

“This (project) is to improve the delivery of services to our clients. It will give them sustainable, comfortable, and standard facility in one place,” Salvador said.

DSWD OIC-Regional Director Riduan Hadjimuddin led the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday that signaled the start of the construction of the four projects.

The four projects are expected to be completed in June this year.

DOT eyes Palawan-Zambo City cruise

(RGAAGo)

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has bared plans to organize a cruise from Palawan to Zamboanga City.

Myra Paz Abubakar, DOT Assistant Secretary, said that the proposal was included in the Brunei Darussalam- Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippine East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) program.

Based on the plan, the cruise ship will start from Malaysia and will visit Palawan onwards to Mindanao. Organizers are eyeing to include the ports of Davao, Dapitan or Zamboanga City.

Abubakar said that the proposal is still being studied.

She also underscored the need for the regions included in the cruise to be halal-ready since most of the passengers will be Muslims.

“This is a welcome development,” Abubakar said.

P13-M Zamboanga City school inaugurated

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- First district Representative Celso Lobregat on Tuesday led the turnover of the PHP13.8-million three-storey, six-classroom building at the national high school in Barangay Recodo here,

During the turnover ceremony, Lobregat expressed his gratitude to the late Victor Consunji, of the DMCI Holdings, Inc., who donated a one-hectare lot for the Recodo National High School.

Lobregat also led a prayer for the repose of the soul of Victor Consunji, who passed away on December 28, 2018.

The new school building was constructed by a private construction firm under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

With the construction of the new building, the Recodo National High School now has eight buildings with 54 classrooms. With a population of 1,500, the school's classroom-student ratio is now at 1:27.

Judy Hicap, Recodo National High School principal, has expressed gratitude for the project.

PRO-9 marks 30th death anniversary of hero constables

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) on Monday commemorated the 30th death anniversary of two of its great officers -- Brig. Gen. Eduardo Batalla and Lt. Col. Romeo Abendan --through wreath-laying and traditional 21-gun salute ceremonies.

The commemorative ceremonies were held in Camp Gen. Eduardo Batalla along R.T. Lim Boulevard; and Camp Col. Romeo Abendan, in Barangay Mercedes, this city.

Senior Supt. Narciso Verdadero, deputy regional director for operations (DRDO), led the wreath-laying ceremony and 21-gun salute held around 7 a.m. at Camp Eduardo Batalla, which was attended by personnel of PRO-9 and Regional Supports Units.

Senior Supt. Christopher Birung, regional chief directorial staff, led the ceremonies at Camp Abendan, which was attended by Abendan's widow, Gloria, and the personnel of PRO-9 and Special Action Force (SAF) policemen.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, PRO-9 information officer, said the command remembered the heroic acts of Batalla and Abendan as they sacrificed their own lives in the name of peace and had shown example of heroism and valor.

Gloria expressed her heartfelt thanks to the men and women of PRO-9 for always remembering and acknowledging the heroism of her husband.

Batalla, then commander of the Philippine Constabulary in Western Mindanao, and Abendan, his chief-of-staff, along with five others were taken hostage by discharged policemen and constables - led by then Patrolman Rizal Alih - inside Batalla’s own office at the Regional Command-9 (Recom-9) headquarters on January 5, 1989 along R.T. Lim or Cawa-Cawa Boulevard.

The unfortunate incident -- known as the Cawa-Cawa Siege -- lasted for three days and resulted in the death of 19 people, including Batalla and Abendan, after negotiations failed.

Alih, who managed to slip out of the camp, fled to Malaysia and was arrested by Malaysian authorities in September 1994 and was charged for illegal possession of firearms.

He was extradited to the Philippines in 2006 and detained in Camp Crame. He died at the camp’s hospital on August 14, 2015.

Zambo City ready to roll out P4.2-B budget

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA/PR)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar expressed optimism as she announced the city government is now prepared to roll out the PHP4.2-billion executive budget for 2019.

“We are very thankful because we will be rolling out the PHP4.2 billion 2019 budget," Salazar said.

Salazar said this year’s budget includes increases in the allowances of 460 barangay health workers, 90 barangay nutrition scholars, 350 daycare workers and 980 "barangay tanods" (village watchmen).

The salary of janitorial and security services will also be increased in compliance with existing labor laws.

However, Salazar warned private security agencies serving the city government to pay their security guards on time lest the city will cancel their contracts.

This came after the mayor was informed that one of the security agencies providing protection services for the city was seven months delayed in paying the salary of its guards.

The 2019 budget likewise includes an appropriation for the implementation of the fourth tranche of the salary standardization law for all city government employees.

The amount of PHP25 million has been allocated for sports equipment, PHP20 million for the grandstand that will be opened this year; purchase of 700 television units for special education classes; PHP40 million for agricultural development; and PHP50 million for the tricycle modernization program.

Also allocated in the 2019 budget are increases in burial and medical assistance and other social services programs, free admission to cinemas for senior citizens, PHP18 million for senior citizens’ cash incentives, and continuation of the “Largo Vida (Long Life) Program” for the elderlies.

Appropriation for the anti-illegal drugs campaign has also been increased from PHP5 million to PHP10 million, while PHP6.88 million is set aside for the purchase of protective gears for barangay tanods.

Salazar said the city government will also purchase 10 fire trucks, 44 dump trucks, 46 garbage trucks, watercraft for island barangays, and PHP20 million for rain-water collectors for various government buildings.

BSP-Zamboanga advocates 'clean note policy'

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has warned the public not to mutilate or deface currencies -- both new generation currency paper bills and coins -- as it is punishable by law.

Hermogenes Buenaflor, Economic and Financial Learning Center head of BSP-Zamboanga, issued the warning Friday as the local central bank branch announced its "clean note policy".

Buenaflor said Presidential Decree 247 prohibits people from defacing, mutilating, tearing, burning or destroying central bank notes and coins. The penalty is PHP20,000 and imprisonment of not more than five years.

He said it also prohibits anybody from writing on, stapling and crumpling paper bills, as well as using coins as accessories and toys.

The coins in circulation include one centavo, five centavos, 10 centavos, 25 centavos, PHP1, PHP5, and PHP10. The NGC bills are PHP20, PHP50, PHP100, PHP200, PHP500, and PHP1,000.

In the Zamboanga Peninsula region, Buenaflor said they already collected some PHP840,000 worth of unfit currencies that can no longer be recirculated.

“We are now reaching out to the people. Unlike before, we were only talking to the banks to collect dirty notes,” he said, adding that the unfit currencies were collected through the currency exchange counters they placed by schedule in public areas.

Buenaflor said they have also collected 9,000 unfit currencies worth PHP300,000 at the BSP-Zamboanga office through their families and friends.

The BSP has coordinated with shopping malls, supermarkets and government agencies with front line services to establish currency exchange counters.

Buenaflor said the unfit currencies are being collected to maintain the integrity of the money of the Philippines. Unfit currencies are turned over to the BSP operations division for retirement and shredding.

Free treatment for children with clubfoot at Zambo hospital

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Twenty-two children born with clubfoot received free treatment at the government-run Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) on Saturday.

Dr. George Rojo, ZCMC orthopedic department head, said that 20 of the 22 patients have been under continuous treatment while the two are new patients.

The children, from newborn to 3-years old, hailed from the different parts of Zamboanga Peninsula and also from Tawi-Tawi.

Rojo said the feet of the children afflicted with clubfoot are placed on plaster cast weekly as part of the treatment. It is followed by a minor surgery and the attachment of braces for a month to enable the child to stand up and slowly walk.

Rojo said the ZCMC provides the treatment for free while the Philippine NGO (non-government organization) Council on Population, Health and Welfare and Miracle Feet finances the needed medical devices such as the brace.

He said the costs of the clubfoot treatment in a private orthopedic clinic or hospital ranges from PHP2,500 to PHP5,000 per session.

Eden Divinagracia, Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare Inc. executive director, said the project aims to enable the patients to live normal lives, "go to school and look for a job as well as they will not be bullied by other people."

Bibing Limbaro, a grandmother of one of the patients, said the family is thankful to the ZCMC and its partners for giving her grandchild the ability to stand and walk normally.

Rojo urged parents of children with clubfoot to visit the ZCMC so that they can avail of the free treatment.

“The earlier for them to undergo treatment, the better,” Rojo added.

He explained that clubfoot is acquired by the child during birth, where one or both feet are rotated inwards or downwards while some are associated with neuromuscular disease.

OCENR spearheads New Year market cleanup

By Sheila Covarrubias

The Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) in collaboration with other agencies spearheaded the massive cleanup of the city’s economic enterprises on New Year’s Day as the city continues efforts to enforce the solid waste management program.

Truckloads of garbage were collected during the cleanup drive conducted last December 31 from 5am to 10am, January 1 from 1am to 12noon and last January 2 from 6am to 10am at the main public market, Bagsakan Center and the Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex.

Rodrigo Pagotaisidro, Public Service Officer IV under the OCENR said the cleanup activity included garbage collection and flushing and was a joint undertaking with personnel from the General Service Office (GSO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), City Administrator’s Office, Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), PNP-Operations, PNP-COMPAC and PNP-Traffic as well as personnel from the economic enterprises concerned.

Pagotaisidro said the cleanup activity starting on the first day of the year was a manifestation of the City’s continuing efforts on cleanliness and sanitation.

The OCENR official however stressed that the cleanup effort can only be successful with the support and cooperation of the residents and occupants of economic enterprises including private business establishments.

He said the city is leading the way in the cleaning the surroundings but people’s participation is a big factor that will spell difference in the cleanliness effort.

Nonetheless, the OCENR remains also focused on the conduct of information dissemination to ensure compliance of residents on the provisions of Ordinance 2016-176 also known as the solid waste management ordinance as well as compliance on the proper garbage collection schedule.

Provisions of the solid waste ordinance include the mandatory segregation of solid waste in residential, institutional, agricultural, and commercial establishments, the deputation of barangay and law enforcers for the issuance of citation tickets for violations, and the imposition of a garbage fee for business establishments and residential units.

Zamboanga City marks Lobregat’s 15th death anniversary

(Politiko Mindanao)

Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco has led the commemoration of the 15th death anniversary of late Mayor Maria Clara L. Lobregat.

A mass was held at the Holy Trinity Parish in Pasonanca Wednesday, January 2, and this was followed by a wreath-laying and program at the Jardin Maria Clara in Pasonanca, the city government said.

Lobregat was the First Lady Mayor of the City and served for two terms.

She died on January 2, 2004 due to diabetes complications at the age of 82 years old.

“Zamboangueños from all walks of life mourned her demise. Everyone felt the loss of a friend, a mother, a benefactor and a great public servant,” Climaco said.

Zambo hospital launches savings scheme for pregnant women

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Zamboanga Puericulture Center (ZPC) has launched the “Alcancia de Parto”, a savings scheme aimed at helping pregnant women save money in preparation for birthing.

"This is a piggy bank concept program that intends to assist and help a mother save money for the delivery of her child," Dr. Rodel Agbulos, ZPC president, said Wednesday.

Agbulos, who once served as city health officer, said the center came up with the scheme after observing that most couples in the lower-income bracket usually don't have enough savings to prepare for the birth of their baby.

He said couples can deposit an amount with the Puericulture cashier during their prenatal visits.

The benefits from the savings scheme include free ultrasound and check-up services, as well as scholarships for first-time mothers, he added.

Agbulos said birthing homes and hospitals usually charge PHP3,000 to PHP60,000 for the baby’s birth, depending on the manner of delivery and the mother's insurance coverage, if any.

He said 20 pregnant women have already enrolled in the scheme since its launch.

Meanwhile, Agbulos said records show that about 500 pregnant women from this city’s barangays seek consultation at the ZPC every month.

The ZPC, which is a public hospital, is a specialty maternity hospital.

New Year revelry in Zamboanga 'generally peaceful'

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the New Year celebration throughout the Zamboanga Peninsula was “generally peaceful” as the whole region recorded zero major incidents.

Chief Supt. Emmanuel Luis Licup, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, on Tuesday said there was no reported major firecracker-related incident, including any injury from stray bullets, indiscriminate firing, or firecracker-related conflagration.

Licup attributed the achievement to the intensified implementation of “Ligtas Paskuhan 2018,” a security and public safety campaign designed to minimize crimes and incidents during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The ban on the use and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics also contributed greatly to the campaign, the police official said.

Police apprehended 14 violators of the firecracker ban and more than 1,000 pieces of firecrackers worth PHP28,990 were confiscated in the entire region.

The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) also confiscated 48 “Boga,” a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-type cannon, commonly used as a noisemaker.

The Department of Health (DOH) has repeatedly warned against the use of the noisemaker, which they deem to be dangerous as its use carries a risk of blast or burn injury.

Licup also acknowledged the support and cooperation of the public in the realization of peaceful and injury-free New Year celebration.

Meanwhile, Licup said that no one among the 9,000 policemen under PRO-9 was found to have fired their service firearms during the New Year’s revelry.

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