Zamboanga City News July 2013

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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.

DOST-9, ADZU, Ideaspace set bootcamp in Zambo

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR/PR/EBP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 31 (PNA) -- The IdeaSpace Foundation Inc. (Ideaspace) in cooperation with the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) and the Department of Science and Technology-9 (DOST-9) will hold Regional Bootcamp for Zamboanga Peninsula at the Campion Lecture Hall, ADZU on September 28, this year.

In this view, the DOST is inviting undergraduates, fresh graduates and graduate studies students engaged in technology and technopreneurship to participate the said bootcamp.

The DOST-9 in a statement Wednesday said that the registration is free and open up to August 18.

It said teams (composed of three members) with startup IDEAS may register at www.goo.gl/Tt8LR (case sensitive).

Once registered, each team is required to prepare a one-page proposal containing the name of the Startup technology IDEA, description, the need of the IDEA, target market and about your team (with at least 1 technical lead), then, email to John Dave S. Del Rosario at dave.ideaspace@gmail.com not later than 12 noon of September 25, this year.

This activity is a one-day event wherein series of Technology Talk and Pitching Competition will be conducted.

In the Pitching Competition, top 10 entries will be given a chance to pitch their IDEAS and will receive consolation prizes.

The first place winner will automatically be part of the Top 100 IDEAS entries of the National Competition wherein Top 10 startup IDEAS will receive P500,000 initial investment spread over six months, up to P2,000,000 worth of incubation support and more.

DA allocates P15M to rehab irrigation systems in Zambo City

(PNA), LAP/TEOFILO P. GARCIA, JR./UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 30 (PNA) -– The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked P15 million for the rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems in this southern port city.

DA Agricultural Program Coordination Officer for Zamboanga City Raul Ramon Bucoy said the allocation was made through the agency’s bottoms-up budgeting (BUB) for this year.

The preparation of the BUB is made through consultation with people’s organizations like farmers and fisher folks to determine their problems, needs and situation.

Bucoy said the rehabilitation of the irrigation systems will be handled by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in coordination with the City Agriculturist Office.

“It is up to NIA to program the rehabilitation projects together with the City Agriculturist Office,” Bucoy added.

NIA would also be the one to identify which irrigation system would be rehabilitated first.

To be included in the rehabilitation projects is the concreting of all-weather irrigation systems, according to Bucoy.

He said a concreted irrigation system requires less the maintenance works that would enable the farmers to devote more time in tending their farm to boost production.

P300-M set for BUB agriculture projects in 2014 for region 9

By Dominic I. Sanchez (PIA9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Agriculture (DA) here reveals that P300 million has been earmarked for the implementation of irrigation, farm-to-market roads, farmers’ capability-building trainings and other agriculture-related projects in region 9 for the year 2014. But P30 million is allotted for this city alone.

Ramon Raul Bucoy, the Agriculture Production Center Officer of DA-9 said in a press conference held Wednesday at the Grand Astoria Hotel that these projects would be implemented through the national government’s Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) process in which community, city and municipal stakeholders including the residents, civil society groups and other sectors are directly consulted on the identification of the priority projects.

In 2013, Zamboanga City received a total of P15 million for the BUB, mostly for irrigation projects.

Under the BUB, local people’s organizations such as farmers and fisher folks are consulted on their problems, needs and situation. As proof of the participatory process, the list of priority projects must be signed by representatives of such organizations, which will eventually be endorsed to the appropriate agency.

The BUB is being implemented jointly by the DA and other agencies under the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster, the Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster and the Economic Development Cluster. Its aim is to reduce the country’s poverty incidence to 16.6 percent by 2015, from 26.5 percent in 2009.

Bucoy said that “since the stakeholders themselves helped in identifying these projects under the BUB, we are ensured that these will indeed have a positive effect on their communities, particularly on enhancing their income and productivity as farmers.”

Chabacano as medium of teaching confuses non-Zamboangueño pupils

By Antonio P. Rimando (Correspondent)

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Hundreds, if not thousands, of non-Zamboangueño grade-school children who are residents of this highly urbanized city (HUC) have expressed confusion and difficulty in learning their lessons because they cannot yet understand and speak Chabacano, which most of their teachers, following city government officials’ policy, use as a medium of teaching in their classes.

Chabacano is one of the 12 local dialects earlier authorized by the Department of Education (DepEd) to be used as medium of instruction in Kindergarten and Grades 1, 2 and 3 under the agency’s recently implemented Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) module in line with its K to 12 program.

The residents of the city, however, speak several dialects although its major vernacular is Chabacano, a Spanish-language derivative popularized in the locality since it was inhabited by Spanish soldiers to protect the coastal community from invading Moro pirates.

While the DepEd included Chabacano as one of the 12 regional dialects adopted as an instructional medium in Kindergarten and Grades 1, 2 and 3, Tausug and Cebuano are also in the list of the authorized vernaculars. The other dialects are Ilocano, Tagalog, Pangasinense, Capampangan, Bicol, Waray, Maranao, Maguindanaon and Hiligaynon.

Tausug is spoken by numerous city coastal villagers who originated from Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. Cebuano is spoken by longtime settlers from the Visayas and other parts of Mindanao.

In compliance with the DepEd’s K to 12 Enhanced Basic Education Program which calls for the use of the MTB-MLE in preschool and the first three grade levels, local public school teachers fluent in Tausug or Cebuano deployed in coastal Muslim and Cebuano-dominated barangays have no recourse but to drop Chabacano and instead use the native tongue the children speak at home.

The teachers argued that as earlier explained by the DepEd, using the pupils’ native tongue in the primary grade levels will hasten the children’s understanding and learning of their lessons.

For the educational advancement of their pupils, the Muslim and Cebuano-speaking mentors, in effect, virtually disregarded then-Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat’s argument that the use of Tausug and Cebuano as medium of instruction in this HUC “is divisive in Zamboanga and could create disunity among residents.”

“Here in Zamboanga, we are strongly promoting unity by enjoining people from other places who have come to settle in the city to assimilate the local practice and culture and ultimately be known as Zamboangueños who are articulate in Chabacano,” Lobregat said.

The MTB-MLE, Lobregat said, is totally unacceptable to the city government even as he earlier threatened “to discontinue all city logistics and in-kind support and assistance to the education department” if changes are not introduced to suit the social and cultural set-up of the City of Flowers which he later renamed as the “Latin City of Asia.”

Lobregat, who won as congressman in the last local elections, had maintained that Chabacano should be the lone vernacular used as instructional medium in all of Zamboanga’s lower-grade levels, including those in Muslim and Cebuano-inhabited villages, and urged the discontinuation of the two dialects in elementary schools of the concerned areas.

The former mayor, who earlier initiated the production of El Primer Alfabeto Chabacano handbook now used in local elementary schools and day-care centers, said his administration has continued the thrust began by his mother, the late Mayor Ma. Clara Lobregat, which is to preserve, conserve, propagate and strengthen Chabacano.

He said “Chabacano is a reflection of our culture and a true testimony of our heritage and our link to the glorious past. It is too precious and priceless a legacy to relinquish and be forgotten. It is what sets us apart and distinct from the rest of the country.”

Several Tausug-speaking mentors deployed in Muslim-populated barangays, who asked not to be identified, however, said “grade-school pupils are still too young and innocent to be concerned about alleged ‘disunity and divisiveness’ in terms of purported adverse effect of non-Chabacano dialects as instructional medium.”

What is most important to these pupils, the tutors said, is to achieve academic excellence while in their early grades so they will be more prepared to continue with their high-school and college education.

Hence, they claimed, they have virtually ignored Lobregat’s admonition to use Chabacano for their Tausug-speaking young pupils even as they further said that using Chabacano to Tausug-speaking Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2 and 3 pupils “is likened to a blind person leading a blind.”

This scenario will ultimately give more harm than good to innocent pupils who at their age should be learning their lessons as best and as fast as they can which “can be done only through the use of their own dialect as instructional medium,” the Tausug-speaking mentors said.

Zambo School launches green technology project

(PNA), HBC/TPG/FMS/JSD

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 27 (PNA) –- The Zamboanga City State Polytechnic Colleges has launched its Green Technology project in support to environment protection in the community following the negative effects of climate change.

ZCSPC president Dr. Nora Ponce said Saturday the launching of the project was held last week during the 108th anniversary celebration of the school.

The ZCSPC was established during the American regime and was known as Zamboanga School of Arts and Trade. It was converted into a college 12 years ago.

Ponce said they will plant green trees including horseradish trees (Malunggay) in the school’s perimeter.

Ponce said these trees will project a green environment to the thousands of students in the campus and send a message to the surrounding community that green is good.

the project’s second emphasis is the ban against the use of plastics in the school campus, according to Ponce.

“We plan to make the college plastics-free,” she added.

LTO designs ‘temporary plate’ for motorcycles in Zambo City

(PNA), PDS/TPGJR/FELINO M. SANTOS/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 26 (PNA) -– The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has designed a “temporary plate” that will be used by some 17,000 motorcycle owners who registered their units but were not issued the official registered plate number.

The LTO has registered some 60,000 motorcycles in this city but has ran out of the official plate numbers the reason why there are some 17,000 units have no plate numbers.

The LTO has designed the temporary plate upon the request of the City Council to facilitate identification of the motorcycle owners, particularly those involved in criminal activities.

LTO Regional Director Atty. Aminola Abaton said the design of the Temporary Plate include the LTO Agency Code for this city, the registration date, and the coded number of the unit owner.

The LTO-designed temporary plate will be an improvement to the improvised “Registered, No Plate Available” markings presently used by motorcycle owners.

Meanwhile, Abaton said he favors the fabrication of temporary plates by the motorcycle owners if mandated by the city council since his office is not authorized to do so.

As proposed by the City council, the motorcycle owner will be the one to fabricate the temporary plates following the designed they prepared.

Among 17 regions, Zamboanga Peninsula posts fastest growth in 2012

By Roel Pareño (philstar.com)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Zamboanga Peninsula posted the fastest economic growth in 2012 among the 17 regions in the country, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) announced on Thursday.

Mewhun W.S Pamaran, regional head of the NSCB, said the Western Mindanao region, particularly Zamboanga peninsula, registered a growth of 12.4 percent last year from 0.1 percent in the previous year.

These growth sectors include agriculture (housing, forestry, fishing), industry (mining, manufacturing, construction, electricity, gas, and water supply), service (transport, storage and communication, trade and repairs, finance intermediation, real estate renting and business activities, public administration and defense) and others.

“The growth was very impressive,” Pamaran said, highlighting the industry and service sectors.

The industry sector was the largest contributor to the region’s overall economic growth in 2012 with 9.4 percentage points, followed by the service sector with 3.7 percentage points.

Pamaran said the industry sector surged to 31.6 percent in 2012 from 1.5 percent in 2011 due to the accelerated growths in all its subsectors like the manufacturing which accounted for 27.4 percent of the region’s total economy and grew remarkably by 35.2 percent in 2012 from 5.9 percent in 2011.

“The double-digit growth was attributed to a high increase in production of canned sardines,” Pamaran said.

Zamboanga City is known as the sardines capital with majority of the canning factories are based in this city.

Based on statistics, succeeding Zamboanga Peninsula is Region 8 with a 10.6-percent growth, Region 7 (8.1 percent), and Regions 10 and 11 tied at 7.4 percent.

On the other hand, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) placed at the bottom with 1.2 percent growth.

Nutrition Council launches 20 indigenous vegetable recipes in Zambo City

(PNA), PDS/TPGJR/FELINO M. SANTOS/EBP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 24 (PNA) -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) on Tuesday launched its 20 Indigenous vegetable recipes to help reduce malnutrition in this city.

NNC Nutrition Program Coordinator for Region IX Maria Del Pilar Pamela Tarroza said all of the vegetable recipes are nutritious.

Tarroza said the recipes were concocted from locally-grown vegetables, fruits and meat by the College of Home Economics of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU).

These include: Almondigas; Veggie Patties; Stewed Camote in Gata; Say-it; Chulettas; Chopsuey con Mani; Oh my Siomai; Hearty Pumpkin Soup; Fish Pochero; Murisqueta ala rico; Spaghetti Surprise; Fish Kikiam; Ginataang Manok at Malunggay; Nutri Champ Ukuy; Verduras Embotido; Creamy Corn Soup; Fish Veggie Bar; Barangay Lumpia; Veggie Menudo; and, Fish Foo Yung.

The launching of the recipes was held at the Tetuan Central School, which is one of the awardees in last year’s Gulayan sa Paaralan competition, in observance of the Nutrition Month.

Three of the 20 recipes namely My Siomai, Murisqueta ala rico and Spaghetti Surprise are part of the Tetuan Central School’s KAIN PO Feeding Program.

At least 543 of the schools more than 4,000 pupils were found to be malnourished.

New Zamboecozone chairman eyes review of the facility’s master development plan

(PNA), PDS/TPGJR/FELINO M. SANTOS/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 23 (PNA) -– Newly-installed Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Free Port Authority (Zamboecozone) Chairman Christopher Arnuco announced that he will review the master development plan of the Zamboecozone to see how the facility can benefit this city and the region.

Arnuco took over as the new chairman replacing Georgina Yu in simple ceremonies held Monday at the Zamboecozone office in Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan, 26 kilometers west of this city.

Arnuco said there is a need to review the master development plan of Zamboecozone to ensure it functions in accordance to its mandate.

The Zamboecozone is meant to attract local and foreign investors, generate employment opportunities, and encourage the regional dispersal of industries, according to Arnuco.

Zamboecozone has some 36 locators 20 years ago but they left the facility for one reason or the other.

One particular locator, the Demak Industries pulled out its plant two years after it opened due to the unreliability of power and poor communication facilities at the Zamboecozone.

Demak Industries which is owned by a Malaysian Consortium assembles motorcycles for distribution in this city and in the other parts of the country.

Yu has developed the facility into a tourist spot in the absence of locators.

Arnuco said he wants to see the facility as a decentralized and independent agro-industrial, commercial, financial, investment, tourism center and as a Freeport.

Zambo P30-M boulevard expansion project starts

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR/FMS/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 22 (PNA) -– The City Engineer’s Office has announced that works have started on the Boulevard Expansion Project Phase II in this southern port city.

City Engineer Luis Despalo said Phase II of the project costs a total of P30 million where the national government provided P20 million and P10 million counterpart from the city government.

Despalo said the Phase II would cover the extension of the present Baywalk area by 300 linear meters along R.T. Lim Boulevard, which is known as the “Cawa-Cawa” Boulevard.

The Boulevard Expansion Project was initiated two years ago by then first district Representative and now Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar with P20 million funding for the Phase I that covered 200 linear meters.

It started with the slope protection cum-seawall undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The local government took over for the site development and beautification of the premises once the piling works were done.

The project hopes to attract domestic and foreign tourists as the R.T. Lim Boulevard is another promenade site of this city.

Nutrition council taps media to address malnutrition in Zambo Peninsula

(PNA), PDS/TPG/FELINO M. SANTOS/PJN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 21 (PNA) -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) is tapping the services of the media in its campaign to curb malnutrition here in Zamboanga Peninsula.

NNC-Zamboanga Peninsula Nutrition Program Coordinator Maria del Pilar Pamela Tarroza said her office together with the Department of Health (DOH) and City Health Office (CHO) have already met and discussed with the media concerning the advocacy against malnutrition.

Tarroza said they discussed how to effectively implement collaborative actions to address the gaps in information dissemination, discuss hunger issues and to drum up good nutrition campaigns by maximizing the use of radio, print, television and the social media.

Tarroza said they have emphasized the importance of good nutrition among the media practitioners during the meeting “so they would adopt the same advocacy in their respective radio programs, columns or even in their news releases.”

She said the move is in line with the celebration of the Nutrition Month every July.

This year’s celebration is themed: “Gutom at Malnutrisyon, Sama-Sama nating Wakasan (Together let's end hunger and malnutrition).”


BFAR training Zamboanga fishermen to fish legally

(PNA), LAM/TPG/FMSANTOS/PJN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 20 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is training local fishermen to catch more fish through legal methods as the agency continues its campaign against illegal fishing in this city.

BFAR Regional Fisheries Training Center head, Pendatun Talib, said local fishermen prefers illegal methods like blast fishing or the use of cyanide since they can catch more compared to the hook and line fishing.

Talib said there is a need to inculcate to the fishermen that blast fishing or the use of cyanide is dangerous as well as it causes destruction to the marine resources eventually resulting to lesser catch.

Talib said that poverty is also a contributory factor why fishermen engage in illegal fishing since they want to catch more to earn more.

He said the training will help fishermen catch more fish legally at the same time conserve the marine resources.

Zambo mayor orders Sta. Cruz Islands security strengthened

(PNA), PDS/TEOFILO P. GARCIA, JR./UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 19 (PNA) –- Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has ordered to strengthen security in the Sta. Cruz Islands -Greater and Little - to protect and preserve the natural beauty of the place aside from safeguarding the residents and visitors going to the area.

Salazar issued the order after she led last weekend a composite team of city government and law enforcement agencies in an ocular inspection of the two islands which are now under the management and control of the local government.

Salazar has designated the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM)as the lead agency of the security force with support from the Maritime Police, Tourist Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Task Force Zamboanga and the city government.

The security force has been tasked to stop the reported rampant blast fishing that destroys the marine resources in the area.

Salazar said there is an urgent need to establish a watch tower or an observation tower on which a guard or guards will be stationed to keep watch of all activities within the coverage of the two Sta. Cruz Islands.

“The message is that we do this to protect our environment so that the younger generation will have a place they can say they own and enjoy the beauty of the natural resources in the place,” she affirmed.

The mayor was informed that the rampant dynamite fishing in the area is perpetrated by non-residents of Sta. Cruz Islands but from the neighboring areas.

The Greater Sta. Cruz Island is the home to some 50 badjao families aside from being a favorite picnic ground both for local and foreign tourists.

The Little Sta. Cruz Island is a home to a detachment of the NFWM.

Meanwhile, Salazar said the ongoing development at the Greater Sta. Cruz Island which started during the administration of former Mayor Celso Lobregat will continue and pursued.

“There are still many structures that we have to put and propose to improve the island but the greater plan is that we have to establish a marine sanctuary to protect the endangered species,” she said.

The island’s development plan is intended to transform the site into an “island-ecosystem which includes the landscape, seascape and marine resources that is responsibly and sustainably managed, developed and protected by the local government with the involvement of the community and other stakeholders for the maintenance and preservation of the natural biological, physical diversities of the environment and for ecotourism promotion.”

BSP celebrates 20th anniversary thru “Coin for a Tree” project

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao (PIA9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-Zamboanga continues its advocacy on environmental protection with the “Coin for a Tree” project as a highlight of BSP’s month-long 20th Anniversary.

Mr. Melodino Patiño, BSP-Zamboanga Branch Head, said the activity centers on two important objectives: to promote coin circulation, and to support and promote the government’s reforestation program.

The “Coin for a Tree” project encourages participants to exchange their coins for seedlings making way for them to use all their kept coins.

“If we can bring those coins back into circulation, the BSP will mint less of them generating savings, which can be used to fund government projects such as construction of school buildings, farm-to-market roads, as well as other social development projects,” Mr. Patiño said.

The activity also aims to set an example to others the importance of environmental protection and conservation.

BSP has a mini-forest project in Abong-Abong covering two hectares of land planted with over 3,500 growing trees, which was started in 2004.

Participants would be exchanging their P50 of P1 coin or smaller denomination for a seedling. The proceeds of the project will go to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) for the propagation of more seedlings.

NYC launches search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in Philippines

(Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 17, 2013) - The National Youth Commission is calling for youth organizations to participate in the annual search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) in the Philippines as the countdown to its deadline for submission of project entries begins.

Now on its 11th year, the search continuously aims to recognize and reward exceptional youth organizations from all over the country, which have contributed to the development of their local communities, schools and workplace, through their innovative and valuable projects.

The search committee is accepting entries from interested youth groups, organizations, clubs and societies that are composed of at least 15 members, more than half of which are between 15-30 years old. Submitted project entries must be a recently concluded or an on going project or program by the organization.

Entries are judged on the following criteria - impact on stakeholders; harnessing the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship; creativity and innovation; and sustainability and effective use of resources.

The winning organizations will receive a "commissioner" trophy sculptured by Toym De Leon Imao, and a grant of P50,000 to fund and sustain the organization’s project.

NYC said the deadline for submission of entries is on Julu 30 this year. It said project entries may be submitted online through email address tayo11entry@gmail.com or through the National Youth Commission, Southwestern Mindanao Area Office, 3F VHW Bldg., Veterans Avenue, Zamboanga City or National Youth Commission-Central Office, Social Marketing Division, 4F Bookman Bldg., 373 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

Application forms may be downloaded at www.tayoawards.net.

SSS’s “AlkanSSSya Program” to cover informal sectors

By Felipo David Malcampo (PIA9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Through the so –called “AlkanSSSya Program,” organized informal sectors can now be members of the Social Security System (SSS).

AlkanSSSya Program is a micro-saving scheme in which individual members of an association can drop by any time of the day to deposit some token amount in their respective thrift coin boxes to be accounted for every end of the month.

The P312 minimum monthly SSS contribution of each member will then be remitted to the designated bank. Each member shall receive through the association a copy of the payment return form together with a report from the SSS showing the remitted/posted in the database.

In an interview, SSS AVP for Western Mindanao, Atty. Rodrigo B. Filoteo disclosed that the first launching of the AlkanSSSya Program in the region was held last June 26 covering107 members of the Samahang Operator’s Driver’s Association (SODA) under the state-run pension fund.

Filoteo explained that the informal sector groups include pedicap and tricycle drivers, market vendors, massage attendants, commercial sex workers, boatmen, independent farmers and others, who may be covered under the AlkanSSSya Program through their respective association or aggrupation. The proper implementation of the program is spelled out in details in a memorandum of agreement between the association and SSS,” Filoteo added.

The thrift coin boxes look similar to the windows of safe deposits found in banks. However, these thrift boxes only have slit openings at the front side, just enough to slip the coins, with the name of the member/depositor just below the slit.

In a separate interview, SSS Zamboanga Branch Head Ms. Elizabeth Cabatingan confirmed that informal sector members under the AlkanSSSya Program have the same benefits and privileges as other regular members.

Cabatingan revealed that the SSS aims to cover as many informal sectors so they too can avail of social security. “A group of porters in Zamboanga will soon be under the program,” she added.

She also disclosed that a market vendors association with 160 members in Isabela City, Basilan already joined the Program.

In Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, the AlkanSSSya Program launching and MOA signing is set for July 26, Cabatingan said, adding “a similar activity will be held in the cities of Dipolog and Pagadian sometime in August this year.”

National Dairy Authority milk feeding program to benefit 5,208 Zambo children

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/PR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 15 (PNA) -– The National Dairy Authority (NDA), an agency attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA), will implement a school-based milk feeding program in this city in August to improve the nutritional status of young schoolchildren.

Initiated by Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar when she was still member of the House of Congress in 2012, the milk feeding program will be a joint project of the NDA, the office of the City Mayor and the Department of Education (DepEd).

NDA officials led by Marilyn Mabale recently introduced the program to the Local School Board (LSB) during its first meeting under the leadership of Salazar.

Samples of the milk products, which come in a variety of flavors, were also given to the LSB members.

“We will implement a school-based milk feeding program here in Zamboanga City, the funding comes from the national government but this was initiated by Mayor Salazar when she was still in Congress but we were not able to implement it during her term [in Congress] due to time constraints,” Mabale told reporters covering City Hall.

Meanwhile, Salazar expressed elation that the program will be finally launched soon per mandate of the NDA and in support of the programs of the NJB Farms.

Salazar stressed that nutrition forms part of the health initiatives which she passionately advocates for.

“We are also happy that this [introduction/launching of the program] is happening, as we celebrate Nutrition Month,” she added.

The program targets 5,208 Kinder and Grade 1 pupils who will be given 200 milliliter chocolate milk five days a week for 120 feeding days or specifically from August 2013 to January 2014.

Mabale said the NDA partners with Zamboangueño Nonito Bernardo, operator of the NJB Farm in Ayala, a recipient of the Dairy Program of the agency.

Under the partnership agreement, the NJB Farm avails of dairy cattle from NDA and operates the processing plant that will process, produce and supply the milk products to the target children/beneficiaries in this city.

The program has a two-pronged objective: one is providing livelihood to the dairy operators and, two, to provide milk for the children, specifically those belonging to the vulnerable age group.

Mabale said the program’s P10-million funding will include administrative costs as the NDA will have to make sure that the feeding program is implemented according to its guidelines so that the expected output--the improvement in the nutritional status of the children--will be generated.

“We hope that the program will become an avenue to really promote milk especially among children,” Mabale said, adding that a committee will be crated to observe and monitor the implementation of the same.

Zamboanga State U builds P40-M floating school for Badjao kids

By Antonio P. Rimando (Corespondent, WMSU)

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) based in this highly urbanized city has finished the construction of a new floating school costing close to P40 million for Badjao (also known as Samal) school-age children whose families traditionally live on canvas-covered bancas moored along Zamboanga’s coastal villages.

The Badjaos are a tribe of indigenous peoples originating from the island-province of Tawi-Tawi.

Dean Lucio Somblingo of the WMSU’s Department of Extension Services said the floating school is a single-hulled vessel made of steel, unlike the university’s initial wooden floating school which, due to old age and aggravated by constant exposure to the elements, lasted only three years, from 2007 to 2009.

The new floating learning center, Somblingo said, was financed by the Japanese government through its Philippine embassy under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects that was secured by the WMSU’s Comprehensive Outreach Program for Barangays. It is manned by four crew members paid by the state school.

Somblingo said Badjao school-age children seldom, if ever, enter regular public elementary school. They usually spend most of their time, together with their parents, swimming around anchored interisland vessels at the city wharf and shouting for alms from passengers who, out of curiosity, usually throw coins to the youngsters who adeptly submerge into the seawater to retrieve the thrown money.

Hence, most Badjao children grow up illiterate like their parents who, with their babies coddled on their waist, walk around major downtown streets begging from passersby, jeepney passengers or vehicle owners, Somblingo said.

Concerned about the future of the Badjaos, the WMSU decided to help provide them with basic education through the floating learning center, he said.

The WMSU official said the institution of higher learning will adopt the Department of Education’s (DepEd) non-formal education strategy known as Alternative Learning System, which stresses basic literacy skills in the “Three Rs” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic) coupled with Technology and Livelihood Education activities to transform them into functionally literate persons and ultimately become more useful, productive and law-abiding citizens of their community.

Somblingo said similar to the DepEd’s “mobile teaching program”—which calls for public-school mentors to travel to far-flung villages without schools to provide local children basic literacy knowledge in various remote areas of the country—the WMSU’s floating school will sail initially to three targeted coastal villages, namely, Sangali, Maasin and Taluksangay, to deliver basic education skills to Badjao children ages 7 to 15, out-of-school youth and young adults who will be grouped into a non-graded class.

The floating school, which can accommodate 25 learners at a time, will be operational after it secures the necessary insurance document from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and a license from the Maritime Industry Authority, Somblingo said, adding that the floating school will be moored for 10 days in the first village, then sail to the second barangay and stay there for another 10 days, and then proceed to the third village for another 10-day stay.

He said after completing 10 days of mentoring in each of the three areas, the floating school will return to the first village to continue tutoring the local kids for another 10 days, after which it proceeds to the next two barangays for 10 days each.

The process, the WMSU dean said, is repeated until each group of Badjao learners completes a 10-month teaching-and-learning process.

After serving the first three coastal areas, Somblingo said, the floating school will cruise to other coastal villages and to school-less island barangays populated by other Muslim subtribes like the Tausug and the Yakan.

Graduates of the floating school can later qualify to take the education department’s Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) test which, if they acquire the necessary grade or rating, will enable them to be promoted to first-year high school or Grade 7 under the DepEd’s K to 12 Enhanced Basic Education Program, he said.

Somblingo said being the only state university in Western Mindanao, also known as the Zamboanga Peninsula, it is WMSU’s foremost responsibility to provide necessary access to quality basic education to the community’s depressed, distressed and underserved school-age children, especially the indigenous peoples.

Quality basic education is the initial goal of the school geared at attaining quality secondary education and ultimately quality tertiary education, he said.

In Photo: The newly completed Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) floating school, costing some P40 million, is designed to serve Badjao children in coastal villages of Zamboanga City. The vessel was constructed by WMSU through financial aid from Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. Department of Education Alternative Learning System teachers serve as tutors who will focus on basic literacy skills for the Badjao students.

City OKs plan to ease impacts of disasters

By Vic Larato

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) now chaired by Mayor Beng Climaco approved on Thursday the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan (ZCDRRMP), a holistic, comprehensive, integrated and proactive approach to lessening the socio-economic and environmental impacts of disasters.

Councilor Abdurahman Nuno moved for the approval of the ZCDRRMP and seconded by Councilor Cesar Jimenez Jr. after a short discussion on the matter. However, the approved plan was subject to styling and minor changes that will include all public schools as alternate evacuation centers in times of disaster.

Originally, the plan did not include public schools as evacuation centers in case of disasters purposely to discourage the use of schools as temporary shelters for the evacuees during calamities so as not to hamper classes.

The approved ZCDRRMP was the 6th draft that resulted from the series of discussions and revisions that started in 2012 under then Mayor Celso Lobregat, now congressman of the city’s first legislative district.

It will institutionalize the policies, structures, coordination mechanisms and programs with continuing budget appropriation on disaster risk reduction from national down to local levels towards building a disaster-resilient nation and communities. With the plan, the CDRRMC is now operational.

At the same time, the CDRRMC as also approved a separate resolution, authorizing the procurement of the so-called quick response equipment amounting to P8 million from the city’s calamity fund.

These equipment will include the disaster response vehicle, ambulance with medical and rescue equipment, cutters, plastic boat, fiberglass and PVC boats with trailers, aluminum boat, transport bag, batteries and other unique rescue equipment.

Zambo City intensifies waste collections efforts

(PNA), PDS/TPGJR/CITY HALL PR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 12 (PNA) -- The Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) has ramped up its efforts to ensure public awareness and compliance to the waste collection services implemented in the barangays under its service areas.

OCENR head Engr. Rey Gonzales said copies of the garbage collection map and schedule have been released to the barangays as part of their ongoing information dissemination campaign.

This is to be coupled with the dissemination of notices to local households to encourage compliance to the waste collection service schedule, according to Gonzales.

Gonzales said that garbage should be properly contained and secured and should be brought out 15 minutes before collection time to facilitate timely and efficient collection.

Gonzales said that garbage trucks patrol the OCENR’s service area routes in scheduled morning, afternoon and night shifts.

He said that for garbage dumped outside the collection period, two garbage collection team will be deployed for additional clean-up.

However, Gonzalez hopes that all barangays and their residents will adhere to the regular collection time to discourage stray animals and scavengers from scattering waste and refuse in public areas.

Gonzalez reiterated his call to all barangay leaders to take on the responsibility of ensuring community compliance to the collection process.

In his letter to the barangays, Gonzales appealed for “assistance in observing and disseminating said schedules to our constituents for their proper and timely disposal of solid waste.”

Aside from waste collection, the OCENR also spearhead initiatives such as regular street sweepings, maintenance of waste and material recovery facilities (MRFs) and daily coastal clean ups at Paseo del Mar and R.T. Lim Boulevard.

The OCENR also provides technical assistance to barangays and community associations.

Zambo City braces implementation of ‘No Smoking Ordinance’

(PNA), JBP/TPG/FMS/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 11 (PNA) –- The City Engineers Office has started putting up “no smoking signs” in areas where smoking will be prohibited in preparation for the implementation of the “No Smoking Ordinance” before the end of this month.

Ordinance No. 413 series of 2013 or the No Smoking Ordinance will soon be strictly implemented.

City Administrator Antonio Orendain, Jr. said the installation of the billboards by the City Engineer’s Office is purposely to inform the public about the ordinance and its corresponding restrictions, sanctions and penalties.

Orendain said the installation of the billboards is part of the information campaign by city government before the ordinance's full implementation.

The No Smoking Ordinance identified places where smoking will be prohibited such schools, colleges and universities, elevators and stairways.

Also included as no smoking areas are fire stations, gasoline stations and in areas where flammable and combustible materials are stored, hospitals' premises, health centers, public conveyances, passenger terminal, and food preparation areas.

The penalties for violating the ordinance are as follows: first offense, P500 fine or one day community service; second offense, P1,000 or two days community service; third offense, P2,000 or three days community services; and, fourth offense, P5,000 without prejudice to the filing of criminal case.

Owners of business establishment who will not provide smoking area for their customer will be penalized as follows: first offense, P1,000; second offense, P2,000; third offense, P3,000; and, fourth offense, P5,000 and revocation or cancellation of business permit.


July 11 is World Population Day

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez (PIA9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Commission Population (PopCom) enjoins everyone to observe World Population Day (WPD) on July 11 and be one in helping shape and empower adolescent girls as this year’s theme focuses on them.

To amplify the call to action to empower adolescent girls, PopCom has chosen for local observance this theme: “Work for a brighter future. Address Teen Pregnancy NOW!”

Said theme is also anchored on the international theme set by the United Nations Population Fund which goes “Adolescent Pregnancy.”

PopCom Regional Director Reynaldo Wong in his letter said millions of young girls face discrimination that prevents them from exercising their reproductive health rights. “In the Philippines, teenagers face pregnancy and childbearing before they are physically, emotionally and socially mature enough to be mothers,” he said.

“Equipped with the right skills and opportunities, teenage girls can invest in themselves now and later in their families and communicates. Hence their rights, health, education and potential must be safeguarded and assured in the development agenda of every nation,” Wong in the same communication letter said.

According to the PopCom chief, the country must invest in adolescent girls for their own sake, saying “educated and healthy girls have the opportunity to reach full potentials as they are more likely to delay childbearing, marry later, have healthier children and earn higher incomes.”

“They can help uplift themselves and their present and future families out of poverty and be a force for change in their communities and generations to come,” he stressed.

Pregnancy complications are the leading cause of death among adolescent girls aged 15-19, killing thousands of girls every year.

World Population Day in an annual event, observed every July 11 each year, seeking to raise awareness on global population issues.

The event was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, inspired by the public interest of five billion people.

OWWA-Zambo Peninsula accepts scholarship application

(PNA)/TPG/PJN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 9 (PNA) -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is now accepting application for scholarship for children or siblings of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who wanted to pursue college degrees for School Year 2014-2015.

OWWA, through its Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), is allocating 100 scholarship slots every year for OFW dependents.

OWWA Zamboanga Peninsula Director Hassan Jumdain said the EDSP is open to all graduating high school students who are children or dependents of active OWWA members.

The EDSP is a competitive, educational assistance program that entitles the qualified OFW dependents to take any four-or five-year baccalaureate course in any Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-accredited college or university at their own choice.

The qualifications to become an OWWA scholar include: the applicant must be a child of a married OWWA member, or brother/sister of an unmarried OWWA member; graduate or graduating high school student provided she/he has not yet earned any unit in college; not more than 21 years old, and must pass the qualifying examination.

Jumdain said that the schedule of this year’s qualifying examination, to be administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is on September 22.

Jumdain said that the deadline for submission of applications is on July 31, 2013.

The applicants are required to submit accomplished application form (available at any OWWA office), two copies 2”x2” ID pictures; proof of OFW’s Active OWWA membership; birth certificate of applicant obtained from National Statistics Office (NSO), if child of OFW and/or brother/sister of unmarried OFW to prove relationship; and secondary school record (Form 137).

PRC targets to collect 12,078 bags of blood this year

By R.G. A A. Go

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Zamboanga City Chapter, targets to collect 12,078 bags of blood for 2013 to cater to the blood needs of the city and the nearby provinces.

In 2012, the PRC Blood Bank collected 10,980 bags, said Jennifer E. Marcos, Donor Recruitment Officer. “This year, the office is targeting to collect 12,078 bags of blood.”

She said that the blood bank is serving around 42 to 45 patients a day coming from region 9 and Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi Tawi.

From January to May, the office has already collected 5,000 units of blood coming from voluntary donors.

PRC is conducting regular information dissemination when it comes to the importance of blood.

The blood donors in this city includes walk-in donors, students, and groups like the PNP and AFP.

Ms. Marcos urged the public to donate blood because, “it is like change oil because of blood donation the bone marrow is simulated to produce new red blood cells, which will make our blood forming organs function more effectively, personal health free check up of blood type, blood pressure and physical examination by the doctor.”

Qualified to donate blood are those 18-65 years old, weighing 50 kilograms with normal blood pressure, and hemoglobin count not less than 125 gm/ml. Those patients who are in need of blood are as follows: Emergency case, vehicular accidents, for operation, dialysis, leukemic patients, pregnant women, those who will deliver via cesarean section, anemic, and dengue.

The Philippine Red Cross and the Zamboanga City Medical Center Blood Bank are the only authorized facility where the public can get blood.

One of the PRC’s six major services includes blood program, Red Cross Youth, community health and nursing services, disaster management services, safety services and social services.

New advisory council formed to help police in Zamboanga

(With a report from Albert Francisco III)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 7, 2013) – Prominent leaders in Zamboanga City have formed a multi-sectoral council that would serve as an advisory body to the national police, particularly in western Mindanao.

Organizers said the new council called the P.A.T.R.O.L. Plan 2030 which stands for Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and Upholding of the Rule of Law, aims to support the Philippine National Police in the successful implementation and monitoring of their transformation roadmap.

It would support the implementation of the Philippine National Police Integrated Transformation Program-Performance Governance System or PNP ITP-PGS 2030.

Among those who are members of the council is respected businessman Pedro Rufo Soliven, peace advocate Father Angel Calvo, prominent lawyer Katrina Mohammad, Macybel Sahi, of the Civil Service Commission, and Macapado Guro, regional director of the National Police Commission, among others.

NIA readies P30.5-M irrigation projects for Zambo rice-producing areas

(PNA), HBC/TPG/FMS/JSD

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 6 (PNA) -- The National Irrigation Administration is preparing the detailed plans for the construction of major irrigation system projects in rice producing barangays in this city.

NIA Acting Regional Director Engr. Francis Maningo said these projects will cost P30.5 million and are for implementation late this year or early next year.

Maningo said most of these areas are already irrigated rice fields but the implementation of the projects will increase or expand the areas to be irrigated and cultivated.

Maningo said that an effective irrigation system will also allow rice farmers to harvest at least three times in a year.

Maningo identified three areas in the west coast of this city namely the barangays of Ayala, Malagutay and Talisayan where irrigation facilities will be introduced or expanded.

The NIA has also lined up projects in the eastern part of the city, particularly in the barangays of Mercedes, Bunguiao, Manicahan, Bolong, Quiniput, Curuan, Vitali and Tictapul.

Maningo said all of the irrigation system projects will draw water from big rivers flowing through these barangays.

On the other hand, City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat disclosed that this city’s rice fields can only produce about 30 percent of the rice requirement of the 800,000 population.

The bigger volume of rice for local consumers come from neighing provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte.

The residents of this city consume about 6,000 bags of rice a day and because of low local rice production most of the rice they buy comes from other places.

Palacat said the introduction or expansion of irrigation facilities will increase the local rice production.

Zambo mayor seeks interfaith leaders' support

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/PR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 5 (PNA) -- Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, amidst the challenges besetting this city, has cited the urgent need for community support and cooperation, stressing the local government and the authorities cannot do everything alone.

“This is a reality that each one of us faces, all of us have a stake in our beloved City,” Salazar told the Interfaith Council of Leaders in a gathering organized by the Silsillah Dialogue Movement led by Italian Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra Thursday morning.

“I will always need your guidance and as unity to our brothers and sisters not only in Islam but IPs (indigenous peoples), the City Mayor’s Office will be available to listen to you the best we can,” Salazar added.

During the gathering, interfaith leaders shared ideas concerning pressing issues specifically peace and security.

As the chief executive, Salazar said, she will have to make very important decisions and that she would appreciate much if the interfaith council of leaders can help guide the city.

“But the message is clear, what the religious community shared about Islamic law, it is a law of love and compassion for neighbors, killings are never justified, if they violate the laws, they have to suffer the consequences,” she said.

Salazar likewise shared about steps she has taken to help address peace and security problems in this city starting on her first day of work in City Hall last Monday that included the convening of a peace and order stakeholders meeting, reconstituting the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), turnover of nine of 13 Toyota Hilux vehicles to equip police stations from Barangay Limpapa to Barangay Licomo, constant updates on investigations being done on different incidents.

Salazar has instructed a 24/7 police visibility in this city to help deter crime incidents.

She is also expected to do an on the spot check of the different Police Stations anytime of the day.

The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) has 10 police stations under its command.

“If you can help us, we will appreciate it very much. There are systems that have to be changed and behaviors that have to be modified,” she said, adding that policemen specifically those assigned with the traffic and beat patrols should be briefed on their duties and responsibilities before they are sent out to the field.

All set for Nutrition Month celebration in Zambo

(PNA), HBC/TEOFILO P. GARCIA, JR./UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 4 (PNA) -– All is set for the 39th Nutrition Month celebration in this southern port city.

City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos said the celebration will kick off Friday as the city joins the nation in the month-long celebration of nutrition, wellness and health.

Agbulos said the celebration will kick off with a motorcade from Petit Barracks to Centro Latino at Paseo del Mar.

Agbulos said it will be followed by a simple program and the mass breastmilk donation activity to be facilitated by his office and the Zamboanga City Medical Center Human Milk Bank.

Among the officials expected to grace the activities are Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, second district Congresswoman Lilia Nuño, the City Nutrition Committee and the Regional Nutrition Committee IX, the heads and personnel of city and regional offices, and participants from different schools, barangays, sectors and organizations.

This year’s celebration will revolve around the theme “Gutom at Malnutrisyon, sama-sama nating wakasan”.

Aside from the launching activities, the City Government will likewise be spearheading the Nutrition Quiz Bowl, in partnership with the DepEd Division Office.

The quiz bowl is slated on July 30 as part of the culminating activities of the July celebrations.

The celebration of Nutrition Month every July is pursuant to Presidential Decree 491 as part of the country’s efforts to highlight the importance of nutrition, healthy foods and sound physical activity to a person’s overall well-being.

DepEd warns against child abuse in Zambo schools

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 3 (PNA) -– The Department of Education (DepEd) has warned all public school teachers in this city against child abuse or corporal punishment in the classrooms or they lose their jobs.

City Schools Division officer-in-charge Superintendent Pedro Melchor Natividad said his office is conducting a campaign on positive ways to discipline children in schools without resorting to physical means or what can be constituted as child abuse.

Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Humans Rights (CHR) probers are investigating a case of alleged child abuse in a local private school, but Natividad declined to provide details because of the investigation that is ongoing.

For the first time, Natividad has designated two school teachers to monitor cases of child abuse and to receive complaints.

Assigned to monitor elementary grades teachers is Mrs. Virginia Bunda while Mrs. Janette Racamara was named as the one to monitor abuse in the secondary schools or high schools.

These teachers have their corresponding hotline telephone numbers where parents or students can report abuse or they can go to the City Schools Division office in Barangay Baliwasan to file complaints.

Natividad has warned that teachers can be charged with administrative charges, penalized or even dismissed from the service.

They can be charged in court, fined or even jailed if the abuse constitute criminal offense.

Natividad said the designation of the teachers with their corresponding telephone hotlines is part of DepEd’s Child Protection Policy and to encourage teachers to use a positive approach in instilling discipline among their students.

He said there is a proper way to discipline students and the teachers had been taught about it while they were still in college taking Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) course.

Corporal Punishment or inflicting physical harm on pupils and students had long been banned as far as 50 years ago, and Natividad said teachers must avoid this practice as they may face dismissal from the service.

DENR asks public to turn over or return to their habitat captured wildlife

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 2 (PNA) -– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has appealed to the public to turn over to them any reptile or wildlife they capture for the return of these animals to the wild.

This appeal was made Monday by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in-charge Carlito Tuballa as he noted the continued handling or caging of these animals by residents in this city.

In the past, big snakes caught by residents were returned to the wild, but in recent times, these snakes usually ended up dead or eaten as “pulutan” (finger food) in drinking sessions.

Last June 22, the residents of Barangay Tumaga caught a 10-foot long python near the river.

The residents were alerted on the presence of the snake by chickens that scampered and cackling from a bamboo grove.

A resident whose rooster was eaten by the snake managed to bag the reptile.

Tuballa said a week has passed but the Tumaga resident failed to turn over the python to them.

The residents said the snake is being kept by the rooster’s owner.

Tuballa warned that anybody who wants to take care of wildlife such as snakes must seek a permit from the DENR before they can have these reptiles in captivity.

He noted that snakes are considered endangered species and thus must be kept alive and returned to the wild so they can help balance the ecosystem.

Two months ago, policemen managed to catch a big snake at the old public market, just across the street from the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO).

The snake was placed in a sack and brought to the police station.

DENR personnel were dismayed that the reptile was already dead when they went to the ZCPO to get it the following day.

Upon examination, they found the snake was choked to death since the head was wrapped with an elastic tape.

Tuballa said the people should be educated on the need to preserve and protect endangered species like snakes.

DOST calls for applications for the 5th ASIAHORCS Joint Symposium

(PNA), PDS/TPGJR/FELINO M. SANTOS/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 1 (PNA) -– The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has called on researchers to apply for participation to the 5th Asian Heads of Research Councils (ASIAHORCs) Joint Symposium organized by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).

DOST Regional Information Officer Thelma Diego said the office is now accepting applicants for the ASIAHORCs Joint Symposium that will be held on November 26-28, 2013 in Bali, Indonesia with the theme: “Food Sciences.”

Diego said applicants from Zamboanga Peninsula will be endorsed to the DOST central office that will conduct the final screening.

Diego said the international symposium aims to foster linkage among young researchers in the advance science and technology within the region and will work to strengthen the network among Asian countries through presentations and discussion of issues on the aforementioned fields of research.

To participate in the symposium, the young researcher applicants should be under 35 years of age as of November 28, 2013; be able to provide a high quality poster presentation and oral presentation; and, preferably Graduate students, PhD degree holders, or post doctoral fellows.

DOST will then select from among the applicants/nominees from different universities and research institutions the two young researches who will be finally endorsed to LIPI as the country’s representatives to the 5th ASIAHORCS Joint Symposium.

Applicants should submit a letter of intent; endorsement letter from head of agency; updated curriculum vitae; certificate of employment; and copies of their Transcript of Records to DOST not later than August 9.

LIPI will cover the local travel, lodging, and meal expenses of the participants in the Indonesia while DOST, as ASIAHORCs member institution, will provide the round-trip international fare of the participants.

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