Zamboanga City News July 2014

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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.

NHA rushes completion of housing units in siege-affected area in Zambo

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 31 (PNA) -– The National Housing Authority (NHA) has committed to complete the construction of 45 duplex loftable units by the end of August at the Martha Drive, Barangay Sta. Catalina, this city.

The housing units are for the members of the Martha Homeowners Association Incorporated (MHOAI) in Barangay Sta. Catalina, one of the affected barangays in the September 2013 siege.

They can already transfer to their permanent housing units by the end of August just as what President Benigno Aquino, III announced last Monday in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

NHA District Manager Al-kwarizimi Indanan said the pronouncement of President Aquino in his SONA regarding the rehabilitation of this city can be realized.

Indanan said the structures at Martha Drive, Barangay Sta. Catalina “can be completed and the beneficiaries of the project can return to the area by the end of August.”

“That is not the target but that is our commitment,” Indanan added.

At present, the beneficiaries of the MHOAI project are temporarily residing in areas outside the subdivision and are eagerly awaiting for the completion of their housing units by the NHA, based on the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) Plan.

The MHOAI project will cost a total of P9.195 million with the project duration of 100 calendar days based on the project plan.

The funding for the project is part of the P2.56 billion downloaded to the NHA by the national government last December.

The project started last May and will be completed next month.

The total Z3R plan is worth P3.5 billion.

Zampen Disability Alliance confab set

By Henry Salac

The Zamboanga Peninsula Disability Alliance (ZPDA) will convene for its general assembly at La Vina Hotel to discuss some updates concerning laws on persons with disabilities.

Specific laws to be discussed are those concerning Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) created based on Republic Act 10070 series of 2010, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular 2014-59 and numerous others.

Teddy Kahil, ZPDA-9 president said DILG-MC mandates the allocation of funds for programs, projects and activities for PWDs and senior citizens in all national agency’s budgets in the General Appropriations Act. The circular was signed by Secretary Mar Roxas last May 9.

Expected to grace the activity are National Council on Disabilities Affairs (NCDA) Acting Director Carmen R. Zubiega and Cyntia Barriga, NCDA Regional Programs Coordinator IX. Other personalities are DILG Regional Director Faizal Abutazil, Judge Eric Elumba and all PWD’s Presidents throughout Zamboanga Peninsula.

DOH-9 marks 55th founding anniversary

(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO/EBP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 29 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) is celebrating its 55th founding anniversary Tuesday, July 29.

DOH Regional Director Dr. Nimfa Torrizo said the anniversary celebration kicked-off with an early morning mass at the DOH compound in Barangay Upper Calarian, west of this city.

It was followed by ballgames, parlor games and selection of the Mister and Miss DOH Regional Office-9. It was be participated by the DOH employees.

Torrizo said this year’s anniversary is theme “One DOH, One Regional Office 9 as one family.”

Torrizo has urged the DOH regional director staffs to work together in rendering quality services to the public here in the region.

She also extended her heartfelt gratitude to all of personnel for rendering outmost delivery of health service as mandated by the agency through the regional office.

Zamboanga mayor elated on President’s affirmation to rehab siege-affected areas

By Teofilo Garcia Jr. (PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 28 (PNA) –- Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has expressed elation to the affirmation of President Benigno Simeon Aquino, III to rehabilitate the siege-affected areas in this city.

Salazar’s statement came after listening to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Aquino before the joint session of Congress Monday at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.

Salazar said this city “is not forgotten” as she and her staff listened to the President’s SONA at her office in City Hall.

“We are thankful to President Noy’s affirmation of assistance for Zamboanga rehabilitation in the SONA. We are not forgotten,” Salazar said.

“On this Holy day of the Eid’l Fitr, this would be a blessing to all families suffering as a consequence of the siege,” she added.

President Aquino, in his SONA, said that housing will be given to those families whose houses were burned during the 20-day siege last year.

Thousands of families were displaced when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members loyal to MNLF founding-chair Nur Misuari infiltrated this city.

The President said that P3.5 billion has been allocated for the rehabilitation of the siege-affected areas and that P2.57 billion has already been released to the National Housing Authority (NHA).

The funds are for the site development and reconstruction of the areas affected by the September 2013 siege. The site development includes construction of road networks and installation of utilities.

President Aquino said the NHA is set to construct more than 7,000 housing units for families who houses were burned during the siege.

Also, more than 7,000 other families have availed of the Home Material Assistance (HOMA) program. Each of the families received P30,000 assistance through HOMA.

The HOMA program is for those families who are lot owners but whose houses were burned during the siege and opted to reconstruct their own abode.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson heads the rehabilitation of the affected areas which is in accordance to the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) plan.

36th NDPR fete, a success in Zambo

By Rosanna Villanueva/Henry Salac

The observance of the 36th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week in Zamboanga City from July 17-23 was a resounding success, as thousands of persons with disabilities (PWDs) took part in the different activities lined up for the event.

Dedicated to Apolinario Mabini, the Sublime Paralytic, who was born on July 23, 1864, the weeklong celebration was themed: “Talino at Paninindigan ng Taong May Kapansanan: Pasaporte sa Kaunlaran.”

The Regional Committee on Disabilities Affairs (RCDA) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office attributed the success of the activity to the combined efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs, City Government of Zamboanga and the Zamboanga Disabilities Alliance.

The opening event kicked off with a motorcade around the city and a program at the City Coliseum in Tetuan and was graced by Mayor Beng Climaco together as well as Department of Education officials, teachers and students from as far as Ayala and Curuan, Special Education Schools and Department of Health.

The showcase of talents and skills of the PWD sector through a signing competition, essay writing and extemporaneous speech tilts organized by the Gender and Development was the highlight of the second day of the celebration. The winners in each of the categories will be competing in the national and even international levels on December 3 during the observance of International Persons with Disabilities Day.

Other successful events were the following: the Filipino Sign Language Seminar, the National Registration Day for Voters with Disabilities in all Commission on Elections (COMELEC) local offices and the Entrepreneurship Seminar by the Department of Trade and Industry ((DTI) together with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Department of Agriculture (DA).

Ecozone execs impressed on Zambo City’s potentials

By Claudine Uniana

Members of the Philippine Investment Promotion Program Steering Committee (PIPP-SC) were impressed by Zamboanga City’s potentials as an investment hub.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Clark Development Corporation Arturo Tugade expressed confidence in the city, saying Zamboanga is so rich in natural resources that would be useful to investors both in and outside the country.

“You have bountiful resources. Madaming pagkain, madaming natural resources na pwedeng pakinabangan ng ibang negosyo, ng ibang bansa at bayan. Kung potensyal lang, malaki ang potensyal ng Zamboanga,” he said.

He further added that city’s strength is its natural resources from its seas, mountains and even underground. What is needed, according to him, is the formulation of appropriate programs and regulations to make the city progressive.

“Ang kailangan lang dito, dapat na programa, dapat na panuntunan. Pag nagawa ito may progreso,” Tugade said.

President and Chief Executive Office of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and PIPP-SC Chairman Arnel Paciano Casanova was equally impressed by the city’s potentials and the people’s warm welcome.

“Our delegation was so excited because of the warm hospitality,” he enthused. “As we go around the city, you see the diversity of the culture, the hospitality and warmth of the people, and also the food.”

When asked what he thinks is the city’s strength and weakness as an investment hub, Casanova was quick to point out that Zamboanga has everything.

“Zamboanga is the center of trade in this area. In terms of people, tourism, location and resources, Zamboanga has everything,” he declared.

The only weakness, Casanova noted, is the problem on security. “Without that, Zamboanga will be one of the best cities in Southeast Asia. If only we are able to put stability and security in the city, Zamboanga will be one of the best cities in Southeast Asia.”

For his part, Tugade does not see a problem to the city’s peace and order.

“Sa mga nakita ko, maraming perceptions sa Zamboanga na dapat wala. Una na rito ang sa peace and order,” Tugade said.

The 18-member PIPP-SC contingent composed of heads of the country’s major investment promotion intermediaries (IPIs) is in the city for a three-day planning workshop which started on July 24.

NCIP, PIA hold news writing workshop for IPs in Zamboanga

(PNA), LAM/TPGJR/RGAAGO/EBP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 25 (PNA) -- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) is holding a two-day journalistic writing workshop in this city.

The two-day workshop kicked off Thursday and set to end Friday.

NCIP-Zamboanga Officer-in-Charge Eng’r. George Jocutan said the workshop is aimed to teach the participants on the basics in news writing and other topic related to the subject matter.

Jocutan said the participants of the two-day activity are students who are scholars and who belong to the IPs and some out-of-school youths (OSYs).

The resource speakers of the workshop are personnel of PIA-9 headed by Regional Director Noemi Edaga.

PESO facilitates hiring of personnel for soon-to-open shopping mall in Zambo City

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 24 (PNA) -– The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) has scheduled a one-day job screening and interview for various positions for the soon-to-open KCC Mall de Zamboanga (KCC Mall of Zamboanga).

This, as the PESO which is under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), is facilitating the job screening and interview for the newest and soon to open mall in this city.

The KCC Mall del Zamboanga is owned by the Koronadal Commercial Corporation (KCC), which originated in Koronadal City.

KCC presently has two operating malls in General Santos and Koronadal Cities and is considered as one of the major mall developers here in Mindanao.

City Hall Information Officer Sheila Belen Covarrubias said the job screening and interview is scheduled to be conducted on August 3 at a local hotel.

The positions available for competent and qualified applicants include: human resource staff; management information system staff; merchandising encoder; management trainee for restaurants; management trainee for non-restaurants; civil engineer; mechanical engineer, industrial engineer, electrical engineer, sanitary and plumbing engineer; electronics and communication engineer; account processor; accountant; auditor; leasing staff; marketing staff; and, counter coordinator and customer service relation officer.

Interested applicants may visit the PESO at the CSWDO in Pettit Barracks and bring requirements that include resume with latest two-by-two picture and other supporting credentials.

The KCC started in 1951 as a textile store in Koronadal City. It expanded in 1989 into a supermarket and department store as KCC Shopping Center.

In 1992, KCC opened its first store in General Santos City called KCC Warehouse Plaza, which was renamed in 1996 as KCC Mall of Gensan. After four years, KCC Shopping Center expanded into KCC Mall of Marbel.

The KCC Mall de Zamboanga broke ground on October 10, 2012. The ongoing construction began in November 2012 and will be opened in summer 2015.

3-day investment planning workshop set in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 23 (PNA) –- The heads of the country’s major investment promotion intermediaries (IPIs) that comprise the Philippine Investment Promotion Plan Steering Committee (PIPP-SC) will convene for a three-day planning workshop in this city.

Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport (Zamboecozone) Chairman and Administrator Christopher Lawrence Arnuco said in a statement Wednesday that the planning workshop will be held in a local hotel from Thursday, July 24, until Saturday, July 26.

Arnuco said the PIPP-SC, which comprises 18 members to include him, is set to evaluate the current investment promotions plan and assess the aggregate performance of the member IPIs relative to the 2010-2014 investment plan.

Currently, there 18 IPIs and these are the following: Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA); Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Board of Investments; Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority; Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan; Cagayan Economic Zone Authority; Clark Development Corporation;

John Hay Management Corporation; Mindanao Development Authority; Philippine Economic Zone Authority; Philippine Retirement Authority; Phividec Industrial Authority; Poro Point Management Corporation; Regional Board of Investments-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority; Tourism Promotions Board; Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority; and, the Zamboecozone.

Arnuco said the workshop expects the PIPP-SC to conceive promotional stratagems and formulate plans for synchronized marketing efforts, as well as to fashion the framework for the creation of the long and medium term promotions plans of the county, which will guide the member agencies for the next five years.

Arnuco said the 2015-2019 Philippine Investment Promotion Plan (PIPP) will serve as the road map for all the IPIs and outline a coordinated and focused international marketing effort that would maximize the country’s marketing resources and promote the various and varied investment opportunities in the different growth centers around the Philippines.

He said that the BCDA and current PIPP-SC Chairman Arnel Paciano Casanova will lead the 50-man participants in the three-day workshop.

He said the crafting of the PIPP was first announced in May 2009, and was funded by the JICA, to harmonize the incentives offered by the different investment promotion agencies/intermediaries and to synchronize their investment promotions activities, with the goal of boosting the country’s competitiveness, generating more direct investments and creating more employment opportunities - to foster a sustained inclusive growth for the country.

He said the PIPP-SC planning workshop in this city was organized through the concerted efforts of the Zamboecozone, city government and the congressional offices of Districts I and II.

He said the gathering of country’s premier investment promotions managers will afford them a unique opportunity to present the numerous investment opportunities and showcase the progressive business climate of this city and the Zamboecozone, and likewise enhance the status and standing of the ecozone among the PIPP members and allow it to better posture and position the zone towards more favorable investment prospects – hence fulfilling its mandate of bringing-in direct investments and generating more employment for the city’s populace.

ICRC donates vehicle to PRC-Zamboanga City chapter

(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO/EBP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 22 (PNA) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has provided a boost in terms of mobility to the Philippine Red Cross-Zamboanga City Chapter.

This, as the ICRC has donated a van-type vehicle worth P1 million to the PRC-Zamboanga City Chapter.

ICRC Sub-Office Zamboanga Deputy Delegate Chappy Daclan handed over the vehicle Monday to PRC-Zamboanga City Chapter headed by Victor Liozo, Jr.

Liozo said the newly-donated vehicle will be of great help to the PRC-Zamboanga City Chapter in its delivery of humanitarian services here.

Liozo said the vehicle will be used by the staff and volunteers who are currently serving the families displaced by the siege in September 2013.

He said the donation of the van has brought to 10 units the total number of vehicles of the PRC-Zamboanga City Chapter.

He said the other nine vehicle units of his chapter consist of three ambulances, three pick-ups, one water tanker, one motorcycle and a van, which is under repair.

City holds diabetes screening, clinic

By Bong Garcia

AT LEAST 350 individuals availed of the diabetic screening and clinic on Monday held by the Zamboanga City Health Office.

City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos said the screening and clinic, which was held after Monday’s flag ceremony, was part of the Diabetic Awareness Week.

Agbulos, without citing specific figures, disclosed that “notably big numbers” of the 350 who availed the screening and clinic “are diabetic.”

Agbulos has said that diabetes remains as the Number 9 in the mortality list of deaths in this city.

He said that diabetes registered more than 2,000 mortality in 2013 based on the diagnosis of the local medical practitioners.

Meanwhile, he said his office is set to organize the diabetes support group in this city.

He said the support group will help them in the advocacy of prevention and control of diabetes.

Zamboanga City opens new transitory site for folk displaced by 2013 siege

By Joel Locsin/JDS (GMA News)

The Zamboanga City government opened last Thursday a new transitory site to clear evacuation centers of residents affected by the failed siege by followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari last September.

Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the site was built on property offered by the Silsillah Dialogue Movement in Sitio Paniran, Barangay Sta. Catalina, MindaNews reported.

Climaco-Salazar said at least 15 families were moved to the new transitory site. The families are from the Don Gregorio Memorial School, Zamboanga East Central School and the sports complex.

These families are to benefit from the permanent housing project to be constructed for the Paniran Homeowners Association in Barangay Sta. Catalina.

Earlier transitory sites include the sports complex and those in Barangays Taluksangay, Upper Calarian, Tulungatung, Mampang and Rio Hondo.

Meanwhile, assistant city administrator Dr. Elmeir Apolinario said efforts are underway to build a ninth transitory site in Sitio Buggok, Sta. Catalina.

Apolinario, who heads the temporarily shelter cluster, said the construction of the ninth transitory site will start next week.

Climaco-Salazar said the single recovery shelter units that could house 15 families were constructed by the International Organization for Migration, with help from Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the governments of Japan, Canada and United Kingdom.

For his part, Silsilah founder Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra said allowing the free use of Silsillah’s property was a way of helping the city government to help the evacuees.

Philippine Veterans Bank inaugurates newly-renovated branch in Zambo City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 19 (PNA) -- The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) has inaugurated its newly-renovated branch Friday afternoon in the city.

PVB Executive Vice-President Jesus Vicente Garcia spearheaded the inauguration of the local PVB branch along Gov. Lim held at 5 p.m.

The event was attended by government officials and members of the cross section of the society.

Archbishop Romulo Del Cruz officiated the mass and blessing of the newly-renovated PVB branch.

Garcia said PVB has unique services such as Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card which could be used as debit card, identification card, and as a time keeping card.

Garcia said the bank also have pick-up services for big-time depositors of PVB.

“We are bringing the bank right at their doorstep. They do not have to go to the bank, we go to them,” Garcia added.

He encourage depositors to continue patronizing the PVB citing they always think of something new “so they will enjoy” the services.

The PVB products and services are the following: deposit services; loan services; treasury products; trust services; investment banking; international services; and, other services.

DTI-9 wants SMEs to be disaster resilient, ready for AEC 2015

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao (FPG/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 18 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry-9 is making sure that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are ready for any disasters that may hit the region, thus, this year’s SME Roving Academy (SME Caravan) is aimed at making them disaster resilient and equipping with the opportunities the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will bring.

Newly minted DTI-9 Industry Development Division Chief Mr. Lowell S. Vallecer said this year’s roving caravan includes seminars that will equip SMEs against calamities and opportunities for growth.

“What makes our caravan different from last year’s is that we have included a forum on ASEAN Economic Community, and Business Continuity Planning to make our SMEs disaster resilient. This will be for our Dipolog City leg,” he said.

Vallecer added that they will also be conducting Financing forums for Pagadian leg to support budding businesses in the area, while Zamboanga Sibugay SMEs will be treated to a Visual Merchandizing Seminar.

“Visual Merchandizing will teach our SMEs how to dress up their stores or establishments to make it more attractive to potential customers,” Vallecer said.

As part of the core activity of the caravan, DTI will still be conducting product development seminar to help SMEs improve their products and also the one-on-one consultation with concerned government agencies to help SMEs secure needed assistance from product development, access to finance and market. The caravan also informs SMEs on the different policies of the government in conducting business.

The SME Roving Academy 2014 will be held from July 21 to 26, kicking off in Dipolog City, then in Pagadian City, in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, and finally in Zamboanga City to cater for SMEs not just in Zamboanga but also those from Isabela City, Basilan.

DTI-9 OIC Regional Director Dr. Sitti Amina Jain is enjoining all stakeholders to participate in the caravan to help SMEs in the region grow and spur economic advancement.

“SMEs should be given utmost priority as they are the very backbone of the country’s economy,” Director Jain said in the previous meeting with SME-9 Core Group.

BSP-Zamboanga sets ‘Coins for Trees 2014’ activity

By R.G. Antonet A. Go [(PNA), LAM/TPGJR/RGAAGO/EBP]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 17 (PNA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will hold a tree planting activity dubbed as “Coins for Trees 2014” in a bid to encourage circulation of coins and at the same time protect the environment.

BSP Economic and Financial Learning Center head Hermogenes Buenaflor said Thursday the tree planting activity is scheduled to be held on Saturday at the BSP’s mini-forest at the Cesar Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong, Pasonanca, this city.

Buenaflor said it was dubbed “Coins for Trees 2014” since each of the participants will have to pay P50 for each tree she or he will plant.

Buenaflor said the P50 payment should be in coins of different denominations ranging from P10, P5, P1, and .25, .10, .05, and 1 centavos.

“The first objective is to get the money back, particularly of lower denomination coins, into circulation and second is to plant trees for the future generation,” Buenaflor said.

He said they are targeting to plant this year a total of 300 trees of hard wood species such as Narra and Mahogany.

He said the proceeds of the tree planting activity will go to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Zamboanga City chapter.

He said the program is now on its second year. He recalled that they have planted 300 tree seedlings last year.

DOT organizes tourism clubs in Zamboanga Peninsula schools

By R.G. Antonet A. Go [(PNA), LAM/TPGJR/RGAAGO/EBP]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 16 (PNA) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is organizing Tourism Clubs in the different schools here in the region aimed at boosting the tourism industry.

DOT Regional Director Mary June Bugante said Wednesday she will meet initially with the teachers and students of 15 selected schools from the different parts of the region as part of the preparation for the organization of the school’s Tourism Clubs.

Bugante said the meeting will be held Thursday (July 17) at the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) in this city.

“This will only be the first of the series of meetings we will conduct,” she added.

Bugante’s office covers the provinces of Zamboanga del Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Isdabela, Pagadian and Zamboanga.

She said the organization of Tourism Clubs in schools is important as “they will serve as our partners in the development of the tourism industry in the region.”

ZCHS-SPED joins 2014 NDPR Week celebration

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

The Zamboanga City High School Special Education Program together with the other schools with SPED program in Zamboanga City Division will join the nation in celebrating the 36th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week celebration on July 17-23, 2014.

The 36th NDPR will be spearheaded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) and the other members of the National Working Committee.

Bearing the theme: “Talino at Panindigan ng Taong may Kapansan: Pasaporte sa Kaunlaran”, the celebration aims at promoting the capabilities, skills and talents of Persons with Disabilities which is geared toward improving their lives and uplifting their economic status. Some local activities lined up for this annual celebration include Motorcade, Opening Program and Presscon as the kicked off activities on July 17, 2014 at the Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum, Roberto Villares Rd., Don Alfaro St., Tetuan, Zamboanga City.

Other activities for the week’s celebration are: (1) Enhancement of Talents and Skills Seminar for PWDs on July 18, 2014 at Garden Orchid Hotel and Division SPED Camp for students with Special Needs at Boalan Elementary School from 8:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M. (2) Filipino Sign Language Awareness Seminar for ZCHS SPED Teachers and their Deaf students at Zamboanga City High School and Division SPED Teachers Get Together Party at Gazebo, Astoria Regency, Pasonanca on July 19 (3) Holy Mass at St. Ignatius Parish Church, Tetuan on July 20 (4) Seminar for Division SPED Teachers on Instructional Materials (IM) on July 21. Venue will be announced later. (5) Processing of Passport for PWDs on July 23 at the Department of Foreign Affairs 1:00 P.M- 3:00P.M.

This year’s celebration coincide with the 150th birthday of Apolinario Mabini on July 23. The celebration is also considered the biggest and widest disability-related event in the community. It has been celebrated annually since 1979 to bring to the forefront public awareness and consciousness on various concerns of persons with disabilities and this is also a way to develop and strengthen cooperation and partnership among different sectors of society on disability in order to uplift the economic conditions of Persons with Disabilities.

Zambo police, crime laboratory conduct capacity-building training

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 14 (PNA) -– The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) in coordination with the Regional Crime Laboratory Office (RCLO) is conducting a capacity-building training to selected personnel from the different Police Stations to enable them to process crimes scenes involving minor cases.

ZCPO Officer-in-Charge Supt. Angelito Casimiro said Monday that the first to have undergone the capacity-building training was the ZCPO’s Police Station 10 located in Barangay Labuan, this city.

Casimiro said the capacity-building training for selected personnel of Police Station 10 was held last Saturday, July 5, and “this (training) will be going through every Saturday until all the (Police) Stations will be capacitated.”

“Every Saturday, the RCLO and our investigation branch will be going to the different Police Stations to train our personnel on Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) so they won’t be dependent on the RCLO,” Casimiro added.

Casimiro’s command has jurisdiction over 11 Police Stations covering this city’s 98 barangays.

He said the conduct of the capacity-building training is aimed to lessened the work load of the RCLO personnel “who are doing a lot of crime scene investigation in the whole region.”

He said they will only rely on the RCLO personnel to process crime scene involving heinous cases once all of the 11 Police Stations will complete the capacity-building training.

Archdiocese of Zamboanga with USAID, Asia Foundation launches ‘YEZ for Peace’

By Sayson, Rominalyn Tan & Mendaros, Kristine Joy Juaton (WMSU Masscom Interns)

The Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga in partnership with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Asia Foundation launched the Youth Empowering Zamboanga Peace for Peace Project at Centro Pastoral convention hall in this city on Saturday.

The event’s goal is to promote peace and understanding among Christian and Islam through empowering and nurturing children as future leaders with the support if their respective families and other stakeholders towards project sustainability in the community.

It was attended by the youth ages 13-17 from the barangaya of Sta.Catalina, Talon-talon, Mampang and Arena Blanco that were directly affected of Zamboanga stand-off, with the social participation of Social Action Volunteers.

Barangay chairmen Teodyver Arquiza of Talon-Talon, Leonard Aliangan (Mampang), Mujib Abdulhussin (Arena Blanco) and Jimmy Villlaflores (Sta. Catalina) whose villages are the main beneficiaries of the project were also present.

During the launching Archbishop of Zamboanga, Most. Rev. Romulo Dela Cruz, Arcdiocesan Youth Apostolate Director Mr.Mark Saavedra, USAID Philippines representative Mr.Jules Benitez, and Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar gave their commitment and support to the project.

A testimony of one youth, a victim of the siege in Zamboanga last September, from Barangay Sta.Catalina and also the induction of the YEZ for Peace officers of the four areas by the mayor also highlighted the event.

In an interview, Program Organizer of YEZ for Peace Zamboanga, Cyril Ganob said that the event helps in promoting peace in Zamboanga because of the social action.

“We believe that all people of Zamboanga must be healed from what had happened last September 2013 and healing starts from the young people,” Ganob said.

“Young leaders have to be identified and empowered to commerce the innitiative on peace building in order to build peace and empower communities to be peace weavers.”

Ganob added that the young people will pass through series of capability building, skills for life training, leadership training on peace building, inter-religious dialogue (Muslim and Christian) and they will also have a capability building for the barangay and BCPC Officials and for the parents of the youth.

The expected outputs for the project include the 120 children project partners identified for the establishment of YEZ for Peace recognized by the community as effective mechanism whereby child participation is highly promoted.

Also to ensure the functionality of Barangay Council for Protection of Children (BCPC) and youth task force in the area based on the guidelines set by the Department of Internal Local Government (DILG), and to identify and give full support to 120 parents and other stakeholders the success of this project.

300 avail of Dia de Alcalde in Ayala

By Sheila Covarrubias

Over 300 people including children availed of free medical and dental services during the “Dia del Alcalde” Program held in Ayala in line with the barangay’s fiesta celebration Friday, June 11.

Of the total number, 200 benefited from medical services and 50 availed of free dental services –all delivered by the medical and dental staff from the City Health Office (CHO). 50 other young boys availed of the free hair cut courtesy of personnel from the 11th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT).

Over a thousand students from the Ayala National High School on the other hand, received free school bags which Mayor Beng Climaco personally funded and distributed as part of her advocacy on education.

The Dia del Alcalde program is an outreach activity featuring frontline services of the City Government. It is literally bringing the government closer to the people and coincides with barangay fiesta celebrations.

Aside from the CHO, personnel from the City Agriculturist Office also gave out free seeds and demonstrations to farmers while staff from the Civil Registrar’s Office rolled out services on official documentation of significant events such as birth and marriage among others.

The City Veterinarian’s Office likewise gave out free animal vaccination.

Meanwhile, the Dia del Alacalde program will visit barangays Quiniput on July 18, Lamisahan on July 24 and Sibulao on July 30.

Zamboanga City unveils P2.2-M projects

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/RSM

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 11 (PNA) -- The local government has recently completed the rehabilitation of a mini-terminal and 22 stalls at the Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex in this city.

The projects, costing P2.2 million, were inaugurated on Wednesday by Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and City Administrator Antonio Orendain, Jr.

Orendain said the mini-terminal serves as terminal of mini-buses and jeepneys plying the routes to the barangays of Curuan, Tolosa and Vitali east of this city.

Orendain said 16 of the 22 stalls will be occupied by the charcoal vendors while the remaining six are for assorted products.

He said the rehabilitation projects are aimed at helping boost economic activities at the Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex, which is among the economic enterprise of this city.

He said the newly-completed projects will also provide more convenient and better spaces for both concessionaires and the buying public.

City hall activates temporary disaster response office

By Liza Jocson

A temporary office was set up and activated by City Hall starting July 1 to respond to emergency situations brought about by disasters and calamities during this typhoon season.

The temporary office of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management was activated based on an Administrative Order issued by Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco in June.

Assistant City Administrator Elmier Apolinario was designated to serve as the Officer in Charge of the temporary office concurrent with his position at the Office of the City Administrator.

In the public advisory issued by city hall, it says that the temporary office includes various divisions such as Administrative and Training, Research and Planning, and Operations and Warning.

The office, which is reportedly prepared to respond to emergencies any time of the day, also includes CCTV, traffic management and emergency responder units.

Administrative Order BC 06-2014 mandates the establishment of the ad-interim office of the CDRRMC and designates employees under various city hall departments on administrative detail under the temporary CDRRMC.

The Administrative Order was issued prior to the approval of an ordinance by the City Council which mandates the creation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, a new department of the city government.

Construction of the CDRRMC office is currently being completed at the Pettit Barracks area prior to being operational as soon as the council ordinance is passed.

The Ordinance also mandates the appointment of a CDRRMC Officer and his staff with vast experience in disaster response and management.

First Mindanao TVET expo reels off in Zambo

(PNA), SCS/TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO/JSD

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 9 (PNA) – Government and private stakeholders of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) are gathered here for the two-day First Mindanao TVET Expo.

The TVET Expo, which is anchored on the theme “Developing the Youth through Technical-Vocational Education and Training,” reeled off Tuesday at the convention center of a local hotel.

MinTVET president Irene Floro said the exposition is aimed to raise public awareness on the importance of TVET.

“The TVET expo is really to start spawning the culture of TVET, especially among the student-trainees here in the region,” Floro said.

In general, the two-day event is aimed to promote and advocate through a deeper exposure to TVET to the public, through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the different training providers, specifically its benefits and impact on youth employment so as to prepare the youth for jobs in the future.

Floro said there are 562 schools across Mindanao involved in the promotion of TVET.

TESDA Regional Director Lorenzo Macapili said that 42 of the 562 schools are based in this city.

The different participating TVET institutions have also held skills demonstrations that include the following bartending; 2D animation; emergency medical services: automotive mechanic servicing; commercial cookery; front office; health care services; food and beverage services; technical drafting; consumer electronics; able seafarer -- deck and engine; beauty care; massage therapy; and, baking/cake decorating.

Floro said they are scheduled to conduct five similar expositions in the other regions, citing there are six TVET associations across Mindanao.

DOLE chief releases P3.6-M livelihood assistance in Zamboanga

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 8 (PNA) -– Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has spearheaded the release of P6.3 million worth of livelihood assistance to the different groups here in the region.

The livelihood assistance was released Tuesday during a program at a local hotel, which was attended by the identified beneficiaries.

A total of 924 beneficiary-individuals have received the livelihood assistance provided through DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) and Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB) or the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting.

The livelihood projects are the following: support to fisherfolk in Barangay Arena Blanco to operate Ring Net Fishing, P464,930; women’s crunchy banana chips production, P510,000; bottled sardine production, P370,500; capacity building and enhancement of rubber-based farming system and secondary crops cultivation of poor farmers, 361,675; capacity training on financial and inventory management, P86,800; motorized banca with pukot palundag, P460,500; seaweed farming, P381,860; pangase wine enterprises, P3.4 million; training cum cutflower production, P100,000; training cum production on handicraft making, P100,000; and, training cum production on small scale vegetable processing livelihood project, P100,000

Baldoz said the assistance aimed to boost the livelihood activity of the identified beneficiaries.

She added they will closely monitor the development of the livelihood projects to ensure these serve their purpose of helping alleviate the economic condition of the beneficiaries.

Baldoz also administered the oath taking of the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (RTIPC), Industry Tripartite Council-Information Communication Technology (ITC-ICT) and Family Welfare Program (FWP) officers.

Zamboanga City releases cash allowance to public school teachers

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 7 (PNA) –- The local government has started releasing the cash allowance for the public elementary and secondary school teachers as part of this city’s continuing assistance to education.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar made this announcement Monday during her scheduled press conference, citing the cash allowance would amount to P38.68 million for the first semester of this year.

Salazar said the release of the cash allowance started last Friday and each teacher is set to receive P4,200 or P700 monthly.

Salazar said that a total of 4,627 teachers assigned in this city’s different school districts.

Salazar said the grant of allowance to public school teachers is one of the continuing assistance and support system initiated by the local government to help ensure quality education in this city.

The funds come from the General Fund of the city government while some others are taken from the Special Education Fund.

Covered in the grant of allowances are teachers under the Department of Education (DepEd) and Local School Board (LSB).

The grant of monthly allowance by the city government started in 1995. It started at P200 monthly and gradually increased to P300, P500 and P700 per month.

Comelec registers 298 more inmates in Zambo jail

(MindaNews)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanews/06 July) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) registered 298 inmates during the satellite voter’s registration here last week.

Lawyer Stephen Cañete, District 1 election officer, said out of the 298 inmates of the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC) , 257 are males while the remaining 41 are females.

Cañete said Comelec Commission Luie Tito Guia, who is in-charge of the detainee voting, witnessed the satellite registration.

The registration of the 298 inmates on Tuesday has brought to 548 the total number of ZCRC inmates registered, Cañete said

He said they will schedule another registration for the remaining inmates on July 14. ZCRC has about a thousand inmates.

Inmates who had registered earlier were also given the opportunity to update their registration status.

1st Mindanao TVET Expo slated in Zambo City July 8-9

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 5 (PNA) -- Government and private stakeholders hve scheduled the holding of a two-day Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) expo in this city.

The two-day event dubbed as the 1st Mindanao TVET Expo in ZamPen (Zamboanga Peninsula) is scheduled to be held from July 8-9 in one of the hotels in this city.

American Career Training Institute, (ACTI) Inc. Director for Marketing and Promotions Vilmar Marquez said the two-day activity will be the first and the biggest Mindanao-wide TVET Expo to be held here.

The ACTI is one of the Technical Vocational Institutions tasked to promote the 1st Mindanao TVET Expo in ZamPen.

The aims and purposes of the TVET Expo are as follows: provide avenue for greater understanding about TVET, its contributions to economy, peace and culture to intended beneficiaries such as high school students and graduates, out-of-school youths, college students and graduates, skilled and unskilled workers, professionals, as well as to employers and their employees;

create a fore where Technical-Vocational Institutions (private and public) display and provide information about their training capabilities through the different course ware and skills training they offer, their various programs and other services that training providers do to place trainees for employment or prepare them to become “technoprenuers; and show the general public the works of TVET, through skills training demonstration in selected skills; and, in general, promote and advocate through a deeper exposure of TVET to the public, through TESDA and the different training providers, specifically its benefits and impact on youth employment so as to prepare them for jobs in the future.

The two-day event is a joint undertaking of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc (ZCCCIFI); Zamboanga City Association of Technology Institutions (ZCAPTI); Region IX Association of TVET Institutions (RATVETI); and, Mindanao TVET Association (MinTVET).

The 1st Mindanao TVET Expo is anchored on the theme “Developing the Youth through Technical-Vocational Education and Training.”

Beng distributes books, school bags to students

By Vic Larato

In line with her administration’s priority in education, Mayor Beng Climaco yesterday motored to the west coast barangays and distributed books and school bags to 416 students of two public high schools in the area.

First stop of Mayor Climaco’s sortie in the west coast was the Talisayan National High School where she turned over 250 assorted books donated by the Children’s International Foundation.

She also distributed school bags to all 163 Grade 7 students occupying the new two-storey building of the Tulungatung National High School.

Assisting the mayor were Councilors Jawo Jimenez, Mel Sadain, Pin-Pin Pareja and Rudy Bayot together with the barangay officials of Tulungatung headed by Chairwoman Esther del Rosario and the school principal Olivia E. Soriano. Also there was the City Librarian Emmy Natividad.

After the distribution, Mayor Climaco met with the barangay officials as part of her consultation process on various concerns involving the barangay, particularly security, health and education being the priority of her administration.

From Tulungatung, the chief executive and her party proceeded to Talisayan National High School where she again distributed school bags to 253 Grade 7 students.

On hand to welcome the mayor and the city councilors were the barangay officials of Talisayan led by Chairman Henry Pareja and the school principal Zandro Sepe.

Meanwhile, the students along with the school and barangay officials have expressed their profound thanks and gratitude to Mayor Climaco for her generosity and support. In turn, they vowed to her all the way as well.

She also met with the barangay officials of Talisayan on their priority projects, activities and programs.

ZCWD backs DENR’S Pulong Bato trail adventure Challenge 2014

By Montee E. Domingo (ZCWD, OIC-PRO)

The Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) assisted inthe first “Pulong Bato Trail Adventure Challenge 2014, 8k Trail Run and 4k MTB/8k trail run Duathlon” spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Interim PENR Office in partnership with Zamboanga Bikers 101 Unlimited, Inc. on June 29, 2014 at the Abong-Abong Freedom Park this city.

The event was organized as DENR-PENRO RIX celebrates June as Environment Month consistent withPresidential Proclamation No. 237. The activity aims to focus public attention to the protection and conservation of the watershed.

The trail adventure challenge, which took off at the bridge of Sitio Abong-Abong, was participated by almost 200 men, women and kids from different walks of lifeas well as some foreigners.The duathlon dare was the first to be carried out in the City.

The participants were advised not to take anything from the Watershed, not to take another trail, not to throw garbage and not to trim or cut trees/ plants, but simply to commune with nature and enjoy the fresh air.

In support the above activity, ZCWD provided 500 “Agua es vida” bottled waterthat were distributed to the participants to help quench their thirst. These were stationed at Muruk (2kms from the starting point), at the Intake (inside the watershed) and at the finish line.

Zambo IDPs receive P9.7-M livelihood funds

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez (FPG/JPA/PIA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 02 (PIA) - Nine hundred seventy Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of the September siege recently received livelihood funds/capital seeds funds (CSF) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of P10,000 each or a total of P9.7million .

The said amount was released recently to the beneficiaries at the DSWD conference room here in this city.

The IDP-beneficiaries were “formed from the different transitory sites including ‘home-based’ who will be starting livelihood programs in their respective areas. The members received P10,000 each, payable in one year with no interest,” stated DSWD in its news release.

The 970 IDPs, who were duly identified by DSWD, were grouped into 42 Self-Employment Assistance- Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Associations with each association having a president as their leader.

The DSWD press statement further said “compositions of the 42 SEA-K associations in the transitory sites include: 3 from PTSI Transitory site; 8 from Rio Hondo Transitory site; 9 from Tulungatung Transitory site; 10 from Taluksangay Transitory site and 12 from the Home Based IDPs of Rio Hondo, Mariki, Lustre, Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina.”

All IDP-members of the SEA-K underwent a rigid six-month Community Driven Enterprise Development (CDED) process.

Members were trained on Financial Literacy, Time Management and Basic Budget Management during Social Preparation and Capability Building Training phases. “This compliance will ensure the effective delivery and readiness on the Livelihood activities they have chosen,” the press statement said.

The Capital Seed Fund is under the Micro-Enterprise Development track of the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program where recipients may avail through SEA-K modality.

The P9.7 Million CSF release was a special project of the DSWD as its livelihood assistance intervention solely for the IDPs.

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