Zamboanga City News July 2018

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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.

TESDA-9 to offer skills training for ‘standbys’

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) will soon offer skills training intended for “istambays” or “standbys” here in Region 9.

Efren Piñol, newly-installed TESDA regional director, on Tuesday said they are just waiting for the guidelines for the implementation of the program.

Piñol said TESDA Secretary-General Guiling Mamondiong has instructed all TESDA regional directors to prioritize the implementation of the program in their respective areas. He said jobless residents will be trained and given the livelihood starter kits to enable them to be either employed or self-employed and earn a living.

He said among the skills training they could avail of include metal arch welding, plumbing, baking, housekeeping, caregiving, carpentry, masonry and others.

“Maganda mag-tambay, pero mas maganda pag may trabaho tayo at may pera sa bulsa (It's nice to hang around, but is nicer to have job and money in the pocket),” he said.

Piñol assumed as the new TESDA regional director on Monday, replacing Engr. Lorenzo Macapili, who was reassigned to Region 11.

Piñol was the former mayor of Magpet, North Cotabato and the younger brother of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol. He served as the TESDA regional director in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) before he was assigned in the area.

Minimum wage hike to take effect on July 30

(SS)

Effective July 30, 2018, the new wage increase will take effect in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula including Zamboanga City.

The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board disclosed that they have already published the wage increase in two newspapers in the region starting July 15, as one of the requirements of the wage increase.

The publication will run for fifteen days or until the end of this month.

“Amo ese el unu del maga requirements para man publish el increase na dos maga diaryo,” Joel Ijirani, secretary of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board said.

From P296 per day, the minimum wage has been increased to P316 for workers in private hospitals, educational institutions, security and janitorial services and retail service establishments in the region.

For workers in agricultural establishments and micro enterprises, the minimum wage increase from P283 to P303 .

The official said it is now up to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to go after erring employers who will violate the wage order.

Ijirani said they are now set to conduct information campaign on the workers and employers to properly inform them about the new wage increase.

Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Ofelia Domingo vowed to monitor the compliance of the various employers in the region on the wage hike.

Zamboanga City seeks to further develop 7 growth centers

(Politiko Mindanao)

The city government of Zamboanga is pushing to enhance seven growth centers in the city.

This was the focus of a recent activity dubbed as “Enhanching the Harmonized Investment Plan of Zamboanga City Writeshop.”

According to the city government, the seven growth centers include the Central Business District (CBD), Mercedes, Ayala, Labuan, Sangali, Curuan, and Vitali.

Lourdes Ellen Kionisala of the Board of Investments (BOI) – Cagayan de Oro Domestic Investment Promotion Services, during the activity, said the strategy is no longer just attracting investors by “seducing” them in order to invest in the city.

The city government said the output in the writeshop activity, which was attended by 75 participants from public and private sectors, would be processed and eventually presented to the Investment Board.

The Investment plan aims to be the ultimate guide for investor’s reference that can be translated to multiple languages that cater to foreign prospective investors.

DepEd, Ateneo de Zamboanga partner for inclusive education

(DepEd)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) and Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) collaborate to ensure that quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education reach more out-of-school youths (OSYs) in the city.

On June 25, AdZU’s SUGPAT-Adolescent Development and Participation Program (ADAPP) gathered key education stakeholders from partner organizations and local government units to strengthen learning interventions for OSYs, such as the SUGPAT Alternative School for Peacebuilding and the Arts (ALSPA), which integrates DepEd’s Alternative Learning System (ALS), AdZU’s peace education curriculum and the creative arts.

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Service and ALS G.H. Ambat, joined by DepEd IX Regional Director Isabelita Borres, conveyed her gratitude to the AdZU and its partners: “We, in DepEd, are very grateful with this kind of partnership and innovation. We recognize how you are greatly impacting the lives of our learners, especially the OSYs.We hope that we can collaborate further so that it [SUGPAT-ALSPA] can also be replicated in the other parts of Mindanao and the country.”

SUGPAT, which is also a local term that means “to connect or bring together,” was established in 2015 through the initiative of AdZU Center for Culture and the Arts, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This was two years after the 2013 Zamboanga Siege that caused an emerging need for programs to address the growing number of OSYs in Zamboanga City.

Program monitoring

Ambat also visited Madrasah Education Program (MEP) implementing schools and ALS learning centers in Zamboanga City and in Isabela City, Basilan last June 26 and 27 to gather inputs from the field that shall help the Department in devising mechanisms to address challenges in implementation.

This effort is also geared toward further opening opportunities for OSYs and other learners which is one of the priority concerns of the Department under the leadership of Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones.

In her talks with the ALS learners in Zamboanga City and Basilan, Ambat reminded them to study well and prepare seriously for the next Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test, especially that they are the last batch that can go straight to higher education after passing the said test.

Some of the schools and learning centers visited were Zamboanga Central School, Don Gregorio Evangelista Memorial School, Sta. Barbara Central School, Talon-Talon Central School, Taluksangay Elementary School, Mulu-Muluan Elementary School, Canelar Learning Center, and Mercedes Learning Center in Zamboanga City; and Badjao Floating Elementary School in Isabela City, Basilan.

Ambat also visited ALS learners in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Zamboanga City and graced the graduation of BJMP ALS completers in Isabela City.

ZCPO holds emergency meeting with barangay officials on security

By Fatima Shaleen S. Kissaie and Angel Rose Omilig (WMSU Journalism interns)

The Zamboanga City Police Office(ZCPO) has conducted an emergency meeting on all barangay peace and order committee chairman in a bid to seek assistance from the concerned barangay officials regarding the implementation of security measures in the wake of shooting incidents in the different parts of the city.

During the meeting held at the headquarter of the ZCPO with the different kagawads who respectively chairs the committee on peace and order in their barangay council, the city police hierarchy asked for their cooperation in giving information to help local authorities arrest the suspects involved in the spate of shootings.

OIC- City Police Director Sr. Supt. Allan Nazarro said the emergency meeting was called to solicit much needed support from the local residents particularly the barangay officials who can contribute for the solution of the murder cases that registered just for the month of July.

The ZCPO Police Community Relations (PCR) presided the meeting and called for improved police and barangay tanods visibility in the community as the police also appealed to the kagawadas who are chairman on the peace and order committee in the barangay to closely collaborate with the police stations in the implementation of renewed security measures.

The city police stress that there is a need for everybody to help the police and the military authorities in the peace and security efforts being implemented in the entire city.

Even the city government has called on the police, military and barangay to help each other in adopting security measures in Zamboanga City.

It can be recalled that there is an increase of shooting incidents in the city just for the month of July.

In fact, authorities are still facing a blank wall with the recent killings of Sapa-Sapa Vice Mayor Al Rashid Mohammad Alih and Sta. Catalina Kagawad Michael Magallanes. Both public officials were brutally murdered by unidentified gunmen.

The vice mayor was shot dead in this city last Wednesday evening along Gov. Alvarez Street by riding-in-tandem assassins while he was on board his car along with family members and a police security escort while they were on their way home. Kagawad Magallanes, newly-elected kagawad, was about to leave his residence aboard his motorcycle to go to a feeding program he initiated in one of the depressed areas of the barangay shortly before 7a.m. when a gunman approached him from behind and without a word shot him five times.

Both of the shooting incidents are still being investigated by the local police.

Hermosa fest calendar out

By Jasmine Mohammadsali (PR)

The line-up of activities for the much-anticipated Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in October is out.

The calendar, posted at the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival Facebook page, will include various activities and competitions open to residents, barangays, and organizations in Zamboanga City.

The activities will all lead up to the festival main program on October 11, and the feast day celebration for the Lady of the Pillar on October 12 at the Fort Pilar Shrine.

The festival’s first competition will be the Inter-Barangay Fiesta Arco Competition and will kick off on September 22. The Zambassadors Mall Tour ft. Original Chavacano Video Music Festival Grand Launching will follow on Sept. 29.

Festival favorites Smoke Out Zamboanga and the Zamboanga Grand Midnight Sale will be making an appearance from September 29 to October 14 along the RT Lim Boulevard stretch. For art enthusiasts, the Zamboanga Art Exhibit 2018 will be held from September 30 to October 14.

Meanwhile, the Cosechas de Zamboanga, an activity featuring the city’s bountiful harvests in agriculture, will open its doors to the public from October 1 to 15 at the Plaza Pershing.

The awaited Festival Opening Salvo will take place on October 1 at the City Coliseum, and will feature the Inter-barangay Bandoreal competition and the Pink Parade.

Residents and visitors to the city alike can also expect the crowd-pleasers Dancesport Competition and the Original Chavacano Video Music Festival on October 8, the Mascota de Zamboanga Competition on October 9, and the colorful Regatta de Zamboanga on October 10.

Also in the line-up are the Wow Sardinas Boodle Fight and Parade of Lights on October 10, the Zamboanga Hermosa Streetdance and the Fiesta Main Program on October 11, and the Danza La Vida 2018 on October 13.

City gov’t drafts IRR on anti-smoking edict

By Vic Larato (PR)

The city government’s Smoke-Free Enforcement Team or Anti-Smoking Task Force yesterday drafted the implementing rules and regulations for the Anti-Smoking Ordinance 469.

Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Kibtiya Uddin presided over the meeting at the CHO mini conference room at which she presented to the members copies of the proposed IRR for comments and suggestions before it will be finalized into an executive order to be issued by the chief executive.

This developed, as the anti-smoking apprehension campaign continues in all public places, especially within the central business districts, schools, hospitals and business establishments.

The IRR is needed to ensure the effective implementation of City Ordinance 469 series of 2018 in compliance with the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA 8749), which prohibits smoking inside enclosed public places including public vehicles and other means of transport.

Scientific evidence has unequivocally established that tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke cause death, disease and disability; lead to devastating health, social economic and environmental consequences; and places burdens on families, on the poor, and on national and local health systems.

It also showed that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke; that effective measures to protect from exposure to it requires the total elimination of smoking and tobacco smoke; and that approaches other than 100% smoke-free environments, including ventilation, air filtration and the use of designated smoking areas have repeatedly been shown to be ineffective.

The team will once again conduct its apprehension drive on Thursday, this time targeting schools and colleges.

City gov’t turns over P14.78-M school building

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Zamboanga City Government has turned over a P14.78 million school building constructed in Tulungatung village, west of this city.

The turnover of the project, which consisted of two-story eight-classroom building, was spearheaded by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

The recipient of the project is the Tulungatung National High School.

Salazar said the inauguration of the school building forms part of her administration’s priority thrust on education under the Security, Health and Education (SHE) program.

The Tulungatung National High School building is one of the 21 climate-resilient school buildings amounting to over P322 million programmed for implementation in different villages this year.

The newly-inaugurated school building is the third climate-resilient edifice to be unveiled in a month’s time.

The building boasts of structural cum-architectural designs that can withstand weather conditions resulting from climate change, having rain collector for comfort room usage, higher elevation to prevent flood water from entering the classrooms, wider hallways, Persons with Disability (PWD) accessibility, and all rooms have breather ventilation space, among other features.

Hermosa fest orientation set Wednesday

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

A general orientation for all Hermosa-related activities and competitions will be held at 1p.m. on July 18 at Centro Latino.

To be spearheaded by the Special Events Team of the City Mayor’s Office, the general orientation aims to inform all interested participants of the guidelines as well as the rules and regulations of all events slated for the month-long Hermosa Festival in October.

The city government has released a calendar of activities of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival which is set to kick off on September 22 with the Inter-Barangay Fiesta Arco Competition among the participating barangays. The Zambassadors Mall Tour ft. Original Chavacano Video Music Festival Grand Launching will follow on Sept. 29.

Other activities include the festival staples Smoke-Out Zamboanga-Grilled Food Fiesta and Zamboanga Grand Midnight Sale will run from Sept. 29 to Oct. 14 on R.T. Lim Boulevard.

The Zamboanga Art Exhibit 2018 is scheduled on Sept. 30-Oct. 14, while Cosechas de Zamboanga 2018 will be held at Palza Pershing from Oct. 1-15.

Among the crowd-drawer events of the annual festivity are the Zamboanga Dancesport Competition on Oct. 8 at the City Coliseum; Mascota de Zamboanga Competition 2018 on Oct. 9 at Palacio del Sur; and on Oct. 10, the Regatta de Zamboanga on R.T. Lim Boulevard, Wow Sardinas Grand Boodle Fight also on the boulevard, and the Parade or Lights (Float Competition).

The street party dubbed “Danza La Vida” is scheduled Oct. 13.

IBT turnover set today

By Sheila Covarrubias

The Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT) in Divisoria will be turned over to the city government by the construction firm that undertook the project during simple rites set today morning, July 16.

This, after the finalization of an agreement between the RCDG Construction firm and the City Government through the IBT committee, City Engineer’s Office and the City Legal Office, pertaining to various issues particularly the full payment to the contractor.

Mayor Beng Climaco and the contractor along with other city and IBT officials will spearhead the turnover activity set at 10a.m. at the IBT in Divisoria Monday.

The IBT, which sits on a 3.4 hectare government property in barangay Divisoria, was inaugurated December 8, 2015 and has been catering bus firms including vans plying the nearby provinces from Zamboanga City and vice versa. The IBT operation was governed by a City Ordinance.

The Divisoria IBT is one if not the most modern and spacious terminals in Zamboanga Peninsula and in Mindanao. The facility has departure and arrival buildings — both with holding areas and parking bays and other amenities that include a breastfeeding room, clinic, administration office with closed-circuit television cameras, scanner machine for security purposes, and stalls occupied by business concessionaires to cater to the needs of passengers.

Various improvements are expected to take place at the IBT to better serve the public once the IBT is officially turned over to the City Government.

Zamboanga City GAD holds entrepreneurship training for leaders, moms

(Politiko Mindanao)

The city government of Zamboanga has conducted a two-day training on entrepreneurship for community leaders and mothers with the objective to encourage, support and expand participation of the grassroots women in promoting social and economic opportunities.

Dubbed as the “Training on Entrepreneurship for Community Leaders and Mothers,” the activity held recently was spearheaded by the City’s Gender and Development (GAD) unit in collaboration with the City Agriculturist Office.

The participants were given practical knowledge in handling their businesses based on the success stories of Ester Perez, owner of Bakers Field, and Rowel Lumagtad, owner of Crafter Creation Handicraft, the city government said.

Garry Micubo of Department of Trade and Industry Zamboanga Field Office presented an entrepreneurship tool called as “the BEST Game” (Business, Expenses, Savings, Training).

The BEST Game was developed to teach business skills through the playing of a game – a game played competitively in a simulated business environment which has definite outcome in terms of profits and savings.

Zambo school inaugurates P21-M full mission bridge simulator

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZCSPC) on Friday inaugurated its newly-acquired PHP21-million full mission bridge simulator equipment.

Dr. Nelson Cabral, ZCSPC president told the Philippine News Agency the equipment was acquired from Kansas, United States of America, and is the first in Mindanao.

Cabral said the full mission bridge simulator has 270 degrees visualization. It has a radar, photographic, Global Positioning System, and others.

He said other schools in Mindanao have full mission bridge simulator, but does not have the 270 degree visualization.

“This will help (the school) as we are focusing on global competitiveness of students,” Cabral said.

He said the acquisition of the simulator is in preparation for the offering of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) course, and in compliance with the mandate of the school as a maritime institution.

The first batch of the BSMT course will start on the second semester. Initially the ZCSPC is expecting an enrollment of 100 students.

Second Officer Nonito Tablante, a BSMT instructor said, the equipment “is the same as that you will find on board a ship."

Tablante said the simulator will be useful to the students and they will not have difficulty aboard ship “because this is almost actual.”

OSAP reaches out to kids in Zambo island community

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

AMBOANGA CITY – A total of 76 pupils in an island community school on Friday have benefited in the outreach program of Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

The beneficiaries are the pupils of the Silsilah Elementary School in the Greater Sta. Cruz Island, which falls within the political boundary of Barangay Sta. Barbara, this city.

Each of them received school supplies distributed at the school’s gathering hall.

Mildred Bayona, Silsilah Elementary School principal, told the Philippine News Agency that the school supplies are a big help to the 76 pupils who are enrolled in Kindergarten I to Grade 6. The kids also received biscuits and chocolates.

The school also received scholastic and other reading materials from the Davao City-based NewsLine.ph, an online news organization.

Bayona said most of their pupils are children of Badjao families who are beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor in the country.

4Ps aims to break the cycle of poverty by keeping children aged 0-18 healthy and in school, so they can have a better future.

Bayona said their pupils' parents are primarily engaged in seaweed farming and fishing. She expressed gratitude to Go for reaching out the the poor in this part of the country.

The distribution of the school supplies to the Silsilah Elementary School pupils by the office of Go was facilitated by the Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) and the Zamboanga Press Club, Inc.

The school is maintained by the Silsilah Foundation, Inc. and is accredited by the Department of Education (DepEd).

Magay river cleanup yields four truckloads of trash

By Sheila Covarrubias (PR)

The river cleanup activity initiated by the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) on Saturday morning yielded four truckloads of trash from the Magay river and Barangay Zone I area.

Rodrigo Pagotaisidro, OCENR Public Service Officer IV said the 4-hour cleanup activity also resulted to the rescue of 10 rugby sniffing children loitering the streets of the barangay. These children were turned over to the Processing Center of the City Social Welfare and Development at R.T. Lim Boulevard.

According to Pagotaisidro, the city spearheads such activities to encourage people as well as make people aware of the need to properly dispose of garbage for the good of the community and the environment.

The Magay river cleanup was the first of a series of campaigns that will be launched by the OCENR in partnership with other agencies as part of the intensified campaign to implement the Solid Waste Management program based on Ordinance 2016-176, otherwise known as the Integrated Solid Waste Management System of Zamboanga.

Pagotaisidro said the river cleanup drive will be done once a month in the different barangays.

The Saturday Magay river cleanup was done in collaboration with the City Engineer’s Office (CEO), General Services Office (GSO), CSWDO, Zamboanga City Police Office-COMPAC (City Hall Police Action Center) and Barangay Zone I.

The continuous cleanup drive spearheaded by the OCENR through the newly-created Sub-Task Force Basura is in line with the overall theme “Beat Plastic Pollution, If You Can’t Re-Use it, Refuse it!”

Meanwhile, Pagotaisidro said the sub-task force basura convene anew on Friday, 9am at the PIO press briefing room to plan out succeeding campaigns to include night shift garbage collection and disposal, cleanup activity at the Sta. Cruz Island, 2nd Basura Run event and other related matters.

Congress starts 5-day bicam meeting on BBL

By Filane Mikee Cervantes (PNA)

MANILA -- Members of both chambers of Congress on Monday have started holding a bicameral conference to reconcile the differences between their respective versions of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The bicameral conference, spearheaded by House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas and his Senate counterpart Juan Miguel Zubiri, was held at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City. The meeting will run until Friday.

In his opening speech, Fariñas expressed hope that they could come up with the "best version of the bill" acceptable to both panels so that they could ratify it when Congress opens its third regular session on July 23 and have it signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte during his third State of the Nation Address.

"The agreement was if we can come up and do away with all the disagreeing provisions and come up with a version acceptable to both panels... we will present it to our chambers for ratification when we open our third regular session on Monday, July 23," he said.

"If we have the ratification, we submit it to the President so the President can sign it into law in the afternoon of that same day when he delivers his third State of the Nation Address," he added.

Fariñas stressed that the bicam committee should be guided by the Constitution in resolving the contentious provisions of the BBL.

"We have to ensure that everything we do and everything we do here will be compliant to the Constitution because surely this will be challenged," he said.

"It is our task to see to it that whatever we agreed and come up here will have to pass the test of constitutionality," he added.

Meanwhile, Zubiri said the Constitution should set both the latitude and delimitations of what can be incorporated in the proposed BBL.

Zubiri said apart from constitutionality, the committee should also follow the guideposts of autonomy, acceptability, social justice, and peace and development in reconciling the two versions of the bill.

"Our bicam today is beyond historical. Filipinos, not only in Bangsamoro or Muslim Mindanao, but throughout the country are watching us. They are waiting with bated breath as to the final outcome of this Bangsamoro Basic Law," Zubiri said.

"What we will accomplish today and in the next few days will be the cornerstones towards a just, lasting, and dignified peace in the Bangsamoro," he added.

Dalipe allocates P26M for road project along Panubigan port

By Jemuel E. Mojica

District II Congressman Mannix Dalpe yesterday bared that he has earmarked P26 million for the immediate construction of an access road leading to the Panubigan mini-wharf, in preparation for the expected high number of domestic tourists who will be using the road and mini-wharf in visiting the Once Islas or Eleven Island.

Rep. Dalipe said that his office is now closely coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the implementation of the road project in Barangay Panubigan.

“We expect many locals and even out-of-town people who will be visiting the 11 islands. They will be using the port in Panubigan so I decided to allocate funds of the road concreting of the road leading to the port in the said barangay,” Dalipe told reporters in an interview.

The congressman also disclosed that he has also conferred with the Panbigan barangay officials for the said project.

Dalipe and other city officials lead ny Mayor Beng Climaco over the weekend visited Panubigan while they were on their way for the soft-opening of the Once Islas.

The congressman also cited the huge potentials of the 11 Islands as he expressed optimism that in the near future these groups of islands will be a prime tourist destination here in Zamboanga City.

The 11 Islands are noted for their pristine beaches and hospitable people.

ZamPen Native Chicken FIESTA atbp. to showcase AANR S&T outputs

(PR/WMSU-PAO)

The Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), through the Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources, Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC), will host anew the ZamPen Native Chicken FIESTA atbp. on July 10-11, 2018 at the WMSU Campus grounds.

The event aims to promote not only the ZamPen Native Chicken but also Zamboanga Peninsula’s matured Science and Technology (S&T) through technology matching, product promotion, and stakeholders’ forum in order to improve its visibility and marketability both in the local and international fronts.

Coined as FIESTA for brevity, the term is the acronym for the phrase Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda. FIESTA aims to facilitate the flow of technology not only to the farmers but also to the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises for them to benefit from the government’s R&D undertakings, thereby enabling them to contribute more to economic development.

The ZamPen Native Chicken FIESTA will be a venue for showcasing significant research findings, particularly in the Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (AANR) sector, to stakeholders and possible investors. It also aims to strengthen partnerships and improve networking among stakeholders, researchers and key players.

The list of activities are as follows: (Day 1) S&T Exhibits and Tiangge de FIESTA; Field Demo by WMSU students; cooking competition; media conference; and, S&T Business Forum. For Day 2, the activities are: Symposium on AANR R&D for senior high school students; ZamPen FIESTA showtime, and closing ceremony.

The event will be held in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit IX (DA-RFU IX). Researchers, farmers, and students from Region-IX are expected to participate in the activity.

BOC-Zamboanga surpasses target collection goal by over P5-M

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Bureau of Customs (BOC) here has surpassed its target collection by more than PHP5 million for the month of June.

Lawyer Lyceo Martinez, BOC district collector, on Wednesday said their collection in June has reached PHP28,576,460, which was higher by PHP5,576,460 than the target collection goal of PHP23 million.

Martinez attributed the achievement to the strategies his office has adopted, including marketing efficiency, prompt services, and assurance of corruption-free transactions.

“I have to assure the traders here in the region and in (the three provinces of) ARMM that we can help them by ensuring prompt and efficient and corruption-free BOC services, in order for them to trust us and bring in their goods through this port,” Martinez said.

Aside from traders in Region 9, businesses from the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi also avail of the local BOC district's services in transporting their goods.

Martinez said this is the third month his office has met and surpassed its monthly target goal collection that was set by the BOC central office.

Preparations underway for Zambo Hermosa Fest

By Vic Larato (City Hall PR)

The city government through the Special Events Team of the City Mayor’s Office is now in the thick of preparations for this year’s grand Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in October.

City Administrator Apple Go and the Special Events Team headed by Christian Olasiman convened a meeting yesterday of the stakeholders and possible sponsors of the different events lined up for the month-long festivity.

Go said a proposal is being worked out for the La Hermandad, a non-stock non-profit organization, to handle the festival instead of the Special Events Team as in previous years.

The festivity will kick off on September 22 with the Inter-Barangay Fiesta Arco Competition among the participating barangay, Zambassadors Mall Tour ft. Original Chavacano Video Music Festival Grand Launching on Sept. 29.

The Smoke-Out Zamboanga-Grilled Food Fiesta and Zamboanga Grand Midnight Sale will run from Sept. 29 to Oct. 14 on R.T. Lim Boulevard.

The Zamboanga Art Exhibit 2018 is scheduled on Sept. 30-Oct. 14, while Cosechas de Zamboanga 2018 will be held at Palza Pershing from Oct. 1-15.

Among the crowd-drawer events of the annual festivity are the Zamboanga Dancesport Competition on Oct. 8 at the City Coliseum; Mascota de Zamboanga Competition 2018 on Oct. 9 at Palacio del Sur; and on Oct. 10, the Regatta de Zamboanga on R.T. Lim Boulevard, Wow Sardinas Grand Boodle Fight also on the boulevard, and the Parade or Lights (Float Competition).

The street party dubbed “Danza La Vida” is scheduled Oct. 13.

Coast Guard to set up radars in Zamboanga City – Mayor Climaco

(Politiko Mindanao)

The Philippine Coast Guard is set to install two radar equipment in Zamboanga City as part of the security measure, Mayor Beng Climaco said.

The local chief executive disclosed this during the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting Monday, June 2.

She said the Coast Guard had reported that it will put up two radar equipment, one each in the east and west coasts, to intensify coastal security measures to be complemented by the city government once the CCTVs are installed in those areas.

In the same meeting, Climaco urged all officials of the city’s 98 barangays, especially the new ones, to be aggressive in the campaign against illegal drugs.

She said all barangay officials, who assumed office on June 30, must comply with all directives of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to comply with their respective Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) plans.

She said all the 98 barangays had already submitted their BADAC plans, and these must be strictly implemented to clear their respective barangays of the drug menace.

LTO to release new vehicle plates today

By Allen Abastillas

The Land Transportation Office-9 (LTO-9) is expected to release today the new license plates for all four-wheel vehicles.

LTO-9 Assistant Regional Director Manuel L. Betaizar said that the distribution will be done in all LTO offices nationwide.

In Zamboanga, distribution will be made at the LTO-9 Registration Office at the Zamboanga Ecozone in Barangay Talisayan.

There was no information available on how many license plates will be delivered to the LTO-9 office in Zamboanga City.

The newly-delivered license plates will comprise the first batch to be released to Region 9 vehicle owners.

The LTO license plates to be delivered today are among 387,000 newly-desighed plate numbers manufactured for the months of July to October in the year 2016.

CDRRMO spearheads Nat’l Resilience month activities

By Sheila Covarrubias (City Hall PR)

The City Government through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) will spearhead activities for the celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) with the theme “Katatagan Kalamidad ay Makakamtan Kapag Sapat ang Kaalaman sa Kahandaan.”

The activities will kick off July 5 with the conduct of the training workshop on the formulation of the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan (BDRRMP) and Budget preparation and utilization of BDRRM fund targeting barangay officials as participants. The training will be done in 3 batches – first batch to be held July 5-6, second batch from July 10-11 and third batch from July 12-13- all to be held at the Celebrity Hall at the grand Astoria Hotel.

Other activities include the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) orientation on June 16 at the Celebrity Hall at Grand Astoria Hotel; the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) training course from July 17-20 at the Executive Skyview Lounge, Tower 2 at the Grand Astoria Hotel and the interoperability training of response protocols slated from July 24-25 at Centro Latino.

The closing program will be held July 31 with a motorcade and simulation exercise at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga.

Nutrition month celebration kicks off

By Sheila Covarrubias (City Hall PR)

Zamboanga City kicks off the 44th Nutrition month celebration today, July 3 with a series of activities aimed to contribute to improve food and nutrition security by increasing access to diversified source of food for families in the community.

Themed “Ugaling Magtanim, Sapat na Nutrisyon Aanihin,” the activities will be spearheaded by the City Health Office and will kick off with a motorcade at 8 a.m. from the CHO compound in Pettit Barracks to the Tetuan Central School where the opening program will follow with Mayor Beng Climaco gracing the event.

CHO officer-in-charge Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite said highlight of the month-long celebration will be the contest “Jardin de Gulay na mi Casa” to emphasize the importance of planting vegetables for home consumption and to provide the family members with supply of vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals.

Initially 11 barangays have submitted entries and these include Sta. Maria, Tumaga, Tugbungan, Tigbalabag, Lubigan, Culianan, Tulungatung, San Roqoue, Ayala and Talon-talon, according to Miravite.

Awarding of winners in the Jardin de Gulay na Mi Casa contest will be done during the culminating program set on July 27.

‘Once Islas’ opens to the public

By Sheila Covarrubias (City Hall PR)

Once Islas’, a group of 11 islands located within the political boundaries of barangays Panubigan and Dita in the east coast, is now open to the public.

Mayor Beng Climaco led City and Barangay officials Sunday morning during the soft opening of the Once Islas for eco-cultural tourism showcasing the city’s rich natural resources and breathtaking sceneries.

“El govierno local ya hace todo manera posible para el abrida de este Once Islas. Este el deberasan political will that despite the challenges we face, we find ways para dale oportunidad con el maga residnete para mira el hermosura del panubigan,” the mayor declared as she acknowledged the efforts of all concerned for making the operation of the newest tourist attraction possible.

The operation of the Once Islas is pursuant to Ordinance 2018-16 approved by the City Council designating the City Tourism Office as the overseer of the newest attraction. The ordinance empowers the community and respects the culture of the indigenous peoples.

The law provides Community Tourism in Partnership with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the City Government coordinating with Barangays Panubigan and Dita which provide the resources.

Mayor Climaco specifically recognized the efforts of the City Tourism Office under Sarita Hernandez, the City Council through Councilor BG Guingona, the barangay councils of Panubigan under Chairperson Jacqueline Magasa and Dita, the City Legal Office, City Engineer’s Office, the PNP, Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and other law enforcement units and all those who helped and contributed to the project.

“God bless these efforts for people to admire a beautiful unspoiled island which makes swimming, kayak and trekking with island hopping possible,” the mayor said.

Present during the soft opening were Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde, District II Cong. Mannix Dalipe, Councilors Josephine Pareja, Jihan Edding, BG Guingona, Bong Atilano, Jimmy Villaflores, Rommel Agan, Cesar Jimenez Sr., City Tourism Officer Sarita Hernandez, officials from the PNP, Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and other law enforcement units and barangay officials from Panubigan and Dita and numerous others.

DA-IX launches 'ASPIRE'

By Hader Glang

An agriculture program aimed at helping local farmers, fishers, MSMEs and other stakeholders enhance and promote their agricultural products was launched here in Zamboanga City.

Called Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Regional Expositions (ASPIRE), the program dubbed "AGRI-VENTA" formally opened Friday, June 29, and runs until July 1 at 2/F Minpro Citimall, La Purisima.

Yvette T. Avellaneda, DA Regional Office IX OIC information section officer, said the program is done in collaboration with the Departmebt of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Chamber of Commercr and Industry (PCCI).

"ASPIRE desires investment opportunities to encourage agribusiness investments in the region and build strong partnerships and convergence among government agencies and private sector," she said in a statenent.

The three-day event highlights anchored on the theme, 'Expanding Opportunities for ZAMPEN's Priority Agricultute and Fishery Products," include the Agri- Aqua Trade Fair (sales and exhibits of fresh and processed products from 50 exhibitors, 42 SMEs, and 8 government and private institutions), poster making contest, fish deboning contest, fora on opportunities for Halal products and services, good animal husbandry practices and services, investment forum on native chicken and goat production and marketing.

During a press conference, DA Regional Office IX Asst. Director Maria Melba Wee told reporters that the department of agriculture is always looking into the welfare of the farmers and fisherfolks to increase their productivity in light of ongoing economic volatility and uncertainty.

Concerning the opportunities for Halal products and services, DTI-Zamboanga City Provincial Director Ceferino Rubio announced the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (ZamboEcozone) is going to jumpstart the Asian Halal Centre project.

It will be recalled that this 100 hectares ZAMBOECOZONE Halal Hub (Asian Halal Centre) was launched by DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez along with 1st District Rep. Celso Lobregat and 2nd District Rep. Mannix Dalipe on October 8, 2018.

Members of the ZAMBOECOZONE’s Board of Directors headed by Chairperson and Administrator Christopher Lawrence Arnuco, Councilor Rommel Agan, Mr. Jose Suan (Labor sector representative to the Board), and Mr. Edgar Lim (Business sector representative) as well as representatives from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), and other government line agencies.

The project facility principally seeks to make a portion of the ZAMBOECOZONE 2nd Industrial Park a profitable area for the development and establishment of a 100-hectare Halal Industrial Park wherein a community of Halal-oriented business enterprises shall be built, and where they are provided infrastructure and service support.

Specifically, it shall be an agro-production facility with particular focus on generating employment for the surrounding community, research and development, ecology and sustainability as founded on the principles of Halal.

"We already have a Halal hub that is about 100 hectares area provided by the ZamboEcozone, the first of its kind in Zamboanga City, and I think for a little more we're going to see the starting of the Halal organization in the Ecozone," Rubio said.

Halal is a Qur’anic term that means permitted, allowed or lawful. At present, Halal is used in relation to food and other consumer goods that have undergone certification as permissible for consumption and use by Muslims.

For Mr. Rubio, "Halal is a process avoiding contamination. Ang Halal naman is not that technology. It does not require a lot of infrastructure, it's more on the process "

The NCMF, in a memorandum of agreement with ZamboEcozone on February 2015, declared the ecozone as the Halal processing and manufacturing hub in the Philippines.

However, Rubio admitted that they have not yet gone that far as far as Halal yet, "Wala pa. Hindi pa masyado, no?! But certainly if you say market of course, we have the BIMP-EAGA, these are Muslim countries that just within proximity via Sandakan."

According to Ronnie Natividad, executive director of the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (ZCCIFI), the lack of unified Halal certification could not guarantee that all these Halal certified restaurants or products in the city are really indeed Halal process certified.

"We don't have a unified Halal certified body in the Philippines. In fact, marami iyan sila. Some of these are not even recognize yet sa Southeast Asia. Kung baga, portion lang siya. So what we need to do is to come up with one unified Halal certified body para ma cover niya lahat. Mayroon tayong mga Halal body ba madaling pumasa. In fact, I know some na madaling nakapasa pero there are also Halal certified bodies na talagang ikstrikto. So we are not sure whether iyong mga na certified na iyan.. and of course, may pera pera lang na usapan and of course kung dumaan ba talaga siya sa actual Halal processes...," he said.

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