Zamboanga City News June 2015

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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.

ZamboEcozone first labor laws compliant ecozone

By ALBI A. MARQUEZ

The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport was declared by the Department of Labor and Employment Zamboanga City Field Office on June 23, 2015, as the country’s first Labor Laws Compliant and Child Labor Free Economic Zone.

DOLE Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano and DOLE Zamboanga City Field Office Chief Labor Officer,Engr. Wesley D. Tan apprised the ZAMBOECOZONE and Freeport Authority Chairperson and Administrator Christopher Lawrence S. Arnuco of the zone’s realization of DOLE’s labor compliance program.

No less than DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz will visit ZAMBOECOZONE and Freeport for the unveiling ceremonies of a special marker designed by DOLE for this purpose, which will be installed near the main entrance gate of the zone for everyone to regard.

Twenty-two other companies in and around the City, including six ZAMBOECOZONE locators,trooped to the zone for the unveiling ceremonies and to receive their DOLE Labor Laws ComplianceCertificates during the ensuing program conducted by DOLE at the ZAMBOECOZONE 1st Industrial Park in San Ramon.

Chairperson and Administrator Arnuco shares the same commitment with Cano to tirelessly work for the welfare of the thousands of workers in the zone and the upliftment of the laborer’s conditions within the ZAMBOECOZONE.

Two of the various qualifying requirements of the compliance certificate is the establishment of a Day Care Center and a Lactation Station for the working mothers in the zone. For this reason, the ZAMBOECOZONE Board of Directors, in their previous board meetings, jointly and severally resolved to allocate a considerable amount for the construction and maintenance of both these facilities – aspart of the Authority’s dedication to ensure the improvement and progress of worker’s health and welfare in the zone.

Baldoz has also handed awards to several recipients from all over Zamboanga Peninsula who qualified for the Tripartite Certificate of Compliance with Labor Standards and Child Labor Free Establishment.

The main program and distribution activities started at 9:00 am, and was followed by the unveiling ceremonies.

The unveiling of the DOLE Labor Laws Compliance and Child Free Zone marker is one more milestone for the ZAMBOECOZONE and Freeport in its aspiration to bring together all the necessary elements to make the zone the most viable investment haven in Southern Philippines and the emerging trading hub of Southeast Asia, particularly in light of the ASEAN integration.

Honda car dealership to open in Zamboanga

(The Manila Times)

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is set to open a new full service dealership in Zamboanga City by the fourth quarter of 2015. Honda Cars Zamboanga (HCZM) will be located in Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Avenue, Camino Nuevo, Zamboanga City.

Strategically located across KCC Mall and nearby commercial areas, Honda brings its products and services closer and accessible to residents of Zamboanga and nearby towns and cities. HCZM, with its approximately 1,800 square meter land area, will offer Honda’s latest product line-up and complete vehicle service facilities for general repair, preventive maintenance and body-and-paint works.

The HCPI and HCZM partnership was sealed on May 22, 2015 with the presence of HCPI president and General Manager Toshio Kuwahara and HCZM principals Anthony Cheng and Bryna Gayle Lim. HCZM will be headed by Yee Siu Lim.

Mayor orders probe into illegal quarry

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar ordered the City Legal Office (CLO) to investigate the illegal quarrying in the village of Patalon.

Salazar’s order came after she led an inspection to Sitio Pulang Lupa in the village of Patalon where she personally saw the destruction in the environment resulting from extensive quarrying activities.

She said the quarrying of sand and gravel in Patalon had gone beyond the area specified in the permit to quarry issued by City Hall.

She said it is illegal “because they encroached on the area outside what was granted in the permit from the City Government.”

Salazar said the destruction caused by illegal quarrying threatens the safety of the residents in the area, adding that the trees on the mountainside are almost uprooted and the water from the river exits through the narrow pathways.

Appropriate legal action will be initiated against the people involved in the illegal quarrying activities in Patalon, she added.

OCD to inspect Zamboanga City schools

By Bong Garcia

THE Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) will inspect all schools in Zamboanga City to ensure the structures are safe for occupancy.

OCD Regional Director Emilia Vasquez-Julhajan said the inspection will be conducted in coordination with the Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

“Areas that are highly populated like schools, buildings, hotels need to be checked regularly,” Julhajan said.

There are 171 public elementary schools and 37 public high schools with more than 200,000 students in the city.

NFA has sufficient rice supply

By Bong Garcia

NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) Provincial Manager Gaudencio Nuega has assured the public that there is sufficient supply of rice in Zamboanga City for the lean months of this year.

The lean month period is from June to September every year.

Nuega made the assurance as they intend to increase the rice they supply to the local market up to 30 percent during the lean months.

Nuega said they usually supply 20 percent as the commercial rice traders provide 80 percent of the local rice demand.

He added that they supply two rice varieties at the local market and is sold at P27 and P32 per kilo.

The NFA, at present, has a total of 360,000 sacks of rice of 50 kilos each at its warehouse in the village of San Roque, Zamboanga City, according to Nuega.

He said that 260,000 of the total rice stocks are reserved for the city since the remaining 100,000 sacks are intended for the nearby provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

He said the stocks of 260,000 sacks of rice are good for 48 days if and when the local consuming public will solely rely on the rice supply of the agency.

Nuega is confident they will not run out of supply as they expect the arrival of additional 100,000 sacks of rice in few days.

7,340 voters seek for transfer of registration

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

OFFICIALS of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that there were 7,340 voters who applied for transfer of registration since January this year in Zamboanga City.

The applicants are from other provinces like Visayas as well as other districts from within the region.

First district Election Officer Stephen Roy Cañete said 3,274 of the 7,340 applicants have applied for transfer of registration in his office while the remaining 4,066 applied for under Second District Election Officer Lerdo Matildo.

Matildo said the most common reasons for transfer of the applicants are their work relocation.

Arbor Day activities set

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

THE Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) is spearheading a massive tree planting activity in Zamboanga City.

The activity is in observance of the Philippine Arbor Day celebration, held every June 25, as the country’s way to promote a greener environment and healthier ecosystem.

Dr. Eduardo Bisquera, OCENR assistant chief, said the Arbor Day observance will kick-off with a short opening program at 7 a.m. at the Mayor Cesar C. Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong in the village of Pasonanca.

City Government officials and employees will join the tree planting activity to be led by Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

Bisquera added that approximately 7,000 people will participate in the celebration with government agencies, non-government organizations, students and other stakeholders attending the event.

Among the activities in the event include planting of hardwood tree species and tagging nine century and heritage trees.

OCENR adopts new waste collection strategies in ZC

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

The Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) has adopted several changes and strategies for waste collection and management in the City.

Over the past weeks, the OCENR has put into place waste management strategies geared towards increasing the frequency of waste collection and waste collection efficiency, reported City Environment Officer Engr. Reynaldo Gonzales on Monday, June 22.

To increase waste collection frequency and efficiency, new routes have been designed to collect as much waste in a single round.

From 22 routes, there are now 25 collection routes, and according to Gonzales, the new routes allow waste collection units to turn around at least three times in a particular area.

This is to ensure that all waste and trash are collected, especially those that are left behind after waste collection schedule.

Gonzales added the OCENR is also slowly adopting a night-shift schedule for waste collection, noting that waste collection is more convenient when done in the evening. In the last week, two waste collection units have begun following the night-shift schedule which ran from 9 PM to 3 AM.

In the meantime, the OCENR continues to coordinate with different barangays to iron out and finalize details and implementation of the proposed collection schedule.

Recycling performance is also a strategic priority, said Gonzalez. The City Government, through the OCENR, is currently maintaining several material recovery facilities (MRF), including the MRF at the old disposal site in Lumbangan which continues to be operational.

“There was closure of the disposal site [in Lumbangan] but not the material recover facility,” Gonzales clarified.

Additionally, the OCENR is eyeing the construction of a new MRF at the Salaan Sanitary Land Fill (SLF) to augment the recycling capacities of the City.

Gonzales also welcomes the participation of the private sector in potential waste management initiatives.

“While we are maintaining material recovery facilities (MRFs), we also welcome private sector participation when it comes to recycling,” he said.

Zamboanga City marks 'Dia de Fundacion Chavacano'

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA City marks the birth of the Chavacano language in the City pursuant to Ordinance 374 designating every 23rd of June as the "Dia de Fundacion Chavacano."

The Dia de Fundacion de Chavacano celebrates the founding of the Chavacano language and recognizes its role as one of the pillars of the Zamboangueño culture.

By virtue of Ordinance 374, the Dia de Fundacion is held every 23rd of June and highlighted by activities that focus, emphasize, and celebrate the continuing legacy of the Chavacano language.

It aims to preserve and promote the usage of Chavacano, including its culture and heritage, by all residents and new settlers.

The Chavacano language dates back to June 23, 1635, when the cornerstone of Fort Pilar, originally known as the Fuerza de San Jose, was first laid.

A ceremony aimed to celebrate culture and history will kick off with a program at the Plaza Rizal in front of City Hall at 8 a.m.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and the members of the City Council will be spearheading the activity.

Belen Sheila Covarrubias, City Hall information officer, said highlighting the celebration will be three competitions centered on the chavacano language, the Chavacano Debate Exhibition at 1 p.m., the Battle of the Bands, the Awarding of Cine Chavacano film, and animation festival at 7 p.m.

BENG program all set for 12th CAEXPO

(Investment Promotions PR)

The Barangay Entrepreneurial Growth (BENG) Program of Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco, in synchronization with the One Barangay One Product Ordinance, is all set to participate in the 12th CAEXPO scheduled on September this year in Nanning, China!

The Zamboanga City Investment Promotion Services, under the Office of the City Mayor, which is tasked to entice exhibitors and delegates for the trade fair is currently fast tracking the identification of champion products in the barangays that could well represent the city.

Barangay Sta. Maria will be displaying its gulucinas which are flavored filling tarts, coconut candies and flavored pastillas. Barangay Lumiyap will be presenting its home-made Sotto’s Sampaloc in three flavors: hot, salty and sweet. Barangay Vitali will be bringing its dried danggit and boneless bangus while the 4H Club will be showing off its award-winning Achara de Mais. Barangay Tictapul has its nito baskets and pandan mats made by indigenous people and their medicinal soaps and ointments made from Acapulco and Madre de Cacao of the Women of Hope. Barangay Mangusu is daring its delicious oysters while Barangay Manalipa brings in curacha. Our famous alfajor from Barangay Pasobolong and made by the Holy Rosary Women Association will be displayed with all its available flavors and the Achara de Dabung (pickled Bamboo shoots) will be featured by Barangay Mercedes. Raw and finished products made from abaca fibre will be displayed by Barangay Dulian-Upper Pasonanca and the woodcraft will be from our very own inmates from the San Ramon Penal Colony under Barangay Talisayan. Barangay Mampang will be bringing in smoked fish and processed fish products while our pearl products will come from Mindanao Pearl of Barangay Talon-Talon. The hot vinegar will be displayed by Barangay Lumayang. An emerging product made of indigenous materials of plastic spoons, forks, egg trays and the like will be displayed by Barangay Calarian.

Champion products that have been bringing the name of the City are also on board such as the Yakan Cloth and brass products from Barangay Calarian, Coconut fiber from Barangay Patalon and the Zamboanga Rolls (lokot-lokot) from Barangay Taluksangay together with other muslim delicacies such as the baulo, durol and the hantak. We will not also miss our very own ALAVAR SAUCE with all of its other products such as the Bagoong Gata, pickled vegetables and also its fish sauce.

In our desire to unite and be one MINDANAOAN, the city government has also invited ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA to join the exhibitors. Identified products from Zamboanga del Norte are the MIJR Handicraft and Driftwood Art which showcases unique and beautiful handmade wood craft, the Jaymark Creations and Handcrafted Designs which will present bags, wallets, wall decors and other home and personal accessories made from abaca and pandan. Zamboanga del Sur will be highlighting the woven clothes and mats skilfully made by NCCA SLT Kumala. GARBEMCO Abaca handicrafts from Zamboanga Sibugay will show-off their handmade hats, bags, decors, mats made from abaca fiber.

Aside from exhibitors, the city will be bringing in delegates from all business sectors. Assured of representation are members from the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., Zamboanga Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, resident Business partners, members of the Los Contratistas and ZAMPEN Government personalities are some of the Zamboanga delegates who would like to attend the conference and business-matching in the said activity.

The office of the Investment Services is still inviting other interested exhibitors and delegates to be part of this prestigious event. Forms are available at its office located at the Office of the City Mayor, City Hall Main, and can be contacted at 991-4525 and look for Mila or Chalie.

It is the target of the city, together with the rest of ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA and BASULTA, that we will represent the Philippines as the City of Charm at the 12th China-ASEAN Trade Exposition with pride and dignity as we move headstrong for a ONE ZAMBOANGA, ONE MINDANAOAN.

City seeks additional aid for siege-affected families

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga City Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) asked the national government to also consider giving P10,000 cash aid to siege-affected families who opted to avail of the home material assistance (Homa).

Zamboanga City information officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the LIAC members expressed that 1,661 displaced families, who availed of the Homa program, also deserve to receive the financial assistance, which the government provides to recipients of permanent houses under the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R).

LIAC is the policy-making body under the Early Recovery and Rehabilitation Coordination Structure.

The Homa program, which is being implemented by the National Housing Authority (NHA), is a package of house construction materials worth P30,000 given to the displaced families whose houses were partially damaged during the 21-day September 2013 siege.

Covarrubias said the request was made through a resolution addressed to Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Singson is the over-all head of the team overseeing the implementation of the Z3R with the build back better concept.

THe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) already gave the Homa recipients P5,000 cash assistance for payment of labor.

The displaced families, who have returned recently to their permanent houses built under the Z3R, have received P10,000 financial assistance from the national government for light and water connections and other utilities.

Zamboanga City water source is 'well guarded'

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA City Water District (ZCWD) General Manager Leonardo Rey Vasquez has assured the public that the water source in the city is well secured.

Vasquez's statement came after reports said that the city's water source is vulnerable to sabotage by lawless elements like what happened recently in Maluso, Basilan.

The residents of Maluso have no water for the past several days as the Abu Sayyaf bandits bombed the pipeline of the Maluso Water District (Mawad) from its source.

“For the past two to three weeks, we have been discussing about it, the danger, and how best we can respond (to sabotage),” Vasquez said.

He assured the ZCWD concessionaires that there is sufficient number of guards posted in strategic places of the watershed, which has an area of 17,000 hectares, and treatment plants.

He said they are constantly in touch with the security forces and other concerned stakeholders that provide them vital information concerning the safekeeping of the watershed.

The ZCWD has also adopted a mechanism that would enable it to determine if and when the water source has been poisoned, Vasquez added.

BFAR, LGU forge pact for P11.4M fish landing hubs

By Sheila Covarrubias

The City Government and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Tuesday formalized a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the establishment of four community fish landing centers (CFLC) in Zamboanga at a total cost of P11.4 million.

Mayor Beng Climaco and BFAR Regional Director Ahadulla Sajili spearheaded the MOA signing at the Astoria Hotel which coincided with the turnover of 6 mobile tablets for use of the City Agriculturist Office in its motor boat registration tasks. City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat witnessed the activity.

The CFLCs, costing P2.85million each, follow the “bagsakan center” concept for agriculture products. It will be used for fish and fishery products and at the same time serve as multi-purpose centers where the concerned associations will hold meetings, skills training and data gathering activities.

The centers will be constructed in Tictapul, Mangusu, Labuan and Arena Blanco.

The MOA signing event Tuesday came after the BFAR last May 18 presented to Mayor Climaco the certificates of award for the CFLCs confirming the availability of funds for the project. The project is in line with BFAR’s program on poverty alleviation.

Meanwhile, the 6 mobile tablets are turned over to each of the 6 agricultural districts in the city and will be used for motor boat registration covering all barangays from Vitali to Limpapa.

Last May 18, the BFAR also turned over 200 units of 5 horse power pumpboat engines for internally displaced persons and indigents who depend on seaweed farming and fishing for their livelihood. Each engine cost P3,920.

POEA announces increase in demand for HSWs overseas

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 17 (PNA) -– The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced that there is an increase of 72 percent in the number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from January to May this year compared to the same period last year.

This was announced Wednesday by POEA Regional Director Marietta Bellotindos citing there is an increase in the demand of Household Service Workers (HSW) overseas for the past five months of this year.

Bellotindos said there is an increase of 407 in the number of OFWs representing 72 percent to 1,466 for the period January to May this year as compared to 1,059 during the same period in 2014.

Bellotindos said most of the OFWs are employed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Bahrain, and other countries.

Bellotindos attributed the increase in the number of OFWs to the capabilities of the residents of the host countries to employ personnel.

Aside from that, she said Saudi Arabia has also “open its doors” to employ HWSs.

HSWs include domestic helper, family driver, baby sitter, cook, gardener, and those doing other household chores.

Bellotindos advised prospective HSWs to only apply through license recruitment agencies. There are 45 license recruitment agencies here in the region.

IDP-families receive P3.07-M cash aid

By Bong Garcia

Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar led the release on Monday of P3.07 million financial aid to 307 families displaced during the 21-day September 2013 siege.

The beneficiary IDP-families were among those who have already returned to their permanent houses built under the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) program.

Salazar said the financial assistance of P10,000 per family is intended for the IDP-families’ water and light connections and other utilities.

Salazar said the financial aid is part of the housing package implemented by the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Of the 307 IDP-families that received financial assistance, 127 are the families who transferred to the houses on stilts in Barangay Mariki last week; 100 from Paniran; 50 from Martha Homeowners Association; and, 30 families from St. Peter Homeowners Association.

The city government together with the NHA and other agencies concerned is expected to turn over more housing units to the IDP-families this month.

City facilitates stakeholders’ forum on energy

By Sheila Covarrubias

In its continuous quest to help bring immediate and effective short, medium and long term solutions to the power crisis, the City Government initiates a stakeholders’ forum at Centro Latino, Paseo del Mar 1-5pm Monday, June 15.

The forum is intended to help clarify Republic Act 10531 or the National Electrification Reform Act of 2013, describe its necessary elements as well as encourage the development of a systematic action plan on the current power crisis.

Key players in the power supply generation, transmission and distribution are expected to inform the public of their distinct process and activities. They include the Department of Energy, National Electrification Administration, National Grid Corporation and Energy Regulatory Commission.

Barangay chairpersons and their respective council members are scheduled to attend the forum from 1-3pm while the business, religious, civil societies and academe will come in from 3-5pm.

The meeting is organized by the City Government through the Investment and Promotion Services Division under the Office of the Mayor in cooperation with the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms, the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers, and the Social Awareness & Community Service Involvement of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

In the first part of the forum from 1-3pm which will be attended by energized barangays, the topics will cover the functions of a cooperative and a discussion on the EPIRA law. It will be followed by an open forum.

The second part of the forum will begin with the opening message of Mayor Beng Climaco to be followed by the panel discussion with the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, DOE, NEA, NGCP, ERC, Aboitiz, SMC, PELCO and SRPI. The discussion will be capped by the discussion of ways forward for Zamboanga City.

Zambo mayor leads Blood Donors Day observance; encourages people to donate blood

(PNA), CTB/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 14 (PNA) – Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has extolled the blood donors for their volunteerism and generosity in helping save people’s lives as she led the celebration Sunday of the World Blood Donors Day in this city.

“Thank you and congratulations to all blood donors,” Salazar said during the program at the Red Cross Youth Training Center marking the World Blood Donors Day Sunday.

Salazar, as the chairman of the local blood council, also encouraged more people to donate blood voluntarily and regularly citing the health benefits of blood donation.

She said the city government likewise fully supports the blood services program through various interventions such as bloodletting activities.

Themed “Thank you for Saving my Life,” the World Blood Donors Day is a global event and is organized by the City Blood Council in partnership with the Department of Health, Zamboanga City Medical Center, Blood Bank and the local chapter of the Philippine Red Cross.

The observance of World Blood Donors Day here kicked off with the 7 a.m. thanksgiving mass followed by the commemorative program and mobile blood donation.

The program “focuses on thanking blood donors who save lives every day through their blood donations and strongly encourages more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly with the slogan “Give freely, give often. Blood donation matters.”

The program aims to highlight stories from people whose lives have been saved through blood donation as a way of motivating regular blood donors to continue giving blood and people in good health who have never given blood to begin doing so.”

Power firm to locate in Zamboecozone

By Albi A. Marquez

The ZamboEcozone and Freeport Authority was recently favored with a visit from Ms. Jovita Yeo Cua, a Zamboangeña businessperson and Chief Operating Officer of Lin Man Power Technology Inc., with two of the country’s leading power solutions firm in tow.

Solarus, the Inclusive Energy Systems, ably represented by Mr. Diosdado Capellan and Mr. Maximino Montenegro, Country Manager of Aggreko, proceeded to the zone to discuss and present their intent to locate in the ZamboEcozone and Freeport and contribute to the power supply solutions of the city and the region.

Solarus is one of the country’s leading hybrid solar power producing solution companies.

Known to the Blue Economy community, Solarus apply the innovative blue economy methods as covered and laid down by copyrights of the original article written by Professor Gunter Pauli. It is also connected to the network of Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI), where over 2,000 scientists are assembled.

On the other hand, Aggreko is an international firm that provides power generation services with complete equipment package that includes diesel or gas-fired generators, transformers, loadbanks, switchgear and accessories, along with operating personnel.

The two firms proposed to provide a power supply program for 20 megawatts within eight months of the contract signing, which will resolve the power crisis of the city and offer an economically viable long-term resolution to the power requirements of Zamboanga that would keep pace with its development and progress.

Presently, both companies are still researching and collecting the necessary data and other information that would equip and allow it to create a comprehensive and most economical power solutions program suited for Zamboanga City.

The group also visited Zamboanga City Hall for a courtesy call on Mayor Maria Isabelle G. Climaco-Salazar and had the opportunity to discuss their propositions and plans with the local chief executive.

Mayor Climaco-Salazar sits as Zamboanga City’s representative in the ZamboEcozone and Freeport Authority Board of Directors.

Also present during the meeting at City Hall was ZamboEcozone Chairperson and Administrator Christopher Lawrence S. Arnuco, ZamboEcozone and Director Edgar B. Lim and City Councilor and ZamboEcozone Director Benjamin B. “BG” Guingona IV, who chairs the City Council Trade, Investment and Industry Committee – all of whom expressed their appreciation and support to the proposal of the consortium.

Among its 23 registered locators, the ZamboEcozone and Freeport has a power generating locator in the San Ramon Power Inc. (SRPI), which is a coal-fired 100 megawatt power plant, but whose construction has been held in abeyance until next year. This would mean that SRPI will only start to deliver its much needed power to the grid in 2019 or roughly four years from now. Until then, Zamboanga will have to seek power supply alternatives or contend for the dwindling power sources and allocations or simply continue to suffer the power deficiency that is hampering the growth and development of the city, not to mention the vexatious frequent and ever worsening power outages.

Zambo mayor leads Independence Day rites; urges unity

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 12 (PNA) -– Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Friday urged the officials and residents here to stay united in addressing the challenges that confront this city.

Salazar made the call as she led Friday the Zamboangueños in the observance of the 117th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence in simple yet fitting ceremonies held at Plaza Rizal in front of City Hall.

She said among the challenges that confront them is to rebuild this city from the destruction brought about by the 21-day September 2013 siege.

Thousands of siege-displaced families are still housed in transitory sites as reconstruction and rehabilitation at the affected barangays continue.

“We as a public servants, should set aside personal interest and political ambitions,” Salazar said she cited how officials can rally the people to unite in defending this city if they too are divided.

She enjoined everyone to help rebuild this city and “make it better than it was yesterday and today.”

The Independence Day observance in this city was participated in by the different sectors to include police and military authorities, barangay sector, education sector, civic organizations, private groups, local and national government agencies and other stakeholders.

The activities kicked off with a wreath laying rite at 8 a.m. and was followed by the flag raising ceremony and a short commemorative program.

The Philippine Independence was proclaimed on June 12, 1898 in Cavite at the ancestral home of Gen. Aguinaldo some 30 kilometers South of Manila.

The event saw the unfurling of the Philippine flag made in Hongkong by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herboza and the performance of the Marcha Filipina Magdalo, as the national anthem, now known as "Lupang Hinirang" which was composed by Julian Felipe and played by the San Francisco de Malabon marching band.

According to the Wikipedia, the public reading of the Act of Declaration of Independence, Filipino revolutionary forces under Aguinaldo, proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain.

Zambo City mayor orders release of PEI starting June 18

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 11 (PNA) -– Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, through a memorandum, has ordered the payment of the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) for 2015 to qualified city government employees starting June 18.

Salazar said the payment of the incentive is pursuant to Executive Order 181 of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III dated May 15, 2015.

Salazar said in her memorandum that all city government employees occupying regular, contractual, or casual positions; appointive or elective, rendering services on full-time and those whose compensation are charged to Personal Services Account are entitled to the 2015 PEI at one month basic salary.

However, the mayor said that the employees entitled to receive the PEI are those who have rendered at least a total or an aggregate of four months of service as of May 31, 2015 including leaves of absence with pay, and who are still in the service as of May 31, 2015 and obtained at least a satisfactory rating.

She said the PEI shall be charged against the city funds for fiscal year 2015, subject to the Personnel Services limitation and the local government unit obtained a rating of Good Financial Housekeeping (formerly the Seal of Good Housekeeping) component of the fiscal year 2014 seal of Good Local Governance.

Mayor Salazar advised all departments of the city government to prepare the necessary documents to include the payrolls in preparation for the release of the incentive starting June 18.


OPAPP holds forum on peace process in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 10 (PNA) –- A Malacañang official has allayed fears of the residents that this city will be included in the future into the Bangsamoro region because of the “opt-in” provision in the proposed Basic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR).

The Bangsamoro region will replace the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) once the proposed BLBAR is enacted into a law.

Undersecretary Jose Lorena of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) made this clarification Wednesday during a media forum on the peace process, citing this city is not contiguous by land to the ARMM.

Lorena said what is being discussed now in Congress is contiguity by land to be able to avail of the opt-in provision if and when in the future a city or a province wanted to be part of the Bangsamoro region.

Lorena said this city will not be a part of the Bangsamoro region even if there will be petitioners since “the requirement of contiguity will not be complied.”

“If it is contiguity by sea, it is possible since this city is an immediate neighbor of Basilan,” he said. Basilan is one of the five ARMM provinces.

Lorena said the only areas contiguous by land to the Bangsamoro region are the provinces of Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

Lorena spearheaded the conduct of a forum to update the public on the development of the peace process through the media.

Zambo City holds 3-day contingency planning workshop

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 9 (PNA) – Two-hundred individuals from the different sectors attend a three-day workshop on contingency planning on worst case scenario in this city.

Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) chief, said the workshop, which kicked off Tuesday, is aimed to better prepare this city for any eventuality.

The participants comprise of policemen, soldiers, barangay officials, representative from the business sector and city and national government offices.

Apolinario said the topics to be tackled during the three-day workshop included crisis management; evacuation and relief operations; law enforcement; counter-terrorism and armed conflict measures; preemptive counter-terrorism; plan and intelligence reform for terrorism prevention; emergency response protocol; and, disaster risk reduction and management.

He said National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Chairman Undersecretary Alexander Pama and Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera are arriving on Thursday as the keynote speakers on the last day of the workshop.

DTI, GSIS set Diskwento Caravan in Zamboanga City

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 8 (PNA) –- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) are jointly conducting a one-day Diskwento Caravan in this city.

Eng’r. Rolando Acuña, DTI provincial director, said the caravan, which is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, is part of the activities of the GSIS in line with its 78th founding anniversary.

Acuña said the GSIS partnered this year with DTI in order to make the anniversary more festive and momentous for the pensioners, government employees, and residents of nearby communities.

Acuña said basic necessities and prime commodities including clothing items and appliances will be sold at discounted prices by local department stores and distributors.

He said that at least 10 percent discount will be given by participating stores and distributors.

He said the Diskwento Caravan is not exclusive to government employees and clients of GSIS.

“Everyone is invited to take advantage of this opportunity to avail of discounted goods,” he said.

He said the conduct of Diskwento Caravan is DTI’s way of bringing basic and prime commodities at discounted prices easy and more accessible to low income earners.

Women empowerment through sports

By Dave Cervas, Gillian Manalo, Bianca Zamora-PJ (Interns, City Hall PIO)

Centuries of societal standards paved the stereotype that men overpower women in every competitive field of life. Aiming for equality, women and girls of this generation engage into activities that men consider they dominate. Women involvement in sports is one of the most visible evidences that ripped biceps and towering figures do not define the limits of possibilities toward achieving excellence.

“Summer Learn-to-Play a Sports Program”

With the main goal of exposing the youth to the world of sports, the City Sports Division conducted its annual basic summer sports program dubbed as the “Summer Learn-to-Play a Sports.” It is a free, month-long learning camp offered to girls and boys aged five to 15 years old. Aside from the program’s primary objective, it served as a freeway for girls to develop self-defense capabilities against bullying as they participate into combat sports such as Muay Thai and Taekwendo.

Watching their daughters improve in the sports they enroll into, parents root to a much deeper reason for the all-out support they give their spouse. “Sinusuportahan ko ‘tong choice niya na sumali kasi makakatulong naman ‘to sa kanya. (I support her decision to join in here because it does help her.),” according to Evita Ybid, mother to one of the participants enrolled in the girls Volleyball.

“Confidence Booster”

“Sa paglalaro ko po kasi ng Volleyball, naiisip ko sa sarili ko na kaya ko rin palang gawin ang nagagawa ng mga kalaro kong lalake sa Volleyball dun sa amin. (As I engage myself here in volleyball, I realized that I can also do what my fellow male playmates could do.),” responded Yzzachie Ybid, the daughter of Evita.

“Pagpupursige at training lang pala po ang kailangan. (It is just about the perseverance and training.) Wala pala yan sa gender. Hindi po pala sa kung babae ka, hindi ka na makaka-spike ng malakas. Parang, kaya naman pala ng both sexes ang ginagawa ng isa’t isa. (It is not a matter of gender. It does not mean, though, that when you are a girl, you cannot spike the ball hard. I realized that both sexes are capable of what the opposite sex could do.),” she answered when asked of the lesson she learned regarding the disempowerment against women in sports.

Division Schools Superintendent, Pete Natividad said that sports could help in women empowerment and aid girls to gain self-reliance amidst adversities.

POEA marks 20th Migrant Workers Day

By Kikay Taola

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) celebrated the 20th anniversary of Migrant Workers Day Thursday with a simple program held at its office in Canelar.

POEA Regional Director Marietta Bellotindos said the celebration is intended for all OFWs whom she considered as unsung heroes of the nation.

“Today, we give recognition to all our migrant workers who are one of the prime contributors in the development of the nation’s economy and who work hard despite distance from their family,” she said.

Some OFWs present during the celebration gave some intermission numbers during a program that indeed made the event lively and entertaining.

The celebration was participated by some OFWs who have just arrived here and made their way to the said celebration. Some recruitment agencies were also present together with some officials from attached agencies like the TESDA, DOLE, Visayan Forum and OWWA.

POEA’s record shows there are some less 2.5 million OFWs abroad, majority of whom work are in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia, Hongkong and Dubai.

Tree planting to highlight Arbor Day in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 5 (PNA) -– The local government gears to join in this year’s observance of Arbor Day on June 25.

The city-wide celebration dubbed as “Arbor Day na Ciudad de Zamboanga (Arbor Day in Zamboanga City)” will be highlighted with tree planting by all local stakeholders.

The tree planting will be held at the Cesar C. Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong, Barangay Pasonanca, this city.

Belen Sheila Covarrubias, city hall information officer, said the tree planting on Arbor Day is provided for under City Ordinance 281, which calls for active public participation in the annual event.

Covarrubias said the activity will proceed with a commemorative program at 7 a.m. on June 25 that will be held at the Climaco Freedom Park.

Arbor Day is dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees.

History accounts showed Arbor Day was conceived in the 1870s by Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraska newspaper editor.

Like many pioneers who settled the treeless plains of Nebraska, Morton believed that planting trees would help beautify the state of Nebraska, provide shade, and prevent soil erosion by creating windbreaks.

Morton proposed in 1872 a tree-planting day at a meeting of Nebraska’s board of agriculture.

The first Arbor Day celebration was held on April 10 of that year, with prizes awarded to the individual or group who planted the most trees.

Zamboanga City sets emergency drills

(PNA), CTB/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 4 (PNA) – The city government will be holding series of emergency drills starting next week to better understand this city’s preparedness in responding to disasters.

Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, city disaster risk reduction and management office (CDRRMO) chief, said he already met with the city government’s department heads as well as representatives of the Bureau of Fire Prevention BFP), the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) and other stakeholders to plan out the details of the drills.

Apolinario said the conduct of the emergency drills is in response to the directive from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), calling for local government units (LGUs) to hold drills in preparation for natural and man-made disasters.

He said the first of the series of drills will be conducted simultaneously in all local government offices at an undisclosed date next week and will be signaled by the sounding of the siren of city hall during office hours.

He said they decided not to announce the exact date and time of the emergency drills to better gauge the effectiveness of this city government’s disaster response as well as identify the lapses during the drills.

Muslim leaders meet to prepare Ramadan 2015

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

Preparations are underway for the coming Holy Month of Ramadan 2015 (1436 A.H).

A group of local Muslim professional leaders met on May 27 to tackled issues concerning Islam’s holiest month.

The meeting was presided by Prof. Ali T. Yacub, Al-Hj., president, Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates

In solidarity with the Muslim communities in Zambooanga City, participation of schools through their Muslim student associationa, the strong participation of the media to give accurate information about the Fasting of Ramadan with the writings of some members of the Ulama, Muslim Prefessionals knowledgeable about the Islamic faith and the community through the barangay heads (both Muslim & Christians) by organizing a symposium with speakers as resource persons, requesting Mayor Beng Climaco for the convening of the Interfaith Council, the Etiquette/Protocol in offering (Iftar (Mag-Bukah)), the proper greetings to Muslims while in the observance of the fasting season as well as the serious implications of the preference to the singing of the National Anthem to the primacy of God through the invocation in all public schools in the city, Prof. Yacub said.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) which was tasked by law to look after the welfare of Muslims in the country was requested to act in behalf of the Muslim leaders in dealing with the city government and concerned agencies and national officials in Manila.

Yacub suggested to non-Muslims offering “Iftar” in the month of Ramadan to observe strict etiquette by Muslims while they partake the meal of Iftar.

He said he has observed in past years that “Iftar” offered by non-Muslims was done in a manner like a “food festival” where the crowd jostled to get the food at the time of the “sacred moment”.

“This is not “Iftar,” Yacub said in exasperation.

He said if the solemnity and the sanctity of the “moment of Iftar”, is impossible to be observed then, the sponsor may not call it any how “Iftar”, but “solidarity dinner in the Holy Month of Ramadan”. This will not offend the Muslims when the crowd may not be able to observe the dignity of the occasion.

Definitely, Prof. Yacub said, “Iftar” is a moment of prayer because according to the Ulama, God’s angels descend at the precise moment of Iftar to bestow God’s blessing upon the faithful, thus, this is one of the reasons, “Iftar” can never be a “food festival”.

GCCPBA Media Group noted the attendance of Muslim leaders in the initial meeting like Dr. Salihmatal Lagbas, VP, External Affairs of the Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates, Datu Hussayin Arpa, president, Phil. Council of Sama and Bajaus, Habib Kiram H. Kamaluddin, Sec. General, Phil. Council of Sama and Bajaus, Eng. Ali (Al) Urao, Member, Council of Elders of Federation of MSA, Mrs. Aurora A, Mabaug, NCMF, representing NCMF Regional Director and Mr. Al Alhabsi, representing the media in Zamboanga City.

Zamboanga City included in ASUD program

By Bong Garcia

MAYOR Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has thanked the United Nations (UN) Habitat and the government of Spain for including Zamboanga City in the list of recipients for the Achieving Sustainable Urban Development (ASUD) program.

Salazar issued the statement following the formalization of the partnership through the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UN Habitat and the government of Spain on Friday in Makati City.

Salazar, who spearheaded the local government together with UN Habitat-Philippine Country Representative Christopher Rollo, said the inclusion of the city in the ASUD project will be a step further in the city’s quest for building back a better city in light of the 21-day September 2013 siege.

The siege devastated five villages and displaced more than 100,000 people. Thousands of them remain at the transitory sites.

ASUD promotes planned city extensions as a proactive response to urban growth and an alternative to fringe expansion characterized by sprawling, segregated, and poorly connected developments.

She said portions of Mercedes and Zambowood villages with approximately 600 hectares area have been identified by local government as the extension site as well as the location for the city’s new airport.

Salazar said the City Government welcomes all assistance and support from international organizations and government agencies to fully realize its vision to rise from the devastations wrought by the 21-day siege.

DBP, City Gov’t forge pact for e-transactions

By Sheila Covarrubias

Payments and other transactions with the City Government can soon be made through electronic cards –valid credit, debit and or prepaid cards.

This, pursuant to a Merchant Agreement Point-of-Sale Payment System (for Visa Credit and Debit Transactions) to be formalized Monday afternoon, June 1 at the City Hall conference between the City Government and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

Mayor Beng Climaco will lead the signing ceremony together with DBP top officials headed by Ricardo Josef Bandal II, Vice President and Head of BBS-Payments Department.

Through the Merchant Agreement, the City Government can engage in business and honor all valid credit, debit and or prepaid cards as payment for its sale of goods and or services. The DBP, being the city’s depository bank, on the other hand, is bound to honor these cards for the purchase of goods and or services from the city’s clients or establishments.

The forging of the agreement would bring about numerous advantages for both the City Government and its clients as well as the DBP. Among the advantages are quicker transactions, faster billing, lower transaction costs, increased accountability and minimized fraud among others.

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