Zamboanga City News June 2017

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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.

ADZU, PIA, CHED team up for ASEAN forum in Zambo on July 5

By Dominic I. Sanchez (ALT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in partnership with the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will be conducting a forum on the ASEAN for youth leaders on July 5 at the ADZU campus.

This youth forum is one of several youth-related activities for the ASEAN campaign, which seeks to inform the youth on the opportunities they can avail of that includes scholarships and student exchange programs, easy jobs placement and others. The participants, estimated to be around 200 will come from different schools in Zamboanga City.

Ms. Noemi Edaga, PIA-9 regional director said that “it is hoped that after the forum, the students will be enlightened on the ASEAN and take part of the many scholarships and other youth development programs in the ASEAN community.”

In addition to the forum, this activity will also feature a mini-fashion show where selected students will exhibit traditional attires from the different member-states of the ASEAN.

In May this year, the PIA-ASEAN information campaign touched down on different sectors in Ipil, Pagadian City and Dipolog City.

LTO-9 holds seminar on 2 road safety laws

By Allen Abastillas

The Land Transportation Office-9 has conducted a seminar on the Anti-Distracted Driving Act of 2017 and the Children’s Safety on Motorcycle Act of 2017 at the Zamboanga Ecozone yesterday.

The seminar, which had the theme “Serbisyong Tapat, Mabilis at Makatao,” was held for law enforcers.

LTO-9 Regional Director Atty Aminola Abaton underscored the need for all law enforcers to know the two laws prior to its implementation on July 6.

Based on LTO statistics, at least 2,000 motor vehicle accidents have been attributed to the use of cellphones while driving.

Other countries have reportedly been implementing laws banning the use of cellphones while driving.

“Huli na talaga tayo sa mga batas na ito,” said Abaton.

700,000 school children up for deworming in Zamboanga

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Department of Health (DOH) is set to deworm at least 700,000 public school children during the second round of the National School Deworming Month in July.

Dr. Sitti Nurussamsi Amilassan, DOH regional infectious cluster head, said school children five to 18 years old who are enrolled in kindergarten to senior high school in Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao) are to be dewormed.

Amilassan said the school children will be given Albendazole 400 milligram (mg) chewable tablet on full stomach, which means they must eat breakfast before taking the deworming medicine.

She said the deworming activity will be done under strict supervision of the school nurses and DOH health workers.

Amilassan urged the parents' cooperation and support to the deworming activity.

The National School based Deworming Month will be done yearly every July and January to reduce the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthiasis among school children.

Ready for disaster consciousness month

(RGAAG/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 27 -- The Office of the Civil Defense-9 (OCD-9) has lined up activities in line with the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month in July.

July is declared at National Disaster Consciousness by virtue of Executive Order No. 137 issued on August 10, 1999 by then President Joseph Estrada.

The lined up activities included the following: inspection of disaster responds unit equipment; inspection of high rise building; regional essay writing contest; orientation on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management; training for the formulation of local climate change action plan; fire drill and basic first aid; orientation on disaster preparedness; summit and training exercise simulating mass casualty incidents; massive inspection of piers; evacuation drills; first aid and basic life support; tsunami and earthquake drill; bloodletting; and, other disaster consciousness activities.

OCD Assistant Regional Director Emilia Vasquez-Julhajan on Tuesday said the activities are aimed to raise public awareness in disaster preparedness.

“No one is spared when there are calamities. We should known what to do before, during, and after disaster,” Julhajan added.

This year’s observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month is anchored on the theme: “Kamalayan sa Kahandaan, Katumbas ay Kaligtasan.”

Zamboanga to distribute 40,000 chairs to public schools

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

The Zamboanga City Government, through the Local School Board (LSB), is set to distribute 40,000 armchairs to all public schools in this southern port city.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the LSB is now in the process of procuring the chairs that will be distributed to all public schools that badly need them.

The procurement of the chairs is of the City Government's priorities under the SHE Program (security, health and education).

Salazar advised public school officials, both in the elementary and secondary, to coordinate with division office of the Department of Education (DepEd) so that they will be included in priority listing for the allocation of the chairs.

“Coordination with DepEd is necessary to ensure equitable distribution of the chairs,” she added.

Tesda okays P10-M training program for Zamboanga

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

ZAMBOANGA City will be a recipient of a P10 million Special Training for Employment Program (Step) from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

This came about as Tesda Director-General approved the request of Ang Kabuhayan Party-list Representative Dennis Laogan to allocate additional funds for the implementation of Step in Zamboanga City.

Loagan said in a letter address to Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar that an estimated 900 beneficiaries will be provided with free training on technical-vocational (tech-voc) in two local schools.

However, Loagan said the list of beneficiaries have to be submitted before the request can be processed.

The identified local schools that will conduct the free training are the Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School and the Zamboanga Garments Industries College of Technology, Inc.

Step is a community-based specialty training program that seeks to address the specific needs of the communities and promote employment, particularly, through entrepreneurial, self-employment and service-oriented activities.

City Council mulls own Centenarian Act

(RGAAGo)

The Zamboanga City Council approved on first reading an ordinance during their regular session last Tuesday giving due recognition to the city’s centenarians.

The proposal is included in Proposed Ordinance No. 2017-26, entitled “An Ordinance Giving Due Recognition and Reward to City Residents Aged 100 years or more as part of the City’s Effort to Support Senior Citizens.”

The measure was authored by First District Councilors Rodolfo Bayot and Cesar M. Jimenez.

If approved, the measure will grant funds ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 to centenarians residing in Zamboanga city. The exact amount to be awarded to beneficiaries will still have to be discussed.

The ordinance was referred to the Council Committees on Ordinances and Resolutions and Appropriation.

The measure will allow Centenarians to receive a fee apart from the P100,000 already being given by the national government.

Zamboanga City celebrates ‘Dia de Fundacion Chavacano’

(SunStar Zamboanga)

ALL is set for the celebration of the “Dia de Fundacion Chavacano” on Friday, June 23, in Zamboanga City.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar will spearhead the observance of the Dia de Fundacion Chavacano, an annual celebration that marks the birth of the Chavacano language.

Salazar said this year’s celebration will kick off with a program at the Centro Latino Convention Hall at 8 a.m. Friday, June 23.

It will be followed by the second Chavacano Speech Choir and the first Chavacano Inter-School Quiz Bowl, which will be participated by elementary and high school students.

The two competitions aim to celebrate the history and showcase the legacy of the Chavacano language.

Held every 23rd of June through Ordinance 374, the Dia de Fundacion Chavacano celebrates the founding of the Chavacano language, and recognizes its role as one of the pillars of the Zamboangueño culture.

Zambo to build P33.5M evacuation center

(RGAAG/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 21 -- The city government will construct a PHP33.5 million evacuation center to shelter residents who will be displaced in case of natural and man-made calamity.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Wednesday said the evacuation center will be constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Barangay Cabatangan this city.

“Cabatangan is situated in a very high area which gives us an advantage point,” Salazar said citing it is strategically located.

Salazar said she was informed through a letter by DPWH Regional Director Jorge Sebastian that the project will start soon with the downloaded Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and Program of Work (POW).

Salazar said the evacuation center is expected to be completed in 180 calendar days.

Salazar said that two other evacuation centers will also be constructed in barangays Tulungatung and Arena Blanco.

She said the Tulungatung evacuation center will accommodate land-based evacuees while that in Arena Blanco will be for sea-based, specifically the Badjaos.

City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Elemir Jade Apolinario said the construction of evacuation centers is one of the requirements of Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

Zamboanga City mayor inaugurates P5.59-M village hall

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Zamboanga City Government on Tuesday, June 20, turned over a newly-constructed village hall to the residents of Zone II as part of its infrastructure program and continuous support to the villages.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who led the turnover ceremony, said the project costs P5.59 million which sits in a 283.68 square meter area located in front of the former Bureau of Jail Management and Penology regional office.

It was undertaken by the Benchmark Engineering and Construction under the supervision of the City Engineer’s Office.

Salazar challenged the Zone II village officials, headed by Chairperson Nonito Arañas, to maximize the use of the facility to further hasten delivery of services to the people.

The mayor assured the residents of the city’s unwavering support to the villages even as she appealed for the residents’ support to the government’s priority thrust on Security, Health and Education program.

Zambo commemorates Rizal Day

By LIZA A. JOCSON

The city of Zamboanga will commemorate today the 156th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, in a simple program at Plaza Rizal.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is “The Emergence of Peace, Solidarity and Good Governance.”

The program will start with a flag raising ceremony spearheaded by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco- Salazar and the Knights of Rizal Western Mindanao.

According to a city hall statement, Mayor Climaco is expected to espouse on the significance of Rizal’s birthday to the present situation amid the global threat on terrorism.

Representatives from various sectors are also expected to join the program.

Alsons Power, Diaz sign pact for scholarship program

(Manila Standard Sports)

ALSONS Power Group subsidiaries San Ramon Power Inc. and the Western Mindanao Power Corporation signed a memorandum of agreement with 2016 Rio Olympics weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and the Philippine Weightlifting Association Inc. to launch the “Alsons Power Hidilyn Diaz Scholarship Program for Aspiring Weightlifters.”

Alsons Power—the first and most experienced independent power producer in Mindanao—created the scholarship program to support Diaz’s aspiration to train Zamboanga City-based aspiring competitive weightlifters with the potential to become world-class champions who could bring honor to the Philippines and serve as inspiration to other Filipinos.

Under the agreement, five scholars initially will be chosen from the pool of aspiring weightlifters under the Hidilyn Diaz training facility in Mampang, Zamboanga City.

Selection of the scholars will depend on the recommendations of Diaz, the incumbent coach of the Philippine national weightlifting team, and the National Weightlifting Association. Additional criteria include the potential scholar’s desire to complete his/her education and the income level of the family.

The program will initially cover the current school year 2017-2018. Each scholar will receive a subsidy worth P40,000.00 that will cover the provision of school uniforms, shoes, a bag and school supplies, and a monthly stipend for transportation and food allowances covering the 10 months of the school year. Scholars who are also national athletes are already entitled to free tuition.

Zamboanga City eyes budget hike to P3.2-B in 2018

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

MAYOR Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar together with the City Finance Committee spearheaded on Friday, June 16 the conduct of the budget forum in line with the preparation for the 2018 Executive Budget.

The forum intended to help guide the different city departments in the preparation of their individual budget proposals for 2018, according to Salazar.

She said it is also to set the direction that the city will take by identifying programs and projects that would benefit the people and prioritizing the same.

She said the projected Executive Budget for 2018 is P3.2 billion, about a hundred million more than the 2017 budget of P3.1 billion.

During the forum, Salazar laid down her policy direction focused on security, health, and education.

She said that there are still a lot more to be done to ensure a better and more peaceful and secured life for the residents despite the relative progress the city has been enjoying the past months.

DOLE, Zambo hospital ink rehab agreement

(RGAAG/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 15 -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and a Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Incorporated-member hospital have entered into an agreement on Thursday for the rehabilitation of workers with work-related disabilities and sickness.

The signatories of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) were DOLE Regional Director Ofelia Domingo, Employees Compensation Commission (EEC) regional focal person Jerrick Gerald Go, and West Metro Medical Center (West Metro) president Ramon Diaz.

The ECC is an attached agency of DOLE while West Metro, which is operated by the Metro Pacific Zamboanga Hospital Corporation, is a proud member of the Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc.

The MOA stated that DOLE through the ECC will shoulder the cost of the rehabilitation services by the West Metro to workers disabled by an accident at work or work-related sickness.

Those who are qualified to avail of the rehab services are workers who are members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS).

“We are partnering with DOLE to tell people that this is available, the service of ECC is available to SSS and GSIS members. It’s an additional benefits, it will not cover all, but employees who have work related health problem can avail of this additional benefit,” Diaz said.

ECC is mandated by law to initiate policies and programs toward adequate occupational health and safety and accident prevention in the working environment, rehabilitation and other related programs and activities and to appropriate funds therefore.

21 OFWs receive livelihood kits from Owwa

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has provided livelihood starter kits to 21 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Zamboanga City through its “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” (BPBH) program.

The OWWA regional office on Wednesday, June 14, said in a statement on its social media page that the beneficiaries received various livelihood starter kits “depending on what business they choose to venture in.”

The starter kits included equipment such as sewing machines, burger stand and materials for baking and cooking.

The beneficiaries have attended financial literacy training as well as submitted a business plan before they were awarded of the livelihood starter kits.

The training was aimed to: equip the participants with management skills in business; and, encourage participants to engage in self-employment in lieu of overseas work.

“This kit will really help me change my life,” Jijang Aradi, one of the recipients of the BPBH program, said.

The awarding of liveloihood starter kits was facilitated by OWWA-9 Administratirve Officer Mark Teody Bidad and assisted by Family Welfare Officers Shedra Ayaz and Khalil Isser Lorena and OWWA-9 Labor Communication officer Fatima Jane Salihuddin.

The BPBH program is a package of livelihood assistance intended to provide immediate relief to returning OWWA members, active or non-active who were: displaced by hostilities or wars/political conflicts, policy reforms or changes by host governments; victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking or other distressful situations; distressed wards at the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers who are due for repatriation; and, repatriated Owwa-members who were employed by foreign employers which are beset with financial difficulties due to economic conditions.

Zamboanga mayor hosts ‘Pagbukah’

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has invited Muslims in the city to the grand “Pagbukah” or “Iftar” (breaking of fast) at R. T. Lim Boulevard on Thursday, June 15.

She said the “Pagbukah” is the City Government’s annual commitment of unity and harmony with the Muslim residents of Zamboanga during the holy month of Ramadan.

Every year, the City Government through the Interfaith Council sponsors the “Pagbukah” especially for Muslims in the city.

DPWH help sought to build P30-B Zambo impounding dam

(DWTW/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 12 -- First district Rep. Celso Lobregat asked Public Works Secretary Mark Villar to help finance the conduct of the PhP174-million feasibility study for the proposed multi-billion water impounding dam project in this city.

Lobregat said Monday that Villar’s approval to his request would pave the way for the national government to help fund the feasibility study of the proposed PhP30 billion water dam project.

Lobregat said the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) and the city government have committed PhP15 million and PhP10 million, respectively, for the conduct of the feasibility study, but the bulk of the funds will likely come from DPWH.

“We are hoping to get the appropriate funding for the feasibility study to commence,” he added.

The project was proposed in 1996 following a study of the World Bank, which suggested the need for this city to have a water impounding dam.

Last year, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) conducted a pre-feasibility study and identified the Tumaga River, which is located near Pulong Bato, as the “best site for the water impounding dam project.”

Lobregat said the increasing population coupled with the threat of climate change, the current water supply of this city is not enough.

“The City of Zamboanga suffered heavily from the effects of the 2015 and 2016 El Niño phenomenon with pronounced and acute water shortages and water rationing. There was also an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis and other water borne diseases and millions of pesos in damages in the agriculture sector,” he said.

The House Committee on Public Works and Highways chaired by Lobregat has approved House Resolution No. 10 last May 24 for the National Economic Development Authority to include the proposed PhP30-billion worth “Zamboanga City Impounding Dam project” as one of the big-ticket projects of the national government.

Meanwhile, Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said her administration supports the proposed dam, saying the city government will back the “conduct of the full-blown feasibility study for the project.”

The proposed water impounding dam will have a height of a 90 meters with a reservoir volume of 64-million cubic meters, and could generate annual revenue of P178-million.

Zamboanga joins 119th Independence Day celebration

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

SECRETARY Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is the guest of honor of the 119th Independence Day celebration on Monday, June 12, in Zamboanga City.

The activities, spearheaded by the City Government, will kick off 7 a.m. at the Plaza Rizal, fronting City Hall, with the flag raising ceremony.

The 119th Independence Day celebration is anchored on the theme “Kalayaan 2017: Pagbabagong Sama-Samang Balikatin.”

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the flag raising ceremony will be followed by the wreath laying rites and a short program.

The flag raising ceremony will be simultaneously done in all cities and provinces with Zamboanga City as one of the key cities to be featured during the nationwide coverage of the event.

City government officials and employees as well as representatives from different government and non-government agencies, including civic organizations and people’s organizations are set to participate in the event.

Independence Day or “Araw ng Kalayaan” celebrates the nation’s independence from decades of Spanish rule.

Historical records show that Philippine independence was formally proclaimed on June 12, 1898 with the reading of the Proclamation of Independence in Kawit, Cavite.

The Proclamation was prepared and read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista and was signed by 98 delegates, including General Emilio Aguinaldo.

MGB-9: 1,600 barangays in Zampen now capacitated to use geohazard maps

By Dominic I. Sanchez (ALT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Residents of about 1,600 barangays in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula have already been taught to interpret geological hazard (geohazard) maps, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-9) reports. These residents are now more aware on the threats of possible local natural disasters, and more importantly, how to make use of these maps as benchmarks for disaster preparedness.

According to Emma Deverala, MGB information officer, the information campaign in all barangays has been running for the past 2 years, and targets for the remaining barangays of the 1,904 total to be saturated within the year.

“For the past 2 years, the subject focusing on climate change adaptation and mitigation is prioritized. The undertaking, which is mainly for the marginalized people of the community is one of the target activities of the MGB,” Deverala explained. Participants during the activities were local municipal and barangay officials, disaster risk reduction and management officers, women’s groups, police, teachers, and other first responders.

The geohazard maps, scaled at 1:10,000 is a more detailed mapping of areas in the region, plotting susceptibility of barangays to landslides, flooding, coastal hazards and ground subsidence hazards.

“The aim is to educate people on the characteristics of each hazard and identify which amongst are applicable to their specific barangays and environment,” Deverala added.

Deverala shared that “for this year, the campaign started with the municipalities of Siocon, Baliguian and Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte last February while the municipalities of Olutanga, Mabuhay and Talusan in Zamboanga Sibugay as well as the municipalities of Midsalip and San Pablo in Zamboanga del Sur were visited on March and April.”

“The last leg of the IEC Campaign this year included lectures for the municipality of Roseller T. Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay and municipalities of Sirawai and Labason in Zamboanga del Norte which concluded on the second week of May 2017,” she said.

Zamboanga City gets P3.4-M performance challenge fund

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday formally turned over to the City Government P3.4 million performance challenge fund, an incentive for achieving the 2016 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar received the check on behalf of the City Government, which was turned over by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Faizal Abutazil.

The SGLG is given to local government units that raised the bar of excellence in local governance.

Zamboanga City passed all the minimum parameters of the core components namely financial administration, social protection and disaster preparedness.

The City Government also met the measures for two of the 3 essential areas- business friendliness and competitiveness; peace and environmental management.

Salazar said the performance challenge fund will be used for certain projects based on the criteria set by the DILG.

EMB-9 sets emission test for gov’t cars in Zambo

By Teofilo P. Garcia Jr. (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 7 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is conducting free emission test to all government-owned vehicles here to ensure they are compliant with the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.

Rene Giron, environmental impact assessment section chief of DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau-9 (EMB-9), on Wednesday said the free emission testing will be conducted on June 19 at the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (OCENR).

“This (free emission testing) is for vehicles of government agencies only. As government, we want to be the role model,” Giron said.

“We catch and penalize violators of the Clean Air Act. Then we should be compliant (with the law) also,” he added.

He said necessary corrections will be recommended to be undertaken on government vehicles that are not compliant with the standards of good air quality.

He said everyone should help maintain good air quality as a polluted environment affects people's health.

“The purpose (of the emission) testing is to help maintain good air quality,” he added.

He encouraged all heads of government offices, both local and national, to avail of the free emission testing.

DTI launches ‘Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso' program in Zamboanga

By Teofilo P. Garcia Jr. (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 6 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday launched the “Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso” (P3) program to help the underprivileged entrepreneurs in this region grow their business.

The P3 is a program President Rodrigo Duterte introduced early this year to provide the underprivileged entrepreneurs an alternative source of fund “with very low interest rate” instead of borrowing money from 5-6 “loan sharks.”

“This [P3] program is one way to combat the 5-6 loan sharks,” Eng’r. Rolando Acuña, DTI assistant regional director, said citing the interest rate of the P3 program is 2.5 percent monthly as against the 20 percent interest in the 5-6 money lending scheme.

President Duterte has allocated a P1-billion fund for the program, which is being managed by the Small Business Corporation (SBCor), the financing arm of the DTI.

The SBCor has tapped and accredited several Micro-Finance Institutions (MFIs) to serve as the conduit of the fund.

“This means the SBCor will transfer the fund to them (MFIs) and the [underprivileged] entrepreneur will apply loan to this accredited MFIs,” Acuña said.

A total of 47 MFIs from across Region 9 have attended the launching of the P3 program. They were given orientation for their eventual accreditation.

The lowest amount an entrepreneur can loan is PhP5,000 and the highest is P100,000. The amortization of the loan can either be paid daily or weekly.

“This is not a dole out and not a subsidy,” said Ma. Linda Oros, OIC-finance and capability building sector of SBCor.

Oros said that some of those engaged in 5-6 money lending scheme have lower their interest rate to 10 from the original 20 percent since the government launched the P3 program.

Acuña said any underprivileged entrepreneurs who are interested to avail of the P3 program may visit the Negosyo Centers near them for guidance.

The P3 program was initially launched in the 30 poorest provinces of the country and was later expanded to other areas to include this city.

“DOLE Clinic” now open at Zambo ECOZONE

By Alma L. Tingcang (ALT-PIA9/Zamboanga Sibugay/With reports from Karen Grafia, DOLE-9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 5 (PIA) -- To bring the agency’s services to the people, especially among the management and labor sectors, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region has successfully established its “DOLE Clinic” recently at the Zamboanga Economic Zone Authority and Freeport (ZAMBOECOZONE).

According to DOLE9 Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo, the DOLE Clinic is a mechanism to reach out to both the management and labor sectors. A public assistance desk is established, manned by a DOLE technical staff who will address their concerns regarding labor standards, disputes, occupational safety and health, labor relations and others.

“When the labor and management sector foster a harmonious relationship, more investors will be encouraged to put up business in the Region, therefore creating more jobs for the Zamboangueňos,” said RD Domingo.

The launching and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between DOLE and Ecozone was graced by Zamboanga Ecozone Chairman and Administrator Christopher Lawrence Arnuco and witnessed by District 1 Councilor Myra Paz Abubakar, representing Congressman Celso L. Lobregat. Heads of the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) attended the event as they were also signatories in the MOA. They shall provide the necessary advisory and checklist in the availment of programs and services.

The establishment of the DOLE Clinic intends to cater to both employers and employees of the Zone’s Locators as well as the neighboring barangays where most of the fishing and canning companies are situated.

Employers and employees are encouraged to visit the DOLE Clinic if they have labor concerns. It is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm effective today, June 5, 2017.

DOLE 9 conducts JobsFit Consultation to address job-skills mismatch

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- To address job-skills mismatch in the labor market and harmonize with that of the skills supply, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently convened with industrial tripartite partners in the region for a JobsFit Consultation Workshop.

JobsFit provides a map that guides job seekers to their dream jobs and employers to their ideal workers through appropriate and relevant signals.

It identified the key employment generators that have the potential to absorb the most number of workers. It also named the industries which are seen to provide the most number of employment opportunities in the long term.

The consultation which was attended by industrial tripartite councils (ITCs) such as the fishing and canning industries, academe, DOLE intermediaries and national government agencies served as avenue to obtain timely, relevant and accurate labor market information.

In a news release, DOLE 9 Information Officer Karen Claire Grafia said that the output of the participants contributed to the review and updating of demand requirements, emerging industries and skills supply.

To meet the expectations of the job market and help the job seekers better understand the job market demands, DOLE presented to the participants data JobsFit LMI report: 2013-2020 on Human Resource demand and Supply gaps in the Fishing and Canning Industry for validation and discussion.

“In the workshop that followed, participants reviewed and validated the data and responded to questions in line with issues and gaps on demand and supply competencies,” Grafia said.

Strategies and programs that will strengthen the government's job-skill matching system also formed part of the discussion.

Result of the workshop showed that in-demand jobs for the fishing and canning industries include skilled fish processing workers such as fish cleaners, skilled technicians, heavy equipment operators, accountants, marine biologists, marine engineers, oilers and fishermen.

“The participants brainstormed whether these jobs are hard to fill or have a high demand,” Grafia wrote.

It was a good thing that other ITCs such as the academe, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) were present in the workshop to directly address the issues and concerns of the fishing and canning industry.

Recommended interventions include industries and school collaboration in providing technical/vocational training, enrolment to TESDA’s apprenticeship/learners program, among others. (ALT/JPA/PIA9)

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