Zamboanga City News March 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.

Japan boosts capability of Zambo City seismic station

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 31 (PNA) – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has equipped its seismic station in this city with a Php5 million earthquake and tsunami monitoring equipment.

Engr Eduardo Lauron, PHIVOLCS-Zamboanga science research analyst, said Tuesday the equipment arrived last Saturday in this city from Japan via Manila.

Lauron said the equipment, which included a tide guage, intensity meter and solar panel, was a grant package from the Japanese government.

Lauron said the tide gauge will be installed at the local wharf while the intensity meter and solar panel at the compound of the seismic station in Barangay Sta. Maria, this city.

He said the tide guage is used to monitor waves as well as will serve as tsunami early warning system.

He said the intensity meter is to measure the intensity of an earthquake.

He said the equipment, once installed, will be linked with other seismic stations in the country as well as to the main station in Manila through the internet.

Allan Labayog, PHIVOLCS-Zamboanga station officer-in-charge, said the grant of the equipment is a boost to the local seismic station.

“It will be a boost in the capacity of PHIVOLCS in terms of monitoring,” Labayog added.

Zambo City marks Earth Hour 2015

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

Zamboanga City joined the rest of the world in the observance of Earth Hour, a global call to action to change climate change Saturday evening, March 28.

Around 600 participants from the youth sector, the academe, security forces, and local and national government agencies flocked to Plaza del Pilar to support the Earth Hour initiative which was celebrated with the hour-long shut down of power, and song and poetry performances.

Also among the highlights of the Earth Hour program were the candle-lighting ceremony, the Doodle Earth board where participants wrote and drew messages of support for Mother Nature, and the Habagat Earth Hour Night Ride which saw 400 bike riders pedaling for nature.

In her message, City Mayor Beng Climaco encouraged Zamboanguenos to do their part in energy conservation. The chief executive emphasized that switching off the lights during Earth Hour is a way of reminding people of their responsibility to nature.

Also present during the activity were District II representative Lilia Nuno, City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr., City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Reynaldo Gonzales, and the heads of the different security groups of the armed forces and the national police.

This year’s Earth Hour was spearheaded by the local government, through the Office of the City of the Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR), in partnership with the Speak Out Zambo, a youth forum supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Zambo ecozone exported $5-million goods in 2014

By Catherine Pillas

THE Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (ZCSEZA) reported a 38-percent improvement in exports for 2014, breaching the $5-million mark.

Data from the ecozone showed total exports for 2014 amounted to $5,083,873, up from 2013’s export of $3.68 million. The surge in exports, said ZCSEZA, is due to the performance of CTK Asia Rubber Corp. and Seachamp International Export Corp. CTK’s total exports in 2014 amounted to $1.66 million, exceeding the previous year’s performance by 96 percent. The company’s exports are primarily shipped to South Korea and China.

Seachamp’s export figures of 2014 showed a significant increase of nearly 21 percent as compared with 2013. Total export of Seachamp reached $3.42 million as of December 2014.

ZCSEZA currently have 20 locators, which generated a total of 981 workers and P694 million in actual investments out of the nearly P13 billion committed investments in 2014. Of the 20 locators, seven were new registrants in 2014, pulling in committed investments worth P11.25 million and employment of 388 workers.

The new registrants were New Tradition Agrifarm and Trading for a 50-hectare banana and tapioca farm; A. Tung Chingco Manufacturing Corp., engaged in the warehousing of Ligo Sardines products; Eco Bottling Enterprises for a water-bottling facility; Leadership Manpower Services Inc., the manpower-service provider of Artnature Philippines; Gabar Manpower Agency Inc., the manpower-service provider of Seachamp International Export Corp.; AML Fastfood; and AHS Agri-aqua Ventures for a 10-hectare cacao plantation and nursery.

Nineteen prospective locators are currently waiting for approval from the zone, citing investments worth P284 million.

Trichograma lab to help Zambo farmers

By Bong Garcia

THE Office of the City Agriculture announced that a trichogramma laboratory has just been opened in Zamboanga City and is seen to serve the local farmers.

City Agriculturist Diosdao Palacat said the laboratory, which is located in the village of Vitali, will help local corn farmers in increasing their harvest with the use of environment-friendly and egg-based parasitoids also known as trichogramma.

With the help of the facility, the farmers will no longer use chemical pesticides, which have been found destructive to corn crops, thus reducing farm hazards, he said.

Palacat said the trichogramma is most effective to control crop pests, which are basically polyphagous and easy to raise in a laboratory.

The trichogramma card will be available in the first cropping season this year, he said.

City allocates P117-M for Public Safety Project

By Vic Larato

The P117-million appropriation, which was contained in the 2015 Supplemental Budget Ordinance the City Council approved on second reading Tuesday (March 24), is not intended entirely for the purchase of security surveillance cameras or CCTVs.

The amount represents the total cost of the city government’s Public Safety and Surveillance Project (PSSP), of which the purchase of close circuit TV (CCTV) cameras is only one of the components.

The PSSP seeks to establish a world-class data center that is reliable, secure and scalable to be an intelligent citywide command center retrofitted with data security firewalls, fire control, precision cooling, network monitoring system, and will house various servers for different applications running the public safety program.

It will also include a world-class Incident Response Management System (IRMS) similar to the popular 911 call and dispatch system found in other countries. The IRMS will be manned by call center agents to monitor and record calls and incidents, including spatial GIS Mapping (Geographic information System).

Under the P117-million project, the command center system will have integrated security surveillance, traffic management surveillance and mapping system, which can integrate digital radio communication system and other sensor or data such as GPS, river/rain sensors, GSM Text-Blast system, population, police, tourism, disaster-related data, and future citizen-participatory mobile apps.

In a nutshell, the P117-million appropriation is not for surveillance cameras alone but for the entire myriad of network infrastructures under the PSSP of the city government, endorsed and certified urgent by Mayor Beng Climaco. The project is similar to Erap’s Emergengy Response System in the City of Manila, 911 Central of Davao City and Makati City Command Center.

The project is anchored on the present administration’s priority thrusts on Security, Health and Education (SHE). It is the Mayor’s vision to have a smarter city.

Zamboanga City readies for Earth Hour 2015 observance

(PNA), SCS/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 26 (PNA) – Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has issued an executive order calling on the residents and the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) to support this year’s observance of Earth Hour.

This, as preparations are underway for this city to join on Saturday the annual observance of the Earth Hour, a global call to action for energy efficiency and conservation.

City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the Earth Hour activity in this city will be held at the Plaza del Pilar.

Salazar’s order also calls for the hanging of banners and streamers; the active mobilization, involvement and participation of the police, military, firemen, and other departments to ensure the safety and security of the public; information dissemination; and the commitment of at least one city-wide major initiative related to energy efficiency, conservation, and climate change.

Covarrubias said the Earth Hour 2015 program, entitled "Earth Hour Jam 2015," will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Plaza del Pilar.

Covarrubias said an opening program will be held featuring the Earth Hour Night Bicycle Riders by the Zamboanga City Fitness Cycling Club Organization (ZAFCO), and an Earth Hour Jam.

She said the highlights of the program will be sessions on Earth Hour and the current power situation in the city to be led by City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Reynaldo Gonzales and Zamcelo General Manager George Ledesma, respectively, and will be followed by the Earth Hour countdown.

From 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., lights of all city government buildings, major landmarks, and streetlights will be turned off to symbolize this city’s solidarity with the approximately 7,000 participating towns and cities worldwide.

The Earth Hour Philippines is spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) in collaboration with the Green Army and the SWITCH Movement.

2 firms hire workers in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 25 (PNA) -– The city government through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) announced that two out-of-town companies are hiring workers in this city.

Ma. Socorro Rojas, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) chief, said one of the two companies is based in Davao City that needs workers to undertake a project here.

Rojas, who is also the PESO head, said among the workers the Davao City-based firm needs are as follows: welders, masons, carpenters, laborers, backhoe operators, forklift operators, dumptruck drivers, boomtruck drivers, tinsmith, payloaders operators, and hollow block makers.

Rojas said the other firm that needs workers is based in Manila, which will establish a branch in this city.

She said the Manila-based firm needs the following: female store manager preferably a graduate of any business or medical related courses; female store supervisor preferably graduate of any business or medical related courses; female pharmacists with professional license; female pharmacy assistants who is a graduate of any four-year course or at least two years college; cashiers, female, not more than 25 years old, graduate of any four-year course; female sales clerk, not more than 25 years old and at least high school graduate; sales utility clerk; male stock clerk, not more than 25 years old and at least high school graduate; drivers; and, coordinators.

She said that qualified and interested applicants are advised to bring a filled-out resume with their latest picture and register at PESO, CSWDO, Pettit Barracks, this city until Thursday.

Zamboanga hydroelectric plants eyed as GOCC

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

THE proposal to declare hydroelectric power plants in Zamboanga as government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) is now with the Senate.

Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar revealed the development at the Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting on Tuesday.

Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Luwalhati Antonino is pursuing the proposal, which Salazar initiated two years ago when she was House deputy speaker of Mindanao.

Salazar said putting the plants under state control will protect the interest of Mindanao people if and when the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law is enacted.

"When I was in Congress, we had the Energy Summit in Davao and out of that, I proposed that we do not declare hydro complexes private and so I filed a bill in Congress to turn it into a GOCC," Salazar said.

She said the plants need to be repaired by the government.

"Imagine, for more than 32 years already, the plants have not been rehabilitated. This is the contribution that we have and I am sure that Congresswoman (Lilia) Nuño and other representatives will support us," she added.

Present during the RDC meeting was Nuño, some local government officials, regional directors, NGO partners and other members.

National Economic Development Authority-Zamboanga Penindula Director Socorro Ramos presided the meeting.

LGU, DSWD lead 11th women with disabilities day fete

By Henry Salac

The City Government of Zamboanga and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Office 9 (DSWD – RO9) will spearhead activities in line with the observance of the 11th Women with Disabilities Day today, March 23.

The observance is in line with Proclamation 744 and based on the DILG issued Memorandum Circular No. 2015 -23 dated March 04, 2015.

The proclamation declares the last Monday of March of every year as “Women with Disabilities Day.” The theme of this year’s celebration “Juanang May Kapansanan, Kapasyahan Mo ay Mahalaga sa Bayan!”

The activities lined up for today include a forum to assess the rights of women with disabilities set at Cecille’s Catering and pension house in Tumaga organized by the DSWD-9 and the Persons with Disabilities Unit (PDAU) under the City Social Welfare and Development Office. It is believed that Women with Disabilities Day espouse the importance of ensuring respect for women PWDs’ inherent dignity, full and effective participation and inclusion in society and equality between them and men.

PDAU this year, cites one successful Woman with Disability in the person of Rowena Nunag Gregorio, 32 years old of Pasay Road, San Roque in this city.

Gregorio graduated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) School Year 2003 – 2004 and is now working at the Brent Hospital & Colleges Inc. as a Caregiver Course instructor.

Gregorio is orthopedically disabled which was caused by a motorcycle accident with her husband on May 22, 2009. The tragedy happened when the motorcycle, driven by her husband, collided with a 10-wheeler truck. Her legs were pinned down by the truck that required the amputation of both legs.

Despite her disability, Gregorio remains to have a positive outlook in life. She does not regard her disability as an issue not only because of the strong support from family and friends but due to her strong faith in the Almighty. “I believe that God has other plans for me and that he is guiding me to fulfill my mission as part of the PWD sector,” she declared.

City profiles tourist sites

By Sheila Covarrubias

The City Tourism Office is in the process of profiling man-made and natural attractions to identify the tourist spots in this city.

City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian-Hernandez said Friday the profiling is set to be completed in June, this year.

Hernandez said they have so far completed the profiling of more than 10 man-made and natural attractions in the different barangays.

It includes the Merloquet Falls in Barangay Sibuglao located 80 kilometers east of City Hall and the Greater Sta. Cruz Island.

This city consist of 98 barangays, eight of which are island villages.

“The reason why we are doing this (profiling), we want to do the profile of the different tourist spots in Zamboanga City and eventually, be able to identify whether there is a need for it to be developed,” Hernandez said

“It’s (the profiling is) very important because tourism is a continuing industry,” she added.

She further said that they are also in the process of identifying potential tourist sites aside from profiling the man-made and natural attraction.

City gears for ‘Summer na Zambo’ fest

By Sheila Covarrubias

Summer time in Zamboanga is expected to be another hit, as the City Government finalizes the calendar of activities for “Summer na Zamboanga” 2015.

Aimed to involve the community and to provide wholesome entertainment to local residents as well as visitors during summer, the month-long festival will have its grand kick off on April 10 at 4pm at the City Hall grounds.

But prior to the grand opening however, the city government will join the global community in the observance of Earth Hour, a 60-minute power shut-off to send the strong message to take action on global warming, on March 28 at 7:30pm at Plaza del Pilar. The Women’s Month celebration will also culminate on March 30 at 4pm at the Western Mindanao Command grandstand and open field, with the “Unido Fuerza de las Mujeres Para Paz” activity.

The Dia de Mam Caling which marks the birth anniversary of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat will be held at 7am on April 26 at Jardin Maria Clara in Pasonanca. The following day, April 27 will be the youth forum, Speak Out Zamboanga at 8am at Centro Latino.

Other highlights of the Summer na Zamboanga include the Zamboanga Hip-hop dance competition with eliminations set on May 2 at 9am at Centro Latino and the grand finals set on May 8 at 1pm at the City Coliseum. The Kite-Flying festival, a competition of colorful and uniquely shaped kites will be held on May 9 at 9am at the Paseo del Mar.

Danza Verano: the grand bash at Sundown will be held 4pm on May 15 at Paseo del Mar while May 16 will be Juego de Antes starting at 3pm at Paseo del Mar.

On May 18 the city will commemorate Dia de Vicente Alvarez marking the heroism of Gen. Vicente Alvarez. It will start with the wreath laying ceremony at 7:30am at Plaza de Gen. Vicente Alvarez fronting City Hall. The much awaited Festival de las Bellas y Flores is scheduled on May 22 with a parade at 5pm from the Fire Station in Ledesma Street towards the City Hall grounds.

May 1-30 will be the month-long summer learn to play program where children 5-15 years of age will be given free training on 26 sports events.

Various private groups have coordinated activities with the City Government also in line with the Summer Festival and these include the Out of School Youth Summit organized by the Mindanao Youth for Development set from April 29-30 starting at 8am at Centro Latino; ZC Youth Leadership CSO Internship Program from April 27-May 27 and numerous others.

Vitali receives P13.2 million projects, free med services

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

The Dia de Alcalde, a service-oriented caravan, touched base with residents of Vitali Thursday afternoon, March 19, as City Mayor Beng Climaco motored east of the City to bring the full range of social, health, agriculture, and civil registration support of the local government to the barangay.

Together with teams from the City Health, City Veterinarian, City Registrar, and City Social Welfare and Development, Climaco met and joined the more than 300 residents who flocked to the Vitali Covered Court to avail of the free services brought by the caravan.

Dia de Alcalde is among the platforms utilized by the local government to deliver critical services to far-flung barangays.

Included in the roster of services provided free of charge are medical consultations, dental services, provision of basic medicines and vitamins, farming and agri-technology demonstrations, veterinary services, and civil registration support.

Aside from the Dia program, Climaco likewise turned over five infrastructure projects to Vitali and nearby barangay Mangusu—all worth P13.2 million. For Vitali, the Mayor turned over a public market building (P2.214 million), communal irrigation (P1.496 million), and fencing for the Vitali VocTech (P993,961)

On the other hand, Mangusu received Php 8.6 M worth of infrastructure projects which included a 2 store 4 classroom school building (P4.6million) for the Mangusu Elementary School and a farm-to-market road (P3.995million).

Residents of both Vitali and Mangusu, represented by their Chairpersons Jose Alavar and Ismael Malik, expressed their appreciation for the services and projects provided by the local government as well as the opportunity to personally express their needs and concerns to Climaco and local officials.

Accompanying Climaco were City Councilor VP Elago and City Engineer Luis Vicente Despalo.

Earlier this week, Climaco also brought the Dia de Alcalde to the barangays of Lapakan and Latuan.

PAEMB approves coral transplantation project

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR/PR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 19 (PNA) -- The Protected Area and Ecotourism Management Board (PAEMB) has approved the implementation of a coral reef rehabilitation project in Sta. Cruz Island recently.

PAEMB is an inter-agency created to oversee the development of Sta. Cruz Island and other protected areas in this city.

To be spearheaded jointly by the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) and the Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative (SPC), the project, entitled “Application of Coral Transplantation Technology to Harness Potentials of Sta. Cruz Islands, Zamboanga City for Underwater Tourism and Improved Productivity of the Coral Reef Resources,” will involve transplanting 10,000 live coral fragments and setting-up 10 coral nursery units (CNUs) using transplanting technologies approved by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

It will also identify and establish a stream of dive sites, train stakeholders, partners, and community-based stewards to jumpstart and sustain coral restoration and eco-tourism, and promote science-based coral reef management.

Professor Arthur Panganiban of the ZSCMST said that the project is an active restoration initiative to mitigate the degradation of coral reefs caused by overexploitation, pollution, and other destructive practices, to be implemented at the western part of the Greater Sta. Cruz Island for a span of one year.

“Few of the areas are in excellent condition. The other dive sites are parang rubble na lang (only rubble), and these areas are the target of the rehabilitation,” Panganiban explained, when asked about the condition of the coral reefs within the area of the Greater Sta. Cruz Island.

Panganiban further said that the protection of coral reefs will need to combine local management efforts with active restoration initiatives such as coral transplantation, noting that passive restoration is not enough as coral reef ecosystems are degraded at a rate that is too fast for nature to catch up or recover.

Coral transplantation is defined as the physical relocation of coral from a site of inhospitable conditions to where the coral is more likely to thrive.

The SPC, ZSCMST’s partner in the initiative, is a non-government organization (NGO) accredited by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) to undertake coral restoration.

‘Dia del Alcalde’ visits Latuan

By Sheila Covarrubias (Daily Zamboanga Times)

The Dia del Alcalde, an outreach mission intended to bring the government closer to the barangays, yesterday served the far-flung village of Latuan, approximately 52 kilometers east of the city.

Mayor Beng Climaco personally led the mission showcasing the city’s frontline services on health, veterinary, agriculture and civil registration. She also brought along representatives from the Philhealth to help explain to the residents about the City Government’s Philhealth sponsorship program.

Inhabited by over 2,000 residents, the barangay is basically a coconut producing area and planted with various other agricultural crops.

Mayor Climaco said the Dia del Alcalde is a venue where the government showcases its program thrusts on Security Health and Education (SHE) as well as a forum where she can dialogue with the barangay residents regarding projects and issues affecting their communities.

Hundreds of residents trooped to the barangay hall to avail of the free services rolled out by the local government that included free medical and dental services, demonstrations on agricultural technology, free civil registration and free vaccination of pets.

Rosita Macarandan, Latuan barangay chairperson, thanked Mayor Climaco and the City Government for bringing Dia del Alcalde to her barangay and for serving her constituents.

Such services are badly needed by the barangay residents, who mostly cannot afford to avail of due to financial difficulty and access to agencies providing the services.

Meanwhile, Mayor Beng Climaco took the opportunity of exploring one of Latuan caves dubbed as “seven-door cave” upon the invitation of the barangay residents and to help promote eco-tourism in the barangay.

Seven-door cave is approximately 1.5 kilometers away from the barangay hall and is fast becoming a tourist attraction as different groups and tourists visit the site. Various mineral formations can be found in the cave.

ZCPO, SCC forge scholarship pact for cops’ kin

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) Chief Sr. Supt. Angelito Casimiro disclosed yesterday that full scholarships will be provided to dependents of police personnel incapacitated or killed in the line of duty.

This, after the ZCPO formalized its partnership with Southern City Colleges (SCC), represented by its president Edwin Caliolio, with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last Friday, March 13.

Under the agreement, full scholarships for elementary, high school and college will be provided to dependents of any police personnel injured or slain in the performance of their duty beginning 2016.

Children of the slain Special Action Forces (SAF) in Mamasapano, including those who hailed from Luzon and Visayas, were also offered educational scholarships, noted Casimiro.

“I told our personnel that even if anything happens to us in the line of duty, we are already assured that our children will be able to have a decent education,” said Casimiro.

The police chief said that scholarship grant will be institutionalized as part of the City Police’s programs and projects for its personnel and their dependents.

Meanwhile, the ZCPO continues its crackdown against illegal drugs with 20 operations conducted from March 9 to 15, resulting in the arrest of 27 suspects.

Police personnel were also able to intercept at least 8,386 board feet of good lumber at RT Lim Boulevard which were turned over to CENRO 9.

A total of 81 individuals were apprehended for violations of different City ordinances. Sixty one were issued citation tickets while 17 rendered community service.

As part of its internal administrative cleansing mechanism, Casimiro reported that the ZCPO has dropped from its rolls 16 personnel with AWOL cases.

“It will be an injustice to the men and women of ZCPO who are working in the streets, day and night, rain or shine. There are people on AWOL, and still, they are receiving their salaries. We are pushing for the stoppage of their pay and allowances,” said Casimiro.

OWWA-9 lauds ‘Search’ winners

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

The Regional Welfare Office-IX of the Overseas Workers Welfare administration (OWWA-RWO-9) has a lauded the winners in the “National Search for the Outstanding Sons and Daughters of OFW.”

A total of 40 participants joined the search nationawide with only 20 winners chosen including Alab Carl Gatinao and Ian Isaiah from Zamboanga Sibugay.

“Alab and Isaiah are OWWA’s pride; they serve as inspiration to all the sons and daughters of OFW. You are really a good model to all the youth and hope of our community, “ OWWA Regional Director Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain said.

He said OWWA will continue to serve the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s) and to improve more the programs and services to all the stakeholders.

He also extended his congratulatory message to the parents of all winners in the recently concluded “National Search for the Outstanding Sons and Daughters of OFW Students Achievers 2014,” sponsored by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines ( CBCP) and the Episcopal for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) ,

“I really salute all parents who are working abroad and sacrifice their lives just to give a good future to their children,” Jumdain said.

‘PNP-BOI report failed to cover Noy’s Zamboanga visit’

By Jaime Laude With Marvin Sy, Robertzon Ramirez (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines — Top security officials, who asked not be named, said the BOI report was a mere elaboration of what the public already knew about the Mamasapano incident.

They said the BOI, as a fact-finding body, should have focused on determining the real purpose of the President’s visit to Zamboanga City, supposedly to assess the damaged caused by an explosion that killed two people and wounded 52 others.

“The BOI report is just an amplification of publicly known facts. The probers appeared to have evaded the President’s visit to Zamboanga,” one of the security officials said.

In its report, the BOI admitted that the body failed to look into the presence of Aquino in Zamboanga City due to lack of access.

There were unconfirmed reports that Aquino was monitoring the Mamasapano operation from Zamboanga City.

“The board could have come up with an honest-to-goodness report on the Mamasapano incident had they included in their efforts to determine the presence of the President as well as his defense, military and police officials in Zamboanga City,” another security official said.

According to the security officials, the BOI limited the President’s supposed liability in Oplan Exodus to breaking the PNP chain of command when he allowed suspended PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima to take part in the high-level anti-terror operation.

The BOI said Purisima provided inaccurate information to the Aquino while then SAF commander Director Getulio Napeñas committed lapses in implementing the operation and erred in taking orders from a suspended superior.

The report said the Chief Executive violated the PNP chain of command when he “exercised his prerogative” by directly dealing with Napeñas instead of with PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina before and during the SAF operation.

Supporters of suspended SAF chief Napeñas were dissatisfied with the BOI report on the Mamasapano clash.

Napenas’ spokesman Lexy Victore said the BOI failed to summon other key players involved in the botched police operation.

Victore said there was cover-up in the report.

Retired police Chief Superintendent Tomas Rentoy III, chairman of the PNP Academy Alumni Association Inc., said they are satisfied with the BOI report but this will be subjected to a thorough study by their legal counsel.

Meanwhile, the military leadership is mum over the reported non-cooperation of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang with the probe body. ‘Same intel sources’

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday dared members of the government peace panel to disprove his claims that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was harboring high-value terrorists instead of engaging in squid tactics.

Cayetano made the statement after members of the peace panel criticized him for saying that the MILF protected Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, before he was killed by SAF commandos in Mamapasano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

Members of the peace panel said the senator’s allegations should be verified first by the security agencies.

Cayetano said that all the information he has came from the police and military, the same sources of intelligence available to the peace panel.

He said that during the Senate’s hearings on the Mamasapano clash, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said that the peace panel has updated intelligence about the presence of terrorists, insurgents and their camps and that these were from the military and the police.

Cayetano said that the e-mails that he presented during his privilege speech earlier this week between Marwan and his brother regarding the protection being given to the former by MILF commander Wahid Tundok were used by prosecutors in the United States.

“These are all factual. Why won’t they open their eyes and look at this?” Cayetano said.

“The most important question is, was I telling the truth? If I was lying and all the materials I presented were not true, the peace panel should have said it outright,” he added.

Instead of engaging in what he described as squid tactics, Cayetano said the peace panel should just address the issues that he has raised about the MILF.

Cayetano said Marwan was not only being coddled by the MILF, but the group had arms build-up and links to terror groups al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah.

City Hall calls for water conservation

By Sheila Covarrubias

Due to continuous dry spell, City Hall airs an urgent appeal to all residents to help conserve water by recycling and using the commodity appropriately.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office OIC Elmeir Apolinario issued the call in the light of water scarcity in the city that led the Zamboanga City Water district (ZCWD) to impose a water rationing scheme starting last week.

Apolinario yesterday convened a meeting with representatives from the ZCWD, City Agriculturist Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office and the City Mayor’s Office to discuss plans and measures on how to cope with the aggravating water situation.

“Let us all do our share as concessionaires by not wasting water,” Apolinario said citing the need to reducing the volume of water for the plants, washing cars, washing clothes and washing dishes among others. “It is okey to have no power but not water.”

Other than conserving water, the public should also be wary of illegal connections and use of booster pumps especially at this time when the water supply has gone down.

ZCWD Engineering Department head Engr. Marli Acosta De Fiesta said the water level at the Pasonanca intake is below normal and that the water firm can still manage through the rationing schedule it provided. However, as to how long it can supply water, will depend on the weather, she said.

On the other hand, Apolinario said barangay officials should also help the ZCWD and the City Government in monitoring water lines in view of persistent reports that some scrupulous individuals resort to line tapping in areas where there is strong water pressure.

“The barangays should be in the forefront because the ZCWD cannot do it alone. Please help monitor water thievery through fire hydrants or lines in areas where water pressure is strong,” Apolinario added.

City sets 20th Summer Sports fest

By Sheila Covarrubias

The city government through the City Sports Division is now finalizing preparations for the Basic Summer Camp dubbed “Learn-to-Play A Sports Program.”

Now on its 20th year, the sports activity will be from May 1-31. Registration of participants will start second week of April. The program provides free training on 26 sports disciplines to ensure the youths with a wholesome and worthwhile experience during the summer season. Over 200 instructors have been tapped to train the participants.

The month-long program, which is open for free to children ages 5 to 15, will be held in various venues to include the barangays and private institutions.

The sports events include aikido/arnis (8 years old and above); athletics (6 years to not more than 12); basketball (5 years old and above); baseball, body building (12 years and above; boxing (8 years above); chess (5 years and above); dance sport; fencing; football; gymnastics (5 years above); judo; karate-do (5 years above); lawn tennis; muay thai; pencak silat (7 years above); sepak takraw; softball; swimming (8 years above); table tennis (6 years above); taekwondo (4 years above); volleyball; weightlifting; wrestling (5 years above) and wushu (5 years above).

The Learn-to-Play a Sports activity has been proven to be a very successful sports and youth development program, for which most Zamboangueño athletes had won medals in national and international competitions.

Last year a total of 2,883 children participated in the program.

Health office marks zero rabies case

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA City has registered zero rabies case last year, a local health official said.

"This was a big achievement for Zamboanga City in 2014," said City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, adding that they continue monitoring rabies infection this year in the different parts of the city.

He said the monitoring is done in coordination with other concerned stakeholders.

Agbulos said the number of cat and dog bite cases have reached 5,574 in Zamboanga City since January this year.

The city is currently observing the Anti-Rabies Awareness Month, which is being observed nationwide every March of the year.

This year's Rabies Awareness Month is anchored on the theme: "Bakunadong Pusa't Aso, sa Rabis Protektado. Sama-sama nating labanan ang Rabis."

In Zamboanga City, the annual activity kicked off last week with a motorcade that started from Pettit Barracks, passing through the main thoroughfares downtown up to Pasonanca park, where a short program followed.

Vaccination of pets and film showing highlighted the launching program in the observance of Rabies Awareness Month.

ZCWD holds in-house Project Dev’t Training

By Allen Abastillas

The Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD), through its Corporate Planning Department and Human Resource Department, conducted a three-day Project Development Training held last March 4-6, 2015 at the Le Jardin, Marcian Garden Hotel, this city.

The said training was primarily aimed to enhance capabilities of ZCWD personnel along the area of project development and management specifically as to the formulation of project proposals envisioned to address particular issues/concerns/needs which are considered mission-critical in the operations of the organization.

Morning session of Day 1 was devoted to the lectures presented by Engr. Marlito Cabadsan of the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office VII (NEDA – RO VII) on the Overview of Development Planning Process and Investment Programming as well as a workshop session by group on Problem Tree Analysis.

The workshop session on problem tree analysis was especially helpful in culling and cascading out the organizational concerns and issues faced by the water district.

Meanwhile, the afternoon session of Day 1 was packed with the group presentation on problem tree analysis as well as another group workshop on Objective Tree Analysis. There were also lectures on Project Definition and Identification, Alternative Analysis,Market Analysis and Technical Analysis aspect of a project proposal.

Participants were then kept informed as to the basics and the strategies involved in conducting a market study as well as the consequent follow-up conduct of a technical analysis which shall determine the nature, size, and scope of a particular project, its project components as well as the attendant outputs in reference to the said market study.

Day 2 of the training was facilitated by Director Efren B. Carreon of NEDA – RO VII and dealt with the lecture presentation on the Formulation of the Project Proposal during the morning sessions.

Here, participants were made aware about the primary components of a project proposal which consists of the following: 1) executive summary, 2) situation description, 3) market study/analysis, 4) technical study /analysis, 5) financial study/ analysis, 6) economic analysis, 7) organization and management as well as the 8) attendant annexes to the document.

During the afternoon sessions, participants dabbled with exercises on computations for the weighted average cost of capital (WACC), net present value (NPV), benefit-cost ratio as well as the internal rate of return (IRR) which are important measurements in the viability of projects during the lecture on Financial Analysis.Afterwards, participants were also taught how to compute for sensitivity of IRR and NPV given a certain change in economic variables during the module on Sensitivity Analysis.

Dir. Carreon also facilitated the sessions for the third day of the training which mainly revolved on Project Organization and Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Impact Analysis, Logical Framework, and the Overview on Public-Private Partnership.

Dir. Carreon stressed on the need for the conduct of monitoring and evaluation to regularly assess on the project’s progress and evaluate on the milestones achieved and the gaps in project implementation.

LTO-9 machine card printer for driver license now in service

By Allen Abastillas

The machine card printer for driver license of the Driver License Renewal Center ( DLRC ) at the Yubengco Mall in Putik is now ready to service to clients of the Land Transportation Office 9.

DLRC Chief Hafsa A. Taha- Aspi thanked Dir. Aminola P. Abaton for giving priority to her office by following it up in the LTOVcentral office for the arrival of the machine cards license printing processor.

Aspi disclosed that the machine card printer was made available last February 13, 2015.

At present, those who want to renew their driver license with complete requerements, DLRC can process it within 15 to 30 minutes if there is no power interruption.

Aspi also thanked Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative General Manager George Ledesma for his pledge to upgrade the current voltage to 220 volts for her office operations. Currently, the current voltage for the operations of the computers and printing card is only 110 volts.

Aspi informed license card owners that they can now claim and get their license cards at her office.

SPES first batch set April 10-May 8

By Sheila Covarrubias

The Summer Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) intended to help poor but deserving students pursue education by providing income or augment their income through employment during summer will kick off April 10-May 8 for the first batch composed of college students.

The second batch, composed of secondary school students will be from May 5-May 31.

Each batch will have a 20-day work schedule and each beneficiary will be receiving a total of P5, 600.00 salary or P280 per day, for the duration of the SPES.

The SPES is pursuant to Republic Act 9547 and is jointly undertaken by the City Government and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) with a 60-40 percent share. It is implemented by the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWDO) through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

For this year, the City Government has allocated a total of P9.1 million for the program while the DOLE counterpart is P5.98 million for a total of P15.13 million to hire a total of 2,670 students –1,400 of which are college students while 1,270 are high school students.

Application and selection of beneficiaries are now ongoing at the barangay level and at the CSWDO-PESO in Pettit Barracks. The processing will only be until March 15 for the first batch and until April 20 for the second batch.

The students’ assignments will include janitorial work, clerical activities in selected offices, street sweeping, maintenance of parks and gardens, assist in SPES encoding or monitoring and conduct survey in pilot barangays. The beneficiaries will be assigned in the different barangays and in 11 participating offices under the city government.

The objective of the SPES is to develop the intellectual capacities of children of poor families and harness their potentials for the country’s well-being.

Meanwhile, CSWDO Socorro Rojas has directed the creation of selection committee in the barangays composed of the social worker field supervisors and barangay officials to oversee the selection of the beneficiaries.

City allocates P9.1M for SPES

By Bong Garcia

THE City Government has allocated P9.1 million for the implementation of the Summer Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) in Zamboanga City.

The SPES is a joint project of the local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) as mandated under Republic Act (RA) 7323 and amended by RA 9547.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the P9.1 million represents the 60 percent counterpart of the City Government. Dole's 40 percent counterpart is P5.9 million.

For this year, Salazar said that 2,670 students will be hired for the program -- 1,400 of which will be college students and 1,270 high school students.

Each student will receive P280 per day or a total of P5,600 for the 20-day work -- P3,360 representing the 60 percent share of the City Government, while P2,240 representing the 40 counterpart come from Dole.

The SPES beneficiaries will be deployed to the different villages and 11 participating offices under the City Government.

Their nature of work will include janitorial work, clerical activities in selected offices, street sweeping, maintenance of parks and gardens, assist in SPES encoding or monitoring and conduct survey in pilot villages.

Meanwhile, application and selection for the SPES program is ongoing in the villages and at the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) until March 16 for the first batch and until April 20 for the second batch.

SPES is intended to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by providing income or augment their income through encouraging their employment during summer or Christmas vacations.

The SPES program is set to start in Zamboanga City from April 10 to May 8 with college students and May 5 to May 31 for high school students.

Beng leads ‘Dia de las Mujeres,’ stresses women’s role in dev’t

By Vic Larato

Mayor Beng Climaco yesterday led the women’s group in the “Dia de las Mujeres 2015” celebration at the Ayala gym, where she cited the important role of women in community development.

Climaco, who championed the rights of women and children during her two terms in congress, pointed out in her brief message during the program that women power is much stronger than that of men to develop a community, peaceful and progressive.

The program was highlighted by the induction of the newly-elected officers of the Federacion de las Mujeres de Costa Oeste (Ayala Chapter).

Meanwhile, the “Dia de las Mujeres” yesterday was a prelude to this year’s Women’s Month celebration this month, which will formally kick off on Monday, March 9, under the auspices of the City Government of Zamboanga through the Gender and Development (GAD) and the Local Council of Women (LCW).

The activities will include a dance parade dubbed “Baile de las Mujeres” that will start at 6:30 am on March 9 at Ledesma Street (in front of the City Fire Station) towards Paseo del Mar where a short program will follow.

GAD Vice Chairperson/Councilor Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar and Local Council of Women Chairperson Milagros Fernandez are extending the invitation to the public to join the dance parade and the other activities that will be held during the day. Participants are encouraged to wear purple/violet clothes.

Women participants are also encouraged to avail of the free breast examination and pap smear test that will be held at the Centro Latino Lobby.

Shoppers can also visit booths featuring local products of Rural Improvement Club (RIC) women entrepreneurs.

The Women’s Celebration aims to raise funds for its beneficiaries and invites donations (in cash or kind). For inquiries, interested parties may get in touch with Maine/Kiamee of the GAD Secretariat at 991-5991.

Proceeds of the activity will benefit the Psychiatric Ward of the Zamboanga City Medical Center, the Women Inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Women Crisis Center.

23 UCHAI members to get certificates of full payment

By Vic Larato

The United Christian Homeowners’ Association, Inc. (UCHAI) of Sinunuc will award certificates of full payment and deeds of absolute sale to 23 of its members tomorrow, March 7, in a simple program at 2 p.m. at the City Health Office conference room at Pettit Barracks, this city.

City Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer Rodrigo Pagotaisidro said the memorandum of agreement between the UCHAI and the landowners has already expired last December 2014 but the community association officers are negotiating for an extension of the period of payment for the sake of those who failed to meet the deadline.

Pagotaisidro was hopeful that with the awarding of new certificates of full payment and deeds of absolute sale, other UCHAI members will be encourage to fully settle their lot obligation.

He further said the UCHAI is acquiring the properties of Amelita B. Chiong through direct purchase negotiation.

To receive their certificates of full payment and deeds of absolute sale are: Annali?a G. Alipuno, Abdelhaip A. Hamin, Badriya M. Abdulgafar, Shariffa H. Hadjaluddin, Rolando A. Hermo, Nuria S. Entoman, Far?yba S. Ibni, Ameera Xenia I. Navata, Marites M. Lacquio, Billy B. Frando, Claire B, Frando, Paraluman K. Jamalul, Pai?al H. Amil, Diosdado O.Elesterio, Ruaina G. Dullah, Jaida M. Abdurajak, Musin M. Abdulajid, Totoh I. Abdulla, Warlito M. Fabro, Jimhari S. Sangkula, Haifa A. Mohammad Isa, Clarita M. About and Nurdaya M. Hijir.

UNHCR donates solar stilt driers to two island sitios

By Sheila Covarrubias

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees through the United Youth of the Philippines (UNYPHIL-Women) recently turned over solar stilt dryer for use of the 242 families temporarily residing in the island sitio of Layag-layag in Talon-talon.

Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde, representing Mayor Beng Climaco, accepted the donation with gratitude from officials of UNHCR represented by Emily Louise Reid and the UNYPHIL-Women. He later turned over the facility to the 242 families with approximately 1,650 dependents.

The project was undertaken jointly with the City Agriculturist Office and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The construction of solar stilt dryer, costing P150,000 covers an area of 60 square meters. It started December 11 and ended February 2015.

For the first time, the Layag-layag community has received such a facility intended to support their fishery and seaweed culture activities.

The donors believe that the project will help the families, mostly internally displaced persons (IDPs) enhance their livelihood activities. With the solar stilt drier, seaweed farmers can ensure production of quality seaweed products.

Meanwhile, last February 26, UNYPHIL-UNHCR also turned over another seaweed solar stilt dryer to the families residing in the island sitio of Leha-leha also in barangay Talon-talon.

The recipients expressed gratitude to the UNHR-UNYPHIL and other partner agencies for continuously looking after their welfare.

DTI sets Mobile Diskwento Caravan in Region 9

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR/MEC

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 4 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to conduct the first of its kind and first-ever Mobile Diskwento Caravan (MDC) in some of the depressed areas here in Region 9.

Ceferino Rubio, DTI regional consumer protection division chief, said the caravan is in line with the primary functions of the agency to bring the basic services to the less fortunate sector of the society.

“This is the wish of the DTI Secretary to bring the fruit of the Diskwento Caravan to the depressed areas, thus, the concept of the MDC came into being,” Rubio said.

Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI OIC-regional director, said the MDC will be held in the rural areas since it is designed for the poor.

“Diskwento Caravan is really designed for the poor. Instead of conducting it in the business centers in the region, let us bring this activity to our intended clients in the rural areas,” said Jain, who ordered to bring the caravan to its intended beneficiaries.

“This way, we accomplish our goal of helping those who really need it. While we recognize that there are those who reside in the urban areas who need such assistance, we cannot deny the fact that the consumers in the rural or far-flung areas need it the most,” Jain pointed out.

The MDC is slated to kick off on April 15 in this city. It will be followed on April 17 in Zamboanga Sibugay, April 19 in Zamboanga del Norte and April 21 in Zamboanga del Sur.

Rubio said that a careful study and analysis was made as to how to bring the MDC to the depressed areas taking into consideration all the logistics needed and the commitment of the participating distributors leading to the preparation for the activity.

Rubio said that 100 percent of the local canneries and the different department stores fully support the holding of the caravan.

Rubio said the distributors, in a meeting, have also agreed on a consignment basis of their goods.

He said they already started looking for van or truck provider that will serve as a mobile or rolling store during the conduct of the MDC.

“MDC is virtually a wing van type, with a bodega capacity of 2m x 2m x 9m (30 ft.) that will carry the products from one province to another. We have already made some progress on this,” he said.

Since this will be the first of its kind, Rubio said they are trying to establish the mechanics on how to run MDC and “the commitment of the distributors in supporting the activity is a very welcome development.”

“This is the first time we will be doing this. We need to perfect the mechanics and every aspect involved in the project to ensure its success,” he said.

PAGASA rushes construction of Doppler Radar station in Zambo City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 3 (PNA) -- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is rushing the construction of the building that would house the weather bureau’s Doppler Radar in this city.

Maribel Hasanah Enriquez, PAGASA-Zamboanga Station chief meteorological officer, said Tuesday the seven-storey building is set to be completed in July this year.

The building is being constructed at Camp Basilio Navarro that houses the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in this city.

Enriquez said PAGASA have allocated Php100 million for the entire project--construction of the building and the Doppler Radar equipment.

Enriquez said the seven-storey building will also house the local PAGASA office, quarters aside from the Doppler Radar.

The Doppler Radar, which has 50-kilometer radius coverage, is being used to measure the amount of rainfall, intensity of the rain, and others.

Enriquez said the completion of the Doppler Radar station here will be the third for Mindanao.

The existing two stations are located in Tampakan, South Cotabato and in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Philippine Weightlifting Association rehabs training centers in Zambo City

(PNA), LGI/TPGJR/RGAAGO/EBP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 2, (PNA) -- The Philippine Weightlifting Association is set to rehabilitate the weightlifting training centers to further enhance such kind of sport in this city.

Elbert Atilano, Philippine Weightlifting Association vice-president, said Monday the rehabilitation of the training centers is geared towards providing conducive facilities to the athletes.

Atilano said there are two existing weightlifting training centers in this city that need to be rehabilitated and these are located in the barangays of Mercedes and Mampang.

Atilano said that a third training center was inaugurated Sunday in Barangay Ayala.

Atilano said the operation of the three training centers for weightlifting is through private-public partnership.

Atilano said this city should continue and focus in developing weightlifting athletes since there were already several Zamboangueños who excelled in such kind of sports.

He said that one of those who excelled in weightlifting is Hidilyn Diaz, a Zamboangueña Olympian.

He disclosed that are present they are training 12-year-old Rosegie Awis Ramos in preparation for the 2018 youth Olympic.

ZCWD takes steps as water rationing looms

By Ed D. Banos (ZCWD CREAS)

The Zamboanga City Water District is working on counter measures as it prepares to move into possible water rationing in the face of continued decline of water levels at its water source.

Engr.Teotimo Reyes, Jr., head of water production, disclosed that water elevation at the diversion weir (dam) stood at 74.10 meters which is lower than the normal level of 74.20, which considered as critical level.

Reyes disclosed ,if water levels continue to drop, the water firm will have to resort to water rationing this summer season.

“Right now, our water production management team is currently testing a novel system of regulating water flow to consumers through a pressure ment system that will seek to evenly distribute water pressure in the pipes and allow water to flow into the consumers’ households,” Engr.Efren Salvacion of the Department said.

This scheme will allow water to build up on off peak hours and help keep water in the pipelines at all times, Salvacion added.

The ZCWD’s pipeline network is divided into three major zones, namely: central which is the downtown area of the city, the east coast and the west coast.

Water will be piped alternately into these zones to provide most of the water consumers ample opportunity to store enough water for the day’s use.

“The past years’ experience in water system management during the summer season has provided valuable insights to our engineers in looking at ways and means to provide water during the hot dry summers,” Reyes revealed.

Accordingly, the city is vulnerable to water source dry up as it is being supplied by surface water via the Tumaga river and its tributaries.

Salvacion and Reyes also added that the new scheme they are currently testing on will hopefully improve water distribution this summer and provide steady water supply despite low water pressure brought about by decreasing water inflow into the system.

Earlier, ZCWD General Manager Leonardo Rey Vasquez called on everyone to start storing water in case water supply inflow does not improve in the weeks ahead. Vasquez also added that people should make judicious use of water during the hot summer months.

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