Zamboanga City News March 2016

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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.

Popcom readies program to reduce teenage prenancy

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 31 (PNA) -– The Commission on Population (Popcom) is set to launch the U4U (Your-for-You), a program aimed to prevent teenage pregnancy.

The U4U program, which will be launched in the opening of school year 2-16-2017, is the Youth Hub Initiative of Pocom supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) formerly known as the United Nations Fund for Population activities.

Rosalinda Fernando, Popcom regional information officer, told the Philippines News Agency that the U4U aims to deliver critical information to Filipino teens aged 10-19 through online and mobile platforms to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections.

Fernando said they will train students to serve as peer facilitators to help them in the implementation of the U4U program.

“U4U utilizes the youth in giving information to fellow youth. It’s one of our interventions to lower teenage pregnancy because there is really the need to provide correct information to our adolescence,” Fernando said.

She said the peer facilitators will also help the teens to become responsible individuals in the society as the program will not only focus on teenage pregnancy.

She said they have come up with the U4U program since there is continued increase in teenage pregnancy cases.

WaSH in day care, schools program gains headway

By Sheila Covarrubias

The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) program, a collaborative effort of the City Government and the UNICEF gains headway as it penetrates 129 day care centers benefitting 6,300 pre-schoolers since it was introduced in the city in November 2014.

The program likewise is being implemented in 12 schools serving 26,334 elementary students in Zamboanga.

The WASH in day care centers and WASH in schools program jumpstarted with the creation of the Technical Working Group (TWG) initiated by Mayor Beng Climaco in 2014 when UNICEF first introduced the program to the city. Its goals are to address 3 concerns: 97% of Filipino children are suffering from dental carries, 67% are suffering from intestinal worms and 30% are malnourished.

Based on UNICEF studies, the root cause of these diseases are poor personal hygiene, lack of access to water and the absence of collaborative partnership between the local government units, Department of Educaiton, barangay officials, day care centers and parent groups.

The WASH in day care and schools program has targeted 20 day care centers but actually penetrated 129 day care centers; targeted to train 100 teachers but overshot its goal and trained 700 teachers; trained 280 instead of 100 day care workers and trained 115 instead of 98 barangay officials. 12 of the total 23 model schools targeted have been penetrated so far.

Aside from the trainings given to day care workers and teachers, the UNICEF also distributes hygiene kits for use of the different schools and day care centers.

The WASH program forms part of a bigger program on improving the delivery of early childhood care and development service and involves the daily group hand washing and tooth brushing activity in public day care centers and schools, twice yearly deworming and promoting access to water and sanitation as a human right.

The program in Zamboanga City is implemented through the TWG headed by City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos with City Social Welfare and Development Officer Socorro Rojas and CHO and CSWDO staff as members. Dr. Noel Tarrazona is the consultant contracted by the local government to advise the TWG on how to properly implement the WASH program in the city.

Beng allocates P9.27M for SPES

By Sheila Covarrubias

Mayor Beng Climaco has allocated some P9.27 million for the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) benefitting 2,760 college and high school students this year.

Organized annually with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the SPES will be implemented April 11-May 6 for the first batch composed of 1,400 college students and May 5-May 28 for the second batch composed of 1,360 high school students.

The program is created under Republic Act 7323, series of 1999 as amended by RA 9547 which seeks to encourage employment during summer, through incentives granted by the Local Government Units (LGUs) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on a 60-40% sharing.

The SPES beneficiary will receive a compensation of P280 per day or a total of P5,600 for the 20-day period program. P168 or 60% will come from the LGU while the P112.00 or 40% will be paid by the DOLE.

DOLE allocation for the SPES this year is P6.18M.

Registration period for selection of SPES beneficiaries through the barangays was Feb. 18-March 10, 2016. Deadline for submission to the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is March 16 for the first batch and April 15 for the second batch. An applicant must be 15-25 years old; enrolled during high school and obtained passing marks. Requirements include birth or baptismal certificate; High School card or school certification with average ratings for college students; income tax return for parents employed in government or private organizations or barangay certification of indigency for parents who are unemployed; SPES form 2 with 2x2 picture and school ID.

Under the law, work program or activities in the barangays include the conduct of profiling/updating of household family members in areas with pocket of poverty, vulnerable to calamities and other disasters such as flashfloods and other incidents; assign in health centers/ wellness to assist the medical workers; assign in day care centers to assist day care workers in teaching pupils; assign in city government offices located in the barangay; assign in barangays to assist the barangay activity provided it is on official work. Should the program be clean and green- the work of students must not just be on the roadside but would include along river banks and shorelines, if there is but precautionary measures must be properly observed and the use of bladed weapons are discouraged.

Considering that the program is being undertaken during the election period, the SPES beneficiaries are not allowed to engage in partisan politics such as distributing campaign materials or performing any act that may be attributed to election activities of any political party/person.

New crackdown launched today vs overcharging trike drivers

By Sheila Covarrubias

Overcharging and abusive tricycle drivers, beware!

City Hall, through the City Administrator’s Office in partnership with the local police, Task Force Zamboanga, barangay officials and the Tricycle Adjudication Board (TAB) will commence today, Monday, March 28 an all-out campaign against tricycle drivers who charge passengers over and beyond the specified fare rate including those who refuse to ferry passengers and commit other violations.

This, following a meeting a series of meetings convened by OIC City Administrator and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Elmeir Apolinario with all concerned agencies and sectors present relative to the mounting complaints against overcharging tricycle drivers.

Apolinario said the campaign will be on a massive scale and will involve the support and cooperation of all agencies and sectors concerned to include the riding public.

All tricycle units that will be impounded as a result of the massive campaign will be placed at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex.

Apolinario said complaints against erring tricycle drivers continue to mount and the TAB, the group tasked to implement such campaign lacks manpower and logistics to launch a massive drive. It is for this reason, he said, that the City Administrator’s Office is taking the lead in the campaign in coordination with the TAB, the police, TFZ, barangay officials and volunteers and the riding public.

Daily, the TAB has been attending to complaints against overcharging drivers formally lodged before the board.

Zamboanga City mayor unveils PHP6-M school building project

(PNA), JBP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Wednesday led the turnover of a PHP6 million two-story six-classroom school building project at the Southern Support Command Elementary School in Barangay Upper Calarian this city.

The completion of the school building boosts Salazar administration’s program on education.

Salazar said the school building project is one of the numerous infrastructure projects undertaken in line with this city’s support to education.

She stressed that numerous other school buildings and other similar projects related to education are on the pipeline.

She said these projects are all intended to help ensure a better future for the children of this city.

BIR eyes to collect Php 358-M in ITR payment in Zambo City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 26 (PNA) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is eyeing to surpass this year’s collection of Income Tax Return (ITR) by Php 63 million from what the agency collected last year in this city.

Fabian Francisco, OIC-assistant revenue district officer, told the Philippines News Agency they had set Php 358 million as the target collection goal of ITR this year, which is higher by Php 63 million than last year’s ITR collection of Php 295 million.

The deadline for the payment of ITR is on April 15. A 25 percent surcharge will be slapped on late payment of ITR.

Francisco said they expect at 10,000 taxpayers including corporation, partnership and other juridical entity to pay their ITR on or before the April 15 deadline.

Francisco said the taxpayers can also pay their ITR with the accredited banks aside from the BIR office.

The accredited banks are: Land Bank of the Philippine; China Bank; Metro Bank; United Coconut Planters Bank; Development Bank of the Philippines; and, Philippine National Bank.

Francisco urged the taxpayers to pay their ITR early to avoid the rush.

Palafox Associates holds 2nd Zambo dev’t plan gab

By Vic Larato

The Palafox Associates conducted Tuesday the second public consultation on the comprehensive land use plan, zoning ordinance and the city development plan geared towards making Zamboanga truly the country’s gateway to the Southeast Asian Growth Area.

Karima Palafox, daughter of the world renowned urban development planner Architect Felino Palafox, said the public consultations were necessary to make sure the proposals will jibe with the values of each of the stakeholders of the city.

“Our plans include enhancing the existing urban center of Zamboanga, where the developable land is limited. We also notice the development field is sprawling outward, so we’re studying to increase density where we can’t urbanize so that we don’t sprawl into the viable forest and farm lands,” Palafox said.

The Palafox Associates is tasked by the city government to help plan the development of Zamboanga, being the fastest growing city in Mindanao.

“If we don’t plan well, certain land uses might compromise what would be really good for most people in the city,” she said, explaining that in planning “we make sure that we balance the requirements for real estates, subdivisions, building constructions and even making the ports livelier and bustling.”

She further said planning also protects the arable lands, fisheries resources and other important values and resources of Zamboanga.

Rules, regulations set for solemn Holy Week observance in Zambo City

(PNA), BNB/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 24 (PNA) -- Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has urged residents to strictly heed the rules and regulations set by the authorities to ensure a solemn, orderly and peaceful observance of the Holy Week.

Salazar issued Executive Orders (EOs) 169 and 170 that took effect at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday and is strictly being implemented at the Cesar C. Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong, Barangay Pasonanca, this city.

E.O. 169 imposes a traffic rerouting scheme in all roads leading to the freedom park while E.O. 170 bans the sale and drinking of liquor and other intoxicating drinks, the bringing of audio and video equipment and the playing of loud music as well as the bringing of firearms, bladed weapons and similar items and backpacks at the Park.

Salazar said the two EOs will be in effect until 6:00 a.m. on Black Saturday. Appropriate actions will be slapped against violators.

Climaco issued such orders as thousands of Catholic faithful converge at the Climaco Freedom Park for via crucis at the station of the cross.

Most of the Catholic faithful stay overnight at the freedom park from Maundy Thursday and go home after the seven last words’ mass on Good Friday.

With this, Salazar appealed for the support and cooperation of all sectors to help ensure the successful outcome of the Holy week observance.

Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said an emergency medical team is on a six-hour rotation at the medical station starting on Maundy Thursday until Good Friday at the Mount Abong-Abong to ensure people experiencing health problems during their climb to the station of the cross will be given prompt first aid response.

Apolinario said the medical team composes of personnel from the City Health Office and the CDRRMO Emergency Medical Service as well as their counterparts from the Department of Health and the Philippine Red Cross.

He said Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel and one fire truck is deployed to the area and in addition, a search and rescue team as well as a police assistance desk is on standby to assist visiting devotees.

Zambo banks’ ATMs ready for long holidays

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 23 (PNA) -– The Zamboanga City Bankers and Financiers Association (ZCBFA) has assured bank clients that there are sufficient cash in all Automated Teller Machines (ATM) of its bank-members during the long holidays.

Erma Tam Diaz, ZCBFA president, issued the assurance as banks will be closed starting Holy Thursday until Easter Sunday.

Diaz added that the last banking day is today, Wednesday, and bank operations resume on Monday, March 28.

“We are prepared for the Holy Week. All ATMs are full and it will not run short of cash until Monday,” she said.

She said there will be on duty security guards, who would provide assistance to banks clients as needed, in ATM transactions.

The ZCBFA has 68 member banks with more around 60 ATM machines in different parts of this city.

‘Oplan Ligtas Biyahe Semana Santa’ set

By Allen Abastillas

The Department of Transportation and Communication-Regional Management Council 9 activated on Friday the “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe Semana Santa 2016”.

Land Transportation Office-9 Director Aminola P. Abaton, concurrently chairman of DOTC-RMC9, said the council has established a “Help Desk” in every bus terminal, airport and seaport in the region to assist passengers.

Abaton said they are expecting a heavy influx of people from different places in the country to come intothe region to take vacation, going home after schooling and join their families during the Holy Week.

He advised motorvehicle drivers to always double check the road worthiness and condition of their vehicle before taking the road so that accident can be prevented.

Members of DOTC-RMC 9 are LTO-9, Philippine Ports Authority-9, Maritime Industry and Authority, Philippine Coast Guards, National Telecommunication and Communication, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and others.

On the otherhand, LTO-9’d Law Enforcers Division Chief Allan Macabangkit reported to Director Abaton that two passenger vans taking the Ipil-Zamboanga City route were apprehended because of expired franchise.

“We closely monitor and watch every terminal in the region for PUV operating without franchise,” Macabangkit said.

He urged PUV owners not to operate without renewing their franchise because the fines and penalites once apprehended is stiff — ranging from P 120,000 to one million pesos per unit.

Thousands join Earth Hour 2016 in Zambo

By Sheila Covarrubias

Mayor Beng Climaco led Zamboanga City in joining more than 7,000 other cities and towns worldwide in the observance of Earth Hour, a global campaign that urges individuals to take action against climate change.

The Zamboanga event, held at the Plaza Rizal Saturday night, kicked off with the Habagat Earth Hour night ride with about 500 bikers using the power of the human pedal to send a strong message to reduce carbon footprint.

In her message, the mayor called on Zamboangueños to unite and shine a light of action and help change climate change. Together, Zamboangueños can make a difference, she said.

The chief executive who joined the night ride, thanked the multitude of people who turned up for the event to show solidarity with cities and towns all over the world as a pledge to go “beyond the hour” and help “shine a light on climate action”.

The hour-long lights off in Zamboanga from 8:30-9:30pm was highlighted by a candle-lighting activity and dance and music performances by various artists. Adding more spice to the activity were the other event components such as the social media hub and doodle Earth, a vision board for the environment.

The activity was organized by the Office of City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) led by Engr. Rey Gonzales in coordination with the Office of the City Mayor.

The Earth Hour is a worldwide grassroots movement which encourages people, communities, organizations and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour as a symbol of commitment to the planet. It is spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

In support of the event, Mayor Climaco has issued an executive order enjoining the commitment of government agencies and organizations across all sectors to help spread a new era of climate awareness. The order calls for the switch off or dimming of non-essential lights, including streetlights, signage lights, and lights in key monuments for one hour, and directs local officials, establishments, and residents to support initiatives for energy efficiency, conservation, and climate change on March 19 and beyond.

DTI gives 13 sewing machines to Zambo workers association

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program has turned over 13 brand new sewing machines worth PHP249,481 providing a boost to the bag-making enterprise of the AVRC Sheltered Workshop Workers’ Association.

Eng’r. Rolando Acuña, DTI provincial director, spearheaded the turnover of the sewing machines in a simple ceremony held on Tuesday at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Acuña said these included 10 units of straight and zigzag sewing machines; one unit flatbed stitching machine; one unit embroidery machine; and, one unit edging machine.

Also included in the package are 13 heavy duty fabric scissors and one unit of fabricated stainless steel working table.

“These machines are for free. But we will still charge you, not with money, but with your improved productivity. We expect that your production will improve. We want to see you increase your production, thereby, increasing also your earnings. All we want from you is for you to use these facilities to the fullest for your own benefit,” Acuña told the members of the AVRC Sheltered Workshop Workers’ Association.

He also encouraged all the association members to keep on improving their products for them to expand their market.

“It is very important that you also improve your products. You should introduce new designs and innovation to the market. We cannot give the same designs and products over and over. You need to evolve and give the public fresh products and designs,” he said.

He added that DTI will continue to help them through trainings and marketing to enable penetrate bigger markets.

He said they can also link the association “with our partner agencies for further assistance, and look for potential markets.”

Riduan Hadjimuddin, DSWD assistant regional director, accepted the facilities witnessed by the workers, DSWD and DTI representatives.

“We are very grateful to DTI-9 for this help extended to our workers in the AVRC. Rest assured that we will take good care of these and use these to further improve the production of our bag-making enterprise. Most of all, we are thankful because these will empower our workers against poverty through added income,” Hadjimuddin said.

The AVRC Sheltered Workshop Workers Association is into bag and slipper production business consisting of 15 active members.

BFAR tells seaweed farmers to improve quality of their product

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 18 (PNA) –- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has encouraged the farmers to produce quality seaweeds “so they could earn more.”

Isidro Velayo Jr., BFAR OIC-regional director, on Friday made the encouragement after reports reached his office that the seaweeds coming from this region are adulterated.

Velayo said reports disclosed that some farmers add rock salt to increase the seaweeds’ weight and for fast drying which affect the price of the seaweeds.

“We are inculcating to our seaweed farmers to improve the quality of their produce,” Velayo said. The prevailing price of seaweeds is PhP30 per kilo.

He said they have allocated PhP10 million to assist the seaweed farmers improve their products.

He said the assistance they could extend include the conduct of training and by providing quality seedlings and dryers to seaweed farmers.

He said Region 9 is a major producer of seaweeds in the country. The locally-produced seaweeds are exported to Europe, United States, China and other countries.

He said there are around 25,000 seaweed farmers here in the region. Of the total, 5,000 are from this city.

DTI challenges Zambo graduating students to be job creators

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 17 (PNA) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has challenged the graduating students of the different local schools “not only be job seekers, but job creators as well.”

Eng’r. Rolando Acuña, DTI provincial director, posed this challenge on Wednesday to the participants of the 2016 Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium (YES) and encouraged them to take the entrepreneurial track, citing that entrepreneurship is the answer to the high incidence of poverty.

Acuña made the challenged and encouragement as he acknowledged the looming difficulty of job seekers in getting an employment after graduation.

Almost a thousand graduating students from the different schools attended the Symposium, which was handled by Victor Madlangbayan of Go Negosyo and Alexis Chua of the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

The said symposium was a brainchild of DTI, which aims to encourage entrepreneurial mindset amongst the Zamboangueño youths and to promote savings consciousness and financial competency through basic know-how in investing in financial instruments and through sound financial management.

Madlangbayan shared his expertise on the topics of Mind Setting and Social Entrepreneurship as well as Product Development and Business Planning, while Chua lectured on Financial Literacy.

“We are delighted to see the enthusiasm and good reception of our youth participants. We hope that the lessons we have inculcated remain with and guide them after graduation and beyond,” Acuña said.

He said they will continue to promote and hone the aptitude and skill of deserving participants in the field of finance and entrepreneurship through education and specialized training workshops such as “Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium Plus” (YES Plus).

He said the YES Plus is tentatively scheduled to be held in May, this year.

Zambo detention facility adopts ‘E-Dalaw’ program

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 16 (PNA) – The Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC) has adopted the “Electronic Dalaw (E-Dalaw)” program to connect the inmates with their loved ones through the Internet.

Supt. Julius Arro, ZCRC warden, told the Philippines News Agency that the program is a joint project of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) through the ZCRC, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Rotary Club of Zamboanga-West.

“This program will be an avenue for our inmates to have an opportunity to communicate with their loved ones who cannot afford to frequently visit them,” Arro said.

Arro said they have six units of computers that are being used in the E-Dalaw program with trained BJMP personnel and inmates serving as program facilitators.

Arro said each of the inmates is given the opportunity to communicate with their love ones “for several minutes” through Skype or any social media flat form.

He said inmates who wish to avail of the program must register ahead for purposes of setting the schedule.

However, he said they are properly monitored to ensure the inmates will not utilize the program for unscrupulous activities.

“There are jailguards and trusted inmates monitoring them as part of the security measures,” he added.

The ZCRC houses more than 2,000 male and female inmates who have pending cases in court.

DTI organizes retailers group in Zambo City

(PNA), JMC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 15 (PNA) –- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has organized the retailers group to empower its members and to be the socio-economic development driving force of this city.

The members of the group known as the Retailers Group of Zamboanga City included retailers and managers of leading local retailing firms such as department stores, supermarkets, hardware stores, bakeries, as well as motorcycle and appliance centers.

Engineer Rolando Acuña, DTI provincial director, said Tuesday the organization of the retailers group is also aimed to guide them to be responsive to consumer welfare, thus making the local retail industry a significant contributor to and driving force of socio-economic development.

“Uniting as one group will greatly benefit the retail industry as this will result to enjoyment of a legal identity, to be globally competitive, as well as to be partners in ensuring consumer welfare and protection and implementing policies and programs for the growth of the industry,” Acuña said.

He said the members of the group elected Ken Adonis Yu as interim president while Michael To was elected interim vice president and Ivy Joy Orpia as interim secretary.

For its part, DTI pledges its commitment to assist the Retailers Group by identifying programs and projects for the group and linking it with national retailers associations.

Zambo City’s oldest school unveils ‘Triple 7’ scholarship program

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 14 (PNA) -– The Southern City Colleges (SCC), the oldest institution of higher education, has unveiled on Monday the “Triple 7” scholarship program providing opportunity to deserving but underprivileged students pursue their studies.

Edwin Calilio, SCC president and chief executive officer, said the launching of the Triple 7 scholarship program is in line with this year’s 70th Foundation Anniversary of the school.

The SCC marks its 70th on December 8, which coincides with the feast day of Immaculate Conception.

“We thought of launching this project as a way of giving back to the community that supported us all these years and also as a way of honoring out ancestors,” Caliolio said.

Caliolio said the objective of the scholarship program is to create an “Honor’s Class” who will represent the institution in academic and extracurricular competitions in local, regional, and national levels.

Caliolio said there will be two groups of students under the scholarship program, the college group and high school group.

He said each group will consist 70 students enjoying 100 percent scholarship, 70 scholars enjoying 75 percent scholarship, and 70 students enjoying 50 percent scholarship, or for a total of 210 scholars per group, totaling 420 scholars for both groups.

He said the applicants for scholarship must be from this city. For a College student to qualify, the applicant must be those who stopped and are now resuming their studies and transferees from other educational institutions.

A high school student must be in the Top 10 of his or her graduation Grade 6 class, a standing duly certified by the principal.

Caliolio said the Triple 7 scholarship is one of several scholarships they offered to deserving but underprivileged students.

“By launching this project today, I’m hoping that other schools shall follow suit. If we can do it, we are a very small school (in terms of number), I think the other schools that are bigger than can do much more,” Caliolio said.

The Southern City Colleges was established in 1946 by Francisco Caliolio Sr., a native of Tarlac who was married to Araceli Dizon Ferrer-Caliolio, a native of Bacoor, Pampanga.

The school’s founder was then the accountant of Zamboanga Copra Procurement Corporation while his wife owned a beauty salon.

Zambo bags ‘Leadership, Governance’ 2016 award

By Vic Larato

The city government of Zamboanga under Mayor Beng Climaco recently bagged anew an award on health, this time the “City Leadership and Governance Program Colloquium” by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and partner agencies.

Mayor Climaco personally accepted the plaque of recognition during the ceremony last March 9 at Heritage Hotel in Manila.

With her were City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos, City Planning and Development Coordinator Rodrigo Sicat, City Human Resource and Management Officer Jane Bascar, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Ma. Socorro Rojas, Councilor Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, and Executive Assistant Michael Saavedra.

The plaque of recognition was presented to Zamboanga City for strengthening systems to improve the health of the city’s most vulnerable populations.

The program was sponsored by USAID, United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), Department of Health, the World Health Organization and the Zuellig Family Foundation.

City Leadership and Governance Program (CLGP) is a strategic and focused health leadership and governance program to help city mayors and health officers address the challenges of rapid urbanization to health outcomes in urban areas.

It is a component of USAID’s Health Leadership and Governance Program (HLGP) aimed at training local chief executives and local health officers on Bridging Leadership competencies; improving local health systems to make them more responsive to the needs for MCH, FP and TB prevention and control, and; increasing community participation and health- seeking behavior in target areas through improved local health systems and local health leadership.

Zambo gets ready for ‘Summer Fest’

By Vic Larato

It’s summer once again. The time of the year when the exotic beauty of Zamboanga, Asia’s Latin City, comes abloom and Zamboangueños just want to have fun, playing those games of yesteryears under the sunny blue skies.

This year’s summer festival will have its opening salvo on April 1 (Saturday) at 4 p.m. at City Hall grounds.

The Zamboanga Hip Hop Dance Competition will entertain the young and adults alike on April 8 at 8 a.m. at the City Coliseum in Tetuan.

April 26, the birthday of Zamboanga’s first woman mayor the late Maria Clara L. Lobregat, is declared “Dia de Ma’am Caling” and a commemorative program will follow after the mass at Jardin Maria Clara Lobregat in Pasonanca.

On same day at 6 p.m., there will be Chavacano Pop Music Night also at Jardin Maria Clara.

Joey G of Side-A Band will have a concert on April 29 at 8 p.m. at the City Coliseum.

May 18 is declared “Dia de Gen. Vicente Alvarez” and a program is slated at 8 a.m. at Plaza de Gen. Vicente Alvarez (fronting Plaza Pershing).

The annual Festival de las Bellas y Flores will be on May 21 at 5 p.m. at City Hall Grounds.

“Danza Verano” (Street Party) will regale Zamboangueños of all ages at Paseo del Mar Esplanade.

DTI sets Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium in Zamboanga City

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 11 (PNA) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that it’s all systems go for the conduct of the 2016 Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium (YES) in this city.

Eng’r. Rolando Acuña, DTI-Zamboanga City Office (DTI-ZCO) chief, said Friday the YES will be held next week, March 16, which will be participated by at least 1,000 graduating college students.

“YES aims to encourage entrepreneurial mindset among the Zamboangueño youth and to promote savings consciousness and financial competency through basic know-how in investing in financial instruments and through sound financial management,” Acuña said highlighting the importance of financial literacy.

Acuña said the symposium also seeks to promote the sustained development of young Filipinos whose aptitude and skill in the field of finance and entrepreneurship shall be encouraged and honed through education and specialize training programs

He said the resource speaker of the symposium is Victor Madlangbayan from the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship.

Madlangbayan will discuss and make presentations on topics ranging from entrepreneurial mindset to financial literacy.

Acuña said that successful local entrepreneurs will likewise give their testimonies and share their experiences in starting and developing their business.

He said that deserving students will have the opportunity to attend a follow-up workshop dubbed “Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium Plus” (YES Plus), which is tentatively scheduled to be held in May this year.

DOLE: 2,760 students to be employed to SPES

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 10 (PNA) -– The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that 2,760 students will be employed this summer vacation through the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) in this city.

Eng’r. Wesley Tan, DOLE-Zamboanga City Field Office chief, told the Philippines News Agency that 1,400 of the 2,760 students to be hired are studying in college while the remaining 1,360 are enrolled in high school.

Tan said the college students will comprise the first batch, who will work from April 11 to May 6 while the second batch are the high schools who will be employed from May 5 to May 28.

Tan said each of the students will receive a salary of P280 per day, which is the daily minimum wage here in Region 9.

He said 40 percent of the students’ salary will be shouldered by DOLE through education vouchers and the remaining 60 percent by the employer.

He said DOLE has allocated PhP11 million for this year’s SPES. The funding allocation includes the payment for insurance of the student-workers.

He said students who are interested to avail of the SPES can submit their application with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

He said the overall objective of SPES is to give the poor but deserving students an opportunity to pursue their education by encouraging them to work during summer and Christmas vacations.

West Metro hospital, Zambo press club sign health care agreement

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 9 (PNA) -– The newest private hospital, West Metro Medical Center (West Metro), has entered into an agreement with the Zamboanga Press Club, Inc (ZPCI) that entitles bonafide ZPCI members to avail of West Metro’s health care programs.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed in a simple ceremony Wednesday by Ramon Diaz, West Metro president and chief executive officer, and Jayvee Francisco, ZPCI president.

The agreement entitles the ZPCI bonafide members to purchase medicines at discounted prices at the Med Express Pharmacy of West Metro.

Diaz said the health care program “is our own little way” to help the members of the local media, citing they also offered the same program to soldiers and militiamen.

Bong Garcia, ZPCI’s executive vice president and health committee chairman, said the program is of big help since majority of the ZPCI members do not have health insurance.

Diaz also extended the granting of 20 percent discount on room rates for the first two days of hospitalization to ZPCI members although “it is not written” in the signed MOA.

“We don’t give it (room rates discount) to anybody, but we give it to the doctors to give it to their specific patients,” he said.

Aside from Garcia, the signing of the MOA was witnessed by James Joseph Noel, West Metro ancillary manager; Monabelle Blanco-Delgado, West Metro marketing manager; Roel Pareño, ZPCI board chairman; and, other members officers of ZPCI and West Metro staffs.

The West Metro is the first private hospital that initiated a health care program benefiting the members of the ZPCI.

West Metro belongs to the Metro Pacific Hospital Group, a subsidiary Metro Pacific Investment Corporation.

Red Cross supports El Niño-stricken communities in Zamboanga City

(PNA), SCS/PR-PRC/EDS

MANILA, March 8 (PNA) -- Communities in Zamboanga City that are experiencing low water pressure or no water supply because of the El Niño phenomenon now have access to clean water for drinking and other uses, thanks to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) which provided water for the affected communities.

PRC Zamboanga City chapter, in collaboration with the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD), established an operation to support the needs for water supply of the different barangays with no water or have low water pressure, especially for drinking and domestic use.

The Red Cross also mobilized WASH (water, sanitation and health) personnel for water production and distribution and likewise trained additional personnel to operate the WASH resources in the communities.

“Providing clean water for those who need it is one of the life-saving services that the Red Cross provides. The PRC, through our Zamboanga City chapter, has provided a water tanker and mobile water treatment to the local government of Zamboanga City to provide water to the communities that are currently experiencing low or no water supply because of El Niño,” said PRC Chairman Richard Gordon.

Daily, the water treatment unit produces 22,000 liters of water, of which 10,000 liters are being distributed by the tankers of the Red Cross and ZCWD. As of date, six barangays in Zamboanga City are benefitting from the water distribution from the Red Cross and ZCWD.

Aside from the water tanker and mobile water treatment from the Zamboanga City chapter, the PRC provided an additional water tanker from Tandag, Surigao del Sur to augment the existing water tankering service of the ZCWD.

For its part, ZCWD shouldered the transportation cost needed for the retrieval of the PRC water tanker in Tandag, Surigao del Sur and is distributing water to the affected communities with their water tanker.

Zamboanga City has a population of more than 807,000, of which 20 percent or around 160,000 are experiencing low water pressure because of the drought.

LTO-9 DLRC collects P285k in February

By Allen Abastillas

The Land Transportation Office 9 Driver License Renewal Center at Yubengco Mall in Putik earned P 285,789.56 in revenues for the month of February.

DLRC Officer-in-Charge Hafsa Taha-Aspi said the revenues were supposed to be higher than the actual collection had it not because of frequent blackouts that cause network offline and intermittent system and Stradcom offline status for four days for the month of February.

Hafsa-Aspi’s office revenue collection was affected by the ongoing power outages.

On the otherhand, LTO9 Law Enforcement Division Chief Allan Macabangkit advises public utility vans and jeepneys to renew their franchise before they operate take the road as fines and penalties are stiff.

Macabangkit cited the case of colorum jeepney. When an owner operates a colorum jeepney, for first offense, fine — P120,000; second offense — P200,000 and third offense — P1,000,000.

Macabangkit disclosed that his office will conduct joint random operations in the region together with the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board anytime.

Meanwhile, LTO Zamboanga District Office’s Noel Noche advises motorvehicle owners to claim their stickers for motorcycles and four-wheel vehicles.

Comelec trains Zamboanga teachers on VCM operations

By Bong Garcia

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is training teachers in Zamboanga City who will serve as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) in May 2016 elections on how to use the vote counting machines (VCMs).

District 1 Election Officer Stephen Roy Cañete said the training started March 1 and will end on March 11. A total of 737 teachers have been trained as of Saturday, March 5.

Cañete said 500 of the teachers who are undergoing training are from the first district, while 237 are from the second district.

He said they need a total of 3,787 BEIs to serve on Election Day, which is May 9. Of this number, 1,851 will serve in the first district and 1,936 in the second district.

Cañete said that after the training, the BEIs will have to take written and practical examinations, which will be given by the Department of Science and Technology, before they will be issued certification.

The certification is an affirmation that the BEIs have undergone training and have the capability to operate the VCMs, he added.

Zambo City builds Php 2-M GAD production, training center

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 5 (PNA) – The members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) will soon have their own center where to hold seminars and livelihood activities to showcase their products.

This came about as the city government has completed the construction of the Php 2 million Gender and Development (GAD) production and training center in Barangay Sta. Maria that would be used by the RIC.

The center, which was constructed through the Community Development Fund (CDF) of Councilor Myra Paz Abubakar, is set to be inaugurated on March 14.

Abubakar said that a trade fair by the RIC would follow after the blessing of the center by Fr. Butch Candido.

She said the products of the RIC members would be on display and sale during the trade fair.

She invited the public to patronize the products of the RIC members.

Zambo City prohibits use of public plaza for political rallies

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 4 (PNA) -- The city government has prohibited the use of public plaza by all political parties while conducting campaign sortie in this city.

Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, OIC-city administrator, told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) on Friday this came upon the recommendation of the local police not to grant political rally permit on public plaza for security reasons.

The public plaza, which is commonly used for political rally in this city both by national and local candidates, is the historic Plaza Pershing.

The Plaza Pershing is an open place located at the heart of this city. The plaza is just a stone throw away from City Hall.

History shows the Plaza Pershing was built during the Spanish era and was originally called Paseo de Don Juan de Salcedo.

It was used primarily for public meetings and other gatherings and was also the most preferred site where Spanish Generals brought their ladies for an afternoon or morning stroll.

At the turn of the 19th Century, during the American regime, the locals renamed the place as Plaza Pershing in honor of the fourth American Governor General John “Black Jack” Pershing.

Apolinario said the city government could not also allow the use of the Paseo del Mar because its usage is governed by a city ordinance.

“The city ordinance stated that the use of the Paseo del Mar is very specific, which is only for recreation and tourism-related activities,” Apolinario added.

The Paseo del Mar, which is located just at the back of the historic Fort Pilar Shrine, also serves as dine and unwind area and promenade place for families at night time.

With the decision of the city government, political parties will have to rent convention centers and other ideal but fenced areas where they could hold political rally.

The first political rally that was held in this city was on Friday by presidential aspirant Grace Poe and her running mate Francis 'Chiz' Escudero.

They held the political rally at the Astoria Regency Convention Center in Barangay Pasonanca, 5.18 kilometers north of City Hall.

4th wave infocar for IDPs kicks off

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

The fourth wave of the information caravan for internally displaced persons (IDPs) will kick off today, March 3, at the Masepla II and III transitory sites.

City Mayor Beng Climaco and representatives of member-agencies involved in the recovery initiatives for 2013-siege affected communities and residents of the City will meet with around 900 IDPs representing the families of Masepla II and III to discuss matters pertaining to the ongoing recovery process.

The fourth wave information caravan, dubbed Camp Dialogues, is an initiative of the City Government of Zamboanga together with the Communications Working Group (CWG) and the Asia Foundation. Prior to the conduct of the formal caravan, the CWG initially conducted focus group discussions to collect the baseline information that formed the basis for the present information caravan series

Expected to run for the next two to three weeks of March, the caravan will cover the 12 transitory sites and home-based IDPs.

The schedule of the information caravan is as follows: Masepla I (March 4), Buggoc and Silsillah (March 8), Lupa-lupa and Mariki (March 9), PTSI (March 10), Rio Hondo (March 11), Tulungatung (March 15), Kasanyangan (March 16), Taluksangay (March 17), and home-based IDPs (March 18).

Bio fuel plant to rise in Zamboanga City

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 2 (PNA) -– This city, if things go right as planned, will soon become a supplier of bio fuel in the world.

Three big companies namely Metro Stonerich Corporation, Van Kessel Olie and Mackay green energy has signed a joined venture contract on Sunday to formalize the partnership of what could be the biggest investment in this city.

The joint venture investment will see the establishment and construction of a plant worth USD500 million in this city. The project would generate thousands of jobs.

The joint venture agreement were signed by Eng’r. Ibrahim Nuño and Pablito Yap, Metro Stonerich Corporation president and chairman, respectively; Joan Van Kessel, owner of the Van Kessel Olie; and, Mackay green energy Chief Executive Officer James Mackay.

Metro Stonerich Corporation is a multi-million construction company while Van Kessel Olie is a multi-million energy company and Mackay green energy is the sole owner of the right on the bana grass on the world.

Nuño said the bio fuel plant is expected to be constructed on the third quarter of 2017 in one of the east coast barangays.

Nuño said the design of the bio fuel plant is still being worked.

“We are tapping experts to do the job,” Nuño added.

He said the bio fuel will be produced out of the bana grass which will be provided by the Mackay green energy.

He said the multi-million project kicked off on Saturday with the planting of bana grass in a 30-hectare lot in Barangay Panubigan, 34 kilometers east of City Hall.

They envisioned to plant bana grass on more or less 1,500 hectares of land in this city’s east coast barangays.

DOT readies new tourism development plan

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 1 (PNA) -– The Department of Tourism (DOT) is conducting focus group discussions to get inputs as the agency is drafting a six-year national tourism development plan.

DOT Regional Director Mary June Bugante told the Philippines News Agency that the plan will serve as the tourism roadmap for the next six years when the new administration assumes into office.

Bugante said the group discussion with concerned stakeholders started on Monday in this city. They discussed issues on connectivity, coordination, and human resources.

Bugante said the same activity will be held in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur; Dipolog and Dapitan Cities, Zamboanga del Norte.

She said all the inputs they will gather will be forwarded to DOT central office to be incorporated in the new National Tourism Development Plan.

The plan will be endorsed by the new DOT secretary to the President for approval.

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