Zamboanga City News March 2019

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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.

4-K enrollees expected in Zambo summer sports camp

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The city government is expecting some 4,000 enrollees in this year’s 24th Basic Sports Summer Camp, which will be held from April 6 to May 11 at the newly-rehabilitated sports complex.

Dr. Cecilia Atilano, city sports development officer, said the sports summer camp dubbed as “Learn to Play a Sports Program 2019” is open for children seven to 15 years old and is free of charge.

Atilano said those interested can visit her office at the sports complex for more information.

She said at least 26 sports discipline to choose from, including archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball, baseball, and body-building.

This year’s summer sports camp will be held at the newly-rehabilitated sports complex, which was earlier closed after it was damaged when used as the biggest evacuation center during the 2013 Zamboanga siege.

Atilano encouraged the parents and children to join the summer sports camp since there are lots of benefits to gain aside from learning to play a sport.

She said the sports camp program includes instilling self-discipline, respect for others, perseverance, and self-confidence. It also aims to keep children away from vices like illegal drugs and addiction to the use of gadgets.

The athletes who started through the summer camp and have excelled in their respective sports both in local and international competitions are Rio Olympic Silver Medalist Hidilyn Diaz; Weightlifting Olympians Nestor Colonia and Ma. Dessa Delos Santos; Jefferson Loon, Anna Seins, Raven Carandang, and Jerome Bernardo in Pencak Silat; Eumir Felix Marcial, boxing; and, Albert Jose Villaces, athletics.

Last year, a total of 3,500 children joined the summer sports camp.

Women, men join in Zambo’s ‘Purple Parade’ on Women’s Day

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) -- Women and men alike joined in the “purple parade” in the city last Friday (March 8) in commemoration of the Dia delas Mujeres (Women’s Day), in support to the advocacy to promote the rights of women and to end discrimination and abuses towards them.

Mayor Beng Climaco, who was the principal author of the Magna Carta for Women while in Congress, called on all women to continue to stand up for their rights and never allow anybody to take advantage of their femininity.

“We ask all women not to allow (themselves) to be victims of misogyny,” she said.

Those who joined in the parade from the RT Lim Boulevard towards the newly-rehabilitated grandstand include women and men from government offices, local women’s groups, the academe, religious and non-government institutions.

Meanwhile, government provided free services on March 8 at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga. These services include free haircut, massage, manicure and the like. Free HIV-AIDS screening and family planning consultation sessions were also done.

Mayor Climaco urges women to take advantage of the multi-faceted services for them, and reminded them to stand up for their rights and welfare.

There are still women in Zamboanga who are victims of abuse such as rape and violence, and even young girls are not spared. Early this year, a child was reportedly sexually molested by her own father in the west coast of the city. Authorities have been constantly reminding women to be not silent victims and immediately report any abusive act committed by their partners.

March is celebrated as Women’s Month all over the country.

BOC-Zamboanga sets P1-B ‘self-imposed’ revenue goal

By Ely Dumaboc (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is eyeing to collect PHP1 billion in tariffs and duties this year, a remarkable take-off from its earlier collection goal of less than half billion pesos.

Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr., BOC-Zamboanga district collector, described on Monday the new target as “self-imposed” and is likely to become a reality should their request for the inclusion of Zamboanga del Norte in their district is granted.

Barte said noted that Zamboanga del Norte is the home to the depots of two oil industry major players: Sea Oil and the Plying V Depots located in the towns of President Manuel Roxas and Sindangan, respectively.

Barte said the Sea Oil pays PHP400 million taxes annually while the Plying V is projected to pay PHP200 million by the end of this year when it will start importing cement products aside from oil products.

He said that at present the two oil firms pay taxes in Ozamiz City since the province of Zamboanga del Norte is under the customs district of Region 10.

“We need to get the province of Zamboanga del Norte which is part of Region 9, but is under the BOC-Ozamiz,” he said.

He said BOC-Zamboanga will become a billionaire district once Zamboanga del Norte will be placed under its jurisdiction.

Barte said he already talked to the governor and mayors of the different towns in Zamboanga del Norte to help him push for the planned transfer.

Workplace safety pushed as work-related accidents rise

By Myra Cel Espinosa (ALT/MLE/ PIA9-Zamboanga City)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) -- Enforcement of the law on workplaces is not enough to protect the Filipino workers, but building a culture and holistic approach on occupational safety and health is needed, said Maria Beatriz Villanueva, Chief of Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Health Control Division.

“We want to quickly respond to the needs of the workers,” she added.

The compliance rate of companies in the Philippines has been decreasing over the past five years, and accidents in work have been increasing. With the statistics, OSHC wanted to spread awareness to workers for them to be able to know their rights.

A public information campaign on Republic Act 11058 or the law on the standards on occupational safety and health was held in Zamboanga City last Friday (March 1). About 300 participants and workers from different companies attended the campaign.

Vision 1-million Program is the centerpiece program of OSHC that began last 2018 which aims to increase the number of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) advocates or OSH champions.

The program will continue to create and raise awareness, understanding and passion for OSH among Filipinos. Increasing the number of OSH advocates will help achieve decent work and accident and illness free-workplaces in the Philippines, said Villanueva.

Villanueva expressed it is important that the company is ready to respond to emergencies. “The place of work should be safe and will be able to comply with the needs of the workers,” she added.

Furthermore, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) together with OSHC launches the 11th Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan, an award that will be given by DOLE to companies and individuals with outstanding occupational safety and health practices, programs, innovations and contributions.

“We are looking at every individual as our partner towards safe and healthy workplaces in the country,” Villanueva said.

Hajj for Filipino Muslims made more comfortable,cheaper

By Myra Cel Espinosa (ALT/MLE/ PIA9-Zamboanga City)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) -- The Muslim communities of Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are glad to know that the Hajj or Muslims’ Pilgrimage to Mecca is now made more affordable for Filipinos starting this year, through the initiatives of President Rodrigo Duterte.

National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan confirmed during the Hajj Awareness Conference recently held in Zamboanga City that the process and payment for hajj are made easier for the pilgrims, with the support of other government offices.

“We worked hard to give our pilgrims a much improved Hajj experience and affordable airfare,” Pangarungan said.

Unlike the previous years, significant reduction on Hajj fees were made with a new airline plying the Philippine-Mecca route that reduced airfare costs. A pilgrim will enjoy savings of Php11,664 up to Php30,214.

The NCMF assures that the Filipino Muslim pilgrims will not anymore be billeted in substandard accommodations, but in either 4-star or 5-star hotels.

Meanwhile, only the Philippines did not increase hajj fees compared to other countries. The Philippine government raised such concerns during the Hajj conferences.

One of the Hajj leaders requested from the government to give consideration on the processes needed by the pilgrims highlighting that “the hajj is one of the desires of every Filipino Muslim” to experience the holistic journey to the home of Allah to execute their rituals during the pilgrimage.

Concerned agencies assured that they will prioritize the processing of requirements needed by the pilgrims to avoid delays.

Secretary Pangaruhan said, “we are providing all the assistance to our stakeholders and partner agencies to improve the services.”

In Region 9, there are already more than a hundred registered Filipino Muslims for this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca. The deadline for registration is on March 20, 2019. NCMF region 9 is giving full assistance to the pilgrims including responding to inquiries .

Mayor seeks Duterte’s help in airport runway rehab

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

MAYOR Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has asked the assistance of President Rodrigo Duterte for the repair of the Zamboanga International Airport runway to accommodate highly maintained aircrafts.

Salazar said she relayed this concern to the Chief Executive during the security meeting at the Edwin Andrews Air Base before President Duterte led the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) rally last March 3 at the Mayor Agan coliseum in Tetuan village.

She said the President agreed with her idea to have the airport runway smoothened so that the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 fighter jet could land here. The FA-50 was used during the Marawi siege.

“However, in the city of Zamboanga, we need to really smoothen the runway because aircraft such as FA-50 is a highly maintained equipment of the PAF and it is really our wish with Pres. Duterte,” the mayor said.

During the same meeting, Salazar said she asked the President and high ranking military officers for the maintenance of two battalions of marines and army in this city.

This, she said, is a proactive measure, given that the situation in this part of the region is highly volatile.

“This is a concrete solution that we have started after the 2013 siege and for the future of Zamboanga City,” Salazar said.

“This component will help the police and must really be put in place,” she said.

Another important issue the mayor brought out in her meeting with President Duterte was the accomplishments of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement units in the fight against illegal drugs.

Zamboanga City placed under state of calamity

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The City Council Tuesday passed a resolution placing this city under a state of calamity to cushion the effects of the prolonged dry spell.

The state of calamity declaration was based on the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) to declare this city under state of calamity.

Councilor Teodyver Arquiza, who authored the resolution, said the prolonged dry spell was due to the “weak” El Niño weather phenomenon based on the forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Arquiza, the chairperson of the City Council’s committee on disaster, presented photographs of dried-up rivers as he convinced other City Council members to support the declaration, which was unanimously approved.

Councilor Jihan Edding, chaiperson of the City Council’s committee on agriculture, said that 55.1 hectares of rice valued at PHP1.2 million have been damaged due to the drought.

Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head, said the city government can now use the PHP13 million Quick Reaction Fund (QRF) with the declaration of the state of calamity

Apolinario said the QRF will be spent as follows: animal and zoological supplies, PHP2 million; food-for-work program, PHP1 million; drugs and medicine, PHP500,000; alternate crop planting materials like vegetable seeds, including fisheries, PHP3 million; conduct of cloud seeding operations, PHP500,000; lease of water tankers, PHP2 million; lease of equipment, PHP2 million; fuel and lubricants, PHP2 million; information and education, PHP500,000.

Zamboanga Q4 surge shuts down Imus

By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno (PNA)

MANILA — Zamboanga Rapidos stifled Imus Bandera in the fourth quarter to walk away with an 83-78 win in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the STRIKE Gymnasium in Bacoor on Monday night.

The Rapidos went on a huge 11-0 run midway in the final frame to take a 79-70 lead with 2:40 to play and quickly countered the Bandera's late push.

JP Manansala still made things interesting as he scored five straight points to trim the lead down to four, 82-78, but a bit too late with only 4.6 seconds left in the game.

Reed Juntilla made 22 points, six rebounds, and one assist off the bench for Zamboanga, which scored its fourth straight win and moved back to .500 at 12-12, momentarily overtaking Bacoor City, which is hosting GenSan as of posting for fifth place in the Southern Division.

More importantly, the win put the Rapidos in a good position to even snatch the fourth seed away from the Warriors, especially if they lose to the Strikers.

Harold Arboleda went 4-for-5 from long range and finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

Ryan Buenafe came close to his own double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds with three assists, one steal, and one block.

Manansala and Jonathan Rivera each scored 13 markers for Imus, which dropped to 10-14, putting the team in danger of an early first round meeting with top-seed Davao Occidental in the playoffs should it lose to Mandaluyong next Monday.

One city, two mayors? Duterte endorses Lobregat, Climaco in Zamboanga

By Camille Elemia (Rappler.com)

MANILA, Philippines – Which is which? President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, March 3, endorsed two opposing mayoralty candidates in Zamboanga City, sparking public confusion.

Duterte raised the hands of outgoing Zamboanga City Representative Celso Lobregat and reelectionist Mayor Beng Climaco Salazar in two separate events in town.

Duterte endorsed Lobregat during a rally for PDP-Laban senatorial bets and guest candidates. He endorsed Climaco after a security briefing at the Edwin Andrews Air Base.

Lobregat is a member of PDP-Laban, where Duterte is chairman, while Climaco is a member of the Liberal Party. Climaco is running under the coalition of Partido Prosperidad y Amor para na Zamboanga (PAZ).

Both candidates thanked Duterte for his support.

In his official Facebook page, Lobregat posted photos with Duterte and a statement of gratitude.

“Thank you very much, muchisimas gracias and daghan salamat to President Duterte for your support and endorsement,” Lobregat said.

Duterte also endorsed Lobregat’s running mate Mel Sadain, 1st district congressional candidate Jomar Lobregat, and 2nd district congressional bet Lilia Nuño.

Climaco, for her part, also posted a photo of Duterte raising her hand. In his speech during the rally, Duterte said Climaco is his “friend.”

“[She] thanks President Rodrigo Duterte for his endorsement to her third term re- election bid as Mayor of Zamboanga City,” the caption of the photo said.

PDP-Laban vs LP?

Asked for comment, PDP-Laban maintained Lobregat is the official candidate of the party.

PDP-Laban campaign spokesman Ron Munsayac said he has not yet seen Duterte’s photo with Climaco.

“It was very clear that PRRD endorsed Cong. Celso Lobregat and the PDP Laban slate in Zamboanga City during the party's campaign rally in Zamboanga City last night. Cong. Lobregat is the official candidate of the PDP Laban wherein PRRD is the Chairman,” Munsayac told Rappler.

“I haven't seen the photo that [Duterte] was raising Mayor Climaco's hand but one thing is for sure, she's a stalwart and official of the Liberal Party, the current opposition party that has constantly criticized the President and his administration,” he added.

Lobregat is the son of the late mayor and Marcos ally Maria Clara Lobregat, while Climaco Salazar is the niece of former mayor Cesar Climaco, who defeated the elder Lobregat in the 1984 Batasan Pambansa elections.

PRRD endorses Zambo PDP-Laban candidates

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr. (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- President Rodrigo Duterte has officially endorsed the local candidates of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) here for the forthcoming May 13 elections.

Duterte made the endorsement shortly after midnight Monday when the grand rally of the PDP-Laban, held at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Barangay Tetuan, ended.

The grand rally was attended not only by the local PDP-Laban slate but by the ruling party’s candidates from nearby provinces as the PDP-Laban senatorial slate barnstormed this city on Sunday.

The PDP-Laban local candidates are as follows: Rep. Celso Lobregat, mayor; lawyer Melchor Rey Sadain, vice-mayor; businessman Jomar Lobregat, first district representative; and, Lilia Nuño, second district representative.

The council slate in the first district includes Luis Biel; Councilor Marxander Jaime Cabato; Sinunuc Village chairperson Pilarica Ledesma; Councilor Rodolfo Lim; Councilor Joselito Macrohon; Ayala Barangay Councilor Khymer Olaso; Haj Sandag; and Rogelio Valesco.

In the second district, the candidates for councilors are Richard Mariano; Councilor Benjamin Guingona IV; Councilor Miguel Alavar III; Councilor Lilibeth Nuño-Belloso; Vincent Paul Elago; Marlon Simbajon; Culianan Barangay Councilor Mark Saavedra; and Lumayang Barangay Councilor Frederick Atilano.

Duterte described Lobregat as hardworking and meticulous in every issue being discussed. Both were members of the 11th Congress.

“He is almost to a pedantic level,” the President said, adding that Lobregat is a formidable candidate.

The PDP-Laban’s grand rally, the fourth to be held in the country, was attended by thousands of supporters of the party.

The first three PDP-Laban grand rallies were held in Bulacan, Laguna, and Cebu.

The PDL-Laban senatorial bets are Zajid Mangudadatu, Ronald dela Rosa, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, and Francis Tolentino.

The guest candidates, on the other hand, are Senators Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, Ilocos Gov. Imee Marcos, singer Freddie Aguilar, and former DILG Sec. Rafael Alunan III.

Mayor: Sports complex now open to public

By BONG GARCIA (SunStar Philippines)

THE Zamboanga City Government announced Friday, March 1, that the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, commonly known as grandstand, is now open to the public.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar that effective Wednesday, February 27, the operating hours of the sports complex will be from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

The sports complex was re-opened on Tuesday, February 26, in time for the 82nd Charter Day celebration of Zamboanga City.

The sports complex has undergone repair and rehabilitation since it was damaged when the facility was used as the biggest evacuation center during the 21-day 2013 Zamboanga siege.

The siege, which broke out on September 9, 2013, has displaced some 120,000 people, most of whom were housed at the sports complex.

Salazar said policemen are deployed to secure the sports complex primarily for early morning joggers.

She added that unless amended, the fees and rates for the use of the grandstand, as set under Ordinance 2011-160, remain in effect.

Zambo City cops nab couple in P2.7-M drug haul

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr. and Ely Dumaboc (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The local police made a big haul anew in its campaign against illegal drugs when they arrested a couple and seized some PHP2.7 million worth of suspected shabu in this city, an official said Friday.

Police Captain Shellamie Chang, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) information officer, identified the arrested suspects as Entasil Kamdon, 40, a businessman; and, his wife, Meriam, 37.

Chang said the suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation around 12:05 a.m. Friday in Barangay Talon-Talon. It was carried out by the operatives of the Police Station 6 and 904th Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-9 (RMFB-9) following days of surveillance on the illegal drug trade of the couple.

The arresting team confiscated from the suspects some PHP2.7 million worth of suspected shabu packed in eight plastic sachets.

Chang said the suspects have been detained while charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) commended on Friday the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 9 and ZCPO for the series of successful buy-bust operations that resulted in the arrest of high-value targets and confiscation of about 6.25 kilos of shabu during the first two months of the year.

PDEA-9 reported that for the months of January and February alone, they confiscated a total of 6.25 kilos of shabu valued at PHP42.5 million.

ZCPO, meanwhile, conducted 173 operations which resulted in the arrest of 216 drug personalities and the confiscation of 5.6 kilograms of shabu in the same period.

BOC intensifies campaign vs. smuggling in Zamboanga City

By Nonoy Lacson

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has stepped up its campaign against smuggling of imported goods into this city from Sabah, Malaysia and BaSulTa or the Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces.

BOC Zamboanga City District Collector Segundo Z. Barte, Jr. said Tuesday the BOC police, together with elements of the Philippine Coast Guard and Task Force Zamboanga, have started to board vessels that arrive here coming from Malaysia and BaSulTa.

Barte said he personally led the composite team of authorities in a daily morning inspection of boats, particularly those coming from Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“I personally led the team in the early morning inspection of passenger and cargo vessels that arrived here from Sulu and Tawi-Tawi for possible presence of smuggled goods such as rice and sugar including cigarettes,” Barte told newsmen here.

He said it was one way of eliminating the transportation of imported goods to this city by smugglers.

Barte said he also talked with boat captain and has informed them of the consequences should they allow the loading of imported or smuggled goods in their vessels.

“I talked with the boat captains serving the BaSulTa and Malaysia routes and informed them that their vessel can be detained and fine by BOC should they allow the loading into their vessel smuggled imported goods particularly sugar and cigarettes,” Barte said.

Barte vowed conduct a no non-sense drive against smuggling of imported goods in this city to free or minimize the arrival of imported goods.

Barte said his drive against smuggling was in compliance with a directive from BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Earlier, Barte ordered destroyed 142 cases of imported cigarettes worth P4,409,000 million, which the agency confiscated from a commercial vessel that arrived here from Jolo in Sulu.

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