Zamboanga City News May 2014

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

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.

City releases Spes beneficiaries’ salaries

By Bong Garcia

CITY Social Welfare and Development Officer Socorro Roxas announced that the first batch of students employed through the Special Program for the Employment of Students (Spes) this year may start claiming their salaries.

Roxas made the announcement citing the City Government has start releasing on Thursday the salaries of the SPES beneficiaries.

Roxas advised the beneficiaries to first secure a certification from her office before proceeding to the City Treasurer’s Office to claim their salaries.

Roxas said the first batch of Spes beneficiaries comprises of 1,318 college students who worked from April 10 to May 8.

The second batch of beneficiaries comprising of 1,271 high school students started working in May 9.

Each of them received a daily salary of P280 or for a total of P5,600 for the 20 days work.

They helped in the barangay cleanliness and beautification program, updating of barangay profile/census, simple clerical jobs in local government offices, janitorial activities, carpentry works, and other non-hazardous activities for students.

Spes is jointly implemented by the local government units and the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) aimed to help the children of poor families earn money during summer vacation for their studies

The local government shouldered 60 percent of each of the Spes beneficiaries’ salary while the remaining 40 percent of the salary by Dole.

The City Government has set aside P9 million while Dole allocated P7 million for this year’s Spes in the region.

100 displaced residents undergo livelihood training

By Bong Garcia

ABOUT a hundred individuals who were displaced by the September 2013 siege in Zamboanga City are set to graduate next week from a month-long livelihood skills training, an official announced.

The siege started when hundreds of so-called Misuari faction Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated the city on September 9, 2013, displacing thousands of people.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Ma. Soccoro Roxas said the livelihood skills training include carpentry, plumbing, food processing and/or wellness/cosmetology.

Roxas said the livelihood training is aimed to provide skills to enable them to earn on their own to start a new life.

Roxas said the livelihood skills training is jointly conducted by the CSWDO and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The training is being held at the covered court in Barangay Tulungatung, and those who are undergoing training are housed at the transitory site in the area.

Roxas said that Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar will lead the graduation rites of the IDPs that is scheduled to be held on Wednesday. It will coincide with the distribution of starter kits.

The starter kits will enable them to start a living, Roxas said.

RDC-9 holds ASEAN Economic Community Forum

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao (FPG/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 29 (PIA) – The Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 conducted a forum on ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) on Tuesday to enlighten all stakeholders in the region on the 2015 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration.

RDC-9 Acting Chairperson, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-9 Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 OIC-Regional Director Dr. Sitti Amina M. Jain brought in four experts in trade and economics to help participants better comprehend the “ASEAN Integration.”

First to speak was DTI-Bureau of Export Trade Promotion Director Senen M. Perlada who gave the ASEAN Integration overview and the country’s Free Trade Agreements with neighbouring ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries; the benefits of that these agreements bring not just to the country but to the region in general.

DTI Assistant Secretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo followed, focusing on Advancing Philippine Engagement in AEC and Enhancing Philippine Competitiveness, Empowering Business.

Rodolfo, head of the DTI’s Industry Development and Trade Policy Group, said, “ASEAN 2015 is a continuing process, a journey, and an evolution rather than a revolution. This goes beyond 2015.”

He said ASEAN 2015 envisions a united ASEAN where 10 countries work as one to become a very competitive region in the world economy by becoming a single market and production base. This will also bring equitable economic development in the region.

Dr. Erlinda M. Medalla of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), on the other hand, talked about achieving AEC 2015 through Trade Liberalization and Facilitation, and was followed by Dr. Adoracion Navarro, also of PIDS, touching on Infrastructure and Logistics as the country moves towards AEC 2015.

Dr. Navarro revealed that there is much to be done in terms of infrastructure and facilities in the country. She mentioned the need to improve seaports here in Mindanao as it is nearer to the BIMP-EAGA region. She said Cambodia has better infrastructure and facilities than the Philippines and this should serve as motivation to upgrade the country’s facility to meet all challenges of AEC integration.

Present during the forum are the business sector leaders, local chief executives and concerned government agencies in the region.

DOH IX conducts maternal newborn health and nutrition summit in Zambo

By Hader Glang

Local health officials, nurses and representatives from the medical profession within the Zamboanga Peninsula gathered for Maternal Newborn Child Health and Nutrition Summit yesterday at the Grand Astoria Hotel in this city.

The the summit was participated in by cities of Zamboanga, Dipolog, Dapitan, and Isabela (Basilan), as well as the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte.

Its theme is “Unparalleled Partnership: A Platform for Performance Productivity of Priority Programs on Health in Zamboanga Peninisula.”

Dr. Nimfa B. Torrizo, Regional Director of DOH IX, said the activity is one of the strategies of President Aquino administration’s health agenda, the so “Kalusugang Pangkahalatan which aims to achieve universal health care for all. Filipinos.

“We’re dealing with three strategies - upgrading of facilities as well as coverage of patient especially the poor in delivering quality service for better health outcome responsive health system with clients’ satisfaction,” she said.

Dr, Torrizo expressed the DOH IX’s determination to reduce the number of maternal deaths, deaths of children before 5-years old, to increase the number of women or their partners who practice any form of contraception.

She is also determined to increase the number of households with access to improve water sources and with sanitary toilet facilities, increase the enrollment and coverage rate of the social health insurance and improve the nutrition status among children.

“As we have said our mandate is to deliver quality service in order for us to attain to deliver an outcome better health outcome , responsive health system in terms of governance and housekeeping with transparency and accountability,” the DOH IX chief added.

“We also have to consider the benefits of the poor, financial risk protection of the poor especially those in the hinterlands. So doing that the clients or the beneficiaries would say that they’re really being provided with the services that they need according to their health package.”

Describing that Zamboanga Peninsula is practically implementing well, Torrizzo said they’re we are now at the level in trying to cope up with the anti-hunger mitigation and poverty alleviation and are providing services in terms of complimentation-coverage of the children.

“We are very responsive because we’re implementing this provincewide as well as citywide development plan for health. At the end we are crafting plans based on their needs in terms of health then we have to provide assistance.”

According to Torrizo, the DOH local offices will just provide technical, financial and logistic assistance to beneficiareis so they are those resposible in terms of developing the plan and in implementing the programs.

“We have different educators from 2014 to 2016. So year by year we are implementing the program and we are conducting mid year as well as annual, mid end review so with that we are implementing the vision, strategies service component by the end of 2016 we will be able to attain that goal,” she said.

Topics discussed at yesterday’s summit were Millennium Development Goal; Our Status in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Achieving Maternal and Newborn Health Thru Strengthened Implementation of Kalusugan Pangkalahatan DOH Thrust’s, DSWD’s 4Ps; A Pernetrship in Service Delivery.

Other topics were Reduction in Maternal Mortality: A Commitment and A Political Will, The Zamboanga City Medical Center; A BeMONC and CeMNC Training Institution in Region 9, Ang Bahay ni Nanay; An LGU Experience in Improving Maternal and Newborn Health.

Today’s summit will discuss on topics about Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (EINC); A component of Health Care Integral in Newborn and Child Survival; Ensuring Maternal, Infant and Child Survival in Natural Calamities and Man-made Disasters; Imporving Facility-Based Delivery in RHU and BHS BeMONC; Manukan Municipality and Barangay Don Jose Aguirre; Empowering the MHO in OB Emergencies and Beyond thru Tunog ni Nanay, Tunog ng Buhay Davao Regional Hospital Initiative; and Wireless Access to Health; the RHU Experience.

DPWH completes P9.23-M projects; lines up P254-M projects for Zamboanga City this year

By R.G. Go

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the implementation of three infrastructure projects worth P9.23 million in this city.

This was disclosed in an interview with DPWH District Engineer Cholie Roble who said the agency has lined up this year 21 infrastructure projects worth P254 million for this city.

Roble said the three completed projects are the Zamboanga-Labuan-Limpapa road asphalt overlay, P3.24 million; upgrading of the damaged paved national road in Barangay Malagutay worth P1.53 million, Phase 1; and P4.45 million, Phase 2.

Roble said the other projects include the widening of the Zamboanga City-Labuan to Limpapa road between the barangays of Ayala and Talisayan, asphalt overlay of the other sections of the Zamboanga-Labuan highway and the construction of the bridge in Barangay Maasin.

Roble said that all of the projects they have lined up are targeted to be completed before the end of this year.

She assured that all of the infrastructure projects being implemented by the agency are in accordance to specified standards.

These projects include roads, bridges and school buildings.

In line with the thrust of the national government, Robel said they will ensure that all infrastructure projects are disaster resilient.

Zambo observes National Flag Day

By Sheila Covarrubias

Zamboanga City joins the observance of National Flag Day today in commemoration of the Battle of Alapan in 1898 when the first Philippine flag was first hoisted in Cavite.

Spearheaded by the Knights of Columbus or Caballeros de Colon in coordination with the Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar Assembly, Pope John Paul Assembly, Mt. Carmel Assembly, Penafrancia Assembly – the fourth degree in the Philippines, the flag day activity will begin with a parade from Ledesma Street (fronting PLDT) to City Hall at 6:30am to be followed by the flag raising ceremony and program at 8am at the Rizal Park fronting City Hall.

Mayor Beng Climaco, to be represented by City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. will be the keynote speaker during the program.

The program will be opened by Sir Knight (SK) Efren Santos, Faithful Navigator of the St. Paul Assembly followed by the acknowledgement of the participating councils and guests and the introduction of the guest speaker by SK Jose Tan, District Master.

Orendain in his message, is expected to cite the significance of the event to the present day situation. The program will be capped by the presentation of the certificate of appreciation and closing remarks by SK Victor Liozo Jr., faithful navigator of the Nuestra Senora Virgen del Pilar Assembly.

National Flag Day commemorates the Battle of Alapan on May 28, 1898 when the national flag was first unfurled in an uprising led by General Emilio Aguinaldo in Imus, Cavite and culminates on June 12 when the Philippine flag was waved in full view of the world following the formal proclamation of independence in Kawit, Cavite.

Residents are encouraged to display the Philippine Flag in their residences, places of work, institutions of learning, public buildings and plazas. Displaying the flag will be until June 12, Independence Day.

Section 26 of Republic Act No. 8491 also known as the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,” orders all offices and public venues to display replicas of the flag.

Gift giving advocacy to IDPs

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

Westmincom in partnership with ABS-CBN Bantay Bata 163 Davao and Sagip Kapamilya-Zamboanga organized on May 9, 2014, a “Gift Giving and Advocacy” program for internally displaced persons (IDPs) relocated at Upper Calarian and Tulungatong Bunk houses through donated relief goods from Davao City.

The ABS CBN Bantay Bata 163 Davao donated relief goods consisting of non foods and food items as follows: seventy-five (75) boxes of shampoo, seventy-five (75) boxes of conditioner, about thirty (30) sacks of food packs, twenty (20) sacks used clothes, and six (6) boxes of medicines.

Lt General Rustico O Guerrero AFP, Commander, Western Mindanao Command, spearheaded the turn-over of donations to respective Officer In Charge of Community Social Work of PTSI-Transitory Site, Upper Calarian and Tulungatong. Also, present during the activity are the WestMinCom staff officers together with the Chairman and Officers of PTSI Upper Calarian and Tulungatong Bunk Houses.

Westmincom holds summer sports clinic for children

(PNA), JBP/TPGJR/PJN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 24 (PNA) -- A total of 158 children have completed a month-long Summer Sports Clinic conducted by the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in this city.

Westmincom information officer Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela said those who have undergone the sports clinic are children of military and civilian employees of Westmincom.

Muyuela said the participants were divided into three groups namely: Eagle (Yellow); Dragon (Blue); and, Bull (Green) wherein they competed in different sports events.

Muyuela said the sports clinic was aimed to hone the sports ability of the children in different types of events like swimming, basketball and badminton.

She said the activity was conducted not only for the kids to compete but rather educate them on the significances of a healthy lifestyle through sports activity as well as teaching them team work and friendship.

The participants were awarded certificate of participation and a t-shirt as token.

The sports clinic was spearheaded by Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero and Major Ombra Arip, the Command Special Service Officer.

4,290 tourists visited Greater Sta. Cruz Island

By R.G. Antonet A. Go [(PNA), FPV/TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO/JSD]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 23 (PNA) – The City Tourism Office here has recorded a total of 4,290 tourists, both foreigners and locals, who visited the Greater Sta. Cruz Island since January this year.

City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian-Hernandez made this announcement Friday citing the month of April registered the highest number of tourists--1,959--to have visited the island.

Hernandez said the number of tourists that visited Greater Sta. Cruz Island the past months are as follows: January, 742; February, 663; and March, 926.

Hernandez said that most of the tourists are interested to visit the Greater Sta. Island as they are curious to see the pink sand beach of the island.

The Greater Sta. Cruz Island, which is just 15 to 20 minutes ride away by small boat, boasts of its pink sand beach.

Hernandez said tourists, both foreign and local, like to visit the Island because of the good ambiance for gathering, clean water, and easy access.

Meanwhile, she said that the number of tourists visiting the Greater Sta. Cruz Island is expected to further increase once the construction of facilities is completed.

Among the facilities that are being constructed are a pavilion, rest rooms, administration building, business stalls, mini-wharf and utilities such as light and water.

Zamboanga City supports inclusion of entrepreneurship program in high school

(PNA), LAM/TPGJR/RGAAGO/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 22 (PNA) -– The City Council, in its recent regular session, has passed a resolution expressing support to the inclusion of entrepreneurship module in the high school curriculum.

The resolution is in support to the Senate Bill 147 filed by Senator Cynthia Villar that seeks to require the inclusion of entrepreneurship as a separate subject in high school.

In an interview, Councilor Miguel Alavar, III, author of the resolution, believes the entrepreneurship program could help solve problems on unemployment and poverty.

Alavar said the students, especially those who are not interested in pursuing college, will not end up jobless as they will have an option and knowledge to venture into business.

Alavar said the inclusion of the entrepreneurship subject is timely with the implementation of the K to 12 Program by the Department of Education (DepEd).

He noted that the senior high school or the Grades 11 and 12 provides the students the privilege of selecting their field of specialization such as pre-college education, vocational, arts and sports education or further study in college.

The Alavar-sponsored resolution was unanimously approved by the City Council in its regular session Tuesday.

Council asks Zambo Congressmen to protect remaining watersheds

By Liza Jocson

The City Council has passed a resolution asking the City's two Congressional Representatives to exert efforts in declaring four other proposed watersheds in the city as protected areas.

The august body however decided to refer another resolution authored by Councilor Josephine Pareja to include in the resolution more than 20,000 hectares located in Vitali adjacent to the grounds granted by the DENR to Atro mining company for exploration and mining.

The matter was forwarded to the Committee on Environment chaired by Councilor Charlie Mariano for further study.

The first resolution, authored by Councilor Mel SAdain seeks to have four other watershed areas in Curuan, Bolong Manicahan and Ayala declared as protected watershed areas backed up by pertinent laws in Congress.

Sadain said the resolution aims to address issues relative to mining operations in these areas which gave rise to contrasting decisions between the national goverment through the DENR and the local government.

Out of 21,000 hectares in Vitali considered as protected area, only 344 is occupied by Atro mining corporation. The rest however, the subject of the proposed resolution by Pareja, has yet to be declared officially as watershed area.

The resolutions were proposed following differences between the city council and city hall on the operations of Atro mining company in Vitali district.

Atro Mining Company failed to get a business permit from city hall for its operations in Vitali district for reportedly conducting its operations within an area considered as watershed. This despite a move by the DENR to grant the application of the mining company.

On the other hand, the City council recently passed a resolution expressing no objection to operations being conducted by Atro Mining in Vitali.

Brigada Eskwela focuses on safety, disaster preparedness

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

The Brigada Eskwela, the annual back-to-school campaign of the Department of Education (DepEd), will focus on safety and disaster preparedness this year as schools all over the City begin the arrangements for the opening of schools in June.

In his update during the regular press briefing Monday, May 19, Division of City Schools Acting Superintendent Pete Melchor Natividad said that under the overarching theme of “Making Our Schools Safer”, the 2014 Brigada Eskwela is a response to the different disasters last year which wreaked havoc not only in Zamboanga City but in other parts of the nation as well.

Aside from the usual repair and cleanup activities, a focal point of this year’s Brigada will involve the assessment and setting up of safety structures in schools. This will include the checking of electrical connections to avoid faulty wirings, clearing of drainage systems especially in schools that are flood-prone, setting up of classroom furniture properly to avoid accidents, and posting of appropriate safety and warning signs.

According to Natividad, the national thrust for safety and disaster preparedness also coincides with the City School’s own advocacy of “Mas Alegre na Eskwela”, which seeks to make schools child-friendly. He added that while their advocacy is simple, its implications, if properly implemented and collaboratively carried out, are extensive and far-reaching.

“If the children find their school a happier place to go every day, we will have improvement in enrollment and participation. While they are in the school and they are happy with the way teachers are carrying their tasks and helping them learn in the school, that will also prevent dropout, thereby improving our dropout and cohort survival rates,” emphasized Natividad.

Opportunities for learning and academic achievement will also be provided in schools which will lead to high completion rates and less idle minds, he added.

In addition to the regular Brigada Eskwela activities, DepEd also advocates collaborative Brigada Eskwela, an initiative wherein the City Schools Division adopt schools which are in dire need of help.

For their part, the Zamboanga City Schools Division will be assisting the Sta. Barbara Central School, which will be opening at the Zamboanga City East and West Central School, and the Mariki Elementary School, which will open at the Baliwasan Central School Campus.

The Division has extended the said schools financial support for the construction of fences and other infrastructures. For Mariki ES, the Baliwasan Central School has provided 9 classrooms for their use while the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) provided two makeshift classrooms with chairs and electrical connection.

Meanwhile, the Sta. Barbara ES will be utilizing 20 classrooms for its students, courtesy of the Zamboanga City East and West Central School, with an additional three makeshift classrooms provided by UNICEF.

“With these, we are hoping that we are bringing normalcy to the education of our Sta. Barbara CS and Mariki ES communities,” said Natividad.

The Brigada Eskwela is a week-long initiative which will run from May 19-24. It aims to encourage colunteers from the government, private sector, and community in the cleanup and repair of classrooms, and other school facilities in preparation for the school opening.

Social Welfare Office prioritizes transfer of IDPs from Zambo schools

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 19 (PNA) – The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is prioritizing the transfer of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to the transitory sites from schools in time for the opening of classes next month.

CSWDO head Ma. Socorro Rojas said Monday they are prioritizing the transfer since it is the commitment of the city government to clear the schools of IDPs by May 30.

Rojas said they will refocus on social preparation citing “we really need to clean the schools” for the facilities to use by the students.

She said that at present there are still 300 IDP-families occupying several rooms in three public schools in this city.

She said these are the Talon-Talon Elementary and National High Schools and the Zamboanga East Central School.

She said they will be transferred once the construction of all of the bunkhouses will be completed in Sitio Masepla, Barangay Mampang.

Meanwhile, Rojas said they will also join in the conduct of the Brigada Eskwela of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Rojas said they will inspect and to make the necessary repairs in schools that were used as evacuation centers.

“We have to clean the schools and assess the damages to make the needed repairs,” she said.

Brigada Eskwela set this Monday in Zambo

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

The Zamboanga City Schools Division announces the conduct of the National Schools Maintenance Week or Brigada Eskwela, with the theme “Making our Schools Safer” on May 19-24, 2014.

It is the Department of Education’s undertaking in bringing together teachers, parents, the community and stakeholders to do clean up and repairs in public schools to prepare the facilities for the opening of classes in June.

Stakeholders contribute their time, effort and resources in ensuring that public school facilities are set in time for the forthcoming school opening. It has brought about remarkable results in the spirit of volunteerism in rehabilitating school facilities in the past years. This year, Zamboanga City Division will continue its effort to sustain this endeavour and will focus on making the schools disaster ready and will develop disaster resilient schools. This is to ease the schools’ vulnerability to both natural and human made disasters.

The activity will commence with a motorcade on Monday, May 19, 2014 at 6:30am from the Division Office which will end in two different points for the kick-off ceremonies.

• West Coast: From the Division Office to Governor Camins Avenue-Sta. Maria-Gov. Ramos Avenue and will end at Sta. Catalina Vda. de Jalon ES to be led by OIC-Schools Division Superintendent, Pedro Melchor M. Natividad.

• East Coast: From the Division Office to: Gov. Camins Avenue-Veterans Avenue-Don Alfaro Street and will end at ZCHS-Main to be led by OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Julieto H. Fernandez.

Everyone is invited —stakeholders from private organizations, national and local government agencies, organizations and foundations —to join in this effort to share their time and resources in kind, especially those that were used as evacuation centers during the siege and typhoon.

6th Dia di Gen. Vicente Alvarez set tomorrow

By Sheila Covarrubias

Zamboangueño revolutionary hero Gen. Vicente Alvarez will be feted tomorrow, May 18 in a simple yet meaningful program organized by the City Government by virtue of a city ordinance.

Dubbed as Dia di General Vicente Alvarez, the special event will mark the day when Alvarez led the fight for sovereignty resulting to the surrender of Spanish forces led by Gov. General Diego de los Rios on May 18, 1899 at Fort Pilar. It is now the 6th year since the commemoration was institutionalized.

The commemoration activities will kick off with a wreath-laying ceremony at 4pm at the Plaza Gen. Vicente Alvarez (fronting Jollibee-Pershing) to be led by Mayor Beng Climaco and Congresspersons Celso Lobregat and Lilia Nuño.

From the plaza, the event will move to the City Hall lobby at 4:15 where a brief program to be highlighted by oratorical presentations on the life of Gen. Alvarez by two college students—Eunice Canoy, a BEED-SPED student from Western Mindanao State University and Rovic John Eslao, a BEED student of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Mayor Climaco will talk about the significance of the observance while Georgina Alvarez de los Reyes, a great grand daughter of Gen. Alvarez will give the response.

Part III of the activity will be the commemorative mass at the Fort Pilar Shrine at 5pm.

The observance of Dia di General Vicente Alvarez is pursuant to City Ordinance 334 naming Plaza Roma situated at the Corner of Don Pablo Lorenzo St., Zaragoza St., and Gen. Alvarez St. as Plaza Vicente S. Alvarez and setting May 18 of every year as Dia de Gen. Vicente S. Alvarez in recognition of his feats.

The observance is intended to drum up awareness on the contributions and the heroism of Alvarez.

OWWA-9 holds 2-day training for OFWs

(Zamboanga Times)

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Region-9 conducted a 2-day Entrepreneurship Development Training and Organizational Development Training for Overseas Filipino Workers at Lutong Pinoy Resort and Restaurant, Tugbungan, this city.

The training which started 8 o’clock of Friday morning was participated by 80 OFWs coming from different parts of the region.

Different modules were discussed by OWWA-9 and its partner institutions during the 2-day training such as Business Registration and Champion Products which was facilitated by the Department of Trade and Industry, Financial Literacy Training facilitated by LandBank of the Philippines and Orientation on OWWA’s Programs and Services.

Leonilo Y. Daymiel, Head of the Programs and Services Division of OWWA-9 said that the training is intended for OFWs and their beneficiaries who wish to avail of the programs and services under the National Reintegration Centre for OFWs.

Regional Director of OWWA-9, Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain, expressed his pride for the OFWs who have been greatly contributing to the economy of the country.

“Filipinos are very hard-working people. In fact, Filipino workers are in over 200 countries across the globe. So it is just right that we give priority in helping these people who are considered to be the new heroes of this country,” Jumdain said.

On Day 2 of the training, Director Jumdain found time to be with the OFWs and dependents and have shared valuable insights about the benefits of being an OWWA member. The participants of the training had the chance to ask questions and raise their concerns directly to the Regional Director which the latter gracefully and comprehensively answered.

Consequently, an election of new set of officers for OFCs was conducted as a culminating activity of the 2-day event.

On the same day, prior to attending the training, Director Jumdain attended a commencement exercise of one of the computer technology institutions in the city, CADDNET, as the school’s Guest Speaker. In his speech, he posits the importance of acquiring skills in landing a better employment in the global arena and has encouraged the graduates not to be afraid of committing mistakes and learn from it.

To date, the OWWA-9 already has eighty seven (87) scholars who have graduated at the said educational institution and most of which are now working abroad.

“Project Notebook” for children of J.O. employees, street sweepers

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Close to 70 used notebooks and roughly 80 old books were collected from city hall employees as the local government through the City Human Resource and Management Office (CHRMO) launched last month “Project Notebook,” a love drive for the benefit of schoolchildren of city hall’s job order employees and street sweepers.

City Information Officer Sheila Covarrubias said a donation box was placed at the entrance of city hall where employees can drop off used notebooks, old books including pencils and crayons.

This initiative is just in time as classes will open this June.

Covarrubias informed that under the project, each city hall employee is required to recycle used notebooks. The concept is to remove unused sheets, remove the spring, compile and saw the clean sheets together to make one usable notebook.

Old books are also fixed or repaired before dropping them off in the donation box.

The project will culminate on May 16, after which, all donated items will be turned-over and distributed to the beneficiaries, while the books will be donated to the schoolchildren through the City Schools Division.

2nd batch summer job beneficiaries start work on May 8

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The second set of beneficiaries under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), a joint undertaking of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the local government unit (LGU) here, started work on May 8 for a 20-day summer job program.

A total of 1,271 student beneficiaries, mostly in their high school years attended the orientation held at the City Coliseum where Mayor Beng Climaco urged them to help build back a better Zamboanga.

Vic Larato of the City Information Office (CIO) said the briefing was aimed at acquainting the students of their duties and responsibilities under the program.

Larato said, for the whole duration of the summer job, “the students will help in the barangay cleanliness and beatification program, updating of barangay profile, census, clerical jobs in local government offices, janitorial activities, carpentry works and other non-hazardous activities.

Each student-beneficiary will be compensated/paid a total amount of P5,600 at the end of the program, Larato said.

He added that of the P5,600 pay, 60 percent or P3,360 will be subsidized by the city government, while DOLE will shoulder the remaining 40 percent or P2,240.

“For this year, the city government has allocated a total of P9.1M for the implementation of SPES in the city while DOLE allotted P5.5 million, which brings to a total of P14.6 million.

The second batch of SPES will end on June 5 while first batch started working April 10 – May 12.

SPES caters to a total of 2,589 high school and college student-beneficiaries in the city.

CHO leads World AIDS memorial

By Francis Sadaya

In memory of people who died of HIV-AIDS, the City government through the City Health Office will spearhead the observance of the World AIDS Candlelight Memorial on Friday, May 16.

The event, set at 5pm will kick off with a torch parade from Ciudad Medical in Nuñez extension to Plaza Pershing where a brief program, highlighted by prayers for the dead, will be held.

Citing records, City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos said 86 cases of HIV-AIDS were reported in the city from 1995 to present.

“For January to May of 2014, we have 6 confirmed cases and four additional cases for confirmation in Manila. Most of these are from the 15 to 34 years poll age group registering about 72 percent. So the reason infections are already attacking our youth and we really have to do something here,” Agbulos added.

In another development, the CHO is also monitoring developments of the information drive on smoking ordinance which will conclude on May 31 in observance of World No Tobacco Day. After the information drive, the full implementation will follow.

On the other hand, CHO will also lead the observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Day, World Asthma Day, Save Motherhood Week and World Hypertension Day.

“For the World Hypertension Day, May 19 right after the flag ceremony, we will be putting up blood pressure monitoring stations at the city hall and we will just have it open for everyone who would like to avail of the services,” Agbulos said.

Due to extreme heat, there were reported cases of dermatological skin diseases, increasing viral infections and upper respiratory tract infections.

The CHO Head advised the general public to strengthen their body resistance by hydrating every time, to have enough sleep and proper nutritional diet.

Zambo athletes stand out in 2014 Palarong Pambansa

By Sheila Covarrubias

Zamboangueno athletes who joined the region’s delegation to the 2014 Palarong Pambansa stood out in their indiviual sports disciplines that harvested medals for the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) during the 7-day sports hostilities in Laguna.

ZPRAA’s medal standing is 5 silver and 9 bronze medals over all. Of the total medals, elementary boys contributed 1 a silver medal each in arnis and in athletics and 3 bronze medals in taekwondo; elementary girls shared 1 bronze in tennis; secondary boys harvested a silver medal each in athletics and in boxing, 3 bronze in archery and 1 bronze in taekwondo while the secondary girls contributed 1 silver in athletics and 1 bronze in table tennis.

Acting City Schools Superintendent Pete Natividad said Zamboangueno athletes excelled in their performance among which was Archer Von Rigor Macasa of Talisayan National High School, a first-time Palarong Pambansa player, who garnered 3 bronze medals for the region.

Macasa hauled a bronze medal each in the 40 meter-distance, 60 meter-distance and single FITA in the archery competition for secondary boys. “Macasa gave a very good impression of winning bronze medals for Zamboanga Peninsula Region, a pride of Zamboanga City,” Natividad said.

ZPRAA also won a bronze medal in the basketball elementary boys department during a decision game versus Region 3 with a score of 76-64—the first time ever for the delegation to reach the top 4 and garnered 3rd place.

The basketball team was composed of ZC athletes mostly from PRISAA and 2 from other divisions and was coached by Bodivick de los Santos. Miguel Sahali, jersey #9 from ADZU was selected as Best Small Forward in the Mythical 5 Selection.

Meanwhile, in the demonstration sports represented by Zamboanga City, athletes in gymnastics and billiard were standouts.

Cayenne Lauren Bathan of Pilar College (Elementary division) won a gold medal each in the floor exercise, single bar, vault and IAA and a silver medal in the balance beam. Bathan’s category is under Gymnastics (WAG) for 7-9 years old.

Cheska Centeno of Tetuan Central School is a gold medallist in both the 8-ball and 9-ball billiard under the elementary-girls department while Louie Buenaflor of Curuan National High School was a silver medallist in the 8-ball billiard secondary for boys category.

Mayor Beng Climaco and some members of the City Council joined the Zamboanga athletes during the opening program of the national games in Laguna last Monday, May 5.

LTO readies Oplan Balik Eskwela

By Allen Abastillas

As all schools, colleges and universities prepare for the school opening all over the country, the Land Transportation Office has re-activated its “Oplan Balik Eskwela” involving all LTO regional offices.

LTO-9 Director Aminola P. Abaton said it is the mandate of LTO regional offices to assist and to decongest traffic and adopt road safety measures to ensure that parents and schoolers will go to school without road hazards.

Many observers say that roads and streets going to the different schools in Zamboanga City experience heavy traffic on school days because there are many public and private schools,colleges and universities in the city unlike in Pagadian City or Dipolog City where schools are minimal.

Abaton said the different LTO District Offices in the region with their Traffic Law Enforcers have come up with a traffic scheme for a smooth flow of motorvehicles. This is being implemented in coordination with the local traffic police and government traffic enforcers.

Abaton also advised pedestrians and schoolers to follow the traffic laws so that they will not be charged for jaywalking.


CCR serves in Dia de Alcalde

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

The City Civil Registrar (CCR) extended its services to residents in far-flung barangays as it joined the service caravan of the Dia de Alcalde series for the 1st quarter of 2014.

Providing consultation services for birth registration and other official documents, the CCR, along with other local government offices participating in the Dia de Alcalde, visited the barangays of Pamucutan, Tolosa, Bunguiao, Malagutay, La Paz, and Lunzuran to serve a total of 415 individuals.

Among the services rendered by the office were mobile mass registration of birth, issuance of birth certificates/certification, and the provision of information on other registration services and procedures.

The CCR will continue to provide its services in succeeding Dia de Alcalde celebrations, in a bid to facilitate civil registrations, and strengthen the people’s awareness of civil documents.

The Dia de Alcalde is a service-oriented caravan dedicated towards bringing frontline government services in the community. It is conducted during barangay fiesta celebrations as part of the Climaco administration’s priority thrusts on Security, Health and Education (SHE).

Fun-filled summer to hover over Zamboanga

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Despite the peace and order controversy, power shortage and water rationing issues currently besetting the city, life goes on for Zamboanguenos - work continues and services delivered.

Recently, the city government through the City Tourism Division under the Office of the Mayor launched “Festival de Verano”, a summer event that involves the community and provides entertainment to the public and visitors of the city during this hot season.

The summer festivity offers fun-filled activities like a visit to the famous pink sand beach of Sta. Cruz Island. City Information Officer Sheila Covarrubias said the Sta. Cruz Island visit aims to promote the island as a prime tourist destination. It will run until May 24.

This year’s summer festival features “Juego de Antes”- (games of the past) “to allow today’s young Zamboanguenos discover and experience the games of past generations,” Covarrubias said. “Juego will also give the older generation an opportunity to relive their childhood through the games they once enjoyed,” she added.

Activities under “juego de antes” include kadang-kadang, sack race, tumbahan lata, shatong, limbo, tug of war, Gerry base, domino and tubigan which is being done/conducted every Saturday (May 3, 10 and 17).

“Participants of the first two Juegos will compete with each other in a series of eliminations. On the final Juego day, the winners will go head-to-head to determine the champions,” Covarrubias informed.

Also highlighting the summer fest is the observance of Dia de Vicente S. Alvarez on May 18. “The activity is a commemoration to the first and only Zamboangueno national hero Vicente Alvarez,” said Covarrubias.

Other summer activities include: the 1st Dia de General Vicente S. Alvarez Oratorical Contest on May 9 as part of its advocacy to create awareness, understanding and appreciation of the life of the revolutionary hero of Zamboanga; kite flying competition at the Paseo del Mar- May 3; Observance of Dia di Ma’am Caling- April 26 in celebration of the 93rd birth anniversary of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, while the “Festival de las Bellas y Flores” will be the culminating activity on May 24.

The Festival de las Bellas y Flores, is a parade of lovely belles, gowns and arcs. The activity will begin with the parade at 5pm from the City Hall grounds to Paseo del Mar followed by a program at 6 p.m.

Zamboanga City employs 1,271 students in 2nd batch of SPES

(PNA), LAM/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 8 (PNA) -– The second batch of 1,271 students have undergone a half-day orientation Thursday to acquaint them of their duties and responsibilities under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

City Hall Information Officer Sheila Covarrubias said they will work for a period of 20 days starting May 9 until June 5.

Covarrubias said the students will help in the barangay cleanliness and beautification program, updating of barangay profile/census, simple clerical jobs in local government offices, janitorial activities, carpentry works, and other non-hazardous activities for students.

She said each of them will received a daily salary of P280 wherein 60% of will be paid by the city government and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) pays the remaining 40 percent.

The city government has appropriated P9 million for the implementation of the SPES this year.

DOLE Regional Director Sisinio Cano said they have allocated P7 million for this year’s SPES here in the region.

Meanwhile, the first batch of students have completed their 20-day employment Thursday, May 8.

The first batch comprises secondary students while the second batch are college students.

SPES is jointly implemented by the local government units and DOLE to help the children of poor families earn money during summer vacation for their studies.

Zambo voters urged to submit COMELEC requirements

With a report from Liza Jocson (Solar News Online)

Zamboanga City – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is calling on around 41,000 voters here to comply with the biometrics requirement for voting, else they will not be permitted to cast their ballot during the 2016 Presidential Election.

District 2 Election Officer Joseph Tria revealed that the head office is considering a system focusing on the use of biometrics to eliminate election-related offenses in the 2016 elections. The biometrics involves the use of computers to encode fingerprints and photos of voters.

Tria said that around 11,000 voters under Zamboanga's second legislative district and 31,000 voters under the first district are in danger of being stricken out of the voters' list due to non-compliance with their biometrics requirements.

Tria explained that voters who registered from 2003 to 2010 are not in the COMELEC biometrics database and urged these voters to meet the requirements before October 31 to avoid the deactivation of their voting status.

NOTACOR to hold 4 more seminars in Zambo City

By Allen Abastillas

After conducting series of training-workshops in Zamboanga City, NOTACOR Training Group has forged new partnerships with four more institutions in Zamboanga City to conduct different Bridging Leadership, Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship seminars for different government leaders, managers, supervisors and professionals in Zamboanga City.

The seminars are slated in the following dates:

May 9, 2014 — Financial Literacy for Government Supervisors hosted by the Civil Service Commission

May 17, 2014 — Financial Literacy Management for Graduate School students hosted by the UZ graduate school

May 17, 2014 — Bridging Leadership: Future Scenarios for SocietalDevelopment hosted by WMSU College of Social Sciences

May 22, 2014 — Bridging Leadership Training in Entrepreneurship Development hosted by the Sustainable Livelihood Program of DSWD

NOTACOR Training Group is a Zamboanga-based training group that started in 2003. It provides different training and seminars for government, private and non-government organizations. In 2013, the training consultancy trained more than 5,000 professionals in Zamboanga City and other key cities in the country.

NOTACOR Training Group has been getting excellent rating from training participants who rated the quality of the agency’s training programs and approaches. It specializes in providing seminars on Bridging Leadership for Peace and Development, Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship Development, Conflict Resolution Transformation, Your Roadmap to success, Integrity and Excellence in the Workplace and a hundred training modules.

For your organization’s training seminar you may text us at 09163868891.

Orphan-scouts don’t have parents, but they enjoy their summer camp

By Allen Abastillas

They may not have their parents with them this summer. But they just had all the fun and happiness during their recently-concluded scouting summer camp.

The St Francis House scouting troop had just returned from their 2014 Scouting Summer Camp held at the hilltop of Lumayang, Zamboanga City April 28-29.

The SFH scouts summer camp included lectures and activities on scouting history, scout camp craftmanship, orienteering, hiking and trekking, environmental concerns, swimming and other fun-filled events.

Canadian priest Fr. Arthur Winikoff, founder and director of St Francis House, personally joined the summer camp, which was organized and headed by volunteer scoutmaster Bong Bue.

This yearly summer camp is intended to enhance the scouting knowledge and skills of the SFH scouts, who are registered with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Girl Scouts of the Philippines under the community scouting program.

The St Francis House scouts are composed of children who are either orphaned, abandoned and neglected and have been placed under the care of the St Francis House orphanage in Pasonanca. They are being taken care of , given shelter, clothings, food and education by the Our Blessed Mother of Victory Mission Foundation that manages the orphanage for the past 26 years now.

HPG marks 59th founding anniversary

By Allen Abastillas

The Highway Patrol Group will celebrate its 59th Founding Anniversary on Monday, May 5.

The celebration will be led by HPG National Director Chief Supt. Arrazad Panuelo Subong during the the traditional Monday flag raising ceremony at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Philippine National Police National Headquarters building in Camp Crame Quezon City.

Inspector Joseph A. Fontanilla Jr. said that Sr. Supt. Severino B. Agustin, HPG 9 chief, was directed by national headquarters to attend the celebration in Camp Crame on Monday.

Fontanilla as instructed by Agustin conducted a Road Safety and Traffic Seminar at at Apo Lodge No. 45 in Barangay Sta. Catalina during an “Operation Tuli” sponsored by the Masonry Bortherhood yesterday morning.

The participants to the seminar were the parents and their children while waiting for the actual free circumcision sponsored by the lodge. More than 130 kids were availed of the free circumcision.

Among the topics of the Road Safety and Traffic seminar were the mandatory wearing of helmet by drivers and backriders of motorcycle as implemented by the Helmet Law and how to avoid and prevent vehicular accident.

HPG 9 personnel also distributed to the parents leaflets on anti-carnapping.

Management, labor sectors enter into new wage scheme

By Liza Jocson

The management and labor sectors in the city have entered into a new wage scheme envisioned to favor both management and workers in terms of increasing wages through improved productivity.

The implementation of the new scheme was formalized on Thursday, Labor Day through signing ceremonies involving representatives from the management and labor representatives of canning factories in Zamboanga city, the industry where the scheme will first be implemented.

Signatories to the agreement include Department of Labor Regional Director Sisinio Cano, Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Sitti Jamina Jain, National Economic Development Authority Regional Director Teresita Socorro Ramos, Employers' Representatives Edgar Lim and Roberto Valerio, and Labor Representatives Jose Suan and Rey Anthony Trio.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission defines the two tiered wage system as a reform that maintains the mandatory minimum wage setting under Republic Act 6727 as the first tier and complemented by a voluntary productivity-based pay scheme as the second tier.

The scheme, launched in 2012 and adopted in other regions, will be implemented for the first time in Zamboanga city. Although implemented first by canning factories, the scheme is expected to be adopted by other industires in the future.

Based on material provided by the agency, the voluntary productivity-based pay shall be implemented through a labor management mechanism such as the productivity committee or any similar body.

Representatives from both the management and laborers will be represented in the productivity committee.

Labor representative Jose Suan said the new scheme is an improvement on the old school policy of determining wages and its subsequent increases through the law mandating the minimum wage.

For his part, Management Sector Representative Edgar Lim believes that the scheme is a win-win solution for both management and labor in matters pertaining to wage and productivity.

Lim explained that at present, although the law sets the minimum wage for workers, it does not have a corresponding provision on the required output covered by the particular rate.

Under the new wage scheme, management and labor enter into discussions when productivity is increased by ten percent, resulting to an increase in wage to the labourer.

Management benefits from increased productivity while labor benefits from a corresponding increase in pay, thus a win-win situation, Lim explained.

NHA expedites release of PHP30,000 aid to Zambo IDPs

(PNA), JBP/TPGJR/PJN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 2 (PNA) -- The National Housing Authority (NHA) has facilatated the release of the PHP30,000 home material assistance (HOMA) to internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the September 2013 siege in this city.

City Planning and Development Coordinator Rodrigo Sicat said the NHA has set a target to release HOMA to 100 families per week to be able to cater to most of the identified beneficiaries by the end of June this year.

The materials that the beneficiaries receive through the HOMA include gravel, sand, cement, deformed bars, tie wires, plywood, lumber, corrugated galvanized iron sheets, plain G.I. sheets, and nails.

Sicat, who heads the rehabilitation cluster, said that there are 1,661 families that were identified as HOMA beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries are residents who are lot owners and whose houses were burned down during the fire incidents that broke out at the height of the September 2013 siege.

The HOMA is being provided by the NHA in coordination with the city government.

The grant of the HOMA is part of the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction.

DTI provides seaweed dryer projects to 2 Zambo farmers’ groups

By Teofilo P. Garcia, Jr. [(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/TPGJR/JSD]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 1 (PNA) - Two local seaweed farmers’ associations were the latest beneficiaries of the Department of Trade and Industry’s implementation of shared service facility (SSF) projects.

The SSF projects in the form of stilt dryers were turned over to turned over to the seaweed farmers in Barangays Dita and Manicahan, east of this city in simple ceremonies witnessed by officials of the two barangays as well as representatives from the City Agriculturist’s Office.

DTI provincial director Rolando Acuña said the establishment of the projects addresses not only the concerns of the seaweed growers for drying facilities but also meant to ensure that the raw dried seaweeds they produce are free from dirt and impurities.

“When you dry seaweeds along the sides of highways or on bare ground, naturally you get sand, gravel, and dirt mixed in with the product,” Acuña noted.

“It also takes longer to dry using such kind of method. Hence, these projects because we want the farmers not only to produce more, we want them to produce products that are of such grade high enough to muster standards demanded by domestic and international markets,” Acuña added.

He said the locations of the seaweed dryers are easily accessible to the farmers and not prone to destructive storm or tidal surges.

The projects also followed the simple traditional design with flooring of bamboo slats mounted on reinforced concrete posts for durability.

“With proper maintenance, the dryers should last years of use by the farmers,” Acuna said.

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Zamboanga_City_News_May_2014&oldid=715298"