Zamboanga City News May 2018

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.

21 entrepreneurs finish ‘Kapatid Mentor ME Program’

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A total of 21 Micro, Small, and Medium Entrepreneurs graduated from the 11-week “Kapatid Mentor ME Program” of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here Friday.

DTI Provincial Director Ceferino Rubio said the graduates comprised the first batch of the agency’s 2018 Kapatid Mentor ME Program in this city.

Rubio said the program aims to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) scale up their businesses through weekly theoretical and conceptual discussions, as well as mentoring and coaching sessions by Go Negosyo’s mentors, who are experienced entrepreneurs, and seasoned business lecturers on the different areas of entrepreneurship.

Rubio said the first batch of the Kapatid Mentor ME Program consists of eleven modules: entrepreneurial mind-setting and values formation, marketing mindset, market-driven product development and innovation, market growth and expansion, the business model canvas and key partners, operations management, supply and value chain, human resource and organization management, entrepreneurial accounting and financial management, taxation, and business law.

The graduation featured a business improvement plan presentation by the mentees, followed by a breakout session and critiquing by the panel groups.

The members of the panel groups are officials and representatives of government agencies and banking institutions, such as the DTI, Land Bank of the Philippines, and Development Bank of the Philippines, and business and private groups such as the Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc.

“We would like to reiterate our heartfelt gratitude to our partners from Go Negosyo and the private sector whose invaluable support contributed to the success of the program,” Rubio said.

“With their help, we have equipped and will continue to equip our MSMEs in Zamboanga City with the needed skills sets, the right mindset, and business know-how to ultimately scale up and sustain their enterprise,” he added.

Zambo City marks 35th International AIDS candlelight memorial

(PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The local government, through the City Health Office, joined the 35th International Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) candlelight memorial here Friday afternoon.

Anchored on the theme, “Reflecting on our past, preparing for our future,” the activity is held annually to remember those who died of AIDS.

Part of the activity is the conduct of free HIV testing and the lighting of the giant HIV symbol ribbon.

“We have to break barriers and stigma. We have to encourage people to get themselves tested. Know your status so you will be able to seek early treatment and diagnosis,” Dr. Dulce Amor Dagalea-Miravite, OIC City Health Officer, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview.

She said that treatment is available at the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC), where HIV positive individuals may avail of anti-retroviral drugs.

The City Health Office also advocates prevention programs, such as abstinence, and the correct and consistent use of condoms, as well as educating the public on the dangers of illegal drugs use.

Dagalea-Miravite said data from her office showed that this city has 401 registered cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from 1995 until March 2018, with 65 deaths due to AIDS.

AIDS is a condition in humans, in which, progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive.

Zamboanga joins international food expos

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

ZAMBOANGA City participates in the International Food Expo (IFEX) Philippines 2018 which reels off Friday, May 25 until Sunday, May 27 at the World Trade Center in Manila.

Seven exhibitors have set up booths to promote their products to include Baker's Field (Bizcocho), E-Cure the Ultimate Organic Health Drink, Mang Isto Chili Garlic Sauce, RK Trading and Services (Sardines in Corn Oil & Pickled Cucumber), and Sotto's Delicacies (Sweet Sampalok, Spicy Sampalok & Sampalok Jam) which are also found in the Mindanao Pavilion.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said included in the seven companies are two of the giants in Sardines manufacturing whose plants are in Zamboanga City.

Salazar said these are Century Pacific Food Inc., maker of the 555 Sardines brand, and Universal Canning Inc., maker of Master Sardines and Family's Brand.

The mayor said that both companies also have their own pavilion in the event.

She said that Zamboanga City's booth proudly showcases the city's distinction as Sardines Capital of the Philippines laying out a table of gastronomic delights to fellow Filipinos and to the discriminating palates of the world. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)

3. TAGS: designers, Bellas y Flores, fashion

Bellas y Flores competition reels off

THIRTEEN local designers have pitched their best gown designs for the annual Bellas y Flores competition set Saturday, May 26, at the Centro Latino Convention Hall.

With the theme “Philippine Festival,” these year’s entries are currently on display at City Hall and feature unique design elements representing the different festivals celebrated in the country.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the gowns will be further showcased during the festival’s parade at 4 p.m. from the City Fire Station to the Paseo del Mar.

Aside from the gowns, Salazar said also to be displayed and showcased are the 13 arco designs which will be ushering the señorita participants to the Paseo del Mar.

The mayor said the Bellas y Flores is an annual competition which pays homage to the Santacruzan tradition.

She said it is this year’s summer festival’s culminating activity.

Zambo CHO strengthens advocacy on immunization

By Dominic I. Sanchez (JDP/ DIS-PIA-9-Zamboanga City)

The City Health Office (CHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) have strengthened their advocacy and call for parents to have their children immunized against measles.

This, after noting that there are still a lot of parents who refused to have their children immunized.

“We cannot force them. If they refuse; they sign a waiver instead,” said CHO Health Education and Promotions Officer Christine Lim.

The measles outbreak was declared in February this year after cases soared to more than 1,000 percent compared to the previous year.

Five measles-related deaths were recorded since January.

To help halt the increasing number of cases, the DOH has scheduled a round of supplemental immunization from May 9 to June 8.

CHO has already achieved more than 85% of its target and is pushing for 100% immunization rate.

As per latest report, 100,247 children have been immunized in the city since February.

“We are making a catch-up activity to personally talk with parents, convince them that this is for the good of their children,” Lim stressed.

Some parents are reluctant to have their children immunized due to the Dengvaxiascare.

This poses a challenge to the DOH, a government office which repeatedly emphasizes that the measles vaccine is 100% safe and beneficial to children.

Parents are advised to bring their children aged 6-59 months to the nearest health center for immunization.

City jail to hold “Balik Eskwela”

By Joey Bautista

The Zamboanga City Reformatory Center will initiate the “Balik Eskwela Alay Sa Anak Ng PDL” (Persons Deprived of Liberty) before classes start in June.

ZCRC Jail Warden J/Chief Insp. Nathaniel Aljas provide inmates’ children in grade school with school supplies like bags, notebooks, pencils, ballpens, and others.

JO3 RL Compredio, ZCRC-BJMP Spokesperson, said that around 60 inmates have been identified by the screening personnel to qualify for the program.

BJMP personnel had donated some items like old but still usable shoes, clothes and others intended for the inmates’ children.

The program is being handled by the ZCRC Inmate Welfare Development (IWD) Desk and the Civil Relation Service (CRS).

The target of distribution of the school supplies will be given before the opening of classes in June.

10,000 people to benefit from Bangsa Sug Iftar Caravan in Zamboanga City

(Desk Man, Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Some 10,000 people, mostly victims of rebel siege in Zamboanga city in 2013, are expected to benefit from the benevolent Bangsa Sug Iftar Caravan in transitory sites here.

The caravan is an initiative by the Bangsa Sug Consensus of the Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate thru its Special Envoy and spokesman Dr. Sakur Tan, also known as Datu ShahBandar.

The 11-day caravan, dubbed as “The BangsaSug Iftar for the Youth, the Displaced and the Marginalized”, began on May 21 with Serhan Cuevas Daris leading volunteers in the distribution of Buka-Puasa food packs.

Consensus

Muslim leaders and various stakeholders in Mindanao are pushing for the separation of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and include the provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula to form a federated state should Congress approve the proposed federalism government which President Rodrigo Duterte is strongly advocating.

The three neighboring provinces were originally part of Region 9 in Western Mindanao which comprised of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, and now the addition of Zamboanga Sibugay.

In a consensus held on May 10, stakeholders from Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao trooped to Zamboanga City to read their manifesto as a show of strong support to the proposal for the creation of ‘Federal State of ZamBaSulTa’.

Among the valid justifications for the proposed Federal State of ZamBaSulTa are Economic Viability and to ensure this is to group together Zamboanga Peninsula with Zamboanga City as the center, and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; Historical Reality as the shared history of the area and proposed federal state is a strong argument for its unity as one federal state. This history stems from the once dominant force exerted by the Sulu Sultanate over these areas, including Southern Palawan and the islands of Sulu and South China Seas, but the consensus also maintained that this is not to say the Sultanate of Sulu will again lay claim to these areas, instead, the region is now witness to different operative local government units that wield the real power and that cannot be changed.

It also cited other justification for the union such as Geographical Proximity because the provinces and Zamboanga City is contiguous to each other by land, and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are situated next to each other like a chain of island south of the Zamboanga Peninsula. And Demographic and Cultural Identity because of similarity in culture and peoples – Muslim and Christian relationship, education and interfaith engagements have strengthened this identity in the region.

At least 5 influential Sulu sultans, Ibrahim Bahjin, Muizuddin Jainal Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin and Phugdalun Kiram who are part of the Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate, also attended the event dubbed – “The Bangsa Sug Consensus – ZamBaSulTa. A People of Significance.” – and threw their all-out support for the proposal along with Muslim religious leaders led by the Grand Mufti, His Eminence Abdulbaqi Abubakar.

Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde, who represented Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar, read a message in front of some 1,500 people. Christian and Muslim political leaders, among them Tan who is a strong ally of Duterte, – and his son, Totoh Tan, the current governor of Sulu, spoke in the event.

The Tan patriarch, in a position paper he read before the huge crowd, enumerated several concerns and reaction of Muslims to the proposed Bangsamoro Bill and federalism. He said the main objections of the people of Sulu through its Sultanate to the proposed Bangsamoro law center on the provisions on Territory that would change the historical name of the Sulu Sea to “Bangsamoro Waters.” He said Sulu Sea should retain its name.

Tan said the constituents in the provinces under the ARMM (including Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao) should be given the option to vote against inclusion in the new Bangsamoro entity. “The position is anchored on the principle of democratic consultation which is an essential element of plebiscites and a basic concept in Islam, as embodied by the principle of Shura (or consultation) in the Holy Qur’an.”

“The method of plebiscite and the counting of votes should be based on real democratic consultation and should not be hampered by what may be considered as the tyranny of the majority,” the elder Tan said.

He said the present version of the bill provides that the establishment of the Bangsamoro and the determination of the Bangsamoro territory shall take effect upon ratification of the Basic Law by majority votes cast in plebiscite. The present bill, Tan said, takes for granted that all five constituent provinces favor inclusion in the new Bangsamoro entity.

“This should never be presumed because presumption destroys the democratic essence of plebiscites. Precisely for the reason that the Bangsamoro entity is new, and is not just an amended version of the ARMM, the consent and option of the ARMM constituent provinces should be respected,” he said.

Tan said when the constituent provinces voted for inclusion to the ARMM in past plebiscites, they consented to be included in the ARMM, and not in the Bangsamoro which is completely new legal entity. “Ratification therefore should be on the basis of the majority votes of each constituent province and not of the entire geographical area of the present ARMM,” he said.

He said the territorial lines of federalization should not be dictated by religious dogma for this would be limiting, counter-productive and contrary to the spirit of nationhood. “The federal territorial divide is not a divide of peoples and religions; it is a realistic and practical divide of administration and governance, so that the people get the best and most viable governance that befits their needs and circumstances,” Tan said, adding, a copy of the consensus would be submitted to the House of Representatives and Senate, and the Palace.

Hidilyn Diaz sweeps weightlifting honors

By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star)
Tanker La Torre snares third gold

NAGA, Cebu, Philippines — Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz bested all comers in weightlifting’s Open division, ruling the event she was heavily favored to win in the Philippine National Games at Naga Covered Court here yesterday.

Coming in with a bodyweight of 57.2 kilograms, far from her ideal weight of 53kg, the Zamboanga City ace recorded a total of 205kg after lifting 80kh, 85kg and 90kg in her three attempts in the snatch and 105kg, 110kg and 115kg in the clean and jerk.

Diaz, who hoisted 200kg as a 53-kg lifter in her silver medal effort in the 2016 Games in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, turned back Zamboanga teammate and teenage sensation Dessa Delos Santos and Quezon City’s Daryl Banania, who took the silver and bronze with lifts of 170 and 119, respectively.

Delos Santos, 19, provided the challenge for Diaz being a 2016 Asian Juniors silver medal winner in Tokyo, Japan and considered as the next big thing in weightlifting. But Diaz showed she remains the country’s top lifter.

Earlier, national track team mainstays Marco Vilog, Anfernee Lopena, Immuel Camino and Aries Toledo endured the sweltering heat and a tough field to rule their respective events even as Gen. Santos City tanker Nino Owen La Torre notched his third gold medal in the annual games.

Vilog, a 23-year-old Kuala Lumpur SEA Games silver medalist and a cinch to make it to the Asian Games-bound team to Indonesia this August, put up a strong finishing kick to turn back fellow national team member Elbrin Neri for the 800m run gold in one minute and 56.05 seconds.

The Oriental Mindoro native, however, admitted to have struggled under the scorching heat and missed at improving his personal best of 1:48.91.

“I gave it my best but it was just too hot,” said Vilog, who is also set to see action in the Ayala-National Open next week in Ilagan, Isabela.

Lopena, on the other hand, overcame a faulty start and topped the 100m dash in 10.96 seconds to emerge the fastest man in the weeklong meet.

Nearly tripping from the starting block, Lapena regained his bearing and form in time, storming past Michael Mana-ay of Negros Occidental and William Galceran of Mandaluyong at the finish.

Mana-ay took the silver in 11.01 while Galceran settled for the bronze in 11.11.

Camino, meanwhile, dominated the 3,000m steeplechase in 9:59.91, beating Cebu City’s Arnel Florentino (10:48.91) and Harold Kim Guiao (11:02.58).

Forced to compete in individual events after his pet event – decathlon – was scrapped off the calendar due to lack of competition, Toledo, a gold medal winner in KL SEAG, didn’t disappoint and ruled the 110m hurdles in 14.52, outsprinting national hurdler Patrick Unso, who timed 14.56.

Toledo, also a shoo-in in the Asiad, placed fourth in high jump the day before.

At the pool, La Torre claimed the 400m individual medley gold in 5:08:81, his third after topping the 100m and 1,500m freestyle the day before to match Sta. Rosa, Laguna’s Nicole Meah Pamintuan’s three-gold feat.

It was also Gen. Santos’ sixth mint with Kelsey Claire Jaudian adding one in the women’s 400m IM where she clocked 5:37.46.

In chess, top seed Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna of Albay beat Cebu City bet Keith Claire Morala in the seven-round standard event at the Robinson’s Galleria-Cebu.

GMs John Paul Gomez of Albay, Joey Antonio of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro and Darwin Laylo of Marikina City, meanwhile, posted resounding victories in the men’s competition.

In cycling in Danao, Cebu City bet Nino Surban pedaled his way to the mountain bike gold by clocking 1:06:34, beating the Lapaza brothers Cesar Jr. and Reimon.

Cesar, the reigning national mountain bike champion, finished third behind eventual silver medal winner Edmhel John Flores of Marikina City (1:08:09) by submitting 1:09:06, which was good for the bronze.

The elder Lapaza, the 2014 LBC Ronda Pilipinas champion, wound up fifth in 1:11:18.

ZSCMST works on abalone propagation

By Allen Abastillas

The Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) is conducting a research study on the propagation of abalone under a controlled environment.

Dr. Servando D. Halili Jr., ZSCMST Director of Research, said that abalone is being gathered from our locality, housed into the school hatchery and grown in captivity.

“We are still in the preparation and trial stages. Abalone is extemely difficult to grow in captivity,” said Halili.

Halili explained that a huge potential market for abalone awaits interested parties.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with the Western Philippine Palawan University under the Commission on Higher Education.

The Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology is the cluster head for Mindanao on Aquaculture research.

Zambo Sports Complex now 80% complete

By RG Antonet Go

The rehabilitation of the Zamboanga City Sports Complex is now 80% complete, according to a public works official.

The project, which started on March 22, 2016, has been given 276 calendar days for its completion.

The contract cost for the rehabilitation and repair is at PhP187,065,353.12.

Engr. Shadimar D. Jalaidi, DPWH 9 Project Engineer, said that workers are currently working on the installation of rubber in the playing courts.

Aside from the installation of grass and rubber, laborers are also working on putting on the tiles and painting.

The artificial grass also arrived last May 14 and is waiting for the technician from France who will supervise the installation.

He said that they will try to finish the project by September, this year.

DPWH is the lead agency which oversees the repair and rehabilitation of the sports complex.

Contractors responsible for implementing the project are the R.U. Aquino Construction and Development Corporation and RCDG Construction Corporation.

Recall that the grandstand was destroyed after more than 100,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) were housed in the area after the September 2013 Zamboanga Siege.

Lobregat moves to name ZC road after Gen. Vicente Alvarez

By Dexter Yap

First District Congressman Celso Lobregat has filed a bill to name the stretch of road from Zamboanga city proper’s Baliwasan Chico to Labuan Limpapa into the Gen. Vicente Alvarez Highway.

House Bill 7720, An Act naming the National Road from Crossing Airport Road and C.A. Fernandez Road (Baliwasan Chico) to Limpapa Bridge as Gen. Vicente Alvarez Highway” was filed last Wednesday, the eve of Dia de Gen. Vicente Alvarez.

The proposed law aims to name the 38-kilometer stretch of road after one of the most honored heroes of Zamboanga City.

The national highway serves as a major thoroughfare connecting the city’s central commercial district to the last barangay in Zamboanga City’s west coast.

Congressman Lobregat said that the house bill intends to remind Zamboangueños of the legacy of one of the city’s revolutionary warriors and heroes, Gen Vicente Alvarez.

Alvarez was born on April 5, 1962 and the fifth son of Alvarez Villasis and Isidora Solis.

When the Philippine Revolution spread to Mindanao, Gen. Alvarez organized an army of Christian Filipinos, tribal warriors, and Muslim

Krismen and initiated a revolution in Zamboanga city in March 1898 to fight the Spanish Conquistadors.

Their fight led to the successful capture of the last Spanish stronghold at Fort Pilar under the leadership of General Diego de los Rios on May 18, 1899.

This marked the end of the Spanish rule not only in the city of Zamboanga but also in the Philippines.

Zamboanga City honors revolutionary hero

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The city government on Friday celebrated the “Dia de Gen. Vicente Alvarez” in honor of Zamboanga’s own revolutionary hero.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar together with local government officials and family of the late Alvarez led the commemorative program, which kicked off with a mass at 6:30 a.m. at the Fort Pilar Shrine.

The relatives of Alvarez present during the program were the following: Fe Alvarez; Georgina Alvarez-Delos Reyes; Samuel Alvarez; Sheila Alvarez-Yaung; Douglas Alfonso; Genaro Alvarez Sr.; Jued Alvarez; and, Benjie Alvarez.

The mass was followed by the wreath-laying ceremony at the Plaza Vicente S. Alvarez at the corner of Don Pablo Lorenzo, Zaragoza, and Gen. Alvarez Streets.

A Neo-Ethnic Dance Competion capped the commemorative program at 8 a.m. at the City Hall grounds.

Salazar has called on the present generation to emulate the heroism, patriotism and dedication of this city’s revolutionary hero, Alvarez.

Salazar also call on Zamboangueños (Christians, Muslims and Lumads) to stay united, valiant and firm in rooting lawless elements out of this city.

Once again, the undefeated champion, Western Mindanao State University’s (WMSU) Jambangan Dance Company, won for three years in a row, while Sinag Tala Performing Arts of Southern City Colleges and Bailes of Ayala National High School placed second and third, respectively.

Every year, this city celebrates the “Dia de Gen. Vicente Alvarez” on May 18 as mandated by City Ordinance 334.

It marks the day when Alvarez led the fight for sovereignty resulting to the surrender of Spanish forces led by Governor-General Diego de los Rios on May 18, 1899 at Fort Pilar.

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

Alvarez was born in April 5, 1862 as the fifth child to Don Alejo Alvarez and Isidora Solis in Magay, this city.

Alvarez died in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte on November 4, 1942, leaving a legacy as revolutionary leader who fought foreign occupation in Zamboanga and in the Philippines.

Honorarium for poll workers for release this week

By R.G Antonet Go

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expected to start releasing the honorarium for poll workers starting today.

Comelec Zamboanga City District 1 Election Officer Atty. Stephen Roy Cañete said that more than 4,000 DBP cash cards have already been prepared by their office.

The Chairman of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) will receive an honorarium of P6,000 and travel allowance of P1,000 while the members and poll clerks will receive P5,000 honorarium and P1,000 travel allowance.

These workers served during the recently concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections last May 14.

According to the election officer, they have 15 days to pay these workers.

Cañete said that payment will be made by schedule so that not all will go to the Comelec office at the same time. The honorarium will also be given personally.

DILG sets training for SK officials in Zamboanga

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has scheduled a training from May 17 to 19 for the newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in this city.

Moh. Taha Arakama, DILG city director, on Wednesday told the Philippine News Agency that the training, which is mandated under the SK Reform Law, will focus on the salient features of the SK Reform Law and code of ethics for public officials.

Arakama said they will be also taught on how to conduct sessions and write resolutions, as well as planning and budgeting and governance.

“This (training) is done so that they will know their role and so that they can function efficiently, effectively, and economically,” he said.

He said the training will be conducted by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in partnership with the DILG, local government and the Liga ng mga Barangay.

SK chairpersons and councilors will be required to present their respective certificate of proclamation, PHP1,600 seminar fee chargeable to the barangay funds, and a valid identification card.

The term of the newly-elected barangay and SK officials starts at noontime of June 30, 2018.

Zamboanga Peninsula elections ‘generally peaceful’

(PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) on Tuesday described the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2018 in its area of responsibility as “generally peaceful” despite the recorded five election-related incidents.

Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, PRO-9 director, said “there was no serious violent incident reported by the lower units as of 7 p.m. of May 14, 2018.”

Beltran said the five election-related incidents they have recorded “were classified as isolated cases.”

Beltran said the successful implementation of the BSKE 2018 security plan, coupled with significant operational accomplishments, contributed more in maintaining the peace and order during the conduct of the elections.

Beltran said police units closely supervised the provinces and cities, which were declared as areas under watch list to ensure tight security operation. PRO-9 and its military counterpart had deployed 5,195 personnel to secure the 1,883 polling centers in the Zamboanga Peninsula, he added.

The PRO-9 area of jurisdiction covers the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Sur and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Isabela, Pagadian, and Zamboanga.

Police said 53 people were arrested in connection with the election gun ban, while 60 firearms were confiscated, including one explosive and six bladed weapons.

City gov’t, NWRB forge groundwater management pact

(City Hall/PR)

The city government of Zamboanga and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) forged on Friday a memorandum of agreement on the project “Development of Groundwater Management Plan for Highly Urbanized Water Constraint Cities of Zamboanga and Surrounding Area.”

The MOA signing held this morning at the Garden Orchid Hotel between Mayor Beng Climaco for the city government of Zamboanga and Dr. Sevillo D. David Jr. for NWRB. Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato T. Dela Peña together with Undersecretary Dr. Renator Solidum and DOST-PCIEERD Deputy Executive Director Engr. Raul Sabularse witnessed the event.

The project is being undertaken by NWRB together with the Ateneo de Manila University and being funded by both NWRB and DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).

The project aims to develop a groundwater management plan for Zamboanga City— identified in 1997 as a potential water critical area—that considers future impact of climate change, and provide a framework and decision support tools using science-based methodology to effectively manage groundwater resources.

One of the project’s activities and part of the groundwater management plant is the design and installation of groundwater monitoring wells within the study area.

ADZU President Fr. Karel San Juan expressed elation that the university is made a part of the project saying it is in line with the mission towards a sustainable future through sustainable development. “This work of facilitation and support is made possible because of our strong partnerships in the City, foremost of which is with our very own City Government. The City government, led by our dear Mayor Beng Climaco Salazar, and assisted by her strategic and technical team like Engr. Jojo Sicat, head of the Planning Office, is committed to this process. It has always welcomed any assistance to the City. We are clearly on the same page as far as priority for sustainable development is concerned.

“These technical interventions have become strategic in making our City more sustainable, more secure, more safe and more progressive. Our partnerships do evolve into friendships, friendships that are centered in our common desire to make Zamboanga a better place now and in the future,” Fr. San Juan added.

(Smokers beware!) Anti-smoking apprehension starts May 31

By Vic Larato (PR)

The Smoke-Free Enforcement Team, a multi-agency group task to enforce the Anti-Smoking Ordinance 469, will start apprehension of violators on May 31, observed as World No Tobacco Day.

The team conducted its first meeting on Friday at the City Health Office and discussed the provisions of the newly approved ordinance and the initial activities for the launching of the anti-smoking apprehension on May 31.

Smokers are reminded once again the first offense of the Anti-Smoking Ordinance in P1,000 with the corresponding citation ticket. Those who cannot pay the amount will be conducted to the police station for a two-hour community service.

Business establishments are also mandated to designate a smoking area, and the signage “Strictly No Smoking” shall be posted in conspicuous places within the establishment.

It was emphasized that the ordinance does not totally ban smoking in Zamboanga City. It only regulates, especially in public places and other areas where people converge, including public transportation system.

The public is encouraged to report violators to the police.

Under the ordinance, the CHO is mandated to implement a smoking cessation program, similar to the one already undertaken by Zamboanga City Medical Center for three years now.

Part of the regulation, cigarettes smoking, selling and distribution are strictly prohibited in the premises of schools, hospitals, clinics, hotels, parks, sidewalks. Selling of cigarettes to minors is strictly prohibited.

300 teachers attend BET seminar

(Zamboanga Today Online)

At least 300 teachers who will serve as Board of Election Tellers participated last Monday in the training and seminar conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

City Comelec Officer Atty. Stephen Roy Cañete disclosed that the seminar was attended by the teachers from the sixth district of Talon-Talon which include Arena Blanco and the island barangays of Tictabon, Manalipa and Pangapuyan.

According to Cañete, the training is mandatory so that the BETs will know the various guidelines, as well the pros and cons of the Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay elections.

The Comelec officer said they also trained additional BETs to serve as replacements in case some of the teachers will withdraw or will be disqualified.

Earlier, the Comelec also conducted a seminar and training for policemen in the event that the BET will back out from the post, especially in far flung and island barangays.

“Okay ya man el security plan. We have already coordinated with the police, Task Force Zamboanga for the security, and the Philippine Coast Guard for the distribution and retrieval of the election materials in the island barangays." Cañete said.

Zambo all set for 6th Philspada Para Games

By Henry Salac

The Zamboanga City chapter of the Philippine Sports Association of the Differently Abled (PHILSPADA) led by Teddy Kahil, is all set for the 6th Philspada Para Games 2018 set in Mariki City from May 12-19.

Zamboanga City is the reigning third place national winner in the Para Games for two years now- the first of which was held in Laguna and the second in Marikina. Metro Manila and Davao City are consistent first and second place, respectively. This is the third time for the Philspada-ZC to join the games.

Philspada-ZC chapter president Kahil has identified 17 potential PWD players, 6 of whom are to participate in the Goal ball, 3 for chess, 1 for blind chess, 3 for swimming and 5 for track and field games.

Goal ball is a team sports designed specifically for athletes with vision impairment. The participants compete in teams of 3 in which the player throws a ball with bells embedded on it, into the opponents.

Kahil said Zamboanga’s participation in the Philspada Para Games is made possible with the support and assistance of a number of agencies to include the City Sports Division, City Social Welfare and Development Office- Person with Disabilities Affairs Unit (PDAU), Vista Therapy Massage, District II Representative Mannix Dalipe who provided the delegates’ uniforms and City Councilors Bong Atilano, Jerry Perez, Teodyver Arquiza, Boday Cabato, Lilibeth Nuno and Jimmy Villaflores.

“Philspada ZC Chapter is ready and all set to join the Para Games 2018!” Kahil declared as he expressed confidence that the delegates will exhaust all means to bring home medals.

Water monitoring project up in Zamboanga

By Bong Garcia

THE City Government of Zamboanga will be forging on Friday, May 11, a partnership with national government agencies for a water monitoring project.

Engineer Rodrigo Sicat, City Planning and Development Coordinator, said the partnership between the City Government, National Water Resources Board, and the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST–PCIEERD) is for the establishment of ground water monitoring wells.

The partnership will be marked by a presentation of the ground water management plan and the signing of the memorandum of agreement.

Under the project, four wells will be established in Calarian, the Sanitary Landfill, Putik, and Tugbungan.

Sicat said these are real-time ground monitoring stations that will feed information via cellular network.

Zamboanga City is the pilot city in the Philippines for the project, Sicat added.

ELA reports P67M completed projects

By Vic Larato (PR)

The Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA), containing the priority thrusts, programs and proposed legislation of the City Government of Zamboanga, has reported 36 completed infrastructure projects amounting to P66.879 million as of March 31, 2018.

Assistant City Administrator Cesar Raz reported during the press briefing last Monday that from the period 2013 to 2017 there were 1,547 completed projects amounting to P2,719 billion. At present, there are 379 ongoing projects.

Among the completed projects include 222 concreting of roads, 25 health centers and 51 school buildings, all costing the city government P740,725,524.

At least 10 health centers and 43 school buildings were rehabilitated in the amount of P54,049,501.

In another development, Raz reported a total of 4,959 drivers’ license apprehended for various traffic violations for the month of April. Of these figures, only 2,929 have so far been claimed by the owners.

He further said the city government’s traffic ordinance enforcement campaign netted a total revenue of P104,000 in April, marking an 11% decrease compared to P117,800.00 for the same period last year.

Task Force Ordinance likewise apprehended 92 violators: Traffic code- 51; Solid waste- 6; Kulig-lig Operation- 5; and Sidewalk Ordinance- 24.

The city’s Task Force Karne has also conducted site inspection of a private slaughterhouse in Tugbungan owned by Alexander Espiritusanto pursuant to Meat Inspection Code. Certain violations were noted.

TESDA, Zambo solon launch employment training program

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in partnership with the city's second congressional district office on Monday launched the "Special Training for Employment Program" (STEP).

Engr. Lorenzo Macapili, TESDA regional director, said the STEP involves two skills courses, namely, dressmaking and wellness (hilot), with 25 student-beneficiaries in each course.

Macapili said the beneficiaries of the program are from this city's second congressional district who are unemployed and “interested to learn since it is their field of interest.”

Macapili said that each of the beneficiary will receive a Php100 daily allowance and livelihood starter kits and upon completion of the training, which is a 30-day course.

Trainees will undergo national competency assessment to acquire NC-II certificates, which are required for employment.

Macapili said the program is funded by the office of the second congressional district Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe.

Dalipe said his office has allocated Php7.3 million for the STEP and Training for Work Scholarship Program (TSWP) for this year.

Dalipe said the 50 student-beneficiaries of the STEP form part of the program's first batch of recipients.

The ZGI College of Technology, a TESDA accredited technical vocational institution, is the program's educational partner.

Beng explains city’s role in Z3R projects

By Vic Larato (PR)

The housing projects under the Zamboanga City Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery (Z3R) are under the national government through the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the city government’s role is limited to regulatory and coordination.

Mayor Beng Climaco made this clarification following the allegation of corruption against the city government in the implementation of the projects due to alleged substandard materials.

“The city government regulates and coordinates with agencies concerned in the implementation of the housing project, and we have no participation in the processing and awarding of contracts to the contractors,” Climaco explained during her guesting on “Dateline Teleradyo” of IBC TV-11 last Thursday.

In terms of monitoring, she said the city has documents to prove that “we wanted an independent monitoring to be done on the housing units.”

“Based on our review, we have not accepted any of the NHA projects under Z3R, although we have had formal turnovers but nothing has been accepted due to pending regulatory compliance and payments for the projects,” she further said.

To recall, a portion of the wooden footbridge leading to the housing-on-stilts in Rio Hondo collapsed under the combined weight of government officials inspecting the project, among them were the mayor, Cong. Celso Lobregat, Cong. Albee Benitez of Negros Occidental and NHA officials.

Cong. Benitez was in the city to inspect the Z3R housing units due to allegation of substandard materials.

P1-M Sta. Cruz Island Boardwalk planned

By RG Antonet Go

The city government is planning to construct a P1-million boardwalk with viewing deck at the Sta Cruz Island anytime this year.

Richard Aliangan, Protected Area Management Unit (PAMU) Operations Officer, said that the project is included in the management plan of Sta Cruz Island.

The project will probably be implemented by July, according to Aliangan.

“Este maga activity bueno para na maga vivientes para pwede sila man appreciate conel nature,” Aliangan said.

Aliangan said that the boardwalk will enable visitors to view the lagoon, an attraction at the Sta. Cruz island.

However, he assured residents that these projects will be low impact so that the island’s natural view will not be destroyed.

Other activities to be introduced in the future include trekking and camping, two activities which will open the island at night to visitors.

The island is currently opened from 7:00 in the morning to 2:00 in the afternoon.

For those interested to go to the island the fees are: P20 entrance fee, P5 terminal fee, and P1,000 boating fee good for 10 persons.

384 hired in DOLE job fair

By RG Antonet Go

A total of 384 jobseekers out of more than 2,000 were Hired on the Spot (HOTS) in Zamboanga City during the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Labor Day 2018 job fair held at the Zamboanga Ecozone in Barangay Talisayan, Sitio San Ramon last Tuesday.

Karen Grafia, DOLE 9 Information Officer ,said that there were 379 applicants who were hired locally while five were hired for overseas jobs.

There were a total of 2,025 job registrants who went to the area to seek for available jobs.

There were also 75 who were set up for further interviews and examination and could also be possibly hired within the following weeks.

Aside from these, they also referred 393 to the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for further training while 79 were referred to receive livelihood assistance.

A total of 23,158 jobs were available during the Labor Day Job Fair.

Of this number, there were 4,847 job vacancies for local employment while 18,311 for overseas. There were 21 local companies participating in the job fair and 17 companies catering to overseas applicants.

3,000 Barangay, SK aspirants start campaign

By RG Antonet Go

More than 3,000 candidates in Zamboanga City meet the voters today, May 4, during the start of the campaign period for the 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataaan elections.

Commission on Election (Comelec) records show that a total of 3,676 barangay aspirants and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) aspirants have filed their Certificates of Candidacy with the Comelec Zamboanga City district offices.

Comelec officials remind candidates to follow campaign rules embodied under Comelec resolution number 10294.

Under the resolution, candidates can only spend P5 per registered voter in their respective barangays.

Campaign materials, such as posters and fliers of the mandated size (not exceeding 2x3 feet) can only be placed on common poster areas and candidates’ properties or other private properties with owners’ consent.

Candidates are allowed to have a total of 60 minutes of television ads per station and 90 minutes of radio ads per station during the campaign period.

Meanwhile, the resolution also includes provisions which address the latest environmental and technological trends.

The Comelec also provides guidelines on the sizes of online propaganda featuring candidates.

Comelec also promotes the use of environment friendly and recyclable materials via the use of the phrase “This material should be recycled” in candidates campaign paraphernalia.

The campaign period ends on May 12.

SCC Sr HS graduation scheduled today

(PR)

Southern City Colleges Inc is scheduled to hold this afternoon its first graduation ceremony for the pioneer batch of Senior High School students at the Astoria Regency in Pasonanca.

Having adopted the batch name of “Semper Ad Meliora”, the theme for this batch’s graduation is “Mag-Aaral ng K To 12: Handa sa Hamon ng Buhay”.

The Honorable Celso L. Lobregat, Congressional Representative for Zamboanga City’s First District, will be the Guest Speaker for this pioneering batch.

There will be a total of 1,242 graduating Senior High School students for Southern City Colleges’ “Semper Ad Meliora” batch.

City’s housing division takes over Z3R matters

By Vic Larato (PR)

The city government’s Housing and Land Management Division headed by former councilor Jawo Jimenez has taken over on all matters, issues and concerns relating to the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) Project.

Jimenez himself announced this during the press briefing, saying that effective yesterday all matters concerning the Z3R, formerly under Executive Assistant Yah-Yah “Jojo” Abdusalam Jr., have been turned over to his office.

Last Thursday, April 26, a portion of the wooden footbridge leading to the houses-on-stilts in Rio Hondo had collapsed under the combined weights of people including Mayor Beng Climaco, Rep. Celso Lobregat and visitor Rep. Albee Benitez of Negros Occidental, sending them all down into murky water.

Mayor Beng Climaco told reporters that there are no plans to relocate any Z3R projects, but what the city government intends to do is to review the housing units and then perhaps retrofit, if necessary, depending on the availability of funds.

She said the review will be done jointly by the Housing Division, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, City Engineer’s Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, and City Health Office.

Climaco also said the city government viewed the bridge mishap very objectively. “We are picking the pieces up. We are really doing our best and we sat down to be able to address the problems.”

She also said aside from the review of the housing plans there must also be investigation and if need be file the necessary disciplinary actions against erring personnel, the contractors, because on the part of the city government nothing has been officially accepted.

“We have been asking NHA to come up with a third party monitoring because the role of the city is only regulatory and coordinative. It will also be quite difficult to do the monitoring because according to NHA they are monitoring themselves,” the mayor said.

She lamented that until now NHA has yet to submit to the city all documents pertaining to the housing projects for review “as nothing has been officially accepted.”

“There have been turnovers because the beneficiaries were eager and impatient,” she further explained.

Zambo health office ramps up sanitary code implementation

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The City Health Office has issued notice of sanitary code violation to four local business establishments.

Dr. Dulce Amor Dagalea-Miravite, City Health Officer-in-Charge, told the Philippine News Agency they have intensified the inspection of business establishments, especially those selling food, to ensure the protection of the buying public.

“We have issued them notice of hearing. That means summoning them to our office so that we can discuss with them things that they have to comply in the sanitary order,” Miravite said.

She did not release the names of the establishments except to say they included bakeries and food stalls.

She said the erring establishments will be shut down if they still fail to comply with the sanitary code despite three notices.

The City Health Office recently issued a closure order to a bakery that was photographed with rodents inside the bread display container.

The photograph was uploaded in social media site and has gone viral.

Miravite said unsanitary food may lead to health hazard such as cholera, food poisoning, and acute gastroenteritis.

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Zamboanga_City_News_May_2018&oldid=1086465"