Zamboanga City News November 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.

DTI tells consumers how to check ICC stickers

By Bong Garcia

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has revealed how to spot fake Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) the unscrupulous businessmen are employing to dupe buyers into thinking their products are in accordance to product standards.

The move is aimed to protect the consumers from substandard Christmas lights and other products.

DTI-Zamboanga City Office Consumer Protection Division chief Ceferino Rubio said the ICC sticker is about one-inch in diameter with "silvery or hologram in color with ICC mark in the middle."

Rubio said the next thing the consumers should do to ensure if the sticker is genuine is to peel off the sticker to see if it has the word "VOID" or for the latest, the DTI marking because the stickers are made and issued by DTI.

"If these are not found, therefore, it is fake," Rubio said.

Another unique marking of the ICC sticker, according to Rubio, is its number code, citing no two ICC stickers bear the same number code, which can be found in the sticker's interface.

"If you see two or more ICC stickers with the same coding, it is definitely fake," he added.

He urged the public to file their complaints with DTI for appropriate action if after checking they find out that the security markings are missing.

He also warned those business establishments caught violating the law that appropriate sanctions will be slapped against them.

He said the establishment found violating the law will be slapped a minimum find of P17,5000.

The consumers can visit the DTI-Zamboanga City office in case they have complaints or may call at (062)991-2705 or (062)991-2704, Rubio said.

2 Zambo artists among top placers in int’l poster tilt

By TOTOY MUÑOZ

Two young artists from Zamboanga City emerged top placers in the 2014 worldwide poster design competition which highlighted the observance of World Food Day (WFD), Oct.16, in Rome, Italy.

Jhasmin M. Dabasol, a Grade 9-SPFL student of Zamboanga National High School (ZNHS) West, outshone numerous other teen artists to win the second place for the Philippines in Category 3 of the said contest with the theme: “Family Farming : Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth,”

On the other hand, Jhasmin’s cousin, Angel Barachiel S. Muñoz, a Grade V-GT pupil of Baliwasan Central School (BCS), bested a large number of other kid artists to make the list of top 20 and the finals in Category 2 of the same contest co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG).

Daniel D. Muñoz, uncle and trainer of the 15-year-old Jhasmin and 10-year-old Barachiel, said the two local artists were also among the 54 Filipinos who represented the country in the international contest.

Likewise, Daniel, who motivated his niece and nephew to be globally competitive in the field of visual arts, said he was happy that they have joined and figured prominently in the contest through which they were able to help the UN promote family farming as a means to achieving world food security and safeguarding the earth’s biodiversity and natural resources.

“It was also another opportunity for them to harness their artistic skills and compete with other kid and youth artists from various countries in the world, to win accolades and make our country proud as well,” said Daniel, who also commended his niece and nephew on their participation and accomplishments.

Information on their participation and results of the contest were published on the WFD website, the trainer said.]

Also, in separate emails sent to the two Zamboangueño artists a few days before the announcement of the top 3 winners was made, Head Judge Janet Lauderdale of the UNWG expressed her thanks to them for their participation in the 2014 WFD poster contest and informed them that their posters would be exhibited in the headquarters of FAO in Rome.

Lauderdale also congratulated them for making the top 20 in their respective categories and told them to check the website of the contest for the final results.

“This year there were over three thousand applicants so there was a lot of competition,” she said.

The applicants in the three age categories (ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-17) who submitted poster entries were from more than 60 countries around the world.

The top winners in the three categories who received Certificates of Recognition and first-place winners who were also given special gifts, included entrants from Pakistan, the Philippines, Ukraine, India and Bhutan.

Meanwhile, Daniel, who also teaches visual arts to other kids and youth at BCS, said that in last year’s WFD poster contest, two other talents he has trained – Jhasmin’s brother, Clarence M. Dabasol, then fourth year student of ZNHS-West, and Barachiel’s sister, Angel Sealtiel S. Muñoz, who was a first grader at BCS, also emerged finalists together with Barachiel.

Moreover, Daniel said that Sealtiel obtained her first international award when she placed second in Category 1 in the finals of that global contest.

In this year’s WFD poster tilt, Daniel said that Jhasmin’s award became her second achievement at the international level.

He added that in 2011, Jhasmin captured the Mitsubishi Public Affairs Committee Award, the second highest award for her artwork entry in the 10th Mitsubishi Asian Children’s EnikkiFesta in Tokyo, Japan.

According to the trainer, Barachiel also bagged the overall tittle for the country in the 2012 Frogs are Green International Kids Art Contest in New Jersey, USA.

In addition, he expressed hope that his talents, who also have strings of notable achievements from local and national art competitions, would continue to take part in various contests, reap awards and recognition especially in the international arena and bring more laurels to the country.

Regional officials invited to Japan

By A. Perez Rimando

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga Sibugay—At least 21 officials of the Department of Trade and Industry will go on official tour in Japan to observe best practices.

DTI regional director Sitti Amina Jain said the visit is arranged by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on December 7-18.

She said her 21-member from 16 other DTI regions would include Rodolfo Mabalot, Senior Region 9 Trade and Industry Development Specialist.

Jain said the visit is packaged as “Support Systems and Initiatives of Japanese Government for Local Industry Development” under the National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project with two-pronged aim.

She said the group would cover issues on a globally competitive and innovative industry and services sector contributing to employment generation and inclusive growth while looking into the need to strengthen cooperation of Philippines and Japan with a view to ASEAN common market.

The itinerary will take the group “to areas for benchmarking, to study industry cluster practices in Japan, one of world’s highly industrialized nations, to observe potential initiatives for possible replication here to further improve the competitiveness of our Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SME).”

The travel “will enable us to see the effective initiatives the Japanese government has implemented to assist its SMEs which comprise 90 percent of its business establishments,” Jain said.

At the JICA headquarters in Tokyo, she said the group will be briefed on the Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, a support initiative for SME development, as well as on SME financing by the Japan Finance Corp., industry clustering, distribution and promotion of local products and agricultural crops.

The tour will be capped with a visit to Tsuchiura City’s SMEs and business start-up support facilities, the Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry in Nagoya and the Central Japan Industries Association for an overview of sectoral integrated activities.

2-day livelihood summit kicks off

By Sheila Covarrubias

Representatives from the different stakeholders yesterday gathered for a two-day summit intended to craft an economic resettlement and development framework plan for families displaced by the 2013 siege.

Organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-Engage in cooperation with the City Government of Zamboanga, the Livelihood Summit is a result of various studies and community planning activities in evacuation centers and transitory sites as well as round-table discussions on economic capacities and livelihood opportunities.

Mayor Beng Climaco acknowledged the efforts of all partner agencies in putting together the plan that resulted to the livelihood summit which will run from Nov. 26-27 at the Rigodon in Patio Palmeras, Pasonanca.

She specifically cited the contributions of the UNDP represented by Maurice Dewulf, USAID-Engage represented by Barry Reed and International Labor Organization represented by Simon Hills as well as other organizations under the humanitarian team including Civil Society Organizations, private groups and national and local government agencies.

The livelihood summit, she stressed is so timely, as internally displaced persons are no longer asking for food but livelihood opportunities for them to earn money. “Out of their resources and out of their strength, together we can build back a better Zamboanga.”

In their individual messages, UNDP’s Dewulf and ILO’s Hills reaffirmed their commitment to help Zamboanga rise from the devastations wrought by the man-made calamity of 2013.

Rehabilitating Zamboanga is not just providing infrastructure, shelter and health services but also providing opportunities to earn income, Dewulf said adding that this is giving the affected families their right to employment and their right to decent living. “We will rebuild their capacities to be full members of the society”.

Among the objectives of the two-day summit are to generate inputs towards crafting the IDP economic resettlement and development framework or plan; come up with programs to improve capacity, employability and opportunity-matching for the IDPs and arrive at a mechanism for a more effective coordination of all livelihood interventions which have been achieved before, agree on the roles and contributions by various stakeholders and generate policy and strategy program recommendation for IDP livelihood enterprises.

Among the bases used in the summit were the livelihood study done by the Ateneo Research Center that provides the economic capacities and preferred livelihood activities of the IDPs done from August to October this year; the community planning activity in all evacuation centers and transitory sites conducted by USAID-Engage done in coordination with the local government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from Nov. 18-18 and Round table discussion on livelihood with the LGU, CSOs and members of the business sector and some government agencies.

The activity was spearheaded by the Livelihood Cluster under the Zamboanga Recovery and Rehabilitation Coordination Structure.

Highlight during the opening program yesterday was the turnover of IDP Livelihood Study by the USAID-Engage to the City Government through Mayor Climaco.

OCENR tags century, heritage trees in Mercedes

By Claudine Uniana

Committed to the conservation and protection of the city’s trees, personnel from the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources attached metal plates to protected trees at Barangay Mercedes last November 21.

A total of eight trees – seven (7) “Century Trees” and one (1) “Heritage Trees” – were strapped with metal plates in a ceremony led by District 2 Councilor Mike Alavar who was on hand to represent Mayor Beng Climaco.

Four of the “Century Trees” and the lone “Heritage Tree” are located outside the Mercedes Elementary School and the other three (3) “Century Trees” are within the vicinity of the parish church.

The tagging is in partial completion of Executive Order No. BC 62-2014 issued on June 25 which formally declared nine (8) “Century Trees” and three (3) “Heritage Trees” by virtue of City Ordinance 341, otherwise known as the “Century and Heritage Tree Ordinance.”

“Century Trees,” according to the edict, are those that have lived for more than 100 years while “Heritage Tress” are those which may not have reached 100 years “but are considered ecologically, historically or culturally valuable or belonging to a rare specie or are adjacent or near a water source, spring or well and whose cutting or destruction will disrupt or destroy the water source.”

Trees declared as Century or Heritage Trees shall, under the same ordinance, “not be subjected to any cutting or any form or destruction, except for medical, public emergency, public safety and botanical reasons and shall be preserved and maintained in its natural state.”

Such prohibition shall also apply to all plants and animals that live within or are depended on the said trees for their survival.

A century or heritage Trees shall be identified by a metal plate that contains both its local and scientific names, approximate age, location, Tree Registry Number and declaration date.

Population dev’t week activities reels off

By Bong Garcia

THE Commission on Population (Popcom) has lined up series of activities for the observance of the Population and Development Week from November 23 to 28.

Popcom Regional Information Officer Cecilio Abuy said the activities include the holding of the Regional Population Development Summit that was held Monday in Zamboanga City.

Abuy said the summit was aimed to heighten awareness of the participants concerning the Demographic Trends and the Window of Opportunities for Development, as well as to ensure universal primary education and food security for all Filipinos.

A forum on Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality (YAFS) was held today for Popcom personnel and other stakeholders from the Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) areas.

Abuy added that a two-day multi-sectoral forum on youth-friendly services is slated to be held from Wednesday until Thursday.

On Friday, there will be a Regional Population Development Committee conference for provincial and city population officers as well as focal persons of line agencies.

This year’s observance of the Population and Development Week is anchored on the theme: “making every Filipinos matter in sustainable development.”

City readies 3 contests for Pascua Na Zambo

By Sheila Covarrubias

The city government through the City Tourism Office has stepped preparations for Pascua na Zamboanga 2014 to be highlighted by 3 competitions intended to make Christmas celebration in the city even more meaningful and significant.

The three highlights include the Best Barangay Christmas Landmark competition, Christmas Lantern contest and canciones de Pascua.

The best barangay Christmas Landmark contest is open to all barangays in the city with December 5 set as deadline for registration at the City Tourism Office in Paseo del Mar.

Based on guidelines, participating entries should reflect landmark of Christmas symbols, such as Christmas tree, Belen and decorative Christmas lights. The Christmas symbols and other decorations may be made of any material that fit the landmark concept. All entries will be evaluated and judged on Dec. 10-12 where top 8 entries will be selected. The final judging will be Dec. 15.

Criteria for judging will be concept- 50%, artistry- 20%, craftsmanship – 20% and impact – 10%. Major winners will receive cash and trophies with P75T as first prize, P60T for the second prize and P50T for the third prize. The 5 non-winning entries will receive a consolation prize of P10T each.

The Christmas lantern contest on the other hand will be open to all except city government officials and employees. All entries must use the colors of Christmas, visible or lighted at night, made of an all-weather material and will be evaluated and officially qualified and accepted to the competition.

Only 25 lanterns will be officially accepted in the competition. Criteria for judging are indigenous materials- 5%, originality-20% artistry- 20%, symbolism- 25%, craftsmanship- 30%. Interested parties should register with the CTO in Paseo del Mar on or before Dec. 8. Evaluation will be done Dec. 10 and final judging will be on Dec. 15 at 6m Paseo del Mar.

Winners will receive cash prizes and trophies, with P10T for first prize, P7T for second prize, P5T for third prize, P3T for 4th prize and P2T for 5th prize. Non-winning entries will receive P1,500 each.

The Canciones de Pascua contest meanwhile, is a Christmas choral competition among elementary students in the city. It features chavacano Christmas songs primarily to promote and preserve the chavacano dialect.

The participating choral group may represent an elementary school – public or private. The participants must be in grade school or as in the case of out of school youth, must be at a maximum age of 13. It must have a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 30 members. The choral contest will be on Dec. 13 at 4pm at the Paseo del Mar.

Criteria for judging in the canciones de Pascua will be tonal quality-30%, dynamics- 20%, harmony (blending/balance)- 20%, musicality (rhythm/tempo)- 20% and stage deportment (costumes)- 10%.

Deadline for the registration of participants will be Dec. 5 at the City Tourism Office.

Other activities have also been lined up for Pascua de Zamboanga to instill among the residents the true meaning of Christmas.

City allocates additional P8 million to complete phase 1 of sanitary landfill

(RGAAG)

The city government has allocated an additional P8 million for the construction of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and installation of lighting facilities in this city’s sanitary landfill.

City Engineer Vicente Luis Despalo said Friday the installation of the lighting facilities is to enable the stakeholders to work at the sanitary landfill even at nighttime.

Despalo said the construction of the sanitary landfill’s phase 1 now costs P83 million with the allocation of the additional P8 million for the MRF and lighting facilities.

Despalo could not say when the phase 1 of the sanitary landfill starts operation although it is already finished.

The first phase of the landfill comprises of cell number one, roads, fence, drainage system, administration building, leachate treatment and collection facilities and the lining system.

The cell number one has an area of two hectares, which can accommodate this city’s garbage for a period of three years.

The sanitary landfill is located in Barangay Salaan, 15 kilometers east of this city.

It has a total area of 10.6 hectares and will consist of four cells, which can accommodate this city’s solid waste disposal for a 10-year period.

The operations of the sanitary landfill will result in the closure of the open dump site in Barangay Lumbangan, 8.85 kilometers east of this city.

Two-day trade fair set

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to conduct of a two-day trade fair aimed to provide the low-income earning families the opportunity to buy prime commodities at discounted prices in time for the Yuletide seasons.

DTI Provincial Consumer Welfare and Protection Division Chief Ceferino Rubio said the trade fair, dubbed as “Diskwento Caravan,” will be held from December 4 to 5 at the Plaza Pershing downtown.

Rubio said that Noche Buena products will also be on sale during the diskwento caravan aside from basic and prime commodities.

Rubio said the 25 major groceries and supermarkets will participate in the two-day trade fair in this city.

The discount to be given by the participating establishments will range from 10 percent to 50 percent, according to Rubio.

Meanwhile, he said they are monitoring the prices of basic and prime commodities to ensure it is still in accordance to the suggested retail price.

P9-M road projects completed in Zambo

By A. Perez Rimando

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga Sibugay—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) region 9 office has completed P9.23-million worth of projects in the past three quarters out of the P254-million infrastructure program in this highly urbanized city.

District engineer Cholie Roble said the projects included the Zamboanga-Labuan-Limpapa road asphalt overlay costing P3.24 million; upgrading of damaged paved national road in Barangay Malagutay (Phase 1), P1.53 million, and Phase 2, P4.45 million.

Set for delivery by December include the widening of the Zamboanga City-Labuan-Limpapa national highway, asphalt overlay of other sections of the Zamboanga-Labuan road, a bridge construction in Barangay Maasin, and the city port.

Cholie said DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson earlier called on field officials “to see to it that all projects are disaster resilient.”


Zamboanga City mayor orders resumption of shelter construction for ‘siege’ victims

By Liza Jocson (Inquirer Mindanao)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco on Thursday lifted the suspension order on the construction of housing units at the Lustre Homeowners Subdivision in Barangay (village) Sta. Catalina here.

Climaco’s approval of the resumption of construction work came after the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the developers pledged to comply with a list of recommendations that a body – tasked to look into reports of substandard transitory housing and formed by the city hall – earlier submitted.

On top of the recommendations is for the NHA to get the appropriate permits for the implementation of the project.

The NHA and its contractor Billray Construction also agreed to retrofit 51 units being built to improve its durability.

Climaco said aside from this, the contractor also agreed to submit an affidavit of undertaking, assuming full responsibility in case implemented measures to strengthen the units still result in failure of the structures.

The contractor, likewise, agreed to reconstruct housing units that collapsed and were demolished and those that were assessed to be beyond repair, Climaco added.

Other measures to be adopted by the contractor include: “appropriate plastering to be done on the CHB walls to include field density testing on the soil bearing capacity, compliance with appropriate construction methods and section 705 national Structural Code of the Philippines series of 2010, soil compaction of the housing area and that construction materials used be of good quality and sourced from accredited suppliers.”

ZC: City gets green banner award for nutrition

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

The City of Zamboanga was one of the local government units in Zamboanga Peninsula conferred with the Green Banner Award for its exemplary nutrition program.

This was announced by City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos Monday as he presented to City Mayor Beng the plaque of recognition from the National Nutrition Council, Regional Nutrition Council and the Anti-Hunger Committee of Zamboanga Peninsula which commended the LGU on its outstanding effort to implement its nutrition plan for 2013.

The award further recognized the effective and efficient management of the nutrition program by the Nutrition Committee of the City as instrumental in the improvement of the nutrition situation of the families in Zamboanga.

The Green Banner Award is the highest honor given to local government units with excellent implementation and management of nutritional programs.

For the Zamboanga Peninsula region, three LGUs received the Green Banner Award, including Zamboanga City for the City Category, and Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay for the municipality and provincial categories, respectively.

The three LGUs each received a trophy and a laptop from the National Nutrition Council (NNC).

Mayor Climaco commended the members of the City’s nutrition committee, and enjoined them to use the Green Banner Award as inspiration to further improve and address the gaps and needs of the City’s nutrition program.

She also recognized the health and nutrition workers on the ground as the prime movers of the nutrition program, especially in the grassroots community.

“This award really goes to the workers who are responding to the nutritional needs del deaton maga bata,” she said.

Meanwhile, the City Health Office (CHO) remains invested in the implementation and development of health programs in the City.

The CHO has announced its calendar of activities for November which will include activities and awareness celebrations such as the Cancer Awareness Month, Filariasis Awareness Month, Traditional and Alternative Health Care Month, Malaria Awareness Month, Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week, National Consciousness Week Against Counterfeit Medicine, Population and Development Week, 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, and National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of VAWC.

Moreover, a free skin clinic will be held on November 19 at the City Hall lobby from 8am – 12 noon. This is in line with the National Skin Diseases and Prevention Week.

Zambo to buy ARMM property

By A. Perez Rimando

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga Sibugay—Second district Rep. Lilia M. Nuno has asked Malacanang to start transferring the properties of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (ARMM) in Barangay Cabatangan here to the city government under the Expanded ARMM Law, before the enactment by congress of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Nuno was joined by Rep. Celso Lobregat in urging Chairwoman Teresita Deles of the Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) to allow the city to acquire lots now being occupied by the Marines and regional offices of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Civil Service Commission, Population Commission, Department of Education, Commission on Audit, and Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

Nuno said Section 1, Article XVIII of the ARMM law expanding its geographic composition noted that “the national government was mandatorily required to purchase the said properties which are registered in the name of the ARMM government and thereafter convey those which the city government of Zamboanga is willing to acquire.”

She said the “provision has remained unimplemented after a lapse of 13 years from the approval of the law on March 31, 2001 by President Arroyo” adding that “all ARMM properties in localities that opt not to join the expanded ARMM territory through the plebiscite, shall be purchased by the national government and subsequently sold to the local government units concerned which were willing to purchase the said properties.”

She said the conveyance of ARMM’s Cabatangan properties to the Zamboanga city government “will serve as a fitting closure for the Expanded ARMM Law and the introduction of the Bangsamoro Basic Law” which could be used by the future Bangsamoro entity to attach the said properties.

In a letter to Deles, Nuno asked her to remind President Benigno Aquino III “the willingness of this highly urbanized city to purchase the Cabatangan ARMM properties “as manifested through numerous approved Sangguniang Panglungsod resolutions, the latest of which was Resolution No. 1199 dated Oct. 14, 2014.”

City upgrades traffic lights

By Bong Garcia

A LOCAL government official announced the Zamboanga City Government has allocated P9 million to upgrade the traffic lights in three of its major intersections.

City General Services Officer Engineer Rene Dela Cruz said the traffic lights will be replaced with new ones or with state-of-the-art technology.

The existing traffic lights in the different parts of the city were installed in 1998.

Dela Cruz said among the traffic lights to be upgraded are located at the intersections of Sta. Cruz and Veterans Avenue, Governor Camins and Mayor Jaldon, and Mayor Jaldon and Gov. Alvarez Avenue.

He said the cables posts to include the bulbs will be replaced with light-emitting diode.

He said the timers will also be replaced so that the motorist will know how many seconds until the traffic lights will shift to green or red.

The traffic lights on three other major intersections will be upgraded early next year, he added.

These intersections are the Veterans and Governor Alvarez Avenues, Gov. Lim and Veterans Avenues, and Baliwasan Chico and San Jose Road.

P1.5-M allocated for Christmas decorations

By Bong Garcia

THE local government of Zamboanga City has allocated P1.5 million to decorate the different public places in the city this Yuletide Seasons.

City General Service Office (CGSO) head Engineer Rene Dela Cruz said that this year’s funding allocation is higher by P300,000 compared to that of last year which was P1.2 million.

Dela Cruz said the allocation will be used to purchase materials such as plywood, wires, light-emitting diode (LED) lights, and others for the fabrication of giant Christmas Trees and lanterns.

Dela Cruz said among the areas that will be decorated are City Hall and public plazas namely Paseo del Mar, Plaza del Pilar, Plaza Rizal, and Plaza Pershing.

He said a 60 feet high Christmas tree will be placed at Plaza Pershing, Plaza del Pilar and Paseo del Mar.

He said this year’s motif is blue and will be anchored in the theme: “peace.”

Zambo City marks 30th Dia de Cesar

By Sheila Covarrubias

All roads lead to the Climaco Freedom Park in Abong-abong today, Nov. 14 in commemoration of the 30th death anniversary death anniversary of the legendary mayor Cesar Cortez Climaco.

The activities will start with a mass at 7am at the Pasonanca Parish Church and will continue with the commemorative program at the Climaco Freedom Park at 8am.

People coming from all walks of life, including boy scouts and girl scouts are expected to attend the significant activity.

In the afternoon, an extemporaneous speaking contest and a quiz bowl related to the life story of Mayor Cesar Climaco will be held at 2 o’clock at the City Hall conference room.

Dubbed as “Dia de Cesar”, the events today are the culmination of a weeklong calendar of activities that kicked off Monday, November 10 in City Hall. These activities included the unveiling of commemorative portraits at Plaza Rizal marking Cesar Climaco’s life and legacy and the opening of exhibit of Climaco’s personal effects, artifacts and memoirs at the City Hall lobby.

Yesterday, November 13, a parade participated by mostly young students and scouts was held from the residence of the late mayor to the Climaco Freedom Park. A variety show followed at 6pm.

At 9pm yesterday, Mayor Climaco and the other members of the Climaco family led the different sectors of the city in the candle lighting and flower offering ceremony at the assassination site in Camino Nuevo.

Carisma, Coraje y Compasion mark CCC’s life and legacy. He was a very energetic and humorous person that charmed people- young and old, who meet him. He showed courage when he opposed the Marcos dictatorship and vowed not to cut his hair until democracy is achieved. He was a very brave man for he feared nothing, not even the loss of his life. Despite his eccentricity, he was a person with a pure heart and showed compassion to all people-regardless of race, creed and color.

Cesar Climaco was killed by still unidentified assassin while inspecting the fire scene in Camino Nuevo early morning of Nov. 14, 1984.

US ambassador to visit Zambo City

By Bong Garcia

UNITED States Ambassador Philip Goldberg will be the keynote speaker Friday in the graduation ceremony of 181 out-of-school-youth (OSY) on livelihood skills training in Zamboanga City.

The livelihood skill training was conducted under the auspices of the US Embassy through the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev) project.

The five-year USAid project will actively engage at least 19,000 OSY in workforce and community development activities by developing their basic education competencies, livelihood capabilities, and life and leadership skills for civic engagement.

The US Embassy said in a statement Thursday that Goldberg will attend the signing of the Cities Development Initiative between the American government and Zamboanga City Government.

The Cities Development Initiative, which is part of the US-Philippines Partnership for Growth, aims to unleash the development potential of this city through collaboration in the areas of health, education, environment, and economic and investment promotion.

ZCWD: Prime Water can solve Zambo’s water woes

By Liza Jocson

Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) officials expressed helplessness in solving the city’s water shortage problems and are now relying on two giant corporations to help provide solutions to the water crisis.

“We want to give good water service but that’s the best that we can do,” said Assistant General Manager for Administration John Taula during a dialogue with officials of the City Council, yesterday.

This as the local water district grapples with problems on water turbidity, high systems loss, antiquated pipelines dating back to the 1900’s, and lack of water sources.

Taula said that the water district has no way to fight the harsh effects of nature which causes water turbidity.

The only solution at this point is to minimize consumption coupled with efficient water distribution to all water consumers, a move that has resulted to low water pressure being experienced in most households.

Taula also admitted that the two plants generating the supply of water can hardly meet the demand on the current number of consumers.

At present only two water plants generating water good for 36,000 connections are serving the present demand of 54,000 consumers.

He said that the entry of Prime Water, a company specializing in water distribution can effectively solve the lack of supply as it can generate water for up to 50,000 consumers.

The supply to be generated by Prime Water is reportedly intended for consumers in the West Coast and a big portion of the town proper.

The set up leaves Zamboanga City Water District to concentrate on the City’s east coast and part of the town proper which is not going to be supplied by Prime Water.

Taula believes that this set up will provide consistent water supply and will eliminate the problem of low water pressure in most barangays.

Meanwhile, the Local Water District is also faced with systems loss of up to 47% caused by illegal water connections and faulty and leaking water pipes.

ZCWD is currently implementing the rehabilitation of its water pipes after asking for an increase in water rates three years ago.

Presently however, only 7-8 kilometers out of 30 kilometers of pipelines have been rehabilitated.

Engineer Marlie Acosta De Fiesta, Planning Division Officer in Charge said that the local water district is now considering procuring the services of Manila Water Company to provide solutions on how to decrease its systems loss.

Manila Water Company reportedly submitted an unsolicited proposal in the year 2010 to the Water District to improve the latter’s water distribution.

The Zamboanga City Water District is currently in the process of bidding out the services to be able to start its rehabilitation plan.

De Fiesta discounts the possibility of an increase in water rates saying that revenues from an increased volume of water brought about by hiring Manila Water will compensate for the cost of procuring their services.

Manila Water, a corporation affiliated with the Ayala Group of Companies, is said to have no relationship with Prime Water, a company owned by the Villar group.

City Veterinarian initiates mammal conservation

By Claudine Uniana

To increase the city’s capability in responding to incidence of marine mammal stranding in the city, the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCV) had conducted a two-day training workshop on marine mammal conservation and stranding response last week.

Experts from the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) and Ocean Adventure explained to participants the importance of protecting the remaining population of marine mammals in the city and trained them on the proper response to stranding events.

Participants to the training workshop were composed of city employees from the OCV, Office of the City Agriculturist and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, select barangay officials as well as representatives of various Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (FARM-C) and the academe.

According to City Veterinarian Dr Mario Arriola, the training is to address the rising frequency of marine mammal stranding in the city, to raise awareness on the protection of marine mammals, and more importantly, to ensure the survival of whales, dolphins and dugongs that are “beached” in the city.

PMMSN National President and Ocean Adventure consultant Dr Lemnuel Aragones introduced the group to the organization’s advocacy, with a comprehensive discussion on the various species of whales and dolphins found in the country’s waters.

Resident Ocean Adventure veterinarian Dr Leo Jonathan Suarez, who is a native of Culianan, discussed the phenomena of stranding and enlightened the group on the factors that can lead to a single or mass stranding of marine mammals.

Both experts talked in details the importance of an effective stranding response, particularly in instances involving live stranders where the safety and survival of the animal must be considered.

To ensure their readiness to respond to future strandings, participants underwent simulation exercises near Paseo del Mar and successfully acted out various scenarios of stranding.

With their successful completion of the training workshop, the participants will be among the first to respond to reported strandings in the city and will make up the local PMMSN chapter in the city.

Binay check housing projects for IDPs

By Bong Garcia

VICE President Jejomar Binay visited on Saturday two areas where permanent shelters are being constructed for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the city.

Among the areas Binay visited were the houses on stilts for the Badjaos in the village of Mariki and the housing units at the Lustre Homeowners Association Subdivision in the village of Sta. Catalina.

The two villages were among the areas that were severely affected in the 21-day September 2013 standoff that sent thousands of people to flee to safety.

Binay visited the housing projects to get first hand information on the situation of the two housing projects being the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Construction works at the two housing projects have been suspended on recommendation of Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar after she discovered the materials that were used are sub-standard as well as not in accordance to the project specifications.

National Housing Authority (NHA) District Engineer Al-Kwarizimi Indanan reported to Binay they have ordered the contractor, particularly at Lustre Homeowners Association Subdivision to retrofit the housing units found with “defective or sub-standard concrete hollow blocks.”

Indanan, whose office oversees the implementation of the project, said so far 57 units were found with sub-standard concrete hollow blocks.

A total of 158 housing units are to be constructed at the Lustre Homeowners Association Subdivision.

Binay said it good that the defects were immediately discovered “so that necessary corrections can be undertaken.”

Binay was accompanied by Salazar and other local government officials during the inspection of the two housing projects. They met at City Hall prior to the inspection.

Binay, accompanied by Valenzuela Sherwin Gatchalian, arrived here Saturday as the guest speaker in the opening of the five-day Boy Scout of the Philippines’ (BSP) Centennial Jamboree.

The jamboree, which ends Wednesday, November 12, is being held at the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Zamboecozone) in the village of Talisayan, 26 kilometers west of this city.

Upon arrival, the Vice President joined the market goers and vendors in a boodle fight breakfast at this city’s waterfront public market.

Binay, who is the BSP president, also joined the Boy Scouts participating in the jamboree in a boodle fight lunch.

6,300 join Centennial Jamboree

By Bong Garcia

A TOTAL of 6,300 joined the Boy Scouts of the Philippines’ (BSP) Centennial Jamboree that reeled off Saturday in Zamboanga City.

BSP-Zamboanga City Council Second Vice-Chairman Engineer Reynaldo Misanes said the participants are from the different BSP councils across Mindanao.

The Centennial Jamboree is being held at the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority in the village of Talisayan.

Misanes said that some of the participating delegates, like that from Cagayan de Oro City, arrived on Saturday.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is the BSP president, has reminded the scouts to open their hearts and minds, saying “we are here to grow and develop ourselves into useful citizens.”

“I believe that in the days to come, as we interact with each other, you scouts shall grow taller and wiser and full of hope for this country and yourself, your family and your friends,” Binay told the Boy Scouts.

Dayaw Festival set on Nov. 21-22 in Zambo

By Hader Glang

With just two weeks before the first ever Dayaw Festival kick off in Zamboanga City, event organizers led by National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in partnership with the City’s Indigenous Peoples Council of Leaders and the city government are finalizing the preparation and other arrangements including security measures for the two-day celebrations.

The festival is touted to be the biggest gathering of the country’s IPs set from November 21 to 22, 2014 in the city. It features forums on issues and concerns of the indigenous people, demonstrations of traditional crafts and cuisines, recognition of cultural masters, an exhibit of photographs and crafts, and outreach performances of ethnic songs and dances.

At a news conference Thursday at Grand Astoria Hotel, NCCA’s Sub-commission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts Al-Anwar Anzar, IP Councilor Ismael Musa, National Commission on Indigenous People-Zamboanga City head George Jocutan and Yahya Abdulsalam, representing city hall mayor office were optimistic about the Dayaw Festival 2014 and their progress to date.

“Various activities will be held at different venues in the city, where the opening ceremony will be held at the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, while the closing ceremony will be held at Paseo del Mar,” said Anwar.

“It (Dayaw Festival in Zamboanga) will be participated in by 27 tribal affiliations/communities or indigenous groups of southern Philippines composed of 12 clusters,” he said. “The Zamboanga celebration is part of the nationwide celebration of Dayaw 2014: The Indigenous Peoples Festival in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.”

Dayaw aims to highlight the importance and richness of indigenous cultures, to discuss issues IPs face today and facilitate interactions with other IPs. It also aims to mine traditional knowledge as well as draw inspiration and insight from indigenous ways of life to find solutions for modern problems.

In previous years, Dayaw gathered IPs in one venue. This year, it is held in three different venues in the future major island clusters of the country under the theme “Katutubong Filipino Para sa Kalikasan at Kapayapaan” (Indigenous Filipino for Environment and Peace).

In Luzon, Dayaw was held from October 22 to 23 in Baguio City, in partnership with Negros Cultural Foundation, Inc. participated in by northern ethnic groups. In the Visayas, Dayaw will be held from November 10 to 11 in Bacolod City, also in partnership with Negros Cultural Foundation, Inc., and will be participated by indigenous groups of central Philippines.

Councilor Musa said they have taken coordinated efforts with the police and the military to ensure security during the two-day Dayaw Festival.

“We actually sent letters to our police chief Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, andv Lieutenant Colonel Taharudin Ampatuan, Group Commander of the 4th Civil Relations Group based in Western Mindanao... basically we are not only coordinating with the joint Task Force Zamboanga but we’re coordinating entirely with the Western Mindanao Command,” he added.

Dayaw is annually held in celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month observed every October, showcasing the different indigenous people groups of the Philippines, and an enriching and interesting array of activities - form performances, rituals, and forums to tradition cuisine demos, traditional games, arts to crafts exhibit and cultural others.

The signing of Presidential Proclamation 1906 in October 5, 2009, declaring National IPs’ Month, expanded the IP’s Week celebration, and the NCCA has been celebrating indigenous cultures in different parts of the country.

“Indigenous peoples play a great role in the preservation, protection of environment and promotion of peace,” Anwar stressed.

“We’re very happy because they bring Dayaw in Zamboanga...we’re very much in support to this indigenous peoples festival,” said Jocutan.

For Abdusalam, “In behalf of the city government, especially the city mayor’s office, we’re also glad that NCCA brings Dayaw here, the first in Zamboanga City... it’s time to take part in this coming event.”

Health, dietary tips tackled in media forum

By Dan Toribio Jr.

The Department of Science and Technology-9 (DOST-9) released several healthy and dietary tips during a media forum held in partnership with Del Monte Philippines Inc. at the Grand Astoria Hotel yesterday.

Among the tips is blood pressure control. Below 130/80 is the target for most people.

According to the DOST tips, blood pressure can be put under control by eating more fruits and vegetables, taking low-salt and low sodium food. Losing weighs is also needed , being physically active, not smoking and limiting alcohol drinks.

For cholesterol control, everyone is advised to undergo check up at least once a year.

The target for most people for low density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol is below 100. High density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol should be above 40 for men and above 50 for women. Triglycerides should be below 150.

Making physical activity as part of daily routine is also advised. It aims for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Have a check with the doctor to learn what activities that is best for us.

It is also advised that food that are we taking are “heart healthy” that include high fiber fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and oats.

Cut back on meats, butter and dairy products. Limit foods with transfat such as potato chips.

Losing weight if you need to. If you are overweight, try to exercise most days of the week. Consult a registered dietitian for help in planning meals and lowering the fat and calorie content of your diet to reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Quitting smoking will also decrease your risk of heart disease because smoking is the major cause of atherosclerosis or buildup of fatty substance in the arteries which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Moreover, studies have shown that low dose of aspirin everyday can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The DOST has also emphasized that peope should consult a doctor before taking a daily dose of aspirin because it is contraindicated if you have a bleeding disorder.

Present during the one-day affair were Noemi Edaga, Regional director of the PIA IX, Dr. Zenaida Narcisco, chief Science Research Specialist, DOST-FNRI, Ms Malou Galang, Senior Science Research Specialits, DOST-FNRI and Mr. Martin Joseph Fausto of Del Monte Philippines Inc.

City starts business renewal for 2015

By RG ANTONET A. GO

The City Government of Zamboanga, Permits and Licensing Division has already started their renewal of business permit for the year 2015 on Monday.

Chief of the City Permits and Licensing Division Benjie Barredo, said they are expecting over 8,200 businessmen to renew their businesses for next year.

Barredo said majority of the businesses are engaged in retailing.

According to Barredo, they can start the process of renewal as early as now by getting their locational clearance, fire safety inspection certificate, and sanitary permit.

Payments for the renewal of business permits will be accepted by January but it is better if they already have all the requirements ready.

The deadline for the renewal of business permit will be January 20 next year.

Those who will not be able to renew their business permit on time will have to pay surcharges.

The early renewal is in lieu of city ordinance 92008, the Revenue Ordinance of Zamboanga City.

Zambo Ecozone to host centennial jamboree

By Albi A. Marquez

In line with the celebration of the 100 years of the Introduction of the Scouting Program in the Philippines, ZAMBOECOZONE and Freeport will host the Mindanao leg of the Philippine Scouting Centennial Jamboree on November 8-12, 2014.

With the theme: “Peace and Development through Scouting”, the 5-day Jamboree aims to provide a progressive, safe and enjoyable learning environment highlighting the historical significance of 100 years of Scouting in the country with modules on the 21st Century Leadership and Core Life Skills; Cityof Science and Global Development Village; Learn a Trade and Learners Market; The Lorillard Spencer Troop Service; Back to Basics on Scoutcraft and Orienteering Course; and Outdoor and Water Adventure Expedition. Modules on Special Adults Activities and Special Activities will also be incorporated in the jamboree’s general programme of activities.

“Zamboanga (City) will be playing an important role on November 8-12, as she will host the Philippines Scouting Centennial Jamboree”, Mayor Maria Isabelle G. Climaco-Salazar declared. “Let us show our visitors the famed Zamboangeño hospitality and let us prepare for this very big event in our history, and let us all together build back a better Zamboanga,” said the local chief executive.

Mayor Climaco-Salazar has issued an Executive Order last October 17, 2014, declaring November 8-12 as National Boy Scouts Jamboree Week in the City of Zamboanga.

The Executive Order, BC 72-2014, is supported by the City Council through its Resolution No. 996, issued last August 26, 2014, which declared the same week in November as National Boy Scouts of the Philippines Jamboree Week in Zamboanga City.

Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP)-Zamboanga City Scout Executive Arthur Griño said, “It was during the American occupation in 1914 that Mrs. Caroline Spencer took care of 26 Muslim boys who were wandering aimlessly. With the assistance of Lt. Sherman L. Kiser, they organized the boys into a troop called the Lorillard Spencer Troop that gave birth to the Scouting movement in the Republic of the Philippines.”

The earliest documented formation of a Scout troop in the country was the Lorillard Spencer Troop, in Barangay Recodo, Zamboanga City, nearly a century ago. The local Boy Scout troop got its name after the son of the American charity worker Carolyn Spencer, who helped support the formation of the scouting here as her son,Lorilard, was an active Scout in the United States of America.The organizer of the all Filipino-Muslim troop was U.S. Navy Second Lieutenant Sherman L. Kiser, who administered the Scout’s Oath to the group on November 15, 1914.

Mr. Griño said the centennial jamboree is open to all registered Scouts from ages 10 to 12 years old who are holders of a Second Class Scout Rank and Senior Scouts ages 13 to 17 years old of at least a Pathfinders Scout Rank.

Over 5,000 Scouts from all over the archipelago and nearby countries,such as Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, China, and Malaysia, are expected to come to the city for the jamboree. No less than Vice President JejomarC. Binay Sr., the BSP National President, will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker in the opening ceremonies of the jamboree. The Scouts are expected to start arriving on the 6th of November and break camp on the 13th.

The centennial jamboree is packedwith numerous programs that will surely make the event an exciting and entertaining, as well as an educational camp, with activities to include: skill-o-ramas, scout rallies, scout fora, drills competitions, olympics, cultural presentations, film showings, campfires and parties. The jamboree will also feature a 50-booth jamboree market that will showcase the best of Zamboanga’s wares, goodsand delicacies.

The centennial jamboree marks the third collaboration between the ZAMBOECOZONE and Freeport Authority and the Boy Scout of the Philippines, as the zone was host to the 1st Border Jamboree on January, 2001 and the 2nd Border Jamboree last May, 2009. Both jamborees saw the participation of thousands of scouts trooping to the zone from all parts of the Philippines and nearby countries in the Southeast Asia-Pacific Region.

Lt. Gen. Rustico O. Guerrero, chief, Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM), has taken a personal interest in the security preparations for the jamboree. WESMINCOM, the Zamboanga City Police Central Office and Task Force Zamboanga will be the main elements contributory to the security efforts for the jamboree.

“All ground, air, and sea forces and assets will be employed to secure the safe conduct of the centennial jamboree at the Zamboanga Ecozone”, Gen. Guerrero said in a conference with ZAMBOECOZONE Chairperson and Administrator Christopher Lawrence S. Arnuco, Honorable City Councilor Atty. Rommel S.Agan and the local BSP Leadership headed by Mr. Griño, last October 10, 2014, at WESMINCOM.

In support of the BSP Zamboanga Council’s initiatives, Chairperson and Administrator Arnuco has given his all-out support and marshalled the Authority’s personnel and disposed the logistics required to assure the successful conduct of the centennial jamboree in the zone.

To assure the influx of guests and visitors to the jamboree, the ZAMBOECOZON and Freeport Authority has initiated its own jamboree market in frontof and within its main building to augment and support the BSP jamboree market. The ZAMBOECOZONE Jamboree Market will feature a bazaar and food court to include the Crocs Sales Caravan that recently held a successful sales binge at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University last month.

A media center was also created by ZAMBOECOZONE and Freeport Authority to assure the utmost coverage of this historical event in Zamboanga City.

DOST media forum on Nov. 5 to tackle dietary fiber benefits

By Monch L. Follosco

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will hold the “2014 NUTRICOMNET-IX Media Forum,” on November 5 at the Grand Astoria hotel.

The occasion is a joint undertaking of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) and the Del Monte Philippines, Inc., to tackle the issue on the benefits and importance of dietary fiber in one’s diet.

Dietary fiber plays an important factor in preventing certain diseases and likewise promotes over-all health nutrition.

FNRI will present the National Nutrition Survey (NNS) data on hypercholesterolemia, dietary fiber and its health benefits and tips on “living a healthy lifestyle,” among other topics to be discussed.

The one-day media forum will take place at 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Participation to the event is free for all media men.For more details, please coordinate with the Local Organizing Committee headed by Ms. Thelma Diego or Ms. Mary Grace Antonio at (062) 991-1024 or fax No. (062) 992-1114.

Sulu Royal princesses to gather in Zamboanga

(Manila Bulletin)

Zamboanga City – About 150 Royal Princesses of the Sultanate of Sulu are coming to this city on November 17 for the First National Conference of Royal Princesses of the Sultanate of Sulu to be held in one of the premier hotels here.

Datu Albi Dakula Julkarnain said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the event was signed Thursday at the Western Mindanao State University among the organizers and partners for the historic gathering.

According to Datu Julkarnain, it would be the first time that a conference of Royal Ladies will be held in the 100 years history of the Sultanate of Sulu.

Datu Julkarnain said the conference of Royal Ladies aims to bolster the commitment of the Royal Princesses to build peace and promote the general welfare of the “Ra’ayat of the Bangsa-Sug” of the Sulu Sultanate.

It will also encourage the Royal families of the Sultanate of Sulu to unite and embrace their royal legacy and responsibility in preserving the Sulu beliefs, customs and traditions as followers of the Islam Faith.

9 injured in collision

(SunStar Zamboanga)

SEVEN people, including a one-year-old child, were wounded when a motorcycle collided with a tricycle, locally known as pedicab, on the eve of the All Saints Day.

Wounded were the following: Edgar Atilano, 27, the motorcycle driver; Jan Carl Tampal, 13, the pedicab driver and his passengers: Nenita Tampal, 35, Remie Clemente, 30; Sanson Ramises, 27; Silagan Tampal, 40; and, the one-year-old Remie.

The police reported that the accident took place around 8:20 p.m. Friday at Sitio Balinsungay in the village of Mercedes, Zamboanga City.

Investigation showed that Tampal and his relatives were injured as they were bumped by a motorcycle without a headlight driven by Atilano while they were aboard a pedicab on the way coming from the new cemetery in the village of Mercedes, the police said.

Atilano, who was also injured, was allegedly under the influence of liquor at the time of the accident, the police said.

All of them were taken to the hospital for treatment, the police added.

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Zamboanga_City_News_November_2014&oldid=770736"