Zamboanga City News November 2015

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Zamboanga City - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Limpapa Beach.JPG
Limpapa Beach

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Zamboanga Christmas festival kicks off Tuesday

By Bong Garcia

THE Christmas festival dubbed as "Pascua na Zamboanga 2015" will kick off today, December 1.

Zamboanga City Hall information officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the highlight of the festival's grand opening is the switching on of Christmas decors in the City Hall and the adjacent landmarks such as Plaza Pershing, Paseo del Mar, and Plaza del Pilar at 6 p.m.

Covarrubias said City Government employees will parade the streets from the City Hall grounds to Paseo del Mar, where the 70-foot Christmas tree will be lit up and will be followed by the Christmas party of the employees.

The local government has allocated P2 million to adorn the city's different landmarks with Christmas decorations in time for the celebration of the Yuletide season.

[Read the related story here.]

The city's decoration budget for this year is higher by P500,000 compared to last year's budget of P1.5 million since they purchased LED Christmas lights.

Zambo encapsulated in Ateneo art exhibit

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

How do we capture the spirit of Zamboanga? How do we pin down a city constantly evolving?

The Ateneo Center for Culture and the Arts invites the public to the opening of Zipcode 7000, an art exhibit by the Cabato family, one of Zamboanga’s established families, at 11am at the Gallery of the Peninsula and the Archipelago in Ateneo de Zamboanga University-Salvador campus in La Purisima on December 1st, 2015.

One of the activities lined up for this year’s Ateneo Fiesta celebration from November 30 to December 6, the exhibit is the Cabato family’s first creative collaboration to provide a personal response to the ortgeist (spirit of the place) of Zamboanga. Introspective and relatable, the works unravel more than just a city treasured for its iconic landmarks and beautiful landscapes. Like a commemorative diary, it gives light to one perspective of living in Zamboanga.

Although each member of the family stems from different fields of interest, the main thread that weaves all their works together is a common rootedness to their hometown, bringing in choice ingredients of what makes Zamboanga the family’s comfort zone. Cabato family patriarch Jun captures landscape photos of his favorite spots at the local golf resort. Nene experiments the unfamiliar blend of watercolor and paper quilling to create compelling and intricate reliefs. Rene merges clouds and water through his photographs on reflections. Mike lights up x-ray films redefining creative science. Ja fills the space with a kite installation amidst her paintings on endemic birds. Neil showcases his graphic designs inspired by iconic Zamboanga symbols. Regine shares insights of places in Zamboanga through her poetry. Lizette debuts one of her personal illustrations.

Also on display during the exhibit are supplementary products such as postcards and coloring books bearing the artworks that will be put up for sale.Proceeds from the sales will go to Ateneo’s Recovery and Assistance Program (RAP).

Gallery hours are from Monday to Friday, 9 to 6PM and Saturday, 8AM-12N. The exhibit will run until January 16, 2016.

Zambo LGU gets seal of excellence on population dev’t

By Sheila Covarrubias

The City Government has been conferred the Seal of Excellence on Population and Development by the Commission on Population in recognition of the city’s contribution in the field of population and development and exemplary performance in the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP).

The Seal of Excellence was turned over to City Social Welfare and Development Officer Socorro Rojas, who represented Mayor Beng Climaco during the awarding ceremonies for the Rafael M. Salas Population and Development Award (RMSPDA) held in Manila Thursday, Nov. 26.

Aside from the seal of excellence, the city was also honoured as Regional winner of the 2014 RMSPDA under the city category.

The city’s cash prize of P50,000 was formally turned over to Mayor Climaco by Popcom Regional Director Reynaldo Wong last October 19. The prize is to be utilized for any population and development activities, programs/ projects in the city.

The Rafael M. Salas Population and Development Award is designed to perpetuate the legacy of Rafael M. Salas, first executive director of the United Nations Population Fund, by honoring and giving due recognition to local government units, local chief executives and institutions or individuals for their outstanding contributions in the field of population and development.

Zambo City allocates PhP20-M to establish ICT center

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 27 (PNA) – The city government has allocated PhP20 million for the establishment of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) center.

Councilor Vincent Paul Elago, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Science and Technology, made this announcement Friday citing the funding will be used to rehabilitate the Convention Center in Barangay Pasonanca and convert it into ICT center.

The Convention Center, which was constructed by the national government years ago, is being occupied at its ground floor by some government offices while its upper floor remain unoccupied.

The upper floor was previously occupied by the City Councilors when the City Council building along R.T. Lim Boulevard was under construction.

Elago said the PhP20 million funding allocation is included in the 2016 budget of the local government.

He said the Convention Center will house the local ICT office and will serve as training center and for other ICT-related activities once it is renovated.

He said the Convention Center can also accommodate call centers that would operate in this city.

Shelter Fair highlights Urban Poor solidarity week fete

By Sheila Covarrubias

Key shelter agencies and developers will showcase their services and featured house and lot packages during the Shelter Fair set on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 5:30am to 5pm at the Paseo del Mar highlighting the opening of the Urban Poor Solidarity Week.

Organized by the City Government through the Housing and Land Management Division and the Zamboanga Homeowners and People’s Organizations Federation, Inc., the shelter fair will be participated by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), National Housing Authority (NHA) and Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

PAG-IBIG Fund or the Home Development Mutual Plan will entertain queries for the disposal of acquired assets and mandatory coverage of all income-generating Filipinos- be they employed, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and even association and organization members, formal or informal.

Twelve housing developers will showcase their house and lot packages and units and these include the Blue Shark Development Trading Corp., Dawing Corporation, Filinvest Land, Inc., HLC Construction and Development Firm, HNH Realty and Development, Lulua Realty Development, Inc., MGM and Associates, RGL Housing and Property Development, Tropical Village Residences, Uswah Prime Realty Corporation, XANADA Properties Corporation and ZC Tierra Verde Corporation.

The Urban Poor Solidarity Week celebration slated from Nov. 28-Dec. 7 is a gathering of Homeowners Associations and People’s Organizations aimed to foster friendship and camaraderie and most importantly to update members on issues affecting the sector.

The celebration will kick off at 5:30am at Paseo del Mar with a zumba activity to be followed by the opening program with Mayor Beng Climaco and personalities from Manila gracing the event.

Other activities during the week-long celebration include the mass blood donation on December 2 with Zamboanga City Medical Center as the blood bank, Women’s Congress at the Royce Convention in Astoria Hotel on December 4 and the Leaders’ Convention on Dec. 7.

There are a total of 115 Urban Poor and Homeowners Associations and People’s organizations in Zamboanga City with over 30,000 individual members.

DOLE monitors payment of 13th month pay

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 25 (PNA) -– The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has tasked its Labor Law Compliance Officers to monitor payment of the 13th month pay by the employers.

DOLE Regional Information Officer Iris Gay Tangcalagan told the Philippines News Agency on Wednesday it is to ensure the employers comply with the law governing payment of the 13th month pay.

President Decree No. 851 requires employers to pay their rank and file employees 13th month salary regardless of the nature of employment and irrespective of the methods by which their wages are paid provided they worked for at least one month during the calendar year.

An employee who worked for one month during a calendar year shall be paid not be less than one-twelfth of the total basic salary earned by an employee in a calendar year.

She advised the employees that they can file complaint for non-payment of the 13th month pay by their employers for appropriate action.

City’s weightlifters grab medals in Rio Olympics

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

Zamboangueño weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia emerged victorious in a weightlifting Olympic-qualifier competition held in Texas, a victory which will set them on the road to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Diaz and Colonia clinched podium finishes, both winning bronze medals in their respective categories at the 2015 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Weightlifting Championship in Houston, Texas.

Diaz won 3 bronze medals in the 53 kg category while Colonia won 1 bronze medal in the 56 kg category.

According to City Sports Officer Dr. Cecil Atilano, Diaz and Colonia’s individual wins qualified them to compete in the 2016 Olympics, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 2016.

The coaches and athletes are currently waiting for the official notification and announcement from the IWF, said Atilano.

Upon receiving the news, City Mayor Beng Climaco praised Diaz and Colonia’s victories during her Monday press briefing.

“Congratulations to Nestor Colonia and Hidilyn Diaz for their victory in their respective categories during the 2015 IWF World Championships in Houston, Texas qualifying them to the Rio Olympics. To God be the glory,” said Climaco.

The City recently recognized Diaz and Colonia for their exemplary performance in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Phuket, Thailand, a campaign that resulted in five gold medals and a silver medal last September.

According to sports website Spin.ph, an athlete can qualify in the Olympics via team qualification where a country can gain three to six berths based on team rankings in the 2014 and 2015 World Championship, and continental qualification events, or via individual qualification by being one of eight in the top 15 in each weight category from countries which have not yet gained Olympic berths.

City gears for ‘Pascua na Zamboanga 2015’

By Sheila Covarrubias

Zamboanga City is in Christmas mood as preparations for the Pascua na Zamboanga 2015 festival are in full swing.

And to truly spread the holiday cheers, the City Government through the Creative Team of the General Services Office has chosen a fun theme this year—Candy Land Christmas—setting the scene in City Hall, Plaza Pershing, Paseo del Mar and other landmarks with sweet decorations featuring chocolate bars and cotton candy twirls, lollipops, cookies, cupcakes and many more—that will mean a lot of fun especially for the children during the yuletide season.

The grand opening of the Pascua na Zamboanga 2015 is set on December 1 at 6pm with the switch on ceremony of the Christmas lights in City Hall. This will be followed by the traditional Christmas parade of City Government employees at 6:30pm from City Hall to Paseo del Mar where the 80 feet Christmas tree will be lighted at 7pm.

Prior to the December 1st event, a football clinic is slated at the EAAB football field at 3pm, November 28 to be reinforced with a football friendly match between Loyola and Meralco Sparks football club and the Green Archers United football club at 3pm, Nov. 29.

The Christmas festival will continue with the Grand Christmas Bazar at 5pm from December 6-12 at Paseo del Mar. Canciones de Pascua, a competition of Christmas songs among Choirs in the city will be held from December 14-18 every 7pm at the City Hall grounds. The open Christmas Lantern Competition is set at the R.T. Lim Boulevard on Dec. 14.

Other activities included in the Pascua na Zamboanga festival are the Great 5-day City mall Holiday Fiesta at the City Mall in Tetuan from 9am-9pm on Dec. 15-20 and the commemoration of the Dr. Jose Rizal’s 119th death anniversary at 8am, December 30 at Plaza Rizal fronting City Hall.

Beng Climaco invites residents and visitors to come to Zamboanga and see the city come alive with the colors of Christmas and to enjoy free and fun activities. The festival is intended to ensure a quality entertainment experience for families and children.

Knowledge-sharing forum for PWDs held

By Henry Salac

The Persons with Disabilities Affairs Unit (PDAU) under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) spearheaded a forum on Knowledge-Sharing on the Rights of Children with Developmental Conditions Nov. 18 at Centro Latino in Paseo del Mar.

Organized jointly with the Philippine Association for Citizens with Developmental and Learning Disabilities, Inc.(PACDLD), Jollibee Foods Corporation, Philippines, Cebu Pacific Airlines and the Local Government Unit (LGU), the forum was participated by representatives from the Department of Education (DepED), City Administrators, City Planning and Development, City Health, City Council, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Sector headed by the Zamboanga City Federation of the Parents with the Children’s with Special Needs.

PACDLD officers Octavio Gonzales and Felicite Jean Gonzales discussed the Developmental Milestones of the Children with Disabilities (CWDs) by understanding Developmental Conditions, their rights to avail Medical Services and Educational Intervention and the Local, National, International Mandates of the Law especially their rights and privileges as part of the society for their generational futures.

The PDAU based on their functions and obligations was challenged to fully monitor the implementation of all existing National and Local Laws for the PWDs such as BP 344 or the accessibility law, RA 7277 the Magna Carta for PWDs and the RA 9442 especially the public ridicule as an act of making fun or contemptuous imitating or making mockery of PWDs, whether in writing, or in words, or in action due to their impairments.

Zambo City employees start receiving bonus, cash gift

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- The local government has allocated PHP23.65 million for the yearend bonus and cash gift of the 2,120 employees to be released this month.

City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the amount represents half of the employees’ Christmas bonus, which is equivalent to their one month salary and PHP5,000 cash gift for this year.

The other half of the Christmas bonus and cash gift was already released in May this year.

Covarrubias said the employees’ Christmas windfall was released starting Monday, November 16, on orders of Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

She said the total allocation for the Christmas windfall is PHP47.38 million with the cash gift amounting to PHP10.53 million and the year-end bonus amounting to PHP36.85 million per record from the City Budget Office.

Of the total 2,120 city government employees entitled to the bonus and cash gift, 1,802 are holding regular positions while remaining 318 are casual employees.

OWWA distributes PhP300,000 livelihood starter kits in Zambo

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 20 (PNA) – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has distributed on Friday PhP300,000 worth of livelihood starter kits to distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

OWWA Regional Director Hassan Gabra Jumdain said the distribution of the livelihood starter kits is part of the agency’s “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanap Buhay Program” aimed to help uplift the lives of unsuccessful OFWs.

Jumdain said there were 30 beneficiaries and each of them received PhP10,000 worth of livelihood starter kits consisting of cooking utensils including oven, gas stove and blender.

He said 16 of the 30 beneficiaries are from this city, four from Basilan province and two from Pagadian City.

He advised them to put to good use the livelihood starter kits given them. “You can now start small business.”

Vanesa Alcantara, one of the beneficiaries from Isabela City, Basilan, said the distribution of the livelihood starters is timely since she will be able to bake cake in time for the Yuletide Seasons.

Urban poor solidarity week program set in Zambo City

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 19 (PNA) -– The local associations of urban poor and homeowners as well as the People’s Organizations (POs) will converge for their biggest gathering to update the members on issues concerning the three sectors.

Marisa Aizon, chair of the local federation of homeowners and POs, said the event which is also aimed to foster friendship and camaraderie will be held from November 28 to December 7.

Aizon said the event, dubbed as Urban Poor Solidarity Week, will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on November 28 with a zumba at Paseo del Mar.

The opening program will follow after Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and visitors from Manila will grace the activity.

Aizon said a whole-day shelter fair, also to be held at Paseo del Mar, featuring all housing agencies will highlight the opening day of the Urban Poor Solidarity Week.

She said the housing agencies that will join the shelter fair are the following: Pag-IBIG Home Development Mutual Fund; Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC); National Housing Authority (NHA); National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC); Developers’ Association; and, numerous others housing agencies where interested clients can inquire housing units acquisition.

She said the opening program will also tackle the Magna Carta for Homeowners Associations, Republic Act 7279 otherwise known as the Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA), Presidential proclamation process and status of requests and other updates concerning the urban poor and homeowners associations.

She said the other activities during the Urban Poor Solidarity Week will include; mass blood donation, December 2; Women’s Congress, December 4; and, the Leaders’ Convention, December 7.

There are 115 Urban Poor and Homeowners Associations and POs with over 30,000 members in this city.

DOH holds summit on Basic Emergency Obstetrics, Newborn Care

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 18 (PNA) -– The Department of Health’s (DOH) Family Health Cluster is holding the First Summit on Basic Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (BEmONC) facilities in this southern port city.

The summit’s participants include physicians, nurses and midwives from the different provinces and cities here in Region 9.

The summit kicked-off Wednesday and ends Thursday. It is anchored on the theme “Threading the Path for the Strategic Delivery of Maternal Newborn Child Health and Nutrition Program Services.”

City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the summit is designed to highlight achievements based on identified program indicators and will gather for the first time all graduates of BEmONC Skills Training, which started January 2010 up to the present.

Covarrubias said the event will also tackle latest updates that will help improve and augment knowledge of health service providers to face the challenges ahead and beyond achieving the 2015 Millennium Development Goals number 4 and 5.

Zambo City allocates PHP2M for Christmas decorations

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -– The city government has allocated PHP2 million to decorate the different landmarks with Christmas decorations in time for the Yuletide Seasons.

Eng’r. Rene Dela Cruz, city general services officer, said Monday the Christmas decorations will be placed at City Hall, Plaza Pershing, Plaza del Pilar, Paseo del Mar and in Jardin Maria Clara in Pasonanca Park.

Dela Cruz said this year’s Christmas decoration is anchored on the theme “candy land.”

He said this year’s budget for Christmas decorations was higher of PHP500,000 than last year because they bought led Christmas lights.

Last year, the city government spent PHP1.5 million for Christmas decorations.

Dela Cruz said they will build a 70-foot Christmas tree at the Paseo del Mar.

The Paseo del Mar is a seafront park located at the back the historic Fort Pilar and serves as the resident’s favorite place to converge at night time.

Dela Cruz said the Christmas tree and electrical Christmas decorations are tentatively scheduled to be switched-on on November 28.

He said the decoration of this city’s landmarks is part of the effort of the city government to boost local tourism.

DOST sets holding of biggest S&T Fair in Zambo City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 16 (PNA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced the holding of a three-day 2015 Mindanao Science and Technology (S&T) Fair in this city.

DOST Regional Director Brenda Nazareth-Manzano said Monday that the huge event will bring together people from all walks of life, particularly scientists, researchers, engineers, businessmen, students, professionals, non-government organizations, national government agencies, local government units, media practitioners and other partner-stakeholders.

Manzano said the S&T will be held from December 3-5 and is anchored on the theme “Philippines: A Science Nation Innovating for Global Competitiveness.”

Manzano said the event will feature world-class innovation technologies of the S&T sectors aligned to the ASEAN Economic Integration.

She said it will showcase the eight S&T Based Outcomes that serve as the legacy of DOST under the administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and DOST Secretary Mario Montejo.

She said the DOST outcomes will help push the country towards national development and competitive advantage in the global economic scenario.

Specifically, she said the eight outcomes are as follows: science-based know-how and tools that enable the agriculture sector to raise productivity to world-class standards; innovative, cost-effective and appropriate technologies that enable Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to develop and produce competitive products that meet world-class standards; state of the art facilities and capabilities that enable local industries to move up the value chain and attain global competitiveness; Philippines, a global leader in Information Technology-Business Process Management Services generating direct employment of 1.3 million 520,000 of which in the countryside; Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based transformation of governance broadening access to government services (i.e. health and education) for those in the countryside (Philippines in the top 50 global ranking of e-government by 2016); improved quality healthcare and quality of life thru science, technology and innovation; highly skilled and globally competitive S&T human resources in support of the national S&T programs (Philippine Science High School to be the leading science high school in ASEAN by 2015 and every town to have at least one DOST scholar by 2016); and, science-based weather information and climate change scenarios with associated impact assessments that enable concerned agencies to develop appropriate mitigation strategies for a disaster.

Apart from the exhibits, Manzano said other special events lined-up are: Campus Science Journalism Seminar-Workshop; Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) Consultative Dialogue; Forum on “In the Specific Case of Research, are Colleges and Universities Relevant?”; Forum on Developing an Innovation Ecosystem through Science and Technology; and, Site-Visit to Coral Restoration Project in Sta. Cruz Island.

She said the three-day expo is open to all interested individuals to include S&T enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, students, researchers, inventors, innovators, professionals and the general public.

Water, sanitation and hygiene workshops set

By Bong Garcia

THE City Government of Zamboanga will conduct a two-day orientation workshop on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) in Day Care Centers and in schools.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Socorro Rojas said the activity will be held from November 16-17 at a local hotel.

Rojas said around 500 individuals consisting of children, teachers, day care workers, social workers, village officials and volunteers are expected to join the two-day activity.

She said the activity will be highlighted by the presentation of the State of Children’s report of the city.

Zambo sports complex to undergo major facelift

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 14 (PNA) -- The city government is speeding up the processing of the documentary requirements to start the rehabilitation of the sports complex before the election ban takes effect.

Dr. Elmeir Apolinario, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), told the Philippines News Agency they are optimistic the rehabilitation of the sports complex can start either next month or January next year.

The government has allocated PHP214 million to rehabilitate the sports complex, which Apolinario said is set to be completed in six months.

Apolinario said they will seek for an election ban exemption once the rehabilitation works will commence to ensure the project completion on time.

Atty. Stephen Roy Cañete, first district election officer, said the election ban will take effect March 25.

Cañete said the local government can seek election ban exemption though they are still waiting for the 2016 guidelines on election ban concerning infrastructure projects.

“Based on experience, they submit to the Comelec the list of ongoing projects that are certified by the City Engineer’s Office and the listed projects are considered exempted,” he said.

The Joaquin Enriquez Sports Complex will undergo major facelift as most of its facilities were destroyed since it has served as the biggest evacuation center for the more than 100,000 people who were displaced in the 21-day September 2013 siege.

Zambo eyes new City Development Plan

By R.G. Antonet A. Go [(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/RGAAG]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 13 (PNA) – The city government through the office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator (CPDC) is conducting survey to identify flood basin areas to ensure the safety of the residents.

Eng’r. Rodrigo Sicat, CPDC chief, told the Philippines News Agency that the result of the survey will form part of the process in drafting a new City Development Plan.

“We are going to rigidly identify the flood basins declare these areas as no-build zones,” Sicat said.

Sicat said the areas that would be included in the no-build zones will include riverbanks, shorelines, and steep slopes.

He said the survey result will also be used as among the basis to revised the zoning ordinance since there are no provisions for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the existing law.

He said the revised zoning ordinance will prevent the construction of houses in disaster-prone and areas declared as no-build zones.

Zamboanga City is ZAMPEX 2015 top earner

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 12 (PNA) – This city, with strong performance from its micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), marked the highest sales in the recently held Zamboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition (ZAMPEX) 2015.

ZAMPEX 2015 post-activity report showed the four-day trade exposition registered Php12.5 million total sales that included cash sales, booked orders, under negotiation, and prototype sales in both food and non-food categories.

The report showed this city, through its participating MSMEs, raked in Php6.57 million representing 52 percent of the Php12.5 million total sales.

The report released through the City Hall information office showed that Eco Bottling Enterprises, and a local food exhibitor emerged as the top performer and grossers from among the 83 exhibitors that joined the ZAMPEX 2015.

The report disclosed that this city was followed by the province of Zamboanga del Norte with Php3.27 million sales; Zamboanga Sibugay, Php2.4 million; and, Zamboanga del Sur, Php280,617 in sales.

The ZAMPEX 2015 that featured the finest food and non-food products and services in the region was held from October 8 to 11 this year in this city.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spearheaded the conduct of the event with the support from the region’s SME core group.

This year’s ZAMPEX was the second. The first was last year, which was also held in this city.

National Nutrition Council bares Region 9 green banner awardees

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 11 (PNA) –- The National Nutritional Council (NNC) has bared this year’s green banner awardees as the Outstanding Nutrition Program Implementers here in Region 9.

Maria del Pilar Pamela Tarroza, NNC regional program coordinator, said the winners are: Zamboanga City, city category; Zamboanga Sibugay, provincial category; and, Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte, municipal category.

Tarroza said the awardees received a plaque and a printer during the awarding ceremony held on Tuesday afternoon in this city.

Tarroza said the award is given to local government units and individuals who showed outstanding performance in the implementation of nutrition programs in their localities.

She said the individual awardees as outstanding nutrition action officer who received certificates of recognition are: Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, city health officer of this city; Dr. Ricardo Awit, Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte; Nena Pedroza, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay; and, Marelene Garcia, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Certificates of recognition and cash were also given to outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars.

Meanwhile, Agbulos said this year’s award as Outstanding Nutrition Program Implementers is the second to be received by this city.

Agbulos said this city received the award due to the collaborative efforts and innovations adopted by all members of the local nutrition council in the implementation of nutrition program.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar reminded the nutrition program should be further strengthened since the problems on stunted growth among children remain high.

Zamboanga City to commemorate Cesar Climaco’s 31st death anniversary

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 10 (PNA) –- The local government will spearhead the commemoration of the 31st death anniversary on November 14 of Cesar Cortes Climaco (CCC), this city’s legendary mayor.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, the niece of Climaco, will lead the series of activities, which will kick off with a commemorative mass at the parish church of Barangay Sta. Maria at 7 a.m.

Salazar said it will be followed by the wreath-laying and candle-lighting at the assassination site along Gov. Alvarez Avenue in Barangay Camino Nuevo.

Salazar said the activity will move to the Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong, Barangay Pasonanca where the wreath-laying and commemorative program will be held.

She said the launching of the CCC installation art will also highlight the program.

The commemoration of the Dia di Cesar (Cesar’s Day) every November 14 is pursuant to an ordinance enacted by the City Council with the aim of perpetuating the memory of the legendary mayor.

Climaco has served as this city’s chief executive for 11 years during which he was an outspoken critic against corruption and in particular against the imposition of martial law.

Climaco, who was a lawyer, served as mayor from 1953-1954; 1956-1961; and, 1980-1984.

A statement released by City Hall stated that Climaco’s experience in the government service started when he was appointed prosecutor in the town of Jolo, Sulu and later was named executive assistant to the Mayor of Davao.

He returned to this to serve as Executive Secretary to then Mayor Manuel Jaldon.

His political career started when he ran for the City Council in 1953, an election which he won overwhelmingly.

It was in the same year that he was designated as mayor of this city.

In 1954, Climaco became the Chief Project Manager and Field Coordinator of Operation Brotherhood in Vietnam, a position which he served until 1955, and which won him international recognition.

Climaco returned to this city in 1956 and ran in the first election ever held for the position of mayor in this city.

He ran against an appointive Mayor, Hector Suarez, and had for his running mate Dr. Tomas Ferrer under the banner of the Liberal Party (LP).

Climaco won in that election, giving him the distinction of being the first elected mayor of this city.

Climaco’s assassination on November 14, 1984 while inspecting a fire scene along Gov. Alvarez Avenue remains unsolved up to this time.

Zambo City profiles home-based IDPs displaced by 2013 siege

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 9 (PNA) – The city government on Monday started the conduct of series of profiling activities to update the list of home-based internally displaced persons (IDPs) to ensure that all those affected by the 2013 siege will benefit from the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) plan.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer (CSWDO) Socorro Rojas said the home-based IDPs are families displaced by the 21-day September 2013 siege that are staying with relatives and friends and not in transitory shelters.

Rojas said the schedule and venues for the profiling are as follows: Nov. 9, 10 and 11, barangay halls of Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina; Nov. 12, 13 and 14, barangay halls of Mariki and Rio Hondo; and, Nov. 15, 16 and 17, barangay halls of Baliwasan and Tetuan.

Rojas said the conduct of the profiling is spearheaded by her office in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Youth of the Philippines’ Women, Inc. (UNYPHIL-Women).

Rojas said enumerators have been tasked to undertake profiling activities covering home-based IDPs.

She said all IDPs, whether staying in transitory sites or home-based, are entitled to humanitarian support under Philippine or international laws.

She said the support includes access to basic shelter, access to food and basic medical assistance.

She encouraged home-based IDPs to bring their tagging number and Pink Family Access Card or certification issued by her office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The last profiling activity was done in December 2014 where over 2,000 home-based IDPs were registered. The list is being cross-matched with the CSWDO records.

Zamboanga City to buy drilling rigs to help farmers

By Bong Garcia

THE Office of the Zamboanga City Agriculture is set to purchase two mobile drilling rigs worth P4 million to help the farmers ensure water supply in case the El Niño phenomenon will strike anew.

City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat said Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has approved the proposal to purchase the drilling rigs that would cost P1.2 million each.

Palacat said a mobile drilling rig is used to drill water wells to help mitigate the adverse effect of possible severe drought.

He said the drilling rig can be transferred from one village to another.

He said the papers for the purchase of the equipment are being prepared for bidding purposes.

PESO sets Job Fairs Nov. 7, 9

By Sheila Covarrubias

More good news for job seekers!

Over 1,000 job vacancies will be filled up in two job fairs that will be held today, November 7 and on Monday, November 9.

The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has set 2 additional job fairs this month to provide fresh graduates and even those in high school or college level opportunities to land a job.

The job fair today, Nov. 7 is set from 8am to 4pm at the Tetuan Central School while the job fair on Monday, Nov. 9 is set from 8am to 4pm at the Red Cross Training Center in Pettit Barracks.

At least 10 companies that will open in the city soon are participating in the two job fairs.

Interested applicants may either be high school or college graduates or in high school or college level. They are required to bring their resume and other documentary requirements during the interview and screening.

IOM, Canadian gov’t distribute canoes to Zambo siege displaced families

(PNA), JMC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 6 (PNA) –- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Canadian government has distributed on Friday 100 canoes to families displaced during the Sept. 2013 siege in this city.

Belen Sheila Covarrubias, City Hall information officer, said the beneficiaries are temporarily housed at the Mampang 1 Recovery Site in Barangay Mampang, six kilometers east of City Hall.

Covarrubias said the IOM also turned over three dockings sites for the use of the canoe, locally known as banca, recipients.

Covarrubias said the distribution of the canoes is part of the IOM livelihood project support to the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

She said the project is jointly undertaken with the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWDO) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

She said the beneficiaries were selected in accordance with the criteria set by the DSWD specifically the vulnerability index.

She said that a recipient should not have received similar livelihood support in the past and must be seaweed farmers before.

She said the beneficiaries underwent trainings prior to the turnover of the boats and the docking sites.

She added that the boats were constructed by the recipients themselves.

ICRC builds water system project in Zambo barangay

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 5 (PNA) -– The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has inaugurated on Thursday a community-based water supply system benefiting over 4,000 people including families displaced in the 21-day September 2013 siege in this city.

The water system was constructed in Barangay Taluksangay, 19 kilometers east of City Hall.

The project, supported by the ICRC, the village and city officials, is a long-term solution to the shortage of water in Barangay Taluksangay, which hosts about 900 people displaced by the September 2013 siege.

Alawi Asid said they don’t have to ride canoe anymore just to fetch water “because the water source is near” with the completion of the project.

Asid said their lives are better now and they no longer fight to get first in line since “we can easily get water.”

The family of Asid was displaced from Layag-Layag Island in Barangay Talon-Talon. They decided to settle in Barangay Taluksangay after the siege.

The ICRC said Thursday that clean water started flowing from nine communal tap stands in September, reaching a total of 4,000 people in Taluksangay transitory site, the nearby relocation site, and the host community.

The ICRC said that more people stand to benefit as the water system has the ability to cover additional localities in the barangay. Only half of the capacity of the water source has been used so far.

The water system project was built by 80 displaced people who were employed in a cash-for-work program, with the ICRC providing materials and technical expertise.

It was recently handed over to the Taluksangay Water and Sanitation Association (TAWASA), which was formed with ICRC support, and which will operate and maintain the project.

To help the TAWASA sustain the project, the ICRC gave them tools, spare parts and office supplies.

“The ICRC went beyond the engineering works, focusing also on community organization and empowerment. The community took ownership of the project, and the system is self-sustaining, making it able to last for years to come,” ICRC-Zamboanga head Marcel Goyeneche said.

Hadji Abdurahaman Nuño, Taluksangay barangay chairman, and her wife, second district Rep. Lilia, have expressed “our sincere gratitude to the ICRC” for the implementation of the water system project.

Rep. Nuño said the water system is a “very laudable project” since it will not only benefit the siege-displaced families but to include the national high school and the other residents of Taluksangay.

She said the barangay has more or less 11,000 residents and 520 students enrolled at the Taluksangay National High School.

PAGASA to open third Doppler radar station in Mindanao

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 4 (PNA) –- State weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will soon install a third Doppler radar station in Mindanao.

Maribel Hasanah Enriquez, PAGASA-Zamboanga station chief meteorological officer, told the Philippines News Agency on Wednesday that the station will be installed in this city.

Enriquez said the local Doppler radar station, which costs PHP100 million, will be operational either in January or February next year.

Enriquez said the building, which is located inside Camp Basilio Navarro in Barangay Upper Calarian, is now undergoing finishing touches.

She said the Doppler radar, purchased in Helsinki, Finland, is arriving next month. It is used to measure the amount of rainfall, intensity of the rain and others within the 50 kilometer radius.

The other two Doppler radar stations are located in Tampakan, South Cotabato and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

DA celebrates National Rice Awareness Month

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 3 (PNA) –- The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lined up responsible rice consumption activities as the agency celebrates the National Rice Awareness Month from November 1 to 30.

DA Regional Director Constancio Alama said Tuesday the activities are geared to raise public awareness that it is necessary to be rice responsible consumers.

Alama said national data showed that Filipinos waste two spoons of rice daily, which is enough to feed 2.6 million people annually.

Alama said this translates to PhP6.2 billion worth of rice wasted yearly.

“We should be responsible rice consumers by just getting rice that is enough for us to consume,” Alama said as he noted that some people, especially in parties, has many leftovers.

He said the activities they lined up are as follows: Zumba for Rice in Pagadian City, November 5; farmers’ dialogue with Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, November 17; brown rice feeding program in Pagadian City, November 13; rice-corn blend symposium for 200 students in this city, November 20; and fun run in Dipolog City, November 28.

He said will be also Zumba for Rice on November 6 and November 17 in this city and in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, respectively.

He said they also trained the farmers on how to minimize post-harvest rice loses aside from being responsible rice consumer.

Robinsons eye Zamboanga City as expansion site

By Bong Garcia

ROBINSONS Supermarket, the subsidiary of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., the second largest multi-channel retailer in the Philippines is currently looking into Zamboanga City as a viable expansion site.

Currently operating six business segments, 10 formats, 20 retail brands and 1,145 stores, Zamboanga City may well be Robinsons’ next destination.

Robinsons’ officials recently visited the City Assessor’s Office to find useful information concerning real properties and market valuation after a courtesy call to Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

Salazar said Robinsons’ Business Development Adviser Ronnie Ong is committed to bring together healthy selections and affordable prices in a refreshingly clean and organized shopping destination.

Salazar said Supermarket Manager Ruth Fucoy explained how Robinsons guide its customers to food and grocery choices by using the four-color tag system, with the green shelf tagged products having been evaluated and certified as healthy and nutritious by the Food Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).

She said the Robinsons officials moved around Zamboanga City to look into conditions and programs of the local government unit to spur sustainable economic and inclusive growth.

Meanwhile, City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat sees the opening of new malls as great opportunity for local farmers and fisherfolk to market their produce on a regular and direct basis eradicating profiteering middle-men.

Zambo supports DOH’s HI-5 program

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) –Barangay officials, health workers and other stakeholders have attended a summit on the Department of Health’s (DOH) High Impact 5, or HI-5 program held Tuesday at the Astoria Regency in Pasonanca this city.

Speaking in the opening program, Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar underscored the importance of being health conscious and of the HI-5 itself in improving the health situation of all the residents here, as she emphasized the roles of the barangay officials and the health workers in realizing this goal.

“You are at the frontline in delivering these important health services to the community, and your work is very important,” Mayor Climaco-Salazar said.

She said the HI-5 focuses on five areas such as maternal health care, infant care, child protection, HIV/AIDS and improving the service delivery network.

On the other hand, Rep. Lilia Nuño expressed her support to the strategy, citing her own contributions to address health issues in the communities. “We will be distributing health kits to help the barangay health workers in both districts,” she said.

DOH-9 officer-in-charge Dr. Ruby Constantino explained to the participants that the national government had launched HI-5 to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of universal health care, with special emphasis on the poor and vulnerable groups. She also lauded the efforts of the local government units at improving the delivery of health services in their respective communities.

HI-5 was launched in Manila last June 8 followed by similar launching activities in several other cities and provinces nationwide.

In its website, the DOH says “the HI-5 is a strategy which aims to produce the greatest improvements in health outcomes and the highest impact on the priority, vulnerable population, with focus on five critical interventions prioritizing the poor, providing tangible outputs which are ‘felt’ within a breakthrough period of 15 months through synchronized nationwide implementation of activities. Its main objectives are to intensify regional operations and converge in priority poverty program areas and to implement model plans on the 5 key high impact interventions.”

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