Zamboanga City News November 2016

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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 siege victims receive permanent houses

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

ONE hundred eighty-four building-type houses were turned over to siege-affected families on Monday, November 28, in the village of Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City.

The turnover was held in ceremonies presided by National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Marcelo Escalada, Jr. and Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

On September 9, 2013, hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members loyal to MNLF Chaiperson Nur Misuari infiltrated and laid sieges in five coastal villges of Zamboanga City.

The 21-day siege caused havoc to hundreds of families that later stayed in the city's main sports complex.

The 184 units constructed in 23 buildings form part of the total 828 housing units with an overall cost of P71.939 million to be constructed in Evangelista-Vista Homes.

The Evangelista-Vista Homes is one of the 19 housing packages under the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) and undertaken by the NHA.

“As far as the design, as far as the budget, this is the most and the best housing project so far that I have visited,” Escalada said.

Escalada said he was overwhelmed to see the building-type houses, considering the budget is roughly P290,000 each unit.

“Grabe! Lipay kayo ko pag sulod. Ka gwapo man diay ang nahimo nga balay sa P290,000,” said Escalada, who hails from Davao City. “This is the best!” he added.

However, he reminded the beneficiaries, most internally displaced families from different transitory sites, of their obligations to keep their houses and surroundings clean and green without any extensions or developments.

WMSU sets forum on federalism

(PNA), NYP/TPGJR/

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- The government-run Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) is set to hold Multi-Sectoral Forum on Federalism on Friday, December 2, in this city.

Prof. Henry Solomon, WMSU political science department chair, said the forum would bring together representatives of various local stakeholders for public discussion on federalism.

The participants would include the following sectors: business; indigenous people; academe; media; religious; women; youth; non-government and people’s organizations and other civil society organizations; police; military; and, line agencies of the government.

“The Duterte administration is proposing for a constitutional change to adopt a new political landscape in the Philippines, which is federalism. This timely and relevant issue becomes pivotal to public discussion, expression of opinions and positions,” Solomon said.

He said the forum has the following objectives: disseminate information on the proposed constitutional change including but not limited to benefits, opportunities and thrusts; facilitate public discussion which is primordial to learning to all stakeholders of this city; draw opinions and position and propose plans of actions among stakeholders of Zamboanga developed from public discussion; and provide critical inputs and feedback on the proposed ‘change’ in the government system for policy recommendation.

He said among the resource speakers are Emily Padilla, local government’s undersecretary for legislative liaison, public affairs and special concerns; and Epimaco Densing III, local government’s assistant secretary for plans and programs.

He said the forum will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Social Hall of WMSU’s College of Teachers Education.

City Government allots P1.5 million for ‘Lawin’ victims

By Bong Garcia

THE City Government is allocating P1.5-million as cash assistance for the victims of Super typhoon “Lawin” that hit last month the Northern Luzon areas.

City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Elmeir Jade Apolinario said the amount will be distributed to the local government units (LGUs) that were affected by Super typhoon Lawin.

Apolinario said the allocation of funds for financial assistance was made through a resolution by the members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

Super typhoon Lawin with international name Haima was believed to be the second most intense tropical cyclone in the North Pacific Ocean this year.

READ: 'Lawin' now a super typhoon; Signal no. 5 up in Cagayan, Isabela

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that Lawin left 14 people dead and damaged an estimated P3.73 billion of properties that hit the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in the third week of October.

Lawin made a landfall on October 19 over Cagayan and Isabela provinces, sweeping through Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Abra, among other hardest hit areas.

The distribution of the financial assistance will be done through the office of the city mayor in coordination with the intended recipient-LGUs, according to Apolinario.

Zamboanga mayor eyes more benefits for elderly

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar tasked the City Social Welfare and Development Officer Socorro Rojas to study the possibility of providing financial benefits to senior citizens in addition to those provided by the National Government based on existing laws.

Salazar wanted a local counterpart for social pension for senior citizens currently included in the list of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and social pension for those not beneficiaries of the DSWD.

Salazar also wanted a local counterpart for the cash incentive given by the National Government to centenarians based on Republic Act 10868 otherwise known as the Centenarians Act of 2016.

The mayor said senior citizens deserved the benefits and privileges considering their contributions to the city.

The DSWD currently provides a P500 a month or P6,000 yearly incentive to the senior citizens aside from the social pensions they receive from the Government Service Insurance System or the Social Service System.

The Republict Act 10868, which was approved in June 2016, grants a P100,000 cash incentive and additional benefits and privileges to Filipino centenarians.

Rojas said funding has to be included in the budget for next year so that the proposed local counterpart can be given to deserving senior citizens.

Zamboanga City sets tourism info caravan

By Bong Garcia (BG/Sunnex)

THE City Tourism Office (CTO) is set to conduct Tourism Information Caravan starting Monday, November 28, to encourage the participation of the different sectors of Zamboanga City.

This came as a result of the approval of Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on the initiative proposed by the CTO to launch a massive and inclusive tourism information campaign.

City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the caravan is a series of tourism information and promotions campaign which aims to educate the various stakeholders on the current tourism profile as well as promote and encourage their involvement and support in the promotions of the various tourism products that the city has.

Covarrubias said the campaign shall involve the academe, which is considered as one of the key and vital players of the tourism industry.

She said the info caravan team from the City Tourism Office shall visit schools from both the public and private sectors.

She said the caravan for schools will run from November 28 to December 7.

NEDA-9 launches AmBisyon Natin 2040 expo

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy (ALT/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) - The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-9 recently launched the “AmBisyon Natin 2040 Expo” at the Garden Orchid Hotel, this city.

Deputy Director General Rosemarie G. Edillon of NEDA said the “AmBisyon Natin 2040 Expo” represents the collective long term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves in the next 25 years.

“It is a picture of the future, a set of life goals and goals for the country. It is different from a plan, which defines the strategies to achieve the goals. It is like a destination that answers the question ‘where do we want to be?’,” she said.

The event was attended by students and some faculties from selected colleges and universities, personnel from different government agencies, military and the police, and some local officials from the various provinces in the region.

Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar, who graced the event to welcome the participants lauded the initiative and said Zamboanga City’s priorities will be security, health and education.

“We will have a safe and secure Zamboanga City and push for an accessible education for all,” she stressed.

AmBisyon Natin 2040 is anchored on three pillars: Matatag at Balanseng Buhay, Ligtas at Panatag na Buhay, and Maginhawang Buhay.

The event’s theme is “AmBisyon Mo, Misyon Nating Lahat”.

DOST-FNRI advocates ‘Pinggang Pinoy Meals’ in Zambo

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 24 (PNA) -- The Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) has urged food serving establishments here to offer “Pinggang Pinoy Meals” to help Filipinos live a healthy life.

Victor Alfonso Jr., DOST-FNRI science research specialist, made the call on Thursday during a forum on “Pinggang Pinoy” and Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos in this city.

Alfonso made the call as they notes that most of the restaurants, especially fast foods outlets, serve fatty and salty food which is bad for the health if not consumed moderately.

Pinggang Pinoy Meal is the amount and kind of food Filipinos - children, adult, elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers - must eat per meal which composed of Go, Grow, and Glow foods.

Go foods include rice and bread, Grow foods such as fish and meat, and Glow food includes fruits and vegetables.

“If possible, the food-serving establishments should adopt Pinggang Pinoy Meals for the benefit of their customers,” Alfonso said.

He said that some of the restaurants and eateries in other areas of the country are now serving Pinggang Pinoy Meals comprising the right amount of rice, fruits, vegetable, and protein.

"In Pinggnag Pinoy, he said one could achieve the proper weight and size due to its nutritious and balanced conformity," Alfonso clarified.

Meanwhile, he said they are planning to declare 2017 as the year of Pinggang Pinoy.

Several activities, to include the conduct of education campaign, would be held in line with the declaration of the year of Pinggang Pinoy.

Zambo port personnel undergo 2-day basic life support training

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 23 (PNA) -- Local port personnel are undergoing a two-day training on basic life support that kicked-off Wednesday in this city.

The training, spearheaded by the Department of Health, is participated by employees of the Zamboanga City Integrated Port Services, Inc (ZCIPSI) and Philippine Ports Authority.

Samuel Simon, ZCIPSI president, told the Philippines News Agency that the training aims to equip participants the knowledge on first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Simon said the training, which is part of ZCIPSI’s safety program, is important since they are dealing with people coming in and out daily at the local port.

He said they can respond and render first aid in case accidents occur inside the local port that caters to thousands of passengers daily.

The PPA has contracted the services of ZCIPSI to handle in-bound and out-bound cargoes as well as the management of the passenger terminal building.

Zamboanga City to host Regional PWD congress

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

A THREE-day regional congress on persons with disabilities is set to be held in Zamboanga City tackling the 10-point agenda of the sector.

City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the first ever congress will be held on Wednesday, November 23 until Friday, November 25 at a local hotel in the city.

Covarrubias said it aimed to update the stakeholders on existing national and local laws on the rights, privileges and special benefits for the sector.

She said Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar along with top officials from the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development and PWD associations is expected to grace the three-day congress.

The topics for discussion include the following: Republic Act (RA) 9442, City Executive Order BC 02-2013, the Incheon Strategy, RA 10070, RA 10524, Health and Wellness for PWDs and the Plan of Action for 2017.

The three-day event is organized by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) through the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Unit and in coordination with the DOH and the Zamboanga City Disability Alliance.

DOT: Zambo City’s 11 islands have great tourism potential

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 21 (PNA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT)Region 9 has announced that the 11 islands located in this city’s east coast have great potential to be developed as tourist sites.

DOT Regional Director Mary June Bugante told the Philippines News Agency the area is good for diving, swimming, snorkeling and island hopping due to the islands’ pristine beaches, beautiful corals and rock formations.

The 11 Islands are the Bisaya-Bisaya, Kabugan, Siromon, Baong-Baong, Buhbuh, Simadang, Salangan, Lambang-Lambang, Bagias, Lampinigan, and Sibana.

However, Bugante said the development of the islands should be well-planned so as not to destroy the area's natural resources.

She said the plan should include solid waste management, infrastructure, security, and transportation aspects.

Bugante said the community should also be trained since their involvement is important for the tourism industry of the area to flourish.

She said that the community would eventually earn once the 11 Islands will be developed as tourist site.

Mayor Ma Isabelle Climaco - Salazar has recently led a group of local government, military and police officials in visiting the 11 Islands.

They also conducted initial assessment on the tourism potential of the place.

Bugante said her office is ready to work together with the city tourism office in making the necessary preparations to develop the islands as tourism destination.

Zambo power firm assures consumers of zero blackouts during Christmas Season

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) has assured its member-consumers of zero blackouts on Christmas season although electricity consumption usually increases during the period.

Engr. Edgardo Ancheta, Zamcelco acting general manager, on Friday issued the assurance citing the cooperative has sufficient contracted power from electricity providers compared to consumption.

Ancheta said Zamcelco has a total contracted power of 166 megawatts (MW) while its peak demand is pegged at 105 MW.

The Zamcelco average demand is 98 MW.

“Based on the existing contracts, we have more than enough power. There will be no blackout as long as there will be no breakdown or natural calamity that would affect our facility,” Ancheta told the Philippines News Agency.

The power providers with existing contracts with Zamcelco are as follows: Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), 25 MW; Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI), 18 MW; Mapalad Power Corporation (Mapalad), 18 MW; San Miguel Power, 35 MW; Western Mindanao Power Corporation (WMPC), 50 MW; and, Infinity Solar Farm 20 MW.

in addition, Ancheta said they have standby modular power generators with 16 MW capacity that can be used in cases of power curtailment.

He said the standby generators were last used on Nov. 4 when the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines had undertaken maintenance shutdown.

He advised the member-consumers to use power wisely for lesser electric consumption during the holiday season.

DTI: Mentor Me Program produces 1st batch of mentees in Zamboanga City

(PNA), NYP/TPGJR/

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 19 (PNA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced that the first batch of mentees is set to graduate on Nov. 21 from the 10-week Mentor Me Program (MMP) of the agency in this city.

Engr. Rolando Acuña, head of DTI Zamboanga City Office (DTI-ZCO), said the upcoming event would be graced by DTI Assistant Secretary Blesila Lantayona, DTI Regional Director Sitti Amina Jain, local MMP mentors and Go Negosyo partners led by Acting Executive Director Merly Cruz.

The program, which aims to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), scale up their business through the weekly theoretical and conceptual discussions and mentoring as well as coaching sessions by Go Negosyo’s angelpreneurs, experienced entrepreneurs, and seasoned business lecturers on the different functional areas of entrepreneurship, was launched last September 14, 2016 and ran for 10 weeks.

The MMP is divided into two phases and consists of eleven modules, to wit: Entrepreneurial Mindset, Marketing Strategies and Trends, Accounting for Non-Accountants, Product Development, Operations Management (Sector-Specific), Human Resource Management, Taxation, Supply and Value Chain, Financial Management (including Pricing and Costing), Business Law (Basic Contracts and Obligations), and Business Plan Preparation.

The roster of mentors includes Victor Madlangbayan, Carlo Calimon, Marco Fernando Ng, Dr. Richard Mariano, Myrna Natividad, Alexis Chua, Michael Lim, Roberto Valerio, Atty. Carl Rubio, and Alphi Santiago.

Acuña said the Nov. 21 graduation would be highlighted by a business plan presentation of the mentees.

“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our partners from Go Negosyo and the private sector whose invaluable support contributed to the success of the Program,” Acuña said

She added that with the help of partners, the DTI - ZCO has equipped local MSMEs with ample skills sets, right mindset, and business know-how to ultimately scale up and sustain their enterprise.

Mayor reminds 4Ps beneficiaries of their obligations

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has reminded the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) family-beneficiaries of the importance of education, urging them to continue efforts to send their children to school.

Salazar issued the reminder during the First District Wide Convergence Caravan held Wednesday, November 16, to instill awareness on the 4Ps beneficiaries of their obligations.

Salazar told the family-beneficiaries to retain the principles behind the program, one of which is empowerment through education.

Salazar likewise thanked organizers and resource speakers for making time to inform 4Ps families of the various government services and programs that may be of assistance to them.

The conduct of the caravan was spearheaded by the District Inter-Agency Committee composed of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the Barangay Local Government Unit, and other stakeholders.

Representatives from the Social Security System, the Zamboanga City Water District and the Department of Labor and Employment, among others, also attended the caravan and informed the 4Ps beneficiaries of their respective programs.

Health Research Summit kicks off in Zamboanga City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- Health stakeholders assembled here here for the Nov. 16 - 18 3rd Health Research Summit that seeks to develop an enabling and sustainable research environment among member institutions for the promotion of evidence base health policies, programs and practices.

The summit anchored on the theme “Research and Innovation: Building Healthy Communities and Sustainable Environment,” seeks to provide the health research community in the region with a platform to interact, learn from each other, share information and experiences, voice their concerns, contribute research-based solutions to health problems, among other things.

“This summit is a good venue for sharing of ideas and researches among peers as well as those new enthusiasts,” said Dr. Aristides Tan, Department of Health (DOH) regional director.

Tan said that health research is important to help in charting the Philippine Health Agenda for the good of the Filipinos.

He said the summit also serve as an opportunity for them to encourage the people to do research rather than blame the users of researches.

The summit is jointly being conducted by the DOH, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, and Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development.

City seeks activation of water utilities' board constitution

By Bong Garcia

THE Local Inter-Agency Committee (Liac), the body that oversees the implementation of the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction, has asked Malacañang to fast track the constitution of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) board.

The constitution of the LWUA Board is crucial to the downloading of funds from LWUA to the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) that will be used for the water pipe laying project and the construction of sewerage treatment plant in the areas affected by the Zamboanga siege in 2013.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Chief Elmeir Jade Apolinario said the request is for the Office of the President to consider the immediate naming of the LWUA board which was dissolved upon the entry of the new administration last July.

Apolinario said that a LWUA board resolution is necessary to authorize the downloading of the over P500 million funding to the ZCWD which will implement the projects for the benefit of the siege-affected families.

The pipe laying project and construction of a sewage treatment plant remain pending without the activation of the LWUA board.

Red Cross to open extension office in Zamboanga

By Bong Garcia (BG/Sunnex)

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Zamboanga Chapter is putting up an extension office in Zamboanga City's east coast to bring its services closer to residents in the area.

PRC-Zamboanga Chapter officer-in-charge administrator Joseline Fernandez said the extension office will be placed beside the water works office in the village of Mercedes, this city.

Fernandez said the extension office will be manned by trained staffs with the needed facilities and equipment like ambulance.

Fernandez said the putting up of an extension office would enable them to quickly respond to emergencies in far flung areas of the city.

She said one of the factors that delay them to respond to emergencies is the worsening traffic situation downtown.

The PRC-Zamboanga chapter maintains an office across the compound of the City Health Office along Rizal Street at Pettit Barracks downtown.

Sixty-one of the city’s 98 villages are located in the east coast and the last village of which is situated 85.45 kilometers east of the city to the boundary with Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Zamboanga mayor leads inspection of 11 Islands

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has motored together with a group of local government and security officials to the Eleven Islands, a hidden treasure in the east coast, to check on its potentials vis-à-vis the city’s thrust to promote community tourism.

The 11 Islands can be accessed through the village of Panubigan by small boat.

Some of the islands are under the jurisdiction of Panubigan while the rest are under the village of Dita.

Sans the challenges, Eleven Islands can be another prime attraction for Zamboanga City, given its natural, unspoiled wonders.

“We are exploring the community tourism potentials of our 11 islands,” Salazar said as she expressed awe in the beauty of the untapped treasure.

She said measures will be undertaken to look into the possibility of making the Eleven Islands a tourist attraction in Zamboanga.

Those who accompanied Salazar in the inspection over the weekend included city government officials, some members of the City Council, police, military and village officials.

Zamboanga City remembers former mayor Cesar Climaco

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Monday, November 14, will lead the City Government in the commemoration of Dia de Cesar marking the 32nd year since Mayor Cesar Climaco was assassinated along Governor Alvarez Avenue in the village of Camino Nuevo.

City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said that a commemorative mass at the Sta. Maria Parish Church at 7 a.m. will kick off the activities.

It will be immediately followed by the program at the Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong, Pasonanca highlighted by the distribution of CCC comics and poster-making competition.

This year’s Dia de Cesar commemoration is themed “Standing firm for truth, justice and freedom.”

On Sunday, November 13, Salazar also led the city government and the Climaco family in the wreath-laying rite at the assassination site in Governor Alvarez Avenue.

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) from the Zamboanga BSP Council held a vigil and film viewing activity at the Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-abong.

On November 15, Tuesday, young leaders will convene at Centro Latino in Paseo del Mar for the Cesar Climaco Young Leaders Assembly.

It will be capped by the oath-taking of the Zamboanga City Student Council Alliance and the Zamboanga Out of School Youth Development Alliance.

Climaco, the legendary mayor of Zamboanga City, was inspecting a fire scene along Governor Alvarez Avenue in the village of Camino Nuevo on Novermber 14, 1984 when fatally by a lone gunman.

To date, the killing of the mayor remained unsolved.

DOH maintains '4S Strategy' campaign despite drop of mosquito-borne cases in Region 9

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – The Department of Health (DOH) continues the implementation of its "4S Strategy" campaign against mosquito-borne diseases despite the decline in the number of cases in Region 9.

Dr. Nurussamsi Amilassan, DOH regional coordinator for mosquito-borne diseases, told the Philippines News Agency that such kinds of illness can be minimized if not eradicated by adopting the "4S Strategy."

The mosquito-borne diseases are dengue fever, malaria, filariasis, and chikungunya.

The "4S Strategy" of the DOH are as: Search and destroy; Self-protection measures; Seek early consultation; and, Say yes to fogging only during outbreak.

The search and destroy includes: the covering of drums, pails, and other containers at all times; cleaning and replacing the water in flower vases once a week; covering the holes around the house with soil or sand; removing or piercing old tires that are being used as roof supports and also those tires placed around the house that might hold water; flipping over empty bottles, jars, tin cans and other items that can collect and hold water; and cleaning and removing water on dish racks and other household items that can hold water.

The self-protection measures includes: use of mosquito repellants; use of mosquito nets when sleeping at daytime; and wearing of long sleeves or clothes to protect the skin from mosquito bites.

The public are also advised to seek and consult with the nearest health facility if they already have fever for two days and fogging should be done when there is an impending outbreak or during outbreak itself.

Amilassan disclosed the cases of dengue fever in Region 9 declined by 266 from 6,150 for the period January to October in 2015 to 5,884 for the same period this year.

The incidence of malaria decreased by half from 12 for the period January to October last year compared to six cases in the same period this year.

However, the DOH regional office has recorded an increase of five cases for filariasis from 31 for the first 10 months (January to October) in 2015 to 36 cases in the same period in 2016.

Chikungunya declined by 35 cases for the period January to October from 49 cases last year to 14 this year.

Amilassan said they also distribute larvicide for free to eliminate mosquitoes, aside from the "4S Strategy" campaign.

She said fogging will be immediately conducted in a community that would register a case of Zika virus. So far, Region 9 has zero case of Zika.

City gov’t, Robinsons Land discuss proposed transfer of airport

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga City Government met on Thursday, November 10, with potential investors and discussed the salient points of the proposed transfer of the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA).

City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said that local government officials led by Councilor Benjamin Guingona, IV and City Administrator Angelique Go have presented to the members of the Robinsons Land team the Planned Cities Extension (PCE) project, with emphasis on the transfer of the airport and the development and progress it is expected to open up in the city.

Covarrubias said the PCE is a 25-year plan to be implemented in the east coast area covering approximately 868 hectare of land in the Mercedes district.

Under the plan, the area will be the site for the development of a new town which will be an integral part of the larger built up area of the city.

The PCE plan is to develop the periphery of the proposed new ZIA a mixed use planned city extension, similar to an aeropark or aeropolis.

It is considered to respond to the development need of the city for planned growth center that will attract investments beyond the usual central business district location.

Prior to the meeting, the Robinsons Land team called on City Caretaker and Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde at the office of the mayor where initial issues related to business activities were discussed.

The airport transfer is an approximately P10 billion undertaking and is identified as one of the high-impact development projects in the region.

Zamboanga City allocates Php 200,000 to bury unclaimed cadavers

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – The city government has allocated Php 200,000 for the holding of a mass burial this month of 17 unclaimed cadavers in this city.

Socorro Rojas, city social welfare and development office (CSWDO) chief, on Monday said the unclaimed cadavers will be buried at the city government-owned cemetery in Barangay Talabaan.

Rojas said the cadavers, which were deposited at a local funeral parlor, belong mostly to victims of summary execution while the rest are of “mentally challenged” individuals who were found dead since January this year in this city.

Rojas said the cadavers, all listed as unidentified, were not immediately buried to give ample time for families to claim the remains if they happen to be their relatives.

She disclosed that this year’s number of unclaimed cadavers were lesser than the previous years.

In 2015, she said there were 20 unclaimed cadavers in the city.

Technical committee to assess heritage, century trees

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

A SPECIAL technical committee is set to convene on Thursday, November 9, to assess the condition of heritage and century trees in Zamboanga City.

The committee was formed after a heritage tree in Petit Barracks collapsed on Monday, November 7, that injured two people and partially damaged nearby buildings.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the primary agenda are the assessment and inspection of the condition of all declared heritage and century trees, the availability of monitoring equipment and technologies, and the measures to be undertaken to preserve the trees and safeguard public welfare.

Salazar said that the special technical committee will consist of personnel from the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Community and Environment and Natural Resources Office, Office of the City Agriculturist, and Western Mindanao State University-College of Forestry.

There are approximately 150 declared heritage and century trees in various part of Zamboanga City.

The OCENR reported to Salazar that the collapsed tree had a decayed root system, which was further compounded with unbalanced pruning and continuous rains.

Zamboanga City readies to join 2016 Philippine Youth Games - Batang Pinoy National Championship

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 8 (PNA) – Preparations are underway for this city’s participation in the 2016 Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy National Championship slated on Nov. 27 - Dec. 2 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Dr. Cecilla Atilano, city sports development officer, told the Philippines News Agency that this city is sending a 297-man delegation, including 52 coaches and officials to the sports event.

Atilano said most of the athletes comprising the delegation are products of the yearly summer sports learning program of the city government while the rest have qualified during the Zamboanga Hermosa plus tryout.

The participants would compete in 26 sports events, which includes archery; arnis; athletics; badminton; baseball; basketball 3-on-3; boxing; chess; cycling; dance sport; gymnastics; judo; karatedo; lawn tennis; pencak silat; rugby football; sepak takraw; softball; swimming; table tennis; taekwondo; triathlon; volleyball; weightlifting; wrestling; and, wushu.

Atilano said athletes of the winning delegation would be enlisted into the Philippine team that will compete in the 2018 Youth Olympics.

Atilano is optimistic that the Zamboanga delegation of would shine in taekwondo, karatedo, pencak silat, wrestling, weightlifting, and swimming.

She urged the athletes to show their best during the competition and bring honor to this city.

Batang Pinoy is an open tournament for children 17 years old and below.

It is open to all Filipino citizens whether by birth or naturalized.

Foreign-Pinoys may also join provided they represent a particular local government unit.

City Hall talks with transport groups

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga City Hall convened on Saturday the transport groups and tackled traffic measures intended to help solve the aggravating traffic problem in this city’s urban center.

City administrator Angelique Go, Councilor Josephine Pareja, and the Traffic Police section talked with the Drivers’ Federation and other public transport associations with the ongoing traffic schemes as the main agenda.

The talk is in line with Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar’s directive for the departments and agencies concerned to continuously initiate moves to resolve the traffic situation in the city.

The local police is implementing the truck ban and the extended scheme on the temporary transfer of terminals of public utility jeepneys and utility vans and rerouting traffic.

Go said these are all subjects of executive orders issued by the mayor.

Go said the dialogue has to be conducted to hear the issues and concerns of the transport sector as well as commuters, vis-à-vis the executive orders in effect right now.

Zambo City conferred Green Banner Award

By Bong Garcia(BG/Sunnex

ZAMBOANGA City has been conferred with the Green Banner Award, the highest honor given to local government units (LGUs) with excellent implementation and management of nutritional programs.

City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the award was conferred by the Department of Health (DOH) during the 2016 Regional Nutrition awarding Ceremony Friday afternoon, November 4, at the Palacio del Sur with Assistant Secretary Abdula Dumama, Jr. as guest of honor.

Covarrubias said the city, recognized as a Crown (consistent Regional Winner in Nutrition) awardee, received a plaque and a cash incentive of P500,000.

She said City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos was awarded as the region’s most outstanding city nutrition action officer while recognition was also afforded to the nutrition workers from the village of Guisao, Sta. Maria and Tumaga.

Zamboanga youth leaders undergo leadership, peace youth camp training

(PNA), RMA/TPGJR/ZABIDA PR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 5 (PNA) – Forty youth leaders from 15 villages joined the three-day Trainers’ Training for Barangay Leadership and Peace Youth Camp in this city.

The training was organized by a non-government organization (NGO) known as the Zamboanga Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (Zabida) under its human rights advocacy component.

The training started Friday, Nov. 4, and will end on Sunday. It is being held at Zabida’s Social Action Center in Barangay Sinunuc, this city.

The training was structured to capacitate youth leaders of the 15 Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) of this city to organize and hold a Youth Camp in their respective areas with focused agenda on advocacy for Leadership specifically Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Law and Peace and on campaign against illegal drugs by adopting creative methodologies like arts and theatre.

To further disseminate the youth sector’ advocacy with the use of arts and theater performances they are being trained by Rene Carbayas, a UP Masters degree holder in Theater and currently the Philippine Information Agency-Information Center Manager of Isabela City.

The other resource speakers of the training are: Raymond Domingo, National Youth Commission-Zamboanga area officer; SPO4 Mary Agnes Miro, Zamboanga City Public Safety Company; and, Emma Alipala, Office of City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR).

One of the expected outputs of the workshop will be a training design and implementation plan for their respective Barangay Youth Camp, which will be the result of their planning session on the third day of the activity.

The BLGUs hence, agreed that the said advocacy will be beneficial to more young people and that they are willing to support a Youth Camp to engage more youth in addressing the two issues.

To cope with the needs, and considering limitations of resource persons, it was agreed to train youth trainers to be capacitated in terms of the content and process of the advocacy.

The two topics were identified by the youth sector as their priority concerns during their Regional Youth Agenda-building last year and in which they are also committed to help address; wherein, ZABIDA in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government, Regional Office-National Youth Commission, Regional Public Safety Battalion-9 and Zamboanga City Public Safety Company conducted the barangay youth advocacy campaign the whole month of September this year.

Proposed Zamboanga hydro power projects endorsed

By Bong Garcia(BG/Sunnex)

THE Watershed Management Council (WMC) co-chaired by Zamboanga Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has favorably endorsed to the City Council for review two hydroelectric power projects proposed by Everhydro Corporation and PhilCarbon.

Salazar said the Everhydro Corporation proposed to establish hydro power plant in the west coast, tapping the Patalon, Alimpaya, Tagpangi and Ayala Rivers, while the PhilCarbon sought to put up the a hydro power plant for Manicahan River in the east coast.

Both projects, which were reviewed and discussed during the WMC meeting at city hall conference room, will require the City Council’s review and eventual passage of a resolution for no objection, necessary for the issuance of environmental compliance certificate by the Environment Management Bureau as well as the special forest permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Salazar has convened the WMC to tackle issues related to the condition and status of the city’s watershed area.

Present in the WMC meeting were the president of Everhydro Corporation Oliver Chan and PhilCarbon president and chief executive officer Ruth Yu-Owen.

Both presented their respective project proposals during the meeting.

Zamboanga City police reports peaceful observance of ‘Undas’

(PNA), CVL/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- The local police has reported that the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in this city has been generally peaceful.

Zamboanga City Police director, Sr. Supt. Luisito Magnaye, said no untoward or violent incident occurred during 'Undas'.

The city police and military’s Task Force Zamboanga executed a comprehensive security plan in compliance with two executive orders issued by Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar in line with the implementation of Operation Plan Kaluluwa from 12 noon of Oct. 31 to 5 p.m. of November 2.

Salazar issued Executive Order 220 which temporarily rerouted traffic on all roads leading to public and private cemeteries and EO 221 on the rules and regulations to ensure a solemn, peaceful and orderly observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

The city police deployed policemen who directed traffic and maintained order in all of the cemeteries here.

They were augmented by personnel from the Zamboanga regional police and the Regional Public Safety Battalion.

Salazar has commended and expressed gratitude to police and military authorities as well as volunteers and other concerned groups and agencies for exerting their best efforts that resulted in the solemn, peaceful and orderly observance of this year's 'Undas'.

Zamboanga City Licensing Office adopts 2-step process

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA City Government, through the City Licensing Office, has streamlined the business registration process to only two steps of application, payment and release.

City Licensing Officer Benjie Barredo said they will adopt the two-step process in the forthcoming business registration period.

Barredo said the new process will effectively reduce the processing time to at least two hours for renewal of business permit and at least within the day for new business application.

The implementation of the two-step processing is in compliance with the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address, directing all government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to reduce the requirements and processing time of all government transactions.

Under the new scheme, an interim Zamboanga City Business One-Stop Shop (ZCBoss) will be established at Centro Latino Convention Hall where all agencies or offices involved in processing and issuance of business permits and licenses are set up to receive and process applications.

The interim ZCBoss will operate from January 1 to 20, 2017 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.

The two-step scheme is also in adherence to the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2016 by the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Information and Communication Technology, mandating all LGUs to comply with the new set of service standards in processing business permits and licenses.

Barredo said they expect to renew more than 9,000 business permits and issue at least 2,000 new permits.

The City Licensing Office starts to receive new business registration and renewal as early as December although the business registration period is from January 1 to 20 every year.

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