Zamboanga City News November 2017

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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.

PhilHealth premium increase set in January 2018

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is set to increase its monthly premium starting January 2018 in an effort to boost the agency's health programs.

Bryan Jabay, PhilHealth regional information officer, told the Philippine News Agency the increase is pursuant to PhilHealth Circular No. 2017-0024 issued by PhilHealth interim president and Chief Executive Officer Ma. Jude Dela Serna on September 11, 2017.

Per the circular, Jabay said the premium shall be set at the rate of 2.75 percent computed based on the monthly basic salary with P10,000 wage floor and P40,000 ceiling, to be equally share by the employers and employees.

He said the monthly premium will increase from P250 to P275 for those with basic salary of P10,000.01 and below.

The premium of employees with monthly earnings of P39,999.99 will increase to P1,099.99 from P1,000 and to P1,100 from P1,000 for those with P40,000 basic pay.

The new rate will cover members of the formal economy including household workers, sea-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and all employees in the government and private sector.

Jabay said the increase is aimed at providing sufficient funds for PhilHealth to effectively address the health needs of its members, especially lower income individuals.

Zambo folk witness switch-on of Christmas lights, decors

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Thousands of people from all walks of life on Monday night gathered and witnessed the switch-on ceremony of the City Hall Christmas lights and decors that kick-off the “Pascua na Zamboanga” festival (Christmas Festival in Zamboanga).

The ceremony coincided with the 110th anniversary of the construction of City Hall, making it one of the most important landmarks, a symbol of Zamboanga and a legacy and treasure of this city’s colorful history.

The switch-on ceremony was preceded by Christmas chorale presentation by selected students and grand children of the City Hall employees.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar led the switching-on of the Christmas lights and decors held in front of City Hall.

Officials of the city government and from the security sector as well as from the private sector joined Salazar during the ceremony.

City Hall remains lit up for the entire month of December in celebration of the yuletide season, to the delight of residents and tourists alike.

This year’s yuletide theme for City Hall will be Anghel de Navidad (Christmas Angels) and will have designs and decorations prepared by the City General Services Office (GSO).

Aside from City Hall, angel-themed displays are also the fixture in this city’s parks and recreation centers including the Plaza Rizal, Plaza Pershing, Paseo del Mar, and in major thoroughfares.

The city government has allotted PhP2 million for this year’s Christmas decors.

Government workers, students and families were seen taking pictures and “selfie” when the Christmas lights and decors were lighted.

Salazar said the public is welcome to gather at the City Hall grounds that would be lighted nightly.

In marking the 110th anniversary, Salazar highlighted City Hall’s transformation from being Provincial Capitol building during the American military regime to the present day, which is the seat of governance of this city.

Historical records showed the construction of the City Hall building began during the American military regime (1903-1914) when Zamboanga City was the capital of the Moro Province.

Major Leonard Wood, the first American military governor initiated the construction of the then Provincial Capitol building.

‘Pascua na Zamboanga’ kicks off

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Zamboanga City Government will hold the much-awaited switch-on ceremony of the City Hall’s Christmas light display and decoration on, Monday, November 27.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar will led the switch-on countdown to official kick off the start of the “Pascua na Zamboanga (Christmas in Zamboanga)” season.

It is an annual Christmas tradition in Zamboanga City.

City Hall remains lit up for the entire month of December in celebration of the yuletide season, to the delight of residents and tourists alike.

This year’s Pascua na Zamboanga is anchored on the theme Anghel de Navidad (Christmas Angels).

Angel-themed displays will also be a fixture in the city’s parks and recreation centers as well as other landmarks.

SSS allots P250-M bonus for WestMin pensioners

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Social Security System (SSS) has allocated P250 million for the 13th month pay of its pensioners here in the Western Mindanao area.

Napoleon Rabanal II, SSS Western Mindanao senior communication analyst, on Saturday said the pay will be released by the end of the month but not later than December 8.

Rabanal said there are 43,949 pensioners in Western Mindanao who will receive bonus, which is the same amount to their monthly pension. Of the total, 18,677 of them are from this city.

SSS-Western Mindanao office covers the Zamboanga Peninsula provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur as well as Zamboanga City and the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi that are part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Meanwhile, Rabanal appealed the pensioners to comply with the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP), which requires them to visit the SSS office once a year, specifically during birth month.

The compliance of the ACOP requirement is to ensure the continuous payment of the SSS member’s monthly pension.

It is also to ensure that the pensioner is still living and receives the monthly pension.

Rabanal said they have already requested the partner banks of SSS to make the necessary preparation for the release of the 13th month bonus.

DOH pushes community fireworks display

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Health (DOH) is advocating for the compliance of Executive Order (EO) No. 28 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte that regulates and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

This, as the DOH has launched a campaign dubbed as “OPLAN: Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok! Makiisa sa Fireworks Display sa Inyong Lugar” in a bid to lessen, or possibly reduce to zero, firecracker-related injuries during the New Year’s Eve revelry.

Suzette Gonzales, DOH Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) nurse, said they encourage the local government units (LGUs) to stage community fireworks display on New Year’s Eve in compliance to EO 28 of the President.

“To minimize the risk of injuries and casualties, the use of firecrackers shall henceforth be confined to community fireworks display,” Section 1 of E.O. No. 28 stated.

Gonzales said the conduct of community fireworks display will be of big help in reducing firecracker-related injuries since it will be handled by trained professionals and in accordance to national standards.

Part of the standards is that the fireworks display area must be 100 square meters and with safety space between the firing area and spectators.

The place should be well-lighted with ready fire extinguisher, public address system and a first aid station.

The activity should start on time and the spectators should also be properly briefed on the conduct of the fireworks display.

Gonzales said they also encourage the use of safer noise-makers to prevent firecracker-related injuries.

City Hall to light up on Nov 27

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

The much-awaited switch-on ceremony of the City Hall’s Christmas light display and decoration will be held on Monday, November 27.

The switch-on ceremony, an annual Christmas tradition in Zamboanga City which features an opening program and the switch-on countdown, will officially kick off the start of the “Pascua na Zamboanga” season.

Following the switch-on ceremony, the City Hall remains lit up for the entire month of December in celebration of the yuletide season, to the delight of residents and tourists alike.

This year’s yuletide theme for City Hall will be Anghel de Navidad (Christmas Angels) and will have designs and decorations prepared by the General Services Office (GSO).

Aside from City Hall, angel-themed displays will also be a fixture in the city’s parks and recreation centers including the Plaza Rizal, Plaza Pershing, Paseo del Mar, and in major thoroughfares.

Zamboanga City sets anti-litterbug campaign

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The city government is set to launch on Monday, November 27, a campaign against indviduals who litter or throw garbage—or even urinate—on streets and public places.

Public Services Officer Rodrigo Pagotaisidro of the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) on Thursday said the anti-litterbugs campaign is pursuant to City Ordinance 176-2016, otherwise known as the “Solid Waster Management Ordinance.”

Pagotaisidro said anyone caught throwing garbage will be fined P200 and required to attend a whole day seminar on solid waste management.

Pagotaisidro said the campaign will include those urinating in street corners and other public areas.

Violators will be given 72 hours or three days upon arrest within which to pay the fine to the City Treasurer’s Office upon presentation of citation tickets issued by the arresting officers.

Police and personnel from the OCENR and the Office of the City Administrator have been deputized to enforce the law, Pagotaisidro said.

He said the first salvo of the campaign will focus on the central business district areas, covering the barangays of Rio Hondo, Mariki, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Kasanyangan, San Jose Cawa-Cawa, Zones I, II, III and IV.

Meanwhile, community and concerned stakeholders will hold on Friday, November 24, a citywide motorcade to drum up public awareness on the implementation of City Ordinance 176-2016.

Sci-tech week celebration kicks off in Zamboanga

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The three-day National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) regional celebration, along with the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE), kicked-off Wednesday in this city.

The NSTW highlights the significant contributions of Science and Technology (S&T) to national development, and has become a platform for heralding S&T advocacy in the country.

On the other hand, RICE is a nationwide activity conducted in different regions to recognize the importance of Filipino inventors in the society and in national economic development.

DOST Sec. Fortunato Dela Peña, the events’ keynote speaker, said the NSTW and RICE are two of the many DOST’s platforms for informed exchanges on important S&T issues, developments, and locally developed technologies.

“They are our way of bringing science, technology, and innovation (STI) closer to the people,” Dela Peña said in his message.

He said the two activities are envisioned to serve as a venue where the public is informed of the recent developments and achievements in local science communities, while demonstrating to the public what an enjoyable and interesting field STI is.

Various activities have been lined up including technical sessions, techno-clinis, and exhibits form part of the three-day NSTW and RICE, which end on Friday, November 24.

“This regional celebration of the 2017 NSTW and RICE is our way of not only promoting our services and the different DOST-developed technologies that are ripe for adoption but also our way of celebrating the brilliance of our local scientists and researchers,” former DOST regional director and now Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda Nazareth-Manzano said.

“As an agent of the government, we take it upon ourselves the obligation to bring science, technology, and innovation closer to the people - and this is exactly what we are aiming to do through this three-day event,” DOST OIC-Regional Director Martin Wee said.

Clean-up drive set in Zamboanga City on Nov. 25

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) will be conducting a city-wide clean-up drive on November 25.

“We are going to have a city-wide clean up, not only in the mainland, but including the coastal areas, the rivers, canals, and including opening up all the drainage to clean up,” Cenro Public Service Officer Rodrigo Pagotaisidro announced.

Pagotaisidro said it is part of the activities leading up to the full implementation of the solid waste management system, or Ordinance 2016-176, on November 27, and is also in preparation for the upcoming yuletide season in the city.

Prior to the clean-up drive, Pagotaisidro said they will also have a city-wide motorcade on November 24 to drum up support and awareness of the solid waste management implementation, which will involve all villages that have undergone training and orientation on the salient provisions of the ordinance.

He said the motorcade will also mark the final day of the information drive for the solid waste management ordinance.

DOST chief to grace science, technology week in Zamboanga

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Fortunato Dela Peña will keynote the 2017 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) regional celebration in this city.

The NSTW regional celebration will be held back-to-back with the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) from November 22 to 24.

DOST OIC-Regional Director Martin Wee on Monday said the twin events is also targeted at bridging the gap between the world of scientists and research buffs to reach every "Juan" across the country while promoting DOST’s programs and services.

Among the activities lined-up for the NSTW and RICE events include technology bazaars and exhibit, Science and Technology (S&T) Film Festival, technology fora and technical sessions on Intellectual Property Rights Protection, Science Journalism, Food Packaging and Labelling, Green Engineering and Health and Wellness.

Inventions and research projects of the qualified RICE entries will also be showcased.

Wee said this year’s S&T Week regional celebration, which is anchored on the theme “Science for the People,” will feature the department-developed technologies and inventions in line with its goal of bridging the world of the sciences to the Filipino communities.

Wee said that also to be featured are the DOST assisted food and non-food products as well as the different programs and services and interactive exhibits.

Other top DOST officials, including former DOST regional director and now Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda, are expected to join Dela Peña in gracing the event.

Wee said the event is open to all interested individuals such as S&T enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, students, researchers, inventors, innovators, professionals and the general public.

ZCSPC to become a university soon

By Dexter Yap

The Congressional Committee on Technical and Higher Education and the Commission on Higher Education have pledged their support towards the conversion of the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZCSPC) into a full fledged university to be known as the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University.

The Congressional Committee on Technical and Higher Education and the CHED pledged their support in facilitating the conversion of the institution before the end of the 17th Congress.

CHED declared that they will not become a stumbling block to the conversion of the college.

Congressman Celso Lobregat, author of the ZCSPC conversion, reminded ZCSPC President Dr Nelson Cabral to comply with the requirements to realize the full conversion.

“I can only shepherd the bill in Congress but it will be up to the management and faculty to comply with the requirements. You shoud follow my work ethic- working like there’s no tomorrow,” Lobregat said.

Lobregat also said that the college is fortunate that the Congressional Committee on Higher and Technical Education under Representative Ann Hofer and Senate Committee on Education Chairman Chiz Escudero are pushing for the conversion of colleges into universities as long as they are qualified.

The solon urged Dr Cabral to immediately come up with a task force and provide the necessary timeline to monitor their compliance with requirements.

BSP centennial monument to rise in ‘Cawa-Cawa’ boulevard

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THIS city’s famed “Cawa-Cawa” Boulevard will be the site of the Philippine Scouting Centennial Monument to remind Filipinos that Zamboanga City is the birthplace of the first scouting activity 100 years ago.

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) in collaboration with the City Government on Wednesday afternoon, November 15, spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the centennial monument in the area.

Those who graced the ceremony were: engineer Rogelio Villa, BSP secretary general; artist Nemesio Miranda; youth mayor KC Madrazo; lawyer Emilio Aquino, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) commissioner; BSP regional chair Alrasheed Sakalahul; Councilor Rommel Agan; and Zamboanga Economic Zone chairperson and administrator Christopher Lawrence Arnuco.

Villa said the monument will be a permanent landmark for the BSP that will remind scouters and the public about “the lady who thought of the future of the youth and who saw the importance of nurturing and developing the minds of young people to become productive citizens.”

Villa thanked the city government under the stewardship of Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar for supporting the dream of the BSP National executive board by allowing the renowned “Cawa-Cawa” to be the site of the monument.

Forest Protection Officers start deployment on Nov.16

By Dexter Yap

Some 178 Forest Protection Officers (FPO) recommended by the concerned barangay officials will be working starting Thursday (November 16,2017) to assist the personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) and ZamboEcozone in the preservation of our remaining forest, watershed and the protected mangrove areas.

This as Congressman Celso Lobregat in coordination with DENR, ZCWD and ZamboEcozone officials agreed to start the deployment of these force multipliers into the mountains and mangroves the soonest possible tile to be able to help in protecting our environment.

Congressman Lobregat said that these FPO’s will be tasked to conduct monitoring and help in preserving the forestlands, watershed and mangroves especially in patrolling the buffer zones where reports on alleged illegal logging and prohibited cutting of mangroves in being done.

The FPO’s Forest protection officers will earn PhP8,500 a month and they will be working in two teams in schedules of Monday to Wednesday for Team 1 and Thursday to Monday for Team 2.

“Ta mira yo next year we will not be talking only about forest protection but including national greening program and other relevant tasks like producing seedlings, capacity building and others, if we see the importance of this project,” Lobregat said.

Recalled that Congressman Lobregat and DENR officials called on the barangay chairmen of concerned barangays located along the forestlands, watershed and mangrove areas to orient them about such program.

The barangays of Limpapa, Labuan, Patalon, La Paz, Pamucutan, Baluno, Pasonanca, Dulian-Upper Pasonanca, Mariki Rio Hondo and Sta. Barbara were pinpointed by the DENR to be the recipients of this endeavor wherein the FPO’s are to be deployed.

Lobregat set the deadline yesterday for the barangays to submit the names of their FPO recommendees last Friday and the proper orientation was made yesterday in ZamboEcozone for the barangays near ecozone and at ZCWD Reservoir in Pasonanca for areas around Pasonanca watershed and mangrove areas.

“In this program which I asked from the DENR, the FPO’s have to work very closely and coordinate with ZCWD and ecozone forest guards because they have an agreement for the deployment of guards in forest areas,” Lobregat said.

The solon said that he has seen the importance of protecting the environment and the remaining forest of Zamboanga for the future generations and the efforts in doing it should be done now and not tomorrow.

Zamboanga City allots P2-M for Christmas decors

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The city government has allocated PhP2 million for Christmas decorations to adorn landmarks and major thoroughfares of this city this yuletide season.

Rene Dela Cruz, City General Service Office (CGSO) chief, on Tuesday said a 55-feet tall Christmas tree will be built at the Paseo del Mar and a 30-feet Christmas tree at the Plaza Pershing.

The Paseo del Mar, which is located at the back of the historical Our Lady of the Pillar shrine, is the newest leisure park while the Plaza Pershing is one of the oldest landmarks of this city.

The other landmarks that will be decorated with electric lanterns and Christmas decors are City Hall, Plaza del Pilar, Veteran’s monument, and the Jardin Maria Clara at Pasonanca Park.

Dela Cruz said the target date of completion in decorating the landmarks is by the end of this month in time for the simultaneous lighting of Christmas trees on December 1.

As usual, Dela Cruz said City Hall will serve as the center of attraction and activities during the yuletide season.

Youth leaders take over Zamboanga City key posts

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

AT LEAST 42 young leaders will take over key posts of the Zamboanga City Government starting on Monday, November 13, as they undergo a six-day Rotary Club training aimed to develop youth’s potentials as servant leaders of tomorrow.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has issued Executive Order BC 310-2017 declaring November 13 to 18, 2017 as Rotary Youth Activities Week.

The Rotary Club of Zamboanga, an international organization that promotes leadership skills to foster youth friendship in the society has requested the declaration to recognize and celebrate the youth as the future of the country.

The 42 youth city officials who come from different public and private schools of the city will participate in the activities to learn effective public service.

The youth city officials have been screened and interviewed to determine which position they can occupy or assume.

The positions to be occupied include mayor, vice mayor, city councilors and 15 department heads, five division chiefs under the Office of the City Mayor including the city police chief and fire marshal.

The Rotary Youth Activities Week forms part of the Youth Development Program of the Rotary Club and is cognizant of the fact that the “youth plays an integral and essential part of the society as they are the fore, hope and leaders of tomorrow.”

‘Tulong Dunong Program’ benefits 677 students

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

A TOTAL of 677 new tertiary students from the first congressional district are benefiting in a scholarship program this semester through the “Tulong Dunong Program” of the national government.

The scholarship program is being implemented by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) in partnership with the office of 1st District Representative Celso Lobregat.

The scholars in tertiary education are from the 37 villages under the first district whose parents’ income are below the prescribed minimum wage and are also the poorest of the poor.

Lobregat said the scholars were identified through the assistance of the village officials.

The 677 new scholars are enrolled in the following higher learning institutions: 361, Western Mindanao State University (WMSU); 70, Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology (ZSCMST); 113, Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZCSPC); 21, Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU); and, 112, Southern City Colleges (SCC).

“This scholarship program is giving better opportunities and hope in education for the sons and daughters of the poor families in my district which I intend to continue while I am still the representative of District 1,” Lobregat said.

He said each of the scholars enrolled in government-owned State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) will receive P3,000 educational assistance per semester or for a total of P6,000 per school year based on the existing scholarship program.

He said the education assistance is for the payment of miscellaneous and other free as well as allowances since the free tuition policy for SUCs took effect in school year 2017 to 2018.

On the other hand, the educational assistance for each student-beneficiaries under the existing Tulong Dunong Program for private colleges and universities is P6,000 per semester or P12,000 per school year.

Lobregat has advised the student-beneficiaries of the scholarship program to study well citing education is important to have a good future.

Zamboanga City readies Chavacano dictionary

By Bong Garcia

A NEW Chavacano dictionary is under development as part of the local government’s efforts to preserve and promote the Chavacano dialect.

Dr. Jose Genaro Yap-Aizon, special assistant to the city mayor and assistant city administrator, said a two-volume dictionary is currently in the validation and editing stage, and is expected to be completed sometime at the end of the year or early 2018.

Aizon said the dictionary comes in the heels of the Chavacano Orthography, a comprehensive reference material for Chavacano spelling and grammar produced by the local government.

He explained that producing a dictionary takes time, rigorous research, and revisions, which is why developing the Chavacano dictionary has so far taken up to two years in the making.

BSP-Zambo intensifies circulation of coins

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has initiated a program to ensure coins are regularly re-circulated.

Hermogenes Buenaflor Jr., BSP-Zamboanga branch bank officer, told the Philippine News Agency that part of the program is the collection and conversion of the coins.

Buenaflor said they have so far collected 500,000 pieces of coins amounting to PhP30,000 from a school and a church.

Buenaflor said the collected coins, which included 25, 10, and five centavos as well as one centavo coin, were changed into the New Generation Currency paper bills.

He said they will re-circulate the coins to those who need it like supermarkets and pharmacies.

He said the BSP will be spending more money to produce new coins to be distributed if the coins that were already released to the public are not enough.

He said the cost of coin production are as follows: one centavo, P0.9434; five centavos, P0.4798; 10 centavos, P0.4782; 25 centavos, P0.7419; PhP1, PhP1.1825; PhP5, PhP3.4663; and, PhP10, PHP4.4128.

“The coins have been released, the problem is how it circulate(s). It’s time to re-circulate the coins so the government will not waste money in producing it,” he added.

2,000 participate in 2017 National Youth Day

By R.G ANTONET GO (RGAAGo)

More than 2,000 pilgrims and 15 bishops have arrived in Zamboanga to participate in the 2017 National Youth Day.

The event, organized by the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, is anchored on the theme “The Mighty One has Done Great Things for Me and Holy is His Name.”

The National Youth Day is a five-day series of activities which will enable youth ministers to congregate and celebrate Christ’s mission.

Mark Saavedra, NYD Executive Secretary, said that 2.052 pilgrims aged 13-39 years old arrived in Zamboanga since Sunday to participate in the event.

Saavedra said that the organization expects the arrival of more participants until November 8.

The program was opened via a holy mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Immaculate Conception yesterday afternoon.

This was followed by a grand parade known as the “Parada del maga Jovenez del Paiz” from the Metropolitan Cathedral to the Tetuan City Coliseum.

Other activities include two processions, the Gran Procession Mariana or Grand Marian Procession and the Parada del maga Peregrinos or Pilgrims’ Parade.

The pilgrims will also participate in religious and social sessions to be held in different parts of Zamboanga.

“Great things will be learned by coming together and hopefully this will be shared in the different parts of the country,” said Rev Father Conegundo Garganta, Executive Secretry of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth.

The National Youth Day is celebrated every two to three years.`

P3 benefits 664 bizmen, extends P8.57-M in loan

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Pondo para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) has already benefited 664 businessmen in the Zamboanga Peninsula as of October this year, releasing a total amount of PhP8.573 million worth of loans.

The P3, which was implemented in August this year, is one of the flagship programs of President Rodrigo Duterte to counter the “5-6” scheme of loan sharks, which is detrimental to small businessmen who have no choice but to bite into such borrowing scheme for them to stay afloat.

Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional director, on Saturday said the P3 is designed to save the micro and small entrepreneurs from being victimized further by “5-6.”

Jain said that unfortunately, the businessmen who engaged in “5-6” scheme find themselves unable to grow their business because their money just went to payment and interest.

She said the P3 offers a very low interest rate of not more than 2.5 percent monthly.

Data from the Small Business Corporation (SBCor), DTI’s financing arm in charge of P3 program, showed that the biggest number of beneficiaries are from Zamboanga del Sur with 461, translating to PhP4.810 million worth of borrowings.

It is followed by Zamboanga del Norte with 99 beneficiaries (PhP1.557 million), Zamboanga Sibugay with 97 (PhP2.086 million) and Zamboanga City with seven with approved loan of PhP120,000.

At present, four micro-financing institutions serve as conduits for the project where the public can apply for loan.

These are the following: Radiowealth Finance Company (RFC); Card Inc.; Lorenzo Tan Multipurpose Cooperative; and, People’s Micro Finance Cooperative (PMFC).

But the PMFC is yet to accept P3 application as it is still in talks with its mother cooperative, the Mindanao Alliance of Self-Help Societies-Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center (MASS-SPECC) on the former’s full implementation of the program. More MFIs are expected to be accredited for the P3 program as evaluation of application are ongoing.`

Zamboanga undertakes P4-M project for out-patients

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The City Health Office is implementing a PhP4-million project to renovate and expand its Out-Patient Department (OPD) to improve services to the public.

City Health Officer Rodelin Agbulos on Friday said the project, which is set to be completed in three months, is funded by the Department of Health (DOH).

Agbulos said the City Health Office will not, in the meantime, accommodate OPD patients while the project is ongoing.

But Agbulos said they will be attended by the 26 physicians of his office in health centers designated to accommodate OPD patients.

“Just give us enough time because we are temporarily stopping OPD consultation at the City Health Office since were are renovating and expanding our facility,” he said.

He said the OPD could accommodate more patients once the project is completed. At present, the OPD caters to some 200 patients daily.

Meanwhile, those who need anti-rabies vaccines can be accommodated at the second floor of the City Health Office.`

Zamboanga City to grant cash incentive to senior citizens

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The senior citizen-residents of this city are set to receive cash incentives from the local government.

This, as the City Council on Monday approved on third and final reading Ordinance No. 2017-28 that grants cash incentives to senior citizens and providing funds thereof.

“There will be cash incentive for senior citizens every year to be given in full (during their respective birthday month),” part of the ordinance reads.

Local government records showed that there are more or less 64,000 senior citizens in this city.

Each of the senior citizens will receive cash incentive based on the following corresponding ages: 60 to 69 years old, PhP500; 70 to 79, PhP750; 80 to 90, PhP1,000; 91 to 94, PhP1,500; and, 95 to 99, PhP2,000.

Councilor Cesar Jimenez, author of the ordinance, said the city government will spend at least PhP15 million or as much as PhP20 million in the first year of implementation of the cash incentive program.

Jimenez said the program will be realized by 2018 if it cannot be implemented this year through supplemental budget allocation.

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