Zamboanga City News October 2013

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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.

All set for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days observance in Zamboanga

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 31 (PNA) -– The city government in coordination with the police and military authorities have laid down security measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, respectively, in this city.

City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. said that the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) with the support of the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) will deploy personnel on all roads leading to major public and private cemeteries within the seven-kilometer radius in this city.

Orendain said the deployment is on top of the police personnel coming from the different police stations. The ZCPO has jurisdiction over 11 police stations.

Orendain said Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has issued two executive orders--E.O. No. BC19-2013 and BC20-2-13--to be implemented during the observance of the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

E.O. No. BC19-2013 directs the implementation of a temporary traffic re-routing scheme on all roads leading to public and private cemeteries and the other, promulgating rules and regulations for strict compliance on November 1 and 2, according to Orendain.

He said the temporary traffic re-routing scheme will take effect November 1 from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. of November 2, 2013.

He said that in the same EO, the traffic aides of the city government are also ordered to render work on Friday and Saturday in close coordination with the traffic section of the ZCPO.

He said that certain roads, as in previous years, will be declared one-way going to the cemeteries such as the one in Sta. Cruz and Don Toribio areas in Barangay Tetuan, San Jose Road and San Roque and all other roads to be designated later.

He said that parking spaces will also be provided in each cemetery, however, depending on the availability of areas for the purpose.

E.O. No. BC20-2013 directs the implementation of various rules and regulations such as the prohibition on the bringing of firearms, bladed weapons and other similar items inside cemetery premises; prohibition on selling and drinking of liquor inside cemeteries; prohibition on the putting up of temporary stalls and selling of foods, beverages, candles and others within the 20-meter space leading to the entrance gate of the cemetery; prohibition on the playing of loud music from radio/stereo cassettes or communicating through microphones or conversing in loud voices that cause disturbance to others; ban on any type of gambling; prohibition on the use of firecrackers/pyrotechnics display and the prohibition on parking of motor vehicles inside public cemeteries.

Orendain said that violators of the two EOs will be booked at the nearest police stations for investigation and filing suits, if so warranted, under existing laws and ordinances or the imposition of fines as the case may be.

Health stations to be set up in Zambo cemeteries

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 30 (PNA) -–The City Health Office (CHO) is establishing medical health stations in major public and private cemeteries here to cater to the health needs of people during All Saints and All Souls Days observance in this city.

CHO Medical Officer Dr. Abdel Sakili said Wednesday that personnel to include physicians, nurses and midwives will man the different health stations.

Sakili said that each of the health stations will be equipped with ambulance to transport patients to the hospital as the need arises.

“We have doctors to evaluate and assess the patients. In cases of emergency, the ambulance will be bringing them to the hospital,” Sakili said.

He said the health stations will be established at Forest Lake, the largest private cemetery here, and in the biggest public cemeteries in the Barangays of Ayala, Baliwasan, Mercedes, San Roque, Sta. Maria, Sta. Cruz, Talon-Talon and Tetuan.

He advised the public to take their breakfast as well as medicines for those who are under medication before going to the cemetery.

“If they will have to bring their children, watch over them to avoid accidents,” he added.

He said the common problems being experienced by people flocking to the cemeteries during All Saints' and All Souls' Days are fatigue and hypertension.

Thousands of people are expected to troop to the cemeteries to pay respect to their respective loved ones during the observance of the All Saints and All Souls Days.

Zambo public schools observe semestral break despite classes’ suspension

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 29 (PNA) -– The Department of Education (DepEd) has pushed through with the semestral break observance in public schools as scheduled despite suspension of classes for several days brought about by last month’s standoff in this city.

Classes in public schools were suspended for almost 20 days due to the standoff that started last September 9 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated this city.

Aside from the standoff, this city was also hit by flash flood that also caused the suspension of classes earlier this month.

City Division of Schools Officer-in-Charge Pedro Melchor Natividad said Tuesday he was ordered to comply with the DepEd order implementing the semetral break despite his request to hold “make-up” classes and forgo with the break.

Natividad said the “make-up” classes are intended to cope with the number of classes days lost during last month’s standoff.

“DepEd Order No. 10, series of 2013 entitled School Calendar for the School Year 2013-2014 particularly in enclosure No.1, October 28 to 31 is intended for Mid-Year Assessment and In-Service Training for Teachers (INSET) and the semestral break for students,” Natividad said.

Natividad, in compliance with the order, has directed the all the school heads to strictly follow the DepEd order.

Natividad said that they will adopt measures to be able to cope with the required number of schools as the students are already behind in their lessons.

There are 171 public elementary and 34 high schools with 14,7347 and 49,870 students, respectively, in this city.

DOH conducts seminar on smoking, health for Zambo media practitioners

(PNA), HBC/TPG/ANTONET A. GO/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 28 (PNA) -– The Department of Health (DOH) has conducted a seminar on smoking and health and nutritional guidelines for the members of the local media to equip them with the knowledge on the ill effects of smoking.

The seminar, dubbed as Health Issues 101: Smoking and Health and 2013 Nutritional Guidelines, was held Monday at the Marcian Garden Hotel in this city.

“This (seminar) is for the media group in order that the media practitioners of Zamboanga City will be able to report correctly any issues related to smoking and health,” DOH regional information officer Teresita Dela Cruz said at the sideline of the seminar.

"I’m sure correct information will reach the people faster with the help of the media. The DOH cannot do it alone we need partners like the media to help us in disseminating the correct information related to smoking and health," she added.

The topics discussed were the following: The tobacco epidemic; dangers of tobacco and smoke; and, 2013 nutritional guidelines.

Dela Cruz said they are focusing on smoking and health since many of the people seem to disregard or ignore the ill effects of smoking and “many of the people are not aware that second hand smoke could affect their health.”

Dela Cruz said that nutrition was integrated because they believe that it is equally important to the health of the people.

She said there is an urgent need for the residents to know the guidelines related to nutrition because the region has high malnutrition rate among children. She did not give specific figures.

“Many children are getting obese and we would like to do something about that. Even pregnant mothers, lactating mothers, should know what are the proper nutrition for their children,” she said.

Those who attended the seminar are reporters from the print, radio and television.

DOLE, ILO to partner in P3.3-M livelihood for Zambo crisis victims

(InterAksyon.com)

MANILA – Following the devastation caused by the three-week Zamboanga crisis in September, the government will start in November a livelihood program for 662 graduates of TESDA’s various skills training in the city, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said.

The program is organized by the Department of Labor and Employment and the International Labor Organization, in cooperation with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the city government of Zamboanga.

Baldoz made the announcement over the weekend after she ordered DOLE Regional Director Sisinio Cano to increase to 15 the number of working days beneficiaries of the DOLE emergency employment program will work to increase their source of income.

"We estimate an amount of P3.306 million for the provision of livelihood starter kits to the graduates of TESDA's skills training. The 662 are all affected by the Zamboanga City crisis last month," she said.

The beneficiaries of the livelihood starter kits trained under TESDA.

For the 115 who trained and graduated on the production of novelty items, DOLE will provide them P5,000 each in livelihood starter kits.

The 142 graduates of massage therapy/reflexology will get P3,000 each in starter kits. The 95 haircutting graduates will also get P3,000 each. On the other hand, the 100 training graduates in the construction trades (masonry, plumbling, electricity, and welding) will get P10,000 each.

Eighty graduates in matweaving and 40 graduates on bibingka-making will each receive P3,000 in starter kits. To be given P7,000 each are 80 graduates who trained on food processing, while P10,000 each will be granted to 10 graduates who trained on vinta sail-making.

Meanwhile, Baldoz said the DOLE and the ILO, through the Occupational Safety and Health Center and the regional OSHNet, in cooperation with the Zamboanga Industry Tripartite Council, will regularly monitor the implementation of the emergency employment and livelihood programs on occupational safety and health to ensure that they adhere to OSH standards and prevent accidents.

"We will conduct the OSH monitoring twice a month," Baldoz said.

"Our efforts to assist those who were affected by this tragedy in Zamboanga City are moving even with limited resources. We are doing our part to help alleviate their suffering," Baldoz said.

Zambo health office closely watches health condition of evacuees

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 26 (PNA) -- The City Health Office here is closely monitoring the health condition of the evacuees housed at the evacuation centers, especially at the Mayor Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex.

City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos said it is to ensure that the health of the evacuees is well taken cared of.

Agbulos said they have recorded since September 9, when the standoff started, a total of 14,467 cases of acute respiratory infection, 4,649 patients for fever, 3,136 cases of acute watery diarrhea, 1,962 patients for skin diseases and 1,075 hypertension cases in the 27 evacuation centers.

The standoff started last September 9 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated this city.

Agbulos said that 80 children at the sports complex were diagnosed to be severely malnourished while 247 children diagnosed to be moderately malnourished.

Agbulos said that three cases--two at the sports complex and one in Sta. Elementary School--of chickenpox cases.

He said the health conditions of the evacuees are well taken cared off through the conduct of massive vaccination and those with communicable diseases are placed in isolation area.

He said they also continue the advocacy on breastfeeding.

He disclosed that the focus of the health monitoring at the sports complex is due to the “unsanitary ways” of the evacuees.

Among the evacuation centers, the sports complex houses the largest number of evacuees displaced by the standoff in this city.

Zambo City gov't resumes issuance of cedula

By Roel Pareño (philstar.com)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The local crisis management committee (CMC) has lifted the suspension of the issuance of community tax certificate (CTC) and barangay certifications.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, chairperson of the CMC, said the body decided the lift of the suspension as the situations in the city have started to normalize.

Salazar, meanwhile, directed the barangay officials to carefully scrutinize the background of those who will apply for CTCs and barangay certifications.

The city government suspended the issuance of the CTCs and barangay certificates at the height of the standoff between government troops and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) loyal to Nur Misuari.

“We urge barangay leaders to ensure that the person that is being issued with these documents is properly identified and a legitimate resident of their respective barangays,” Salazar said.

The military and the police believe that several members of the MNLF involved in the standoff have blended with the residents of Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Mariki and Rio Hondo villages.

Clearing operations of the affected villages are ongoing.

The national government has said that the rehabilitation of the city will follow right after the clearing operations.

Five Zambo schools, Job Esther Technology forge academic partnership

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 24 (PNA) -– Five Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have forged an academic partnership program with the Job and Esther Technology in a bid to further strengthened the Information Communication Technology (ICT) education in this city.

The forging of partnership, which was facilitated and witnessed by the Zamboanga ICT Council, was realized Wednesday in a simple ceremony held in this city.

The signatories of the partnership program are the Job and Esther Technology represented by Shelly Kero and the schools heads of the Systems Technology Institute (STI)-Zamboanga, Southern City Colleges, Western Mindanao State University, Universidad de Zamboanga, and AMA Computer College.

Through the academic partnership program, the teachers and the students whose course is related to ICT will be trained in EQUELA, which is one of the computer programming languages.

EQUELA software, which is very expensive, will be provided to schools wherein the Job and Esther Technology will train the teachers and the students of the participating schools for five days in their respective computer laboratories.

“We connected them to the schools. This is part of our advocacy to push ICT development in Zamboanga,” Zamboanga ICT council president Louell Saavedra said.

The Zamboanga ICT council facilitated the realization of the partnership between the Job and Esther Technology and five local schools and universities.

“We in the Zamboanga ICT council is really advocating the development of our ICT talents which will lead to jobs,” Saavedra said.

Zambo chamber of commerce bags most outstanding chamber award

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 23 (PNA) -– The Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (ZCCIFI) has bagged the most outstanding chamber award in the country.

The ZCCIFI has received the award for its highly commendable advocacy efforts to help the local government ensure business continuity during the last month’s standoff and for taking the lead role in developing programs as well as generating support for the rehabilitation of affected business in this city.

“This award was unexpected and unprecedented from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) citing the special role of ZCCIFI during the Zamboanga City crisis, which PCCI wants other chamber to emulate,” ZCCIFI president Pedro Rufo Soliven said in an interview Wednesday.

The awarding was held during the 39th Philippine Business Conference held Tuesday in Manila Hotel. The ZCCIFI received a plaque from Ambassador Alfredo Yao and PCCI president Miguel Varela.

The 39th Philippine Business Conference was attended by the business community and graced by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Cayetano and House Speaker Miguel Belmonte.

The 39th Philippine Business Conference is set to end Wednesday and the closing ceremonies will be graced by President Benigno Aquino, III.

DOH chief visits Zambo evacuees, checks health facilities

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 22 (PNA) -– Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona visited this city Tuesday to check on the plight of the evacuees as well as the status of the government-run health facilities.

“We want to look at the whole aspect of health care. The major concerns such as supply, staffing and I’m glad to see that it is okay and things are under control,” Ona said in an interview, citing “the medical staffs are there and offering complete services.”

Upon his arrival here, Dr. Ona visited the government-run health facilities like the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) and Mindanao Central Sanitarium as well as the evacuees at the Mayor Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex and Zamboanga National High School (ZNHS)-west.

The DOH chief said the agency is partnering closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in attending to the needs of the evacuees.

Ona personally checked on the damages incurred by the ZCMC during the standoff that started when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated this city last September 9.

Among the facilities that were damaged at the ZCMC are the power house, water tank, perimeter fence, hospital’s roof, and the P60-million Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan machine, which was purchased by the local government.

Ona also visited Barangay Sta. Catalina, one of the sites of the fierce firefight between the government forces and the MNLF rebels.

Meanwhile, Ona said he envisioned that the agency could render faster health assistance in the future as well as to “make sure everybody is given the necessary health care assistance.”

The Health chief met with Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and assured the latter of continuing support in terms of supply, manpower, and effort to prevent the emergence of diseases.

Zambo City readies for All Saints, All Souls Day

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 21 (PNA)--The city government is now making the necessary preparations for the upcoming observance of All Saint’s and All Soul’s Days in this southern port city.

City Administrator Antonio Orendain, Jr. said Monday the city government is set to call for a meeting of all concerned stakeholders to make the necessary preparations.

Orendain said the meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday and among those to be invited are police and military officials as well as civic groups, Philippine Red Cross (PRC), City Health Office, and others.

Heads and in-charge of parishes with cemetery and owners of memorial parks will also be invited to attend the meeting, according to Orendain.

He said among the things to be discussed is security and traffic rerouting scheme.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to cemeteries on All Soul’s Day to pay respect to their departed love ones.


DSWD, partners firm up plans for cash for work for Zambo evacuees

(PNA), PDS/LSJ

MANILA, Oct. 20 (PNA) --The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) disclosed over the weekend that more efforts are under way to provide livelihood initiatives for the evacuees in Zamboanga City.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to ensure continued support to the evacuees of the recent armed-conflict in Zamboanga City, the department coordinated with other government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) to discuss livelihood initiatives for the evacuees.

During a recent meeting, DSWD Regional Director Zenaida Arevalo said that member-agencies of the cluster identified cash for work and provision of seed capital as the most viable forms of livelihood assistance for the evacuees.

Arevalo cited that the cluster already identified possible cash for work activities that would enable the evacuees to earn for their families.

These include the declogging of drainages and assistance in the clearing operations.

“What is unique about this cash for work program for evacuees is that aside from the wages, they will also have health insurance and social security benefits which the International Labor Organization (ILO) is proposing to shoulder,” Director Arevalo revealed.

Beneficiaries of the cash for work will be earning P214.00/day, 75 percent of the regular minimum wage in Zamboanga City.

The DSWD submitted proposals to the Office of the President for the funding of the said program which shall benefit 23,000 family heads for a maximum work of 30 days.

The cash-for-work will start immediately once the proposal is approved by the Office of the President.

For the provision of capital assistance, the cluster sees it necessary to provide skills training prior to the grant of the seed capital.

This is where TESDA comes in for the skills enhancement and capability-building efforts.

Initial skills training on hair-cutting, bead-craft making and massage therapy were started in some evacuation centers specifically in JFE Sports Complex and Tetuan Central School.

Aside from the DSWD, other members of the Livelihood Cluster are: International Labor Organization (ILO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Authority (TESDA), the City Social Welfare and Development Office, and the City Engineer’s Office.

Officials of Zambo schools ready security plan

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 19 (PNA) -– Local officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) here have readied a security plan to be implemented in all public schools in the city.

City Division of Schools Officer-in-Charge Pedro Melchor Natividad said the plan was tackled during a meeting Saturday of school heads on security planning.

“This is a very healthy gathering. Ito yung makakatulong sa ating school heads to facilitate the planning and the implementation of their plans,” Natividad said in an interview on the sideline of the meeting.

The meeting on security planning was attended by all school heads, district supervisors, and division supervisors.

They are to re-echo to the teachers in their respective schools what they have discussed, and approved for immediate implementation.

During the meeting, they were briefed by military and police officials on the prevailing peace and order situation in this city.

“One security consideration is that the schools that have enough Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses will have to hire security guards especially schools with large student population,” Natividad said.

He also said the best security plan must have proper coordination, collaboration, and cooperation of all sectors.

He said the security plan is aimed at ensuring the protection of both the teachers and students as classes in all level resumed Wednesday.

Aside from DepEd officials, also present during the security planning meeting were City Administrator Antonio Orendain, Jr., Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) City director Mohammad Taha Arakama, Zamboanga City police officer-in-charge Senior Supt. Dennis Basngi and Capt. Jerry Doldol, the operations officer of the military’s Task Force Zamboanga.

Electrical engineers hold First Regional Confab in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAM/TPGJR/RGAAGO/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 18 (PNA) -– Over 300 electrical engineers are attending the three-day First Regional Conference of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) in this city.

Western Mindanao IIEE Gov. Eng’r. Richard Lizardo said the conference, which started Thursday and set to end Saturday, is aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of Filipino electrical engineers.

“This conference is very important because this is to enhance the competence of electrical engineers in dealing with our engineering profession especially now the organization is facing global competitiveness. This conference is designed to enhance, to motivate, the members to be globally competitive,” Lizardo said.

He said the topics being discussed in the ongoing seminar include renewable energy development framework for Mindanao, electrical design of high rise buildings, electrical safety enforcement and awareness and other topics that concerns the IIEE.

He said the participants of the three-day event are electrical engineers from the different parts of the regions and IIEE National Board of Governors with Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar as the guest of honor.

The event is themed: “Leading Electrical Practitioners Towards Global Recognition.”

Zambo City hold First Buntis Congress

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 17 (PNA) -– At least 470 pregnant and lactating mothers attended Thursday the First Buntis Congress for the evacuees in this city.

City health officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos said the Buntis Congress, which was held at the Dr. Bruno Gymnasium of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), aimed to teach mothers of the importance of maternal health care.

Agbulos said that discussed during the congress included the importance of pre-natal care and breastfeeding even in evacuation centers.

He said that information that every pregnant woman must know were also discussed during the Buntis Congress.

Agbulos said of the 470 participants, 320 are pregnant mothers and 150 are lactating mothers who are among the evacuees at the Mayor Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex.

“We were able to disseminate the correct information on the importance of pre-natal and importance of giving breast milk to their baby,” Agbulos said.

He also said there is an available stocks of pasteurized breast milk at the milk bank.

OCENR: Zambo’s ‘century’ and ‘heritage’ trees are protected

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 16 (PNA) -– The Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) announced that this city’s century and heritage trees are well taken care of and protected.

OCENR chief Eng’r Reynaldo Gonzales issued the statement to erase doubts that the century and heritage trees are unattended after strong winds and heavy rains uprooted last week a century-old acacia tree.

“There is a committee on the maintenance of trees and tree surgery. We are working together with the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” Gonzales clarified.

“The trees are also being balanced by trimming the branches so it will not lose stability,” he added.

He explained that one of the century-old acacia trees was uprooted last week by strong winds as continuous rain had softened the soil where the tree stands.

The uprooted acacia tree damaged the perimeter fences of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Zamboanga City chapter office in Pettit Barracks area along Rizal street, this city.

The declaration and tagging of the century and heritage trees by the city government is in line with City Ordinance No. 341 otherwise known as the Century and Heritage Tree Ordinance enacted in December of 2008.

The city government has declared and tagged a total of 67 century trees and 51 heritage trees since 2009 until this year.

Ordinance No. 341 states that “Century Trees” are those that have lived for more than 100 years while “Heritage Trees” are those which may not have reached 100 years “but are considered ecologically, historically or culturally valuable or belonging to a rare species or are adjacent or near a water source, spring or well and whose cutting or destruction will disrupt or destroy the water source.”

It is in line with the city government’s program to preserve and conserve the environment.

ICAD-FTTS conducts beef sharing in Zambo, Jolo and Manila on Eid al-Adha

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 15 (PNA) -– The ICAD Foundation-administered Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School (FTTS) is sharing beef to the public and to the less fortunate in line with the celebration Tuesday of Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.

The Integrated Center for Alternative Development (ICAD) Foundation Incorporated is a private, nonprofit, non-stock organization established under the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 16, 1996 administers the FTTS, which was established the following year.

FTTS Director Mehmet Biter said they will slaughter more than 300 cows and the meat will be given for free to identified beneficiaries for this year’s celebration.

Biter said the cows will be slaughtered in accordance with the Islam tradition in three days time starting Tuesday at the campus of FTTS in Barangay Sinunuc, west of this city.

Biter said the meat will be given for free to the evacuees displaced by the standoff staying at the sports complex and Taluksangay National High School in this city.

The rest of the beef will be shipped to Jolo, Sulu; Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; and, Manila to be given to identified beneficiaries.

“When we slaughter cows as a form of worship, we will get closer to God and sharing the beef to the people, we get closer to them. We also want to reach out to the less fortunate,” Biter said.

The beef sharing is in line with Festival of Sacrifice, which is celebrated in commemoration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, as an act of obedience to God, who upon seeing Abraham’s faith intervened and instead provided a ram to be sacrificed.

ICAD Foundation-FTTS began the beef sharing in 1997, with only 20 cows were slaughtered.

Year after year, the Foundation increased the number of cows to not less than 400 and shared beef with more than 10,000 families each year.

Zambo health office back to normal operation

(PNA), FFC/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 14 (PNA) -– City health officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos announced that his office is now back to normal operation as the standoff is over.

The City Health Office was closed at the height of the standoff since it is located near the boundary with Barangay Sta. Barbara although geographically located in Barangay Zone IV

Barangay Sta. Barbara is one of the site of the fierce fighting between government forces and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels during the standoff that started last September 9.

At the height of the standoff, Agbulos has opened two satellite offices to ensure continues delivery of services to the public.

The two satellite offices were established at the Puericulture Lying-in Maternity Hospital in downtown area and at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex.

Agbulos called on the public to proceed to his office at Pettit Barracks in Barangay Zone IV should they have any transactions to do with his office.

“I think there are still people who go to other places to look for the City Health Office, our office is now back to normal operation,” Agbulod said.

Child protection strengthened in evacuation centers

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) convened several child-focused non-government organizations (NGO) to discuss issues and set plans for the continued interventions for affected children housed in evacuation centers in Zamboanga City.

The move aims to ensure that children are protected from all forms of abuse, DSWD Regional Director Zenaida Arevalo said.

Arevalo, who presided over the meeting held at the DSWD office, said that about 36,000 children with ages three to 17 were affected by the standoff between government forces and Moro rebels in September.

“These children are most vulnerable and that we have to ensure their protection,” Arevalo said in a statement.

Arevalo emphasized that zonal assignments of evacuees at the Mayor Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex were established to accurately monitor the situation not only of the children but of other vulnerable groups like older persons, and pregnant women, among others.

NGOs that joined the meeting include the Save the Children Foundation (STCF), Community and Family Services International (CFST), World Vision, Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (Capin), and Western Mindanao State University (WMSU).

Existing services offered by these NGOs to evacuation centers include psychosocial services, advocacies on child-related laws and policies, and child-protection mechanisms and referrals.

The cluster agreed for each member organization to adopt a number of evacuation centers to pour their services and programs for children, and to prevent duplication of services.

Four NGOs gave their commitment to continually provide their services.

The CFST will handle evacuation centers of Divisoria National High School and the elementary schools of Boalan, Zambowood, and Talon-Talon.

WMSU, with its allied offices of College of Social Work and Community Development and Extension Services Office, committed to handle the Baliwasan Central School.

CFST expressed to continue its services to the evacuees at the sports complex, while Capin, in partnership with CFST, shall ensure its services to Tetuan, Talon-Talon, Divisoria, and Zambowood elementary schools.

DepEd to extend 2012-2014 school calendar in Zambo

By Felino M. Santos [(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/FMS/RSM]

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 12 (PNA) -– The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to extend the school calendar for school year 2013-2014 due to the suspension of classes brought about by the standoff and flash floods that hit this city.

The standoff started last September 9 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated this city while the flash flood was spawned by continuous rains from October 4.

DepEd City Division of Schools officer-in-charge Pedro Melchor Natividad said that DepEd Order No. 7, series of 2013 mandates a total of 180 school days for a regular school year or from June 3, 2013 to March 31, 2014.

Natividad said that schools should adopt a system to recover lost school days brought about by the standoff and flash floods.

Natividad said they will coordinate with all school administrators, both public and private, to countercheck the number of days they missed and how they can cope with the required number of school days.

City administrator Antonio Orendain, Jr. said that over 60 schools were used as evacuation centers for families displaced by the standoff and the floods have affected 95 schools of this city’s 98 barangays.

Natividad said the loss of about 30 school days due to the standoff and floods will compel the different schools to conduct classes until April or by early May next year to meet the required number of school days.

Zamboanga gears for festival's grand procession amid threats

By Roel Pareño (philstar.com)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The city is gearing for a grand procession on Saturday after festival activities were toned down to honor the Feast of the Pilar, an official said.

Security forces will be beefed up to ensure the safety of thousands of devotees who will flock during the procession, following the standoff last month and the prevailing security threat.

Police and military forces have combed the stretch of the streets leading to the shrine for possible presence of threats.

“Unlike the previous years, this year’s Fiesta Hermosa celebration is a toned down affair because of the man-made crisis that devastated the city for at least 23 days and the subsequent widespread flooding that continued to haunt the city until today,” Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said.

However, Salazar said the grand procession will proceed after the shrine have been cleared by the government forces of possible unexploded ordnance and threat from the adjacent critical areas where the rebels besieged.

“The grand procession in honor of Nuestra Señora del Pilar highlights the feast day tomorrow,” Climaco said.

Salazar, chairperson of the local crisis management committee (CMC), said despite the fierce gunfight last month, the Fort Pilar Shrine, a 17th-century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government, emerged unscathed after the crisis.

The mayor also described the turn over of the nearby Sta. Barbara mosque and the opening of the Fort Pilar Shrine as a monumental proof that the Christians, Muslims and Lumad continued to live peacefully and dismissed the recent attack has implication of religious conflict.


Japan OKs $2-M for Zamboanga relief

By Pots de Leon (InterAksyon.com)

MANILA, Philippines -- Responding to calls for assistance from the international community, the Japanese government has approved an emergency grant of $2-million, or around P84-million, to support relief operations for people displaced by the recent clashes in Zamboanga City.

The Japanese embassy in Manila on Thursday said the assistance was confirmed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his meeting with President Benigno Aquino III in Brunei on October 9.

The grant will be allocated among organizations such as International Organization for Migration, United Nations Children’s Fund, and World food Program.

The funds will support relief operations in the sector of food, water, and sanitation, among others, for the 120,000 displaced individuals.

“In response to the request from the Philippine government and UN’s call for support, and taking into consideration the bilateral friendship and cooperation based on the Japan-Philippines strategic partnership, the government of Japan will extend the emergency grant aid,” the Japan embassy stated.

The almost month-long standoff between government forces and Moro National Liberation Front fighters in Zamboanga City claimed more than 200 lives and displaced up to 120,000 people.

More than 10,000 homes were also burned during the fighting.

Another 8,000 people were also displaced when the fighting spread briefly to nearby Basilan province.

On Wednesday, the United Nations approved an additional $3-million relief emergency fund for the displaced communities.

An assessment, however, showed that at least $24 million would be needed for the humanitarian operations.

DOH provides 200 new beds to Zambo hospital

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 9 (PNA) -– The Department of Health (DOH) has provided 200 new hospital beds worth P6.2 million to the government-run Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC), which has just resumed operation on Tuesday.

The ZCMC was closed due to the standoff that started last September 9 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels have infiltrated this city.

ZCMC Chief of Hospital Dr. Romeo Ong said the new hospital beds have arrived last Sunday from DOH-central office.

Ong said each of the new beds cost P31,000 or a total of P6.2 million for 200 beds.

“The new beds were given to us by Health Secretary Enrique Ona,” Ong added.

He said the new hospital beds will be distributed to the different departments of ZCMC.

He said the arrival of the new beds would boost the services of the hospital to the public.

The ZCMC, which was elevated last August to a 500-bed capacity, is serving not only the people of this city but to include those from the nearby provinces and the Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) areas which are part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Office, schools closed in Zamboanga City due to severe flooding

By Frances Mangosing (INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines—Floods forced battle-scarred Zamboanga City to cancel office work and classes Tuesday.

Mayor Beng Climaco in her Facebook post said the city government “calls off work in all government offices (local and national) in the city today, except those providing frontline services, due to widespread flooding.”

“Rescue teams have been dispatched to flooded areas as early as 3 a.m. today. Barangay officials are directed to utilize five percent of Calamity Fund and mobilize resources to assist their constituents,” she said.

The mayor also warned the people residing along riverbanks and low-lying areas to seek safer grounds while bad weather prevails in the city.

As of Monday afternoon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said there were about 3,000 persons displaced in Zamboanga City because of heavy rains.

An intertropical convergence zone was affecting Mindanao and is bringing the rains there.

DSWD, TESDA enhance skills of Zamboanga evacuees

(PNA), LAM/LSJ

MANILA, Oct. 7 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday a skills livelihood tent was established inside the complex which also serves as a productivity center to enhance the skills of evacuees and give them earning opportunities.

According to DSWD, the skills livelihood tent is part of DSWD and Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) partnership on skills training program for evacuees at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex in Zamboanga City.

“The recent training aims to develop and enhance the skills of some of the evacuees particularly on bead-crafts making, hair cutting, and reflexology/massage,” said DSWD Assistant Secretary Camilo Gudmalin.

Gudmalin said the productive activities inside the evacuation center is part of the recovery and rehabilitation phase.

“These activities can help and allow them regain normalcy in their lives,” he added.

He said the training for each module will lasts for five days.

Trainees will be given TESDA training certificate once they completed the training program.

Judith Gonzales, TESDA trainor, said there were 20 individuals who registered for the training on bead-craft.

Materials such as beads and nylon strings were provided to the trainees for their initial products, like key chains and wallets.

She added that training on bead-craft has no age requirement as the skill can be learned even by a 10-year old kid.

For its part, DSWD committed to purchase the products made by the trainees at the end of the five (5)-day training.

Winfred Turco, another TESDA trainor, said that there were about 20 males who registered for the basic massage and reflexology training.

Mr. Turco said that having skills in reflexology could come in handy especially in instances where there are no available medicines.

“Reflexology is considered an alternative medicine involving the physical act of applying pressure to certain points of the body,” Turco explained.

As part of the cash-for-work (CFW) program of DSWD those who have skills in hair cutting and barbers were paid to render free haircut for evacuees.

The DSWD gave them P200 a day for every 17 hair cut completed under the supervision of the TESDA personnel. This is part of the cash-for-work project implemented in the evacuation center.

Sajid Ulama of TESDA said they have trained a total of 45 evacuees on hair cutting.

As of October 4, a total of 3,930 individuals have availed of the free hair cut services of the trained hair cutters and barbers.

Alrash-di Radjuli of Kasanyangan, one of the trained hair cutter said that he is happy to be of service to his fellow-evacuees.

”Even in a small way, I could be of service to my fellow evacuees through my little knowledge in hair cutting. But I am even more thankful that aside from the training opportunity and the TESDA certificate, I will be receiving a little amount out of this work,” he added.

Angel, another hair cutter disclosed that prior to the conflict, he earned a living providing home service hairdressing, getting a daily income of P300-P500.

Dona, also an evacuee from Rio Hondo, shared that he works at a local salon located in the down town area.

“But with the conflict, work was temporarily suspended. It is good that they implemented the Cash-for–Work program as I get to earn a small amount for my family and also help my fellow evacuees too” Dona said.

Asec. Gudmalin said that the free haircut service also hopes to provide a new look for student-evacuees as they prepare for school.

He added that the children’s new look symbolizes a new beginning, and provides a perspective of normalcy to the children as they prepare themselves to the recovery phase that will be provided by the government and with the support of donors that gives the evacuees new hope after the wreckage they had suffered from the armed-conflict.

DSWD transfers thousands of evacuees due to floods in Zambo

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 6 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has transferred more than 2,000 evacuees from the Mayor Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex to two nearby schools.

This came about after the grounds of the sports complex have been flooded due to incessant rains in this city since Friday until Sunday.

DSWD secretary Corazon Soliman said the evacuees were transferred Friday to the nearby government-run Zamboanga City High School (ZCHS)-west and to the Baliwasan Central School.

Soliman said the transfer of the elderly, mothers, babies and children was the immediate solution they adopted to protect them from sickness.

“Kasi umuulan, nahihirapan ang mga tao,” Soliman said adding: “Kapag nabasa yung mga nanay at mga baby, kawawa naman magkakasakit sila.”

She said they were not able to sleep since the tents where they are temporarily housed at the sports complex were flooded by the incessant rains since Friday.

Meanwhile, she said that bunkhouses will be built inside the sports complex for the evacuees “so that they will have temporary shelter and they can cook their own food.”

Soliman said there are still 71,000 evacuees whom the government is helping not only through the provision of food but also rebuilding their lives to include livelihood programs and trainings.

The thousands of evacuees were displaced by the standoff when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated this city last September 9.

Pag-IBIG Fund OKs P32-M calamity loan for Zambo members

By Roel Pareño (philstar.com)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Vice President Jejomar Binay has said that Pag-IBIG Fund has approved P32-million in calamity loans to its members in this city, which has been placed under a state of calamity following the siege of the Misuari-faction Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Binay said in a statement that aside from the calamity loan, Pag-IBIG also offers a 3-month moratorium on housing loan payments to borrowers whose properties mortgaged with the Mutual Fund have been damaged by the conflict.

Binay said the agenchy has already approved the loans of 1,732 members while 4,000 other applications that were affected by the conflict are already being processed.

“Pag-IBIG is committed to help ease the suffering of the people of Zamboanga and assist them as they recover from the crisis,” Binay said.

He said the moratorium on the payment of mortgaged properties is in response to the city's state of calamity declaration.

The Pag-IBIG Fund also said that the housing loan borrowers may apply for the 3-month moratorium as long as their loan account is updated prior to the declaration of the calamity.

The National Home Mortgaged Finance Corporation (NHMFC) also implemented a 6-month moratorium on the amortization payments for the conflict-affected borrowers.

The agency has identified at least 95 properties worth P76-million in the barangays of Rio Hondo, Mariki, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, and Kasanyangan, which were devastated by the 22-day standoff.

DTI postpones regional trade expo to give way to rehab efforts in Zamboanga City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 4 (PNA) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced the postponement of the three-day regional trade fair amid the crisis brought about by the standoff in this city.

The three-day event, dubbed as the 2013 Zamboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition (ZAMPEX), is slated from October 10 to 13 in time for this year’s Fiesta Pilar Celebration on October 12.

DTI Zamboanga Peninsula Director Nazrullah Manzur said they have decided to postpone the trade exposition to give way for more urgent activities in support of the local and national governments’ efforts for the early recovery and rehabilitation of this city.

The three-week standoff, Manzur said, carried a very stiff social and economic price tag unprecedented in the history of this city: 23,794 families or 118,819 individuals displaced; hundreds killed and wounded; and over 10,000 houses burned.

On the economic side, Manzur said the disruption of business operations costs this city’s business sector an estimated loss of over P76 million in unconsummated sales daily.

In addition, Manzur said there are missed investment opportunities for this city, foregone sales from marketing events like ZAMPEX, and unrealized revenues from tourism considering that Zamboanga’s grandest festival, the Fiesta Pilar, is fast approaching.

Meanwhile, he said they are pleased to note that most businesses that remained opened during the darkest moments “in our history did not take advantage of the situation to jack up prices or to hoard.”

“Our appeal for sobriety among consumers had been heeded although incidences of panic-buying had been reported during the early days of the fighting in some areas of this city,” he said.

He said that they have been conducting daily monitoring of basic and prime commodities that fall under DTI’s mandate to ensure adequacy of supply and stability of prices since Day 1 of the standoff.

“We will continue to do special monitoring activities until things have returned to normalcy as part of our contribution to the recovery efforts,” he added.

TESDA, DSWD training help Zamboanga folk start anew

(PNA), FFC/PR/EBP

MANILA, Oct. 3 (PNA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) started recently livelihood training to the evacuees who are now temporarily seeking shelter in centers due to the fighting between government troops and loyalists of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari in Zamboanga City.

The TESDA and DSWD skills training for evacuees aimed to give them a source of livelihood to help them earn while away from their homes and jobs after they were displaced by the conflict.

The skirmishes began on September 9 after the MNLF faction tried to declare an independent Bangsamoro Republik at the City Hall of Zamboanga.

The formal livelihood trainings were introduced in the evacuation centers last September 27.

TESDA and DSWD have put up a productivity center at the biggest evacuation center in Baliwasan Grandstand to house the trainees. A total of 200 women are estimated to benefit from the training programs.

Among the skills training programs offered were on novelty items making and mat weaving. The DSWD said it would buy all the training output of the trainees to give them a little income while in evacuation centers.

The other training programs being conducted are on massage therapy, reflexology, and haircutting.

Other training programs soon to be offered are meat processing, fish processing, vegetable processing and commercial cooking, according to the agreement signed during the meeting between DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman and TESDA-9 officer-in-charge regional director Lorenzo Macapili.

The new skills will not only provide the evacuees with possible source of livelihood, but will enable them to feed their families as well.

"The conflict has created a new enemy for the people—hunger and joblessness. The size of the crisis is overwhelming. But while government intervention is present, it should be something that will not only make them survive the day, but will help them get back on their feet as well," TESDA director general Secretary Joel Villanueva said.

The training program has started to make a dent on the lives of the evacuees barely a week since it began.

Delia Sajiri, 45, came from Barangay Mariki. She sold fish and shrimp at the public market before the crisis broke out. As one of the first batch of beneficiaries, composed of 40 women, Sajiri was quick to learn how to make keychains, coin purses, and other novelty items using beads. Her produce were bought by DSWD, giving her a little income.

Al-Rasdi Radjuli, a grade seven student at the Arena Blanco National High School, also took the training and finished five pieces of key chains. Radjuli vowed to pass on the skills to the other siblings in the family.

Aquino wants detailed reconstruction plan for Zamboanga City

(PNA), CTB/PCOO/SSC

MANILA, Oct. 2 (PNA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the people of Zamboanga City on Wednesday that there are available funds from the national government and disbursement could immediately start as long as the city government provides a detailed rebuilding plan.

“The funds are available, awaiting only the concrete plan, meaning, lahat nung details,” the President said in an interview after his attendance to the Brotherhood of Christian Business and Professionals’ Grand Breakfast at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The President said this plan includes the number of houses to be built, the layout of villages, the distances from commercial centers, funding mechanism, assistance to affected students, cash-for-work programs, the duration of project implementation and others.

“We need to have all of the details in place before we are able to disburse the funding. Hindi ‘yung disburse at bahala na ’yung plano. Plano muna na konkreto tapos, disburse ng funds,” he said.

Asked to comment on Zamboanga’s call for the declaration of humanitarian crisis so that foreign aid could come in, the President said that as of the moment there are foreign organizations already working hand in hand with domestic relief groups for Zamboanga’s rehabilitation.

The Zamboanga situation is a very significant problem for the government, the President admitted, noting that over a hundred thousand people are being cared for by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

But he also assured the people of Zamboanga City that the government will not be scrounging for funds to put their lives back to order. The President has previously promised a P3.9 billion fund for Zamboanga’s reconstruction.

As to the recent update on the Zamboanga City crisis, the President said security forces are still ferreting out some rebels. But, the AFP has already turned over to the PNP the actual clearing operation to secure the communities against booby traps and unexploded munitions.

With regards to Habier Malik, the Moro National Liberation Front leader who led the attack in Zamboanga, the President said the government is not ready to make a positive statement about his status as forensic experts conduct tests including DNA analysis.

The government is also moving detained or captured MNLF rebels to another location to enhance security in Zamboanga City noting their presence in the city might cause tension within the community.

The justice department’s work is also ongoing for the filing of cases against MNLF founding Chairman Nur Misuari, he said.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will be going to Zamboanga City to check on the work of the prosecutors who have been interviewing witnesses and hostages to come up with a strong case against Misuari and his men.

“It is still an ongoing work. Sa hostages alone, you’re interviewing over 190 individuals, tapos, meron din ‘yung interrogations done to the captured individuals whose inputs will also be put in,” the President said.

“Their statements are being collated; the evidence is being collected and at the end of the day, we hope to file a very strong case against all of the people involved,” the President said.

PRC sets up emergency health station at Zambo’s biggest evacuation center

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 1 (PNA) -– The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has established Tuesday an emergency health station at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex to cater to the health needs of the evacuees.

The sports complex houses 11,979 families comprising of 71,265 individuals, which is equivalent to 72 percent of the total number of evacuees.

PRC-Zamboanga City Chapter Administrator Victor Liozo Jr. said among the services the evacuees can avail at the health station include medical consultations, observation and other minor cases.

Liozo said they have also a ready ambulance to transport patients to hospitals that need special medical care.

The emergency health station is composed of five tents with complete equipments for wound dressing, nebulization, and others, according to Liozo.

He said the emergency health station worth P46 million was donated to the PRC by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

He said the emergency health station will be jointly managed by the Department of Health, City Health Office and PRC volunteers and PRC staffs 24/7.

He said the main objective in establishing the emergency health station is to help alleviate the plight of the thousands of evacuees housed at the sports complex.

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