Zamboanga City News October 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.

Port workers hold clean-up drive

By Remus Ong

Around 100 officials and personnel assigned at the Zamboanga seaport held a clean-up activity along the shoreline in Cawa Cawa on Tuesday (October 28) .

The clean-up drive was dubbed “Escoba Limpiesa.”

Participants include officials and personnel of the Zamboanga Coast Guard, port police and porters.

Zamboanga Coast Guard Commander Alvin Dagalea said that they held the clean-up activity for beach goers who regularly swim at the Cawa Cawa beach especially during weekends.

Dagalea said that they intend to hold the activity every Saturday.

It will be recalled that the City Health Office warned beachgoers against swimming in Cawa Cawa and other beaches in the city due to the presence of coliform in the water.

Beachgoers however insist on going to the area despite the stern warning.

Zambo extends stay of traveling merchants

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The city government has granted a three-day extension to 60 traveling merchants to do business here to enable them to recover their sale losses brought about by the inclement weather condition in this city.

City Permits and Licensing Division Chief Benjie Barredo on Wednesday said the extension granted to them is until November 3. They started doing business on September 30 and supposed to end October 31. The city government granted them special business permits.

Barredo said his office considered the request of the traveling merchants for an extension since they incurred losses as some of the stocks were damaged as the stalls they occupy were destroyed by heavy downpour coupled with strong winds.

The traveling merchants are occupying a space along R.T. Lim commonly known as the Cawa-Cawa Boulevard making them vulnerable to inclement weather condition.

Zamboanga City experienced inclement weather condition last week due to intertropical convergence zone and the entry into the country of typhoon Paolo.

The traveling merchants are from the cities of Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Albay, Lamitan City, and other areas of the country.

They arrived in the city every October to do business in time for the celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, the highlight of which was the feast day on October 12 of Our Lady of the Pillar, the most revered patrol saint of this city.

Among the products they sell included jewelries, food products, plants, house wares, and other items.

Zambo City to set up health stations in cemeteries

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The City Health Office will establish health stations in public cemeteries to respond to cases of emergency during the observance of All Saints and All Souls Days in this city.

Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, city health officer, on Saturday said these health stations will be handled by physicians and other medical staff of his office. They will be equipped with ambulances.

Agbulos said that they will be assisted by personnel from the police, Bureau of Fire, Philippine Red Cross, Zamboanga City Medical Center, Puericulture Center and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

“We encourage private cemeteries to come up with their health team since our focus will be on public cemeteries,” he said.

He advised the public to bring gears to protect them from the scorching heat of the sun while visiting their departed loved ones in cemeteries.

Zamboanga City, DENR, USAID forge partnership

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE partnership of Zamboanga City Government with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is expected to boost the development of Sta. Cruz Island and Pasonanca Natural Park as protected areas and ecotourism sites.

Wilbur Dee, a Biodiversity Conservation advisor to USAID’s Protect WildLife project, said the partnership aims to develop the management plan of Sta. Cruz Island as it has already expired.

“There are lots of things that need to be updated to provide a solid set of management prescriptions for the purpose of conserving the Sta. Cruz Island at the same time increasing its ecotourism potentials, and implement ecotourism programs in support of the protected areas, both on site and off site,” Dee said.

He however downplayed suggestions to transform Sta. Cruz Island into a tourism beach resort, second to Boracay, considering that the former is too fragile, being a protected area with limited landmass that is unable to hold too much infrastructures.

A Technical Working Group workshop was conducted on Wednesday, October 25, on AMS report, Behaviour Communication Campaign, Investment Planning and Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation for the Great and Little Sta. Cruz Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape and Pasonanca Natural Park.

Zambo's Busay Falls eyed as eco-tourism site

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A barangay in this city is eyeing to open to prospective investors to help them develop Busay Falls into an eco-tourism site.

This was the plan of Joselito Macrohon, barangay chair of San Roque, citing P700 million is needed to develop the scenic waterfalls into an eco-tourism site based on the master development plan drafted by the Western Mindanao State University’s College of Architecture.

“We will seek assistance from the national government and we will open it to investors who are willing to invest to develop the place,” Macrohon on Wednesday said.

The development of Busay Falls will include eco-trail; mountain trail; biking trail; camping site; swimming; jungle survival trail; horseback riding; and, nature photography.

Macrohon said the area will also serve as training venue and site for traditional native Pinoy games.

Busay Falls is located three kilometers from the highway which is accessible only through human trail.

Macrohon said Busay will serve as the eco-tourism site not only for the barangay of San Roque but for the city as well once it is developed.

Barangay San Roque is located in the west coast of this city with around 20,000 population and land area of 700 hectares.

Zambo archdiocese ready for 2017 National Youth Day

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Archdiocese of Zamboanga announced Tuesday that all is set for the staging of the five-day 2017 National Youth Day from November 6 to 10 in this city.

Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Dela Cruz said a total 2,342 youths from across the country, including 175 local pilgrims, are expected to join the five-day event.

The participants are youths and single aged 13 to 39 as defined by the church.

During the NYD celebration, Dela Cruz said the participants will tackle the following: social issues; social media; human trafficking; promoting social advocacy; arts and culture appreciation; and, other relevant issues.

The youth-participants will be housed by their respective Zamboangueño foster parents.

“Thank God the problem in Marawi City is over. We can continue with our desire to celebrate the National Youth Day. We hope and pray nothing untoward will happen,” Dela Cruz said, adding ome of the diocese and youths earlier were hesitant to join the event.

He said this year’s NYD is anchored on the theme: “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is his name (Luke 1:49).”

P33-M evacuation center to start construction

(RGAAGo)

The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) has announced plans to construct a P33-M evacuation center by next month.

The project, amounting to a total cost of P33,530,008, will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to be completed within 180 calendar days.

“Hopefully by November principia ya na Cabatangan el implementation del proyecto (referring to the evacuation center) donde acaba next year,” said CDRRMO Chief Elmier Apolinario.

The evacuation center at Cabatangan will have three buildings and an area of 2,000 square meters where at least 500 families can be accommodated.

Evacuees however are expected to follow rules and can only stay in the center for a maximum of four days.

The evacuation center will be used to house victims of natural and man-made calamities such as floods, fire, earthquake, tsunami and human-induced emergencies.

The CDRRMO also plans to construct two more evacuation centers in the east and west coasts.

The evacuation center in the west coast will be constructed inside the Zamboanga Ecozone while another center will be set up in either Vitali or Curuan in the east coast.

20 Zamboanga villages get new vehicles

By Bong Garcia

TWENTY of the 61 villages in this city’s second district has received each brand new L300 vehicles from the city government.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the distribution of the vehicles is in line with her priority thrusts of Security, Health and Education (SHE).

Salazar said the turn over of the vehicles is aimed to strengthen emergency response in the grassroots communities and to empower the villages for the efficient delivery of service.

Each of the new L300 vehicles is worth P969,800 or for a total of P19.39 million for the 20 units.

The vehicles were turned over on Friday to the identified beneficiaries, which included three island villages.

The beneficiary-villages are Boalan; Lanzones; Lamisahan; Kasanyangan; Mampang; Manicahan; Panubigan; Tagasilay; Tetuan; Victoria; Buenavista; Calabasa; Licomo; Quiniput; Divisoria; Tictapul; Pangapuyan; Manalipa; and, Tumalutab.

Salazar said the next set of L300s for the remaining 41 villages in the second district will be procured and turned over sometime in 2018 and 2019.

DPWH allocates P22-B to ZamPen for 2018 infrastructure projects

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) -- Roads and bridges, flood control structures, school buildings and other public infrastructure projects will get a huge chunk in the budget allocation of the Department of Public Works and Highways for the 2018 National Expenditure Program.

DPWH will shell out about P22 billion, out of the P48.4 billion worth of infrastructure projects endorsed by the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 to the DPWH Central Office.

In the recent launching of the Zamboanga Peninsula Roads and Bridges Summit, Regional Director Jorge Sebastian of DPWH-9 said this move of the agency is “a show of commitment to the Golden Age of Infrastructure in the region.”

He said that the infrastructure program is set to become stimulus of economic activity, better preservation of assets, improve peace and order situation, provide faster delivery of goods and services, and enhance connectivity across the region and its neighbors.

In 2016, DPWH Region IX received an appropriation of P12 billion, and 15 billion was allotted for the year 2017. Projects under these appropriations are already in the implementation phase, some of which are nearly complete.

For 2018, DPWH-9 is proposing P22 billion worth of infrastructure projects, a 46.67% increase in appropriation compared to the 2017 General Appropriations for Region 9.

The Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development Investment Program for ‎2017-2022 indicated 2,419 projects worth P137 billion. This is composed of various Major Final Outputs such as National Road Network Services (MFO-1), Flood Management Services (MFO-2) and Maintenance and Construction Services of Other Infrastructures (MFO-3) in Region 9.

On the other hand, NEDA Assistant Secretary Mercedita Sombilla said under the new infrastructure plan of the administration which is the Build. Build. Build Program, more roads and bridges, more railways, urban mass transport and seaports, and new and better cities in the country will come to fruition.

NEDA Regional Director Teresita Socorro Ramos emphasized that the government is focusing on connecting the regions, the provinces and its towns with better roads and bridges to further peace and development.

Zambo exhibitors earn P12-M from 5-day livelihood fair

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The exhibitors of the recently-held Zamboanga Peninsula Exposition (Zampex) earned PhP12 million, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced Wednesday.

The Zampex was held from October 6 to 10 as part of DTI’s Jobs and Livelihood Fair dubbed as “Trabajo, Negosyo at Kabuhayan.”

Grace Aduca, DTI regional business development chief, on Wednesday said that the top sellers among more than 100 exhibitors are the Cocoturmeric Health Products of Zamboanga del Norte and the Goldensteel Iron Works of this city.

Aduca said the exhibitors managed to attain big sales as they have improved their products that attracted the visitors and buying public.

Zampex is the region’s biggest and grandest marketing platform to promote the best products of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.

The products that were exhibited included jewelries, furniture and furnishing, gift, toys, and housewares, organic and nature products, processed fruits, arts and crafts, and holiday decors.

Aduca advised the exhibitors to maintain or further improve the quality of their products to attract more buyers.

She said the DTI will continue to held the MSMEs in the producing good quality products.

DOT allots P2-M to boost Zamboanga tourism

By Azer Parrocha (PNA)

MANILA -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) has allotted some PHP2 million for a product enhancement initiative meant to revive Zamboanga tourism.

In partnership with the DOT, the city government of Zamboanga launched the "Mi Ciudad Limpyo Y Floriao" (My City, Clean and Bloom), a cleanliness and beautification project as part of its Hermosa Festival.

To date, the project has been piloted in more than 10 barangays with the active support of the local government officials, the Department of Education and La Hermanidad, an active association of Zamboanguenos based in Manila and overseas.

“We are not going to redesign or rebrand Zamboanga with this project. This is to purely enhance and build back better Zamboanga ,” Regional Director Antonio Francisco Blanco said in a statement.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, who was present during Zamboanga City’s recent Hermosa Festival, invited tourists to visit Zambaonga.

Zamboanga City is the most visited destination in the Zamboanga peninsula having 678,125 tourists in 2016, a 60 percent increase over 409,156 of the same period last year.

Its famous attractions include Fort Pilar, Paseo del Mar, Pasonanca Park, Pink Island and barter trade center, among others.

Zamboanga Hermosa photo tilt deadline set Oct. 20

By Bong Garcia

PHOTOGRAPHY enthusiasts have until October 20 to submit their entries to the official photo contest of the 2017 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the competition is open to all amateur and professional photographers.

Salazar, in keeping with the theme and the festival celebration, said that all entries should be photographs taken in this city during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival from October 1 to 20.

She said the deadline for submission of entries will be at 5 p.m. of October 20 at the Public Information Office of City Hall with fully accomplished entry forms.

She said that all entries must be submitted as an unmounted 10"X12" photo print and each participants may submit up to three photographs, and each entry must have a title, date, location, and a short description.

She said all photo entries will be on display from October 21 to 29 at City Mall and the awarding of winners will be on October 28.

The top three photos will receive a certificate of recognition, and P10,000; P7,000; and P5,000 cash prize for the first, second, and third place, respectively.

Salazar said 12 finalists will also be chosen, and will receive a cash prize of P3,000.

However, Salazar that all entries will also be subject to a public voting for the Voter’s Choice Award.

The photo competition is anchored on the theme: “Zamboanga en Movimiento (Zamboanga in Motion).”

Zamboanga City, Isabela forge sisterhood pact

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The cities of Zamboanga and Isabela, the capital of the nearby Basilan province, on Wednesday inked a sisterhood agreement strengthening ties between the two cities.

Mayors Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar of Zamboanga and Al-Qaid Akbar of Isabela led the signing of the sisterhood pact.

Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde and Isabela City Vice Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar signed as witnesses to the twining agreement.

The agreement aims to strengthen not only the friendship between the two cities, but also to institute a working channel of communication to facilitate exchanges of information and technology in matters of urban planning policies and development, socio-cultural activities, and income generation and fiscal administration.

“This sisterhood agreement will further nourish our relationship,” Salazar said.

The signing of the sisterhood pact is backed by resolutions approved by both the city councils of Zamboanga and Isabela. It is considered as historic as Zamboanga City is commemorating the birth anniversary of Nicasio S. Valderoza, the first mayor of this city.

Valderoza was also the first appointed mayor of Basilan when it became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act. No. 288 separating it from the city of Zamboanga.

Basilan used to be part of Zamboanga City until R.A. 288 was approved on July 1, 1948. The law was authored by then congressman Juan S. Alano.

Valderoza has served as Basilan City mayor until December 31, 1953. Basilan City was converted into province in 1973 with Isabela as the capital town.

Thousands watch Regatta enliven with Naval demo

By Vic Larato

As in the past, thousands of people from all walks of life flocked on R.T. Lim Boulevard yesterday morning and witnessed the annual Regatta de Zamboanga, race of colorful sailboats or vintas.

A total of 240 fishermen joined the boat race that depicts the tradition of local tribes like Sama Banguingui and Yakan who would live and eke out a living in vintas.

Mayor Beng Climaco and other city officials graced the event as she fired the starting gun for the final heat of the competition.

The winners received P15,000 for the first place, P12,000 for second, P10,000 for third, P7,000 for fourth and P5,000 for the fifth placer. Non-winners will receive P1,000 each. The “Best Vinta” was also chosen and received P3,000 cash.

Adding thrill to the event was the capability drill of elite personnel from the Navy, Air Force and Army combined using their latest air and sea assets that can be deployed in times of emergency.

The simulation event was a kidnapping rescue drama in the sea that caught most if not all spectators by surprise and for some they thought it was for real as gunshots were heard and a helicopter was seen hovering over the boulevard.

The event was among the highlights of the ongoing Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in celebration of the feast of the city’s patroness the Nuestra Sra. La Virgen del Pilar on October 12, which is a special non-working holiday in Zamboanga City.

Zamboanga cops to undergo refresher training

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) is set to conduct series of training or refresher course on legal requirement of conducting arrests and operations to prevent dismissal of cases.

The ZCPO decided to conduct trainings as it has been observed that a number of cases filed in court against suspected drug personalities had been dismissed due to technicalities committed by law enforcers in the conduct of anti-drug operations.

Senior Superintendent Neri Vincent Ignacio, ZCPO officer-in-charge, reported during the recent City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting that Zamboanga City topped throughout the region in terms of the number of drug personalities arrested and cases filed in court.

“Definitely, we are faring so much in the war on drugs,” Ignacio said.

But he lamented that the dismissal of drug cases is “due to technicalities and other concerns with the prosecutor.”

The members of the CPOC cited an urgent need to upgrade the knowledge, skills and capability of the police and other law enforcement agencies in the implementation of the war on illegal drugs in Zamboanga City.

Ignacio said some police officers underwent the said training last week to prevent dismissal of cases.

Livelihood fair aims to generate inclusive growth

By Darwin Wally Wee (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The launch of the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK), a job and business fair, here on Friday is one of the measures the Duterte administration is implementing to ensure that all sectors of society will benefit as the economy is experiencing growth of 6.5 percent in the second quarter, the fastest in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sec. Ramon Lopez said economic growth should be inclusive.

At the TNK opening, he said: "A lot of good things are happening, investments are coming in, economic growth is at 6.5 percent. You’ve heard of Dutertenomics, this is the summary of the 10-point socio-economic agenda of the government of President Duterte that basically tries to widen the gain of the growth of our country."

The TNK, which ends on October 10, is a joint program of DTI and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Lopez stressed that these gains are not just for a few, but most importantly for those who really need the government’s help.

“We really want to bring development, growth, and prosperity for all. We want to empower those who belong to the bottom of the pyramid because empowering them is empowering the nation. This is the passion of the current government, this is the core of the TNK program,” he said.

Lopez also mentioned positive growth in some key sectors of the economy.

“We are very happy that aside from the 6.5 percent economic growth, the manufacturing sector is growing by 7-8 percent but used to be growing by only 2 percent growth rate in the past years.

Investment, as share to the Gross Domestic Product (GPD), is the one pulling up our economy growing by +20 percent,” he said.

The export sector, according to Lopez, has also turned around from -5 percent to about +15 percent growth, and the same with agriculture from negative to +6 percent growth. The business confidence index has also reached 43 percent.

“These numbers were very low before, so you can feel the economic growth of our country is enjoying,” he said.

But what is important, Lopez said, is President Rodrigo Duterte’s standing order to ensure that these gains reach the masses.

“Our President always reminds us to make sure that kind of growth is felt at the base of the pyramid, that is why in all this growth, jobs are created, if they can’t find jobs, there are those whose interest are into business,” he stressed.

He further cited the growing number of people wanting to venture into entrepreneurship.

“In our 13 years of our advocacy on MSMEs, there is a growing awareness and likelihood of people wanting to go into business by choice, not because they are desperate for survival,” he said.

Lopez said TNK is giving all opportunities for the public to grab.

“We are mixing everything here. Those who would like to search for jobs or venture into business, all these opportunities are made available for the public to take. We are trying to create a culture that is really enterprising. Creating a culture of Filipinos who are success-driven, value work, who would not just depend on government dole-outs, but rather would take control of their destiny,” he said.

Oct. 12 declared as special holiday in Zamboanga City

By Bong Garcia

OCTOBER 12, the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar, is a special non-working day in Zamboanga City.

The declaration is pursuant to Republic Act 7350 approved on April 2, 1992 during the time of the late Maria Clara Lorenzo Lobregat, former congressional representative of the city.

The law declares October 12 of every year as a special non-working holiday in the city.

Dubbed as Fiesta Pilar, the day will be devoted to religious activities honoring the La Virgen, with the Fort Pilar Shrine as the center of activities.

Various activities have been lined up for the celebration.

Trade expo opens Oct. 6; showcases MSME products

By Darwin Wally Wee (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) coming from the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, and the neighboring country of Indonesia will have the chance to showcase their products at the annual trade exhibit here.

Dubbed as Zamboanga Peninsula Exposition (ZAMPEX), the exhibit will open on Friday, October 6.

Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional director, on Thursday said there is an increase in the number of exhibitors that will join this year’s trade show.

“We are expecting over 100 exhibitors this year showcasing the best products from our micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs). We will also be setting up pavilions for our weavers from the indigenous people (IP) communities, the One Town One Product Next Generation, and Fabrication Laboratory and Food Innovation Center showcasing some prototypes,” Jain said.

The ZAMPEX, which will run from October 6 to 10, is touted as the biggest and grandest marketing platform for MSMEs instituted by the DTI.

It is one of the component activities of the Jobs and Livelihood fair dubbed as Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK).

The TNK is a joint activity of DTI and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), designed to realize Executive Order No. 25, the country’s long-term vision simply called Ambisyon 2040.

Now on its fourth year, ZAMPEX 2017 will feature the best products by at least 100 exhibitors from all over Region 9, and some from the neighboring ARMM provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, with the special participation of Indonesia, Jain said.

This year, the focus products of ZAMPEX include processed fish, processed fruits and nuts, processed foods, wearable and homestyle, abaca, coconut, coffee, mango, cacao, and furniture.

ZAMPEX aims to facilitate the promotion of locally-made products of MSMEs in the region consequently increasing sales of the MSMEs; create or reinforce visibility and raise the awareness and interest about the supply capacity; establish linkages between producers and buyers and establish partnerships among distributors and suppliers through business matching; and make quality products of the MSMEs in the region available via the Go Lokal Stores.

Jain said the conduct of ZAMPEX every October is DTI’s contribution to the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

“We are inviting the public to visit ZAMPEX 2017. This is our contribution to the month-long celebration of Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. We will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. so we can give more time for the public to enjoy the region’s best products,” she said.

DOT to launch beautification drive in Zambo

By Darwin Wally Wee (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to launch “Mi Ciudad: Limpio y Floriao” (My city: clean and blooming), a beautification campaign to boost tourism in this southern port city.

“We have made arrangement and received commitment from the local government of Zamboanga, barangay officials, and owners of business establishments downtown to be part in this campaign,” DOT Regional Director Antonio Fernando Blanco on Tuesday said.

This city has been known as the City of Flowers and was later promoted as Asia’s Latin City.

Zamboanga City was then called “Jambangan” - a Malay term for land of flowers.

Before the Second World War, the downtown area and its public square was festooned with flowers.

Blanco said they have started procuring seedlings that would be distributed to the barangays leaders.

He said the official launch of the campaign will be on Monday, October 9, at the scenic Paseo del Mar.

The launch coincides with the activities of the month-long celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

Blanco said that part of the process is also to encourage this city’s residents to maintain cleanliness.

“A clean surrounding will entice people and visitors to enjoy walking and watch the sceneries,” Ricardo San Juan, tourism consultant and former DOT regional director, said.

The initial number of barangays that will be part of the campaign are those within the 13-kilometer radius from downtown.

“Gradually, we will expand it,” San Juan said. For the main thoroughfares, the DOT plans to plant flowers at all center islands.

Blanco said the main driver of the promotion is the community themselves.

25k vacancies up for grabs in Oct. 6 Job Fair

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday announced that 25,000 job vacancies are up for grab on the one-day Job Fair in this city.

Some 24 local and overseas placement agencies have confirmed participation at the fair, slated on October 6 at one of the local hotels.

The vacancies included administrative staff, human resource officers, drivers, sales representatives, among others.

Jobseekers may pre-register at the DOLE- Zamboanga City Field Office or at the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the city government during office hours starting Monday.

The Job Fair is part of the five-day activity, dubbed as “Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan (TNK), a joint project of DOLE and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which is scheduled to be held from October 6 to 10.

DOLE Regional Director Ofelia Domingo said the TNK will be highlighted by several component events to include the Annual Zamboanga Peninsula Exposition (ZAMPEX); Zampen Investment Conference (ZAMPEN ICON); DOLE’s Local-Chief Executives (LCE) Forum; Labor Standards and Productivity Enhancement Session; Slingshot Halal Philippines; and, the Regional Consumers Conference (RECCON).

Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI Regional Director, earlier said the objectives of the TNK is to provide more jobs and create entrepreneurs; and, raise public awareness on TNK blueprint for “Decent Employment and Entrepreneurship 2017-2022,” which envisions 7.5 million jobs by 2020.

TNK is an offshoot of Executive Order No. 25 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte approving the 25-year long term vision for the Philippines dubbed as “Ambisyon 2040.”

It is designed to realize through the collaboration of DOLE and DTI.

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