Zamboanga City News September 2014

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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.

CHR, Geneva-based group hold forum for IDPs

By Bong Garcia

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC) of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) are holding a three-day workshop for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Zamboanga City.

The CHR and IDMC said the workshop reels off Wednesday, October 1, and ends Friday.

The training-workshop will have an opening program with a Public Forum as an introductory activity that will be open to stakeholders.

The overall objective of the training-workshop is to provide capacity building for national and local authorities and actors in the promotion of and search for durable solutions for IDPs based on international and national standards.

"The holding of the training-workshop on Durable Solutions is not only timely but is very relevant, given the prevailing reality of the internally displaced persons in Zamboanga City a year after the Zamboanga siege," the CHR and IDMC said in a letter addressed to the Zamboanga Press Club Inc.

The CHR and IDMC noted that the September 2013 siege resulted in the forced displacement of at least 120,000 people and the destruction of around 10,000 houses.

They added that at present, 25,000 IDPs remain in various evacuation areas, majority of whom are found in Zamboanga City's sports complex. Moreover, lesser numbers are in transitory sites and many more are living with host families.

They also noted that the local government is implementing the Z3R program, which is the city's recovery and reconstruction plan that aims to build better Zamboanga and respond directly to the issue of internal displacement.

Good variety cacao seedlings now in ZC

By Allen Abastillas

Good news to farmers who want to plant good variety of cacao and engage in production of its beans.

A cacao seedling that produces cacao beans after two years from planting is now available in Zamboanga City..

An executive of a big corporation who requested anonymity said that cacao beans in the Philiipines are of top quality for making high value chocolates ,cosmetics and medicines in the world market.

Cacao supply in the world market is currently low.

The executive said his company supplies cacao beans to the world market.

He said Cacao beans from the Philippinesare par execellent compared to that of Indonesia and Malaysia.

“That is why our company is currently focusing on cacao production in the country,” he said.

The cacao seedlings that produce beans after two years are VR 15 and UF18. The nursery is located at NUB Farms Dreamville Subdivision in Barangay Ayala. They are propagated by Golden Beans Eco-Agro Producers Cooperative. All cacao seedlings are certified by Kennemer Foods Inc.

VR 15 and UF 18 are have very big advantage for farmer-growers because after two years, they can easily harvest their products with sure market value.

Their labor and hardwork for two years are assured of income and livelihood for their families.

BFAR releases P21.8-M livelihood aid

By Bong Garcia

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has so far released P21.8-million worth of livelihood assistance as part of the agency's contribution to help the local government in the rehabilitation of Zamboanga City.

BFAR Regional Director Ahadulla Sajili said the livelihood assistance included the distribution of seaweed farm implements, fishing gears, and fingerling.

"The project is still ongoing up to present," Sajili added.

Sajili said that 1,817 farmers from Zamboanga City's six agricultural districts have received a set each of seaweed farm implements. Each set costs P12,000.

Sajili said a total of 194,100 pieces of seaweed floaters were also distributed.

Fishing gears, which include 345 sets of gill nets and 605 units of hook and line, were also provided to 1,295 fishermen, he added.

He said that 500 fishermen also benefited from the distribution of bangus fingerlings.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has expressed gratitude to the BFAR for the livelihood initiatives undertaken by the agency.

Salazar stressed the local government needs the support of all agencies in the recovery and rehabilitation of the city following the September 2013 siege.

Thousands of families displaced during the siege are still housed in evacuation centers and transitory sites until today.

The siege broke out on September 9, 2013 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front members loyal to its founding-chair Nur Misuari infiltrated four coastal villages in the city.

ZCWD’s WASH goes to Tulungatung

By Bong Garcia

Barangay Tulungatung was the latest recipient of the series of orientations on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and water conservation being conducted by the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility Program.

The Orientation, which was held at the Tulungatung Barangay Hall on September 25, 2014, carries the objective of disseminating information on health and proper nutrition, clean environment, water sanitation and responsible hygiene practices, among others, with the end view of enabling community awareness on the impact of healthy environment to overall progress and development.

The activity was attended by barangay officials, community leaders and some residents.

The participants were likewise briefed by ZCWD personnel on the Agency’s water sources and its treatment and provided tips on water conservation.

Incidentally, the ZCWD Board of Directors and Management would like to extend their warmest greetings to the Barangay Officials and residents of Tulungatung on the occasion of Barangay’s Fiesta Celebration on October 1, 2014.

Livelihood programs for IDPs continue

By Bong Garcia

THE National Government, through the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), is implementing livelihood programs for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other sectors in Zamboanga City.

Dole Regional Director Sisinio Cano said they have allocated P19.2 million as part of Dole's contribution to the recovery and reconstruction efforts of the local government.

Cano said among the ongoing livelihood programs is the Dole Integrated Livelihood Program that provides livelihood assistance to IDPs, Rural Workers Associations, Persons with Disabilities, and out-of-school-youths.

Cano said they have allocated P4.9 million for the implementation of the DILP in the city. The apportioned funding was taken from the P19.2-million allocation.

He said that so far, P3.9 million of the P4.9 million was already released as of August 31 this year for group projects and livelihood assistance to 361 beneficiaries, most of which were IDPs.

Cano said the other beneficiaries of the DILP were parents with child laborers and associations that need livelihood formation, enhancement, and restoration.

"Validation of pending proposals is ongoing for funding from the remaining grants," he added.

He said the other program is the Tupad, a moniker for Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers.

He said it is an emergency employment mechanism that was implemented since April this year for IDPs and displaced workers.

He said they have allotted P1.4 million for the program that include payments of wages to 214 beneficiaries and part of the funding was used to purchase protective gears of the beneficiary-workers to include insurance coverage.

The other programs are the Government Internship Program (GIP) and Special Program for the Employment of Students (Spes) that have funding allotment of P7.1 million and P5.5 million, respectively.

The GIP is designed to provide work experience to graduates and prepare them for the real world of work, while Spes aims to provide greater impact to the lives of the not-so-financially-privileged students who aim to pursue their education by engaging to part-time jobs.

Zambo to join ‘Treevolution’ September 26

By Sheila Covarrubias

Zamboanga City will join on Friday, September 26, the Mindanao-wide campaign “Treevolution Greening MindaNOW”, a massive tree planting activity with the aim of breaking India’s World Record for most trees planted simultaneously in multiple locations in just one hour.

Organized by the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) in Zamboanga City, the activity will have the Talo-talon mangrove area, the designated national greening program (NGP) site for the city, as the center of activities.

The activity will be from 8:30-9:30am with 500 planters coming from the academe, national government agencies, civic groups and permittees of sand and gravel. The planting site stretches through the 5-hectare mangrove area which will be planted with 12,500 propagules.

Mindanao-wide, the target is to reach 4.6 million trees to be planted all over the six regions with the aim of breaking India’s world record of 1.94 million.

A team from the Guinness World Records will be in the city to document and to validate the entry.

Witnesses to the activity will be Atty. Eduardo Sanson, Dean of the WMSU College of Law and Edwin Caliolio, president of Southern City Colleges, Inc. The stewards and record validators are teachers from Ateneo de Zamboanga, SSCI and Don Pablo Memorial High School.

The Treevolution Greening MindaNOW initiative supports the national greening program of the national government that targets 1.5 million hectares reforested by 2016.

BRP Alcaraz in Zamboanga for ‘show the flag’ mission

By Joel Locsin /LBG (GMA News)

BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the Navy's second frigate, is now in Zamboanga City for a "show the flag" activity to encourage patriotism and national pride.

The Alcaraz had arrived from its participation in Multilateral Naval Exercise Kakadu 2014 in Australia and port visit to Surabaya, Indonesia.

"The 'Show the Flag' [mission] in Zamboanga included activities such as open house, Thanksgiving Mass, and courtesy calls to the heads of Western Mindanao Command and Naval Forces Western Mindanao, courtesy call to the city mayor," the Philippine Navy said on its Facebook page Tuesday.

Also, it said such an activity seeks to encourage citizens to work for peace and development, "based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people."

Zamboanga City residents are still recovering from the effects of a failed siege by followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari one year ago.

Captain Albert Mogol, Commander of Naval Task Force 80 and Captain Ernesto Baldovino, Commanding Officer of Ramon Alcaraz, are to turn over to Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar goods and books donated by the Filipino Australian Association in Northern Territory (FAANT) for those affected by the failed siege.

At the open house, Zamboanga City residents may board the ship for a guided tour.

The tour aims to promote peace and develop friendly relations among the communities where PF-16 will dock.

Zambo athletes top Batang Pinoy

By Juseph G. Elas (WMSU-OJT)

Zamboanga City athletes bagged the bacon in the recently concluded Batang Pinoy-Mindanao leg in Pagadian City.

The Zamboanga team garnered 160 medals in the four-day sports activity. Of the total number, 56 are gold medals; 50 silver medals and 54 bronze medals, making the Zamboanga team as over-all champion.

As this developed, Mayor Beng Climaco hailed the athletes who were presented to her during the flag raising ceremony Monday morning in front of City Hall. “Enhorabuena y muchas gracias con vosotros por el esfuerzo y honor que ya dale ustedes con el Ciudad de Zamboanga.”

City Sports Development Officer Cecilia Atilano said Zamboanga City bested athletes from Basilan, Davao, Zamboanga Sibugay, Dipolog City, and General Santos City among others.

The Batang Pinoy was hosted by Pagadian City as part of the 62nd Founding Anniversary of Zamboanga del Sur.

Atilano said 287 athletes composed the Zamboanga team to the Batang Pinoy competition who competed in 18 sports activities. These sports activities included archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, chess, dance sports, football, karatedo, muay thai, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.

The said event serves as stepping stone for young athletes to compete in the national leg of Batang Pinoy which will be held in Bacolod City come December of this year.

WMPC cited by DOLE for labor compliance

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

Western Mindanao Power Corporation, operator of the 100 megawatt power plant in Sangali, was formally cited by the government for its strict adherence to labor standards in the country.

WMPC represented by its Plant Manager Engr. Jose Maria Torrejon was awarded the tripartite certificate of compliance with labor standards and certificates of child labor free establishment during the one-day Zampen Industry -wide joint assessment and awarding of Certificates of Compliance last Friday, September 19, 2014 hrld at the roof deck of the Lantaka Hotel by the Department of Labor and Employment regional office.

Handing out the awards was DOLE Regional Director Sisinio Cano and assited by top regional labor officials.

The awards followed a one-day assessment program with top private and public offices and establishments participating.

Director Cano earlier said this program is in line with government’s desire to bring the region’s workplace conditions to a level of country-wide and worldwide acceptance .

Engr. Torrejon for his part said the awards received by WMPC here is a testament to the corporate desire of the Alsons Group of which WMPC is a part of, to adhere to strict national and international standards of keeping the workplace at an optimum level at all times.

Torrejon revealed there are 65 employees under the employ of WMPC who enjoy employment benefits entitled them under labor laws and regulations.

WMPC is a sister company of San Ramon Power Corporation ( SRPI) which is bidding to operate another 100-megawatt power plant in the west coast soon.

Attending the event with Torrejon was SRPI consultant and former Napocor Regional boss, Eng’r Ruben Conti.

Zambo lines up World Rabies Day activities

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

The Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet) through the City Rabies Control and Eradication Coordinating Council (CRCECC) has lined up activities to observe this year’s World Rabies Day.

City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola said Friday that among the activities are a Dog Walk and awarding ceremony for the Most Pet-Friendly Barangays.

Arriola said the Dog Walk is set to be held September 28 at 6 a.m. at the Pasonanca Park.

Arriola said the awarding for the Most Pet-Friendly Barangays will be held on September 29 after the flag raising ceremony in front of City Hall.

Arriola said the activities they lined up are aimed to encourage responsible pet ownership and to help reduce if not eradicate cases of rabies.

The World Rabies Day is being celebrated every September 28.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Together Against Rabies.”

DOLE: Four Zambo firms qualify for DOLE Secretary’s Award

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 20 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that four local companies have qualified for DOLE Secretary’s Award, which will be given during the agency’s anniversary in December.

DOLE Regional director Sisinio Cano made this announcement Friday during the awarding of certificates of compliance to more than 200 companies here in the region.

Cano named the four companies as the following: Western Mindanao Power Corporation; Permex Producers and Exporter Corporation; Petron Corporation; and the Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative-1 (Zamsureco-1).

All four firms except Zamsureco-1 are based in this city.

Cano said the four companies are compliant to General Labor Standards (GLS), Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), Tripartite Compliance Certificate for Labor Standards (TCCLS), and Child Labor Free establishments.

Cano said the four firms are International Organization Standardization (ISO)-certified.

He said they will nominate them to be recipient of the DOLE Secretary’s Award.

He said that all companies nominated will be validated “if they are really compliant” to labor standards by the DOLE central office to determine the recipients of the award.

The DOLE Secretary’s Award is the highest recognition given to labor compliant companies.

The award is being given every December 8, which is the founding anniversary of DOLE.

DTI sets trade exposition in Zambo City

(Mindanews)

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will hold a four-day trade fair in Zamboanga City to feature the region’s finest products.

Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI regional director, said the fair dubbed as the 2014 Zamboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition (Zampex) will be held from October 8 to 11.

Jain said the Zampex 2014 is a great venue for local businessmen to promote their products that will be identified with the Zamboanga Peninsula.

She said at least 90 exhibitors coming from the region, other Mindanao regions, and foreign neighbors like Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia will showcase various products, including food and handicrafts.

The DTI official said the project will also feature a garden show care of the local government, business matching with prospect buyers from Home Accents Group of the Philippines (HAPI), Philippine Chamber of Handicraft, Inc. (PCHI), Phil Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc. (PHILFOODEX), and the Integrated Food Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (INFOMAP) invited.

She said techno demo will also be held for interested individuals or groups who wish to start their own businesses aside from the exhibits.

She said the techno demo will run on Oct. 9-11 with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) taking charge of the NutriFood demos, which include coconut and squash products on Oct. 9; the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) will demo on seaweeds and bottled sardines while the Department of Agriculture will handle cooking demo on organic banana and “mamon preciosa” on Oct. 10.

The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) will showcase abaca rope and bag making on Oct. 11.

Jain said that a seminar on franchising is set to be held on Oct. 9.

Zampex 2014 is an initiative of the DTI regional office in partnership with the city government, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Core Group-9, Zamboanga City Economic Zone and Free Port Authority (ECOZONE), Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company and Globe Telecommunications.

DOST announces availability of scholarship for Junior Level College Students

(PNA), CTB/TPGJR/UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 18 (PNA) -– The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Science Education Institute (SEI), Thursday announced the availability of scholarships for Junior Level college students.

DOST Regional Director Brenda Nazareth-Manzano said that the applications for the 2014 Junior Level Science Scholarship is for third year college students who are enrolled in priority Science and Technology (S&T) courses and are willing to teach in the secondary schools in the Philippines upon graduation.

The applicants to the scholarship program must be a regular third year college student in an identified priority S&T course in any of State Universities and Colleges (SUC) or private university; and, have a general weighted average of at least 83 percent (or its equivalent) in his/her first and second years in college.

Priority courses include science and math education; pure science courses and, engineering and technology courses.

“Qualified students would be selected on the basis of their performance during the national scholarship examination, Manzano said. The examination is set to be held on October 18, 2014.

Among the scholarship privileges include tuition fee up to P10,000 per semester; book allowance of P10,000 per year; stipend of up to P5,000 per month; free economy-class round trip fare per year and group insurance.

Manzano said that scholar graduates of the program are also given top priority for job placement in the Department of Education (DepEd) high schools in the country.

Manzano further affirms the importance of strengthening the country’s science and technology education through fast tracking graduates in the sciences, mathematics and engineering who shall teach science and mathematics in secondary schools throughout the country.

She said application forms and scholarship brochures can be obtained at the DOST regional office in this city and in the respective DOST provincial offices in the different parts of the region.

She said the deadline for filing of application is on September 30, 2014.

Region 9’s finest products star in ZAMPEX 2014

By Michael Vincent Cajulao (DTI-9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 17 – The region’s finest products take center stage in the 2014 ZamZboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition on Oct. 8 -11 at the Garden Orchid Hotel this city.

At least 90 exhibitors from all over Mindanao regions and the neighboring countries Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia will be showcasing their products, varying from food, handicrafts, and other products during the four-day activity.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 OIC-Regional Director Sitti Amina M. Jain said ZAMPEX 2014 is a great venue for local businessmen to promote their products that will be identified with Zamboanga Peninsula.

Aside from the exhibit, technological demonstrations will also be held for interested individuals or groups who wish to start their own businesses.

The techno demo is slated on Oct. 9-11 with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) taking charge of the NutriFood demos which include buko (coconut) and squash products on October 9; the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) will be demoing on seaweeds and bottled sardines while the Department of Agriculture will handle cooking demo on organic banana and “mamon preciosa” on October 10. The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) will be showcasing abaca rope and bag making on the last day, Oct. 11.

Doctor Jain is also inviting the public to come to the venue to appreciate local products and gain ideas on starting their own business.

“This is a free activity. There is no entrance fee for those who want to go to the venue and attend our demos. The public can also appreciate and buy our local products of their interest in the venue”, Jain said.

ZAMPEX 2014 will also feature a garden show care of the Zamboanga City Local Government, Business Matching with prospect buyers from Home Accents Group of the Philippines (HAPI), Philippine Chamber of Handicraft, Inc. (PCHI), Phil Food Processors & Exporters Organization, Inc. (PHILFOODEX), and the Integrated Food Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (INFOMAP) invited. A one-day seminar on Franchising is also set on October 9.

ZAMPEX 2014 is an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry-9 in partnership with the Local Government of Zamboanga, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Core Group-9, Zamboanga City Economic Zone and Free Port Authority (ECOZONE), PLDT and Globe Telecom.

Displaced children in Zamboanga immunized

(ICRC)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Mass immunization has began for thousands of young children from displaced families in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines to protect them against measles, rubella and polio.

The immunization of children aged 0-5 years started this month and will run until October under the nationwide campaign to protect an estimated 11 million children from diseases. The International Committee of the Red Cross together with the Philippine Red Cross are supporting the primary health-care activities of the local government.

“Through this support, children of displaced families will be fully covered by the campaign. This support is part of our continued assistance to displaced persons in Zamboanga, which includes improving the health of vulnerable groups like infants and young children,”said Beatriz Karottki, the ICRC’s health coordinator in the Philippines.

Children of families displaced by rebel attacks last year have been staying in seven transitional sites are being vaccinated by four ICRC and PRC teams of volunteers, nurses and health staff augmenting the City Health Office immunization teams.

September was declared national immunization month by the Department of Health. A nationwide vaccination campaign called “Ligtas sa Tigdas at Polio” (Safe Against Measles and Polio) has been launched to reduce and eventually eliminate cases of measles and rubella, and to maintain the country’s polio-free status, achieved in 2000.

The ICRC has been providing assistance to thousands of people displaced in Zamboanga City since the onset of the crisis in September 2013, together with the National Society. It continues to improve access to clean water and sanitation at several temporary sites, and to enhance the health and nutrition of thousands of people who remain displaced.

City gears for Hermosa fest

By Sheila Covarrubias

Preparations for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, the biggest annual event in honor of Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar in October 12, are now underway.

The office of the City Mayor through the City Tourism Division has finalized the calendar of events for the 2014 Hermosa festival with the theme “Levanta con Fuerza y Fe; Marcha con Alegria, Devocion y Unidad.”

The City Government-sponsored activities will kick off with the Celebracion de Victoria y Pa on September 29 during the flag raising ceremony at 8am in front of City Hall.

The Hermosa opening program will be October 1st at 5pm at the City Hall frontage to be followed by the Las Cruces Exposicion Disenio at 7pm at the Garden Orchid Hotel.

The conferencia de cultura, artes y Historia del Zamboanga will run from October 2-3 at the Centro Latino while the Cosechas de Zamboanga, an agri-trade fair will be held from Oct. 2-15 at the Plaza Pershing. The city-wide cleanliness campaign dubbed Limpieza para mejor del Ciudad de Zamboanga will be at 2pm on October 3.

The Festival de Musica Chabacano (Chabacano Music Festival) will be on Oct. 6 at 7pm at Centro Latino while the Festival de Comida Zamboanga (Zamboanga Food Festival) will be Oct. 8 at 7pm at Centro Latino.

The mainstay program “Wow Sardinas”, a sardine-eating activity will be held Oct. 9 at 5pm at the R.T. Lim Boulevard. Balikbayan Night and Mascota de Zamboanga will be Oct. 10 at 7pm at Centro Latino.

October 11, the eve of Fiesta Pilar, will be filled with events starting off with the Regatta de Zamboanga at 8am at the R.T. Lim Boulevard followed by Baile de Calle (Street Dance Presentation) at 3pm at Paseo del Mar. The fiesta main program will be held at 530pm at the Paseo del Mar to be followed by the Danza La Vida (Life dance) will be at 7pm at Jardin Maria Clara in Pasonanca.

The Copa del Alcalde (Torneo de Golf) will run from October 11-12 from 8am to 5pm at the Zamboanga Golf Course.

October 12 will be focused on religious activities and the Fort Pilar shrine will be the center of activities.

Other agencies, institutions and organizations have also lined up activities for inclusion in the calendar of events for the 2014 Hermosa Festival.

DENR supports move to transfer lot ownership in Zambo’s Sta. Cruz Island

(PNA)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through theProtected Area Management Board (PAMB) is supporting the move to transfer, turnover or donate at least five lots on the Greater Sta. Cruz Island to the city government from the national government.

The support was made through a resolution the PAMB approved Friday in a meeting after Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar requested the city government to own, manage, protect and preserve the lots instead of privatizing them.

The PAMB is the policy-making body of the Greater and Little Sta. Cruz Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (GLSCIPLS).

City Assessor’s Office records showed the five parcels of land with an aggregate area 104,891 square meters located in the Great Sta. Cruz Island, facing the Island of Basilan, were titled in the names of the Republic of the Philippines.

The lots, being under the national government, were also managed by the Privatization and Management Office (PMO), Office of the President, whose representative came to this city last May 23 and conducted a site inspection of the lots with the assistance of the local government.

It is recalled, the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the City of Zamboanga, the DENR and PAMB signed a memorandum of agreement in June 2011, transferring the development, management maintenance, operation, conservation and protection of Greater and Little Sta. Cruz Islands to this city.

Salazar deemed it proper and necessary for the city government to develop, manage, protect and conserve the entire island to include the subject lots thereon considering the entire Great Sta. Cruz Island is part of the protected landscape pursuant to Republic Act 7586 known as the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems (NIPAS) Act of 1992.

Meanwhile, the PAMB has also passed another resolution seeking to prohibit or regulate maritime navigation the Greater and Little Sta. Cruz Islands.

The second resolution was passed following observation that the sea between the two islands was used for dynamite and other illegal modes of fishing, thus destroying its maritime resources.

The PAMB also observed that a shoal would emerge between the islands during low tide, thus posing danger especially to wooden-hulled vessels.

However, it was agreed that the passage between the two islands may be limited to vessels used for scientific maritime research and tourism purposes, provided prior permission is given by the PAMB.

DepEd allocates Php104.4-M to build schools buildings in Zamboanga City

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR/SSC

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 13 (PNA) -– The Department of Education (DepEd) has allocated Php104.4 million for the construction of school buildings in this city’s first district.

First district Rep. Celso Lobregat, who is pushing for the implementation of school building projects, said the funding allocation falls under the Current Year (CY) 2014 Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF) Batch 3 of DepEd.

Lobregat said that Php44.95 million of the Php104.4 million funding allocation is for the reconstruction of the Sta. Barbara Central School, which was destroyed during the 20-day September 2013 standoff.

The standoff started September 9 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members infiltrated Barangay Sta. Barbara and three other nearby coastal barangays.

Lobregat said that two units of three-storey 15-classroom buildings will be constructed at the Sta. Barbara Central School.

Aside from Sta. Barbara, the funding had been allocated as follows: three-storey 15-classroom building for Ayala Central School, Php22.47 million; two-storey six-classroom building for Sinunuc Elementary School, Php8.22 million; three-storey 15-classroom building for Sta. Maria Central School, Php22.47 million; and, two-storey four classroom building for Luyahan Elementary School, Php6.29 million.

Lobregat has requested for the implementation of the school building projects the soonest possible time in a recent meeting with DepEd officials in Manila.

DepEd Sec. Bro. Armin Luistro has instructed that the architectural design of the buildings to be constructed should follow the design of the city government to harmonize with the existing school buildings here.

Zambo City allocates P11M to open new roads

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 12 (PNA) -– The city government has allocated P11 million to open four new roads in a bid to help decongest traffic in this city.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said Friday the P11-million allocation includes funding to pay lot owners where the new roads will be opened.

Among the new roads that will be opened are from Gov. Camins Avenue to Gov. Ramos Avenue; Veterans Avenue to Talon-Talon Loop; Mayor Agan Avenue to Veterans Avenue; and, Baliwasan to Johnston Road.

Salazar is happy to note that Archbishop Romulo Dela Cruz has expressed support to the opening of the road from Gov. Camins Avenue to Gov. Ramos Avenue.

Salazar and Dela Cruz met Thursday and discussed matters concerning the opening of the new roads in this city.

The road linking Gov. Camin Avenue to Gov. Ramos Avenue will cross the property in Barangay Sta. Maria of the Centro Pastoral, which is owned by the archdiocese of this city.

Meanwhile, Salazar appealed to lot owners to support the local government’s program in opening new roads as this will also help spur economic development aside from decongesting traffic in this city.

She said they will be properly compensated if and when the opening of new road will affect their properties.

Zambo ICT Council, DOST set IT roadshow

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 11 (PNA) –- The Zamboanga Information and Communication Technology Council (ZICTC) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is set to conduct the first Information Technology (IT) Startup Roadshow in this southern port city.

ZICTC president Louel Saavedra said Thursday that the roadshow is scheduled to be held on September 19 at a local hotel in this city.

“The event will provide our students and professionals the much-needed spark to realize their potentials for startup projects and ideas that will bring them to the enviable level of Angry Birds and Candy Crush creators,” Saavedra said.

Saavedra said among the topics that will be tackled during the roadshow are: startup innovation and trends; startup talk; pitching basics and fire pitches; startup ecosystem and support; and, intellectual property concepts/startup support from government.

He said the roadshow is expected to be attended by more than 500 students, professionals, and entrepreneurs from the region.

He said that ZICTC Consultant Nicholas Luff is set to attend the activity.

The ZICTC gears to make this city as the next ICT hub and develop the local Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry.

The ultimate aim of the ZICTC is to transform this city into one of the leading centers of ICT and BPO in the country.

City’s disaster management office inaugurated

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga City Government has inaugurated the newly-completed P27.2 million two-storey building that will house the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) (ad interim) this city.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has led the inauguration of the CDRRMO located along Pettit Barracks. The inauguration was held Monday.

Assistant City Administrator Dr. Elmeir Apolinario said the CDRRMO will also address matters concerning public safety aside from responding to disasters.

Apolinario has been designated by Salazar as the officer-in-charge of the CDRRMO (ad interim).

Salazar has issued an administrative order creating the CDRRMO (ad interim) purposely to set direction, development, implementation and coordination of disaster risk management program in this city.

The CDRRMO (ad interim) shall remain in force until such time the CDRRMO is activated and institutionalized through a City Ordinance.

The CDRRMO is manned at present by 12 personnel coming from the different city government offices.

Apolinario said the CDRRMO will have its own budget, staffing pattern, facilities and equipment once the office will be institutionalized.

The CDRRMO includes various divisions and units such as the Administration and Training Division, Research and Planning Division, Operations and Warning Division, Closed-Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) unit, Traffic management unit and Emergency Responders Unit.

Some of the CDRRMO rescue equipment that include aluminum ladder, chain saw, communication equipment, portable generators, bolt cutter and microphone with siren.

The others like tents, towerlight, backhoe and grader are soon to arrive while the two rescue boats with engine and trailer and six rescue boats without engines have been submitted for bidding, according to Apolinario.

Zambo City inaugurates disaster management office

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 8 (PNA) -– The local government has inaugurated Monday the P27.2 million two-storey edifice that will house the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) at Pettit Barracks, this city.

Together with national and local officials, Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar led the inauguration of the CDRRMO.

Assistant City Administrator Dr. Elmeir Apolinario said the CDRRMO will not only respond to disasters but will also address public safety.

“The mayor wanted us to also address public safety aside from disaster response,” Apolinario added.

Salazar has designated Apolinario as officer-in-charge of the CDRRMO (ad interim), which shall be in force until such time the CDRRMO is activated and institutionalized through a City Ordinance.

Salazar has issued an administrative order creating the CDRRMO (ad interim) purposely to set direction, development, implementation and coordination of disaster risk management program in this city.

At present, the CDRRMO is manned by 12 personnel with Apolinario as the head.

Apolinario said the CDRRMO will have its own budget, staffing pattern, facilities and equipment once the office will be institutionalized.

The CDRRMO includes various divisions and units such as the Administration and Training Division, Research and Planning Division, Operations and Warning Division, Closed-Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) unit, Traffic management unit and Emergency Responders Unit.

Some of the CDRRMO rescue equipment include aluminum ladder, chain saw, communication equipment, portable generators, bolt cutter and microphone with siren.

The others like tents, towerlight, back hoe and grader are soon to arrive while the two rescue boats with engine and trailer and six rescue boats without engines have been submitted for bidding.

TESDA allocates P4-M for employment training in Zamboanga City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 6 (PNA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has allocated P4 million to conduct special training for employment in this city.

TESDA Regional Director Lorenzo Macapili said the training will be conducted in coordination with the offices of first district Rep. Celso Lobregat and second district Rep. Lilia Nuño.

Macapali said a total of 484 individuals or at 242 each districts will be trained. The beneficiaries of the training will be chosen by the two congressional offices.

Macapili said the beneficiaries will be trained on automotive, plumbing, electrical, masonry, electronics, manicure and pedicure, massage, facial and make-up, air-conditioning, refrigeration, welding and food.

Macapili said the training on refrigeration. Welding, plumbing and automotive will be conducted at the TESDA training center in Barangay San Roque, this city.

He said the training, which is targetted to culminate by the November this year, is aimed to equip the beneficiaries the proper knowledge to be productive individuals.

He said the beneficiaries will also be given livelihood started kits upon graduation to be able to start earning a living.

DTI set to install ‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ in Zambo, Isabela markets

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 5 (PNA) –- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is putting up 10 “Timbangan ng Bayan” in the different markets here and in nearby Isabela City to ensure the consumers get the right value of their purchase.

DTI Provincial Director Eng’r. Rolando Acuña said Friday the Timbangan ng Bayan can be used by the buying public to double check the weight of what they purchased like meat, rice, fish, and other commodities.

The weighing scales will be installed in the following markets: waterfront public market, two units; Sta. Cruz Commercial Center, two units; Aderes Flea Market, one; LB Wet Market, one; Yubengko Wet Market, one; Recodo flea market, one; and, in Isabela City Public Market, two.

“The Timbangan ng Bayan will now be the basis if a weighing scale (of a particular store) is calibrated correctly,” Acuña added.

He said the move is aimed to deter unscrupulous businessmen from tampering their weighing scales.

Zamboanga City initiates citywide clean-up drive

(PNA), SCS/TPGJR/TPGJR/EBP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 4 (PNA) -- The city government is leading a massive citywide clean-up drive as part of the effort to build back better Zamboanga.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar will lead the activity which will kick off at 3 p.m. Friday with the participation of all concerned stakeholders.

The different schools in the city, including colleges and universities, national government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), city departments, barangay, police and military have already their respective areas of assignments for the simultaneous activity.

Salazar said cleanliness and sanitation should be the daily concern of everybody to pave way for good health and healthy communities.

Salazar said everyone should do his or her part in maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in the workplace, community and the city.

“Cleanliness springs a healthy environment that is free from diseases and consequently helps ensure a better city. Maintaining the upkeep of our city will boost this city’s campaign to build back a better Zamboanga,” she added.

DSWD conducts orientation to newly hired community workers

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez (FPG/JPA/PIA-9)

Zamboanga City, Sept. 3(PIA) - More than a hundred newly hired community development workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-9 attended recently a two-day pre-deployment orientation to acquaint them with their tasks and duties.

Attending the said orientation were Area Coordinators, Community Technical Facilitators (Engineers), Community Financial Facilitators and Community Empowerment Facilitators who were hired under the Kalahi CIDSS-National Community Driven Development Program (NCDDP) of the DSWD.

They will soon be deployed to the different target municipalities in the region to implement the NCDDP in coordination with the municipal and barangay local government units. They are also tasked with providing technical assistance to the community volunteers.

DSWD-9 in a news statement said “the two-day orientation tackled the processes, features and basic principles of the program. Aside from this, pre-entry activities and the technicalities of the program implementation were also briefly discussed.”

The said orientation was the first in a row, as two more batches will be conducted in the cities of Pagadian and Dipolog.

The DSWD news statement further disclosed that a total of 46 Area Coordinators, 46 Engineers, 46 MFAs and 248 CEF were hired, and are scheduled to be deployed in first week of October after undergoing an extensive training and orientation on the program.

Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP is an expansion of the Community Driven Development (CDD) strategy that has been proven effective by the Kalahi-CIDSS Program for over 10 years. The program rests on the main objectives of empowering the communities, improve local governance and reduce poverty.

Anti-measles drive launched

By Juseph G. Elas (WMSU-OJT)

Aimed to eradicate polio and measles, the City Health Office (CHO) yesterday launched a month-long measles (rubela) immunization program and the oral polio vaccination program in the city.

Mayor Beng Climaco, Department of Health regional director Nimfa Torrizo and City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos spearheaded the launching after the flag raising ceremony in City Hall Monday, Sept. 1.

“We placed an immunization post in all barangays so we ask all government employees to help us spread this information to your neighbors,” said Dr. Agbulos stressing that all other activities such as trainings on health have been halted to give way for the said campaigns.

The program is said to cater the second dose of anti-measles vaccine to children aged zero to five years old for free.

Parents can bring their children to health centers in their barangays to avail of the free vaccines.

Measles is a very contagious (easily spread) infection that causes rash all over the body. It is also called rubeola or red measles. It is one of the leading causes of death among children.

Nationwide, measles killed 122 000 individuals in 2012; that is 330 deaths in a day and 14 deaths per hour.

In retrospect, there was an increase in the measles cases in transitory shelters at Taluksangay and Tulungatung just last month. The CHO then responded by conducting vaccination activities.

Agbulos expressed positivity that the city government will give the CHO a hundred percent support since one of the main thrusts of the Climaco administration is health.

“We want to cater the measles vaccination to all children ages below five years old so that measles will be completely eradicated in Zamboanga,” Dr. Agbulos said.

Also, Dr. Agbulos underscored that the CHO wants to maintain the country’s zero-polio status, thus, the oral polio vaccination will also be a part of the month-long program.

“The vaccination will cater to children nine to 59 months,” Dr. Agbulos finished.

The anti-measles and anti-polio campaigns are implemented nationwide by the Department of Health.

Zamboanga City launches search for the most pet-friendly barangays

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 1 (PNA) –- The city government through the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet) has launched the search for the most pet-friendly barangays in this southern port city.

City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola said Monday the launching of the search for the most pet-friendly barangays is aimed at ensuring compliance with City Ordinances 241 and 242.

City Ordinance 241 is otherwise known as the Zamboanga City Rabies Control and Eradication Ordinance while the Ordinance 242 is known as the Zamboanga City Pound Ordinance.

Arriola said the awarding for the search, which is the first time to be held, will be on September 29.

The Zamboanga City Rabies Eradication and Control Coordinating Council spearheads the activity.

Arriola said the winning barangays will receive a plaque and trophy from the Department of Health. Two winners--first and second placers--will be chosen.

He said the barangays will be adjudged base on the following: number of vaccinated pets, number of registered pets; number of impounded pets; number of incidents of rabies; and, cases of dog bites.

He said they are planning to hold the search for the most pet-friendly barangays a yearly activity.

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