Zamboanga City News September 2016

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Zamboanga City - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Limpapa Beach.JPG
Limpapa Beach

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

2016 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival kicks off Oct. 1

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 30 (PNA) -- The city government has lined up several activities in line with the celebration of the 2016 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival that will kick off Saturday.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar will lead the opening of the festival that will start with the “Cosechas de Zamboanga" (Harvest of Zamboanga), Lechon Parade, and the traditional Bandoreal parade of colors.

Christian Olasiman, co-chairperson of the 2016 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) that this year’s celebration would be bigger than last year’s celebration.

Guests this year include the Gloc 9 and Hot Legs singers, actors Bryan Termulo and Kristoff Garcia, and athletes Phil and James Younghusband.

Olasiman said that 180 local rowers have registered to participate in the vinta sail competition known as Regatta de Zamboanga.

The highlight of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is the feast on Oct. 12 of Our Lady of the Pillar, the most revered saint of this city.

Fisheries bureau to roll out PHP4-M Bantay Laot program in Zamboanga before end of year

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 29 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is set to implement the Bantay Laot program that would provide livelihood to selected Badjao beneficiaries and at the same time protect Zamboanga's marine resources.

Isidro Velayo Jr., BFAR OIC-regional director, told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) that they have allocated PHP4 million for the program, which will be carried out before the end of the year.

Velayo said that under the program, the bureau will employ 50 Badjao fishermen as sea watchmen and coastal cleaners.

He said the BFAR will provide them fiberglass motorboats, fishing gears and handheld radio transceivers, and train them in radio communication so they could report to the bureau those who practice blast fishing.

This would not only provide them livelihood but also help protect marine resources, he said.

Velayo noted that measures are in place to prevent the beneficiary Badjao fishermen from selling the motorboats.

He further said that each of the selected Badjao fishermen will be given a monthly honorarium of PHP3,000 for cleaning up the coastal areas.

"This is an additional livelihood for them," he said.

Velayo said they have chosen the Badjaos as beneficiaries of the Bantay Laot program as they are among the poorest of the poor in the country.

Cleanliness in Zamboanga’s public market draw praises

(Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Market-goers have noted a drastic change at the local public market following a sanitation drive and the strict implementation of the market code.

Market Superintendent Nathaniel Asuncion said vendors and stall holders have been cooperating and supportive of the cleanliness campaign.

“Our old public market is now free of eyesores because they – market vendors – are now very cooperative and supportive of us. They’re now strictly following our market code. The discipline in our public market can now be felt and everything here is well-arranged,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said under the local market code, there are spaces allowed for so-called ukay-ukay or used-clothes vendors – at least 100 of them – to do business at the public market. Asuncion said the market can collect revenues or space rentals from the vendors which will benefit the city government.

“I want that they be legalized so that we can already collect market rentals daily from them as they’re duly equipped with their business permits to help boost our market revenues for our city’s coffers,” Asuncion pointed out.

He said even market-goers throw their trash in garbage bins. “Market-goers can now see for themselves the many good changes we have done for the improvement of our old public market,” he said.

PPA builds PHP13-M terminal in Zamboanga port

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 27 (PNA) -- The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced that the PHP13 million new passenger terminal building, dubbed as the Travelers' Hub, will be operational before the end of this year.

Engineer Liberto Dela Rosa, PPA-Zamboanga manager, told the Philippines News Agency that the Travelers' Hub will cater to passengers from and to Malaysia via the city of Sandakan in Sabah.

Dela Rosa said the Travelers' Hub has air-condition units, X-Ray metal detector, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, public address system, and chairs.

He said that an office space will be provided for the Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel since the new terminal building will be solely for travelers from and to Malaysia.

A locally-based shipping firm plies the Zamboanga-Malaysia route via Sandakan City in Sabah.

He said the new terminal building has a capacity to accommodate 400 passengers at one time.

He said the new terminal building was constructed to enable them to accommodate the growing number of passengers at the local port.

Once the new terminal is operational, the Passenger Terminal 1 will solely cater to passengers bound for Manila, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and other parts of the region, he said.

Zamboanga City celebrates Nat'l Maritime Week

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 26 (PNA) -- The simultaneous blowing of horns by ships moored at the wharf here Monday signaled the start of the 2016 National Maritime Week celebration in this city.

The blowing of horns was followed by a motorcade through the city’s main thoroughfares and a short program attended by Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

The program, held at the quadrangle of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), culminated with a Zumba dance workout.

PPA-Zamboanga manager, Liberto dela Rosa, told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) that they have lined up a number of activities for this year’s National Maritime Week: a coastal clean-up and bloodletting on Sept. 27; a medical mission on Sept. 28; a seminar on port safety, search and rescue, drugs, and terrorism on Sept. 29; and, a holy mass and boodle fight meal on September 30.

Dela Rosa said that port stakeholders such as the PPA, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), maritime learning institutions, and shipping lines are set to join the events.

“The importance of the celebration is to give credit to the people involved in the maritime industry and especially to the seafarers and shipping lines because they are the prime movers of our economy,” dela Rosa said.

He explained that shipping connects the islands and is used to move goods around the world.

“We owe it to our seafarers and shipping lines,” he added.

The National Maritime Week is celebrated every year and the PPA, MARINA, PCG take turns spearheading the celebration.

This year’s National Maritime Week is anchored on the theme, “Shipping indispensable to the world”.

Zamboanga City awards Best LGU Rabies Program Implementer

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has recognized the efforts of the Zamboanga City Government for its excellent implementation of the rabies prevention and control program.

City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the city's recognition as “Best LGU Rabies Program Implementer” will be conferred to city officials on September 28 in Manila during a ceremony marking the celebration of World Rabies Day.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and Dr. Mario Arriola, city veterinarian, have been invited to receive the award during a ceremony set to be held at the DA-BAI Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority conference room on Wednesday, September 28.

The DA-BAI, through the National Rabies Prevention and Control Committee, is spearheading the World Rabies Day celebration with the theme “Rabies: Educate. Vaccinate. Eliminate.” The activity is in conjunction with the celebration of the Animal Welfare Week.

Feeding fishers for life through boat distribution program

By Julie Alipala (Inquirer Mindanao, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Sixty-year-old Badjao fisherman Munib Araa always dreamed of a boat he can call his own but he was too poor to buy one.

His story and those of other Badjao fishermen have brought to life the saying that giving a man fish could feed him for a day but teaching, or helping, them fish could feed them for a lifetime.

Araa could not afford a typical boat, made of marine plywood and pieces of wood, that costs between P5,000-P15,000.

On Monday, Araa tried to fight back tears of joy as he received a fiber glass boat from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

“This has been my dream, to have my own fishing banca,” he said as he received a certificate of ownership for the fishing boat painted in blue.

Araa is among 50 fishermen who received boats from the DA and BFAR in a bid to allow the Badjao fishermen to venture into deeper seas.

“It is here now. I am bringing home my (source of) livelihood. I can start earning more for my family,” he said.

Aside from the fiber glass boats worth P16,300 each, which were distributed under a program called Targeted Action to Reduce Poverty and Generate Economic Transformation, fishing gear, like nets and floaters, were also distributed to the fishermen.

“It’s my first time to receive a real fishing boat. I have been a fisherman all my life and there were so many promises in the past, but all we got then was a certificate and some gaffs and nets,” Araa said.

Gibson Lagayan, a 39-year-old fisherman, said he had been attending seminars and workshops in the past but promises by officials to give out boats never materialized.

“Only this time. There are now real boats for us,” Lagayan said.

Lagayan said in the past, small fishermen like him felt neglected by the government.

“We were always treated as someone who cannot be provided with projects. We were not a priority,” he said.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who handed out certificates of boat ownership to the fishermen, said the boats distributed on Monday were the initial batch.

“There will be more and I want to make sure that each fisherman, the real ones, gets the boat,” said Piñol.

“I want the names of the fisherman printed on the boats and there will be no symbolic turnover, only real turnover,” he said.

He said it was fulfilling to see the reaction from beneficiaries.

“It’s great to see the faces of fishermen beaming with happiness,” Piñol said.

Araa said fiberglass boats are easy to maintain and are durable.

Lagayan said the boats looked very expensive and beautiful.

“They have no outriggers yet but they look sturdy,” he said.

Piñol said the boats are “Filipino-made.” Fishermen from Tacloban City, which was hit by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan), had initially made the boats. The technology used by fishermen in Tacloban has spread to General Santos City, Davao City and Zambales, where similar boats are being made, too.

Piñol said the DA and BFAR seek to release 20,000 fishing boats to fishermen nationwide by end of the year and 200,000 more next year.

NHA to turnover 487 permanent shelters to Zambo siege displaced families

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 23 (PNA) – The National Housing Authority (NHA) will turn over on Sept. 28 some 487 permanent housing units to families displaced during the 21-day September 2013 siege.

The permanent shelters in Valle Vista in Barangay Kasanyangan were constructed through the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) program.

Of the 487 housing units, 259 permanent shelters were built in Valle Vista Phase 1 and the remaining 228 in Phase II.

Valle Vista, which consists of four phases, will have a total of 3,405 permanent shelters.

The beneficiary-families, mostly housed in temporary shelters and home-based have undergone social preparation on Thursday to adequately prepare them of their roles and responsibilities as beneficiaries of the Z3R houses.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who spearheaded the social preparation held at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum, urged the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to continuously cooperate with the government and to comply with the provisions of the code of policies on beneficiary selection.

Salazar has assured that the local government is exhausting all means to ensure the IDPs get dignified housing which pass health and engineering standards.

The NHA is in charge of the construction of houses based on the Z3R plan while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) takes charge of the road packages including the drainage systems.

The water and power systems are under the responsibility of the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) and Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO), respectively.

The Zamboanga siege stared on September 9, 2013 when hundreds of members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) loyal to MNLF Chairperson Nur Misuari infiltrated and laid siege in at least four coastal barangays in this city.

RTWPB grants salary increase to workers, ‘kasambahay’ in Region 9

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 22 (PNA) –- The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has issued new wage orders granting salary increase to the thousands of workers in the private sector and “kasambahay” or domestic workers here in Region 9.

Sisinio Cano, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional director and RTWPB chairperson, told the Philippines News Agency that the salary increase will take effect on October 1 this year.

Cano said the workers in the private sector such as the non-agricultural, agricultural, retail service establishment and cottage handicraft enterprises will receive daily salary increase of PhP16 based on the Wage Order No. 19.

The minimum salary once Wage Order No. 19 takes effect are as follows: non-agricultural, PhP296; plantation, PhP271 and non-plantation, PhP251 in the agricultural sector; retail service establishment (employing not more than 30 workers), PhP276; and cottage handicraft enterprises, PhP251.

Cano said the domestic workers will receive an increase of PhP500 in their monthly salary whether they are working in cities, first class municipalities and other municipalities.

The minimum monthly salary of the domestic workers based on the new wage order will increase to PhP2,500 for those working in cities and first class municipalities and PhP2,000 in other municipalities.

The domestic workers include the following: general househelp; baby-sitter; cook; gardener; laundry; and, any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis.

Cano disclosed the workers in the agricultural sector, retail service establishment and cottage handicraft enterprises will receive PhP283 daily salary towards the end of 2017 since they will receive wage increases on January 1, 2017 and October 1, 2017.

The salary increase on January 1, 2017 will be as follows: plantation, PhP6 and non-plantation PhP16 for the agriculture sector; retail service establishment, PhP7; and, cottage handicraft enterprise, PhP16.

On October 1, 2017, the salary increase will be the following: plantation, PhP6 and non-plantation PhP16 for the agriculture sector; and, cottage handicraft enterprise, PhP16.

Cano said the issuance of the new wage orders were based on the economic review and wage consultation they have conducted in the region.

He said a labor law compliance officer will conduct inspection on business establishments to ensure compliance with the new wage order.

The RTWPB is a seven-man board with Cano as the chairperson with the regional directors of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) as vice chairpersons.

The other members are: two representatives from the employer sector; and, two representatives from the labor sector.

320 Zambo City IDPs complete skills training, now job-ready

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR/EDS

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 21 (PNA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said some 320 internally displaced persons (IDPs) on Tuesday completed different technical courses in Ozamis City.

The IDPs who have undergone training on technical courses were among the thousands of people who were displaced in the 21-day September 2013 siege in this city.

The DSWD regional office said in a statement that the IDP-trainees were trained for two months in Our Lady of Triumph (OLT) Institute of Technology in Ozamis City.

Of the 320 IDP-graduates, 154 were trained in carpentry and masonry while 136 for housekeeping. They have undergone actual work experience through the state-of-the-art facilities of the OLT Institute of Technology.

The skills training program is initiated and funded by the regional office of the DSWD in partnership with the local government and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), through the Disaster Rehabilitation Fund worth PHP17 million.

The city government is also extending PHP2,000 financial assistance as counterpart for each family to support their other expenses, such as transportation and meals during their travel.

It is recalled that the program has been able to produce over 500 graduates since July this year, and graduates are immediately sent to Manila for job placement with the help of the OLT’s employment partners in both national and international arena.

The graduation ceremony, which was held at the MGM Gymnasium in Ozamis City, was witnessed by DSWD Sec. Judy Taguiwalo, DSWD Regional Director Araceli Solamillo, DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations Consejo Usman, and representatives of TESDA, local government and partner employers.

Taguiwalo guaranteed the graduates that the DSWD will continuously monitor them to ensure that they are doing well and good in their respective work places.

Taguiwalo emphasized that it is fulfilling to see how the department, together with other stakeholders, have become instrumental in the transformation that they are about to undergo from being mere recipients of assistance to becoming productive members of the society.

DTI continues Mentor ME Program in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/EDS

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 20 (PNA) –- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will resume on Wednesday, Sept. 21, the Mentor ME Program following its successful launching last week in this city.

Eng’r. Rolando Acuña, DTI provincial director, on Tuesday said they are delighted with the high turnout and good reception of the mentees during the launching of the Mentor ME Program.

“We hope to see the same level of enthusiasm for Week 2 and ride this wave of success until the culmination of the program,” Acuña said.

For the program’s Phase 1 Week 2, Acuña said the Go Negosyo speakers and consultants dubbed as angelprenuers will once again lecture on the different functional areas of entrepreneurship, specifically Product Development and Accounting for Accountants.

Acuña said that Victor Madlangbayan, one of the Go Negosyo speakers, will discuss about entrepreneurship and product development.

Marco Fernando Ng, another Go Negosyo speaker, will lecture on accounting.

“This will be supplemented by Group Mentoring Sessions in the afternoon to be handled by the two speakers,” Acuña said.

For the succeeding weeks, the modules to be discussed are the following: Operations Management (Sector-Specific); Human Resource Management; Taxation; Supply and Value Chain; Financial Management including pricing and costing; Business Law; and, What’s and Re-entry Plan.

Acuña said the program will be capped by a Business Plan Presentation of the mentees, which will likewise serve as their graduation.

The Mentor ME Program is a joint project of DTI, Go Negosyo, and the private sector which aimed to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) develop good business sense by capacitating them through the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.

It is also aimed to help the MSMEs to scale up their business through the weekly theoretical and conceptual discussions as well as mentoring and coaching sessions by Go Negosyo’s speakers.

DTI warns businessmen on violating commodities’ price freeze

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 19 (PNA) –- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has warned businessmen of sanctions to include imprisonment once they will be caught in violation of the price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities.

Eng’r. Rolando Acuña, DTI provincial director, on Monday issued the warning, citing the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities are automatically frozen or placed under automatic price control as a result of Proclamation No. 55 declaring the country under state of national emergency on account of lawless violence.

President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 55 after a bomb exploded in Davao City and killed 15 people and injured more than 60 others.

Acuña said the price freeze is pursuant to Sec. 6 of Republic Act No. 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act, which mandates automatic price control whenever an area is declared under a state of emergency.

Acuña said the average price at which any basic necessity has been sold in a given area within a month from occurrence of the condition that brought about the emergency shall be the basis in determining the prevailing price.

He said the law also mandates that if the prevailing price of any basic necessity is excessive or unreasonable, the implementing agency may recommend to the President the imposition of a price ceiling for the sale of the basic necessity at a price other than its prevailing price.

He enjoined retailers to comply with the price freeze and warns them of the sanctions for the violation thereof. Consumers are also advised to be guided accordingly.

He said that those who will be found culpable for violation of the price freeze shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than one year nor more than 10 years, or a fine of not less than PhP5,000 nor more than PhP1,000,000, or both.

He said the price control of basic necessities will remain effective for the duration of the condition that brought about the emergency, but not for more than 60 days unless sooner lifted by the President.

He said the consumers may visit the nearest DTI office in their area to get a copy of the list of basic necessities and prime commodities and their corresponding prevailing prices.

Zamboanga City sets mass rabies vaccination

(PNA), CVL/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 18 (PNA) – The Zamboanga City Rabies Eradication Control Coordinating Council (ZCRECCC) has passed a resolution directing the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet) and other agencies to conduct a mass rabies vaccination on Saturdays and Sundays.

This came about as rabies continues to pose a threat to pets and humans, according to the ZCRECCC.

Dr. Mario Arriola, city veterinarian, said the mass rabies vaccination aims to address the observation of low vaccination turnout during the first round of rabies vaccination scheduled on weekdays from March 1 to Aug. 31, this year.

Arriola said the council likewise passed another resolution enjoining all barangay councils and barangay health workers to assist the OCVet in the campaign.

The schedule of rabies vaccination in the barangays is as follows: Sept. 17-18, Mampang; Oct. 1-2, Talon-Talon; Oct. 8-9, Tugbungan; Oct. 15-16, Tetuan; Oct. 22-23, Guiwan; Oct. 29-30, Putik; Nov. 5-6, Tumaga; Nov. 12-13, Sta. Maria; Nov. 19-20, Pasonanca; Nov. 26-27, Cabatangan; Dec. 3-4, San Roque; and Dec. 10-11, Campo Islam.

Zamboanga City embarks on clean-up drive

(PNA), CVL/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 17 (PNA) -- The local government of Zamboanga City, beginning Sept. 17 and all Saturdays of September and October, will be conducting a cleanliness drive.

Acting City Mayor Cesar Iturralde said the campaign will involve employees of different departments of the local government who will clean assigned areas from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Iturralde said this is in compliance with the Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Regional Memorandum Circular No. 2016-08, which enjoins local governments to participate in the nationwide Clean-Up Day spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In support of this initiative, Iturralde said the city government has enjoined all barangays (villages) to conduct their own clean-up activities.

He said the local government will also actively take part with a massive clean-up of the Main Market and the flushing and fumigation of Plaza Pilar and Paseo del Mar.

The cleanliness campaign, he said, is also a preparation for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2016, to be held during the entire month of October in honor of the Nuestra Señora la Virgen del Pilar.

Zamboanga City institutes malnutrition screening for pregnant, lactating women

By Dania Mae Indal

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The City Health Office has enacted the screening of pregnant and lactating women or PLW for malnutrition in all Zamboanga’s 98 villages.

Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, the City Health Officer, through the initiative of the City Nutrition Office, has recently issued Memo Order No. 0916 that paved the way for the enactment of the screening program.

The City Health Office is also the first in the country to institute such malnutrition screening for PLW, who are one of the vulnerable groups here given priority by the local government.

To be able to determine which subgroup among the PLW need more nutritional attention, it is necessary to measure these women’s mid-upper arm circumference using a calibrated tape. The women are then classified based on their measurement as normal, nutritionally at risk, moderately acutely malnourished.

PLW comprise about 5.4% of the local population, according to the Department of Health. This translates to 46,537 mothers who need health and nutrition services ranging from prenatal visits, tetanus immunizations, iron and folate or folic acid supplementation, other micronutrient supplementation services, postpartum checkups, and nutritional assessment and counseling.

The Health Organization of Mindanao, hand-in-hand with the Zamboanga City Health Office, supports the upscale of nutrition interventions in 48 villages and these interventions are harnessed towards strengthening actions to achieve a nutritionally-sound first 1,000 days of life – from pregnancy to the child’s second year.

HOM is in close partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. It provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries.

Zambo ginger-producing farmers receive farm tools, implements

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 15 (PNA) – The City Agriculturist’s Office on Thursday turned over farm tools and implements to farmers engaged in ginger production and by-product processing.

City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat said the farmer-recipients of the farm tools and implements consist of the second batch of beneficiaries of the ginger production and by-product processing project under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) initiative.

The first batch of beneficiaries of farm tools and implements are the group of farmers engaged in ginger production and by-product processing in Barangay Victoria, this city.

They received the farm tools and implements from the City Agriculturist’s Office last month.

Palacat said the set of farm inputs farmers from Barangay Bunguiao received were composed of 66 sacks of vermicast (organic fertilizer), 64 pieces garden hoe, 64 pieces garden rake, 67 pieces sprinkler, one 16-liter knapsack sprayer, a weighing scale, and five of 200-liter plastic drums.

Palacat said the farm inputs that were turned over forms part of the local government unit’s counterpart in the project, which is being spearheaded in tandem with the Department of Agriculture, based on the proposal of the farmers of Barangay Bunguiao.

He said the project, as BuB initiative, was proposed by the farmers of Bunguiao, which was submitted for approval to the local and national government.

Under the BuB approach, he said subsidy is provided to each barangay to be used for the implementation of one to two projects which they themselves have identified.

The BuB is a program expected to aid barangays in better formulating poverty reduction action plans and monitoring the delivery of basic services in the communities, and to institutionalize people’s participation in the budget process.

Health office extends school-based immunization program in Zamboanga City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 14 (PNA) –- The City Health Office is extending the conduct of the school-based immunization program until the end of this month.

The extension is aimed to meet the target goal of the school-based immunization program, which has been originally scheduled to be held the whole month of August.

Corazon Pagotaisidro, City Health Office’s immunization coordinator, admitted they failed to meet the target goal of the school-based immunization program as the Department of Health (DOH) fell short of vaccine supply.

Pagotaisidro told the Philippines News Agency the goal of the program is to immunize 16,905 Grade 1 pupils in 179 public schools and 16,869 Grade 7 students in 43 secondary schools.

Pagotaisidro said they were able to immunize 14,727 Grade 1 pupils representing 87 percent accomplishment and 15,222 Grade 7 students, marking 90 percent achievement since August 1.

She said that last year, they vaccinated 14,395 Grade 1 pupils, marking 69 percent accomplishment and 11,663 Grade 7 students, registering 73 percent achievement.

She said the Grade 1 pupils were vaccinated with Tetanus, diphtheria and measles vaccines while the Grade 7 students with Tetanus, diphtheria, measles and rubella vaccines.

The objective of the school-based immunization program is to ensure the protection of the target beneficiaries against tetanus, diphtheria, measles and rubella, which are fatal diseases but are preventable through immunization.

DTI, Go Negosyo launch Mentor ME program

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the private sector like the Go Negosyo, will launch on Wednesday, September 14, the Kapatid's Mentor ME (Micro Entrepreneur) Program in Zamboanga City.

DTI Provincial Director Rolando Acuña said the Mentor ME Program is aimed to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) develop good business sense by capacitating them through the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.

Acuña said it is also intended to help the MSMEs scale up their business through the weekly theoretical, conceptual discussions and mentoring sessions by Go Negosyo's angelpreneurs, experienced entrepreneurs, and seasoned business lecturers on the different functional areas of entrepreneurship.

The Mentor ME Program is divided into two phases and will run for 12 weeks, according to Acuña.

The kick-off program on Wednesday in Zamboanga City will be graced by DTI Assistant Secretary Blesila Lantayona, and DTI Regional Director Sitti Amina Jain.

Victor Madlangbayan will discuss the Module on Entrepreneurial Mindset and Values Formation, while Carlo Calimon will lecture on Marketing and Marketing Trends following the kick-off program.

An Inspirational Forum and Business Cliniquing Sessions will be held in the afternoon by experienced mentors from Go Negosyo, who will endeavor to impart their wisdom and experience to selected mentees from this city.

The Go Negosyo, which started in 2005, is the advocacy of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), a non-stock, non-profit organization that advocates for a change in mindset and attitude.

For the succeeding weeks, the following modules will be discussed, to wit: Accounting for Non-Accountants, Product Development; Operations Management (Sector-Specific), Human Resource Management, Taxation, Supply and Value Chain, Financial Management including Pricing and Costing, Business Law (Basic Contracts and Obligations), What’s Next (Quick Fix Plan) and Re-entry Plan.

Acuña said the Mentor ME Program will be capped by a Business Plan Presentation of the mentees, which will likewise serve as their graduation.

Acuña underscored the importance of the program to equip the local MSMEs with the needed skills sets, the right mindset, and business know-how to ultimately scale up and sustain their enterprise.

Zambo solon joins Muslim world in the observance of Eid’l Adha

(PNA), JMC/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 12 (PNA) –- First district Rep. Celso Lobregat is one with the Moslem brethren in the observance of the Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice on Monday, Sept. 12, which is being observed as an Islamic Holiday in the entire country and the world.

Lobregat has called on all Moslem brothers and sisters to also nurture the message of peace and reconciliation among fellow Filipinos, especially now where the government has declared the State of Lawlessness in the entire country.

Lobregat said the long-awaited quest for peace and freedom from the acts of terrorism in the country especially here in Mindanao is the dream of both Moslem and Christians alike.

Eid’l Adha is the tenth day in the month of Hajj or Islamic Pilgrimage to Mecca wherein Muslims pay homage to Abraham’s supreme act of sacrifice and signifies mankind’s obedience to God.

The Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is a national holiday based on Republic Act 9849 enacted on July 12, 2009.

This holiday declaration creates another long weekend in the calendar this year.

3rd year of Zamboanga siege marked with turnover of shelters

(PNA), CVL/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -– The city government here and the National Housing Authority (NHA) on Friday marked the third year of the Zamboanga siege with the turnover of 252 permanent shelters to families displaced during the siege.

The turnover of the permanent shelters was spearheaded by NHA district manager Al-Kwarizmi Indanan and Acting Mayor Cesar Iturralde.

Indanan said 172 of the 252 housing units were turned over at the resettlement site of the city government in Barangay Tulungatung, 17 km. west of city hall.

He said the 172 units were part of 383 permanent shelters worth PHP79.162 million programmed for the resettlement site in Barangay Tulungatung.

Indanan said the remaining 80 housing units were turned over to the Christian-Muslim Urban Poor Housing Project in Barangay Sta. Barbara.

The 80 units were part of 259 housing units worth PHP56.615 million for the urban poor association.

Beneficiaries of the housing projects were among the families displaced during the 21-day September 2013 siege.

The siege started on Sept. 9, 2013 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members loyal to MNLF chieftain Nur Misuari infiltrated and laid siege to four coastal barangays of this city.

Friday’s turnover ceremony was part of the activities marking the third year of the siege dubbed as a “Day of Remembrance”, which culminated with a simple program in front of City Hall.

Zamboanga City honors 25 ‘children of hope’

(PNA), RMA/TPGJR/PR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 10 (PNA) – Twenty-five children born on Sept. 9, 2013 were honored and bestowed the honorific title “children of hope” on Friday, in commemoration of the third year since the infamous Zamboanga siege.

The bestowal of the honorific title was held in a program marking the Special Day of Remembrance aimed to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of the 21-day Zamboanga siege.

It was held following a commemorative program at the City Hall grounds with Western Mindanao Command deputy commander Brig. Gen. Jose Cabanban as the keynote speaker.

The Children of Hope project serves as a testimonial to this city’s story of hope and recovery following the Septebember 2013 siege.

The children were treated with some fun and entertainment and received bags of goodies, hygiene kits and are entitled to free medical services every September 9 of every year until they reach legal age.

Acting Mayor Cesar Iturralde in his welcome message likened the siege to an old wound that has healed but has scarred over.

“The immediate pain is gone, but it will always ache and chafe, reminding us always of those harrowing days,” he said, stressing that September 9 is always going to be a somber day of remembrance, forever branded in the life of every Zamboangueño.

DOST, NAST calls for nominees of various prestigious awards

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, September 6 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) continue its search for possible nominees on various DOST and NAST awards.

The highest recognition body in the country in terms of science and technology, NAST will confer awards to deserving recipients such as: Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) Awards; TWAS Prize for Young Scientist in the Philippines (Biology); NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists; NAST Environmental Science Award; NAST Award for Outstanding Research in Tropical Medicine; Outstanding Scientific Paper Awards; Outstanding Book and/or Monograph Awards.

On the other hand, DOST is also in search for recipients of the Outstanding Technology Commercialization (Gregorio Y. Zara Medal); Outstanding Research and Development Award: for Basic Research (Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal) and for Applied Research (Julian A. Banzon Medal); Outstanding Science Administrator Award (Dioscoro L. Umali Medal); and Magsaysay Future Engineers/Technologists Award (MFET).

Interested applicants may submit their entries until the last working day of November.

MFET Award applicants, however, will only have until July 31, 2017 to submit their entries.

NAST is also accepting abstracts for the Call for Papers for the Scientific Poster Session.

For more details and inquiries, interested parties may download all nomination forms at www.nast.ph or call at (062) 991-1024.

City gov’t allocates PHP3-M for Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2016

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

ZAMBOANA CITY, Sept. 8 (PNA) –- The city government here has allocated PHP3 million for this year’s celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

City Administrator Marie Angelique Go on Thursday told PNA that everything is set for the festival that will kick off on October 1.

“All preparations are set, we have invited guests and the calendar (of activities) has been completed. We are inviting the public to join us in the festival,” Go said.

The festival will feature the smoke out Zamboanga grilled food fiesta; Zamboanga grand midnight sale; Cosechas de Zamboanga; little princes Zamboanga; gran procession de las imagenes de La Virgen Maria y ofrenda de flores; novena masses; Zamboanga art exhibit; Zamboanga Hermosa Film Festival and red carpet night; pet parade and blessing; Zamboanga aqua-fiesta flowerhorn competition; world teachers day; original Chavacano video music festival; 3rd conference of culture, arts and history; Zamboanga dance sport competition; servicio medical na fiesta Pilar; noche de bailes y canciones; Miss Zamboanga; 1st Zamboanga Hermosa climb; Zamboanga culinary festival; mascot de Zamboanga; regatta de Zamboanga; WOW Sardinas; float competition; Zamboanga Hermosa festival queen; balik Zamboanga night; Danza La Vida; Zamboanga Hermosa Street Dance competition; and the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival photo competition.

Go said the venue of the activities have already been readied and security plans are in place to ensure the successful celebration of this year’s festival.

“We would like to invite the Zamboangueños. Let us be proud of Zamboaga City. Together, let us showcase the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival,” she said.

The highlight of the festival is the feast on Oct. 12 of Our Lady of the Pillar, the most revered saint of this city.

Centenarians to receive 100K cash gift, other benefits

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Filipino senior citizens here and abroad who have reached 100 years old following the approval of the Republic Act no. 10868 or the “Centenarians Act of 2016” last June 23, will receive 100 thousand cash gift and other benefits.

The government will be granting the amount together with a letter of felicitation from the President congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity.

This was announced by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-9 in its meeting with the Regional Inter-Agency Committee for Senior Citizens (RIAC-SC) members held recently at the Jardin de La Viña Hotel.

R.A. 10868 took effect fifteen days after its approval and publication in the Official Gazette and other newspapers with the widest reach of audience.

Aside from the cash gift and certificate, centenarians will also be awarded with a plaque of recognition and an additional cash gift from their respective city or municipal governments during the National Respect for Centenarians Day, which is set on September 25 of every year.

Funding for the initial year of implementation of the Act shall be sourced from the available funds of the DSWD and will subsequently be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Ms. Ma. Socorro Macaso of DSWD-9 said the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the Act are being worked out including the funds needed for this year.

“Hopefully we can come up with the necessary funds for this year considering this was not included in the budget. But if not, we are sure to give it next year,” she said.

In the Zamboanga Peninsula region, there are a total of 312 centenarians listed eligible to receive the benefits from the R.A. 10868 based from the first round of LISTAHANAN Family Assessment of DSWD-9.

DTI sets up OFWs Assistance Desk in Zamboanga City

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 6 (PNA) –- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has set up an assistance desk for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by the economic crisis in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere abroad.

Eng’r. Rolando Acuña, DTI provincial director, on Tuesday said the establishment of the assistance desk is in response to the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to give immediate economic and livelihood aid to displaced OFWs.

In this city, Acuña said the OFW Assistance Desk is located at the DTI’s Negosyo Center along Veteran Avenue.

The Assistance Desk was established during a consultative meeting with DTI partner-agencies and OFWs.

The Assistance Desk will lend a hand to returning OFWs who wish to start their own enterprise by providing the following services and assistance, to wit: business consultancy, skills and product development, as well as financial facilitation.

Acuña said the Assistance Desk shall also serve as a referral desk where OFW concerns can be coursed to the proper agency.

He said it is open and accessible to all OFWs who wish to set up their own enterprise although the Assistance Desk was created to specifically aid laid-off OFWs.

He encouraged OFWs to avail of all of the free trainings and seminars that will be conducted by the Negosyo Center.

“Our OFW returnees will have full access to all the services of the Negosyo Center. As our modern-day heroes, the least we could do for them is to help them start a new life in our country,” Acuña said.

DOLE to open one-stop shop in Zamboanga City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 5 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and employment (DOLE) is establishing a one-stop shop to cater to the needs of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in this city.

Sisinio Cano, DOLE regional director, said the establishment of the one-stop shop is in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to the different government agencies to provide easy access to the public.

Cano told the Philippines News Agency that the one-stop shop will open on Friday at the office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in this city.

Cano said that the one-stop shop will be manned by personnel of the concerned government agencies to attend to the requirements of the OFWs.

“Gagawa tayo ng one-stop service shop for OFWs kung saan ang agencies of the government will converge para magbigay ng immediate services sa mga OFWs,” Cano said.

He said the center will be of great help to OFWs as they will no longer go from one office to other in processing the needed requirements.

He said the first one-stop shop was established at the POEA central office and is now being replicated all over the country.

Also on Friday, he said they will also launch the 24/7 DOLE 'I-text Mo' hotline which will attend to inquiries and complaints.

The hotline numbers are as follows: DOLE regional office, 0917-724-43-34; Zamboanga City Field Office, 0917-724-43-39; Zamboanga del Sur, 0917-724-43-37; Zamboanga Sibugay, 0917-724-43-32; Zamboanga del Norte, 0917-300-36-53; and, Isabela City, 0917-724-43-38.

City Government honors athletes

Bong Garcia (BG/Sunnex)

SEVEN pencak silat athletes, together with their coach, will be given welcome honors and recognition during the City Government’s flag raising ceremony on Monday, September 5, in front of City Hall.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar will lead the City Government officials and employees in recognizing the pencak silat athletes, who reaped medals in the recently concluded 3rd Sultan Cup Pencak Silat Tournament held from August 27 to 28 at the Matina Town Square, Davao City.

The tournament was a qualifying competition for the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) Pencak Silat Tourney set in Indonesia in December, this year.

Dr. Cecile Atilano said three of the seven athletes were products of the City Government’s learn-to-play a sport program.

The medal haulers are the following: Alessandra Bernardo, one gold; Tyronne Bernardo, two gold medals; Hannah Seins Leano, three gold medals; France Jane Anito, three gold medals; Raven Carandang, three gold medals; J-Rome Sungkip, one silver and one bronze medals; and Jonley Abajar, one silver medal.

The team coach, Rommel Bernardo, will also be recognized through the presentation of a certificate of recognition.

SEC Zamboanga City conducts investor information seminar

(PNA), FPV/ASS/EDS

MANILA (PNA) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission is holding the SEC Investor Information Seminar in Zamboanga City Friday as part of the preparations for its 80th founding anniversary this November.

The regulatory agency will celebrate its 80th anniversary on November 11.

SEC, the country's lead agency in investor protection, intensified its campaign against investment scams by lining up a series of seminars on investor education across the country.

SEC Director Jesus Salvador Uro said the SEC Investor Information Seminar in Zamboanga City will be held today at Palacio del Sur.

Key topics include Overview on the Capital Market Development and Investment Products; Detection and Prevention of Investment Scams; and Update on Recent SEC Rulings and Opinions, Updates on Accounting Rules; Corporate Governance; and SEC Online Services. SEC officers will give the lectures.

Law enforcement officers, local government officials, public school teachers, college professors, entrepreneurs, lawyers, accountants and representatives from business and civic organizations are expected to attend the seminar.

The SEC is mandated to protect the interest of investors in securities and to promote the development and regulation of the capital market.

Part of its mandate is the conduct of investor protection initiatives such as seminars, fora, symposium, as well as road shows. The SEC is developing investor education to help Filipinos make smart investment decisions.

Earlier this year, the regulatory body launched investment protection roadshows in Tarlac City, Angeles City, Davao City, Iloilo City, Legaspi City, Baguio City and Cagayan de Oro City.

Similar seminars will be held in other urban centers in the succeeding months such as in Cebu, the SEC said.

Zambo City inaugurates PHP14.8-M school building project

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY(PNA) – The city government on Tuesday inaugurated a PHP14.8 million three-storey 12-classroom in Barangay Labuan, this city.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who led the inauguration of the project, has urged teachers and parents to take care of the facility and use it for teaching and learning of the growing student population of the school.

Salazar said education remains one of her administration’s top priorities along with health and security.

For his part, Schools Division Superintendent Pedro Melchor Natividad, who is currently the Department of Education (DepEd) assistant regional director, thanked the city government for constructing the school building in Barangay Labuan.

Labuan is a coastal fishing village located some 36 kilometers west of City Hall.

The school building project was constructed by a private construction firm.

Zambo ginger farmers receive gov’t aid

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 1 (PNA) -- The City Agriculturist’s Office has turned over farm tools and implements to farmers engaged in ginger production and by-product processing under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB) initiative.

City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat said the beneficiaries of the PHP100,000 worth of farming tools and inputs turned over recently were farmers in Barangay Victoria that are into ginger production.

Palacat said the farm tools and inputs included the following: 66 sacks of vermicast (organic fertilizer), 50 pieces of garden hoe, 50 pieces of garden rake, sprinklers, knapsack sprayer, weighing scales, and five 200-liter plastic drums.

Palacat said the tools form part of the local government unit’s counterpart in the project which will be spearheaded in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the farmers from Barangay Victoria under the BUB initiative.

He said the DA will shoulder the purchase of approximately 2,925 kilos of ginger roots/seedlings.

He said the funds for the purchase of ginger seedlings have been turned over to his office.

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