Zamboanga City News

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.
Zamboanga City Home Page
Zamboanga City Realty
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.

Job fair set October 24

By Sheila Covarrubias

The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will spearhead the conduct of a job fair from 8am to 4pm on Friday, October 24 at the CSWDO grounds in Pettit Barracks.

The activity will be in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Association (POEA), Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) and the ABS-CBN.

The job fair will cater to job seekers- both skilled and unskilled, skilled new graduates including skilled internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Variety of job positions will be made available by 15 local employers and 5 overseas agencies that will participate in the day-long job fair.

The KCC Mall de Zamboanga, which will be hiring more or less 5,000 workers, will join the job fair.

Interested applicants are advised to bring along with them their resume and other credentials.

Zamboangueño among 10 outstanding boy scouts

(BSP Zamboanga City Council)

A Zamboangueno, and a lone winner from Mindanao, is among this year’s Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts (TOBS). Eagle Scout Jericho “Jayko” Ortega, a 4th Year high school student of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), together with nine others, was presented during a simple awarding ceremony last October 17, 2014 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). No less than the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines Hon. Jejomar C. Binay, was on hand to congratulate the awardees.

In his speech, delivered in behalf of all the winners and finalists, Jericho quoted the immortal words of Lord Baden Powell, Founder of Scouting “We never fail when we try to do our duty. We always fail when we neglect to do it”. He went on encouraging all winners “to continue and realize our advocacy in scouting.”

Later that evening at Sofitel Hotel, the winners were inducted to the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines Association (TOBPA), which incidentally was celebrating their 25th Year Anniversary.

Jericho is the 2nd Zamboangueno to win this prestigious award. ES Kent Tan of Western Mindanao State University High School (WMSU) won it in 1997.

The Search for the Ten Outstanding Boys Scouts of the Philippines is a yearly search sponsored by the BSP, Department of Education and Coca-Cola. Winners are each given a trophy, medallion, P 25,000 total cash and a 2-year scholarship program in any state college or university sponsored by Coca-Cola.

23 brgys assess their dev’t, human security needs in 1-day session

By Sheila Covarrubias

The promotion and practice of good governance in 23 of Zamboanga City’s barangays was further concretized when their barangay officials and sectoral leaders participated in the “Needs Assessment and Baselining on Barangay Governance” held in Centro Latino, Paseo del Mar, Zamboanga City on Friday, October 17.

The assessment of their respective communities’ socio-economic and ecological needs is a key step in determining what basic services and disaster risk reduction measures are required by their constituents, Department of Interior and Local Government City Director Prof. Moh. Taha Arakama told the participants during the opening ceremony.

The baselining was extrapolated from their communities’ socio-economic and other profiles. Together with the assessment results, these will be used to develop the barangays’ public investment programs, whose implementation starting next year will be in accordance with the principles of accountability and transparency since for one fund disbursements will have to be posted in the community center, Arakama further said.

The databases and identified priority needs will also serve as basis for next year’s budget programming forming the grassroot part of the national government budgeting process. For the barangays, the budgeting period is from January to June, Arakama explained. He said the funding formulations should adhere to the two main goals of the Aquino administration, which are poverty reduction and inclusive growth.

Inclusive growth pertains to special support for the welfare of the poor, persons with disability, cultural minorities, women and children and youth, to include the 20 percent special development fund.

The participants discussed and documented their outputs by barangay, which they presented towards the end of the assembly. They tackled performance areas like barangay facilities, equipment and services; human resource management (staffs); revenues collection and utilization; fiscal accountability; local legislation; transparency; delivery of basic services; waste management; economic development – agriculture, fisheries, businesses; public safety and risk reduction; environmental governance.

This good governance promotion effort was developed and spearheaded by the Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance, Inc. (ZABIDA), whose president is Claretian priest Fr. Angel Calvo. DILG is this civil society organization’s main partner. ZABIDA selected the partner urban and rural barangays partly from years of working with the same communities in other programs like sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, basic services provisioning, peace-building, housing, community organizing and livelihoods. These programs and projects have been funded mostly by the Spanish government’s Agencia de Cooperacion Internacional para Desarollo and foundation Manos Unidas.

A similar effort is also being implemented by ZABIDA in Basilan province, through its local CSO partner Nagdilaab Foundation, Inc. The other ZABIDA partners are Katilingban para sa Kalambuan, Inc,, Reach Out to Others Foundation, and Peace Advocates Zamboanga.

Nov. 9-13 declared Nat’l BSP Jamboree Week in Zambo

By Sheila Covarrubias

November 9-13, 2014 has been declared as National Boy Scouts of the Philippines Jamboree Week in Zamboanga City pursuant to Executive Order BC 72-2014.

This, in view of the holding of the Centennial Jamboree at the Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority in Talisayan which will be participated by hundreds of boy scouts from all over the country and even other parts of the globe. The event is in conjunction with the celebration of the 100 years of the introduction of the scouting program in the Philippines.

Mayor Beng Climaco said the occasion will be an opportunity for the city to welcome boy scouts delegation coming from all over the country and that it is historical “since the earliest documented formation of a Scout troop in the islands was that of the Lorillard Spencer Troop of Zamboanga formed in 1914 by a United States Navy Lieutenant named Sherman Kiser in Recodo.”

The EO, issued last September 12, is based on Sangguniang Panlungsod resolution 996 approved on August 26, 2014.

The EO likewise states that the BSP-Zamboanga honors the death anniversary of the late Mayor Cesar C. Climaco, a legendary mayor of the Zamboangueños by keeping vigil in his tomb on the eve of his death anniversary which is commemorated every 14th day of November.

Council OKs P2.5B city’s 2015 budget

By Allen Abastillas

The city’s budget for fiscal year of 2015 is P2,597,523,027.084 as approved by the City Council on September 30 and signed into law by Mayor Beng Climaco on October 10, City Secretary Zenaida Jayme said yesterday.

Jayme said the 2015 budget through Ordinance No. 686 series of 2014 was approved by Council after a series of meetings with city officials and sessions by the legislative body.

The budget is divided into three programs — Social services which get 40 percent, economics — 25 percent and general public servise — 33 percent.

Under the 2015, seecurity gets top priority with a budget of P 90,273,758.96. Health gets P64, 683,125.050, Education — P 78,250,000, Executive budget — P 599,654,130.11.

Moreover, under the budget, the slaughter house has been allocated P8.5 million; Main Market — P21,200,000, Integrated Bus Terminal — P3.2 million; Sta. Cruz market — P13,781,000; Paseo Del Mar — P 7.1 million, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office — P 7.5 million; Barangay Mercedes cemetery — P 1.2 million; Development funds — P 450,600,000; Land improvement — P 35 million. Hospital and Health Sector — P 35.2 million; Roads, highways and bridges — P 218.4 million; Artisan wells, reservoir and pumping stations — P 1.8 million; irrigations and canals — P 61.4 millions; waterways, aqueducts, sewerages and river dikes — P 95.5 million.

The Intelligence funds in 2013 was only P 13.5million. For this current year, it was increased to P18 million. For 2015, it will be P 22 million.

For disaster allocations — P 125,319, 806.

Plaza del Pilar stalls rental lowered by 50%

By Nonong Santiago

Upon recommendations from the Committee on Plaza del Pilar, the City Council amended the ordinance lowering by fifty percent the stall’s rental at the Plaza del Pilar, along Pettit Barracks, this city.

Councilor Vincent Paul Elago, proponent of the resolution, said he fully supports the decrease in the monthly rental of the various stalls in the government-owned facility to help businessmen cope up with their daily income.

The councilor said based from the ordinance, stalls are rented to businessmen at a cost between P3,500 TO 7,000 depending on its sizes.

“Many of the stall holders are just selling candles, religious artifacts and other religious books and novenas and many have complained that they can hardly meet their monthly rentals due to few customers patronizing their products,” Elago said.

The committee on Plaza del Pilar conducted consultation along with Elago’s committee and agreed to lower the rental fees of the various stalls.

Many of the entrepreneurs lauded the council’s move as they thanked the members of the august body for responding to their appeal. (Nonong Santiago)

SMEs thankful to DTI for Zampex

By Bong Garcia

THE small and medium entrepreneurs from all over the region and from other regions are very thankful for the conduct of the first Zamboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition 2014 (ZAMPEX) in this city.

"We are thankful to the organizers for holding ZAMPEX for us Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs). This is a very good opportunity for us to promote and market our products and grow as a business," Frankie Perez of Baker's Field said.

The Baker's Field, which is based in this city, sells special "biscocho."

The ZAMPEX, initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), was held from October 8 to 11 in this city.

Perez disclosed that ZAMPEX is the trade fair that they joined and has immediately reaped dividends for them.

"This is our first trade fair. But the turnout of sales is really encouraging considering that we are just new in the business. Thanks to DTI for inviting us in the ZAMPEX 2014," Perez said.

Perez and his wife Ester, a former banker, established their business right after the latter retired from her job.

The couple, to further improve their business, has sought the help of the DTI for assistance.

"We would like to thank DTI-9 Regional Director Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, Provincial Director Rolando Acuña for this opportunity given us. Special mention also to DTI's Ms. Rose Garcia, and Mr. Roel Catimbang for designing our packaging label," Perez said.

Another SME, this time, from Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte has nothing but praise and thanks for the conduct of the ZAMPEX 2014.

Gapnod Creatives Designer Lordan Reganion said ZAMPEX has given him a greater appreciation of his self-worth and of his products.

Gapnod Creatives focuses on intricate and unique house decors made from drift wood.

"I have joined a lot of exhibits in our province; have been included in the local Hall of Fame for winning many times. But I have never been more proud and felt more appreciated until now. People here were awed of my products. Sales have so far been good. It's more than what I expected," Reganion said.

Aside from them, all of the 87 exhibitors reported positive feedbacks and expressed enthusiasm for the next edition of ZAMPEX in 2015.

Jain, elated with ZAMPEX 2014's outcome, immediately ordered to prioritize and start planning for the next trade expo and prepare the SMEs for the bigger market.

"By 2017, we hope to bring ZAMPEX outside region 9 or even Mindanao. Perhaps we can bring this to Manila, but we need at least 100 exhibitors to realize this. However, before going outside of the region, we have to make sure that our SMEs are ready to meet the clients' demands so that all our efforts will not be wasted. Until then, we need to prepare you not just for the national market, but more important, the ASEAN market," Jain stressed.

The holding of the ZAMPEX 2014 forms part of DTI's activity for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2014.

The feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar on Sunday, October 12, was the highlight of the Festival.

Weather bureau to use meteorological balloon

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga Station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) will start using meteorological balloon starting next year to boost the monitoring of weather condition in this part of the country.

Pagasa-Zamboanga station Chief Meteorological Officer Maribel Enriquez said the use of the meteorological balloon will enable them to determine the weather condition in the upper layer of the atmosphere.

Enriquez explained the weather condition in the upper layer of the atmosphere differs from that in the ground.

Enriquez said the balloon with expendable transmitter known as radiosonde will be flown twice a day. The first one will be at 8 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.

She said they will spend P46,000 daily in utilizing the meteorological balloon as each cost P23,000.

The balloon, which carries instruments aloft to send back information on atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity and wind speed by means of a small, expendable measuring device called a radiosonde.

Enriquez said the balloon can stay afloat for an hour before it will explode and the radiosonde can no longer be used again.

She said the Pagasa-Zamboanga station will be the fourth to use such kind of weather equipment starting next year.

The meteorological balloon is being used at present by the Pagasa stations based in Cebu, Legaspi, and Palawan.

Pagasa builds Doppler radar station

By Bong Garcia

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is set to complete the construction of its Doppler Radar Station in Zamboanga City in February next year.

Pagasa-Zamboanga Station Chief Meteorological Officer Maribel Enriquez said the construction of the station has started in July and "is ongoing."

"The construction will be completed in seven months time," Enriquez added.

Enriquez said the station is being constructed inside by a local construction firm at Camp Don Basilio Navarro that also houses the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in this city.

She said the project cost P100 million to include the building and the Doppler radar equipment.

She said the Doppler radar was purchased from France and is set to arrive next year in time with the completion of the construction of the station.

The facility will be used to measure the amount of rainfall, intensity of the rain, and weather phenomenon. It has coverage of 50-kilometer radius.

Tang Sweet Orange sweetens Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2014

(Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Tang Sweet Orange has joined the celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival and making this year's event more merrier as locals were elated to see the brand that many Chavacanos have grown up to in this southern part of the Philippines.

Tang executives said the new flavor made only for Mindanao was in Zamboanga City to provide refreshments to festival-goers as they cheered for the participants during the events.

Dubbed as "The City of Flowers," Zamboanga is full of Hispanic heritage and tradition and the Hermosa Festival honors the "Our Lady of the Pillar," which was brought to the Zamboanga in 1734 by the Spaniards. The month-long festival includes a procession, live music, cultural performances, Baile de Calle or street dance, Regatta de Zamboanga which is a boat race with traditional Muslim vinta and Festival de Musica Chabacano or the Chabacano Music Festival and the Danza la Vida, a street party.

Sarita Sebastian, head of the organizing committee of the festival, said the Fiesta Pilar is the grandest and most awaited event in Zamboanga City which is being celebrated in adoration to the Virgin Mary.

"It is great to have Tang Sweet Orange here to celebrate this event with us," she said.

Alex Tacderas, Category Lead for Powdered Beverages of Mondelez Philippines, the maker of Tang Sweet Orange, said: "We know how important the Hermosa Festival is to Zamboangueños and how it is very much unique to them, just like Tang Sweet Orange. The Hermosa Festival showcases the rich culture of Zamboanga City."

"Tang Sweet Orange goes hand in hand with this beautiful festival. Its taste was made with Mindanao’s preference in mind, by capturing the right blend of sweetness that those from the region love. Bien sabroso - is the simplest way to describe it. It’s a refreshing addition to celebrate this year’s festivities."

He said Tang is a refreshing powdered juice drink packed with vitamins and minerals that comes in 11 variants and available in Orange, Apple, Mango, Strawberry, Grapes, Watermelon, Four Seasons, and Pineapple. It also comes in the limited edition Watermelon-Apple and Watermelon-Strawberry, and the Sweet Orange flavor exclusively available in Mindanao, he said.


Regatta attracts thousands of spectators

By Bong Garcia

THOUSANDS of spectators gathered Saturday to witness the Regatta de Zamboanga, a traditional race of vintas with colorful sails that brought life once again at the R.T. Lim Boulevard in Zamboanga City.

The spectators, including local and foreign tourists, cheered as a total of 120 vintas, each paddled by two males, raced for the cash prizes at stake.

City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian-Hernandez said the prizes are the following: first place, P10,000; second place, P7,000; third place, P5,000; fourth place, P3,000; and, fifth place, P2,000.

Hernandez added that the consolation prize for the non-winning participants is P1,500.

Regatta is one of the activities of the annual Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, the highlights of which is the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar on Sunday, October 12.

The event was downgraded last year to “Regatta de Esperanza (Regatta of Hope),” a mere show of hope, courage and strength of the local populace after the 21-day siege a month earlier.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Mary June Bugante initiated the conduct of the Regatta of Hope, which was conducted at the Paseo del Mar less the glitz and glamour of the colorful race.

The R.T. Lim Boulevard also known as the “Cawa-Cawa” Boulevard was one of the biggest evacuation centers for families, mostly Badjaos, displaced by the September 2013 standoff.

The entire more than a kilometer stretch of the R.T. Boulevard, from the shorelines to the road center island, was transformed into a tent city, losing it panoramic beauty and vibrancy.

Meanwhile, the vinta number one paddled by two fishermen from the village of Sinunuc, west of this city, went home with the top prize of P10,000.

Aside from the cash prize, they also received plaque of recognition, two cellular phones and gift pack from Mondelez, the manufacturer and distributor of Tang sweet orange.

Tang Philippines Brand Manager Lawrence Lorico said they co-sponsored the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2014 as they introduced Tang Sweet Orange that “is uniquely Mindanao, or uniquely made for Mindanao.”

The Sinunuc fishermen also bagged additional P5,000 cash prize after they were adjudged as the participants with the most colorful sail.

The other winners are as the following: vinta number 52, second place; vinta number 36, third place; vinta number 13, fourth place; and vinta number 75, fifth place.

Fiesta Pilar Diskwento Fair set

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, is set to conduct a two-day in-store Fiesta Pilar Diskwento Fair in Zamboanga City.

Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board secretary Joel Ijirani said the Diskwento Fair is set to be held from Saturday, October 11, until Sunday, October 12, and will be participated by 14 business establishments, to include fast-food outlets.

Ijirani said the fair aims to provide the opportunity to the labor sector and their families, in particular, to buy basic goods and commodities at discounted prices to enable them to cope with the rising prices.

Selected items and products will be on sale, with discounts ranging from as low as five percent to as high as 82 percent, according to Ijirani.

The goods that will be sold at discounted prices include grocery; food; men, ladies and children's wear; sports items; plastic and glass wares; linens; cosmetic products; toys; and school supplies, among others.

Ijirani said the fair is part of the program of the two agencies for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, the highlight of which is the feast day on October 12 of Our Lady of the Pillar, the most revered saint of Zamboanga City.

DILG marks local government code anniversary

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on all local government units (LGUs) in Zamboanga Peninsula to actively support the anniversary of the local government code.

DILG Regional Director Paisal Abutazil made the call as the LGUs in the country is set to celebrate Friday, October 10, the 23rd Anniversary of the crafting of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

Abutazil has underscored the birth of the Local Government Code of 1991, which has given power to LGUs to become autonomous.

"Now it has been given, then they have to celebrate it," Abutazil said.

"LGUs have various initiatives how they would celebrate it at their level aside from hanging of banners and uploading photos that captured the achievements under the Proud Kami sa...sub portal," Abutazil added.

He said this year's celebration is anchored on the theme: "Ang LGUng Magaling, May Nararating."

He said this year's theme calls for all LGUs to celebrate milestones and achievements arising from performance and excellence.

"Ang LGUng Magaling is in recognition of the LGUs initiative to make a meaningful difference arising from the powers of local autonomy," he said.

He said the celebration of the anniversary of the crafting of RA 7160 is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 63, Series of 1992.

300 avail of free medical services

By Bong Garcia

INDIGENT residents coming from different villages of Zamboanga City have availed of the free medical services of the city government through the half-day Servicio Medical na Fiesta Pilar held Wednesday at the City Health Office.

Aside from government physicians from the City Health Office headed by Dr. Rodel Agbulos, private practitioners were also tapped to help in the delivery of various medical services that include medical consultation, dental extraction, minor surgery, x-day, electrocardiogram or ECG, laboratory tests including anti-rabies vaccination, bloodletting and human milk letting.

Over a hundred children that included wards from the Social Development Center (SDC) have benefitted from the feeding program sponsored by the Rotary Club of Zamboanga.

Christine Lim of the City Health Office said among those who assisted during the outreach mission were the Zamboanga City Medical Society led by Dr. Mansueta Sabelina and the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians led by Dr. Ibrahim Bahgin.

The inclement weather slightly affected the turnout of beneficiaries but generally, Servicio Medical, one of the principal events during the Fiesta Hermosa, was a success, according to Lim.

Based on initial record, 300 availed of medical consultation, 87 benefited from dental extraction, 20 availed of anti-rabies vaccines, 14 ECG, 15 x-ray, 5 minor surgeries and 30 availed of laboratory tests.

Agbulos said the annual activity is intended as a thanksgiving and as a way of honoring Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, whose feast day will be on October 12.

Zambo gets WASH in early childhood care program

By Sheila Covarrubias

Zamboanga City is a recipient of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Implemented under the 7th Country Programme of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Philippine Government, the WASH in ECCD forms part of the bigger program Early Childhood Care and Development Creating foundations for Lifelong Learning supported by the Australian government and is aimed to contribute to early child development and school-readiness through improvement of children’s access to clean water supply, sanitary toilets and effective hygiene education in day care centers and kindergarten classes.

As this developed, Mayor Beng Climaco welcomed the proposal and directed City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Socorro Rojas including Councilor Myra Paz Abubakar to coordinate efforts to ensure the full and effective implementation of the program in the city.

Through the program, the city will be given technical assistance in piloting and scaling-up the WASH programme in care centers. Specifically these assistance includes capacity building for local social welfare and development office and day care workers on WASH in ECCD; community mobilization for improvement of water supply, toilets and group handwashing facilities in day care centers; implementation of daily group handwashing and toothbrushing in day care centers and monitoring and evaluation of program implementation.

The program will be implemented in the city through the non-governmental organization Philippine Center for Water and Sanitation (PCWS), which is UNICEF’s implementing partner for the WASH in ECCD program.

In a letter to Mayor Climaco, Margaret Sheehan, OIC-Deputy Representative for United Nations Children’s Fund said a memorandum of agreement will be entered into by the PCWS with the local government unit to institutionalize the WASH in day care programme.

The agreement will involve the commitment of the LGU to scale-up and sustain the program through budgetary support to improve WASH facilities and annual provision of hygiene supplies to day care centers. The PCWS for its part, will commit to provide continuing technical assistance to the programme.

Zambo in the peak of Fiesta Hermosa events

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has lined up activities to mark the celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month in Zamboanga City.

DTI Provincial Officer Engineer Rolando Acuña said the celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month every month of October is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1098.

Acuña said the Consumer Welfare Month will officially start Wednesday, October 8, with the launching of Timbangan ng Bayan.

He said launching of the Timbangan ng Bayan will see the installation of eight weighing scales in the markets in the city and two in nearby Isabela City.

For Zamboanga City, Acuña said the weighing scales will be installed in the following areas: waterfront public market (2); Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex (2); Aderes Flea Market (1); LB Wet Market (1); Yubengco Wet Market (1); and Recodo Flea Market (1).

In Isabela City, Acuña said two weighing scales will be installed at the Isabela City Public Market.

He said the other activities of the Consumer Welfare Month include the conduct of information and dissemination campaign on the rights and responsibilities of the consumers.

He said they will also conduct law enforcement activity like inspections of commodities and other products to ensure it is of quality standard.

This year's celebration has a theme: "Sapat ng Impormasyon: Susi sa wastong paggamit ng enerhiya."

Consumer Welfare Month activities set

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has lined up activities to mark the celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month in Zamboanga City.

DTI Provincial Officer Engineer Rolando Acuña said the celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month every month of October is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1098.

Acuña said the Consumer Welfare Month will officially start Wednesday, October 8, with the launching of Timbangan ng Bayan.

He said launching of the Timbangan ng Bayan will see the installation of eight weighing scales in the markets in the city and two in nearby Isabela City.

For Zamboanga City, Acuña said the weighing scales will be installed in the following areas: waterfront public market (2); Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex (2); Aderes Flea Market (1); LB Wet Market (1); Yubengco Wet Market (1); and Recodo Flea Market (1).

In Isabela City, Acuña said two weighing scales will be installed at the Isabela City Public Market.

He said the other activities of the Consumer Welfare Month include the conduct of information and dissemination campaign on the rights and responsibilities of the consumers.

He said they will also conduct law enforcement activity like inspections of commodities and other products to ensure it is of quality standard.

This year's celebration has a theme: "Sapat ng Impormasyon: Susi sa wastong paggamit ng enerhiya."

City gov’t, DA eye organic center

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga City Government and the Office of the City Agriculture are set to put up a center where organic farm products will be sold to the public in the city.

City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat said the center will be constructed at the “Bagsakan” center of the Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex. It will be called as the organic center.

Palacat said the establishment of the center is aimed to provide the farmers engage in organic farming a market outlet where to sell their farm produce.

Palacat said it is also aimed to provide easy access to the buying public who wants to buy organic farm products.

He said there are group of farmers that are already into organic farming in this city.

He said the organic center will most likely be established next month.

Palacat said they will enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the establishment and operations of the organic center.

At present, organic farm products are being sold in the ongoing Zamboanga Hermosa Festival agri-trade fair.

The farm products were the produce of the Tigbalabag Organic Growers Association.

WMSU to host Sardines Festival on October 9

By Allen Abastillas

As one of the highlights of Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, Western Mindanao State University, in partnership with different sectors, will host on October 9 the 2014 Sardines Festival carrying the theme, “Sardinas: El Mas Barato y Rico Protina Comida Para di Juan.“

The grand sardines celebration will be funded by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR ) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development ( PCAARRD ).

The festival is the culminating activity of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)-Global Environment Facility ( GEF ) Sulu-Celebes Sea Sustainable Fisheries Management Project and the formulation of the Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Resource Management (ICFRM) plan for Zamboanga City which is already in the process of implementation.

Dr. Teresita A. Narvaez, director of Western Mindanao Agriculture Forestry and Resources Research and Development Council (WESMARDEC), said the chairman and consultant of the Executive Committee of the festival is WMSU President Milabel E. Ho and Mayor Beng Climaco and Dr. Patricio Fayton of BFAR will unveil the “Panunumpa sa Dagat” Pledge Wall.

Dr. Roberto B. Torres, vice president for Research Extension Service is the Project Director.

“The purpose of the Sardines Festival is to educate the people on how important sardines are and its spawning period for reproduction and ecological system. We will also recommend to the different government agencies through a resolution on how to help the affected workers on what livelihood they will do for their daily sustainance during the three-month off fishing season of tamban (sardines),” Narvaez said.

He added that after delivering the resolution and recommendation, it’s up to the agencies on what livelihood they can give to the affected workers of the 12 canning factories and the bottled sardines employees in Dipolog City.

Moreover, Narvaez said that participants will be lectured on alternative livelihood mechanism to avail of support for livelihood and value adding for sardines and fisheries products.

Zamboanga City folk to mark Christmas, New Year without firecrackers

(MindaNews)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/02 October) – Starting this year, residents will have to find other ways to celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year with the passage of an ordinance that bans firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

In its regular session on Tuesday, the city council approved on third and final reading Ordinance No. 2014-35 banning the use, sale, possession, distribution, storage, and manufacture of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

Councilor Benjamin Guingona and 14 of his colleagues sponsored what is now “The Firecracker Ban Ordinance of 2014.”

Guingona said violators will be slapped with a fine of not less than P1,000 nor more than P5,000 or imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than one year or both at the discretion of the court.

He, however, said the ordinance allows the transshipment and temporary storage of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices intended for transport to other areas.

He said the city government will be the one to determine the temporary storage area in coordination with the Firearms, Explosives, Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section.

He said the allowable period for temporary storage is three days and may be extended for another three days if there are valid reasons.

The ordinance was certified urgent by Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

Last year, Salazar issued an executive order banning the use, sale and distribution of all types of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in this city amid fears brought about by the September 2013 standoff between government forces and members of the Moro National Liberation Front loyal to Nur Misuari.

Hermosa Festival 2014 reels off

By Bong Garcia

ZAMBOANGA City is in a festive mood in October as the series of activities for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2014 reels-off Wednesday.

The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2014 reeled-off at 5 p.m. Wednesday with the observance of the Pink October Month, a breast cancer awareness campaign.

It was followed by the City Government-sponsored exposition of religious icons billed “Las Cruces, Nuestra Vida y La Gloria at 7 p.m.

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

The other activities lined up by the City Government include: “Conferencia de Cultura, Artes y Historia del Zamboanga (Conference of the Culture, Arts and History of Zambanga),” October 2-3; “Cosechas de Zamboanga (Harvest of Zamboanga),” October 2-15; opening of Children’s month celebration, October 4; Pet Parade and Blessing at the Jardin de Maria Clara (Maria Clara Garden), Pasonanca Park, October 4; Servicio Medical na Fiesta Pilar (Fiesta Pilar medical mission), October 8; Chabacano music festival, October 8; Wow Sardinas, October 9; Balikbayan night and Mascota de Zamboanga, October 10; Regatta de Zamboanga, October 11; Street Dance showdown, October 11; Chabacano music band festival, October 11; golf tournament, October 11-12; and, City Hall fiesta open house, October 12.

City Hall Information Officer Sheila Belen Covarrubias said there will be daily procession from October 3 to 11 from the Immaculate Concepcion Metropolitan Cathedral to the Fort Pilar Shrine.

Covarrubias said it is spearheaded by the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.

Several other activities have been lined up by the private sector which forms part of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2014, Covarrubias said. This year’s festival is dubbed “Levanta con Fuerza y Fe; Marcha con Alegria, Devocion y Unidad. (Rise with strength and faith; March with joy, devotion and unity).”

Zamboanga City Archived News

The older news reports are kept here.

Retrieved from "http://www.zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Zamboanga_City_News&oldid=738851"