Zamboanga City News March 2017

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Zamboanga City - Archived News

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

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

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

Zamboanga City gov’t sets ‘Fiesta na Isla’ activities

By Bong Garcia (BG/SunStar Philippines)

ZAMBOANGA City Government through its Protected Area Management Unit (Pamu) has lined up several activities for the enjoyment of the expected flux of visitors in Sta. Cruz Island this summer.

Pamu Operations Officer Richard Aliangan the list of activities has been submitted for the approval of City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

Aliangan said the event, dubbed as “Fiesta na Isla,” will be held every Saturdays and Sundays from April 8 to May 28.

The event will feature a race where boats manned by two blindfolded paddlers and a navigator will outrace each other to the finish line, Aliangan said.

He added a mini amazing race, human sand sculpture and eating competition involving a local delicacy are included in the list of events.

He recommended interested parties to avail of the advanced reservation system being implemented by his office, although walk-in visitors are welcomed.

Aliangan said the visitors may book their reservation as early as 30 days ahead of their planned trip.

This is to ensure the availability of cottages and other facility considering the usual huge crowd that visit the island, Aliangan said.

4,000 schoolchildren set to join Zambo sports camp

(PNA), RGAAG

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) - The city government has allocated PhP1 million for the holding of the month-long Basic Sports Summer Camp dubbed as “Learn to Play a Sports Program 2017.”

Dr. Cecilia Atilano, city sports development officer, on Wednesday said that at least 4,000 children aged eight to 15 are expected to enroll in this year’s Basic Sports Summer Camp, which is on its 22nd year.

Atilano said that 70 percent of the funding allocation will be used to shoulder the sports instructors’ honorarium, 20 percent for the equipment and the remaining 10 percent for miscellaneous expenses.

Atilano said the sports program, which is free of charge, will start on May 1 until May 31.

There are 26 sports to choose from, including archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball, baseball, softball, body building, bowling, boxing, chess, dance sports, football/futsal, gymnastics, judo, karatedo, Muay Thai, pencak silat, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.

“This is a grassroots development program intended for school-aged children who will be selected to be part of the Zamboanga sports program to represent our city in future competitions like Batang Pinoy, Philippine National Games and other athletic competitions,” Atilano said.

Among the athletes who started their career through the "learn-to-play-a-sports program" are Rio Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and Olympian Nestor Colonia.

Last year, Atilano said there were 2,700 schoolchildren who joined the "Summer Learn to Play a Sport Program."

Zambo's Greater Sta. Cruz Island becoming a nesting place for turtles

(PNA), RGAAG

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 29 (PNA) - The Greater Sta. Cruz Island, which is known for its pink sand beach, is becoming a favorite nesting place for turtles.

Richard Aliangan, Protected Area Management Unit (PAMU) operations officer of the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR), on Wednesday disclosed they have discovered nesting sites of three turtle species at the Greater Sta. Cruz Island.

Aliangan said the species included Hawksbill Turtle, Green Sea Turtle and Olive Ridley Turtle.

He said they have recorded 716 successful hatchlings last year, up from the 298 in 2015.

“That’s the number of hatchlings that we were able to watch and released into the sea,” he said.

He said this is the result of the preservation effort of the city government.

The community at Greater Sta. Cruz Island was also empowered to preserve the natural habitat in the area. There are at least 400 residents in the island.

Aliangan said the Greater Sta. Cruz Island is also home to different bird species and fishes.

Zamboanga City gov’t, USAid, DBP, online tax payment

By Bong Garcia (BG/SunStar Philippines)

THE Online Payment System for real property taxes in the Zamboanga City Government was formally launched on Tuesday, March 28.

The project is in support of the objectives of the United States Assistance for International Development (USAid) for growth focusing in addressing binding constraints to achieve sustained, more inclusive economic growth.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and Jeffrey Lehrer, Director of USAid’s Office of Economic Development and Governance, led the launching activity that highlighted by a live demonstration of online payment by a real property owner.

They were joined by Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) executives Vice President Ricardo Josef Bandal II.

Salazar said Zamboanga City is very fortunate to be part of the USAid-Surge program citing its strategic location that serves not only the periphery of Zamboanga Peninsula but even Basilan Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) areas.

The BaSulTa areas fall within the political jurisdiction of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

Salazar thanked the USAid as well as the DBP and all parties concerned for making the project possible.

She said Zamboanga is a developing city and looks forward to better opportunities at improving its payment system through e-banking with the support and assistance of USAid.

Lehrer said USAid is glad to be of service to the city in line with its commitment to help cities achieve sustained and more inclusive economic growth.

He likewise thanked the local government for partnering with USAid in line with its vision to bring about development and progress for the people of Zamboanga City.

Zamboanga inmates lead dance number for Earth Hour

By Jewel Reyes (ABS-CBN News)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A 30-man dance group mainly composed of inmates decided to produce a dance number in support of Earth Hour on Saturday night.

City jail warden, Jail Inspector Ervin Diaz, said the production number is a sign of support to the 45-minute voluntary implementation of Earth Hour, as power was turned off in the facility.

Considering the congested situation of the jail cells, Diaz said he allowed some inmates to perform to lessen difficulties brought by the heat and boredom.

Diaz said the group has no name yet.

However, jail guards implemented strict security during the show since it was dark.

1st barangay tourism forum, a success

(TOURISM PR)

The first Barangay Tourism Forum was successfully conducted yesterday, March 23, 2017, at the Centro Latino, Paseo del Mar. The well – attended event recorded the presence of officials from 27 barangays of District I and 40 barangays of District II.

Councilor Jerry Perez of the Liga ng mga Barangay opened the event with a welcome message. Dr. Jose Genaro R. Yap-Aizon, designated Special Assistant to the City Mayor and the concurrent Assistant City Administrator for City Affairs, delivered the message of Mayor Beng Climaco, who gave emphasis on the barangay participation as an important factor in achieving the goals set for the local tourism industry.

City Tourism Officer Sarita Hernandez presented to the group of participants the present situation of the local tourism, informed them on the various tourism products and tour packages, as well as educated them on some important tourism-related terms and concepts.

The event was highlighted by the talks delivered by repudiated speakers. District 2 Councilor and SP Tourism Committee Chair Benjamin Guingona IV gave a highly informative talk about the importance of Tourism Legislation. He outlined the different existing tourism legislations of the city as well as presented his proposed revisions to the existing Local Tourism Code. He likewise gave a historical background of some of the existing tourist destinations in the city.

The Operations Chief of the Zamboanga City Police Office presented the delineation of security coverage and responsibility between the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the city. He gave an emphasis on their commitment to work the tourism stakeholders for the maintenance of security and peace and order.

Engr. Pullisco of the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources talked about Ordinance 176 or the Solid Management Waste Act and the functions of their office in the implementation of the same.

Engr. Rodrigo Sicat of the City Planning and Development Office discussed about the Comprehensive City Land Use. He likewise mentioned about some setbacks in the present tourism sites and presented the various growth centers to be developed in the city.

A concise talk about Climate Change was delivered by Ms. Joy Suico of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

City Administrator Marie Angelique Go concluded the event with a short a message and the distribution of certificates of attendance.

Ms. Hernandez expressed elation over the very positive outcome of the event and said that such response and good reception reveal the support of the barangay leaders in the development of more tourism products for the city.

Tourism product and tourism development are two of the most vital areas of focus for a tourism industry to peak. These areas are likewise the most crucial because they are the selling points of the industry. Ms. Sarita Hernandez believes that barangay involvement in these areas shall further enhance or even skyrocket the developmental phase of the local tourism industry.

The whole-day forum is just but the first of the series of massive tourism development and information campaign for the year involving local stakeholders initiated by the City Tourism Office and well-supported by Mayor Beng Climaco.

City gov’t completes online payment system

By Bong Garcia

REAL property taxpayers are in for a treat as the Zamboanga City Government and its partners have completed the development of an online payment system that will streamline the payment of select city fees.

City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the Online Payment System for Real Property Tax will be formally launched on Tuesday, March 28.

Salazar said it will immediately go live and start accepting payments of real property taxes.

Armed with their tax declaration number, Salazar said real property taxpayers or their agents will no longer need to leave the convenience of their homes or offices to request for an assessment of real property taxes owed to the city government or to pay the same.

All visa cards--credit, debit or prepaid--are accepted.

Salazar said the online payment system is one of the modules of the payment system that the City Government will implement to make the payment of city, business and real property taxes as well as new business permit applications much easier and more convenient.

She said it is a flagship project of the City Government together with the United States Agency for International Development, the Development Bank of the Philippines, the Mindanao University of Science and Technology and the Sky Electronic and Communications Solutions.

Zamboanga City joins Earth Hour observance on Mar. 25

By Bong Garcia(BG/SunStar Philippines)

ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the residents of Zamboanga City will join the observance of Earth Hour on Saturday, March 25.

In Zamboanga City, the Earth Hour program is set at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Rizal Park in front of City Hall.

Representatives from various sectors are expected to converge at the Rizal Park as early as 7:30 p.m. for the hour-long event that will kick off with the Habagat Earth Hour Night Ride participated by bike riders in this city.

Salazar has issued Executive Order 253, an act in support and commitment of the city of Zamboanga in the observance of a global event known as Earth Hour 2017 which is a call to action related to energy efficiency, conservation and to address climate change.

Earth Hour will be observed on March 25 simultaneously in different cities and towns across the world where lights will be turned off for an hour as a pledge to go “beyond the hour” and help “shine a light on climate change.”

Salazar, in her executive order, said Earth Hour encourages everyone to help shine a light on climate action, helping spread a new era of climate awareness that started when the world came together and agreed on a global climate deal in Paris.

“The campaign drives the urgency and gives a strong reason why every individual needs to take action today as climate change affects people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures,” Salazar said.

2,766 students to be hired through employment program

By Bong Garcia (BG/SunStar Philippines)

THE Zamboanga City Government will hire at least 2,766 high school and college students for the 2017 Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) this coming summer vacation.

Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the first batch will comprise of 1,400 beneficiaries, who will work from April 11 to May 11.

The second batch will consist of 1,366 beneficiaries who will work for the remaining summer period from May 9 to May 31.

Salazar said the beneficiaries will be employed to perform in different work programs to include clean and green, and beautification projects, surveys, barangay data updating, janitorial activities, and office clerical works.

The SPES is a joint undertaking of the local government and the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), whose objective is to provide students with the opportunity to earn and learn during their free summer months, thereby encouraging and supporting their educational pursuits.

The daily wage rate of SPES beneficiaries has been set at P296. The local government will shoulder 60 percent of the salary while the Dole the remaining 40 percent.

The City Government has allocated a counterpart fund of P9.8 million for the implementation of the SPES this year.

3 foreign firms signify interest to build seaport at Zambo economic zone

By Darwin Wally T. Wee [(PNA), BS/TPGJR/DWTW]

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) - Three foreign construction firms have signified interest to undertake the feasibility study and construct the San Ramon seaport project of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (ZamboEcozone) in Barangay Talisayan here.

Christopher Lawrence Arnuco, ZamboEcozone chairman and administrator, on Tuesday said the firms that signified interests are the Metro Crown (Asia) LTD of Petrohub and the China Energy Equipment Co., Ltd. He did not identify the third company but said they're from Brunei.

“The firms signified their interest not only to do the feasibility study, but all the way to the construction [of the seaport project],” Arnuco told the Philippines News Agency.

He said the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center is also promoting the San Ramon Seaport project to other firms.

“These are two activities simultaneously ongoing,” he said.

Last month, the Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF) approved the PHP.3 million fund for the feasibility study of the San Ramon Seaport, which is one of the major projects under the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

The San Ramon Seaport project aims to improve the competitiveness of the Zamboecozone and fulfill its vision of becoming a world-class economic zone that will link resources, markets, and other logistical activities that can contribute to the economic development of this city and Mindanao.

“It will entail construction, operation and maintenance of a world-class seaport to be located within the First Industrial Park of Zamboecozone,” it said.

Arnuco said the establishment of a highly-modernized international seaport is parallel to moves to make this southern port city as the center of maritime activity in the region and a transshipment hub in the Brunei-Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

The construction of the seaport will also help decongest this city’s port as well as ease the transport of tons of sardines, which is one of the major products of this city.

“Under the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, we identified two international gateways in Mindanao, namely General Santos City and Zamboanga City,” he said.

According to Arnuco, this effort coincides with the establishments of economic corridors in the BIMP-EAGA and the sub-corridors that included the Zamboanga-Sulu-Sulawesi area.

Arnuco said the Zamboecozone and the PPP Center are set to create a "transaction advisory group" that will look after the technical requirements and standards of the private firms that will carry out the feasibility study project.

“What we need here are experts who have extensive experience when it comes to foreign contracts,” he said.

“Hopefully by April, we could already set the schedule for the bidding of the feasibility study,” he added.

Based on their timeline, the feasibility study will begin in August while the construction will commence in June 2018.

“After the feasibility study, options will be presented to the government on how to proceed with the project,” he said.

Among the possible options are the build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme and other arrangements under the public-private partnership initiatives.

The feasibility study seeks to determine the exact size of the seaport, the required mechanized facilities for international seaport, and the marketing aspect.

The seaport will be designed to accommodate mid- and large-size cargo vessels plying the Asia-Pacific route.

At least 15 hectares of land, located at the seafront of the ecozone, have been allocated for the seaport.

The seaport project is part of the master development plan of the Zamboecozone since 1998.

Created in 1995, the Zamboecozone has currently 30 active locators. Last year, it generated PHP1.5 billion worth of investments, up from 2015’s PHP740-million.

OWWA-9 distributes livelihood assistance to ELAP beneficiaries

(ALT-PIA9/Zamboanga Sibugay/OWWA9 PR)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Four survivors of deceased Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) recently received livelihood assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office IX (OWWA RWO-IX) through the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) at LB Supermarket, Tumaga, this city.

Dr. Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain, OWWA9 regional director led the distribution, together with Angeles C. Engalla, Programs and Services Division head and Family Welfare Officer Khalil Isser S. Lorena.

The survivors of OFWs received livelihood assistance which consists of various grocery items for their proposed livelihood such as sari-sari store and rice retailer store.

ELAP is a program designed for survivors of deceased OFWs who were active OWWA members at the time of death. It is made up of education and economic components.

In the education component, financial assistance will vary depending upon the grade level of the survivor. For grade school, it is pegged at Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) per year; for high school, Eight Thousand Pesos (Php 8,000.00) per year and college financial assistance shall be Ten Thousand Pesos (Php 10,000.00) per year.

For the economic component, the survivor shall receive livelihood assistance depending upon the proposed project/livelihood chosen by the recipient in the maximum amount of Fifteen Thousand Pesos (Php 15,000.00).

OWWA RWO-IX is scheduled to distribute livelihood assistance through ELAP to four more recipients this month.

Trade department holds Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium

By Bong Garcia (BG/SunStar Philippines)

AT LEAST 600 graduating students from different local universities and colleges have attended the 2017 Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium (YES) the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted in Zamboanga City.

DTI Provincial Director Ceferino Rubio said the YES aim to educate the students on the different functional areas of entrepreneurship particularly entrepreneurial mindset and financial literacy.

“Yes aims to encourage entrepreneurial mindset amongst the Zamboangueño youth and promote savings consciousness and financial competency through basic know-how in investing in financial instruments and through sound financial management,” Rubio said.

“Through this symposium, we seek to tone down the overemphasis on job hunting, and instead encourage our youth to follow the entrepreneurial track and become better managers of their own businesses down the line,” Rubio added.

The symposium was handled by seasoned speakers namely: GMB Management Services Global President Armando Bartolome, who will lecture on Entrepreneurial Mind-setting, and AXA Philippines Executive Financial Adviser Daniel Ray Arcilla, who will share his expertise on Financial Literacy.

Rubio said successful local entrepreneurs were likewise invited to give their testimonies and share their experiences in starting and developing their business.

“Through this event, we hope to expose our Zamboangueño youths to the field of entrepreneurship and show them that it is a viable solution to the twin problems of unemployment and poverty,” Rubio said.

PPA to implement PHP220-M reclamation project in Zamboanga City

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Friday announced it will undertake two reclamation projects at the local wharf worth PHP220 million.

Engr. Liberto Dela Rosa, local PPA manager, said the two projects will cover a total area of 14,420 square meters (sq m).

Dela Rosa said 12,340 sq m of the total area to be reclaimed is at Cawa-Cawa or western side of the port and the remaining 1,920 sq m is at the Paniran area, which is on the east side of the wharf.

He said the reclamation on the port’s west side will cost PHP200 million and PHP20 million on the Paniran area.

He said the Paniran reclamation project will start in the second quarter of this year and will be completed within six months.

The Cawa-Cawa reclamation project will commence in the fourth quarter of this year and will be completed in one year.

The funds for the two projects will come from the PPA central office.

Once the projects are completed, Dela Rosa said the Paniran area will serve as mooring area for Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) vessels while the Cawa-Cawa side as storage area for container vans.

Trade department joins World Consumer Rights Day celebration

By Bong Garcia (BG/SunStar Philippines)

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office joined the other member organizations of the Consumers International from different countries in the celebration of the World Consumer Rights Day on Wednesday, March 15.

DTI Provincial Director Ceferino Rubio said the World Consumer Rights Day is an annual occasion which marks the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s address to the United States congress on March 15, 1962, where he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights.

Rubio said the occasion provides an opportunity to raise global awareness about consumer rights which must be protected and respected at all times.

He said they reiterate “our reminder to consumers to be always vigilant when transacting online” with the popularity of online transaction and e-commerce activities as well as the fast-changing trends in digital technology.

“In 2015 alone, 429 million identities were left exposed online. Thus, there is a need to always check and update our privacy settings on social media and avoid sharing personal information online,” Rubio reminded.

He noted over half a billion digital personal records were lost or stolen in 2015.

The DTI provincial director said one way to avoid becoming victims in online transactions is to only use websites that start with “https” and have a green padlock sign.

Rubio said in the same year, spam email attempts to obtain sensitive information such as usernames and passwords to people's work emails increased by 55 percent.

He warned internet and social media users not trust email offers or rewards, which seem “too good to be true.”

Rubio also advised consumers to be aware and avoid opening unusual email attachments and links as the number of email viruses detected last year was four times higher than that in 2015.

For additional tips on digital security and access, Rubio said internet and social media users may refer to the “Top 10 Ways to Stay Safe Online” posters, which are posted in selected business establishments in the city or at DTI-Zamboanga City Office Facebook account: DTI Zamboanga City Office.

This year’s World Consumer Rights Day celebration is anchored on the theme: “Building a Digital World Consumers can Trust.”

Zamboanga City readies for Summer Fest 2017

By Bong Garcia (BG/SunStar Philippines)

IT WILL be another activity-filled summer, as the City Government sets the stage for the Zamboanga Summer Festival 2017 starting next month.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the activities will be highlighted by competitions that will see the participation of many sectors specifically the youth, the main focus of the festivities.

Salazar said that entries for the different competitions are now being welcome at the Information Division, which is under her office.

The different competitions include Mi Ciudad de Zamboanga photo contest, mural painting contest, Dia de Vicente Alvarez Neo-Ethnic Dance competition, Zamboanga Hiphop dance competition: the illusion challenge and the Festival de las bellas y Flores: Los Elementos.

The Summer Festival is an annual activity organized by the City Government intended to spice up the summer vacation of the locals and visitors as well.

Adding color to the Summer Festival will be the Summer Learn to Play a Sport program, a month-long free training for youths aged 7-15 on 26 sports events.

Salazar said the Summer learn to play starts May 1 and interested participants may get in touch with the City Sports Division at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in the village of Tetuan for more details.

500 join Zamboanga City Gov't job fair

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

CLOSE to 500 job seekers trooped to the Philippine Red Cross Training Center for the day-long job fair despite the inclement weather condition in this city.

City Social Welfare and Development officer Socorro Rojas said 520 job seekers have registered during the activity on Friday, March 10, and 476 of them were interviewed during the eight-hour job fair.

Rojas, who also heads the Public Employment Service Office (Peso), said that of the total interviewed, 326 were qualified.

She said that a total of 18 local companies with nine overseas agencies joined the fair offering various positions.

Rojas said the day-long job fair formed part of Peso’s efforts to fulfill its mandate to help provide employment opportunities for Zamboangueño constituents.

The fair is one measure to accelerate the government’s poverty alleviation program and intended to provide employment opportunities for Zamboanga constituents as well as meet the manpower requirement of several industries operating in the city.

Peso facilitated the Jobs Fair in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Overseas Employment Service Office.

DOST-IX offers free E-Literacy courses to celebrate Women's Month

(ALT/PIA9-Zamboanga Sibugay/DOST-9 PR)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology IX (DOST-IX) has launched a laudable project to honor women as the world observes International Women's Day on March 8, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

DOST is conducting a series of free digital literacy trainings at the DOST-Science and Technology Information Center (DOST-STIC).

For the whole month of March, women Barangay Health Workers, Nutrition Scholars, and Midwives will be introduced to modules on Basic Computer Operation, Word Processing, Spreadsheet Application Operations, and Presentation Software Basics.

Recently, women from the City Health Office began training to learn the basics of computer operation at the DOST-STIC office in San Jose, Zamboanga City.

Although the month of March is dedicated to the city’s select women, the DOST-STIC still accepts groups who are interested to avail of the free e-learning courses.

Those interested in the program are required to form a group (minimum of 7 members, maximum of 10) to avail of the training. DOST-STIC requires the group to register and choose their preferred session, wherein each session lasts for 4 hours and may either be taken in the morning or afternoon.

A participant who successfully completes a course is awarded with a certificate of completion. Snacks and learning materials are also provided for free.

For more information, please call (062) 955-3654 or text 0917 708 5181 and look for Ian Avenido or email at dost9info@gmail.com or visit Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DOSTRegion9

Zambo drafting biodiversity management plan to curb wildlife trafficking

(PNA), LAP/BS/TPGJR/DARWIN WALLY T. WEE

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 9 (PNA) -– A comprehensive Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) is being drafted by a team of experts to combat the illegal trade of wildlife species as well as to protect the rich biodiversity of this city.

Eduardo Bisquera Jr., Assistant City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, on Thursday told the Philippines News Agency that their main objective in drafting the plan is to guide the city government and the stakeholders "to strike a balance over the usage of natural resources for sustainable growth."

Bisquera, who is leading the technical working group (TWG), said that there is a need for the city government to actively implement environmental conservation efforts amid the threat of climate change brought about by global warming.

“As a result, this plan will also try to achieve sustainable food security, and the survival of flora and fauna endemic in Zamboanga City," he said.

The plan also seeks to mainstream conservation efforts with the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan that is currently being updated, he said.

The development of the BPM started in late 2014, after the city government beefed up its measure to curb illegal wildlife trafficking and promote biodiversity with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Partnership for Biodiversity Conservation Project.

Currently, the TWG is in Palawan for a week-long writing workshop to draft the plan.

Bisquera said they chose Palawan since it pioneered the establishment of such environment plan in the country.

“We are here to get first-hand information on how the province is implementing its own BMP. It is vital for us to know the best practices so we can apply it in Zamboanga City,” he said over the phone.

The BMP is expected to be released and implemented in May, pending a series of community consultations next month.

The budget for the implementation of plan, funded by various government agencies and non-government organization, is around Php45 million.

Recently, this city has been named as one of the beneficiaries, along with Palawan and the southernmost province of Tawi-Tawi, of the four-year Php1.2 billion US-funded Protect Wildlife project.

A statement from the U.S. embassy said that the project chose these areas because of the richness their biodiversity.

With the realization of the plan, Bisquera noted that this city will no longer be tagged as a “transshipment hub” for illegal wildlife traffickers in the region.

For years, endangered species are being shipped to the neighboring countries through this city.

The BMP, Bisquera said, is also a parallel effort to preserve this city’s several ecological jewels, such as the 17,414-hectare Pasonanca Natural Park, which is a major watershed providing clean water supply to the over 800,000 residents, and breeding ground for endemic bird species and forest animals such as wild boars, deer, wild cats, reptiles and various insects.

DTI-Zambo to honor outstanding women entrepreneurs

(PNA), LAP/BS/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 8 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will honor local outstanding women entrepreneurs in line with the celebration of the National Women’s Month this March.

The event, dubbed as Ocacion de las Mujeres (Occasion for the Women), aims to give due recognition to Zamboangueña entrepreneurs who have contributed outstanding accomplishments, initiatives and projects to the cause and development of women entrepreneurs in this city.

“We, in DTI, believe that every woman has innate abilities to pursue her passion and be able to significantly contribute in whatever field she hopes to take part in. Thus, we are honoring Zamboangueña entrepreneurs who have harness their potentials and become potent agents of positive and significant changes in the field of entrepreneurship,” DTI Provincial Director Ceferino Rubio said.

The awarding of plaques of recognition will be held on March 29, 2017. Deadline of submission of duly accomplished form is on March 17.

The application and or nomination forms maybe downloaded at www.facebook.com/DTI.ZamboangaCity or can be secured at the DTI provincial office.

The event will showcase four award categories, which are Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Emerging Female Entrepreneur of the Year, and Best Home-Based Business Award.

Candidates for the four award categories should possess the following requirements: must be a resident of Zamboanga City for at least five years; should be at least 20 years of age; must have an asset size of not more than P100 million at the time of nomination; business of the candidate is duly registered with DTI, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), local government unit or any authorized government entity; and has availed of the services and assistance of DTI like training, product development, trade promotion activities, financing facilitation, customer relations, business registration and sales promotion, among others.

A panel of judges composed of representatives from the business sector, academe, women’s group, and local government unit will review the application and or nomination forms and interview the candidates to validate what they have stated in the form.

Rubio encouraged qualified women entrepreneurs to join the event.

This year’s National Women’s Month is themed “We Make Change Work for Women.”

Zamboanga public schools reminded on graduation rules

(PNA), LAP/BS/TPGJR/RGAAG

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- Parents of graduating students in public schools will have lesser or no expenses at all in this year’s commencement exercises.

Dr. Pedro Melchor Natividad, city schools division superintendent, on Monday said that school principals have been directed to use their respective Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) involving expenses for the graduation ceremony, including the use of the sound system.

Natividad said the directive is contained in DepEd Order No. 8, series of 2017 dated February 17, 2017 signed by Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

But Natividad said the alumni association or the Parents-Teachers Association may shoulder "any extra expenses, such as snacks during the graduation ceremony."

“Even if the students do not have togas and can't pay contributions, should there by any, they can join the graduation ceremony since these are not requirements to be able to receive a diploma or certification,” he added.

He advised the school principals, heads and teachers to adhere to the DepEd order since “whatever happens at the end of the day, it’s the same policy that will protect as well as can be used against us for violation of the directive.”

He said the graduation rites in the elementary level is on or before April 7, 2017 per schedule set by DepEd. For junior high school, they will have the moving up ceremony.

In Zamboanga City, there are 19,667 Grade 6 students who will graduate for school year 2016-2017 in public schools and 1,178 in private schools or a total of 20,845.

Natividad said that 11,212 Grade 10 students in public schools and 1,861 in private schools, or a total of 13,073, will have their moving up ceremony to Grade 11, the first year of senior high school.

There are 172 public elementary schools and 38 public high schools in this city. For local private schools, there are 40 elementary and 32 high schools.

He said this year’s graduation rites are anchored on the theme “Sabay-Sabay na Hakbang Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan.”

BFP-Zambo sets school visitation, open house activities

(PNA), LAP/BS/TPGJR/RGAAG

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 6 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is scheduled to conduct school visitation and open house activities to increase fire safety awareness among the public, especially school children.

Chief Insp. Clint Cha, Zamboanga City district fire marshal, said the school visitation is scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday (March 7-8) and the open house on Thursday and Friday (March 9-10).

Cha said the schools they will visit together with the BFP’s official mascot, Berong Bombero, are those located within the city limits.

Cha said the school children will be briefed of the functions of the BFP. The agency will also distribute fire prevention and awareness posters to schools.

He said the children will be shown firefighting equipment and will be taught of its functions during the two-day open house activity.

The fire marshal said the two activities are part of the events of the 50th Fire Prevention Month.

The Fire Prevention Month is being observed during the month of March pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 115-A issued on November 17, 1966 by then President Ferdinand Marcos.

This year’s Fire Prevention Month observation is themed “Buhay at Ari-arian ay Pahalagahan, Ibayong Pag-iingat sa Sunog ay sa Sariling Pamamahay Simulan.”

Cha called on the public to always observe fire safety at home through proper housekeeping.

DA Food Skyway program offers new market for Zambo Peninsula fisher folks

(PNA), LAP/NYP/TPGJR/DARWIN WALLY T. WEE

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- Fishermen in Zamboanga Peninsula will soon have a larger market for their fish catch, especially during this month’s peak season, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) will launch the so-called Philippine Food Skyway (PFS) program later this month, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

BFAR Regional Director Isidro Velayo Jr. on Thursday said that they are currently preparing the mechanisms to collect the surplus catch that cannot be absorbed by the local market and the fish processing industries in the region.

“This will partly address the wastage or fish that were not processed or sold. We will transport them to areas that have deficiency of fresh fish such as Metro Manila and Baguio,” Velayo said.

Velayo said the main objective of the PFS program is to reduce the bycatch and fishes being rotten away because of oversupply during the peak season, especially herring (Tamban) or sardines.

It is estimated that global by-catch amounts about 30 to 40 percent of the world’s catch.

Here in Zamboanga Peninsula, the figure is about 20 percent of the total catch that is being rotten or thrown away.

The oversupply of Tamban is expected within this month as the annual closed-fishing season and fishing ban for the fish species has been lifted on Wednesday, March 1.

The annual closed-fishing season, which is from December 1 to March 1, is to provide the Tamban fish to spawn.

Velayo said the program also aimed to address the food gaps of the country aside from helping the local fisher folks and industrial-scale commercial fishing industry to expand their market.

“This is an unprecedented move. We want to share the bounty of our seas. Other regions are having a problem due to lack of food supply, but other regions have the abundance, that is why the government comes in to address the gaps,” Velayo said.

“We are bringing this fresh fish catch in seafood-deficient areas. At the same, the one who will benefit here is the ordinary Juan de la Cruz. They can taste fresh seafood and yet affordable,” he said.

The PFS program, which was conceptualized by DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, aims to “connect the farmers and fishermen in the distant islands of the country to the big markets using the Air Force cargo transport planes.”

“An Air Force C-130 Hercules plane will load about 15 tons of fresh fish to be placed in styrofoam boxes in Zamboanga City and bring these to the Loakan Airport in Baguio City where it will be sold to the consumers of the Cordillera in the Farmers Trading Center in La Trinidad, Benguet,” Piñol said in a statement.

He added that the C-130 cargo plane, which will unload the boxes of fish from Zamboanga, will then be loaded with vegetables and other agricultural products from Baguio City and the Cordillera provinces, which could be delivered to Iloilo City, Cebu City, Zamboanga City and even as far as the province of Tawi-Tawi.

The DA and the Department of National Defense have earlier signed a Memorandum of Agreement to pursue the program.

“The launching of the PFS, a project which I have long dreamed of and envisioned as early as when I was still Governor of North Cotabato, will be launched next week in time with the lifting of the three-month fishing ban in the Zamboanga Peninsula,” Piñol said.

“During the peak fishing season, fishermen in Zamboanga complain that they could not sell their catch mostly Tamban which is sold for as low as P10 per kilo. When I was in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte last week, fishermen complained that their fish catch would just rot as they could not sell it to consumers in the big market because they lack access and they did not also have enough ice to preserve the catch,” he noted.

Velayo said they are looking at 10,000 to 15,000 metric tons (MT) of fresh fish, including high-value commercial fishes to be transported to Metro Manila areas.

On an average, the annual fish catch in Zamboanga Peninsula averages 190,000 to 194,000 MT.

The bulk of the fish catch are from industrial commercial fishery, while rest comes from municipal fisher folks.

Velayo said they have already talked with the members of the Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association (Sophil), the largest fishing fleet in Western Mindanao, for the supply.

“However, we want to ensure that sardines canneries, along with bottled sardines and dried fish operators will be supplied first. Definitely, they lack the raw material since we just start the fishing season,” he said, adding that the operations of the fish processing has stopped for at least three months.

Among the preparations the BFAR is undertaking is to link-up with buyers in Luzon.

“We are just arranging all the needed requirements and legwork such as the marketing and supply side,” Velayo said.

Zambo City PHP233.6-M supplemental budget for flagship projects

(PNA), FPV/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- The City Development Council (CDC) has reviewed and resolved to adopt and endorse to the Sangguniang Panlungsod the supplemental Current Year-2017 Local Development Investment Program (LDIP) and Annual Investment Program (AIP).

Eng’r Rodrigo Sicat, city planning and development coordinator, said he presented to the CDC on Thursday the identified programs, projects and activities which the city government intends to undertake this year, earmarked at PHP233,698,600.

Sicat on Friday said the flagship projects include flood mitigation facilities, the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) building which would further improve services during the annual renewal of business registration as well as plans to make Justice Building more accessible to persons with disability and/or indigents.

On the tourism front, Sicat said the city is also looking at constructing a passenger terminal shed at Paseo del Mar for visitors to the Sta. Cruz Island.

Also included in the supplemental budget are improvement plans for Merloquet Falls and the 11 Islands.

The Merloquet Falls located in Barangay Sibulao, this city, attracts tourists as it looks like a white curtain pinned to a lush forest wall just flowing in the wind.

The 11 Islands located in this city’s east coast is becoming a favorite picnic ground as the place has pristine white fine sand beaches.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has assured the CDC as well as urged offices and sectors concerned to ensure that residents will not be displaced as the city pushes for the promotion of new tourism destinations in the city.

The CDC also reviewed and resolved to adopt and endorse the draft Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), Zoning Ordinance (ZO) and Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for its subsequent approval.

IDPs receive permanent shelters, daycare center from Australian government

  • Source: news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2831488441183/idps-receive-permanent-shelters-daycare-center-from-australian-government
  • Thursday, March 2, 2017
By Emmanuel D. Taghoy (ALT/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 2 (PIA) - The Australian government turned-over today some 45 permanent shelters and one daycare center in Barangay Tulungatung, this city, to internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Barangay Sta. Barbara and Mariki under the Zamboanga Recovery Project (ZRP).

Australian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Mat Kimberly, together with Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar, led the ribbon-cutting and turnover rites.

“I am honored to meet some of the families supported by the project and be among the first to visit their new permanent houses. Australia is committed to support the continuing recovery of this city," said Kimberley.

The Australian government had granted about $3 million (P102 million) budget for the implementation of the recovery project, which aims to support families who have been internally displaced during the Zamboanga siege on September 2013.

Aside from the housing units, Australia’s assistance includes psychosocial and protection services; support to host communities; and health and disease surveillance.

Moreover, the project will provide one thousand family-beneficiaries with livelihood and skills training support.

Mayor Beng urged the beneficiaries, “everybody has to contribute to the community. Tulungan natin ang ating mga barangay officials na mapangalagaan ito.” (We have to help our barangay officials maintain these housing units)

Meanwhile, a daycare center built with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facility and playground has also been set up in the resettlement site as part of the support to the host community. It can accommodate about 30 children per class session.

The Australian government had previously turned-over 35 permanent shelters in San Roque on February 13 last year, where another 15 families had also given support to build permanent houses on their own land.

The project is implemented by the Community and Facility Services International (CFSI), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), World Health Organization (WHO), and the local government of Zamboanga City.

City gov’t bestows Hidilyn Diaz the highest recognition

By Bong Garcia (BG/SunStar Philippines)

OLYMPIC silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz received the Orgullo de Zamboanga Premiar, the highest recognition the City Government of Zamboanga bestows to a Zamboangueño, for significant and meritorious contributions to the city.

Diaz received the most coveted award as the local government rolled out on Friday night, February 24, the red carpet to honor nine Zamboangueños, local establishments, and organizations that brought honor and fame to Zamboanga City.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has led the 2017 Local Achiever Awards in ceremonies that started at 7 p.m. at the convention hall of the Centro Latino at the Paseo del Mar.

Salazar said the City Government bestowed Diaz the award since she did not only bring honor to Zamboanga City locally but in the international arena by winning the silver medal in the 53-kilograms weightlifting category of the Rio Olympics.

The other awardees honored for their exemplary performances and contributions in their respective fields of endeavors are: the Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines, Inc. as the Top Local Corporate Taxpayer; Al Hassan Hasiman as the Top Local Individual Taxpayer; Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association, Inc (SOPHIL) for the Investment Promotion category; and City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat for the City Government service Award.

Also honored were world-renowned film-maker Sheron Dayoc for the Culture and Arts category and Mark Francis Francisco for the Academic (Individual) Award; Southern City Colleges for the Academic (Institution) Award; the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation for the Community Service–Organization award; and, Dr. Romeo Ferrer Bangongon for the Community Service–Individual award.

The 2017 Local Achiever Award is part of the activities of the 80th Charter Day Anniversary of Zamboanga City.

Zamboanga City is celebrating its Charter Day Anniversary in Sunday, February 26, that marked the day when the first set of city Government officials led by Mayor Nicasio Valderoza, was sworn into office 80 years ago.

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