Zamboanga City News March 2018

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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 produces 9,499 Grade 12 graduates

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Department of Education (DepEd) announced that 9,499 students will comprise the first batch of Senior High School (Grade 12) graduates this year.

Dr. Felix Rony Triambulo, City Division of Schools OIC-superintendent, told the Philippine News Agency that 3,550 of the first batch will graduate in public schools while the remaining 5,949 from private schools.

Triambulo said 38 percent of the graduates took up Technical Vocational Livelihood (TVL); 26 percent General Academic Strand (GAS); 19 percent Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); eight perscent Accountancy Business, and Magement (ABM); and, eight percent Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS).

“I’m sharing your joy of having your children complete Kinder, Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12,” Triambulo said alluding to the parents.

The graduation rites in public schools will run from April 2 to 6.

Triambulo said the Grade 12 graduates will have the option whether to proceed to college, work or open their own business.

This city has 40 public high schools. Of the total, 37 are offering Senior High School studies.

Meanwhile, Triambulo said that 20,500 pupils will graduate in kindergarten; Grade 6, 22,305; and, 12,149 Junior High School Completers who will be moving up to Senior High School.

174,541 tourists visit Zambo

By Allen Abastillas

More than a hundred thousand tourists visited Zamboanga City in 2017, according to City Tourism statistics.

Based on City Tourism records, 174,541 tourists visited four known sites in Zamboanga City last year.

These are Sta. Cruz Island, Fort Pilar, Paseo del Mar and the Yakan Weaving Village.

Fort Pilar topped the list of tourist destinations with 99,524 visitors.

This was followed by Sta Cruz island with 62,703 visitors, Museo de Zamboanga with 8,500 and Yakan Weaving Village in Upper Calarian with 3,814 visitors.

Tourists said that they prefer to shop at the Yakan Weaving Village in Zamboanga due to its accessiblity.

18 new school buildings to rise in Zamboanga

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Eighteen school buildings worth PHP467.63 million are up for construction in this city’s first district this year.

These projects are funded by the Department of Education (DepEd) under the agency's School Building Program and will be constructed through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

First district Rep. Celso Lobregat, chair of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways, told the Philippine News Agency that the school building projects have already been bidded out and “are up for construction.”

The school building projects are the following: Rio Hondo Elementary School; Talisayan National High School; Pasonanca Elementary School; Labuan Central School; Recodo National High School; Sta. Maria Central School; Patalon Elementary School; Sinunuc Elementary School; Catalina Vda. de Jalon Elementary School; San Roque Elementary School; Recodo Elementary School; Sinunuc National High School; Regional Science High School; Southcom Elementary School; San Jose Gusu Elementary School; and, San Roque National High School.

“We are very much concerned in molding the future of our young generation, education is very important and providing them the necessary infrastructure is our great contribution to their success,” Lobregat said.

He said since 2013, the DepEd-DPWH school building projects for the first district of this city have been maximized and institutionalized.

Last year, 28 school buildings with 242 classrooms worth PHP356.23 million were completed. Ten school buildings with 188 classrooms worth PHP295.31 million are still under construction.

More Negosyo Centers established in Region 9

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that there are now 40 negosyo centers serving existing and would-be entrepreneurs across Region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula.

This, as DTI Regional Director Sitti Amina Jain led the inauguration of the 39th and 40th negosyo centers on Tuesday and Wednesday in Gutalac and Polanco towns, respectively, in Zamboanga del Norte.

“The launch of these facilities brings to 40 operational and functioning negosyo centers in Zamboanga Peninsula. These e also the 11th and 12th negosyo centers in the province of Zamboanga del Norte. We will be establishing negosyo center in the remaining municipalities in the region in partnership with the local government units (LGUs),” Jain said.

Jain said the establishment of the negosyo centers is the agency’s way of bringing government services at the doorsteps of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs).

Jain said the partner agencies of the DTI, like the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and even Bureau of International Revenue (BIR) may use the center to conduct seminars and trainings.

“We are also encouraging the LGUs to move their Business Licensing Office to the negosyo center to make our facility a one-stop shop for our MSMEs,” she emphasized.

She said the business counsellor manning the negosyo center will received all the concerns of the MSMEs and forward these to the concerned agencies in case the personnel from DTI’s partner-agencies are not around.

“What we want is when our MSMEs leave our facility, all their concerns are already solved or addressed so they won’t have to go from one area to another saving them of additional expenses and efforts in complying all of the requirements for their businesses,” Jain pointed out.

She said the establishment of negosyo centers has contributed much in terms of economic vibrancy in the region.

She said data of the DTI regional office showed that there was an increase of 61 percent in business name registration from 7,323 in 2016 to 11,809 in 2017.

“This means more businesses in the region, more employment, and people have income, thereby addressing the ultimate goal of poverty alleviation,” Jain said.

Comelec gears for barangay, SK polls in Zamboanga

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is undertaking preparations for the conduct of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections here on May 14, this year.

This comes as the barangay and SK elections are most likely to push through despite the approval on Monday by the House of Representatives to postpone the holding of the polls.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel said the May 14 barangay and SK polls would most likely push through since the Upper Chamber has no counterpart bill and has no more time to tackle the matter. Congress will go on break on March 24 and resumes on May 14.

Lawyer Stephen Roy Cañete, first district election officer, told the Philippine News Agency that part of the preparation is the conduct of the training of Comelec employees and teachers after the observance of the Holy Week.

He said they are also waiting for the arrival of the elections materials from the Comelec central office.

He said the period for the filing of Certificate of Candidacy is from April 14 to 20, while the campaign period is from May 4 to 12.

The barangay and SK elections have twice been postponed, from October 2016 to October 2017 and then to May 2018.

There are 436,253 regular voters in this city’s two congressional district.

Of the total, 226,064 are in the first district which covers 37 barangays while the remaining 210,189 are in the second district which has 61 barangays.

There are 73,806 SK voters in the first district and 67,206 in the second district or for a total of 141,012 voters.

GovNet to interconnect 88 agencies thru Fiber Optic Cable Network

By Jocelyn Alvarez (/ALT/JPA/PIA-9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) -- Working towards a more competitive country and a digitally empowered and integrated government, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) met with stakeholders here to discuss the installation of Fiber Optic Cable Network that will interconnect 88 agencies for a faster connectivity and more efficient internet services.

“It’s a good time that this administration is really bringing the forefront of technology, the forefront of services to the people,” said DICT Assistant Secretary Alan Silor during the Kick off meeting of the Regional GovNet Phase II Project here, held Monday.

According to Asec. Silor, the 88 identified agencies will soon be interconnected with each other to enable faster communication, better coordination and easier access to online services.

“We will connect all these government agencies which has frontline services for the people to the people, because eventually we have to be competitive as a country,” Asec Silor said.

The 88 identified recipient–agencies which include 71 National Government Agencies; 5 schools; 2 hospitals and 10 Local Government Units are guaranteed of a 20MB per agency connectivity, at no cost to the recipient.

The GovNet Project will raise the bar of government services as the delivery of services is expected to become faster and more efficient since agencies become interconnected, their functions integrated, and their operations interoperable. It will also lower costs of Internet services and will result to faster data transfers for government-to-government communications.

This GovNet Project implementation in Zamboanga City has a total project cost of P33,979,000.00. The amount will include the design, supply, delivery, splicing, testing, commissioning, and 2 year- operation and maintenance services of brand new Fiber Optic Cable Network.

DA holds ‘Tienda-Tienda’ trade expo in Zamboanga

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Eight local traders are participating in the ongoing four-day trade exposition initiated by the Department of Agriculture (DA) as part of the National Women’s Month Celebration.

The activity, dubbed as “Tienda-Tienda”. It is being held on Rizal Street, Barangay Zone IV, this city from March 21 to 24.

Among the local products being showcased by traders are peanuts, peanut brittle, calamansi juice, banana crakcers, alfajor, watermelon, coconuts, bananas, black and brown rice, and organic vermicast fertlizer.

Susana Cordova of the Pasobolong Working Women Association said the local trade exposition enables them to showcase their entrepreneurial skills aside from doing household chores.

“We can also earn money on our own,” Cordova added. Her association showcases banana crackers and alfajor.

The trade exposition is a project of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the DA regional office aimed to support local traders and producers promote their products to the market.

“I am now a supplier of watermelon in one of the local shopping malls,” Agustin Garcia, another participant to the local trade exposition, told the Philippine News Agency.

He grows watermelon in an east coast barangay of this city. The other products being showcased by Garcia included banana, coconuts and other fruits.

The DA regional office said in a statement that the “Tienda-Tiena” concept is one of the latest marketing initiative of the agency through the AMAD, which allows farmers and producers to display and sell their crops at as space they provided for free.

The activity was first launched in Manila on July 28, 2017 and it has been replicated since then by different DA regional offices.

Fort Pilar, Sta Cruz Island 3rd and 4th Most Visited

By Allen Abastillas

Historic Fort Pilar and the famous pink sands of Santa Cruz Island have been included among the top ten tourist destinations in Zamboanga Peninsula for the year 2017, based on tourism statistics.

The two tourist destinations came third and fourth and ranked behind Dapitan city’s Fantasy Land and Rizal Shrine, two places which clinched first and second spots respectively.

Fantasy Land alone had 1.6 million guests last year.

Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City had 196,051 visitors while Fort Pilar and Sta Cruz island had 99,594 and 62,703 visitors, respectively.

DOT-9 Officer Ludy Sirollo said that most of the data gathered were from ticket sales.

Other top tourist destinations in Zamboanga Peninsula are the following: Cogon Eco-park, Sungkilaw Waterfalls, Casa Bernido Museum and Lakewood lake.

Sirollo also said that these tourist destinations have not received threats to security.

Zamboanga City to open processing center for mendicants

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is set to open a processing center for medincants in this city.

Ma. Socorro Rojas, CSWDO head, told the Philippine News Agency that they will utilize the building of the Magbasa Kita Foundation of former Senator Santanina Rasul to serve as the processing center.

Rojas said the city government has initially allocated PHP1 million to operate the center. It will be manned by a social worker and three assistants.

She said the center will serve as temporary shelter of mendicants who will be rounded up in the city streets. The center can house 30 people at one time.

She added they will be housed at the center while the CSWDO is in the process of locating their relatives to eventually send them home.

The CSWDO has noted that some of the mendicants loitering downtown come from nearby areas of the region.

Rojas said the city government will stricly implement the anti-mendicancy ordinance to clear the city streets of mendicants.

She urged the public to refrain from giving alms to mendicants to discourage them from loitering downtown.

Zamboanga City to join Earth Hour observance

By Bong Garcia

THE City Government of Zamboanga through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) will spearhead the local observance of the Earth Hour.

The activities lined up for the observance of the Earth Hour will be held at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at the City Hall grounds.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has signed Executive Order 356-2018, an act of support and commitment of the city for the Earth Hour's call to action related to energy efficiency, conservation, and climate change, and outlining activities in support of the same.

The hour-long activity is a worldwide event where cities and towns all over the globe will turn off lights for an hour known as known Earth Hour as a pledge to “go beyond the hour” with the global theme #Connect2Earth.

It is aimed to raise awareness of the interconnection between biodiversity and climate change and that there is an urgent need to care for our biodiversity.

For the past several years now, Zamboanga City has committed its support and participation to the call for Earth hour Philippines spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

In support of the call for Earth Hour, Zamboanga City shall “switch off or dim non-essential lights including streetlights, signage lights, and key monuments during the global light out event for one hour on March 24 starting at 8:30 p.m.

43K kids benefit from immunization program in Zamboanga

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The City Health Office announced that 42,904 children have already been immunized with Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccines in the ongoing catch-up immunization campaign in the city.

The catch-up immunization was launched on February 19 following the declaration of measles outbreak here. The immunization campaign ends on March 23.

Dr. Ivy Rozeth Saavedra-Iturralde, City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (CESU) head, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that those immunized with MMR vaccines are children aged six to 59 months.

The City Health Office aims to immunize 121,928 children with MMR vaccine during the catch-up immunization.

The immunization is being done at the health centers and health workers also undertake a door-to-door campaign with the participation of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS).

Meales immunization posts have also been established at the Zamboanga Doctors Hospital, West Metro Medical Center, Zamboanga Peninsula Medical Center, and Ciudad Medical Zamboanga.

Iturralde disclosed that they have so far recorded 256 suspected cases of measles with five deaths since January.

She said that 10 of the city’s 98 barangays recorded high number of measles cases. These are Sangali, Busay, San Jose-Cawa-Cawa, Arena Blanco, Mercedes, Calarian, Camino Nuevo, Sta. Catalina, Putik, and Guiwan.

Meanwhile, Iturralde said they have to convince parents who refused to have their children immunized with MMR vaccines.

She added that they recorded 1,417 children whose parents did not allow them to be vaccinated.

The catch-up immunization is a pro-active measure undertaken by the City Health Office to prevent the spread of measles.

Measles is a highly communicable viral illness transmitted via direct contact with nasal or throat secretion of an infected person; or by articles freshly soiled with nose and throat secretion.

Aside from vaccination, the other ways of preventing the disease from spreading include the isolation of an infected person to prevent contact with the community.

Rehabinasyon Roadshow set in Zamboanga

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

ZAMBOANGA City will be the site of the Rehabinasyon Roadshow and Town Hall meeting on Monday, March 19, as the government envisions a drug-free country to guarantee a better future for Filipino families, especially the youth.

Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) chief, said the activity will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Centro Latino Hall in Paseo del Mar.

Apolinario said that Rehabinasyon, a hybrid of rehabilitation and nation, is the National Government's all-encompassing campaign against illegal drugs.

It is spearheaded by the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs and the Presidential Communications Operations Office in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government and the City Anti-drug Abuse Council led by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

The event at the Centro Latino will highlight the city's support and programs for the government's campaign to end the drug problem and include discussions on drug policies, enforcement cluster, justice cluster, rehabilitation and reintegration cluster and advocacy.

The Rehabinasyon is being launched individually in all cities and provinces in the country with the aim of taking “a holistic approach in eliminating the country’s drug problem by putting a premium on the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers.”

Environmental sector acts to protect Tumaga River

By REMUS ONG

Environment specialists are formulating an action plan to save the Tumaga River, identified as a water quality management area by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR.)

The action plan involves connecting Tumaga River and all other rivers to the watershed area to provide potable water to consumers.

Dr. Eduardo Bizquera Jr. of the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR,), however, said that problems exist downstream due to deterioration on the quality of water caused by pollution and garbage from adjoining residential areas.

“A policy should be put in place to look into the case of this wetland,” Bizquera said.

He said that both the executive and legislative departments are trying to come up with an environment code based on national and local laws to protect such areas.

“A draft was already submitted to the City Mayor and the City Legal Office and eventually, we want to see it being adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in the form of an ordinance,” said Bizquera.

Bizquera’s revelations were made during the press conference for the Mindanao Conference on Wetlands held at the Palacio del Sur yesterday.

The event was organized by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Zamboanga City receives 4 vehicles from DILG

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday, March 14, turned over four vehicles worth P3.4 million to Zamboanga City as incentive for bagging the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) in 2016.

DILG Regional Director Paizal Abutazil presided the ceremonial turnover of the vehicles to Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar in simple rites prior to the opening of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) regular meeting.

Engineer Rodrigo Sicat, city planning and development coordinator, said the funds used for the acquisition of four L-300 vans is from the 2016 Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) in the amount of P3.4 million.

Sical said the PCF is an award to local government units (LGUs) that have passed the Seal of Good Local Governance.

He said the L-300 vans is in support to the city’s traffic management program, which is apriority thrust under the Security Health and Education program.

DTI to honor outstanding Zamboangueña entreps

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will host an event dubbed as “Ocacion de las Mujeres" to honor outstanding women entrepreneurs in line with the celebration of the National Women’s Month this March.

DTI City Director Ceferino Rubio said the activity 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, reiterate our faith in every woman’s innate abilities to pursue her passion and be able to significantly contribute in whatever field she hopes to take part in. Thus, for the second consecutive year, we are honoring Zamboangueña entrepreneurs who have harness their potentials and become potent agents of positive and significant changes in the field of entrepreneurship,” Rubio said.

The event will showcase seven award categories and these are the following: Female Entrepreneur of the Year; Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year; Emerging Female Entrepreneur of the Year; Best Home-Based Business Award; Best Use of Innovation Award; Social Female Entrepreneur of the Year; and, Achievement Award.

For Female Entrepreneur of the Year, the award will be presented to a woman in the small and medium business category who has achieved great results in her own business.

Rubio said the awardee should clearly demonstrate export potential for her products or show proven export success.

The Young Female Entrepreneur award will be presented to a woman in the small and medium business category, aged 20-30 years, who has achieved great results in her business.

The Emerging Female Entrepreneur award will be given to a woman in the small and medium business category who has built a strong, scalable business foundation and has achieved early success with strong market potential.

Rubio said the business should have been in the industry for not more than three years.

The Best Home-Based Business Award will be given to a female entrepreneur who has a home-based business and has made a great contribution in terms of elevating the family’s standard of living.

The Best Use of Innovation Award will be given to a female entrepreneur who has used an innovation or technology-based business and has achieved early success with strong market potential.

The Social Female Entrepreneur of the Year award will be given to a woman who has immense contributions to society and seeks to generate social value rather than profits.

The Achievement Award will be awarded to an exceptional female entrepreneur who has achieved recognizable success and acts as a role model for women in business.

In addition, Rubio said the candidates of the seven award categories should possess the following requirements, to wit: she must be a resident of Zamboanga City for at least five years; she should be at least 20 years of age; she 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, Cooperative Development Authority, 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, sales promotion, among others.

Rubio said the awarding ceremony will be held on March 23.

Qualified women entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. Nomination of qualified women entrepreneurs is also recommended.

To secure a copy of the application and nomination forms, they may visit DTI-Zamboanga City Office or download the forms at www.facebook.com/DTI.ZamboangaCity.

Deadline of submission of duly accomplished form is on March 15.

CHED launches nationwide caravan on free higher educ in Zambo

By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Some 50,000 students from the region are set to initially benefit from free higher education pursuant to Republic Act 10931 otherwise known as the Universal Access to Quality Education Act.

Dr. Juanito Demetrio, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) regional director, made this announcement on Monday during the launching of the nationwide information caravan for R.A. 10931 in this city.

R.A. 10931 that grants free higher education was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 3, this year.

“50,000 students will benefit of this free education in Region 9,” Demetrio told the Philippine News Agency.

The national government has an initial budget allocation of PHP40 billion for the implementation of R.A. 10931 effective school year 2018-2019.

The students may enroll at any course in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) with free tuition and miscellaneous fees.

The miscellaneous fees include the following: library; computer; laboratory; school ID; athletic; admission; development; guidance; handbooks; entrance; registration; medical and dental; and, cultural.

Lawyer Carmelita Yadao-Sison, OIC Executive Director of the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), said many will benefit from the program as K to 12 graduates are expected to go to college this year.

“There will be an influx of students since we already have K to 12 graduates who will enroll in college,” Sison said adding: “its good since many students can avail of the free higher education.”

Also to benefit from the free higher education are the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and those in the Technical Vocational Educational Institutions (TVEIs).

Sison said there is no more reason for a student not to finish studies since the program, through R.A. 10931, in already in place.

The nationwide information caravan for R.A. 10931 held here on Monday was the first to be conducted in the entire country.

The information caravan was attended by education stakeholders from Region 9.

Free tuition, school fees for govt colleges

By RG Antonet Go

Approximately 50,000 tertiary level students in Zamboanga City are expected to benefit from an improved access to education program offered by the national government.

This after the implementation of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act where P40-billion in funds will be given to state colleges and state universities nationwide.

Students may choose from any courses offered by state universities and colleges SUC) and local universities and colleges (LUC) and enjoy free tuition and miscellaneous fees.

The program will be made effective during the 2018-2019 school year which starts in June.

Atty. Carmelita Yadao- Sison, Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) OIC and Executive Director, said that the program is timely since it will also benefit another batch of K to 12 students who are slated to enter college.

“There will be an influx and napakaganda kasi mas marami tayong mabibiyayaan ng free higher education,” Sison said.

The program is an improved version of the Free Tuition offered by the government in 2017.

Under RA 10931, students will not only benefit from free tuition but will also be entitled to free miscellaneous and other school fees.

Other subsidies included in the program are the tertiary education subsidy where beneficiaries include the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and students residing in cities without SUCs or LUCs.

There is also the Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET) where scholars will receive free training- related expenses such as living allowance, starter toolkit, and cost of accreditation.

Applicants should not be holders of NC3 certificate or higher.

Another program is the 2018 student loan program for students facing financial difficulty.

Interested students may inquire at the SUCs, LUCs, and TVET institutions for more information.

Sison said that there is no more reason for students not to finish their studies with all these programs in place.

City welcomes Curuan-Sibuco road

By Sheila Covarrubias (PR)

Mayor Beng Climaco has welcomed the inclusion of the Curuan-Sibuco road project, one of the subprojects proposed under Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project (IGCMRSP) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

DPWH-Manila representatives and consultant Nestor Obcena the other day met with Mayor Climaco together with Executive Assistant for Infrastructure Antonio Orendain Jr. and representatives from the City Engineer’s Office and City Planning and Development Coordinator’s Office to formally inform the city about the status of the project.

The DPWH is in the stage of preparing for the Resettlement and Indigenous Peoples Plan (RIPP) for the Curuan-Sibuco Road project after the completion of the feasibility study.

Mayor Climaco said the project is a welcome development for the city and will help bring progress and development in the area.

The project has a width of 30 linear meters and total length of 35 linear meters, 21 linear meters of which are in Zamboanga City particularly Curuan covering the sitios of Presa, Sto. Nino, Sapa Manok and Camp Pilar as well as sitios Candiz, San Francisco and Sibutad. The project will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The DPWH team that met with the mayor conducted a series of coordination/ public consultation meetings with the concerned barangay officials and affected residents in Curuan from March 2-3 in line with the resettlement and indigenous people’s plan or RIPP.

The DPWH team was composed of Ocena of the Katahira Engineering International, the firm that DPWH commissioned as consultant; Engr. Evangeline Fernando of DPWH-Manila and Engr. Deng Reyes of the DPWH Regional office.

Meanwhile, another project included in the IGCMRSP is the proposed by pass road for coastal barangays in the city. Nonetheless, the project is still in the feasibility study stage.

Women’s rights advocate challenges Pinay ‘lady’ stereotype

By Dominic I. Sanchez (ALT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 6 (PIA) -- A lifelong gender and development advocate who visited the city last week is calling to end the ‘lady’ stereotype.

Former Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) chairperson and women empowerment expert Remedios Rikken says it is high time that the “lady” concept be erased.

“Because you are a ‘lady’, society expects you to be ladylike,” she explains. In Filipino culture, a dalagang Pilipina is characterized by simple beauty, timidity, and submissiveness.

Rikken, who has been an active women’s advocate since the sixties and known nationwide for her piercing commentaries promotes the exact opposite of the dalaga stereotype. “I want women to react immediately!”

But the challenge, said Rikken is that societal norms even in this liberal age of information technology still maintain the stereotype. “How do you teach women to be assertive, when for example, priests tell brides to be ‘subject to your husbands,’ when the grooms are told only to ‘love your wife?’”

Rikken asserts that one of the reasons women are still abused is because they allow themselves to be.

“When a woman gets married, when she subjects herself to her husband, it does not necessarily mean that she should also surrender her dignity,” she said.

Some women, despite observing violent tendencies of boyfriends and would-be husbands early in the relationship would remain with their men “because of love,” Rikken shares. But the same men could become their tormentors for life. “Ikaw yung tanga! (you’re the fool),” she exclaimed.

According to latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), over 11,000 women, or 36.3 percent of those surveyed by the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) admitted to being victims of violence, which include physical, sexual and emotional at some point in their lives.

Although Rikken agrees that women empowerment has gone a long way, still injustices such as violence against women persist, which is the reason why she continues to reach out to women and men all over the country through her talks.

She suggests that gender and development seminars must keep talking to women, but also focus on talking with men too about the many issues that require intervention and change.

Last week, Rikken talked about “Deconstructing Masculinity and Femininity” to about 500 representatives from government and non-government organizations all over the region in a Gender and Development Summit (GAD) organized by the Regional GAD Council.

Zambo Ecozone to host new PCG headquarters

By Ely Dumaboc

The Philippine Coast Guard has allotted P187-million for the construction of its new headquarters inside the Zamboanga Economic Zone compound in San Ramon.

Capt Ronnie Gil L. Gavan, PCG Southwestern Mindanao (CGD-SWM) District Commander, said that a 30,000 square meter coastal lot inside the Ecozone will house the CGB buildings and facilities which will include a recreational facility and training center for PCG personnel; and a K-9 dog training site.

PCG Commandant Rear Admiral Elson Hermogino has alloted P168-million for the construction of the structures and another P19-million for the construction of a radar station and the acquisition of a state-of-the-art communications facility.

“We expect the construction of the facilities and buildings to start next month considering that the site and funding for the purpose is already available and ready for disbursement,” said Gavan.

Gavan said that Zambo Ecozone Chairman Christopher Arnuco has allocated 15 hectares to the Coast Guard for the construction of a finger wharf where PCG boats will be docked and support facilities will be located.

At present, the CGD-SWM has operational control over seven stations and thirty-two (32) sub-stations, K9 unit for Explosives, Narcotics and Search and Rescue (SAR), several teams of Special Operations teams, Legal service, and seven (7) Intelligence Field Station detachments.

CGD-SWM also maintains 30 vessels to respond to any maritime distress incidents in five coastal provinces and two cities, two critical international sea-lanes: the Basilan Strait and Sibutu Passage, and two seas and a tri-border sea area straddling South Western Mindanao.

He said that these newly activated PCG sub- stations will serve Tawi-Tawi via the Great Bakkungan Islands at the Turtle Islands Group in the south, the Triple-SB municipalities located in Zamboanga del Norte in the west, and Palimbang municipality of Sultan Kudarat in the east.

As this developed, Gavan said that all PCG stations under the PCG Southwestern Mindanao district will remain on high alert status to prevent the movement of lawless personalities, weapons, and illegal drugs across the Sulu and Celebes Seas.

Gavan added that since the imposition of Martial Law, the PCG in Mindanao has been designated as the captains of the port where they assume control of the security of ports and ships all over Mindanao including the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Security (ISPS) Code.

Australian envoy leads handover of shelters to IDPs

(VTL/City Hall PR)

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely will lead the handover of permanent shelters to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Vale Vista, Kasanyangan village, the largest permanent resettlement site here.

The permanent housing project is under the Zamboanga Recovery Project (ZRP) funded by the Australian government in the amount of AuD 3 million (P102 million), and being implemented by the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) in partnership with the Catholic Relief Service (CRS), World Health Organization and other stakeholders from 2015 to 2017.

Australia’s assistance for families displaced by the Zamboanga siege in 2013 also includes psychosocial and protection services, support to host communities, and health and disease surveillance that benefitted 54,000 individuals.

In a press statement, the Australian Embassy disclosed that 400 families with 1,886 individuals were provided with permanent shelters through CRS, 1,049 families (5,324 individuals) benefitted from livelihood assistance by CFSI with 1,486 individuals trained in financial management and 1,017 trained in disaster risk reduction.

Likwise, 40,924 students and 588 pre-school children attending 16 schools and six Child Development Centers, respectively, benefitted from the support to host communities component carried out by CFSI. A total of 1,017 individuals with specific psychosocial and protection needs were assisted, while 2,072 individuals were enabled to acquire birth registrations, 583 obtained marriage certificates, and 106 vulnerable persons participated in literacy training. All of these efforts led to the achievement of the project objective to promote human security for at least 1,000 families (5,500 persons) from amongst the “untagged” category of IDPs.

Farmers’ kids urged to avail of agri scholarship program

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Children and relatives of farmers are urged to avail of the government scholarship program to earn a degree in agriculture for free.

Melba Wee, Department of Agriculture (DA) assistant regional director for research policy, planning and regulatory, made the call following observations that children of farmers barely finish college studies.

Wee told the Philippine News Agency that they can avail of the scholarship program through agency’s Agriculture Credit Enhancement Fund (ACEF).

“This scholarship program has been there for years but there are only few or no takers at all,” Wee said as she urged parents to “encourage your children to study agriculture.”

Wee said through ACEF, each of the scholars is entitled to PHP2,000 monthly allowance and PHP1,000 book allowance per semester aside from studying with free tuition fee.

She said children of farmers can also enroll in agricultural allied courses such as agri-business, veterinary medicine, agronomy and others for free.

“Studying agriculture course doesn’t mean you will only study on how to cultivate crops. There are also allied courses that you can choose,” she said.

She said for those who are interested to avail of the scholarship program they can visit the DA office near them.

Meanwhile, she said that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has also scholarship program for the children of fisher folks.

BFAR is an attached agency of DA that is responsible for the development, improvement, management and conservation of the countries fisheries and aquatic resources.

P93.1-M for Airport road widening

By Dexter Yap

The national government has appropriated the amount of P93.1-million for the widening of the Zamboanga city airport road.

The road leads to the newly widened Baliwasan Chico and linking it to the present widened main access road to San Jose Gusu junction.

The recently implemented infrastructure projects in Zamboanga city are part of President Duterte’s Build Build Build program.

First District Congressman Celso Lobregat said that it is indeed a huge impact for Zamboanga city to be one of the recipient cities in Mindanao under the “Golden Era of Infrastructure.”

“Yes, mega structures have arrived in Zamboanga city. It is the national government through DPWH solving our traffic problem in the city. That is why as early as now I am asking for your patience and understanding because traffic might even get worse while these major thoroughfares are being constructed,” Lobregat said.

Earlier, Lobregat also announced plans for road widening projects along Governor Camins Avenue by adding two more lanes from the junction of Nuñez Extension to Sta Maria road.

The budget costs P75.4-million with another P18-million for the expansion of the San Ignacio bridge fronting Jollibee fast food.

Lobregat said that the purpose of this project is to ease traffic congestion in front of KCC Mall.

Lobregat said that the DPWH District Engineer’s office (DEO), which implements projects below P100-million, has its hands full until next year.

There have been substantial increases in the appropriation for projects implemented by the DEO from 2014 to 2018.

The corresponding budgets are as follows: P207-million in 2014, P328-million in 2015, P418-million in 2016 and P746-million in 2017.

For 2018, the budget was pegged at P738-million.

Zamboanga City allots P15-M for employment of students

By By R. G. Antonet Go (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The city government has increased its allocation by PHP6 million for the implementation of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) this year.

Ma. Socoro Rojas, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) chief, on Thursday said that this year’s allocation has been increased to PHP15 million, which is higher by PHP6 million from PHP9 million last year.

Rojas said the city government will employ this year a total of 2,766 students in two batches comprising of 1,400 high school (first batch) and 1,366 (second batch) college students.

Rojas said students qualified to work through the SPES will have to apply on-line through www.dole9.org/spes.

The application period for the first batch was from February 20 until March 10 and the second batch from March 15 to April 10.

Rojas said the students will work for a period of 20 days and will receive a total salary of PHP9,554.60 or PHP477.73 daily.

The city government, as the employer, shoulders 60 percent of the students’ salary while Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) pays the remaining 40 percent.

The SPES is an employment bridging program during Summer or Christmas Vacation that aims augment the family’s income of poor but deserving students, out-of-school-youth (OSY) or dependents of displaced workers who intend to finish their education.