Zamboanga del Norte News April 2017

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Zamboanga del Norte - Archived News
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Seal of Zamboanga del Norte
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
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Provincial Capitol of Zamboanga del Norte

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.

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Saint James Cathedral in Dapitan City
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City Hall of Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte
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Situbo Falls, Zamboanga del Norte

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.
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Statue of Christ, Pangalalan, Sindangan
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Our lady of the most Holy Rosary, Estaka
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Manukan Mini Museum Landmark

3 women rescued at Dipolog cybersex den

By Gualberto Laput (Rappler.com)

NBI agents seize from the den a laptop and fake ID cards belonging to the operator, who was not there at the time of the raid

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines – National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents rescued 3 women from a cybersex den in Dipolog City on Friday, April 28.

The operator of the cybersex den, known to the rescued women as Dinalyn "Kiya" Tercio, was not at the apartment when the raid was conducted.

The agents confiscated from the apartment a laptop and the fake ID cards of the operator.

The NBI took custody of the women to get their affidavits in preparation for filing cases against Tercio for violation of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cyber Crime Prevention Act of 2012.

Two of the women, aged 21 and 23, were from Kabasalan town in Zamboanga Sibugay, while the other is a 24-year-old from Dipolog, who told Rappler that she is a cousin of Tercio.

Asked about the operation, the rescued women said they would face cameras for clients from Europe, the United States and even from the Philippines, who would negotiate with Tercio on the rates and what the women would do.

"The rate is $1 per 10 tokens. If the customer buys 50 tokens, we can go nude. If they will pay higher, we can dance or do whatever they would like us to do," the 21-year-old woman said.

In exchange, they would get P16 for every dollar they earn, and would only get paid if they reach their $1,000-monthly quota.

The 24-year-old said that they had been working there for barely two months but had yet to be paid as they could not meet the quota.

The women added that they knew what they were getting into before they joined the cybersex business, but they did it anyway because of poverty and the lure of big buckThey later learned that it was not easy to earn money from the trade, prompting one of them to seek help from the NBI.

NGCP pushes Minda-Visayas power grid interconnect

(TPGJR/Darwin Wally T. Wee/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Friday announced that it has applied for a provisional authority with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for its long overdue Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project (VMIP).

In a statement, the NGCP said the application is based on last year’s hydrographic survey they conducted to connect Cebu to Dipolog City in Zamboanga Del Norte.

“Subsequent preparations were made to include the conceptual design, detailed cost-estimate and update of the system simulation study using the Cebu-Dipolog route in the ERC application, while inland and route surveys for substations and overhead transmission lines were simultaneously being conducted,” it said.

The NGCP has been looking at two main areas for inter-connectivity --Cebu-Zamboanga for the western route and the Leyte-Surigao for the eastern route.

The company said they decided to use the Cebu-Zamboanga route since the Leyte-Surigao route has “various obstacles including live ordinance (torpedoes and high explosive shells) from the 1944 Battle of Surigao, an underwater volcano, fault lines, and seismic hazards such as unstable rock slabs.”

“We needed to be careful and sure, as this is going to be the biggest project in the history of the Philippine power industry. And we are excited to begin,” NGCP said.

The NGCP said as soon as they will have the go signal from the ERC, it “will immediately put into motion the plans that will lead to the eventual unification of the country’s three main grids. Barring any delays, the company hopes to get it done by 2020."

NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders Henry Sy, Jr. and Robert Coyiuto, Jr.

Troops, lawless elements clash in Zamboanga del Norte

By Bong Garcia

GOVERNMENT security forces are tracking down a group of lawless elements that figured in a firefight with soldiers backed by militiamen in a remote area in Zamboanga del Norte province.

Superintendent Rogelio Alabata, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao) spokesman, said the object of the tracker-troops is the lawless group led by a certain Dandi alias Batoto.

The group of Dandi figured in a firefight with government troops around 9:25 a.m., Tuesday, in the village of Tapanayan, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

Alabata said the firefight ensued as the soldiers backed by militiamen encountered around five gunmen led by Dandi while conducting security patrol in the village of Tapanayan.

He said the group of Dandi scampered to different directions upon sensing the arrival of reinforcements.

He said there were no reported casualties on both sides. (SunStar Philippines)

DTI eyes to establish 30 'Negosyo' centers in Region 9

(TPGJR/Darwin Wally T. Wee/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 26 (PNA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is eyeing to establish at least 30 "Negosyo" (business) centers this year across Region 9 to help spur economic development in the countryside.

“Officially, our target for this year is to establish 11 Negosyo centers, but the regional office is trying its best to establish 30 centers,” Lowel Vallecer, DTI-9 business development division chief, told the Philippines News Agency Wednesday.

Vallecer said the move is part of the thrust of the DTI to set up Negosyo centers in all cities and municipalities in the country by 2019.

Last week, DTI-9 inaugurated a Negosyo center in Dumingag town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Vallecer said the Negosyo center in Dumingag was the fourth established since January. The other centers are located in the towns of Alicia, Naga, and Olutanga all in Zamboanga Sibugay.

At present, there are at least 23 Negosyo centers in Region 9, which comprises the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Isabela, Pagadian and Zamboanga.

The DTI has already established 478 Negosyo centers all over the country.

Mayor Mark Pacalioga of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, said the Negosyo center "will be of great help for the micro and small entrepreneurs in the area with government services now made more accessible.”

“We are very happy now that we have the Negosyo center here," he said.

DTI-Zamboanga del Sur provincial director Maria Socorro Malate-Atay assured that “doing business will now be much easier with the operation of the Negosyo center in your area.”

“You need not go to as far as Pagadian City just to have your business registered. It will be now be processed in the Negosyo center. And it’s only around 10-15 minutes of processing,” Atay said.

She emphasized that various training needed by the MSEs will also be conducted at the Negosyo center.

The DTI official said the Negosyo center in Dumingag, the 7th in Zamboanga del Sur, has a coffee shop that serves organic products in the locality.

Atay said the inclusion of the coffee shop in the Negosyo center is a unique initiative “since our visitors or buyers will be treated to a variety of organic products from Dumingag.”

12 Mindanao airports up for modernization

By Jennie P. Arado

TWELVE airports in Mindanao are eyed to be modernized and upgraded to meet international standards as part of the Mindanao Strategic Development Framework (MSDF) 2020 of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

The Butuan City Airport at Caraga is targeted to be upgraded as well as those of Dipolog and Pagadian airports at the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Neda-Davao Regional Director Maria Lourdes Lim, during the reintegration consultation for Overseas Filipino Workers at Grand Regal Hotel last April 20, also noted that the Don Carlos Airport, a new airport in Bukidnon will be established under the MSDF.

The framework also targets the development of Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Occidental and the relocation of Zamboanga International Airport.

For Soccsksargen, the General Santos City Airport will be upgraded together with Central Mindanao Airport in M’lang, North Cotabato, and the expansion of Awang Airport in Cotabato City.

The upgrade and modernization for Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City is presently being bided out.

Sanga-sanga Airport in Tawi-tawi is also targeted to be expanded with the upgrading of Jolo Airport, both of which are located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

“For the far-flung areas in Armm, there are proposals for the expansion of the airport in Tawi-tawi as well as the Jolo airport. This is imperative so that far-flung areas can enhance their links to external markets be it regionally or globally,” Lim said.

Couple, 2 others nabbed for illegal drugs in Dipolog City

By Dynah Diestro (ABS-CBN News)

Dipolog City – Four people, including a couple, were apprehended in a buy-bust operation on Sunday in Dipolog City.

The suspects were identified as live-in partners Jaime Cabilando and Ritchel Palanas, and their friends Redentor Aniñon and Dhonrex Galanza.

Cabilando is in the police’s "high-value" target list in Misamis Occidental and is allegedly one of the top drug dealers in Dipolog and Dapitan.

Authorities believe that Aniñon and Galanza are Cabilando’s contacts in Dipolog City.

The suspects were renting a room in a lodging house in Barangay Sicayab when police arrived.

“They have a sealer, weighing scale so most probably they were re-packing there,” said Dipolog police chief Supt. Lito Andaya.

Forty-eight sachets of shabu with a street value of P490,000 were confiscated from their possession. Police also seized drug paraphernalia and a caliber 45 pistol.

Suspects were charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 while Cabilando will face additional charges of illegal possession of firearms.

Rody a tourist ambassador – DOT exec

By Roel Pareño with Alexis Romero, Robertzon Ramirez (The Philippine Star)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) remains unfazed by the travel advisories issued by foreign embassies, saying the frequent visits of President Duterte to the Zamboanga peninsula have drawn in more tourists.

DOT regional director Fernando Antonio Blanco said Duterte’s war against illegal drugs and criminals also reinforced the confidence of tourists to visit Western Mindanao.

Blanco said while the visits of Duterte were purely to show his support to the military and police battling the terrorist Abu Sayyaf, the visits have reassured tourists.

“The President himself is indirectly turning into a tourist ambassador wherever he goes,” Blanco said.

Blanco said the security problem was just a perception since this city and nearby towns and provinces remained safe and have become potential tourist destinations.

“In fact, due to the relentless drug war, the crime index sharply dropped by 35 percent in the region and the number of tourists increased,” Blanco said. Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

He said the number of Caucasians continued to increase amid the travel advisories issued recently by the US and Australian government to their citizens to avoid areas in central and southern Philippines due to increasing threats of kidnapping by extremist groups.

The US, Australia, Canada and Korea have issued travel advisories following recent reports on the alleged presence of the Abu Sayyaf in Bohol.

“We have a very capable security forces to protect our people… the recent operation in Bohol proves the government efforts to secure its people and the visitors against criminal group,” Blanco said.

Blanco encouraged tourists to continue visiting this side of the country where several untapped tourist spots are just waiting to be discovered.

He said aside from Sta. Cruz Island pink beach, named as one of the 21 best beaches in the world by National Geographic, people recently discovered the longest underground river in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte.

The DOT urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to be cautious in giving information to the international media about the country’s security situation.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said foreigners usually get information on the country’s security through briefings of law enforcers to the international media.

Teo said that she would discuss the matter with the PNP and AFP.

“The media people from abroad usually get the information from the military because there is a report that the PNP confirms that there is a threat in Central Visayas,” Teo said.

Teo had met with tourism stakeholders and travel agency owners Wednesday afternoon to discuss the current situation in Central Visayas and how to address the cancellation of bookings.

In the meeting, Teo said that they have agreed to join more travel fairs abroad to promote the Philippines, particularly Bohol and Cebu.

Teo said that the country’s tourism industry is affected every time there are travel advisories and if something untoward happens to foreign nationals here.

Lawyer Alejandra Clemente, chair of Rajah Tours, said the government should manage the release of intelligence reports.

“We need close monitoring of cancellations in all markets and inquiries from travel agents abroad on the safety and security of tourists in the light of travel advisories issued by countries which are our major markets,” she said.

Tourism industry leaders said 500 Japanese tourists recently cancelled their reservation in a five-star hotel in Cebu.

There is also a report that a German group had cancelled its hotel reservation for May but the Tourism Promotion Board has yet to verify this.

Teo expressed confidence that the travel advisories will be forgotten in due time.

She reiterated that the Philippines is a safe travel destination for foreign nationals.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella assured tourists that the Philippines remains a safe destination despite the advisories issued by the embassies.

“We understand the concern of foreign governments over their nationals. However, we assure everyone that the Philippines remains a safe place to work, to conduct business, or simply to have fun,” Abella said.

“While we urge continued mindfulness of one’s surroundings, it is still more fun in the Philippines,” he added.

Five Abu Sayyaf bandits, three soldiers and a policeman were killed after the local terrorist group attacked government troops in Inabanga, Bohol on April 11.

Among those killed was Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Muamar Askali alias “Abu Rami,” who was involved in the beheading of two Canadians and a German kidnap victim.

The attack came as the Philippines is preparing to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings next week.

While security forces have thwarted the attack in Bohol, foreign governments issued warnings against traveling to Central Visayas, citing the threat posed by Abu Sayyaf.

The ASEAN meetings in Bohol pushed through this week after defense officials declared that the terrorist threat has been contained.

Abella said Secretary Teo is coordinating with her counterparts in the region to assure them that the Philippines remains a safe place. He said security around the western province of Palawan has also been strengthened to prevent any untoward incident.

Malacañang previously said tourists’ interest in the Philippines “continues to surge” despite the travel warnings.

The tourism department aims to lure 6.5 million tourists this year.

BFAR builds PHP4.8-M projects in Zambo Norte remote town

(PNA), TPGJR/EED

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 22 -The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has completed the construction of PHP4.8 million fish landing and flea market projects in the town of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte Province.

Sibuco Mayor Norbideiri Edding said the two projects would be inaugurated on Tuesday. BFAR and town officials are set to grace the inauguration of the projects.

Edding said the two projects were built in a strategic place in Barangay Poblacion, Sibuco, where fisher folks and farmers could sell their catch and farm produce.

He said the completion of the projects would boost the livelihood of fishermen and farmers in his municipality.

He noted that few people were aware that farmers in Sibuco supply agricultural products to the other areas in the region.

3 killed in motorcycle-van collision

By Dynah Diestro (ABS-CBN News)

DAPITAN CITY– Three people were killed here when a passenger van rammed into a motorcycle with three riders in Barangay Sulangon Thursday.

The victims were identified as Felmar Omaña, the motorcycle driver, and his two back riders, Trely Dalahay and Jelyn Jumawan.

They came from a beach outing in Dapitan City and were on their way home to Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte when the crash happened.

Police investigation revealed that the van was on high speed when its tire exploded which caused the driver to lose control.

None of the van's passengers sustained injuries except for the driver Ysmael Sumile, who suffered burns on his left hand.

Sumile has been charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property.

Over 700 to attend PDP-Laban meet

By Dexter Yap

Over 700 barangay officials are expected to attend the mass oath taking rites of PDP-Laban to be presided by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez at the Royce Convention Center today.

Speaker Alvarez arrived in the city yesterday purposely to formalize the official membership of the would-be party members.

The PDP applicants are composed of barangay officials and sectoral representatives who have signified their intention to join the administration party.

Other PDP-Laban members in the House of Representatives in the Western Mindanao bloc such as Rep Gloria Labadlabad of Zanorte’s 2nd District, Rep Divina Grace Yu of Zamboanga del Sur’s 2nd District and Rep Wilter “Sharky” Palma II of Zamboanga Sibugay’s First District have also expressed their intention to join other party members in Zamboanga city.

Upon his arrival yesterday, Alvarez attended a Command Conference at the Western Mindanao Command where he was given an update by Western Mindanao Commander Lt Gen Carlito Galvez on the existing security situation in the region.

The Speaker also joined other party members that same night at a dinner party hosted by Congressman Lobregat for PDP-Laban members.

Alvarez is also scheduled to meet the local media today before proceeding to the Royce Convention at Grand Astoria Hotel to preside over the one-day seminar and mass oath taking.

Four officials from the PDP-Laban National Headquarters are also in Zamboanga city today to conduct the seminar and orient new members on the policies and programs of the party.

PDP-Laban is a party formed from the merger between Partido Demokratiko Pilipino and Lakas ng Bayan.

It is presently re-grouping and expanding in the entire region of Mindanao.

Navy, Coastguard thwart hijacking off Zamboanga del Norte

(PNA), TPGJR/DARWIN WALLY T. WEE

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 18 (PNA) - Government security forces on Tuesday thwarted the hijacking of a cargo vessel by pirates in the waters off Zamboanga del Norte.

Reports from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said cargo vessel M/V Dona Anabelle was waylaid by gunmen aboard two motorboats at around 6:30 a.m. in the high seas of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

Lt. Commander Alvin Dagalea, local PCG chief, said the attack was foiled as PCG and Navy vessels promptly responded to the distress call of the merchant ship.

The gunmen sped off upon seeing the arriving maritime security forces.

Dagalea said no one was reported killed or injured during the incident.

He said the cargo vessel continued its voyage to this city escorted by Navy and PCG ships.

Maritime security has been beefed up in the waters off Zamboanga and Sulu and in Celebes Sea following the string of hijacking incidents perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding 27 hostages, most of whom were seized in the high seas. Most of the hostages are foreign sailors.

Last week, the Abu Sayyaf bandits executed Noel Besconde, a boat captain, after his family failed to pay the bandits’ ransom demand.

Government troops are still searching for the body of Besconde, who was abducted along with three other crewmen in December 2016 in the Celebes Sea.

Dipolog experiences Tamban surplus

(RGAAGo)

Dipolog city has experienced a surplus of tamban resulting to a big price drop in the price of the fish variety.

Pedling S. Munap, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Chief Fisheries Management Regulatory and Enforcement Division attributes the excess produce to the city’s adherence to guidelines covering Closed Fishing Season.

The BFAR also attributes the excess production to upwelling, a natural process which brings cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface.

“This is a positive effect as we are assured of the supply of tamban usually used for sardines,” said Munap.

During that time, the price of tamban was said to have dropped from P180 per 40 kilograms to as low as P4.00 per kilo.

One buyer was reportedly able to buy around 12 metric tons of the fish variety.

Although the BFAR was anticipating the surplus to last for several days, rains that poured into the city affected the temperature and salinity of the water which caused the tamban to move out of the area.


Zamboanga LGUs told to use Listahanan database

By Bong Garcia

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is encouraging the local government units (LGUs) in Zamboanga Peninsula Region to use the database of poor households produced by the DSWD through the Listahanan.

The Listahanan, also known as the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), is an information management system that determines who and where the poor are in the region.

DSWD Regional Spokesman Fung Kay Choi said the database contains vital information that will help social protection stakeholders in project planning, programs and services that will be targeted and provided to identified genuinely poor families.

Choi said the use of the database will be beneficial to the requesting party in ensuring objective identification of beneficiaries and upholding transparency in their projects and services.

He said that staff from the DSWD regional office will visit the provincial offices in the second quarter of this year to discuss the database’s utilization processes and requirements.

The DSWD-Listahanan conducted a nationwide household assessment in 2015 and the result was released last year.

A study on the Data Privacy Act was done shortly after the database was disclosed to public which prompted the DSWD to send a moratorium on the suspension of the utilization of database.

This is to secure that the personal information of the target beneficiaries will not be used in and for any unscrupulous business.

Choi said the moratorium was lifted early this year; hence, the information of the poor households is readily available for utilization.

4 Held in Sindangan Anti-Gambling Raid

By Chief PSUPT ROGELIO C ALABATA, with report from PO3 Radzben S. Jul, RPIO9

Operatives of Sindangan MPS raided a reported illegal gambling den in Brgy. Poblacion, Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte at about 9:30 PM on April 3, 2017.

The team arrested its four operators named Mary Love Fernandez Macas, 27, Jelan Pielago Villaflor, 19, Benjamin Bularon Gonzaga, 20, and Arnie Gumansing Sargento, 22. The raiding team confiscated various gambling materials and bet money. The suspects were brought to Sindangan Municipal Police Station along with the confiscated items for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges in court.

ASEAN info drive underway in Zamboanga Peninsula

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in region 9 has lined up a series of forums and other information-dissemination activities on the ASEAN, in line with the national government’s directive to bring the campaign to the grassroots.

The campaign, consisting of multi-sectoral forums and launching of information kiosks in public places will take off by May. The following are the target dates for the activities: May 8 – Launching of PIA Kiosk in Ipil Municipal Hall and Multi-Sectoral Forum; May 9 – Launching of PIA Kiosk in Pagadian City Airport and Multi-Sectoral Forum; May 10 – Launching of PIA Kiosk in Dipolog Top Plaza Mall and Multi-Sectoral Forum. Tours in different schools and universities will follow by June after the opening of classes.

According to Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga, officials from Central Office are expected to grace the events to also share valuable information regarding the ASEAN.

It can be recalled, the PIA Kiosk was also launched in January this year in Zamboanga International Airport, and it was followed by a multi-sectoral forum cum Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Roadshow headed by Secretary Martin Andanar.

These events aim to bring essential ASEAN information to the grassroots, particularly information that can benefit the masses in the ASEAN integration.

ASEAN has three pillars, namely the Economic Community chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Socio-Cultural Community chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Political-Security Community chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

During the forums, representatives from different government agencies will be speaking and promoting about their services and programs to the public.

The Philippines is this year’s chair of the ASEAN, and much of the meetings, conferences and summits will be done in key cities in the country. This year’s theme is “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.” (ALT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

SSS hires 20 students in the region as part of government internship program

By Felipo David G. Malcampo (ALT/FDM/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The Social Security System (SSS) will be providing opportunities to college students to be part of their workforce as government interns in its branches all over the region starting April 10.

According to SSS Western Mindanao Division Vice President Rodrigo Filoteo, 20 slots were allotted for the region. 10 students will be with Zamboanga City, while the remaining 10 will be distributed in Pagadian, Dipolog, Basilan, Ipil and Jolo branches.

According to Napoleon Rabanal III, senior communications analyst of SSS, the internship is “open to college students and out-of-school youth who are 18 to 25 years old as of April 10, 2017.”

“Priority is given to first-time participants of the program who are about to start their 3rd, 4th or last year in college for the school year 2016-2017. Out-of-school youth who have reached at least 2nd year in college can also apply for the program,” Rabanal said.

Applicants were screened by the various SSS departments. “We make sure that through our screening process, deserving students will get into the program. We understand how difficult it is for these students to financially cover enrollment expenses which include their tuition, miscellaneous and even their daily school allowance. In some way through the GIP, we can help them at least secure continuity of their studies,” Filoteo said.

Rabanal explained that the applicants were subjected to a waiver and medical clearance. When hired, they will be receiving a daily stipend of Php340. The internship will run from April 10 to May 31.

“We will make sure that through our GIP they will be coached and mentored properly by our employees to help them improve their work performance and maximize their learnings from the internship,” Filoteo said.

'Hot logs' seized from abandoned truck in Dapitan City

By Dynah Diestro (ABS-CBN News)

DAPITAN CITY - Officials of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) have confiscated coco lumber from an abandoned truck in Dapitan City.

The truck was loaded with more than 9,000 board feet of coco lumber.

According to a gasoline station attendant, the truck driver asked permission to park at the station before leaving it.

Authorities believe that the lumber was set to be loaded on a vessel bound for Cebu Tuesday night.

Nelieto Enaro, owner of the truck, showed up at the PCA office Thursday. He said the shipment was from Basilan and is owned by a certain Flordelina Barandino.

PCA, however, refused to release the truck due to irregularities in its documents.

According to PCA Coconut Production Regulatory Officer Arsenio Laput, Land Transportation Office (LTO) record shows the wing van is bearing a plate that is registered to a mini-dump truck under a name of Richard Yu of Surigao del Norte.

"We saw the wing van here in Dapitan early dawn of April 5. Their documents show that they just left from Basilan to Zamboanga City 7:00 o’clock of April 5," Laput said.

Charges of illegal transport of coco lumber will be filed against the claimant.

In January this year, PCA imposed a nationwide moratorium on cutting of coconut trees except for the province of Basilan.

6,000 cops to secure Zamboanga Peninsula Holy Week

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE police are set to deploy some 6,000 personnel as they have laid down security measures to ensure the solemn and peaceful observance of the Holy Week in Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao).

Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula Director Billy Beltran said on Saturday, April 8, that the focus of the security plan are the places of convergence and along the highways.

Catholic devotees are expected to flock in places of worship and people traveling along the highways would double in number as they go on vacation to observe the Holy Week together with their families.

Beltran said they will set up public assistance centers and checkpoints along the highways to be able to respond to the needs of the travelers who might encounter problem while traveling.

Policemen will be also deployed in bus terminals and ports all over the region.

Beltran’s office covers the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur and the cities of Isabela and Zamboanga.

He said the police forces will be strengthen in areas where threat groups exist such as in the province of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.

On Thursday, joint police and military forces have neutralized following a firefight that killed an Abdusalam kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) member in the village of Salipyasin, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Another KFRG member managed to escape during the firefight that ensued during a law enforcement operation.

Beltran urged the public to assist them by way of providing timely and vital information on the presence of people acting suspiciously in their community to ensure the peaceful observance of the Holy Week in the region.

ZN-PEO assures quality implementation of PRDP Project in ZaNorte

By Alfonso T. Ruda (ALT/ATR/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) --- “As a quality controller, we follow technical specifications – word for word. In this case, the expected life span of the project is attained.”

This was the assurance of Engr. Fe Batilona, strong-willed veteran lady engineer of Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Engineering Office who heads the male-dominated Construction and Supervision Team for the ongoing construction of the 13.82 kilometer farm-to-market road (FMR) in Tampilisan.

It traverses six barangays in Tampilisan from Poblacion, Farmington, Galingon, Balacbaan, Cabong ang Tilubog and connects barangays of Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Based on the program of works (POWs), the winning contractors, Long Island Builders and CB Garay Construction shall finish the project in 1,019 calendar days. The works reckon February 10, 2016 and its target completion will be on November 24, 2018.

This road concreting and rehabilitation project is funded by the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) worth over P188 Million.

Zamboanga del Norte Governor Roberto Y. Uy designated Engr. Batilona as component head of the Intensified Building-Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) of the Provincial Project Management and Implementation Unit to oversee and manage the actual construction works

“I go to Tampilisan twice a week to conduct site inspection so as to ensure strict adherence to specifications and designs of the road construction based from the Program of Works being executed by the contractor,” Batilona declares.

During actual inspection, she documents whatever deficiency on the works of the contractor. “After the site inspection, we meet with contractor’s project engineer, material engineer, including in-charge of geometric control. We solicit issues, concerns and draw commitments then discuss these during our monthly coordination meeting.”

“All should know, during the meeting, what were the lapses, deficiencies and we take note of their compliance, partially complied or not yet complied,” the lady engineer adds.

Back in 2014, Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Government under Governor Roberto Uy entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with DA to implement the World Bank-funded PRDP.

To date, Zamboanga del Norte holds the record to be the first PLGU in Region IX to implement the longest road concreting nearing 14 kilometers.

LTFRB to issue ‘special trip' permits for Region 9 during Holy Week

(PNA), TPGJR/RGAAG

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 6 (PNA) - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will issue “special trip" permits in a bid to cope up with the expected increase of passengers in Region 9 this Holy Week.

Zerita F. Climaco, LTFRB regional administrative officer, on Thursday said the special permit will be issued to vehicle operators who wish to ply other routes in Region 9, such as in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

The volume of passengers is projected to increase as people are expected to go on vacation while professing their faith together with their families during the Holy Week in their respective provinces.

Aside from them, students are also returning home to their respective provinces with the closing of the school year 2016-2017.

For Zamboanga City, Climaco said they will issue special trip permit to vehicles plying the route from the city proper to the Cesar C. Climaco Free Park in Mount Abong-Abong, Barangay Pasonanca.

Thousands of Catholic faithful converge in Mount Abong-Abong for the via cruces (stations of the cross) at the foot of Pulong Bato, the highest peak of this city.

Several Catholic faithful also stay overnight on Holy Thursday and go home in the afternoon of Good Friday after the seven last words and mass.

Climaco said those who wanted to ply outside Region 9 must submit their application five days before the scheduled trip, since it is the LTFRB central office that issues the permit.

The application fee for the special trip permit for six days outside the region is PHP350 and PHP170 for three days within Region 9.

The requirements to be submitted in securing a special trip permit are valid franchise, official receipt and certification of registration.

Climaco said penalties will be slapped against out-of-line violators . She said a PHP50,000 fine will be slapped for jeepney and PHP200,000 for van for the first offense. The vehicle will be also impounded for three months.

Coconut Industry Players hold FGD in Dipolog

By Alfonso T. Ruda (ALT/ATR/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),together with other concerned government agencies and other coconut industry players all over region 9 converged here recently for a Focus Group Discussion (FGD).

The DTI-Zamboanga del Norte OIC-Provincial Director Maridel Dengal said the meeting discussed the present situation of coconut industry in the region, the plight of the farmers and the appropriate interventions that the government could offer to the coconut farmers.

It likewise finalizes the output of the Regional Assessment and Planning Workshop conducted here last February 27 and 28.

It was learned that new coconut products from the region were exported such as Charcoal and RBD Coconut oil but the volume of exports decreased because of the decreased in production which also the increase in the price of Cochin and Coconut Oil.

The Coconut players in the region envisioned to make region 9 as one of the reliable suppliers in Aside from DTI, other government agencies represented were Philippine Coconut Authority and Land Bank of the Philippines and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Aside from enhancing the quality of their products, the coconut players vowed to increase its production by 10% by producing quality value-added by-products, thereby opening job opportunities to the local residents in their area.

Land Bank of the Philippines-Dipolog Branch also presented its credit facilities and the loans that farmers could avail.

Based on the data provided by DTI, Philippines is the second largest coconut producing country in the whole world, next to Indonesia with a total production volume of 14.6 metric tons or 14% of the global output.

Region 9 is also the 3rd largest coconut-producing region in the country with a total volume of 1.68 metric tons or 11.4% of the country’s production volume. Likewise, Zamboanga Peninsula is also 3rd region in the country whose area is planted with coconut which is 11.96% of the country’s total land area.

Of the 3 provinces in region 9, Zamboanga del Norte has the biggest land area planted with coconut with 208,870 hectares, which is equivalent to 50% of its land area. It contributed 784,076 metric tons of coconut production of the region or 47% of the region’s total production of 1,682,120 metric tons from 2011 to 2015.

Zamboanga Peninsula Science High now accepting applicants

By Antonio M. Manaytay (SunStar Philippines)

THE Philippine Science High School (PSHS) is now accepting applicants for the Lateral Admissions Qualifying Exams (Laqe) for incoming Grade 8 in all its campuses, and incoming Grade 9 except at PSHS-Zamboanga Peninsula Region (ZRC).

The PSHS-ZRC campus, established only in 2015, aims to provide the opportunity for students in the region to enter the PSHS system through the LAQE, but it does not have Grade 9 yet.

However, it is still considered one of the testing centers where the applicants will have to choose their preferred PSHS campus during the examination.

Students who have finished Grade 7 or Grade 8 under the high school curriculum or the new K-12 curriculum outside the PSHS system may be allowed admission to the PSHS, provided that they meet the following requirements:

• Applicant is a Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country

• Belongs to the upper five percent of the class or should have a grade of 85 percent and above in all subjects

• Should have a character rating of at least Very Satisfactory (VS) or its equivalent

• Must pass the qualifying exams in Mathematics, Science, and English

Interested students can download the application forms from http://pshs.edu.ph by clicking on the Application for Lateral Admission link.

Applicants may also visit the nearest Department of Science and Technology office, or the PSHS-ZRC at the Dipolog Sports Complex in Olingan, Dipolog City. Look for Euney B. Guia, campus registrar.

Accomplished forms must be submitted to the nearest PSHS campus on or before April 17. The examination is scheduled this April 26.

First Filipino to be deported is from Zambo pen

By Bob Jaldon

Los Angeles, CA- The heightened enforcement of immigration laws by the Department of Homeland Defense has led to the deportment of the First Filipino undocumented immigrant in the United States.

Rey Galleon, a resident of Zamboanga del Norte and crew member of a cargo ship who jumped-ship seven years ago, was arrested last March 17 by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement at his residence in San Bernardino, California.

Without reading his rights, Galleon was told by the agents to change his clothes as they were deporting him to the Philippines that same day.

While he was in the room changing, Galleon notified his wife and son about his predicament and told them to flee the house through the back door to avoid being arrested like him.

Mrs. Aquilina Soriano- Versoza, head of the Filipino Workers Center (FWC) based here confirmed that Galleon was taken into custody for being an illegal immigrant and deported to the Philippines.

His family opted to join him in Zamboanga two weeks later. Galleon is said to be a resident of Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.

After Galleon was able to gain entry into the United States, he started picking up odd jobs, sometimes working as a caregiver.

There is no information on how he met his wife, only that their two children were born in the US and are American citizens.

Versoza said that Galleon has no criminal record, neither do his wife and children.

His chances of coming back soon is bleak as he violated immigration laws that placed him on a ten-year travel ban to the United States.

His children though may petition him when they reach the age of 21.

Versoza said that Galleon had been given the chance to call a lawyer as there are legal remedies that could have been applied to save him from being deported.

According to figures released recently by the DMS, there are approximately 300,000 undocumented Filipino migrants living all over the United States.

Zambo and Zanorte meet to settle boundary dispute

By R.G ANTONET GO

Zamboanga city and Zamboanga del Norte officials will come face to face in a symbolic meeting at Limpapa to settle an ongoing boundary dispute between the two local government units.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar will lead City Councilors to meet their Zamboanga del Norte counterparts led by Sibuco Mayor Norbideiri Edding at the Limpapa bridge, the designated boundary between the two local government units.

The meeting will take place on April 18.

Cesar Jimenez Sr. First District Councilor, said that the meeting to be conducted at the bridge symbolizes a “bridging” of two parties to settle a dispute that long separated the two.

The local officials will meet at the Sangguniang Panlungsod and proceed together to Barangay Limpapa.

The group will have lunch in the area then go back to the Sangguniang Panlungsod to start the talks.

“This is a symbolic gesture that in good faith we will talk to them,” said Jimenez.

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