LCP, Aboitiz conduct technology training; distribute 7 units of AWS

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, August 31 (PIA) – The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) in close partnership with Aboitiz Power through Weather Philippine Foundation (WPF) on Wednesday conducted a whole day technology training and workshop for city environment and natural resources officers, local Disaster Risk Reduction Management officers, and city engineers at the Executive Function Hall, City Mayor’s office here.

LCP secretary-general mayor Hernani Braganza said the activity was aimed to discuss the installation process, operation, and maintenance of the Automated Weather Station (AWS).

The AWS which costs P105,800 each, is a state-of-the art equipment being used by meteorologists to provide real-time weather forecasts including temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, atmospheric pressure, amount of rainfall, and weather visibility.

During the activity, 7 AWS units were distributed to participants from the cities in Northern Mindanao.

“We are distributing AWS for free to all cities nationwide. The distribution of the AWS units is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility and its commitment towards getting local government units ready for climate change and disasters,” Braganza announced.

Aboitiz Power, Inc. vice president for marketing Roland Gaerlan and Meteomedia senior vice president Mark Vorhusen led the distribution ceremony (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Zambosur)

ZAMSURECO II proposes other source of power supply to meet demand

by Claro A. Lanipa

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, Aug 31 (PIA) – - With the present power shortage situation in Mindanao, Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative II (ZAMSURECO II) based in Ipil wishes to have other source of power supply other than the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to meet its demand.

ZAMSURECO II OIC General Manager Engr. Hernan Agpawa, Jr., said that with the present power curtailment situation, his office has come up with a proposal to contract services of other sources of power available in the region.

He said, “We have prepared two (2) contracts, one with the San Ramon Power Plant in Zamboanga City with a capacity of 100MW and the other with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC Coal-Fired) in Diplahan, this province with an initial capacity of 50WM going to 100MW.”

“These plants might be coming in within 3-4 years, considering its installation and other preparations needed. If this proposal will be materialized, hopefully we will not experience brown outs anymore in the next few years,” GM Agpawa quipped.

At present, ZAMSURECO II is serving 16 municipalities in Zamboanga Sibugay, three municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur, four towns in Zamboanga del Norte and one district in Zamboanga City (Vitali). (JPA/CAL/PIA9)

Dipolog City Female Dormitory is Zampen’s Best in 2012

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY, AUG. 31 (PIA)--- The Dipolog City Female Dormitory was recently adjudged as the Best Female Dormitory in the whole  Zamboanga Peninsula region for 2012.

The award was personally received by SJO2 Charlene Tapayan Alonso from J/CSupt. Alfredo Soliva Jr, from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Central Office and BJMP-9 Regional Director J/SSupt. Atty. Michael Vidamo during the recent 21^st anniversary celebration of BJMP-RO9 in Pagadian City.

The occasion became a double celebration for Dipolog City Female Dormitory after its wardress, SJO2 Alonso was also awarded as the Female Dormitory Wardress of the year.

The city’s female dormitory was also the recipient of Wardress of the Year award in 2009 and 2010 and Female Dormitory Award in 2011.

According to the BJMP Officials, Ninety Percent of the 50 residents of the dormitory are involved in illegal drugs.

The construction of the P1-M Lady Cell Building provided by the City Government of Dipolog was started in March 23, 2010 and was completed in September 30, 2010 with potable water system connected to every cell.

It was implemented by the City Government with fifty percent counterpart from the BJMP through Contract Payment Scheme.

The Dipolog City Female Dormitory is one of the projects extended by the Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy to BJMP to separate the male from its female residents.

Vidamo thanked Mayors Uy’s support to BJMP and show of concern to the welfare of the dormitory residents as they try to transform themselves into better members of the society. (JPA/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)  

FNRI-DOST conducts Nutricomnet media forum

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) - - The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Dept. of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) conducted this morning a media forum for the Nutrition Communicators’ Network (NutriComNet) where Government information officers including representatives from the academe actively participated.

Representatives from the FNRI, who came all the way from Manila, presented to the participants the 2011 NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF FILIPINO CHILDREN.

The media forum was attended not only by gov't information officers, but health/nutrition specialists, faculty members of some state colleges and universities as well who are involved in food, nutrition and health promotion.

The said forum provided the participants with data and information on the recent results of the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) particularly giving updates on the Nutritional Status of the Filipino Children and other population groups.

The discussion also included basic messages on the promotion of vegetable consumption and complementary feeding.

FNRI is an attached agency of the DOST, mandated to undertake research that defines the citizenry’s nutritional status, with reference particularly to the malnutrition problem, its causes and effects and identify alternative solutions for them.

FNRI is also mandated to develop and recommend policy options, strategies, programs and projects and disseminate research findings and recommendations.

NUTRICOMNET is a network of provincial and regional media men as well as information officers of various agencies and institutions involved in food, nutrition and health promotion.

 

It is established to create a favorable interactive promotion program between the FNRI-DOST and the local media in the region. It also aims to provide and update the public about the latest news on nutrition in the country. (JPA/PIA9-ZBST)

18th NCPW) in ZamPen to kick-off in Pagadian City on September 3

by Claro A. Lanipa

Pagadian City, Aug 30 (PIA) - The National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) Inter Agency Technical Working Committee for Region 9 earlier convened at the Zamboanga Del Sur Police Provincial Office, Camp Abelon, here, to plan out series of activities in preparation of the weeklong celebration of the 18^th NCPW come first week of September.

NAPOLCOM Regional Director Macapado Guro and Assistant Regional Director Pedro Cuevas presided the meeting which was attended by representatives from the National Government Agencies (NGAs) , provincial and city officials, religious sector, DILG family, and others.

Activities lined-up for the celebration  include hanging of streamers by all agencies concern, motorcade, information and awareness drive on crime and drug abuse prevention thru symposium in selected public high schools , media forum,  radio/TV guestings and symposium to drumbeat the celebration, among others.

Anchored on the theme “Sa Crime Prevention may Magagawa Ako,”  the activity aims to promote, strengthen and empower the citizenry against crime victimization.

It also encourages the public to engage in crime prevention projects of the government to increase awareness and support in promoting crime prevention, community and public safety advocacy.

Presidential Proclamation No. 461( s.1994),  declares the first week of September of every year as the National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW). (JPA/CAL/DILG/PIA9)

P2.3-M child development center to rise in Dipolog

by Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) - - In support to the implementation of the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program, a child development facility worth P2.3 million will soon be constructed at Barangay Olingan, this city.

The City Information Office (CIO) has issued a press release stating that Dipolog is one of the 100 recipients of the National Child Development Center (NCDC) nationwide and the first in the region.

With this, a series of trainings on early childhood care for daycare workers would be conducted to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills in handling and attending to the needs of children from zero to six years old.

In a related development, the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCDC) headed by Ms. Celia Eugenio  recently conducted a seminar dubbed “Induction Program for Daycare Workers” with participants from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the municipalities of Leon Postigo and Siayan. The training underscored the importance of “Early Learning Development Standards” for Filipino children.

Also tackled in the said training were topics such as child brain development, parents as partners in ECCD program, importance of active play for children and others.

The national leadership has been pushing for projects aimed at improving the quality of early childhood development program in the country. (ALT/FPG/PIA-ZamboNorte)

WWF-BPI study shows Zambo economy up for past 10 yrs

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 29 (PIA) - - data speaks for the city that it has been economically moving forward, steadily, for the last 10 years as World Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines Vice Chairman and CEO Jose Maria Lorenzo Tan presented this economic and social data during the scenario building exercise on business risk assessment and management of climate change impacts conducted here recently.

The data which was a result of a study made by WWF-Philippines and Bank of Philippine Islands ((BPI) showed that remarkable growth across various parameters and sectors in the city has been noted from 1990-2010.

Basing from the data, Tan said there are various elements of Zamboanga’s economy that are doing better as compared to other major cities like Cebu and Davao.

“Cebu and Davao are perceived to be doing better, but in reality, it is Zamboanga that is doing better. You (Zamboanga) emerged as the second wealthiest city in Mindanao,” Tan was quoted as saying.

Backing up his claimed, Tan presented data gathered from the WWF-BPI study that showed 50% increase of population density from 1990-2010; number of housing units has more than doubled from 78,476 in 1990 to 149,622 in 2007, number of universities increased a hundred fold and schools by level and educational enrollment more than doubled.

The WWF executive also cited the motor vehicle registration that soared by 315%. Inbound cargo also grew by 50% and outbound cargo sky rocketed to 168% as import volume more than tripled.

Tan said, the data also revealed that coco-based products are the city’s top export while rice and industrial salt are the city’s top import.

There is also notable increased in tourist arrivals of 200%, which translates to an improved tourism industry.

“Number of hotels increased by 250% and number of hotel rooms grew 76%, and numerous other data showing that Zamboanga has grown by leaps and bounds,” Tan reported.

The Scenario-building exercise was a joint project of WWF-PHL and BPI intended to make the concerned city understand the “new” business risks and opportunities that may arise from climate change.

Tan said WWF-PHL and BPI conducted the first phase of the study in Davao, Ilo-ilo, Cebu and Baguio and the second phase is being conducted in CDO, Zamboanga and Laoag and Dagupan. (JPA/PIA9-ZBST)

Rubber farmers plant mangrove trees

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay – Forty three officers of the Federation of Family Welfare Committees (FFWC-Sibugay), who are rubber farmers themselves, went out of their way to do mangrove planting in Limono, Timuay Danda, Kabasalan.

The activity, aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change, was in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE 9)- Provincial Office,  the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and Goodyear Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GARBEMCO).

The tree-planting participants were composed of family welfare committees of five (5) rubber-based agrarian reform multi-purpose cooperatives (GARBEMCO, TARBEMCO, TIMARBEMCO, SARBEMCO, and ARBEMCO) and Philippine Pioneer Rubber Product Company (PPRPC).

PENRO Tito Gabor gave an orientation on the National Greening Program of the present administration. He said the program is an inter-agency approach to help mitigate the effects of global warming.

PENRO Gador also gave a short briefing on how to plant the mangrove seedling/stems since most of the participants are rubber farmers who are used to planting seedlings in loam soils and not in muddy mangrove swamps.

200 mangrove propagules were given to each participant for them to plant.

The Family Welfare Program is a non-wage benefit which aims to provide family welfare services to workers through the implementation of the family welfare dimensions.

One of the dimension is the environment protection, hygiene and sanitation, which seeks to advocate to family of workers, the importance of taking care of the environment in order to have a clean and conducive place to live in. (JPA/CAL/DOLE-Sibugay/EGPP/PIA9)

Jobs Fair in Zambo City set on Sept. 7

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) – Job hunters will have another shot at employment as the Office of Rep. Beng Climaco, the Department of Labor and Employment 9 (DOLE-9), and the Public Employment Services Office (PESO), will hold a one-day jobs fair on September 7, at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

DOLE-9 announced that employment varies from skilled to professional works for local and overseas deployment.

In a list released by DOLE-9, job vacancies for local employment include clerical jobs for cashiers, clerks, draftsmen, programmers and computer technicians; sales workers specifically financial analysts and sales trainees; and professional workers like pharmacists, physical therapists, and mechanical or electrical engineers. There are also vacancies for factory and skilled workers like hydraulic or automotive mechanics, and crane operators.

Job orders for overseas deployment include surveyors, teachers, accountants, medical workers like nurses, midwives, chemists, and radiologists; sales workers from sales executives down to salesmen/ladies, service workers like waiters, plumbers, car attendants, and painters.

Skilled workers (e.g. aircon/electronics/auto technicians, carpenters, and butchers), plantation workers and household service workers are also needed abroad.

Interested applicants are advised to go to DOLE-Zamboanga City Field Office and PESO for pre-registration and issuance of Jobs fair identification cards.

There will also be a one-stop processing shop in the area during the activity to be manned by staff from the National Statistics Office (NSO) for authentication of birth records, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for initial processing of passport requirements, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for assessment & issuance  of skills certificate. (ALT/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

Lamitan City inaugurates TB DOTS center, gets PhilHealth accreditation

by Rene V. Carbayas

LAMITAN CITY, Basilan, Aug 29 (PIA) – The Lamitan City Health Office recently inaugurated the TB Dots Center last August 15 that would jumpstart the intensified campaign of the government to eliminate tuberculosis disease in this part of the country.

In a press release, City Information Officer Felipe Fernando said that the setting up of the center was timely as the country observes National Tuberculosis Awareness Month this August with the theme “TB-free Philippines: A continuing challenge from Childhood to Adulthood”  

On behalf of City Mayor Roderick H. Furigay, City Administrator Danilo Alvaro shared and stressed the need to inform TB patients not to be humiliated and feel outcasted as “Tuberculosis are curable nowadays,” he said.

Fernando reported that Lamitan City had registered 86 patients of Tuberculosis during the first two quarters this year but some of the patients are coming from the nearby municipalities of Tuburan, Tipo-Tipo and Sumisip.

He said that the city is grateful for the support of the TB Linking Initiatives and Networking to Control Tuberculosis (LINC), a USAID program that helps support the National Tuberculosis Program.  Dr. Teodoro Yu of TB LINC said the program assists Rural Health Units to fast track accreditation of TB DOTS Centers as well as organizing the Local TB Councils tasked to monitor and improve medical capabilities.

Moreover, the 1st Lamitan City TB Council was immediately convened at the Cawley’s Square, Lamitan City after the inauguration. The TB Council is a multi-sector alliance with the aim of preventing TB cases in Lamitan City. Mr. Eugene Caccam, also of TB LINC presented a briefer and input on the Lamitan Strategic Plan.

The council also holds the oath taking ceremony which was inducted by the City Administrator.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth Manager Genevieve Nuñal said that the application of Lamitan City TB DOTS Center is already approved on the day of their submission. “The center may now accept TB patients with PhilHealth membership whether employed in government, private, self-employed or in the barangay. And the center will be self-sufficient that can generate revenues to augment their needs particularly on related medical equipment,” she said.

City Health Officer Dr. Vicente P. Yu III said that with the accreditation, the center will be the choice in Tuberculosis treatment because the city government is giving free medicines for the entire TB medication period of six months.

Also present during the inauguration were Marida Perez RN of the National TB Program, Provincial Health Office; health personnel; barangay officials and health workers; Lamitan Pharmacy Association; and other non-government organizations and representatives of the TB LINC, Dr. Romeo Fernandez and Sthepanie Dela Cruz. (FP-CIO Lamitan/RVC-PIA9ZBST)

DTI-Zanorte conducts province-wide inspection on motorcycle helmets

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY -- The personnel of the Department of Trade and Industry in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte is now conducting a province-wide inspection  on the motorcycle helmets to ensure it complies with the product standard set by the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC).  

According to DTI-Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Head, Engr. Noel Bazan said the inspection is conducted after Bureau of Product Standards Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2012 was issued.

The DTI Provincial inspection team will conduct helmet inspection in Sindangan from September 5-6 and on September 10-11 in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, while succeeding schedule has yet to be set.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 01 series of 2012, the motorists and back-riders are given until December 31, 2012 to purchase motorcycle helmets with standard ICC stickers.

The DTI said, effective January 1, 2013, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Deputized traffic enforcers of the Philippine National Police will already enforce the strict implementation of the Helmet Law.

The ICC sticker attached to the helmet will ensure that the motorist uses the standard protective helmet.

Bazan pointed out that the inspection of helmet is free of charge, including its application forms and ICC stickers.

For those who want to have early inspection on their helmets, Basan urged the motorists to visit their office at the Ground Floor of Felicidad Building, beside Land Bank of the Philippines, Miputak, Dipolog City.

The motorists are just advised to bring along with them photo-copy of any identification card or the motorcycle’s Certificate of Registration.(JPA/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)

BIR-Zambo overshoots 7 mos. target; on track of eclipsing 2012 goal

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- “We are on the right track of meeting our target for this year”, Bureau of Internal Revenue-Zamboanga City District (93-A) Assistant Revenue District Officer Rolando C. Ompoc said in an interview.

Ompoc’s optimism is based on the 7 months cumulative collection of the Bureau where it collected P1.057 billion.

“Our cumulative collection from January to July is 27 million higher than our target and P231 million more than our collection for the same period last year. For July alone, we collected P153, 345,891.48, P8.9 million higher. Except for April, we overshot our monthly target for the last seven months”, Ompoc said.

BIR-Zamboanga’s target collection for this year is P1.8 billion, and with 5 months to go, the target is very achievable.

“We really cannot say that it’s a sure thing, but with more hard work, we really are in the right direction”, Ompoc said.

As in the previous years, tax collection in the city surges during the last quarter of the year where public spending increases due to the holidays.

Ompoc said they will also be conducting tax mapping activities this September to help ensure that they meet the target.

“This is one of our means to monitor all tax-paying entities to ensure that they pay their proper taxes”, he said.

Ompoc said the bulk of the tax collected from January to July came from the local government taxes, letter of notice, business sector, and income tax of the working public. (MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

Tabak serves venue for ‘Operation Sweet Smile’

by  Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY –  Parents with cleft palate and cleft lip children on Friday flocked to the 1^st Infantry (Tabak) division headquarters to avail free cleft lip and palate surgery dubbed “Operation Sweet Smile” jointly conducted by the Philippine Army and Alpha Phi Omega, Maharlika Foundation, and Southern Zamboanga Alumni Association (APO-SOZA-ALAS) on August 24-27.    

Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations Lt. Col. Cornelio Arboleda, said the cleft lip operation launched by the 1^st infantry division, Maharlika and APO aimed to provide free reconstructive facial surgery to indigent Filipino children and young adult born with cleft palate and cleft lip deformity.

Arboleda said the Tabak commander supported the project because it is laudable one.

“I am actively supporting this very laudable project because it offers help to indigent families whose children are suffering from facial deformities, Arboleda said quoting Tabak division commander, BGen Ricardo Rainier Cruz III.

At least 78 children from the province and its neighboring places have registered for the operation.

“We will help these children live a normal life and socialize with other children of their age. These children can now hold their heads up high and smile sweetly after the surgery,” Arboleda concluded, saying that these children were deprived of the change to enjoy their youth and were discriminated. (NBE/GCC/PIA9-Zambosur)

GULAYAN SA PAARALAN: From School Grounds to Vegetable Gardens

By Alpha Solivio

ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY - The Philippines ranks second to the last among the ten countries surveyed for vegetable consumption.

The countries surveyed by Food Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) in 2011 were Vietnam with the highest vegetable consumption at 78% followed by India at 63%, Nepal at 61%, Thailand at 60%, Sri Lanka at 58%, Malaysia at 49%, Indonesia at 37%, Pakistan at 35% and Bangladesh as the lowest at 18%.

The Philippines consumes less vegetable at 35% which puts the country as one of the lowest consumers of vegetables in Asia.

The increasing population of the country calls for an increasing demand for food. However, people tend to consume more meat than vegetables. DA looked into enhancing the capability of Filipino people to produce their own food through adoption of various means of vegetable production.

To ensure food security and self-sufficiency, and improve vegetable consumption, the Department of Agriculture through its High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), implemented the  Gulayan sa Paaralan as an integral component to answer the country’s dilemma in food security. DA looks forward that its partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) will help work things out for the ultimate realization of these efforts as it would be a good legacy not just to the vegetable industry but also to the children and future generations.

Thus, 16 municipalities in the Zamboanga Sibugay province were trained on the basic principles of vegetable gardening through the adoption of organic farming technology system from August 14-17, 2012 at DA’s research center in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. The first batch consisted of the municipalities of Tungawan, RT Lim, Ipil, Titay, Naga, Kabasalan, Siay, and Payao. The municipalities of Alicia, Buug, Diplahan, Imelda, Mabuhay, Malangas, Olutanga, and Talusan made up the second batch of trainees. The said municipalities were represented by the teachers-in-charge in the Gulayan Sa Paaralan program therein.

Mr. Hannibal Bayo-ang, HVCDP focal person of Zamboanga Peninsula reminded the trainees that Sibugay was once the 20^th poorest province. DA then gave an intervention through food self-reliance and self-sufficiency. It is the target of DA not just to put vegetable gardens in every home but in every school.  (NBE/Alpha Solivio/DA9)