Zambo City recovers from 3-week crisis

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - On an ordinary day, Zamboanga City’s traffic congestion is bad – bumper-to-bumper. Most of the roads are too narrow to accommodate thousands of vehicles plying daily. Rarely has there been a day when motorists and public utility vehicles would not be stuck in traffic, sending many to complain as if it would miraculously ease the congestion.

But 23 days following one of the most publicized tragedies in Zamboanga, the people have grown to see traffic in a new perspective. It isn’t as bad, after all.

On Oct. 9, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated the city, taking several residents of the barangays Sta. Catalina to Rio Hondo area hostage. The otherwise cheerful Zamboanguenos were shocked at such an occurrence. For days and nights on end, shots and explosions could be heard. Over a hundred thousand people have left their homes for evacuation centers. Homes have been burned down. Lives have been lost. 

Mayor Beng Climaco was quoted as saying that “Zamboanga will never be the same again,” But she remained optimistic that the city could rise above its present condition. 

As soon as the last shots have been fired last Friday night - when all the hostages have been rescued, and a few remaining MNLF fighters being pursued by the government troops - shops and business establishments opened up. 

People are anxious to get back with their normal lives. All of them are raring  to catch up and earn a living. 

For one, bank branches that opened up were increasing day after day. Zamboanga Bankers and Financiers Association President Alma Paculanan disclosed that of the 61 bank branches, only six banks have remained closed until today. These six branches are within the clearing area designated by the authorities. 

The long queues in ATMs commonly observed last week, have now become sparse.  

The Zamboanga City Hall, the seat of the city government, is operating with most of the employees reporting back to work. 

Mayor Beng Climaco led yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony, and emphasized that the pole will only fly the Philippine flag. The flag, however, is raised in half-mast, in honor of those who died in the three-week conflict. It is tattered and frayed on the ends because it stayed flying at the pole for the whole duration of the crisis.

Several malls within the downtown areas have also opened. Southway Square and the Gateway, located less than two kilometers from the conflict zone are now open, along with the Shoppers chain of stores. 

Mindpro Citimall, which is a little bit farther from the two malls, has been open since Thursday. But security remains stiff, and the police and military presence remains. 

As of this writing, the government troops have only sealed the areas within the immediate vicinity of barangays Sta. Barbara-Sta. Catalina-Rio Hondo. Police Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca said that they are still conducting intensive clearing operations to rid the area of explosives. 

Meanwhile, buses can only leave the city until 5 p.m. The curfew outside the immediate areas of concern has been moved from 8 p.m.-5 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also announced that it has now shifted from relief operations to rehabilitation. Relocation sites for the families whose homes have been devastated are being studied. Mayor Climaco has also instructed the local officials to swiftly define the areas of resettlement. 

The DSWD, together with the local government of Zamboanga, will address the immediate and long-term needs of the more or less 100,000 individuals who have been displaced by the three-week conflict in Zamboanga. (PIA9)

DTI conducts rubber tapping management training

By Claro A. Lanipa

BAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur – To provide the participants the correct rubber tapping technology, a four-day Rubber Productivity and Quality Improvement Training on rubber tapping management was conducted on Sept. 24-27, 2013  at the Timbermines Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TIMMULCO) building in this town.

The training, which was attended by 30 rubber farmers, is a convergence project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), TIMMULCO in coordination with the municipal government.

Reynaldo Beduya of DA-ATI taught the participants proper rubber tapping techniques with hands-on rubber tapping and latex collection, while Noli Camocamo of the same agency conducted an assessment on the skills acquired by the participants.

Meanwhile, Mayor Leonardo Babasa Jr. expressed his profound thanks to the sponsoring agencies saying, “Bayoganons will now be able to augment their income with this newly acquired technology.”

He added that the LGU will soon operate its own rubber processing plant to get the “price level” stable to the benefit of both rubber traders and farmers.

Babasa said: “The technology that is transferred to you will absolutely help you earn more with your right attitude.

DOLE provided the starter kits composed of three tapping knives, boots, two hand gloves, helmet, two masks, two pieces raincoats (trouser and pants).

TESDA also provided P500 to each participants to cover their assessment fee (practicum, written and oral assessment), while the DTI and TIMMULCO provided the school supplies, and food and accommodation, respectively.

Reynaldo Pintacasi Sr. Trade and Industry Development Specialist, DTI-Zamboanga del Sur said the same training was also conducted in Josefina last Aug. 27-30 and Dumingag last Sept. 10-13. (PIA9)