City gov’t hails ONB for Sangali Branch

By Vic Larato

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Apr. 29, (PIA) - The City government recently hailed One Network Bank for heeding his suggestion to open up a branch in the east coast barangay of Sangali following ONB’s successful banking business in Barangay Ayala, west of this city.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said ONB is living up to its vision of expanding its banking business to areas where no other rural and commercial banks would dare go; thus leading the way of Zamboanga’s progress outside the five-kilometer radius of the city.

He presumed that ONB is not regretting for opening the Ayala Branch considering that it is now serving the banking needs of thousands of workers from the various canning factories in Ayala and neighboring barangays of Recodo and Talisayan.

The chief executive was also optimistic that the ONB Sangali Branch will be as successful as Ayala Branch as the former will be serving the banking needs not only of Barangay Sangali but also of other outlying villages in the east coast.

Lobregat also hinted that an ONB Branch in Vitali will be most welcome in the nearest future, suggesting that if plans will push through he hopes to grace the inauguration before his third term will end in June next year.

The mayor also took the opportunity to thank the Consunjis, who own the ONB, for helping the city government’s development programs, specifically for donating a portion of its property in Barangay Recodo where the Recodo National High School, barangay hall, police and fire stations have been constructed and soon a covered court.

Leading the inauguration of ONB Sangali Branch were ONB officials headed by the President Alex Buenaventura, the branch manager and staff together with Sangali Barangay Chairman Leopoldo Torribio, Councilors Mike Alavar and Nonong Guingona.

Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles, who will soon transfer to Davao City, officiated in the blessing of ONB Sangali Branch. He was assisted by three other priests.- (JPA/VL/CIO/PIA 9-ZBST)

Highlight of Dia de Ma’m Caling: City fetes MCLLAE awardees

By Sheila Covarrubias

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Apr. 29, (PIA) - - Three graduating tertiary students bested numerous other nominees in the Search for 2012 Maria Clara L. Lobregat Awards of Excellence (MCLLAE), a recognition given to Zamboangueno students who reflect outstanding academic accomplishments, service and leadership.

The awardees were feted and honoured during the commemorative program marking the 91^st birth anniversary of the late Mayor Maria Clara “Ma’am Caling” Lobregat, April 26 at the Jardin Maria Clara Lobregat.

Mayor Celso Lobregat personally handed over the plaques and cash incentives to the awardees: Jay Saavedra Calumpon of the College of Education at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), Ralph Jorline Chua (Bachelor of Science in Accountancy) of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) and Michael Vincent Diaz (Bachelor of Science in Computer Education) of the AMA Computer College.

Aside from trophy, each awardee received a cash prize of P5,000.

The MCLLAE is regarded as a valid indicator that the students will succeed in life. The MCLLAE is willing to use his or her talents and skills for the improvement of the society. It believes that it can make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and in the spirit of the community and school.

This is the second year that the city government held the MCLL Award of Excellence which is aimed to continue Mrs. Lobregat’s legacy for the youth. Among many other things, Mrs. Lobregat, in her lifetime was a champion of youth empowerment, a frontrunner in initiating programs intended to improve the plight of the youth sector, empowering them to reach their full potential, make informed decisions and to assert their rights.

The program commemorating Dia de Ma’am Caling kicked off with a mass followed by the blessing of the City Museum located inside the Jardin Maria Clara. The  wreath laying rite was participated by the different national and local government agencies, police and military agencies, NGOs, civic groups and institutions and other sectors like the barangays, urban poor and numerous other sectors. Mayor Lobregat together with House Deputy Speaker Beng Climaco and Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde and the majority members of the City Council. 

City Police OIC Director PCSupt. Mario Yanga, concurrent Assistant Regional Director for Administration, who was the invited guest speaker refreshed people’s recollections of Ma’am Caling. 

In a message read for him by his better half Dr. Ruth Yanga, the police officer said the best gift that people can give the late mayor and her memory “is to care for and love Zamboanga as she did. Let her vision of peace in our city that she wanted us to embrace to always guide us so that we may do justice to the years of care and service she gave us in life”.

Gen. Yanga failed to make it to the program due to the anti-drug operations being done at the time of the program in barangay Recodo.

For his part, Mayor Celso Lobregat thanked all those who took part in the different activities commemorating Dia de Ma’am Caling. He urged people to always adhere to Ma’am Caling’s call “Man junto-junto kita”, meaning, to stay united amidst the emergence of “dark forces, dark clouds and stormy weathers”.

The musical tribute rendered by the Ateneo de Zamboanga Concert Band and the participation of the Zamboanga Hermosa Chorale liven up the program which was capped by the release of the sky lanterns. (JPA/SC/CIO/PIA 9-ZBST)

Malakanyang mipahayag nga ang law enforcement agencies mipalig-on sa seguridad sa panagtigum sa Asian Development Bank

Ni Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, April 29 -- Ang Malakanyang nagkanayon  ning Biyernes nga ang  law enforcement agenciesug concerned government agencies sa nasud ang nagpalig-on sa pagpangandam sa seguridad aron maseguro ang kaluwasan ug proteksyon sa tanang mga langyaw ug lokal nga opisyal nga mosalmot sa 45th Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting nga maapaahigayon karong Mayo 2-5 sa Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) dakbayan sa Pasay.

"Naghimo kami sa ubay-ubay ka mga coordination meetings tali sa mga ahensya nga nag-atiman sa mga lakang sa seguridad," si Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte nagkanayonn atol sa regular press briefing sa Malakanyang ning Biyernes.

Mokabat sa 3,000 nga mga pulis gikan sa National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) ang gitahasan pagdumala sa perimeter security sa airport ug mga hotels diin ang mga delgado ang mo checked in, ug sa PICC sa dakbayan sa Pasay.

Ang Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) magbukas sa “courtesy lanes” alang sa mga delegado.

Si MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino nagkanayon nga ang ruta sa mga truck pagagamiton sa mga gikan sa  Mayo 2-5, gikan sa alas 4am ngadto sa alas 9 sa gabii Kini ang strikto nga ipatuman atol sa upat ka adlaw nga ADB conference.

Ang Finance ministers ug  central bank governors, representante  gikan sa international organizations, private sector, civil society, ug global media ang gilauman nga moslamot sa tinugi nga panagtigum sa sa ADB.

Ang Asian Development Bank nga natukod sa 1966 ug nakabase sa Manila, ang gipahinungod aron pagkunhod sa kawad-on sa Asya ug Pacific pinaagi sa ekonomikanhong paglambo ug  regional integration. (GCC/PCOO/PIA9/ZamboSur)

DOLE-9 to distribute livelihood grants to PWDs

By:  Gideon C. corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, April 29 (PIA) -- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday, May 1 will receive a financial grant of almost P200,000 from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). 

This was bared by DOLE-9 assistant regional director Virginia Bonbon on Friday during the press conference held at Hotel Guillermo. 

Bonbon said the distribution of grant will be held during the formal opening of Labor day Job and Livelihood Fair at the City Commercial Center (C3). 

“I hope that through this livelihood grant, their lives will be improved,” she added. 

Bonbon said during the event, another Kabuhayan starter kits worth P841,000 which consist of carpentry tools, etc. will be awarded to the 84 beneficiaries. 

The Kabuhayan Starter Kits is a project under the Livelihood Enhancement Program of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) which is aimed at raising the income level of every beneficiary. 

Expected to attend during the event are Mayor Samuel S. Co who will turn over the kits and Kumalarang mayor Allan Damas to receive the grant. 

Bonbon invites all job seekers to participate in the job and livelihood fair which will offer both local and overseas jobs. (ALT/GCC-PIA9 ZamboSur)

PNP to launch e-blotter system in Zambo Sur

By: Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, April 29 (PIA) -- To fully implement the Philippine National Police (PNP) electronic blotter (e-blotter) system nationwide, the PNP is scheduled launch the electronic system in Zamboanga del Sur on April 30. 

Senior Supt. William Mananzan, Zamboanga del Sur police chief in an interview said PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome is expected to arrive at 9:00 am on Monday, April 30 at Camp Abelon along with the chief of Information Technology Management Service (ITMS), and members of command group from the national headquarters. 

Mananzan said this is a priority thrust of the PNP chief’s administration to expand the e-blotter implementation in accordance with his own 10-point fundamental action plan and command priorities. 

The e-blotter system facilitates fast, easy and paperless recording of crime information using the computer machine. Through the Internet, other police stations and higher headquarters could access such information for proper coordination and police action. 

Mananzan said the PNP leadership is tasked to monitor the performance of every police station in crime prevention and solution. 

At the municipal police stations before, Mananzan said, information or citizen’s complaint will be recorded by the desk sergeant in a typewriter but with the advent of new technologies, the system was no longer practiced. “At present, information or complaint will be encoded directly to the computer, so regional headquarters will automatically get a copy of the report,” he added. 

Mananzan said the e-blotter will provide real time crime data to field commanders to guide them in their crime prevention effort. 

The provincial police chief said Bartolome will also grace the inauguration and blessing of the new Public Safety Savings and Loan Association, Inc. located inside Camp Abelon and will talk to his men and meet members of the local media for a press conference. (ALT/GCC-PIA9 ZamboSur)

Dipolog holds 14th P’gsalabuk festival

by Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY, April 28 (PIA) - - A grand motorcade around the major thoroughfares of this city marked the start of the 14^th P’gsalabuk sa Dipolog festival, which will last until May 31. 

In yesterday’s opening activity, which was graced by Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) grand winner Engr. Jan Slater L. Young, Mayor Evelyn T. Uy led the ribbon cutting to commence the agro and food fair and visual art exhibit at the Dipolog City Boulevard. This was followed by bottled sardines and cooked “Tuloy” fish eating spree.

It was observed that thousands of people turned up in yesterday’s opening program to see the PBB grand winner, Slater Young, whose roots are from this city.

P’gsalabuk is a Subanen term for thanksgiving. Thus, “P’gsalabuk sa Dipolog,” is a thanksgiving festival held yearly in this city every April 27-May 31 to highlight the feast of St. Vincent that falls on the last Saturday of May. (FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

Breastfeeding is high in Zambo. Norte, says IPHO

by Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY, April 28 (PIA) - - Most lactating mothers in Zamboanga del Norte have been breastfeeding their babies, according to a report released by the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) recently.

Rommel Jamolod, a staff nurse of the IPHO, said in a gathering of health workers composed of barangay health workers, nurses, Municipal Health Officers (MHOs), media practitioners and other stakeholders that more than 95 percent of mothers exclusively breastfed their babies in 2011.

Jamolod also pointed out that the conduct of mothers’ classes and other Garantisadong Pambata (GP) activities had encouraged mothers to breastfeed their children.

In pursuance of Republic Acts (RAs) 7600 and 10028 better known as Breastfeeding Act of 1992 and Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, respectively, the government has intensified its campaign for exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers to raise healthy children.

Breast milk is said to be the best food since it contains essential nutrients completely suitable for the infant’s needs. It is also nature’s first immunization enabling infant to fight potential serious infection. (FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

Aquino midayeg sa Philippine Economic Zone authority pagdala sa dugang mga pamuhunan sa nasud

By: Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, April 28 (PIA) – Si Presidente Benigno S. Aquino III mipadayag sa bilyones pesos nga bili sa mga pamuhunan nga gibubo sa economic zones sa nasud nga miresulta sa paningkamot ug kahago sa Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) sanglit kini ang mihatag gibug-aton sa mahinungdanon nga pag-uswag sa pagsalig sa mga tigpamuhunan pinaagi pagdasig kanila nga mobutang ug dugang mga shops ug pagpalapnag sa negosyo.

Sa iyang pakigpulong atol sa ika-17 ka tuig nga Anniversary and Investors’ Recognition Night sa PEZA sa World Trade Center dakbayan sa Pasay ning nakalabay nga Huwebes, si Presidente Aquino nagpasalamat sa mga matinud-anon nga mga tawo sa PEZA sa dagko nga paghidangat sa mga pamuhunan sa nasud  dul-an sa duha ka tuig na ang nakalabay.

“Dihang kita ang nangatungdanan sa buhatan, ang PEZA nakamugna na sa kinatibuk-ang gidaghanon nga 465 bilyones pesos nga pamuhunan . Sa 17 ka tuig  sa  PEZA, kini ang napadayag sa 23 porsiento sa tanang pamuhunan nga gimugna sa nasangpit nga buhatan ug kini ang nahitabo dul-an sa duha ka tuig,” ang Presidente nagkanayon.

“Akong ipadangat ang mga pagpahalipay kang Director Lilia de Lima kinsa nag-amuma ning maong institusyon sama nga kini ang iyang kaugalingon nga anak nga naglihok ug paspas gikan sa mga katuigan sa iyang pagkatawo ngadto sa iyang pagkahingkod ug kini ang naglihok pag-ayo kay sa kaniadto,” matud pa niya.

Ang Presidente misaad nga ang mapadayonong inisyatibo sa kagamhanan pagpalambo sa business-conducive environment pinaagi pagwagtang sa red tape ug  corruption. (GCC/PCOO/PIA9-Zambosur) 

Benepisyaryo sa 4Ps sa gobyerno miabot na ug kapin sa 3 ka milyon

ni Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY, APR. 28(PIA)---Ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) sa administrasyong Aquino nakalugway na ug hinabang ngadto sa kapin sa 3 ka milyon ka mga Filipino hangtud sa bulan sa Marso, samtang padayon niining gipatuman ang mga ekonomikanhon ug katilingbanong reporma nga nagtumong nga haw-ason gikan sa kapit-os ang kabus nga mga pamilya, matod pa sa usa ka opisyal sa Palasyo.

Sa usa ka regular press briefing sa Malakanyang, gipahayag ni Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte nga ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) mitaho nga ang gidaghanon sa mga pamilyang-benepisyaryo sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program miabot na ug 3,029,374.

“Hangtud niadtong bulan sa Marso 21,2012, miabo na sa 3,029,374 ang pamilyang nalista sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Kini 97.56 porsiento sa atong gitarget para sa 2012,” matod pa ni Valte.

“Sa kinatibuk-ang panimalay, dunay 7,537,942 ka mga kabataan nga nagpangidaron ug hangtud 14 anyos nga nasakop sa programa, Katunga niining maong mga panimalay ania sa Mindanao, samtang 33.96 porsiento nagagikan sa Luzon ug 22.78 porsiento gikan sa Visayas,” matod pa niya.

Ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program kon Conditional Cash Transfer Program sa administrasyong Aquino pinaagi sa DSWD nagtumong nga matibhangan ang pag-antus sa mga Filipino taliwala sa kalibutanong krisis.

Gawas sa dakong pagsaka sa gidaghanon sa mga pobreng mga batang napatungha, napalambo usab sa programa ang gidaghanon sa mga batang nahatagan ug imunisasyon ug tukmang  pag-atimang medical sa pa sila matawo.

Gipalapdan sa gobyerno ang sakop sa programa aron maabot ang daghang kabus nga mga Filipino nga nagpuyo sa hilit nga bahin sa nasod.(ATR/PCOO/PIA9-Zambo Norte),

Reporma sa edukasyon ug maayong klima sa patigayon, makatabang pag-andam sa kaugmaon sa mga batan-on, matod pa ni Ochoa

ni Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY, APR. 28(PIA)---Gipadayon karon sa administrasyong Aquino ang mga reporma sa edukasyon uban ang pagpalambo sa ekonomiya aron pagmugna ug kahigayonan sa panarbaho sa mga Filipinong motapos sa ilang pagtungha, matod pa ni Executive Sec. Paquito Ochoa, Jr.

Sa iyang pagpakigpulong sa gipahigayong Commencement Exercises sa Quezon City Polytechnic University, si Ochoa miingon nga ang pagmugna ug maayong klima sa patigayon ug pagpatuman ug mga reporma sa edukasyon mao ang nag-unang prayoridad ni Presidente Benigno Aquino III aron pag-armas ug paghatag ug gahum sa mga batan-on pagsagubang sa mga hagit sa kinabuhi sa umaabot nga mga adlaw.

Usa sa mga reporma nga gihinganlan ni Ochoa mao ang Kindergarten to Year 12 kon K+12 Program sa Departamento sa Edukasyon, ang flagship program sa edukasyon nga gilusad sa Presidente niadtong Martes (Abril 24) nga nagtumong sa pagpalambo sa edukasyon sa nasod ug paghatag ug kasayon niadtong motapos sa sekondarya nga makasulod ug trabaho.

“Ilalom sa liderato ni Presidente Aquino, himoon sa gobyerno ang tanan aron tabangan ang mga batan-on nga mas mahimong andam pag-atubang sa mga hagit ugma damlag,” matod pa ni Ochoa.

“Ang pagdugang ug duha ka tuig sa basic education sa nasod, maoy magdugang sa kapabilidad sa mga estudiante kinsa gusto nang manarbaho pagkahuman sa sekondarya,” dugang pa ni Ochoa.

Giingnan pa ni Ochoa ang mga migradwar sa QCPU nga gawas sa mga reporma sa edukasyon, gipadayon usab sa gobyerno ang mga lakang nga mapalambo ang ekonomiya aron madugangan ang kahigayonan ug trabaho sa mga estudiante, sa higayong makatapos na sila sa ilang pagtoon.

Ang maong matang sa inisyatibo nagbunga ug maayong resulta sa ekonomiya, matod pa ni Ochoa ug usa na niini mao ang stock market nga mirehistro na usab ug laing labing taas niadtong Miyerkules (Abril 25).

Iya usab nga giingnan ang mga nagtapos nga niadtong 2011, ang naaprobahang foreign direct investment mitubo ug 30.6 porsiento ngadto sa P256.1 bilyones- ang labing taas nga natala sulod sa nakalabay nga 16 ka tuig.

Ang electronics industry nga mao ang usa sa nag-unang exporter, nakahatag ug daghang trabaho niadtong miaging tuig uban ang trabaho nga misaka ug 6 porsiento ngadto sa 530 mil niadtong 2011 kumpara sa naunang tuig. Sa kinatibuk-an, matod pa ni Ochoa, diin ang Department of Labor and Employment mitaho ug kinatibuk-ang 1.1 milyones ka namugnang bag-ong trabaho niadtdong miaging tuig.

 “Kining labing ulahing kalambuan, nagpakita lamang nga ang gobyerno nagmalampuson sa pagpalambo sa investment ug klima sa patigayon aron atong madani ang  dugang mga investors ug makamugna kita ug dugang bag-ong trabaho,” matod pa ni Ochoa.

Kini maoy makapadasig nga mga timailhan ug usa ka pananglitan kon giunsa pagtabangsa gobyerno ang inyong mga ginikanan nga mahatagan ang mga batan-ong lalaki ug babaye sama kaninyo ug kahigayonan ug maayong kinabuhi. Apan sama sa kadaghanan sa mga kahigayonan- mahimo lang kining ihatag ug anaa na kanato nga pahimuslan kining maong kahigayonan,” panapos pa ni Ochoa.(ATR/PCOO/PIA9-Zambo Norte)