Lapuyan residents lauded for their vigilance and support to AFP’s “Bayanihan” campaign

By Gideon C. Corgue

LAPUYAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The encounter between the troops of the 53^rd Infantry (MATAPAT) battalion and 20 fully armed member of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Wednesday in barangay Tiguha, Lapuyan was attributed to the active support of the civilians.

LtCol. Alvin Luzon, commanding officer of the 53^rd IB in a radio interview over the weekend said civilians living in the hinterlands are actively supporting the programs and activities pursued by the  Armed Forces of the Philippines—the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) or Bayanihan campaign.

“I acknowledge the efforts of residents and barangay folks for the cooperation and support in keeping their community free from NPA elements,” Luzon reported.

Luzon said when he received a report from local residents on the presence of armed men, he immediately sent troops in the area to check and validate it and found out that the report was true.

Luzon said the encounter, which resulted to the recovery of one (1) M16 rifle, several magazines and assorted live ammunitions, improvised explosive devices (IED), cartridges of 40mm, subversive documents, foodstuff and other personal belongings was attributed to the report of civilians in barangay Tiguha.

Meanwhile, Luzon said the NPA is already losing mass-base support because it uses force or coercion to get financial support from the masses. “The masses have appreciated the Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (CLIP) where it has provided surplus benefits to the surrenderees,” he added.

Under the CLIP, Luzon said, the government will provide immediate cash assistance to the NPA surrenderees to cover their basic needs and skills training. “They no longer hide in the mountains and will never experience difficult life like constant walking, sleepless nights and lack of food.”

He added that the NPA surrenderee is assured of a bright future because they will happily live with their family, send their children to school and provide for their basic needs.

It can be recalled that over 30 NPA regular members already surrendered to the 53IB due to the sustained combat operations of government troops and the growing social pressure for them to rejoin mainstream society.

“I am confident that in due time, the rest of the NPA rebels in the mountains will surrender to the government and live peaceful lives with their families,” Luzon concluded. 

Australian government offers local scholarship program on graduate studies for Mindanaoans

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY, January 22 (PIA) – The Australian government through the Philippines-Australia Human Resource and Organisational Development Facility (PAHRODF) is now accepting applications for the In-Country Scholarship Program (ICSP)-2.

The scholarship is open to all Mindanaoans who are interested to pursue their graduate studies and is committed to work for the development of the Bangsamoro.

Eligible applicants should have at least two years of work experience; have not been the subject of any disciplinary actions that warranted suspension or expulsion from employers. This requires a certification of no pending administrative case from employer.

Moreover, the applicant should not be a beneficiary of any scholarship or other education assistance program at the time of application or during the duration of the scholarship; and lastly, the applicant must pass the program entry requirements of the academic institution where he intends to enrol.

Over 15 graduate programs are up for grabs available in various academic institutions in the Philippines, such as Public Administration (public policy, analysis, governance, finance, procurement); Peace and Development Studies; Disaster Risk Reduction and Management; Climate Change Adaptation; Human Resource Management and Development; Organisational Development; Development Communications; Program Management; Entrepreneurship; Micro-Finance; Engineering (civil and mechanical); Public Health; Social Welfare and Protection; Gender and Development; Educational Studies (teaching strategies, early childhood, assessment); School Management; TechVoc for Senior High School; Agricultural Development/Rural Development; and Local Economic Development.

The ICSP hopes to help strengthen select Philippine institutions or individuals in priority fields relevant to current development trends. It complements the Australia Awards Scholarships that provides partners with options for long term study.

Its pilot scholarship offering was launched last 2012 with a total of 99 awardees from Mindanao, based particularly in conflict and post-conflict affected areas.

Submission of applications is due on February 15, 2016.

For more information, interested applicants may visit their website at: www.pahrodf.org.ph/icsp.

Ipilenos celebrate Feast of Santo Nino

By Rhea Grace A. La Plana

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, January 22 (PIA) – Ipilenos celebrated the Feast of the Santo Niño on January 17 which marked their deep devotion to the Holy Child believed by Catholics to be the source of many miracles.

For Catholics, it is the oldest religious image in the country. Made of wood, the image is sculptured and carved. The image was one of the religious statues Ferdinand Magellan (who was a devout Catholic) brought with him in his monumental journey in 1521.

During its festivity, it is common to see devotees praying to venerate the image, in supplication for a favor or as an expression for a blessing received.

It’s also an opportunity to watch what the real “Sinulog”is. The “Sinulog” has always been observed by the faithful devotees of Sto. Niño.The colorful   festivity and “Sinulog” celebration was done at a chapel located at TirsoBabiera Street, Barangay Poblacion.

Mrs. Lourdes Babiera and Mrs.LolengAvanzado, both Santo Niño devotees led the solemn prayers and nightly novena at the said chapel. Fr. Arnold Hinggone celebrated a Holy Mass which culminated the 9-day novena.

A grand procession around Ipil town was participated by about 500  devotees, religious groups, choir, ministers of the word, ministers of communion, rosary and novena leaders, students, teachers, residents and many Ipilenos from nearby barangays.

Adding color to the festivity was the participation of  6groups of street dancers:TirsoBabiera group, Tiayon group, Ipil National High School, and 3 groups from Barangay Don Andres.

An Ipileno, Mrs. Lourdes Babiera is a faithful devotee of St. Nino. Her long standing devotion to the Holy Child is reflected in her three granddaughters’ devotion to St. Nino as well. Candice Marie Dano, a Clinical Instructor of Southwestern University in Cebu, CatleyaDano, a nurse and Chloe Dano, a professor at Marian College all participated in the street dance. The three sisters grew up seeing their grandmother’sfervent love for Santo Nino that has molded them to be devotees too.

Residents and different organizing committees were very grateful to some Ipilenos who donated cash and in kind for the flowers, food, snacks, and consolation prices.

For faithful Catholics in Ipil, it is a blessing that they embraced and kept close to their hearts the devotion to Santo Nino. Ipilenos look forward to the annual Santo Nino feast as various beautifully clothed images of the Child Jesus, mounted on carrozas will be in procession. The Feast of the Santo Niño is an occasion of such grand spectacle and month-long festivities of Sinulog and Ati-atihan. 

PNP revitalizes BADACs in Dipolog

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY, Jan. 22 (PIA) – A revitalization seminar has been conducted Wednesday to some 48 members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT), barangay council officials and “tanods” as well as purok sectoral leaders of Barangay Dicayas by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Dipolog Police Station.

This activity sought to revitalize the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) in pursuance of Memorandum Circular No. 2015-63 issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) underscoring the primary responsibilities of local authorities especially the barangay officials in addressing peace and order problems and more particularly illegal drugs.

“This is the reason why we continuously apprehend suspects of numerous drug-related cases in the city,” SPO3 Zotico E. Calago, chief of Police Community Relations (PCR) unit said in telephone interview.

The BADAC through its committee on operations shall prepare and maintain a confidential list of suspected users, pushers, financiers and/or protectors of illegal drug trade in their respective jurisdiction to be submitted to the police station.

Moreover, Calago stressed that the members of the council are the informant that will make immediate report through text messaging of any suspicious activity in their area to be sent to the city police station’s hotline numbers.

The said council through its committee on advocacy shall also conduct consultative meetings with the organizations in the barangay such as the Parents Teachers Community Association (PTCA), youth groups, boy and girl scouts, religious organizations, senior citizens, Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) and other organizations to get their commitment to assist in curbing the drug problem.

“In this strategy, we are conducting information campaign to communities in order to raise the awareness of residents and to involve them through active participation in reporting of suspicious activities and criminalities to PNP. Because of this, we can prevent and solve criminal incidents in the community,” Calago maintained. 

Free deworming to schoolchildren slated Jan. 27

By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY, Jan. 22 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd) will administer free deworming to all schoolchildren  from kindergarten to grade 6 with ages 5 to 12 years old in all public schools in the country come Jan. 27.

In a recent media forum here, Dr. Meriam Indin, regional health coordinator of DepEd-9 said the conduct of the National School Deworming Day (NSDD) aims to reduce cases of children affected with worms locally known as “bulate” which causes weakness, loss of appetite, decrease in IQ and anemia among children.

Dr. Indin disclosed that abendazole 400mg is the drug of choice of DOH for the deworming, because it has a wide range of curative activity and is effective against all worms, it is safe and easy to administer and even was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

If in case there is an adverse reaction on children after taking the drug, the DOH has recommended that referrals must only be done in government hospitals.

“In Zamboanga del Sur the hospitals identified are the Margosatubig Regional Hospital in Margosatubig and the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center at Dao, this city,” Indin pointed out.

All Rural Health Units (RHUs) in every municipalities and cities were also coordinated and oriented about the activity and are ready to assist, she added.

Indin emphasized, “that the deworming will  be administered to a child only after two hours of full meal.” With this note, she encouraged all parents that on Jan. 27, their children should have a full meal before going to school.

To ensure that the children will have a full stomach, DepEd will provide feeding prior to the deworming activity, while DOH will augment some snacks for the children on the same day.

Meanwhile, Dr. Indin reported that in Zamboanga Peninsula there are 1,169 public elementary schools that will be dewormed on the said date, 657 of them are from the Zamboanga del Sur division.

On the other hand, Ms. Dhalia Aseñero of the Integrated Provincial Health Office said children aged 1 to 4 years old will be dewormed in April and October this year during the Garantisadong Pambata activity. 

Wesmincom chief maintains Malik is dead, hopeful on Misuari arrest soon

 By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, January 22 (PIA) – Contrary to a Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) official’s claim that the man behind the bloody 2013 siege of Zamboanga, Ustadz Habier Malik is very much “alive and kicking” in Jolo town, Sulu province, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) here explicitly maintains that Malik was killed at the height of the siege.

“Sa amin, yun pa rin dati, sumakabilang buhay na siya,” (To us, we maintain that he died), pronounced Lt. Gen. Mayoraldo Dela Cruz during a media interview Wednesday (January 20). It can be recalled after the siege, authorities confirmed that Malik died from bullet wounds in a firefight with government troops.

Earlier last week, MNLF Deputy for Operations Faiser Serna claimed over a local radio news program that Malik is still alive, but was not seen during the MNLF’s latest meeting in Indanan, Sulu. Serna also claimed that MNLF leader Prof. Nur Misuari presided over the meeting himself.

Gen. Dela Cruz admitted that Misuari is very elusive. “Si Misuari, palipat-lipat yan ng lugar. Biglang nawawala,” (Misuari constantly moves from place to place, he disappears suddenly from where he was spotted) he said.

The general explained that the military is only in a support role when it comes to arresting high-profile personalities like the MNLF leader. “This is the job of the CIDG,” referring to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

“Wala namang pumunta sa amin from CIDG. Pag pumunta sila, by all means, we will assist them in making the arrest,” (CIDG did not come to us) he said.

But Gen. Dela Cruz is very much hopeful on the arrest. “Darating din ang araw na maaresto din natin siya,” (time will come when we could finally arrest him).

Misuari and Malik both have a standing warrant of arrest for rebellion for their participation in the 2013 siege.  

Meanwhile, residents in the city have grown concerned on the presence of military armored vehicles. Gen. Dela Cruz clarified that there is no need for concern as the deployment is a standard procedure to ensure security.

“This is normal. We always want the people here to feel safe and secure,” he said. He said that the armored vehicles will also need to patrol the more isolated places here.

“It is very important to let the people know that Task Force Zamboanga is striving to do whatever it takes to protect the city,” he added. “We always have to be prepared.” 

Over 2000 grains businessmen expected to renew licenses

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA)  - - The National Food Authority (NFA) here reminds grains businessmen in the region to renew their licenses for 2016 on time so as to avoid surcharge.

Jordan Lee Valente, NFA Information Officer said they are expecting some 2000 grains businessmen operating in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region to renew their licenses with the office.

“NFA has scheduled the whole month of January for the renewal of licenses for grains businessmen from barangays under the first district including those at the Main Public Market and Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex, while those from the barangays under the second district is scheduled on the month of February,” Valente said.

Concerned grains businessmen are advised to observe the schedule for renewal of licenses to avoid surcharge and penalties.

Valente informed, those who renew licenses beyond the deadline would be made to pay a surcharge fee equivalent to 25 percent (%) of the total license cost and an additional 25% for every month of delay.

“Those who are required to secure or renew their NFA license are grains businessmen engaged in lines of activities such as retailing, wholesaling, milling, warehousing, transporting, manufacturing, threshing, corn shelling, mechanical drying, packaging, poultry and hog raising, and importing,” the active IO said.

Requirements for renewal of NFA licenses are 2 pieces 2 x 2 ID pictures and 2 photocopies of City Mayor’s permit.

All persons, natural or juridical, who are engaged or are intending to engage in the rice and/or corn industry, shall apply for a grains business license and/or grains business registration with NFA. 

PACIGEMCO distributes foodstuffs, school supplies in Manga Elementary School

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) – At least 405 students in Manga Elementary School have benefited from the “Duaw sa Eskwelahan” (Visit the School) project of  Pagadian City Government Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PACIGEMCO) over the weekend.

PACIGEMCO chairperson Esther Dela Torre in her message said “Duaw sa Eskwelahan” is an annual visitation of the coop members to public elementary schools where they share blessings to the students.  

“We are doing this annual activity to public elementary schools especially in the remote areas as a way to praise and thank the Almighty Father for all His mercies and blessings bestowed on our coop,” Dela Torre explained. She added that community involvement is one of the seven guiding principles of the cooperative.

Dela Torre said PACIGEMCO, owned and operated by employees of the city government was established in 1994 and was formally registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in 1998.

In its 22 years of existence, Dela Torre said the coop has experienced growth and development.

She said the officers have chosen Manga Elementary School to be this year’s beneficiary of the project saying that the school has many students.

In 2015, the project was launched in Datagan Elementary School with only 200 students, but this year, the number of students was almost doubled.  

 

The PACIGEMCO officers distributed food packs and school supplies. “We are heartily sharing these food packs and school supplies to make the students happy,” the coop chair said.

 “I sincerely thank the PACIGEMCO for this ‘Duaw sa Eskwelahan” project. We are happy that the coop has chosen our school to be this year’s beneficiary,” Ms. Alice Anyayahan, the school principal gratefully said. 

 “Malipayon kami nga gihatagan sa PACIGEMCO sa mga pagkaon ug school supplies. Nanghinaut kami nga magpadayon ang ilang proyekto  pagpaambit ngadto sa uban nga mga tulunghaan,” Joecris Custodio, first honor of the  Grade 3 class said.    

(We are very happy that PACIGEMCO has given us foodstuffs and school supplies. We hope that the project will be sustained and other schools  will benefit from it.)

NHA reports 35.97% completion rate of houses under the Z3R

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY, January 21 (PIA) – The National Housing Authority (NHA) has reported a 35.97 percent completion rate in the construction of houses under the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) as of December 31, 2015.

The figure is equivalent to 2,338 houses constructed, both on land and on stilts, out of the total 6,500 units targeted for construction under the Z3R project which comprises 19 housing packages.

Around 869 units of these completed houses have already been awarded to beneficiaries, while the construction of the remaining 2,971 units are still ongoing.

Based on NHA record, there are 1,653 one-storey housing units targeted for construction in Martha Drive Homeowners Association (HOA), Inc., Paniran, Tulungatung, St. Peter, Christian-Muslim, Islamic Village (Duplex loftable), Lustre HOA, Ayer 1, Rio Hondo (duplex loftable) and Ayer II. To date, some 892 units have already been completed.

Some 176 units of two-storey houses are also completed out of the 360 houses targeted for construction in Aplaya and Evangelista-Vista Homes.

Furthermore, about 1,270 houses on stilts are completed, out of the 4,487 units targeted for construction in seven areas.

On the other hand, all of the 1,661 families subject for the Home Material Assistance Program (HOMA) have already been given assistance as of December 2015, with the total amount of P49.83 million.

HOMA is the grant of P30 thousand worth of housing materials to families whose houses were slightly damaged by the Zamboanga siege.

In a press release issued by the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) chaired by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, it stated that they are looking for ways and means to address delays in the implementation of the housing projects at the local level.

PSHS picks Dipolog for ZamPen campus

By Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) - A regional campus of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) system has finally come to Zamboanga Peninsula region and it is located here in this city.

The PSHS-Zamboanga Peninsula campus will formally open its classes for the school year 2016-2017 in June to be held at the Dipolog City Sports Complex in Barangay Olingan, which serves as its temporary classroom pending completion of the construction of its school buildings at its permanent site in Barangay Cogon this city.

Grade six pupils who have successfully passed the National Competitive Examinations (NCE) given by the PSHS in October 2015 and opted to study at the Dipolog campus are as follows: Abaya, Perl Arevalo of Notre Dame of Greater Manila; Abubakar, Zahra Amilano of Isabela City Pilot Central School, Isabela City, Basilan; Alterado, Richard Tan-awon of Andres Bonifacio College, Dipolog City; Asiri, Sakeena Muin of Notre Dame of Jolo for Girls, Jolo, Sulu; Cadavedo, Deam Mark Jr. Caballero of Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School, Dipolog City; Cainta, Derf Iluminado Nicklaus Saldariega of Dipolog SPED Center, Dipolog City; Calaycay, Matthew Cedric Desamparado of Dipolog SPED Center; Capa, Jewel Café of Manukan West Central School, Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte; Cardino, Dave Daniel Vidallo of Dipolog SPED Center; Castro, Marianne Chantelle Jimenez of Ozamis Montessori Center, Ozamis City.

Dael, Philippe Andrei Sanoria of Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School; Dalumpines, Alyssa Adelle Eguia of Dapitan City Central SPED, Dapitan City; Empeynado, Chris Emmanuel Austero of Estaka Central School, Estaka, Dipolog City; Farrales, Rizza Andrea Espiritusanto of Pagadian City Montessori Center, Pagadian City; Illustrado, Vien Trina Aquino of Isabela City East Central Elementary School, Isabela City, Basilan; Jacinto, Pocholo Macaraeg of Dapitan City Central SPED; Lagapa, Ali Khan Miguel Ruelan of Saint Michael’s College, Iligan City; Macamay, Joan Phiscira Paco of Ozamis City Central School, Ozamis City.

Nacaytuna, John Alek Baring of Estaka Central School; Navarro, Krishna Gail Majorenos of Mahayag Central Elementary School, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur; Odantabao, Paul II Maybituin of Dipolog SPED Center; Omamalin, Trevor Santos of Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School; Racho, Nicolien Rian Masecampo of Pagadian City Pilot Central Elementary School, Pagadian City; Ramon, Princess May Esguerra of Integrated Mntessori Center, Taguig City; Sagario, Gershon Rei Josol of DMC College Foundation, Dipolog City; Solijon, Andrey Frits Lood of Pagadian City Pilot Elementary School; Suarez, John Nuelmar Sajiin of Tetuan Central Elementary School, Zamboanga City; Sumalpong, Swiss Misley Benitez of Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School; Teleron, Jollianne Claire Razonable of Balangasan Central Elementary School, Zamboanga City; Turbela, Hans Valdez of Pagadian City Pilot Central Elementary School; Vanguardia, Jorel Flores of Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School; and Zamora, KZ Vale Alaiza Saldua of Pagadian City Pilot Elementary School.

PSHS-ZP campus is the last regional campus being established in Mindanao. The first PSHS campus in the island was the Southern Mindanao Campus in Mintal, Davao City, which was opened in 1988, followed by the Central Mindanao Campus in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte in 1998, SOCCSKSARGEN campus in Koronadal City in 2013 and Caraga campus in Butuan City in 2014.

The PSHS, which prepares its students to become world-class scientists, provides its scholars with free tuition, uniform allowance and monthly stipend. 

DA implements HYTA project in Zambo. Norte

By Grace O.Montallana

DIPOLOG CITY, Jan. 20 (PIA) –  The Department of Agriculture (DA)-9 has implemented High Yielding Technology Adoption (HYTA) project in Zamboanga del Norte, which aims to increase rice production in the area.

Under the program, higher rice production targets can be achieved by planting high yielding varieties such as hybrid rice and certified inbred seeds.

HYTA also promotes “Super Green Rice,” which is said to endure dry spell and bad weather such as storms and hurricanes according to a study conducted by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the country for about two year.

The project has been piloted in Siocon town and other municipalities in the province.

Meanwhile, a meeting with Muncipal Agricultural Officers (MAOs), provincial rice coordinator, provincial rice report officer and other representatives  has been called by the DA recently to evaluate and assess the farmers’ associations adopting said project and to discuss the common problems they have encountered in relation to the implementation of the project. 

Threat or no threat, armored vehicles here to stay - WesMinCom

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, January 21 (PIA) – There is no need to be alarmed over the presence of armored vehicles that are currently patrolling the city, as this is one of the strategies by local authorities to help ensure that peace and order is maintained, amidst rumors regarding terror threats here.

“We do not want to alarm people,” said Mayor Beng Climaco during a regular press briefing held Monday (January 18) in City Hall, citing that it was the decision of Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Gen. Mayoralgo Dela Cruz to deploy troops and armored vehicles in the city and the communities for regular patrol.

Accordingly, Gen. Dela Cruz ordered his men to patrol the city “whether there is a threat or not” to ensure that peace and order is maintained.

Last week, residents have been receiving text messages regarding an alleged rally planned by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members in the city. As it turned out, MNLF members were in the city en route to Jolo, Sulu for a scheduled meeting with their leaders.

Military officials during a peace and order council meeting Monday confirmed that there was indeed an MNLF plan to stage a so-called “peace rally.” However, as stressed by Climaco, she will not allow the MNLF to conduct any public rallies in the city, since she, as mayor is given this discretion in the interest of the city.

While MNLF officials said that they will abide by the city’s “no permit, no rally” rule, authorities here are nonetheless extra cautious.

Military and police have been continuously monitoring the situation in the different barangays. The Philippine Army’s Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) for one is conducting 24-hour roving patrols, checkpoints, as well as water and foot patrols. Areas of concern such as the seaport, airport, bus terminal, power plants, gas depots and other vital installations are secured.

Meanwhile, OIC-City Police Director Supt. Luisito Magnaye said that authorities do not discount possibilities of atrocities here, particularly since aside from the MNLF, there are reported presence of the Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements in the city.

“Bombings and terror actions could not be discounted,” Magnaye stressed. “The threat remains.”

As this develops, Magnaye urges residents to be doubly vigilant. “There are still factions that could commit atrocities, and we must be alert and vigilant at all times,” he said, all the while reminding the public to report suspicious men, women and even children to police hotline 117.