DOT pushes for accreditation of tourism-related businesses for access to gov’t programs

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

   

ZAMBOANGA CITY – “We are campaigning for accreditation of tourism-related establishments because if they are not accredited, they could not avail of  government programs”, Department of Tourism IX Regional Director Mary June Bugante said during an interview with local media here.

Bugante said being accredited with DOT has additional perks like being included in DOT programs and promotional materials, and will also be prioritized for trainings.

However, Bugante said they still have to convince most establishments in the city and the entire region for accreditation as most are not keen on this program.

“Most of them don’t see any reason to be accredited because they  are doing well whether they are accredited or not”, she said.

Bugante, however, said the government is intensifying its drive to encourage businesses or establishments to be accredited with DOT. She said accommodation businesses like hotels, travel inns and the like, including  travel tour operators should be accredited while restaurants and other food businesses are optional.

As per DOT IX record, there are at least 200 tourism-related businesses in Zamboanga Peninsula, with around 100 based in Zamboanga City. They are targeting at least 30% of these to be accredited. (PIA9)    

GSIS pensioners enjoy free health and beauty treats

By Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY -  The Government Service  Insurance System (GSIS) treated pensioners to a day of free blood typing, blood pressure screening, massage, manicure, pedicure, and haircut on May 31.

But they were most amused with the orientation/lecture on acupressure, an alternative therapy that uses manual pressure and learned so much from the facilitator who also provided them with a copy of the body’s pressure points for them to use.

Dubbed as “GSIS Pensioners’ Day,” it was in line with the 76^th Anniversary celebration of the state pension fund with the theme “Trending at 76.”

In a brief program, Atty. Edwin M. Tomon said that with the new direction that the GSIS is headed under the management of  President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara together with its Board of Directors, GSIS continues in its pursuit for a highly professionalized bureaucracy and thus providing excellent service to its clientele.

He said with the GSIS’ new battlecry, “Maaasahan ng Lingkod Bayan,” new initiatives are in place paving the way for a more consultative, more transparent and more  member-focused institution.

“Being member-focused, it means, member above all, and member includes pensioners,” Atty. Tomon clarified.

Engr. Alberto Y. Galicinao, a retiree for a couple of years and Dr. Emma R. Sanson who retired barely nine months ago gave inspiring messages to the pensioners and depicted their life after retirement.

Leoncito S. Manuel, GSIS branch head here was not able to join the occasion as he was on official travel to Manila to receive his service award. (PIA9)

ISAWAD, Basilan Rotary complete model house for Gawad Kalinga

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The Isabela Water District (ISAWAD) and the Basilan Rotary Club has completed the model house for the Gawad Kalinga housing project in Pamucalin Village, Lantawan town, Basilan.

It was the first completed house of the thirty houses that are being constructed at Pamucalin site.

ISAWAD General Manager and Vice-President of the Basilan Rotary Club Alelie Almodovar said that the organization immediately responded to the invitation of Team Basilan and Gawad Kalinga to take part in the housing project.

“More than building the house, we also believe that we can contribute in building a community of peace by assisting to build homes to the poorest of the poor for the betterment of the society,” Almodovar said.

She said that with the help of some personnel in the water district and the members of the Rotary Club, they were able to complete the house in just a few weeks with the support of the military who assisted the team with transportation.

“It’s always the commitment of ISAWAD and Rotary Club to community service,” she noted, adding that the construction team only goes to the site on Saturdays.

Kohlee Calzada, Gawad Kalinga project coordinator said that the project is part of the ongoing Bayani Challenge 2013 which was launched nationwide last March 23-27, 2013 in Lantawan with some 500 volunteers. The project, he said, is a yearly activity of Gawad Kalinga.

Calzada said GK values its partners because the projects could not be accomplished without them.

“We are lucky that we have ISAWAD and Rotary as our partners in this development program,” he said.

Calzada hopes that the project will contribute to peace building in this part of the island. He invited ISAWAD and the Rotary to continue to support the project even after the turnover of the model house last May 17.

Meanwhile, Gov. Jum Akbar thanked the donors and partners in completing the GK project in Pamucalin and hopes that more and more groups and organizations will extend support and assistance for the completion of the 30 housing units. (PIA9)

2013 Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan kicks-off in Molave

By Gideon C. Corgue

MOLAVE, Zamboanga del Sur – Parents and students from poor families on Tuesday flocked to the municipal gym here to avail themselves of the “2013 Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan” conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and in coordination with the local government unit and selected distributors of school supplies.

Two hours before the opening program, the parents and students were already inside the gym as they were all eager to buy school supplies and uniforms as well basic and prime commodities at discounted prices.

Products sold at the “Diskwento Caravan” with 5 to 50 percent off the regular prices include notebooks, pad papers, pencils, pens, crayolas, scissors, school bags and uniforms, shoes, among others.

Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Genodino Abong who represented Mayor Ireneo Glepa said “the administration of Mayor Glepa tapped the services of DTI in conducting the ‘diskwento caravan’ to give the low-income families an opportunity to avail of the discounted products from the different establishments all housed in a one venue.”

Abong said “the one-day caravan, which was also done last year, is again held this year to continue giving our consumers, who want to maximize their budget for school supplies, school bags, shoes and uniforms of the students, a chance to get these at cheaper prices.”

DTI officer-in-charge Roger Sarsalejo said the “Diskwento Caravan” which started in 2008,  is a flagship project of DTI that aims to provide non-wage benefits for wage earners and employees to ease the consumers’ burden with the rising prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.

To avail of the program, Sarsalejo said, the consumers were urged to follow the mechanics in buying school supplies, and other goods.

“The consumers were given a limit of up to P1,500 worth of goods to be purchased to prevent unscrupulous businessmen to take advantage of the program. After registering, a buyer will be given a slip giving authorizing him to purchase goods not exceeding the required amount,” Sarsalejo explained.

Sarsalejo lauded the LGU and the participating stores like Juanita’s Enterprises, Zenco Footstep, Molave Cinema Enterprises, Minalan shopper’s Plaza and Young’s Milling for their support and active participation in the 2013 Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan. (PIA9)

Poor senior citizens to receive pension from DSWD

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

  

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The national government continues to help indigents all over the country, this time, focusing on the senior citizens through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) social pension program.

DSWD-9 coordinator for social pension, Ms. Evelyn Lingatong, said during the PIA Media Forum that the program is aimed to help indigent senior citizens with their basic needs like food and medication.

Lingatong explained that senior citizens aged 77 years old and above are qualified as beneficiaries of the program.

“We actually adjusted the age requirement from 80 years old to 77 years old. Now, why 77 when senior citizenship starts at 60? It’s for the simple reason that the older we get, the more help that we need,” Lingatong said.

Mr. Uldarico Fabian, Division Chief of Zamboanga City Social Welfare Office added that there are also other factors to determine the inclusion of a person in the list of beneficiaries.

“Before we include potential beneficiaries in our list, first, we really need to determine if they are indeed poor. We  will conduct background check, visit their homes and see their situation. This program is intended for the poorest of the poor,” Fabian pointed out.

Fabian also explained that senior citizens who are already receiving pension from any institutions, or those who are receiving monetary support from their loved ones are disqualified to avail of the program.

Beneficiaries of the social pension will be receiving P500.00 per month but the releasing of the pension will be on a quarterly basis, said Ms. Milagrosa Jaligue, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office Unit 7.

Jaligue explained that they chose to release the pension on a quarterly basis to also help lessen travel cost of the beneficiaries.

“They will only be receiving P500 a month. Transportation cost alone will really take away big part of that money because they will be coming from other barangays. On a quarterly basis, they will be receiving P1,500 and the travel cost will not take away big part of their pension,” she said.

To also address the travel cost of the beneficiaries, DSWD has partnered with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC) for the door-to-door delivery of their pension.

“This scheme was introduced just this second quarter with Zamboanga City as the pilot testing area. Out of the 1,561 beneficiaries, 710 were chosen for this testing. By June 3, we expect that 100% of our beneficiaries in the city will receive their pensions thru door-to-door delivery,” Ms. Lingatong stressed. 

For this year, DSWD-9 has already identified 17, 296 beneficiaries, with Zamboanga del Norte having the highest number with 6,845; followed by Zamboanga del Sur with 5,412 beneficiaries; Zamboanga Sibugay Province with 3,040 beneficiaries; 1,561 for Zamboanga City, and 438 for Isabela City in Basilan. (PIA9)

NGCP surpasses target set for 2012 FOT

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - On its way to fulfilling its mission of becoming the best transmission company in Southeast Asia, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) surpassed the target limit for frequency of tripping (FOT) set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the year 2012.

The FOT is a corporate performance indicator set by the ERC that measures the number of times the high-voltage transmission lines tripped or experienced forced outages for every 100 circuit kilometers (ckm). The ERC established the indicator to ensure minimal disturbance on power delivery service and to continuously improve the transmission system operator’s facilities. NGCP’s goal is to lower the FOT for the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids.

For the year 2012, the target FOT for Luzon Grid was set at 4.63 trippings per 100ckm, the Visayas Grid at 5.7 per 100ckm, and the Mindanao Grid at 5.52 per 100ckm. Having successfully reinforced the crucial lines and continuously improving the rest of its facilities, NGCP was able to reduce the frequency of trippings to 1.959 for Luzon, 1.081 for Visayas, and 2.595 for Mindanao, respectively. This represents a 58% improvement over the ERC-set acceptable levels for Luzon, 81% for Visayas, and 53% for Mindanao.

NGCP Spokesperson Atty. Cynthia P. Alabanza confirmed the actual FOT ratings. ”NGCP’s operations are centered on strengthening the transmission backbone that is why we strive hard year on year to lower our FOTs. Our FOT ratings, which are considerably better than the acceptable levels set by ERC, are a result of the continuous upgrade, expansion, and reinforcement of our facilities. Our customers and the public can be assured that NGCP will continue to improve its performance and exceed the targets set by the ERC to provide more reliable and efficient power transmission service.”

GCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets.

NGCP’s regular maintenance activities and expansion projects aim to enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered to grid-connected customers like generators, distributors, and large industries. (FPG/NGCP/ATR/PIA9)

Search for 2013 Model OFW Family of the Year officially opens

By Alma L. Tingcang

ZAMBOANGA CITY -  The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA9) is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Model Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) in the Zamboanga Peninsula region.

Labor Communications Officer Mary Jane R. Amarado said Overseas Workers Welfare Administration -IX Regional Director   Gabra T. Jumdain urges OFW, non-government organizations, peoples’ organizations, religious groups, community-based socio-civic organizations and local government units to submit their nominations to OWWA9. No individual nominations will be accepted.

“The search focuses on OFW families who have nurtured strong family relations and properly managed the financial benefits from overseas employment,” Director Jumdain said.

Ms. Amarado said MOFYA, now on its ninth year, aims to highlight best practices of OFWs and their families in overcoming the challenges of migration.

Criteria for nominations include the following: the family is headed by an OFW who is formerly or presently working abroad with a formal or informal contract of employment or work permit, and with proof of OWWA membership; the OFW, either married or single, is the breadwinner of the family and has at least four years of work experience as an OFW; the family is known as a solid/stable family in the locality; and the family is financially stable.

The Regional screening and selection is tentatively set on September, 2013 and winners will be named on October 2013. There will be two families to be awarded model OFW families, the sea-based and the land-based.

“Special awards await the winners and a chance to be nominated and be named as a national OFW family in the National Awarding ceremony which will take place sometime in November,” Director Jumdain added.

Two more awardees will be conferred special awards: the Outstanding Achievement in Community Projects and Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship. Last year, Dr. Orlando P. Paber of Zamboanga City, MOFYA Region 9 awardee for land-based category also received the outstanding achievement in community projects at the national level, in recognition for his various community involvements. 

Nomination forms and other details of the 2013 Model OFW Family search are available and may be downloaded from the OWWA website at www.owwa.gov.ph. (FPG/ALT/PIA9/OWWA9/With report from Mary Jane R. Amarado)

Public schools ready for opening of classes, says Supt. Perez

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY — “All public schools in the city are ready for the opening of classes on June 3,” Schools Division Superintendent Victorina G.  Perez said over DXAA news program recently.

A similar pronouncement was aired by George Balbosa, secretary to the superintendent, confirming that classes in public schools would officially start on Monday.

“The implementation of Brigada Eskwela and the seminars given to teachers especially those who will be handling K+12, made the public school ready for the classes on Monday,” Balbosa declared.

It can be recalled that all public schools in the city had conducted Brigada Eskwela last May 20-24 in preparation for the opening of classes.

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school preparation campaign spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepED) with voluntary participation of teachers, parents, students and other organizations in the repair of all school facilities and clean-up drive to all classrooms and its surroundings.

In Dipolog, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) have also extended their support to the said annual activity.

In a related development, all provincial and district fire marshals were also directed to support DepED’s “Oplan Balik Eskwela” campaign.

Members of BFP will be checking all connection lines of electricity in schools, dormitories and boarding houses to determine whether they really passed the safety compliance to protect the students from any accident.

PNP-Dipolog, on the other hand, through its Police Community Relations (PCR) division is also conducting information drive against kidnapping and drug addiction.

The lady schools superintendent also informed the parents and students that the DepED is now strictly implementing the “no collection policy” and if there will be any voluntary contribution, it must be paid to/collected by the Parents Teachers Association (PTCA) as stipulated under DepED Order No. 41, series of 2012.

Finally, Perez said: “Parents should allow and encourage their children to go to their classes even if they don’t have school materials because the public schools have their Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) allocation that can be utilized in the procurement of school supplies like crayons, pencil, papers for the schoolchildren to use.” (PIA9)

DSWD, TESDA conduct “cash for training” in Bayog

By Bernadine Astillero Gabawan

BAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in coordination with the local government unit of Bayog conducted a “Cash for Training” on Organic Agriculture Production (OAP) and Driving and Auto Servicing (D & AC) here on Tuesday at the Glupa Gulian Agro-Tourism Park in Barangay Kahayagan.

The program aimed to empower the disadvantaged youths through skills training and assistance for a gainful employment  by venturing them into entrepreneurial activities.

The training package  includes training cost, tool kits and transportation allowance amounting to of P20,000 per scholar.

Fifty three out-of-school youths and unemployed college graduates successfully completed the training - 28 on organic agriculture production and 25 on driving and auto servicing.

In his message, Mayor Leonardo L. Babasa Jr. expressed his appreciation on the program for “it gives the youths an opportunity to start their own livelihood.”

“With this, it will induce economic activity in the municipality,” Babasa added.

Moreover, Mayor Babasa gave assurance to the participants that they would be given an area at the Glupa Gulian for their gardening, hoping that “this batch will help in the production of rubber seedlings in the municipality.”

Also present during the occasion were SB member Celso Matias, TESDA Provincial Director Eulalio Lumactod, MSWDO Conchita Sucaldito, ZOOM Technical and Agriculture Training Center President Nelly Yting, ZOOM school registrar Ma. Dinah Marasigan, LGU department heads and key officials and ZOOM instructors Ruel Maraniag, Alejandro Gesta, Romson Jarantilla and Ridesh Jarantilla. (PIA9)

DSWD launches Reg’l Profile of Poor Households; Tatsulo “stories of hope”

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 9 recently launched its “Regional Profile of Poor Households” (RPPH) back to back with its documentary film Tatsulo “Stories of Hope.”

The RPPH contains data that will serve as a guide to agencies and organization in developing programs and projects for the disadvantaged Filipino families and communities.

The roster of poor households found in the RPPH were identified through an information management system that identifies who are the poor, and this system is called the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (HHTS-PR) where series of activities such as house–to-house assessment and validation activities were conducted.

The RPPH launching was done through the symbolic unveiling of the life-size RPPH booklet led by DSWD Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Operations Consejo H. Usman.

A film showing on the documentary (docu) film Tatsulo “stories of hope” followed shortly after the RPPH booklet-launch.

ARD Usman said the docu film showcases life stories of DSWD Tatsulo program beneficiaries of how hope shine upon them in the midst of poverty.

“In our effort to provide general public as well as our partners an idea of our department’s gains and impact on our beneficiaries, we have documented grassroots stories which we hope will serve as an inspiration to our partners and comrades in our fight against poverty,” Usman said.

Tatsulo is a convergence strategy employing the three major social protection program of DSWD-the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), KALAHI-CIDSS and Sustainable Livelihood. It aims to promote total-well being of the family from the development of their human capacities and making income generating opportunities available for them.

Present during the launching were the Tatsulo “stories of hope” program beneficiaries themselves. They were presented to the media in a press conference. (PIA9)

PNP-9 readies for “Balik Eskwela 2013”

By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – As the opening of classes in all schools starts on June 3, Western Mindanao Police Director Chief Supt. Juanito Vaño Jr. has directed his men in the field to implement their comprehensive security plan to address any problem involving traffic, petty crimes and illegal peddling.

Vaño also ordered the deployment of policemen to school premises as well as to crime-prone areas in the region.

“This intensified police visibility and random patrol in the vicinity of the different schools are meant to carry out an ‘Opportunities of Service’ by doing little things but producing meaningful and great impact by assisting students and pedestrians in road traffic, and interacting with the students and parents as well,” he said.

Aside from securing the school premises, Vaño said, “the Philippine National Police (PNP) has to maintain police visibility and patrol in all public places and in the different entry and exit points to monitor the activities and presence of wanted persons and criminals who might take advantage of the situation, targeting prominent students to be their probable kidnap victim.”

“I want to make sure that peace and order is maintained within the vicinity of the school premises by denying the criminals an opportunity to do their illegal activities by preying on innocent children, students and the parents,” Chief Supt Vaño said.

The police regional director also reminded his men to continue their vigilance and alertness to ensure the safety and security not only of the students but the entire community as well. (FPG/PNP9/PIA)

DOST-9 extends assistance to metals, engineering industry

By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - To provide technology interventions including system and process improvement, and manpower development to the metals and engineering industry, the Department of Science and Technology IX, through the Small Enterprise Technology and Upgrading Program (SETUP) has approved the project “Upgrading the Roll up Facility of the Ruby Grills Shop and Glass Center" in this municipality.

With funding assistance worth P440,000, Ruby Grills Shop and Glass Center is the first to offer fabrication services of roll up doors/windows in Zamboanga Sibugay province which will complement the firm’s current business.

The equipment to be acquired is the same equipment adopted by another SETUP beneficiary in Dipolog City which so far, has been working efficiently.

The said project aims to provide additional income to the firm by enabling it to fabricate its own roll up doors/windows instead of outsourcing the same technology from Dipolog or Zamboanga City. Hence, it will provide additional employment opportunities for locals in the area and strengthen the metal industry in the province which is one of the priorities of SETUP.

At present, it is the only business operating in terms of roll up installation in the province with workforce of adequate training and experience gained from working with big companies in similar line of business. The business focuses on roll up doors installation, glass and aluminum installation, and iron works.

Due to outsourcing of supplies (fabricated roll ups) from Dipolog and Zamboanga City, the firm cannot compete with the market price. This prompted them to avail DOST’s SETUP program to acquire roll up fabrication facility.

SETUP is designed to boost productivity and competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and to encourage them in implementing technological innovations and improvements in their operations.

Interested parties may visit or call DOST-Regional Office IX, Pettit Barracks, Zamboanga City with telephone numbers (062) 991-1024; the Provincial S&T Center (PSTC) in Upper Turno, Dipolog City, telephone numbers (065) 212-2244; Provincial S&T Center (PSTC) in Rizal Avenue, Pagadian City with telephone number (062) 925-1152; and the Provincial S&T Center (PSTC) at 2/F Faundo Bldg., National Highway, Poblacion, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay with telephone numbers (062) 333-2793; or you may visit the DOST-IX website at www.region9.dost.gov.ph. (FPG/ALT/PIA9/DOST-IX)