Zambo celebrates solemn, peaceful Fiesta Pilar

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar yesterday (October 12) thanked the police, military, their force multipliers and residents  for helping ensure a safe Fiesta Pilar celebration, since October 1 until yesterday’s grand procession.

Thousands of residents from all walks of life joined in the Grand Procession in honor of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, the city’s matron, which began at around 3 in the afternoon at the Metropolitan Cathedral, ending at around 5, with a mass celebrated by Archbishop Romulo dela Cruz at the Fort Pilar.

Fort Pilar itself was packed with devotees including Mayor Climaco-Salazar, Congressman Celso Lobregat and other local officials. Residents have been coming in throngs to Fort Pilar since the start of the 9-day Novena in honor of the Lady.

Ñora Carmelita Delos Reyes, a 72-year-old devotee who has been a La Virgen devotee all her life said that she felt more comfortable seeing police, military and Red Cross volunteers all around Fort Pilar. “Mas ta sinti iyo comfortable pati hinde na iyo ta tiene miedo na ay tiene maga mal hente na pikura ase malo el celebrasyon,” (I feel comfortable and I am not anymore afraid that there could be any person to do their evil plans to disrupt the celebrations), said Ñora Carmelita.

Security in the procession route as well as in Fort Pilar itself was very tight. Police and military were highly visible, and adding to them were force multipliers including criminology students from local universities.

Cellular signal was observed to have been cut off in the procession areas as part of the security measures.

Earlier, Mayor Climaco-Salazar issued executive orders with regards to security measures in Fiesta Hermosa activity areas. This included the banning of caps, backpacks, and the wearing of hoods in the premises. Devotees were also subjected to inspection prior to entering the Fort Pilar shrine.

The mayor expressed her gratitude for all who participated and cooperated with the authorities in the strict implementation of the security procedures.

Residents such as Ñora Carmelita are more grateful for the added security, since it ensured the safety of all devotees. On the other hand, Red Cross volunteers were on standby and took care of any person who needed immediate medical attention. 

DOH conducts media forum

By Grace Montallana

DIPOLOG CITY - “We are appealing to the media people to support our program,” Ms. Virgie Galaretta, health education promotions officer of the Department of Health (DOH)-9 told the press in a forum held Friday at the Top Plaza Hotel here.

Galaretta also said the forum was conducted to give the media practitioners accurate information about the programs pursued by the DOH especially on its deworming and immunization activities.

The investigation result on the last mass deworming activity in schools was also presented in the forum.

As reported, several students complained of stomach pains and difficulty in breathing after taking the deworming tablets. This, Galaretta said, affected the School-based Immunization Program (SIP) for grades 1-7 students that ensued days after the deworming activity.

Galaretta reported that a decrease in the number of students immunized during the conduct of immunization of Measles Containing Vaccines (MCV) and Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) for Grade 1 and Measles Rebulla (MR) and Td for Grade 7 was observed.

The DOH is now tapping the media to help publicize its immunization program to encourage the students and the parents actively participate in the October 16, 2015 immunization program.

Galaretta assured the students that the medicines to be given to them are safe.

Provincial Sanitary Inspector Restie Kyamko, on the other hand, underscored the importance of cleanliness in the surroundings and homes to prevent dengue and other diseases caused by mosquito bites like filariasis, which would result in the enlargement of extremities and lymph nodes especially in end-stage cases. This disease can only be determined 5 to 10 years after a person got infected.

Persons suffering from filariasis can avail of free operations, medicines and laboratory, Health Education Promotions Officer Wilma R. Bulahan of the Provincial Health Office said.

ZAMPEX 2015 caps livelihood techno demo

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Aside from showcasing the best and finest products of Zamboanga Peninsula, the four-day Zamboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition (ZAMPEX) 2015 also featured series of free livelihood technology demonstration for existing micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) and those interested to venture into business.

The techno demo, which is a collaborative effort of the SME Core Group and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9, as its lead agency, hopes to encourage more people become entrepreneurs and help spur economic activity and generate employment in Zamboanga Peninsula region.

There are a total of eight demonstrations mainly on fruit, vegetable, and fish processing conducted by the different government agencies.

The Department of Agriculture (DA)-9 conducted the first demo on fruit and vegetable processing on October 8. This was followed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-9 with a demonstration on fish product processing like Fishball with Squash, Kikiam and Tempura and chocolate molding in the second day of the event.

The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA)-9 demonstrated Abaca handmade paper making while the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) conducted Sardines Pinangat (ZAMPENangat) and fish spread making.

With a maximum of 50 persons participating in each session, the free livelihood technology demonstration has benefitted some 400 persons composed students, entrepreneurs and other interested individuals. 

US embassy lauds WEM-RIC for promoting agribusiness

By Gideon C. Corgue 

PAGADIAN CITY – The Women Empowerment Movement-Rural Improvement Club (WEM-RIC) has received an accolade from the Embassy of the United States for promoting agricultural entrepreneurship among disadvantaged women in Zamboanga del Sur.

Speaking on Friday before the WME-RIC municipal chapter presidents at Balay Bisaya in Barangay Dao here, Ms. Carolyn B. Glassman, counselor for public affairs section, US Embassy-Manila, said the “US embassy is honored working with the 42,000 WEM-RIC members across the region in that the organization has great potential in utilizing the skills of its members in agricultural entrepreneurship to improve productivity among them.”

The WEM-RIC project, Glassman added, aims to realize the women’s full potential to help augment their incomes as “it endeavors to open other opportunities in agriculture and rural-micro enterprises training.”

Glassman disclosed that the project got funding assistance from the American people through the US State Department “in the hope that the WEM-RIC would achieve great things in the future.

WEM-RIC received a grant of $200 thousand from the US embassy to help empower the women-farmers and entrepreneurs. The grant was secured in October 2014 and was released in February 2015.

Ms. Junaflor Cerilles, WEM-RIC provincial federated president said “the WEMC-RIC members are happy that the US embassy had granted their request to implement the project which would benefit the women-farmers in the province.

“This project aims to contribute to expanding women’s equal opportunities to access and participate in key decisions over agri-based economic resources and technologies, and to provide knowledge and skills to disadvantaged women and men farmers. It also enables them to understand their roles, as well as the importance of sustainable agricultural practices to the livelihoods, food security and overall health and well-being of the family and community,” Cerilles explained.

A total of 810 disadvantaged farmers (675 women and 135 men) across the 27 municipalities of the province shall be benefit from the project, including 27 women organizations.

Cerilles is optimistic that the project may impact the 40,000 women members through knowledge and experience sharing during their regular meetings and activities.

Two ZamPen coops Gawad Parangal 2015 finalists

By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – Two multi-purpose cooperatives from the Zamboanga Peninsula Region made it to the top five finalists of the annual Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Gawad Parangal this year.

CDA Regional Director Ruben Cunanan was proud to announce that the Aurora Integrated Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AIM Coop) of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur and Siayan Officials and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte were nominated as national  finalists in this year’s Gawad Parangal for large coop category and small coop category, respectively.

On the other hand, Mr. Pacenciano Tumarong, AIM Coop manager was also nominated as one of the top five finalists for the coop leader category, Director Cunanan disclosed.

“These finalists have  undergone stringent and strict requirements considering  the hundreds of nominees nationwide but only a few passed the criteria, and we are so happy about this development that we have three finalists from our region,” Cunanan said.

The awarding ceremony of  Gawad Parangal winners will be done on October 23, 2015, during the culmination rites of the  Cooperative Centennial celebration with no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III as guest of honor and speaker.

“The Gawad Parangal is given to  deserving cooperatives in recognition of their valuable contribution to the country’s economy,” Cunanan added.

Meanwhile, he said the first law on cooperatives was enacted last February 5, 1915, creating the Rural Credit Law, an “act regulating the creation and operation of Rural Agricultural Cooperatives Association, and for other purposes.”

This act officially gave birth to a social enterprise which is a model of business based on ethical values and principles whose goal is to provide for the needs and aspirations of their members. 

Nine ZamboNorte studes hurdle DOST scholarship exams

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - Nine(9) students of Zambanga del Norte hurdled the Junior Level Science Scholarship given by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute(DOST-SEI) in the different testing centers throughout the country last July 12, 2015.

Of the 9 local passers,  4were among the 27 examinees who took the examination at Hotel Camila I, Estaka, Dipolog City administered by Mr. Jhanjhan De Vera of DOST-SEI and Ms. Melody Anne Donio of PSTC-ZDN, while therest tried their luck at  other testing centers of the country.

The lucky passers are Frederick Quibong, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering, Andres Bonifacio College (ABC);JunielAmores, BS Electrical Engineering; Joseph Kames Verano, BS Electrical Engineering; and Claire Uttoh, BS Agricultural Engineering, all of Jose Rizal Memorial State University.

Those who took the examinations at other testing centers wereHerlene Mae Cantores-BS Chemistry, University of the Philippines, Iloilo City (UP-Iloilo); Ryan Cuenca-BS Statistics, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Iligan City; Karl Michael Edquilla-BS Chemical Engineering-UP-Dilliman Campus;JumarHamac-BS Computer Engineering, Ateneo de Zamboanga City and Keren Omoso- BS Chemical Engineering, UP Iloilo.

Under the program, the above-mentioned qualifiers, together with their parent or legal guardian, underwent Orientation and signing of Scholarship Agreement at the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center, Upper Turno, Dipolog City on October 5, 2015.

It maybe recalled that last May, 2015, the DOST-SEI offered JLSS to qualified junior level regular college students enrolled in priority S & T courses who are willing to teach basic education in public or private schools as return of service.

“Nahirang Class” visits 1st Infantry division, 1st Cavalry Squadron

By Gideon C. Corgue

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)future officers made their first visit to the 1^st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division at its headquarters inCamp Colonel JacoboE. Zobel, Pulacan, Labanganon October 2-6.

The Officers Candidate Course (OCC) “Nahirang Class 45-2015”  composed of 58 soldiers (51 male and 7 female) led by LtCol. Robert Beatisula, assistant commandant of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Camp O’Donnelin Capas, Tarlac visited the unit as part of their educational tour and exposure before their graduation on December 9, this year.

Earlier, the group made their visit to the headquarters of the 1^st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army and 1^st Field Artillery Battalion, respectively prior to their visit to the 1^st Cavalry Squadron.

In an interview, Beatisula said the TRADOC has chosen the unit as one of the places to be visited for them to learn the skills and capabilities of the armor personnel and to obtain a better understanding of the real situation on the ground.

Accordingly, they already had their exposure in the different Philippine Army units, namely: the Special Operations Command and Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) inFort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija;  FirstScout Ranger Regiment, San Miguel, Bulacan; Western Mindanao Command, Zamboanga City; and 104^th Brigade, Basilan City.

Meanwhile, 1^st Cavalry Squadron commanding officer LtCol.Charlemagne F. Batayola, Jr. said the officers demonstrated tactical decision games, squad qualifications skills, conducted static display of weapons and provided them the opportunity to experience riding Simba fighting vehicles. 

“They were also taught how to disassemble and reassemble rifles,” Batayola added.

Batayolasaid the OCC “Nahirang Class 45-2015” also conducted information drive and silent drill exhibition at the Western Mindanao State University- External Studies Unit (WMSU-ESU), Zamboanga del Sur National High School, Pagadian City to promote the school and to encourage poor but deserving students to take up the OCCto become young and aspiring officers like them in the future.

Batayola mentionedthat the 1^st Cavalry Squadron has 2 officers who are graduates  of OCC.

“I am referring to Capt. Donny Val Gamao, intelligence officer and Capt. Jonathan Escandor, operations officer who are performing their job competently and efficiently,” Batayola proudly said.

He said graduates of this school are commissioned as Second Lieutenants and Ensigns in the AFP Regular and Reserve Forces by the President of the Philippines who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the AFP.

DSWD hosts Pantawid Pamilya National Family Day 2015

By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – In observance of the Family Week, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) hosted the Pantawid Pamilya Family Day 2015 with the theme, “Tuloy and Pagbabago” last Oct. 4 at the Universidad de Zamboanga gymnasium here.

DSWD-9 Regional Director Zenaida L. Arevalo said it was a venue to gather Pantawid families in a one day festive activity full of fun and surprises, and sharing of “pagbabago” stories in the presence of civil society organizations, national government agencies and media partners.

These were success stories from beneficiaries on how the program has changed and improved their lives.

In his message, Governor Wilter Yap Palma said, “Be true to yourselves, your colleagues, friends and to the community as a whole. Being true to your own families is the foundation of an honest society.”

“Ug dili lig-on ang pamilya, dili lig-on ang komunidad. Mao sab ang nasod, Kinahanglan magsugod gyud ang maayong pundasyon sa pamilya (If the family is not strong, so is the community and the country. Strong foundation should start within the family),” Mayor Eldwin Alibutdan quoted as saying.

Different products were on display made by livelihood associations in the province such as: banana chips, crispy banana crackers, bigas-mongo curls, lemon juice herbal wine, moringa aroma, boneless danggit, and other products.

To make the activity more memorable, medical consultation, haircut, manicure and pedicure services were offered free to all participants who willingly obliged to be pampered on this remarkable Family Day celebration.

Meanwhile, Ms. Flordeliza Y. Alar-Atuy, Pantawid Pamilya Provincial Link proudly reported that Sibugay’s very own Huwarang Pamilya from Titay town, Mr. & Mrs. Silvano A. Yamaro was among the five regional winners of the search. 

World Teachers’ Day 2015 observed in Ipil town

By Rhea Grace A. La Plana

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – In keeping with the “World Teachers’ Day” celebration last Oct. 5, the Supreme Pupils’ Government (SPG) of Domondan Elementary School in Barangay Domondan here led the schoolchildren in paying tribute to their mentors who are responsible for “molding their minds and leading them to the right path of learning.”

Speaking on behalf of the pupils, SPG President Ivy Grace B. Tiking expressed her gratitude to the school principal, Dr. Waymor F. Ancheta, and his teachers for their efforts at imparting to them “valuable lessons each day.”

For his part, Doctor Ancheta also thanked all the pupils from Kinder I to Grade VI for recognizing their teachers who inculcate in them  “appropriate knowledge, proper values and right ethics.”

The pupils sang, danced,serenaded and gave flowers to their teachers. Some even handed letters expressing their appreciation and love for their teachers, evoking tears of joy among them.

In response, the teachers rendered a dance number to the delight of the schoolchildren.

Mr. Janito C. Langcamon, Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) president,and other school personnel also handed some tokens and flowers to the school principal.

DTI-Zambo. Sur to hold search for best infomercial

By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – As part of the National Consumer Welfare Month celebration, the Department of Trade and Industry-Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office (DTI-ZDSPO) is going to hold a search for the best infomercial to be participated in by grade 9 and 10 students of public and private secondary schools in Pagadian City come Oct. 22 and 23.

The infomercial scriptwriting and recording will be held at DTI conference room on Oct. 22 at 9 a.m. and the judging will be held the following day at the same venue and time.

Eight teams from public and private secondary schools in the city are expected to join the said competition.

The invited  schools are Zamboanga del Sur National High School (ZSNHS), Pagadian City Science High School (PSHS), Pagadian City Comprehensive High School (PCHS), Zamboanga del Sur Schools of Arts Trades (ZSSAT), Holy Child Academy, Pagadian Junior College (PJC), Southern Mindanao Colleges (SMC) and Saint Columban College (SCC).

Each school shall field one team composed of three members for the English infomercial scriptwriting. These students should not be participants to the poster making contest, another competition lined-up for the consumer month celebration.

The contestants will be given one hour to prepare an audio script for a 1-3 minuter audio plug depicting this year’s theme, “Consumer Protection in the ASEAN Economic Community.”

Provincial Director Maria Socorro Malate-Atay of DTI-Zamboanga del Sur said the search for the best infomercial was designed to promote public awareness on the theme and, at the same time, to “create promotional materials on consumerism.”

The National Consumer Welfare Month is observed every October each year. 

Bongao town installs town-wide CCTVs to enhance security

By Felipo David G. Malcampo

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – The municipal government here is the first in the Autonomous Region on Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to have its own closed-circuit television (CCTV), a project, which aims to create a safer and more investor-friendly municipality in the southernmost part of the country.

According to Mayor Jasper Que, the town has now 52 operational CCTVs, with a total of 100 cameras to be installed in the municipality’s strategic areas with a total cost of P4.5-million.

The CCTVs are a realization of the 2014 municipal ordinance, which aims to make Bongao a safer place so that more investors will come in.

“We are aiming to be the trade capital of the south,” Que said, highlighting that security is very important to ensure economic development.

The mayor, however, admitted that there have been crimes, which remain unsolved in spite of the presence of eyewitnesses.

“They do not want to talk,” Que shared, explaining that the residents would rather choose to remain silent than risk their lives as witnesses.

The CCTV project is seen to address this problem, and will aid the local police in apprehending suspects, and preventing crime proactively. 

President Aquino confirms expansion of Tawi-Tawi airport

By Dominic I. Sanchez

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Saturday personally confirmed to the residents of Tawi-Tawi that the Sanga-Sanga airport is due to be expanded and developed, as funds for this project have already been appropriated.

“We will need to buy land for the airport expansion and runway widening,” President Aquino said, adding that the cost would be P826-million.

The President shared that the P248-million initial amount is already with the 2015 budget, while the remaining P578-million has already been appropriated for next year’s budget.

He called on the local officials to talk with the landowners to ensure that they will not jack up the prices of the land.

As shared by a local tourism council member to the President, domestic tourists in the city in previous years have been recorded to be only at about 200 in a year. “However, in recent times, they have noted 60,000 tourist arrivals in a year,” President Aquino said.

The President joked that when the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) would be passed, “maybe your problem will be having far more tourists that you can manage.”

“Gusto nating paunlarin ang Sanga-Sanga Airport (we want to develop the Sanga-Sanga Airport),” President Aquino said adding, “upang mapadali ang transportasyon at mapalago ang turismo (so transportation will be faster and there will be more influx of tourists).”

Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Abaya, who accompanied the President in Tawi-Tawi shared that they are also exploring the opening of Cebu-Tawi-Tawi flights via Cebu Pacific.

Tawi-Tawi is the southernmost province in the country, and is blessed with white sand beaches, exotic marine life and fine delicacies. Besides that, it is a leading producer of cassava, among other farm and marine products, and through the infrastructure projects, delivery of these goods will be shortened exponentially to the end-users and consumers. Better accessibility is also seen by the local and national government to boost tourism.

The Aquino administration has poured in millions of pesos for infrastructure projects in the province, including roads and bridges that now link farms in mainland Panglima Sugala to the provincial commercial center in Bongao.