DA holds organic farming orientation in Bayog

By Claro A. Lanipa

BAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur – The Department of Agriculture (DA)-IX in collaboration with this municipality recently conducted here an orientation on organic farming at the Municipal Swimming Pool function hall.

Some 80 participants from the different farmers’ associations, national and local government officials and employees attended the said activity.

“Organic farming could really be a great help to the farmers to earn more by employing organic fertilizer because it is cheaper than commercial fertilizer,” Mayor Leonardo Babasa Jr. said.

“Organically grown farm products are also safe and healthy for human consumption,” the mayor added.

The mayor told the participants that he dreams of making Bayog “an organic municipality” and he believes his town is on its way to achieving it.

Babasa expressed his gratitude to DA for conducting the orientation with Priscilla C. Hover, regional focal person on organic agriculture, and her two staff, Cerelo Andale and Ritzchie Marie Yurong, as facilitators.

Since the farmer-participants got interested in organic farming, they requested DA to conduct another training/workshop on vermin casting.

Hover, however, suggested that the municipality send a letter request to DA-IX as well as a letter of intent to avail of bags of vermin cast for free. (FPG/CAL with report from Bernadine Gabawan, MIO-Bayog/PIA9)

DSWD conducts skills training for trafficked persons in Bayog

By Claro A. Lanipa

BAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur – To assist and provide livelihood opportunities for trafficked persons, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office 9 (DSWD-FO9) in coordination with the municipal government Bayog conducted a skills training on crop production and swine fattening last Friday at the Municipal Swimming Pool function hall.

Twenty victims of forced labor and trafficking rescued by DSWD-FO9 personnel and members of the Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (SBATTF) of Zamboanga City participated in the said training including five other victims who were able to escape and go home by themselves.

After the training, nine participants in corn production were given farm inputs amounting to P2,917 each while the other 11 who were trained on swine fattening were each given one piglet with feeds amounting to P4,015.

On the other hand, nine trafficked persons also received P2,000 each to support their needs and expenses in securing necessary documents while looking for jobs. A participant who enrolled this school year in high school was also given P3,275 for his school uniform and supplies.

The activity was also attended by Vice Mayor Celso Matias, representing Mayor Leonardo Babasa Jr., Social Welfare Officer II Pacita Aso of DSWD, Municipal Agriculturiast Nora Paredes and Agricultural Technologist Edwina Caray who handled the skills training on corn production and swine fattening, respectively. (FPG/CAL/Bernadine Gabawan/PIA9)

Zambo. Sur lady lawyers, doctors donate relief goods for “Yolanda” victims

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – The popular adage, “It’s better to give than to receive,” has inspired the officers and members of the Greater Innovation of Responsible Lady Lawyers in Zamboanga del Sur (GIRLLZ) and Zamboanga del Sur Medical Society (ZSMS) to donate relief goods for the victims of super typhoon “Yolanda.”

One truck load of relief goods consisting of packed food supplies, used clothing, bottled water, medicines, etc. were turned-over on Tuesday evening by the officers of GIRLLZ and ZSMS to the personnel of the 1^st Infantry Tabak Division, in support of the army’s relief operation efforts dubbed “Oplan Tabang Visayas.”  

GIRLLZ president Atty. Analyn Costanilla said the officers and members of the two associations agreed to support “Oplan Tabang Visayas” after they had read the infographic announcement posted on the Philippine Information Agency’s (PIA) facebook fan page.

“It all started when we read the infographic announcement posted on PIA’s facebook fan page,” Costanilla said adding “we do text brigade and at the same time, used social media to contact the rest of our members working in the municipalities.”

“I encouraged them to share their blessings to the people in Visayas region who are greatly affected by typhoon Yolanda,” the lady lawyer urged.

Costanilla said she was grateful for the overwhelming support of the members.

“They are generous.  They brought to the office packed ready-to-eat foods,” declared Costanilla who led in packing the donated goods in her office.

“I am happy to finally finish pre-packing more than 500 food packs and repacking some of the other donated items,” said Atty. Easter Nori Talip who spent two days packing the items. 

“The overwhelming response to the call for donations was unbelievable but it really did happen. My heart is overflowing with happiness and gratitude,” Talip added. 

Meanwhile, the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Society led by Dr. Babie Normita Lucero disclosed that the doctors in the province wanted to extend help to the typhoon victims by providing voluntary basic health care services in the most affected areas. But this has to be coordinated yet with the medical society in Tacloban City.

Lucero said “we have already a team doctors who are willing to volunteer their services but there is no government plane to transport them there.

She said the ZSMS is now supporting GIRLLZ’s initiative in collecting donations for the typhoon victims.

“It’s fulfilling to help people who are suffering from the aftermath of natural disasters.  I hope that with this little help, we could see the victims smile amid suffering and misery.

An additional three truckloads of relief goods were collected Tuesday from Gaisano Capital Mall, Philippine Information Agency, and Pagadian Monstessori Center. (PIA9)

Zamboanga Sibugay GCNet, DOLE, DepEd to host Career Fiesta 2013

By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay -  The Zamboanga Sibugay Guidance Counselors Network (GCNet) will host the Career Fiesta 2013 on Nov. 22 at Diplahan National High School in Diplahan town.

Elamsalih E. Ungad, field office head of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the  activity is in partnership with DOLE and the Department of Education (DepEd) with the support of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and learning institutions.

Anchored on the theme, “Follow the Guide. Tag a Career. Like the Future,” the activity will gather about 3,000 students, parents, prospective colleges and government agencies in a one-day learning session.

The Career Fiesta 2013 aims to reduce the number of job-skills mismatch by providing students and parents with adequate information to guide them in choosing courses that would either lead to gainful employment or equip them with skills to become entrepreneurs.

The students are expected to get information on scholarship and admission requirements, and receive guidance on the first step to career planning while participating colleges and training institutions will put up an information booth for the conduct of orientation, testing and interviews.

Learning sessions include: World of Work, Labor Education for Graduating Students, Ladderized Education and other tech-voc options, Supporting your Child’s Career Choices, Choosing the Best College Course For You, Personality Factors to Consider when Choosing a Course, Self-employment and Entrepreneurship, and Opportunities for Ministry and Missions. (PIA9)

More repacking areas to open across the country; more volunteers needed

By Carlo P Canares

The government is opening more repacking centers for food items across the country in view of the increasing volume being produced by government and coming in as donations that need to be distributed.

Cabinet Secretary Jose Almendras said the government is prioritizing the provision of food and water to a huge number of people affected by super typhoon Yolanda.   

Hardest hit areas are Leyte, particularly Tacloban, and Samar province.

The Department of Social Welfare & Development is opening up additional repacking hubs in all major cities across the country.

“Let us all get ready for the increase in volume of goods to move,” Almendras said.

Some 60,000 food packs are expected to be transported anytime now for Tacloban.

Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa said the target is 146,000 food packs to be produced daily, from a  60,000 capacity.  

A food pack consists of at least 6 kilos of rice, 12 types of canned goods and water.

The government is calling on individuals and groups that would help in the repacking of food and other items.  Even universities and other institutions are very much welcome to coordinate with the DSWD.

One university, according to Almendras, has volunteered its place as a hub and students during their free hours can help in the repacking.

Talks with institutions to serve as hubs is currently underway and the DSWD is coming up with a list.

Social Welfare & Development Secretary Dinky Soliman is now in Ormoc City setting up another hub and overlooking operations.  (PIA-ROD)

Zamboanga Sibugay GCNet, DOLE, DepEd to host Career Fiesta 2013

By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay -  The Zamboanga Sibugay Guidance Counselors Network (GCNet) will host the Career Fiesta 2013 on Nov. 22 at Diplahan National High School in Diplahan town.

Elamsalih E. Ungad, field office head of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the  activity is in partnership with DOLE and the Department of Education (DepEd) with the support of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and learning institutions.

Anchored on the theme, “Follow the Guide. Tag a Career. Like the Future,” the activity will gather about 3,000 students, parents, prospective colleges and government agencies in a one-day learning session.

The Career Fiesta 2013 aims to reduce the number of job-skills mismatch by providing students and parents with adequate information to guide them in choosing courses that would either lead to gainful employment or equip them with skills to become entrepreneurs.

The students are expected to get information on scholarship and admission requirements, and receive guidance on the first step to career planning while participating colleges and training institutions will put up an information booth for the conduct of orientation, testing and interviews.

Learning sessions include: World of Work, Labor Education for Graduating Students, Ladderized Education and other tech-voc options, Supporting your Child’s Career Choices, Choosing the Best College Course For You, Personality Factors to Consider when Choosing a Course, Self-employment and Entrepreneurship, and Opportunities for Ministry and Missions. (PIA9)

Tabak division accepts donations for “Yolanda” victims

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – The 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army is now appealing for donations to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, the most devastating typhoon that severely hit Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Capiz and Iloilo provinces last week.

Tabak commander Brigadier General (BGen) Felicito Virgilio Trinidad on Sunday morning phoned all units of the division ordering the officers and men to donate relief goods to super typhoon victims.

Trinidad called on the public to also donate relief goods such as bottled water, rice, canned goods, noodles, mats, blankets, medicines and clothing.

Tropical storm Haiyan, locally named Yolanda, struck the country and swept across the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Iloilo and Capiz, leaving thousands dead and forcing hundreds to scamper to evacuation centers. It also damaged several houses, commercial buildings, infrastructures as well as agriculture. 

Trinidad said the division would be accepting donations starting Sunday until Tuesday at 6 p.m. 

A C1-30 cargo aircraft will transport the relief goods to the areas hardest hit by the super typhoon, division public affairs chief Captain Jefferson Somera said.

Government employees, businessmen and professional and civic organizations immediately responded to the text message sent by the DPAO by bringing their relief goods to the 1st Infantry division and to the regional office of the Philippine Information Agency Office (PIA).

Trinidad in his text message said: “Sama-sama tayo sa pagbangon. Tulungan natin ang ating mga kababayan. Ang konting tulong ninyo ay magiging malaki sa mga nangangailangan. Tayo ay Magbayanihan! (Together we will rise. We will help our fellowmen. Your little help is already a big help for those who are in need.)”    

Somera also said the Tabak division has designated Gaisano Capital Mall in this city as one of the designated drop-off centers for the relief goods. (PIA9)

DOLE-Zambo. Norte releases P578.5-T for Siayan rubber farmers

By Alfonso T. Ruda

SIAYAN, Zamboanga del Norte – Sixty rubber farmers here got a financial assistance amounting to P578,500 from the provincial office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to help them improve and increase their production.

In a turnover ceremony held recently at the Farmers Training Center in this municipality, Senior Labor Employment Officer Aileen Mondejar through its partner, Kasayanyangan Rural Development Foundation Inc. (KRDFI), handed the check to the rubber farmers who were all members of the Seriac Rubber Farmers Association (SRFA) and Sayaw Planters Association (SPA). Both associations embark on rubber farming.

Mondejar also made the symbolic handing of planting materials to farmer-beneficiaries represented by Virgilio Taypen and Cristino Balolot, SRFA and SPA presidents, respectively.

Speaking on behalf of Mayor Flora Villarosa, Vice Mayor Daisy Limbang said that “through this project, 3 to 5 years from now ‘white gold’ (rubber tree latex) will surely give impact to the lives of the people of Siayan.”

Limbang also expressed optimism that “with the continuous government support, Siayan will no longer be considered, sooner or later, the poorest municipality in the country.”

Attending the said event were Municipal Agriculturist Leonardo R. Ablao, KDRFI Manager Alvin Valerio, and municipal councilors Roselyn Secretario and Raul Dominise. (PIA9) 

NEDA-IX holds consultation on ZamPen Dev’t Plan in Isabela City

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – A team from the National Economic and Development Authority Region (NEDA)-IX came here last week to conduct a consultation on the draft Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development Plan (RDP) for 2014-2016.

With the objective of generating more inputs for the enhancement of the said document, the participants coming from the different sectors and organizations in the city were divided into four major sectors - social, infrastructure, economic, and development administration - to review the proposed plans and determine some gaps, inconsistencies, and suggested action points.

Engr. Vicente S. Fabian, NEDA-IX area team leader said in his opening statement that the RDP is the region’s “bible” that will guide planners, local government units, and locally based government agencies in their pursuit for accelerated development in the different areas of the region.

“This activity is undertaken to assess if the region is within the track of contributing to President Aquino’s platform on inclusive growth. Likewise, there is a need to evaluate if the interventions at the regional level have contributed to employment generation and poverty reduction,” Fabian explained.

He added that the updated Zamboanga Peninsula RDP is being drafted after a series of sectoral consultations, and is targeted for approval by RDC-IX and for submission to the Office of the President before the end of this month.

During the five-hour consultation, Fabian introduced the draft ZamPen Medium-Term Regional Development Plan 2014-2016 with the vision of being the Southern Agri-Fisheries Corridor of the Philippines. To achieve the vision, the region must face the challenges that dawdle growth in the region.

These challenges include the erratic trend in the Gross Regional Domestic Product, high population growth, high poverty incidence, high underemployment rate, presence of threat groups, and inadequate infrastructure support. ZamPen is also challenged to elevate production ranking in other champion products, such as abaca, coconut, mango, seaweeds, processed fish, and rubber.

To confront the said challenges, the regional development plan will employ the following strategies, namely: promotion of broad-based, sustainable employment opportunities; better population management; improvement of infrastructure facilities; strengthening of social services; good governance; and peace initiatives at the local level.

If the neighboring Zamboanga City is the region’s regional industrial and commercial center, the participants proposed that Isabela City would be the agri-aqua marine sanctuary of Zamboanga Peninsula.

Isabela City is peculiarly located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the island province of Basilan, but is under region IX. (PIA9)

DILG SaLinTubig program earmarks P10.62-M for Margosatubig town

By Franklin P. Gumapon

MARGOSATUBIG, Zamboanga del Sur – A water system project here funded under the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (SaLinTubig) program of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will soon be completed, as the second tranche of the P10.62-million budget was released to Mayor Roy E. Encallado recently.

The Digon-Igat Island Level II water system, which is now 35 percent complete since it was started last September, is going to benefit 552 households that used to fetch water on horses at P10 per container.

DILG-9 Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil said during the turnover of the check that he would be happy to see the local government units (LGUs) implement and manage their projects wisely.

“Napakaswerte ng LGU na nakatanggap ng pundo mula sa pamahalaan (the LGU is fortunate to have received funding from the government),” Director Abutazil said adding “this is not a loan but a grant to the LGUs.”

“Although the barangays of Digon and Igat Island have existing water system, the water supply remains a problem in the area,” Engr. Alex Villarin reported.

“Once completed, the water system project will also serve as an economic enterprise in the village,” Villarin added.

SaLinTubig is DILG’s lone program enrolled under the national government’s Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) approach with the end in view of uplifting the poorest sector in the country.

As a grant, the program also seeks to enhance and improve the capacities of the LGUs and water service providers in planning, implementation, operation and management of water supply facilities as well as the implementation of water supply projects in waterless municipalities and barangays. (FPG/PIA9 with reports from Lemuel Mejares)

Zambo City recovers from 3-week crisis

By Dominic I. Sanchez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DTI conducts rubber tapping management training

By Claro A. Lanipa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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