Mayor Climaco lauds Gador, welcomes Millan at NavForWeM change of guard rites

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Mayor Beng Climaco has thanked outgoing Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NavForWeM) command Chief Rear Admiral Isabelo H. Gador for a job well done as she also welcomed to Zamboanga City the latter’s successor, Rear Admiral Jesus C. Millan.

Mayor Climaco had a chance to meet and exchange pleasantries with the two navy officers together with the Philippine Navy’s Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Jose Luis M. Alano during a reception at the Navy Officers Club after the change of command ceremonies yesterday morning.

In his speech, Rear Admiral Gador described his eight-month stint at NavForWeM command as a challenge that he together with the sailors and the marines had passed with flying colors.

“Together, we sailed smoothly even during tumultuous times. And I am proud to have worked side by side with focused teams of sailors and marines,” Gador said, stressing that serving the command for him was more than a privilege. “It was an honor as well.”

He acknowledged his successor, Rear Admiral Millan, as a visionary leader and a veteran in the naval field of operations, having been assigned at NavForWeM as deputy commander three years ago.

For his part, Millan vowed to continue the good programs that his predecessor had started, and committed himself to addressing the challenges, and finding out which one is relevant to the success of the command’s operations.

He likewise vowed to enhance the capability of his personnel in maritime operations in synergy with other units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) in particular.

“We will do some enhancements, and in the spirit of Bayanihan, we believe we can do more,” Rear Admiral Millan pointed out in addressing the naval sailors and marines. (Vic Larato-CIO)

Young aspiring writers undergo campus journalism workshops in Sulu

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Aspiring journalists of the different high schools in Sulu underwent a two-day training-workshop on Campus Journalism held at the Sulu Area Coordinating Center (SACC) over the weekend.

Around 100 participants consisting of some 85 student-journalists from participating schools and their school paper advisers as well as representatives from select government and non-government institutions attended the training-workshop.

Sulu Communicators Network President Sonny Y. Abing-III said “the training-workshop was conducted for the youth of Sulu in recognition of their respective roles in the society,” hoping that they will also recognize their responsibilities to their community.

“You were called ‘the hope of the nation’ because of your immense potential to correct the mistakes of your society. And this [the training] is an opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past, through writing [good stories] about Sulu,” he said.

Abing thanked the organizers, especially the Philippine Information Agency-Zamboanga – Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (PIA-ZBST) information center and he was hopeful that more training related to journalism will be organized in Sulu in the future.

Meanwhile, PIA-ZBST Information Center Manager Felipo Dave G. Malcampo also acknowledged the role of the youth in nation-building, especially in expressing the young people’s thoughts and aspirations through journalistic writing.

He said the seminar intends to provide free journalism training to high school students in order to help improve their communication skills and knowledge through writing news and feature stories as well as editorials. The participants were also acquainted with media ethics and certain rules governing journalism.

Moreover, Kurt J. Hoyer, US Embassy Attache in Manila, stressed in his video message to the participants that Journalism plays an important role in all free societies, saying that “Freedom of the press is one of the basic rights enshrined in the American Constitution and also an important part of the free society here in the Philippines.”

“Only if people had accurate and thorough information can one make a free choice in a free society,” he added.

Hoyer further told the participants that journalists have to be smart, tough, and independent. “These are core features of what we hope to inspire in students who wants to be a journalist,” he said.

For two days (Jan 18-19), the participants underwent an intensive training with lectures on the following: Basic News Writing and Editorial writing with Dave Malcampo, Writing Feature Story with Imelda Paraja, Basic Photography and Photo Journalism, Citizens Journalism and Social Media with Rene Carbayas, and Journalism Ethics and Peace Journalism with Jeff Sampang.

Participants also participated in writing competitions involving newswriting, feature writing, editorial writing, and writing incident and reports through SMS (short messaging system).

The seminar was made possible through the support of the Provincial Government of Sulu, the SACC, DepEd-ARMM in Sulu, and the Sulu Communicators Network.

The participating schools are: Jolo National High School, Jolo Agricultural High School-Main, Jolo School of Fisheries, Sulu National High School, Sulu State College Laboratory High School, Notre Dame High School-Kasulatan, Notre Dame High School for Girls, MSU Laboratory High School, and Maimbung National High School. (PIA9)

28 remaining regional offices in Zamboanga urged to transfer to Pagadian City

By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – Although most regional offices of the national government agencies (NGAs) have already transferred here, there are still 28 others that continue to hold office in Zamboanga City.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-9 building at the government center in Barangay Balintawak here last week, Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones disclosed that only 32 regional offices have complied with Executive Order No. 429 issued in 1990 by former President Corazon Aquino directing the transfer of the regional offices from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City.

“I am looking forward to seeing the other 28 regional offices transfer here in Pagadian City soon,” Mayor Pulmones said.

The NEDA-9 building is expected to be completed in 18 months with a budget of almost P50 million. It will be built on a 3,000 square-meter lot donated by the city government.

Moreover, the buildings of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-9 erected at the said government center are now almost complete.

Present during the NEDA-9 groundbreaking rites were NEDA Deputy Director-General Margarita R. Songco, regional directors of NEDA-9, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Information Agency as well as other members of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9, Congressman Victor Yu of Zamboanga del Sur’s first district, 1^st Infantry (Tabak) Division chief MGen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr., provincial chiefs of the different NGAs, Zamboanga del Sur provincial officials and city officials.

NEDA-9 Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, on the other hand, also bared that the Zamboanga Peninsula is envisioned to be the “southern agri-fisheries corridor of the Philippines,” owing to its rich agriculture and marine resources.

Zamboanga Peninsula is composed of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Isabela, Pagadian and Zamboanga. (PIA9)

PCSO to put up district office in Dipolog

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will soon establish a district office here in partnership with the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte.

A memorandum of agreement will be entered into between the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte and the PCSO through its General Manager Margarita P. Juico to effect the establishment of the district office.  

The provincial government will execute a Deed of Usufruct in favor of PCSO granting the latter with a usufructuary right over an 81.35-square-meter office space situated within the compound of the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Sports Center (ZNCSC).

Under the contract of usufruct, PCSO has the right to use and make improvements therein but ownership of the said office space still belongs to the provincial government.

The PCSO district office shall also shoulder payments for water, electricity and telephone bills incurred in its operations.

The provincial government is free from any liability in case of loss, deterioration or destruction of PCSO’s properties. Moreover, PCSO cannot construct permanent structure without the consent from the provincial government.

The provincial leadership has looked at this as a positive development especially in addressing the health care needs of the people in the entire area. 

For its part, the PCSO shall be able to reach out to the greater number of masses by extending its services and programs to the poor and underprivileged. (PIA9)

Mabuhay National High School hosts “Career Fiesta sa Isla 2014”

By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay -  The “Career Fiesta sa Isla 2014”, a collaborative effort of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Guidance Counselors Network (GCNet) and the Department of Education (DepEd) opens today, Jan. 21, in Mabuhay National High School, Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay Province. 

DOLE Field Office Head Elamsalih E. Ungad said the Career Fiesta sa Isla 2014 is intended for the three island municipalities of Olutanga, Mabuhay and Talusan which is expected to gather around 1,700 students and their parents in a one-day search-interact-learn activity.

He said that nine participating schools of the three will be joining in this unique career coaching event, namely: Mabuhay NHS, Xavier HS, Mabuhay Agro-Industrial HS, Talusan NHS, Laparay NHS, Kasigpitan NHS, Olutanga NHS, Loyola HS and Pantaleon Cudiera NHS.

Mayor Restituto O. Calonge of the host municipality will give the welcome message and the rationale of the activity while DOLE Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano will deliver a keynote message.

Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Wilter Y. Palma, Board Member Jonathan C. Yambao of Sibugay’s first district and Dr. Amelia P. Torralba, DepEd Schools Division Superintendent will offer messages of commitment. 

The Career Fiesta sa Isla 2013 will give students and parents the opportunity to meet with college representatives from about twenty campaigning colleges and universities to discover the training institution that offers the best training that parents can afford. 

Spearheading the activity is the GCNet, a network of school-based counselors providing students at all levels with current labor market information as a guide to making intelligent career decisions. (PIA9) 

DOLE bares livelihood, employment programs for Zambo IDPs, students, other sectors

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here is offering various livelihood and employment programs for Zamboanga’s internally-displaced persons (IDPs), students, and the various sectors including women, farmers, and others, shared DOLE-IX Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano in a radio interview the other day.

“Under the emergency employment program, beneficiaries, particularly the IDPs will be entitled to work for a period of one month to help them cope with the difficulties brought about by the September crisis,” Director Cano said. He explained that the DOLE will be partnering with the local government units or private companies to shoulder the beneficiaries’ minimum wages.

Another program, the Integrated Livelihood Program (ILP) will cater to different organized sectors, which is region-wide in coverage.

“The beneficiaries for this program are organized youth, women and the informal sector groups,” he said. Under the ILP, the sectors, organized into groups will be able to avail of seed funds for livelihood opportunities. The amount would depend on the project proposals that they will present to the DOLE.

“For the region, we have a P13 million allocation, and every congressional district will have P3 million for this purpose,” Director Cano explained.

The director explained that there will be no pay-back for the funds, since they are grants. “However, the DOLE will strictly monitor the progress of their livelihood project and will help ensure that there will be positive changes in their lives,” he added.

In order to be qualified for the program, interested groups should have a legal personality and registered with the DOLE.

Meanwhile, Livelihood Starter Kits not amounting more than P10 thousand will also be provided for individuals who have specialized skills. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, cosmetologists and others who were affected by the crisis in the city, who do not have the resources to purchase the equipment they need for their livelihood are the target beneficiaries, the director added.

“In addition to the programs, the beneficiaries will have to be covered with social protection,” he added, referring to their membership with the Social Security System (SSS).

Lastly, the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) has been modified to run not only during summer vacation. “The SPES is now year-round. Students who wish to work and earn during the semesters will now have this opportunity during weekends and their free time.”

Each student will be able to work from 20-52 days for a period. The DOLE will shoulder 40 percent of their minimum wage, while the other 60 percent by either the local government unit, or a private company through a memorandum of agreement.

“We hope to be able to disburse the funds within the first semester,” said Director Cano, emphasizing that hiring will begin by February.

Director Cano advised all interested parties to visit the local Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in Pettit Barracks, or the DOLE office in Veterans Avenue to inquire on the programs. (PIA9)

Dipolog implements P103.1-M worth of projects for 2013

By Mary May Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY - The city government here has implemented and completed infrastructure projects worth P103.1 million for the year 2013, City Engineer Nedilla D. Magdayao reported recently.

About 46 percent of the said amount was allocated for rehabilitation, expansion, completion and maintenance of public buildings. Among of these projects are the Dipolog Land Transport Terminal, covered courts in the different barangays, the Dipolog Sports Center, Day Care centers, multi-purpose hall, the Philippine National Police (PNP) building and other public edifices.

Twenty five percent of the total amount was also allotted for irrigation and water system projects while nine percent went to education facilities and buildings.

On the other hand, road concreting projects in the barangays received 16 percent appropriation and only four percent was allocated for concreting of drainage canals.    

Moreover, the report disclosed that there are still 2013 infrastructure projects to be continued this year such as the maintenance and concreting of public roads and building as well as the opening of access roads.

The diversion road from Barangay Miputak to Barangay Sta. Stabel is also slated to be constructed this year.

Engr. Magdayao estimated that these ongoing projects would cost the city government over P76.5 million.

More infrastructure projects are expected to be implemented in the city, as the city government aims to serve the public with excellence and dedication in partnership with the national agencies and private stakeholders. (PIA9)

“Kapihan sa Sibugay” kicks off

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – Governor Wilter Y. Palma met Tuesday with the print and broadcast media practitioners here at the Office of the Governor in the Provincial Capitol for the first  ever “Kapihan sa Sibugay.”

“Kapihan sa Sibugay,” an open discussion between the provincial governor and the press, tackled current and relevant issues such as the proposed projects of the local government unit for 2014 and the upcoming Araw ng Sibugay celebration which runs from February 20-26, 2014.

Highlighting the activity will be the selection of Ms. Sibugay to be participated in by the province’s 16 municipalities.

Other activities include the Rubber Summit, Job Fair, medical and dental mission and the distribution of 361 land titles by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Governor Palma appealed to the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to set aside politics and work together for the good and welfare of their constituents.

Zamboanga Sibugay is a new province carved out of Zamboanga del Sur in 2001. (PIA9)

Trike drivers play big roles in keeping Pagadian peaceful, orderly -Zambo. Sur gov

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – Tricycle drivers have a big responsibility in keeping the province peaceful and orderly, according to Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio H. Cerilles. 

Speaking during the “Tricycle Operators and Drivers Day last Sunday at the  Plaza Luz covered court here, Cerilles said “tricycle drivers are not only helping spur our economy but they are responsible for keeping the city peaceful and orderly.”

Tricycle is the main mode of transportation in the city since its creation on June 21, 1969 through Republic Act 5478.

Cerilles said “tricycle drivers are the first persons to know and encounter people who are coming to our city,” as most of these visiting people take tricycles to ferry them to their respective destination within the city.  

Cerilles attributed the sad fate that happened in Zamboanga City on September 8, 2013, which claimed more than a hundred lives and destroyed worth millions of properties, to the failure of civilians to inform the government of the presence of 1,000 armed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members in the area.

Cerilles said he does not want the crisis experienced by the people of Zamboanga City to happen here.   

The governor appealed to the tricycle drivers to cooperate with the government by informing the police of the presence of armed men and suspicious-looking persons.

“I am appealing to you to cooperate with the government by informing immediately the police authorities of the presence of armed men in our city. Let us make Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur a peaceful place to live in,” Cerilles urged. 

Cerilles, an anti-drug advocate, said politicians who are involved in illegal drug trade are not allowed to operate in the province, adding that drug lords are the ones supporting the rebels. 

“We are driving away drug lords in our province. We don’t want our place to be disturbed with their presence here,” Cerilles concluded. 

Meanwhile, city councilor Arnold Gavenia, chairman of the committee on motorized transport, franchising and regulatory board of Sangguniang Panlungsod said he was very happy that the city government had given all tricycle operators and drivers an opportunity to celebrate their day through City Ordinance 2K-267.  

The Pagadian City Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) celebrated its 7th year of “Tricycle Drivers and Operators Day” last Jan. 12 with a number of activities lined up for the occasion such as motorcade, parlor games, sports and family night. (PIA9) 

Dipolog to receive P58-M grant from DOF

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – Aside from the P3-million grant from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the city government here is slated to receive a monetary incentive from the Department of Finance-Municipal Development Fund Office (DOF-MDFO) amounting to more than P58 million.

As a capital grant, the amount is totally free of any charges and will be used exclusively for projects pursued by the local government unit (LGU) like infrastructures, social services, water resources management, water supply and irrigation, solid waste management, drainage canal and flood control, energy supply and telecommunication.

No part of the amount shall be used for tax payments, salaries, recurrent costs, micro-credits and loans.

This monetary incentive is given by the national government to LGUs that have shown improvements on performance areas such as governance, planning, budgeting, financial management, procurement, monitoring and evaluation.

There are two types of monetary grant under the DOF-MDFO’s Performance-Based Grant System (PBGS), namely: the Capital Grant (CG) which aims to provide for additional funds to LGU’s capital investments that conform to the local needs and priorities, and the Capacity Development Grant (CDG) which will support the attainment of LGU’s specific capacity development needs.

A memorandum of agreement will soon be signed between the city government represented by City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy and Roberto B. Tan, chairperson of the Performance Based Grant System (PBGS) Steering Committee-Policy Governing Board.

The lady mayor has been grateful to receive another monetary incentive that will be used in the implementation of development projects in the city. (PIA9)

Climaco talks about Crisis on first SOCA

City Mayor Beng Climaco singled out the safe resolution of the Zamboanga Crisis last September 2013, and the protection of the sovereignty of the City under One Flag, One Nation, and One Philippines as one of the most important accomplishment of her administration in 2013.

“Si tiene man acomplicimiento que yo como de ustedes alcalde ay reporta, este el salvada del di aton Ciudad por medio del bulada del di aton bandera adelante na City Hall que es el reflejo de coraje y dedicacion de todo,” said Climaco in her first State of the City Address (SOCA) held yesterday at the Sangguniang Panglungsod Session Hall.

Her speech, delivered primarily in Chavacano, not only reported the achievements of the local government under her helm as City Mayor, but validated as well as the performance of individuals, organizations, and partners during the September Crisis.

Among others, Climaco cited the City Council, for passing critical legislations during the crisis which included the ordinances raising the crisis alert level and directing the forced evacuation of affected barangays, the different local government employees serving as focal points for the Humanitarian, Recovery, and Rehabilitation Coordination Structure, and the organizations manning the humanitarian program for IDPs in terms of food and cash for work activities. “Todo este ta sirvi como modelo que manera el Govierno Local ta responde na Crisis,” said Climaco.

The Mayor also acknowledged the assistance which the City continues to receive from organizations and donor agencies, including UN humanitarian workers and partners who have stationed offices here, as well as the assistance of security agencies in facilitating the transfer of the MNLF detainees to Taguig.

“Ya hace el Ciudad todo manera posible para el pronto proceso de transferida y ta agradece kita mucho por el asistencia del police, military, BJMP, BUCOR, Air Force, Phil. Navy y DOJ y otro maga agencia,” she said.
Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of Zamboanga will remain foremost among the priorities of the Climaco administration this 2014, in addition to its current thrusts for Security, Health and Education (SHE).

Paving the way to recovery will be the Zamboanga Roadmap to Recovery and Rehabilitation (Z3R) Plan, which was approved by President Aquino as well as the Darul Ifta. Under the overarching concept of Build Back Better, the Z3R will construct new, safer and better communities within 6-18 months, Climaco said.

In the meantime, the IDPs are gradually being transferred to 4 transitory sites. A 5th temporary shelter site will soon rise in Calarian.

As the City gears up for 2014, Climaco has urged all Zamboanguenos to work together and to continue supporting the programs of the local government.

“Ayuda comigo dale buen futuro con el maga bata. Let us remain optimistic and hopeful that our City will emerge triumphant amidst the trials and challenges,” she said. “Cristiano, Muslim y Lumad junto kita reconstrui un mas mejor Ciudad de Zamboanga. Let us all Build Back Better Zamboanga City.” (jasmine mohammadsali)

Beng’s first SOCA focuses on innovations for progress

Mayor Beng Climaco delivered her first State of the City Report before members of the City Council yesterday morning, focusing on the innovations that the city government under her administration has initiated for the past six months, those that it intends to do this year and onwards.

Among these innovations, Climaco said, is the streamlined business permit renewal system, shortening the process to 30 minutes after payment of taxes through Executive Order 28, a move that is expcted to increase the local revenues and pump prime micro and small enterprises and employment.

“Con el ayuda del diferente Chambers of Commerce, junto kita implimenta maga inovacion para progresa el ciudad,” Climaco said in her 27-minute report.

She also asked the Sangguniang Panlungsod to study the enactment of laws that will institutionalize the firecracker ban and to revisit the master plan, the tourism, investment and tax codes and all ordinances that deal with social services.

Climaco said the city government had caused the return of the 15% mobilization fee for unimplemented infrastructure projects that led to the recovery of P2.01 million from three erring construction firms.

The present administration has also initiated a health program for city government employees that includes the “Fitness Friday,” free annual medical check-up during employees’ birth month, blood pressure monitoring and random blood sugar screening every first Friday of the month.

Another innovation is the conduct of “Dia del Alcalde” during the fiesta celebration in the barangays, wherein complete government services from health care to agriculture and civil registration are given for free to all residents.

The Forced Evacuation Ordinance, which saved lives and prevented further destruction during the 23-day siege last September, was another innovation cited by the United NATIONS High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for following the international standards.

The prompt conceptualization and implementation of the Humanitarian, Recovery and Rehabilitation Coordination Structure has been cited by the UN and used as model in its interventions in Hanoi, Vietnam and other calamity-stricken areas.

Barely four months after the September siege, Climaco said the city is now in the early recovery stage. From food packs, the relief operations shifted to food and cash for work programs.

“The city gears for the rehabilitation phase following the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) with a funding of P3.5 billion that was approved by President Aquino last Dec. 22,” she said, adding that the city had also facilitated the transfer of over 200 MNLF detainees from Zamboanga to Manila.

With the “Build Back Better” concept, Climaco said the Z3R will construct a new, safer and better community within 6-18 months period. Force safety and convenience, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been gradually transferred to four transitory sites in Tulungatung, Taluksangay, Rio Hondo Elementary School and the bunkhouses at the grandstand. The 5th temporary shelter will soon rise in Upper Calarian, where the Philippine Tuberculosis Society, Inc. (PTSI) has allowed the free use of its one-hectare property for the IDPs.

Climaco has also expressed her gratitude for all the help the city continues to receive. As of January 8, monetary assistance for rehabilitation has reached P27.8 million, “the record of which is open to the public in line with our thrust on transparency and accountability”.

“We will work on the possibility of opening new roads to decongest our city. We support Pres. Aquino’s peace programs, we maintain the stand of the people of Zamboanga for exclusion in any and all proposed Bangsamoro entity because of the two plebiscites,” the lady chief executives declared as she urged everybody to work together and support the police and military to prevent a repeat of the September siege or similar incident.

Security, Health and Education (SHE) are the priority thrusts of the administration, and when assumed office on July 1, 2013 the first order of the day was the issuance of an executive order reconstituting the City Peace and Order Council during a meeting with stakeholders.

On the same day, the first nine Toyota Hi-lux vehicles, purchased through her previous congressional PDAF, were turned over to the police. Soon after, the Comprehensive Security Plan was formulated as earlier initiated by then Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo with Task Force Zamboanga.

It was also during this administration that the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan and the CDRRMC Investment Plan were approved, including the purchase of necessary equipment for use in times of calamity and emergency situations.

Meanwhile, Climaco said the city government will work with so much effort this year to secure the people of Zamboanga. Foremost of which is the aggressive campaign on road safety and responsibility, proper cleanup and sanitation.

The sanitary landfill system in Salaan is expected to start operation soon, while the controversial Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT) in Divisoria initiated by the previous administration of now District 1 Rep. Celso Lobregat has resumed construction.

Notwithstanding the September siege, Climaco pointed out that Zamboanga remains a strategic location for trade and commerce in the region and BaSulTa areas. “Even after the siege, we are happy to have first time visitors to the city with tourist inflow in 2013 hit over 358,000 with Sta. Cruz Island recording an 87% increase in tourist visits. (Vic Larato)