01 Zamboanga News On Line  December 2017

DOLE urges early release

of 13^th month pay by 15th

The Department of Labor and Employment or DOLE  has encouraged employera to give the 13^th month pay to their employees as early as December  15, 2017 .

The usual payment of the 13^th month pay under the law is on December 24, 2017.

Labor Regional Director Ofelia  Domingo said that early payment of the 13thmonth pay will give time to employees to do their shopping earlier and avoid rush hours as well as to buy cheaper items or food stuffs.

“I encourage employers to give the 13tgh month pay on December 15, 2017  to give chance worker to buy cheap goods which by December 24, 2017 will already cost mor,”  Domingo said .

According to Domingo, based on records there are employers who usually give the 13^th month on the 24^th of December.

Thus, she encourages employer to take into consideration the possibilityof releasing the 13^th month pay as earlier as possible.

IN other related development, Domingo also said that the bonus or cash gift  either in cash or in kind is not mandatory on the part of the employer

Which means it depends on the employer as this bonus gift is  voluntary in nature.

As this developed, Domingo said that rank and file employees whether regular or  casual are entitled for the 13^th month pay.

The computation  is 1/12 of their monthly salary of the worker, Domingo said.

In other related development, Domingo also said that  there were some companies or employers who were being issued a “compliance order” to pay the 13^th month pay. This is based on the regular inspection  and findings with evidence from the workers who had not received their respective 13^th month pay from the respective employers.

Domingo said that for those who will not comply to pay the 13^th month pay to their employees, the office will issued an execution  but most of those  upon  the time of inspection  pay the necessary 13^th month pay.

“We have regular inspection as scheduled  unless there is a complain, “ Domingo said.

Furthermore , Domingo said that if they are afraid they can write as “unanimous” with details in as far as the non payment of the 13^th month pay.

 Domingo also said that it is  mandatory  for the employer to issue pay slip to their employees.

Domingo said that the minimum wage is at P 296 per day wherein employer who do not comply with minimum wage has to comply and pay in “retroactive” mode. (Letty M. Militante )

Sardine fishing

ban begins Dec

The Bureau of Food and Aquatic Resources or BFAR  has announced that the ban aganst the catching or sardines or the  so-called “tamban” fish began effective December  1, 2017.

This ban will last until February 2018 or for a period of three months.

It will be recalled that the ban in catching of tamban fish is not new anymore as this has been going on for the past several years.

As this developed, more or less some 20,000 canning and factory workers on canned sardines will be greatly affected .

The Department of Labor  and Employment has  prepared plans for those who will be greatly affected dring the period of the ban.

This plan include  an emergency employment  for some 500 workers as an initial move, thelabor officials said.

 This emergency employment is to help  workers who will be displaced during the peiod of the ban.

On the other hand, the fishing companies will be strictly prohibited in catching fish.

Exempted from the ban are small time fishermen using their bancas as their catch will not be big compared to commercial fishing boats.

 ( Letty M. Militante)

20K jobless due

 to fishing ban

Some 20,000 factory workers will be affected during the fishing ban period that started today and will last for three months.

The  Department of  Labor and Employment (Dole) has announced that initially about 500 workers will be employed  with pay in some other companies while the canning factories will stop production of sardines in the absence of raw fish products.

Regional  Director Ofelia Domingo of Dole said that this is only initial  because  the office will still look into the profile of those who will be affected by the ban.

Domingo said that these some 500 workers  will be working inside the Ecozone to plant agricultural products and other livelihood program.

The Zamboecozone has set aside ten hectares for these agricultural ventures for displaced cannry workers.

“Dole already allotted emergency employment  initially for 500  workers , “ Domingo said .

 Domingo said that there is no need to apply because  the office already coordinated  with the other line enforcement agency like the PESO and there is a technical working group to conduct the survey.

Domingo said that Dole will also accredited Sophil  as a conduit partner  to organized the workers in order to empower them.

A sustainable livelihood program will be introduced to the workers , Domingo ended . (Letty M. Militante

Angel is the theme for
Christmas decoration

The theme for this year’s Christmas decoration in Zamboanga City is “angel”

Chief Engineer Rene dela Cruz of the General Service Office (GSO) yesterday said that the  theme angel will be incorporated in the different modes for decorating the city during the yuletide season.

The city government has allocated has allotted P 2 million  for the Angles Christmas decoration located in several places in the city.

These sites for the decorations include City Hall, Plaza Pershing , Paseo del Mar, Plaza del Pilar and in the Jardin de Maria Clara Lobregat in barangay Pasonanca and in rotary to include the islands on streets .

Engr. Dela Cruz said that the motive came from the directive of City  Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco Salazar.

It will be recalled that for the past years , the Christmas decorations are on oders of the mayor who decides on the  motive or theme for the decorations.

It will be further recalled that this was started way back  when the first decoration was changed  by the present administration that started with the theme or motive  the so-called “candyland” this was followed by other decorative Christmas decoration such as  “small world” , Christmas village.

Engr. Dela  Cruz said that the Jardin de Maria Clara L. Lobregat will be the last place  to be decorated this week.

According to Engr. Dela Cruz, the appropriated budget of P 2million  include not only the Christmas lights decorations but as well as other materials needed  to complete the decorations such as plywood, wires, paints, welding rod and others.

Engr. Dela Cruz added that the purchases of the materials passed the biding process .

Work on these  Christmas decorations started right after the celebrations of the Fiesta Pilar last October 12.

Part of the Christmas decorations also include the old Christmas decorations  of last year 2016 which were modified  and   installed along  the street light posts. (Letty m. Militante)

Zamcelco; Power hike due

Rise in price for world’s oil

The Zamboanga  City Electric Cooperative or Zamcelco  has clarified that the  increases on electric bill rates was caused by  the increases of  fuel prices   in the world market .

This as,  the kilowatt rate went as high as P 10.02 per kilowatt hour for the current month of November.

In an interview,  the Information Section of Zamcelco reveals that the causes of the increases of electric rate is due to the increases of  fuel in the world market.

Zamcelco’s power suppliers like TMI, Mapalad and  WMPC  are using  fuel- bunker oil  and or crude oil.

San Miguel also one of the supplier who supplies at a maximum of 300 megawatts per day  as of September  already  implement the commercial rate similar with other  power supplier in the country.

There is also the fuel price hike wherein 60 percent of the Zamcelco power supplies are generators.

Based on  records, the total demand already reaches at  110 megawatts per day.

Both TMI  and Mapalad are providing  some  18 megawatts per day while WMPC provides  40 to 48 megawatts per day.

PSALM whose power source is hydroelectric  provides  20 to 30 megawatts   while San Miguel provides a  maximum of  30 megawatts each day .

It will be noted  that Zamcelco continuously increases the kilowatt hour last September 2017 at P 9.0966 per kwhr; October at P 9.2773 and November at P 10.02.( Letty M. Militante)

Sports complex Completion

ready by first quarter 2018

Repair work on the sports complex  or the Grandstand will be completed by the first quarter of next year.

Engineers and workers of the RCDG construction started last Saturday November  25, 2017 the installation  of the rubberized oval.

This rubberized oval  material that came from Germany has  causes the delay in the reconstruction of the grandstand.

The repair has reached about  60 percent but about 40 percent of the work will include repair of the blachers an painting of the structure.

Aside from the rubberized oval , the artificial grasses  also from Germany  will also be installed  and this is for the soccer field centered  along the oval.

Mr. Paul Lagonera told newsmen that  the installation of the rubberized oval is being facilitated  by workers of the German company  to assure it follows  the international standard.

Lagonera hopes that it will not rain  as it will  affect on the installation of the rubberized oval since Pag-asa forecasted  two (2) possible typhoons before the  year ends. (Letty M. Militante )

Comelec says party on

Mariano’s replacement

The Commission on Elections said that the replacement of Councilor Charlie Mariano must have the party nomination and the  appointment coming from the President Rodrigo Duterte.

Canete of the Commission on Election of Comelec yesterday said that  replacement  of Charlie Mariano .

The Comelec relieved Mariano of his position effective  last Tuesday, November 28, 2017  because of a case involving the issuance of bouncing checks.

In his farewll speech at the city council last Tuesday, November 28, Mariano said he will seek th e position of a citycouncilor anew during the 2019 general elections.

In that case, Election Officer of  District I Atty. Stephen Roy Canete said that the Comelec will just receive   if and when Mariano will file his Certificate of Candidacy in 2019 though he  will still be questioned if somebody wants to.

As this developed, the Laban ng Demokratikong Filipino led by Councilor Mike Alavar said that they are preparing the necessary papers  for  San Roque Barangay Chairman Litlit Macrohon to replace the vacant position left by Mariano.

Macrohon ranked  number 9  during the national and local election under the LDP.

Alavar said that Macrohon  who is  a LDP member to include among other nominees in the LDP is  considered logic  and chosen by the party and will recommend to LDP to replace Mariano. (Letty M. Militante )

Voters registration

deadline is Friday

The Commission on Elctions has announced that today, Friday , November 30, 2017 is the last day for the voters registration for the barangay and Sangguniaang Kabataan elections set for next year.

There will be  no more extension  for those who failed to register.

Election Officer Atty. Stephen  Roy Canete of the Commission on Election or Comelec  of District I Canete said that the office will be opened from 8am to 5pm  to accept new voters registration today .

He called on those who wants to register to bring  valid Id’s – government ID for regular voter and for those ages 15 to 17 should bring their birth certificate .

Canete sees that there are still those who waited for the last day to register.

Thus, he encourages to come to the office as early as possible . ( Letty M. Militante) 

Drug den dismantled; 5 arrested in Zamboanga

·                         

Anti-drug operatives, backed by policemen, have dismantled a drug den and arrested five suspected drug personalities in separate buy-bust operations in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, an official reported Wednesday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio identified those arrested as Agnes Pondo, 37; Cherry Manalibang, 29; Jimboy Pondo, 18; Rolando Balugay, 53; and, Abdal Mabol, 42.

Aspacio said all suspects except Mabol were arrested at around 8:45 p.m. Monday in Purok Reservoir, Barangay Don Andres, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay that also resulted to the dismantling of a drug den.

Aspacio said seized from the susoects were 10 grams of suspected shabu packed in four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets worth PhP50,000, PhP500 marked money and several illegal-drug paraphernalia.

He said that cases for violations of Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs), Section 6 (Maintenance of Den, Dive or Resort), Section 7 (Employees and Visitors of Den, Dive or Resort), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Section 12 (Possession of Equipment and Drug Paraphernalia) and Section 15 (Use of Dangerous Drugs) of Article II of the Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against them.

He said Mabol was arrested in a separate buy-bust operation at around 6:20 p.m. Monday in Purok Neptune, Barangay Bangkerohan, Ipil.

Confiscated from Mabol’s possession were a gram of suspected shabu packed in five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets worth PhP4,000, PhP300 marked money, and illegal drug paraphernalia.
Aspacio said Mabol would be charged for violations of Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Equipment and Drug Paraphernalia) of Article II of R.A. 9165.

He said all the five arrested suspects are now detained in Ipil. (PNA)

Comelec unseats

Councilor Mariano

Councilor Charlie Mariano of this city’s first district stepped down from office after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed in finality his disqualification.

This developed as the poll body has issued a Writ of Execution, which was deemed final and executory, dated November 16, 2017 signed by Atty. Christian Robert Lim, the Comelec Acting Chairperson.

Lawyer Stephen Roy Cañete, first district election officer, on Tuesday served the writ to Mariano during the City Council’s regular session.

It stated that the Comelec First Division has disqualified Mariano on November 23, 2016, after four of his colleagues and four other losing candidates in the 2016 elections filed a disqualification case against him.

The petitioners cited that Mariano is disqualified from seeking and holding an elective position as he was found guilty by the Supreme Court for violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 or the Bouncing Cheque Law prior to the 2016 elections.

Mariano has filed a motion for reconsideration on his disqualification case but “the Commission En Banc promulgated a Resolution on August 31, 2017 denying his Motion for Reconsideration dated December 13, 2016 and, accordingly, affirming the Resolution of the First Division.”

The Comelec En Banc issued a Certificate of Finality on September 26, 2017 “declaring the 31 August 2017 Resolution as final and executory.”

In his farewell speech, Mariano expressed his gratitude to his colleagues and staff of the City Council and the residents of this city who voted him into office.

He vowed to be of service to the public “for as long as there is the opportunity to serve the people and to make contact with the people.”

“I’m committed to coming back because my only lifelong quest is public service. I cannot work in a private capacity since my love is really in politics,” Mariano, who was so emotional, said.

Mariano added that he does not hold any grudges to the petitioners on his disqualification case. (PNA)

Zambo witness switch-on

of Christmas lights, decors

·                         

Thousands of people from all walks of life on Monday night gathered and witnessed the switch-on ceremony of the City Hall Christmas lights and decors that kick-off the “Pascua na Zamboanga” festival (Christmas Festival in Zamboanga).

The ceremony coincided with the 110th anniversary of the construction of City Hall, making it one of the most important landmarks, a symbol of Zamboanga and a legacy and treasure of this city’s colorful history.

The switch-on ceremony was preceded by Christmas chorale presentation by selected students and grand children of the City Hall employees.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar led the switching-on of the Christmas lights and decors held in front of City Hall.

Officials of the city government and from the security sector as well as from the private sector joined Salazar during the ceremony.

City Hall remains lit up for the entire month of December in celebration of the yuletide season, to the delight of residents and tourists alike.

This year’s yuletide theme for City Hall will be Anghel de Navidad (Christmas Angels) and will have designs and decorations prepared by the City General Services Office (GSO).

Aside from City Hall, angel-themed displays are also the fixture in this city’s parks and recreation centers including the Plaza Rizal, Plaza Pershing, Paseo del Mar, and in major thoroughfares.

The city government has allotted PhP2 million for this year’s Christmas decors.

Government workers, students and families were seen taking pictures and “selfie” when the Christmas lights and decors were lighted.

Salazar said the public is welcome to gather at the City Hall grounds that would be lighted nightly.

In marking the 110th anniversary, Salazar highlighted City Hall’s transformation from being Provincial Capitol building during the American military regime to the present day, which is the seat of governance of this city.

Historical records showed the construction of the City Hall building began during the American military regime (1903-1914) when Zamboanga City was the capital of the Moro Province.

Major Leonard Wood, the first American military governor initiated the construction of the then Provincial Capitol building. (PNA)

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81 Zambo barangays

declared drug-free

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced that 81 barangays in Western Mindanao have been declared as drug-free since August, this year.

Drug-free or -cleared barangays refer to areas with no drug personality, drug trafficking, drug den and marijuana plantation and with functional Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).

PDEA Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio said the declared drug-free barangays are in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, 60; Basilan, 15; Sulu, four; Zamboanga Sibugay, one; and Zamboanga City, one.

Western Mindanao covers the Zamboanga Peninsula provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur as well as Zamboanga City to include Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi that are part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“We congratulate them since they were able to maintain the drug-free status. I hope there will be no resurgence of drug pushers and users in these (cleared) places,” Aspacio told the Philippine News Agency.

He said the regional oversight committee is the body that declares a barangay as drug-free area. It is headed by PDEA with Department of Health and Department of Interior and Local Government as members.

He said it usually takes three to six months to declare a particular barangay as a drug-free area.

Meanwhile, Aspacio said the anti-drug campaign must be a national approach with the involvement of all sectors.

He said the campaign must also start with the family by teaching the children the ill-effects of illegal drugs. (PNA)

COMELEC: 496,816 voter registrants processed

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) received a total of 496,816 applications for registration from November 6 to 25, 2017, during the ongoing registration of voters nationwide. 

The weekly monitoring data on voter registration gathered by the Election and Barangay Affairs Department (EBAD) showed the following numbers: 126,444 total applications received for the week of November 6 to 11, 2017; 152,380 for November 13 to 18; and 217,992 for November 20 to 25. 

“It can be clearly seen from the upward trend of the weekly registration turnout that people tend to register only during the last few days of registration,” Spokesperson James Jimenez said, “so the grand total of applications is still expected to increase substantially as November 30 draws nearer.” 

The National Capital Region (NCR) processed the most number of applicants with a total of 81,047 applications both from Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) registrants, who are 15 to 17 years old, and from regular registrants who are 18 years old and above. 

Meanwhile, there were already 269,030 applications received from female registrants, and 227,786 applications from male registrants from all over the Philippines. 

The system of continuing registration resumed on November 6, 2017 and will end on November 30, 2017. Applications are processed at the Offices of the Election Officer and in satellite registration events from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays. (COMELEC)