09 Latest ZamboNewsOnLine Items

City gov’t reminds residents vs firecrackers, pyrotechnics bans

The city l government is reminding the public agasdint the display, ale , storage and use of  pyrotechnics  and  firecrackers  during this  yuletide season particularly on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

This ban is in effect since an ordinance was approved on the matter in 2014 is  still in effect.

Councilor BG Guingona was the one who sponsored the said ordinance months after the Sept 9, 2013 war  in Zamboanga  2013 .

The ordinance was to lay down or minimize injuries as well as to avoid the  trauma  experienced during that war of four years ago.

The ban appear to be successful although it has already lpased after  more than three years.

As this developed, Guingona said that  he was expecting for the local government  particularly on the  Technical Working Group (TWG)  to meet and discuss if there is the need to amend or refill the said ordinance.

“We are requesting City  hall whether to amend or refile the ordinance since it is already more than three years ,” Guingona said.

According to Guingona, it is time to sell pyrotechnics and fireworks  but it need to be regulated.

There should only be a designated areas and well supervised by the fire fighting  personnel  and maybe to make it into per barangay districts .

“I was expecting October to convene  since it is more than three years already, “ Guingona  said.(Letty M. Militante )

Public reminded

on old peso bills

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is reminding the public of the  December 29 deadline for the return of old peso bills.

These old peso bills will no longer be accepted as legal tender after this date and it is only the BSP that  will change the old bills.

The other banks are no longer mandated to change or replace the old peso bills.

The BSP released the new series of  bills last year 2016.

Hermogenes  Buenaflor ,Jr. – Bank Officer of BSP told newsmen that  the validity of old bills will end on December 29,2 017.

“ We would like  to inform the public that only BSP can change old bills,” Buenaflor said .

“It is only optional on the part of the banks to change old bills,” Buenaflor added.

In other development, BSP will start to release the new P 5  coins of Andres Bonifacio  this month of December .

Buenaflor said that  it has been 45 years  since BSP change the new  logo and the coins particularly the P 5 coins  is already old since it was introduced last year 1990’s . (Letty M. Militante)

No worry over Dengvaxia

in the city and the region

The Department of Health  has assured that  there is nothing to worry about the “ Dangvaxia “ in regison 9.

The so-called “ Dangvaxia “ anti-dengue was only introduced in the regions of III, IV and National Capitol Region (NCR).

Regional Director Emilia Monicimpo of DOH-IX told newsmen that region 9 was not included in the immunization program using  Dangvaxia..

As this developed, Monicimpo appealed to the people to maintain cleanliness at home and their surroundings.

They  should also consult a docor or visit their nearest health center  or go to hospitals  if they have symptoms like  fever, headache and  rashes  (Letty M. Militante )

City Police to put up

own anti-drug team

   The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO)  will organize a special enforcement team in line with the implementation  of its campaign against drugs syndicates in the city .

The president has returned the Philippine National Police to the anti drug information campaign after authorizing the PDEA to handle the campaign over a month ago.

Police Informacion Officer PS Inpst. Shellaine Chang –told newsmen  that  the plan was first to organize a special enforcement team and to  revise the lists of drug watch targets..

Any operations will be done only after verification of A1 information.

It will be recalled that the  so –called “Oplan Tokhang” was stopped when this was turned over to PDEA.

. (Letty M. Militante )

Guingona wants new

anti-fireworks ordinance

Councilor BG Guingona  favors the aemendment or refilling of the of the ordinance on pyrotechnics and fireworks in the city .

The ordinance has already lapsed its three years period since  it was introduced and implemented last  2014.

Guingona said that it is about time to bring the fireworks and pyrotechnics up to date in the city since its implementation during the three years period  was successful .

According to Guingona, he was anticipating that the city government will  convene and discuss whether to amend or to refill  the ordinance on fireworks  and pyrotechnics .

Guingona who said that if the ordinance will be amended the sale and  use of fireworks and pyrotechnics should be regulated and strictly supervised by the fire fighting personnel.

And, there should be  designated areas where the fireworks can be used  (Letty M. Militante )

City to study CCTVs use by/

for establishments vs crime

The City Council will conduct further studies on the proposed ordinance mandating  the different business establishments to install their respective CCTV’s cameras.

Councilor BG Guingona who sponsored said ordinance said that though  he is in favor to include the small business establishments said that  it will be subjected to further studies yet.

He said  there will also be  another public hearing for that matter .

According to Guingona, some members of the council want to include not only the big establishments but  also the small businesses .

The proposed ordinance mandating to install CCTV’s cameras in the different establishments will benefit the shoppers against crimes as  well as owners of the establishments .

The opposition to the project is on the added cost it will entire storeowners and the others involved in the project. ( Letty m. Militante )

Apolinario asks for 15

days to answer order

Chief Elmeir Apolinario of the CDRRMO has asked Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco Salazar to give  him 15 days for him to answer the show cause order against him.

Apolinario along with several others were given just five days to explain their involvement in  Puericulture Center affairs.

He along with four others, including some department heads also sits as board members of the Center.

The city government has closed a business establishment at the center and questioned to authority of the center to lease out the space for use by a food firm.

These board members have been urged to resign from either of their two positions for the so-called “conflict of interest.”

Apolinario told newsmen  that he will answer with his lawyer on the show cause order issued by the Local Chief Executive .

But, he ask Climaco Salazar to give him 15 days to answer it because the five days period is not enough .

“ We will answer this with my lawyer,” Apolinario said .

He said that in  due time he will choose for the good of the service whether to stay as chief of CDRRMO or board member of the Zamboanga Puericulture Center .

“Nuay yo problema cunel Mayor, “ he said. (Letty M. Militante )

BSP to release 5-Piso New Generation Currency Coins

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has announced the release of the new P5 coin featuring Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio on Friday, December 1.

The new P5 coin will be released in circulation ahead of other new coins to honor Bonifacio’s 164th birthday on Thursday, November 30, as well as his 120th death anniversary on May 10 this year.

The BSP said that the rest of the denominations of the NGC Coin Series will be released for circulation in January 2018.

Widely regarded as one of the Philippines’ greatest heroes, Bonifacio was a fearless leader who founded the Katipunan, the secret society that ignited the flames of the revolution which finally led to the declaration of Philippine independence in 1898. Bonifacio died on 10 May 1897.

Considered as the Father of the Philippine revolution, Bonifacio’s portrait is etched on the obverse side of the coin, along with the markings, "ANDRES BONIFACIO", "5-PISO" and "REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS" in bold font and in microprints, and the mint mark.

The reverse side features the Tayabak, a Philippine endemic plant that climbs tall forest trees, the BSP logo and “Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas” in microprint. The 5-piso NGC coin is 25-millimeters in diameter and weighs approximately 7.4 grams.

According to BSP, the NGC Coin Series adopts the latest technology in minting coins. The security features of the NGC Coin Series are enhanced to deter counterfeiting, improve wear and corrosion resistance capabilities, saves the BSP minting costs, avoids risks arising from unexpected volatile swings in metal prices, and also deters the illegal hoarding of coins for melting and shipment to other countries.(BSP/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

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Poor infra, logistics

hurt businesses-DTI

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Low investment in the country’s infrastructure is one of the reasons why the Philippines performs poorly in the world logistics performance index (LPI). But the good news is that the country is slowly recovering.

 In a meeting December 6 with local shipping and trucking company representatives, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Competitiveness Bureau head Jonathan Cabaltera said that for the past 3 years, there has been a downtrend in the country’s LPI, which in effect means that businesses would have difficulty particularly in efficiently transporting goods to and from their destinations.

 Out of 10 countries in the ASEAN, the Philippines ranks 8^th in terms of infrastructure development. In the past three or four years, infrastructure spending here has a Php209-billion deficit as against the international benchmark of at least 5% of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Yet, President Duterte has been aggressive in infrastructure development, and the Philippines has been consistently closing the gap. Cabaltera said that this very well might be the “golden age of Philippine infrastructure,” as the government is targeting Php8.4-Trillion spending by 2022.

 Other challenges in line with the low LPI include high logistical costs, or the high freight rates of shipping and trucking, as well as the bureaucracy which makes it time consuming and difficult for businesses to get permits for logistics.

 The DTI presented this report to be able to gather local insights, particularly from the logistics stakeholders on how to improve the country’s standing in the index, and eventually to make doing business easier in the country. (ALT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

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“Fun Walk” caps World

AIDS Day in Dipolog

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A throng of students from various schools and colleges lined the streets of Dipolog City Boulevard recently in observance of the World AIDS Day. 

Anchored on the theme “Right to Health,” the City Legal and Health offices spearheaded the conduct of a Fun Walk as part of the local government unit’s health awareness campaign on Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

  In his message, Mayor Darel Dexter Uy said the event is among the initiatives of the LGU to strengthen public awareness of the disease and hopes to eradicate the stigma of its carriers.

 Schools that participated in the activity include the Andres Bonifacio College (ABC), Alberto Q. Ubay Memorial High School (AQUAMATS), Zamboanga Del Norte National High School (ZNNHS), Dipolog City National High School, Saint Vincent’s College (SVC) and Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU).

 The City Health Office had also distributed free condoms and conducted HIV test as part of the activity. (ALT/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte) 

’13 Zambo war case still

suspended, says Roque

 by   Dominic I. Sanchez

The case against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari for his alleged involvement in the 2013 Zamboanga siege is still suspended indefinitely.

 During his first press briefing in Zamboanga City, Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque clarified that the case versus Professor Misuari is not dismissed, but merely suspended, while peace talks between the Government and the MNLF are still ongoing.

 “The DOJ has created a special task force that handles this specific case for violation of international humanitarian law in connection to the Zamboanga siege,” Atty. Roque said. He did not elaborate if there is a timeline for the case to progress.

 Meanwhile, Atty. Roque emphasized that President Duterte is pushing for a more inclusive Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) this time. The original BBL which was drafted during the previous administration excluded the MNLF especially in the consultations. This exclusion, some analysts think, could have very well been one of the triggers for the Zamboanga siege.

 “President Duterte,” Atty Roque said, “believes that an inclusive BBL, where MNLF is made part of the consultation process, is a means to achieving lasting peace in Mindanao.”

 However, the presidential spokesperson clarified that areas who do not wish to be part of the Bangsamoro will not be compelled. “The President respects Davao’s and Zamboanga’s decision not to be part of the BBL,” he said. (ALT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

P5-M shabu seized; 5

nabbed in anti-drug op

Authorities have confiscated PHP5 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested five people, including a suspected member of a drug syndicate, in an anti-drug operation in this city, an official announced Monday.

The confiscation was so far the third biggest haul in the government’s anti-drug operations since last month here in Western Mindanao.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio identified the arrested suspects as Sahari Sabturani alias Dante Solaiman, 37; Gasi Hadjirul, 42; Albajir Sanny; and, couple Ryan and Kizzie Rajan, both 30 years old.

Aspacio disclosed that Sabturani, who was the main target of the anti-drug operation, is a suspected member of the Kubal Drug Group.

He said the suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation at around 2:45 p.m. Saturday at the parking lot of a hotel in Barangay Sta. Maria, this city.

He said confiscated from the suspects were one-kilogram of suspected shabu worth PhP5 million; PhP3,000 placed on top of three bundles of neatly-cut papers made to appear as PhP1.5 million used as buy-bust money; one unit Sports Utility Vehicle key; and, one motorcycle also with key.

Cases for violation of Section 26 (Attempt or Conspiracy) in relation to Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs), of Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed in court against the suspects.

The PDEA agents were backed by operatives of the Naval Intelligence Service Group (NISG) and Task Force Zamboanga when the buy-bust operation was carried out on Saturday.

Saturday’s confiscation of PhP5 million suspected shabu was the third biggest drug haul here in Western Mindanao since last month.

The first was also worth PhP5 million of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation on November 3 in Barangay Canelar, this city and the second, was PhP1.5 million on November 20 in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. (PNA)

Navy rescues vessel

in distress off Basilan

The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) has rescued a wooden-hulled vessel in distress with 67 people on board off Basilan province, a top military official announced Monday.

Rear Adm. Rene Medina, NFWM commander, said M/L Fatima Devie skippered by Cesar Abdul was rescued at around 10:20 p.m. Friday near Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhatamad town.

M/L Fatima Devie was manned by seven crew members aside from Abdul, and was loaded with 59 people at the time of the incident.

Medina said investigation showed the vessel was sailing to Zamboanga City coming from Taganak, Turtle Island municipality, Tawi-Tawi “when the rudder broke that resulted to a major steering casualty” at around 7:20 p.m. Friday.

The mechanical defect caused the vessel to drift at sea, Medina added.

The NFWM through the Naval Task Force 61 deployed BRP-Iwak (LC-289) to provide assistance to the vessel in distress.

Medina said BRP-Iwak, which is skippered by Cmdr. Homer Gonzalez, rescued M/L Fatimah Devie at around 10:20 p.m. Friday and towed the vessel to safety.

He said they arrived at around 1:38 a.m. Saturday at a private wharf in Barangay Baliwasan, this city.

He said the successful rescue operations of the Navy vessels proves the readiness and responsiveness of the Naval Force in the Western Mindanao.

He added the Philippine Navy stands ready to render assistance and support to vessels in distressed while conducting its missions and maritime patrols in the Western Mindanao region. (PNA)