020518 ZamboNewsOnLine
Climaco names two
new department head
By Letty Militante
The city government of
Zamboanga has two new designated department heads, namely, at
the City Engineer’s Office and Officer in charge at the City Health
Office in this city
City Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco
Salazar has filled up last week the positions vacated by Dr. Rodelin
Agbulos of the City Health Office and has also
designated a new city
These two new department head and officer in
charge were Dr. Dulce Amor MIravite and Engr. Christopher Navarro ,
respectively .
It will be recalled that upon the
retirement of the former City Engineer Luis Vicente last June 21,
2017, Navarro was posted as the officer in charge.
Mavarro and MIravite were issued
a Memorandum Order last January 31, 2018 to to occupy the said
positions effective February 1, 2018.
Miravite was the physician at the CHO’s
Reproductive Health and Wellness Center from her previous
designation as Medical l Officer IV with the Cristino Paragas Community Hospital
Navarro was Engr. III and OIC of
the City Planning and Programming Division of CEO
New DOT director named
Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes has
assumed the top post at the Department of Tourism (DOT) IX revional
office vice fomer DOT RD Butch Blanco.
The DOT has conducted a
major reshuffle of some 22 regional directors and five
(5) officer in charge and re assigned them in the different DOT’s
offices nationwide .
The reshuffle of officials coming from
the central and regional offices was to get them out of their respective
comfort zone.
The new assignment
areas for each officials was to challenge them to widen
opportunities and network towards higher creativity and innovation
The immediate
reshuffle of DOT’s official’s was designed to promote managerial
potentials and versatility and to elevate Philippine tourism
at make it at par with other countries in the world..
This is also one way to
ensure that DOT’s officials will be on their toes to set more
ambitious targets for the coming years.
The DOT has the
vision of realizing a truly sustainable and inclusive tourism program. (Letty
M. Militante )
DOH to hire new nurses
for Dengvaxia patients
·
The Department of Health (DOH) is hiring nurses
to monitor hospitals of patients admitted brought about by the drastic reaction
of Dengvaxia vaccines.
Dr. Joshua Brillantes, DOH assistant regional
director, told the Philippine News Agency that they will assign surveillance
nurses in each of the provinces and city of Region
Brillantes said they have received reports that
some physicians in private practice have injected the vaccine to their patients
although the region was not included in the mass vaccination of Dengvaxia.
Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, former city health officer,
have received report that four children were injected with Dengvaxia vaccine by
pediatricians in this city.
Brillantes said these surveillance nurses will be
employed for five years since children injected with Dengvaxia vaccines will
have to be monitored for a period of five years.
He said they will coordinate with the hospitals
in the region for a speedy monitoring of Dengvaxia patients.
Dengvaxia, manufactured by French pharmaceutical giant
Sanofi, has been granted marketing authorization in 2015 by Mexico
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued
licenses and approved its used in the country.
The DOH reported that 733,713 children from three
regions in Luzon have been
vaccinated with Dengvaxia under the agency’s school-based immunization program
launched in 2016.
The DOH has suspended the dengue vaccination
program after it was reported that Dengvaxia could develop complications to
children who has not yet suffered dengue. (PNA)
High-powered guns
seized at fishing boat
·
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) arrested a skipper and
security officer of a fishing boat for illegal possession of firearms on
Thursday night in offshore Jolo, Sulu, a PCG official announced Friday.
Lt. Commander Alvin Dagalea, Zamboanga Coast
Guard Station commander, identified them as Archer Masicampo and Wilfredo
Bihante.
Masicampo is the skipper of F/B Orlando 2 while
Bihante is the security officer. The fishing boat originated from Tukuran,
Zamboanga del Sur.
Dagalea said the PCG personnel aboard BRP-Malabrigo
(MRRV-4402) were conducting security patrol when they spotted F/B Orlando 2
shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday on the Sulu Sea .
Dagalea said BRP-Malabrigo maneuvered and
accosted F/B Orlando 2 when it got no reply to the radio call sent to the
fishing boat.
“They even tried to ram our vessel,” Dagalea
said.
Masicampo denied this, saying his pilot got
rattled upon seeing the approaching coastguard vessel.
“He rattled while steering the boat and doesn’t
know where to direct the vessel,” Masicampo said, adding he was asleep at that
time while they were sailing to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
He said his crew failed to reply to the Coast
Guard's call since they don’t have a marine band although they were equipped
with radio communication set.
Dagalea said the fishing boat manned by Masicampo
and Bihante's crew were towed to this city.
Dagalea said they discovered the firearms when
the K9 unit of his command boarded and inspected F/B Orlando 2 on Friday
morning.
The firearms consisted of an M-16 Armalite rifle
with attached M-203 grenade launcher, an M-14 rifle, and a Browning Automatic
Rifle with several ammunition which were all undocumented.
Bihante said the owner of F/B Orlando 2 provided
them the firearms to be used to protect themselves from pirates while fishing
at sea.
Dagalea said only Masicampo and Bihante were
arrested since “by command responsibility” they were the ones responsible,
being the key officers aboard the fishing boat. (PNA)
Bomb explodes in Isabela
City; another 1 recovered
An improvised bomb exploded in front of the house
of a government engineer while another was recovered at the residence of
another engineer in Basilan province, the police reported Friday.
The incident occurred a day after suspected Abu
Sayyaf bandits killed in an ambush two employees of the Department of Public
Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) in LamitanCity,
Basilan.
Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional
Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, disclosed the explosion happened at
around 9:07 p.m. Thursday at the perimeter fence of Engineer Soler Undug’s
residence in Purok Yakal, Barangay San Rafael, Isabela City
Undug is the Basilan provincial engineer of the
DPWH-ARMM.
No one was either killed or injured in the
explosion that caused minor damage on the perimeter fence of Undug’s residence.
Galvez said the Explosive Ordnance Demolition
(EOD) personnel recovered from the blast site the following: parts of battery
pack of cellular phone; base of possible pipe bomb; and, shattered parts of
cellular phone screen.
Galvez said the other improvised bomb was
recovered at around 8:45 p.m. Thursday at the entrance gate of Engineer Bong
Lasatan’s residence inCatleya Drive, Barangay Aguada, Isabela City
Lasatan is the assistant provincial engineer of
Basilan province.
Galvez said the improvised bomb was recovered
after the Isabela Citypolice received report about the presence of an
unattended baggage at the entrance gate of Lasatan compound.
She said the EOD team of the Regional Public
Safety Battalion-9 rendered safe procedure to detonate the improvised bomb.
She said the recovered bomb components included
the following: a cellular phone; detonating cord; improvised electric blasting
cap; wire; and, possible pipe bomb.
Police authorities in Basilan believed the Abu
Sayyaf bandits were behind the bombing at the residence of Undog and the
bombing attempt at the residence of Lasatan since it occurred a day after the
bandits ambushed a truck owned by the DPWH-ARMM in Lamitan City
Two workers of the DPWH-ARMM were killed while
two others were wounded when the Abu Sayyaf banidts ambushed the truck on
Thursday in Barangay Baas, Lamitan City
Supt. Christopher Panapan, officer-in-charge of
the Lamitan City Police Station, said the possible motive of the ambush was
extortion.
Undug revealed the Abu Sayyaf bandits have
threatened to harm the DPWH-ARMM workers if and when they will not give in to
their demands.
The DPWH-ARMM is undertaking a road concreting
project in Basilan province. (PNA)
BOSS assesses 5,253
permits worth P219M
The city government’s Business One Stop Shop
(BOSS) has assessed a total of 5,253 business permits that would represent a
revenue of P219.296 million from Jan. 3 to 20.
City Treasurer Carmelita Candido said the total
assessed revenue amounted to P219,296,638.61, of which P198,226,074.14 came
from business tax and P2,220,525.00 permit fee.
The amount also includes P8,436,555.00 garbage
fee and P19,413,484.47 other fees.
Early on, the city government has decided to
extend the registration and renewal of business permits until Jan. 31 to give
business owners enough time to comply with the requirements.
The extension was granted following the passage
of Ordinance 2018-180 by the Sangguniang Panlungsod during its maiden session
last week.
During the extension period, however, the BOSS
opens only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, no more Saturdays and
Sundays or holidays.
The BOSS, now on its second year, is a system
where all offices and agencies involved in the business registration and
renewal process are housed under one roof at Centro Latino of Paseo del
Mar.-(Vic Larato)
City gov’t , Comelec
hold
Women and poll Seminar
Representatives from various women groups in the
city gathered at the Palacio del Sur Monday morning for a forum dubbed “Women
and Election Seminar” initiated by the City Government in partnership with the
Commission on Elections (COMELEC-9).
Mayor Beng Climaco and Election Commissioner Ma.
Rowena Amelia Guanzon spearheaded the activity that was held in line with
women’s rights to suffrage and women empowerment as provided in Article II,
section 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which states that “the State
recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure the
fundamental equality before the law of women and men.”
The mayor shared her story of women empowerment
recalling her days as a teacher and guidance counselor who became a City
Councilor then the City Vice Mayor and later the District I Representative in
the House of Congress and currently the City Mayor serving her second term.
For her part, Commissioner Guanzon emphasized the
importance of women participation in the Philippine election process and in the
exercise of democracy, as she encouraged the participants to actively take part
and to exercise their basic rights.
Atty. Stephen Roy Cañete, COMELEC-Zamboanga City
Executive Officer IV detailed the role of women and election that was followed
by the open forum.
The half-day seminar, held at the Valencia
Ballroom of the Palacio del Sur in Gov. Camins was organized by the City
Government through the Office of the City Mayor and the Gender and Development
Section in partnership with the local COMELEC.
In the afternoon, the COMELEC officials
from Manila
Zambo farmers get
P3.9 M implements
·
· 
Farm implements including irrigation projects
worth P3.99 million were turned over to farmers in the east coast over the
weekend as the national government seeks to accelerate growth and production.
The farm implements include 2 mud boats, 3 hand
tractors, 5 rice threshers, 25 shallow tube wells and an irrigation canal
project at Mangga, Bungiao. The projects were funded by the Department of
Agriculture and were turned over to Zamboanga farmers through the City
Government through the City Agriculturist Office and through the representation
of District II Congressman Mannix Dalipe.
The projects were formally turned over to the
farmers during rites held at the Culianan covered court Friday morning with
Cong. Dalipe, DA Assistant Regional Director Melba Wee, City Councilor Jihan
Edding representing Mayor Beng Climaco, City Agriculturist Diosdado Palaca and
Culianan barangay chairperson Gilbert Alvarez.
Recipients of the projects were farmer
associations from Culianan, Guisao, Pook, Talabaan, Bincul (Mangusu), Camino
Nuevo (Vitali), Tindalo (Vitali), Mercedes and Bolong and the Irrigators
Associations of KM 57 Buenavista, Bolong San Isidro and Licopon. (Sheila
Covarrubias)
AFP confident of neutralizing NPA as surrenders continue
·
"Ayaw nating sabihin na imminent but we're
confident that we will be able to hit our target kung ang ating titingnan ay
itong trend na ito, kasi ganyan na karaming (surrenders) January lang,
magandang indicator to say the least," AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard
Arevalo said Sunday.
Earlier, the AFP vowed to reduce NPA's strength
nationwide by half, if not totally by this year.
"Mahirap tayong magsalita ng conclusive
lalo't lalo na January pa lang naman ngayon, that's why very carefully sinasabi
natin if this trend is going to continue we are confident that we will be able
to hit our target," Arevalo said.
From Jan. 1 to 29, military records revealed that
310 NPAs surrendered from various parts of the country while the remaining 16
voluntarily gave themselves up from Jan. 30 to 31.
"The unprecedented number of surrenders is
attributed to the call of President and AFP Commander-in-Chief Rodrigo Duterte
on the rebels, as well as the hardship and sense of betrayal experienced by the
returnees in staying with the NPA," AFP public affairs office chief Lt.
Col. Emmanuel Garcia said.
One of the notable surrenderees is Gemma Quiroga,
35, of Davao Oriental who surrendered to the 28th Infantry Battalion last Jan.
27.
Garcia said the former was a squad medic of the
NPAs operating in Davao Oriental and was also designated as ANAKPAWIS chair, a
known leftist organization, in Mati City
"The AFP leadership congratulates its
various units on the ground for the effective use of military pressure against
the NPAs, as well as in their humane treatment of the former rebels," he
added.
Garcia is hoping the recent surrenders will
encourage other rebels to lay down their arms, abandon violent extremism and
embrace the peaceful path towards. (PNA)
VACC files raps vs. PNoy,
Etc. re Dengvaxia
mess
The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption
(VACC) on Friday filed a complaint against former President Benigno Aquino III
and former and current government officials in connection with the
implementation of the controversial dengue immunization program before the May
2016 polls.
Also included in the complaint filed before the
Commission on Elections (Comelec) were former budget secretary Florencio Abad,
former health secretary Janette Garin, and other former and current Department
of Health (DOH) officials, including Undersecretaries Carol Tanio, Gerardo
Bayugo, Lilibeth David, and Mario Villaverde; Assistant Secretaries Lyndon Lee
Suy and Nestor Santiago; Directors Laureano Cruz, Joyce Ducusin, Mar Wynn
Bello, Leonila Gorgolon, Rio Magpantay, Ariel Valencia, and Julius Lecciones;
former undersecretaries Nemesio Gako, Vicente Belizario Jr., and Kenneth
Hartigan-Go; and Dr. Yolanda Oliveros.
In an affidavit complaint, the group accused
Aquino and company of violating several provisions of the Omnibus Election Code
over the implementation of the controversial dengue immunization program ahead
of the May 2016 polls.
"It behooves the Law Department to evaluate
this joint complaint-affidavit and to file the formal charges against the
respondents, as well as to order the conduct of preliminary investigation,
coupled with the service of subpoena to the concerned individuals by the
fastest means," said the VACC complaint, which was represented by Dr.
Francis Cruz.
The complainant said the individuals committed an
"election offense" when they used public funds for an election
campaign, despite being prohibited by the OEC.
They added that Aquino and company violated the
prohibition against the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds
within 45 days before a regular election is held.
"It appears that no exemption had been
requested and was granted by the Commission on Elections to respondents Aquino
III, Abad, Garin and the other respondents," Cruz said.
They added that Aquino, Abad, and Garin must be
held liable after causing the releases, disbursements, or expenditures of more
than PHP3.5 billion in public funds in connection with the procurement of the
anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia and implementation of the school-based
immunization of tetravalent dengue vaccine of the DOH.
"The said humongous public funds were used
for any election campaign or for any partisan political activity, as no less
than Aquino III, the leader of the Liberal Party, together with some DOH
officials, took part during the launching of the Dengue Immunization Program of
the DOH in order to further the candidacies of his partymates, especially those
vying for the presidential, vice-presidential, and senatorial posts," Cruz
added.
As for the other DOH officials, he said they
should also face charges for being "part of the conspiracy".
"In the case of other DOH officials, they
are liable for being involved, directly or indirectly, in the first round of
implementation of the Dengue Immunization Program on April 4, 2016 or during
the election ban," the complaint added.
An election offense carries the penalty of one to
six years of imprisonment, removal of the right to vote, and disqualification
to hold public office. (PNA)
Sta. Cruz Island
63,000 visitors in ‘17
By
Tourist arrivals to
the city’s superstar beach - Sta Cruz Island
These visits mark a 61%
increase from the 38,916 visitors in 2016, and the highest recorded visits in
the island since 2012, reported Mayor Beng Climaco in her recent State of the
City Address.
Climaco said the island
“also experienced an influx of visitors during the “Fiesta na Isla,” an
activity spearheaded by the Protected Area Management Unit (PAMU) of the City
Mayor’s Office with 11,000 guests in a span of 8 days.
Famed for its swath of pink
coralline sand; lovely hues which are form from powdered red organ pipe corals
mixed with white sand; velvety beach line and astonishing turquoise clear
water, Sta Cruz Island joins the few pink sand beaches in the planet as
National Geographic lists it as one of the 21 best beaches in the world. CNN
travel also recognized the pristine island as one of the country’s best islands
and beaches in 2016.
Visits to the island is
regulated, with 500 visitors allowed per day to keep the environment healthy
putting into consideration its protected landscape and seascape.
“Our tourism potentials
thriving in a rich historical and cultural backdrop prove that Zamboanga and
its tourism is the next big thing as long as we make sure that our City is safe
to welcome visitors,” Climaco said.
She said tourist influx in
the city continuously increase with almost half a million visitors recorded in
2017.
Tourism-potential areas
like the Eleven Islands in the east coast, is one tourist attraction that the
local government is looking into, and the development of the site is one of its
flagship projects in 2018. (EDT/JPA/PIA9)
Army, NGO, gov’t bring services to
Albarka to curb terrorism in Basilan
By
It is for this reason that
the Philippine Army in Basilan brought some volunteers and organizations and
conducted civic and medical services, in the hope that people could appreciate
government efforts to curb terrorism in the area the soonest possible time.
In partnership with
stakeholders, including Save the Children of War Foundation, the Department of
Health and local health unit of Albarka, the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity of the
University of the Philippines
LTC Achilles Dela Cruz said
that part of the team were military units of the 4th Special
Forces Battalion, 18th Infantry Battalion, and the AFP Reserve
Unit composed mostly of professionals like nurses and doctors.
“This is part of our
campaign to be closer to the people and let them feel the services of
government and the army. We are not only for combat operations but we could
also facilitate the delivery of services, both from government and
non-government organizations to hard-to-reach areas in Basilan, especially when
the issue of peace is concerned,” he said.
He said that one could
notice that more and more people and groups outside Basilan are coming to give
services and help to project a more positive and safe image for Basilan.
Mayor Darus S. Lajid was
grateful for the services brought to Al-barka. He said that his none-IRA
municipality is one of those with no doctors and nurses in the area, depriving
people of much-needed medical care. He could only do as much with the subsidy provided
by the regional government of ARMM and the support of the provincial
government.
“Lumuluwang na ang Al-Barka
ngayon sa mga civilians at sumisikip na sa mga masamang elemento dito…Pwede ko
sabihin na from March 2017, pwede na namin i-declare ang Al-Barka na zero-ASG,”
he quoted adding that the same effort is being done on the issue of illegal
drugs.
Meanwhile, as part of the
celebration of their centennial year, the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity,
especially Batch’83 brought playground facilities for Barangay Cambug, such as
seesaw, swing, monkey bar, and slide.
“The project was intended
for children to give them the opportunity to grow normally as they should,”
Romeo Liamzon of Upsilon said.
The Save the Children of
War Foundation with founding director Dr. Arlyn Jawad brought toys and books
for the children. Her team also conducted some games and storytelling
activities.
Over 386 patients were
given services by the medical team from the military and the Kayang-Kayang
volunteers. Some 49 benefited from haircut, 51 for dental, and 1 for
circumcision. About 50 young people were also gathered where Anthony Pangilinan
gave an inspirational talk, hoping to encourage the youth to stay away from the
lure of ASGs.
Historically, Magcawa
barangay was previously controlled by the Abu Sayyafs where bloody encounters
between the military and ASGs ensued. According to 4SFBn Philippine Army CMO
1Lt Ron JR T. Villarosa, the area has been the gateway in 2016 towards
Tipo-Tipo town to capture the stronghold of ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon.
(ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan)
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