Orendain rebuts issues

on parks, fountain

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ZNS)- City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. said wednesday that the Paseo del Mar including its fountain, parking and comfort room facilities as well as other parks are not considered economic enterprises but amenities intended to entertain people.

All charges are imposed for use of these facilities are merely incidental and are aimed to help maintain operations.

Some members of the City Council have expressed opinion that the various facilities at the Paseo del Mar such as the fountain, parking lot and comfort room as well as the Jardin Maria Clara Food court and Plaza Pilar among others are not income generating as they should be and therefore should be privatized or be subjected to amendments in the ordinance regulating their operations.

Orendain also said the suggestion to privatize these facilities will aggravate the situation as the private operators will be profit-oriented. “Actually it depends on our interpretation of the issue. If there is anything that we can change, it is in the title.”

The facilities could probably considered or regarded as parks under special accounts with operations falling under the General Services Office or City Tourism Office and not under the Office of the City Administrator.

The operations of these facilities are based on City Ordinances approved by the City Council. (Sheila Covarrubias) (080514)

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DAR-Zamboanga Norte

celebrates 5th CARPER

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY – “The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and Reform, popularly known as ‘CARPER LAW’ has ended but the Department of Agrarian (DAR) will continue its operation as lots has yet to be done to fulfill its responsibility to the Filipino people,” according to Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Mohammad Dassan Adju.

In a media briefing held here recently during the 5th CARPER anniversary, Adju also told the press that his office has been distributing land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries involving government-owned lands.

He, however, admitted to having encountered some problems in the distribution of land titles involving privately owned lands.

Adju also apprised the local media of the implementation of the multi-million ARCP-II projects funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

PARPO I Rizzel Villanueva said that counter-parting scheme “has produced a positive impact in the project implementation, as it gives the local government unit (LGU) the sense of value for its equity, like what had been done by local leaderships of the province and Dipolog City.”

He cited the support extended by the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte and the city government of Dipolog to the beneficiaries resulting in the successful implementaiton of DAR programs in the province.( PIA IX) (080514)

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Zambo Sur vice guv urges CMO officers

to foster good relations with stakeholders

By Gideon C. Corgue 

PAGADIAN CITY – Zamboanga del Sur Vice Governor Juan Regala encouraged the officers in the Civil-Military Operations (CMO) units to establish rapport with the stakeholders.

In the recently concluded two-day Public Affairs Seminar/Workshop of Western MIdanao-based CMOs held at Farmers Haven at Barangay Dao , Pagadian City,  Regala who served as guest of honor and speaker said “by fostering good relations with  stakeholders, the programs of the Philipine Army will be successfully implemented.”

Speaking before the group of 60 CMOs,  Regala said the CMOs which he considered advisers of the commanding general and their respective commanding officers, should learn to effectively practice public affairs in their respective units.

Regala, who was then the commanding officer of 1st Pyschological Operations Unit of 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division Headquarters in 1989 before entering politics, shared his personal experiences with the participants to help them effectively perform their duties and responsibilities.

“You need to cultivate and foster good felationship with your stakeholders,” Regala urged adding that “public affairs involves harmonious and friendly relationship with the stakeholders.”

“Paano ka magiging epektibo na CMO officer kung hindi ka magpapakita ng mga tao at i-convince sila sa mga magagandang programa ng gobyerno?” said Regala.

 (How can you be an effective CMO officer if you do not show to the people and convince them of the good programs of the government?)

Regala said CMO officers should also establish good relationship with the media, saying that media play a very important role in our society.

“During my incumbency as CMO officer, I worked closely with the media that is why I gained active support from them. All the accomplishments of Tabak were published in the newspapers and aired over the radio and television during my time,” Regala proudly said.

“As CMO officer you should learn to observe the ‘MUST’ in public affairs. You  must be sincere, respectful and considerate in serving the people, learn their own dialect, and know how to socially mingle with them,” Regala stressed.

Regala admitted that he didn’t have any formal schooling in public affairs but the things that he shared with them was based on his personal experiences during his stint as CMO officer.

Regala served as member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in three consecutive terms and currently on his second term as vice governor.

(PIA IX) (080514)

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NGCP to establish Visayas-

Mindanao interconnection

By Mary May A. Abellon

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) revealed that it is planning to build Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project passing Negros Oriental in the Visayas to Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao.

This was disclosed by the NGCP in its recently concluded “Power 102” attended by local media practitioners in Dipolog City.

Pursuant to NGCP’s 2013 Transmission Development Plan, the company is going to establish a unified Philippine Grid by 2018, a 10-year program for expansion reinforcement and rehabilitation of the transmission system.

“There’s an overwhelming energy generation in Mindanao and in coming years Mindanao will be going to supply power to Luzon and Visayas,” Fernando S. Javier, head of the Mindanao Transmission Planning Division disclosed.

“The western route is the export corridor of Mindanao,” Javier added.

Meanwhile, he said, this project has to undergo first a feasibility study to determine whether “the covered area is viable for the transmission of electricity from one island to another especially when their cables will pass through the ocean floors.”

The main project drivers of NGCP are the load growth, generator entry, congestion-alleviation, system reliability, power quality and island interconnection.

Based on Department of Energy’s list of Private Sector Initiated Power Projects, the total conventional and re-based plants proposed in Mindanao for 2014-2020 is 4,443 MW. (pia) (080514)

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Zambo IP elder to youth: Change stereotype about us

By Dominic I. Sanchez

A respected indigenous people (IP) elder in Zamboanga encouraged the youth belonging to various tribes in the city to change the stereotype the public has about them. 

Dr. Tuan Raja Agong, a leader of the Sama Badjao here lamented that other groups perceive them negatively. “Sinasabi nila, IP ka lang, ignorante, walang pinag-aralan.” (They say that if you are an IP, you are ignorant and have no education.) 

“But just like any other people, we have the potential to achieve more. It does not mean that if you are an IP, you have no potential,” Dr. Agong told the 28 youth participants to a journalism seminar here conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Embassy of the United States. 

“Huwag kayong magtago, huwag kayong mahiya (Don’t hide and don’t be shy),” Dr. Agong exclaimed. “This is the time for our youth to stand up and be proud of their heritage.”

Meanwhile, NCIP-IX Regional Director Timuey Woy Lim P. Wong told the participants that it is only through “education that we can compete.” 

Director Wong shared that during his days as a student, he was very shy and hesitant to speak in front of people, mainly because of his feeling of “inferiority.” But through inspiration from a teacher of his, he learned to cope with insecurities, studied hard and worked hard eventually reaching his current position. 

“The journalism seminar that we are conducting aims to hone and develop your talents so you can go back to your communities and be the voices of the IPs to other people,” said Director Wong. 

The NCIP looks forward to developing a newsletter focused on IP issues and development, with the youth comprising the pool of writers. The IP students also elected  officers for the IP youth for climate change mitigation and adaptation movement as follows: President – Robert Aroman, Vice President – Mumar Ibbin, Secretary – Raffy Daud, Treasurer – Zildjian Eduard Dulaca, Project Managers – Mohammad Jibrimar Sandag, Amraida Tangkapa, and PIO – Saddam Omar.(PIA) (080514)

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Sominot mayor hails MindaComNet infocar

 By Gideon C. Corgue

SOMINOT, Zamboanga del Sur – Mayor Stephen Acosta of this town has expressed his gratitude to the Mindanao Communicators’ Newtwork (MindaComNet) for spearheading the conduct of information caravan here last Thursday which was attended by 22 national government agencies (NGAs).

The infocar brought the different line agencies to the municipality to give and apprise the townsfolk of their programs and services that aim to reduce proverty in the area.

“Dako kaayo ang akong pagpasalamat sa presensya sa mga national government agencies nga naghatud sa ilang libre nga mga programa ug serbisyo sa mga mulupyo sa akong lungsod. (I am very grateful for the presence of the national government agencies which are offering their programs ans services for free to my constituents in this town),” Acosta announced.

“Pinaagi ning maong kalihokan, masayon sa mga tawo nga modoul sa mga ahensya sa kagamhanan nga gipahiluna sa usa ka dapit aron mopadangat sa ilang mga isyu ug problema,” the mayor added.

(With this activity, it would be easier for the people to approach the national government agencies which are now gathered here.)

Acosta said some of his constituents seldom see these agencies in his town.

The NGAs were gathered at the gym and were provided with individual tables to attend to their clients.

In the same activity, the medical team of 1st Infanry (Tabak) division of the Philippine Army through the   32nd battalion performed free circumcision to 66 boys and haircut to 36 children.

The Department of Health (DOH) and Rural Health Unit (RHU) provided free general health checkup and distributed vitamins to 216 poor families.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DSENR), on the pther hand, distributed 300 mahogany and narra seedlings.

The NFA also provided supplemental feeding to 160 children while the rest of NGAs informed the residents of their respective programs and services.

Sominot was chosen by the MindaComNet as the pilot area for the information caravan, as it has the second highest poverty incidence in the region based on the results of the National Housing Targetting (NHTS) survey after Midsalip town. (PIA) (080514)

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Innovation starts with a heart  that cares, says DG Oquinena

By Alma L. Tingcang

MAKATI CITY - “Do we need more trainings or do we need more inspiration? Do we need more workshop or do we need to build our relationship stronger?”

These were the questions posed by PIA Director General Jose Mari M. Oquinena to some 71 information center managers (ICMs) who attended the 2014 ICMs’ conference in Makati City recently.

He lauded the information officers for being agents of change who need to strike a balance between the mind and the heart.

“Being with PIA for one year and six months, you changed the way I looked at government and government employees. You guys never give up. You are made of the same stuff,” he said.

He cited the dedication of information officers in their work, given the limited resources of the agency yet still deliver more than what is expected and doing media coverage  even at the height of typhoons and whatever incidents which put their lives in danger.

Highlighting the conference was the PRAISE Awards giving recognition to PIA employees who have rendered considerable years of service.

“The PRAISE awards is not something to brag about, but our achievements should inspire and encourage us. Continue to widen your perspective as info officers,” Oquinena said.

Even after the term of President Benigno C. Aquino III, the landscape of communication is changing and citizens now openly express their views, wanting to be heard. In one click, you will reach thousands through social media.

He called on them to be servant leaders and not to stick on old ways but to innovate. “Never be afraid to fail. If you’ve never failed, you never tried anything new,” he quoted, telling them to spend more time with their children who use social media frequently and be updated with new trends.

“As we live in a world which is so fast moving, we should move in two ways, from being information to formation and inspiration,” the DG advised saying we could also be called Philippine Inspiration Agency through the stories we write the good things we do for others.

He shared that in UK, flexi time is already being implemented. “As long as you complete your minimum number of working hours, you can adjust. So they have time to bring their children to school, bring them home, prepare their food and feed them before going back for work after they have settled.” People become very productive in this set-up, according to DG Mari.

“If we live in a rigid world,  mahirap yun (it’s hard) especially for information officers. You can’t be in a rigid world. You also need to fulfill your dreams,” the PIA chief who is very family-oriented concluded. (PIA) (080514)

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Women, OSY complete food processing training in Sominot

Women, OSY complete food  

processing training in Sominot

By Gideon C. Corgue

SOMINOT, Zamboanga del Sur – Thirty-eight women and out-of-school-youth (OSY) graduated from a two-day food processing training conducted by the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) on July 18 and 19.

The graduates received their training certificates from Senior Technical Education Development Specialist Juancho Lazo during the conduct of an information caravan held at the municipal gym here last Thursday.

Merlyn Corsino, one of the graduates, said she was happy that she was given the opportunity by the local government unit (LGU) to avail of the free training.

“Nalipay ko ug dako nga usa sa mga palaran nga mulupyo nga nakapahimulos sa duha ka adlaw nga pagbansaybansay paghimo sa tocino ug longganisa. Makatabang gyud ni sa akong pamuyo ilabi na sa akong pagpa-eswkela sa akong lima ka mga anak,” Corsino said.

(I am very grateful that I am one of lucky residents who availed of the 2-day training in tocino and longganisa making. Indeed, it will help me augment my income and that I could send my children to school.)

“Kung aduna koy igo nga capital maghimo ug mamaligya ko longganisa ug tocino aron akong ipatuman ang akong nakat-onan sa nasangpit nga pagbansaybansay, she added.

(If I have enough capital, I will start making and selling longganisa and tocino so I can apply the knowledge I’ve acquired from the training.)

For his part, Lazo expressed his gratitude to the Mindanao Communicator’s Network (MindaComNet) for including the food processing training in this year’s information caravan in Sominot, a municipality in Zamboanga Peninsula with the second highest poverty incidence.

Lazo lauded the municipality for actively supporting the skills development programs of the agency.

TESDA had also conducted a skills training in said town where it produced 170 graduates.

“The short-term program could provide help to men, women and OSY in uplifting their economic status by utilizing their entrepreneurial skills so that they can start, develop, finance and succeed in their livelihoods,” Lazo concluded. (PIA) (080514)

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Zambo CHO belies AIDS cases in evacuation site

Zambo CHO belies AIDS

cases in evacuation site

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ZNS) -City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos denied reports of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) cases inside evacuation centers (ECs) except for cases of sexually transmitted disease (STD). 

“We have not found any positive cases of HIV inside evacuation camps, although there were cases of sexually transmitted infections among internally displaced persons (IDPs), but it’s not AIDS,” Dr. Agbulos clarified during a recent press briefing. 

Agbulos said if, indeed, there are cases of AIDS, it will really be a cause for alarm. But he clarified that “there is no truth to the report.”

As part of its monitoring activities inside the evacuation centers, the City Health Office (CHO) also looks into sexually transmitted infections and HIV among the IDPs by conducting medical checkups/missions including the distribution of hygiene kits to pregnant and lactating women.

Other than the CHO, non-government partners like the Human Development Empowerment Services are also looking into problems of STDs and HIV cases inside ECs. (PIA) (080514)

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Hospitals on white alert status

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 23 (ZNS)-  The Department of Health (DOH) has placed all the three government-run hospitals in this city on code white alert in preparation for the Christmas Day and New Year's celebrations.

Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) Chief of Hospitals Dr. Romeo Ong said that under the code white alert condition all hospital personnel to include doctors, nurses and support staffs are on call status.

Also placed on code white alert are the Labuan Public Hospital in Barangay Labuan, 36 kilometers west of this city, and the Mindanao Central Sanitarium in Barangay Pasobolong, 12.80 kilometers east of this city.

Ong said they have complete hospital supplies and medicines ready to be used for would-be victims of firecracker-related accidents.

These hospital  are also ready to attend to other medical cases such as hypertension and other illness as well as emergency cases brought about by feasting and merry making.

There are seven hospital in the region, including three in this city that are under the supervision and control of DOH.

The department regularly place all public hospitals on code white alert during Christmas and New Year's celebration. (ZNS)

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