Mayor: Respect

peace process

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) -City Mayor Beng Climaco issued a renewed appeal enjoining both government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) parties to support and respect the ongoing peace process finalization.

“We appeal to all parties to please respect the ongoing finalization of the peace accord,” said the chief executive, who issued the appeal in light of reports of intrusion of some alleged MILF members in barangay Baluno.

Accordingly, these alleged MILF members sought to obtain samples of mineral products in Baluno on July 31, stating that they were already given authority to mine in any part of Mindanao.

Mayor Beng Climaco answers questions fielded by media people during her weekly press briefing Monday. Joining the mayor as resource persons City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos, Acting City Police Director Col. Angelito Casimiro and Public Safety Company Commander Maj. Ariel Huesca. JOEY BAUTISTA 

This claim, Climaco noted, was refuted by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Deles when the City Government, through the City Legal Office, brought the said incident to the attention of the OPAPP.

“This, according to her [Secretary Deles], is unacceptable and nowhere allowed nor authorized under the peace agreement. We will not tolerate such disturbances to the peace process, she added,” Climaco said, quoting Secretary Deles’ response which was sent via text message.

Climaco also relayed that the OPAPP Secretary confirmed that the GPH Committee on Cessation of Hostilities has already been directed to immediately look into the reported matter, and that MILF commands in the region have been asked to cease all activities that could jeopardize the peace process.

“As of latest, Secretary Deles informed me that she has raised the issue with the MILF counterpart in charge of Western Mindanao, Malik Karil, who in turn has coordinated and advised Bob Jumadil, the Chair Political Committee of the MILF in the City to stop all activities that could irritate city officials, and could adversely affect the ceasefire and the peace process,” said Climaco.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) OIC Col. Angelito Casimiro assured that continuous monitoring for potential intrusions in the City, as well as the validation of all incoming reports, are being conducted.

He added that police forces are also coordinating with the Task Force Zamboanga, specifically the MBLT 11, and the Division Reconnaissance Company, to maintain peace and security in the City. (Jasmine Mohammadsali) (080814)

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ZamPen economic growth

slows down in 2013

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNO) - Despite the 23-day MNLF siege last year, Region 9’s economy still grew by 4.3 percent, National Statistical Coordination Board-9 (NSCB) Regional Director MewchunPamaran said in a press conference recently.

DirectorPamaran, however, said the growth pace last year was way down below the 12.9 percent growth rate in 2012’s, putting the region as the country’s fastest growing economy that year.

“The deceleration in the region’s economic performance was due to the 2013 MNLF siege in Zamboanga City. Zamboanga City contributes about 50 percent of the total regional economy,”Pamaran explained.

National Economic Development Authority-9 (NEDA) Assistant Regional Director Susan Valerio echoed the same, specifically pointing to two economic sectors in Zamboanga City.

“The siege last year has greatly affected the manufacturing and services sectors, thus pulling down the regional economic growth,”Valerio said. 

The industry sector growth decelerated from 31.2 percent in 2012 to a measly 4.3 percent growth last year while the manufacturing sector which accounted for 26.1 percent of the regional economy posted loss from 35.2 percent in 2012 to a staggering negative 0.1 percent last year due to the decrease in food production.

She, however, said the construction sector’s growth is a “bitter-sweet” development.

“The rehabilitation efforts in the city spurred construction activities, in a way, offsetting some of the losses in the manufacturing sector,” she added.

Service sector remained the largest contributor to the region’s economy, barely posting an increase from 43 percent in 2012 to 43.7 percent, followed by industry and Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry, and Fisheries sectors with 34.6 percent and 21.7percent, respectively.  

Not all is negative though for Zamboanga Peninsula last year as the Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry, and Fisheries (AHFF) rebounded from a negative 2.6 percent in 2012 to 0.7 percent last year.

Valerio said despite the deceleration, the total contribution of the region to the national economy remains the same at about 2 percent. However, the deceleration has put ZamPen from fastest growing economy in 2012 to only 14th out of the 16 regions in the country.

Pamaran, on the other hand, is very optimistic that the region will bounce back this year with economic indicators showing promising performance.(PIA) (080814)

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City not overspending in maintenance of

tourist-oriented establishments in town

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ZNS)- City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr, has explained that the city government is not overspending in the maintenance of its economic enterprises which is said are there for tourism purposes.

“We have to qualify what do you mean by over spending, “ said Orendain when questioned about why the city government is spending millions of pesos to maintain these facilities.

Some in the city council has dared question why the city is spending “so much money” to maintain Paseo del Mar,Plaza del Pilar , Sta. Cruz Island to include the Jardin de Maria Clara L. Lobregat .

In an interview, Orendain admitted that while the city government is spending million’s of pesos for the maintenance of the above mentioned government facilities, it is because the city’s government is investing to promote the tourism in the city .

 “For tourism purposes  even we spend in return we get it back to promote  our tourism,” Orendain said adding that “ we are trying  to promote tourism .

He did not cite any official report enumerating the number of tourists who visited these facilities, particularly after the rebel attacked shoreline barangays near Plaza Pilar, Paseo del Mar last Septmber, 2013.

Visits to Sta. Cruz island were also curtailed during the period of the attack and months thereafter.

Orendain said it is not easy to maintain these facilities because the city has to pay for the salaries of workers employed in these establishments.

He explained that for three public comfort rooms, the city employs six personnel in three shifts. They also have to keep the surroundings clean.

The employees work there up to 12:00 o’clock midnight.

He said that as far as the city council is concerned, the city administrators office has not received a single complaint from establishment owners that they are not earning. He said the owners are happy at the rental they are paying for the uses of business stalls in these three establishments.

“They are happy with the price,” Orendain said .The Paseo de Mar has  16 stalls  who continue to serve  and  operate for the past three years .

Some city councilors have called for the amendment of the ordinances governing the operation of these three economic enterprises of the city government.\

The city councilors said stall occupants claim that there are not earning money in these establishments. They also complained about the high rental rates of up to P14,000 per months.

In other development, Orendain  admitted that  11 out of the total occupants of 56 stalls at the Plaza del Pilar  voluntarily give up their business .

Orendain said this 11  occupants  give up for  some reasons or the other coming  from the five groupings  of pasalubong, candles, offices,  carenderia and take out counters doing business a the Plaza.

Orendain said that the stalls in Plaza del Pilar is only incidental in the promotion of tourism . (Letty M. Militante) (080514)

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Zamboanga City implements ordinances 24/7

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ZNS)- The city government is strictly implementing all city ordinances 24 hours a day and seven days a week, said
City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr.

There are police check point  deputized  by the Land Transportation  Office (LTO) that   are conducting mobile check point in the city’s streets anytime of the day  not only in the evening but as well as in  dawn .

Orendain said that  the “Citation Ticket” is being issued  by the City Treasurer Office headed by Soledad Li where most of the Citation Ticket are being handled  by the City’s Traffic Aide.

Orendain said that the Citation Ticket is issued to violators  who will be  charged /cited  for violations marked X under Ordinance No.248 of  the revised Traffic Code for Zamboanga City .

These violations include the following: abandoned vehicles, no required MV parts/Accessories , illegal parking , double parking, obstruction on streets side –walk, cargo trucks on curfew hours, disregarding  traffic signals/gestures, overtaking at road intersections,  driver /passengers smoking while vehicles is in motion, littering /no canvass cover, unlicensed driver, unregistered MV/ colorum, illegal  side parking area, entering  one –way street, loading /unloading on thru streets, entering  prohibited zones  by MTC,PUJ and PUB, failure to pass pedestrian lanes, drivng under the influences of liquor, out of lane and  other violations under C.O. No.185.

Orendain said that any complains   or to contest  on the apprehension by City’s Traffic Aides and those  from the deputized agent  of the Zamboanga City Police Office can be coursed through his office. (Letty M. Militante) (080514)

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PCA, other agencies initiate measures

against cocolisap infestation in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ZNS) -The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in collaboration with other concerned government agencies are initiating measures to control and contain the infestation of the coconut scale insects (CSI) also known as cocolisap.

PCA Administrator Romulo Arancon, Jr. said this as Zamboanga City and entire Mindanao is at risk to cocolisap infestation since such kind of pest is “actually invasive” and “reproduces very fast.”

Arancon said among the measures they have adopted to prevent the spread of cocolisap is the imposition of strict quarantine since the infestation at present is confined in Basilan province, mostly in Isabela City.

Arancon said the quarantine is jointly imposed by PCA police, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the local government units.

The other agencies also involve in the prevention of the spread of cocolisap are the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the University of the Philippines-Lost Baños (UPLB).

Arancon disclosed there are 141,000 coconut trees infested by cocolisap in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan, and 2,400 coconut trees in four other towns of Basilan.

“We do not want it to spread to Zamboanga City and its neighboring provinces,” said Arancon, who along with other PCA and DA officials visited Friday Basilan province.

He said other measure is to control by way of treating the infected coconut trees.

He said the coconut trees will be pruned, particularly the infested leaves, and to injected with systemic insecticide.

He disclosed that the PCA has already released P3 million to control the cocolisap infestation in Basilan and an additional P14 million will be release next week.

He said the P14 million funds to be release will include allocation to provide financial assistance to farmers whose coconut farms were infested by cocolisap.

He said that cocolisap has also infested coconut farms the CALABARZON region which comprises of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon aside from Basilan province.(PNA) (080514)

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DA distributes cattle, carabaos

to boost its livestock production

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ZNS) - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has distributed cattle and water buffalos in a bid to boost livestock production in this southern port city.

The four heads of female cattle and four heads of female water buffaloes were distributed by DA through the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet).

OCVet head Dr. Mario Arriola said Saturday the cattle and water buffaloes have since been distributed to various members of this city’s Livestock and Poultry Raisers Association, particularly those who were affected by last year’s siege, as part of Livelihood Cluster’s efforts to provide livelihood assistance.

Arriola said the other recipients include livestock and poultry raisers in the barangays of San Roque, Cabatangan and Pamucutan.

Arriola said the livestock are now part of the Animal Dispersal Program implemented by the Animal Production Division of his office.

He said the Animal Dispersal Program is geared towards sustainable increase in livestock and poultry production and productivity in this city.

Arriola said the distribution of the cattle and water buffaloes falls under DA’s Bottoms-Up Budgeting (BUB) Agri-Pinoy Livestock Program which is aimed to improve the production and reproductive potentials of the local herd through the introduction of superior genetic materials. (PNA) (080514)

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P7.4M Merloquet Falls

improvement unveiled

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ZNS) - Mayor Beng Climaco Wednesday led the inauguration of the 3 projects implemented by the City Government for the improvement of access roads and passage leading to Merloquet Falls in barangay Sibulao in the east coast.

The projects, costing a total of P7.4 million include road concreting, construction of box culvert and drainage and concrete steps, are expected to improve accessibility to the falls, which is fast becoming one of the favorite attractions adventure tourism not only for local or domestic tourists but even international visitors.

The inauguration coincided with the conduct of Dia de Alcalde in Sibulao in line with the barangay’s fiesta celebration.

Mayor Beng Climaco spearheads the inauguration of projects improving accessibility to Merloquet Falls, one of the city's favorite attractions, located in barangay Sibulao in the east coast. JOEY BAUTISTA

Also present during the inauguration of the projects were Councilor Roel Natividad, City Engineer Luis Despalo, Sibulao barangay chairman Pablo Ramos,  Canelar Barangay Chairmen Godofredo Sabordo Sr.  and Mangusu barangay chairman Ismael Malik and representatives from Streetwise Construction company, which undertook the project.

After the inauguration, Mayor Climaco together with the other officials trekked to Merloquet Falls which is one of the city’s natural attractions that is included in the eco-tourism program of the local government.

The Merloquet is one of the hidden and unspoiled natural falls in the city and is included in the city’s promotional materials.

The improvement of access to Merloquet Falls was started during the term of former Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Meanwhile, over 300 residents from Sibulao availed of free services including medical, dental and other related programs Wednesday.

Offices providing frontline services spearheaded the outreach program and these include the City Health Office, City Agriculturist Office, City Veterinarian and City Civil Registrar and numerous others. (Sheila Covarrubias) (080514)

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Mayor to youth: “Our

future lies in your hands”

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ZNS)- Mayor Beng Climaco on Wednesday called on the youth to let their voices be heard, engage with the local government and to participate in discussions pertaining to issues concerning the city, stressing that the “future of our country lies in your hands.”

Speaking at the 2nd monthly Youth Forum organized by various groups in coordination with the local government, Climaco shared her experiences as a teacher and as a guidance counselor citing so-called “problematic” students who have become successful individuals in their fields of expertise.

“After going through that difficult fate in high school, because of his energy and creativity, he is now a lawyer” said the mayor as she introduced Martin Loon.

Loon, Climaco said, was one of her former students, who masterminded the organization of a fraternity at the then Ateneo de Zamboanga high school.  Loon was a constant visitor at her guidance office but has turned to become a lawyer and will soon study at a prestigious university abroad, according to Climaco.

When asked to give a brief statement, Loon said “I’m always inspired to meet people like you who continue to have a vision not only for your selves but also for the country.”

He is leaving in a couple of weeks to take his LLM in Law in Georgetown University in the United States.  He said he is “leaving with a purpose to help this country improve and make this country a better place, not just a country, but a real nation, a real state”.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, that is the power of a dream. A dream is very important though how big, how impossible it is, you should never forget how to dream. Your dream could be your guiding star,” he continued.

He also hailed Mayor Beng for inspiring him and for being part of the person that he has turned out to be. He said he always makes it a point to home to Zamboanga during elections  to campaign for his former teacher and guidance counselor.  “I believe in her as a person and I also believe in her dreams for the city, that’s why I always come back. It is her dream that inspires people like me and I hope you also will believe in a dream that will be more realistic.”

In closing, he imparted one very important lesson he learned that goes “the key to real happiness in life is by having good and genuine relationships. A good and genuine relationship, like the friendships you are having today is bounded and built with shared values, when you have shared values, you believe in the same things, when you dream the same things, genuine relationships will be truthful.”

Speak out Zamboanga is a monthly youth forum organized by the USAID-Enhancing Governance, Accountability and Engagement (ENGAGE) in coordination with Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev), Mindanao Health (MinHealth), Peope to People (P2P), Social Action Center of the Archiodecese of Zamboanga (SAC) and City Public Information Office (CPIO) under the Office of the City Mayor.

The second youth forum was themed “Inclusive Education and Life Skills for Better Zamboanga” and was held at the Ballroom Garden Orchid Hotel. (Ella Dee Phuddih Cruz, WMSU OJT/City PIO) (080514)

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NHA says Martha

project ends Aug.

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ZNS) - The National Housing Authority (NHA) commits to finish construction of 45 duplex loftable family units at Martha Drive Homeowners Association Inc. Subdivision in Sta. Catalina by the end of August.

And just as what President Benigno Aquino III announced in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, beneficiaries of the Martha Drive HOAI can already transfer to their permanent housing units by the end of August.

NHA Regional Director Al Indanan in a radio-TV interview yesterday morning said the pronouncement of President Aquino in his SONA regarding the rehabilitation of Zamboanga can be realized. “The structures in Martha Drive can be completed and the beneficiaries of the project can return to the area by the end of August. Hinde se el target but that is our commitment.”

Unlike in other permanent housing sites, the beneficiaries of the Martha HOAI project are temporarily residing in areas outside the subdivision and are eagerly awaiting for the completion of their housing units by the NHA, based on the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) Plan. “El maga gente talli lang ta queda na side onde came ta hace el construction, so the soonest possible time came acaba el proyecto mas bueno cay talli lang gayot sila ta espera. We are really committed (to do our job).”

Based on the project plan, the Martha Drive HOAI Subdivision project will cost a total of P9.195 million with the project duration of 100 calendar days. The project started May 2014 and will complete August 2014.

The funding for the project forms part of the P2. 56billion downloaded to the NHA by the national government last December. The total Z3R plan is P3.5 billion.

The president in his SONA last Monday said: “by this coming August, affected families could begin to move into permanent housing units in Martha Drive Subdivision,” – causing some sectors to strongly react saying that it is far from reality given the status of the project. (Sheila Covarrubias) (080514)

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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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