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Councilor Benjamin “ Nonong” Guingona III takes his oath of office as a new board member of the Zamboanga Ecozone officiated by Chairman Georgina P. Yu at the Astoria Hotel. – Allen Abastillas

Via Zamboanga Times

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Mayor Celso Lobregat has underscored the need to strengthen response capability of the different law enforcement agencies designated to guard the coast line of Zamboanga and the neighboring areas.

Mayor Lobregat said enhancement of security and peace and order plan should take into consideration the location and geography of the city of Zamboanga. "We have a very long coast line and so the entire sea lane becomes a highway", the mayor said, pointing out that numerous incidents happen at sea, the latest of which was the abduction of fish farm caretaker Vicente "Teng" Barrios. "This means to say that the kidnappers are having a hard time conducting criminal activities on land and so the whole sea becomes their highway".The chief executive stressed during the Multi-sectoral stakeholders’ convergence for peace, development and security initiated by Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino at the military headquarters in Calarian Tuesday. Mayor Lobregat said having a coordinated effort in terms of response and facilities between the agencies tasked to safeguard the coastlines such as the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, Special Action Force, Maritime Police and many others. "All of these have sea assets so we have to make sure that when an incident happens the reporting time is up to the barest minimum and all units can respond and should respond immediately".Meanwhile, it was during the convergence meeting where Gen. Dolorfino proposed the creation of a multi-sectoral committee that would address security-related problems that require sustained non-military intervention. Mayor Lobregat welcomed the idea though he suggested the enhancement of the City Peace and Order Council to further strengthen the campaign against kidnapping and the spate of killings in the barangays of Mampang, Arena Blanco and Talon-talon. Aside from the CPOC, the city government, based existing laws, has organized local councils or committees with members from the civil societies as members. Members in such mandated committees pass through certain accreditation process, as prescribed under the law. "It is true the city government, the police and the military cannot solve peace and order problems alone, thus, we need the cooperation of the community", the mayor added. (Sheila Covarrubias)

Via Zamboanga Times

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A prominent Zamboangueño businessman yesterday commended Mayor Celso Lobregat for the three awards he received from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center during the 2009 Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project (PCCRP) launching ceremonies.

Rufo "Pocholo" Soliven, president of the Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (ZCCCIFI), said the three AIM awards are manifestations of the collaborative partnership between the local government unit and the private sector."We in the private sector, particularly the business and industrial group, have recently become more engaging in the affairs of the city, serving more like think tanks," Soliven said.The resultant effect, according to Soliven, is a well managed administration both for fiscal as well as administrative policies with sound priority programs and projects that redound to the best interest of the city’s populace."Putting in place the best practices on how an LGU should be run has reaped benefits worthy of emulation for other LGUs," Soliven said, adding that they (in the ZCCCIFI) are deeply committed to seeing the city government advocating transparency, accountability and good governance, which "serves as our foundation to see Zamboanga soar to greater heights."As Zamboagueños, he said, "we all have our responsibility to be an ambassador of goodwill to highlight the good, the best and the positive. Indeed, for Zamboanga City, the best is yet to come."/>/>To recall, Mayor Lobregat last week accepted for and in behalf of the city government three awards for the 2009 Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project (PCCRP) of AIM. These awards are: (1) Special Award for Best Documentation, (2) Best in Disaster Preparedness, and (3) Entrepreneurs’ Award for Most Honest and Transparent in its Dealings.Lobregat, himself an AIM alumnus, was particularly commended for making the city government under his administration over the last six years as the "most honest and transparent in its dealings," it being the most significant of the three awards.The institute based its study on six criteria, namely; dynamism of local economy, responsiveness of the local government to business, infrastructure, quality of life, cost of doing business, and the human resource and training.-(Vic Larato)

Via Zamboanga Times

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Mayor Celso Lobregat Thursday night was conferred the National Sandugo Award for Outstanding Local Government Executives making him a 3-time hall of famer and the only awardee under the high ranking government official category in Region 9.

Now on its 12th year, the National Sandugo Award, is an initiative of the National Center for Health Facility Development of the Department of Health for local government executives who have shown support and commitment to the National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP). The ceremony was held at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City, July 29. Dr. Crisanta Abesamis, DOH undersecretary presided over the awarding ceremoniesAlso conferred with the 5th Sandugo Award was Tetuan barangay chairman Felipe "Nonong" Natividad, who is also a 3 time Hall of Famer under the barangay captain category. Josephine Pareja, barangay chair of Talisayan got her 3rd Sandugo Award, and is thus elevated to the Hall of Fame. Ever since he started his term as mayor, Lobregat has been very supportive of the plans and programs of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). In fact, he is a second term governor of the PNRC. This assistance comes in the form of trainings and resources to ensure the smooth operation of the local blood bank.Lobregat said he shares the award to all the members of the local Red Cross. H expressed elation over the recognition from the DOH and vowed to continuously pursue his commitment to the blood program.Joining Mayor Lobregat in Manila during the awarding ceremony were Zamboanga City Red Cross Administrator Vic Liozo Jr. and officials from the DOH-Field Office 9. Other Region 9 awardees were Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur Municipal Mayor Francisco Oraiz, Jr. who received his first Sandugo Award and Barangay Chairman Joel Japon of Barangay Oroquieta, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur who got his first award. The National Sandugo Award for Local Government Executives is bestowed on a provincial governor, city mayor, municipal mayor or barangay captain who gave outstanding support, commitment and active involvement in the promotion of voluntary blood donation towards the achievement of the vision of Republic Act 7719 otherwise known as the "National Blood Services Act of 1994".Specific criteria to the awards include personal involvement and commitment in the NVBSP, provision of resources in the promotion of voluntary blood donation, being instrumental for the high percentage of voluntary blood donation in his jurisdiction which includes blood collected by government and private hospital, PNRC blood center, local health services and NGOs and exemplary administrative actions in support of NVBSP such as issuances within the last 5 years. The awards is in line with the advocacy for voluntary blood donation which was enhanced by the enactment of RA 7719 which mobilized national agencies and private organizations to promote voluntary blood donation and collect the lifesaving fluid. (Sheila Covarrubias)

Via Zamboanga Times

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Peace is not necessarily the absence of war, but the presence of justice. Just recently, we have attended the UFHOPE conference for Peace and Security in Mindanao at WMC. The conference is an eye opener for all multi-sectors representatives who did not fail to attend this very applauding event. I say it‘s momentous because this is a step that concretizes our aspirations for progressive, peaceful and harmonious Mindanao.

But do we need to immediately embark to Mindanao level? One important agendum that Zamboangeños have to place their hearts and minds to is the formulation and proper implementation of policies address to stop the killings in some barangays in Zamboanga city. We believe that small things have great effects. That is why we must start handling little things so we’ll be entrusted with greater ones. Peace results development, but without security, development remains an elusive dream. Security is the foremost goal of every nation, but we believe that peace and security are twins that must always go together to achieve economic progress. Before going to a larger Mindanao, let’s go down the local level. Yes, we have heard and seen rampant killings and finally we chide government officials for being so ineffective and silent. Should we congratulate everyone for voicing their grievances to our city officials? My fellow zamboangueños, it’s time to ponder…Instead of pointing our fingers to government officials; we must go back to the basic and realize that all of us are part of the solution.Remember that as we raise our left hand bearing the problems, we also have to raise our right hand bearing solutions to overcome the existing problems. Thus, we must work hand in hand with our city officials and Armed Forces officials so we could attain our desired society operated harmoniously and without violent conflict.This is what we call participative governance. This is what we call social accountability. This is what we call harmonious working relationship. This is what we call great step for better Zamboanga City!

Via Zamboanga Times

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Mayor Celso Lobregat convenes the City Peace and Order Council Tuesday afternoon to assess the situation in the Mampang-Arena Blanco-Talon-talon area where a series of shooting incidents that occured the past weeks. — Joey Bautista

Via Zamboanga Times

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A veteran lawmaker said on Tuesday that the Ethics Committee of the House of Representatives might investigate the drug trafficking case filed against Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson in Hong Kong. “The committee on ethics will have to investigate if the incident blows up into a national controversy and threatens to damage the integrity of the Lower House,” said Siquijor Rep. Orlando Fua on Tuesday.Fua, however, declined to comment on the legal issues affecting Singson’s case, although he admitted that the ethics panel was not barred from looking into the issue.Singson, son of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson Jr., is now detained at a Hong Kong jail following his July 11 arrest at the Hong Kong International Airport by immigration authorities.The young Singson, a second term congressman in Ilocos Sur’s first district, was reportedly caught in possession of some 26.1 grams of cocaine and two tablets of valium, which are included in the list of dangerous substances banned in the Chinese territory.Reports also showed that the Ilocos Sur lawmaker faces a five to eight years prison term in the former British colony if found guilty of drug trafficking charges.Citing the case of former Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, the Siquijor solon said the ethics body might also move to consider disciplinary action against any erring lawmaker once the court handed down a final decision on cases filed.It will be recalled that despite a lower court decision convicting Jalosjos on child rape cases, the Lower House allowed the lawmaker to receive salaries and file bills while awaiting for a final ruling of the Supreme Court.Fua, one of the most senior members of the august Chamber, will be nominated by the minority bloc as chairman of the House ethics committee if Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. accedes to the Minority’s request that they be assigned chairmanship in at least two House panels.Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said Fua was among the most respected veteran lawmakers in the Lower House.He said that the five-time Siquijor lawmaker was among the top legal experts of the House.The House minority bloc is composed of 27 Lakas-Kampi-CMD members and two party-list representatives. It has also sought chairmanship of the committee on good government.Lagman noted that parliamentary bodies in other countries usually assign the two committees to the minority bloc as an assurance of transparency and checks and balances in the legislature.

Via Zamboanga Times

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – “This celebration showcases our public-private partnership (towards progress)”, Governor Migs Dominguez said Tuesday, July 27 in a press conference sponsored by Globe Telecom.

Sarangani celebrates its 6th USWAG (United Towards Strong, Wealthy, and Globally Competitive) Sarangani during the week (July 27-August 1) with product exhibits at the Gaisano Mall.USWAG is Sarangani’s local version of the national Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMED) week-long celebration.In Sarangani, Globe has been assisting four of the province’s micro-enterprises that have shown remarkable growth in the last few months.“We have big plans in SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos City , Sultan Kudarat),” Globe regional area head Norma Zamora- Ribo said. “We are right now preparing for another roll-out with our broadband facilities.”At the press conference, Ribo introduced WiMAX, Globe’s latest broadband technology in 4G signal and the first in the country.Ribo said Globe plans to build 100 additional sites in Mindanao, 50 of these will be built in the region.“We are here to make business and to help,” Ribo added.“Development should start in the community like Ihan,” said Jeffrey Tarayao, corporate social responsibility head. Sitio Ihan Lumad Association (SILA) in Ihan is one of the four communities assisted by Globe who now produces handcrafted basketry, plates, mats, and picture frames from bamboo, abaca, nito and rattan.SILA members are a group of outlaws who used to attack Globe facilities in the area. “It was Governor Migs’ idea to spur development in Sarangani,” Tarayao said.“It is the private sector that builds the economy. We are just providing opportunities where investments will thrive and for our people to improve their way of living,” Dominguez said. The 6th USWAG Sarangani celebration is dubbed as “Tagumpay Mula sa Kahirapan”.Department of Trade and Industry provincial director Engr. Nenita Barroso said since 2005 until June this year, business registrants increased in an average of 28 percent every year.“Consequently, there is an increase of employment for about 29 percent every year,” Barroso said.“We just want to have alive and thriving business partnerships with the private sectors in the province,” Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and Industry board chairman Bronx Hebrona said. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Via Zamboanga Times

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ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 28, 2010) – The killings never stopped. Two corpses had been found in Zamboanga City in Mindanao where the spate of gun attacks and murders continue to hound the locals the past months.

The bodies had been recovered Tuesday in the villages of Tumaga and San Roque and remain unidentified. One of the corpses had a severed head and both were believed to be victims of extrajudicial killings.

The discovery of the bodies came about the same day local government officials called for a peace and order council meeting to assess the security situation in the villages of Mampang, Arena Blanco and Talon-Talon where most of the spate of attacks had been reported in recent months.

More than two dozen people had been murdered in the three villages in what police claimed was all connected to clan war or vendetta killings. Since early this year, more than 100 people had been shot and many of these cases remain unsolved. Most of the murders were carried out by hired assassins.

One of the suspects in the attacks in Mampang, Nur Abdulsamad, had been arrested in Mindoro province after fleeing Zamboanga to evade criminal charges against him, but many of those accused in the murders are still at-large.

There was also a proposal to declare a state of lawlessness in the villages of Mampang, Arena Blanco and Talon-Talon. Extrajudicial killings in Zamboanga are not uncommon and over the years, dozens of corpses had turned up in remote villages and those unclaimed were buried in common graves. (Mindanao Examiner)

Via Mindanao Examiner

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