Zamboanga News Forum

Via Zamboanga Times

Members of the Akbayan partylist in Zamboanga City participate Thursday, November 26, 2009 in the opening ceremony of the Mindanao Week of Peace. (Photo by Neil Dalena).

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Civil society groups and the local city government have jointly called the public to rally behind the promotion of culture of peace and multi-cultural understanding and respect amid the hostilities and atrocities that are plaguing the island of Mindanao.

The call came as stakeholders here launched this year’s Mindanao Week of Peace celebration with a grand parade on Thursday morning.

“We hope to renew our commitment to peace as we think of all the sufferings of the world and history of Mindanao,” Fr Angel Calvo, president of Peace Advocates Zamboanga, told the more than 25,000 people who joined the grand parade and the opening ceremony at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex.

“We have been suffering from the atrocities in Mindanao but we would also like to be the inspiration of our children and youth in dreaming about peace and harmony in our life,” he said.

Datu Meltino Sibulan, legal officer of the Sultanate of Sulu and United Tausug People Council of Regent, said that learning the history of Mindanao is also a way to solve the decades-old conflict in the southern Philippines.

In a short statement given during the opening program, members of the Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace said that “This occasion is a perfect venue to revisit and renew the commitment of creating better understanding and sharing task for peace building.”

“To pursue our common aspirations to seek peace and find the truth,” the evangelical group speaker said.

“The Subanon community since time immemorial has been a peace loving people. In this celebration, therefore, we renew our commitment once more to work not only for our own tribe but for the greatness of all,” the ethnic Subanon representative said.

The Muslim group relayed that “the great things can be done if we work closely with one another regardless of our faith and religious affiliation.”

People from different walks of life that included religious groups, the datus from Sulu, ethnic groups such as Badjaos, Subanens, government employees, students, and even tricycle drivers marched in the parade in an expression of solidarity.

Participants carried a placards and banners demanding justice for 57 massacre victims in Maguindanao.

College students painted their bodies and carried white doves as they danced at the city’s main thoroughfares inviting bystanders to join them in solidarity with the victims of the massacre.

This year’s Week of Peace celebration is anchored on the theme: “Think Mindanao, Feel Mindanao, and Bring Peace to Mindanao.”

The theme was made by the Bishop-Ulama Conference to “thankfully energize Mindanawons to express in many varied ways our need and aspirations for lasting peace. This variety of ways inspired by our respective faith and culture has repeatedly shown us that peace must begin with each and everyone of us.”

Among the activities included in the weeklong peace celebration is the Peace Weaver Awards on Sunday, November 29 to pay tribute to individuals and organizations who devoted efforts towards peace building in the city or region.

Raising the awareness on interfaith, religious leaders will gather in an event on Monday, November 30 entitled “A Common Word.” It will be a conference wherein leaders of different faiths will share their values and practices.

Moreover, indigenous tribe Subanon leaders will also hold BUKLOG, a ritual celebration in the West Coast village of Limpapa on December 1. The local Samabadjao community will have a convocation at Plaza Pershing on November 27.

Photographers in Mindanao have also staged a week-long exhibit called “Mioradas de Paz” starting November 25 at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Other activities include a peace writing seminar, inter-school peace caravan and inter-institutional youth leaders congress.

A grand torch parade to be capped by a musical peace concert will climax the weeklong celebration at the Paseo del Mar open ground on the night of December 2. The event will be participated by prominent local bands and indigenous performers. (Cristine Taola and Albert Arcilla)

Via Mindanao Examiner

Limpapa, the last barangay in the west coast is now accessible by all types of land transportation, thanks to the efforts of District I Congresswoman Beng Climaco.
Climaco yesterday spearheaded the blessing of the newly constructed Limpapa bridge and approaches, a project implemented through her initiative and aimed to hasten mobility and promote trade and commerce in the west coast area.

Costing P60 million, the project was funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Austrian government and is one of the identified priorities during consultations that the lady solon had with District I barangay officials last year.â??Early January 2008 my office conducted a barangay consultation with the barangay officials here in Limpapa. During that consultation, their primary concern was the construction of their bridge. I am happy that we have come to this day to bless the new bridge for the people of Limpapa. This will change their life for the better.â? the lady solon said in an interview.The blessing ceremony was led by Rev. Fr. Louie Alejandro, Parish Priest of Barangay Labuan and was attended by city officials, members of the Subanen tribe, barangay officials and residents of the barangay.  The lady representative believed that the project will link Zamboanga City to the nearby province of Zamboanga del Norte thereby fostering better relationships among people in the peninsula.â??I am grateful that this new bridge has finally been given to the people of Limpapa. We acknowledge all the efforts and contributions of our barangay, city and national officials, agencies, local and foreign partner organizations for helping us in District 1 better the lives of our people by providing them the needed infrastructure,â? Cong. Climaco added.

Via Zamboanga Today

by Hader Glang

Hundreds of local folks flocked at the Limpapa Elementary School yesterday to benefit from “Ayuda de Presidente Gloria para na Limpapa” put on by Presidential Assistant  for Western Mindanao Crisanto “Monsi” dela Cruz.
The outreach activity, which is in response to President Arroyo’s declaration of an all out war against poverty, was participated in by members of the Regional LAKAHI Convergence Group IX chaired by the presidential assistant.

KALAHI is the governmentâ??s program to address poverty.It adopts a focused, accelerated, convergent and expanded approach involving the active participation of the basic sector, civil society organization, business sector, LGU and national government.Up to late afternoon yesterday, nearly 1,000 people including children had been provided with medical, dental services including circumcision and provision of free medicines and medical referral/assistance in case of operation procedure.Couples were also oriented on responsible parenting and were lectured on family planning. They were also given counseling service while other beneficiearies were lectured on disaster preparedness and management.Livelihood assistance and skills training were also provided to the different sectors based in Barangay Limpapa. A portion of Limpapa Elementary School building was painted and books as well as other library materials were also distributed.On site training on massage theraphy and bakery management were also provided to the outreach beneficiaries. Assorted vegetable seeds and planting materials such as coffee, banana and coconut seedlings were also distributed to farmers.Land patent to identified beneficiaries and SPES checks and several units of gillnets to iidentified fisher folks were also distributed and awarded, respectively. Feeding program was also conducted and tomato juices were distributed to elementary school children.Sets of science books, hand washing facilities and soaps were also given. Actual demo and training on decorative candle making and banana  chips making, briefing on the Philippine National Science scholarship program were also provided.NFA rice were sold on on the spot at an affordable price of P24 per kilo. Likewise, a mobile passport processing was put up and advocacy on illegal recruitment and local and oversease employment opportunities was also conducted.Also an information dissemination on application on late registration (birth) was also conducted while application forms for security paper, marriage certificate and the like were also distributed.In addition, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) did a film showing and audio visual presentation on global warming to raise level of awareness on climate change and what can do to help combat global warming.One of the indigent beneficiaries told Zamboanga Today they were very happy that President Arroyo gave them medicines, vitamins, foods and checked the health of their children suffering from asthma and malnourishment.â??Nagpapasalamat kami kay President Gloria and kay Monsi kasi pinuntahan kami dito para tulungan kamt dito at makita ang kalagayan namin (we are thankful to President Gloria and Monsi because they visited us here to help us and know situation),â? a 37-year old mother said.Another mother said that she hopes that there would be more outreach program in the future, especially so during this very difficult economic time.Some volunteers said that they were happy to be a part of the outreach undertaking and hoped it would be done on other poor areas in the city that needs immediate intervention and assistance.In an interview, Asec. dela Cruz told reporters he is very happy that President Arroyo has chosen Limpapa, the last barangay in west coast of the city, for the outreach program and thanked the people who contributed in any way to the success of the outreach.The presidential assistant together with the members of the KALAHI Convergence Group IX spent many hours planning and working toward the outreach program, which benefited hundreds of poor people in Limpapa in terms of health, livelihood and other socio-economic upliftment.â??Through this outreach activity, we bring the national government and the city government closer to the people who are less in life,â? said dela Cruz as he assured that he will closely work with the local government officials to bring more development not only for the city but for the whole Western Mindanao. (Hader Glang)

Via Zamboanga Today

by Hader Glang

Presidential Assistant for Western Mindanao Crisanto “Monsi” dela Cruz will lead today’s outreach services program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Barangay Limpapa in the west coast of the city.
Dubbed as “Ayuda De Presidente Gloria Para Na Limpapa,” Asec. dela Cruz together with NEDA, DOST, DOLE, DSWD regional officials will motorcade from the city proper to Limpapa National High School at 7:30 a.m. Congresswoman Beng Climaco and Vice Mayor Mannix Dalipe are also expected to join the activity.

Limpapa has been identified as a poor area, so President Arroyo told Asec. dela Cruz to make it a priority in her humanitarian programs for the city.It was learned from his close aide Atty. Carl Rubio that a team of doctors and dentists will join the Presidential Assistant for the medical, dental outreach and distribution of assorted medicines and vitamins to hundreds of people.Rubio said Asec. dela Cruz will also lead the turn-over of science books for elementary school, release of checks for SPES beneficiaries, and distribution of seedlings, plants and checks for livelihood projects and other necessities for Barangay Limpapa.â??In this way the people of Zamboanga will know that President Arroyo has a big heart for them, especially for the poor people, so that they will feel the government is closer to them,â? Rubio said.Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Mannix Dalipe commended President Arroyo for her efforts in helping the poor people of Zamboanga, â??I am very happy and thankful to the President for this very important activity. Many poor people from Limpapa and the nearby barangays will benefit from this.â?The Vice Mayor also lauded Presidential Assistant Dela Cruz saying, â??since Monsi became the assistant of the president for Western Mindanao, our city has been drawn closer to the national government, we should thank Monsi for this.â?Â Â  The Presidential Assistant will also join the inauguration of the newly-completed Labuan-Limpapa Bridge headed by Congresswoman Beng Climaco of District 1.â??On behalf of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, we will have today the Regional KALAHI Convergence Group, an outreach services program for the people of Limpapa,â? he told local reporters.Although his present position covers the entire Western Mindanao, dela Cruz said that charity begins at home, â??and so we have agreed with the President that all the regional officials here will converge in Limpapa today.â?After the outreach activity in Limpapa, Asec. dela Cruz will proceed to Dipolog City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Pagadian City and other places under his area of responsibility to further promote President Arroyoâ??s outreach program. (Hader Glang)

Via Zamboanga Today

No less than Usec. Renato Ebarle will grace today’s PGMA outreach activity in Barangay Limpapa, this city.
This vital undertaking carrying the theme “Ayuda de Presidente Gloria para na Limpapa” will bring local folks of Barangay Limpapa various government service/assistance and job opportunities.   
Various government service providers with the stewardship of Asec Crisanto de La Cruz, Presidential Assistant for Western Mindanao, will flood in not just commitment but outright services and assistance that will help alleviate the plight of poor families in Barangay Limpapa.

Immediate assistance will be provided such as the medical, dental services including circumcision and provision of free medicines and medical referral/assistance in case of cancer patients and operation procedure. Livelihood/loan assistance and skills training will also be provided to the different sectors in the area. DepEd will paint a portion of Limpapa Elem. school building, distribute books and other library materials, and donate hand washing facilities & materials such as soaps. DOST will donate 9 sets of science books, do actual demo and training on decorative candle making and banana chips making; do briefing on the Philippine National Science scholarship program and lecture on disaster preparedness and management. TESDA will provide on site training on massage therapy and bakery management; DA will distribute assorted vegetable seeds such as pechay, eggplant, ampalaya, kangkong, okra, string beans, etc. for 100 identified beneficiaries.  Planting materials such as coffee, banana and coconut seedlings will also be distributed.   DENR will distribute land patent to identified beneficiaries while DOLE will award SPES checks. BFAR will distribute /award 30 units of gillnets to 60 identified fisher folks and DSWD will have its health feeding program and will distribute tomato juice to elementary school children. NFA in coordination with its authorized NFA grain retailers will sell on the spot, NFA rice at an affordable price of Php24.00 per kilo. DFA will have its mobile passport processing and POEA will drumbeat/conduct advocacy on illegal recruitment and local & overseas employment to give employment opportunities to residents in the area and its neighboring barangays. NSO will conduct info dissemination on application on late registration (birth) and will distribute application forms for Security Paper, marriage certificate and the like. PIA for its part will do film showing/audio visual presentation on global warming to raise level of awareness on climate change and what one can do to help combat global warming.  Limpapa barangay chairman Antonio Lacaser during the outreach coordination meeting joyfully said â??nagpapasalamat kami at binigyan ng pagkakataon at prayoridad ang barangay namin- Salamat po.â? The outreach activity is in response to President Arroyoâ??s declaration of an all out war against poverty. Barangay Limpapa is identified under KALAHI program as one of the KALAHI- poor areas that needs intervention and assistance. Participating agencies to this activity are members of the Regional KALAHI Convergence Group IX. Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) is the governmentâ??s program to address poverty. It adopts a focused, accelerated, convergent and expanded approach involving the active participation of the basic sector, civil society organization, business sector, local government ant national government. (Jocelyn P. Alvarez/PIA ZC) 

Via Zamboanga Today

by allen  abastillas

All is for the free medical-dental outreach mission to be held in Barangay Limpapa on June 30,2009.
Presidential Assistant for Western Mindanao Crisanto ?Monsi? Dela Cruz disclosed  that all government agencies and other stakeholders have given their commitment for the success of the medical outreach.

Limpapa was identified by the KALAHI  program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo where less fortunate people need help, like livelihood capital for fishermen and farmers and scholarship for deserving bright students.During the medical outreach mission, tThe people in the area who have skills in arts and manpower, will be assisted in the processing of their passport to work abroad. This will be  conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs-9.There will also be distribution of books to children.Dela Cruz and Police Regional Office-9 Director Chief Supt. Angelo Sunglao conferred last Monday at his Lantaka Hotel office for the finalization of the project.Sunglao told  Del Cruz that the 9th Medical Health Office led by Supt. Dexter Bubuli is ready at all time to assist in outreach mission for the poor.Other medical teams to serve in  the Limpapa outreach mission are from Southwestern Mindanao Command and Zamboanga City Health Office led by Dr. Rodel Agbulos, Residents of nearby communities can also avail of the free medical services. ? Allen Abastillas

Via Zamboanga Times

Mayor Celso Lobregat Saturday hied off to Patalon in the west coast to officially turn over a P2.5 million covered court project implemented in line with the city government?s thrust to fully support and assist the barangays.
The Patalon covered court, considered one of the biggest in the city doubles as a basketball court and a multi-purpose court.

?Este unu lang del maga proyekto que ta implimenta el ciudad. Si menciona yo el maga proyekto unu por unu maskin un dia falta?, the mayor said in his message during the turn over rites attended by members of the City Council, other city officials, barangay officials, tanods and residents of Patalon. The covered court project, according to Lobregat was constructed in accordance with the request and specifications of the barangay. Patalon chairman Roseller Garina, along with his barangay council, happily accepted the project and expressed appreciation for the support being given to the barangay. In the west coast alone, the city government has constructed numerous covered court projects, some of which are not yet inaugurated and formally turned over. Construction of a covered court in Barangay Limpapa as well as Tulungatung has been completed but the facility has yet to be formally unveiled. Labuan is one of the first barangays to receive a covered court.  Talisayan will have one covered court courtesy of District I Congresswoman Beng Climaco but the project site will be the city government property, the mayor said. All other barangays in the west coast are recipients of numerous projects from the city government, proof that the present administration prioritizes the needs of the barangay people. These projects, the mayor stressed are being done because of good fiscal management. School building projects and other school facilities have been constructed or are being constructed in Talisayan, Ayala, Recodo, Cawit, Sinunuc and Maasin to name a few. Police stations are being also being put up in Ayala, Recodo and Sinunuc. ?Abla sila mahina daw gayot el administration implimenta proyekto, perso si menciona kita unu por unu hinde akaba el un dia?, the mayor added. Joining the mayor in the Patalon inauguration rite were Councilors Nonong Guingona, Rudy Lim and Gerky Valesco, City Engineer Luis Despalo, Executive Assistants Felizardo de las Penas and Percival Ramos, representatives from the RPJ Construction company and several others. ? Sheila Covarrubias

Via Zamboanga Times

Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday afternoon hied off to Patalon in the west coast to officially turn over a P2.5 million covered court project implemented in line with the city government’s thrust to fully support and assist the barangays.
The Patalon covered court, considered one of the biggest in the city doubles as a basketball court and a multi-purpose court.

â??Este unu lang del maga proyekto que ta implimenta el ciudad. Si menciona yo el maga proyekto unu por unu maskin un dia faltaâ?, the mayor said in his message during the turn over rites attended by members of the City Council, other city officials, barangay officials, tanods and residents of Patalon. The covered court project, according to Lobregat was constructed in accordance with the request and specifications of the barangay. Patalon chairman Roseller Garina, along with his barangay council, happily accepted the project and expressed appreciation for the support being given to the barangay. In the west coast alone, the city government has constructed numerous covered court projects, some of which are not yet inaugurated and formally turned over. Construction of a covered court in Barangay Limpapa as well as Tulungatung has been completed but the facility has yet to be formally unveiled. Labuan is one of the first barangays to receive a covered court.  Talisayan will have one covered court courtesy of District I Congresswoman Beng Climaco but the project site will be the city government property, the mayor said. All other barangays in the west coast are recipients of numerous projects from the city government, proof that the present administration prioritizes the needs of the barangay people. These projects, the mayor stressed are being done because of good fiscal management. School building projects and other school facilities have been constructed or are being constructed in Talisayan, Ayala, Recodo, Cawit, Sinunuc and Maasin to name a few. Police stations are being also being put up in Ayala, Recodo and Sinunuc. â??Abla sila mahina daw gayot el administration implimenta proyekto, perso si menciona kita unu por unu hinde akaba el un diaâ?, the mayor added. Joining the mayor in the Patalon inauguration rite were Councilors Nonong Guingona, Rudy Lim and Gerky Valesco, City Engineer Luis Despalo, Executive Assistants Felizardo de las Penas and Percival Ramos, representatives from the RPJ Construction company and several others. (Sheial Covarrubias)

Via Zamboanga Today

Continuously working for the well-being of her constituents, District 1 Congresswoman Beng  Climaco yesterday formally turned over to Barangay Rio Hondo, a footbridge funded through her priority development assistance fund (PDAF).
Costing P1.750 million, the footbridge serves as a safe pathway for the residents of Rio Hondo who have long requested for the construction of the said project in their area.

District Engineer Merham Acas, whose office supervised the implementation of the project, assisted Climaco in turning over the project to barangay officials headed by Chairman Rozdy Mukaram          together with the barangay kagawads led by Gamnar Hassan.The barangay officials extended their gratitude to Climaco for her assistance and immediate response to their request. The project provides the Rio Hondo community a functional passage way and at the same time ensures the safety and well being of the constituents specifically the children?It?s just to prove that Ma?am Beng loves us here, rain and security risk did not stop the group from coming. Surely God and people in the community are ones who secure them and pay back the love and concern that Ma?am Beng showed,? said Hassan.?Ma?am Beng deserves the kiss of the Badjaos as gestures of gratitude and on the other hand Badjaos deserve Ma?am Beng?s kiss as her constituents. They are still lucky this day, they have strong and narrow footbridge and sincere kiss from a congresswoman that they can bring to their sleeps tonight, it?s really hard to kiss them if you have no heart that can afford it. This is not to prejudice anyone but to encourage others to do so,? Hassan said.Climaco has been exerting efforts in providing projects that are helpful and useful to the constituents in District 1.  Rio Hondo is one of the priority Barangays to receive funds coming from Climaco?s PDAF.   She said her prime goal is to give back what is due to her constituents stressing that their money should be given back to them through projects for their convenience and welfare.The lady solon also funded the construction of the Limpapa bridge with a total cost of P60 million which enhances mobility especially for businessmen and traders who have to transport their products to town regularly.Several other projects initiated by Climaco in the different barangays under her district are expected to be completed and unveiled soon.

Via Zamboanga Times