4 May
Poor children, unmindful of their own safety, beg for coins from residents and picnickers at Paseo del Mar in Zamboanga City, branded by local officials as “Asia’s Latin City,” in the southern Philippines. The area is a favorite place to watch the setting sun in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)26 Nov
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)
28 Sep
A fishing competition dubbed “Pesca Kita” will be an added attraction to this year’s Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in celebration of Fiesta Pilar, Mayor Celso Lobregat announced.
Slated for October 3 from 6 to 10 a.m., the first anglers’ competition will be held at Paseo del Mar. It is sponsored by the Tourism Association of Zamboanga (TBA) in coordination of Mayor Lobregat, Z.C. Tourism Press Corps, Vamos A Zamboanga, SOPHIL, City Tourism Office, Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils. and MEGA Sardines.
 Lobregat said the competition, the first of its kind in Zamboanga, is open to all fishing enthusiastsâyoung and not-so-young, who consider fishing fun. âFishing for fund,â he added.It will thence be an annual activity for the month-long Hermosa Festival just like the Wow Sardinas, the longest boodle fight eating on the entire stretch of R.T. Lim Boulevard, mainly sponsored by the sardines and biscuit factories.-Meanwhile, the city government is now finalizing preparations for the observance of Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2009, a month long festivity in honor of Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar, the cityâs most revered patron saint. Mayor Lobregat last Wednesday convened the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival committee to look into final details concerning the different activities lined up for the celebration which will be themed: âCelebra kita con un voz, un tono y un suenoâ.Mayor Lobregat said the celebration is an all-encompassing and complete festival that culminates on the 12th day of October, the feast day of the Nuestra Senora de La Virgen del Pilar.The city sponsored activities include the nightly cultural performances at the Paseo del Mar from October 1-2 and 4-9 starting at 6 p.m.; Cosechas de Zamboanga, an exhibit of agricultural products and processed foods including flowers and plants at the Plaza Pershing from October 1-15; Art Exhibit, a gathering of all artists in Zamboanga from Oct. 1-31 at 6 p.m. at the Garden Orchid Hotel; 5th Mayor Celso Lobregat Golf Cup at the Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park at 9 a.m. from October 3-4; Regatta de Zamboanga, a sailboat race at the R.T. Lim Boulevard on Oct. 4 at 8 a.m.; Mascota de Zamboanga, a display of Spanish-inspired gowns on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Convention Center of the Garden Orchid Hotel; Dance Sport Competition 2009 at the Vitaliano D. Agan coliseum on Oct. 8 at 1 p.m.; Chabacano Song Festival on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Executive Hall of the Garden Orchid Hotel; Servicio Medical na Fiesta Pilar Nutrition Feeding on Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 12nn at the City Health Compound; Sisterhood signing (hermanamiento) between Zamboanga City and the Benkulu City, Indonesia on Oct. 10 at 10a.m. at the City Hall Conference Room; WOW Sardinas on Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. at the R.T. Lim Boulevard; Float Parade with Street Dance Competition on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. and the commemorative program at 3 p.m. the same day at the JFE Sports Complex. A fireworks display will cap the activities on Oct. 11 at 9 p.m. at the Paseo del Mar. Some private groups and individuals are also conducting activities in line with the Fiesta and have included the same in the cityâs calendar of events. (CITY HALL PR – Vic Larato)
Via Zamboanga Today
Tags: Lobregat, News, Paseo del Mar, zamboanga22 Aug
Three young men were arrested by policemen after they engagsced in a fistfight at the Paseo Del Mar last Wednesday night.
Police identified the three as Marmel Muammil, 20, single, a BS Criminology student, Julkipli Mohammad, 16, a high school student of the Zamboanga City High School and Agusto Louisito Cardoza, a student of Ateneo De Zamboanga.A police report disclosed that Muammil and his companions were having a drinking spree at the said place.Few minutes later, police said Muammil went berserk and provoked the group of Cardoza.The two groups erupted in a fistfight sending other people in the park to scamper in different directions.Opby noning antonioeratives of the Tourist Police detailed at the park responded and arrested three of them while their other companions managed to escape.Police took the three young men to the hospital for alcoholic breath test and were later brought to the City Police Office for investigation.
Via Zamboanga Times
Tags: News, Paseo del Mar, zamboanga9 Aug
Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday morning turned over another infrastructure project to the Manicahan barangay, the third project in a weeks time, highlighting the celebration of the villages 11th foundation anniversary. Unveiled was Manicahan Central Elementary School newly constructed open stage, which now forms part of the covered court, another city-initiated project turned over last January. Lobregat said the series of inauguration of projects not only in Manicahan but in other barangays as well, is proof that the city government is doing everything possible to bring progress and development in the barangays, contrary to claims of administration critics. Just last Wednesday, August 5, the mayor turned over to the same barangay, a P6 million package of school projects that consisted of the newly constructed two-storey six-classroom building worth P5.5 million at Manicahan Poblacion Elementary School and the 112-linear meter fence amounting to P497,161.67 at Manicahan Poso Elementary School, which has never had a fence since its founding 40 years ago (1969).Falta el dia na un ano para inagura el maga proyekto que ta implimenta el gobierno local, the mayor told residents and guests during the program marking the 11th Dia de Manicahan held at the Manicahan Central School open stage yesterday. Before gracing the Manicahan activity, the mayor unveiled two other projects earlier. The first was the Café del Sol, a coffee and snack house owned by businessman Pocholo Soliven at the Paseo del Mar while the second was the newly constructed City Civil Registrars Office at Pettit Barracks. Lobregat said his administration will continue pursuing its plans and programs as mandated under the law despite the unrelenting criticisms from some quarters. The mayor was in the company of Councilors Rey Candido, Nonong Guingona, Rudy Lim and Eddie Saavedra and other city officials in his visit to Manicahan. Meanwhile, Editha Casino, Manicahan barangay chairperson expressed all out gratitude to the city government especially Mayor Lobregat for the many projects being implemented in her barangay. Todo este maga proyekto ta beneficia gayot mucho con el di aton maga constituente na barangay, the chairwoman said. The Manicahan Barangay Council prepared a series of activities in celebration of the 11th Dia de Manicahan themed Unity through diversity for community advancement.The celebration kicked off with the walk for a cause followed by a thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Serge de la Noche and the commemorative program which was highlighted by the turn over of the open stage and the search for Gng. Mancahan 09. The celebration was capped by bingo social, ballroom dancing and disco at sundown.
Via Zamboanga Times
Tags: Lobregat, Manicahan, News, Paseo del Mar, zamboanga4 Aug
by Jimmy Villaflores
City Engineer Luis Vicente Despalo yesterday clarified that the city government has observed the setback provision as provided for in the National Building Code in so far as the construction of the Paseo del Mar fence is concerned.
Despalo made the clarification after Councilor Juan Climaco Elago accused the city government of violating the building code for non-compliance of the easement provision.
Despalo said that a two-meter setback has been observed, which is from the edge of the road up to the fence line of the park.Under the law, Despalo explained the 5-meter setback from the edge of the road is only applied in the construction of building, particularly privately owned edifice, in which the easement space could be utilized as parking area.In the case of Paseo del Mar, what was constructed was only the fence and the law only requires at least a two-meter setback, Despalo said.In a radio interview the other day, Councilor Elago said the construction of the Paseo del Mar has violated the National Building Code due to the non-compliance of a provision that mandates government and non-government projects to observe the so-called setback or easement, said Elago.Because of the violation, the city government is administratively liable for any future cases that may be brought to court, Elago warned.Under the law, any structure built along the streets must observe the proper space for setback.At present, the newly established park at the former CDCP reclaimed area has no parking space for visitors vehicles.Temporarily, the city government allows the vacant portion inside Paseo del Mar as parking lot.Some councilors even criticized a provision in the City Ordinance that collects parking fee of P10 for four-wheel vehicle and P5 for motorcycle despite the non existence of a parking area outside the park. Jimmy Villaflores
Via Zamboanga Times
Tags: Climaco, News, Paseo del Mar, zamboanga3 Aug
by Sheila Covarrubias – City Hall PR
Residents of Vitali on Saturday expressed elation and gratitude to the city government under the leadership of Mayor Celso Lobregat for the continuous and unabated support and assistance extended to their barangay.
This, as Mayor Celso Lobregat and members of the City Council turned over P5.6 million worth of infrastructure projects that have impact on the lives of the people in the area.
The projects unveiled one after the other were the slope protection at sitio Camino Nuevo worth P1.2 M; road concreting at Tindalo costing P1.5 M and construction of covered court worth P2.9 million. Despite the distance and the unstable weather condition, Lobregat together with Councilors Cesar Iturralde, Nonong Guingona, Eddie Saavedra, Rey Candido, Lilia Nuno and Rudy Lim, motored to the far flung village to reassure the residents of the city governmentâs unrelenting aid to the residents. Executive Assistant Percival Ramos and newly-appointed executive assistant on barangay affairs Mario Roca, also accompanied the mayor to Vitali. Lobregat said more projects are expected to be implemented and eventually inaugurated in the barangay for the benefit of the over 8,000 residents. The projects, he stressed are intended to accelerate the delivery of service to the people and at the same time to bring the government closer to the people. Vitali barangay chairman Segundino Gregorio thanked the mayor and the city government for continuously looking after the concerns of the village, located some 83 kilometers east of the city. Gregorio said his constituents are very grateful to the Lobregat administration stressing that the projects will definitely help ameliorate the plight of the residents in the area. The Lobregat administration has been undertaking a massive infrastructure program in line with the City Development Strategies. Lobregat has been inaugurating projects, successively in different barangays. Last Monday, he unveiled a P5.9 million school building at the Maasin Learning Center. On July 17, he formally opened the Paseo del Jardin parkwalk in Pasonanca; on July 16, he inaugurated the P9.1 million Sta, Catalina road project and the P5.7million rehabilitated school building in Sta. Maria and on July 10, he unveiled the Paseo del Mar (former CDCP area). A series of projects were also inaugurated early July in Cabatangan and Latuan and last month in Culiananâproof that the city government is continuously looking after the needs of the residents, as mandated under the law. (CITY HALL PR – Sheila Covarrubias)
Via Zamboanga Today
Tags: Cabatangan, Camino Nuevo, Latuan, Lobregat, Maasin, News, Paseo del Mar, Sta. Maria, Vitali, zamboanga31 Jul
by Nonong Santiago
“The LDP has again railroaded with the highest speed level, the two ordinances which will collect fees from the people entering the Paseo del Mar and the Butterfly Sanctuary in Jardin de Maria Clara.”
This was the statement of Councilor Cesar Jimenez Jr. when majority of the city councilors in yesterday’s regular session voted in favor to approve on second, third and final reading Ordinances 2009-19 and 2009-20 which will provide the payment of entrance fees at the Butterfly Sanctuary in Jardin de Maria Clara and parking fees at the Paseo del Mar.
Jimenez and two other Councilors Roel Natividad and Kim Elago voted against the passage of the ordinances while Lynet Abarro abstained.According to Jimenez, these resolutions adding burden to the people of Zamboanga who wish to visit tourist spots in the city, was railroaded mainly because it was the desire of Mayor Celso Lobregat to immediately charge people going to these places.The Ayala councilor mentioned two contentions why he objected to the approval of the ordinances. 1) It was untimely, saying that while the city government is aggressively inviting people to go to the Paseo del Mar, it will only discourage the people for reasons that parking fees will be collected from them. 2) is there a need to raise funds from the parking fees when the parking area of Paseo is not yet identified and fully developed? âHow can they charge the people for parking when the parking area is not yet completed and that the supposed parking area is full of mud?ââIs it very urgent to collect parking fees when there is no parking area? Or is it more urgent to put the parking area first and then collect parking fees, which do you think should come first?â Jimenez asked.Jimenez questioned his colleagues in the august body saying for the record, during the public hearing which was conducted only last Tuesday, there was no quorum since many of the committee members were absent.He disclosed that during yesterdayâs session, the committee chairman only presented a chairmanâs report instead of the committee report which will serve as the basis or the result of the public hearing.âThis is one for the record books, I thought that there is going to be another public hearing on the proposed ordinances but how come they immediately passed and approved the ordinances? Is it because of the persistency of Mayor Celso Lobregat that they immediately approved it?â Jimenez questioned.Jimenez pointed out that it was the first time the majority of the councilors saw the chairmanâs report on the issue and despite that, they immediately passed and approved the resolution on the same day. The people are already complaining of hardship because of the global recession and here is a government that is very much focused on how to collect more money from the poor constituents of the city, Jimenez said.He also finds no urgency in the immediate passage of the ordinance collecting entrance fees at the butterfly garden in Pasonanca.Jimenez said that children from ages 1 to 12 should be spared from paying entrance fees. âI beg the city government to spare the children. Pati ba tamen mga bata ase ta sen?â The council has approved the amended ordinance of the Jardin de Maria Clara where only children ages 1 to 5, Persons with Disabilities (PWD), senior citizens and students conducting research on butterflies will be exempted from paying any fees. (Nonong Santiago)
Via Zamboanga Today
Tags: Ayala, Lobregat, News, Paseo del Mar, zamboanga21 Jul
by shiela covarrubias
Thousands of people, day in and day out, visit the Paseo del Mar near the Fort Pilar in Rio Hondo and the Paseo del Jardin in Pasonanca since the two facilities were opened one after the other last July 10 and July 17, respectively.
People from all walks of lifeyoung and old, rich or poor, regardless of creed, race and culturecome in droves to feel the ambiance and see the scenery in both facilities.
Mayor Celso Lobregat expressed elation over the turn out of people who visit the two parks. Morning and afternoon and even before calling the day off, the mayor makes it a point to pass by the two facilities to see how everything is going and to check on the amenities such as comfort stations and even parking provisions. We invite all residents, please visit the Paseo del Mar and the Paseo del Jardin, Lobregat, in almost all of his speaking engagements, say. Paseo del Mar is the former CDCP areaa squatters area and home to numerous illegal transactions in the past. It was acquired and eventually cleared during the administration of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat. During the administration of Mayor Celso Lobregat, funds for the development of the site were gradually included in the budget every year yielding the picturesque Paseo del Mar park. On the other hand, the Paseo del Jardin park walk with food stalls is a component of the Jardin Maria Claraa butterfly garden started by the late Mrs. Lobregat. The entire Jardin complex is home to two butterfly gardens and a scenery of a variety of gumamela, bougainvilla, ornamental and many other plant varieties. Centerpiece of the Jardin complex is the statue of the late Mrs. Lobregat. Both Paseo del Mar and Paseo del Jardin park walk are established with foodstalls managed by concessionaires who offer variety of food products. The development of parks and gardens is part of the City Development Strategies and is intended to intended to help preserve the culture and develop and protect the natural resources. Barangay chairmen Abraham Sakandal of Zone 4 where the Paseo del Mar is located and Epigenio Julian of Pasonanca where the Paseo del Jardin is established expressed appreciation to Mayor Lobregat and the city government for the development of the parks. Both Sakandal and Julian are amazed at the turn out of people in the parks every day. Park promenaders in random interviews are grateful for having a forward looking city leadership, saying that the two parks can be equalled to the other famous landmarks in other highly urbanized areas in the country such as Manila. Sheila Covarrubias
Via Zamboanga Times
Tags: Lobregat, News, Paseo del Mar, Pasonanca, Rio Hondo, zamboanga18 Jul
The Paseo del Jardin park walk with food stalls, a component of the Jardin Maria Clara complex in Pasonanca, is now open to the public. Mayor Celso Lobregat formally declared the facility open to the public yesterday afternoon amidst a colourful fireworks display witnessed by hordes of people coming from all sectors of the society.
Archbishop Romulo Valles officiated the blessing of the park walk with food stalls. An open air concert featuring the KM6 band and the Westmincom band highlighted the celebration, despite the inclement weather. The park walk houses 11 foodstalls leased by differed concessionaires who are offering variety of food products. The development of Jardin Maria Clara Lobregat that includes the park walk with foodstalls and the circumferential road inside the park itself amounts to P16.4 million and is undertaken by a private construction firm. The Paseo de Jardin park walkâs inauguration came a week after Mayor Lobregat also opened to the public the picturesque Paseo del Mar, a former squattersâ area located near the Fort Pilar in Rio Hondo. Lobregat said the Paseo de Jardin parkwalk will be another amusement destination for friends, families and groups. He urged the public to visit both the Paseo del Mar and Paseo de Jardin park walkâtwo of the major projects that are in line with the City Development Strategies, a program initiated by the League of Cities and bankrolled by the World Bank. The development of Jardin Maria Clara Lobregat that includes the park walk with foodstalls and the circumferential road inside the park itself amounts to P16.4 million and is undertaken by a private construction firm.
Via Zamboanga Today
Tags: Lobregat, News, Paseo del Mar, zamboanga
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