Zamboanga News Forum

Mayor Celso Lobregat cheers a beneficiary in the Lingkod Timog medical dental-surgical mission in Taluksangay Wednesday, in line with the Dia de Zamboanga celebration. ? Joey Bautista

Via Zamboanga Times

Mayor Celso Lobregat has cited a group of US-based Filipinos who have been conducting a yearly outreach mission for minority tribal groups in the city as part of activities for the Dia de Zamboanga. The group called Lingkod Timog and headed by President Cely Heredia, is in the city for the sixth straight year to conduct a two-day medical-dental and surgical mission in barangays Sangali (February 23) and Taluksangay (Feb. 24). Today, the group will hold a feeding program for the Badjao community in barangay Maasin.Lobregat thanked the group for its yearly humanitarian mission saying it is a big help to depressed communities in the city. He said the same activity complements the city government?s accelerated health program anchored on the vision ?nuestro deseo un ciudad sin enfermedad?.The group led by Mrs. Heredia and husband Armando, the association?s former chief executive officer and other volunteers from Rhode Island and California, USA; Manila and other parts of the country, paid a courtesy call on Mayor Lobregat Monday afternoon. Also joining the group were Philippine Marine Commandant BGen. Juancho Sabban and wife Irene, who are responsible in bringing the Lingkod Timog volunteers to Zamboanga City.The medical outreach missions were held in coordination with the City Health Office, Western Mindanao Command, Naval Forces Western Mindanao and other agencies. They formed part of the celebration of the 73rd Dia de Zamboanga which culminates on Friday, February 26.The outreach activities in Sangali and Taluksangay benefited over a thousand indigent families. These activities for the Badjao communities in the city started in 2005 through the initiative of the Sabban couple who developed close ties with Lingkod Timog during their year long stay in Rhode Island in 2004.Meanwhile, the 73rd Dia de Zamboanga marks the city?s Charter Anniversary and is themed ?Zamboanga: Probao y Aprobao?.Other highlights of the celebration include the Awarding ceremony for most outstanding Zamboanguenos at 7 p.m. on February 25 at the Garden Orchid Convention Center; grand civic military parade with the competicion de selyo de Zamboanga and inter-school drum and lyre competition 1p.m. and the commemorative program at 3 p.m. at the Joaquin Enriquez Grandstand on February 26 with former Senator Franklin Drilon as guest of honor.Other events are the 13th Celso L. Lobregat Cup-Dart Tournament Feb. 26-27 at the Ram?s Beer Garden; Crimson Mania (a mini-concert, fashion show and dinner for a cause) Feb. 26; Sam Concepcion Live in Zamboanga on Feb. 27 at the City Coliseum in Tetuan; 3rd Mayor Celso L. Lobregat Lawn Tennis Tournament Feb. 27-28 in Pettit Barracks and the 1st Dia de Zamboanga Invitational Mountain Bike Circuit Challenge Feb. 28 at the Pasonanca Park.

Via Zamboanga Times

The Taluksangay hanging bridge that collapsed on New Year?s Eve due to overloading. At the far end, aboard a banca is Mayor Celso Lobregat together with other city officials, who traversed the river to check on the requirements necessary for the immediate repair of the facility. ? Joey Bautista

Via Zamboanga Times

Councilor Gerky Valesco in yesterday’s regular session proposed two separate ordinances, to promote the local talents by letting them perform as front acts of national and international artists doing their shows in the city and another ordinance which will require the organizers and promoters to clean the areas where the show was held after the performance.

Valescoâ??s first proposed Ordinance No. 2009-17 known as â??An ordinance promoting local Zamboanga-based talents, singers, musicians, dancers, stage and cultural performers and other performing artists to perform as front act in concerts, shows or events of popular Manila or International-based artists and performers held in Zamboanga City has already been approved on first reading.The councilor explained that the city has now many homegrown talents in the diverse field of arts like music, songs, dances, cultural performances and visual arts and over the years the people has not only witnessed but welcomed, appreciated and were impressed by the talents and level of competence of our local performers.Valesco even cited a few of our local talents like Jikiri (Camins), Buddy Zabala in the EraserHeads and Dawn, Marc Velasco, Revelation band of the Calisang, Yra Johnson, Elmer del Pierro, Comic Relief, Bad Grass, Maldita, Rainplay, Dos Fuertres, Bobit Navarro, Major Chords and several others who have released their respective albums or have been enjoying positive recognition from the public.â??In the singing and dance ensemble, we also have the Jambangan Dance Troupe, The Zamboanga Hermosa Choir, Taluksangay Cultural Dance Group and others who have already performed in major events.He said that participation of local talents in national and international shows being performed here will not only be a significant opportunity to exhibit their talents but will also motivate and encourage other upcoming talents to hone their craft thus, helping promote the jovial and colorful characteristics of the Zamboangueños and the cultural dynamism of the city.     The other proposed ordinance, also was approved on first reading, is known as â??an ordinance requiring shows, events, concert organizers and promoters to submit their clen-up plans or measures and for them to also clean the areas following the utilization or usage of public places such as the Zamboanga City Coliseum, sports complex, public plazas, public school grounds, beaches, natural and ecological parks and wildlife sanctuaries.Valesco said that the organizers and promoters should also include in their application and permit their clean-up contingency plans as basis for their actual post-show cleanliness measures. This measure, he said, will help promote cleanliness in the area so as to safeguard ecological acreage at the same time promote healthy and clean environment. (Nonong Santiago) 

Via Zamboanga Today

US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney called on the youth yesterday from the Zamboanga Peninsula, provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to go out and promote peace in their respective communities.
Kenny made the call before the participants of the five-day Youth Camp for Peace and Understanding under the Cultures Across Mindanao Program (CAMP) of the U.S. Embassy, USAID’s EQuALLS2 Project, and Ayala Foundation, Inc.
“Every generation plays an important role on peace, but if you look at the folks we see here today, there are 16 to 20 year olds, and today they’re going to be the leaders of this country in a few years and then for the next 50 years. So investing in them is critically important,” Ms. Kenney said.

The youth camp, which started last June 1 and ends June 5 at the Nuestra Señora La Virgen Del Pilar Formation Center, Barangay Mercedes, this city, is aimed to form lasting bonds of trust and respect among youth from various faiths and backgroundsâ??Christian, Muslim, and indigenous peoples.According to Kenney, the CAMP develops values, attitudes, and skills that enable and empower the youth to demonstrate tolerance of cultural and religious differences to become better agents of unity and understanding and to influence others to do the same.â??The plan for this CAMP is actually build confidence and leadership across religions, cultures from Mindanao. This is a new project of ours and the idea is to help build the climate for peace and build leaders for peace.â?â??People who understand that the future frankly not just for Mindanao but the whole country, you canâ??t let religions or cultures divide you and so Iâ??m very helpful t the youth to let them understood better, understand their cultures better and their diversity and strength,â? she elaborated.The first camp was held in Koronadal City from May 25-29, 2009. More than 100 youth from Central Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) participated in the camp.One of the highlights of the camp is the experience of service and fostering volunteerism among the youth. The camp will engage the youth in service activities such as Gawad Kalinga or YVote, school painting, and coastal clean-up.Ambassador Kenney joined 30 participants in performing school maintenance activities such as painting of school chairs and classrooms at the Taluksangay National High School, east coast of the city.She also launched the One Woman Initiative (OWI), a joint public-private effort that supports existing initiatives in countries with large Muslim populations, with former Senator Santanina Rasul at the Magbasa Kita Foundation office, R.T. Lim Boulevard.The initiative engages private corporations, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S Agency for International Development in mobilizing US$100 million over a five-year period to empower women in Muslim countries to make a difference and to have a global impact. From this, the One Woman Initiative provides grants to grassroots organizations around the world that provide women access to legal counsel and entrepreneurship training, and improve womenâ??s participation in the political process. Five initial grantees have been selected in the countries of Azerbaijan, Egypt, Pakistan, Philippines, and India. In the Philippines, the Magbassa Kita (Let us Read) Foundation is the very first organization to receive a grant of US$124,500 last March 2009 for a project on capacity-building that focuses on providing women with skills training and networking opportunities in the areas of conflict management and peace building.  â?? Hader Glang

Via Zamboanga Today

US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney called on the youth yesterday from the Zamboanga Peninsula, provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to go out and promote peace in their respective communities.
Kenny made the call before the participants of the five-day Youth Camp for Peace and Understanding under the Cultures Across Mindanao Program (CAMP) of the U.S. Embassy, USAID’s EQuALLS2 Project, and Ayala Foundation, Inc.
“Every generation plays an important role on peace, but if you look at the folks we see here today, there are 16 to 20 year olds, and today they’re going to be the leaders of this country in a few years and then for the next 50 years. So investing in them is critically important,” Ms. Kenney said.

The youth camp, which started last June 1 and ends June 5 at the Nuestra Señora La Virgen Del Pilar Formation Center, Barangay Mercedes, this city, is aimed to form lasting bonds of trust and respect among youth from various faiths and backgroundsâ??Christian, Muslim, and indigenous peoples.According to Kenney, the CAMP develops values, attitudes, and skills that enable and empower the youth to demonstrate tolerance of cultural and religious differences to become better agents of unity and understanding and to influence others to do the same.â??The plan for this CAMP is actually build confidence and leadership across religions, cultures from Mindanao. This is a new project of ours and the idea is to help build the climate for peace and build leaders for peace.â?â??People who understand that the future frankly not just for Mindanao but the whole country, you canâ??t let religions or cultures divide you and so Iâ??m very helpful t the youth to let them understood better, understand their cultures better and their diversity and strength,â? she elaborated.The first camp was held in Koronadal City from May 25-29, 2009. More than 100 youth from Central Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) participated in the camp.One of the highlights of the camp is the experience of service and fostering volunteerism among the youth. The camp will engage the youth in service activities such as Gawad Kalinga or YVote, school painting, and coastal clean-up.Ambassador Kenney joined 30 participants in performing school maintenance activities such as painting of school chairs and classrooms at the Taluksangay National High School, east coast of the city.She also launched the One Woman Initiative (OWI), a joint public-private effort that supports existing initiatives in countries with large Muslim populations, with former Senator Santanina Rasul at the Magbasa Kita Foundation office, R.T. Lim Boulevard.The initiative engages private corporations, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S Agency for International Development in mobilizing US$100 million over a five-year period to empower women in Muslim countries to make a difference and to have a global impact. From this, the One Woman Initiative provides grants to grassroots organizations around the world that provide women access to legal counsel and entrepreneurship training, and improve womenâ??s participation in the political process. Five initial grantees have been selected in the countries of Azerbaijan, Egypt, Pakistan, Philippines, and India. In the Philippines, the Magbassa Kita (Let us Read) Foundation is the very first organization to receive a grant of US$124,500 last March 2009 for a project on capacity-building that focuses on providing women with skills training and networking opportunities in the areas of conflict management and peace building.  â?? Hader Glang

Via Zamboanga Today

by Dan Toribio  Jr.

Police are investigating the alleged abduction of two females that happened last May 25 in Recodo.
One of the two victims reportedly escaped from their abductors last Thursday afternoon in Barangay Taluksangay where they were brought by the abductors.
A police report disclosed that last Friday around 2:15 p.m., Susan Sanson y Clemente, 44, of Sitio Camp Susana, La Paz appeared at the central police station and reported that her daughter, Rosebel, 19, and her companion Jelly Ann Athay, were abducted by a certain Rosendo Falcasantos and a certain Hussein, both residents of Recodo.

Athay managed to escape last Thursday around 3 p.m. from the abductors in Taluksangay and reported the incident to Mrs. Sanson.During investigation, it was learned that Sanson and Athay met Falcasantos and Hussein in Recodo around 1 p.m. last May 25.  They were brought to Taluksangay where they were detained.Policemen conducted a follow-up operation in Taluksangay but Sanson and the abductors were no longer in the said place.Police were still trying to rescue Sanson and arrest the abductors. ? Dan Toribio Jr.

Via Zamboanga Times

by Jimmy Villaflores

As the security threat continues in the city?s east coast, the police and military have adopted maximum security in Barangays Buenavista and Muti and their neighboring communities, including the islands so as not to aggravate the already unstable peace and order situation brought about by  the beheading of Doroteo Gonzales last week.

Aside from conducting checkpoints along the highway, soldiers and policemen with the assistance of para-military forces, have been patrolling the area to check the reported presence of lawless elements, who are cohorts of those who abducted and beheaded Gonzales.As of last week, many families evacuated and have stayed with their relatives in other barangays.Because of this continuous threat, the City Council, through a resolution authored by Councilor Kim Elago, has requested authorities to give full security to residents thereat.According to Elago, there are some 50 families who do not anymore stay in their own houses during night time.There are reports that some families from Muti are now temporarily staying with their families in Taluksangay for fear that they might fall victims to atrocities being planned by lawless elements and the possible vengeance from the Gonzales family.Reports disclosed that the Gonzales abductors have some relatives in Curuan district who have knowledge about the incident. ? Jimmy Villaflores    

Via Zamboanga Times

by Nonong Santiago

For fear of retaliation, hundreds of Muti residents have evacuated their homes and sought refuge with their relatives in other barangays, according to Councilor Abdurahman Nuño the other day.
Nuño, in last week’s regular council session, confirmed that many residents of Muti are now in Taluksangay and in some other nearby barangays seeking sanctuary for fear of retaliatory actions by clans of beheaded farmer Doroteo Gonzales who are allegedly out to avenge his death.

The councilor said that Christians and Muslims are living in harmony, however, fear have struck the hearts of the residents in that area because of persistent rumors of revenge by the victimâ??s family.As this developed, The City Council approved a resolution calling for police and military presence in both Muti and Buenavista barangays to preempt any untoward incidents.Councilor Kim Elago, who authored the resolution, stressed the need for lawmen to establish their presence in both barangays in order to cool down the perceived threats of retaliation.Elago said the military detachment is about three kilometers away from Muti and the police mobile patrol is not enough to cushion the fear of the residents.â??The residents even want the presence of Cafgus in both barangays to avert threats from both camps because tension is between two communities,â? Elago pointed out.The councilor said itâ??s the personal request of the people for the police presence to be permanent in both barangays. (Nonong Santiago)  

Via Zamboanga Today