The Zamboanga Post (May 16-22, 2022)

DTI awards Mayor Climaco Zambo LGU’s efforts recognized THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry awarded Mayor Beng Climaco with a plaque after Zamboanga City was included in the “Cities and Municipalities Competitive Continue on page 2

DTI Provincial Director Grace Aduca presents the award to Mayor Beng Climaco.

THE INTERIOR Department said it has included the City Government in the list of local governments that may serve as models in good practices and experiences in the delivery of basic services.

Director Ginagene Uy also sent a letter to Mayor Beng Climaco about the program and said the cho-

sen model local governments would be included in the Local Governance Innovative Solutions Bank and in the list of beneficiaries which shall be given priority in the provisions of advanced-level capacity development interventions to support further local programs.

Uy said this is in line

with the joint initiative of the Local Government Academy and the Local Governance Resource Centers in an effort to document the local governments’ good practices and experiences with the aim of providing support as they take on greater governance Continue on page 2 Picked from the wild, in the highlands of North Cotabato and Bukidnon.

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John Dalipe is new mayor Founded July 2019

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‘Beng Climaco, Celso Lobregat bow out’ C ITY COUNCILOR John Dalipe has won the mayoral election here after garnering over 128,000 votes against his closest rival and veteran politician Celso Lobregat who got at least 91,000.

READ STORY ON PAGE 2

Mayor John Dalipe, Congressmen Khymer Olaso and Mannix Dalipe.

SM Mindpro launches ‘Farmer’s Market’ FROM PROVIDING training farmers and to the opening of farmer’s

market, the SM Foundation Inc.’s (SMFI) Continue on page 3

3 barangays report pig mortalities

U.S., China congratulate Marcos

Residents told to follow public health protocols

THE UNITED States and China have congratulated former senator Bongbong Marcos for winning the presidency.

Marcos’s running mate Davao City Sara Duterte also won the vice presidency – an alliance that ushers in six years of governance that has

MAYOR BENG Climaco reminded the public anew to strictly follow

President-elect Bongbong Marcos and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte. (Image: Mayor Inday Sara Duterte)

THE LOCAL government has started investigating the mysterious deaths of

pigs in at least three barangays for fear that the Continue on page 3

health protocols even though the number of Continue on page 7

Zamboanga Peninsula

Basilan

Sulu

some human rights activists concerned about the course their country may take with the pair in power.

“The United States congratulates President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on his election as the Philippines’ next Continue on page 3

Tawi-tawi

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The Zamboanga Post

May 16-22, 2022

John Dalipe is new mayor ‘Beng Climaco, Celso Lobregat bow out’

Mayor Beng Climaco From page 1 It was Lobregat’s sec-

ond loss who also ran for mayor in 2019, but had

been defeated by re-electionist Beng Climaco.

Councilor Josephine Pareja is also expected to win the vice mayoral race with more than 95,000 votes against closest rival Councilor Benjamin Guingona’s 91,000 votes.

The 74-year old Lobregat conceded defeat and thanked all those who voted for him. It was the first time Lobregat accepted defeat. Even when he lost the election against Salazar, Lobregat did not concede.

“To all of our supporters and community organizers – every kind family who welcomed us, every volunteer who shared their time and energy, to all those who helped

DTI awards Mayor Climaco Continued from page 1 Index” (CMCI) in the country.

DTI Provincial Director Grace Aduca formally presented the award to Climaco during the orientation on public service values for job order employees.

The local government also ranked 12th in the Resiliency ranking and 13th in Economic Dynamism in the 2021 CMCI. The local government also ranked 16th in Government Efficiency ranking and 18th in Infrastructure ranking, according to the CMCI, an annual ranking of cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.

The rankings of cities and municipalities were based on the sum of their scores on four pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency. The provincial rankings were based on population and income weighted average of the overall scores of cities and municipalities under a province.

Last year, Zamboan-

ga City was 15th in overall CMCI and distinguished itself as the 5th Most Improved Local Government among all 33 highly urbanized cities in the country – 16 of which are located in Metro Manila.

The local government along with other cities and municipalities were feted recently by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Climaco praised City Hall employees and department heads for their hard work even during the Covid-19 pandemic and the heightened political propaganda and attacks against her administration ahead of the local and national elections.

“My appreciation goes to all our employees, the department heads and everybody who really works hard despite the current health crisis. I thanked God most of all for continuously guiding me in these difficult times of the pandemic and the challenges ahead of us all,” she told the Zamboanga Post by phone.

Climaco was also selected to speak online for a technical panel on Cascading, Compound, and Systemic Risks during the Asia Pacific Science and Technology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 (APSTC-

DRR).

The mayor shared her insights on inclusion and resiliency, drawing from her experiences as local chief executive during the 2013 siege of Zamboanga by Moro National Liberation Front rebels and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“For us in local government, resiliency begins with having a shared and common vision, propelled forward by a whole-of-city approach and sustained by strong political will to enact the systems for change,” Climaco said.

The APSTCDRR 2022 was hosted by the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Office of Civil Defense, the Department of Science and Technology, the National Resilience Council, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; and the Asia-Pacific Science and Technology Advisory Group and ARISE Philippines.

In 2018, Climaco also joined the 7th Top Leaders Forum in Manila, which brought together the private and public sector which discussed “Building a Culture of Resilience through Public-Private Partnership.”

(Zamboanga Post)

campaign and share our message of hope and love for Zamboanga City, you are the best supporters and organizers I could ever hope for and I will leave my post soon with more optimism. Muchas gracias otravez na oportunidad para sirvi con ustedes por nueve años!

Vaya con Dios!” he wrote on his Facebook page, adding “now I can spend more time with my family and my grandson. Before I go to sleep, I will continue to pray for the future of Zamboanga. God help and bless Zamboanga!”

Lobregat said.

The 38-year old Dalipe, the youngest to serve as mayor, was first elected as president of the Sangunian Kabataan in 2004 and as village councilor in 2007; village chieftain in 2013 and again in 2018, and city councilor in 2019.

Dalipe’s elder brother, Rep. Mannix Dalipe, also won in District 2 with over 87,000 votes against his closest rival City Councilor Jerry Perez, who only got 58,000 votes.

Salazar, who ran for congresswoman in District 1, also conceded defeat against City Councilor Khymer Olaso who gathered over 71,000 votes who managed to pull off an upset win.

Salazar got nearly 54,000 votes. “Gracias a Dios y La Virgen Pilar y San Jose for all your boundless support. We offer all and commit to God’s Divine Will. We gave it our best for God and Zamboanga City! Thank you so much to our campaign team you are the Best Team forever grateful to God and

Former Mayor Celso Lobregat all of you!” Salazar said.

She also thanked City Hall employees for their support throughout her three straight terms or nine years as mayor. “To the women and men in the LGU (local government unit), you are the backbone of government service in the City of Zamboanga and I am proud of all your contributions, hardwork and devotion in providing quality service to our people,” the mayor said.

“To my remarkable staff, Team BC (Beng Climaco), for nine years I have drawn energy and inspiration from all of you. You have opened your heart, shown your character, shared your idealism and exuded optimism even at times when it gets tough and frustrating. You all never gave up and it makes me prouder to witness your growth and how each one of you carved out your place and significant roles in the grander scheme of things in the service of God, our

City and our people,” she added.

This was the first time Salazar was defeated in her entire political career which spans 24 years. She served as city councilor in 1998, vice mayor in 2004 and congresswoman twice, one as Deputy Speaker for Mindanao, from 2007 to 2013 before being elected as mayor.

The winning councilors were also proclaimed: District 1 – Joselito Macrohon, El King Omaga, Joey Santos, Boday Cabato, Dan Vicente, Charlie Mariano, Gerky Valesco, and Joel Esteban. And for District 2 - Vino Guingona, James Siason, Lilibeth Nuño, VP Elago, Jimmy Villaflores, Fred Atilano, Jihan Edding andand Eddie Saavedra.

The conduct of election in Zamboanga was peaceful, although there were many reports of vote buying with politicians or their group allegedly shelling out between P1,000 to P5,000 per voter. (Zamboanga Post)

Zambo LGU’s efforts recognized Continued from page 1 responsibilities with the full devolution initiative.

The initiative calls for the creation of knowledge resources on local governments for service delivery

and governance that can assist in the replication of these good practices.

The documentation initiative will cover the good practices in the aspect of sustainability, generation of positive

outcomes and alignment with provincial and regional development goals.

Climaco thanked the Interior Department for including the local government in the program.

(Zamboanga Post)

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The Zamboanga Post

May 16-22, 2022

U.S., China congratulate Marcos

3 barangays report pig mortalities

The Office of the City Veterinarian and the City African Swine Fever Task Force are monitoring pig farms in Zamboanga following the mysterious deaths of the animals in Barangays Pasonanca, Pasobolong and Mangusu.

Continued from page 1 deadly African swine fever (ASF) has reached Zamboanga.

Members of the Zamboanga City African Swine Fever Task Force convened to address the issues and concerns surrounding the unusual pig mortalities since last month in Barangays Pasonanca, Pasobolong and Mangusu.

The Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet) also confirmed the reports. Assistant City Veterinarian Arnedo Agbayani said the ASF Task Force decided to closely coordinate with the officials of the three barangays and pig owners to determine the cause of deaths of the animals.

Agbayani said the OCVet surveillance team is continuously monitoring reports of swine mortalities for investigation and also submitted the animal’s blood samples to the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture.

He said geo-tagging was also conducted in the barangays, including the inventory of animals and disinfection of slaughterhouses and pig farms as part of the government’s “Bantay ASF sa Barangay” Program.

Mayor Beng Climaco has previously ordered a strict border control to prevent the entry of the deadly hog disease.

The ASF virus is transmitted by direct contact, ingestion of garbage or swill feeds containing unprocessed infected pig meat or pig meat products, ticks and biting flies, and contaminated premises, vehicles, equipment and clothing.

While not a human health threat, the ASF is capable of annihilating the entire swine industry. As of yet, no vaccine or treatment exists to combat the virus.

But stringent importation policies, early detection and strict biosecurity measures are being carried out to ensure Zamboanga City

remains ASF-free.

Climaco underscores the need for the immediate adaptation of the National African Swine Fever prevention program to protect Zamboanga from the dreaded animal disease and protect the swine industry and stakeholders.

She ordered checkpoints in entry and exit points in Zamboanga to ensure that no infected hogs and its pork products slipped past the city since the ASF breakouts in the country began in 2019.

City veterinary personnel continue to inspect and conduct disinfection of trucks transporting live pigs and other animals to Zamboanga to protect the hog population against the ASF, according to the mayor, adding strict protocols are also being observed to monitor and regulate the entry of hog and pork products here as a measure against the contagious animal disease. (Zamboanga Post)

Continued from page 1 president. We look forward to working with President-elect Marcos to strengthen the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines,” the U.S. Embassy in Manila said in a statement released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

It added: “Our special partnership is rooted in a long and deeply interwoven history, shared values and interests, and strong people-to-people ties. As friends, partners, and allies, we will continue to collaborate closely with the Philippines to promote respect for human rights and to advance a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.”

The White House also said that President Joseph Biden, Jr. spoke with Marcos to congratulate him on his election. “President Biden underscored that he looks forward to working with the President-elect to continue strengthening the U.S.-Philippine Alliance, while expanding bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the fight against Covid-19, addressing the climate crisis, promoting broad-based economic growth, and respect for human rights,” it said.

China Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said President Xi Jinping and Vice President Wang Qishan also congratulated Marcos and Duterte.

Huang said he also congratulated Marcos and Duterte. “I have extended warmest congratulations to President-elect Bongbong Marcos and Vice-Presi-

dent-elect Sara Duterte. With their vision for the Philippines and wisdom to navigate through different obstacles, I am confident that a Philippines under the next administration will surely demonstrate unprecedented unity to rise above all challenges, to recover from the pandemic and to prosper.”

“And I have no doubt that under the next administration, our bilateral relations will only become stronger, our peoples closer and our cooperation deeper and wider. We look forward to working with the next Philippine government to upgrade our Relationship of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation to new heights and bring more tangible benefits to the peoples of our two countries,” Huang said.

Xi also spoke with Marcos and stressed that the two countries had been partners through thick and thin. “I attach great importance to the development of China-Philippines relations and am willing to establish a good working relationship with President-elect Marcos, adhere to good neighborliness and friendship,” Xi said.

Marcos A former provincial governor, congressman and senator, the 64-year-old son who goes by his childhood nickname "Bongbong" has managed to return his family to the presidency 36 years after the "People Power" revolt ousted his father and sent him into exile for filching billions and mass human rights abuses.

His mother, Imelda Marcos, twice unsuccessfully attempted to retake the seat of power after returning with her children to the Philippines

from exile in the United States, where her husband died in 1989.

Marcos Jr. has defended his father's legacy and steadfastly refuses to apologize for or acknowledge the atrocities and plunder during the dictatorship. Married to a lawyer, with whom he has three sons, he has stayed away from controversies, including a past tax conviction and the Marcos family's refusal to pay a huge estate tax. Throughout his campaign, he tenaciously stuck to a battle cry of national unity. He denies accusations that he financed a yearslong social media campaign that harnessed online trolls to smear opponents and whitewash the Marcos family's checkered history, daring critics to "show me one."

Duterte Duterte, 43, is the outgoing mayor of Davao City, which was her father's constituency before he was elected president in 2016.

A lawyer and reserve officer in the Philippine army, Duterte has carved out her own political career and, although at times supportive of her father, is considered more levelheaded and pragmatic.

Duterte's party originally wanted her to succeed him, but she chose instead to run for vice-president.

A mother of three, she has been the longtime mayor of Davao, an economically vibrant city where the elder Duterte first carved a political name with his populist rhetoric and often bloody approach against criminality, especially the widespread trafficking and use of illegal drugs, before he rose to the presidency in 2016.

(AP, Mindanao Examiner)

SM Mindpro launches ‘Farmer’s Market’ Continued from page 1 Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK), a multi-stakeholder campaign, said it will now shift its activities in helping farmers by providing them market exposure through pop-up booths at SM City Mindpro in Zamboanga City.

It said the KSK on Sustainable Agriculture Program aims to bring sustainable farming technologies and training to both rural and urban communities to help farmers bring food to their table while creating economic opportunities for them. “The program does not end on graduation, rather it’s the start of continuous support”, said SMFI AVP Cristie Angeles.

Assistant Mall Manager Aileen Ann Enriquez said these farmers, mostly from marginalized sectors of the community, graduated from SMFI’s 14 weeks Agri-technology training.

She said this training provided farmers a starter kit and

The SM Foundation Inc.’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Program launches Farmer's Market at SM Mindpro in Zamboanga City. are now selling their harvested fresh produce such as vegetables, root crops, fruits and other products at SM in an effort to continuously support their progress on social enterprises, which in turn provide economic opportunities.

With over 26,700 farmers trained in high-value crops all over the country, the scholarship program continues to

enhance farmers’ skills by encouraging them to become entrepreneurs amidst economic challenges, changing weather conditions, and limited planting space and resources.

Angeles said SM City Mindpro opens KSK Farmer’s Market to customers every Saturday of the week at the Level 4 of the mall. (Zamboanga Post)

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The Zamboanga Post

May 16-22, 2022

Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by Eugene Elnar, Marc Hipolito, Dr. Cecil Atilano ,Yoshi Rodriguez, Isniba Abdurasid and City Government.

May 16-22, 2022

The Zamboanga Post Exclusive

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The Zamboanga Post

May 16-22, 2022

Across : 1. Bring up 5. Chinese dynasty 9. Fetch 12. Roof part 13. Diva’s specialty 14. Doctors’ group (abbr.)

15. Power source 16. Furniture surface 18. Impetuous 20. Cast a ballot 21. Decrease 23. Modified 26. Plant eater 28. Compass direction (abbr.)

29. Golfer ___ Woods 30. Disfigure 33. Draw pictures for a book 35. Small dog breed 38. Ventilated 39. Eye suggestively 40. Coffeepots 41. Twice the radius 45. Citi Field predecessor 48. Stately tree 49. Melody 50. Old West lawman 51. ___ culpa 52. Sit for a painting 53. Mattress support Answer to last week’s crossword:

Down : 1. Ump’s kin 2. Water (Fr.) 3. Normal 4. Narrate 5. Trigonometry, e.g.

6. Pension plan (abbr.)

7. Pen point 8. Guy’s date 9. Croc’s kin 10. Ham it up 11. Recorded 17. Smooth 19. Decide 21. Address abbr.

22. London’s Big ___ 23. Debate 24. Falsehoods 25. Deposit on teeth 27. Feels sick

30. Fire ___ (fire chief) 31. Had lunch 32. Apple color 33. Ledger entry 34. Removes suds 35. Internet access device 36. Spry 37. Peruvian animal 40. Impel 42. Telepathy (abbr.)

43. Extremely 44. Printing measures 46. Historic period 47. Likely

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Residents told to follow public health protocols Continued from page 1 Covid-19 cases remain low in Zamboanga.

“We should not be complacent and always follow the public health protocols – the wearing of facemasks in crowded areas and wash hands frequently or sanitize hands and avoid holding your

face with dirty hands,” she said.

The mayor also urged residents who have not been vaccinated against the deadly respiratory disease to get inoculated. “We have enough vaccines for everybody and please go and vaccinate, go to the health centers, the malls

where vaccinations are going on. Protect yourself and your family against Covid-19,” she said.

The City Health Office also reported that residents are now over 90% fully vaccinated, adding it has administered more than 1.3 million doses of vaccines.

(Zamboanga Post)

Garbage problems worsen due to undisciplined people

Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

OPINION

Sunday Reflection

by Mayor Beng Climaco

JESUS SAID: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leads us to safety where we can be fed and nourished. The past weeks we have heard of Jesus. The Bread of Life! Today we prayed as a family after two years of pandemic. The blessing came when the little ones were able to receive their first communion and now more attentive to mass. All seven grandchildren received Jesus the Bread of Life in the Sacred Heart Church.

Fr. Edwin Castillo made a wonderful homily citing one of my favourite lines from the movie in the theme of “The Cardinal.” Stay With Me, a song by Frank Sinatra: Should my heart not be humble, should my eyes fail to see.

Should my feet sometimes stumble on the way, stay with me Like the lamb that in Springtime wanders far from the fold Comes the darkness and the frost, I get lost, I grow cold I grow cold, I grow weary, and I know I have sinned And I go seeking shelter and I cry in the wind

Though I grope, and I blunder, and I kneel, and I’m wrong Though the rose buckles under where I walk, walk along ‘Til I find to my wonder every task leads to thee Or that I can do it, pray, stay with me Stay with me I recall my nephew, Pepi, when he was preparing for his First Communion, singing this song. Today he is now a dad to Raffa and husband to Diana who gave me a beautiful bouquet! May we always hold dear God’s greatest gift in the Eucharist.

For the Final Prayer, Fr. Edwin Castillo S.J., mentioned 10 Traits of a Mother. A mother gives-up a piece of cake for her child even if she wanted it. This is similar to what I said, in explaining my role as Mayor in the purchase of rice during the pandemic.

As a Mother, I give the people of Zamboanga what was best “special and premium” because you deserve the best. This I did to feed the hungry, and my soul is at peace since I have done my best for my family. Today in lunch we had a long table and I was busy making sure everyone had their plates and food only to find out I was left without a plate. Ansina el nana, masquin man con hambre basta lang alegre maga bata y familia! Mary, our Mother, thank you for giving us Jesus our Good Shepherd. We follow you Lord! (MBC)

THE OFFICE of the City Environment and Natural Resources has called on residents anew to dispose of their garbage properly and on time so as not to accumulate trash on designated areas.

OCENR chief Engr. Rey Gonzales said residents must instill discipline and cooperation in disposing their trash, stressing that it is everybody’s shared responsibility.

Gerry Polisco, head of OCENR’s Solid Waste Management Division, also said many residents have either failed or ignored to comply with the schedule of garbage collection as mandated by law. Residents should bring out their garbage at least 15 minutes before 8 a.m. before the arrival of garbage trucks.

“Unfortunately, in reality this is not seriously followed, resulting in uncollected garbage on the streets,” Polisco said.

Mayor Beng Climaco also has appealed repeatedly to residents to help the local government in the campaign to keep Zamboanga City clean and maintain discipline and be

Garbage pickers in Barangay Lumbangan. (Image: Al Jacinto) partners in progress and development.

Climaco, who regularly went around inspecting different areas, noticed how people just threw away their trash on the streets and some even urinated on public walls and corners.

And these problems were being used by some people in demonizing the public by spreading fake news, false information and even disinformation campaigns and hatred while playing deaf and blind to the efforts of the local government in maintaining cleanliness and discipline among residents.

Climaco said the local

A man sifts inside a garbage container in Zamboanga City. (Image: Al Jacinto)

government can only do so much in as far as keeping Zamboanga clean with the cooperation of the people without complaining and comparing it with other cities.

“We love to complain.

We love to compare, but what do we contribute?

That is my challenge to the people. Contribute positively, the City of Zamboanga will only be successful if we contribute positively to our personal discipline,” she said.

The mayor said the public in general should also do their share to ensure the cleanliness of the city. “No mas buta basura areredor,” she said, stressing that the City Government has provided dozens of garbage trucks and employed trash collectors, but public cooperation is still needed to ensure cleanliness and discipline among residents.

But many garbage collectors are also wasting a lot of time because they first sort out papers and metals and other trash which can be sold instead of religiously doing their jobs. (Zamboanga Post)

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Investment Board highlights accomplishments

T

HE ZAMBOANGA City Investment Promotions Services (ZCIPS) presented its major accomplishments, highlighting the achievements of the Climaco administration the past year.

In a recent meeting, the Zamboanga City as a finalist in groups - the Zamboanga ChamZCIPS, which is under the Of- the prestigious “Most Business– ber of Commerce and Industry fice of the City Mayor, cited Friendly LGU Awards” for five Foundation under Pedro Rufo the accomplishment of the consecutive years (2017-2021).

Soliven and the SOPHIL Fishing administration and among It said for the first time in Association under Jaydrick Yap them was the inclusion of 2021, two esteemed business - nominated Zamboanga anew.

The Investment Board Meeting presided by Vice Mayor Rommel Agan at City Hall.

TESDA lauds Climaco’s support

Last year, the ZCIPS also organized five webinar series on “Winning against Covid” for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. These included the Business Continuity Seminar with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation; Bookkeeping with Baker’s Field Enterprises Founder Ester Perez; How to Use Debt to Grow Your Business with Business Consultant Choo Natividad; Mental Health Wellness with Western Mindanao State University; and Alternative Livelihood Programs with the Department of Labor and Employment and Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority.

ZCIPS said it forged new business relationships with investors and among them were the Philippine Franchise Association for the “Franchising in the Time of the Pandemic” webinar and another partnership with the Contact Center Association of the Philippines for a webinar on “Zamboanga Business Opportunities” and

this was made possible through the Zamboanga Information Communications Technology President Michael Lim. ZCIPS also discussed upcoming events for this year.

It will also organize a quarterly mental health check for MSMEs, Business Continuity Plan Training, Green and Science-Based Investments, and Business One-Stop-Shop 2023, among others.

Vice Mayor Rommel Agan presided over the Investment Board Meeting wherein a Resolution was passed to fast-track the construction of the BOSS Building.

The Investment Incentive Board is composed of both public and private organizations with the mayor as the chairperson and vice mayor as the vice chairperson. The private organizations include the presidents or duly elected representative of the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc., Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Highly

Urbanized and Agri-Fishery Council, Industrial Group of Zamboanga, Sophil Fishing Association, Hotels and Restaurants Association of Zamboanga City and the Zamboanga City Bankers and Financiers Association.

The public organizations, on the other hand, come from the national government agencies (NGAs) and offices from the local governments.

The NGAs include the Department of Trade and Industry, National Economic and Development Authority, and the Department of Labor and Employment. The offices from the LGU include the Sangguniang Panlungsod Chairman of the Committee of Trade and Industry, City Treasurer, City Engineer, City Planning and Development Coordinator, and Business Permits and Licensing Officer.

The Investment Promotion Services serve as the Secretariat. (Zamboanga Post)

Flood victims aided

TESDA District Director Omarkhayyam Dalagan during a recent meeting where he praised Mayor Beng Climaco for her support.

THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority has expressed gratitude to Mayor Beng Climaco for her continuing support to TESDA’s programs here.

TESDA District Director Omarkhayyam Dalagan praised Climaco, saying in all their undertakings, the mayor has not influenced or put pressure on the implementation of

various programs, adding it is “an act that is worth emulating by other local governments.”

Dalagan made the statement during a meeting where he cited Climaco, saying she played an important role as a member of the Technical Education and Skills Development committee in Zamboanga.

Apple Go, the City Human Resource and Manage-

Zamboanga Peninsula

ment Officer, represented Climaco in the meeting, and she thanked Dalagan on behalf of the mayor. Other participants to the meeting were Isabela City Mayor Djalia Hataman, Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Grace Aduca, Private Sector Representatives Dr. Anicia Alvarez, Pedro Rufo Soliven, Ramon Elumbra Jr., among others. (Zamboanga Post)

Basilan

MAYOR BENG Climaco has ordered social workers to look at the situation of those affected by flash floods and provide them with food and other necessities.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office said it has distributed food packs to families displaced by flash floods in Barangay Tictapul. It said the distribution of the food assistance was done in coordination with the Barangay Council, adding it continues to assess other areas devastated by the floods.

Tictapul Barangay Information Officer Isniba Omar Abdurasid said some 200 houses were destroyed by the flash floods following heavy rains last week that also destroyed rice paddies there and in Barangays Vitali and Licomo.

City Agriculturist Carmencita Sanchez reported to Climaco that some 44

Sulu

Residents in Barangay Tictapul affected by flash floods receive food packs from the local government.

(BION Isniba Omar Abdurasid) hectares of rice fields were destroyed by the floods and

affected at least 34 farmers. (Zamboanga Post)

Tawi-Tawi