The Zamboanga Post (March 1-7, 2021)

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Low number of Covid cases noted in Zambo

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AMBOANGA CITY’S active Covid cases have dramatically decreased from over 120 in recent weeks to only a little over five dozen after the continued campaign of the local government in the strict implementation of the health protocols. Mayor Beng Clima- despite the low number and must strictly follow co, who heads the local of active cases, residents the health protocols – Covid task force, said should not be complacent Continue on page 2

Thank you Mayor

Mayor Beng Climaco with an elderly man.

SENIOR CITIZENS and their kin have praised Mayor Beng Climaco for putting the welfare of the elderly in the priority list of the local government’s pro-poor program. The program’s beneficiaries, especially the centenarians, receive as much as P50,000 cash which is the local government’s share to the aid senior citizens received from the Department of Social Welfare and Development pursuant to the Continue on page 3

Relocation site, livelihood aid planned for displaced residents TRUE TO her love for the poor, Mayor Beng Climaco said she is planning a relocation site for Continue on page 2

President Rodrigo Duterte listens to Mayor Beng Climaco at the Edwin Andrews Air Base in this file photo.

After ultimatum, contractors vow to finish Z3R projects VARIOUS GOVERNMENT agencies and private contractors have committed to speed up works on the Z3R projects after Mayor Beng Climaco has given an ultimatum until Continue on page 3

Mayor Beng Climaco presides over a meeting of the LIAC.

More hotels, resto and resorts return to business WITH ZAMBOANGA slowly re-opening its tourism industry, the local government has issued business licenses Continue on page 2

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The Zamboanga Post

March 1-7, 2021

Low number of Covid cases noted in Zambo

Continued from page 1 wearing of face mask and face shield, and sanitize hands and observe physical distancing. “We should always

follow the health protocols every time we are in public places,” she said, adding even with the Covid vaccine, residents must still follow health

protocols because the medicine will only prevent the further spread of the deadly respiratory virus. Climaco said the add-

More hotels, resto and resorts return to business Continued from page 1 to 139 tourism-oriented establishments for them to be able to operate provided they strictly observe health protocols. The opening of the tourism industry is part of an effort to collect revenues and help revive the local economy and offer livelihood to those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The local government issued business licenses to 25 hotels and other accommodation establishments, 54 restaurants, four resorts, 50 travel and tours and ticketing agencies, and six other related businesses. City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian said tourists and guests coming from outside Zamboanga City will have to comply with the health requirements such as round trip ticket, confirmed hotel booking for accommodations, medical certificate,

and a valid RT-PCR test result. She said these requirements must be emailed to destinozamboanga@gmail.com, adding, tourists may stay for 5 days, but those who will be staying for more than 5 days will be required to take another RT-PCR test at their own expense. Tourists are expected to visit the world-famous Great Santa Cruz Island and the Las Once Islas. Sebastian reminded

the public to observe the visitation rules and regulations for each tourist site, both of which require prior booking and reservation. She said children are not allowed to visit any of the tourism destinations because they prohibited by the national Covid task force to go out of their house. The islands are open every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. (Jasmine Mohammadsali and Zamboanga Post)

ed protection of the vaccine “will bring us one step closer to resuming a more normal life.” “Filipinos will only be given vaccines that are proven to be safe and effective. It is free and will be made available for all Filipinos, starting with

high-risk sectors, healthcare workers, and senior citizens,” she said. The mayor again praised the dedication of medical professionals and health workers, including police and military frontliners who risk their own safety for oth-

ers. “We recognize all of them for their dedication and hardwork. You are all our heroes who continue to shine amidst this pandemic and toil daily so that others may live and be free from the virus,” she said. (Zamboanga Post)

Relocation site, livelihood aid planned for displaced residents Continued from page 1 residents affected by the road clearing operations ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. Climaco said the local government will find an area where those displaced by the road clearing operations will be able to restart and tend to their livelihood. The mayor said the local government will try to source out funds to be able to provide a startup capital for their livelihood. “We fully support President Duterte’s order on road clearing, but when it comes to the interest of our people, I will stand to protect them,” Climaco said during a television interview. The campaign ended on February 15, but despite this, Climaco ordered barangay officials to help the local government

maintain the cleanliness campaign in an effort to preserve all the hard work of all those involved in implementing the Presidential directive to clear all roads of blockades or obstruction to ease the flow of traffic and movement of people. “Our road clearing campaign is a continuing process. Let us continue the tasks of ensuring road safety as well as the safety of the motorists and people as well. Hace todo manera que debe hace, tene disiplina a todo,” Climaco said. But seven out of 98 barangays - Cabaluay, Dulian-Bunguiao, Kasanyangan, Landang Gua, Manalipa, Tagasilay and Zone IV – have failed to fully comply with Duterte’s directive. In July 2019 following Duterte’s directive, Clima-

co – together with barangay officials – led a massive operation called “Oplan Baklas” against road obstructions even though the local government had been implementing this long before the order because of the local ordinances. Zamboanga was also cited by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its vigorous road-clearing campaign, including the strict enforcement of the anti-littering, anti-garbage and anti-traffic laws and city ordinances. Paizal Abutazil, the DILG regional director for Western Mindanao, said Zamboanga City obtained 90 points – the highest points beyond the passing mark set by the national government, and praising the local government efforts and Climaco. (Zamboanga Post)

Cops praised for seizing contraband MAYOR BENG Climaco lauded the police for confiscating 49 boxes of smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Cawit here. Members of the Police Station 9 discovered the 2,450 reams of cigarettes inside two abandoned vans. The contraband, worth P490,000, had been handed over to the Bureau of Customs. Climaco praised the vigilance of the policemen and commended them. “Muchisimas gracias to our law enforcers for the continuous

campaign against smuggling in support of President Duterte’s all-out anti-smuggling drive. The mayor has previously ordered the police and military to intensify their anti-smuggling campaign and also warned smugglers to stop their nefarious activities or face the long arm of the law. “We will not tolerate smuggling in Zamboanga and I warned smugglers to stop their illegal activities and we will catch you and

throw you all in jail,” she said. She also ordered authorities to curb the selling of contraband items, including cigarettes, in Zamboanga City which deprive the government of much need revenues. “The City Government has to intensify the campaign against smuggling. That is why an intensified campaign against the proliferation of any smuggled products must never be tolerated,” she said. (Zamboanga Post)

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.


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March 1-7, 2021

Thank you Mayor

SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO

After ultimatum, contractors vow to finish Z3R projects Continued from page 1 August 31 to finish the construction of housing units for some 720 families displaced by 2013 deadly attacks of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members loyal to Nur Misuari. Z3R stands for Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction. Climaco met again recently with members of the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC), which she chairs, and reminded heads of agencies to expedite completion of their projects. The mayor said she plans to invite President Rodrigo Duterte for the inauguration of the projects. In her previous meeting, Climaco instructed LIAC members to ensure the remaining 720 families now living in temporary shelters to resettle in their permanent housing units. “As mayor and chairperson of LIAC, I have given the agencies con-

cerned a deadline until August 2021 to finish the construction of the housing units and award them to the target beneficiaries - the internally displaced people,” she said, adding, “we want our IDPs to know that we have not forgotten them even as we are currently coping with the Covid pandemic,” said Climaco. She said her directive was in line with Duterte’s instructions to all government agencies to have their projects, programs and activities completed before his term ends next year. City Housing Officer Rodrigo Pagotaisidro, who is the head of the LIAC Secretariat, also told heads of agencies that “we have to finish all projects under the Z3R by August 31, and there shall be no more Z3R to talk and think about beyond the deadline, and we shall be able to move on and focus on another projects.” Last year, Climaco

also directed LIAC members to ensure continuity of various projects and programs amid the Covid-19 pandemic to help alleviate the plight of families displaced by the MNLF siege. Supporters of Misuari attacked Zamboanga after declaring independence and their failed attempt to raise the Bangsamoro Republik flag at City Hall. Misuari publicly denied involvement in the siege of Zamboanga that displaced over 200,000 people and affected the economies of Basilan and Sulu which are dependent on Zamboanga for their trades and goods. Climaco set September 9 as a “Special Day of Remembrance” in honor of all those who perished in the siege that lasted for 3 weeks. Eight years after the deadly attack, residents here are still crying for justice which remains elusive for the innocent victims of the siege. (Zamboanga Post)

Continued from page 1 Republic Act 10858 or the Centenarian Act of 2016. Nonagenarians or those who are 90-99 years old also receive P20,000 and for octogenarian or residents who are 80-89 years old get P10,000. This cash incentive seeks to ensure that senior citizens will have funds to buy basic necessities such as medicines. The distribution of cash aid is being led by the City Social Welfare and Development Office and the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs in collaboration with the local chapter of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines. Climaco, true to her promise to help the elderly and the poor, is set to introduce the new Buen Vida Program that will benefit tens of thousands of people in Zamboanga City. The new program, she said was borne to help the most vulnerable in the community after opposition councilors killed the local government’s Vida programs. “Recognizing the need to continuously support senior citizens, especially the most vulnerable, while also acknowledging the form of support desired by the people, we will propose the Buen Vida Program that aspires to be a more comprehensive support program to our senior citizens while also addressing the need for employment of the most affected sectors of the community,” she said. Climaco explained the Buen Vida Program is comprised of the following components - Provision of Directto-Home Medicines; Local Social Pension Program; Job Generation; and Production of multi-purpose Senior Citizen ID with ATM/ Debit Card Functionality. The Buen Vida Program targets the indigent and marginalized senior citizens being the most effected sector in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Citing various data, Climaco said around 30,000 indigent senior citizens are not receiving any form of social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and not even from Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System, and also not gainfully employed or receiving income from any business or livelihood. And under her proposed Buen Vida Program, Climaco said indigent senior citizens shall be given P6,000 or equivalent to P500 per month for 12 months as social pension and additionally, some 30,000 senior citizens with medical conditions shall be regularly provided with direct-to-home medicines and vitamins. Qualified beneficiaries shall be determined by the City Social Welfare and

Development Office. And to manage the distribution of medicines and proper administration of the Buen Vida Program, the mayor said the local government will hire some 600 displaced workers and will be called “Buen Vida Lifeliners.” “Additionally, around 62,000 multi-purpose ID/ ATM cards shall be produced and distributed to beneficiary senior citizens that may be used for easy assistance provision, identification, including the administration of Covid-19 vaccines,” Climaco said, adding, the beneficiaries shall be enrolled to a bank and whose account will serve as basis for the issuance of an ID/ATM card that may also function as a privilege card. She said the issued cards shall also function as identification cards of the beneficiaries that will provide them access to government programs such as cash assistance, discounts, free movie passes, free parking space, pharmacy loyalty points, medical check- ups and health assistance, and free doses of Covid-19 vaccines. The project may help minimize public health risks for senior citizens by no longer exposing them in crowded events such as distribution of cash assistance. “Senior Citizens with morbidities and medical conditions shall be eligible to receive the medicines and vitamins under Buen Vida Program. The 17,000 beneficiaries under Largo Vida Program shall be automatically enrolled in the Buen Vida Program, while another 13,000 senior citizens with medical conditions shall also be served,” Climaco further said. The Buen Vida is projected to have a total appropriation of P367 million covering all four components of the humanitarian and pro-poor program. “Our plan is clear and the purpose is to sincerely help our people. May we all rally behind this proposed new program and work across the aisle for the sake of our people who need these the most,” Climaco said. “We live in extraordinary and challenging times that push us beyond our limits, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Kindness and compassion keep us focused on our purpose which is to be of service to others. It motivates us to be better public servants, and inspires us to go above and beyond duty. It grounds us on realities and the challenges we face while also allowing us to hope and dream for better days ahead. Let us set aside our differences and unite in redesigning and re-imagining Zamboanga City because the future we envision looks promising,” she added.

Climaco blamed the opposition councilors - who are political allies of defeated mayoralty candidate Celso Lobregat and Representative Mannix Dalipe - for killing all the Vida Programs of the local government after they removed vital funding in the 2021 Executive Budget. One such program is the Largo Vida, an initiative that Climaco started in 2018 and which she intends to expand to over 60,000 beneficiaries this year. She identified the opposition councilors as Monsi dela Cruz, John Dalipe, BG Guingona, Mike Alavar, Litlit Macrohon, Khymer Olaso, Lilibeth Nuño, Cary John Pioc, VP Elago, Gerky Valesco and Jerry Perez. Dela Cruz and the younger Dalipe ran under Climaco’s political party, but eventually broke off ties after winning the 2019 polls. There were reports that Lobregat will again run for mayor and also the elder Dalipe with his brother possibly gunning for a congressional seat. Climaco said the actions of the Lobregat-Dalipe allies in the City Council have affected some 17,000 senior citizens and all 400 “Vida lifeliners,” including women and those who are out-of-school and mostly breadwinners of their families, who were tapped to tirelessly deliver health assistance door-to-door to every elderly beneficiaries of the Largo Vida. “These (Vida) programs were carefully planned by the Executive Department to be sustainable and to introduce a trailblazing brand of service to our constituents that is projected to have a significant impact in the lives of the target beneficiaries. These programs cannot be replaced by mere doleouts and cash donations that were not studied and haphazardly thought-out. Those (opposition council) members who voted to remove funding for such vital programs must face the people of Zamboanga City and must be held responsible and accountable for such irrepressible action,” she said. “It is not just cash that is needed, we need a more comprehensive program that will genuinely and sustainably empower our people through medicines, access to critical social services and livelihood to make our people resilient and survive the day to day challenges while we are under a pandemic. Necesita kita dale servicio de calidad because our people deserve only the best,” the mayor added. It is only during the time of Climaco that such programs and social services benefitted thousands of senior citizens and the vulnerable sector. (Zamboanga Post)


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The Zamboanga Post

March 1-7, 2021

Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.


March 1-7, 2021

The Zamboanga Post

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Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo/ Giana Andrion, Vic Larato, Yenyen Blanco Delgado, ZCPO, Jao Jawali, and Engr Al Urao.


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March 1-7, 2021

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March 1-7, 2021

Paraan Para Pahabain Ang Buhay (Part 2)

HEALTH

Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong

M

ayroong mga paraan para humaba ang ating buhay. Ito’y napatunayan na ng mga doktor at ibabahagi ko ito sa inyo: • Mag-ehersisyo – Ayon sa mga eksperto, kahit konting ehersisyo lang ay makatutulong na sa katawan. Maglakad, umakyat ng hagdan, at maglinis sa bahay. Kung nasa second o third floor ang iyong pupuntahan, subukang gumamit ng hagdanan. Ang pagiging malikot at magalaw sa pagkilos ay parang nag-e-ehersisyo na rin. • Mag-asawa o magkaroon ng kasama sa buhay – Tunay po iyan. Mas mahaba ang buhay ng mga may asawa kumpara sa mga nag-iisa. Bakit kaya? Dahil kung may asawa ka, may magbabantay sa iyo kapag ika’y nagkasakit. Mayroon ding hihingi ng saklolo kung may sakuna. At siyem-

Covid info sessions continue THE LOCAL government continues to hold a series of information sessions with stakeholders as part of the ongoing preparations for the Covid vaccination. The sessions seek to boost the government efforts to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the national vaccination program by providing accurate information and providing answers to questions, concerns, and issues raised by different sectors here. Separate information sessions were held for Barangay Information Officers Network, barangay health workers, members of the local media, the religious sector and the Sanguniang Kabataan and youth leaders. Mayor Beng Climaco also emphasized the importance of awareness and correct information dissemination about the Covid vaccine. Held both online and face-to-face sessions, the information series cover all aspects of the vaccination program with speakers from the City Health Office and the Department of Health. There will also be sessions for civil society organizations, barangay chairpersons and senior citizens, among others. The mayor has assured the public that the local government will

only use vaccines that are proven safe and effective against the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease. Climaco, head of the local task force on Covid response, said the City Health Office in coordination with the Department of Health, is now preparing plans for the implementation of the mass vaccination program. She said the preparation plans include the master list of target individuals to take the first batch of the inoculation, the operation center, storage facilities and the vaccination action plan and information campaign to make people aware of the health benefits and protection they will get from the Covid vaccines. The local government’s vaccination program, Climaco said, will prioritize healthcare workers, essential and other frontline service providers, and vulnerable populations such as the elderly and poor. The CHO is also setting up mechanisms for the proper storage of 410,000 doses of vaccines, according to the mayor, who recently signed a $2 million (or roughly P100 million) deal with the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. The agreement with AstraZeneca is based on

the approved authorization of the City Council. The local government’s vaccination program will cover 694,696 residents or 70% of the projected 2021 population of 992,423 inhabitants. The initial P200 million for the purchase of the vaccines are included in the P4.38-billion 2021 Executive Budget of the local government, according to Climaco, who is also a member of the Committee on Vaccine Availment of the League of Cities of the Philippines. Climaco said the local government will allocate P100 million more for additional Covid vaccines following talks with USbased Johnson & Johnson. She also thanked Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for including Zamboanga in the talks. “The City Government will use the remaining P100 million for other vaccine brands as we just recently met with USbased Johnson & Johnson among others. Again, thank you to Mayor Sara Duterte for inviting Zamboanga City in her discussions with Janssen,” she said. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have also their own Covid vaccines and so are Russia with its Sputnik and China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm. (Zamboanga Post)

pre, iba pa rin ang may kausap at karamay sa iyong mga problema. Kaya huwag nang awayin si Misis o si Mister. Magbati at magmahalan na lang. • Mag-isip ng positibo (Positive thinking) – Magbasa ng mga libro na nagbibigay ng inspirasyon tulad ng mga gawa ni Norman Vincent Peale. Laging mag-isip ng maganda tungkol sa ating sitwasyon at sa ating kapwa. Magbasa o manood ng mga “good news” lamang sa peryodiko at telebisyon. Kung may suliranin ka, isiping malulutas mo rin ito. Huwag mawawalan ng pag-asa. • Tumulong sa kapwa – Ayon sa isang pagsusuri ni Professor Peggy Thoits ng Vanderbilt University, ang mga taong matulungin ay nagiging mas masaya at mas healthy kumpara sa iba. Tumataas kasi ang lebel ng endorphins sa katawan ng mababait na tao. Ang endorphins ay isang kemikal sa utak na nagpapas-

aya sa atin. • Umiwas sa bisyo at peligro – Gamitin lagi ang utak. Huwag sumabak sa mga bisyo na makasasama sa iyo. Iwas sigarilyo, iwas alak at iwas drugs. Umiwas din sa mga delikadong gawain tulad ng paglabas sa hating-gabi, pagsakay ng motorsiklo, at pagsama sa masamang barkada. Mag-isip muna bago mag-desisyon. Tama ba ang gagawin ko o mali? • Mag-ipon ng pera – Kailangan kasi ng pera para makabili ng gamot, makapa-check up at makapagpa-laboratoryo. Kailangan din maghulog sa PhilHealth o kumuha ng health card. Matutong mag-ipon para sa iyong kalusugan. Kumain ng tama. Maging maingat sa katawan para hindi na umabot sa sakit


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The Zamboanga Post

March 1-7, 2021


March 1-7, 2021

The Zamboanga Post

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Founded July 2019

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (0915) 3976197

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March 1-7, 2021

Frontliners first to get Covid vaccine

S

OME 6,000 health workers who are Covid frontliners have been included in the initial master list of the local government’s vaccination program. City Health Officer the inoculation plan is fi- of Health, is preparing Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite nalized. “Ta hace kita el de plans for the implementasaid that vaccination aton vaccination plan be- tion of the mass vaccinasites for health frontlin- cause it has a lot of com- tion program. ers will be in hospitals ponents, ta mira kita este She said the prepaand health centers, while uno por uno. Once this is ration plans include the other priority groups will done, we will schedule a master list of target indihave a different site for simulation,” she said. viduals to take the first their vaccinations. Mayor Beng Climaco, batch of the inoculation, Miravite assured the head of the local Covid the operation center, storpublic that a simulation task force, said the City age facilities and the vacof the vaccination rollout Health Office, in coordina- cination action plan and will be scheduled once tion with the Department information campaign to

Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco

First Sunday of Lent. ‘Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.’ Responsorial Psalm. Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9. ‘God shows us that love and truth are the pathways we must take in life.’ Gospel. Mk 1:12-15. ‘God’s Spirit guided Jesus in the Dessert with Angels ministering to Him. He was Tempted but prevailed.’ “THIS IS the time of fulfilment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” As we enter the Lenten season, the homilists remind us of a year when we had lockdowns and the world change drastically. Para contigo cosa el grande cambio ya sucede na tuyo vida? Que manera tu ta navega na marejada del difficultad? Bien mucho cambio como el usada de face masks cay este ya el necesidad. Mucho limitacion. Mucho tambien triste suseso del infermedad de Covid y perdida de miembros de familia. Cosa gaha el mensaje de Dios para canaton y contigo personal? We need to give time

for God to reveal himself to us, just as he spent 40 days in the Dessert to listen to God. Though not literally, but setting aside time for prayer is very important especially in Lent. This week we will turnover R.T. LIM Boulevard Project by the DBM. It is such a beautiful place for rest, for reflection. However we need discipline to keep it clean. Today we opened the Exhibit of Zamboanga City’s Heritage Treasures. I learned from Architect Torres that the Plaza Pershing Bandstand had very good acoustics. The entrance gate of the BIR Building used to house Soldier’s Barracks and the current Police Station 11 used to be a municipal building. I wondered about a flagpole on top of the City Hall Tower. There used to be the American Flag on top with the Philippine Flag. These are treasures of who we are as a City. On February 26, we unveil the Centennial Marker of the First “Moro” Scouts, the Birth of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines known as the Lorillard Spencer Troops. Indeed, we look back in the past, and the need to fulfil God’s mission as Mayor. Para con migo na Zamboanga Siege hasta na Pandemic, my gratitude to God sustains me in these challenges as Mayor. These events humbled me to rely on God with La Virgen Pilar, our true Mayor and Mother. I am also inspired more with the help of our co-workers in Government to fulfil our task to give Zamboanga and our people the best that we can offer. How I wish the children can one day play in the park with their parents and grandparents. We all had this in mind for the families as we fulfil God’s mission. I love ZC. (MBC)

Zamboanga Peninsula

Basilan

City Health frontliners at work in Zamboanga City. (Zamboanga Post) make people aware of the health benefits and protection they will get from the Covid vaccines. The local government’s vaccination program, Climaco said, will prioritize healthcare workers, essential and other frontline service providers, and vulnerable populations such as the elderly and poor. The mayor, who already signed a $2 million

(or roughly P100 million) deal with the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, said local government’s vaccination program will cover 694,696 residents or 70% of the projected 2021 population of 992,423 inhabitants. The initial P200 million for the purchase of the vaccines are included in the P4.38-billion 2021 Executive Budget of the

local government, according to Climaco, who is also a member of the Committee on Vaccine Availment of the League of Cities of the Philippines. Climaco said the local government will allocate P100 million more for additional Covid vaccines following talks with US-based Johnson & Johnson. (Zamboanga Post)

Beng vows justice for slain Pepsi Cola manager MAYOR BENG Climaco vowed to seek justice for the slain Pepsi Cola manager who was killed by a lone gunman near her home. Police said the killer escaped after shooting the 48-year Loisabelle Lee in Barangay Tetuan on February 18. Lee was driving her car and heading home when the assailant who was waiting for her in an alley, shot her in the chest. The gunman escaped on a motorcycle after the shooting.

Sulu

“It is so unfortunate that this happened at a time when we are barely a week before the start of the Women’s Month celebration. The City Government joins her family, relatives and friends in mourning her loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family,” she said. Climaco earlier ordered the police thoroughly investigate the murder. She said authorities have to strengthen their security deployment plan to enhance visibility

and deter lawless elements from targeting innocent civilians. She said that her administration will never cease from supporting and assisting the security sector in all aspects for the safety and security of Zamboanga and its residents, and also appealed for public support and cooperation on the implementation of security measures. Police have not released any progress report on Lee’s murder. (Zamboanga Post)

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