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Zamboanga wins 2 prestigious government awards T
HE LOCAL GOVERNMENT of Zamboanga has been awarded with the prestigious “2018 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance” (SCFLG) and the “2018 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities” by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and from the national government.
L’ Meridian Suites lights up nativity and star, ready for the yule
Mayor Beng Climaco receives the “Seal of Child Friendly Local Governance 2018” award. (Kathy Wee Sit)
Read Story on page 3
Marines thank Beng’s continued support
Mayor Beng Climaco during the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Marine Corps where she is recognized and awarded for her invaluable support. (CMO)
THE PHILIPPINE MARINES have recognized Mayor Beng Climaco and the continued support of the local government of Zamboanga which contributed to its numerous accomplishments. Climaco was also given a plaque of recognition during the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Marine Corps. The plaque cited Climaco’s “invaluable support rendered to thesecurity forces particularly to the Marine Continue on page 2
The new L’ Meridian Suites in Zamboanga City. (Zamboanga Post) ONE OF ZAMBOANGA’S newest and biggest hotels, the L’ Meridian Suites, has literally lighted its nativity and star that adorned
the beautiful façade of its 81-room, four-storey building and marking the beginning of the yuletide season in this part of
southern Philippines. The recent event was well-attended by guests and visitors who Continue on page 3
Sulu sports fest all set, Tan hands out P1 million to DepEd SULU – Governor Sakur Tan has released P1 million to the Department of Education to support the much-awaited annual sports festival here. Tan, a sport enthusiast and chairman of the Continue on page 2
Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan poses with education officials led by Kiram Irilis. (Sulu Government Photo)
First Standard Finance Corporation Zamboanga City 0995-5202358 FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE RUSH SALE Fortuner G P650,000
Mitsubishi Strada HONDA CITY SPORT P875,000
P475,000
Hyundai Accent P550,000
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The Zamboanga Post
Sulu sports fest all set, Tan hands out P1 million to DepEd Continued from page 1 Provincial Sports
Council, handed over the cheque to Kiram Irilis,
Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan with Kiram Irilis.
the School Division Superintendent, as financial assistance of the Sulu provincial government for the holding of the sports festival. The competition for the Sulu Provincial Athletic Association Meet starts on November 26 and ends on November 30 at the Sulu Sports Complex in Patikul town. Thousands of people are expected to watch the event as athletes compete with each other in all major sports competition. Last September, Tan also donated P100,000 to the Department of Education through Irilis who sought financial help for the Teacher’s Day celebration. (Zamboanga Post)
A passenger jeep occupies the opposite lane along Gov. Alvarez-Veterans Avenue in Zamboanga City despite the presence of a traffic cop who ignored the traffic violation. (Zamboanga Post)
Nov. 25-Dec. 1, 2019
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Marines thank Beng’s continued support Continued from page 1 Battalion Landing Team 11 by assisting the unit in performing the mission ranging from intensive security operations to civil engagements particularly in the East Central Areas of Zamboanga and by providing additional assets that greatly boosted the unit’s capability which significantly contributed to the successful accomplishments of the mission of the Corps.” The Philippine Marine Corps and the local police force were among the recipients of brand new vehicles donated by the local government in August this year as part of its support to the security
sector. Apart from the donation of vehicles, the local government also shells out about P22 million for the police force for its fuel, vehicle maintenance, among other necessities. Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir, the city police chief, received the prowl cars from Climaco during a simple ceremony attended by policemen who praised the mayor for her “relentless support” to the Zamboanga City Police Office. Climaco also handed over a pickup truck to General Alvin Parreño, the Philippine Marine Corps Commandant; and Task Force Zamboanga Chief, Army Colonel Le-
onel Nicolas and Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Ariel de los Reyes. Parreño presented Climaco with a token of gratitude and thanked her for the donation. “Thank you for your love and support to the Marines. God bless you more!” reads an inscription on the token. Climaco said: “The City Government will never get tired of supporting and assisting the police and the entire security sector in Zamboanga and all these for the dedication of the soldiers and policemen in securing our city and our people.” (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
Nov. 25-Dec. 1, 2019
Zamboanga wins 2 prestigious government awards many. Zamboanga City, Climaco added, is also in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to keep children safe in terms of road safety and infrastructures. She urged her counterparts in Western Mindanao to take initiatives that will protect children from dangers on the road as she cited
police report on the increasing number of road crashes involving children as victims. She said Zamboanga will hold a special program at the Diamond anniversary of the UN Convention for the Protection of Children’s Rights this month. Some 200 children are expected to join the event. Just recently, Climaco also graced the children-led
participatory workshop on building agenda for a Child-Friendly Zamboanga City organized by the UNICEF and Ateneo de Zamboanga’s SUGPAT in collaboration with the local government. During the two-day workshop, Climaco read letters written by the children and responded to their recommendations and concerns. (Zamboanga Post)
L’ Meridian Suites lights up nativity and star, ready for the yule Mayor Beng Climaco with some of the children. From page 1 Mayor Beng Climaco, a strong advocate of children’s rights, received the awards in recognition of the local government’s initiatives to promote the protection and welfare of children. The awarding ceremony – attended by government officials and municipal mayors from different provinces and cities in Western Mindanao – was held last week at the LM Metro Hotel in Barangay Tetuan where Climaco rallied the support of
local government executives in the region for the protection of the rights of children in their respective localities. Zamboanga has been a consistent awardee for its efforts on child protection and welfare. The SCFLG is awarded to cities and municipalities that have passed all the criteria set by the audit system subsequent to an assessment gauging their level of performance in implementing child-friendly programs and establishing measures which
promote children’s welfare. “We should all work hard so that the rights of children are protected,” Climaco told local government executives and representatives from all over the region at the ceremony. She also took pride in saying that the voices of the young are very important to her administration and cited Zamboanga City which participated and represented the country in the recently concluded UN Convention on the Rights of Children held in Ger-
Continued from page 1 enjoyed the musical numbers and dances, and the amazing chorale members who rendered Christmas songs in English and Spanish which reflects Zamboanga’s moniker as the only Asia’s Latin city because of its rich colonial history. It also featured staffs and employees in a Christmas video and another corporate video promoting Zamboanga as a major tourism destination. Bruce Bollozos, the general manager of L’ Meridian Suites, spoke during the program and recalling how he was mesmerized by the local dialect called “Chavacano,” a Spanish-based creole language. Being a Cebuano, who has a long experience in the hotel and tourism industry, Bollozos narrated how the national media portrayed Zamboanga and often paint a rather bleak picture of this beautiful city. “In my previous career, I served as country manager for an Australian company and my role included traveling nationwide, but I was told to exclude south-western Mindanao. It was puzzling as I heard beautiful stories of Zamboanga during my pharma(ceutical) days.” “Perhaps the only close experience I have of this
place was a tenant of ours who sold shell crafts – the family hailed from Zamboanga. I remember how the dialect mesmerized me and got me curious about them,” he said. Bollozos continued and said: “At present, I could not be happier about taking this leap of faith because Zamboanga is as beautiful as the stories, as interesting as the dialect, as mesmerizing as the people.” He said the L’ Meridian Suites has also taken initial steps in being proactive in preserving the culture of Zamboanga and proudly bringing this beautiful city to the world. “In our Christmas and corporate videos, we did not give so much focus in our rooms, we are already confident with it. We want to challenge the negative imagery of media and showcase the best of Zamboanga City, the truth about how safe this beautiful place is.” “Tourism will be a driving force moving Zamboanga’s economy forward. Let us all hope and envision this beloved city of ours will become a destination of all people regardless of race, gender, culture and religion. And L’ Meridian Suites is our passion, our heart, your home,” Bollozos said. The hotel is also sched-
uled to have the live telecast from Atlanta, Georgia of the most anticipated Miss Universe beauty pageant on December 9 in support to the Filipino pride, Gazini Ganados. And it is also set to launch the first-ever New Year countdown in Zamboanga on December 31 which will be capped with a party and merry-making. While the concept of the L’ Meridian Suites is a business hotel, Bollozos said they make it sure that it can be a par in terms of the standard of a 5-star hotel. At present, it offers Superior, Deluxe, Junior Suite and Suite rooms, including three function rooms, a roof deck that can accommodate 300 people, and a restaurant called Café Meridian which is best known for its Chinese and Filipino cuisines, and an all-day breakfast menu at reasonable prices. Following its soft opening on September 28, L’ Meridian Suites located at Governor Camins Road, continues to attract business travellers and tourists, and visitors from other provinces and regions because of its superb amenities, warm reception and outstanding hospitality from staffs and employees, and 5-star accommodation. (Zamboanga Post)
Bruce Bollozos, general manager of L’ Meridian Suites. And the chorale members during the November 20 lighting of the nativity and star of the new hotel. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
Nov. 25-Dec. 1, 2019
Zamboanga’s resilience discussed at ‘2019 Top Leaders Forum’
Mayor Beng Climaco at the ‘Top Leaders Forum 2019’.
ZAMBOANGA MAYOR BENG Climaco lauded the organizers of the “2019 Top Leaders Forum” which aims to find concrete measures that would make businesses more resilient against disasters. Climaco, who was one of the speakers at the recent forum, discussed Zamboanga’s human security and disaster resilience, citing the many challenges besetting the city and how the local government and the locals managed to overcome all these - from natural calamities to man-made disasters. She joined top-level executives from both the private and public sectors at the forum organized by SM Prime Holdings, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, ARISE Philippines and the National Resilience Council (NRC). Some of the speakers were USEC Ricardo Jalad, of the Office of Civil Defense; Congresswoman Lucy Gomez, Bataan Governor Albert Garcia, Cagayan De Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez. And also Unilever
Philippines Chairman Benjie Yap, Maynilad Water Services CEO Ramoncito Fernandez, IBM Philippines President and Country General Manager Aileen Jiao, San Miguel Properties Inc. Project Lead Cecile Ang, Jollibee Group Foundation Executive Director Gisela Tiongson, Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. COO Maribeth Marasigan, and Fr. Jet Villarin, Ateneo de Manila President. Climaco said through the facilitation of the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office headed by Elmeir Apolinario, students from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University represented the local team for the “Young Leaders for Resilience Program” and presented their innovative solutions that can address the resilience challenges. With the theme “From Risk to Resilience: Forging Pathways and Milestones,” the forum highlighted the private sector engagement with the small and medium enterprises to ensure the same level of preparedness for disasters; and for the NRC’s Adopt-A-City program to engage the private sector in a more innovative and strategic partner-
ship for resilient local government systems; and the launch of the Young Leaders for Resilience Program to engage the youth in co-creating solutions that will address the resilience challenges of NRC’s partner local government units. The USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) project also commended Climaco for the Special Citation for Most Business Friendly Awarding during the Philippine Business Conference recently. In a letter to Climaco, Sergio Andal Jr., USAID/SURGE Chief of Party said: “Zamboanga City has exemplified its capacity to champion competitiveness and inclusive and resilient economic growth.” Zamboanga is one of USAID’s Cities Development Initiative partner. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has conferred the city with a special citation as finalist in the 2019 Business Friendly LGU Award, for “exemplifying commendable initiatives towards good governance reforms that promote trade and investments and significantly contribute to local economic development”. (Zamboanga Post)
Nov. 25-Dec. 1, 2019
The Zamboanga Post
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Nov. 25-Dec. 1, 2019
Across : 1. Tacks on 5. Siesta 8. Molecule component 12. Ark’s captain 13. Fruit punch 14. Heredity carrier 15. ___ Moore of “Ghost” 16. Fatherly 18. Painted 20. Look happy 23. Track events 26. Compact 30. Decay 31. Circle parts 32. Approvals 33. Nothing more than 34. Disfigure 35. Dislike 37. Earnest requests 40. Exterior 41. Aardvark 45. Hindrance 47. Periods in history 51. Troubles 52. Female fowl 53. Recedes 54. Lord’s wife 55. Sept. follower 56. Kind
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LOTTO TIPS KARON SEMANA
Timbo karon, timbo ugma, timbo kada adlaw ug timbo kada semana!
HEALTH
Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong
MGA SAKIT NG LALAKI 1. Headache – Ang karamihan ng sakit ng ulo ay dahil sa stress o iyung tinatawag na tension headache. Su¬bukan ang acupressure massage. Dahan-dahan lang ang pagmamasahe. (1) Masahihin ang magkabilang sentido (sa harap at taas ng tainga). (2) Pisilin ang balat sa taas ng ilong at masahihin paitaas. Gawin ito nang maraming beses. (3) Masahihin ang noo
sa ibabaw ng kilay mula sa gitna at papalabas. (4) Masahihin din ang mabilog na buto sa likod ng tainga. (5) Pisilin ang malaman na parte sa pagitan ng una at pangalawang daliri. Paalala lang: Huwag na huwag ipapamasahe ang iyong batok, sa likod ng leeg at sa harap ng leeg. Marami na ang naparalisa (paralyze) dahil diyan. Mag-ingat. 2. Insomnia – Uminom
RECIPE
Chicken Pochero
panlasangpinoy.com
INGREDIENTS : • • • • • • • •
2 lbs. Chicken cut into serving pieces 1 piece Knorr Chicken Cube 2 pieces potato cubed 2 bunches baby bok choy ½ head cabbage sliced 8 ounces tomato sauce 18 pieces long green beans 2 pieces Chorizo de Bilbao sliced
INSTRUCTIONS : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Heat oil in a cooking pot. Pan-fry the chicken for 2 minutes per side. Set aside. Using the remaining oil, saute onion and garlic. Add chorizo. Saute for 1 minute. Add tomato. Continue to saute until onion and tomato softens. Put the pan-fried chicken back into the pot. Stir. Pour tomato sauce and water.Let boil.
• • • • • • • • 7.
8 ounces chick pea 3 pieces Saba banana sliced 2 pieces tomato diced 1 piece onion chopped 4 cloves garlic crushed 2 cups water 3 tablespoons cooking oil Fish sauce and crushed peppercorn to taste
Add Knorr Chicken Cube. Stir and cover the pot. Cook in medium heat for 15 minutes. 8. Put potato, saba banana, and chick pea into the pot. Cover and cook for 12 minutes. 9. Add long green beans and cabbage. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. 10. Add bok choy. Cook for 2 minutes. Season with crushed peppercorn and fish sauce. Stir. 11. Tranfer to a serving bowl. Share and enjoy!.
ng mainit na chamomile tea with honey sa gabi. Langhapin ang usok nito. Ang chamomile ay nagpapa-relax ng katawan. Kumain din ng isang saging sa gabi. Ang saging ay may tryptophan na nagtatanggal ng stress. Nabibili ang chamomile tea sa mga supermarket. 3. Diabetes – Ang solusyon sa diabetes ay ang pagmo-monitor ng iyong blood sugar. Matutong gumamit ng blood sugar test. Nagka-
kahalaga ito ng mga P3,000. Kapag nagpapa-check ng blood sugar, tusukin ang pinakamaliit na daliri, sa may tagiliran nito. Mas kaunti ang nerve fibers dito at hindi gaano masakit. Ang normal na fasting blood sugar ay 100 mg/dl o 5.5 mmol/L o mas mababa pa. Umiwas lang sa dalawang bagay: Matataba at matatamis. Iyan lang ang bawal sa may diabetes. 4. Cancer – May mga pagkain na panlaban sa kanser. Para makaiwas sa prostate cancer, kumain
ng 10 kutsarang spaghetti sauce bawat linggo. Para umiwas sa lung cancer¬, kumain nang maraming kamote. Kapag ang isang tao ay wala pang kanser, ang pinakamagandang kainin ay ang tatlong K: kamatis, karrots at kalabasa. Puwede din ang mga ito: green tea, curry powder, bawang, sibuyas, sibuyas dahon (leeks), repolyo, cauliflower, tofu o tokwa, at talong. Damihan ang pagkain ng anti-cancer foods at bawasan ang mga karne at taba.
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Ban on single-use plastics ignored in Zamboanga
Baggers at KCC, Shop-o-Rama, and Yubenco Supermarket use plastic bags even during weekends. (Zamboanga Post)
D
ESPITE THE BAN on the single-use plastics in Zamboanga City during weekends, many establishments continue to violate Mayor Beng Climaco’s executive order prohibiting the use of shopping bags made of polyethylene. Climaco signed Exec- markets and residents not But despite this, groutive Order BC453-2019 tom use plastic bags and cery stores and public and in February banning the Climaco urged shoppers supermarkets continue use of non-biodegradable and market goers here to to violate Climaco’s order. plastic bags during week- use paper or buri bags in- Shop-o-Rama and Yubenco ends as part of the local stead of non-biodegradable Supermarket are also top government’s ecological plastics, and for establish- violators of this order and solid waste management ments, especially shopping continue to use plastic bag program. malls and supermarkets, during weekends. And now The order enjoins all to make use of eco bags for KCC Mall de Zamboanga business establishments, their customers. is also using plastic bags
5 local agri workers win awards
The awardees Jaime M. Troyo, Richard E. Manlincon, Sean F. Janubas, Danilo B. Cajes and Medardo R. Lozada from the Zamboanga City Agriculturist Office. (Rolly Peralta) FIVE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL employees were feted by the Zamboanga City government headed by Mayor Beng Climaco for having been conferred the “2019 National Corn Achievers Awards - Outstanding Agricultural Extension Workers” during the National Convention
held recently in Iloilo City. The awardees were Jaime M. Troyo, Richard E. Manlincon, Sean F. Janubas, Danilo B. Cajes and Medardo R. Lozada - all from the City Agriculturist Office. “They were among the top 100 AEW (Agricultural Extension Workers) awardees from all over the
country,” Climaco said. “This is the first time that Zamboanga City through the City Agriculturist Office under Carmencita Sanchez participated in the Search for Outstanding AEWs in the National Quality Corn Achievers Awards since 2012,” she said. (Zamboanga Post)
during weekends. Climaco said most plastic bags are considered as non-biodegradable being made of polymer substance known as polyethylene that cannot easily be decomposed by microorganisms and shall remain as environmental pollutant, thus posing health risk. According to Climaco, data on waste characterization showed that non-biodegradable waste accounts for 40% of the total garbage disposed and 17% of this constitutes plastics. The order, she added, is complementary to the existing broad-based and comprehensive approach policy on solid waste management. “This (executive order) is an initial priority action on waste reduction for non-biodegradable materials towards the enactment of an ordinance, proposing an inclusive approach to regulate the use of non-biodegradable and disposable plastic sando bags and the like as bagging materials, including the enforcement of regulatory procedures on the use and trade, and the penalty clause thereof,” she said. Climaco also instructed the Zamboanga City Health Office and Zamboanga City
Environment and Natural Resources Office to conduct massive information and education campaign on the effects to the environment of the use of plastic bags. The local government also imposed a ban on the single-use plastics on both Great and Little Santa Cruz Islands to combat pollution and protect the environment. Those going to the islands were told to bring their own reusable containers, baskets or eco-bags for their provisions, and prohibited the bringing of plastic bags, cups and spoons, forks water bottles and anything made from Styrofoam and even plastic wrappers of ice candies, among others. Last December, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo filed House Bill No. 8692 calling for the phasing out of single-use plastic products. The proposed law prohibits enterprises from manufacturing, importing and selling single-use plastics. According to plasticfreechallenge.org, single-use plastics or disposable plastics such as grocery bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. It said only 10-13% of
300 million tons of plastic are recycled each year because the nature of petroleum based disposable plastic makes it difficult to recycle and they have to add new virgin materials and chemicals to it to do so. Additionally there are a limited number of items that recycled plastic can be used. “Petroleum based plastic is not biodegradable and usually goes into a landfill where it is buried or it gets into the water and finds its way into the ocean. Although plastic will not biodegrade (decompose into natural substance like soil,) it will degrade (break down) into tiny particles after many years. In the process of breaking down, it releases toxic chemicals (additives that were used to shape and harden the plastic) which make their way into our food and water supply,” it said. “These toxic chemicals are now being found in our bloodstream and the latest research has found them to disrupt the Endocrine system which can cause cancer, infertility, birth defects, impaired immunity and many other ailments,” it added. (Zamboanga Post)