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September 2-8, 2019
‘Review ZAMCELCO contracts’ – Beng
M
AYOR BENG CLIMACO has urged the new members of the board of directors of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) to “represent the true voice of the people” and asked them to conduct a thorough review of all existing contracts entered into by the cooperative with power producers. The National Electri- electric cooperative for sumers.” “Como syempre ta fication Administration P2.5 billion. (NEA) has appointed The new members of dale quita canila el espeseven Zamboangueños the board of directors led ranza y el confianza que to the board of directors by JV Faustino recently sila pwede resolve el maga following mounting pub- met with Climaco at City problema del ZAMCELlic clamor and Climaco’s Hall and discussed the CO,” she said. Climaco also recalled personal appeals with problems affecting the that Duterte personalPresident Rodrigo Dute- operation of ZAMCELCO. rte after the Crown InClimaco lauded NEA ly called to inform her of vestments Holdings, Inc. for appointing Zambo- his commitment to help and Desco Inc. took over angueños to sit in the resolve the power crisis ZAMCELCO in January board of directors and she in Zamboanga. She said this year after bailing expressed optimism “that Duterte’s call paved the out the heavily-indebt- they will protect the inter- way for her meeting with ed and poorly-managed est of the member-conContinue on page 3
Mayor Beng Climaco speaks to JV Faustino, one of the members of the ZAMCELCO board of directors. (Kathy Wee Sit)
Kakulangan ng disiplina, problema sa Zambo! SA KABILA ng pagsisikap ng pamahalaang lokal ng lungsod ng Zamboanga na linisin ang mga kalsada mula sa mga obstruction o mga bagay na nakakasagabal sa publiko, patuloy naman ang paglabag
dito ng marami, partikular ang mga motorista at negosyanteng may mga puwesto sa bangketa. Sa Pettit Barracks sa downtown Zamboanga ay mistulang Continue on page 4
Mayor Beng Climaco at the Zamboanga City’s Security and Surveillance Office. (Kathy Wee Sit)
Zambo’s CCTV system hailed PEACE AND ORDER situation in Zamboanga City has tremendously improved, especially the past 6 years of the Climaco administration
and with the local government’s all-out support to police and military authorities and other law enforcement agencies. Mayor Beng Clima-
co said the installation of high-quality, high-definition security cameras in different areas here was a big factor in maintaining peace and order, and also
the logistical support the local government provided the police and military. She said the newly established command Continue on page 2
Illegal parking sa Pettit Barracks. (Zamboanga Post)
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Montero GLS SE P650, 000
Mitsubishi Strada P680, 000
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The Zamboanga Post
Zambo’s CCTV system hailed
Mayor Beng Climaco convenes the Technical Working Group composed of Executive Assistants Antonio Orendain, Jr. and Ferdie Alvarez; and City Legal officer Atty. Jesus Carbon, City Administrator Apple Go, Internal Audit Division Chief Joan Saballero to discuss matters related to the Seal of Good Local Governance, impact projects for public schools and other projects related to disaster risk reduction and management. (Kathy Wee Sit) Continued from page 1 center of the local government’s Security and Surveillance Office (SSCO) – the first in Western Mindanao and second in the southern Philippines after Davao City - has started to impact on the peace and order situation. Because of the stateof-the-art command center launched in May, the SSCO continues to monitor different strategic locations here - day and night – where security cameras are installed. The modern SSCO under the supervision of Christopher Mandi contributed in solving and preventing crimes and coordination with the police and military. In a report to Climaco, SSCO has responded to many emergencies and various cases from road accidents to the rescue of mentally-ill persons. Climaco said the local government installed over 100 security cameras as part of the Security and Surveillance Equipment and System Project to ensure public safety. The system uses Huawei’s intelligent video and data analytics solution. The
SSCO –operated by over a dozen personnel - complements the emergency telephone number 911. It was only during Climaco’s time that all these security programs have been implemented for the benefit of the residents. The mayor has repeatedly expressed her deep appreciation to the members of the City Council for their all-out support to many infrastructure projects and programs the local government implemented and launched for the benefit of the public and progress of Zamboanga. “Muchas gracias a todos legisladores por de ustedes suporta en mi administracion. Sin ti, estos proyectos no serian posibles,” she said. She also thanked the Zamboanguenos for their unwavering support and trust in her administration as she pledges more projects and pro-poor programs in the next three years. “Muchas gracias tambien con el todo quien ta continua suporta con migo, na de mi administracion y na tres años pa quita man junto-junto para de bien de todo, beneficio del pueblo, especialmente de los pobres,”
Climaco said, adding, security, health and education programs remain her top priorities. Climaco convened recently the Technical Working Group (TWG) led by Executive Assistant Antonio Orendain, Jr. and discussed matters related to the Seal of Good Local Governance of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Zamboanga has been a consistent awardee of the DILG campaign which gives an award, incentive, honor and recognition for local government in an effort to further strengthen accountability, particularly in good financial keeping, disaster preparedness, and social protection. The TWG, composed of City Legal officer Jesus Carbon, City Administrator Apple Go, Internal Audit Division Chief Joan Saballero and Executive Assistant Ferdie Alvarez, also tackled impact projects for public schools utilizing the Special Education Fund as well as projects related to disaster risk reduction and management that are included in the Executive Legislative Agenda. (Zamboanga Post)
Ease of doing business in Zambo to further improve THE EASE of doing business in Zamboanga City is expected to further improve after the local government developed an action plan to strengthen more the implementation of building permits and certificate occupancy systems (BPOS). Mayor Beng Climaco said while the local government has already streamlined the processing of necessary permits it will continue to improve the BPOS for the benefit of the business sector and to attract more investors to Zamboanga. She said a recent workshop “Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Proj-
ect” which was facilitated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also provided a venue for local government officials to assess their current procedures and identify necessary steps to ensure the implementation of the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2018-01 and Republic Act 2018 No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018. The two-day coaching and mentoring activity was attended by 36 representatives of various department of the local government. It identified strategies that will reduce the lag time in the issuance of building and occupancy
permits and guarantee the smooth operations of the BPOS one-stop shop. The challenges that were resolved during the coaching and mentoring session include the co-location of the one-stop shop, equipment and staffing needs, and the improvement of systems and capacity building for front liners. As next steps, the local government with the assistance of USAID-SURGE will draft the amended executive order for the creation of a BPOS technical working group, co-location of various offices, and revisiting the checklist and relocation of the BPOS office. (Zamboanga Post)
September 2-8, 2019
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The Zamboanga Post
September 2-8, 2019
‘Review ZAMCELCO contracts’ – Beng
Mayor Beng Climaco and Vice Mayor Rommel Agan with some members of the ZAMCELCO board of directors. (Kathy Wee Sit) Continued from page 1 Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in Manila where measures to end the persisting power interruptions and fluctuations were tackled. She asked Faustino’s group to “review all existing contracts the power utility firm has entered into during the past and previous managements.” The review on all ZAMCELCO’s contracts is necessary to ensure the cooperative’s operation is effective and responsive to the needs of its member-consumers and “making sure that it is financially viable and technically capable.” Climaco said new
members of the board of directors replaced the fiveman “Task Force Duterte,” who were not from Zamboanga, but tasked by NEA to oversee the operation of the ZAMCELCO after it suspended all the previous members of the board of directors for various reasons. The meeting of Faustino’s group - among them Jaydrick Yap, Steven Wee, John Ebrahim and Violy Alejandro – came after NEA named them to the board. “This is a welcome development because we really want that anyone, who sits in the Board, helps the consumers of Zamboanga on how we will be able to
attain a 24-hour electricity that is stable and without voltage fluctuations, and affordable,” Climaco said. The board of directors had their first meeting last week, but details of this were not made public. But Faustino, in an exchange of messages with lawyer Wendell Sotto on social media, said: “I experienced a painful realization during our first board meeting. Let’s set a meeting this coming week so we can explain to you the true situation of the coop now, and what is being done by the non- Zamboangueños to help save ZAMCELCO which was put to the ground by our fellow Zamboangueños.”
Power Generators Sotto is an advocate of good governance and the only Zamboangueño who questioned ZAMCELCO’s issues with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). He also accused Amador Guevarra, ZAMCELCO’s general manager, of evading questions on the operation of diesel-powered generator sets which Sotto claimed was illegal. “ZAMCELCO has been illegally operating diesel generator sets all over Zamboanga City. Worse, ZAMCELCO has been evading questions regarding the generator sets and refuses to be accountable to the Zamboangueños.” “This is alarming to us consumers, who will suffer the consequences of ZAMCELCO’s illegal activities. The tens of millions of pesos used to run the generator sets illegally will drive ZAMCELCO into further financial ruin and us along with it,” he said. Last May, Sotto filed a petition with the ERC pointing out ZAMCELCO’s failure to comply with the legal requirements for the generator sets: “No Certificate of Compliance, no bidding, no ERC approval, expensive power, conflict
of interest because the generator sets are owned by Desco Inc.” He said Guevarra also failed to appear at a preliminary conference called by ERC on June 26. “To draw out the truth, I filed - Written Interrogatories - consisting of very simple questions regarding the generator sets. The ERC gave GM Guevarra 15 days to answer the Written Interrogatories, which lapsed last July 19.” “If there was nothing illegal, ZAMCELCO could have easily set the record straight by answering the questions. Unfortunately, ZAMCELCO has not even bothered to answer until now,” he said. Sotto said it is lamentable for the consumers that ZAMCELCO has continued to evade answering concerns regarding the use of the generator sets. ZAMCELCO has acquired expensive diesel-powered generators to be able to supply Zamboanga’s power demand of at least 80 megawatts after Western Mindanao Power Corporation (WMPC) stopped supplying electricity to the cooperative for failing to pay about P450 million in debts. ZAMCELCO also accused
WMPC of overbilling the cooperative by P400 million and demanded a refund. With ZAMCELCO and WMPC locked in a legal battle, electric consumers and businesses here continue to suffer from power outages and poor utility services. Rotational power outages, which began in February, have already affected the local economy with many business establishments spending more on fuel to run their generators for hours on a daily basis. The lack of household electricity also put heavy burden on residents and many of them rely on ZAMCELCO for power supply because they cannot afford to buy their own generators. Aside from power outages, ZAMCELCO’s irregular supply of electricity here resulted in low voltage most of the time and residents blamed the utility firm for damages on their appliances. It was only recently that ZAMCELCO managed to improve a little the power situation after it signed a compromised agreement with WMPC after it paid a substantial amount to cover some of its past due accounts. (Zamboanga Post)
Poor families benefit from Zambo humanitarian caravan
Mayor Beng Climaco during a recent ‘Dia del Alcalde’ humanitarian caravan in Barangay Mampang. (Kathy Wee Sit) HUNDREDS OF INDIGENT families have benefited from the “Dia de Alcalde” of Mayor Beng Climaco in Zamboanga City as she continues her humanitarian caravan in an effort to bring basic government services to poor areas here. Dubbed as “Servicio de Govierno mas serca na barangay,” Climaco, a strong advocate of women’s and children’s rights, led teams of local government workers in attending to the needs of the poor at the caravan’s venue in Mampang National High School. The beneficiaries were provided medicines and health and dental services, among others. The caravan was supported and participated by private groups and the military’s Task Force Zam-
boanga. The Dia del Alcalde continues to bring government services closer to barangay folks in line with the Climaco administration’s thrust on Security, Health and Education. Aside from regular Dia de Alcalde caravan, Climaco also has medical assistance and incentive programs for the elderly population here dubbed as “Largo Vida” which literally means “Long Life.” Largo Vida is part of Climaco’s benevolent programs dedicated to the welfare or well-being of senior citizens. It is being implemented by the City Health Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office and Office of the City Mayor. And aside from Largo Vida program, Climaco also provides cash incen-
tives to senior citizens celebrating their birthday as provided in a local ordinance. Considered also as the first of its kind in the history of Zamboanga, the distribution of the cash gifts covers all the 98 barangays here. Under the ordinance, the birthday cash incentives will be given to all senior citizens: P500 for ages 60 to 69; P700 for ages 70 to 79; P800 for ages 80 to 90; P1,500 for ages 91 to 94 and P2,000 for ages 95 to 99. It is only during Climaco’s administration that senior citizens are receiving the much needed attention and care through various local government humanitarian and pro-poor programs with the support of the members of the City Council. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
September 2-8, 2019
Mayor Beng Climaco expressed gratitude to Colonel Leonel Nicolas for his commitment and dedication to service that resulted to zero bombing and zero kidnapping during his over 2-year stint as Task Force Zamboanga Chief. This, as she graced the change of command ceremony late last month where Nicolas formally relinquished his post to Colonel John Divinagracia . Major General Roberto Ancan, commander of the 1st Infantry Division was the presiding officer at the ceremony. Climaco, together with Vice Mayor Rommel Agan presented Nicolas with a City Council resolution commending him for his dedication to public service. Climaco also welcomed Divinagracia, a Zamboangueño to the post, and reaffirmed her commitment to the security sector in line with her S.H.E. program. (Kathy Wee Sit)
Kakulangan ng disiplina, problema sa Zambo! Mayor Beng Climaco leads the demolition of illegal structures in Zamboanga City. Climaco was joined by City Administrator Apple Go, Assistant Administrator Cesar Raz, Barangay Putik Chairman and Council member Jerry Perez and Barangay Tumaga officials, barangay tanods, police authorities and other city government personnel. (Kathy Wee Sit)
Continued from page 1 pribadong parking area na ang covered path walk o sidewalk ng mga pribadong sasakyan at pampasaherong jeep at wala ni-isang barangay tanod at parak sa lugar na tutulong sa pamahalaan na pagbawalan ang parking doon. Napipilitan tuloy ang mga pedestrian na sa kalye na lamang maglakad sa kabila ng naka-ambang peligro. Ganoon rin sa Tomas Claudio at sa La Purisima Streets at iba pang lugar sa sentro ng Zamboanga na tadtad ng mga illegal parking at vendors at wala rin makitang mga barangay tanod doon kahit noon pa. Matatandaang mismong si Mayor Beng Climaco at City Administrator Apple Go ang nangunguna sa “cleanliness campaign” matapos ipag-utos ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa mga mayors ang pagtatanggal ng mga obstruction sa lahat ng pampublikong kalsada. Dahil sa kautusan ni Duterte, mismong ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
ang nagbantang kakasuhan ang mga barangay chairmen na mabibigo sa paglilinis ng kanilang nasasakupang lugar. “We have been deluged by complaints from the people about barangay captains who are failing to act and worse being complicit and actively tolerating road obstructions. The mayors have to make them accountable because that’s their mandate and responsibility,” ani DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya. Sinabi pa ni Malaya na sa ilalim ng Local Government Code, ang mga mayors ang may “disciplining authority” sa mga barangay chairmen. “Impose your authority,” wika pa ni Malaya. “Tapos na ang eleksyon. Trabaho na ngayon. Regardless of whether kapartido o hindi, they (mayors) should suspend or reprimand barangay captains who do not comply with the President’s directive.” “Sabi nga ni (DILG Secretary Eduardo) Secretary Año, imposibleng wala silang alam sa pagtatayo ng mga road obstruction na
‘yan. It is just proper that they rectify their actions by cooperating to the clearing operations of the local government unit,” dagdag pa ni Malaya. Maging si Climaco ay nagbigay rin ng babala sa mga ito na maaari silang maharap sa disciplinary sanctions. Pinangungunahan rin nina Climaco at Go, kasama ang mga opisyal ng mga barangay, ang “Oplan Baklas” upang matiyak na masusunod ang kautusan ng Pangulo. “We will implement President Duterte’s order, not only do we clean up the roads and sidewalks, but also we enforce the anti-littering, anti-garbage and anti-traffic laws and city ordinances,” ani Climaco. “We expect all other barangays to do the same as monitoring will be done by the City Government which is tasked to submit report of compliance to the DILG. Disciplinary sanctions will be imposed on barangay officials who will fail to comply with the order within 60 days,” dagdag pa ni Mayor. (Zamboanga Post)
The Zamboanga Post
September 2-8, 2019
Zambo exhibits attract huge crowd in Mindanao expo
The Zamboanga exhibitors at the Mindanao Trade Expo in Davao City. (Photo by Claire Pesebre) DAVAOEÑOS AND TOURISTS alike flocked to the exhibits of Zamboanga City during the four-day Mindanao Trade Exposition (MTE) held at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City. The local government of Zamboanga through its Investment Promotions and Services Division sent 5 exhibitors to the annual expo which offered a glimpse of the city’s rich cultural heritage and colorful history. The MTE coincided with Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival and Zamboanga’s exhibitors attracted a huge crowd. Among them were Angie’s Yakan Handloom Weaving that showcased arts and crafts handmade from Yakan cloth on
Basilan province; KGD Infinite Fashion whose fresh water pearl jewelleries are most sought-after. And Alexis Artworks which is well-known for its multimedia framed artworks; Gab Creation Handcraft which showcased dolls made from discarded objects and materials; and RK Trading Enterprises whose Gourmet Tuyo, Spanish Sardines, Sardine Pate, Pickled Cucumber, and Peanut Brittle were all sold out. Zamboanga City also generated some P90 million worth of investment during a separate Investment Priorities Plan Roadshows in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The Board of Investments (BOI) said some
180 participants attended the roadshow spread across several locations in the region covering Zamboanga City and the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay. Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Trade Director Jamir Omar Abubakar lauded the BOI for bringing the roadshows to all the provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula to communicate investment opportunities and information on fiscal and non-fiscal incentive to local businessmen as these small businesses will be linked and become contributors to the attainment of the national development agenda. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
September 2-8, 2019
Across : 1. “In ___ We Trust” 4. Off kilter 9. Make a selection 12. Vane dir. 13. Gambling game 14. Cheer sound 15. Gobbled up 16. Unhappy 18. Upper bodies 20. Poet’s eternity 21. Autumn bloom 23. Metal bars 27. Appetizer 30. Depart 31. Mountain cat 32. Butterfly snare 34. Trucker’s vehicle 35. Single thing 36. Actor kevin ___ 38. Decorator’s advice 39. Declare 40. Obtain 42. Tranquilize 46. Tenor Luciano ___ 50. Needing water 51. Boxing great 52. Foreign 53. Stamping tool 54. Cozy place 55. Prophets 56. Lawn material
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The Zamboanga Post
September 2-8, 2019
RECIPE
Beef Kaldereta sa Gata with Peanut Butter
INGREDIENTS : • 2 lbs. beef chuck cubed • 8 ounces tomato sauce • 2 cups beef broth • 2 cups coconut mlk • 3 tablespoons peanut butter • 1 piece onion chopped • 5 cloves garlic chopped INSTRUCTIONS : 1. Heat oil in a cooking pot. 2. Saute onion, garlic, and tomato. Continue to saute until onion and tomato softens. 3. Add beef. Cook until it turns light brown. 4. Pour tomato sauce and beef broth. Let boil. Cover and cook in low heat until the sauce reduces to half. 5. Pour coconut milk into the pot. Add Thai chili peppers. Cover and
panlasangpinoy.com • • • • • •
2 pieces potato cubed 1 piece red bell pepper sliced 1 piece green bell pepper sliced 3 pieces Thai chili pepper optional 3 tablespoons cooking oil Salt and ground black pepper to taste
continue to boil until the beef gets tender. 6. Add peanut butter. Stir. 7. Add the potato.Cover and cook for 10 minutes. 8. Put the bell peppers into the pot. Cover and cook for 12 minutes. 9. Season with salt and ground black pepper. 10. Transfer to a serving plate and serve with warm white rice. Share and enjoy!
HEALTH
Masakit ang Leeg : Heto Gagawin Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong KARAMIHAN NG PANANAKIT ng leeg ay kayang gamutin kahit nito: 1. Subukan ang mainit o malamig na compress. Nakababawas ito ng pamamaga sa pamamagitan ng pag-apply ng ice pack o ice na binalot sa towel ng mga 20 minutos ng ilang beses sa loob ng 1 araw. Pwede din pagpalitan ang malamig at mainit na compress o twalya, depende kung saan ka mas komportable. 2. Subukan maligo ng maligamgam na tubig o gumamit ng heating pad at i-set ito sa mababa. Ang init ay makatutulong ma-relax ang pananakit ng muscle, pero huwag lang sobra init. 3. Gumawa ng magagaan na stretching. Marahang igalaw ang leeg sa isang side at patagalin ng 15 segundo. I-stretch ang leeg sa iba’t ibang direksyon at tiisin kahit bahagyang masakit.
Makatutulong ito para mapa-kalma ang sakit. 4. Madalas na ipahinga. Ito ay makatutulong lalo na sa mga nagmamaneho ng malayuan o nagtatrabaho ng mahabang oras sa harap ng computer. Panatilihin na ang iyong ulo ay diretso sa iyong gulugod para mabawasan ang pangangalay. 5. Humiga sandali gamit ang mababang unan. Humiga para mabigyan ang leeg ng pahinga sa pagkakasuporta sa iyong ulo. Pero iwasan din
ang mahabang pahinga, dahil ang mahabang oras na hindi ito ginagalaw ay maaari rin naman makapagdulot ng paninigas ng muscle sa leeg. 6. I-adjust ang iyong computer. Siguraduhin na ang mesa, upuan at computer ay naka-align para ang computer monitor ay nakapantay sa iyong mata. Kung uupo, ang tuhod ay kailangan mas mababa kaysa sa hips. Gamitin ang armrest ng upuan. 7. Maging maingat sa paggamit ng telepono. Iwasan ipitin ang telepono o cellphone sa pagitan ng tenga at balikat habang nagsasalita. Kung gagamit ng telepono o cellphone ng matagal, gumamit ng headset o earphone. 8. Sa pagtulog, pumili ng unan na puwedeng suporta sa natural na curve ng leeg. Kung hihiga ng naka-tihaya o naka-side, dapat may suporta ang leeg.
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‘Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar pushes for inclusivity in government’
This Mindanao Mayor Beat the Odds With Resilience, Diversity
Z
AMBOANGA CITY MAYOR Maria Isabelle ‘Beng’ Climaco-Salazar went up against Celso Lobregat in the last mayoral election, a powerful and influential personality who had served as city mayor from 2004 to 2013. “We used to be party career, she had lost only once, mates and I strongly support- in 1984, when she ran for the ed (Celso in the past) but such Batasang Pambansa. She was is politics. Everything will work defeated by Cesar Climaco, according to God’s plan,” said Climaco-Salazar’s uncle, one Climaco-Salazar, Zamboan- of the most visible, and loudly ga’s chief executive since 2013, heard, opponents of the Marwho emerged victorious in the cos dictatorship. recent mayoral elections. Climaco-Salazar said she Climaco-Salazar had had once dreamed of following in served as vice mayor during her uncle’s footsteps but realized Lobregat’s term as mayor, she should follow her own path and in 2013, Lobregat asked instead. “I am my own person Climaco-Salazar to run for and I must find my own identimayor, since he was run- ty.” She worked as news anchor ning for Congress. for a local television station in the Come 2016, it became city in the 1990s. She is married obvious the two were on a col- to Gen Trifonio Salazar (ret.): “My lision course: Lobregat wanted husband is 18 years older than I, to return as city mayor. Clima- and I got married at the age of 42, co-Salazar was decided she he is now 71.” was running for a second term. Zamboanga Siege Lobregat was forced to run for Not many mayors expeanother term in Congress. rience the grave tension of arThe two camps eventu- mored personnel carriers loadally fielded their own slates ed with heavily armed soldiers to fill the various local elec- rolling over their city’s streets tive positions. to quell a rebellion, or have to The recent May elections deal with the fallout of urban in Zamboanga City brought warfare the way Climaco-Salathe two political clans into di- zar had to: Just months into her rect opposition against each first term as mayor, she woke other: Lobregat’s grandfather, up to the opening fusillades of Pablo Lobregat, was former the Zamboanga Siege. Mayor of Zambonga and a On Sept. 9, 2013, a group representive to the first Phil- of ‘rogue’ members of the ippine Assembly. His mother, Moro National Liberation Maria Clara Lobregat, was Front (MNLF) attempted to the city’s first female mayor raise their own standard on the who was also congressman flag pole in front of the Zamboof Zamboanga. Throughout anga City Hall. Maria Clara’s long political That act of rebellion re-
Mayor Beng Climaco with author Amir Mawallil. (Nasser Fernando Hadjula) sulted in clashes between those MNLF members and the military and the city’s police force that lasted for six weeks. It resulted in the displacement of about 100,000 city residents and the destruction of property worth billions of pesos. From Climaco-Salazar’s estimates, Zamboanga City lost P331 million daily under that siege— roughly P7.9 billion over the 23 days it lasted. “With the grace of God, the city was able to bounce back better,” she said of the aftermath of the Zamboanga Siege. Now on her third term, Climaco-Salazar believes her administration has accomplished much during the six years she’d served as city mayor: “In 2018, we had 13,000 businesses that enrolled in our one-stop shop.” She also mentioned the thriving economy: Shopping
Mayor Beng Climaco. (Nasser Fernando Hadjula)
malls sprawl across the city. Upscale restaurants have opened up shop. New capital coming outside investors is flowing into the city. Some say this is unprecedented, considering that, in the past, business expansion in Zamboanga was controlled significantly by Chinese businessmen residing in the area. “There are more business opportunities in the city of Zamboanga now, and we have improved the business climate,” she said. Notorious for its peace and order problems in the past, Climaco-Salazar said the city has recorded zero bombings and zero kidnappings since 2016. This city is home to people of several faiths and ethnicities: The Bisaya live cheek-tojowl with the Chavacanos, and members of the Tausug, Yakan, Sama and indigenous peoples, including the Subanen. All of these peoples’ rich cultures and traditions are woven into the substance and fabric of Zamboanga City. It is a center of trade and is the commercial hub of the three island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. In this regard, Climaco-Salazar said inclusivity is the key to governing her constituents who are culturally and ethnically diverse people. Good, open communication is key. Women in leadership When asked about being a woman in a leadership position, Climaco-Salazar said it is a tougher challenge for women to hold leadership positions. “We are tested beyond what men are tested with,” she said. “It is okay for a man to enjoy spending the night in the karaoke bar, but for a woman to
engage in physical fitness activities, such as in my case—I really engage in Zumba because it is an advocacy I do for breast cancer prevention—I am made fun of because I love to do Zumba as if it was a mortal sin.” Climaco-Salazar’s cancer awareness advocacy is rooted in her mother’s death from the disease. “My mom died at the age of 48 because of cervical cancer so I champion cancer prevention,” she said, adding that she began organizing cancer prevention events when she was still a city councilor She continues her Zumba workouts and advocacy for breast cancer awareness, nevertheless, because she prefers to lead by example: “In this kind of world that I occupy I really have to raise the bar of excellence higher.” Despite the double-standard, Climaco-Salazar said a lot has changed in terms of providing a platform for women in governance: “Since I became mayor, we have seen an increase in female department heads,” she said. According to her, from three female department heads on her first year as mayor, Zamboanga City now has eight females among the 18 department heads in the mayor’s office. Bust a move to bust the stress The 52-year old mayor said she enjoys Zumba “because I have learned the gift of dancing, I try to do it every day of the week if I can. It really removes my stress.” She also has “three beautiful pets at home and they serve so much comfort and joy,” while pointing to the photos of her three dogs situated in a cor-
ner of her office. She also busts stress in the kitchen: “I enjoy washing the dishes. When you wash dishes, it’s a form also of de-stressing.” Digitally savvy and unconventional in her music preferences, Climaco-Salazar’s playlist on Spotify is a K-Pop dream. Her favorite group is BlackPink—especially when she wants to kill time while trapped in the traffic of a quick-growing city. “I like to listen to music but I cannot sing,” she added. “If there are activities, I want the music to be perfect. It really matters to me what you play.” Good, healthful food also plays a key role in her stress-management strategy: “I really have to eat vegetables. I am happy if I eat lots of greens.” The mayor said that she usually wakes up at 5:45 in the morning and sleeps at midnight. “I am just here to warm the seat, to give our people opportunities to be able also one day take on roles of responsibility,” Climaco-Salazar said. She was a teacher before entering politics, and she was referring to her former students, who are now stepping up to leadership posts in the city. is Climaco-Salazar’s third and last term as mayor of Zamboanga City. The next three years of her administration will show her lasting impact on the community— an outcome which we have yet to see.(By Amir Mawallil - Esquire Magazine)