Ford Foundation starts accepting fellows for post graduate studies

Dipolog City (Oct. 15) -- Ford Foundation-International Fellowships Program (IFP) through the Philippie Social Science Council (PSSC) has announced that it is now accepting applications for its postgraduate scholarship program.

Ma. Luisa Lucas-Fernan, Program Director of IFP-Philippines disclosed during an orientation workshop recently in Dipolog City said that scholarship grants for prostgraduate studies are now open. Academically talented and socially committed individuals who have been deprived of higher studies because of poverty, geographic location, ethnic/gender discrimination and or physical disability may apply.

The program imposes no age limit and prefers applicants coming from the 4th to 5th class cities or 4th to 6th class municipalities in the country. This year's quota has been increased from last year's 34 to 41, Director Fernan said.

Pre-application forms can be secured from the PSSC Office in Diliman, Quezon City or in the following IFP-regional offices: Saint Louis University-Baguio City and Ateneo de Naga University in Luzon; University of San Carlos-CebuCity and Silliman University in Dumaguete City for Visayas; Notre Dame of Dadiangas College-General Santos City and Andres Bonifacio College in Dipolog City for Mindanao.

Lorenzo backs BIMP-EAGA friendship games in Zambo

Zamboanga City (Oct. 15) -- Agriculture Secretary Luis "Cito" Lorenzo has expressed his all out support to the city resolution pushing for Zamboanga City to be the venue of next year's friendship games of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Councilor Kim Elago earlier filed a resolution requesting City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat to offer Zamboanga City to be the venue of the regional friendship games.

Lorenzo who was guest of honor of the City's floral float competition said that this event will be an opportunity for our agriculture products to be shown to EAGA member-countries.

"I support the resolution adopted by your city council for the City's bid to host next year's BIMP-EAGA friendship games and through this event, we will be able to showcase our agriculture products to the BIMP-EAGA delegation," Lorenzo said before a 5,000 crowd near the city hall witnessing the Fiesta Pillar celebration.

Elago on the other hand expressed his gratitute to Lorenzo for his concern to the city.

The business community particularly the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce has also supported the proposal, saying that "if the friendship games be held here then we will be able to bring the City to the spotlight in the BIMP-EAGA."

Zambo Pescao Festival trade fair nets P566,468.63

Zamboanga City (Oct. 15) -- The 6-day Zamboanga Pescao Festival Y Las Cosas trade fair was able to raise a total of P566,468.63 net sales; this was disclosed by Mr. Al Lipae of the Department of Trade and Industry-Zamboanga City Office (DTI-ZCO) during the culmination program held last monday at the Brebeauf Gym of the Ateneo de Zamboanga Unviversity (ADZU).

Mr. Lipae also said that 3 out of the 38 exhibitors who participated in the trade fair were adjudged as the Top Sellers. They are: Filtrend Marketing Corporation with P67,680.00 net sales, followed by Almar Shell Industries with P67,580.00 net sales, and Mr. Sausage with P57,092.00 net sales.

The Zamboanga Pescao Festival now on its third year, is being celebrated to highlight and showcase Zamboanga City as the Sardines Capital of the Philippines. The festival is one of the humble contributions of the Chamber of Fish Processors in Zamboanga City (CFProZam) led by its president Mr. Telly Arcillas. (Danny Escabarte/PIA)

P4.3M school buildings, daycare centers turned over in Basilan

Isabela City, Basilan (Oct. 14) -- Four school buildings with twelve rooms and three community centers amounting to P4.3M were turned over recently by the City Government of Isabela, to school authorities and village chiefs.

Isabela Mayor Luis Biel II led local officials in inaugurating the said projects before they were turned over to the communities where poor students and children are the target beneficiaries.

Mrs. Lolita Tropezado, Department of Education (DepEd) island district supervisor, expressed appreciation to Mayor Biel's move of allocating funds for the construction of the said projects. "Finally, our series of meetings with Mayor Biel have produced fruit," Tropezado said.

Among the projects turned over by the Isabela City Goivernment were: a 4-classroom building for Malamawi Elementary School, a 2-classroom building for Busay Elementary School, a 2-storey 4-classroom building for Isabela Central Elementary Pilot School and a 2-classroom building for Maligue Elementary Schhol.

Also turned over were three community centers; one each for barangays Kaumpurnah, Lanote and barangay Lumbang all in Isabela City, Basilan.

San Miguel All-Stars Team graces Zamboanga Hermosa Festival

Zamboanga City (Oct. 9) - A ten-man Al Stars TEam from the San Miguel Corporation's (SMC) Basketball Goodwill Circuit is expected to arrive in the city to grace this year's celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

Ms. Emilie Ann G. Dumalag of SMC Davao City disclosed that the team's coming to the city is part of San Miguel's desire to build strong partnership and generate goodwill among Zamboanguenos and the people of Mindanao in general.

Circuit Project Director Eric Altamirano's San Miguel North Team will be pitted against a local selection headed by City Councilor Roel "Elong" Natividad. The much-awaited exhibition match will be held at the Zamboanga City Coliseum on Octrober 10.

Ms. Dumalag also disclosed that the SMC All Stars North Team led by coach Cris Calilan is composed of Hector Calma, Chito Loyzaga, Noynoy Falcasantos, Zaldy Realubit, Boy Valera, Jolly Escobar, Pido Jarencio, Eugene Quilban, Henry Fernandez and Nandy Garcia.

The All Star Team will meet members of the press on October 10 at 8:00 to 9:30 in the morning at Garden orchid Hotel this city.

Part of their visit includes a ceremonial turn over of San Miguel Foundation's (SMF) Books-to the Barrios project, which is expected to benefit 30 public elementary and high schools. The project, a joint undertaking between the city government of Zamboanga and SMC is part of the company's social contribution in uplifting the quality of education in the country.

A coaching clinic and skills builders hoop camp is scheduled on October 11, after which,the team will tour Mindpro Citymall, and the Shopper's chain of stores among others.

Launched in February this year, the SMC Basketball Goodwill Circuit aims to seek business opportunities for the company and to stregthen existing SMC markets.

Before coming to Zamboanga, the SMC also visited Davao City, Butuan City, Surigao City, Pagadian City, Mati in Davao Oriental, Koronadal City, Ozamis City, Dapitan City, Cantillan in Surigao del Sur, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, Digos City and Dipolog City. (SMC/PIA) (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

BIR Zamboanga exceeds target collection

Zamboanga City (Oct. 8) - The Bureau of Internal Revenue District Office 93 (Zamboanga City) has surpassed its target collection goal of P65 million for the month of September this year.

Atty. Nasser Tanggor head of BIR RDO-93 said his office was able to collect P68,728,491.74 which is four percent increase above the target revenue collection goal of P65,912,000.00. For the month of August, BIR collected P74,952,515.25 from its monthly goal of P71,249,000.00

BIR records reveal that from January to July this year, it was able to collect P510,930,921.90 which is a 0.35 percent increase above the actual target revenue collection of P509,137,000.00.

"We are glad that we have met and even exceed our target revenue collection for January to September, this year. This accomplishment is the result of the support and cooperation of everybody," Atty. Tanggor said.

He gives credit to the efficiency and dedication of his staff for the considerable increase in revenue collection as well as business proprietors in this city for religiously paying their taxes to the government.

Atty. Tanggor appealed to local residents to be consistent in paying their taxes promptly and correctly. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

DOLE holds 'Feria de Empleo' in Zamboanga

Zamboanga City (Oct. 8) - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office 9 and the Public Employment Service Office of the Zamboanga City Local Government Unit are jointly holding a job fair entitled "Feria de Empleo" October 8 to 9 at the Government Complex, City Health Office at Petitt Barracks.

DOLE 9 regional director Chita G. Cilindro said that the Feria de Empleo will give an opportunity to jobseekers to apply for local or overseas employment.

Cilindro also said that three local companies and more than 10 overseas employment agencies were invited to join the Feria. Local job providers are Columbus Seafoods Corporation, Freemont Corporation and the Zamboanga Golden Foods.

For overseas employment, some of the job vacancies are for teachers, nurses and other medical staff, lady drivers, cooks, baby sitters and domestic helpers to various countries.

Cilindro added that a One-Stop Assistance Center will be on hand to assist applicants with their documents. The center will be composed of the National Statistics Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, Office of Muslim Affairs, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Phil. Overseas Employment Administration and the DOLE. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

Dapitan City supports BMBE implementation

Dapitan City, Zambo. Norte (Oct.6) - Members of the city council of Dapitan have recently passed an ordinance supporting the implementation of the Barangay Micro-Business Enterprise law.

The city council has unanimously passed City ordinance No. 2003-139 which prescribes the charges to be collected in the registration and monitoring of baranagy micro-business enterprises.

Edwin Capili, chair of the Dipolog City Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed elation over the passage of said ordinance saying "it is clear indication that Dapitan is supportive of the national government's efforts in spurring the growth and development of small enterprises in the country."

Capili said the small enterprises deseerved a support and help from the government since they comprise nost of the business establishments in the country and they provide the most number of jobs.

SEDIP launched in Zamboanga del Sur

Pagadian City (Oct. 6) -- The local Secondary Education Development and Improvement Project (SEDIP) was formally launched recently at Springland Resort, this city, with slogan, "Sa Kauswagan Sa Atong Probinsya, SEDIP Suportahan Ta!"

SEDIP is a loan assistance package aimed at improving access to quality secondary education in tne country.

The project, financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) will extend assistance to the different provinces directed towards improvement in secondary education program areas and school facilities developement.

With the launching of SEDIP here, DepEd, LGUs, and other education stakeholders have partnered in the improving the quality of childdren and youth education in various communities in Zamboanga del Sur.

The launching was attended by schools divison supt. Manuel Muyargas who signed the MOA, Undersecretary of Education Juan Miguel M. Luz as witness, officials from SEDIP and National Project Management Office (NPMO) Manila, provincial administrator Alberto Galicinao, and 26 mayors from the 1st and 2nd districts of the province. (PIA)

LGUs urged on waste segregation

DAGUPAN CITY (6 Oct.) -- Local government units have been encouraged to consider waste segregation as one strategy to dispose of their mounting garbage.

Environment provincial Officer-in-Charge Juan delos Reyes Jr. said he was considering the successful materials recovery facility (MRF) of Calasiao as a model for other towns and cities in Pangasinan.

In a radio interview over Radyo ng Bayan, Thursday, Delos Reyes noted the absence of proper waste disposal system in most towns in the province with the exception of Calasiao.

Barely two months in office, Delos Reyes, whose last assignment was in Mindanao, also took notice of the open unsanitary garbage bins distributed all over the place in Dagupan City.

In coordination with the provincial government, he said a solid waste management program would be launched on November 13 as a solution to the worsening garbage problem affecting not only the urban areas but even other smaller towns.

Dagupan, for its part, has yet to finally solve its own garbage disposal problem in view of the continued rejection by the people of San Jacinto, in particular the residents of barangay Awai where the planned landfill system would be established. The dumpsite in Tondaligan, meanwhile is still being used although parts of it have already been closed.

Delos Reyes said that with segregation, many supposed wastes can be put to good use and little refuse in fact is left for disposal. He refused to answer a question though on what type of disposal system is best or is being recommended by his office.

The Department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR) is the lead agency in the observance of October this year as Consumer Welfare Month. The theme is "Let's All Join Hands for a Healthy Environment."

Several activities have been lined up including tree planting at the Manleluag Hot Springs in Mangatarem, symposium on consumerism, and putting up of billboards in strategic areas outlining the rights and privileges of consumers.

Department of Trade and Industry Provincial director Jaime Lucas, who joined Delos Reyes in last Thursday's Tongtongen Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency, urged consumers to forward their complaints regarding goods or consumer products to the DTI and other concerned agencies for proper action. (Danny O. Sagun/PIA-Dagupan)

Authorities assure enough water supply in Dagupan

DAGUPAN CITY (6 Oct.) -- Residents here enjoy the lowest rate in their electric and water consumption compared to other cities/municipalities in the entire province. This was revealed in the interview with the managers of two utility companies in the city.

For four years now, the Dagupan City Water District (DCWD) has maintained its minimum charge of P99 per cubic meter, as stated by general manager Ramon C. Reyna. Meanwhile, the basic rate per kilowatt hour of the Dagupan Electric Corporation (DECORP) is only P3.44 (residential) only, Operations Manager Engineer Augusto D. Sarmiento said.

Reyna assured local concessionaires of the potability of their drinking water, in view of the reported contamination in one municipality. He said that all pumping stations are equipped with chlorination devices and water samples are examined by DOH on a monthly basis.

Dagupan City does not have to worry about its diminishing potable water supply as it can tap the huge San Roque reservoir.

The city will not be the only one to benefit but practically all other water districts in Pangasinan. He said the excess waters of the dam is already enough to supply the needs of Pangasinenses. The matter was discussed among the water districts where Reyna is the association head.

Dagupan is eyeing San Fabian and San Jacinto for possible source of potable water in view of dwindling supply from the present water sources. There were also reports of salt intrusions into said sources. But San Jacinto and San Fabian residents opposed the plan of the city to tap their precious water sources fearing that in due time they would be exhausted.

Also, instead of the usual metal, polyethylene (PE), a high grade plastic, which is non-corrosive and can withstand extreme water pressure is now being used for the pipeline, he explained.

Sarmiento shared that DECORP is not also modernization projects and upgrading of facilities. He mentioned that they are about to energize 33 MBA Substation in Calasiao to augment its capacity for the next five to seven years.

Meter readers are now equipped with Zion hand held computer thereby eliminating the possibility of "reading under the mango tree" or guessing the consumption of the consumer, he said.

Sarmiento warned that there is an existing law against pilferage of electricity and it is considered a criminal offense.

Meanwhile, Reyna encouraged the public to report illegal water connections and get 50% of the collected penalty as reward.

Reyna and Sarmiento were guests of PIA's development weekly program "Tongtongen Tayo" aired over DZMQ, Radyo ng Bayan. (Danny O. Sagun and Aleli A. Aggasid/PIA-Dagupan)

Dapitan City supports BMBE implementation

Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte (Oct. 6) -- Members of the city council of Dapitan have recently passed an ordinance supporting the implementation of the Barangay Micro-Business Enterprise law.

The city council has unanimously passed City ordinance No. 2003-139 which prescribes the charges to be collected in the registration and monitoring of baranagy micro-business enterprises.

Edwin Capili, chair of the Dipolog City Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed elation over the passage of said ordinance saying "it is clear indication that Dapitan is supportive of the national government's efforts in spurring the growth and development of small enterprises in the country."

Capili said the small enterprises deseerved a support and help from the government since they comprise nost of the business establishments in the country and they provide the most number of jobs.

Unemployment rate drops to 8.6% in Zamboanga peninsula

Zamboanga City (1 Oct) -- The unemployment rate in the Zamboanga Peninsula dropped to 8.6% in the April rounds of the Labor Force Survey (LFS) of the National Statistics Office.

LFS data indicated a decrease of -2.5% from the double digit umemployment rate of 11..10% in April 2002.

The number of unemployed persons contracted by 24% from 150,000 in April 2002 to 114,000 in the same period this year. This indicates that an estimated 34,000 persons dropped from the unemployed force.

The drop in the unemployment levels was largely noted in the rural areas (-39.4%) both among males (-31.3%) and females (-47.1%).

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) director Henry John S. Jalbuena cited several factors in the interplay of the labor market in the region. He said that normally, the April rounds indicate higher unemployment levels compared to January, July and October survey rounds. This may be due to the entry of new graduates in the labor force. However, this April 2003's big drop in unemployment may also be for myriad of reasons such as external migration, dropping out of the labor force to continue one's studies, or simply getting employed, local or overseas.

Jalbuena reiterated Director Chita Cilindro's call which encourages self-employment or entrepreneurship as an emerging option to joblessness.

He said that DOLE continues to extend technical and livelihood training assistance to those who opt for self-employment or entrepreneurship.

Right now, the self-employed sector in the region is 47.4% of the total employed persons in the region, roughly 569,000, Jalbuena said. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

Mayor Lobregat appeals for retention of regional offices in Zamboanga

Zamboanga City (Sept. 15) -- City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat has called upon regional directors of national offices particularly those who oppose to the transfer of the regional offices from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City, to inform their respective secretaries in Manila relative to the predicament of those who will be affected by the transfer.

The Mayor's appeal came amidst reports that some local officials of Zamboanga del Sur are lobbying in Manila to efffect the transfer of the regional offices to Pagadian City.

"It's not only me and Congressman Celso Lobregat who should fight for this issue", the Mayor said while emphasizing that the poor employees and their families are the ones to suffer. "Besides, Zamboanga City has all the amenities to meet the present needs of the regionall offices compared to Pagadian City", she added. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

US servicemen urged to observe trafffic laws while in Zamboanga

Zamboanga City (Sept. 15) -- Personnel of the US Armed Forces who are here to train Filipino soldiers should follow our laws, according to City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat in reaction to the traffic accident last Saturday, September 13 involving American soldiers.

Lobregat's reaction was in response to information provided by mediamen regarding abusive American soldiers who often violated the city's traffic rules. An electric post of the Zamboanga City Electric Copperative (ZAMCELCO) along San Jose-Buenavista streets was bumped last Sept. 13 by a speeding vehicle allegedly driven by unidentified US soldier(s) causing power interruption in the area.

The US soldiers involved in the incident have not been apprehended as they left the accident area in haste.

In a follow up with the traffic division of the City Police Office in the morning of Sept. 15, two days after, PIA found out that the traffic incident report on the said date (Se[pt. 13) is not yet available, as investigators are still trying to trace those involved in the incident. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)