CDRRM: Isabeleños should get vaccinated, shun fake news

by: Nilda Delos Reyes

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, July 31 (PIA) – Isabeleños are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible for their complete protection and in preparation to the threat of COVID19 Delta variant.

During the Basilan Talakayan sa Radyo program of the Philippine Information Agency, Jaime A. Rivera, Assistant CDRRMO in Isabela City reiterated his call to all Isabeleños to get vaccinated especially those who belong to the priority groups.

Rivera also stressed that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and this is the only way for this time to get protected from the deadly virus. He added that as the country observes the National Disaster Resilience Month in July, it is also very important to know that spreading fake news and fake information is a “disaster” and listeners were advised not to believe in everything they hear and read about the negative side effects of the vaccines.

“Mas nagiging disaster pa ngayon ang pagkakalat ng mga maling impormasyon, huwag po tayong basta-basta naniniwala sa mga fake news dahil kayo rin mismo ang kawawa. Kung mahal po ninyo ang pamilya ninyo, gusto ninyong maprotektahan sila, hikayatin po ninyo sila na magpabakuna. Mataas na ang accomplishment rate po natin sa A1, kaming mga frontliners, mga medical workers nabakunahan na kami lahat at kung totoong hindi maganda ang vaccine hindi na kami nagpabakuna pero kami po yong nauna dahil alam naming para sa protekyon natin ito," Rivera said.

As part of the observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month, all Barangay Information Officers in the city attended the recently conducted one-day virtual orientation on basic DRRM course for media and information officers spearheaded by OCD-9, which helped them understand their role especially in risk communication. They were urged to promote COVID-19 vaccination in their communities.

Meanwhile, the LGU Isabela City advised all their employees falling under A4 category to get their COVID-19 vaccine shots. The COVID-19 vaccination for A1, A2 and A3 is still going on in Isabela City. Aside from the City Health Office, CHO vaccination centers were also established in different barangays.

Based on July 26 data of the City Health Office, COVID-19 vaccination here recorded 116 percent for A1 first dose, 94.72 percent completed the second dose, 33.81 percent A2 with first dose and 13.45 percent completed the second dose, for A3 first dose is 118 percent  and 24.05 percent completed the second dose, and for A4 7.76 percent received their first dose. (RVC/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)

Printing biz gets P326-K tech upgrade from DOST-SETUP

 By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, July 23 (PIA) - JForce Printing Services, a local business in the province recently received funding assistance worth P326,328 from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-9 for the procurement of a Tarpaulin Printing Machine.

Granted through the agency’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), the upgrade is aimed at expanding existing operations of the establishment through the introduction of new products.

Mr. Louie James F. Eisma, firm’s manager expressed his gratitude to the government's assistance noting, “this is a big help to our business. We will be able to cater the demand for upgraded printing services in our town".

“There’s really delay and we cannot control quality,” said Eisma. 

Established in 2018, the company had a humble beginning, starting with a single personal computer and one printer. They started printing document only. The enterprise’s service offering gradually expands and is now serving customers not only in Tampilisan but other nearby towns such as Liloy, Salug, and Baliguian.

At present, the firm is one of only two printing shops operating in Tampilisan. The upgrade has since enabled the firm to serve requests not only in the said area, but also in nearby towns like Liloy, Salug, and Baliguian.

DOST-SETUP is one of the agency's core initiatives that supports and sustains the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by addressing production and technological needs. (RVC/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte/with reports from Mark Vincent J. Baliña, PSTC-ZDN)

Solar water system eases residents' woes in Tinuyop, ZN

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, July 21 (PIA) - Potable water will no longer be a struggle for the residents of Barangay Tinuyop, Leon Postigo town.

What had been hours before to fetch is now readily accessible with the installation of a solar-powered water system made possible through the effort of the Provincial Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) under the campaign of the government to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC).

The project dubbed TUKABA “Tubig Kalikasan Para sa Barangay” is constructed through the training-cum-production in Masonry, Plumbing and PV Systems Installation spearheaded by the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).

Along with the formal turnover of the TUKABA project, a graduation ceremony was held for the 84 trainees in the said barangay who received their National Certificates (NC) after completing the said trainings provided by the Provincial Training Center – Sindangan.

The project is equipped with a spring box, 4500 liters tank and 2400 watts photovoltaic system that will provide easy access to potable water distributed to families and the community of Barangay Tinuyop.

Toolkits were also turned-over to Tinuyop for Peace and Development Association for the preservation and maintenance of the facilities in good order and condition.

As part of the sustainable development interventions, the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program will provide grocery items worth 10,000 to the sari-sari stores in the barangay; the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)-9 will conduct a Pre-Registration Seminar to the Tinuyop for Peace and Development Association; the DICT in partnership with DepED (ALS) under Technology Empowerment for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development (Tech4ED) Program will deploy 6 computer packages to Tinuyop Elementary School; the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under TUPAD Program offered availment of emergency employment to the community; the Dipolog School of Fisheries on Tilapia Dispersal and the DOST on the Technology Transfer and Training on the Operation and Maintenance of newly Installed Corn Mill Facility.

The TUKABA Project was launched on October 26, 2020 together with the turnover of the Department of Science and Technology's Grant-In-Aid (GIA) Program fund check amounting to Php 723,200.00 for the upgrading of corn milling facility of Tinuyop Rural Improvement Club (TRIC).

Barangay Tinuyop is one of the target barangays for convergence programs and services of the NTF-ELCAC, the national government’s strategy to flush out the influence of the communist rebels in far-flung and underdeveloped parts of the country. (NBE/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

 Lamitan health care facilities now ready to serve Basileños

By Nilda T. Delos Reyes

 

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, July 21(PIA) – The newly constructed Lamitan City District Hospital is now ready to serve Basileños after its inauguration on July 15.

 

In a simple ceremony, Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph of the Ministry of Health (MOH)-BARMM led the inauguration of the 25-bed capacity Lamitan District Hospital and 120-bed capacity COVID facility in Lamitan City which was funded by the Bangsamoro Government through the Ministry of Public Works and Highways and from the Health Facility Enhancement Project (HFEP) of the Ministry of Health in 2017-2018.

 

Basilan Governor Jim Hataman Salliman accepted the facilities together with Vice Governor Yusop Alano, Lamitan City District Hospital Chief Dr. Jackie Lou Eisma-Castillo, LDH Admin Officer Dr. Romeo Macainag Jr. and other local offi
cials.

 

Governor Salliman was hopeful that the said facilities will be a great help in the province as it continues its efforts in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The MOH-BARMM also reported in their Facebook post that on the same day, two sea ambulances under Transition Development Impact Fund (TDIF) project worth P3 million were also turned-over to the provincial government. These are intended for Ungkaya Pukan Municipality and Provincial Health Office.

 

In addition, MOH-BARMM reported that 300 kits with a total worth of P1,392,000 and P2.6M cash incentives for barangay health workers (BHW) were also handed-over to Mr. Harryberth Hadjala, OIC PHO of Basilan. Communication equipment, laptops, tablets and flash drives were also given for the Health Education and Promotion Officers (HEPO).

 

In his message during the inauguration and turn-over, Dr. Bashary A. Latiph urged Basileños to get vaccinated and stressed that everyone should not to be affected with fake news on COVID-19 vaccines.

 

“Hinihikayat namin ang ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna dahil wala pa tayong ibang lunas sa ngayon kung hindi ang bakuna. Kami po ay umaapila sa ating mga constituents na huwag tayong maniwala sa mga fake news. Ang Ministry of Health at ang BARMM government ay prioridad po na makapagbigay ng sapat na bakuna upang sa lalong madaling panahon at makabalik tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he said. (RVC/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)

PIA Chief: Duterte legacy is a drug-free PH

By: Jayson Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 8 (PIA) – Undersecretary and Director General Ramon L. Cualoping III bannered the Philippine Information Agency’s #ExplainExplainExplain and #InformInformInform strategy that highlights the various programs and achievements of President Rodrigo Duterte in the fight against anti-illegal drugs in the country.

“Duterte legacy means a drug-free Philippines,” USec Cualoping said during the virtual Regional Pre-SONA series in the Zamboanga Peninsula Thursday, July 8.

He explained that through Executive Order No. 15, the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs (ICAD) was created to suppress the long-running drug problem in the country.

The efforts to end the proliferation of illicit drugs in the nation served as “an investment for the future to attain comfortable life for all,” he said.

He added that more than 800 drug personalities have been arrested and around 981 barangays have already been declared drug-free.

"ICAD remains steadfast to clear the remaining 33% of drug affected barangays in the country before the President ends his term next year 2022," Cualoping said.

The administration has launched “Rehabinasyon” to campaign for the whole-of-nation-approach in recuperating the country’s drug problem and bravely share #RealNumbers, #RealSolutions, and #RealStories in the war against drugs.

“Someday and hopefully soon we will be able to live a life free from the scourge of illegal drugs,” he said. (RVC/EDT/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City) 

Trade fair highlights Zambo Norte cocoa products on 'World Chocolate Day'

 By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, July 8 (PIA) - It's your day chocolate lovers!

Locally manufactured chocolates lined up the countertops in booths in front of the Department of Trade and Industry Zamboanga del Norte (DTI)-ZN Office Building, Dipolog City in celebration of the "World Chocolate Day".

 

DTI-ZN spearheaded a mini trade fair during the event to showcase the province's assorted cocoa products.

 

Ms. Armi Lopez-Garcia, national chairperson of the Philippine Cacao Industry Development Council and an Honorary Consul of Russia joined the launching together with Mr. Rogelio E. Balladares, president of the Zamboanga del Norte Cacao Industry Cluster.

 

Lopez was ecstatic to celebrate the event as it falls on the same date as her birthday. She used to celebrate the World Cacao Day in her establishment, Ariana, where they have the Tablea Hall to showcase local chocolate products.

 

In her message, DTI-ZN Provincial Director Maridel Dengal is proud to share how the cacao industry had progressed through the intervention of the government and the active participation of the private sector.

 

She expressed her gratitude to the invaluable support the industry had received over the years from the various stakeholders.

 

The mini trade fair run 8am to 5pm with some free-tasting hot chocolate for visitors and shoppers. (RVC/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte/with reports from DTI-ZN)

President Duterte visits wake of C-130 crash victims in Zambo City

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 6 (PIA) – President Rodrigo Duterte visited the wake of the soldiers who were killed in a C-130 plane crash in Patikul, Sulu Sunday (July 4) in Zamboanga City last night (July 5). 

“This is a very sorrowful event. The life of a soldier is always valuable,” he told troops at the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM). 

The President, who usually delivered hour-long speeches kept his talk short, as he was “at a loss of words” about the incident. 

Nevertheless, President Duterte assured the families of the killed soldiers that they will be taken care of. 

“Their families will be comfortable and the daily living and education of children will be assured,” he said. 

The President awarded the wounded and killed soldiers while at the WESTMINCOM. 

On Sunday, 47 soldiers died in a crash after a C-130 plane overshot the runway in Patikul. 3 civilians who were in the vicinity were also killed. Authorities are still conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. (EDT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City, photo grabbed from RTVM)

Piñan farmers receive over P200K vegetable production package

By Rene V. Carbayas

ZAMBOANGA CITY, 5 July (PIA) – The Teresita Farmers Association in the municipality of Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte received on June 25 a vegetable production package as part of the government’s plant, plant, plant program.

 

The Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program turned over a vegetable production project worth Php 235,800.00 that aims to increase the vegetable production of the farmer association (FA) in the municipality. 

 

It is one of the livelihood interventions that the 44-member association received this year.

Teresita FA President Pablito Cating was grateful to the DA-SAAD Program and the LGU for the project.

 

"This will serve as additional income to our main source of livelihood and will really improve our living,” Cating said.

 

Piñan Sanggunian Board Member Gina Aleta encouraged the farmers to work hard and care for the project to succeed, saying that the government will always support and assist the association in overcoming some challenges in project implementation. 

 

The vegetable production package consists of 20 Plastic crates, 20 seedling trays, and farm inputs such as 20 bags urea, 20 bags complete fertilizers and assorted vegetable seeds like eggplant, okra, cabbage, squash, ampalaya and string beans.

 

Piñan Municipal Agriculturist Merlie C. Regencia said that farmers will be trained in managing the project.

 

"We will not stop at planting but also consider engaging in processing vegetables and vegetable by-products. We strongly support this project and we will be conducting meetings to plan and organize every step that we have to take to make this very successful,” she said.

 

The Vegetable Production Project is a communal garden where members will have a shared responsibility in managing the farm. On the first week of July, the association are set to start with land preparation in their one-hectare farm.

 

The DA-SAAD Program provides assistance to its farmer-partners to show support in the DA's twin goal Masaganang Ani at MataasNaKita and the government's Plant, Plant, Plant Program. (EDT/RVC/PIA9 with reports from Aimee Lou S. Madjus/DA-RFO IX, RAFIS)

Crashed plane not defective, says AFP spokesperson

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 5 (PIA) – The C-130 plane that crashed yesterday in Patikul, Sulu was in “tip-top shape, but not brand new”, said military spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo in a press conference this morning (July 5). 

“There is no truth that the aircraft is defective. And the pilots are all seasoned in experience,” General Arevalo said as he called for public sobriety amidst ongoing investigations. 

“It has more than 11,000 flying hours remaining,” he added. 

“The C-130 is one of the sturdiest, strongest aircraft in our inventory. We have to wait for the result of the investigation to find out what really happened,” he said. 

The C-130 plane, donated by the United States government reportedly overshot the runway and crashed in the municipality of Patikul. 50 people were killed including 47 soldiers who were passengers and 3 civilians “who were on the ground when the accident happened”. Arevalo added there were a total of 96 passengers as per the flight manifesto. 

The remains of the fatalities as well as the wounded persons were airlifted to Zamboanga City this morning. (EDT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City) 

Dangi farmers: Determination is key to successful livestock-raising

By Rene V. Carbayas

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 3 (PIA) – Livestock-raising may sound very easy for some, but for Dangi farmers of Zamboanga del Norte, it takes determination and commitment from all its members to succeed in swine production.

The Dangi Farmers Association in the Municipality of Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte, organized with 28 farmer members with a mutual interest in swine production had officially became a farmer-partner of the Department of Agriculture-Special Areas for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) program in 2018.

 

Godofredo Acaso, former president of Dangi FA recalled that the association immediately expressed interest on the SAAD program and processed all requirement to avail of the swine production module, including ten sows and one boar with housing facility.

 

Acaso said after attending training on swine raising, each member took on responsibilities to help manage and protect the swine raising project. 

 

Everything was going well. But in the Summer heat of April 2020, the association faced their greatest fear—the deep well has gone dry. The deep well was the only water source they had to care for their swine, and piglets were expected to be borne by all nine sows the members have been caring for in the past 10 months.

 

“We had to fetch water from the barangay hall which is 100 meters away from the farm. But despite this effort, we failed the seven sows, and only two sows were able to produce piglets. That was our most distressing experience with the project. We felt hopeless because we have disappointed SAAD and ourselves. We still want to attain our goals so we did not give up,” Godofredo said.

 

The twelve piglets were sold successfully at ₱2,000.00 each, putting up earnings of ₱24,000.00 for the association. With the low income, the animal feeds purchase became insufficient, putting the swine project at risk again. This dilemma has brought back anxiety to the association.

 

Fortunately, Godofredo’s cousin owns a feed store and granted the association a loan for some supplies.

 

Hurdles after hurdles, the president decided to resign from his position due to his dwindling health condition. Immediately, Cesar Nayal was appointed by the members to be the new president of the association. Nayal accepted the responsibility and thought that one must lead the group especially during trying times.

 

“Our journey is tough but we have to do everything to survive because we have to make this worth all our investments.  Our time and effort will not be in vain, and the fact that the project was provided to us without costing us a single penny, we need to give it our all to make this successful,” Nayal said.

 

To date, after two months of setback, the association has Php 52,500.00 cash on hand, while the two remaining sows were able to produce 21 piglets, and all the members of Dangi FA received one piglet each as their share last June 17, 2021. The piglets are intended for fattening, of which plans on pork meat production and processing are set, since the members have also attended a training on meat processing.

 

“Just hearing the piglets’ loud cries make my heart flutter. It seems that it’s all worth the hassle. I can say that we are recovering from the adversities we’ve been through. We have doubled our attention to care for our pigs. Every day, we have three members visiting the farm to monitor their status,” the new president said.

 

Nayal expressed his heartfelt gratitude for this initiative of DA-SAAD. He said he hopes that programs like this should continue to reach the deprived, depressed and underdeveloped communities like Dangi (Polanco).

 

Catherine Aranton, the SAAD Area Coordinator for Polanco, felt proud of how the association managed to survive amidst consecutive difficulties encountered. 

 

“I came to a point where I thought I have to report on their project as a failure. But now, as I look back, I realized that success took them by surprise,” she said.

 

The association faced obstacles with courage and great strength. Becoming successful entails lots of hard work and determination. From all the experiences they acquired, Dangi Farmers Association has gone a really long way. (EDT/RVC/PIA9 with reports from Aimee Lou S. Madjus/DA-RFO IX, RAFIS)

𝐀𝐅𝐏 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐯𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 1 (PIA) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues to address threats of insurgency in the country amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana.

During the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting recently, it is emphasized that AFP never stopped developing the military troop’s forces to strengthen the security of the country against lawless groups.

“COVID-19 was not able to disrupt the mandate and mission of AFP to defeat terrorism. We always ensure developments in fortifying the nation’s security,” Gen. Sobejana said.

“We are also proactive in helping the nation address the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

The AFP reported to have successfully dismantled five guerilla fronts of Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) since 2019, with only two now remaining operational in the Zamboanga Peninsula region.

Gen. Sobejana noted the vital role of local government units (LGUs) and the communities in the over-all campaign for peace and security.

“The public is reminded to always be vigilant on the possible attack of the insurgents and know their deceitful moves to avoid recruitment,” the General concluded. (RVC/EDT/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)