Isabela City remains under Alert Level 3 until Feb 15

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Jan 31 (PIA) –The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has placed some areas in Basilan under Alert Level 2 beginning Tuesday, February 1, while Isabela City will remain under Alert Level 3 until February 15.

Isabela City was placed under Alert Level 3 since January 16, 2022 as per IATF Resolution No. 157-A due to the sudden increase of COVID-19 infection after the year-end holidays.

Under Alert Levels 2 and 3, intrazonal and interzonal travel will be allowed subject to reasonable restrictions as may be determined by local government units. However, under Alert Level 3, the following establishments are prohinited to operate:

1. face-to-face classes for basic education, except those previously approved by the IATF and/or the Office of the President
2. contact sports, except those conducted under a bubble-type setup
3. funfairs and kid amusement industries
4. venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences
5. casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments except as may be authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President
6. gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household
7. Businesses and activities in areas under Alert Level 3 are allowed up to 30% indoor capacity for fully vaccinated persons and 50% outdoor venues.

Regardless of the alert level status both the Isabela City and the entire province of Basilan continuously strengthen its COVID-19 Bayanihan Bakunahan campaign to help all individuals here get protected from COVID-19 and attain herd immunity.

The Basilan COVID-9 IATF data as of January 30, 2022 showed that Basilan Province has a total of 241 active cases, of which 147 are in Isabela City. (RVC/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)

SM Foundation invites scholars for SY 2022-23

By Dominic Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, January 31 (PIA) – The SM Foundation is inviting students to apply to its college scholarship program for school year 2022-2023 online via www.sm-foundation.org.

In a press statement, the SM Foundation explained that the application period is from January 15 to March 15, 2022. The scholarship is open to “Grade 12 graduates from public and private schools”. Moreover, “applicants from private schools must have a DepEd voucher and must be Grade 10 finishers from public high schools”.

The statement added that applicants must have a “General Weighted Average grade of at least 92% or its equivalent for Grade 12 – 1st semester; and a total household income of at most P150,000 per year”.

Field of studies include “Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer and Electronics), Education (Elementary and Secondary); Accountancy, and Financial Management, among others”.

The SM Foundation scholarship program started in 1993 and produced over 8,000 graduates. (NBE/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City, file photo courtesy of SM City Mindpro)

11 thousand Sibugay rice farmers get P5K subsidy from DA

BY: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Jan 26 (PIA) - A total of 11,351 rice farmers in Sibugay Province will receive their Php 5,000 cash subsidy from the Department of Agriculture (DA) thru its Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program. 

DA 9 has started releasing the cash subsidy to rice farmers in Diplahan municipality here on Jan. 26 to 27, 2022 with 1,329 farmer-beneficiaries, where each receiving P5,000.00 or a total of PhP 6,738,030.00.

Photo: DA 9

Evelyn P. Academia, Regional Rice Program Focal Person, DA9, said the office have also calendared the release of the cash assistance to other farmer-beneficiaries from other municipalities in Sibugay.

“The implementation of this program will provide a direct, secure, and unconditional cash assistance amounting to five thousand pesos (PhP 5,000.00) to each eligible rice farmer beneficiary through the Western Union,” she said. An additional P70.00 will also be given for the beneficiaries’ ID. 

Photo: DA 9

Academia said, qualified beneficiaries are those rice farmers who are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA) through the Farmer and Fisherfolk Registration System (FFRS) and those smallholder rice farmers or those tilling farms with an area of two hectares and below.

Academia noted that the RCEF-RFFA covers all rice producing provinces in Region 9 with a total of 68,179 farmer-beneficiaries on this program region-wide.

She said this is actually the second release of the Ph5-K subsidy for the local rice farmers; the first was in Nov. 19, 2021 in Zamboanga City.

Photo: DA9

It can be recalled, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the RCEF-RFFA is intended to assist rice farmers who are most badly affected by the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law. It was was launched by the government to provide compensation for the projected income loss of rice farmers due to the drop in palay prices. 

The national government has allotted around PHP7.6 billion from the excess rice tariffs in 2019 and 2020 to assist some 1.5 million farmers in the country. (RVC/JPA/Zamboanga Sibugay)

DOH: Surge of cases in ZamPen is alarming

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 26 (PIA) – Zamboanga Peninsula now records a total of 4,003 active COVID-19 cases as of January 24, 2022.

Department of Health 9 (DOH 9) Assistant Regional Director Dr. Lenny Joy Johnson-Rivera said during the Kapihan na Zamboanga COVID-19 Update, Tuesday (Jan. 25) that the surging cases in Zamboanga Peninsula is alarming. However, this is not to cause panic to the people but to remind them to strictly follow the minimum public health standards.

“We do not need to panic but we need to strictly implement the minimum public standards,” Dr. Johnson-Rivera added.

She also emphasized the public should avoid 3c’s or the conjested, crowded and closed places.

DOH reported that there is an average of 400 cases recorded per day since January 21 to 23, 2022. However, there are no Omicron variant detected in these cases.

Dr. Johnson-Rivera reminded the public to immediately isolate if one is experiencing flu-like symptoms and to get tested. As per the advise of DOH, Rapid Antigen Test is recommended for symptomatic individuals and only in the absence of RT-PCR testing in the area but the individual must take the RT-PCR test for the confirmation of their case.

Home quarantine will still be allowed but still depends on the assessment of the local health office and the classification of the patients symptoms whether experiencing mild to moderate and severe symptoms.

DOH 9 continues to emphasized that the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is being vaccinated. Zamboanga Peninsula is conducting the Regional Vaccination Days or the ‘Zambayanihan Bakunahan’ from January 26 to 28 to ramp-up vaccination activities especially in areas from Alert Level 3 and above.

“This is one of the best initiative of the region. We are taking precautionary measures during the Zambayanihan Bakunahan,” Dr. Johnson-Rivera said.

DOH 9 appeals to the public once again to get vaccinated or get the booster shot to get additional protection especially to vulnerable sectors, “keep well informed and get the correct information about the latest update on COVID-19 response,” Dr. Johnson-Rivera added. (RVC/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Dumalinao boasts of 'Healing Paradise' COVID19 facility

 By : Jocelyn P. Alvarez

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Jan 24 (PIA) -- LGU Dumalinao takes pride of its unique and first Ligtas COVID Center in Zamboanga Del Sur Province called the “Healing Paradise.”

Town mayor Junaflor Sweet Cerilles during the Network Briefing News of the PCOO said the concept Healing Paradise was created to erase the stigma of isolation.

“Other than the physical effects of COVID, is the mental health. It is very important how we mind set, paano natin binibigyang support, kasi when we speak of isolation, generally nakakatakot ang impression, and at this time parang hindi s’ya dapat na you will be isolated, that is why we conceptualize healing paradise,” Mayor Cerilles explained.

Healing Paradise is the Cerilles’ existing private property that they offered to be used as the province’s first Ligtas COVID Center and isolation facility for their “clients” to have a beautiful, scenic space while in isolation.

While in the Healing Paradise, clients get medical and at the same time mental health attention and services.

“We partnered with psychological clinic that can give psychosocial support, we have different activities like dancing in the morning or gardening, para may ginagawa din sila,” the lady mayor explained.

But before entering the healing facility, clients are checked or assessed of their mental health status, “yung depression, anxiety, stress level nila, and if may problem, we give them online consultation thru partner psychologist namin,” Mayor Cerilles said.

The mayor said they also look into the spiritual well-being of their clients while in isolation,  “we partnered with spiritual / religious organizations like mga pastor , pari for their spiritual guidance . We give them online pray-over while sa mga catholic there is Sunday mass.

When active COVID cases in the area slowed down or become zero for a while sometime during the last quarter in 2021 , the healing paradise was left idle, but with the new surge of cases and the threat of Omicron variant “we are making one “Healing Paradise” but this time, it will be owned by LGU and funded by KALAHI. It’s a Php4M project, but it will be run the same as the this private, existing healing paradise that we have now,” the mayor informed.  (JPA/Zamboanga Sibugay)

 

Teen center to rise in Dumalinao, ZamboSur

 By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 24 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Dumalinao Town, Zamboanga Del Sur aimed to establish a community-based teen center that would provide youth care and services amidst the ongoing health crisis.

The facility is part of the SK's plan to help those bullied and abused children that need more of attention.

"It is really good to have this facility in our municipality. Easy access po siya para sa mga kabataan na kung saan pwede pong idulog ang kanilang mga issues and concerns para mabigyan ng mga nararapat na intervention services,” SK Fed President Jeziel Dagupan said during the Laging Handa Network Briefing news held online today, January 24.

The facility will be very interesting for the youth because this will also give the children a knowledge to know their rights to exercise and also where peer educators of the teen center will undergo multiple welfare trainings.

“We will support and give our best to accommodate them (children) with safe place and environment,” SK President Dagupan added.

Moreover, the SK Federation of Dumalinao town affirmed their support to the near start of vaccination among children aged five to eleven years old.

“We ensure our support to the vaccination roll-out of the government. We will assist and continue to encourage the parents to let their children be vaccinated,” Dagupan said.

The SK council is now doing their best efforts by using available platforms online in reminding their constituents to consistently follow the COVID-19 public health protocols and in every vaccination site, the SK does the crowd control to evade physical contacts.

“Sa lahat ng kabataan, magpabakuna habang libre pa, tumulong sa paghahatid ng tamang impormasyon sa public at wag maging fake news spreader,” Dagupan concluded. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Dumalinao allots BP2 funds for modular isolation facilities, FMRs

 By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

 

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, Jan. 24 (PIA) - Dumalinao town is also considering ease in delivering government services to far-flung communities as part of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program.

 

Aside from improving isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients, the local government unit of Dumalinao sees the importance of having farm-to-market roads in remote barangays for accessibility and easy transportation of goods and services.

Mayor Junaflor Cerilles said they are very grateful to have been identified as recipient of the BP2 program to assist in their COVID-19 response activities, which was a great help especially in establishing their own modular isolation facility. 

 

"Wala kaming COVID-19 facility dito and pinahiram ko lang 'yong farm ko for the 'Healing Paradise', which is why bulk of the amount given to us from the BP2 program has really been allocated for modular isolation," she said.

 

Dumalinao is among the six towns in Zamboanga del Sur province that was identified to receive assistance of around P7.5 million from the BP2.

 

"Part of the amount, we have two farm-to-market roads na pinaayos ko para masama na din siya sa budget, para 'yong mga kababayan natin hindi rin sila mahirapan," she added.

 

Mayor Cerilles issued her statement during her live guesting in the Laging Handa Network Briefing with PCOO Assistant Secretary Jusan Vincent “JV” Arcena, chief of the Office of the Global Media Affairs. (RVC/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

DOH-9 sets 300K COVID-19 vax target from January 26-28

 ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 21 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) here targets to administer 300,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in three days, from January 26-28 for all provinces and cities in Region 9.

DOH regional director Dr. Joshua Brillantes said they hope to be able to replicate the success of the national vaccination days held recently in which thousands of people were vaccinated within a matter of days.

“Vaccination is very important especially because of the Omicron variant,” he said as he sought the support of the private sector and different organizations for the three-day activity dubbed “Zambayanihan Bakunahan”.

The Bakunahan will cater to first, second and booster doses, and for those who missed their second doses.

“We also encourage senior citizens who are still not vaccinated to get vaccinated soonest,” Dr. Brillantes said, emphasizing the risks if they choose to remain unvaccinated. Recently, the DOH announced two unvaccinated senior citizens in Luzon died due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

In a statement, the DOH stressed that even though “Omicron mostly presents with asymptomatic and mild disease, our data shows that those most at risk for fatalities are still the elderly and those with comorbidities and unvaccinated”.

Residents are advised to follow official social media pages of their local government units for the vaccination venues. (RVC/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Zambo City strengthens ‘Batas Kasambahay’

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 21 (PIA) – After the enactment of RA 10361 or Batas Kasambahay, the City Government of Zamboanga also passed a local City Ordinance 586 to further strengthen the law in the protection of kasambahays in the city.

Through the ordinance, a kasambahay adjudication board was also created where all concerns and complaints of kasambahays will be prioritized. The City Government puts premium to the welfare and assistance to kasambahays including livelihood program and emergency employment. 

Department of Labor and Employment 9 (DOLE 9) Chief Labor and Employment Officer Engr. Wesley Tan elaborates some important provisions of the Batas Kasambahay, where one is the implementation of minimum wage for kasambahays. 

For Region 9, in highly urbanized city or first class municipalities it requires a Php3,500 minimum wage and for second class municipalities below is Php3,000. Kasambahays are also entitled for 13th month pay.

Kasambahays are entitled for a rest day and a daily 8 hours per day rest period and most importantly employers are mandated to provide SSS, Philhealth and Pag-Ibig registration. 

“Through this law, we upgrade the dignity of our kasambahays,” Engr. Tan added.

It is important that the kasambahays have contract with their employers and also registered in their barangays. 

DOLE 9 emphasizes that the Local Government Units must have database for all kasambahays which will help in providing assistance and services for them.

In line with this law, the city also observes Kasambahay Day every 18th of January of every year. Amidst the pandemic, DOLE 9 together with other partner agencies conducted activities for the kasambahay day, to include entertainment and learning sessions for the kasambahays last Sunday (January 16, 2022).

“We are advocating this law, to let the kasambahays and employers about their rights, we should always protect their rights and value the efforts of our kasambahays,” Engr. Tan said. (RVC/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Zambo Norte ranks 31st on 2021 Ranking of Provinces

 By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

 

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, Jan. 20 (PIA) - The province has made a significant leap on the ranks of provinces for the year 2021.

 

From ranked 48th of year 2020, Zamboanga del Norte province made it to rank 31 in the 2021 Rankings of Provinces based on population and income weighted average of overall scores of its cities and municipalities.

 

The data, taken from the Cities And Municipalities Competitiveness Index 2021 Rankings, is showing that the province had continuously rise up in ranks since 2018 from its ranking of 67th place and moving to 58th place on 2019.

 

Governor Roberto Uy attributed the milestone to the public's trust to his office and other stakeholders' support.

 

In a Facebook post, the Governor said, "dako akong pasalamat sa inyong kahago ug pagtuo sa akong pagserbisyo kaninyo. Kini niresulta ug maayong epekto kanato ug sa atong malambuon nga probinsya. Kita nahimutang sa ika 31 sa mga malabuong probinsya sa tuig 2021".

 

Zamboanga del Norte has garnered the score of 33.7801 for its 31st rank.

 

Meanwhile, Zamboanga del Sur ranks 33rd, while Zamboanga Sibugay places 71st in the 2021 Rankings of Provinces.

 

Official tally of the Rankings of Provinces, including that of Cities and Municipalities, can be viewed at https://cmci.dti.gov.ph (RVC/EDT/PIA9-Zamboange del Norte)

Meat retailers, consumers urged to follow storage restrictions

 By Rene V. Carbayas

 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 21 (PIA) – The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) issued guidance to producers, retailers, and consumers to follow storage restriction in order to keep meat products fresh and safe.

 

In a Technical Bulletin and posters released recently that tackle concerns on the quality and safety of frozen meat, BAFS provide some recommended practices in order to maintain the safety and quality of frozen meat.

 

Katrina L. Maminta, DA-BAFS Technical Services Division said that during the pandemic, the travel restrictions and threat of COVID have led consumers to buy frozen products and store them for later consumption.

 

“Most people are scared of going out. Where do they get their food items? They either order food online or shop for a larger amount of food. And a possible scenario is that home refrigerators will be stocked with chilled and frozen meats and other food items,” she said.

 

With the poor storage practices of meat and fresh products, it may result to some risks and may compromise the health of a consumer. 

 

“Since meat stored at frozen temperature is safe almost indefinitely, mishandling during storage and thawing may still cause adverse health effects in humans,” she said.

 

Thus, the technical bulletin was released to assist producers, retailers, and consumers in the proper handling of frozen meat and in making informed decisions to ensure meats will remain safe and of good quality.

 

To maintain the safety and quality of frozen meats, the BAFS Technical Bulletin on Frozen Meat Safety and Quality recommends practices for cold storage facilities, retail outlets, and at home.

 

Consumers are advised on the following when buying meat:

1. Purchase meat from licensed meat suppliers

2. When buying meat, chilled meat should be cold to touch, while frozen meat must be rock solid

3. Keep meat in a cooler or insulated container to keep its freshness and avoid spoilage

4. Avoid lengthy travel time to maintain freshness of meet

 

Moreover, the meat should not have unusual odor and color; and it is firm to touch when thawed.

 

Details of the guidelines may be accessed through the link bit.ly/TBFrozenMeat and the posters through bit.ly/PostersFM.

 

“You Buy quality meats, store them safely and cook properly,” Maminta advised. (EDT/RVC/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

TAB: File trike complaints in City Hall, not social media

 By Dominic Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 19 (PIA) – Residents who have unfavorable experiences with tricycle drivers including those who experienced over-charging of fares are encouraged to file formal complaints in City Hall instead of simply posting them on social media.

“We must respect the due process of the law, and not just post our complaints on social media. Residents must file formal complaints so our office can act on them accordingly,” said Arturo Cabidog, Jr., member of City Hall’s Tricycle Adjudication Board (TAB).

When filing, the complainants must note down the tricycle’s plate number and state the nature of the complaint. The TAB will summon the driver concerned for a meeting with the complainant. The proceedings of the meeting will help TAB decide on the appropriate sanction for the driver and the franchise owner, which may include fines to revocation of the franchise as prescribed by local ordinances.

As per City Ordinance 458 series of 2017, grounds for sanctions include refusal to convey passenger or freight to the destination and overcharging.

Meanwhile, Cabidog said only eleven tricycle-related complaints were filed with TAB in 2021.

Jayson Atilano (not his real name), a regular tricycle passenger shared his experience after filing his first complaint with TAB.

“I was at first hesitant to file a complaint because I was very busy. But the driver threatened me because I would not pay the overcharged fare he was demanding, and I thought this is serious. He even said ‘I know where you live’. So I decided to go to City Hall. The next day, I was called to meet the driver where he apologized. But still he was fined as he was found guilty of overcharging,” Atilano said.

“If you just post your rant in social media, sure people will sympathize with you, but I doubt a more appropriate action will be taken. Maybe it will just create more animosity and even the honest drivers are affected. Let’s do our part in helping the government address this age-old problem of overcharging tricycles.”

City Ordinance 416 series of 2013 maintains that the fare is Php20.00 for one or two passengers for the first kilometer, plus Php5.00 for the third passenger and an additional Php5.00 for every succeeding kilometers regardless of the number of passengers. (RVC/EDT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Isabela City to relaunch V2F COVID-19 vaccination campaign

By: Nilda T. Delos Reyes

 

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Jan 18 (PIA) – The local government of Isabela City de Basilan will relaunch its Vaxx to the Future (V2F) vaccination campaign on January 21 to beefs up its vaccination drive against COVID-19.

 

Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman convened on Monday (Jan.17) the Isabela City Bakuna Team and discussed possible measures to maximize its efforts and increase vaccination rate here to attain herd immunity. 

 

The relaunching of its V2F campaign, the passage of an ordinance that limits the movements of unvaccinated individuals, the establishment of vaccination sites at checkpoints, and maximizing the involvement of barangay officials to increase vaccination rate in their respective barangays are some of the identified strategies to support the vaccination campaign.

 

Last year, the City launched its Vaxx to the Future Campaign which was joined by the different stakeholders including schools and hospitals. This was found effective and had increased the vaccination rate in the city. However, they were not able to meet and vaccinate the target 70% of eligible population.

 

Mayor Hataman is hopeful that through continuous collaboration among the stakeholders and with the support of all barangay officials, Isabela City will soon attain herd immunity. 

 

The Sangguniang Barangay together with the Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Information Officers will work together to do profiling and listing of those unvaccinated individuals in their community. Pre-registration will also be conducted to determine what barangays will be prioritized for vaccination schedule.

 

Initially, the vaccination team identified ten priority barangays, namely, Lumbang, Maligue, Kaumpurnah Zone III, Tampalan, Cabunbata, Lanote, Kaumpurnah Zone II, Lampinigan, Kaumpurnah Zone I and Port Area.

 

As of January 18 COVID-19 vaccination data in Isabela City, there are 58,756 (64.39%) received their 1^st dose; 49,784 (54.55%) are fully vaccinated and 3,178 individuals received their booster shots. (RVC/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)

 

 

 

Research shows massive protection with COVID19 booster shot

by: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Jan. 18 (PIA ) - Getting a booster shot against COVID19 increases the rise of anti-body level and can improve protection against COVID19 infection.

This is according to Dr. Mario Antonio Jiz II, Head, Immunology Department, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine during a Kapihan session that the Department of Health (DOH) hosted with the media.

Dr. Jiz shared a study in Brazil with 1,200 participants, wherein the anti-bodies levels of these participants were quite low at day one but then at day 28, which is exactly a month after the booster dose, a lot of these anti-bodies have increased, particularly those that received the Astra Zeneca vaccine, Pfizer, and Janssen.

“After the booster dose, there is a significant increase in anti-body titer. And anti-body titers are important because they co-relate well in terms of protection,” Dr. Jiz explained. 

In layman’s term, if you have very high level of anti-body titer, that will protect you from getting the virus itself.

Jiz said that regardless whether you are a young adult or senior citizen, the increase in the anti-body levels is very significant if you provide a booster dose of either the Astra Zeneca or the Pfizer or even the Janssen.

The vaccine expert supported his statement with studies conducted globally, saying, during day one of administration of the third dose or booster shots, the anti-body was noted at 37,000, but at day 28, which is a month after the booster dose, it increased from 3,700 to 335,212, or 89% full increase in the anti-body levels. 

“Ganon po kalakas ang ating booster shots. So there is almost a 90-fold increase in the anti-body levels when administered with AstraZeneca vaccine,” he said.

He again sited another example, derived from International study/research, that from a 4000 antibody level baseline, it increased to 674,000; so there is a 152-fold increase in the antibody levels with Pfizer booster shots.

“So, this is very good news particularly in the context of Omicron as we need to have very high antibody levels in order for us to suppress Omicron. So if you have the chance to get a booster, regardless kung astra Zeneca yan or Pfizer, those are really good options to enhance anti-body immunity," Dr. Jiz  appealed. (RVC/JPA/Zamboanga Sibugay)

50 families in Lamitan City receive new house from NHA

 By: Nilda T. Delos Reyes

 

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Jan 18 (PIA) – A total of fifty (50) families in Lamitan City received their new house on January 14 during the turn-over of houses on stilts by the National Housing Authority.

 

These 50 houses on stilts are part of the P20M IP Housing project of the National Housing Authority (NHA) given to Sama Bajau and Sama Bangi-ngi of Barangay Kulaybato in Lamitan City, in partnership with the local government of Lamitan to build 100 houses for indigenous people.

 

The said project was started in 2018 with funds from the NHA. The implementation is under the local government unit. The IP Leaders identified target beneficiaries and were validated by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP).

 

Engr. George Jucutan, Provincial Director of NCIP Basilan said that the project is specifically intended for the indigenous people as part of the programs in promoting their welfare and development. He also expressed gratitude to the National Housing Authority for their support to indigenous people in Basilan.

 

“Kami po sa NCIP ay natutuwa at taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa pagkakaloob ng pabahay sa pamamagitan ng NHA at suporta ng Lamitan City LGU para magkaroon ng disenteng tirahan ang mga kapatid natin na mga IPs at kami ay patuloy na mag advocate para sa IP Housing sa probinsya ng Basilan,” he said. 

 

Meanwhile,  Engr. John Louie G. Rebollos NHA representative announced that another housing units will also be given to the indigenous people of Barangay Tandung Ahas and Barangay Bato in Lamitan City and to some other areas in the province. (RVC/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)

 

 

 

LGUs to beef-up vaccination drive - DOH 9

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH)-9 is hopeful to inoculate the remaining unvaccinated individuals as the COVID-19 cases in Zamboanga Peninsula region is rising once again.

Thus, the health department is urging the local government units here to intensify the COVID-19 vaccination drive in their respective localities.

“There are still around 1.4-M unvaccinated individuals in the region and with the help of the LGUs, we hope that they will be inoculated,” DOH-9 Regional Director Joshua G. Brillantes said in the recent Kapihan na Zamboanga COVID-19 Update.

The director has also lamented that in spite of the strengthened COVID-19 information drive of the government, there are still residents who are apprehended to take the COVID-19 vaccines.

More so, Dr. Brillantes also reiterated to all fully vaccinated individuals to not be ‘too complacent’ especially in going out to public places with least protections against the existing and more communicable COVID-19 Omicron variant.

“Even if we are fully vaccinated, let’s continue to abide by the public health protocols and be compliant to the existing COVID-19 ordinances,” Dr. Brillantes said.

The DOH-9 committed to intensify telemedicine and teleconsultation services to avoid close contacts to other people and advised hospitals to do accordion type of accommodation to easily expand COVID-19 bed capacity as well as to stock more supplies of medicines, PPEs, and oxygen that will be used for the current pandemic.

As of this writing, there have been no recorded cases of the COVID-19 Omicron in the entire region and travel requirements are now rigorous as COVID-19 precautions. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Human rights approach vs Sama Bajau mendicancy sought

 By Dominic Sanchez

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is appealing to government and stakeholders to address Sama-Bajau mendicancy with due consideration to their human rights as enshrined by the law.

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 14 (PIA) – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is appealing to government and stakeholders to address Sama-Bajau mendicancy with due consideration to their human rights as enshrined by the law.

In its Human Rights Advisory on the Government Policies Concerning Indigenous Persons issued last month, mendicancy by members of the Sama-Bajau community in the busy streets “presents a web of issues among various stakeholders and compounding this is the complexity that the pandemic brings into the policy equation”.

“The immediate concern is to ensure the safety of the members of the Sama-Bajau group,” said CHR-9 regional director Atty. Judelyn Macapili in the advisory.

The CHR moreover calls on the duty-bearers especially local government units to heed the needs of the Sama-Bajau children who are being exploited in the streets for mendicancy.

“We encourage local governments and other concerned agencies to extensively mobilize their resources to provide protection to these individuals considering the hazards they regularly encounter in an environment they are not familiar with,” the advisory explains, referring to the traveling of the Sama Bajaus to other cities for mendicancy.

The CHR recommends that in order to address the mendicancy issue, local governments and concerned agencies must engage and consult with the community members themselves, and that all interventions must adhere to “human rights-based approach” in order to have a more viable long-term solution to this problem. (RVC/EDT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City, file photo from PIA Western Mindanao Facebook page)

DOLE turns-over cheque for TUPAD Program in Isabela City

 By: Nilda T. Delos Reyes

 

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Jan 12 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-9, in partnership with local government of Isabela City de Basilan turned-over to Barangay Sunrise in Isabela City on Tuesday (Jan. 11), cheque amounting to P437,850 intended for the implementation of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

 

In an interview Ms. Marlyn Anoos, senior labor and employment officer and designated information officer of DOLE-Isabela City said the assistance is part of the initiative of Senator Joel Villanueva in implementing the TUPAD program as intervention to assist distressed workers in coping with the economic and social disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Ms. Anoos said only Barangay Sunrise accepted the challenge in Isabela City as BLGU partner to implement the TUPAD.

 

The TUPAD program will run for 10 days with 135 worker-beneficiaries, who will receive salary of P316 per day.

 

Beneficiaries are also entitled for 1 year accident insurance, the Group Personal Accident Insurance of GSIS.

 

Meanwhile, Isabela City PESO have also received cash incentive for bagging 3rd Place Choice of the Press Award under Component City Category during the DOLE Bayanihan Service Awards held on July 8 last year. 

 

Atty. Roy Buenafe, regional director of DOLE-9 in his message, emphasized Isabela City de Basilan is the only local government unit in the region which completed and established the Barangay Employment Service Office in all of the 45 barangays. 

 

Mayor Sitti-Djalia Turabin-Hataman expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the continued partnership and collaboration of different agencies and stakeholders, which helped Isabela City in coping-up and for healing and recovery initiatives from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

She also acknowledged the effort of the Office of Senator Joel Villanueva and Congressman Mujiv Hataman who facilitated the process for the TUPAD Program in Isabela City. (RVC/EDT/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)