Children more exposed to COVID-19 as level status eases

Parents are now advised to be more cautious of bringing their children to malls, parks or in any outdoor places.

The level status and restrictions in Zamboanga City are slowly easing down, children are also allowed to go to public places and some already started the limited face-to-face classes. 

However, the Department of Health (DOH) continuously reminds the public and especially the parents that while bringing their children outside, one must still follow strictly the minimum health standards, i.e. the wearing of face mask, regular handwashing or sanitizing and practice of physical distancing. 

As of March 28, 2022, Zamboanga Peninsula recorded a total of 123 active COVID-19 cases, “indeed the numbers are far less compared to the previous months, but we do not look the numbers instead those who are in need of hospitalization,” Dr. Jemuel Cristobal, Medical Officer of DOH 9 emphasized.

The healthcare utilization rate in ZamPen is decreasing based from the data provided by DOH 9 and 97% of the cases now are experiencing only mild to moderate symptoms. The healthcare utilization rate is also decreasing and very low for the region.

What is alarming based from the data reported are the cases recorded coming from the pediatric sector or the children. Out of the 123 active cases recorded, 14 of those are below ten years old and 2 cases are below one year old.

“We highly encourage the parents to get their children vaccinated, as this is an added protection for the children,” Dr. Cristobal said.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga City stays at level 1 alert status, the other provinces in ZamPen are still at level 2 status. DOH 9 clarifies that in order to be approved in level 1 alert status there are criteria to be checked in every cities and provinces, i.e. they need to have minimum to low risk classification, total bed utilization with less 50% and percentage of vaccination. (RVC/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Investors’ confidence up as gains of ELCAC in ZamPen

 By: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

 

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Mar. 31 (PIA) – The country’s armed forces believes that investors’ confidence accelerated in Zamboanga Peninsula due to the gains of EO70 implementation.

 

During the Usapang Kapayapan-PIA Kapihan special episode, Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera, commanding officer of the 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion, Philippine Army said that investors’ confidence rocketed as shown in the increased number of businesses wanting to get in or establish one in Zamboanga Del Sur, a result of the sincere implementation of the program to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) or EO 70.

 

“Nagkaroon po sila ng sense of security kaya tumaas po ang pagpasok ng mga investors. Kung tatanungin mo ang mga investors and businessman, ay wala na silang mga natatanggap na mga extortion coming from the CPP-NPA,” he said. 

 

He, however, noted that the gains did not happen overnight, but took three years of strong and serious implementation of the ELCAC Program to attain sustainable peace and development in the region.

 

During this three-year implementation of ELCAC, the Philippine Army played major role in dismantling a total of seven CPP-NPA groups in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula and left only two weakened guerrilla fronts.

 

He said, the impact of the dismantling resulted to the declaration of Zamboanga Sibugay as insurgency-free and ready for development in 2020, while Zamboanga del Sur was declared insurgency-free and ready for development in 2021.

 

“Zamboanga del Norte in the next few weeks, ay i-rerecomend namin for the declaration for the dismantle of guerrilla fronts,” Lt.Col. Herrrera announced.

 

“Pag nangyari po 'yan, ay magiging isang guerilla front na lang ang nag o-operate sa buong Western Mindanao, at posibleng ma declare ang buong Zamboanga Peninsula as insurgence-free,” he added.

 

LtCol Herrera is confident that the entire Zamboanga Peninsula Region will be declared insurgency-free and is hoping that the declaration will come in the coming months.

 

“We are very grateful for the convergence na ginawa natin, starting sa Regional Task Force (RTF-9) down to the Provincial Task Forces (PTF) -ELCAC ng Zamboanga Peninsula,” he said, noting that the joint efforts, the whole of nation approach has led to the gains of ELCAC that is now being enjoyed by the people of the region. (RVC/EDT/JPA/Zamboanga Sibugay)

Zambo Norte records 61.8% fully vax individuals as of March 29

 By: Nisyl Joy M. Balancar

DIPOLOG CITY, Mar 31(PIA) – The Zamboanga del Norte Task Force COVID-19 recorded a total of 524,148 or 61.8% fully vaccinated individuals in the province as of March 29, 2022. 

Around 579,842 or 68.4% individuals have taken their first dose while there are 58,225 or 6.9% individuals coming from Dipolog and Dapitan City as well as from the 25 municipalities of the province, who completed their booster shots.

With this, Dr. Esmeralda Nadela urged the public to get vaccinated and be protected against COVID 19 virus.

Meanwhile, the province has also recorded only one positive case for the entire province as of March 30 with 11,099 recovered cases in total. 

The cumulative COVID-19 cases recorded in the province since the start of the pandemic is 11,682 with 582 deaths. (RVC/EDT/Nisyl Joy M. Balancar-OJT/with reports from Zamboanga del Norte PIC)

BFAR-9 turns-over P2.8-M fish cage project to Sindangan fisherfolks

 By: Lenie S. Dadan-OJT

 

DIPOLOG CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 9 recently handed two units of Norwegian fish cages worth Php2.8 million to the R.G. Macias Fisherfolk Association in Sindangan town.

The fish cages include a 30-footer fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) boat with engine, accessories and a 14-footer FRP boat which are part of the implementation of the Aquaculture Productivity Enhancement Program under the One DA strategy of Agriculture Sec. William D. Dar.

The entire package comprised of all the requirements necessary for at least one cropping such as commercial feeds, Bangus fingerlings, as well as labor fees. 

The turn-over was headed by DA-BFAR-9 Regional Director Isidro M. Velayo Jr., Association President Mr. Anecito Padayao and Sindangan Mayor Rosendo S. Labadlabad. 

Prior to the turn-over, BFAR-9 conducted a two-day training workshop on the operation, management, and marketing of milkfish in a Norwegian fish cage culture system headed by Mr. Marlon B. Dagandan, chief of the Fisheries Production and Support Services Division, in coordination with the Provincial Fisheries Office of Zamboanga del Norte. 

The trainers included Rhemar C. Bayato, chief of the Capture Fisheries Section; Lenjelben E. Castro, and Jolser B. Signar of the Training Division, who shared essential topics regarding the operation and management of a Norwegian fish cage milkfish culture system to 20 of the core members of the recipient fisherfolk association that participated in the training. 

The training was a requirement of the project to provide the needed skills of the fisherfolk beneficiaries to be self-sustaining.

Norwegian fish cages are one of the most productive mariculture ventures in the province. The project aims to change the lives of the beneficiaries, uplifting them from poverty and marginalization. 

Moreover, it opens a new market source of milkfish, provides jobs or alternative livelihood to fisherfolks, increase production, and complement our country’s aspiration for food security. (RVC/EDT/Lenie S. Dadan-OJT/with reports from BFAR R9)

OTOP Hub is now open at Capitol, Dipolog

By: Berlyn E. Calarian 

 

DIPOLOG CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) - The One Town, One Product (OTOP) PH Hub has formally opened to the public, recently in the province located at the Ground Floor, Capitol Building, here. 

The OTOP Hub was launched with the "Kusog Kababayen-an" to give priority to help women across the province and show the public the variety of local products from the 25 towns and two cities of Dipolog and Dapitan.

 

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-IX regional director, Engineer Al-Zamir I. Lipae expressed his gratitude to the provincial government for the support they have extended to OTOP under DTI.

 

He said that the hub will be of great help in the development of local products, appreciating it's beauty and durability.

 

Meanwhile, assistant regional director Lito P. Maquiling encouraged micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and OTOPrenuers to continue doing business using local products.

 

The local women's products displayed at the OTOP Hub include native bags, baskets, hats, benches, tables, mortars, plates, cups and more.

 

The ceremony was led by DTI Provincial Director for Zamboanga del Norte Ms. Maridel D. Dengal. (RVC/EDT/BEC-ojt/with reports from Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Information Center)

Vegetable project in Piñan yields P50,000 income

 By Rene V. Carbayas

 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Mar 30 (PIA) – The 1.5-hectare communal garden of the Teresita Vegetable Farmers Association (TVFA) in Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte yielded some ₱50,000.00 income from vegetable farm.

 

"We can finally say that it was all worth it. Our hard work, patience and the teamwork have paid off so we are very grateful to the DA-SAAD and to our very supportive Mayor (Carreon),” TVFA president Pablito Cating said.

Cating revealed that About 88 kilograms of eggplant was harvested and sold to local buyers on February 18, 2022.

“Our first harvest festival in October was the inspiration to plant more, we were able to harvest 3,000 hills of cabbage that time. In November we replanted our vegetable, and started harvesting this month. We now have an accumulated ₱50 thousand on bank savings, and around ₱12 thousand cash on hand,” Cating further said.

 

Last year, the TVFA harvested a variety of vegetables such as squash (390kg), Bell pepper (180kg), String beans (148jg), Ampalaya (56kg), tomato (1,039kg), Okra (61kg) and Cucumber (34kg).

 

SAAD 9 Area Coordinator Nurhainar Salim conducted area monitoring and noted that with the strong support of the local government unit, the association was also able to sustain the communal garden. 

 

“The DA-SAAD is very grateful for municipal Mayor Cecilia J. Carreon for the assistance given to the Teresita Farmers Association for providing additional vegetable seeds for planting. We are very hopeful that this will bear fruits of their labor, come next harvest,” Salim said.

 

To date, the association continues to manage other vegetables like bitter gourd, sibuying, and sponge gourd. Another batch of veggies in seedling stage are the cabbage and bell pepper. (EDT/RVC/PIA9 with reports from Aimee Lou D. Madjus/DA-RFO IX, SAAD)

Friend rescued confirms hardship, bad experience with CTGs

 By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Mar 29 (PIA) -- Former child warrior and now a friend rescued (Former Rebel) alias “Kim” affirmed to the general public that it is never easy to be a member of the Communist-Terrorist Group (CTGs).

During the Usapang Kapayapaan of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 held online, Kim shared her compelling story that hopes to raise awareness among innocent people, especially those in the upland areas.

“Naging mahirap ang buhay ko sa kabundukan kasama ang mga terorista at hindi biro ang mga napagdaanan ko sa napakamura kong edad,” Kim said.

[My life in the mountain has been difficult with the terrorists and it’s a no joke what I went through at my very young age]

Kim also lamented that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) has done great damage unto the youth because of their wrong ideologies, as she have witnessed that 14 to 15 year-old teenagers are already carrying guns, fighting for wrong beliefs.

“Patuloy pa din akong umaasa na sana ay bumaba na sila para sa kanilang pamilya at kinabukasan,” Kim added.

[I still hope that they will realize to come down for their family and better future]

The friend rescued is always hopeful that the NPA-CPP recruitment will end and advised the people, especially the youth to always be cautious and to scrutinize the organization they intend to join to.

“Sana wala nang maging biktima sa mga kalokohan ng CTGs dahil walang magandang maidudulot sa pagsali sa grupong iyon,” Kim said.

[I hope no one falls victim to the lies of CTGs because there are no good gains by joining that group]

As of now, Kim is now embracing the life she deserves with the government.

As the CTGs commemorates their 53rd anniversary today (March 29), the Strategic Communication Cluster of the Regional Task Force to End Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC)-IX aims to dominate all the various media platforms to tell the lies of the leftists and its horrors to the Filipino people in order to end the more than five-decade of NPA-CPP reign of terror in the country.

Meanwhile, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA)-9 Regional Director Camilo F. Balutan has reiterated its call for all those who remain to be in the shackles of the CTGs to lay their arms and join the government.

“Bumaba na kayo habang may oras pa! Bukas ang palad ng gobyerno at ng lipunan para kayo ay muling mapabilang,” Balutan said. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Siocon youth vows support to DENR's 'Tayo Ang Kalikasan'

 By: Lenie S. Dadan-OJT

 

DIPOLOG CITY, Mar. 23 (PIA) - Three youth organizations of Siocon town signed a covenant to join "Tayo Ang Kalikasan" (TAK) during the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9’s environmental forum, held at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

 

The Siocon Federation of Sangguniang Kabataan, Siocon National High School, and Julian Soriano Memorial Comprehensive High School Youth for Environment in Schools Organizations (YES-O) pledged their support to join the national movement. 

 

The youth groups vowed to implement various environmental activities in their schools and communities as contribution in helping conserve and protect the environment and natural resources within the locality.

 

TAK is a collaborative effort of the DENR and its various stakeholders towards responsible development of natural resources ensuring the restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement of the environment. 

 

The activity is part of the celebration of the World Water Day and International Day of Forest headed by the Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Groups (RSCIG), Regional Youth Desk Officer, MGB-9, EMB-9, Siocon Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) headed by Rey Jalandoni and Siocon MENRO Felizardo Canama. 

 

Signatories of the TAK Covenant include Herwina N. Esmali, Siocon SK Federation President, Dominique F. Casano, YES-O Adviser of Julian Soriano Memorial Comprehensive High school, Althea Mae T. Jamandron, YES-O President of Siocon National High School and witnessed by CENRO Rey Jalandoni and RYDO Roservirico Tan. 

Prior to the activity, the youth also joined the Bamboo Culm Planting Activity at the river banks of Siocon town as part of the observance. (RVC/EDT/Lenie S. Dadan-OJT/with reports from DENR Zamboanga Peninsula)

Farmers in Dipolog receives machines, equipment from LGU

 By: Berlyn E. Calarian- OJT

DIPOLOG CITY, Mar. 22 (PIA) – San Jose farmers in Dipolog received machines and equipment from the local government during the “Ugnayan at Serbisyong Bayan-Barangay Caravan” held recently, here.

The president of San Jose Farmers Association in Barangay San Jose, Dipolog City, Danilo de la Cruz Halike expressed his gratitude upon receiving machines and equipment. 

The association received two whole shredder machines, 200 meters duct hose, 200 meters garden hose, two whole knapsack sprayers, two whole garden drums, 20 bags of corn seeds and various seeds of vegetables.

According to Halike, their members are very thankful because the local government through the local agricultural office has always served the farmers in Barangay San Jose. 

He said it's not the first time they received this kind of assistance as they had already benefitted from the mechanical rice thresher which helped generate more income for them and the animals they had received such as cows, buffalos and chickens which they raised for additional livelihood. 

Halike also expressed his gratitude to the City Agriculture Office through Engr. Kerr Porlas for its diligence and efforts in reaching out to their organization.

The San Jose Farmers Association has 131 active members who are now focusing on making organic fertilizer to be used in their crops. (RVC/EDT/Berlyn E. Calarian-OJT/with reports from Dipolog City Government Facebook page)

LGUs to implement health promotions for healthier PH

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Mar 23 (PIA) -- In spite of the global health crisis, local government units here are encouraged to strengthen and support the advocacy on health promotion for a “Healthy Pilipinas, Healthy communities.”

This is an initiative of the Department of Health (DOH), Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) and multiple health partners, to encourage Filipinos to consistently practice the priority areas towards attaining healthier lifestyle and better literacy.

Through the intensified implementation of health promotion among the LGUs, the DOH is hopeful that these health information could reach on ground for the public’s awareness and interest to practice.

“Basically, these seven areas are your pockets of health behaviors that we want every Filipino from a young, child, adult and elderly to practice,” DOH-Health Promotions Bureau Director IV, Dr. Beverly Ho said during the Health Connect Media Forum.

The seven priority health areas to consider are as follows: Diet and Exercise; Environmental Health; Vaccines and Immunization; Substance Use; Mental Health; Sexual and Reproductive Health; Violence and Injury Prevention.

“With this, we enable Filipinos to protect themselves and their families as stated under the Universal Health Care Act 2019,” Dr. Ho said.

Moreover, she explained as information plays very crucial, the PHAP has joined the campaign against misinformation as this brings huge adverse impacts on the health and lives of the people.

“Misinformation and delivery attempts to spread false information really diminish the gains on public health interventions,” said PHAP Executive Director Mr. Teodoro Padilla.

The health connect media forum is one of the platforms seen to provide verified health information for Filipinos at the height of COVID-19 pandemic.

The award winning communities such as the cities of Cebu, Tacloban, Baguio and the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay, have given time to share their experiences in promoting health interventions at the local level.

“We give recognitions to LGUs because this is a strong message that health should be prioritized since health threats are not over,” Mr. Padilla affirmed.

The PHAP committed that partnership between DOH and LGUs all over the country will continue as they aspire to live no one behind on the way to universal healthcare. (RVC/EDT/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

DOH grants Imelda town Healthy Pilipinas Awards

 By: Jocelyn Pineda-Alvarez

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Mar. 23 (PIA) - Imelda town’s health efforts did not go unnoticed as the town received the Healthy Pilipinas Awards for Healthy Communities 2022 from by the Department of Health (DOH).

Earlier, DOH and partners gave recognition to local government units around the country for their work in promoting the seven (7) priority areas defined in the DOH health promotion framework strategy.  The award also recognized COVID19 response of the LGUs. The 7 priority areas include: Diet and Exercise; Environmental Health; Vaccines and immunization; Substance Use; Mental Health; Sexual and Reproductive Health; Violence and Injury Prevention.

In the Health Connect media forum held Mar. 23, Heathy Pilipinas awardees share their best health practices and discussed their health promotion strategies.  Dr. Myrna Cabral-Salomes, Municipal Health Officer, Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay Province shared how the province struggled to implement the vaccines and immunization priority area program but came out victorious in the end.

 

Dr. Salomes said, for the Age-appropriate Immunization (from birth to senior immunizations) - there was a massive decreased in coverage due to the COVID19 pandemic.

 

“We started with 106% coverage in 2019, eventually decreased to 73% in 2020 and 67.78% in 2021,” she reported. 

 

In response to the threat on low coverage of age -appropriate immunization, the LGU effortlessly reached-out to parents, guardians, families of the under five-year-old children and the school-aged children including the senior citizens.

 

The LGU conducted massive education campaign, barangay to barangay visits or barangay hopping so the community will feel the presence of the program and ease their mistrusts.

 

“Because of pandemic, we experienced gap in the supply of vaccines and we also found it hard to penetrate to communities due to strict quarantine/ health protocol,” Dr Salomes narrated.

 

She said all these challenges did not stop them from doing their job and delivering health services to the people, she is thankful to the municipal local government for providing the needed transportation support and the barangay local government for also helping by providing food to constituents and health workers during vaccination and immunization activities.

 

“Our Innovation is that we have annual awarding to barangays and health workers, this is to boost their efforts to do better in implementing the program, and for the barangay to have ownership of the program,” she said.

 

Salomes also shared that they give freebies to children during immunization activity. 

 

Healthy communities award is one platform which encourages good practice sharing so that others can elevate and scale up where possible.

 

Meanwhile, with the upcoming national and local elections, Dr. Salomes called on public to choose next leader that puts public health on the top of agenda,  “health is wealth, health is people, health is investment.”  (EDT/JPA/Zamboanga Sibugay)

No 'Deltacron' detected in PH, ZamPen still at low risk

 By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (PIA) Mar 21 -- Shifting into a lower alert level status in provinces and cities in Zamboanga Peninsula region does not assume that individuals should not anymore observe the minimum health standards.

This was what the Department of Health (DOH)-9 insisted in advicing the public to religiously adhere to the safety health protocols especially at public places in order to really avoid the newer recombinant COVID-19 variant 'Deltacron'.

“There is no ‘Deltacron’ detected in the Philippines,” DOH-9 Dr. Maryrose Rendon said during the 1st Quarter Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting, recently.

The doctor has also affirmed that because of the vaccination, they don’t still see a new wave even with the circulation of newer variant.

“There is still no evidence that this will negatively impact our health systems. The ‘Deltacron’ infections are still yet to know if this will be very transmissible or will cause severe disease,” Dr. Rendon added.

Studies showed, this hybrid version of coronavirus, ‘Deltacron’ has already identified to some 17 patients in the United States and Europe.

Meanwhile, all areas in the region are now considered low risk and have eased COVID-19 restrictions.

“Our shift to lower alert level status has thus far been successful in maintaining the health protocols and safety of the general population,” Dr. Rendon said.

The DOH-9 is urging everyone to avail of their booster shots and be responsible in order to continue the trend.

Dr. Rendon has also clarified to the public that mandatory vaccination is not implemented in the country, the government is just only providing the best advice to the population as COVID-19 vaccines show effectiveness especially those who accepted the third dose (booster shot).

“Correct dissemination of information to the grassroots could really enhance uptake of booster dose. We have to always debunk spread of fake news,” Dr. Rendon exclaimed (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

300 kids in Dipolog learn fire safety tips

 By: Lenie S. Dadan-OJT

 

DIPOLOG CITY, Mar 17 (PIA) - Around 300 children aged 4 to 16 year's old learn fire safety tips while participating at ‘Berong’s Fire Camp’ that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) conducted here at a local mall.

 

FO3 Mark Jefferson S. Canggas said that the camp is an activity purposely for children and the youth to learn fire safety including connecting fire hose, conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), knot-tying, use of fire extinguisher, fire escape and rappelling.

 

In his message, City Mayor Darel Dexter Uy lauded the initiatives of BFP with F/SINP Edselle E. Manogura, acting city fire marshall, for conducting the activity that capacitates children to respond to fire incidents.

 

He expressed his gratitude to the parents and children for showing their support to the activity, including all stakeholders for the successful conduct of the program. 

 

Berong’s Fire Camp is anchored on the tagline, “Sa pag-iwas sa sunog, hindi ka nag-iisa,” which is also simultaneously conducted all over the country.

 

The word “Berong” was taken from the BFP icon called “Berong Bombero”. (RVC/EDT/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte/Lenie S. Dadan-OJT)

Dipolog City finalist for One Planet City Challenge

 By: Berlyn E. Calarian-OJT

 

DIPOLOG CITY, Mar 17 (PIA) – Dipolog City made it as one of the national finalists for the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) 2021-2022 together with the cities of Davao and Quezon. 

The finalists were chosen from among the Philippines' 16 qualifying cities.

 

The WWF's One Planet City Challenge is a friendly global competition that recognizes cities for their climate actions and objectives and assesses if they are in line with the Paris Agreement's aim of limiting climate temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

 

Climate change has a direct impact on cities and urban life, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. 

 

Rising sea levels and more extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and storms are all consequences of rising global temperatures, which have a particularly negative impact on coastal areas. 

 

According to the recently released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, cities are locations of concentrated risk to climate change with losses due to infrastructure damage, disruption in services, and impacted supply chains already occurring. Cities also said to provide a plethora of chances for accomplishing urgent climate action.

 

Cities are invited to submit their best practices and comprehensive plans to the OPCC in order to significantly mitigate the consequences of climate change and accelerate climate transformation.

 

According to the WWF-Philippines website, a total of 280 cities from 50 nations have signed up for the OPCC's 2021-2022 round. Nearly 600 cities from 53 nations across five continents have taken part in the challenge since its inception ten years ago.

 

Imee Bellen, project manager of WWF-Philippines' One Planet Cities believes more Philippine cities would join OPCC soon, saying that "inspiring revolutionary urban solutions to alleviate the negative effects of climate change are always invited to be displayed.”

 

Atty. Angela Ibay, head of WWF-Philippines' Climate and Energy Program, also urged citizens to assist cities in strengthening their capacity to respond to the climate issue.

 

"If it weren't for the inhabitants' collaborative action, the cities' goals would not come to reality," she stressed.

 

She further explained that without the collaborative action of the city's citizens, the city's plans would not come to reality. 

 

"Individuals, on the other hand, can still make a difference. Even seemingly insignificant habits, such as lowering energy use, can have a long-term impact on the community and the environment."

 

The three Philippine finalists have also qualified to participate in the OPCC's We Love Cities initiative, which aims to improve communication between municipal authorities and the population they represent on climate and sustainability concerns.

 

An international judging panel comprised of renowned professionals in the field of urban sustainability from around the world will assess all OPCC finalists. The winners will be announced within May to June 2022. (RVC/EDT/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte/Berlyn E. Calarian-OJT with reports from PIC Zamboanga del Norte)

National Information Highway to avert disinformation

 By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, March 11 (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 with the concerted efforts of the provincial, municipal and city information offices, are now engrossed in the creation of the national information highway across Zamboanga Peninsula region.

Thus, the institutionalization of the Barangay Information Networks (BIONs) has been one of the PIA-IX’s initiative to efficiently have a free flow of timely, accurate and relevant information from the authorities to the grassroots level.

“We are constructing a national information highway and the Barangay Information Officers (BIOs) are part of this highway. We need them to fight disinformation and let the right information be easily cascaded to the barangay level,” PIA-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga said during the BION launching and orientation in San Miguel town, Zamboanga Del Sur recently.

San Miguel town Mayor Angelito L. Martinez II lamented that the propagation of fake news has greatly affected most of the individuals especially those who live in the far-flung villages here in the province, and they would always claim that they rarely or even non-recipients of several government’s aids.

“Nobody is telling them and they left unaware. With the BIONs, we expect them to inform the people all the government’s programs and projects, so that they will stop complaining and eventually be our dear beneficiaries,” Martinez said.

The mayor also expressed concern on the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) propaganda that tells lies and deceptions against the Philippine Government.

“The creation of information highway is really needed to ensure that their (CTGs) propaganda won’t easily infiltrate the communities. Sisiguraduhin natin na hindi ito lulusot,” Martinez exclaimed.

As of this writing, 25 out of the 26 municipalities and 1 city in Zamboanga Del Sur province have already launched their BION respectively. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)