Zambo City women cut ties to GABRIELA

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 31 (PIA) -- Around 100 members of Association of Tulungatung Innovative Women’s Agriprenuer (ATIWA) resolved to disaffiliate themselves to Gabriela in a ceremony held recently, here.

This, as Gabriela –The National Alliance of Women, was identified as one of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)–affiliated organizations by the government.

“Namulat yung kanilang mga mata at narealize nila na yung Gabriela ay ka-alyansa ng komunistang grupo. Sila na mismo ang nadesisyong tumiwalag sa grupong ito,” National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-9 Deputy Regional Director Alben Venturanza said.

[Their eyes have opened and they realized that Gabriela is an ally of the Communist Terrorist Group. They themselves decided to leave this group]

ATIWA formally severed their affiliation with Gabriela through a resolution expressing the decision to disaffiliate with Gabriela immediately, and then send it to its national leadership.

A parent leader and the current business manager of ATIWA, Ms. Almalyn Iraji also confirmed that they no longer have communications to the group and representatives from Gabriela never came back to the community after laying down several promises to the organization.

Naging member po kami ng Gabriela noong 2017, nangako silang tutulungan ang aming mga anak sa pag-aaral ngunit ang kanilang mga pangako ay hindi naman naging totoo,” Iraji said.

[We became members of Gabriela in 2017, they promised to help our children with their studies but their promises did not come true]

She also wanted to have their names cleared from the list after ending their correlation with Gabriela.

More so, it is never true that the government left behind women.

“Hindi na natin kailangang maging miyembro ng GABRIELA dahil ang daming programa ng gobyerno para sa atin at hindi totoo na tayo ay naiwanan. Ito ay isang leksyon sa amin (kababaihan) na huwag agad maniwala at sumali sa mga grupo na layunin ay kontrahin ang gobyerno,” Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) and ATIWA President Gemma Bahani Casipe said.

[We no longer need to be a member of Gabriela because there are so many government programs for us and it is not true that we have been left behind. This is a lesson to us (women) not to immediately join groups whose purpose is to oppose the government]

Moreover, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-9, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-9, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-9, and Philippine National Police (PNP)-9 were present in the disaffiliation ceremony and have shared their respective programs and services that ATIWA members can avail of.

The women here expect their lives to become more comfortable with the help of the government agencies. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Isabela Mayor Hataman tells public to remain calm, vigilant

By Nilda Delos Reyes

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, May 30 (PIA) – In a statement posted in her personal facebook account, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman tells residents here to remain calm after two explosions rocked the city, Monday afternoon.

“Habang ginagawa ng ating mga otoridad ang imbestigasyon, tayo po ay nananawagan sa lahat na manatiling mapagmatyag ngunit kalmado. Iwasan po muna natin ang mga spekulasyon at lalong huwag magpalaganap ng takot,” she said.

She stressed that Basilan has been peaceful for a long time and it can be seen in the fast growing economy of the area. She even called on people's cooperation to let everyone know that there is no threat that will hinder the development in the city and the entire province.

“Matagal na pong tahimik ang ating syudad at ang buong probinsiya ng Basilan. Patuloy pong umaarangkada ang ating ekonomiya at gumaganda ang ating kabuhayan. Pagtulungan po nating mapanatili ito at ipaalam sa lahat na walang pananakot ang makakapigil sa ating pagbangon,” she emphasized.

The two explosions in Isabela City have caused panic and fear among the residents. At around 5:33pm, the first explosion took place behind Jollibee building. The second occurred within the  premises of D’ Biel Transportation Company which caused damages within the area where two individuals were reportedly incurred minor injuries.

The combined forces of the Philippine National Police and Bomb Squad immediately responded and are still investigating the causes of the incidents.(RVC/EDT/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)

Isabela City launches mobile library for IEC programs

 by Nilda Delos Reyes

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, May 24 (PIA) – The local government of Isabela City de Basilan recently launched its mobile library in support to education of children and to strengthen its efforts on information dissemination, especially to the community.

The Isabela City Mobile Library is a project of the Local Government Unit implemented through the City Information Office. Equipped with flat screen television and generator set, books and magazines and other IEC materials, the mobile library will visit schools and communities in the city to provide access to quality reading books which hope to inspire children and appreciate the beauty of reading as a critical skill for lifelong learners in the 21st Century.

The Isabela City Mobile Library is a project of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman under her administration as part of her 9-Point Priority Agenda.

Mendry Ann Lim, City Information Officer and Gender and Development Focal said that this program was supported through the Gender and Development Program of the city government.

“Supported by our Gender and Development Program, this project also aims to support maternal literacy by empowering mothers in the community with GAD reading collections such as those from the City Population Office,” Lim said.

She added that through this project, the City Information Office can directly bring information pertaining to the local government unit’s thrusts and government services closer to the grassroots level, fulfilling one of the CIO’s mandates.

For its first step, the Mobile Library visited Malique Barangay and conducted information education to children and women through playing of advocacy videos, assisting the children in reading books and distribution of flyers. The Mobile Library is also set to visit the other 37 mainland barangays. (RVC/NDR/PIA9-Basilan with report from City Information Office)

FEATURE NEWS: Hypertension as silent killer, awareness pursued in Zambo

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

High blood pressure (hypertension) is on the spotlight this month of May as the Department of Health (DOH)-9 aims to heighten awareness and understanding of this serious medical condition among the general public specifically in Zamboanga Peninsula region.

Hypertension or elevated blood pressure is the number one cause of premature death in the Philippines and despite the use of multiple platforms in amplifying the awareness on hypertension in the region; many still lack information.

Lack of knowledge and the apathy to hypertension are the gaps needed to be addressed. Thus, DOH-9 convened and invited media practitioners in the forum of “Ka-Heartner campaign” in celebration of the hypertension awareness month.

The Ka-Heartner campaign aims to increase the public’s awareness of this type of health condition, capacitate the decision-making skills of the high-risk population, and champion timely health-seeking behavior of the community.

“We aim to expand the consciousness and knowledge of the people about the considerable risks and prevention protocols of hypertension,” said Dr. Augusto Manolo Alpichi, medical officer of DOH-9 during the forum.

Based on the Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS) statistics in 2019, there were 32,861 individuals diagnosed as hypertensive and 372 mortalities recorded due to hypertension in the region.

"With the help of the media here, we could easily spread this awareness, as hypertension does not choose time and day to trigger," Dr. Alpichi added.

Hypertension is preventable

This serious medical condition increases the risks to stroke, heart failure, kidney, brain, and does not display exact symptoms. This can affect anyone at anytime but this is preventable!

The DOH-9 advised the public to go for a health screening and if found hypertensive, start the prevention immediately because even if blood pressure is controlled, it can still be triggered.

“Prevention should always start in ourselves and this disease should pay enough attention and not be disregarded,” DOH-9 Medical Officer IV Dr. Roland I. Bucoy affirmed.

Hypertension is a problem in the region. As per the FHSIS record in 2019, the number of hypertensive individuals is high among women but mortality rate due to hypertension is high among men.

Data showed that there were 18,258 females diagnosed as hypertensive over 14,603 males. On the other hand, there were 198 males and 174 females who died respectively due to hypertension.

As part of the preventive measures, the DOH-9 provides hypertension medicines to all the health centers in the region every quarter as well as the central office augments the provision of medicines.

“Hypertension is a highly preventable illness, we can spare our lifetime without getting the disease,” Medical Officer V of DOH-Central Office Dr. Rosalind G. Vianzon said in the forum.

For more precautionary measures on hypertension and for a healthy Pilipinas, the public is welcome to access the link bit.ly/HyperAM2022.

Hypertension is multifactorial

Medical experts say that having diagnosed with elevated blood pressure is multifactorial – it could be hereditary and our current lifestyle.

Individuals whose both parents are hypertensive have greater risks of developing this condition and the lousy lifestyle would contribute to have an above normal blood pressure.

Dr. Lowe L. Chiong, Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) Cardiologist advised the public to really avoid having a lousy routine such as lack of exercise, improper food diet, extreme drink of liquors, and smoking, among others because hypertension does not exhibit signs.

“Hypertension is a silent killer! Once our blood pressures reach to 120, they are considered to be symptomatic,” ZCMC Cardiologist Chiong said.

The doctor also advised before taking blood pressures, patients should be well rested and did not smoke.

"With this, management strategy is also multifactorial, as we need enough exercise, healthy diet and to take prescribed medicines consistently (if diagnosed as hypertensive)."

More so, people should be aware of how many calories they eat and drink each day that may help lower blood pressure.

“Diet plays an important role in preventing hypertension and we always encourage individuals to eat healthy food,” ZCMC Nutrionist Dietician V, Ma. Dolores Paredes said.

People should be reminded with the three principles to attain healthy diet; balance, variety, and moderation.

Media as influencers

In pursuit to have an intensified information drive against hypertension in the region, media practitioners are involved to help the dissemination of rightful information to the public.

“Media has the influence and expertise to share right information on hypertension. Wrong information will not help in preventing this illness and eventually our lives would be at risk,” Dr. Rosalind G. Vianzon stressed.

One of the goals is to really inform the younger generations and to empower them to have a healthy lifestyle, as they are also vulnerable to be afflicted by the illness.

“We need you (media) to fight wrong information about hypertension and we are so thankful for the support in pursuit to Healthy Pilipinas,” Dr. Vianzon said. (RVC/EDT/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Gov’t enforces cigarettes’ graphic health warnings

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 20 (PIA) – Manufacturers and stores in Region 9 are compliant with the implementation of graphic health warnings in all tobacco products based on the reports of the inspection conducted by the government agencies, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The Inter-Agency efforts of the government strictly emphasized the importance of enforcing graphic health warnings in all tobacco products. DTI-9 together with other government agencies, conducts regular inspection in supermarkets, malls and stores in the region.

DTI checks the compliance of products with graphic health warnings but also the selling of tobacco products to minors and not allowing the vending machines for cigarettes.

The passing of Republic Act 10643 or An Act To Effectively Instill Health Consciousness Through Graphic Health Warnings On Tobacco Products is the most recent milestone in the country in controlling the health effects of tobacco according to Gyver Amazon, Information Officer of DTI Zamboanga City.

Amazon emphasized the purpose of the graphic health warnings, which are to effectively warn the consuming public of the devastating effects of tobacco, to remove deceptive number of descriptors, and further promote the right information to the public.

Penalties for the manufacturers can reach up to 2 million pesos and imprisonment and for the retailers with continuing violation will also be penalized. The penalties collected by the government will be used for the promotional campaigns in instilling health consciousness.

“This is not only the responsibility of the government and the retailers but also by the people, especially the parents, to inculcate to their children and minors regarding the effects of tobacco,” Amazon said. (RVC/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Sibugay records 335 Dengue cases or 1575% higher than 2021

 By: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, May 20 (PIA) - A total of 335 cases of Dengue with 2 deaths were recorded for the first five months of 2022, says the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, a number which is 1575% higher compared to same period last year.

 

Dr. Al Wajer Himpon, Chief, Technical Division, OPHO said the data logged from January to May 12, 2022 is  way higher if compared to same period last year with only 20 cases and zero death recorded.

 

The massive difference may be attributed to the spike of COVID19 in 2020-2021 that resulted to non-admission or refusal to be admitted in hospitals or  in health centers of dengue patients that resulted further  to low dengue cases report.

 

Ranked as top 5 municipalities with highest number of cases of Dengue are Tungawan with 89 cases; Ipil with 50; Malangas with 42; Talusan with 34 and Kabasalan with 19 cases, not to slack on data that almost all of the province’s 16 municipalities have indexed cases of Dengue.

 

Though Dengue is considered a year-round disease and no longer seasonal, the onset of summer rains found the condition suitable for its peak and is seen on the rise in certain areas in the region.

Himpon said, the PHO sees a trend of a steady rise of cases that sneaks an impending Dengue outbreak in the province.

 

“To declare an outbreak, kinahanglan naay at least duha ka munisipyo nga musulat sa opisina (there should be at least two municipalities to write the office) reporting that thẻre have been an increasing dengue cases in their area,” he said. PHO at the moment, awaits the official letter from three municipalities.

 

The public is reminded once again to keep surroundings clean; empty any and all possible breeding sites; use insect repellant and protective clothing like long sleeves and pants; boost the immune system; seek early consultation. 

 

Himpon said Dengue test kits are available for free in government facilities like in Rural Health Units (RHUs) and at the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Hospital (ZSPH).

 

“4-5 days after the initial manifestation, mag dengue test na,” he said.

 

Himpon said, in areas where Dengue test kits are not available there are knowledgeable health professionals like nurses and midwives who can perform the tourniquet test for Dengue. Tourniquet test determines capillary fragility. It is a clinical diagnostic method to determine a patient’s’ hemorrhagic tendency and is performed by inflating a blood pressure cuff tied on the upper arm to a point midway between systolic and diastolic blood pressure for five minutes.

Dengue virus remains to have no antidote or vaccine available up to this time, it is best to follow the protocol, like habitual practice of the 4S strategy to shun or reduced the chance of falling victim to the disease.

 

4S is Search and destroy breeding sites; Secure self-protection; Seek early consultation and Support fogging/spraying. (EDT/JPA/Zamboanga Sibugay)

 

ProVet clarifies “ASF-Free” declaration takes long; goes through process

 By: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

 IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, May 20 (PIA) - The Provincial Veterinary Office clarifies that declaring or certifying as African Swine Flu (ASF)-free an area tagged as red zone due to ASF infection, follows a stringent process and the road to certification may be months-long.

 

Dr. Efren Davin of the Provincial Veterinary Office explained, after conducting depopulation of infected swine or hog, “we have to observe for 30 days, daily disinfection is a must within the 30 day-period.” 

 

When the 30-day observation and disinfection period is over, “there is what we call 60 days rest period,” he said, after which, an environmental sampling in infected areas is conducted. “Pag naa pa makuha nga kagaw during the sampling, mag sugud napud sa uno sa disinfection,” (if the result in the environmental sampling yielded positive infection, then we are back to square one and conduct again another 30-day disinfection). He said the process will go on and on until a result of negative infection is reached.

 

“Kung nag negative result na sa environmental sampling, mag release ta ug baboy o mag buhig animal sa area nga naapektohan sa ASF, if after two to three months, wala nag manifest ang mananap any clinical signs of ASF, p’wede na mag sugod atong mga farmers mag buhi usab ug mga baboy.” (if the result in the environmental sampling is negative for the infection, we will then release or raised a sample hog, if within two to three months, the sample did not manifest any clinical signs of ASF, the farmers can once again start with their hog raising.)

 

This clarification came following talks circulating that the red zone areas are allegedly ASF-free already after the conduct of depopulation.

It can be recalled, two barangays in the municipality of Buug and another two barangays in R.T.Lim were put under red zone following confirmation from the Bureau of Animal Industry of the presence of ASF in the said areas. 

To contain the spread of the ASF virus, concerned offices immediately conducted depopulation to more than a hundred hogs. Meanwhile, the Provincial Government issued and executive order for the temporary total ban on movement of all swine, pork, pork-related products and by-products. Security measures were also strengthened specially in major checkpoints / entry points in Buug, Titay and Tungawan.

 

Meanwhile , Dr. Davin assured that pork meat available in the province is still safe to eat “ligtas pa ring kainin ang karneng baboy basta’t ito ay dumaan sa saktong meat inspection o kinatay sa lehitimomg slaughter houses.” (EDT/JPA/Zamboanga Sibugay)

Zambo City to assist hog raisers due to ASF

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo with reports from the City Government of Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 19 (PIA) -- Hog raisers here are urged to register for insurance to be able to get an indemnity payment for every animal afflicted and culled due to the African Swine Fever (ASF).

This, after City Mayor Beng Climaco, Department of Agriculture (DA)-9 Executive Director Rad Donn Cedeño with City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola and Livestock and Poultry Board Chairman Eric Harina convened recently to look for means to assist the hog raisers as well as to mitigate the extent of ASF infections among pigs in the city.

Per confirmatory tests on blood samples taken, positive ASF virus was present in Sitio Canucutan in Barangay Pasonanca and Barangay Mangusu.

“We coordinated for registration of livestock raisers because we really want to mitigate (the ASF) and assist our hog raisers,” Mayor Climaco said.

The insurance program is a relaxed version of the DA’s regular livestock insurance program, offering free premium payments for backyard raisers and discounted premium for commercial hog raisers, and increased indemnity payments for culled hogs.

Hog raisers just need to register to avail the program and are encouraged to report affected pigs to have an increased indemnity.

The insurance premium is free.

Livestock and Poultry Board Chairman Eric Harina assured that his group would help facilitate the registration of hog raisers for insurance and City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola would look for funds to assist the affected hog raisers, and campaign for the registration of animal or livestock farms.

Dr. Arriola cited City Ordinance 566, which grants indemnification to hog raisers for their animals culled due to diseases like ASF, the amount of which will depend on the species of culled animals.

Meanwhile, the meat consuming public has been assured that there is nothing to worry about amidst the ASF outbreak as all necessary measures have been taken to contain its spread.

The Office of the City Veterinarian intensified ASF containment activities to prevent the spread of ASF here.

Among the activities conducted are disease surveillance, disinfection of slaughterhouses, coordination with checkpoints, farm visitation, coordination and meeting with ASF infected barangays and stakeholders, blood sampling, as well as information campaign and other related ASF containment activities.

The Bureau of Animal Industry or BAI under the Department of Agriculture does the declaration of Zamboanga City as a red zone. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga/with reports and photo courtesy from the City Government of Zamboanga)

DAR chief leads distribution of CLOAs, turn-over of projects in ZamPen

By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, May 19 (PIA) - Farmer beneficiaries from the different provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula region received their long-awaited Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) during the distribution ceremony held here recently.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Bernie Cruz led the distribution of 1,074 CLOAs which were identified as new lands, redocumented, Project SPLIT and government-owned lands to the beneficiaries from Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur provinces.

Infrastructure projects and enterprise-based facilities and equipments implemented in partnership with local government units and other line agencies were also turned-over during the event. 

In particular, Zamboanga del Norte Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) received 1 unit Soft Broom Processing Center; concreting of 3.66km Cabong-Tininggaan Farm-to-Market Road (Phase 2); and 2 units Hauling Truck & Mini Rice Mill Complete System. The pojects costed a total of P24 million. 

Meanwhile, Zamboanga del Sur projects include rehabilitation/extension of Tagolalo CIS-Phase II (3.8kms Canal Lining for 94 hectares); 1 unit mechanical dryer with a capacity of 6-8 metric tons; and coversion of single phase to 3 phase power line with 3 units 25 KVA transformers and electric wirings. The projects costed a total of P19 million. 

Zamboanga Sibugay projects are 1 unit 6-wheeler hauling truck; 2 units 4-wheeler hauling truck; and Production Capitalization Fund (PCF) for the provision of Farm Inputs (Fertilizers, Herbicide and Formic Acid) for Rubber, among others. The projects costed a total of P6 million. (RVC/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

Zambo City records unusual death of pigs

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo with reports from the ZC gov't

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 13 (PIA) -- The Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVEt) is now coordinating with the barangays, where the unusual mortalities of pigs were recorded the past few days.

This, after the OCVEt logged a number of pigs died under strange or unusual condition in the barangays of Pasonanca, Pasobolong, and Mangusu from April 30 to May 10, this year.

The African Swine Flu - Task Force Working Group  (ASF-TWG) has decided to closely coordinate with the affected areas and to conduct farm visitation, blood sampling, animal inventory, information and education campaign (IEC) on ASF and other reportable animal diseases.

“The OCVet surveillance team is continuously monitoring reports of swine mortalities for investigation, and the office had also submitted blood samples to the Department of Agriculture to determine the cause or causes of pig deaths,” Assistant City Veterinarian Arnedo Agbayani said during the convention of the Zamboanga City ASF-TWG recently.

Agbayani also added that geo-tagging was also conducted, including inventory of animals and disinfection of slaughterhouses and pig farms as part of the government’s “Babay ASF” or “Bantay ASF sa Barangay” Program with the support of DA-9.

Further, the strengthening of the city’s border control checkpoints in Licomo (East) and Limpapa (West) is ongoing, while the other ASF enforcers continue to monitor the entry of animal products through the airport and seaport. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City/Photo Courtesy of OCVEt and with reports from the City Government of Zamboanga)

Zambo City declares new public officials

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 11 (PIA) – Board of Election Inspectors proclaimed the new public officials in Zamboanga City Tuesday night (May 10) at Sangguniang Panlungsod immediately after the completion of election returns canvassing.

The new city Mayor of Zamboanga City is John Dalipe, Pinpin Pareja as Vice Mayor, Khymer Olaso as 1st District Congressman and Mannix Dalipe as 2nd District Congressman.

(Photo courtesy of Yoshi Rodriguez)

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) said that the canvassing of votes have also experienced some delay because some polling centers in Zamboanga City especially in centers with higher number of voters extends voting hours due to number of voters flocked and lined-up in the precincts.

At past 7:00 pm, voters are still lined up on Monday (May 9) outside their precincts to be able to cast their votes. Some also waited more than four hours just to be able to vote.

Abdel Aziz, a voter, shares his experience in waiting for hours jus to cast his vote. “I waited patiently for my term because this is an election where we need to elect the next president of the country,” he added.

COMELEC clarified that the voters were accommodated as long as they are within 70 meters from the precincts.

Atty. Stephen Cañete, Election Officer of COMELEC Zamboanga emphasized that overall the election in the city is peaceful and no major problems encountered aside from the concerns of paper jamming of ballots in VCMs.

“We did not have major problems compared to what happened in 2019 where there are malfunctioned SD cards, the problem encountered now is when the machine malfunctioned, we only have to machines assigned for Zamboanga for contingency machine, which causes the delay,” Atty. Cañete added.

As observed, voters value the importance of their vote; for them to wait in a long line to cast their vote. “I wanted to vote, to help improve the Philippines and the city, for the future of our children,” one of the voters in line said. (RVC/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

WestMinCom Chief closely monitors election process

By WESMINCOM

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – May 9, 2022

Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command, together with Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, Deputy Commander for External Operations, and the Command Staff Officers personally monitored the election process in WestMinCom’s area of operation on Monday, May 9, 2022. 

The WestMinCom officers gathered at the Election Monitoring Action Center (EMAC) located at the Operations Building of the command at Camp Navarro, Calarian, this city. The EMAC was established a week prior the Election Day. It is composed of military and police personnel who closely coordinate with each other and with their respective subordinate units to provide real-time situational updates on the ongoing election process. EMACs were also established at the headquarters of all the Joint Task Forces under WestMinCom.

Lt. Gen. Rosario said, “We are tasked to ensure a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible National and Local Elections 2022 hence we are utilizing all our inherent capabilities to achieve it. Our personnel on the ground are working doubly to safeguard the sanctity of the election.”

Checkpoints were established and troops were deployed to perform security duties in the different polling centers. Before Election Day, troops provided security assistance during the transportation and inspection of the Vote Counting Machines (VCM).  

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. reported that there were election-related incidents that transpired within the WestMinCom AO. “There were incidents reported earlier but those were just isolated cases. Together with our partners from the police and other security agencies we assure you that we are on top of the situation. Despite the reported violent incidents, our joint forces were able to respond swiftly and appropriately so that the election process was not hampered in those concerned areas,” Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. said. 

“The Western Mindanao Command through all of its Joint Task Forces firmly aspires for the peaceful and successful conduct of the National and Local Elections. We have already done it before and we hope to do it again.”

“During the preparations, we have already identified the gaps and have addressed them accordingly through the series of conferences. These allowed us to instill necessary measures and initiatives to ensure the success of the election. The Western Mindanao Command ensures that there will be no election failure and the election paraphernalia, election committee, and electorates are safe and secured,” the WestMinCom Commander added. (PR-4CRG, CRS-AFP)

Senior citizens, PWDs cast vote amid rainy day in Zambo City

 By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 09 (PIA) – Some senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) here, did not skip to cast their vote during the national and local election today, May 09.

In spite of the unfavorable weather and threats of COVID-19 virus, the vulnerable sectors expressed dedication to personally vote their bets in their respective precincts.

“We have to choose the right candidates for our country, kaya dapat bumoto tayo,” Ruth Lafuentes, a senior citizen said in an interview.

Ms. Lafuentes emphasized that with her  difficulties as senior, she still decided to go and cast her vote in pursuit to elect the deserving leaders in our country, as she doesn’t want to regret one day.

“As Filipino citizens, we need to vote! Suportahan natin ang ating mga kandidato  para hindi tayo magsisisi sa huli.” Lafuentes said.

She also highlighted the assistance of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) volunteers to elders and PWDs in locating their precincts.  

“Mahirap talagang pumila kaya nga malaki ang aming pasasalamat sa mga volunteers kasi very supportive sila sa amin at ginawa nilang madali ang pagboto namin,” Lafuentes added.

Further, all senior citizens and PWDs are hopeful to have leaders with strong heart and are certain to hear their cries.

“We want leaders that are not corrupt and with strong personalities that will not leave the country and the Filipinos,” Lafuentes concluded. (NBE/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

First time voters experience smooth voting process

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 9 (PIA) – Voters flock in polling centers of Zamboanga City early in the morning today (May 9) for the National and Local Elections 2022. 

This includes the first time voters coming from the youth sector who came early at their polling centers to cast their votes. Most of the first time voters are excited to experience the voting process and to vote for their candidates.

Coleen Pequit, one of the first time voters shares her experience as it was a smooth process and it was easy for her to fill up the ballots, “I am little nervous while shading my ballot because I may shade the wrong name or shade more than the number of required candidates,” she added.

As a youth and student, Pequit highlighted that she wants a leader that can help the country’s struggles and problems in the society. She also expressed that she is excited and willing to vote this election and encourages the youth to take part in the election, “it is our responsibility as a citizen, so we can elect a person that is deserving of the position,” Pequit said.

Josha De Lima, another first time voter also shares the character of the leader she wants to lead the country, “As first time voter, I can exercise my right to make changes in the Philippines and for my future, I want my leader to be honest and no history of corruption,” De Lima emphasized.

Amidst the inclement weather and minor technical problems of Vote Counting Machines, voting in Zamboanga City continues until 7pm today.

Commission on Elections emphasized that as long as there are people in line outside the precincts, they will be allowed to vote even after 7pm.

Voters are not required to bring any valid ID or vaccination cards, as long as they follow the minimum public health standards inside the polling centers. (NBE/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)