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)