DOLE assists canning workers affected by fishing ban

By: Clennkei C. Peñalosa

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept 1 (PIA) – Department of Labor and Employment 9 (DOLE 9) prepares the assistance for approximately 35,000 to 60,000 canning factory workers, who will be affected by the closed fishing ban season in Zamboanga Peninsula on December.

DOLE-9 and its stakeholders came up with Project Hope under Tulong Pangkabuhayan Program (TUPAD) to help disadvantaged and displaced workers during fishing bans or during the closed fishing season for three months every year.

Photo Credits: Bong Serondo 

DOLE-9 Regional Director Roy Buenafe said the budget of TUPAD increases for the implementation this year.

He stressed to help the workers during the fishing ban, under Project Hope, workers in the canning and fishing factories and companies cultivate the Project Hope Farm that produces raw materials needed in the canning factories.

Project Hope Cooperative supplies chili products which are one of the main ingredients taken from the farm, and others like tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots. During the season, the farm supplies squash, sayote, and other vegetables as necessary provisions for the fishing vessels.

In December, if the cooperative is able to issue dividends, this will go to the workers and they will use it to cover at least one month without a salary after the fishing ban.

Factory workers continue to request that funds will be increased for the program through an ITC resolution institutionalizing the TUPAD every closed fishing season.

“We have to give value to the industry because many people depend on it”, Dir. Buenafe added.

The closed fishing season which will start on December 1 to February 28, is one way of conserving and improving fish stocks and other marine resources. Commercial fishing is banned during the closed season in the conservation areas such as the Sibugay Bay, East Sulu Sea, and Basilan Straight. (MLE/CCP/PIA9-ZamboangaCity)

TESDA-9 reaches remote areas to increase employment in ZamPen

By Gemerick E. Zapanta

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 15 (PIA) – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – 9 (TESDA-9) prioritizes the remote and rural areas in Zamboanga Peninsula to conduct various training and livelihood programs.

The Deputy Director General of TESDA Aniceto Bertiz III, who recently visited the region to seek development in training centers emphasized that TESDA will fulfill its mantra which is “Abot Lahat”, or to reach and provide opportunity to everyone who is willing to be trained.

“TESDA provides quality trainings because the goal is for the trainees and students to be employed after the program,” Dir. Bertiz added.

The authority is happy with the outcome of the enrollees who are interested with the programs they offer. TESDA recorded approximately 10 million graduates of their different programs during the time of President Rodrigo Duterte. Dir. Bertiz affirms that with the new administration they continue to aim more graduates as the demand for skilled workers is also increasing, “our skills is our future,” he said.

In the City of Zamboanga, TESDA was able to reach far flung barangays such as Limpapa and Baluno as part of their strategy to help remote areas and to get more scholars and enrollees for their programs. TESDA also highlighted that financial concern is the main reason why some of the qualified individuals refuse to enroll in techvoc courses, however TESDA was able to find solution in this problem by giving daily allowance, uniform allowance, and free tuition.

Furthermore, as part of their development, TESDA is now on the process of reactivating their mobile training vehicles program to cater more individuals especially from remote areas.

Dir. Bertiz visit in Zamboanga City last Tuesday (July 12) is also an opportunity to meet their partner training centers and stakeholders to further focus on the mission of TESDA which is the “enrollment to employment” program. He also facilitated the opening of the Zamboanga Sibugay provincial office that will cater more leaners and implement modern skills development trainings for the enrollees. (NBE/MLE/GEZ/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Former MILF member finishes senior high school

By: Nilda Delos Reyes

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, July 04 (PIA) – A former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) member in Isabela City finished his senior high school studies this year in one of the city’s most remote barangays.

Amuda H. Maulana, a 52-year old former member of a political organization MNLF graduated through the Technical-Vocational Livelihood Track (TVL) at Caro National High School in Barangay Kapayawan, which was formerly known as one among the conflict affected areas.

During his graduation, he was accompanied by his 89-year old father, Hji. Maulana A. Daranggala, who is proud of his son's accomplishments despite his age. He said that his son believes that education is essential in one's life and determined to pursue his studies even at his age.

This is also the very first commencement exercise in this school.

School Head Mr. Ekmar J. Sakib in his message, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the students and invited guests for being a part of this memorable events in their school.

"This event is historic because it is the first ever graduation ceremony of the school, which was established in 2017 with the assistance of its former Barangay Chairperson who donated the lot for the school's construction," he said.

Meanwhile, Hon. Nasser Salain, Basilan District 1 Provincial Board Member who served as one of the speakers, announced the free college tuition fees at soon-to-be Basilan State University and encouraged everyone to complete their college degree.

Mendry Ann Lim, City Information Officer, emphasized the local government unit's support for the education sector through DepEd-Isabela City's implementation of various programs and services such as the Teledukasyon program, Mobile Library and student scholarships and assistance under Mayor Sitti Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman's leadership.

“There is no reason for you, graduates, not to pursue your dreams through education because our government is working to provide access and support to quality education for all,” she said.

The Caro National High School currently has 202 students in Grades 7 to 12 with 9 regular faculty members and 6 volunteer teachers. (RVC/NDR/PIA-Basilan with reports from City Information Office)

DOT-9 invites tourists as ZamPen opens more destinations

By Omar O. Jaljalis

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 27 (PIA) – The Department of Tourism 9 (DOT-9) gradually opens new tourism activities to promote Zamboanga Peninsula in the ‘new normal’ tourism experience. 

More resorts, beaches and hotels in ZamPen are opening its doors again for domestic and foreign tourists.

“We have more than 200 destinations across the region that is now serving both our domestic and foreign tourist, hopefully we will pick up, with the alert level classifications downgraded and with the eradication of the virus,” Giselle Machutes, DOT-9 Supervising Tourism Operations Officer said.

DOT-9 reported that the rate of the number of tourists recorded first quarter of this year have increased to about 30 percent compared last year. DOT also said that within 2 to 3 years the tourism will have a complete recovery after the pandemic since the tourism in ZamPen is gradually picking up and things are getting back to normal.

Moreover, with the opening up again of the tourism industry in the region, DOT-9 is now looking at developing more activities, tourism products and services; collaborating with ZamBaSulta region to create more tourism products for Mindanao.

Aside from that, they will be starting with the enhancement of the five-year Regional Tourism Development Plan and the conduct of more training programs for stakeholders and tourism establishments.

DOT-9 still reminds the tourist to strictly follow the minimum public health standards and safety protocols. However, DOT assured that accredited establishments are compliant with the minimum health and safety protocols, and are also compliant with the guidelines issued by Department of Health and the National Inter-Agency Task Force.

“We would like to invite everyone to come and visit ZamPen, we assure safety to tourists and experience the diverse culture of ZamPen,” Matchutes added. (RVC/EDT/MLE/OOJ/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Zambo OCVET extends assistance to ASF-affected hog raisers

By Gemerick E. Zapanta

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jun 28 (PIA) – Zamboanga Office of City Veterinarian (OCVET) visited Barangay Mangusu, one of the barangays with most numbers of reported African Swine Fever (ASF) infections to explain the assistance to be given to all
hog raisers.

During the Demand Generation Information session together with City Public Information Office, Philippine Information Agency, City Health Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the team shared information to the barangay leaders and hog-raisers that may help them address the needs of the barangay.

One of the pressing issues identified by the barangay is the effect of ASF to hog raisers, which are their main source of income and livelihood.

Some 23 hog-raisers already reported and submitted their pigs to OCVET for testing, while the barangay reported that some hog raisers also reported deaths.

Dr. Reynald Miculob Jr. from Zamboanga OCVET emphasized during the information session with the hog-raisers present, that up until now there were no vaccines available to mitigate the transmission of ASF in the City and advised the residents that it is not yet safe and convenient for them to raise pigs.

Although OCVET confirmed that pigs are the only animals that can be infected by the virus and it does not bring any negative effect to human being and to other living animals, the residents are still advised to avoid swill feeding and maintain cleanliness in their area.

Moreover, OCVET clarified that hog raisers will get 2,500 cash incentive from the government for each surrendered pig and 5,000 cash incentive per house hold for hog-raisers who refused to surrender their pigs and later got infected by ASF.  They also encourage hog-raisers to initiate an alternative livelihood for the meantime and introduces rabbit meat production and poultry products for the residents. (RVC/EDT/MLE/GEZ/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

DOH-9 still recommends continuous use of face mask

By Omar O. Jaljalis

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH)-9 continuously reminds the public to still use face mask and practice the minimum public health standards.

As other cities and local government units are practicing the voluntary used of face mask, DOH 9 still encourages the residents to maintain using the face mask as this is proven to protect us from COVID-19.

“We are still waiting for the official guidelines from the central and Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) if we will be implementing this in the region. As of now, we will still continue to implement the use of face mask both for outdoor and enclosed areas,” Dr. Punzalan added. 

DOH-9 reported that active COVID-19 cases now at forty-eight (48), as per the regional case bulletin dated June 24.

“We are seeing minimal cases in past few weeks, Zamboanga Del Norte and Zamboanga City now has low cases while in Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Isabela are classified as minimal new normal. Our Average Daily attack Rate (ADAR) is 0.12 and is lesser compared last year,” DOH 9 Medical Officer Dr. Mary Germeyn D. Punzalan said.

More recoveries were also recorded with 57,780, mortality rate maintained at 2,546 and DOH emphasized that this will not be possible without the support of the general public, in terms of following the public health protocols in order to contain the spread of coronavirus disease.

“We are continuously in collaboration with other government agencies especially in the implementation of the new BIDA solution,” Dr. Punzalan said.

DOH would like to emphasize following the BIDA campaign in monitoring establishments and institutions; use best fitted mask,  isolate if you have symptoms, double-up our protection with primary and booster doses and maintain airflow in work and schools. (RVC/EDT/MLE/OOJ/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

70% of individuals in ZamPen fully vaccinated

By Gemerick E. Zapanta

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jun 22 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH)-9 reported that Zamboanga Peninsula region has achieved its goal of 70% COVID-19 fully vaccinated individuals.

During the PIA Kapihan na Zamboanga COVID-19 update on June 21, Dr. Mary Germeyn Punzalan said the country was able to hit the 70 million mark of fully vaccinated individuals in the entire Philippines.

“It was a huge milestone for us,’’ she said.

ZamPen is already at 2.2 million fully vaccinated individuals or 71.43% of the population. However, the region still has low coverage in the first booster dose vaccination counting only 355,000 individuals or 21% recorded out of the 1.7 million eligible population. 

DOH-9 continuously urged parents to get their children vaccinated. As of this report, only 25% out of the total target pediatric population is recorded in the region. 

Aside from the pediatric vaccination and first booster dose, ZamPen also started the vaccination for the second booster dose for the frontline health workers, senior citizens and immunocompromised priority groups.

Eligible individuals can get the second booster shot within the four months interval from the first booster dose.

DOH-9 is still waiting for the guidelines and target date of second booster dose vaccination for the general population.

Dr. Punzalan emphasized the importance of the booster dose to address the low coverage on booster vaccination where it can provide additional protection to the people and the community against COVID-19.

“One thing we can really do now is to make them understand the need for booster and to intensify our social mobilization activity, and we talk to people,” she added. (RVC/EDT/MLE/GEZ/PIA9-Zamboanga City)