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THE DEPARTMENT of Science & Technology-Philippine Science High School (DOST-PSHS) is now offering a scholarship program to deserving incoming high school students who will be trained under a curriculum designed to prepare them for careers in Science and Technology.

This was gathered over the weekend from DOST Provincial officer Ebenezer Tulog, who also said that the National Competitive Examination (NCE) scheduled on November 15, 2008 is open to grade six pupils who must belong to the upper 10% of the graduating class as certified by the School Principal, or a have special aptitude in science and math as supported by the report card and letter of recommendation; a Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country; not more than 15 years of age by June 30, 2009; in good health and fit to undergo a rigorous academic program; of good moral character; and have not taken the PSHS NCE previously.

Tulog said that the DOST-PSHS test will be conducted once and like a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) which is designed to measure Scientific Ability, Quantitative Ability, Abstract Reasoning and Verbal Aptitude. The testing center in Zamboanga del Sur is the Zamboanga del Sur National High School located at Sta. Maria, Pagadian City.

Tulog added that applicants must submit the following to the DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) the following requirements on or before September 15, 2008: Fully accomplished application form in duplicate copies; two (2) identical recent 1X1 ID pictures; non-refundable test fee of P100.00 for private schools (no test fee for applicants from public schools); copy of report card and letter of recommendation if the applicant does not belong to the upper 10% of the current graduating class.

For more information, those interested may visit the DOST office located at 2^{nd Floor, Gasul Bldg., Rizal Ave. cor. Duterte Street, Pagadian City. For more inquiries they may also call telephone number (062)-3531994 or text at 09177184284}

PAGADIAN CITY - In an effort to restore peace in Mindanao, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari held a peace caravan in Pagadian City last Monday (August 4). He arrived at exactly 3:00 p.m in Barangay Muricay as an identified Peace and Development Community (PDC).

Misuari said that there was an immediate call to speed up the peace and solidarity of our people in Mindanao.

“As chairman of the MNLF and in my capacity as the sole legitimate representative of the Bangsa Moro, it is my duty to help restore peace in Mindanao,” Misuari said.

He also said that the MNLF is the chief defender, protector, guardian and the champion of peace, thus “it is not surprising to hear why MNLF leadership has always been advocating for peace”.

“The top item of my agenda is to relay the message of peace”, Misuari added.

Asked to comment about the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front over ancestral domain, Misuari said he does not like to comment on it. “That is their own look-out and we have nothing to do with that and it is not binding on us or the Bangsa Moro people as well, Misuari said.

Accordingly, Misuari’s visit to Pagadian is the “3rd leg of his peace journey.” The first was in Davao City on May 24 and the second, in Central Mindanao and Lanao del Norte.He intends to finish his tour in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, and will then proceed to Tawi-Tawi, Siasi, Sulu and Basilan.

News Feature:

PAGADIAN CITY is getting highly urbanized being the new administrative center of Region IX, so that garbage is expected to increase and consequently, the city government must find ways to dispose of them.

Republic Act No. 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 mandates that all local government units should come up with a systematic administration of wastes such as segregation at source, segregated transportation, storage, transfer, treatment and disposal of solid wastes which do not harm the environment.

Three years after RA 9003 was enacted, the city government of Pagadian attempted to comply with the law by creating a technical working force that formulated a 10-year Ecological Solid Waste Management Plan.

Whether such plan was already approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod for implementation by the local chief executive has become a public concern following reports that Baguio City is in the ‘state of calamity’ because of its undisposed garbage. Accordingly Baguio has no place to dump its wastes.

In a phone interview, the lone lady city councilor Estrella Arao disclosed that the Sangguniang Panlungsod has already approved the Ecological Solid Waste Plan with a “zero waste management approach”. But according to her, the draft plan has a dual approach - sanitary landfill and zero waste management.

Arao as SP Committee chair on Ecology is also the chair of the technical working group (TWG) with Engr. Leo Salera of Solid Waste Management Office as vice chair. The latter recommended landfill while the former advocates zero waste approach. With this impasse, there is a need to revamp the plan, Arao suggested.

Arao said that at present the plan is implemented piecemeal but emphasized that very soon upon approval of Mayor Co, the TWG will implement activities leading to zero waste management approach.

It was gathered that solid wastes generated in the urban barangays are now being disposed at an open dump in Bagong Silang which RA 9003 has urged LGUs to abolish due to environmental hazard. With bio-reactor facility, the city’s solid waste management office manufactures organic fertilizer out of the biodegradable wastes collected from the public market and other source, a source at city hall said.

But waste collection will be lessened if only recyclable and reusable materials are segregated at the household level and only letting the government to handle residual wastes, it was learned.

To intensify the campaign for waste segregation at source, Arao said they will start implementing it at the City Hall and other national government offices.

She noted that at the Provincial Capitol is no longer her problem since Governor Auring Cerilles has long before oriented her employees on waste segregation.

Despite government’s effort to manage waste, Arao commented it would be useless without the support from the constituents. To have a clean and healthy environment, this should start in the households, the lady councilor concluded.

CITY PLANNING and Development Coordinator Nazario U. Galambao, Jr. denied the accusation that his office is receiving grease money from clients so as to hasten the processing of a subdivision plan application.

Irked perhaps of what he described as baseless accusation, Galambao personally went to RMN-dxpr over the weekend to clear the issue raised against his office from an anonymous concerned citizen that he is asking money from the transacting public for his office to expedite the processing of documents before it can be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for approval.

The anonymous concerned citizen also criticized the slow pace in processing documents in the city planning’s office. The office acts as processor of all proposed subdivision applications.

Galambao said he never asked and received money from clients and thus cried foul the allegation.

He added that if there are pending applications, his office is not in any way at fault and it could be due to the applicant’s lapses in submitting incomplete documentary requirements.

A subdivision plan application is classified as simple, residential or complex subdivision and a tedious work, which cannot be approved overnight, Galambao said.

“Taas kaayo na nga proseso ug dili diha-diha dayon makuha, dili na madala ug pila lang ka adlaw o semana.

There are at least 12 documents that have to be submitted before their office and if discrepancies are found then that will affect the processing period because all discrepancies must have to be corrected, Galambao said.

Among the documents are application for decision of zoning, application for preliminary approval of simple subdivision, project application for preliminary development permit, application for final approval of complex subdivision, application for preliminary permit of project under PD 957, application for development permit and application of subdivision permit, Galambao said.

Galambao added that if the documents submitted are complete then they will immediately cause the processing of the applications by his office staff and then submit the processed documents to the SP for approval.

“It is not my office that will approve the application but the Sangguniang Panlungsod and my office is merely the processor of all documents submitted by the applicants”, Galambao concluded.

THE OPERATIONS Division of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Region 9 will resume its operation against traffic violators on Monday, July 21, 2008.

Leneth Moreno Estera, LTO’s adjudicator said that the resumption of its massive operations along the national highway in the Zamboanga del Sur is in response to the memorandum issued by the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to fully implement the traffic laws of the Philippines.

It may be recalled that LTO’s operation was temporarily suspended a year ago after its regional office was flooded with complaints of alleged abuses done by its deputized personnel manning the national highway of Zamboanga del Sur.

Disgruntled motorist claimed that some deputized personnel were squeezing money from those apprehended for traffic violations.

Estera said that with the resumption, no more deputized personnel will be fielded and only organic members of the LTO will man the highways to check on registration and licenses.

“It would be a no non-sense operation since we will be strictly enforcing the traffic code of the Philippines”, Estera said in a radio interview.

She added that they will be checking on reported complaints in the Baganian area that some van operators are ferrying passengers even without a franchise from the LTFRB.

Estera clarified that only an organic member of the LTO has the authority to confiscate a driver’s license and a motor vehicle registration as well as to issue a Temporary Operators Permit (TOP).

Police officers who are not deputized by the LTO are prohibited to confiscate driver’s licenses and motor vehicle registration certificate, she concluded.

In marking its 8th Anniversary…Emcor-Tiguma Gives Out Funfare,
Prizes To Its Valued Customers

EMCOR-TIGUMA Store Manager Edmund M. Petalino has earnestly enjoined the public to enjoy the fun at the biggest outlet of Emcor, Inc. in Pagadian City, which has lined up various activities for its valued customers in celebrating its 8th anniversary on July 18.
“It is our way of extending our thanks to them for patronizing our products,” Petalino bared in an interview with this weekly.

Petalino said that for two weeks that is from July 18 to July 31, Emcor-Tiguma will give a Jollibee treat to every customer who buys any item at their store worth P3,000 either cash or installment, and emphasized that discounts on all items from 10% to as much as 50% will be given.

“Our celebration will kick off with a motorcade around the city on July 18 and will be followed with a short opening program at the store grounds. In the afternoon, our valued customers will be entertained by the Square Band, the grand prize winner of the recently concluded “Battle of the Bands” during the Emcor 2nd Level Caravan Sale,” the manager elaborated.

Another highlight of the celebration is the “Slow Drag Race” popularized by Emcor in this city. This will be opened to all motorcycle owners, who are encouraged to join in the elimination rounds on July 19 and 26 with prizes of P200, 100 and 50. The final competition for this event will be on the 30th of July, according to Petalino.

Morever, Petalino has invited badminton enthusiasts to participate in a tournament every 4:00-6:00 in the afternoon from July 19 onwards. Championship will be held on the 31st of July. Prizes at stake ranges from P1,000 for the first prize winner, P750 and P500, for the second and third prize winners, respectively.

The source disclosed that to add color and fun to the celebration, Emcor-Tiguma will hold a Boxing competition at the Grounds exclusively for gays on July 23 at 4:00 pm. “We expect to have five matches, the most where a winner shall receive P500 and P250 for the loser of every match,” he explained.

Emcor-Tiguma is distinctly recognized as the biggest store in Pagadian which employs 35 personnel manning the wide array of motorcycles, appliances, computers, furniture, office and house fixtures as well as the repair and service center, according to Petalino.
Petalino admitted that although their outlet has all the products and items which their customers want to purchase but because of its distance from the heart of the city, majority of the customers would rather visit other Emcor stores like Zulueta (the first store established here), Clark and Rodrin, all located at the city’s commercial area.

“With the several stores we have in the city, Emcor can claim it has helped the economic activities of the New Regional Center in Region IX to become vibrant, Petalino said.
We are proud to say that we honestly and religiously pay all taxes due to the government, Petalino concluded

Regional Development Council (RDC) IX Conducts 124th Regular Meeting Here

PAGADIAN CITY - The Regional Development Council (RDC) IX convened last Monday (June 30) its 124th regular session at the Liga ng Barangay Convention Center, this city. Chaired by Zamboanga del Sur Governor Aurora E. Cerilles, the RDC is the highest policy making body which sets the socio-economic and infrastructure development of Zamboanga Peninsula region.

Undersecretary Renato Ebarle representing Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development of Region 9, graced the event and reported the status and accomplishment of the “Pulong-Pulong on Food and Energy Security” region-wide consultations. The meeting was also attended by Presidential Assistant Ferdinand Mahusay and other special guests and visitors in the city.

The Council passed ten (10) resolutions, namely: (1) Confirming the Presidential Management Staff as Special Non-Voting Member of the Regional Development Council (RDC) IX; (2) Requesting the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to release portion of the P15-million for the Mindanao Railway System Feasibility Study; (3) Endorsing the RDC IX Private Sector Representatives to be ex-officio members of the local development councils; (4) Authorizing the granting of Identification Cards for the Private Sector Representatives (PSRs) and Special Non-Voting Members (SNVMs) of the RDC IX; (5) Endorsing the List of Region IX’s Bridges to the Central Office of DPWH for inclusion into the DPWH Bridges for Prosperity Acceleration Proposed under the United Kingdom (UK) Financing Facility;
(6) Endorsing the Project Proposal Hepeshelabuk: A Cultural Journey for Peace/Indigenous People’s Expo 2008 in Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur; (7) Requesting Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Chairperson Noli de Castro to establish a HUDCC office in Region IX; (8) Requesting the Commission on Higher Education to make Representation with the Department of Budget and Management and Congress for the Provision of Budgetary Allocation to the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to Fund the Scholarship Program of Dependents of Barangay Officials; (9) Requesting the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to incorporate Scholarship Fund in their respective annual budgets; and (10) Supporting the Implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P).

Other important matters during the conference were the confirmation of Presidential Management Staff (PMS) as Special Non-Voting Member of the Council and the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between NEDA and local government officials relative to the Tabina Enhanced Environmental Project under the Kennedy Round 2 fund; and the Provincial Local Planning for Expenditure Management (PLPEM).
The meeting’s agenda likewise included the update on the Mindanao/Region IX Power situationer, Briefing on the Joint Memorandum Circular 1, RDC IX Strategic Planning Workshop, and the Regional Project Monitoring Committee’s Report on the Major Programs and Projects in the Region IX.

Atty. Arsenio L. Gonzalez, Jr., Co-Chairman of RDC-IX and Private Sector Representative of Zamboanga City, enjoined the Council members to work closely for the speedy development of the region. The collective effort and collaboration among the RDC members, local government units and business sector is important in pushing for the development agenda of the region for the sustained benefits of the general public in the region, he disclosed.

PAGADIAN CITY - The principal of the Sta. Lucia Central Elementary School, this city is appealing to the temporary occupants of a portion of the school’s lot to vacate to give way for the construction of a school building.

This was gathered over the weekend from Dr. Remedios Bulahan, the school’s principal as she said that several classrooms in Sta. Lucia elementary school are not safe in case of flood which happens during a heavy downpour. The rising of sea water level also contributes a lot to the flooding of classrooms.

“It is so uncomfortable for pupils to attend classes while water flood the flooring,” Bulahan lamented as she showed to local media the actual condition of pupils inside flooded classrooms.

Bulahan confirmed that the budget for the construction of 29 classrooms was approved and already awarded to the contractor.

She called on the illegal occupants to leave the area so as not to hamper and jeopardize the comfort and learning ability of the school children.

She also appealed to the barangay council in Sta. Lucia not to help the illegal settlers since the construction of a school building is really for the children for them to have a conducive place for learning.

On the other hand, Mayor Sammy Co assured the settlers they will be provided with a relocation area before the project starts.

THE DEPARTMENT of Education has bared over the weekend its general assessment on the June 10 opening of classes is that it was very orderly and successful with the help of the Philippine National Police.

Mr. Roberto D. Bibanco, ZSNHS and WMSU-ESU School executive head, confirmed that at least 6 PNP members were deployed at the Zamboanga del Sur National High School to safeguard the more than 4,000 students.

“We need tight security of the school campus especially the wearing of school uniform is optional this year and we can hardly identify students and outsiders entering the schools premises”, Bibanco said.

Bibanco added that he does not want a repetition of the previous year’s robbery incident inside the school campus that had caused fear on students attending classes.

He thanked the city PNP for deploying policemen to ensure the security of the school premises and to help the blue guards in securing the lives and personal belongings of the students.

Police Chief Inspector Reynaldo M. Maclang in an interview said that he has deployed PNP members in the city’s leading central schools and high schools to ensure the safety of the students.

The Pagadian City Pilot School is now secured by police officers and traffic enforcers to avoid traffic jams especially during peak hours.

In Balangasan Central Elementary School at least 2 PNP members are reporting daily to secure the area with the help of the Barangay Tanaod.

Other policemen are regularly patrolling in different private colleges in the city and plain clothes policemen are also keeping an eye on these schools’ day to day classes for security reasons.

Maclang said that with this security set up parents would be at ease knowing that their children are in a safe environment.

The City PNP is now imposing tight security due to some reported bomb threats coming from terrorists with link to the Abu Sayaff group in Sulu and Basilan. Schools, public markets, IBT’s and other busy areas are their targets, it was reported.