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THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology had put to public view its numerous and pioneering research and development efforts in biotechnology during the National Biotechnology Week that started last November 24. The DOST and the Department of Agriculture were co-chair of the weeklong celebration with activities held at the University of the Philippines Institute of Small Scale industries.

This year’s National Biotechnology Week had adopted the theme, “Making Biotechnology Work for You”, which underscores the promotion of safe and responsible use of biotechnology and its products for equitable health services, sustainable food resources, safe and sustainable environment, and biotechnology industry development.

Presidential Proclamation no. 1414 has proclaimed the National Biotechnology Week as an annual celebration on every last week of November.

DOST’s Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development lined up series of activities aimed to create and promote public awareness and understanding on biotechnology.

The activities included investors’ forum (Nov. 24), scientific forum on health, and on energy and environment (Nov. 25), scientific forum on agriculture and food industry, and educational forum on biotechnology (Nov. 26), training on DNA forensics for police officers (Nov. 27), and forum on the status and prospects of biotechnology in the Philippines (Nov. 28).

There will be also product exhibition, trade fair, and film showing during the weeklong celebration organized by different DOST agencies.

THE TIPARAK Irrigators Farmers Association in Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur has expressed their gratitude after receiving a mechanical flatbed dryer recently from the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Post Harvest Research and Extension.

The ceremonial turned-over of said dryer was attended by Tambulig Municipal Mayor Caridad Balaod, municipal officials, barangay officials, Governor Auring Cerilles represented by Board Member Ramon Blancia, Jr., and Congressman Victor Yu represented also by Maphilindo Obaob, who also led the inauguration of 4-classrooms SEDIP building of the Department of Education.

Tiparak Barangay Chairman Sandra Utlang conveyed her gratitude and expressed hopes for more blessings to come to her barangay from the two agencies.

“Sa gihatag nga grasya sa ginoo namo karon, madugangan pa unta kini sa umaabot nga panahon,” Utlang said.

Mayor Balaod also thanked the people behind its realization and urged the people of Tiparak to take care of the mechanical dryer and the school building as well.

A 35 YEAR-OLD, farmer was stabbed to death by a certain Michael Guiging, single and a resident of Purok Alindahaw, Lumbia District, Pagadian City at around 2:00 a.m. at the Old Parking Area, Santiago District, this city last October 22 (Wednesday).

Police investigator identified the victim a certain Dioscoro L. Bation, 35, farmer and a resident of Baya-baya, Tabina, Zamboanga del Sur.

Police investigator said that Guiging had a drinking spree and heated argument with Bation that resulted Guiging to stab Bation on his chest and dead later on while the suspect fled to an unknown direction.

As of press time, elements of the Pagadian City PNP are still conducting a hot pursuit operation for the possible apprehension of the suspect.

A PERSON wanted by the authorities was arrested by elements of the Aurora PNP last October 21, 2008.

The police identified the fugitive as one Ranie V. Sungcal, 37, married and a resident of Libertad, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.

Sungcal was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest in Criminal Case No. 08-10,653 issued by RTC Judge Ernesto Laurel of Branch 30, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur for the crime of theft of large cattle. A bail bond of P36,000.00 for the temporary liberty of the accused, who is now detained at the Aurora lock up cell is set by the Court.

18 Year-old Stabbed To Death; Casual Employee Escapes Death

A CERTAIN Alkevin L. del Gado, 18, single, jobless and a resident of Purok Kapalaran, Balangasan District, Pagadian City was stabbed to death by an unidentified assailant at Sagun Street, San Francisco District, this city last October 9.

Police investigator said that while Del Gado was walking along Sagun Street, an unidentified assailant suddenly stabbed him with a sharp bladed weapon and immediately fled to an unknown direction.

Del Gado sustained a stabbed wound at the lower part of his neck and was immediately brought to the hospital for treatment but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

As of press time, elements of the Pagadian PNP are still conducting a thorough investigation to determine the motive of the killing and the suspect’s identity.

MEANWHILE, in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur, a certain Eugenio U. Ramos, alias Junior, 55, widower, a casual employee of Midsalip Municipal Engineer’s Office and a resident of Poblacion, Midsalip was shot with the use of a shotgun by a certain David Pongcol, 37, married, casual employee and a resident of said municipality last October 15 (Wednesday).

Police investigator said that Ramos sustained gunshot wounds at the left side of his body of shotgun and immediately rushed to the Aurora General Hospital for treatment.

After the incident, the suspect (Pongcol) voluntary surrendered to Barangay Captain Bonifacio Basalo together with his firearm, which he turned over to the responding PNP team led by PSI Jorge Andam. Pongcol is now temporarily detained at Midsalip PNP lock up cell and a case of frustrated murder is to be filed against him.

Motive of the shooting incident is believed to be a personal grudge, it was gathered.

Zamboanga del Sur under the Unicef’s Sixth Country Program for Children (CPC-VI) is strengthening its programs and services for children.

In line with the observance of Children’s Month, this October, the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Office headed by Gumersinda A. Molde spearheaded a series of meetings at the Capitol to galvanize the City and Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (C/MCPC) as well as Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).

Since 2001, Zamboanga del Sur has a Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) chaired by Governor Aurora E. Cerilles embracing the Convention of the Rights of the Child anchored on the four categories, namely: 1) survival, 2) development, 3) participation and 4) protection,

Proof of this effort is that Dumingag became a Hall of Famer as Most Child Friendly Municipality in the country in 2004 and currently, it is Vincenzo Sagun that is the province’ nominee to the National competition while vying for the ‘Hall of Fame’ in Region IX as a consistent Most Child-Friendly town in Zamboanga Peninsula in the last two years. Midsalip, too, is creating waves in the Child-Friendly Movement and is nominated as Most Child-Friendly Municipality for Zamboanga del Sur, DILG Provincial Director and PCPC vice chair Abcede H. Asjali narrated.

In the case of Child’s Development Category, according to Molde, Zamboanga del Sur was able to comply with its mandate to establish and support Day Care Centers. In fact, she disclosed that the province has more than 100 percent compliance of RA 6972 and RA 8980 or ECCD Act since of the 681 barangays, 843 Day Care Centers are already established and functional giving supplementary care to at least 2 to 5 year old children.

But Molde clarified that the role of the BCPC is more than this. Barangays have to formulate the Four Gifts for children such as: 1) Local Development Plan, 2) Local Investment Plan, 3) Local Code, and Local State of Children Report, she pointed out.

During the meeting, Asjali challenged all LGUs to continuously support the Child Friendly Movement as he reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the BCPC members. He said BCPC is there to ensure the survival, development, protection and participation of children and youth at the barangay or community level.

Asjali said the functionality of BCPCs and MCPCs will be evaluated and rated according to activities of the organization, meetings, policies, plans and budget and its accomplishments and evaluation period is during every first quarter of the year.

IN COMMEMORATION of the World Rabies Day celebration, the City Government of Pagadian has opened the new Animal Bite Treatment Center at Sta. Lucia Main Health Center last September 29.

Personnel from the City Health Office led by Dr. Noel Ceniza and the Office of the City Veterinarian led by Dr. Leonora L. Sulay spearheaded the celebration in which organizers recommended a 3-pronged approach that includes dog immunization, responsible pet ownership, and dog-bite victim immunization.

Accordingly, rabies, a viral infection to humans, comes from the rhabdoviridae family, attacks the central nervous system. It is usually excreted in the saliva of an infected animal and is always fatal once symptoms of signs appear.

It was learned that rabies could infect warm-blooded animals, domestic or wild. Incidents of infection rate are 98% of dogs and 2% of cats. It is usually transmitted through bite, scratch, licks on broken skin or mucous membrane such as eyes, nose and mouth.

Animal Bite Treatment Center Coordinator Dr. Referino A. Lingating revealed the symptoms of rabies infection to humans, which include fever, anoxeria, nausea and vomiting, headaches, pain or restlessness at bite site and signs of nervous system dysfunction as hyperacidity, disorientation, hallucination, seizures and paralysis.

To the infected canine, signs include unusual restlessness, fever, dilatation of pupils, watchful apprehensive look, biting at inanimate objects, aimless running, unprovoked aggressiveness, difficulty swallowing followed by a change in the bark or howling sounds of the animal.

Lingating added the Department of Health provides vaccines for post-exposure treatment through the Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTC’s) to high risk patients.

Recently, City Councilor Estrella D. Arao authored Resolution No. 2K8-268 (Responsible Pet Ownership), providing for the control and elimination of human and animal rabies.

As this developed, City Mayor Sammy Co urged residents to have their canine pets vaccinated and kept inside their premises. In line with the intensified Clean and Green Program of the city government, officials may seize astray dogs on the streets, it was gathered.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, the women lawyers of Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur, collectively and tentatively known as GIRLL (Gorgeous & Intelligent Roster of Lady Lawyers), have come together and organized themselves to unite for a common cause: “accessible justice for everyone”. Thus, the idea of holding a one day FREE LEGAL CLINIC on September 19, 2008 was conceived. GIRLL’s desire to have a meaningful celebration of the World Law Day on September 19 stems from the realization that many of the financially disadvantaged residents of Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur are virtually deprived of the law due to the costs to be entailed.

This one day FREE LEGAL CLINIC on September 19 shall be held at the Hall of Justice parking area from 8:30 to 11:30 in the morning and 1:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon. The FREE services to be offered in the LEGAL CLINIC are Notarial Work and Legal Counseling. Women’s rights advocacy campaign, through a showing of infomercials and similar audio-visual materials, is also incorporated in the activity, as this is a concrete display of women empowerment from the women legal sector of our community.

This project is the first salvo that marks the commitment of the women in the legal profession to join hands and etch a new trail, put ablaze a new path, and forge a new direction where others have failed, for the advancement of the delivery of justice in this part of the world.

For after all, “Justice is a Lady”!

THE LOCAL licensing division of Pagadian City is now intensifying its drive against illegal business entities following the discovery of several business establishments operating without business permits and licenses.

Leonardo Balucan, license inspector of city hall said that in the month of July they were able to discover a minimum of 5 unlicensed businesses daily in at least 6 commercial barangays in the city.

Balucan added that most of the unlicensed businesses are dry goods stores, sari-sari stores and cellphone repair shops found in Sta. Lucia, Balangasan, Santiago, Sto. Nino, Sta. Maria and San Jose.

Balucan said that they have also discovered auto repair shops, vulcanizing shop, fish and vegetable retail stores that have long been operating but have yet to secure business permits.

This month of August an average of 30 establishments a day were thoroughly inspected to check on the legality of their operation and to ensure they possess proper documents.

Balucan said their office will not hesitate to impose sanctions, including the closure of business entities that have long been warned to secure business permits and licenses but merely ignored the warning and have instead continued to operate illegally.

Edilderto Tomarong, also a license inspector said that in 6 months time almost 4,136 licensed applications have been processed but only 2,276 were approved and released.

Discrepancies of documents are among the several reasons causing the delay in the approval and release of licenses, Tomarong said.

It may be recalled that City Mayor Sammy Co has been urging local businessmen to be prompt in paying their taxes so that the tax collection efficiency of city hall will improve.

Co said that the local revenue is the bread

CITY MAYOR Sammy Co has expressed his anxiety over the Malabang Massacre last July 28 but called on the local residents to remain sober and calm.

He also extended help and sympathy to the family of Larry Rivera, a city hall employee and one of the five fatalities in the gruesome killing in Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

Co is convinced that revenge and not robbery was the real motive of the killing taking into account the death of two Marawi residents whose dead bodies were dumped at a hilly area in Sitio, Nazareth, this city a month ago.

Co described the Malabang massacre as a cowardice act and must be condemned in the strongest terms.

“The victims are innocent people so why punished them with cruelty”, Co said in an interview as he also called on the authorities to run after the culprits.

The mayor denied the allegation that the local police could have been behind the execution of the two victims who came from Marawi City. He said that our local police are not stupid to kill criminals and dumped their bodies into their own backyard.

Co hinted that the killing could be a handiwork of an outsider and those dead bodies were just dumped in sitio Nazareth, a favorite dumping place of dead bodies of alleged notorious police characters.

Co also said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) along with their counterparts in Lanao del Sur are now conducting a follow up investigation.

The Philippine Army is also helping the authorities especially in information gathering that might help in the arrest of the suspects.

A Family In Aurora Attacked, 2 Killed

A GROUP of still undetermined number of unidentified persons, suspected to be armed with hard objects broke into a residential house in Sitio Balhin, San Jose, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur and attacked the people inside, resulting in the death of two family members who suffered severe wounds and body contusions.

Police record shows that while members of the Ligue family were asleep at around 12:30 a.m. last July 17, unidentified persons broke into their house by passing through an unfinished ceiling then beat up the father with the use of stick made of hardwood.

Police identified the father as one Manuel Ligue, who was killed on the spot after his head and the back of his body were hit by a hard object.

Manuel’s wife, Rachel Ligue, who was similarly attacked was able to escape despite her injuries and screaming loud enough to alert the neighbors, the police said.

Manuel’s 3 daughters who were sleeping in another room sustained injuries on the various parts of their bodies which were allegedly also hit by a hard object.

Two daughters managed to escape while a third one died.

The victims were rushed to the Aurora General hospital for treatment and now recovering, according to the Aurora PNP.

Police investigators are suspecting that the perpetrators were paid to kill all the members of the Ligue family.

As of press time, Aurora PNP conducting a thorough investigation to determine the motive of the gruesome killing and the identity of the wrongdoers.

DOLE Grants P347-T For Livelihood Projects In Zambosur

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR – The Department of Labor and Employment has granted a total amount of P347,400.00 to different associations in the province duly registered with DOLE.

The turn-over of these checks was held on Friday, November 15 at the DOLE Provincial Office.

DOLE Regional Director Carlos L. Boteros with Provincial Officer Virginia L. Bonbon turned-over the Training-Cum-Production (TCP) checks amounting to Php145,370.00 to the PGO-Zamboanga del Sur Women Zero Waste Recycling Movement represented by Chairperson Ena R. Pelias and Ms. Carmencita Singgo-Project Coordinator; Php82,030.00 to the Muslim-Christian Farmers & Fisherfolk Association represented by Nasser Patron Impo - Association President; and two more checks each amounting to Php60,000.00 to the Differently-Abled Persons (DAP) of LGU-Midsalip and Tigbao through Midsalip Association of Differently-Abled Persons (MIADAP) with its President Gloria P. Malicay and Tigbao Disabled Persons Association of Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur represented by its President Mario M. Vanguardia.

PAGADIAN CITY - The victorious elected officials in barangay Sto. Niño, this city held a party over the weekend at Tukuran beach, Zamboanga del Sur to celebrate the overwhelming votes they garnered in the last elections.

Kagawad elect Carlos “Kaloy” Madarang in an interview said that Mayor Sammy Co, Governor Auring Cerilles and Congressman Victor Yu were the invited guests during the party.

Relatives of the winning candidates were also present at the party with the chosen theme: “Kausaban ug Kauswagan sa Barangay Sto. Niño.

Punong Barangay elect Coy Yocogo led the party along with the elected barangay kagawad like Marivic Ababon, Carlos Madarang, Pat Atienza, Ely Geneston, Rolando Mabasa, Antonio Almonte and Alejandro Bontilao.

“Kining mao nga bando sa mga lider sa barangay Sto. Niño ang magdala sa kaayuhan ug kalambuan sa maong barangay”, Kagawad elect Madarang said.

He added that barangay Sto. Niño will now be the pet barangay of Governor Auring Cerilles which for so long has been neglected.

“Kini mao ang timailhan sa dugang pang paglambo sa baranagy Sto. Niño,” Madarang added.

Police Seize Shabu From Pushers

DESPITE THE heightened alert status of the PNP on all public and private cemeteries, the joint forces of the 905^{th PNP Provincial Mobile Group and the Pagadian City PNP caught in the act and arrested two persons on a drug buy-bust operation last November 1.}

The operatives, who were conducting a surveillance on a “peanut” vendor who was driving a motor Honda Wave 125 with sidecar, with no plate number, arrested Zainal Mustapha, 26, and Usman Maido, 39, a driver, both residents of Barangay Tapodoc, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Confiscated from the two suspects were a small sachet of shabu and three big sachets of the same substance as well as a P500.00 marked money used by the operatives, near the JH grocery store in Barangay Tiguma, Pagadian City.

It was gathered that the two allegedly used the ‘peanut’ business as front for selling drugs.

The arrested men are now in the custody of the city PNP for safekeeping while cases to be filed against the duo for violating Republic Act 9165 known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are prepared.

AFTER 3-WEEK test operation, the Pagadian City Fish Port is now officially opened.

City Mayor Sammy Co declared last Tuesday (October 23) in the opening program shortly after the blessing of the P115-M worth revenue-generating facility administered by San Pedro Parish Priest Arnulfo Jumaoas.

Provincial Governor Auring E. Cerilles and Congressman Tony H. Cerilles’ sent their representatives to the affair in the persons of Board Members Nonong Fucoy and Rebi Sumalinog respectively to express their elation for another tangible improvement of the city and also congratulated the city officialdom for realizing this project.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod through Vice Mayor Tata Pulmones, its presiding officer, who was represented by City councilor Trel Arao said that indeed they are very happy and grateful that at last the fish port is operational.

The fish port is eyed to be one of the major revenue generating agencies of the city government and the legislators have expressed high hopes that with competent and dedicated personnel this facility will be truly responsive to what it is ought to be.

Vice Mayor Pulmones has singled out the strong determination of Mayor Co in successfully pursuing the project at a lesser cost while making another income-generating project that could definitely keep in settling the P193-million Bond Flotation that financed the project.

Prior to its grand opening, Bantay Dagat and Maritime Police collared unscrupulous individuals on board small boats and who used to ask fish from fishing boats.

In a press conference, Mayor Co vowed to crash any individual or groups who may destroy the operation of the fish port. The earlier detection of such activities prompted him to say, “this is a multi-million project; we can’t afford to have this fish port closed.”

It may be recalled that the Co administration only inherited this project which was not yet implemented from his predecessor. He was City Vice Mayor then. In spite of his objection along with Councilors Trel Arao and Tata Pulmones, on his side, the project was perfected and bidded.

The three, accordingly anchored their objection not on the project itself but on its cost. The original project cost was P193-million and was to be placed in Santa Lucia, which Co found too risky for the City government to pay its loan since the site was unsuitable for the purpose.

Co, upon the approval of the legislative department had to cut the project cost down to P115-million and used the balance of P78-million to construct a 2-storey and 3-side Agora building.

“With the Agora, we are assured of income,” Co said, to used to pay the monthly amortization of the project while the fish port is still gaining patronage from fishing companies.

19 Houses Razed By Fire In Sta. Lucia

AT LEAST 25 families are homeless after an afternoon fire razed to the ground nineteen homes including 3 boarding houses in Brgy. Sta Lucia, Pagadian City. Records show that a fire call was received by the Pagadian Fire Station at 3:35 PM, October 16, 2007 and immediately Commander SF02 Rolando H. Roda and SF01 Crispin Camboangga responded to the area. 

Upon arrival of the firemen houses were already engulfed by fire and after a few minutes later BFP Super Tanker with CFM C/Inspector Clemente M. Alvarez and PCWD followed to augment the first responding firemen. Witnesses said the fire originated in a boarding house allegedly owned by a certain Alinton even as Fire Investigators has yet to confirm this. As of this report the Bureau of Fire Protection, Pagadian Station is still investigating the fire incident.

The 15 houses that were burned and 4 others partially damaged were made of light materials such as wood and other indigenous materials. The fire was controlled by the responding firemen with the support of the PCWD and the community itself at exactly 4:40 pm.

Estimated damage of the fire is placed at P4-million in properties including one Multi-Cab owned by a certain Nating Palamos which was parked in the garage of his residence.
When the fire hit, some of the boarders in the three boarding houses scampered for safety without bringing any of their belongings.

Other victims were given immediate assistance by the City Department of Welfare and Social Services such as rice, sardines, 
and some used clothing.

PAGADIAN CITY - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo bared her plans for the upgrading and development of the Pagadian City airport during her recent visit to the Regional Center of the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The President who was the Guest of Honor on the 55^{th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur came with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, OPAPP Secretary and Mindanao Super Region Champion Jesus Dureza, Maryse Gautier - World Bank Country Director and other dignitaries.}

She was met at the airport by Governor Aurora Enerio-Cerilles, Congressman Antonio H. Cerilles, Congressman Victor Yu, City Mayor Samuel Co, heads of national government agencies and other local government officials.

During the opening program and inauguration of the Agro-Tourism & Heritage Complex at Dao, the president announced the airport development program of her administration in this part of the country under the Mindanao Super Region. “Gusto nato ang mas maayo nga airport sa Pagadian.” (We want a better airport for Pagadian), the president said in fluent Cebuano.

“Bids for the P57 million appropriation for the runway overlay have been submitted. To accommodate your officials’ request for runway extension to accommodate bigger planes, another P30 million was realigned from last year’s budget and published last August 30. The bids will be opened on October 11 and construction will start in the last week of October,” she said.

The president added another P200 million for Pagadian City’s runway extension project, as part of her commitment to raise infrastructure spending for roads, bridges, airports and power plants, among others.

This pronouncement from the president drew a resounding applause and cheer from the huge crowd.

 SEAIR Flies To Pagadian City

PAGADIAN CITY – Local carrier South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) announced over the weekend the opening of a route to Pagadian City, the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Sur. SEAIR now flies to Cebu-Pagadian-Cebu every Mondays and Thursdays, in line with the Clark-based airline’s expansion plans for this year. 
“SEAIR reaffirms its commitment to help increase commercial activity and tourism in the area. Since the opening of a regional hub in Zamboanga City in 2002, SEAIR currently flies to Jolo and Tawi-tawi on a daily basis and to Cotabato every Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” said Avelino Zapanta, President of SEAIR.
Present during the inaugural flight at the Pagadian Airport were no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Senator Miguel Zubiri, Secretary Jesus Dureza-Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process and Mindanao Super Region Champion, DA Secretary Arthur Yap, SEAIR officials, West MinCom Commander MGen. Nelson Allaga, PNP Regional Director Jaime G. Caringal, ATO Manager Jose Budiongan and local officials led by Governor Aurora Enerio Cerilles, 2nd District Congressman Antonio H. Cerilles, 1st District Congressman Victor Yu, and City Mayor Samuel S. Co.SEAIR aims to bridge the Philippine islands by offering secondary and missionary routes to complement the trunk line routes serviced by other major players in the domestic airline industry.

The airline now flies to 15 local tourist destinations : Manila, Caticlan (Boracay) and Cebu in Visayas; Clark in Northern Luzon; Busuanga, Cuyo, El Nido, Puerto Princesa and Rodriguez in Palawan province, Camiguin, Cotabato, Jolo, Pagadian, Tawi-tawi and Zamboanga in Mindanao. “Our Cebu-Pagadian route will make traveling for tourists and businessmen easier,” added Zapanta. “Pagadian City has become more accessible – now only 35 minutes away from Cebu via SEAIR.2007 is a milestone year for Philippine tourism. According to DOT figures, more than 1.5 million foreign tourists arrived at the NAIA in the first semester alone, an almost 8% growth over the same period last year. With more local and national efforts to promote the Philippines, the rate of tourism influx can go higher in 2010.

Pagadian City, a first-class city of Zamboanga del Sur is the regional center of the 
Zamboanga Peninsula. It serves as a gateway to the cities of Ozamis, Iligan and 
Cotabato.  “As the only local commercial airline offering inter-Mindanao flights, we at SEAIR feel  that we have been a factor in the growth of commerce in the region. Our future focus is to develop tourism and international routes out of Zamboanga and Davao,” said Zapanta.

For its Cebu-Pagadian route, SEAIR uses its 32-seater Dornier 328 aircraft. The late in a long line of technologically innovative aircraft manufactured by Germany-based 
Dornier, the Dornier 328 is one of the fastest and most advanced jetprop in the world.Aside from the local expansion, SEAIR is positioning itself to enter the international  market after its appointment as one of the official carriers for the 
Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia, Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.
For inquiries and reservations, please call SEAIR Reservations at (02) 849-0100, SEAIR Cebu at (032) 341-4879, or SEAIR Pagadian at (062) 215-3831 and 215-3835.

Pgma To Visit Pagadian City 

PAGADIAN CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is coming to this city on September 17, 2007 to grace 3 important events. First, as the Anniversary Speaker of the 55th Araw ng Zamboanga del Sur; second, to attend the birthday of her close ally  Governor Auring E. Cerilles; and third, to officially open the Biyahe Na! sa Zambosur Regional Tourism Exposition 2007.

But before attending to these three events, President Arroyo is set to meet the receiving party at the Pagadian City airport to discuss on its expansion. They are: Congressman Tony and Governor Cerilles, Congressman Victor Yu, City Mayor Sammy Co,  League of Municipalities President Ace William Cerilles, Tabak Commanding General Nehemias Pajarito, PNP Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena and Pagadian City Airport Manager Jose Bodiongan.

The president will then proceed to the Amusement and Events Center at the Provincial Capitol to deliver her 55th Anniversary Speech before the Zambosurians. Afterwards, she will personally award and turn-over the Notice to Proceed to Bayog Mayor Mary Ann L. Cartalla, a rehabilitation project of 11-km farm-to-market road amounting to P20,088,647.00. 

PGMA will be assisted by Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap and Country Director Maryse Gautier of the World Bank, the funder of the project under the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP). A birthday lunch with the Governor will follow at the Hotel Alindahaw, where at the same time she will have a meeting with all local chief executives in Region 9 together with Zambosur Congressmen Cerilles and Yu, Vice Governor Roy Ariosa, Board Members, and Mayors. Lastly, Arroyo will proceed to Zambosur Eco-Tourist Zone where the Biyahe Na! sa Zambosur is put in place to officially open  and cut the ceremonial ribbon of the Agro-Tourism and Heritage Complex. The President will then leave for Dakak, Dapitan City to spend a night there.

Former Assemblyman Is New NCIP Commissioner

A FORMER assemblyman of the Regional Autonomous Government in Region 9 is now a new commissioner of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) representing North-Western Mindanao vice Atty. Reuben Lingating.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Miguel Imbing Sia Apostol who was the popular choice of the tribal chieftains and IP communities in the region. Apostol, an active media practitioner was elected twice as President of the Zamboanga Press Club and was known as the “uncompromising and hard-hitting” columnist of the daily community newspaper, Zamboanga Times.                   edited this news weekly for a few years in the past.

Also known as a “man of all seasons,” Apostol was former instructor in political science at the Universidad de Zamboanga and served as executive secretary of the former mayor of the “City of Flowers.”

A native of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur, Apostol was also elected President of the Board of Directors of the Zamboanga Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO).

Shortly before his appointment as NCIP commissioner, he resigned from his lucrative position of regional manager of the Visayas & Mindanao Prohealth Pharmaceuticals to accommodate the popular clamor of Mindanao’s highlanders to represent 
them in the commission.

In a brief statement, the young commissioner said he will get to the bottom of the problems confronting the cultural  communities and help them uplift their economic well-being. “But first, the NCIP field office in Mindanao must be restructured with a workforce that is effective, responsive and dedicated to the service,” he concluded.

Former Assemblyman Is New NCIP Commissioner

A FORMER assemblyman of the Regional Autonomous Government in Region 9 is now a new commissioner of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) representing North-Western Mindanao vice Atty. Reuben Lingating.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Miguel Imbing Sia Apostol who was the popular choice of the tribal chieftains and IP communities in the region.
Apostol, an active media practitioner was elected twice as President of the Zamboanga Press Club and was known as the “uncompromising and hard-hitting” columnist of the daily community newspaper, Zamboanga Times. He edited this news weekly for a few years in the past.

Also known as a “man of all seasons,” Apostol was former instructor in political science at the Universidad de Zamboanga and served as executive secretary of the former mayor of the “City of Flowers.”

A native of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur, Apostol was also elected President of the Board of Directors of the Zamboanga Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO).
Shortly before his appointment as NCIP commissioner, he resigned from his lucrative position of regional manager of the Visayas & Mindanao Prohealth Pharmaceuticals to accommodate the popular clamor of Mindanao’s highlanders to represent them in the commission.

In a brief statement, the young commissioner said he will get to the bottom of the problems confronting the cultural communities and help them uplift their economic well-being.

“But first, the NCIP field office in Mindanao must be restructured with a workforce that is effective, responsive and dedicated to the service,” he concluded.

Balangasan, Sta. Lucia  Under State Of Calamity

PAGADIAN CITY – After being affected by heavy floods last Sunday, August 19, 2007, the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) has placed Barangays Balangasan and Sta. Lucia, this city under a state of calamity. Residents of Purok Acasia, Tabing Ilog, Kawayan and portion of Kapalaran all of Balangasan were severely affected by the evening flashfloods, according to Kagawad Fred Soria of Balangasan, who chairs the committee on infrastructure and development.

Two houses in Purok Kapalaran situated along the river bank of Balangasan river were swept by flood waters, however, no casualties were reported.
Home appliances, kitchenwares and other valuable items were washed out prompting owners to seek help from the City Disaster Coordinating Council.
Several houses in Tabing Ilog, Purok Acasia and Kawayan submerged into deep waters causing damages in personal belongings including, home furniture and appliances.

A wooden bridge that connects Balangasan to barangay Sto. Niño was also damaged by strong flood waters. River control in Purok Kawayan going to Sta. Lucia and Dumagoc area cracked when struck by timbers, bamboo poles and other 
hard and huge objects carried by flood waters.

On August 20 at 4:00 p.m the City Disaster Coordinating Council convened and declared the affected area under a state of  calamity. The city government will initially release a calamity fund of P8-million to institute necessary repairs of damaged infrastructure facilities, the relocation of affected families and release of relief goods for the victims.

Of the P8-million, P500,000.00 will be used for the immediate repair of damaged wooden bridge and river control while P20,000.00 will be allocated for relief goods to some 200 affected families.City Mayor Sammy Co has also ordered the barangay officials in Balangasan to disallow residents to stay and build houses 
along river banks. Occupants along river banks will also be banned from staying in the area and will be relocated at the city's resettlement 
area in Sitio Nazareth, Brgy. Buenavista, this city.

2 Killed In Rotunda Shot-Out

PAGADIAN CITY – At least 2 persons were killed in an encounter at the Rotunda Hills when policemen fired their guns at two armed men riding in tandem on a motorcycle, who evaded patrolling members of the 905th Police Mobile Group that tried to flag them down in Barangay San Jose, this city.
The shooting incident happened last August 12 (Sunday dawn) along the north diversion road near the Rotunda Hills and meters away from the busy area of the Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT).

Dead on the spot were Ricky Cañete and Mark Anthony Elnar. The two bodies were riddled with bullets of a caliber .45 pistol and M16 armalite rifle. 
Cañete was earlier reported as a resident of Parañaque but the following day his parents claimed his dead body and confirmed he was from Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur.

Mark Anthony Elnar was also reported by the police as a resident of Negros but relatives said he is not from that place but hails from San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur.

His real name is Ruel Lauranilla and not Mark Anthony Elnar, said relatives of the victim when interviewed at the Gamalinda funeral homes.
Police authorities have clarified that the shooting incident was a legitimate operation and dismissed claims it was a rub-out.

Pagadian Seaman Is Now 1st Officer Of A Norwegian Premier Ship

HENRY CONSTANTINE D. WOLFE, 32 year-old and a resident of Barangay Kawit, this city was promoted First Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ship (NCL), an international vessel.

Henry is one of the youngest senior officers onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s premier ships, and he is a Filipino and Pagadianon.

Henry first joined as a Deck Boy and since then, he never left any stone unturned. He kept moving. That is, moving up. He became an OS, a Q/Master, an A/B, then for six contracts, he held the position of Second Officer. Giving one hundred and one percent of his time got him to where he is right now.

It may be recalled that Henry excelled in examinations and interview on a Psycho Test for Marine Profile of the Company held at St. Petersburge, Florida, USA, (NCL main office).

Henry has also saved the lives of four fisherman, who were floating for 12 days at Gulf of Mexico from Roatan, Honduras.
Henry is a graduate of Philippine Maritime Institute, Manila in 1995 and his secondary and elementary levels at the Saint Columban College, Pagadian City.

First Officer Henry D. Wolfe is the son of Mr. Francisco L. Wolfe, a retired chief of Parole and Probation Office of Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur and Mrs. Alicia D. Wolfe, a retired classroom teacher of Pilot Elementary School of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. (Note: Some facts of this articles are based on the story printed on “Sharpnews magazine particularly on Global Filipino.

Pagadian Now Has ChanceTo Send More Nurses Abroad

A NEW SCHOOL in Pagadian has just been born. It is the Philippine Paramedical and Technical School (PPTS) at Enerio Compound, this city which was formally inaugurated last July 28.

With the advent of a paramedical school, Pagadian will have the chance to send at least two nursing graduates to the United States and other foreign countries in 7 years, PPTS founder and chairman of the board Art Lacuesta disclosed.

Lacuesta said that it is wise to enroll in a 2-year practical nursing course than get a 4-year BS Nursing to earn money early. He said that a backbone of teaching nursing students is an equipped skills laboratory which PPTS can boast of it. In 
the case of Pagadian campus, it will be named after the late mother of Governor Auring E. Cerilles.

Lacuesta added that our country is far behind to India and China when it comes to methods of teaching nursing as what they have is already global. 

This approach prompted Lacuesta, who has a dual Filipino and American citizenship to establish a paramedical and technical school in 2003 at Davao City. Now it has expanded to the cities of Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Pagadian.

PPTS is U.S.-accredited and the first member in the Philippines to the U.S. National League of Nursing, Lacuesta pointed out.

PPTS Pagadian Campus has Junjie Fuerte as president with Joel Javier as school administrator. It opens this school year with 25 students as pioneering batch who all submitted to a Nursing Entrance Test (NET). This is a sort of diagnostic test for 
students to find out their English proficiency. 

PPTS is the first and only school in the province and maybe the entire country to require its students to have a punch cards  that accurately record their tardiness and absences as it trains them to be time conscious, Lacuesta said. 

Governor Cerilles and First District Congressman Victor Yu graced the opening and inauguration of PPTS.

Also present were former Governor & Congressman Enteng Cerilles, couple Engr. Berting and Dra. Zenaida E. Galicinao with guests: Eriworld Phils. Vice President Genevieve Cañete, Mrs. Putli Fuerte (PPTS, Las Piñas), Board Member Baldomero 
Fernandez and other professionals interested to take up practical nursing at PPTS, Pagadian.

President Arroyo To Upgrade Pagadian Airport

PAGADIAN has gained attention from the President who promised in her SONA last week to improve its airport along with those of Dipolog and Cotabato.

For the first time, Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur officials were mentioned in the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 23 which was Arroyo’s seventh since becoming the 15th Philippine President.

It is of public knowledge that Pagadian City by virtue of Executive Order No. 429 has been identified as the Regional Center of Region 9, thus its airport needs expansion. 

Few days before the SONA, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through its Resolution No. 2K7-040 requested President GMA to allocate funds for the expansion and extension of Pagadian City airport. 

It may be recalled that during her 2006 SONA President Arroyo bared her plans to establish super regions. Last Monday, she emphasized that “super regions were not gimmicks for the occasion but the blueprint for building the future.”To realize this, “more airports, roads and bridges will be built all over the country as part of the super region project,” the President elaborated.

In about an hour of delivering her SONA, of the three huge islands in the country, Mindanao was mentioned first, Visayas was second and she concluded with Luzon. The President said that since Mindanao is the country’s food basket, she would 
prioritize Agribusiness investments here in her remaining three years in office.
Relative to this, Arroyo announced that she will move the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to Mindanao while the Departments of Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources will devote 30 percent of their respective budgets here.

On achieving peace especially in Mindanao, PGMA stressed that the national government will pour in resources. However, she said that it is never right and always wrong to fight terror with terror. Along this principle, she urged Congress to enact laws against political violence.

Pagadian Is Hosting 13th Asia Pacific Youth Confab Despite Terror

PAGADIAN CITY – Despite the string of terrorist attacks in the southern part of the Philippines, Pagadian City is still hosting the 13th Asia Pacific Youth Conference starting July 20, 2007, Mayor Co said.

City Mayor Sammy Co bared that security has been readied a month ago for the said international gathering of youth coming from different countries in the Asia pacific region.

Co said almost 40 youth delegates from United States of America, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea are expected to arrive here on July 20.

"We have already put in place tight security in the city to prevent anything bad to happen during the conference that will end on July 29", Co added.
Troops from the Army's premiere division in Zamboanga de Sur have been deployed in Pagadian City, while a group from the PNP will also be dispatched to the conference’ venue at Springland Resort and Convention Center in the city.

Zamboanga del Sur Information Officer Allan June Molde also disclosed that the conference will anchor on vital youth issues and concerns worldwide.