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After flyover bridge issue, now comes the rice!

A

FTER THE controversial flyover issue, now the rice purchase made by the local government for Zamboangueños at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, is again being revived as a black propaganda ahead of the May polls.

READ STORY ON PAGE 2

Broken power poles leave Zambo barangays with no electricity OVER 100,000 residents in several barangays here were without electricity for 24 hours after an old 69kV line steel Continue on page 5

The DPWH fails to comply with the local government requirements to widen roads before building the proposed overpass bridge along Gov. Camins Avenue so as to decongest the heavy traffic during the construction of the project. Because of its failure to comply, the budget for the DPWH flyover bridge project was returned to the national government. (Image: Al Jacinto)

Climaco education program surpasses Lobregat’s accomplishments

Beng rallies residents to fight fake news, propaganda MAYOR BENG Climaco, who is running for congresswoman in Dis-

trict 1, has rallied Zamboangueños to fight black propaganda and fake

news as she thanked residents for continuously Continue on page 3

More residents get cash aid, vow to support ‘Cong’ Beng NEARLY 3,000 residents have received cash aid from Mayor Beng Climaco as she continues to prioritize the needy and the vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens Continue on page 2

Medical workers, frontliners lauded for Covid response THREE MONTHS before she steps down, Mayor Beng Climaco has again praised all those involved in the government’s Covid-19 response, especially the Continue on page 7

Mayor Beng Climaco poses with senior citizens during the distribution of cash gifts.

(Bong Serondo)

Zamboanga Peninsula

A ZAMCELCO photo shows repairmen working on the poles in Barangay Putik.

DISTRICT 1 congressional candidate Mayor Beng Climaco said under her administration, the local government invested some P1.5 billion in education initiatives as part of her priority for the past 9 years.

Continue on page 7

Medical frontliners at work.

Basilan

Sulu

Tawi-tawi

2

The Zamboanga Post

March 14-20, 2022

After flyover bridge issue, now comes the rice!

From page 1 With the elections nearing, political foes of Mayor Beng Climaco have revived the issue of the proposed flyover project with politicians running for the May polls, again riding on the topic and taking advantage of the propaganda.

But the overpass project of the Department of Public Works and Highways had been halted since 2019 after DPWH failed to comply with the local government requirements and its funds returned to the national government.

Now, Climaco’s enemies are spreading black propaganda anew and this time the so-called overpriced purchases of welfare goods despite repeated denials by the local government.

Climaco, who is now on her third and last term, said with respect to the issues and allegations on overpricing and alleged corruption and the Audit Observation Memorandum and Notice of Disallowance from the Commission on Audit on some transactions of the previous years, this does not automatically equate to conclusive evidence of the liability of all concerned.

“Our respective replies were already submitted to the concerned agency, who we consider as our enabling partner for good governance and in the achievement of the City’s goals and objectives. Hence, let due process of law take its course, rather than spread sheer speculation to perceive and ascribe corrupt intent and conspiracy of wrongdoing of the personnel involved,” Climaco said.

“In fact, there are no fixed rules as to what constitutes an unlawful expenditure. In post audit exercises, apparent excess payments or overpricing initially shown by the discrepancy between the actual agency expenditure and the estimates of the Commission on Audit is not a conclusive determination of unlawful expenditure,” she explained.

The mayor said the characterization of the expenditure would be determined by the “circumstances of time and place, behavioral and ecological factors, as well as political, social and economic conditions.” In other words, she said, the expenditure would be judged on varied factors to include its legality, regularity, necessity, reasonableness, and moderation. “Este el verdad y claro que el go-

bierno local nohay viola ley na este maga proceso,” Climaco said.

Procurement law followed In June 2020, the Bids and Awards Committee or BAC flatly rejected allegations of overpricing in the purchase of some 250,000 bags of rice intended for each household in all 98 villages here affected by the pandemic.

Erwin Bernardo, the BAC chairman, said the acquisition of rice went through negotiated procurement under emergency cases, particularly in the instance, “when time is of the essence arising from natural or man-made calamities.”

The BAC approved the purchase of rice at P1,300 per 25 kilo-bag after the supplier, 5MJ Marketing, submitted all legal documents required by laws.

Bernardo explained that in order to determine whether the supplier is technically, legally and financially capable to address the emergency, BAC required 5MJ Marketing to submit the following documents – the PhilGeps (Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System) Platinum Certificate, Omnibus Sworn Statement, Latest Income Tax Returns and Business Permit.

He said aside from the submission of the documents, it is very important that the supplier has an excellent track record with the procuring entity. “It is equally important to use the contents of the PhilGEPS electronic registry of suppliers to determine the eligibility of a supplier relative to its past transactions with other entities of the government,” he told The Zamboanga Post newspaper, adding, “the procurement of rice was done within the bounds of the procurement law and the price is reasonable based on the prevailing market price.”

Bernardo said the procurement of rice went through the process and it was done within the bounds of the procurement law and the price is reasonable based on the prevailing market price.

“It cannot be denied that we are in a state of worldwide calamity. Hence, this alternative mode of procurement was resorted to instead of the usual competitive bidding because it relates to time element as the primordial reason,” he said.

Bernardo further explained that the procedure

is, upon receipt of the purchase request together with supporting documents to include the approved budget for the contract from the end-user which is the City Social Welfare and Development Officer, the BAC may directly negotiate with a supplier with technical, legal and financial capability to deliver the goods.

And upon confirmation and ascertainment of such capability to address the emergency, the head of the procuring entity, upon recommendation of the BAC, shall immediately award the contract to the supplier.

He said while rice is sold by retailers and traders at lower price, the Procurement Law (RA 9184) mandates that local government units only transact with “technically, legally and financially” eligible suppliers, that is, compliant with requirements set by law.

“Inasmuch as we want to buy directly from traders and retailers, requirements of the law (RA 9184) preclude us from doing so. The amount of P1,300 per sack was indicated in the purchase request and the approved budget for the contract before it reached the BAC. And upon receipt of the purchase request, the BAC made its own calculation based on the prevailing market price. During the market survey, the price ranged from P1,120 to as high as P1,250.”

“Allowing the 10% mark-up under COA rules, the allowable price per sack would be around P1,232 to P1,375. The 10% mark-up is intended for handling costs, labor costs, other overhead expenses incurred by the supplier and his allowable profits,” Bernardo said.

He said the BAC cannot settle with the lowest amount only because, considering the instability of supply and abnormal demand in the market, the supply for the lowest priced premium rice may not suffice the demand of the City Government which is 250,000 sacks. Hence, the ceiling price was pegged at P1,300 so that the supplier can still go for other rice brands of higher price without going beyond the ceiling price.

Bernardo clarified that the price of rice is variable and can easily change depending largely on the law of supply and demand amid the pandemic.

“We are in a state of

extraordinary times and not normal times where time is of the essence in the procurement process. The City Government cannot purchase it directly from the retailers or wholesalers, as some would tend to believe, because of the volume of the transaction nor can it split the contract since it is prohibited by law.

It needs the services of the supplier who will buy it from retailers and traders and deliver it and collect (it) later from the (local) government,” he said. He also cited that COA allows 10% mark-up on normal or ordinary times and considering the different factors affecting price and supply in the market such as higher labor cost due to scarcity of laborers, doubling of cost of transportation of

goods, disruption of normal supply in the market since even ordinary buyers hoarded for their own supply, “the City Government complied with the 10% allowable mark-up during this pandemic to religiously comply with laws and rules. Had the City Government not provided the allowable higher maximum price per sack, we will not be able to procure the needed 250,000 sacks and be able to distribute the same to the people of Zamboanga City, because the supply for the lowest price is not sufficient.”

Bernardo said the few reported cases of spoiled rice were immediately replaced by the supplier. “As admitted by the supplier, rice spoilage may not be easily detected in big vol-

umes of rice. The immediate replacement of spoiled or low quality rice signifies the City Government's commitment in assuring that the supplier fully complies with its obligations,” he said.

Climaco’s foe have used the rice issue in attacking her despite the transparency and strict processes imposed by the local government in the procurement of welfare goods and other necessities in the middle of the health crisis.

The mayor shrugged off all black propaganda and fake news and false information against the local government and urged her political enemies to move on if they cannot help in unified efforts to fight the pandemic, heal the sick and feed the hungry. (Zamboanga Post)

More residents get cash aid, vow to support ‘Cong’ Beng Continued from page 1 as part of her pro-poor programs which started in 2013.

Climaco, who is running for congresswoman in District 1, said over 1,600 people, mostly security guards and workers from commercial establishments, received cash assistance through the Local Social Amelioration Program (LSAP). She said the financial assistance is intended to alleviate the plight of those severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The mayor led social workers in the LSAP dis-

tribution recently.

Even the elderly who celebrated their birthdays were given cash gifts, according to the mayor, adding those who received the gifts are residents who are 60 years old and above.

Nearly 1,000 senior citizens from Barangays Recodo and Sinunuc received their birthday gifts recently.

The program is the first in Zamboanga under the Climaco administration with residents who are either Muslims, Christians and Lumads are entitled to the benefit as it is given to constituents

regardless of race, color or belief.

“Servicio con amor y compasion a los adultos mayores de la Ciudad en reconocimiento y agradecimiento por el gran aporte a la sociedad,” Climaco said.

Those who received cash assistance and birthday gifts thanked the mayor and many of them vowed to support her congressional candidacy so she can continue serving the poor and introduce more legislation that will benefit the vulnerable sectors. (Zamboanga Post)

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The Zamboanga Post

Beng rallies residents to fight fake news, propaganda

Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Continued from page 1 supporting her various pro-poor programs and welfare project.

Climaco admitted being targeted by black propagandists and social media trolls, including her political foes because of their personal interest amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said the black propaganda also undermined the local government’s efforts and Covid-19 response which largely affected the public. “We tackled government distrust, fake news and Covid-fatigue with information campaigns to correct misconceptions. It is disheartening that amidst the pandemic, unfriendly political forces were unrelenting in their propaganda that distracted efforts and undermined public trust.”

“We aligned our responses based on realities and needs on the ground - to Heal the Sick and Feed the Hungry – Curada, Comida y Busca La Vida! Being the first LGU in the country to respond to President Duterte’s call and declare an early lockdown, we confronted the difficult challenge of balancing the economy and public health,” she said.

Climaco also called on her foes to set aside their personal interest and prioritize the welfare of the people.

“I’d like to emphasize now more than ever that our responsibility as elected leaders at this point in time, is that we allow the collective contributions of each other to rise above partisan criticism and political noise and focus on the real task at hand – to heal the sick, feed the hungry and unite the City,” the mayor said.

“We are now two years in our fight against the coronavirus disease and we need to continuously rise up to the challenge to do more for others and contribute rather than be noisy, politicking and putting personal interests above people’s interests and their well-being. We always have to be at our best, sommum bonum, because we owe it to the people who put their faith in us as elected leaders. Interes del Ciudad antes el interes personal,” she added.

Summum bonum is a Latin expression meaning the highest or ultimate good, which was introduced by the Roman philosopher Cicero to denote the fundamental principle on which some system of ethics is based — that is, the aim of actions, which, if consistently pursued, will lead to the best possible life.

Prayers

In one interview with Climaco in December, she told the Zamboanga Post that she always prays to God and asks nothing for herself, but the safety and welfare of the Zamboangueños and all the good things for the city. “I pray to God for our people to be able to be safe, healthy and happy. With God’s grace we become resilient learning from the struggles we have.

Amidst the pandemic, we rely on God’s providence to win over all of life’s struggles,” she said.

“Curada, Comida, Busca Vida y Vacuna. We look forward to 2022 to bring our beloved children back to school, families safely outdoors, and in prayer with the Holy Family, find hope, have faith in Love. We also pray for our country, for the people to choose the next leaders whom God will direct for us. And a world humble, grateful and good stewards of environment versus Climate Change,” Climaco added.

And her prayers indeed were answered by God. The National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases has placed Zamboanga City under Alert Level and further opened more businesses and people to enjoy the new normal.

When asked about her wishes for those who continue to hurl black propaganda against her, and for her detractors and political trolls, the mayor replied: “I pray for all…for them to be happy and healthy.”

The 55-year old Climaco, who is a devout Catholic, spoke nothing ill against those who talked evil against her, but only praises to the Lord, saying “God watches over everyone.”

Feats Climaco, a multi-awarded politician, remains popular among residents and is seen to win in the May polls.

In 2018, Climaco was chosen as among “Top 5 World’s Best Mayors” by the prestigious City Mayors Foundation. She was named along with Valeria Mancinelli, Mayor of Ancona, Italy who is the Winner of the 2018 World Mayor Prize; Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, UK; Nathalie Appéré, Mayor of Rennes, France; and Charlotte Britz, Mayor of Saarbrücken, Germany.

In awarding Climaco, the City Mayors Foundation said it heavily cited the mayor for her commitment to offer Zamboanga harmony, security and prosperity.

The City Mayors Foundation said “The World Mayor Prize and Commendations” awards are given every two years to mayors who have

made outstanding contributions to their communities and have developed a vision for urban living and working that is relevant to towns and cities across the world.

It noted that shortly after being elected in 2013, Climaco was confronted with an armed uprising by Moro rebels that left parts of Zamboanga City under siege for 19 days and by the time government forces had defeated the rebels, 183 people had died and more than 120,000 residents were displaced. “During her first term in office, Climaco made it her priority for the victims of the attack to receive justice and compensation. She has also been determined to heal any divisions between the city’s Christian and Muslim communities. The Inter-Religious Dialogue Council she convened has been successful in promoting peace.

In a city, which was often perceived as violent, there have been no bombings or kidnapping incidents since 2016 when she won the mayoralty seat.

And in 2017, Mayor Climaco’s administration won the award for the most improved local government,” said the philanthropic international research think tank.

It said that in a series of personal essays, the finalists for the 2018 World Mayor Prize described the reasons that motivated them to enter politics, the challenges they face as mayors and how they envisage their towns and cities to develop and prosper in the future. They stressed the importance of women in politics and urged young women to always aim high.

In her essay, Climaco describes how the values of family members formed her political and social beliefs. “My grandmother was a champion of Filipino women’s right to vote and it was from her, we all learned the value of community service,” she said.

She also wrote that in times of crisis her faith in God sustained her. Climaco was also recognized as “Most Outstanding Mayor” by the Federation of Local Councils of Women in the Philippines in 2017. These awards and rankings were based on indicators and measurements such as economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency. These recognitions are feats never before achieved by any administration, including that of former mayor Celso Lobregat or even in the time of Manny Dalipe, the father of Rep. Mannix Dalipe. (Zamboanga Post)

4

The Zamboanga Post

March 14-20, 2022

Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.

Photos by : Bong Serondo, Wllard Angeles Bolls, Argie Ramos, Giana Andrion and Christine Lim.

March 14-20, 2022

The Zamboanga Post Exclusive

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Zamboanga Pictures in the News

Broken power poles leave Zambo barangays with no electricity

These photos show the problems of ZAMCELCO. (Images: Al Jacinto)

Continued from page 1 poles toppled in Barangay Putik last week.

With the poles broken, the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) ended up erecting two poles and reconnecting power to several feeders before sunrise on March 9.

Carl Andrew Rubio, a member of the board of directors, who is also the cooperative’s spokesman, repeatedly assured Tuesday afternoon the repair would be completed before dusk, but the works continued until the next day as rains forced workers to stop.

The broken poles at Lorenzo Height Drive in the village of Putik affected several feeders and cut off electricity on March 8 in the villages of Mercedes, Tumaga, Guiwan, Presa, Northside Tetuan, and Arena Blanco whose populations are over 100,000.

“The said location (of the broken poles) is narrow and muddy, which delays the work of our technical team on site. Power will be restored as soon as the necessary work has been 100% completed. We

ask for your patience and understanding,” the cooperative said on its Facebook page which was flooded with angry comments and invective from residents.

Cooperative members have largely blamed the ZAMCELCO for its failures to repair broken or dilapidated poles and accused it of overcharging despite the monthly increase in electricity rates. From poor customer service to dilapidated electric meters, and the usual voltage fluctuations and power outages, remain the major complaints of the consumers. And those who received new electric meters were shocked to find their bills increased two fold or more.

Electric consumers have been complaining about the daily voltage fluctuations, saying not a single day passes without a glitch. And all these problems add up to the stress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to the residents. The frequent voltage fluctuations and the surge in electricity had destroyed their appliances.

The system loss is also high at 22% with ZAMCELCO blaming

widespread pilferage of electricity.

Many street poles still have old electric meters and worse, a number of these do not have covers or broken and pose grave hazards to the public. Many light poles are also dangerously leaning with television and telecommunication cables hanging like a thick industrial cobweb.

Since 2019 after Crown Investments Holdings, Inc. and Desco Inc. took over and bailed out the heavily-indebted and poorly-managed ZAMCELCO for P2.5 billion, the problems are still the same and residents continue to suffer as they did the past several decades.

The ZAMCELCO Customer Service Department is the worst, according to cooperative members, who said that nobody was answering their phone calls. Residents also complained that ZAMCELCO billed them more than what they are supposed to pay. Electric consumers resorted to social media in airing their complaints; many angry over what they claimed were over billing or overcharging imposed by the electric cooperative. (Zamboanga Post)

6

The Zamboanga Post

March 14-20, 2022

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55. Wear away

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7

Medical workers, frontliners lauded for Covid response

Medical frontliners at field work.

Continued from page 1 medical frontliners, citing the unified efforts of everybody in fighting the pandemic.

“We thank once again the heroism and sacrifices of our medical officers and medical frontliners for their hardwork and dedication to save lives and protect our communities from the threat of the virus.

You shine the light and pave the way for the eventual healing and recovery of our City,” the mayor said.

“It is clear that governance, recovery, and resiliency are a shared responsibility that is no longer the sole domain of government. Everyone should be involved in the healing and recovery process,” she added.

Climaco said because of everybody’s hard work and perseverance, the Department of the Interior and Local government has awarded the City Government the “Gawad Tanglaw sa Pandemya: Award for the Most Functional Covid-19 Task Force in Region 9 for Province/Highly Urbanized City. The DILG also awarded the local government with P50,000.

Awards Climaco said aside from the “Gawad Tanglaw sa Pandemya” award, the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, established by Climaco in 2013 after winning the mayoralty post, was adjudged 1st place for the “Best Highly Urbanized CDRRMC in Region IX” during the 18th Gawad KALASAG: Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance Award.

The City Government was also one of the top three Gawad Kalasag National Awards Finalists for Highly-Urbanized City Category in the country and eventually won 3rd Place award with Davao City and Quezon City, as first placer and second placer on the same category, respectively.

The mayor said over the years, the City Government is now the consistent Top 1 Performing City in the Regional Disaster Preparedness Index by the DILG highlighting indicators on greater awareness for disaster preparedness

across all sectors, public and private, aspects of disaster preparedness, resilience, mitigation efforts, social vulnerability, and hazard exposure, and providing a means to encourage communities to improve their preparedness efforts among others.

Gawad KALASAG is the country’s premier annual awards for outstanding contribution in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance. It is the principal mechanism by which the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council advances awareness of the best practices of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and humanitarian response and action.

“As part of our formidable legacy in disaster preparedness, we are constructing the DRRM Building with Command Center at Cabatangan which will serve as the command, control and coordination unit on all emergency’s response in the city. With our contingency plans in place for various hazards and the trainings our personnel underwent, we are now reaping the benefits of an overall local preparedness capability,” Climaco said.

All these awards have over shadowed and effectively crashed the political propaganda of the opposition councilors who are allied of defeated mayor Celso Lobregat and Rep. Mannix Dalipe who criticized the purchases of equipment by the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Climaco went on to elaborate the humungous assistance her administration provided to all sectors of the society, especially the poor, the senior citizens and the vulnerable sectors in this time of the pandemic.

“As part of our reintegration response during the pandemic, the assistance provided by the LGU extends even after recovery from Covid-19.

Survivors (of Covid-19) were given welfare goods and cash assistance to also help them get back on their feet. We have also allocated more than P107 million for our Local Social Amelioration Program – our own version of cash as-

sistance extended to various sectors in the City whose livelihood and jobs were badly hit by the pandemic,” she said.

Climaco said while her political foes were busy in spreading fake news and black propaganda in different barangays instead of helping, she on the other hand was immersed in helping the poor, those begging for help and crying for mercy.

“I met with farmers and fisherfolks, restaurant workers and sales personnel working in malls and department store, resort workers, workers in spa, barber shops and beauty salons, members of the entertainment and events industry, jeepney and tricycle drivers, LGBTQIA members and many others who received our cash assistance – all grateful to the ayuda given to them,” Climaco said.

“Indeed, we are no strangers to crises, but we are all witnesses on how the Covid-19 pandemic has tested and pushed us to our limits. We cannot help but yield in humility, trusting the expertise of our medical frontliners to guide and focus our efforts to save lives. We rest our Covid responses on the fixed fulcrum of science, ready to pivot, adjust, and recalibrate as the situation demands, but also tempered on compassion and love for our family, community, and city,” she added.

Climaco, who is running for congresswoman in District 1, said the deadly Covid-19 respiratory disease remains to be an ongoing and evolving challenge, adding: “Each day brings us closer to the day where we win but until then, we must all take up the shared responsibility of protecting our community.

Observing the minimum health standards and getting vaccinated – these are all keys to moving forward in the new normal,” She added: “Above all, we yield to our faith – that God will sustain us and deliver us. We will soon lift our curfew and allow children and their families to go out and enjoy the beauty of the City through our public parks and the many businesses and new destinations that opened up. We will all once again see children going back to our schools and our people exercising their faith in their places of worship.” (Zamboanga Post)

Climaco education program surpasses Lobregat’s accomplishments Continued from page 1 Climaco’s education expenses for various infra projects and other support programs even surpassed that of the previous nine-year administration of Celso Lobregat.

“Como antes un maestra, grande tambien fondo el ya dale kita na educacion. We have invested a total of P1.5 billion in education which is 89.84% higher compared to the previous administration’s 9-year term,” said the mayor, who is now on her last term.

The multi-awarded Climaco said the education budget built at least 62 climate resilient buildings and rehabilitated and improved 23 more school buildings.

And most noteworthy among these projects is that none of the school buildings bear the name nor the initials of Climaco, unlike in the administration of Lobregat where even the roofs of school buildings are painted with the word “Adelante Zamboanga,” his political battle cry; and the initials CL, an acronym for Celso Lobregat on window grills.

Climaco said infrastructure projects are continuing to further boost the education program of her administration which will benefit the children whom she referred to as future leaders of Zamboanga.

“We are also constructing a P79.9 million worth of college building for the Colegio de la Ciudad de Zamboanga – our new local city college which is our baby project under our administration,” she said.

In addition to school buildings and infrastructure, the mayor said the local government also placed a premium in the development of educational materials for students of all grade levels, including key resources aimed at the preservation and promotion of the Chavacano language.

She said instruction materials on the mother tongue-based multilingual educa-

tion were produced for teachers and pupils alike, specifically for Grades I, II, and III and that work textbooks were also developed for the learning of Chavacano in the curriculum for the entire division of Zamboanga City, including reading and history books for different grade levels.

Climaco said the Chavacano orthography was also submitted to the Komisyon ng Wika for archiving as part of the local government’s efforts in preserving the Spanish creole.

“With our orthography, we can say that the preservation and promotion of the Chavacano language now stands on solid ground,” she said.

Chavacano orthography is the same as it is in Spanish orthography with a lesser letter of “r” at the last or second letter of the word.

Chavacano verbs are mostly Spanish in origin. In contrast to the other varieties, there is rarely a Zamboangueño verb that is based on or has its origin from other Philippine languages. Hence, verbs contribute much of the Spanish vocabulary in Chavacano de Zamboanga.

The mayor said that Education, along with her priorities in Security and Health, assure better welfare and protection for the Zamboangueños and progress for the City.

“With social services sector consistently getting the lion’s share, our budgets are indeed the Budget for the People, which consistently represent the administration’s unceasing priorities on Security, Health and Education, with the aim in making Zamboanga City safe, resilient and sustainable, in addressing the disparities in educational opportunities and in ensuring that all constituents, especially the poor and marginalized, have access to quality health services that they need,” she said. (Zamboanga Post and Jasmine Mohammadsali)

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The Zamboanga Post

March 14-20, 2022

March 14-20, 2022

The Zamboanga Post

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March 14-20, 2022

‘Team Climaco’ cheered in unity walk

H

UNDREDS OF Mayor Beng Climaco’s supporters turned up in downtown Zamboanga during the unity walk for peace and interfaith rally by the local police force among political candidates running for the Mayo polls.

Photos from Mayor Beng Climaco's Facebook page show the Unity Walk participated by Team Climaco and Partido Paz.

Farmers, fishermen benefit from aid package FARMERS AND fishermen thanked Mayor Beng Climaco for various equipment and cash aid they received recently from the local government.

Climaco led the distribution of power sprayers to different farmer associations in Barangays Tumaga, Ayala, Culianan, Manicahan, Curu-

an and Vitali. The donation was part of the High Value Crops Development Program of the City Agriculturist Office under Carmencita Sanchez.

The mayor also inaugurated the new Agricultural Extension Field Office 1 in Barangay Tetuan as part of her commitment to the agriculture sector. The Agricul-

tural Extension Field Office 1 serves the needs of farmers and fisherfolk under Tumaga District.

She also distributed cash assistance to at least 233 fishermen and farmers from different barangays. The aid is part of the Local Social Amelioration Program. (Zamboanga Post)

The downtown streets were flooded by people wearing pink shirts and chanted “Team Climaco,” many waving pink flags and banners bearing the photos of Climaco, who is running for congresswoman in District 1; and other candidates.

The unity walk started in front of the main police headquarters at the back of the City Hall and ended at the Zamboanga Central School where an interfaith program was held.

The event, also participated by security forces and multisectoral groups, ended with political candidates signing a peace covenant. “We thank everyone for the warm support as our Team continue to pledge for honesty and commit for the peaceful conduct of our campaign for the upcoming elections which we have done consistently for years,” said Climaco.

“Thank you Mayor Beng Climaco for serving the City of Zamboanga with love, dedication and concern for the lives of the poor. May God Bless you more in all your endeavors.

Muchisimas gracias, we love you,” wrote Nida Rose Natividad Alo on Climaco’s Facebook page where videos and photos of the unity walk were posted.

Perlita Flores Tingson,

Crisis center rehabilitated MAYOR BENG Climaco, who is a strong advocate of women and children’s rights and welfare, has turned over the newly-rehabilitated Women Crisis Center in Zone IV which coincided with the celebration of International Women’s Day last week.

Present during the turnover were City Prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron and his staff, City Social Welfare and Development Office personnel manning the facility and barangay officials, among others.

They thanked Climaco for

her advocacy and support to the government’s program, especially to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking which occupies a unit at the building.

Climaco said the facility is a testament of her administration’s commitment to the protection and welfare of the women.

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking was established as the central coordinating body that monitors and oversees the strict implementation of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Per-

Zamboanga Peninsula

sons Act of 2003.

It is mandated, among others, to develop comprehensive and integrated programs to prevent and suppress trafficking in persons, establish the necessary institutional mechanism for the protection and support of trafficked persons, and ensure the timely, coordinated, and effective response to cases of trafficking in persons particularly in the investigation and prosecution of trafficking persons cases.

IACAT also has the power to create anti-traf-

Basilan

ficking task forces to ensure that agencies, in a timely and coordinated manner, immediately and effectively respond to cases of trafficking in persons, assist in filing of cases against individuals, agencies, institutions, or establishments that violate the provisions of the Expanded Act, and protect the rights and needs of trafficked persons.

Presently, IACAT has a total of 24 task forces, which include 2 national task forces, 6 port-based task forces, and 16 regional task forces.

(Zamboanga Post)

Sulu

a top fan of Climaco’s social media page, also praised the mayor and said: “Thank you so much Mayor.”

Climaco remains very popular among local residents because of her sincerity, hard work and honest and transparent governance.

Even the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) included Zamboanga City to the list of passers to the “2021 Good Financial Housekeeping” in Western Mindanao region and for exhibiting exemplary performance in financial administration.

Just this year, the DILG congratulated Climaco and the City Government and other local governments as well for passing the progressive assessment system that gives distinction to remarkable local government performance across several areas.

“Congratulations to the 2021 Good Financial Housekeeping Passers in Region IX. We commend the LGUs for their invaluable commitment to pursue an honest, transparent, accountable and orderly management of public funds,” the DILG said in a statement.

It said the Zamboanga City government exhibited exemplary performance in financial administration which covers the following criteria: Most recent available COA Audit Opinion is Unqualified or Qualified for CYs 2019 or 2020; and compliance with Full Disclosure Policy-posting of all 14 documents in three conspicuous places and in the FDP portal for all quarters of CY 2020 and first quarter of CY 2021.

“We thank the DILG for this and all of this is made possible with the commitment of honesty and transparency in governance. We thanked our department heads, the people working tirelessly at City Hall and everyone who contributed in one or the other in making this a reality. My commitment remains for the Zamboangueño people even

beyond City Hall,” Climaco said.

The following local governments in the region also passed the 2021 Good Financial Housekeeping: Dapitan City, Pagadian City, Isabela City and Dipolog City; the municipalities of La Libertad 10 Baliguian, Labason, Godod, Piñan, Kalawit, Manuel Roxas, Sibuco, Sindangan, Sirawai, Tampilisan and Jose Dalman.

The DILG said the award is an integral component of the Seal of Good Local Governance which puts primacy to integrity and good performance as pillars of meaningful local autonomy and development.

As part of the whole-of-government commitment in bringing about meaningful and lasting reforms, the Seal of Good Local Governance has been instrumental in increasing transparency and accountability, promoting proactive actions to prepare for challenges posed by disasters and influencing local governments’ behavior that is supportive of both national and international developmental goals, among others.

With the enactment of Republic Act No. 11292, the Seal of Good Local Governance is now an institutionalized award, incentive, honor and recognition-based program that encourages local governments’ commitment to continuously progress and improve their performance along various governance areas.

The Seal of Good Local Governance Act features four components: Expansion of assessment criteria from seven to ten; creation of the Council of Good Local Governance; provision of the Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund; and development of more responsive capacity building intervention packages, which are likewise gradually integrated in this year’s implementation cycle. (Zamboanga Post)

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