Zamboanga City continues to enjoy pollution free air.

This after an analysis on the Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) in the air was conducted by the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office for the 4th Quarter of 2009.

In a report submitted to Mayor Celso Lobregat, EMB-DENR Regional Director Alan de Gala revealed air quality in the city is still well within the 230 microgram per normal cubic meter standard set by the agency.

To monitor air quality, DENR has set up three air quality monitoring stations to measure concentration of air particulates in traffic-prone areas in the city. Twenty-four hours of continuous collection of air samples is conducted once every 6th day at each station, the results of which are averaged quarterly and compared to the national standard.

The three stations are distributed in various locations in the city. One is situated inside the Zamboanga City Medical Center compound, one in Barangay Sto. Niño and another at the Philippine International Development (PHIDCO) Company site in Baliwasan.

Air samples collected from the three stations for the last quarter of 2009 yielded an average of 175 microgram per normal cubic meter (µg/NCum), 146 µg/NCum and 191 µg/NCum, respectively, all below the DENR standard. (Claudine Uniana/ City Hall PIO)

Citing the youth’s role in shaping the destiny of the city, Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday urged the graduates of the Zamboanga City National High School-West to help in the effort to bring about the good, the best, the positive and the beautiful of Zamboanga.

Speaking before the 1,300 high school graduates at ceremonies held at the Garden Orchid Hotel yesterday morning, Lobregat said the city government under his administration is doing its best efforts to set the stage for the youths.

“My dear graduates take advantage of the opportunity. Have faith in God and give your education your best shot”, the mayor said in his commencement speech.

As Zamboanguenos, he said, the youth sector, plays a critical role in shaping the future of beloved Zamboanga. “Looking at each of you today, I see the future leadership of this city and even the country. You are the future teachers, engineers, nurses and information technologists. The knowledge you have acquired shall transfigure into ideas that can be used in building a greater Zamboanga. In your own capacity, as Zamboanguenos, it is your obligation and your responsibility to bring about the good, the best, the positive and the beautiful of our beloved Zamboanga City.”

The mayor in his message also shared his own experience as a young graduate who did not have an inkling of becoming a congressman and later a mayor several years after. He said while each individual has his own ambition, everything will still depend on how each individual will perform in life.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lobregat in the same speech reaffirmed his administration’s concern for the promotion and welfare of the youths which, he said, is the very reason why the city has embarked on a massive school building program and other education-related projects.

“Our support to education is ever growing and never ending that led Education Secretary Jeslie Lapus to describe our support to education in 2008 as record breaking. In 2009, Secretary Lapus said Zamboanga continues to do unprecedented things in education”, he said.

The 23rd commencement exercises of the ZCHS-West were also graced by City Schools Supt. Dolores Alcantara, representatives from the Department of Education regional office, parents and teachers and other officials.

The ZCHS-West graduation theme was “Education changing lives”.

Last week, Lobregat also keynoted the commencement exercises of the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST), Tictapul National High School, Filipino Turkish Tolerance School, Culianan National High School and several others.

Today, the mayor is invited to keynote the graduation ceremonies of the Maria Clara Lobregat National High School and the Talon-talon National High School. (Sheila Covarrubias)

Mayor Celso Lobregat has urged the catholic faithful to engage in deep reflection and renewal during the Holy Week and hoped that strengthened faith will bring about peace and unity in Zamboanga.

During this Holy Week, Mayor Lobregat called on every Zamboangueno to reflect on the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and what it means to our faith. He said the occasion should be used as a time to know the Lord and undergo spiritual transformation to fortify personal and communal faith.

He stressed that the Holy Week is a time for reverence and renewal where the faithful will devote time to prayers, abstinence and good works with the hope of strengthening personal ties with the Lord.

It is also his hope, he said that with strengthened faith and unity, peace and prosperity will reign in Zamboanga.

In deference to the observance of Holy Week, Mayor Lobregat and his red team are taking a break in their campaign sorties and will participate in the different religious activities.

Meanwhile, the mayor has urged the police and military and other agencies concerned to coordinate efforts and ensure the orderly and peaceful observance of the Holy Week.

The police and military are implementing a comprehensive security system specifically at the Climaco Freedom Park in Pasonanca, the center of religious activities, as well as in the other places of convergence in the barangays.

Mayor Lobregat has issued executive orders, one, prohibiting the display, sale and intake of liquor and other intoxicating drinks at the Climaco Freedom Park and the other ordering the imposition of a temporary traffic rerouting scheme in Pasonanca and the nearby barangays.

The Holy week is the week before Easter. The most significant days are Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. (Sheila Covarrubias)

Mayor Celso L. Lobregat has issued two executive orders, one imposing a traffic rerouting scheme, and the other banning the sale and drinking of liquor at Freedom Park in Abong-Abong during the observance of Holy Week.

Lobregat, now in the thick of his campaign trail in the barangays, issued the executive orders to allow Catholic faithful to observe the solemnity of Holy Week, the last week of the 40-day season of Lent, commemorating the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The chief executive said that the observance of Holy Week, particularly on Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, usually draws thousands of people from all walks of life at the Mayor Cesar C. Climaco Freedom Park in Abong-Abong, Pasonanca for the traditional vigil and Way of the Cross prayers, thus causing vehicular and pedestrian traffic congestions on roads leading to the park.

“To prevent such disorderly traffic congestion, it is necessary to adopt and implement a temporary traffic re-routing scheme for all vehicles plying routes to the Abong-Abong Park,” Lobregat said in EO CL321-2010 issued last Friday.

Under the executive order, the road leading to Pasonanca Deep from its junction with the road leading to Pasonanca Elementary School up to the ZCWD motor pool and Luyahan housing project will be maintained as two-way traffic street. However, said road from the entrance to the ZCWD motorpool leading all the way to Km 6 at the entrance to Abong-Abong is one-way traffic, but vehicles coming from the ZCWD motor pool may either turn left to the public swimming pool and exit to Pasonanca road (Jardin Maria Clara) or go all the way up to Km.6 and turn left to Pasonanca main road leading to the city proper.

The same order also declares the Freedom Park as walk-in from the entrance to Km.6, Pasonanca road to the park via Carmen Valley up to the exit at the junction of Pasonanca-Abong-Abong-Murok Road and Pasonanca-Abong-Abong-Tumaga (Luyahan) Road.

“All types of motor vehicles whether public conveyances or privately-owned including motorcycles and habal-habal are barred from going into the park, except those owned by residents of Carmen Valley and Km.7, provided with passes from the barangay chairman of Pasonanca,” the mayor said in his order.

Likewise, tthe park’s road leading to the “Cruz Mayor” is also declared absolutely “no entry” even for bicycles or pedicabs, and that absolutely no structure for vending purposes shall be constructed from Station of the Cross 1 up to the “Cruz Mayor.”

The Barangay Council and the police station commander shall designate an area for vending for as long as the structure will not obstruct the free flow of pedestrian traffic at the park. The pedestrians are also encouraged to use the covered walkway from Km.6 to Km.7 to avoid accidents, thus the barangay tanod are enjoined to ensure orderly compliance with the order.

The road after the Abong-Abong Bridge at Km. 7 is strictly declared a one-way traffic and exit to Pasonanca-Muruk-Tumaga road. The city government’s towing truck shall be deployed in the area to respond to any emergency situation that will require towing of wrong parked vehicles.

Meanwhile, Lobregat issued CL322-2010, prohibiting the sale and drinking of liquor and other intoxicating beverages at the Abong-Abong Park. The gun ban shall also be effectively implemented at the park during the Holy Week.

The police and other law enforcement units based in the city have been directed to implement both executive orders, which will take effect from March 31 to April 3, 2010. (Vic Larato)

Mayor Celso Lobregat, assisted by City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr., turns over 100 units rechargeable flashlights to Task Force Zamboanga Chief Col. Santiago Baluyot in line with the city's thrust to continuously assist and support the military and the police. (JOEY BAUTISTA)

Mayor Celso Lobregat Monday demonstrated anew his support and assistance to the military in line with his administration’s thrust on public safety.

This, as he turned over 100 rechargeable flashlights to the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) with the intention of equipping forces assigned at night time.

TFZ Chief Col. Santiago Baluyot personally accepted the donations from Mayor Lobregat, who was assisted by City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. during simple rites held at the City Hall conference room.

The latest batch of equipment donated to the military forms part of the Lobregat administration’s unceasing support and assistance to the police, military and other law enforcement units.

The military in coordination with the police and barangay volunteers will be playing a very critical role in the maintenance of peace and order in the city during the observance of the Holy Week. The military forces compose the Task Force Todos los Santos created to ensure the peaceful, orderly and solemn observance of the Holy Week which commenced Sunday, March 28.

Mayor Lobregat hoped that the hundred units flashlights will help boost the military’s peace keeping efforts. “The city government continues to support all efforts of the military and the police because public safety is our primordial concern”.

For his part, Col. Baluyot thanked the city government specifically Mayor Lobregat for pursuing assistance to the military stressing that it will be surely help enhance peace keeping efforts.

He said the local government unit has never been inattentive to the needs of the TFZ and has been an indispensable ally of the military in the effort to keep the city and its neighboring areas safe and peaceful.

The Task Force Zamboanga has been a recipient of numerous assistance from the city government during the past years, these assistance included 4x4 jeep, pumpboats, L-300 mitsubishi vans and several others.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lobregat also turned over 500 units of rechargeable flashlights to the local police together with the 50 units armalite rifles last weekend, also in line with his continuing support to the police.

The turn over rites, held at the local police headquarters was graced by PNP Chief Director General Jesus Versoza. (Sheila Covarrubias)

Re-electionist Cong. Beng Climaco of District I of the Liberal Party continues to enjoy the full trust and support of her constituents as barangay people flock to meet her during barangay sorties since day one of the campaign Friday.

The first day of the campaign saw the congresswoman barnstorming the city proper area particularly City Hall and other government offices including department stores and business establishments.

The first day campaign culminated with a rally at the Tulungatung area where a huge crowd welcomed her and the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Adelante Zamboanga Party of Mayor Celso Lobregat, who has adopted her as the congressional candidate for District I.

“This is a good sign that voters are now more intelligent and they want to listen to candidates speak out their minds regarding issues”, the lady solon said.

On Saturday, March 26, Cong. Climaco hit Zones 1 and 3 where again she was met by anxious barangay people, who are very grateful for the projects and programs she continue to initiate for their communities.

The congresswoman is campaigning hard for the Liberal Party team-up of Sen. Noynoy Aquino-Sen. Mar Roxas for president and vice president, respectively and the LP candidates for senator, the team she truly believes can bring about the needed transformation in the country.

The Aquino-Roxas team advocates for corruption-free government, transparency and good governance, advocacies which Cong. Climaco is also pushing for.

Despite her alliance with the LP, the lady solon remains supportive of Mayor Lobregat and his team because of the latter’s strong leadership and good governance.

Cong. Climaco vows to continue to do more for the betterment of the welfare of District I constituents in her next term.

Credibility, transparency and honesty in government service are the trademarks of the Climaco governance not only during her first term in Congress but even when she was still a councilor and later a vice mayor.

The implementation of over P700 million projects and programs covering all sectors in district I and the initiation of numerous laws that have national and local impact highlight Climaco’s first term in Congress.

“The work to empower District I constituents continues,” she declared. (Ryan Sta. Teresa)

Multi-sectoral groups Saturday night declared all out commitment to Earth Hour, pledging to undertake measures to mitigate global warming for the benefit of the next generation and the generations to come.

Mayor Celso Lobregat spearheaded the signing of the declaration of commitment together with District I Cong. Beng Climaco and Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles and members of the City Council, following the 60-minute power shut off in celebration of Earth Hour, a worldwide campaign to send the strong message of support to reduce the impact of global warming.

Mayor Lobregat hoped that the people’s signature to the declaration document and the support to all anti-global warming campaigns will serve as a legacy to all the youths of the present generation and the next generation.

“All of us consume energy”, the mayor said stressing that it is also the responsibility of each and every individual to conserve energy and help in any way they can to protect the environment. “There are many ways we can help, we can plant trees for example to help mitigate the effects of global warming”.

“Actually it is not only the act of conserving power for one hour but earth hour should not only be today, it should be 24 hours a day 365 days in the year. We have to do things to save and conserve energy”, Mayor Lobregat emphasized.

Like all other cities in the country and the world, Zamboanga joined the observance of Earth Hour Saturday night to help raise public awareness on the need to undertake measures to cushion the impact of global warming.

Mayor Lobregat said the observance of Earth Hour becomes even more significant now that the city and the entire Mindanao is seeing the real effects of climate change. “This is a more relevant observance of Earth Hour to heighten awareness on the need to mitigate global warming and climate change”.

Zamboanga City, he stressed, led the way in finding ways how to adapt to climate change when it spearheaded the conduct of the global warming summit last May 27, 2008 and the conduct of the multi-stakeholders’ forum on climate change adaptation last February 5, 2010.

Other than advocacies, the city government also initiates other measures such as the continuous reforestation programs, inter-agency coordination, clean up drives and other measures.

Participants in the observance of Earth Hour and the signing of the declaration included representatives from the religious, government, non-government, Muslim, business, academe, professional, urban poor, utility, private groups, and other sectors.

The Earth Hour program was hosted by the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative under manager Reynerio Ramos.

Among the members of the City Council present were Councilors Cesar Iturralde, Rey Candido, Nonong Guingona, Rudy Lim, Lilia Nuno, Abdurahman Nuno, Eddie Saavedra, Luis Biel III, Jaime Cabato, Joefel de las Penas and council aspirants Percival Ramos, Ller Natividad, VP Elago, Mike Alavar, Bong Atilano, Myra Valderozza Abubakar, Josephine Pareja, Kaiser Olaso and several others. (Sheila Covarrubias)

Mayor Celso Lobregat and his powerhouse read team from the LDP-AZ party Friday spearhead the turn over of a 2-storey 6 classroom building at the Tulungatung Elementary School, the latest batch of infrastructure projects in support of the city's commitment to education. (JOEY BAUTISTA)

Very grateful for the many projects implemented in their barangay, residents of Tulungatung Friday night displayed strong support to Mayor Celso Lobregat, his vice mayoralty bet Councilor Cesar Iturralde, Congresswoman Beng Climaco and other members of the red team in District I.

Thousands of Tulungatung folk attended the rally held at the Tulungatung resettlement site, one of the numerous housing and resettlement projects implemented by the Lobregat administration over the last 3 years.

Charlito Sumbrana, Tulungatung barangay chairman said people are very appreciative of the accomplishments of the improvements done by the Lobregat administration undertaken not only this year but ever since Mayor Lobregat assumed office in 2004.

The Tulungatung rally, the first for the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Adelante Zamboanga team during the first day of the campaign Friday, March 26, was preceded by the turn over and inauguration of some P13 million worth of infrastructure projects initiated by the city government.

The projects unveiled included the P4.5 million construction of two-storey 6 classroom building at the Tulungatung Elementary School; P794,914 rehabilition of 2-storey 6 classroom building also at the Tulungatung Elementary School; P3.059 million concreting of the Tulungatung Resettlement Area road covering 585 linear meters; P1.918 million road concreting project also at the Resettlement site covering 300 linear meters and the P3.063 million improvement of covered court.

Mayor Lobregat asserted that the projects inaugurated formed part of the over 2,000 projects amounting to over P2 billion initiated by his administration from 2007-2009.

Sumbrana said Mayor Lobregat is an example of a true leader, who looks after the interest and welfare of the constituents not only during election time but all throughout his term in fulfillment of his mandate as an elected official.

Mayor Lobregat continues to enjoy our trust and confidence for he has proven his worth as a city official, the barangay chairman declared. “Others show their concern only when it is election time”.

Aside from Cong. Climaco, a guest candidate of the LDP-AZaP for District I Representative and vice mayoralty bet Cesar Iturralde, the council aspirants for District I—re-electionists Jaime Cabato, Luis Biel III, Gerky Valesco and new aspirants Myra Valderozza Abubakar, Josephine Pareja, Elbert Atilano and Kaiser Olaso— also presented their platforms and agenda of government—all in support of the social contract that the Lobregat administration has made with the people.

The LDP-AZaP continues to pursue the 17-point agenda of unity and continuity towards a more progressive and peaceful Zamboanga which the members signed and presented to the people in the 2004 and 2007 elections.

The barangay chairman said Tulungatung folk continue to support the Lobregat administration as a show of appreciation and gratitude to all the developments and improvements being undertaken in the community aimed to alleviate the plight of the residents. (LDP-AZaP PR)

Mayor Celso Lobregat last night spearheaded in the shutting off of lights at 8:30, dramatizing support to the global campaign to reduce the impact of global warming dubbed Earth Hour.

The shutting off of lights plunged the entire Zamboanga City into darkness for 60 minutes. It was simultaneously done with all other cities and countries worldwide, at exactly 8:30 p.m. with a preceding countdown signalled by the sounding of the City Hall siren at 8:29.

Mayor Celso Lobregat in his message during a program held at the Zamcelco covered court in Putik, thanked the Zamboanguenos for their cooperation and support to the global campaign but urged them to continue initiating measures to help reduce the impact of global warming.

Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth’s climate.

Earth Hour, a 60-minute blackout initiated by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and spearheaded in the country by the Earth Day Network Philippines chaired by former Environment Secretary Elisea Gozun, was aimed to raise awareness on the detrimental effects of global warming.

Aside from shutting off lights and electrical appliances, Mayor Lobregat said people can also help preserve and protect Mother Earth by planting trees; recycling tins, bottles, plastic bags and papers and conserving rice and water and many others.

“As we observe Earth Hour today, we are reminded of the devastation wrought by two storm surge incidents to our environment and our people residing in coastal areas on November 27, 2007. Those incidents were believed to be caused by climate change spawned by global warming. The unpredictable weather brings in rains in normally dry and warm months”, the mayor declared.

He likewise enumerated the initiatives being undertaken by the city government to meet the threats posed by climate change stressing that his administration considers environmental protection an undertaking that will not only benefit the Zamboanguenos of today but also their children and grandchildren.

Aside from tagging operations and spot mapping activities, he said the city initiates inter-agency cooperation, advocacies such as the Summit on Disaster Preparedness for Global Warming and Food Security last May 27, 2008, the February 5 forum on climate change adaptation and participation in Earth Hour activities; reforestation such as tree planting activities in the forests, highways and mangrove areas; infrastructure development whereby 383 flood control projects that included drainage, riprap/slope and shoreline protection amounting to P273.67 million were constructed in 3 years’ time. “We also continue with water improvement projects in cooperation with the Water District and several others”
Zamboanga City first joined Earth Hour in 2008, barely a year after the initiative started in Sydney Australia where an estimated 2.2 million people shut off their lights to raise awareness about global warming.

The Earth Hour support movement in Zamboanga for the third year was the result of a meeting initiated by Mayor Lobregat last week attended by representatives of all sectors in the city.

He stressed that the observance of Earth Hour is very significant as the city and the entire Mindanao is experiencing power and water shortage brought about by the dry spell.

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative has systematized the citywide blackout by shutting off/ resuming power in different feeders in an interval of 15 minutes each.

Lobregat emphasized that the city should take a critical stand in preserving and protecting Mother Earth, as Zamboanga is not spared from incidences of climate change spawned by global warming.

The Earth Hour program was highlighted by the signing of the declaration of commitment to the campaign by the representatives of the different sectors.

The campaign to reduce the impact of global warming should continue beyond Earth Hour, the mayor added.

Those who took part in the Earth Hour program were Zamcelco manager Rey Ramos who welcomed the guest and City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. who gave the closing remarks.

Congresspersons Beng Climaco and Erbie Fabian of Districts I and II respectively were also present to sign the pledge of commitment.

Archbishop Romulo Valles led the invocation while the ecumenical prayer was led by Hji. Amilpasa Bandaying, Rev. Fr. Teofilo Pimentel and Rev. Ira Lee Rosalita. (Sheila Covarrubias)

Mayor Celso Lobregat, standard bearer of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and Adelante Zamboanga Party and members of his team turn over a newly constructed covered court, one of the 5 projects amounting to total of P13 million unveiled in Tulungatung Friday, capping the first day of the campaign for the May 10 elections. (JOEY BAUTISTA)

Truly an administration of performance and accomplishments.

Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday afternoon unveiled some P13 million worth of projects in the barangay of Tulungatung, highlighting the first day of the campaign for the May 10 elections.

The projects compose the latest batch of infrastructure projects lined up by the city government and forms part of the P2.2 billion projects accomplished by the Lobregat administration from 2007-2010.

The projects unveiled include the P4.5 million construction of two-storey 6 classroom building at the Tulungatung Elementary School; P794,914 rehabilition of 2-storey 6 classroom building also at the Tulungatung Elementary School; P3.059 million concreting of the Tulungatung Resettlement Area road covering 585 linear meters; P1.918 million road concreting project also at the Resettlement site covering 300 linear meters and the P3.063 million improvement of covered court.

“This (inauguration of projects) is the highlight of our first day of our campaign”, Lobregat, standard bearer of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Adelante Zamboanga party said.

Tulungatung residents, led by barangay chairman Charlito Sumbrana warmly welcomed the Lobregat team to their barangay, as they thanked them for the multi-million peso projects implemented by the city government under the leadership of Mayor Lobregat.

Sumbrana said Lobregat’s administration is truly an administration of performance and accomplishments that is worthy of the trust and confidence of the local residents.

Over the last few weeks, Mayor Lobregat has been inaugurating and turning over projects to the barangays and other institutions including the Home for the Elderly earning the respect and admiration not only of the residents but of national officials such as Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno and lately Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Social Welfare Assistant Secretary Ruel Lucentales.

Accompanying the mayor during the turn over ceremony were his vice mayoralty candidate Councilor Cesar Iturralde, the council aspirants in District I Rudy Lim, Luis Biel III, Jaime Cabato, Gerky Valesco, Myra Paz Abubakar, Bong Atilano, Pinpin Pareja and Kaiser Olaso; City Schools Division Supt. Dolores Alcantara and her assistant Norma Vecina and barangay officials.

Lobregat and his team kicked off the first day of the campaign with religious activities—a mass at the St. Joseph Church at 5:30 a.m. and prayer and lighting of candles at the Fort Pilar Shrine. They had breakfast at the residence of the mayor in Nunez and at exactly 8 a.m. proceeded to the City Hall for their campaign sortie.

They later proceeded to the different offices and commercial establishments in the central area of the city and in the afternoon hit barangay Tulungatung. The party had its first rally in Tulungatung last night. (Sheila Covarrubias)