October 2009

Lobregat urges strict enforcement of ‘Oplan Todos los Santos’

31/10/2009 06:17
Mayor Celso Lobregat has called on the police, military and all other concerned agencies to ensure the strict enforcement of the operation plan for the orderly and peaceful observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2. Lobregat likewise appealed to local residents to fully...

ZCPO gets M-16 rifles from RPO-9

31/10/2009 06:15
Nine armalite assault rifles were turned over to the Zamboanga City Police Office yesterday as a gesture of gratitude of the Police national headquarters and Regional Office-9 to the city government under Mayor Celso Lobregat. PRO-9 Chief of Directorial Staff Col. Mario Yanga said the turn over of...

Celso cheers 2 city lady cops

30/10/2009 08:28
Mayor Celso Lobregat listens intently as City Police OIC Director introduces SPO1 Melinda Amsali and SPO3 Soraida Aripin, two city lady cops nominated to the country's Search for 10 Outstanding Policewomen of 2009 which is spearheaded by the PNP, Zonta Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas Inc. and Armscor...

Celso names visiting Ateneans as Zambo’s envoys of goodwill

30/10/2009 08:26
Mayor Celso Lobregat the other day named as ambassadors of goodwill the visiting student leaders from five Ateneo Universities in the country as he lamented that Zamboanga City is a victim of negative publicity. “It’s unfortunate that incidents like bombing and kidnapping for instance occurring in...

Lobregat equips Tourist Police in Paseo

28/10/2009 06:51
The city government yesterday equipped the 22-man City Tourist Police based at the Paseo del Mar with essential facilities intended to make them more efficient and effective in maintaining public order. Mayor Celso Lobregat together with members of the City Council and other city officials...

Population growth indicates Zambo is progressive—Celso

27/10/2009 08:18
“It is not because Zamboangueños are more prolific than in other parts of the county but it is because of the net migration.”  Thus how Mayor Celso Lobregat explained Zamboanga City’s population growth rate of 3.56% which, according to an official of the Commission on Population (Popcom)...

SK Fed intensifies registration awareness drive

27/10/2009 08:06
Mayor Celso Lobregat cheers Sangguniang Kabataan Federation members from the different barangays who joined the motorcade Monday highlighting the youths' awareness campaign on voters' registration. Also in photo are Councilors Nonong Guingona and Joefel de las Peñas who is SK Fed president and...

Celso, CDCC set purchase of disaster rescue equipment

26/10/2009 07:55
Mayor Celso Lobregat presides over the meeting of the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) in City Hall recently to discuss about the acquisition of rescue and relief operations equipment. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Efforts to ensure the implementation of an efficient incident response program are top in...

Celso gives aid to Mampang-Arena Blanco shooting victims

25/10/2009 08:46
Mayor Celso Lobregat is assisted by City Social Welfare Officer Francisco Barredo and CSWD staff Evelyn las Marias in turning over the financial assistance to Mary Aizle Estrada whose husband was killed in a shooting incident in Mampang. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Mayor Celso Lobregat on Friday distributed...

Celso enrolls ‘hilot’ aides in PhilHealth

24/10/2009 08:14
Mayor Celso Lobregat addresses women health teams or "hilot" aides Friday during an assembly held at the City Health Office where he also announced the enrollment of the health workers to the city's Philhealth program. Also in photo is Dr. Rodel Agbulos (partly hidden). (JOEY BAUTISTA) In line with...

Mangusu, Buenavista folks thank Celso, city for P9M projects

23/10/2009 07:56
The heavy downpour did not stop Mayor Celso Lobregat, members of the City Council and other city and Buenavista barangay officials from unveiling a farm to market road project in sitio Basagan Thursday morning. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Mayor Celso Lobregat and members of the City Council and other officials...

CHO reports diarrhea cases in Tictabon

22/10/2009 07:15
City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos yesterday reported 7 cases of diarrhea, a water-borne disease in the island barangay of Tictabon. A 6-year old child reported to have died due to the disease, according to Agbulos. As this developed, Agbulos has directed the gathering of water samples in the area...

Celso gifts 8 projects to Buenavista, Mangusu

22/10/2009 07:14
Continuously pursuing a massive infrastructure program for the development and welfare of Zamboanga and the residents, the city government will unveil yet today a number of projects for barangays Buenavista and Mangusu in the east coast. Mayor Celso Lobregat together with members of the City...

City allocates Alay Lakad funds for youths

21/10/2009 07:34
Mayor Celso Lobregat hands over the educational aid to Abraham Bahandi of Mampang out of the Alay Lakad funds that will help him pursue his General Engineering course at the Western MIndanao State University. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Two poor but deserving college students have been identified beneficiaries...

Lobregat reaffirms anti-poverty campaign

21/10/2009 07:26
Mayor Celso Lobregat has vowed to continuously pursue poverty-reduction campaigns in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) which are drawn from the actions and targets contained in the millennium declaration adopted by 189 nations including the Philippines. In a message during the “UN...

Ditos Lobregat passes away

20/10/2009 06:58
The late Concepcion Remedios "Ditos" Lobregat Balaguer (middle), eldest sister of Mayor Celso Lobregat, during happier days. Concepcion Remedios “Ditos” Lobregat Balaguer, eldest sister of Mayor Celso Lobregat passed away due to cancer Saturday, October 17 at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Manila. She...

Paso’s new health center gives birth to baby Celso

20/10/2009 06:56
Call it providential, a young woman gave birth to a bouncing baby boy at the newly constructed barangay health center in Pasonanca shortly after the building was blessed and inaugurated Friday morning. Mayor Celso Lobregat together with other city and barangay officials of Pasonanca were earlier...

Lobregat issues EOS for All Saints’ Day

19/10/2009 05:39
After the successful conduct of the 2009 Fiesta Hermosa Festival, the city government in coordination with the police, military and other agencies is pre-occupied with preparations for the forthcoming observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day when people flock to the cemeteries to visit their...

Pasonanca euphoria high as Celso unveils P8M infra

17/10/2009 08:42
The more than 30,000 residents of Pasonanca, this city virtually burst in jubilation yesterday morning as Mayor Celso Lobregat together with other city and barangay officials inaugurated one after the other six different projects amounting to P6.7 million. First to be inaugurated were the three...

Celso unveils 5 projects in Pasonanca

16/10/2009 05:56
Mayor Celso Lobregat will lead the unveiling of five (5) infrastructure projects in barangay Pasonanca today, October 16, as part of the post-Fiesta activities and still in line with the city government’s massive infrastructure program. Topping the list of projects to be unveiled today is the P4.6...

Lobregat welcomes Canadian envoy

15/10/2009 07:56
Mayor Celso Lobregat presents a miniature vinta as a token of friendship to Canadian Ambassador Robert Dejardins during the envoy's courtesy visit in City Hall Wednesday afternoon. Also in photo is Laureanne Garneau, Counsellor and Head of Cooperation of the Canadian Embassy. (JOEY...

Paseo del Mar: a melting pot during Fiesta Hermosa

14/10/2009 07:23
The just concluded Fiesta Hermosa 2009 has brought to fore one fact: the panoramic Paseo del Mar near the Fort Pilar, was one of the main attractions during the festival. A crowd drawer since the first day of its operation last July 10, the Paseo del Mar was teeming with people of all ages, creed...

Zambo’s SWMP, one of the best—WB environmentalists

14/10/2009 07:20
Environmental specialists commissioned by the World Bank to inspect Solid Waste Management Programs implemented by the different areas in the country have described Zamboanga’s project as one of the best in the Philippines. John Morton, Ph.D., environmental specialist of the World Bank’s...

Celso thanks police, military for orderly Fiesta

13/10/2009 08:19
At right, Mayor Celso Lobregat gestures as he addresses the crowd during a program at the panoramic Paseo del Mar culminating Fiesta Hermosa 2009 Sunday night while at left, the sea of people look with amazement at the sparkling fireworks display capping the Hermosa festival. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Mayor...

Fiesta Pilar grand highlight: Celso, Bongbong, Beng, Erbie lead procession

13/10/2009 08:17
Zamboangueños once again showed unity and strength in keeping with the Fiesta Hermosa 2009 theme “celebra kita con un voz, un tono y un sueño,” as multitudes join the grand procession and mass at the Shrine in celebration of the feast day of Nuestra Señora de la Virgen del Pilar yesterday. The...

Teodoro thanks Zambo aid for typhoon victims

13/10/2009 08:11
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. has thanked the city government under the administration of Mayor Celso Lobregat and the entire Zamboangueños for the financial assistance extended to the victims of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” that severely battered Metro Manila and Luzon provinces last...

Zambo marks Fiesta Pilar

12/10/2009 06:36
Thousands of devotees from here and everywhere will flock to the Fort Pilar Shrine to pay homage to the Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar, whose feast day is today, October 12. The religious activities throughout the day will be centered at the Fort Pilar Shrine and will start with the Diana/Holy...

In celebration of the Fiesta Pilar, Lobregat: ‘Continue to revere our La Virgen’

12/10/2009 06:33
In celebration of the Fiesta Pilar, Lobregat: ‘Continue to revere our La Virgen’ Mayor Celso Lobregat has urged local residents to continue to revere Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, the city’s most revered patron saint, saying that amid the fun and excitement and the parties and the merriment,...

Wow Sardinas: a show of strength and unity

12/10/2009 06:32
It was a show of unity and strength for the thousands of Zamboangueños who turned up for the sardines-eating spectacle dubbed “Wow Sardinas”, highlighting Fiesta Hermosa 2009 day 10, Saturday. Wooden tables were spread over a kilometre stretch of the R. T. Lim where people partook sardines,...

Chabacano songfest winners bared

11/10/2009 06:48
Mayor Celso Lobregat and members of the City Council flank the winners in the 27th Chabacano Song Festival, held Friday night in celebration of Fiesta Hermosa 2009. (JOEY BAUTISTA) The 27th Chabacano Song Festival, a competition of chabacano compositions organized by the city government...

Fiesta Hermosa caps with floral float, street dance tilts

11/10/2009 06:46
Fiesta Hermosa 2009 draws to a close today with the colorful and grand floral float parade and street dance highlighting the city’s unique blend of multi-cultural heritage. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro will keynote the main program that will follow the floral float and street dance at the...

Thousands turn up for ‘Wow Sardinas’

11/10/2009 06:44
The entire stretch of R.T. Lim Boulevard was a sight to behold yesterday afternoon as thousands of people turned up for the “Wow Sardinas”, a sardines eating event staged as a pre-fiesta highlight. Mayor Celso Lobregat and members of the City Council spearheaded the activity which showcases...

October 12 is holiday as Zambo gears up for Fiesta Pilar revelry

10/10/2009 06:46
October 12 of every year is a special non-working holiday in Zamboanga City as Zamboangueños far and wide celebrate on said day the feast of the miraculous Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar. The Senate and the House of Representatives in 1991 approved a bill, declaring October 12 (Fiesta Pilar...

Dance sport winners bared; Arts, Culture exhibits open

10/10/2009 06:40
Mayor Celso Lobregat and Cong. Beng Climaco and members of the City Council congratulate the winners in the 2009 Dance Sport Competition, one of the city-initiated activities for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, held at the city coliseum in Tetuan Thursday afternoon. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Contestants...

City aids victims of sea surge in Patalon

10/10/2009 06:38
The moonsoon rains that battered Zamboanga City Wednesday ruined some 20 houses and a mosque built along the coastline of barangay Patalon, west coast of the city. City caretaker and administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. said 20 houses and a mosque were damaged by the sea surge displacing 20 families...

Chabacano Song tilt set tonight

09/10/2009 06:28
The chabacano song competition will go on stage tonight, October 9, highlighting the 9th day of the 2009 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. Ten contestants, who underwent elimination and screening, will vie for the title during the contest proper that will start at 7 p.m. at the Roof Deck of the Garden...

CDCC sets aside P15M for rescue, relief equipment

09/10/2009 06:26
Intended as a proactive measure for disaster prevention and preparedness, the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) on Wednesday appropriated P15 million for the purchase of equipment and supplies that will help ensure a prompt and smooth disaster response. Mayor Celso Lobregat, CDCC chairman...

Celso, Agbulos lead free medical, feeding program

09/10/2009 06:21
Mayor Celso Lobregat and City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos distribute rice porridge (arroz caldo) to children during feeding program and "Servicio Medical na Fiesta Pilar" held at the CHO compound Wednesday as part of the 2009 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Mayor Celso Lobregat and...

‘Cena de Esperanza’ launched for cancer patients

09/10/2009 06:20
The city government through the Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Committee in coordination with the Tzu Chi Foundation launched Wednesday, ‘Una Cena de Esperanza’, a dinner for a cause intended for cancer patients in the city. Aquino siblings, Pinky Abelleda and Ballsy Cruz graced the affair held...

Zambo Hermosa stages Mascota

08/10/2009 08:14
Mayor Celso Lobregat and Congresspersons Beng Climaco and Erbie Fabian flank Usni Sali and his model Joey Albert Short who bagged the top prize of P20,000 and a trophy during the 2009 Mascota de Zamboanga held Tuesday night at the Convention Center of the Garden Orchid Hotel as part of the...

Zambo allocates P1.5M to Ondoy victims in Luzon

08/10/2009 08:12
The City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) headed by Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday approved the allocation of P1.5 million as financial assistance to other local government units located in Luzon and ravaged by typhoon Ondoy last week. Lobregat said the amount, taken from the city’s calamity...

Zambo airsoft team bags Mindanao championship

08/10/2009 08:04
Mayor Celso Lobregat welcomes officers and members of the Airsoft Tactical Unit (ATU), an all Zamboangueño team that bagged the championship title in the first ever Airsoft Mindanao Finals tournament held last month in Cagayan de Oro City. (JOEY BAUTISTA) A group of Zamboangueños composing the...

Celso reaffirms support to anti-breast cancer drive

07/10/2009 06:13
Mayor Celso Lobregat urges the residents to continuously support the anti-breast cancer campaign during the Pink October Walk program Tuesday at the grandstand. Listening intently are Congresspersons Beng Climaco and Erbie Fabian, Councilor Lilia Nuño, City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos and members...

Court denies TRO of RCDG in IBT issue

07/10/2009 06:11
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) has denied the application for a temporary restraining order (TRO) in a special civil action case filed by the joint venture of RCDG Construction Corporation and R.U. Aquino Construction and Development Corporation against Mayor Celso Lobregat and the City’s Bids and...

PDIC accepts deposit insurance claims

06/10/2009 07:36
The Philippine Deposit Insurance Company (PDIC) is now receiving deposit insurance claims from depositors of the closed Philippine Farmers’ Bank Inc. – Zamboanga City Branch. In a letter addressed to Mayor Celso Lobregat, the PDIC has sought the chief executive’s assistance in informing...

Lobregat lauds military as war vs terror goes “texting”

06/10/2009 07:33
Mayor Celso Lobregat has commended the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command under Maj. General Benjamin Dolorfino with the launching yesterday of a new mode in the continuing war on terrorism dubbed “I-text mo si Sarge”. The newest text campaign enjoins the public to text to authorities the...

130 sailboats join Regatta

05/10/2009 05:45
The city government successfully conducted Regatta de Zamboanga, a sailboat race at the R.T. Lim Boulevard yesterday morning highlighting the fourth day of the Zambonaga Hermosa Festival. Mayor Celso Lobregat thanked the 130 participants who are mostly boat operators from far flung and coastal...

Celso, City honor perished Zamboangueño rescuer

05/10/2009 05:44
Mayor Celso Lobregat on Friday issued an executive order honouring the heroism of a Zamboangueño soldier who perished while rescuing flood victims in a town in Laguna at the height of typhoon Ondoy a week ago. Executive Order CL-288-2009 at the same time expresses the city government’s deep...

Villar cites Celso’s pro-poor projects

05/10/2009 05:42
Mayor Celso Lobregat together with Senator Manny Villar, Congresspersons Beng Climaco and Erbie Fabian and City Engineer Luis Despalo spearheads the groundbreaking rites for the development of the Mampang Cemetery Sunday. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Senator Manuel Villar yesterday lauded the efforts of the...

Regatta de Zamboanga set today

04/10/2009 03:55
The R.T. Lim Boulevard will be the site of entertainment today, October 4, as powerful and colorful vintas compete with each other for the title in the annual Regatta de Zamboanga, a mainstay in the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. Some 130 entries or participants, mostly coming from far flung barangays...

First anglers’ tilt highlights Fiesta day 3

04/10/2009 03:39
Mayor Celso Lobregat is assisted by Councilors Rey Candido and Nonong Guingona and Tourism Association President Vicente Lim in handing over the trophy to a winner in the first ever Anglers' Competition, an added attraction in this year's Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, held Saturday at the Paseo del...

Wow Zamboanga reels off at Paseo

03/10/2009 09:08
Mayor Celso Lobregat (second to left) cheers Cluster 7 barangay officials and performers in the cultural presentation dubbed "Wow Zamboanga" which kicked off Thursday, October 1st, as opening salvo for this year's Zamboanga Hermosa FEstival. Wow Zamboanga goes live nightly starting at 6 p.m. from...

Lobregat gifts elderlies with health insurance

03/10/2009 08:56
Lilia Javier Salaran, 104 years old, shows bliss and delight as she poses with Mayor Celso Lobregat and Councilors Nonong Guingona, Eddie Saavedra, Rey Candido and City Social Welfare Officer Francisco Barredo. Lola Lilia, who was born on June 14, 1905, was the oldest senior citizen to attend the...

Job seekers swarm city’s job fair

03/10/2009 08:55
Thousands of job seekers—either newly graduates or jobless, trooped to the Red Cross Training Center in Pettit Barracks Friday for the city government initiated job fair held as an add-on activity for the 2009 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. Organized by the Office of the City Social Welfare and...

Chabacano song tilt entries due today

02/10/2009 06:25
Deadline for entries for the annual Chabacano Song Festival is set today, October 2. Submission venues are the Barangay Affairs division in City Hall or the City Tourism and Promotions Division at the Sunken Garden. The chabacano songest, now on its 27th year, is one of the city government...

Cosechas’ opens Zambo Hermosa Fest

02/10/2009 06:23
Cosechas de Zamboanga, a showcase of the city’s agricultural and fishery products, formally opened yesterday, ushering in the month-long 2009 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. Mayor Celso Lobregat, Councilors Lilia Nuño, Rey Candido and Abdurahman Nuño and officials from the Department of Agriculture...

2009 Zambo Hermosa fest kicks off

01/10/2009 08:23
Zamboanga City will be the center of activities starting today, as the 2009 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, the grandest annual celebration that highlights the city’s unique blend of multi-cultural heritage, officially reels off. Cosechas de Zamboanga, showcasing agricultural products, processed foods...

PhilHealth declares Zambo a ‘universal coverage’ area

01/10/2009 08:20
Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday extended anew health care insurance this time to the 4,018-strong members of the Micro Entrepreneurs Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MEMPCO) coming from the different barangays of the city.  This brings to almost 10,000 beneficiaries that the city government has...

Photo News

2009-10-23 Mayor Celso Lobregat views the fuel tanker that hit a motorcycle along the highway Panubigan yesterday morning. The accident pinned the motorcycle driver to death and injured his two backriders. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
2009-10-22 Mayor Celso Lobregat distributes tokens to little kindergarten students from J-Jireh School, as he welcomes the class, teachers and parents to City Hall Wednesday morning. The visit of the kinder students is part of the field trip and familiarization tour initiated by the J-JIREH Kindergarten School based in Calarian. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
2009-10-14 The grand procession was the main highlight of the Fiesta Pilar celebration October 12, the feast day of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar. Mayor Celso Lobregat, Ilocos Norte Cong. Bongbong Marcos, members of the City Council and Archbishop Romulo Valles led the procession from the Metropolitan Cathedral to the Fort Pilar Shrine. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
2009-10-07 Senator Manny Villar assists Mayor Celso Lobregat and Cong. Erbie Fabian in the ceremonial ribbon cutting during the inauguration and turn over of the two-storey 8 classroom building for the Talon-talon National High School Sunday. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
2009.10-04 Mayor Celso Lobregat welcomes participants to the 4th Regional Convention of the Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc. during the opening program Saturday at the Celebrity Hall of Astoria Hotel. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
2009-10-01 Mayor Celso Lobregat talks about the recent opening of a call center in Zamboanga City during the 1st IT Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Roadshow held in a local hotel Tuesday morning. (JOEY BAUTISTA)