September 2009

Biz permit renewal starts Oct. 1st

30/09/2009 08:15
Mayor Celso Lobregat announced yesterday that the City Permits and Licensing Division will open its doors for business permits renewals starting tomorrow, October 1st. He said applicants are required to present the original copies of their 2009 licenses as basis for renewal. To avoid the queue and...

Lobregat earmarks P1.2M for 10T new Philhealth enrolees

30/09/2009 08:12
Mayor Celso Lobregat has allocated some P1.2 million in the city’s supplemental budget to partially subsidize the health insurance coverage of two organized groups with a total of 10,000 members. The number of new enrolees is in addition to Lobregat’s expanded PHILHEALTH insurance program which is...

Lobregat urges public to remain on alert vs weather disturbance

29/09/2009 09:56
Mayor Celso Lobregat distributes relief goods to families affected by flooding due to heavy rains and strong winds spawned by Ondoy in Putik Sunday. The City Police Office under Col. Amador Corpus also initiated the donation of goods to the victims. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Mayor Celso Lobregat has called...

Celso distributes 4,000 more Philhealth cards

29/09/2009 09:44
Lumayang chairman Frederick Atilano receives the health insurance ID cards from Mayor Celso Lobregat during distribution for indigent residents from the city's 98 barangays at the City Coliseum in Tetuan Monday morning. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday distributed almost 4,000 health...

530th Wing accords Lobregat military honors

28/09/2009 08:29
Mayor Celso Lobregat Friday receives full military honors from the 530th Air Base Wing under BGEn. Carlix Donila, in appreciation for the numerous projects being implemented by the city inside the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Sta. Maria. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Mayor Celso Lobregat on Friday was accorded...

CDCC action center: Ondoy displaces 649 people; wrecks 212 houses

28/09/2009 08:26
Relief operations for Ondoy stricken families in 6 barangays in the city continued yesterday as monitoring activities are being pursued by the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) led by Mayor Celso Lobregat. The CDCC action center in City Hall as of press time recorded 6 (not 5) barangays as...

CDCC steps up rescue, relief operations in flood-ravaged areas

27/09/2009 08:04
Mayor Celso Lobregat sympathizes with affected residents of Baliwasan, who were forced to leave their flood-submerged houses following heavy rains and strong winds spawmed by tropical storm Ondoy Saturday. The affected residents sought shelter at the JFE complex. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Tropical Storm...

City spearheads ‘Ayuda Limpiesa’

27/09/2009 08:01
Thousands of college students and volunteer groups from government and private agencies including barangay folks turned up yesterday morning for the Ayuda Limpiesa, a cleanliness drive initiated by the city government in line with Tourism Week. Now on its 6th year, the Ayuda Limpiesa covered the...

Lobregat urges Ko to pursue case vs attackers

24/09/2009 06:19
Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday urged the son of former Vice Mayor Robert “Bong” Ko to pursue the filing of case against the suspects in a shooting incident involving the young Ko along Gov. Camins Avenue last August 30. A similar call was issued by City Police OIC Director Col. Amador Corpus, who...

Lobregat gives cash aid to Sinunuc fire victims

24/09/2009 06:17
Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday morning distributed the city government’s financial assistance totaling P90,000 to 25 families whose houses went up in smoke last Sept. 1 when a fire broke out in Barangay Sinunuc, west of this city. Of the 25 families affected by the fire, Lobregat said 12 suffered...

Lobregat assures support to the visually impaired

23/09/2009 08:44
Mayor Celso Lobregat has assured that the city government under his administration will continue to support the vision impaired sector in Zamboanga with the opening yesterday of the VISTA Massage Therapy Clinic along Gen. Vicente Alvarez St. (beside that DSWD Field Office 9). VISTA stands for...

Incessant rain displaces 144 families

23/09/2009 08:42
Incessant rains and strong winds in the city spawned by low pressure area from Sunday until Monday wrecked 93 houses in 5 barangays and consequently displaced 144 families. On instructions of Mayor Celso Lobregat, the City Social Welfare Office under Francisco Barredo immediately provided relief...

Celso keynotes ZCSPC Palaro; Ponce cites need to take action

23/09/2009 08:40
Mayor Celso Lobregat keynoted yesterday morning the opening ceremonies of this year’s Palaro of the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZCSPC) at the JFE Memorial Sports Complex, calling it an avenue for moulding the character and good values of the student-athletes. Lobregat also took the...

As weather condition remains unstable CDCC activates action center in City Hall

22/09/2009 08:45
Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday ordered the activation of the City Disaster Coordinating Council action center in City Hall to ensure efficient and prudent implementation of relief operations and assistance to families that may be affected by continuous rains and strong winds spawned by low pressure...

10 schools compete in city’s Drum & Lyre tilt

22/09/2009 08:43
Ten (10) elementary schools in the city will compete today for the title in the 10th Drum and Lyre Competition, a city-government initiated activity in line with the Tourism Week celebration set from September 20-26. The competition will be held at 3 p.m. at the Paseo del Mar near the Fort...

Lobregat lauds Muslims for commitment to faith

21/09/2009 08:21
Mayor Celso Lobregat has lauded the Muslim community for enduring the rigors of fasting and personal sacrifices with the intention of promoting good and just society, in fulfilment of their obligations in the Qur’an. This, as Muslim communities all over the world marks Eid Ul Fitr, the culmination...

Multi-sectoral groups donate goods, cash to AFP

21/09/2009 08:19
As a show of gratitude to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), multi-sectoral groups in the city have pooled resources for the donation of relief goods and cash to soldiers who are sacrificing their life and family for the love of country and people. Dubbed “Ayuda para na Soldao,”...

Celso bares plans to build 7 senior citizens’ centers

19/09/2009 06:50
Mayor Celso Lobregat swears into office the newly elected officers of the Ayala Society of Elders during the induction ceremony held at the Ayala Barangay Hall Friday morning. Witnessing the event is Ayala Barangay chairman Alexis Ortega. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday revealed that...

City sets Tourism week Sept. 20-26

18/09/2009 09:01
Everything is set for the observance of Tourism Week from September 20-26, a weeklong promotion to raise awareness on the potentials of Zamboanga as a tourist hub. The celebration will kick off with the 10th Drum and lyre competition on September 22 at 3 p.m. at the Paseo del Mar. Ten elementary...

Celso pledges site dev’t for new DEPED building

18/09/2009 08:59
Consistently pursuing assistance and support to the education sector, Mayor Celso Lobregat recently committed to help fund the site development of the newly-constructed building for the Zamboanga Division Office of the Department of Education (DEPED) in Baliwasan Chico. Lobregat instructed the City...

Orendain clarifies candle vendors issue

17/09/2009 08:41
Contrary to insinuations that City Hall is inconsiderate of the plight of candle vendors, City caretaker and Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. said the demolition of candle stalls Tuesday was a result of a consensus reached upon by the city government and the legitimate members of the Candle...

Celso hosts 6th Iftar with Muslim leaders

16/09/2009 08:22
Mayor Celso Lobregat shares his message of friendship and respect to the Muslim community in the city during the 6th Iftar (Pagbukah) hosted by the city government at the Amil's Tower Monday afternoon. At the presidential table are Westmincom BGEn. Ben Dolorfino, Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, Councilors...

Lobregat swears in 82 new teachers

15/09/2009 08:43
Eighty two (82) new teachers, screened and eventually hired by the city government in coordination with the Department of Education (DEPED) formally took their oath of office yesterday morning and vowed to faithfully fulfil their mandated tasks with the primary objective of giving the youths a...

Thank you, Mayor- Vitali, Quiniput folks

15/09/2009 08:39
Residents and barangay officials of Vitali and Quiniput in the east coast of this city on Saturday expressed their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the city government under the administration of Mayor Celso Lobregat for the newly inaugurated health infrastructure projects amounting to almost P4...

Lobregat turns over P4M projects in Vitali, Quiniput

14/09/2009 09:26
Fulfilling his commitment to continuously pursue the implementation of infrastructure projects for the benefit of the barangay folks, Mayor Celso Lobregat over the weekend motored to Quiniput and Vitali in the east coast to unveil four projects, this time in line with the city’s health...

Piñol: Zambo folks should be proud of Celso as mayor

14/09/2009 09:24
Vice Gov. Emmanuel Piñol recently commended Mayor Celso Lobregat for having successfully defended the people not only of Zamboanga City but of the Southern Philippines from what could have been disastrous consequences of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) before the Supreme...

Mayor’s message on If’tar: “Let’s reflect on values that bind us and not divide us”

14/09/2009 09:21
“As we celebrate this special If’tar, let us renew our ties and reflect on the common values that bind the Muslims and Christians together and not the values that divide us”. Thus said Mayor Celso Lobregat, as he shared his message of friendship and respect to the Muslim community in celebration of...

Superferry update, Celso: 6 ferry passengers still missing

11/09/2009 07:45
At least six more passengers including a 10-year-old boy remained missing as of late yesterday afternoon, four days after MV Superferry 9 listed and then sank Sunday morning in the sea off Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. The City Disaster Coordinating Council’s action center established in City Hall...

Mayor lauds police for suspects’ arrest in Ko case

10/09/2009 08:39
Mayor Celso Lobregat discusses with City Police OIC director Col. Amador Corpus and other police officials about the status of the detained suspects including the 5 involved in the Ko shooting incident in Gov. Camins, after inspecting the detention facility at the ZCPO Wednesday morning. (JOEY...

On Superferry 9 disaster: Inquiry calls swarm City Hall action center

10/09/2009 08:37
The City Disaster Coordinating Council action center in City Hall has received over a hundred calls since its establishment Tuesday inquiring about whereabouts as well as assistance for passengers affected by the Sunday Superferry 9 disaster. Mayor Celso Lobregat said the calls come from Manila,...

Celso: Zambo stands firm on anti-trafficking

10/09/2009 08:30
Mayor Celso Lobregat talks about the city's efforts against human trafficking during the Asia Foundation's launching of infomercials Wednesday noon. (JOEY BAUTISTA) Mayor Celso Lobregat declared yesterday that Zamboanga City remains firm on the global war against human trafficking, having...

Labuan folks thank Celso, ZCWD for water project

09/09/2009 08:59
Residents of Labuan, the second to the last barangay in the west coast, have commended Mayor Celso Lobregat and the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) for helping them realize their long cherished dream of having safe, potable and affordable water. Speaking on behalf of his constituents, Labuan...

Ferry disaster operations center set up in City Hall

09/09/2009 08:50
Mayor Celso Lobregat initiates a meeting of the Regional and City Disaster Coordinating Councils Tuesday morning in City Hall where the creation of an operations center to synchronize information relative to the Sunday Superferry 9 disaster was finalized. (JOEY BAUTISTA) A disaster operations...

Lobregat lauds sectors’ aid in Superferry crisis

08/09/2009 08:19
Mayor Celso Lobregat and Senator Manuel Villar are being briefed by Police Regional Director Gen. Angelo Sunglao regarding the arrival of the first batch of rescued passengers at the local port Sunday afternoon. (CALOY BANDAYING) Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday said the support and assistance...

Lobregat leads city workers in ‘Hataw’

07/09/2009 08:18
Mayor Celso Lobregat on Friday led city government officials and employees in ‘Hataw’, a physical fitness program, kicking off the 109th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary celebration in Zamboanga.  Held at the scenic Paseo del Mar, the newest attraction in Zamboanga near Fort Pilar, the...

City slates medical missions on Sunday

05/09/2009 08:31
The City Health Office has scheduled a series of medical missions on Sunday, Sept. 6, in three different locations as the city government joins the Philippine Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in celebration of its 75th Anniversary on Sept. 8. This was announced Thursday by CHO officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos,...

Celso shares Zambo’s best practices to Baguio

02/09/2009 09:20
Mayor Celso Lobregat and Councilors Nonong Guingona, Charlie Mariano, Luis Biel III, Rudy Lim, Joe fel de las Penas and Rey Candido pose with Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. (3rd from right), as they renew Zamboanga-Baguio sister city ties signed 13 years ago during the Baguio Centennial...

Photo News

2009-09-26 Mayor Celso Lobregat distributes PHILHEALTH insurance cards to child care workers under the city's expanded health insurance program Thursday. Persons with disabilities are also included in the total 1,935 insurance cards turned over at the City Coliseum that day. (JOEY BAUTISTA)

2009-09-26 Mayor Celso Lobregat addresses barangay health workers from Region 9 during their conference at the Astoria Hotel Thursday morning. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
2009-09-25 Mayor Celso Lobregat is assisted by 530th Air Base Wing Commandant BGen. Carlix Donilo and wife; Sta. Maria Chairman Justo Lacandalo and Councilors Rudy Lim and Nonong Guingona (partly hidden) in the ceremonial cutting of ribbon during the turn over of P1.7million worth of road concreting and drainage system project at Block 3 Airmen's Village inside the Edwin Andrews Air Base Thursday afternoon. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
2009-09-24 Mayor Celso Lobregat and Councilor Rudy Lim cheer the Tetuan Central School Drum and Lyre group, the champion in this 10th Drum and Lyre Competition held at the City Coliseum Tuesday, Sept. 22, as part of the city's Tourism Week celebration. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
2009-09-24 Mayor Celso Lobregat, Mr. Vicente Lim, former Tourism Regional Director Ric San Juan and other organizers of "Pesca Kita", explain the mechanics of the first ever ZC Anglers' Competition, a fishing tilt set on Oct. 3 at 7 a.m. at the Paseo del Mar which will form part of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2009. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
2009-09-15 Mayor Celso Lobregat and City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos lead the unveiling of the slope protection and canal, one of the three projects implemented by the city government to improve the delivery of health services at the Cristino M. Paragas Hospital in Quiniput. Also in photo are Councilor Nonong Guingona and Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
2009-09-11 Mayor Celso Lobregat happily listens to singer-actress Sarah Geronimo answer questions posed by members of the media during the latter's courtesy call in City Hall Thursday afternoon. Ms. Geronimo is in the city for a concert today at the Summit Center in Tetuan. (JOEY BAUTISTA)

2009-09-09 Cong. Beng Climaco and Mayor Celso Lobregat lead the unveiling of the P15M building for the Division of City Schools in Baliwasan Chico Tuesday. Climaco provided the funds for the building while Lobregat worked for the acquisition of the site to realize the project. Also in photo are City Schools Supt. Dolores Alcantara, her assistant Dr. Norma Vecina, Baliwasan Chairman Francisco Macias and Fr. James of Claret. (JOEY BAUTISTA)

2009-09-07 Mayor Celso Lobregat and Archbishop Romulo Valles welcome Papal Nuncio Edward Joseph Adams to Zamboanga City during rites at the local airport Saturday morning. The papal nuncio is in the city to unveil the Pastor Bonus Seminary building in Tetuan. (ROLLY CARPIO)