Lobregat hails Lingkod Timog volunteers
Mayor Celso Lobregat has cited a group of US-based Filipinos who have been conducting a yearly outreach mission for minority tribal groups in the city as part of activities for the Dia de Zamboanga.
The group called Lingkod Timog and headed by President Cely Heredia, is in the city for the sixth straight year to conduct a two-day medical-dental and surgical mission in barangays Sangali (February 23) and Taluksangay (Feb. 24). Today, the group will hold a feeding program for the Badjao community in barangay Maasin.
Lobregat thanked the group for its yearly humanitarian mission saying it is a big help to depressed communities in the city. He said the same activity complements the city government’s accelerated health program anchored on the vision “nuestro deseo un ciudad sin enfermedad.”
The group led by Mrs. Heredia and husband Armando, the association’s former chief executive officer and other volunteers from Rhode Island and California, USA; Manila and other parts of the country, paid a courtesy call on Mayor Lobregat Monday afternoon. Also joining the group were Philippine Marine Commandant BGen. Juancho Sabban and wife Irene, who are responsible in bringing the Lingkod Timog volunteers to Zamboanga City.
The medical outreach missions were held in coordination with the City Health Office, Western Mindanao Command, Naval Forces Western Mindanao and other agencies. They formed part of the celebration of the 73rd Dia de Zamboanga which culminates on Friday, February 26.
The outreach activities in Sangali and Taluksangay benefited over a thousand indigent families. These activities for the Badjao communities in the city started in 2005 through the initiative of the Sabban couple who developed close ties with Lingkod Timog during their year long stay in Rhode Island in 2004.
Meanwhile, the 73rd Dia de Zamboanga marks the city’s Charter Anniversary and is themed “Zamboanga: Probao y Aprobao.”
Other highlights of the celebration include the Awarding ceremony for most outstanding Zamboanguenos at 7 p.m. on February 25 at the Garden Orchid Convention Center; grand civic military parade with the competicion de selyo de Zamboanga and inter-school drum and lyre competition 1p.m. and the commemorative program at 3 p.m. at the Joaquin Enriquez Grandstand on February 26 with former Senator Franklin Drilon as guest of honor.
Other events are the 13th Celso L. Lobregat Cup-Dart Tournament Feb. 26-27 at the Ram’s Beer Garden; Crimson Mania (a mini-concert, fashion show and dinner for a cause) Feb. 26; Sam Concepcion Live in Zamboanga on Feb. 27 at the City Coliseum in Tetuan; 3rd Mayor Celso L. Lobregat Lawn Tennis Tournament Feb. 27-28 in Pettit Barracks and the 1st Dia de Zamboanga Invitational Mountain Bike Circuit Challenge Feb. 28 at the Pasonanca Park. (Sheila Covarrubias)