Population growth indicates Zambo is progressive—Celso
“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) regional office here, is “alarming.”
“How will you manage this net in migration?” Lobregat asked in a statement, stressing that people (from outlying provinces or cities) come to Zamboanga and “they find Zamboanga a very, very livable place.”
Then, why do people like to come to Zamboanga? Lobregat said, “Because Zamboanga is a peaceful… Zamboanga is a progressive city.” Otherwise, he added people would have migrated out of Zamboanga.
In a way, the chief executive said the city’s 3.56% population growth rate is a positive sign even as he pointed out that it has long been there since year 2000 or nine years ago.
“And now some people make a big issue that it is alarming? They are nine years (too) late?” Lobregat retorted with a chuckle. “Zamboanga’s population growth rate is 3.56% way back in 2000, is that still a news today (nine years later)? Are you going to ring the alarm bell now?”
For his part, Executive Assistant on Muslim Affairs Amilpasa “Caloy” Bandaying said that human resources are indicators of development.
In another development, Mayor Lobregat announced that the city government is now preparing for the upcoming observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day on November 1 and 2, respectively.
He said he had already issued an executive order regulating if not banning the sale and distribution of liquor within the premises of all public and private cemeteries in the city as well as the bringing of bladed weapons.
Candle vendors will also be regulated as traffic to and from the cemeteries be rerouted, the mayor said. He will be calling a meeting with all stakeholders concerned on Wednesday to finalize every detail pertaining to the upcoming observance. (Vic Larato)