Some 1,765 individuals incrisis situation were given financial assistance during payout spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-9) in collaboration with the city government at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Tetuan,on  November 28. Mayor John Dalipe together with Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja and some members of the City Council joined the distribution of the cash aid that formed part of DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. The cash assistance amounted to P2,000 per individual that totaled P3.530M for the 1,765 beneficiaries, who also received a 5-kilo sack ofrice each, courtesy of the city government. The beneficiaries were from barangays Bolong (233), Boalan (49), Canelar (62), Culianan (160), Lanzones (64), Mercedes (70), Pasonanca (110), San Jose Gusu (95), Sta. Maria (105), Tumaga (51), and Talisayan (43). (Details: Bernadeth Lazaro)  

Cebu City, Philippines – Get ready for excitement as NUSTAR Resort Cebu presents Bingo Royale, a regular weekend event bringing high-energy entertainment and a chance to win jackpots. NUSTAR sweetens the deal with fantastic promotions for Bingo Royale players. New NUSTAR Rewards members receive a complimentary card for the first Speedy Game, available after completing two Speedy Games, giving them a winning edge. Plus, players who purchase two game packages will get one bonus bingo card for the third Speedy Game, boosting their chances for big wins. As a bonus, all players can enjoy complimentary beverages, including coffee, sodas, iced tea, and more, while playing. Plus, free shuttle services are available to and from NUSTAR, with priority access to NUSTAR Rewards members. Bingo Royale is the perfect way to spend your weekends with thrilling games and fantastic prizes. Participants must be 21 years of age or older to join. Where and When  Bingo Royale takes the spotlight at the Axis Entertainment & Sports Bar in NUSTAR Resort Cebu every Saturday and Sunday, starting November 16, 2024. The fun kicks off at 1:00 PM and runs until 5:00 PM, offering an action-packed afternoon. Whether you’re a seasoned bingo enthusiast or trying your luck for the first time, Bingo Royale promises unmatched thrills and anticipation. Get Your Game Set and Win Big  For just Php700, players can purchase a set of 40 bingo cards (4 cards per game across 10 games). Games 1 through 9 each offer a top prize of Php10,000, while the final game boasts an impressive Php30,000 prize. A special jackpot prize also awaits anyone who completes a blackout pattern within the first 50 balls. As a bonus, another jackpot called, “Star Ball,” can be won during the special games. In addition to the regular games, participants can join special rounds by purchasing extra cards, where even bigger prizes are up for grabs.

  The 117-year old Zamboanga City Hall lights up blue to mark World Pneumonia Day Tuesday, November 12. Organized by the Philippine Pediatric Society- Southwestern Mindanao and the Philippine College of Physicians – Western Mindanao Chapter, theWorld Pneumonia Day celebration in Zamboanga City coincided with similar events worldwide where monuments and iconic landmarks were illuminated in blue to underscore the importance of education and prevention to reduce deaths due to pneumonia, the leading infectious killer of adults and children globally. Mayor John Dalipe in his message reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fight pneumonia and other infectious diseases through various health programs to include vaccination, information drive, access to health care, as well as tree planting and coastal clean-up campaigns. Dalipe highlighted the efforts of doctors and people in the medical field to sustain the fight against pneumonia. “Thank you very much for your efforts in treating and preventing this disease. Your commitment to public health is well appreciated.” With the slogan “Pneumonia Affects Everyone,” the Worldwide Pneumonia Awareness Campaign – Pneumolight is intended to increase the visibility of pneumonia, to educate the public and spread scientifically-proven data on this disease. The event kicked off with a Zumba Dance and was highlighted by the Info Talk and Panel FAQs and a video presentation on pneumonia advocacies.  

CAMP GOV. BANTUG, Maasin City – Authorities intercepted a large drug haul discovered in an abandoned vehicle during a port interdiction operation at the Liloan Ferry Terminal, Barangay San Roque, Liloan, Southern Leyte, early morning on November 8. At around 12:15 a.m, a composite team from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Southern Leyte Maritime Group (SLMG), Liloan Municipal Police Station (Liloan MPS), Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 8, Provincial Intelligence Unit and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) conducted a routine inspection of vehicles arriving from the MV Fast Cat M17, which had traveled from Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte. During the inspection, the team found an abandoned virgil grey Mitsubishi Montero with its engine running in the port’s marshalling area. Anticipating that the vehicle may be loaded with explosives, the interdiction team requested the assistance of the PCG K9 unit. The initial search for explosives, conducted in the presence of barangay officials from San Roque, Liloan, and employees of FastCat, yielded negative results. However, at around 1:50 a.m, PDEA agents conducted a thorough inspection of the vehicle’s interior and found three large bags in its compartment. A Narcotic Detection Dog indicated a positive alert for illegal drugs. Upon further examination, authorities confiscated a total of 57 large packs containing suspected illegal substances, estimated to weigh approximately one kilogram per pack. A follow-up investigation into the identity and whereabouts of the driver, based on the bill of lading, revealed that the driver is from Surigao, while the registered owner of the vehicle is from Carmen, Surigao del Sur. The joint team is currently conducting follow-up operations, backtracking the vehicle’s movements and, if necessary, initiating a hot pursuit of the driver. Col. Hector Enage, provincial director of the Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office, lauded the composite interdiction team for promptly executing the port operations as agreed upon during the Transit Guard meeting on September 25, 2024. “I am pleased to report that the team has successfully removed approximately 57 kilograms of illegal drugs from our streets,” he stated. “This significant seizure represents our commitment to protecting our communities and ensuring a safer environment for all.”        

CAMP KANGLEON, PALO, LEYTE – The Police Regional Office 8 successfully apprehended the second-ranked provincial most wanted for rape in Barangay Mercedes, Catbalogan City, earlier today, November 5, 2024. Brig.Gen.Jay Cumingad, regional director said joint operatives led by the Provincial Intelligence Unit-Samar Police Provincial Office (PIU-SPPO), with support from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Western Samar Provincial Field Unit and the Catbalogan City Police Station, arrested alias “ML,” a 24-year-old male and resident of Barangay Mercedes, Catbalogan City, Samar. The suspect ranked as second most wanted person at the provincial level, was arrested based on a warrant for rape, with no bail recommended. Following his arrest, the accused was immediately brought to the Catbalogan CPS for documentation and proper disposition. Cumingad commended the coordinated efforts of the involved units, noting the importance of such operations in ensuring justice and community safety. “This arrest underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to actively pursue individuals wanted for serious crimes and reinforces public confidence in the criminal justice system,” he added.                  

PAMBUJAN, NORTHERN SAMAR – In a successful joint operation, elements of the 2nd Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (NSPMFC), under the supervision of Lt.Col.Edwin Oloan,Jr., Force Commander, together with operatives from 8ID PA, PNP SAF and Palapag MPS, successfully apprehended wanted CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) personality for kidnapping and illegal detention in Barangay Tambangan, Palapag Northern Samar on October 28, 2024. The suspect, identified as alias “Maye” female, 29 yrs old, with common law husband, and resident of Gamay, Northern Samar, NPSR Listed and affiliated as Member of FC 15, SRC ARCTIC, EVRPC. The arrest was made by virtue of a warrant for Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention issued on February 17, 2020, by RTC Branch 21, Laoang, Northern Samar with no bail recommendation. During the arrest, the suspect was informed of her constitutional rights and was immediately brought to Palapag MPS for proper documentation prior turn over to the court of origin. The operation also utilized an alternative recording device for transparency. Oloan, reiterated the unwavering resolve of the police to bring perpetrators of crime to justice. “Our police force remains committed in delivering justice to victims of violence and criminality. We will continue to intensify our law enforcement efforts to apprehend other criminals who’s in flee.”      

  By Bernadeth Lazaro Mayor John Dalipe has expressed profound gratitude to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Opportunity 2.0 for being the “true beacon of hope for countless young individuals who are eager to explore their talents and carve out successful futures.” The chief executive, through Assistant City Administrator Dolph Saavedra said this, as the Education Development Center (EDC) Org. and Zamboanga City Youth Development Alliance (ZCYDA) initiated the close-out and send-off ceremony for USAID Opportunity 2.0 Tuesday morning, October 29 at Garden Orchid Hotel in Gov. Camins. “Your partnership is not just a contribution, but a true beacon of hope for countless young individuals who are eager to explore their talents and carve out successful futures. Thank you for believing in our youth and for walking alongside us in this crucial endeavor,” Dalipe said in his message, read by Saavedra. USAID Opportunity 2.0 is set to conclude on February 23, 2025, five years since its implementation in collaboration with the city government and other stakeholders in 2020. The program pursued the shared goal of providing second-chance opportunities to marginalized Out-of-School Youth (OSY) in the city, providing them with more and better opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. The close-out and send-off ceremony was marked by the symbolic turn-over of a standee and gavel by the USAID Opportunity 2.0 representatives to the city government and the Jovenez Alianza de Zamboanga (JADZ). Testimonials from program graduates, signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and ceremonial oath-taking reaffirming the city’s commitment to OSY development also highlighted the event. The event concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to sustain and build on the work initiated by the USAID Opportunity 2.0 program, ensuring the youth of Zamboanga City continue to have access to valuable resources and opportunities. Also present during the event were Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja, PESO Manager and Acting CHRM Officer Jerico Jan Bustamante, Deputy Chief of Party for Technical Programs Dr. Maria Theresa Mokamad, DTI Provincial Director Grace Aduca, President of Ferndale Colleges Zamboanga Peninsula and ADJ CO-chair Dr. Anicia Alvarez, and representatives from various government and private sector organizations. Photo credits: Kathy Wee Sit

The 7th National Sardines Industry Congress and Trade Exhibit 2024, organized by the SOPHIL Fishing Association, Inc. reels off in Zamboanga City Wednesday, October 23 to 25. Mayor John Dalipe and other city officials graced the opening program with Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Ester Bayate, representing Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as guest of honor. The event, themed “Sardinescape: Sustaining Sardine Seas Through Innovation, Collaboration and Climate Change Adaptation,” brings together the major players/ stakeholders in the fishing and canning industry to discuss strategies to ensure sustainable use of the fish resource which is a major industry in Zamboanga Peninsula and other parts of Mindanao. Zamboanga City, known as the sardines capital of the Philippines, hosts the national event anew. Highlight of the congress is the Sardines Industry Trade Exhibit. The event was graced by key officials to include Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja, District I Cong. Khymer Olaso, Basilan Cong. Mujib Hataman, SOPHIL President Engr. Julius Daniel, BFAR OIC Isidro Velayo, officials from DA and attached agencies and agriculture and fisheries beneficiaries. (Details: Jamil Dari/ Roselyn Bunot) (photo credits: Kathy Wee Sit)

KUTA KANKABATO, SAN JOSE, TACLOBAN CITY – The Leyte Provincial Police Office, successfully secured the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landing, resulting in a resounding success and ensuring a peaceful and safe environment for the event held at MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park on October 20, 2024. Col.Dionisio DC Apas,Jr., provincial director said the commemoration drew a large gathering of attendees, including high-ranking government officials, foreign dignitaries, and other distinguished guests. In close coordination with other concerned government agencies, the LPPO implemented a comprehensive security plan, which included a full alert status declared across Leyte Province. Notably, no significant incidents were reported throughout the commemoration. The traffic rerouting plan, implemented in coordination with the Palo Auxiliary Traffic Unit (PATU), ensured smooth traffic flow throughout the week leading up to and during the event. Apas commended the efforts of the LPPO personnel and the organizers, stating, “We are honored to have played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of this historic commemoration. The success of this event is a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of our personnel, and we are grateful for the collaborative efforts of all involved.” The 80th Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration served as a poignant reminder of the historical significance of the event and the bravery of those who fought for freedom. The successful security measures ensured that the focus remained on honoring the veterans and their sacrifice.