Zamboanga City Government News Bits – May 30, 2015
- The City Government and the Development Bank of the Philippines will formalize an agreement that will allow the use of valid credit, debit and or prepaid cards in local government transactions specifically purchase or payments of goods and services. The signing of the Merchant Agreement Point-of-Sale Payment System (for Visa Credit and Debit Transactions) is set at 3pm, Monday (June 1) at the City Hall conference room. Through the Agreement, the LGU can engage in business and honor all valid credit, debit and or prepaid cards as payment for its sale of goods and or services. The DBP, being the city’s depository bank, on the other hand, is bound to honor these cards for the purchase of goods and or services from the city’s clients or establishments.
- Monday, June 1 is the start of classes in all public elementary and high schools in the city and other parts of the country. The city government together with the police and military in coordination with the DEPED will implement Oplan Balik Eskwela focusing on security, vehicular traffic and other school requirements. Total student population in public schools for 2015-2016 in Zamboanga City is expected to reach 206,968 of which 152,568 are in elementary level (Grades I-VI) including kindergarten and 54,400 in high school level (Grade VII to Junior high school or Grade XI). The city has 171 public elementary schools and 37 public high schools.
- The City Government started release of salaries of students hired under the first batch of the Summer Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), May 28 in time for the enrollment period this week. Mayor Climaco spearheaded the ceremonial distribution of salaries to 48 college students from Tolosa, Calabasa, Lumbangan, Malagutay and Dulian who worked under the SPES 1st batch from April 10-May 8 with a total of 1,362 beneficiaries. Other beneficiaries may see the City Treasurer for the release of their salaries representing 30% or P3,360.00 of the total amount. The remaining 40% or P2,240 will be paid by DOLE in the form of vouchers addressed to schools where the students will be enrolled.
- Mayor Beng Climaco last Saturday morning, May 30, presided over the graduation of a total of 2,720 young boys and girls who underwent a free month-long sports training under the so-called “Summer Learn to Play a Sports” program. Now on its 20th year, the program is an annual undertaking of the city government that seeks to hone the talents and skills of youths and ultimately develop world class athletes. The participants successfully completed the course for the summer sports training program which included 26 sports events.
- Officials of different tricycle operators’ associations in the city expressed gratitude to Mayor Climaco for extending the period for the renewal of tricycle franchises from May 31 to August 31 saying this will provide their members ample time to comply with the requirement. The mayor together with City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. and the members of the Tricycle Adjudication Board met with the officials of the different tricycle associations May 28 where she announced the 90-day extension in consideration of the short period granted in the processing of requirements for the renewal of franchises in the earlier May 31 deadline set by the City Council through resolution 518.
- The turnover of initial 127 houses on stilts in Mariki constructed under the Z3R program scheduled by the NHA last May 30 has been reset to a later date, as the government seeks to thresh out some kinks in the process of selecting beneficiaries. The Mariki permanent housing is one of the Z3R packages with a total of 642 beneficiaries. The project has a total allocation of P137.72 million and sits in a 71,300 square meter-area with 642 housing on stilts units.
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