ZAMBOANGA CITY continues to bleed dry as the crisis enters its 18th day today. What comforts us is the fact that Zamboanga, amidst the adversities, remain united, strong and undefeated.
Our government forces—the police and military—our heroes—with all their commitment are sacrificing their lives to put an end to this war. Words are not enough to thank them and their families for their selflessness and dedication.
As our government forces continue with the clearing operations in the affected barangays, the civilian government tries its level best to keep the city running with the support and cooperation of different stakeholders.
Classes continued for the second day today in schools located outside the affected areas (particularly 5-7km radius from conflict zone) and those with prior arrangements between principals and barangay officials with approval from CMC. Although the turnout is low because of people’s apprehension—we are confident that barangay officials, tanods and other volunteers are doing their fair share to support the security needs of our children and teachers. We need everybody’s support and cooperation to help keep our city running. City Schools Superintendent Mr. Pete Natividad and CHED Regional Director Dr. Emmylou Yanga are here to give us updates and other developments concerning the education sector.
As commercial flights resumed operations Thursday last week, our seaports have also opened to serve the public starting today. Our Coast Guard representative will elaborate on this further in a little while.
Most small sari-sari stores, big malls including Mindpro, fast food chains and hardware stores located within the city’s commercial district have opened starting yesterday. 30 commercial banks, mostly located outside the commercial district, have already resumed operations with limited banking hours—some close at 12 noon while others close at 2pm.
Most regional offices—the NGAs, GOCCs, private establishments and companies located outside the affected area continue operations daily in response to our call to help bring back normalcy in our beloved city. City government offices providing frontline services also operate daily.
Your local government with the support and assistance of the DSWD is also exerting its level best in the relief operations –with the aim of reaching out to all families affected by the crisis. Per DSWD record, the number of evacuees has reached 18,297 families with 101,259 people as of 10am today. There are 44 evacuation centers.
A massive rehabilitation program is underway and with God’s grace, will kick off in the next few days, to help our evacuees and other affected families get back to their feet after the crisis is over. We make sure that our efforts are aligned with the national government’s thrusts and policies in coming up with the mechanisms for the rebuilding of Zamboanga. We will rebuild our city—we will rise from the ravages of war. Yes, Zamboanga City will not be the same again, because ZAMBOAGA WILL BE BETTER.
Like all of you, I am already very anxious to end this. Nuay dia que ta pasa, ta roga yo que amo ya el fin de este astrocidad. Not a day has passed, that I kept wishing it would be the end of all these atrocities. But we have to make sure that our cause is clearly sent to them as well. The support of the City of Zamboanga to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police remain strong as we stand firm with what our laws and our constitution call for every Filipino.
On this note, we also express our sincerest thanks to President Noy for personally looking into the operations of the government troops in a bid to end this Zamboanga Crisis and for giving the people of Zamboanga hope and confidence. Similar words of thanks go to Secretary Dinky Soliman, Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Secretary Mar Roxas who have stayed on from day 1 until today, to oversee government efforts. Your presence means a lot to the Zamboanguenos and is enough proof that the national government is with Zamboanga amidst this crisis.
The losses of over 5 Billion Pesos in 16 days may be great, this may take a while for us to regain but we also want sustainable security to be in place. We all want our normal lives back; this cannot be equated with monetary value. We need to breathe the air of peace, where we shall feel the liberty of going around the city without the anxiety of terror. El mga caso que ay planta ta prepara ya, kay este el de aton derecho para el actos de crimininalidad ay pone bajo na lei y sirvi justicia con todo canaton mga Zamboangueno.
I call for everyone to continuously pray for each day that we need to face. This crisis taught us to be faithful, to be patient and to be persevering. Our patience is tested but we need to hold on. We cannot give up, we are are not giving up.
In the past days there were videos going around encouraging Zamboanguenos to rise above all these. Gracias con ustedes todo for the courage you are giving our people. Levanta kita contra maldad, levanta kita contra criminalidad, levanta kita para progreso, levanta kita para el paz, levanta kita para el buen futuro del de aton mga jovenes. We shall rise Zamboanga! Vaya on Dios a todos!
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