Close to 1,000 residents from Labuan and the nearby barangays benefited from the day-long medical mission initiated by the city government as part of its commitment to public health.

Mayor Celso Lobregat and City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos spearheaded the mission that included free consultation and medicines, tooth extraction, fumigation activities, animal vaccination and other services.

The Western Mindanao Command was a recipient of 100 boxes of noodles with each box containing 72 packs of noodles from Monde Nissin Company intended for troops of JTF “COMET” in Jolo.

The turnover of the 100 boxes of noodles was held on January 24 at Westmincom Headquarters with Mr. Dominic Flores representing Microwire distributor in Zamboanga City who turned over the 100 boxes of noodles to Col. Fred Llosa, the Command’s acting deputy commander, representing WESTMINCOM chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo and witnessed by Lt. Col. Bajunaid T. Abid, CMO U-7, Lt. Mary Nancy Gadian, deputy CMO-U7, SMSg. Peter Dulalas PA, Command Sergeant Major, other WESTMINCOM officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees.

Atty. Vic R. Solis, the most probable candidate for vice mayor of the local opposition, said yesterday that it is vital to the city’s development that “we link up strongly with the central government in Manila by creating a political bridge with the national administration.”

He said that together with Crisanto “Monsi” dela Cruz, he joined the administration party, KAMPI, last Tuesday by taking his oath of office as party member before Congressman Luis Villafuerte, party president, at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.

Two men were shot and wounded by two fleeing cellphone thieves in Barangay San Roque last Thursday night.

A report reaching the City Police Office’s Operation Branch under Sr. Insp. Diomarie Albarico identified the victims as Ryan Solis, a resident of San Roque and Enrique Senara of Summer Hills, San Roque.

The City Council has passed a resolution addressed to the Maritime Command Office, the Philippine Coast Guard and other port agencies to strictly enforce the prescribed guidelines and security measures especially on transporting, handling and the storage system of copra, abaca and other agricultural products while on board cargo vessels.

Councilor Milabel Velasquez, author of the resolution, made such recommendations after receiving reports (not conclusive) from the Department of Science and Technology-9 (DOST-9) saying that the real cause of death of two port laborers and hospitalizing of at least 11 persons was suffocation as a result of inhaling too much carbon monoxide while inside the cargo hold of M/V Biatrice.

Residents of Vitali were thrown into panic after a drunken policeman went berserk and fired his rifle in a crowded area last Thursday night.

The policeman was identified as PO3 Hermie Viray of the Vitali Police Station.

Philippine Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Jose L. Reyes was the guest of honor yesterday morning during the 6th Foundation Anniversary of 3rd Tactical Operations Wing. The theme of the anniversary was “ 3rd TOW PAF... Kaagapay sa Kaunlaran at Kapayapaan ng Buong Mindanao para sa Matatag na Pilipinas”.

“They should abide by the constitution, loyal to the chain of command and obey the mandated mission of the air force to serve well the people,” Lt. Gen. Reyes told PAF men in Mindanao in his message.

Based on the latest in-house survey conducted by a credible group in some universities and at least 18 barangays, both in the east and west coasts, the level of consciousness on Crisanto “Monsi” Dela Cruz’ candidacy has already reached a very satisfactory level.

A survey conducted among faculty members, non-teaching staff and some students of the Universidad de Zamboanga revealed that most of them have manifested their willingness to support Dela Cruz’ candidacy.

Based on the latest in-house survey conducted by a credible group in some universities and at least 18 barangays, both in the east and west coasts, the level of consciousness on Crisanto “Monsi” Dela Cruz’ candidacy has already reached a very satisfactory level.

A survey conducted among faculty members, non-teaching staff and some students of the Universidad de Zamboanga revealed that most of them have manifested their willingness to support Dela Cruz’ candidacy.

Zamboanga City will again scout for another good police chief (city police director) as top rated incumbent chief, Sr. Supt. Mario Yanga, is now waiting for an order from the regional office designating him to a another position in Zamboanga del Norte.

Reports spread fast yesterday that Sr. Supt. Yanga will be relieved anytime this week as city police director.

Mayor Celso Lobregat has stressed that the delivery of health services remains to be a top priority of his administration as P103 million or 8 percent of the 2007 budget has been appropriated for health programs and projects.

The City Health Office under Dr. Rodel Agbulos has lined up various medical and health programs for implementation this year in line with the objective of “nuestro deseo, un ciudad sin enfermeda”.

Vice Mayor Beng Climaco is set to turn over this week to the Sta. Maria barangay council, a P.8 million covered shed, a project she funded through her countryside development fund.

The project was initiated in coordination with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) led by Abraham Tan and the Barangay Council led by Chairman Justo Lacandalo.

The Sta. Maria police are investigating two local businessmen who were caught yesterday allegedly buying stolen Nestle’products.

A report reaching Daily Zamboanga Times that the two businessmen, whose identities have been withheld, were invited for questioning at the Sta. Maria Police Station.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has announced the recruitment of personnel for Region 9 and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA).

The slots are open for PDEA operatives and officers to be detailed at the said places.

The city’s Licensing Division Office under Dangin Jacinto has recorded close to 8, 200 business permit applicants as of January 23, but the number keeps on increasing.

The number is almost a thousand more than the number of business permits issued last year which reached over 7,700.