CONG. DIVINA GRACE YU SPEAKS BEFORE ASIAN PARLIAMENTS IN TURKEY

Cong. Divina Grace Yu of the 1st District of Zamboanga del Sur proudly represented the Philippines during the Asian Parliamentary Assembly  held in Antalya, Turkey from December 13 to December 18. 

Cong. Yu, Chairperson of the Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy of the 18th Congress, was among the representatives who spoke before the 42 APA member states and 16 observer countries during the 12th Plenary Session on December 15.

She was with Cong. Maria Theresa Collantes, Vice Chair for the same committee.

In her privilege speech, Yu emphasized the growing importance of interdependence and regional cooperation as keys to achieving peace and development in Asia.

She said that the assembly has built a strategic position wherein Asian governments can actively engage in its own affairs and make crucial decisions on strictly Asian matters.

“We continue to develop an order defined by equality, cooperation, mutual benefit and mutual assistance on the basis of our common interests,” the legislator added.

In the end, the Zamboanga del Sur representative challenged the member parliaments to harmonize their different interests through diplomatic interactions, where tensions can be ironed out and agreements are forged leading to the gaining of valuable insights.  

This year, the assembly carried the theme “The Role of Multilateral Cooperation Among Asian Parliaments” which highlighted its long term perspective of attaining the status of an Asian common legislative mechanism.

  

The Asian Parliamentary Assembly was established in 2006 which focuses in coordinating national parliaments’ efforts to address modern challenges through enhancing their role in promoting peace in the Asian region.

Each APA member parliament has a specific number of seats in the Assembly based on the size of their population. Members of the APA Plenary are elected by members of member parliaments, according to its official webpage.

INTER-AGENCY SERBISYO CARAVAN, GIHUGUPAN SA KATAWHAN SA BAYOG, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR

Zamboanga del Sur (Disyembre 17, 2019) - Gatusan ka mga katawhan ang nakapahimulos sa nagkalain-laing serbisyo sa gipahigayong launching sa Provincial Task Force ELCAC (end local communist armed conflict) adlawng Lunes sa Brgy. Dimalinao sa lungsod sa Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur isip kabahin sa Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) sa Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) nga usa ka national program aron tapuson ang pagkuyanap sa impluwensyang komunista sa nasud.

Atol sa maong aktibidad, gipangunahan ni Gov. Victor Yu ang ground breaking ceremony sa pag-construct ug pag-rehabilitate sa usa ka dakong farm-to-market road sa munisipyo sa Bayog. Ang maong kadalanan nga nagkantidad ug P21Million ang magkutay sa mga dalan sa Pulangbato, Dimalinao, ug Bantal.

Sa pamahayag ni Gov. Yu, iyang gikonsiderar nga usa ka prioridad nga proyekto ang pag-semento sa kadalanan tungod kay dako kini ug tabang aron mapadali ang pag-transport sa mga produkto sa kabukiran.

Iyang gidasig ang mga rebelde sa kabukiran nga tagamtamon ang mga benepisyo nga naangkon sa mga mibalik na sa sabakan sa gobyerno sama sa mga programa sa edukasyon ug panginabuhian alang sa mga rebel returness.

Giawhag usab niya ang ang mga barangay officials nga magsusi sa mga programa nga gitagana sa kagamhanan nga pwede nilang ipatuman sa ilang mga dapit aron makasinati sila ug kalambuan.

Ang maong inter-agency “serbisyo caravan” nga gihimo sa Dimalinao barangay center gitambongan sa nagkalain-laing national agencies sama sa DILG, NCIP, DOST, TESDA, DSWD, PNP, AFP ug mga division offices sa kagamhanang probinsyal sa Zamboanga del Sur nga midalit ug free medical services, livelihood orientation, skills training ug uban pang klase sa pagpangalagad.

Tumong sa maong kalihukan ang pag-edukar ug pagpahibalo sa komunidad mahitungod sa mga programa sa gobyerno aron paghatag kanila ug oportunidad

nga mapadangat ang ilang mga panginahanglan.

Matud pa ni Provincial Administrator Joefe Suson, mokabat sa P750million ang pondo nga nalikom sa probinsya gikan sa pledge of support nga nakuha niini gikan sa mga national ug local agencies. Ang nasampit nga pondo mao ang iapod-apod sa mga conflict-affected areas sa tibuok probinsya pinaagi sa mga serbisyo nga dad-on usab ngadto kanila. 

Sa katapusan, giawhag sa gobernador ang kooperasyon sa katawhan aron mas mahimong  hapsay uf mabungahon pag-implementar sa mga proyekto niini sa lalawigan.

Sigon pa niya nga isip lider sa probinsya, bisan pag nindot ang programa ug ang katawhan di molihok dili gihapon magmalampuson ang pagpatuman niini.

MEGAYON CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS OPENS IN ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR

Pagadian City - For the first time in many years, a spectacular array of lights drew huge crowd of visitors at the Provincial Government Complex of Zamboanga del Sur to mark the start of the Christmas month.

Dubbed as "A December to Remember: Megayon Celebration of Lights and Colors", the activity officially kicked off on Sunday night witnessed by Zambosurians and by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa who served as the guest of honor during the Lights On Ceremony.

With just limited time of preparation, the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur was able to pull off the opening night through the concerted efforts of agencies and volunteers with the support of Governor Victor J. Yu, Congw. Divina Grace Yu and Cong. Leonardo Babasa, making the local Christmas destination the first of its kind in the province.  

Hours before the lights on ceremony began, traffic came to a stand still on the main street leading to the Provincial Government Complex due to thousands of spectators rushing to the venue. 

Various attractions can be seen throughout the complex in Brgy. Dao, Pagadian City - from dazzling lights to colorful decors - everything will surely satisfy the eyes of the public. While entering the site, a giant Christmas tree will welcome you as angelic structures complemented with bright lights on trees made the surroundings even more glowing. Colorful arches are also a highlight of the place, a perfect spot for selfies and group photos.

Leading to the Megayon stage, more attractions are displayed along the way designed by participating municipalities and government agencies.

Meanwhile, replicas of movie-inspired structures are housed at the Governor's Garden. Visitors can have a free tour to the displays created by participating establishments and groups such as Game of Thrones, Legoland, Moana, Mickey Mouse, Jurassic Park, Aladdin, Minions, Pirates of the Caribbean, and a whole lot more. Carnival attractions are also available at the complex where everyone can experience the thrill of the Viking, carousel and other amusement rides.

After the program, the switch on ceremony was capped off with fireworks display lighting up the skies at the Unity Park monument.

The Megayon Christmas Lights Display is open to all visitors on weeknights and weekends.