Lamitan LGU calls people: do simple acts to honor freedom

LAMITAN CITY, Basilan - - Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay called on residents to honor the true meaning of freedom by committing themselves to service, unity and community development during the city's celebration of the 127th Philippine Independence Day on Thursday.

Speaking before local officials, government employees and residents, Furigay said Independence Day is not only about ceremonies and commemorative programs but also about remembering the sacrifices made by those who fought for the country's freedom.

“Freedom was not easy; it was fought for. It was sacrificed for. And because of that, we should never take it for granted,” the mayor said.

Furigay stressed that freedom extends beyond historical remembrance and should be reflected in the actions of citizens today.

“For me, freedom is not just about history; it is about what we do today. It is about how we help each other, how we serve our community, and how we move forward together,” he said.

The mayor encouraged residents to contribute to nation-building through simple but meaningful acts, including maintaining cleanliness, planting trees and helping one another.

“We do not need to do big things right away. Even small actions matter. These are simple things, but this is where real change begins,” he said.

Furigay also expressed pride in the unity being demonstrated by communities in Lamitan City and across Basilan, noting that residents continue to work together despite differences.

“Even though we are different, we choose to stand together. We choose peace. We choose progress. And that says a lot about who we are as a people,” he said.

As the nation commemorated Independence Day, the mayor urged the public to renew their commitment to improving their communities and building a better future for the next generation.

“Freedom is not only inherited; it is something we protect and grow every day,” Furigay said.

He concluded his message by citing a Yakan proverb, “Pasong pe bangsumo, labi pe bangsumude (more tomorrow, how much more the day after tomorrow),” which he translated as striving for greater achievements in the future.

“Kung nasaan tayo ngayon, kaya pa nating higitan, basta tuloy-tuloy. At sama-sama tayo,” Furigay said as he extended his Independence Day greetings to all residents and Filipinos. 

ZC shifts senior citizens’ aid distribution to ATM system

Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso (center) and Land Bank executives, with executive Secretary Celso Lobregat and City Social Welfare office Soccora Roxas sign on Friday June 5, 2026 the memorandum of agreement (MOA) enrolling all the senior citizens who bona fide residents of this city for their cash assistance through automated teller machine (ATM) accounts to ease transactions.

ZAMBOANGA CITY - - The local government here has shifted its quarterly financial assistance for its 80,000 senior citizens through the automated teller machine (ATM) accounts in a bid to streamline transactions, ease the burden on elderly beneficiaries and insulate them from politicians.

The new system was formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed Friday by Mayor Khymer Olaso and officials of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), which introduced its Pera Inimpok Savings Option (PISO) account for the program.

Under the arrangement, senior citizens will be enrolled in individual PISO accounts and issued ATM cards through which they can receive their quarterly assistance.

Olaso and LBP Department Manager Rubyrose Estipona signed Friday the agreement at City Hall in the presence of representatives and witnesses from both parties.

The city’s quarterly cash assistance of P1,000 per beneficiary, provided under the “Largo Vida” (long life) program for senior citizens, will be credited directly to beneficiaries’ accounts. However, residents in far-flung and remote areas will continue to receive their assistance in cash, Olaso said.

The mayor said the city government will transfer the funds directly to Land Bank for distribution to the ATM account holders.

“As part of my campaign promise, we are gradually improving the system for the safety of our senior citizens. During barangay payouts, we observed how difficult it was for many elderly beneficiaries who had to wait in crowded venues were some either passed out or even starved from waiti,” Olaso said.

He said the system will also prevent politicians to engage “epal” from the usual payouts.

He added that the city government is also considering a similar system for educational assistance programs covering kindergarten, Grade 12 and college students.

Olaso said the ATM-based distribution would help depoliticize the release of government assistance.

“We do not want to politicize whatever assistance we give to the people. Beneficiaries will be insulated from politicians because they can directly withdraw their assistance through ATM centers,” he said.

The city government estimates that about 80,000 senior citizens will benefit from the program. Olaso said a validation process will be conducted to ensure that only bona fide residents of Zamboanga City are included.

The program is expected to cost the city government approximately P320 million annually, according to Olaso.

HPG receives P256K worth of helmets with integrated communication system in Zamboanga…

 

Members of the Ghost Riders Zamboanga led by Kaiser Olaso and Osbert Malinao turnover to the Philippine National Police Regional Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Zamboanga Peninsula 16 helmet units equipped with integrated communication system to boost their patrol and escort operations in the region. (RP)

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Regional Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Zamboanga Peninsula received Wednesday P256,000 worth of full-face helmet units equipped with integrated communication systems from a local riders’ club on Wednesday to enhance patrol and escort operations in the region.

The donation was made by Ghost Rider Zamboanga, a group of big-bike enthusiasts composed of businessmen and private contractors based in the city. The group turned over 16 units of helmets with built-in communication gadgets to HPG regional deputy chief Lt. Col. Dexter Diones during a simple ceremony.

Osbert Malinao, the club’s promotions executive, said the donation was intended to support HPG personnel who help ensure road safety.

“We have prepared today the handover of 16 helmets with communication equipment to the HPG, our partners on the road who help protect us every day,” Malinao said.

Ghost Rider Zamboanga head Kaiser Olaso said the group decided to provide the equipment after observing communication difficulties among HPG personnel during a recent riding event.

Olaso said some police escorts lost their route during a fun ride because they were unable to communicate with one another, highlighting the need for integrated communication equipment.

Olaso said the members, including Lamitan City Vice Mayor Hagen Furigay, have contributed for the purchase of the helmet units and integrated communication equipment that were donated to the HPG.

“With the donation of helmets integrated with communication gadgets, we believe this will boost the situational awareness of HPG escort personnel and provide safer escort operations,” he said.

According to Olaso, the communication system has an operational range of about one kilometer between users and can accommodate multiple users within the network.

He added that the riders’ club is also considering donating jackets to HPG personnel to help protect them from prolonged exposure to sun and rain while performing their duties.

“We hope our little contribution will help boost the operations of our HPG partners in securing the roads and ensuring the safety of riders,” Olaso said.

Diones expressed the HPG Regional Office’s appreciation for the donation, saying the equipment would enhance the group’s operational capability in carrying out its road safety mission. (RP)

Lamitan bares schedule for 43rd Lami-Lamihan Festival

LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — The city government has released the schedule of activities for the 43rd Lami-Lamihan Festival, the 19th City Founding Anniversary, and the 90th Parochial Fiesta in honor of St. Peter the Apostle, with festivities set from June 12 to 30.

Carrying the theme “Future Woven,” the month-long celebration will feature cultural, religious, tourism and sports activities highlighting the heritage and traditions of the Yakan people.

The festivities will open on June 12 with activities marking the 128th Philippine Independence Day, including a community flag-raising ceremony, citywide clean-up and tree-growing activities, and the Mayor Oric Furigay Basketball Tournament Battle of the Champions.

Among the major events are the city's 19th founding anniversary on June 18, the opening of the Tourism Trade Fair and Gallery Walk, the Miss Lamitan 2026 Coronation Night, the Grand Festival Parade and Float Competition, and various cultural presentations showcasing Yakan traditions.

The Street Dance Competition and Showdown Presentation, considered one of the festival's centerpiece events, is scheduled on June 27.

Sports competitions lined up during the celebration include the 2nd Lamitan Shoot Fest, a half marathon, an amateur boxing tournament and a national motocross competition.

Religious activities honoring St. Peter the Apostle will also be held throughout the celebration, including floral offerings and other faith-based observances connected to the city's 90th Parochial Fiesta.

City officials said the annual festival is expected to draw thousands of visitors and contribute to local tourism and economic activity while promoting cultural awareness and preserving Yakan heritage.

The Lami-Lamihan Festival is one of Basilan's major cultural celebrations, showcasing the history, traditions and identity of Lamitan City and its people. (RGF)

Mayor Olaso calls for review of "Oplan Tokhang" records to monitor drug situation

 By: Sumer Ong

File photo. Mayor Khymer Olaso (R) with Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown flash sign during the former's visit at the City Hall, Zamboanga City. (RP)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Mayor Khymer Olaso has requested the local police to submit a comprehensive list of individuals registered under "Oplan Tokhang," the controversial anti-drug campaign initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte. This initiative aims to assess the current status of those previously targeted in the campaign and determine its effectiveness. "We will review the list of individuals registered in Oplan Tokhang during President Duterte's administration, but this time, our approach will be different," Olaso stated. "Every human being deserves to live, and only God or Allah has the authority to take a life," added the mayor. Olaso emphasized the importance of monitoring the current status of these individuals to understand whether the anti-drug campaign had any lasting impact. "As city mayor, I want to know the current status of that roster from the police records. We will conduct interviews and check on their situations to see if there have been any changes," he added. Olaso also mentioned plans to engage with barangay officials to discuss the matter further. "We will call the barangay chairmen for a meeting to address this serious issue. Last week, we confiscated a significant amount of illegal drugs in Zamboanga, and while my goal is to achieve a zero-drug environment, I recognize the challenges we face, especially with high-profile families involved," Olaso said. The mayor reiterated his commitment to tackling the drug problem in the city, stating: "our direction is clear, we are aiming for zero tolerance, but I understand the complexities involved in achieving this goal."

Sakayan Festival showcases cultural heritage in Isabela City

By: Roel Pareño 

ISABELA CITY, Basilan — Colorfully decorated boats filled the channel between this city and Malamawi Island on Saturday afternoon May 2, 2026 as the Sakayan Festival highlighted the diverse cultural roots of Isabela’s communities. 

The fluvial parade, featuring vessels inspired by traditional “sakayan,” capped the weeklong celebration of the city’s silver anniversary of cityhood. City Tourism Officer Claudio Ramos said the annual event continues to grow, with organizers aiming to emphasize the cultural origins of settlers who arrived in Isabela and this province from different parts of the country. 

“We want to go back to the cultural communities—who arrived here and what they brought with them,” Ramos said, noting the influence of groups such as Ilocanos, Cebuanos, and other ethnolinguistic communities.

Participants decorated their boats with symbols representing their heritage, including windmills associated with Ilocos, the “sarimanok” of the Maranao, and festival elements from Iloilo, Tausug, Sama-Badjao and its native Yakan among others.

Ramos said the Sakayan Festival is evolving into a distinct identity for the city, moving away from traditional street dancing and instead utilizing Isabela’s coastal setting.

“This is becoming a brand for Isabela. Since we are a coastal city, we are maximizing our natural setting to create something unique and exciting,” he said.

The event drew strong participation from local stakeholders, with eight groups joining this year’s parade. Organizers also worked closely with the Philippine Coast Guard and local security forces to ensure safety amid strong water currents.

Ramos described this year’s celebration as one of the largest festivals held in the city, noting increased public support and participation. 

He also reported positive economic gains, particularly from the city’s “Comida Fair,” which generated around P2.5 million in sales by its sixth day.

Tourism activity likewise picked up, with both domestic and foreign visitors attending the festivities.

“We’ve seen foreign tourists coming and inquiring about our offerings and the festival,” Ramos said, adding that accommodation capacity in the city was fully booked during the event.

City officials, led by Mayor Sitti Djalia “Dada” Turabin-Hataman, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and vowed to further enhance the festival in the coming years.

Organizers said they plan to build on this year’s success by introducing more innovative elements to make the Sakayan Festival even more vibrant and inclusive. ###

Passenger vessel runs aground due to Habagat in Zamboanga City