Miner hails Zambo City lifting of curfew

By Antonio M. Manaytay

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The lifting of curfew by the city government has earned the support from a mining company.

Mr. Leo Sosa, resident manager of Atro Mining-Vitali, Inc. (MVI), said the “lifting of the curfew in the city is an encouragement towards the restoration of the City’s flourishing trade and commerce.”

“It is definitely two thumbs up for the city government,” Mr. Sosa said.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar announced December 2 the lifting of the midnight to dawn curfew in the city.

She said lifting of the midnight to 4 p.m. curfew would allow night establishments to recover losses they incurred when Muslim rebels attacked the city last September 9 and seized the coastal barangays.

“The Crisis Management Committee now lifts the city-wide curfew starting today,” Salazar said.

Curfew was imposed when the rebel Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) occupied the coastal barangays of Mariki, Rio Hondo, Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara and Kasanyanan. The rebels withdrew after 21 days of fighting.

Curfew was initially from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and later modified from midnight to 4 a.m. Crime incidence dropped to zero, but night establishments suffered great financial losses.

Mr. Sosa said AMVI is “steadfast in its belief in the capacity of the city leadership to stand from the ruins” as he called on the business sector to help the city gets back on its feet.

“We helped the city government during the crisis, there is no reason why we will not help in the post-crisis situation to rehabilitate the city,” he explained. 

Last September 14, 2013, the AMVI together with the Barangay Council of Vitali headed by Hon. Jose P. Alavar in coordination with the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) extended assorted relief goods for the evacuees.

Dr. Milabel E. Ho, WMSU President together with Dr. Roberto Torres, VP for Research and Ms. Marcelina Carpizo, Director for Center for Peace and Development welcomed the assistance from the company.

Relief good turned over to WMSU were: 3 sacks of used clothes; 206 relief packs which consist of 2 sardines, 2 noodles, 4 biscuits and 2 bottles of 250ml mineral water.

AMVI was able to extend assistance to over 6,000 families.

“This is to manifest that AMVI is not here only to make business but commits itself as a responsible and supportive partner of the city government for the betterment of the people,” Mr. Sosa concluded.