On 30 January 2020, the Philippine Department of Health reported the first case of COVID-19 in the country with a 38-year-old female Chinese national. On 7 March, the first local transmission of COVID-19 was confirmed. Several measures were imposed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines, including bans on travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. On March 7, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) raised its "Code Red Sub-Level 1," with a recommendation to the President of the Philippines to impose a "public health emergency" authorizing the DOH to mobilize resources for the procurement of safety gear and the imposition of preventive quarantine measures.

On March 9, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922, declaring the country under a state of public health emergency. On March 12, President Duterte declared "Code Red Sub-Level 2," issuing a partial lockdown on Metro Manila and extending the metropolis' class suspensions up to April 12, to prevent a nationwide spread of COVID-19. The City Government of Zamboanga has formed various task groups to ensure preparedness in all levels of response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).



The local government closed the entry points on March 17, 2020, Tuesday, and implemented strict guidelines on the community quarantine. On the same night Mayor Climaco addressed the people of Zamboanga once again to declare an enhanced community quarantine due to the increasing PUMs and PUIs. To avoid the pandemic from happening in Zamboanga, the government assumed that COVID-19 has already infiltrated the city and thus preventive measures were strictly imposed.



On March 24, at 7PM, while an advisory was aired in TV, radio and social media, the authorities received the saddest news, and Mayor Beng immediately called a press conference 2 hours after. At 10PM, Mayor Climaco went live in Facebook to announce the first positive case of COVID-19 in the city. Watch the announcement here:



As of March 26, 2020, the City Health Office, through the Zamboanga Task Force COVID-19 released this map of barangays with PUMs and PUIs.


Barangays with Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) in Zamboanga City as of March 25, 2020 [Source City Health Office]


Barangays with Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) in Zamboanga City as of March 25, 2020 [Source City Health Office]

For inquiries and emergencies, please contact the Zamboanga Task Force COVID-19 Risk Communications Team Upgraded Communications Center 24/7 Hotline Numbers:

Globe Hotlines:
0975-073-0150
0975-073-0151
0975-073-7221

Smart Hotlines:
0998-175-8705
0998-175-8709
0938-300-4110
0938-300-4007
0938-300-4004

PLDT Hotlines:
975-3800
975-3801

ZCDRRMO:
955-9601

Health Lines:
0966-175-4298
975-3802

#COVIDreadyZambo #COVID19PH



For news and updates follow the official social media accounts:
Facebook: Beng Climaco | City Government of Zamboanga
Instagram: @zambocitygovt
Twitter: @zambocitygovt
Youtube: Zamboanga City Official

Highlighting the beauty, the culture, and the wonders of Zamboanga City, City Mayor Beng Climaco officially launched the “I Love Zamboanga City” campaign yesterday afternoon, October 1 at City Hall.

Amidst the sea of Zamboangueños who flocked City Hall for the grand opening salvo of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2015, Climaco unveiled the I Love Zamboanga video as she urged residents to show their love for the City and to stay united despite the challenges and obstacles.


“Man junto-junto kita – in unity, we will build back a better Zamboanga,” she said.

The launch of the I Love Zamboanga was one of the highlights of the kickoff activity for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2015 yesterday at City Hall. Ushering the entry of the month-long festival, the City’s grandest celebration, were the opening parade, the Pink October Walk, and the lighting of the Hermosa Festival emblem.

Gracing the opening activities with Climaco were AKBAYAN Representative Angelina Ludovice-Katoh and members of the City Council. Joining in the celebration were hundreds of residents, to include members and representatives from the business, private, education and healthcare sectors, as well as civil society sectors and the barangays. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)

Dia di Cesar which marks the 31st death anniversary of Mayor Cesar C. Climaco kicked off Friday, Nov. 13 with the Boy and Girl Scouts vigil at the Climaco Freedom Park in Abong-abong Pasonanca at 6:30pm. On Saturday, Nov. 14, the event started with a commemorative mass at the Pasonanca Parish Church to be attended by City Government officials and employees, members of the Climaco family and representatives from the different sectors.

The mass was followed by the wreath-laying and commemorative program at the Climaco Freedom Park in Abong-abong, Pasonanca which will be highlighted by the unveiling of the CCC Installation Art and the Poster-making contest. This year's theme, "Create. Cultivate. Connect." aims to share the legacy of the iconic Mayor to the next generation.




Youth from boy scouts filled the installation with thoughts and drawings guided by the questions that were posted in each panel.




Cesar Climaco, the uncle of incumbent Mayor Beng Climaco, served as the city’s chief executive for 11 years during which he was an outspoken critic against corruption and in particular against the martial law regime of then President Ferdinand Marcos. His assassination on November 14, 1984 in Gov. Alvarez Street remains unsolved up to this time.



"I want to stop illegal logging..", "I want to achieve my goals and aspirations..."


The commemoration of the Dia di Cesar every November 14 is pursuant to an ordinance approved by the City Council with the aim of perpetuating the memory of the legendary mayor.


"Don't leave Zamboanga City."


"I want to be with my parents til the last breath of my life..."



Cesar Cortes Climaco was born on February 28, 1916 to Gregoria Climaco and Isabelita Cortes. He had 2 brothers and 2 sisters- Rafael a lawyer who became a Justice in the Court of Appeals; Jose or Jolly also a lawyer who became vice-mayor of Zamboanga and whose daughter Beng is now the incumbent mayor; Leticia, who married a prominent physician in the city, Dr. Espiridion Alvarez; and Lydia.


"Create better scouts for a better Zambonaga City..."



Cesar’s political career began when he ran for the City Council in 1953, an election which he won overwhelmingly. It was in the same year that he was designated as Mayor of Zamboanga. In 1954, he became the Chief Project Manager and Field Coordinator of Operation Brotherhood in Vietnam, a position which he served until 1955, and which won him international recognition.



He came back to Zamboanga in 1956 and ran in the first election ever held for the position of mayor in the city. Cesar went up against an appointive Mayor, Hector Suarez, and had for his running mate Dr. Tomas Ferrer under the banner of the Liberal Party. Cesar won in that election, giving him the distinction of being the first elected mayor of Zamboanga City.



Cesar Climaco served as mayor from 1953-1954; 1956-1961 and 1980- 1984.





The CCC Installation art is designed and conceptualized by Cedrick S. Zabala and made possible by the General Services Office headed by Arch. Rizamay Basing.

Accomplishments of the Zamboanga City Government led by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar. She gave her speech at Centro Latino last January 27.

 

To open the Christmas Festival in Zamboanga City, the City Hall is once again adorned with bright lights and Christmas lanterns to promote Peace and Love this season. Dubbed as Pascua na Zamboanga, Christmas is opened with a grand lighting of the Ciy Hall, Plaza Rizal and Plaza Pershing led by the beloved Mayor Beng Climaco herself. The opening program started with the "family picture" of all local government offices with the grand "belen" or nativity scene in the background. Real lambs were at the centerpiece of the belen. More than 2,000 employees and their families enjoyed the Christmas carols performed by a grand chorale. They also had fun taking pictures with mascots while waiting for the 6PM cue time for the switching of lights.

Few minutes before the lighting, the program started with an intimate prayer. Then Ma'am Beng appeared at the tower of City hall and gave her message in her pink gown with matching halo. She started the countdown as she waved a wand like a fairy godmother. In the last second, the lights switched on and revealed the dominant blue and white lights of the city hall as the word PAZ glowed at the central tower. Plaza Rizal and Pershing also turned into wonderland as the lights cascaded among the lamp posts and lush gardens. A confetti storm also showered the facade of the city hall which was really magical. Above all, the happiness of the people was infectious and everyone was in awe with the great Christmas light display. With this simple spark of joy, every Zamboangueno were rekindled with the Christmas spirit. Watch the same-day edit video of the momentous occasion produced by the magical lenses of Vista de Lente and SkyFrames aerial videography.



After the grand lighting, the employees of the different offices marched towards Paseo del Mar with their colorful props and cheerful smiles. As they graced the streets, the lamp posts lit one by one, bringing the light of Christmas around the city. Upon entering Paseo del Mar, the colorful lights lit up, followed by the heritage lamps, then the gyrating musical fountain and finally the grand Christmas tree. The fun didn't end there! A Christmas party of the Local Government Unit of Zamboanga also happened at Paseo. Fun musical numbers were rendered by the different clusters and door prizes were given away. Among all the happenings that night, the camaraderie, happiness and peace among one other is the real highlight of this Celebration. So from the City of Zamboanga to you, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! Vaya Con Dios!

Here are the official photos by Vista de Lente Photography.