The Mindanao Cross | October 31, 2020

SECOND FRONT PAGE

Vol. LXXII| No. 38 | Cotabato City | Saturday, October 31, 2020 |8 Pages | P10.00

CHURCH

Bishop Bagaforo, priest tests negative for COVID-19

NCIP OKs mining project in ancestral domain/P2

SANDUGUAN

Double whammy: Disaster amid pandemic/P8

BTA APPROVES ADMIN CODE

THE Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has approved Cabinet Bill No. 60, an act providing for the Bangsamoro Administrative Code and for other related purposes.

55 KIDS AT PLAY. Teduray children play on a stretch of a farm-to-market road in the Happy Valley area in Upi town in Maguindanao amid heavy rains.

John Felix Unson

Bad weather slows down BARMM relief operations

RAINY days have slowed down delivery of food assistance to flooded communities in Cotabato Province by humanitarian volunteers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Earlier, BARMM Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua along with interior and local governments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, Social Services and Development Minister Raissa Jajurrie and Agriculture Fisheries and Land Reform Minister Mohammad Yacob headed the region’s humanitarian deployment to two flooded Maguindanao towns— Pagalungan and Datu Montawal.

BARMM workers of the Rapid Emergency

Action on Disaster Incidence (READI) had to navigate the old Pulangi River (Colonial Name: Rio Grande) on boats transporting rice supply to riverside and mid-marsh communities deeply submerged in floodwater.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM interior and local government minister, said heavy rains, silted rivers and mass buildup of water hyacinth underneath bridges had made upstream navigation too rough at reaching communities isolated by floods.

Central Mindanao waterways have overflowed lately due to continuous heavy downpours triggered

by Typhoon Quinta

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APPROVED. Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority of BARMM approved on Wednesday night the region’s administrative code that would define the structure and rules of governance of the fledging political entity.

Ferdinandh Cabrera

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Al-Hadj Murad Ebrahim said for the passage of the BARMM Administrative Code, he and the Moro people were grateful to his BTA colleagues “under the guidance of our Speaker, Atty. Pangalian Balindong.”

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Senate OKs Maguindanao split THE SENATE Committee on Local Government has supported the proposal to divide Maguindanao province into two areas, a Maguindanao lawmaker said Monday.

This, as the Senate committee, chaired

by Senator Francis Tolentino, approved on the same day House Bill (HB) 6413 that seeks to divide Maguindanao into Northern and Southern Maguindanao provinces pending the recommendation by the Technical Working Group (TWG) to determine the center of government in the “would-be” Southern Maguindanao.

The bill, which has hurdled its third

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In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month

OMI Initiative: Alternative Adult Learning Program for IPs The Oblate of Mary Immaculate (OMI) ministry to the Indigenous Peoples ( I P ) b a se d i n S o u t h Upi, Maguindanao has established 11 adult formal learning centers in 4 different barangays for four years in its implementation. The p ro g ra m wa s m a d e possible due to the organizing efforts of the OMI IP ministry office and its ground personnel Jerry Datuwata.

According to Datuwata, “The program begins with the basic consultation and interest of village

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IP MONTH. The National Indigenous Peoples Month,which highlights indigenous peoples’ rights and the preservation of cultural communities, is observed every October by virtue of Proclamation No. 1906 signed on Oct. 5, 2009, by former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo.

Eva Kimpo Tan

Kidapawan City health probes LSI death in center KIDAPAWAN CITY – Health authorities here are investigating how a Locally Stranded Individual (LSI) has died while under observation at an isolation facility in one of the barangays here.

Bernabe Año, chairperson of Barangay Meohao said workers of Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) found

the male LSI already lifeless inside the isolation facility on Tuesday dawn.

No other details of the discovery and possible cause of death were made available to local media.

It remained unclear how health frontliners discovered that the patient has died or what were the available and actual circumstances surrounding his

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PRO-BAR deploys 300 cops to Cotabato City THE BANGSAMORO regional police has deployed 300 more personnel in the city for law enforcement operations.

Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said Monday he personally turned over the group to the city’s local government unit

last Friday.

The Cotabato City police office shall utilize the 300 policemen and policewomen for pandemic checkpoint, security patrol, traffic control and other lawenforcement functions, according to Rodriguez.

There has been a rash of deadly gun attacks in Cotabato City since early October.

Rodriguez said he

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Army ops vs. NPAs displaces 200 villagers KIDAPAWAN CITY – The hostilities involving government forces and communist rebels in the mountains of Matalam, North Cotabato have sent villagers fleeing to safer grounds.

Disaster officials in Matalam have listed 51 families or about 255 individuals who sought refuge in the village covered court following clashes that left a ranking official of New Peoples’ Army dead.

Zaldy Gulmatico Pulido, secretary-general of Guerilla Front 53, Southern Mindanao

October 31, 2020

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Regional Committee was killed in a clash with soldiers belonging to 90th Infantry Battalion.

Brig. General Roberto Capulong, 602nd Infantry Brigade commander, said soldiers conducting foot patrol in Sitio Rudson, Barangay Arakan, Matalam when the rebels staring shooting at soldiers that triggered a 30-minutefirefight.

The guerillas then fled deep into the mountains, leaving behind Pulido and a rifle beside him, two mobile phones and subversive documents.

B a r a n g a y

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NCIP OKs mining project in ancestral domain KORONADAL CITY - The controversial US$5.9 billion Tampakan project, Southeast Asia’s largest untapped copper and gold minefield, has been granted the right to extract the mammoth deposit in the ancestral domain of the ethnic tribal group in the area.

Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), developer of the Tampakan project, was granted the Certification Precondition (CP), a vital requirement from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), on the heels of

two successive setbacks suffered by the project.

The CP is a certification that the indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) have given their consent to the mining venture within their ancestral domain and that the Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process has been satisfactorily complied with by the company.

NCIP chairperson Allen Capuyan issued the CP on 19 September 2020 in Quezon City.

But a report from the Philippine Information

Agency dated 21 September 2020 said that Capuyan “was in Soccsksargen region from September 8 to 23 for a series of consultative meetings with indigenous peoples’ leaders and tribal communities.”

Bae Dalena Samling, chieftain of the Danlag Tribal Council in Tampakan in South Cotabato, posted a copy of the CP on her Facebook wall last October 22. On Spe. 18, she also posted a photo of her, Capuyan and two others taken in an undisclosed place.

Samling lauded the NCIP for granting SMI the CP for the Tampakan project, noting the FPIC process took 10 years to complete.

“There’s a lot of struggles between the tribal councils and the company during the FPIC process, that’s why it took it so long to finish,” she said.

She also cited the change in management leadership at SMI, including the entry to the project of foreign firms Xstrata Copper and then Glencore Plc, in

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BIFF leader, followers yield A BRIGADE commander of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and two of his followers have surrendered to the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion in Midsayap, North Cotabato, The suspects, who turned in a cal. 50 Barret rifle, an M-14 sniper rifle and ammunition, surrendered to Lt. Colonel Glenn Caballero, 3 4 t h I B chief d uring ceremonies at the battalion headquarters in Barangay Salunayan, Midsayap.

All were residents of Sitio Bentad and Sitio Macantal, all of Barangay Ulandang, also in Midasayap, and under the command of

Commander Karialan of the BIFF. Major. Gen. Juvymax R. Uy, 6th Infantry Division commander and chief of Joint Task Force Central, said Karialan and his remaining band of followers are continuously being hunted by government troops in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Mayor Ramil Dilangalen of Kabuntalan, Maguindanao was instrumental in convincing the trio to peacefully surrender.

Last October 24, nine BIFF have surrendered to the military, including a field commander and a bomb maker. Rhoderick

Beñez

BIG HIT. The Bangsamoro government was the undisputed star in the recent Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Tienda in Manila which displayed the beauty and bounty of the region and drew the admiration of Manileños, including Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso.

Photo courtesy by Jim Musa/MinDa

NoCot to create body to assess flood damage

SUBMERGED. More than 6,000 families from several barangays in Cotabato City who were displaced by heavy rainfall had to flee their homes due to flood in the midst of a pandemic.

Valérie Ann P. Lambo

Underdeveloped Malabang improving

THERE are 33 street sweepers now maintaining cleanliness in the old seaside Malabang town in Lanao del Sur, something residents have never ever seen before.

Malabang, existing since before World War II, is an old settlement in the second district of Lanao del Sur, a component-province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

It was only in 2019 that residents of Malabang, locked in deadly clan wars for decades, have seen dramatic improvements in the municipality, ushered in by reforms introduced by a newcomer mayor,

the 32-year-old Tomas Macapodi.

Macapodi was first elected to office during the May 2019 elections.

“He is not a traditional politician. He goes around, talks to people in the market and along the streets for him to know the problems in the local communities as if he is not a mayor,” a resident, who introduced himself as Amier Saripada, said in Filipino, in Maranaw accent.

Major thoroughfares in Malabang now have streetlights and are covered by security cameras that the office of Macapodi provided as an added peace and

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1 drown in North Cotabato floods

A FEMALE farmer perished when rapaging floodwaters swept through the Bulatukan river in Makilala, North Cotabato following heavy downpour at the slopes of Mt. Apo. Edzel Lanzon Gudmalin, a resident of Purok Kalye Putol, Bulatukan, Makilala was unable to escape the rampaging waters overflowed from Bulatukan river.

Makilala, an upland town in North Cotabato, is located at the foot of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak surrounded by tropical rainforests from where large rivers crisscrossing

the municipality spring from.

The remains of Gudmalin was fished out downstream covered with mud and debris.

North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco has tasked engineers in the provincial government to assess the structural durability of concrete bridges connecting banks of large rivers in Makilala that overflowed due to heavy rains.

One of the affected bridges, the one connecting two ends of a stretch in Barangay Bulatukan of the Cotabato-Davao Highway that straddles through Makilala was closed

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HEALTH officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are strengthening its effort to prevent possible outbreak of measles-rubella, including polio, in the region, and to encourage Moro people to take an active role in the fight against Covid-19.

BARMM’s Ministry of Health (MOH) announced in a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 21 that it will start its supplemental immunization against measles-rubella and polio across the region on October 26.

OIC Minister Amirel Usman said 506,448 children under five years old are set to receive the free

and safe vaccination.

Measles campaigns were conducted in 1998, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2014, and recently in 2019 when the country had more than 40,000 measles cases and 615 deaths owing to the rising number of unimmunized children.

In the Philippines, more than two million children under the age of five are susceptible to measles.

Measles or tigdas is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. About 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people who are exposed to the measles virus will contract the disease.

It can cause high-grade fever, rashes, cough, eye infection and can

AMAS, Kidapawan City – North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco on Thursday expressed her all out support to all innovations that will, at the end of the day, benefit more the education sector of the province.

Catamco made the assurance after the Provincial School Board (PSB) issued the green light Wednesday for Project “DUMAKI” (Digitalized Utilization of Materials Accessed through Kilometerradius Intranet), a technology envision

by DepEd Cotabato to further improve on-line mode of learning.

"Napapanahon talaga ang ganitong hakbang para sa ating mga estudyante. This is one way of making them globally competitive dahil matututo silang gumamit ng teknolohiya.

We should start from small beginnings. Doing this kahit di pa ganun kalawak is better than doing nothing," Catamco said.

The project would cost P50 million sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF) intended for the purchase of more than 5,000 units of tablet computers, Access Point Antenna, Hotspot Router, Outdoor cables, 2030 feet Tri-leg Pole,

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Catamco vows support for education

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October 31, 2020

BTA approves admin... P1 The Bill, passed Wednesday evening into regional law, defines the structural, functional, and procedural principles and rules of governance of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a statement from the Regional Bureau of Information said.

“Today, we are writing history by providing the form of structure of the Bangsamoro Government, and fulfill one of our mandates during the transition period. It was not an easy task from the early days of the transition to the unforeseen coming of the Corona Virus Disease Pandemic, we were surely placed under unprecedented circumstances and condition that made this important task even more challenging,” Ebrahim said.

The law, authored by Member of Parliament Raissa Jajurie, a lawyer, contains provisions giving much credence and emphasis to roles of women in affairs of governance,

including establishing the Bangsamoro bureaucracy.

More amendments were introduced by women Members of the Bangsamoro Parliament— among them Baintan Adil Ampatuan, former chief planner of the autonomous region, Susan Anayatin, representative of the Christian community, Jam Disimban Ramos, peace and women’s entrepreneurship advocate.

Before the sunset prayers, Jajurie a c c o m m o d a t e d amendments introduced

by MP Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao Sur, before the Bill was finally voted into law.

By nominal voting, 26 BTA members voted physically while 32 voted via zoom.

None of the members voted against nor abstained on the approval of CA 60.

The Bangsamoro Administrative Code is one of the priority legislations of the BTA, as provided under Republic Act 11054, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Nash B.

death.

Año said he LSI arrived in Barangay Meohao on Friday last week after being confined in one of the hospitals in Tagum City.

“Actually, he was transported by ambulance owned by the Tagum City Local Government Unit and brought him in our village where his immediately family is residing,” Año said.

He, however, clarified that the male LSI was able to present all necessary travel documents including his swab test showing negative results and absence of symptoms of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“He has been suffering from tuberculosis and (that) could have triggered his death,” Año said in an interview.

Upon his arrival, the village government immediately informed the City Health Office of his condition and decided to place him at the quarantine facility.

His family’s request for home quarantine was politely denied.

There are at least three other patients from abroad (Returning Overseas Filipinos or ROF) who are under observation in the village quarantine facility.

City Health Officials refused to comment on the incident but issued a statement that investigation was on going.

As reported, the LSI was immediately buried by relatives under the supervision of the barangay local government unit.

Meantime the City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit has documented at least 39 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday.

Of the 39, 22 have recovered while at least 15 are active cases.

Two patients in Kidapawan City have died due to COVID-19 related diseases. Williamor

Maulana

Kidapawan City health... P1

Magbanua

Senate OKs Maguindanao... P1 Bad weather slows down... P1

and final reading in the House of Representatives, designates Buluan town as the provincial seat of government for the South while Datu Odin Sinsuat town will represent the North.

A f t e r t h e recommendation of the TWG, a Senate committee report will be submitted to the plenary, and it will be used as a basis for a bicameral meeting before the anticipated passing into law of the proposition.

HB 6413 is sponsored

by Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu along with Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Villanueva and Maguindanao 1st District Rep. Roonie Sinsuat Sr. while Senate Bills 1714 and 1824 were filed by Sen. Cynthia Villar and Tolentino, respectively.

In his manifestation to the Senate committee, Mangudadatu urged the Senate leadership to

support House Bill 6413 by adopting a substitute bill following the content and design of HB 6413 and SB Nos. 1714 and 1824 concerning SB No. 1274 filed by Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. All three legislations similarly seek the creation of Northern and Southern Maguindanao provinces, including the naming of Buluan and Datu Odin Sinsuat as provincial seats of government, while SB 1274 filed by Revilla pursues the creation of Western Maguindanao instead.

“While we respect and appreciate Sen. Revilla for sponsoring and filing a counterpart SB towards the realization of an empowered Maguindanao, we would like to request Sen. Tolentino that our prayers and provisions illustrated in HB 6413 be adopted in a substitute bill,” Mangudadatu said in a statement. PNA

on weekend, and early Wednesday weather forecasts reported the landfall of a tropical depression, now named Typhoon Rolly.

Administrator Mohammad Kelly Antao said recipients were thankful, after receiving food supplies in communities isolated by floods from vast river overflows.

Antao is a former board member of North Cotabato province and currently BARMM provincial coordinator for the 63 barangays of the province that now form part of the autonomous region.

“The (BARMMREADI) team braved bad weather (and the alarming risks of) accident, that just the other day one of our delivery trucks fell off a ravine in Aleosan, North Cotabato,” Sinarimbo said.

Evelyn Estorquia, BARMM READi director, said the driver of the dump

truck loaded with sacks of rice, had apparently lost control of his steering wheel that it fell off a ravine amid heavy rains, as it negotiated a sharp curve in Aleosan town on October 25.

Dwellers of the flooded communities welcomed the BARMM waterway humanitarian mission with occasional chants of “Mabuhay ang Moral Governance” in apparent reference to the Bangsamoro slogan of governance.

Resident Akas Mingkael was overheard saying out loud “Mabuhay ang BARMM, mabuhay ang administrator ng 63 barangays.” (referring to Antao) Sinarimbo said the BARMM Ministry of the Interior and Local Governments had acquired an outboard speedboat to better serve inhabited areas of inland Ligawasan Marsh. Nash B. Maulana

leaders and elders who want to learn basic writing.” This formal learning is primarily aimed towards strengthening their traditional leadership, put into writing and to support their traditional indigenous knowledge, skills, practices and spirituality which is part of the general five year plan of the OMI IP MINISTRY. The program and lessons are based from grassroots level— what the IPs really need. The OMI IP Ministry does not impose.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the 11 Alternative Learning System (ALS) for IP adults has adjusted its program. Instead of having weekend regular classroom type of learning, they went back to communal farming and vegetable growing. In order to combat hunger, climate change, development aggression and future pandemics, the program focuses more on backyard planting of root crops and vegetables.

The ALS for IPs promotes “Sébingkés” or unity among villages which in the whole structure of the program helps protect their “Fusaka Ingéd” or Ancestral Domains from

all kinds of exploitation. It also strengthens leadership and community closeness to protect themselves from outside influence that would erase their uniqueness and identity.

As part of Sebingkes, the OMI IP ministry works to bring back the traditional farming system (called Salagad) of multi-cropping (as opposed to mono cropping) where agricultural products from commercial crops to vegetables are planted by farmers. The IPs are taught how farming can be organic and eco-friendly.

Furthermore, the cropping system must be culturally acceptable to the farmers.

These barangays are in South Upi, Maguindanao where the communities are majority Tedurays.

3. Through the ALS program for adults, IPS are organized in order to promote and rediscover the ric hness of their t ra d i t i o n a l i n d i ge n o u s knowledge, practices, skills and spirituality. Through this program, avenues for networking and collaboration among IP groups and mission partners from different NGOS and government services are strengthened.

This is part of the OMI IP vision mission that asserts their self-determination.

October is IP month and October 29 has been designated annually to celebrate IP Thanksgiving Day. Fr. Juram Sacil, OMI

OMI Initiative: Alternative Adult Learning Program for IPs... P1

Other activities implemented by the ministry are: 1. This is a one year program during weekends.

They meet once a week to discuss, “séuret urét”. The 11 learning centers in different barangays are connected in one networ k called “FENUWO” level or cluster of villages. The cluster meet once a year to discuss present issues and accomplishments.

2. The program sites are located in different barangays: Pandan, Itaw, Pilar and Kuya.

PRO-BAR deploys 300... P1 is certain the contingent he deployed here, from their regional office in Camp SK Pendatun in Parang town in Maguindanao, will efficiently perform peacekeeping missions meant to ensure the safety of residents in Cotabato City.

The 32-hectare EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given that the late Carlos B. Tumlos, who died on June 4, 2006 at Cebu City, left a parcel of land situated in Cotabato City, and covered by TCT No. T-13034 with an area of 223 square meters, more or less is the subject of Extrajudicial settlement with Sale before Notary Public Atty.

Eugenio U. Soyao as per Doc. No. 116; Page No. 24; Book No.49; Series of 2020.

Notice is hereby given that MAURO D. TON-OGAN is a holder of Certificate of Full Payment of Loyola Time Plan, Midsayap Branch, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

That the said certificate is no longer be located despite of diligent efforts to locate it, and therefore, it was declared lost before Notary Public Renie Jay Abad Soriano as per Doc. No. 21; Page No. 5; Book No. VII; Series of 2020.

MC: Oct. 24, 31 & Nov. 7, 2020

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

MC: Oct. 17, 24 & 31, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Felmida Agar-Palisoc who died on August 7, 2019 at Cotabato City, left a parcel of land with residential building located at Purok 6, Rosary Heights 9, Cotabato City, covered by TCT No. T-52897, with an area of 229 square meters, more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate agreement between heirs before Notary Public Atty. Gapor G. Quituar as per Doc. No. 385; Page No. 77; Book No. LVII; Series of 2020.

MC: Oct. 24, 31 & Nov. 7, 2020

regional capitol of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is located in Cotabato City. John Felix

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EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Datu Untong Balabaran who died intestate on July 19, 1969 at Taviran, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, left a pending undeteermined amount of claim with the Land Bank of the Philippines pertaining a two farm lots covered by OCT Nos. P-38943 & P-38944 subject to coverage of the Voluntary Offer to Sale program of the Government is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights and quitclaim before Notary Public Atty. Hamlet M. Pahm as per Doc. No. 34; Page No. 07; Book No.62; Series of 2020.

MC: Oct. 24, 31 & Nov. 7, 2020

Republic of the Philippines Midsayap, Cotabato Local Civil Registry Office

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In Compliance with the publication requirements and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidlines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that Jeovel Sonsona Meguiso has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from “Female” to “Male” in he Certificate of the Live Birth of Jeovel Sonsona Meguiso who was born on August 04, 1989 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Abundio Z. Meguiso and Florencia J. Sonsona.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this Office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato (Sgd.)Norah B. Cabugwason

Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Oct. 10 & 17, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late spouses Nicolas Endrinal and Maxima Millondaga Endrinal who both died intestate on June 26, 2012 at Cotabato City and on February 17, 2010 at Libungan, Cotabato, respectively, left a parcel of land covered by TCT No. T-66427 Lot 4-I-4, Psd-12005348 situated at Barrio of Presbitero, Municipality of Pigcawayan, Province of North Cotabato with an area of 619 square meters, more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Abdul Hafiz Tan Adil, Jr. as per Doc. No. 275, Page No. 55, Book No.XVI, Series of 2020.

MC: Oct. 17, 24 & 31, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Jose Romasanta Mojado who died intestate on December 25, 2019 at Cotabato City, left three parcels of land TCT No. T-27852, Lot 1-A-2-A-2-H-9-A-2; Psd-12-012374; TCT No. T-3246, lot 8, block 15-A, T-146-2016003375, lot No. 46-blk.5 situated at Bo. Kakar, Cotabato City, Bo. Dalumangcob,Mp. of Nuling, Cotabato, Brgy. Ma-A, Davao C i t y, r e s p e c t i v e l y ; Landbank VISA ATM Regular account #00003126144406; Metrobank savings account #3-074-08623-4; 2015 Model SUV Isuzu MU-X 4X 2 LS-A-A Plate No. AAH-3009, CR No. 200602732; 2018 Model Yamaha Mio Aerox BG25 CR No. 315006005; 2019 Model Hyundai Kona 2.0 GLS 6A Plate No. MAH 8573 are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty.

Eugenio U. Soyao as per Doc. No. 175; Page No. 35; Book No.49; Series of 2020.

MC: Oct. 31, Nov. 7 & 14, 2020

Republic of the Philippines Proince of Cotabato Municipality of Midsayap Local Civil Registry Office

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Nilda Nazaria Andulana Querijero has filed with this office a petition for change of First name from “Nazaria” to “Nilda Nazaria” in the certificate of Live Birth of Nazaria Bismanos Andulana who was born on July 28, 1959 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Balbino Q. Andulana and Trucouata Bismanos Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his / her written opposition with this office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato.

MC: Oct. 24 & 31, 2020

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October 31, 2020

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Bishop Bagaforo, priest tests negative for COVID-19

Cardinal-designate Jose Advincula of Capiz.

Photo from Capiz Archdiocesan Youth Apostolate

The bishop of Kidapawan diocese and another priest rumored to have contracted novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) both tested negative for the disease.

The bishop of Kidapawan diocese and another priest rumored to have contracted novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) both tested negative for the disease.

P h y s i c i a n Philbert Malaluan, a member of the North Cotabato Sangguniang Panglalawigan and head of the provincial antiCOVID-19 command center, said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo , DCC and Fr. Charles Allan Nemenzo were not infected with

coronavirus as tested separately.

Nemenzo is a diocesan clergy and served as chancellor of the Kidapawan Diocesan Seminary.

Malaluan, who is in the forefront of the North Cotabato provincial government’s war on coronavirus, said the outcome of the swab tests Bagaforo and Nemenzo underwent should put closure to rumors that they got afflicted with COVID-19.

The stories and text messages purporting the issue started to circulate after Fr. Jonel Peroy, parish priest of Matalam town, tested positive to COVID-19 based on tests he underwent after showing flu-like symptoms.

He suspected to have contracted the virus while attending a birthday party in Matalam.

At least 30 other priests in the diocese have undergone 14-day self-quarantine. John Felix

POPE FRANCIS invited the faithful “to persevere in prayer,” especially during the most difficult moments of their lives.

“If it seems to us that life has been completely useless, we must at that moment beg that Jesus’ prayer also become our own,” said the pontiff during the general audience on October 28.

The pope told the crowd that Jesus gave his own prayer, “which is His loving dialogue with the Father.”

“He gave it to us like a seed of the Trinity, which He wants to take root in our hearts,” he said, adding that if anyone welcomes the “gift of prayer” he or she “will not err.”

Pope Francis reminded the faithful to persist in prayer “despite feeling sluggish” as “Jesus prays with us.”

The pope’s address during his weekly general audience was a continuation of his catechesis on the theme of prayer.

Pope Francis said

Jesus’ first public act is in a chorale prayer of the people as Jesus “prays with the sinners of the people of God.” “He does not stay on the opposite side of the river, to mark His difference and distance from the disobedient people, but rather He immerses His feet in the same purifying waters,” the pope said.

Pope Francis also assured the faithful that “Jesus is not a distant God,” saying that He places himself “at the forefront of a people of penitents, as if He were responsible for opening a breach through which all of us, after Him, must have the courage to pass.”

He said that it is through baptism and through the “gift of the Holy Spirit” that the faithful are enabled to share in Jesus’ own prayer, which he described as “the eternal expression of his dialogue of love with the Father.”

Pope Francis apologized to those who

attended the general audience for staying from the crowd.

“I like to come down and greet each one of you, but we must keep our distance,” he said, adding that he wanted to avoid causing a crowd, which is contrary to health measures imposed by authorities.

“Please excuse me if I do not come down to greet you: I will greet you from here but I hold you in my heart, all of you,” he said.

“And you, please hold me in your heart, and pray for me. From a distance, we can pray for each other … and thank you for your understanding, added Pope Francis.

The Italian health ministry reported on Tuesday that they have confirmed 21,994 cases of coronavirus infections, the highest one-day increase yet, in the country.

The ministry noted that there were 221 coronavirusrelated deaths on Tuesday, the first reading above 200 since mid-May.Licas.News

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Pope invites faithful to persevere in prayer

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New Cardinal: Protecting human rights key to Church’s mission THE COUNTRY’S new cardinal said that protecting human rights is neither optional nor secondary but must be at the heart of the Church’s mission.

Cardinal-designate Jose Advincula of Capiz said that defending the dignity of every person is the key to confront the many social problems afflicting the nation.

“The Church has to see to it that the human dignity and the human rights of the people are respected,” Advincula told Vatican News on Tuesday.

This commitment, according to him, helps in the alleviation of poverty because he believes it is “one of the reasons why we have social problems”.

“And education is the

way to develop the people so that they can earn more in order to live a more decent life,” he said.

The 68-year old archbishop was among the 13 new cardinals from all over the world named by Pope Francis on Sunday.

The new status of these candidates will be formalized at a consistory in the Vatican on November 28.

The ceremony will be Francis’ seventh consistory for the creation of new cardinals since he was elected pope in March 2013.

Advincula will be the second Filipino named cardinal under Francis’ papacy after Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, the 81-year-old archbishop emeritus of Cotabato.

Coming from a lesser-known diocese, the cardinal-designate admitted he was surprised by the appointment.

“This might be a way the Holy Father wants to convey to the people the presence of the Church in the peripheries,” he said.

He added that it might be also because he had been establishing mission stations and mission schools in farflung areas.

The archbishop has been bishop of San Carlos for 10 years until his transfer to Capiz in 2011.

“I always thought that the Church has to be closer to the people, especially those that are in the peripheries,” Advincula said. Roy

Lagarde/CBCP

B adaliyya

hen we think of glory of God and the service saints, we usually of our neighbor and that is go far back into the reason why there are the past, such as the many kinds of saints. In the time of the Middle Ages, church’s liturgical categories as if sainthood is only of saints there are the apostles, for the olden times. In the martyrs, the virgins, the Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI our own archdiocese we confessors, the doctors, the can go over the different holy men and women, and parish patrons such San Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC the angels. There are saints Isidro, San Vicente, San tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com who were kings and queens, Roque, Santa Catalina, farmers, soldiers, scholars, San Blas, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Pedro Calungsod, San social workers, missionaries, monks and nuns, parents (of Hermenegildo, San Nicolas, San Carlos Borromeo, St. St. Therese), saints who lived to be a hundred, and saints Joseph, the apostles and the Blessed Mother under many who were children (Fatima), and lately a blogger and of her titles. The patron saints of modern times are Sta. internet enthusiast such as Blessed Carlo.

Readings: Teresita, patroness of the parish of Dulawan and St. John Not all saints are acknowledged in the canon (list) Paul II of the parish of Basak, Lebak. Can a millennial of the church. The process of canonization is quite strict. Malachi 1: 14b – 2:2b; 1Thessalonians 2: b – 9; Matthew 23: 1-12 become a saint?

The person who is being promoted by her/his devotees Just a few weeks ago on October 10, an Italian teenager is examined in terms of the candidate’s writings (if Selected Passage: was declared “Blessed” by Pope Francis. Blessed Carlo any), preaching, accounts of witnesses, and lifestyle. The Acutis who in 2006 died of leukemia at the age of fifteen person may be first declared as a servant of God, then if a “They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people’s was in many ways a typical teenager. He liked to use the miracle duly examined and attested is attributed to him/ shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. (Matthew 23: internet and his PlayStation and would often take video her then the person is declared blessed or beatified. It will 4)as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two pictures of his dogs. Like any teenager, he had a cellphone take another miracle for the “blessed one” to be canonized. commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40) and he had an email address. He preferred to wear jeans, There were many miracles attributed to St. John Paul II jackets, and Nikes. One thing that makes him untypical in the process of his beatification and canonization. There Meditation: is that he liked to go to mass everyday and had an ardent are many unknown saints, people who by their lives and devotion to the Blessed Eucharist. From the age of 11, he example gave glory to God and cared for their neighbors.

Three things to remember: Never put a heavy burden on people; Never ask people to do something that we never bother started a project to document Eucharistic miracles all over They may not be in the official canon but they are in God’s lift a finger to do it; and Never judge others that we shall not be the world. He was declared “blessed” or beatified by Pope presence in heaven. judged! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees.

Francis last month, the last step before canonization, after After All Saints’ Day we also celebrate All Souls’ Day. a miracle was attributed to him.

The souls in purgatory are already saved. They are just Sainthood should be the goal of all Christ’s disciples. As undergoing the necessary purification to fully enter the joy of the Catholic Catechism says, “All Christians in any state or heaven. Our masses, prayers, and sacrifices offered for their walk of life are called to the perfection of Christian life and to souls help in their purification. Praying for the departed the perfection of charity. All are called to holiness.” This is is a long tradition in the church, so that in every mass we the common vocation of all the faithful. And what does this remember the saints as well as the souls in purgatory. holiness consist of? The catechism continues, “doing the will Even amidst the Covid pandemic, the Filipino faithful Dhikr is an Arabic word which means REMEMBRANCE. of the Father in everything they may wholeheartedly devote will find ways to remember their faithful departed. We may 1st step: Write the text in your heart. themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their not be able to visit the cemetery on November 1 and 2 but neighbor … as is clearly shown in the history of the Church there are other days we can go. Let us show symbols 2nd step: Let the text remain always in on your lips and mind and the lives of so many saints” (no. 2014). The reason we of our devotion to them by lighting candles, offering - RECITING the text silently as often as possible... celebrate All Saints’ Day is to honor our heavenly heroes flowers and food, offering masses, and praying for and be inspired by their deeds. them. Who knows? They may already be saints in 3rd step: Be attentive to the disclosure of the meaning/s of the text in your life.

There are many ways of devoting ourselves to the heaven praying for us. Until we meet again. MC

Millenial Saint

REFLECTIONS

Short Reflection for the 31st Sunday of the Ordinary Time (A)

DHIKR SIMPLE METHOD

5

THE MINDANAO CROSS

October 31, 2020

EDITORIAL

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Beauties and the Beast

he passage of the Anti-Terrorism Law struck fear into the hearts of many Filipinos. It is not because the law is a new policy that confronts them; in fact, this is just a revised or updated version of a 2006 law against terrorism but with loopholes.

Presently, the implementing rules and regulations have been finalized but not yet given to the public. Yet, without these IRR, there were already incidences of red- tagging by over zealous members of the military. The most talked about at present is the warning given by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. the spokesman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) to three lovely ladies – Liza Soberano, Angel Locsin, and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray regarding their involvement with Gabriela – a women’s rights group with alleged communist ties.

According to a report of CNN Philippines, the NTF-ELCAC was created by President Duterte to help curb armed rebel groups and to create a National Peace Framework.

However, it has been tagging critics of the Duterte administration as communists, a serious step when viewed in relation to the Anti-Terrorism Law. Such a designation allows the freezing of assets and the listing of their names as terrorists.

This action of Gen. Parlade of red-tagging the three lovely ladies did not get the support of his superiors. On the contrary, the President, through Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, warned police and military authorities to be careful in red-tagging. Without evidence, they should not publicize the names. Soberano, Locsin, and Gray only expressed their opinion towards the condition of women’s rights in the Philippines. The alleged link to Gabriela, the only group openly advocating women’s rights is incidental in their interviews. Angel Locsin, for one, goes beyond women’s rights and has been a strong supporter of local development.

This was evidenced by her recent visit to the Caloocan Parish of Fr. Eduardo Vasquez, a missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate (OMI) to give support to the urban gardening project that he started among his poor parishioners.

But red-tagging has done harm to the administration’s erstwhile noble purposes. It has already raised the alarm among citizens that differences in opinion is not taken lightly by the administration (or its minions like Parlade). Should this be a precursor of things to come? Whatever fears we have regarding the Anti-Terrorism Law is slowly being built up.

How about journalists? The process of writing about the truth, not necessarily in support of controversial moves against the administration, will put them in danger of being red-tagged. How will we declare the truth in this kind of environment? Where is democracy? +

is published every Saturday by the Mindanao Cross Publishers, Inc., Sinsuat cor Quezon Avenues, Cotabato City. Tel Nos. (064) 4217161 and E-mail Address: mindanao.cross@gmail.com | mincross101@yahoo.com.ph Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, Chief-Executive-Officer Eva Kimpo - Tan, Editor-in-Chief Edwin O. Fernandez, News Editor Gemma A. Peñaflor, Administration and Marketing Executive Valérie Ann P. Lambo, Reporter Julito P. Torres, Circulation Officer Karl John B. Daniel, Graphic-Layout Artist COTABATO CITY / ARMM CORRESPONDENTS

John M. Unson Ferdinandh B. Cabrera Charlie C. Señase Nash B. Maulana

NORTH / SOUTH COTABATO CORRESPONDENTS Williamor Magbanua Romer “Bong” Sarmiento Roel Osano Orlando Dinoy CARTOONIST Lourd Jim Diazon

Member: PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Entered as Second Class Mail at Cotabato City Post Office under Permit No. 91-01 Dated August 15, 1991.

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n October 16, the Philippines joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Food Day to commemorate the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945.

The Philippine government marked the occasion with the launching of the National Food Policy, described by a Philippine Information Agency news report as a formalization of its commitment to end hunger and malnutrition. The PIA report, posted on its official website, quotes Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, head of the Inter-agency Task Force on Zero Hunger that crafted the National Food Policy: “To ensure not only a whole-of-government approach, but also a whole-of-nation approach in eradicating hunger, the NFP provides an outline of the national priorities based on a comprehensive understanding of hunger and related issues.”

How? According to the PIA report, the NFP has outlined six key result areas: 1) review and rationalize existing policies, rules, and regulations related to zero hunger; 2) ensure available and affordable food; 3) secure nutrition adequacy; 4) secure food accessibility and safety; 5) ensure sustainable food systems, food resiliency, and stability; and 6) ensure information, education, awareness, and people participation.

There is no doubt that all these key result areas need to be worked on to ensure hunger and related issues are adequately addressed. According to the FAO, approximately 14% of food produced for human consumption is lost each year between the stages where it is grown or raised up to when it reaches the wholesale market. More food is wasted at the retail food and consumer stages. Food system gaps like these contribute to the steady increase in hunger since 2014.

At the same time, the FAO believes there is a need to empower food producers if we are to effectively combat hunger anywhere in the world, the Philippines Included.

In the Philippines, rice and corn farmers have, for decades, been complaining about high production costs and low farm gate prices. Just last month rice farmers in M’lang, Cotabato held a rally to call on government to come to their aid after rice prices plummeted to P12 per kilo. Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Manny Piñol, who headed the Department of Agriculture prior to his current post, even posted on

I

NTERNEWS, an international media organization, is in town for its communication project it implements to combat disinformation, fake news and rumors from current situations obtaining from the Covid19 pandemic in areas of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The group is engaging officials of BARMM and local reporters covering the pandemic in the region.

Virtual forums on zooms and interviews with government officials and journalists form part of Internews’ local engagement. I was slated to an internews interview which I confirmed for early morning last Wednesday.

My interviewer tells me on our recorded conversation that some respondent-local journalists were telling her group that in BARMM, some health authorities or IATFdesignated make data available to reporters, but 1) “they do not even care to explain what these data are”; and 2) they are not easily available for follow-up interviews.”

But in fairness to BARMM officials, the Offices of Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Asnin Pendatun, the Bureau of Public Information and that of Interior and Local Governments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo are very accommodating to media requests for interview, especially when the topic concerns the pandemic. Data shared on social media pages of offices concerned are not really “unexplained numbers,” so to speak. But some presentation of what is aptly called set of “Quick Facts” and these are often in the form of info-graphics in which factual narratives are usually abbreviated into bullet forms.

Understandably on the part of the media, follow-up interviews are too essential, especially in the broadcast platform in which reporting is best delivered with a voice-clip aired along with the story. And it’s even more arduous in TV reporting wherein stories should stand firm and well with a “façade”—meaning, a fresh video of the news source, and this, most preferably, is of the highest person in position and authority in the hierarchy of officials.

In the print, we don’t have much of such challenges; but we should be able to do our homework also with at least basic knowledge of arithmetic, algebra or statistics to be able to better appreciate figures—especially the points of increment and declination where curves are

Talking food

Thinking Aloud Caloy Bautista

caloyb@gmail.com

his Facebook account that some areas in Mindanao have reported palay prices dropping to as low as P11 from P22 for two years. The situation prompted the MinDA governing board to pass a resolution “unanimously urging both Congress and the Senate to review and make amendments to Republic Act 11203 which allows the unimpeded entry of imported rice into the country.”

This was the same call made by the rallying M’lang farmers and many more of their colleagues across the country.

RA 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law passed last year aims “to provide affordable prices for consumers, coupled with the goal of raising the income of palay/ rice farmers.” Yet according to the Federation of Free Farmers, while importers and traders realized a P57.5 billion windfall during the first year of the Rice Tariffication Law, farmers lost P40 billion worth of income.

According to Raul Montemayor, national manager of the Federation of Free Farmers, “the promised benefits have not come about, farmers are in dire straits, consumers have practically gained nothing, NFA is still losing money, and government has effectively lost control over the market. Only the importers and traders are smiling, happy to have been ‘liberated’ at last from competition and regulation from the NFA, and free to amass profits with minimal government intervention. “ If it is to be true to its task, the NFP should be a means to review and amend the RA 11203 to ensure that it really works to the benefit of the farmers as intended. Only then can the country truly be on the path to fighting hunger effectively.

There can be no real and serious talk about adequate food on the table until the issue of empowering the food producer is on the discussion table. MC

Learning Lessons from COVID-19 coverage

PENLIGHT

Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

“flattened.”

Back to my interview: The questions were rather simple as what have I experienced in covering the situation of Covid19 pandemic in the region. My answer was that there was not much of a difficulty in more terms, like obtaining data, except that one would occasionally experience some points where frontline workers would have to disagree with what one plans or intends to do.

A follow-up question went on, asking what particular incident that might be in my case? I said in one instance, I had to go out of the city for coverage, and that one of the young men on duty politely told me wait for and talk to their unit commander, who was apparently out that time.

I talked instead to his next junior officer who had his touchscreen phone and read to me in part the order from a higher authority: He told me he could let me pass for an exit, but I couldn’t be allowed-in back again. I said OK. I wish the unit commander were here so he may allow me back.

Anyway, I told my interviewer that I did not take such experience against the young officer. But I learned my lesson to better understand the situation of our frontline workers. They, too, can also suffer much from stress—physical stress at the very least; and psychological stress at worst.

Such a possibility is not too remote in the day-to-day experience of frontline workers, including reporters and some members of my family— which tends to lead us to also raise the issue of mental health, again--and again.

Yes, I realized that the other half of the much feared risks of transmission is the peril of high exposure to stressful situations on the part of our heroes who work—and in many instances are dying—so others may live. MC

6

concerns apart from Unwavering Faith ity socio-economic slump is

to alleviate the health malady through the immediate acquisition of the most-sought anti-COVID Charlie Señase vaccine.

The President has csenase@yahoo.com underscored anew the ainy days and Mondays may be the need to nip in the bud the burgeoning Sound of Music these days as far leftist and extremist groups allied with as PAGASA is concerned expect- the known communist and terrorist fronts. ing six more tropical depressions before The killing lately of a ranking official 2020 ends. of a communist group in Matalam, North Quinta’s turbulent speed that hoisted Cotabato during skirmishes with Army storm signal No.3 in some areas of the troopers showed government’s relentless archipelago left mass destruction to lives drive to contain security threat. The 6th and properties accounting to three dead Infantry Division identified the lone fataland several others still missing. But worst ity as Zaldy Polido, acting as secretary of a scenario to neighboring Vietnam with 120 communist terror group in South Central of its citizens killed by their own cyclone. Mindanao.

God, the world is having one calamity For the Philippines to emulate Sintoo many on our shoulders with the still gapore as the most progressive country unresolved pandemic of COVID-19. If in Southeast Asia, we must nurture disprolonged rainfall was meant to overflow cipline and all other values by subjecting rivers and submerge dwellers to emersion, ourselves to government for all authorities it would most likely connote spiritual are God’s appointed. Reminding state cleansing of man’s wickedness and shame- leaders however, that they must lead confacedness. stituencies into the path of righteousness, President Duterte’s stern directive just and equitable to all without fear or this week for a thorough probe on the favor. Government officials must be role unabated corruption in government is models of true public servants and not for indeed towards nature’s end of destruc- self-aggrandizement. tive cleansing regardless of personalities involved.

DEEP THOUGHT His decision not to abolish the graftIf Vatican is a city within a city, Cotaridden PhilHealth was meant to show that bato is a city within-but-without a permacorruption is not the workplace but the nent proprietary domain to talk about yet. workforce that needs spiritual overhaul. Whether BARMM or SOCCSKSARGEN We may change and change outwardly as is a question in the hands of the highest hypocrites are but unless we change our magistrate of the land to resolve by year inner-self, what has been is what will be end. And corollary to that, Whatever God life’s vanity. has joined together let no man put asunEven suggestion raised by the Presi- der (Matthew 19:6). dent’s alter-ego to create an Enhanced Freedom is not absolute but we enInter-Agency Task Force to combat all courage fearless expression of freedom forms of “systematic corruption” in the with responsibility and ready to face bureaucracy will surely help minimize but malicious allegations on reckless excesnot totally eradicate the pest that has been siveness. with us since biblical times.

And here’s God’s equity that the just The non-stopped corruption and shall live by faith for no one is justified by violence in those days prompted the Al- the law in the sight of God. mighty to cause the great deluge of floodFinally, life is either blessing or curse waters that annihilated all except Noah’s that Christ came to suffer and die in order immediate family and pairs of animals. to redeem us from our inequities and His The central government’s other prior- truth shall set us free. MC

TRUE TO FORM

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Universe Catriona Gray for “red tagging “ her. Gracious, charming and well-bred, Catriona accepted the apology without much ado. She is off to Columbia to be one of the judges for the next Miss Universe search . A book she is writing will be temporarily shelved in Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy order to be able to add excerpts of her new advocacy, the Smile franco1573victoria@gmail.com Train program which is about scouting for candidates for cleft ne would think that if a woman is beautiful, the world is at your feet, and palates surgery.

Observers say she is the best Miss everything works to match the radiance and beauty of your countenance. Not all the Universe ever.

Even in tears, Liza Soberano is beautiful time, not for us to say, perhaps they have more woes than ordinary mortals, plain Janes like as ever. Twice over the past two weeks lovely Liza hugged social media. One was when she many others.

The Iloilo City lady, desiring “only to went to court to file a case against an employee make Iloilo City proud”, Physical Therapy of a company who made rape remarks after Lecturer, 23 year old Rabiya Mateo was Liza went on line to complain about the slow immediately bashed by fellow contenders after internet service. Other victims of rape joke, she was crowned Miss Philippines- Universe rape remarks misogyny may not have the courage to speak up , that’s why she was 2020 in Baguio City.

The Filipina-Indian beauty was one of taking these steps to locate the perpetrator the 40 participants in the recently concluded of the remark, which was obviously directed Beauty Pageant .She graduated Cum Laude at her following her complaint.

In another incident, Liza Soberano was with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Iloilo Doctors’ College. warned by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. to While taking her course, she stayed in a dissociate from her involvement with the allboarding house where she slept on the floor for female group Gabriela youth a supposedly want of mattress or bed. A mat was donated by front of the NPA , by appearing as a resource her landlady for some comfort. Her struggles person in a recent zoom webinar. Lt. Gen. and those of her family were unknown to her Parlade Jr. was chastised by Defense Sec. doctor father who abandoned them early in Lorenzana “kung wala kang ebidensya , wag life. From this experience, she has taught ka munang magsasalita”. However, both Liza herself the lesson her mother exemplified- and Catriona indicated their commitment to forgiveness. If her father finds her through be the voice of women and children who cannot this contest, let it be known, he is already speak up for themselves, to uplift their cause and other social causes. forgiven.

Philanthropist actress Angel Locsin The winning of Rabiya was met by critical words from two of her runners-up – Michele was singled out by Parlade as being closely and Sandra. Organizer and franchise holder watched for the activities of her sister Ella, Shamcey Supsup-Lee says: “To bear defeat who was also red-tagged for allegedly having with dignity; to accept criticism with poise; to ties with the communist New People’s Army. receive honors with humility are the marks of “Practicing our constitutional rights that we a true queen.” Not yet to be silenced, Sandra are entitled of, expressing our opinions and shot back: “Real queens play fair, they don’t having a belief different from others does cheat. Get your tea- meaning, there are juicier not entail that one should be red-tagged.” gossip”. The rumors were that Rebiya was Ella or Angela Colmenares and Angel Locsin furnished the questions prior to the interview, are sisters , leftist Neri Colmenares is their that’s why she was so well prepared for her nephew, not uncle as previously noted.

Despite being admonished by Sec. winning responses.

As for Rabiya, the phenomenal lady (her Lorenzana, Lt. Col. Parlade Jr. stands by words) that she is, issues like this crop up in his commitment to “red-tag”, the latest was many competitions. Her goals are clear, “to Mayor Isko Moreno of the City of Manila.

Still, not to be silenced, henceforth bloody red win and bring honor to her country.”

All is well, after a letter of apology was lipsticks are female activists expression for sent by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. to Miss opposition to red-tagging. MC

Beauties in Distress THE STUFF OF LIFE

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October 31, 2020

THE MINDANAO CROSS

sleepiness.

Physical changes.

Although very rare, some may experience hot flashes and easy fatigability. Various physical changes are possible, including increased body fat; reduced muscle bulk and Cheridine P. Oro- Josef, strength; and decreased M.D., DFM, FPAFP, FPCGM bone density. There can also be loss of body cheridinemd@gmail.com hair and some breast changes. ew years back, my father referred his Emotional changes.

Because of low 60 year-old colleague who complained testosterone levels, men may have trouble of emotional instability, hot flashes remembering things or even concentrating. and erectile dysfunction. He went from one doctor to another who prescribed various They may complain of becoming easily drugs to address his symptoms but to no annoyed which contributes to depression relief until finally we had the chance to talk and may be labelled as anxiety problems in old age. over the phone.

The only way to check the testosterone He said he started feeling irritable at 57 with fear of what will happen after level is through a blood examination. Some retirement. There were noticeable changes medication side effects, thyroid problems, in his body and the most bothersome was depression and excessive alcohol use may erection problems. He also became forgetful contribute to decline in testosterone levels. and had difficulty initiating sleep. He Conditions, such as obstructive sleep was diagnosed to have hypertension and apnea, may also affect testosterone levels. was given prescriptions for anxiety and Once these conditions are identified and insomnia. After listening to him, I asked treated, testosterone typically will return him if he heard about the Male Menopause. to a normal level.

Sadly though, most men will never What is Male Menopause? This is a term used to describe the decreasing voluntarily express these concerns to their level of testosterone in males or the low doctors. The culture of being ‘macho’ and bioavailability of the male hormone. Doctors the feeling of being invulnerable deter them would call this hormonal changes in men from communicating these issues. Before as Andropause. Other terms include explaining my theory to my father’s friend, testosterone deficiency syndrome, androgen I commended his courage and humility to deficiency of the aging male and late-onset tell me what he feels. Being very honest to male hypogonadism. Unlike in females, your doctor is the first step, give your doctor hormone changes in males occur gradually, a chance to help you work your way out of testosterone decline over a period of many your symptoms. Treating aging-related low years. Hormone changes are a natural part testosterone with testosterone replacement of aging and in males, testosterone decline therapy is controversial. For some men, by 1% each year starting 30 years old- on testosterone therapy relieves bothersome signs and symptoms of testosterone the average.

The consequences of this decline is deficiency. For others, however, the benefits still not so clear, however, several men aren’t clear and there are possible risks such experience the following changes as their as heart attack, prostate cancer or other health problems. testosterone decrease: Still, the best thing to do is to engage Changes in sexual function. Reduced sexual desire with problems of erection are in regular leisure physical activity, eat usual complaints. They also experience healthy food, make healthy lifestyle choices fewer spontaneous erections — such as and consult when you feel depressed. Who knows talking this out may help you take during sleep — and infertility.

Changes in sleep patterns. Sleep out this heavy burden from your chest and disturbances, such as insomnia, or increased relieve you of all your symptoms. MC

Andropause: Male Menopause?

GOLDEN THREADS

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Choosing your Stocks...

MARKET DRIVEN

our decision-making process.

First is the earning per share ratio. This simply considers the profitability of the company. The higher the percentage of earning, the better.

Danny Buenbrazo For example if stock of danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com company X with a price his is the third of a series on the of P10,00 is earning topic of decision making.

P1.00 per share, the EPS when Last week we talked about translated to percentage is 10%. Thus, the application of the process of it would be better than company Y decision-making when investing in the even if the latter have lower price of stock market. One Saturday before P8.00 but earnings is just P0.40 (or that second article was published, 5%). the seven steps process of decisionSecond, is the net asset value (NAV) making was discussed extensively, of the company or the amount that an f r o m p r o b l e m i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a n d owner of a share will theoretically specification to the adoption of the receive if a company folds and its best option or options. assets are distributed to shareholders I n t h e a r t i c l e p u b l i s h e d l a s t Stock prices can rise or fall so much weekend, I posited that it is now a that it can be super expensive or quite good time to re-invest in the stock cheap. For example, the share prices of market after the free-fall of stock two companies, AA and BB, are both prices when the COVID-19 scare led to P 15 but their respective NAVs are travel bans and the longest lockdowns P12.00 and P17.00, thus you would in Asia. Still, the discussions in the be paying more for AA and getting previous week centered on the general a discount for BB since the current considerations for coming up with the market price of P15.00 is below its decision on which sectors or companies NAV. should be on top of your consideration.

A third consideration when T h e g u i d a n c e t h e n w a s t o comparing companies is the potential prioritize those sectors and specific upside or downside using a historical companies that continue to thrive high and low (usually one year period) despite the pandemic and/or have based on the stock’s current market good prospects as the economy moves p r i c e . A s s u m i n g t w o c o m p a n i e s toward a more normal situation for are in the same industry like food business. These would include the m a n u f a c t u r i n g , t h u s , w i t h g o o d basic services sector (electricity, prospect at this time, the one with water, and telecommunications), food a higher potential for appreciation and beverage sector, pharmaceuticals, and lower risk for loss is better. For and the like. Candidates include example, the lowest price reached by Jollibee, Puregold, DNL, Globe, PLDT, the stock of companies MM and DD is Aboitiz, and MERALCO. P10.00 and their highest price over a After a week of huge gains in prices, year is also identical at P 80.00. If the stocks may be briefly consolidating. current market price of MM is P70.00 Stock prices are trading at a narrower while it is P20.00 for DD, the latter range and the market is waiting for is a better buy. The potential gain a clearer direction, continue moving for MM if it reaches its former high is up or reversing the trend and falling. only P10.00 but if it falls back to its In selecting individual stocks, we historical low, you are looking at a loss can list several more parameters for of P60.00 per share. MC

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7

THE MINDANAO CROSS

October 31, 2020

Underdeveloped Malabang... P2 NCIP allows mining project... P2 Army opn vs. NPAs displaces... P2 security measure. their best,” Macapodi said.

Arakan chairperson Haron Mantawil said the evacuees need mats, water and food, including hygiene kits and mosquito nets while they are still at the evacuation center.

He said the villagers are still afraid to return home as tension remains high because the Army are still conducting operation against the NPAs. “We are still waiting for go signal from the authorities when the evacuees can safely return hom,” Mantawil said.

North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco personally visited the Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) and extended them food packs and sacks of rice for their consumptions.

She also asks the military to ensure safety of the villagers once they decided to return homes.

“What we want is a peace of mind of our people.

We urge both the military and the rebels to spare the civilians from any harm,” Catamco said.

General Capulong on Tuesday used the military chopper not to pursue the rebels but to drop reading materials to convince them to return to folds of law.

Capulong said there are at least a dozen rebels still hiding in the mountainous portion of Matalam-Arakan boundaries based on their gathered information from the grounds.

The official also confirmed that the reason why this group still exists because of the support from the local contractors in North Cotabato.

Capulong, however, refused name the alleged NPA supporters in the province. Some contractors were forced to shell out revolutionary tax to communist rebels, otherwise, they will be subjected to harassment.

Capulong said the towns of Magpet, Arakan and Pres. Roxas are the areas where the NPAs have been massing and conducted recruitment among Indigenous Peoples youth to join the organization, an Army intelligence information showed.

The brigade commander assured local officials that the Army will do both diplomatic and military strategy to ensure the safety of the local residents. Williamor

Magbanua

Catamco vows support... P2 and solar powers.

DepEd is eyeing the kindergarten up to senior high school students as beneficiaries of the program. Beneficiaries of tablet computers will be identified in accordance with the criteria prepared

by DepEd. Cotabato Schools Division Superitendent (SDS) Isagani DelaCruz said the DepEd will be using the Intranet as channel of network, saying this technology don’t need internet costs for load.

"Hindi na kailangan pa ng load pang internet sapagkat hindi ito saklaw ng mga Telecommunication Companies (Globe, Smart, etc.). Sa 2030 Tri-leg Pole ay kaya ng umabot ang signal hanggang isang kilometro. At kung dadagdagan pa ang haba nito ay mas malayo pa ang mararating. Dagdag

pa na solar powered ang mga ito, at di na po problemahin ang kuryente."

Dela Cruz said project DUMAKI is intended to further the competency of students and introduce an interactive state of the art technology.

"Mas pinadali at mas pinaganda ang paraan ng pagtuturo upang makuha ang atensyon ng mga estudyante, at mas madali nilang maiintindihan at maaalala ang kanilang mga aralin," he added.

The project will run parallel with modular learning.

“Rest assured of my all out support on programs that will benefit our school children, they are our future leaders and we must give our support to programs that will improve their education,” Catamco added. Esther

Ten more members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters surrendered to the Army in Sultan sa Barongis town Thursday.

The BIFF, also known as the Dawlah Islamiya, is operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and is tagged in all deadly bombings in central Mindanao since 2015.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, said Friday the surrender of the 10 BIFF gunmen capped off Thursday's celebration of the founding anniversary of the Sultan sa Barongis town in the second district of Maguindanao.

Sultan sa Barongis, created in the early 1970s, is close to the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Delta, a known haven of terror blocs using the

black ISIS flag as banner.

Narix Saligan, Ting Dadin, Kamarudin Maguid, Mosanip Maguid, Nana Makalimpas, Walid Milikano, Allan Bagel, Macky Sandigan, Bastih Usman and Datukan Palaguyan yielded through the efforts Sultan sa Barongis municipal officials and the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion of the 601st Infantry Brigade.

They are now in the custody of the 6th ID, awaiting reintroduction to the local communities.

The surrender of the 10 BIFF members came barely a week after nine others turned themselves in to Uy during a surrender rite at Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao, a ceremony witnessed by officials from the military's Western Mindanao Command and

Roque/NoCot Governor’s Office

For the first time in decades, the Malabang local government unit now has functional garbage trucks the mayor’s office procured last year.

The largest of the units is a 10-wheeler truck that goes around Malabang to gather garbage every morning.

Macapodi said waste collectors can now promptly transport garbage collected from the town proper of Malabang to a dumpsite.

Besides the LGU’s waste disposal drive and municipal infrastructure projects, the Macapodi administration also launched last year a “night market” to increase the earnings of local entrepreneurs, like street food vendors and merchandisers.

“We embarked on this initiative to make Malabang’s local economy vibrant and to encourage entrepreneurs to bring out

The mayor, however, suspended, meantime, the operation of the night market, where hundreds flock daily after dusk, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our LGU has been doing its best to protect our people from this viral disease,” Macapodi said.

He said his administration will try its best to restore the identity of Malabang as a progressive home of peace-loving Muslims and Christians co-existing in the context of interfaith and cultural solidarity.

Malabang is touted as the oldest settlement in mainland Mindanao, one of the areas where the 14-century ArabMalay Muslim preacher from Johore, Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan, established communities based on Islamic teachings on respect for life, fraternalism and religious tolerance. John Felix Unson

1 drown in North Cotabato... P2

to traffic for almost two hours as floodwaters from hills around Mount Apo flowed through.

Catamco also ordered the North Cotabato provincial disaster risk reduction and management council to extend assistance to the families of her two

constituents who got drowned in flashfloods.

The council, which Catamco manages as chairperson, is also validating reports that some structures along the banks of the rivers in Makilala that overflowed have been damaged. John

COTABATO CITY – Investigators are still clueless on the identities of the two motorcycleriding men who blasted a fragmentation grenade near the house of a senior engineer in the Bangsamoro government.

Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said Thursday the Cotabato City police is still investigating on the grenade blast that rocked on Monday night a residential site in San Pablo area in Cotabato City.

Witnesses have confirmed that the grenade attack was perpetrated by two men together on a motorcycle that parked near the residence of Engineer Sukarno Sulaik of the Bangsamoro public works ministry before the explosion ripped through the village.

The grenade went off near a sewage ditch beside Sulaik’s house.

The suspects hurriedly escaped after one of them hurled the grenade at the house of the Sulaik.

The explosion caused panic among villagers, according to Rodriguez.

He said he has directed the Cotabato City police to tap the support of barangay officials in identifying the bombers. John Felix

Felix Unson

No clues yet on Cotabato City grenade attack

10 armed terrorists surrender in Maguindanao

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the chief of the Philippine Army.

More than 200 BIFF members have surrendered to the 6th ID in batches since 2017.

Uy said he is thankful to the local government units in the second district of Maguindanao province for initiating continuing backdoor dialogues with BIFF leaders to convince them and their followers to return to mainstream society.

The 10 BIFF m e m b e r s w h o surrendered Thursday also turned in assault rifles and components for improvised explosive devices.

Photo: Major Gen. Juvymax Uy receives an assault rifle from the leader of the 10 terrorists who surrendered Thursday. 6th ID Division

Public Affairs Office

Unson

the prolonged processing of the FPIC. Glencore exited the Tampakan project in 2015.

The Tampakan project has the potential to yield an average of 375,000 tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold in concentrate per annum in the 17-yearlife of the mine. The site straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, where the bulk of deposits is located, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur and Sarangani.

The confirmation that SMI has acquired the CP came two weeks after a local court here dismissed a petition by the tribal councils within the Tampakan project area to revoke the openpit mining ban imposed by the South Cotabato provincial government since 2010.

Judge Vicente Peña, acting presiding judge of Regional Trial Court 11th Judicial Region Branch 24, ruled that the open-pit mining ban in South Cotabato is valid, legal and consistent with the Constitution.

Joining the tribal councils as petitioners were the SouthCot Mining Corp. and the Tampakan Mining Corp.,

collectively known as the Tampakan Group of Companies, which have been assigned as the concessionaires of the Tampakan project by the government during the initial discovery of the minefield in the mid1980s.

In an earlier study, SMI said that the openpit mining method is the most viable means to extract the deposits that are located near the earth’s surface.

Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas welcomed the court’s decision, saying that the ruling “is very well aligned with the Catholic Church’s encyclical on the environment, the “Laudato Si.” “Truly, this is an answered prayer, not only for the believers of the Catholic faith, but for the people of South Cotabato and the neighboring provinces,” Casicas said in a statement on October 20.

“With this decision, we are convinced that (the) law and the legal system could be truly used to attain social justice for the people and the environment,” the prelate added. Bong

lead to complications such as pneumonia, ear infection, blindness, severe diarrhea, and swelling of the brain.

Deputy Minister Zul Qarneyn Abas said threats of impending outbreaks, such as those of the measles-rubella, should be prevented and given serious and urgent attention as the country is still fighting the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19).

Polio, on the other hand, is a potentially debilitating disease that causes fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and can eventually lead to lifelong paralysis.

A total of 803,516 children were vaccinated against polio virus, reaching its 95 percent target all over the region during the two-week long polio immunization campaign ‘Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio’ (SPKP) from July 20 to August 9.

Presently, there are no new recorded cases of polio in the region. The campaign shall continue until the World Health Organization (WHO) declares Philippines

as polio-free.

Assistant Secretary Abdulhalik Kasim assured that community-based public health practitioners assigned for the poliovaccination will strictly observe health and safety measures during the entire conduct of the campaign in response to health crisis brought about by Covid-19.

The BARMM’s “BIDA Solusyon sa Covid-19”, a nationwide behavior change campaign that centers on mandating masks, ensuring sanitation, practicing physical distancing, and fighting fake news was also launched.

Sadaila Rakiin, MOH’s technical division chief, said despite several information campaign about Covid-19, many Filipinos still do not comply with minimum public health standards set in order to prevent the virus from spreading in the community.

As of Oct. 20, the Bangsamoro region recorded a total of 1,030 recoveries from its 1,477 total cases, and 391 active cases. BPI-BARMM

S. Sarmiento

NoCot LGU to create body...

P2

In loving memory of

LOURDES C. ONG Vde. TRINIDAD Born: Oct. 16, 1935 Died: October 18, 2020 Husband Cesar E. Trinidad (+), her son Jose Feliciano Ong Trinidad, her daughter Maria Amparo Ong Trinidad, niece Moises Trinidad Ong, sisters Virginia Ong Banzon and Luz Cabatingan Ong, daughter in-law Aniceta Abapo Trinidad, granddaughter Mary Bernadette Abapo Trinidad, niece Rowena Ong Debolgado, grandsons Francis and Michael Ong Debolgado

We wish to convey our thanks and heartfelt gratitude to all those who offered prayers, Masses, helped, condoled and kept vigil, sent flowers, snacks, mass cards and messages of sympathy, attended the funeral rites and all those who comforted us in our moments of bereavement.

Thank you so much and may God bless you all!

8

October 31, 2020

THE MINDANAO CROSS Sanduguan Mindanaw is the public journalism page of The Mindanao Cross. It comes out every last Saturday of the month. The stories covered in Sanduguan are selected by the staff based on the criteria that these are the issues that matter most to the communities in the BARMM and Central Mindanao; that these stories educate, explain, empower, and help readers understand what is happening around them; and at the same time enabling them to be advocates for change. The name of the section connotes ONE BLOOD for peace.

Y M M A H W DOUBLE

DISASTER AMID PANDEMIC

In a disaster-prone country like the Philippines, which gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually, preparation is key to achieve zero casualty. But the response to emergencies in the face of a persisting disaster – the coronavirus pandemic – makes it more complicated.

In Cotabato City, more than 6,000 families displaced by heavy rainfall had to flee their homes due to flood in the midst of a pandemic. As of October 28, the city has a total of 572 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 175 active cases and 16 reported deaths. Already stretched having to deal with the devastating effects of the virus, the city faces a double whammy.

Having to deal with a humanitarian crisis during a pandemic requiring social distancing is complicated. According to the United Nations, floods cause people to congregate on higher ground and to seek safety in evacuation shelters that are packed tightly with people. Floods, and their resulting impacts (loss of housing, exposure to contaminated water, etc.) can also increase water-borne, and communicable disease outbreaks and infections. Additionally, the crash of the formal and informal economy caused by lock downs will decrease households’ financial resources, limiting their ability to prepare for, respond to, or recover from a flood or other natural hazard. Altogether, this is a recipe for compounding much deadlier disasters.

This week, The Mindanao Cross talks to displaced residents of several flooded barangays in Cotabato City.

Hanggang tuhod ang baha sa bahay namin.

Lahat na po ng gamit tinaas na namin.

Mahirap ang ganitong kalagayan. Ang mga paa namin puro sugat dahil palagi nakababad sa tubig. Wala din kaming pambili ng boots.

Mag one week istambay ang trabaho kasi yung mga sasakyan na pinturahan nakalubog sa baha. Hindi rin kami makalipat kasi mahirap din sa evacuation center, may covid pa. Hindi pa rin kami nabigyan ng rasyon na bigas at pagkain. Kung magbigay sila, sana may kasali na gamot sa paa.

Jimmy, 50

Seven days na po kami nakatira dito sa trapal sa may tulay. Yung bahay namin nalubog naman. No choice kami kundi maglipat dito.

Mahirap po yung ganitong sitwasyon kasi may 3 akong anak nag-aaral ng module. Wala kaming banig. Tarpaulin lang ang ginagamit namin. Wala rin kaming mapagkunan ng tubig na mainom. Mabuti na lang nagbigay na ang barangay ng bigas at delata. Sana may medical din na tulong.

Sittie Nor, 46

Barangay worker | Brgy. Pob. 9

Car painter | Brgy. Poblacion 1

Bai Kagi, 51

Housewife | Brgy. Tamontaka 2

Tatlong araw na po kami dito sa may daanan. Nagtayo na kami ng tent kasi yung tubig sa bahay namin taman na sa baywang.

Mahirap kasi di makaaral ng module ang mga bata. Tapos dito sa tent naman walang ilaw, marami pang lamok. Sana ba magbigay din sila ng kulambo tsaka banig.

Nabigyan naman kami ng mga bigas at delata.

Mag isang linggo na po kami dito sa daanan nakatira sa tent. Natigil din ang paglabada ko kay nabahaan din ang mga ginalabadahan ko. Ako pa lang naman mag-isa nagasuporta sa dalawang anak ko kasi namatay na ang asawa ko. Nag-aaral sila ng module sa tent pero walang ilaw.

Sa gabi marami din lamok. Mahirap din kapag umuulan kasi wala kaming banig o kama. Ang daanan basa. Salamat din sa mga nagbigay ng tulong. Next time sana po isali nila ang mga hygiene kits.

Menang, 48

Labandera | Brgy. Tamontaka 2

Kagi Mama, 64

Habal-habal driver | Brgy. RH 7

Di magaga. Ang bahay ko lubog na sa baha. Taman baywang na ang tubig.

Naglipat na lang kami dito sa may bridge para may matulugan lang. Sana ang barangay magbigay na ng bigas at ulam. Magbigay din sila ng mga gamot at kulambo sana kasi maraming lamok. Mahirap magkasakit ngayon, may covid pa.

Grabe talaga ang baha sa amin.

Nasa may hita sa bahay namin.

Dito na kami muna natutulog sa may trapal sa daanan. May mga tanim din kami na mais kahit isa walang natira kay nalubog lahat.

Sana may cash assistance din sila na ibigay para dun sa mga nawalan ng kabuhayan.

Habib, 37

Payong-payong driver | Brgy. Pob. 8