The Mindanao Cross | February 19, 2022

Vol. LXXIV| No. 3| Cotabato City | Saturday, February 19, 2022 |12 Pages | P10.00

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Moro youths fear a ‘Marawi siege part 2’

CHURCH / P4

Archbishop calls for ‘reparation for truth, integrity and wisdom’ ahead of May polls

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NoCot rubber farmers brace for low production, income

The Mindanao Cross issuu.com/mindanaocross mindanao.cross@gmail.com

INOCULATED. Children aged 5-11 years old bravely submit themselves to anti-COVID-19 vaccination team, headed by nurse Stephen Henry Chin the Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School on Valentines Day. Dr. Meyasser Patadon, city health chief said the city IATF is eyeing 48,000 to 50,000 children this age to get the vaccines.

Karl John Daniel

COTABATO CITY BEGINS JABS FOR 5-11 YEARS OLD

By Edwin O. Fernandez

ON heart’s day, the Cotabato City Health Office has joined the program of the national government in inoculating the pediatric community to children ages 5-11 years old in its bid to reach herd immunity in the city in the coming months.

“Our target is about 48,000 to 50,000, this is huge, but we can achieve this it will really help jump off our 70 percent herd immunity target,” Dr. Meyasser Patadon, Cotabato City health services office chief, said during the launching of Resbakuna for kids at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.

The city health services had to device

programs and customs to encourage children aged 5 to 11 years old to get inoculated.

“This is one of our initiatives to beef up our vaccination efforts and to reach our target for herd immunity,” the city health office said in a statement.

“Herd immunity begins in our own respective households,” the

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“Bai Fati” Sinsuat honored by BARMM

THE Bangsamoro Transition Authority in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BTA-BARMM) has approved and adopted a resolution honoring the late Philippine Red Cross Cotabato chairperson Bai Fatima P. Sinsuat.

BTA Member of Parliament Dr. Susana S. Anayatin authored “A resolution honoring and commending the late

By Edwin O. Fernandez Bai Fatima P. Sinsuat for the invaluable service she has rendered to the Bangsamoro and the country.”

The resolution was unanimously approved during Wednesday session of BTA here.

She described Sinsuat as “an epitome of a real, simple traditional Princess or Bai who espoused servant leadership throughout her life. Thank

DID YOU KNOW?

you very much Mam Bai Fatima.”

“Being a stalwart supporter of humanitarian programs and her contribution in the Philippine Red Cross, it is rightful that the Bangsamoro government should commend the efforts she had made not only to the Bangsamoro people but to the country as well, hence this resolution,” MP

February is National Arts Month

National National Arts Month is observed every February by virtue of Republic Act No. 683, signed on January 28, 1991, by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

To preserved, enriched, and evolved in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression of theatre, dance, music, visual arts, architecture, literature, media arts, and film disciplines.

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MBHTE gets US school kids’ books in Maguindanaon

THE Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education of the Bangsamoro Government has received close to P 10 million worth of early grade reading materials in Maguindanaon language from the U.S. Government,

By Nash B. Maulana through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

MBHTE Minister Mohaguer Iqbal, and two other education officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, received

the reading materials written in Maguindanaon for schoolchildren in Maguindanao and for elementary and preschools in the 16 villages comprising the BARMM Special Geographic Area, a statement from

Radio DXMS turns 65

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By Drema Quitayen-Bravo THE oldest Catholic radio commercial This year’s theme is “65 years station in the country and the first ever DXMS-AM 882 Nananatiling matatag radio station in Mindanao, DXMS 882 sa hamon ng panahon, kasama niyo pa Khz turned 65 years old on Thursday rin sa paghahatid ng impormasyon.” as it renewed its commitment to One of the six stations run by deliver objective, comprehensive and the Missionary Oblates of Mary timely broadcast reporting.

Immaculate (OMI), DXMS is operating F o r m o r e t h a n s i x d e c a d e s , and serving most parts of Bangsamoro DXMS has proven its credibility, Region and Region 12. integrity and independence not just The radio programming takes in scrutinizing issues concerning center stage on giving public service, peace and armed conflict and political delivering timely news and information issues in Mindanao, but as well as the and centers to culture and belief underpinning humanitarian mission of Bangsamoro constituents tested through times. composed of Christians, Muslims

Culprits in deadly Guindulungan ambush sued

By John Felix Unson

COTABATO CITY — The police have filed criminal cases against the main plotters of Saturday’s fatal ambush in Guindulungan, Maguindanao of nine persons, now subject of an extensive manhunt.

Corresponding criminal charges have been filed against the suspects, sources from the Maguindanao

Provincial Police Office said Thursday.

One of the nine fatalities in the ambush last weekend is Pegez Mamasainged, a senior member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In a statement, the Maguindanao provincial police said the gunmen who ambushed the maroon Mitsubishi Montero and black Ford

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Ranger pick-up truck carrying the victims were led by Jordan Lintang Mama and his son, Morshid.

The older Mama is also a member of the MILF, according to local officials.

The suspects are related closely by blood to Mamasainged, whose three sons also perished in the

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February 19, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Moro youths fear a ‘Marawi siege part 2’

No clues yet on Magelco office bombing attempt

MARAWI CITY — A group of Moro youth students expressed concerns that any conduct of multinational military exercises within the territorial expanse of the Bangsamoro waters could stir security peril on a fragile local peace situation.

Amana Hamid, spokesperson of the group, said Muslims youth and student organizations in the region are wary of possibilities that Muslim Mindanao provinces will become “unwitting hosts” to military exercises involving countries of the Indo-Pacific Region.

Hamid said Moro youth students, having been to sheer traumatic experience here in 2017, even feared what she described as a Marawi siege part 2, if the government proved not

cautious enough in implementing foreign policies at hosting military exercises involving multinational forces.

Under the Annexes of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the Bangsamoro Waters (BMW) runs five more nautical miles off the 15-kilometer municipal waters or 22.22 kilometers from the coastal contour during the low-tide period.

This developed Monday, as the White House disclosed “U.S. Fact Sheets on Indo-Pacific Strategy (consisting of) five Core Objectives,” according to foreign news reports.

To recall, the Philippine Government in November 2015 entered into a cooperation treaty for the Freedom of Navigation with the United States and subsequently with other countries of the Indo-Pacific Region.

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MP Sema pushes for workers’ economic aid during Ramadhan A lawmaker in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has proposed a bill authorizing the Bangsamoro government to grant its officials and employees economic assistance package during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Member of the Parliament Atty. Omar Yasser Sema has filed Parliament Bill 171, also known as the Ramadan

Economic Assistance and Relief Act of 2022, provides assistance equivalent to one-month basic salary to all officials and employees of the Bangsamoro region, whether permanent, coterminus, job order, or contractual, who have served for at least four months of service before the month of Ramadan.

The fasting month is expected to begin on April 2 and shall end on May 2,

2022.

In his explanatory note, MP Sema said officials and employees who work for the Bangsamoro government for three months are entitled to 50 percent of one month's basic wage, 40 percent of one month's basic salary for two months of employment, 30 percent of one month's basic salary for one month of employment, and 20 percent for less than a month of employment.

He said in his proposal that the amount needed to implement the proposed bill will be taken from any available fund of the region, and the amount will be included in the annual Bangsamoro Appropriations Act in subsequent years.

Said grant shall be made available one week before the month of Ramadan but no later than the 15th day of the same month. Edwin

O Fernandez

3 Lanao Sur Dawlah gunmen yield

MARAWI CITY — Three members of the Dawlah Islamiya who acted as lookouts in recent ambush and bomb attacks by the terror group surrendered to authorities Tuesday.

Ebra Apil, 58, his son Munder, 29, and their companion, the 19-yearold Darda Lidasan, yielded an M16 rifle and two .45 caliber pistols before they renounced their membership with the Dawlah Islamiya in a simple rite at the headquarters here of the Army’s 103rd Brigade.

They separately confirmed to reporters their involvement in a spate of harassments last year of patrolling personnel of the Army’s

51st Infantry Battalion in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur. Apil said they decided to yield after a number of Dawlah Islamiya members, among them experts in fabrication of improvised explosive devices, got killed in recent clashes with soldiers in Lanao del Sur and in Maguindanao, both componentprovinces of the Bangsamoro region.

Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo, commander of the Army-led antiterror Task Force Haribon, said Thursday they are expecting the surrender soon of more Dawlah Islamiya members in Lanao del Sur. Among the members of the

Dawlah Islamiya holding out in different towns in Lanao del Sur are former followers of the slain Maute terror group leaders Omarkhayam and Abdullah Maute.

The Maute siblings instigated the bloody May 23 to October 16, 2017 siege of Marawi City, the capital of Lanao del Sur. Cuerpo, also commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said they shall reintroduce Apil and his two companions to mainstream society with the help of local officials in Piagapo and the Lanao del Sur provincial government. John Felix

Unson

BARMM builds homes for indigents in NoCot

SOME 350 families who belonged to the indigent sector and victims of armed conflict in the past are set to receive core shelters courtesy of the government.

This after the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Kapayapaan sa Pamayanan (KAPYANAN)

program of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim was launched Tuesday.

A ceremonial groundbreaking of 350unit core shelters worth of PHP231-million in Barangay Kadingilan, Midsayap, Special Geographic Area (SGA).

KAPYANAN has

approved the construction of 350-unit of core shelters, with solar-powered light, water system component, solar street lights, and linear canal system for 350 families which will soon rise in seven barangays in Midsayap.

Engr. Abdulnasser K. Usman, deputy project

manager, said, “this is the first time of KAPYANAN to implement housing project in Midsayap and in SGA.” Peng Lakiman, 59, a resident of Barangay Kadingilan and one of the beneficiaries, was emotional during the groundbreaking.

“We are happy because our place has

carnage.

The families of Mama and Mamasainged are locked in a longtime “rido,” which means clan war in most southern Mindanao languages.

Mamasainged and his companions were motoring through a farm-to-market road in Barangay Kalumamis here, en route to another town in Maguindanao, when their attackers, positioned along the route, opened fire with assault rifles.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, had told Mindanao Cross that intelligence operatives of their units in Guindulungan and in nearby towns are helping the police locate the culprits.

Investigators have filed criminal cases against Mama and his cohorts this week, according to the Maguindanao Provincial Police.

DEADLY AMBUSH. Nine were killed on the spot in this ambush of two vehicles last Saturday, February 12, in Barangay Kalumamis in Guindulungan, Maguindanao.

Photo courtesy of 6ID

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Culprits in deadly Guindulungan ambush sued...from P1

DATU ODIN SNSUAT, Maguindanao — The police and military are still clueless on who could have brought a home-made bomb inside the compound here of the Maguindanao Electric Cooperative last week that ordnance experts had promptly deactivated.

Col. Jibin Bongcayao, director of the Maguindanao provincial police, said Thursday, probers are still trying to identify who could be responsible for the foiled bombing attempt.

The improvised explosive device left in the compound of Magelco in Barangay Upper Capiton here was fashioned from a 60 millimeter mortar projectile rigged with a blasting mechanism that can be set off from a distance using a mobile phone.

Army and police bomb

experts destroyed the IED, neatly placed in a box, with an explosive disruptor to rip its components apart.

Probers are also looking into the possibility that the incident could be related to the squabbles for leadership of cooperative officials managing Magelco.

The power utility repeatedly hit the news last month due to misunderstandings among its general manager and members of the cooperative’s executive board.

Major Gen. Juvymay Uy of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said Friday their intelligence operatives shall help the Datu Odin Sinsuat police probe on who could have brought the IED in the Magelco compound. John

TACURONG CITY — A man implicated in a number of motorcycle theft cases perished in a shootout with policemen over the weekend, a regional police official said Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, director of the Police Regional Office-12, said Lando Salompong Kalon died from gunshot wounds sustained in a gunfight with policemen in Barangay Didtaras in nearby Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat.

Personnel of the Lambayong Police Station and the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police were to flag him down to inspect the motorcycle he was riding but he turned around and sped away.

The police had set up the checkpoint, where

he was stopped for an inspection, after receiving a report that a certain Richard Cervales, a resident of Lambayong, lost his Bajaj motorcycle to thieves early on.

The policemen at the checkpoint cornered Kalon in Purok Pag-Asa in Barangay Didtaras after a brief chase and tried to subdue him.

Instead of yielding peacefully, Kalon pulled out a .45 caliber pistol and opened fire, provoking a gunfight that resulted in his death.

Police and Army intelligence sources said Kalon belongs to a group that has stolen dozens of motorcycles in one attack after another since 2018 in isolated towns in central Mindanao. John Felix Unson

Felix Unson

Motorcycle thief shot dead

154 BIFF, Dawlah men avail of rehab program

A large group of religious extremists, many of them bomb-makers, on Wednesday pledged allegiance to the government here in the presence of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

The 154 men first renounced their membership with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Dawlah Islamiya before they promised to thrive in peace in their respective hometowns in the adjoining provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.

The event, held at the parade ground here of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, was graced by the couple Governors Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu and Suharto Mangudadatu of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces, respectively.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of 6th ID, said he is grateful to local officials and various peace advocacy blocs for helping them secure, through backchannel dialogues, the surrender of more than 300 BIFF and Dawlah Islamiya members in the past three years.

Uy said the provincial governments of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat are helping the 6th ID return former violent religious extremists to mainstream society via humanitarian projects and spiritual reorientation

programs.

The 154 BIFF and Dawlah Islamiya members who have returned to the fold of law surrendered in batches in the past 12 months, officials of 6th ID said.

They received agricultural equipment and brand new farm tractors as livelihood support from the provincial government of Maguindanao during Wednesday’s activity inside this Army camp, located in Barangay Awang in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The BIFF and the Dawlah Islamiya, fashioned from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, were tagged in deadly bomb attacks in central Mindanao in the past four years.

The commander of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, Lt. Gen. Alfredo del Rosario, Jr. and Police Major General Albert Ferro, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group also witnessed Wednesday’s engagement of Lorenzana with 6th ID officials and the governors of the two provinces.

Uy reported to the visiting officials that a total of 378 BIFF and Dawlah Islamiya members have surrendered to the 6th ID in the past 18 months through the joint efforts of its units scattered in central Mindanao and local executives in the region.

John Felix Unson

MBHTE gets US school kids’ books in...from P1

the U.S. Embassy said on Tuesday.

BARMM Deputy Education Minister Haron Meling said the turnover took place in Davao and the Bangsamoro team was composed of Minister Iqbal, Director-General Abdullah Salik Jr. and himself—and with USAIDPhilippines Acting Director for Education Office, Yvette Malcioln joining virtually the handover event in Davao City on February 10 The U.S. Embassy statement said the materials will benefit nearly 100,000 children from Kindergarten to Grade 3 and more than 2,000 teachers in the region.

The digital version of the translated materials will also be uploaded to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) website for Magindanawn children in other parts of country to access.

“As education systems continue to rebuild amid the COVID-19 pandemic,

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

February 19, 2022 USAID will continue working with partners to mitigate learning losses, equip educators and institutions to be more resilient and adaptive to the current situation, and ensure children have continuous access to quality education,” said USAID Philippines Acting Office Director for Education Yvette Malcioln at the handover event in Davao City on February 10.

Minister Iqbal expressed the regional leadership’s sense of gratitude to the U.S. government for extending the assistance package of learning materials for the welfare of the Moro children.

He assured that the MBHTE is guided by its working principle that “No Moro child shall be left behind.”

“We are grateful that our partnership with USAID, RTI International, and DepEd has resulted in a successful undertaking to improve our children’s reading comprehension

through speciallydesigned and qualityassured early grade books in Magindanawn,” said Minister Iqbal.

USAID’s support to Magindanawn learners includes training 40 local Bangsamoro writers, illustrators, editors, and evaluators to develop early grade reading materials; developing and distributing 77 books in Magindanawn; and translating or adapting 45 titles into Magindanawn.

Through its ABC+: Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines project, USAID has distributed more than 9 million early grade reading materials, including books in various mother tongues, to over 600,000 students and 42,000 teachers. In partnership with DepEd, the project aims to ensure young children in the Philippines will continue having access to quality education and learning, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Radio DXMS turns 65...from P1

and Indigenous People.

This year’s celebration is still meaningful despite the challenges brought by pandemic since last year.

One is ‘Bida Parangal,’ that instead of the usual ceremonial program, the DXMS announcers and reporters preferred to conduct the ceremonial awarding to their respective offices.

The selected awardees are those personalities who have been consistent in giving relevant

information especially in the news program of DXMS Radyo Bida.

Since majority of the audience nowadays prefer digital platform, the ‘Load Promo’ segment has been done through Facebook live programs.

Many listeners through social media have been so participative and attentive in the ‘first come, first winner’ on-air gimmick.

Part of the activity as well is giving of some

give-aways like T-shirts, soap and sanitizers for those who cannot participate online by the same mechanics to ‘Load Promo’ through their text message in the DXMS textline.

This year’s event is quiet simple, yet its mission to inspire and empower voice of the people, the credibility, social responsibility and delivering superior value among its partners remain strong.

“Bai Fati” Sinsuat honored by BARMM...from P1

Anayatin said in her explanatory note.

Sinsuat, also known as Bai Fati, died of lingering illness on Feb. 4 at the age of 82. She has served the Bangsamoro people as humanitarian worker and Red Cross officer as well as member of Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines.

“She was the first Muslim woman to be elected to the national board of Philippine Red Cross,” MP Anayatin said.

She said the daughter of the late Moro strongman Datu Blah Sinsuat, Bai Fati is a Maguindanao princess but she went beyond the pampered lifestyle and helped her father organized labor groups.

Her public services include as mayor of Upi, Maguindanao, head of the Bangsamoro Regional Board of Investments, UP board of regents member and as humanitarian

worker.

MP Anayatin said Bai Fati’s services to the Bangsamoro people and the country should not pass without being noticed and she as a public servant as well came up with the resolution to honor Bai Fati’s services.

She added that Bai Fati is a true civic leader who serve others without hesitation and even putting herself at risk as a social worker.

MP Anayatin said Bai Fati has never ceased serving others through various projects while performing as Red Cross executive.

In fact, Bai Fati was awarded as one of National Outstanding Volunteer Award (NOVA) by Malacanang for her blood donation activity. She was also a Gold Humanitarian Service Cross Awardee.

B DXMS@65 going strong, still trendsetting

Karl John Daniel

BARMM builds homes for indigents in...from P2

been affected by war in the past and now we are receiving housing, which is first of its kind. With that, we are thankful to the BARMM government,” he said.

Chairman Saiden A. Alim of Barangay Kadingilan and project proponent, said: “This area was a battle zone, the housing projects have great impact to the beneficiaries, especially to the poor residents, somehow they will soon to have

decent houses.”

“50 units of core shelters are allotted to Barangay Kadingilan, for 50 families, and each unit costs roughly 600,000.00 pesos.”

Alim added.

KAPYANAN is a special program of Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim aimed to provide decent housing to the poor Bangsamoro communities. Edwin O.

Fernandez

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February 19, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Archbishop calls for ‘reparation for truth, integrity and wisdom’ ahead of May polls

ARCHBISHOP Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan has called on the faithful to offer reparation for ‘our personal and national sins’ ahead of the May 9 elections.

The archbishop particularly appealed for a Lenten season of “reparation rosary for truth, integrity, and wisdom” starting Ash Wednesday, March 2 until Holy Wednesday, April 13.

According to him, they will pray for all the civil provinces all over the country during those days.

He said that as the rosary is prayed publicly in all churches

at a time when most people can join, “we also plead that the family rosary at home be restored as a devout family practice even in our work places”.

“I invite our brother priests to make confessions more available to our people especially this Lenten season and I beg our faithful to go to confession,” Villegas said.

After the reparation rosary,

the archbishop said they will then offer their “reparation adoration” for the same intentions from Easter Monday, April 18 to May 8, “the vigil of our national elections”.

The Blessed Sacrament, he said, is to be exposed publicly for an hour in the parish churches, chaplaincies, and pastoral stations.

The people are requested to

stay in silent adoration, as much as possible kneeling down, to atone for the sins of the nation, he added.

On Sundays, the former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said that the exposition adoration will be done an hour before the first Mass.

“We will pray for twenty-one days for all the voters in the

Manila’s Catholic priests lead ‘penitential walk’ to pray for voters in May polls

THE clergy of the Manila archdiocese lead a “penitential walk” on Thursday, Feb. 17, to pray for the voters as they choose the country’s next leaders this coming May elections.

They joined by other priests from Manila’s suffragan dioceses and the religious men and women from different congregations.

“We ask our fellow Filipinos to be ‘maka-Diyos kaya makabayan,’ to discern their choice well and prefer leaders who embody and promote the values of the Kingdom

of God,” the archdiocese said.

The activity starts with a 9:00 a.m. Mass at the Manila Cathedral with Cardinal Jose Advincula as the main presider and homilist.

The event also aims to mark the 150th anniversary of the martyrdom of the three priests Mariano Gomez, José Burgos and Jacinto Zamora, collectively known as GomBurZa. After the Mass, the penitential walk follows from the cathedral to the GomBurZa memorial marker at the Luneta Park, and then to the

Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia in Ermita.

The archdiocese said they are doing the “alay-lakad” according to the pious Filipino sense of penance.

“For us Filipinos, doing acts of penitensya or sacrifice is never just for oneself, but always intercessory, that is, in behalf of others and in solidary with others,” it said.

“As a clergy, we shall make this act of sacrifice not only for our personal piety but also for the sake of our people and in communion with our people.” CBCP News

coming elections,” Villegas said.

“Truth as guide! Integrity as lighthouse! Wisdom as we vote!”

“We cannot delay offering reparation for our personal and national sins. The bitter fruits of our sins are already strangling us. We are reaping what we have sown. Catholic values will erode further if we ignore the guidance of God,” he said. CBCP News

PPCRV moves command center for May polls to UST arena

TO keep with the health protocols, a Catholic Church-backed poll watchdog will transfer its command center for the May 9 elections to a wider space inside the University of Santo Tomas campus.

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said its poll operations will now be held at the UST Quadricentennial Pavillon.

The Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila’s Paco district had served as PPCRV’s command center for many elections in the past.

“That command center is small for our

pandemic needs, such as social distancing, etc. Its size and facilities are no longer adequate,” PPCRV chairperson emeritus Henrietta de Villa said.

“The current PPCRV leadership found the UST arena as being most ideal (for our poll operations),” she said.

De Villa also said that the UST arena also has better features fitting for their operating requirements.

“It has numerous facilities within and below the floor. It has several rooms fitting to the needs of the command center, especially during pandemic times,” De Villa added. CBCP News

Pope Francis

Seeks ‘healthy decentralization’ with new changes to canon law

Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Manila join a “penitential walk” from Quiapo Church to Sta. Cruz Church in Manila on June 1, 2021, to pray for and end to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of RADIO VERITAS 846

S

o often we hear the In this Sunday’s gospel phrase, “Sapagkat reading Jesus speaks about tayo ay tao lamang.” loving one’s enemies. Of It is true we are indeed course, our first reaction human and we commit to this is a very human human failings due to one. How can I love my eflections our frailties. Christian enemies? Why should I discipleship however is love them? Jesus even Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC challenged to go beyond said, “Do good to those who tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com the mere human. In the hate you” (Luke 6:27). It is second reading, St. Paul describes two kinds of not enough to avoid harming our enemies, instead we human beings, first is the merely human or earthly should do them good. This seems to go against our who is patterned after the First Adam, and second is human instinct? Our natural tendency is to follow the spiritual person whose model is the Second Adam “lex talionis” – the law of retaliation. A tooth for a or Christ. As he said, “This is why, after bearing tooth and an eye for an eye. As the great Mahatma the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the Gandhi said, if this is the law that we observe, then image of the heavenly one (1 Cor. 15:49). the world will go blind and toothless.

Being human we can be angry, It will take another way of thinking jealous, vengeful, lustful, and covetous. to go beyond our human instincts and This was what happened to King Saul. tendencies. There is a spiritual basis He was so jealous of David who was for this new kind of mind. Jesus said, becoming more popular than he was “Be merciful as your Father is merciful” that he sought to kill him. David had (Lk, 6:36) for God is kind even to the to escape to the desert but he had the ungrateful and the wicked. chance to take his revenge on King This kind of love is beyond mere Saul when he infiltrated Saul’s camp human love of “philia” and “eros” or at night. David’s companions wanted love of friendship and mutual affection. to kill Saul but David prohibited them These are the most natural forms because Saul was the Lord’s anointed of loving which we celebrated on one. Instead David took Saul’s spear as proof that Valentine’s Day. We love those who love us. We he did not want to do Saul any harm. David acted care for those who care for us. This is reciprocal beyond mere human impulse of anger and revenge. love. There is however a more challenging kind of Rather he took a higher moral stance, out of respect love which is the love of “agape” or universal and for the king whom the Lord anointed. This was what unconditional love. This kind of love is based on made David a great king.

Jesus’ love for us. He died on the cross for the sinner I am reminded of a close friend who came to and the unlovable. This is a more heroic kind of me crying one day because his son was killed in an love, made possible only by the Spirit of God in us, armed encounter. In his culture it would be perfectly as St. Paul describes. The persons led by the Spirit normal to take revenge on those identified as the of Christ can go beyond mere human impulses and killers. Instead this old man said, “I will not take instinct because they are empowered by the loving revenge. I leave them to God’s justice.” As it turned Spirit of Christ. In Christ, all things are possible – out the killers also died in some other encounter. even loving the enemy. MC

Agape-love

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It is not enough to avoid harming our enemies, instead we should do them good.

VATICAN— Pope Francis unveiled new changes to Church law in an apostolic letter published Tuesday, saying that he was seeking to promote “a healthy decentralization” in the Church.

In the letter issued motu proprio (“on his own impulse”) on Feb. 15, the pope said that his intention with the changes was to “foster a sense of collegiality and pastoral responsibility” on the part of bishops, local bishops’ conferences, and major superiors religious communities, as well as to “support the principles of rationality, effectiveness, and efficiency.”

Among the changes in the motu proprio, entitled Assegnare alcune competenze (“Assigning some competencies”), were articles regarding the establishment of interdiocesan seminaries, the incardination of clerics, the publication of catechisms by bishops’ conferences, and laws

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Meditation Fr. Rock Saniel, OMI rocksaniel@gmail.com

7thSunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

1 Samuel 26.2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-25++; 1 Corinthians 15.45-49; Luke 6.27-38 “Be merciful and forgive!” The message is clear: God is merciful and forgiving, we must do likewise. In many instances, God’s mercy and forgiveness are the main reasons why we are still called sons and daughters of God even if we are unworthy, the reasons we breathe and live. It is just sad that we often fail to respond to God’s goodness. Instead, we easily get distracted by our human “demons” that instead of being merciful and forgiving, we tend to look for revenge, lingering into anger which leads us to sin, to hurt people. May our gospel today remind us once again of our Christian calling to be merciful and forgiving especially to those who have wronged us.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to be merciful and forgiving. Amen.

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

February 19, 2022 EDITORIAL

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That Multi-party System Again

ne of the experts on election interviewed over the TV and Radio made the comment that Philippine Elections is so complicated due to the practice of the multi-party system. This comment was made when the anchor of the evening news noted that several senatorial candidates can be found in the senatorial slate of a number of presidentiables, whose only intention perhaps is to take advantage of the spread of information.

A blogger expressed on blogging.com the advantages he or she sees in the multi party system.

According to the blogger, “A multi-party system prevents the incumbent individual or a single political leadership to monopolize and control a single legislative chamber without challenge.

Therefore, criticism –however it may be- will be there as a form of black propaganda or slowly injecting their political thought against the current government. Thus, Multi-party governments tend to permit wider and more diverse viewpoints in government and encourage dominant parties to make deals with weaker parties to form winning coalitions. A multi-Party system also acts as a check and balance when it comes to policymaking, decision-making to keep the current administration in check in case there are anomalies the latter is plotting.

However, the political science expert warned that this makes the choosing of a presidentialsenatorial line up very difficult for Filipino voters.

Name recall is already hard to hurdle, how much more selecting 12 names among the list of 6 parties where the senatorial candidates are scattered all over. Except for the name recall, the campaign platform of those senatoriables have been dropped and instead subsumed under that of the major political party.

The Mindanao Cross has already brought out the negative aspect of the existing multi-party system at the start of the election period which involved changing of party names, rise of new ones, and the so-called “unification-coalition” practiced by the Bongbong Marcos-Sarah Duterte parties.

It contributes to the self-centered character of electoral candidates who agree to be posted in the line up of several parties, in view of the advantage of name-recall. But how about the platform presented by these motley of parties, presidentiables, and senatoriables? The performance they promise tend to be very vague, and may be too unrealistic, but it allows the spread of one’s name due to being carried by several parties in campaign posters, billboards, and radio-TV messages.

Compared to the two-party system, where the choices are limited for voters, the multi-party system may have more advantages, but it is open to abuse by the parties themselves. Substitution of candidates are more prevalent, last minute coalitions are done, and the parties cannot extend a firm hold or control of those running under the party.

It is therefore up to COMELEC to come up with rules and regulations regarding the practice of multi-party systems, so that the negatives that are slowly becoming obvious to voters can be avoided. MC +

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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 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 & Drema Quitayen Bravo 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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H economy grows 5.6% in 2021, above target after Q4 performance beats forecasts. So stated the headline of a CNN Philippines report posted January 27 on its official website. The report quoted Philippine Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua as saying, “The door to our economic recovery is now fully open,” as he noted that the country’s annual growth for 2021 exceeded the economic team’s 5-5.5% target for the year. Good news, no doubt, and reason for the government to be upbeat.

According to independent research group IBON, this places the Philippines among the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, the 5.6% growth recorded by the country for 2021 is next only to Singapore whose growth is projected to reach 7.2%.

“But this fast economic growth is meaningless,” IBON said. “It is not translating to enough jobs and incomes for ordinary Filipinos who are suffering unprecedentedly under the Duterte administration and especially since the pandemic.”

There were 3.2 million Filipinos officially reported as unemployed as of November 2021, according to the group, which believes there could in fact be more if discouraged and unavailable workers that stopped being counted by the official methodology are also included. IBON believes the figure could actually run to 5.7 million or more Filipinos. Even by the official unemployment figures, though, the Philippines has the worst unemployment in ASEAN. “The country’s 6.5% unemployment rate unemployment rate is marginally higher than in Indonesia (6.49% in August 2021) and much higher than in Malaysia (4.3% in November), Vietnam (4% in 3rd quarter), Singapore (3.2% in November), and Thailand (2.3% in 3rd quarter).” That is undoubtedly bad, and that is not the end of it. In a media release dated February 4, IBON said “the country’s jobless also suffer the worst inflation at 4.5% in 2021. Prices are increasing much more slowly in Malaysia (3.2% in December), Singapore (2.3%), Indonesia (1.9%), Vietnam (1.8%), Brunei (1.8% in October), and Thailand (1.2%).”

If we are to reckon by the data presented by IBON in its Birdtalk 2022 Yearstarter economic and political briefing paper, that is quite a string of ASEAN records for the Philippines: the biggest increase in unemployment in 2020 by 5.3%, the

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XTENDING a modernized role drawn on “all instruments of power,” the U.S. will defend Indo-Pacific interests, deter aggression on American territory and allay threats against its allies in the region, a White House facts document declassified this month showed.

Nobody probably saw this unfold as did Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, insisting that a relatively unintended military preparation might just get the country pinned into a clash of giants for bigger interests. The Philippine political Opposition wanted Mr. Duterte to pursue “the gains of the (Philippines’) victory in the International Tribunal” in The Hague over the country’s South China Sea territorial claims—but “not necessarily to go to war against China.”

“For 75 years, the U.S. has maintained a strong and consistent defense presence necessary to support regional peace, security, stability, and prosperity. It is extending and modernizing that role and enhancing capabilities to defend its interests and to deter aggression against U.S. territory and against its allies and partners.” Moreover, the U.S. “will strengthen Indo-Pacific security, drawing on all instruments of power to deter aggression and to counter coercion,” the White House said in a declassified Fact Sheet on the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).

And keen foreign observers see a transnational security alliance in the region will keep at bay China’s probable military aid to Russia in the current Ukraine Crisis in Europe—and beyond.

In the local shores, the security aspect of the IPS strengthened will establish a geopolitically allied position on the much disputed South China Sea. Albeit unspecific on that issue, some of the countries that have signified interest of claims over certain parts of the SCS are into the IPS alliance, including Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam,. The sea lane in Taiwan Strait is also mentioned in the U.S. IPS Facts Sheet. It can be recalled that then President Benigno S. Aquino III

The good, the bad, and the ugly Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

highest reported unemployment in 2021 at 6.5%, the highest inflation in the ASEAN for 2021 at 4.5%. There is another: the Philippines’ super-rich recovered the fastest and saw their wealth grow the most. The wealth of the country’s 50 richest increased by 31% increase from US$60.6B in 2020 to US$79.1B in 2021. It is sadly the same old story – the poor got poorer mired in the troubles wrought by the pandemic, while the rich got richer, as they always had even in the worst of times.

This is a situation that has been with us for decades, blamed time and again, on flawed economic and governance programs and policies. This year, we are again given the opportunity to place in government people who can chart a better path for all Filipinos, not just a privileged few. IBON believes these should be leaders who have a strategic view of economic development for the country and who would ensure democratic governance. In the same vein, the organization finds it important that voters assess who among the candidates for top positions have these in the platforms they present. Added to that, it is important to look beyond the generalizations.

IBON said all candidates promise to emphasize job creation and poverty reduction, pandemic response, health care, MSMEs, agriculture or food security, and infrastructure. We, as voters should not fail to look at the specifics of how they are going to do this, or are they even doing that beyond the usual general rhetoric and generalizations? Are we up to that task? Or will we be the same as usual, voting for candidates simply because they are famous, moneyed, can sing and dance, are members of the same clan however distant it may be or of the same tribe as ours never mind that they have no clearly defined program of governance meant to address the problems experienced by the people? Will it be the same story for us, again, come May 2022? MC

Indo-Pacific security buildup to bring U.S. forces closer to shores (Part I)

Penlight

Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

issued in 2016 a unilateral declaration to rename territorial waters within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea. The Indo-Pacific Region is made up of Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, United States and Vietnam. The South China Sea is by and large circumscribed by the IndoPacific Region.

On February 11, nearly six years after the landmark International Tribunal decision in favor of the Philippines over its SCS claims, the White House has disclosed a Fact Sheet on the United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). “This strategy outlines President Biden’s vision to more firmly anchor the United States in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the region in the process,” according to an information declassified through the The Asia-Pacific Media Hub hosted a press teleconference for select Asian journalists Thursday midmorning (including this columnist), having for resource persons top-level officials of the Department of State: Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. However, some technical issues emerged unexpectedly. To be continued… MC

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Accountability is Foremost True to Form Charlie Señase

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csenase@yahoo.com

HE issue at bar applies to all irrespective of one’s stature in life.

In the government of the people, by the people and for the people, elected officials are mandated to govern as public servants and not for self-aggrandizement serving own interest instead of public welfare and for the greater good.

And with this leadership brand of public service, whoever are elected in the May polls, have to bear this responsibility by heart that the poorest of the poor are being attended to, not for publicity but for reality-sake as most candidates obviously manifest in their campaign sorties.

Accountability carries with it transparency in good governance that enforces laws and statutes without fear or favor. And its effective execution in righteousness hinges on one’s delicadeza, an antidote to callous shamelessness by some executives.

As humans, we are prone to all sorts of temptations and pitfalls which is true to form that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak to fall prey. Truly, we are all like filthy rugs and therefore wicked; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. With this biblical notion in mind, let us choose or elect the lesser evil among national and local aspirants. For there is none in politics and all other segments of society to claim and attribute purity, honesty and sanctity unless its from above. A case in point that prompted apostle Paul to declare “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) Then comes the biblical reminder to trust God not in man for the latter vacillates and prone to change, but we have a God who cannot lie since time began. He remains the same Yesterday, Today and Forever and from Everlasting to Everlasting is His name (Isaiah 63:16; Hebrew 13:8).

Whether installed leaders are righteous or wicked, God allows them to reign and rule for a Divine reason. As constituents, good work and obedience is the key to good governance that leaders may be enlightened and spiritually awaken by God’s grace.

Our government forces down South have

been doing good to come up with non-stop voluntary surrender of Moro and Communist rebels along with their assorted highpowered firearms.

On Valentine’s Day at least 14 Moro extremist group belonging to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters yielded up with their assault rifles in formal surrender ceremony held at military headquarters of the 34th IB in Midsayap, North Cotabato. Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy lauded the event as all-hearted and closed coordination of local government units, residents and government forces in the area. Mayor Ramil Umbra Dilangalen of Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, who attended the ceremony said some of the BIFF members are his constituents in Kabuntalan, which is an adjacent town of Midsayap where his counterpart Mayor Romeo Arana joined in.

As this developed locally, we hope that PNP main headquarters at Camp Crame will look into the reported shooting incident on Valentine’s Day in Paranaque City that killed halal chef Abdulatif “Tato” Sangcupan during a Metro Manila Food Fair. A native of Maguindanao, Sangcupan is the chief executive officer of the Halal Development Institute of the Philippines (HIHDIP).

Apart from family, relatives, friends and contemporaries who are eager to know latest developments on the incident, the BARMM government under Chief Minister Ahod AlHaj Murad Ebrahim also would like to be updated of the violent and untimely demise of a good man. We mourn with discernment that a good name is better than precious ointment and the day of death is better than the day of birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

With God, everything in time is perfect, for it is written that, “The righteous perishes and no man takes it to heart. Merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness (Isaiah 57:1-2).

A biblical WORD of wisdom to all political aspirants: “The race is not for the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill. But time and chance happen to them all. For man does not also know his time. Like a fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare. And so the sons of men are snared in an evil time when it falls suddenly upon them” (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12). MC

Problems You’re Actually Not Too Young For (Part 2) Health Corner

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caught but had escaped, case unsolved. Mack was former Regional Litigation Manager of the National Irrigation Adminstration (NIA) Region 12. he tuff of ife It is heart-warming to note that these siblings carried on Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy with their ambitions despite the franco1573victoria@gmail.com loss of their parents. They were ur Valentine Couple tied the knot at emotionally and financially the Farm at Carpenter Hill in Marbel, supported by family, each sibling looking Koronadal. Sharif M. Guerra, RMT after each other. and Farishia D. Mending MD, tied the knot Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John, “EJ” last January 8, 2022. Officiating Ustadz Obiena won the gold in the 2020 Orlen Cup Said Z. Salendah, Al Hadz Officiating Judge in Lodz Poland on Saturday, (Manila Time).

Muntalib S. Tadiagan did the honors for the The world’s 5th ranked pole vaulter cleared ceremony. The entourage was lead by Farida 5.81 meters in the attempt to dominate the S. Mending Pendatun as Matron of Honor. 8-man completion and reset his personal The lovely bride, youngest in a brood of 4, record of 5.9 meters. He is slated to complete walked arm in arm down the aisle of her next at the Maelig Hauts-de France on Feb. siblings Atty. Makmod D. Mending, Jr. Al 17.

Hadj and Mrs. Fatima D. Mending Abas, He was competing on his own after CPA PATAFA suspended him for alleged Dr. Farishia is an Obstetrician- embezzlement of funds which by the battle Gynecologist with a couple of clinics in of perceptions, did not sit well with netizens Manila while the handsome groom is the son who are aware of how the funds for all of Architect Eduard Guerra from Datu Piang, athletes are disbursed. currently a member of the Bangsamoro xxx Parliament and Minister of the Ministry of Quotations of the week: exchanges of 3 Public Works (BARMM) and business owner powerful women after the non-DQ of BBM Jocelyn Macaraig, RN from Laoag City, Ilocos “The failure to file tax returns is not Norte. inherently wrong in the absence of a law Well noted were the presence of old punishing it. ‘– Aileen Ferolino, Comelec time friends of their parents, their fellow Commissioner Rotarians who enjoyed the camaraderie of “There is no law punishing non-filling both Mack and Luz. Personally, I feel for of ITR? Why was BBM convicted then? these kids who first lost their mom Luz at Ang bright bright nyo naman” – Rowena a young age and then their Dad, who fell Guanzon, Retired Comelec Ccommissioner on the ground from a grenade blast hurled “Kung ganuon ang belief ni Commissioner at a mosque while he was in prayer, that Ferolino di wag sya mag-file at subukan natin.” faithful Friday Sambayan. The assassin was Kim Henares, BIR Commissioner. MC

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a reprint from Johns Hopkins

trokes While the majority of strokes occur in people over the age of 65, a recent study found a 32 percent spike in strokes among women ages 18 to 34. This sudden rise is concerning, Michos says. “Although it’s less common for younger women to have strokes, when they do it’s more likely to be fatal.”

What’s behind the increase? Risk factors for cardiovascular disease — high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and smoking — have doubled in millennial women. Your risk is also higher than a man your age if you’re pregnant or take birth control pills, both of which can slightly increase your chance of stroke. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, which are more common in women, are linked to a much greater risk for stroke, too.

Colon and rectal cancer Another study recently sounded an alarm about millennials being increasingly affected by colon and rectal cancers. “The major risk factor for the vast majority of patients with colorectal cancer is just age,” says Nilo Azad, M.D., associate professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “But now we’re seeing a bit of an increase in a younger population, and we’re not entirely sure why.”

The point to remember is that colorectal cancer (cancer in the colon or rectum) can affect younger people. Talk to your doctor if you see blood in your stool or notice changes in your bowel habits. Because younger people are less likely to have colorectal cancer, there’s often a delay in being diagnosed. If your symptoms don’t improve with initial treatment for another condition such as hemorrhoids, ask your doctor when you should be tested for cancer.

Also, if one of your parents or a brother or sister had colorectal cancer before age 50, you should get tested earlier, advises Azad.

Start getting screened 10 years before the age at which your family member was diagnosed.

“There’s no doubt that how you live the first half of your life not only impacts your current state, but it also affects how healthy you’ll be in the second half of your life.”

Erin Michos, Associate Director of Preventive Cardiology

Guerra-Mending Nuptial

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February 19, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Brain shrinkage Brain shrinkage sounds pretty scary, but it’s actually a normal part of aging. However, certain factors are linked to a faster decline in brain volume.

If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, are overweight or smoke, your brain could shrink more quickly than normal, which can affect your mental capacity, says Michos.

A study shows that making hearthealthy choices in your 20s may protect your brain from shrinking years down the road.

The study also found further evidence that taking care of your health can keep your mind intact. That research revealed that people with heart disease risk factors had more amyloid deposits in the brain, which are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

“There’s no doubt that how you live the first half of your life not only impacts your current state, but it also affects how healthy you’ll be in the second half of your life,” Michos says.

How can you reduce your risk?

Juggling school, career, marriage and parenting can make taking care of yourself an item that’s moved to the bottom of your to-do list. But it’s crucial you make time to do the things that will have a big impact on your health later in life.

“If you’re able to reach middle age with low cholesterol, ideal blood pressure, an optimal weight, not smoking and not diabetic, you’ll be less likely to ever develop these conditions we’re talking about,” Michos says.

“Whether you live free of chronic diseases after the age of 50 really depends on the actions you take now.”

Create a healthier future for yourself with these seven recommendations from the American Heart Association: • Keep your blood pressure in check.

• Control your cholesterol.

• Reduce your blood sugar.

• Increase your daily activity.

• Eat a healthy diet.

• Stay within a healthy weight.

• Quit smoking.

Michos also recommends using a food diary to track calories, a pedometer to measure your activity level and regular medical exams. She reminds us that caring for ourselves has a ripple effect. “When you take steps to shop for and cook healthier meals, and to fit in daily exercise, you influence your family and friends for the better, too.” MC

Sadly, retirement planning is not exactly something that the public sector does for its employees early on. In the private sector, the ones that likely promote retirement planning for their employees (and even set up retirement plans separate from the Social Security System and Pag-Ibig) are the larger Filipino corporations and the multinational companies.

I had several occasions to provide lectures on retirement planning for government servants but the participants are employees that are set to retire within a year or a few years.

That is already kind of late since they have very little time to prepare (e.g. establish sources of stable cash flow).

The few financial literacy and retirement planning that I conducted for private companies, the participants included both older and younger employees which is good since many were given the chance to prepare for retirement much earlier.

Generally, employees are unprepared for retirement since they only become conscious of it and take action when the event is about to happen. The ones that do not dread retirement took cognizance of its inevitability, planned for retirement, and implemented their plan well.

The following are a few points to have a smoother landing when you get separated from work, by your choice or otherwise: First, track your monthly (and annual) cash inflows and outflows. This will guide you to determine possibility for saving and forecast future income requirement when you retier from service.

Second, save as much as you can.

Simultaneously, you can also explore ways to generate additional income.

Third, study investment options and determine which you are comfortable with to provide steady cashflow.

Finally, execute your plan. The earlier this is done, the more confident you would be to retire. MC

On Retirement…

Market Driven

L

R

Danny Buenbrazo

danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

etirement is defined “as the action or fact of leaving one’s job and ceasing to work.” Searching for the equivalent of the term in Filipino, one of the local words that is equated with retirement is “pananahimik” or kind of being in a state of peace. If one goes to retirement and attains that state, that would be great!

Legally, a person becomes eligible to retire after he or she has rendered a minimum number of years in service or has reached a certain age or a combination thereof.

For age-based retirement, there are two types: optional and mandatory retirement. In the Philippine civil service, optional retirement means that a person who has reached the age of 60 may already opt to retire immediately or within the next few years. Mandatory retirement applies to persons that have reached the age of 65 and are obliged to leave public service unless they obtain a special permission to serve beyond that age from the competent government authority. Those in the uniformed service have the privilege of retiring earlier, with members of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines allowed to leave when they reach the age of 56.

In the private sector, there are varied rules on retirement eligibility but generally people retire when they reach the age of 60.

People nearing retirement age have different reactions to the prospect of leaving their jobs, some look forward to the separation while others dread the idea of ceasing to work. The difference in how people look at retirement could be best explained by certain factors such as economic status, family and other social obligations, and the existence or non-existence of post-employment plans.

Pope Francis Seeks ‘healthy...from P4 concerning temporary professed vows.

Pope Francis explained that with the changes he wanted to encourage “a more rapid effectiveness of the pastoral action of government on the part of the local authority.”

“I have considered it opportune to make changes to the norms hitherto in force concerning some specific matters, attributing the respective competencies,” Pope Francis wrote.

“These normative changes reflect even more the shared and plural universality of the Church, which includes differences without homogenizing them, with the guarantee, as far as unity is concerned, of the ministry of the Bishop of Rome,” he said.

Some of the 10 articles in the decree consist of only small changes in wording.

For example, Article 8 changes canon law so that the Vatican will only need to “confirm,” rather than “approve,” the publication of catechisms by a Catholic bishops’ conference.

Canon 775 §2 previously said: “If it seems useful, it is for the conference of bishops to take care that catechisms are issued for its territory, with the previous approval of the Apostolic See.” The law now states: “If it seems useful, it is for the conference of bishops to take care that catechisms are issued for its territory, subject to confirmation by the Apostolic See.” The change from the requirement for Vatican “confirmation,” rather than

approval, also applies to Article 1, on the creation of interdiocesan seminaries, and Article 2, on the Ratio (guidelines) of priestly formation.

Pope Francis signed the motu proprio on Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

This is the second motu proprio that Pope Francis has issued this week.

On Monday, the pope also decreed the reorganization of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith into a doctrinal section and a disciplinary section.

Pope Francis has published 49 motu proprios since his election in 2013.

Bishop Marco Mellino, the secretary of the Council of Cardinals and a member of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, told Vatican News that he saw Tuesday’s motu proprio as part of “the work of reform that Pope Francis has initiated since the beginning of his pontificate.”

“It responds to the spirit of ‘healthy decentralization’ indicated in the apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium, n. 32, aimed at favoring and enhancing the dynamics of proximity in the Church, without compromising hierarchical communion with this,” he said.

He added: “It is evident, in fact, that when the authority has a direct and closer knowledge of the persons and cases in point that require a pastoral action of government, this action, by virtue of its proximity, can be of more rapid efficacy.”

Courtney Mares/Catholic News Agency

14 more BIFF men surrender to...from P12 criminal cases in different courts in central Mindanao.

More than 200 members of the outlawed BIFF, operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, have surrendered in batches to units of the 6th ID in the past 12 months.

The 14 BIFF members renounced their membership with the group and pledged allegiance to the government after turning over their firearms to Vilchez and Col. Jovencio Gonzales of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade during Monday’s event at

the 34th IB headquarters in Barangay Salunayan here.

Uy said the 34th IB, the 602nd Brigade and the LGUs here and in Northern Kabuntalan shall cooperate in reintroducing them to mainstream society. John

Felix Unson

Moro families displaced by “rido”...from P12 Front enough time to resolve the rido between the two groups, both identified with the MILF. Barangay Sinditan residents who have relocated to safer areas for fear AFFIDAVIT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses JAIME MORIDO and FEMA FERNANDEZ, who died on December 3, 1990 and August 22, 2015, in Manila and Libungan, Cotabato, respectively, a parcel of land Lot 3, Psd12-010508, situated in Sinauigan (now Ulamian) Midsayap (now Libungan), Cotabato with an area of 3,154 sq. mts., more or less covered by TCT No. T-75678 is the subject of affidavit of self-adjudication by sole heir with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Roland D. Jungco as per Doc. No. 440; Page No. 89; Book No. 119; Series of 2021.

MC: Feb. 19, 26 & Mar. 5, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Magpet, North Cotabato OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2013 No . 1 Gu ide lines 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 July Tabaque Llera has filed with this office a petition for correction of entry in sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of July Tabaque Llera who was born on July 29, 1989 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Jerry R. Llera and Gloria U. Tabaque.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than March 7, 2022.

(Sgd.) CHONA M. PROVIDA, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Feb. 19 & 26, 2022

7

THE MINDANAO CROSS

February 19, 2022

of getting trapped in the crossfire are reluctant to return to their conflictstricken villages while there is no MILFbrokered truce yet between the rival groups. John Felix Unson

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses CANDIDA CAGATIN and VICENTE VALDEZ, who died on August 28, 1986 and March 22, 1987, respectively, a parcel of land Lot No. B-17.

(LRC) Psd-62511, situated in Poblacion, Upi, Cotabato (now Maguindanao), containing an area of 1,198 sq. mts., more or less covered by TCT No. T-23091 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public John Haye C. Deluvio as per Doc. No. 361; Page No. 73; Book No. XCII; Series of 2021.

MC: Feb. 19, 26 & Mar. 5, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Magpet, North Cotabato OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines 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 Ernie Montaño Franco has filed with this office a petition for correction of entry in sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Ernie Montaño Franco who was born on March 15, 1984 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Enrique T. Franco and Elizabeth L. Montaño.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file a written opposition with this office not later than February 28, 2022.

(Sgd.) CHONA M. PROVIDA, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Feb. 12 & 19, 2022

Moro youths fear a ‘Marawi siege...from P2

The Indo-Pacific Region is composed of Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, United States, and Vietnam.

‘Traumatic Experience’ Hamid said Moro students here have gone through traumatic experience from the bloody Marawi siege stirred by youthful adventurism in the advent of ISIS-influenced terrorism.

Of these countries, the students top-rated Australia in terms of being “unacceptable,” citing international vessels bound for (or coming from that country) that are allegedly polluting the South Sulu Sea with nonbiodegradable garbage dumped overboard.

Long-time Allies The Philippines is the oldest U.S. ally in the region marked by cooperation in times of war and peace and with sustainable aid programs that spans in over a century of friendship.

Only last February 10, the U.S. turned over a newly constructed assault boat pier and maintenance bay facility worth $ 5 million in Ternate, Cavite, to the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) as part of a small-scale construction Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant.

‘Fast-Paced Development’ Incidentally, local observers have noted a fast-pace development of infrastructure facilities in Panglima Sugala town in TawiTawi, during the last 10 years, evolving into what appears an ideal open port and anchorage for navy ships. The town is known

Appeal “We would like to appeal that these proposed military (activities) be not (held) and in any place in BARMM or anywhere nearby. I, somehow, understand and respect the idea of our government entering into pacts with other states purposely to strengthen and upgrade our military and defense forces.

However, our history shows that these visiting forces agreement implemented before had more of disadvantages than advantages,” Hamid said.

Hamid said her fellow Moro students will raise the same concern in proper forums to articulate on social issues like the proliferation of prostitution often seen as consequential ill-effect of hosting foreign military forces.

War-Mongers Worse off, she said, hosting military activities were feared in that it might provide local war-mongers the “opportunity to stimulate unpopular sentiments and stir an unwarranted situation of a ‘jihad’.”

“We know that the government also does not want that to happen, I mean the rise of some terrorist groups, God-Forbid, particularly, west of Mindanao. On the other hand, such a situation could hinder much of BARMM’s efforts under a peaceful atmosphere in serving the Bangsamoro people, in and outside the region, and in reintegrating former combatants. Nash B.

Maulana

2 more NPAs yield to...from P12

also pledged allegiance to the government.

In a statement, the 5th SF Battalion said the two erstwhile guerillas belonged to the NPA’s self-styled Guerilla Front 73-Far South Mindanao Region, whose leaders are wanted for heinous offenses.

More than a hundred NPAs have surrendered in batches to 6th ID’s different units in central

NoCot rubber farmers...from P12 Balanag said each rubber tree can produced 1.6 kilogram of rubber cup lumps but it will lowered to at least 0.8 grams in a 15-day harvest as effect of the wintering season.

Processed rubber cup lumps from North Cotabato are shipped to international market such as in China and Malaysia, as finished products such as tires, Balanag said.

Balanag said rubber planters can recover losses

for its cove coastal sea made anchorage in the past for Philippine Navy ships.

Tawi-Tawi is part of the five-province and three-city BARMM. The other provinces of the region are: Basilan, Lanao Sur, Maguindanao, and Sulu.

after the three month natural phenomenon is over starting April.

Ben Sotito, corporate auditor of North Cotabato Palm Oil Corporation, has advised rubber planters in the province to maintain the quality of their cup lumps so that it could compete in the world market.

Sotito served as assistant manager of Sim Darby International Rubber Industries based in Malaysia. Williamor

Magbanua

Notice for Auction

Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV in Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak announce the Auction Sale of all unredeemed pledges contracted February 1-27, 2021 at 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main 4J Bldg. Corner Jose Lim Sr., and Don Roman Vilo St. Cotabato City. Auction sale will be on February 23, 2022.

Patalastas ng Subasta Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de OroPawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV sa Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla.

Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Pebrero 1-27, 2021 sa alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:00 ng hapon sa Agencia de Oro - Jose Lim Branch, corner Jose Lim Sr, and Don Roman Vilo St., Cotabato City sa Pebrero 23, 2022.

MC:Jan 12 & 19, 2022

Mindanao in the past 12 months. John Felix Unson EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late KASID SAGAN SANGGUYOD who died intestate on September 21, 2021 in Cotabato City, left a parcel of land Lot 4, Block 7 of subdivision plan LRCO 122761, situated in Bo. Kakar, Cotabato City, containing an area of 526 square meters, more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of real property with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Sandy Balucan Sendad as per Doc. No. 412; Page No. 41; Book No. II; Series of 2022.

Republic of the Philippines Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parang, Maguindanao OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Ma. Cecilia AbuevaSadia has file with this office a petition for change of first name from Charlo to Ma. Cecilia in the birth certificate of Charlo Santander Abueva who was born on October 3, 1971 at Parang, Cotabato and whose parents are Manuel Cabusog Abueva and Isabel Torilla Santander.

Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than March 2, 2022.

(Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Feb. 12, 19 & 26, 2022

MC: Feb. 19 & 26, 2022

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP MAIN CONLUCK DON RUFINO BRANCH & CONLUCK PAWNSHOP BRANCH 4 ng Cotabato City ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Eero 2021 hanggang Pebrero 2021. Ang Subasta ay sa Pebrero 28, 2022 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Feb. 19 & 26, 2022

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

corner Bonifacio and Don Rufino Alonzo Sts., Cotabato City

Ang Sultan Pawnshop ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Hulyo 2021. Ang subasta ay sa Marso 01, 2022 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng mga umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Feb 19 & 26, 2022

RANEN PAWNSHOP MAIN, BRANCH I, II & III Don Rufino Alonzo & Don Tomas Martinez Sts, Cot. City

Notice for Auction

All unredeemed articles pledged on July 2021 will be auctioned on March 1, 2022 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before March 1, 2022 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta Lahat ng sangla noong Hulyo 2021 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Marso 1, 2022 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Marso 1, 2022 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

MC: Feb 19 & 26, 2022

8

February 19, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Province of Maguindanao MUNICIPALITY OF UPI email add: sb_upi@yahoo.com Office of the Sangguniang Bayan

EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE FORTY FOURTH (44TH) REGULAR SESSION OF THE 17TH SANGGUNIANG BAYAN OF UPI, MAGUINDANAO HELD AT THE SB SESSION HALL ON DECEMBER 15, 2021 AT 9:30 A.M. Present:

Hon. Wilfredo T. Ibañez Hon. Geraldine G. Bacas Hon. Alex A. Peñaloza, Sr. Hon. Saidie O. Lidasan Hon. Janito M. Rabelo, Sr. Hon. Maria Elena II T. Castro Hon. Rodolyn P. Andres

Presiding Officer PO Pro Temporé SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member

EXPLANATORY NOTE WHEREAS, the paramount concern of the present society is to effect social, economic and political reforms through discipline and order;

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Local Government to effectively implement the Ecological Solid Waste Management Program; WHEREAS, there is a need to practice waste segregation to facilitate reuse and recycling, and reduce the cost of collection and disposal of garbage; WHEREFORE, on motion of Hon. Maria Elena II T. Castro, Chairman of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, duly seconded by the majority, it was; RESOLVED as it is hereby RESOLVED to enact and promulgate the following ordinance.

ORDINANCE NO. 2007-003 “A COMPREHENSIVE ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF UPI “.

(Updated December 2021) ARTICLE 1 Title Section 1. Title. This shall be known as the Comprehensive Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of the Municipality of Upi.

SM Member SB Member (LnB President) SB Member (IP Mandatory Rep.) SB Member (SK Fed. President)

Hon. Datu Michael C. Sinsuat I

SB Member

streets, public places, and open spaces; d.

WHEREAS, to attain these reforms, we need to have a healthy citizenry and provide special protection for them s well as to visitors; WHEREAS, to make these objectives realistic, it should be the duty of every citizen and resident of this municipality to keep the environment or surrounding clean and wholesome;

Absent:

Hon. Neil Christopher Platon Hon. Ariel M. Layson Hon. Jay V. Olubalang Hon. Arbe A. Olvido

Section 7. Technical Terms. The technical terms used in this ordinance are defined as follows: Compost refers to decayed organic materials for use as soil conditioner of fertilizer.

2.

Composting refers to biological degradation under controlled condition; the process of making degradable such as food waste, garden waste, human waste into compost by mixing them with soil, domestic COVID waste materials, water, biological additives/ activators (optional) and air.

3.

Clinics refer to facility for diagnosis and treatment of usually walk-in or outpatients, includes among others veterinary, dentist and other related services.

c.

Non-Recyclable any waste materials that have no other use anymore and considered as residual waste which shall be collected and dump at the prescribed disposal facility.

4.

Department/Grocery Stores refers to store selling wide variety of goods and products.

d.

5.

Domestic COVID-19 Health Care Wastes refers to infectious, hazardous, and/or contaminated healthcare wastes including, but not limited to, used face masks, cottons, tissue papers, and other similar items, generated at the households.

Special Waste any waste materials that are toxic and hazardous such as busted lamps/bulbs, batteries, chemical containers, used syringes, pathological wastes, COVID waste materials, etc.

6.

Domestic Waste refers to the refuse from households as distinguished from industrial waste, agricultural waste, hospital waste, etc., which may be classified as biodegradable(compostable) or non-biodegradable (noncompostable).

8.

a. b. c.

Factories/Plants refer to establishments for manufacturing and production such as canneries and other related establishments.

9.

Factory Refumables/Recyclables refer to all nonbiodegradable, non-compostable such as tin cans/metals; bottles/glass including broken pieces; plastic Styrofoam, rubber, dry paper, dry cardboard, dry cloth, fibers, leather, hard shells, hard bones, etc. which are segregated in separate containers or place in one sack (cans, bottles, containers already rinsed) and are sold/given away to collectors.

e. f. g. h.

ARTICLE 3 Authority and Purpose/Goals Section 3. Authority. This ordinance is enacted to supplement the provisions of existing laws and ordinances related to solid waste management (SWM).

Section 4. Purpose. This ordinance is enacted for the following purpose: General: a)

b)

To guide, control and regulate the generation at source, storage, collection, transportation and disposal of solid wastes within the locality and promote an orderly and sanitary system for the same.

To enhance the rehabilitation of the locality through the necessary control and mitigation of negative environmental impacts attributed by solid wastes.

Specific: a)

To minimize generation of solid waste and maximize possible resource recovery/recycling and utilization by: • Maximizing the use and consumption of goods; • Encouraging the recovery of possible recyclables from solid waste in every backyard through composting and biogas production process; • Encouraging the recycling and resource recovery of solid wastes in every backyard through composting and biogas production; • Providing assistance and cooperation in the recycling of solid wastes.

Section 5. The primary goal of this ordinance is to help enhance ecological balance in the community through sustainable ecological solid waste management.

Section 6. Objectives. The objectives of this ordinance are the following: a.

To ensure round the clock cleanliness through orderly waste management;

b.

To cease and desist from utilization of open garbage dumps which serve as breeding places of disease-causing organisms, foul odors, harmful fumes, “greenhouse gases” contributing to global warming and thinning of the ozone layer. The same also generate “ leachate” which pollutes soil and water resources and create unhealthy scavenging activities in the vicinity;

c.

To eradicate , uncovered and overflowing waste receptacles in

Recyclables refer to i. metals such as tincans, aluminum cans, iron, copper, etc.; ii. glass/bottles including broken pieces; iii. plastics such as polyethylene (bags), propylene (straws, jute sacks), polyurethane (foam mattresses), polystyrene(Styrofoam), polyvinyl (tubes, pipes, linoleum); iv. polyacetate such as fibers, cloth, rayon, etc.; v. rubber natural and synthetic such as cloth, twine, etc.; vi. dry leathers such as skin, feathers, etc.; vii. hard shells and bones.

1.

Section 2. This ordinance shall apply to:

d.

b.

ARTICLE 4 Definition of Terms

Eateries/Carenderias refer to small eating places that serve light meals usually without so much amenities (no air conditioner) accommodate fewer people.

All individuals in the Municipality of Upi; Residential houses; Commercial establishments such as markets, sari-sari stores, eateries, grocery stores, department stores, lodge and boarding houses and other commercial establishments; Institutions like hospitals, clinics, health centers, schools, mosques, churches, banks, public and private offices; Industrial establishment like factories, plants, slaughterhouses, livestock facilities, mills and dryers; Transportation facilities such as buses, jeepneys, tricycle, trisikads, hauler trucks and other mode of transportation; Parks, open spaces and thoroughfares; Agricultural areas.

Compostable/biodegradable refers to: i. food/kitchen waste such as peelings, leftovers vegetables trims, fish/fowl/meat animal entrails/innards/cleanings, soft shells, seeds. ii. garden/agricultural wastes such as leaves/flowers, twigs, branches, stems, roots, trimmings, weeds, seeds/edible fruits, etc. iii. human/animal wastes such as excreta, manure/urine, carcasses, etc.

To maximize pollution arising from harmful gases, smoke, particulates produced by needless burning/dumping; polluted run-offs into water sources/supply and hazardous substances.

7.

ARTICLE 2 Coverage

a.

10. Feed Materials refer to all food waste peelings, vegetable trims, fish entrails, fowl innards, spoiled fruits, leftovers, egg shells, rice/ fish/meat washing, etc. that should be collected and kept in covered containers as hog/chicken/duck/pets/fish feeds.

11. Fermentable refers to fruit peelings, spoiled or over-ripe fruits juices e.g. buko juice, etc., are made into vinegar, wine or “nata-de-pina”.

12. Fertilizer Materials refer to all compostable or biodegradable such as garden waste (leaves, twigs, and weeds), animal waste (manure, carcasses), human waste (feces, urine, blood, and all excreta), soiled wipes such as tissue papers, pads, diapers (removed plastic portions) are made into compost for organic gardening.

13. Fine crafts refer to many of the non-biodegradables could be used as materials for handicrafts, cottage industries, art works, toys and other livelihood projects such as paper Mache, paper basketry, tin craft, plastic twine or rope braids, feather crafts, wooden crafts, etc. Styrofoam melted in small amount of gasoline solvents provides cheap glue of “binder” for many of the projects.

14. Hospital refers to an institution where the sick and injured are given medical cure which includes both private and public.

22. Solid Waste Management refers to the purposeful, systematic control of the generation, storage, collection, transport, separation, processing, recycling, recovery, and final disposal of solid waste.

23. Sorting at Source refers to the segregation or separation of waste at the point of generation or at the very place where they are produced into biodegradable and non-biodegradable.

ARTICLE 5 Solid Waste Management System Section 8. Establishment of Sanitary Landfill Section 8.1. Legal Basis a. R.A 9003. Pursuant of the provisions of Section 5 of RA No. 9003 otherwise known as the “Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2003 “ provides that LGUs are required to maintain a sanitary landfill. b. Environmental Compliance Certificate. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have issued a certification that the Municipality have passed the final validation/ inspection for the site of Sanitary Landfill containing an area of 52,000 sq. m more or less located at Barangay Kibleg, Upi, Maguindanao.

Section 8.2. Scope and Coverage This covers the proposed construction and development of Sanitary Landfill Facility (SLF) within 5.2890 hectares located in Barangay Kibleg, Upi, Maguindanao that will accommodated a total segregated residual waste of three hundred Fifty (350) tons per year.

Section 8.3. General Conditions Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan The LGU - Upi shall strictly implement the following guidelines and requirements: 1.

The implementation of the solid waste management shall be in accordance with Republic Act No. 9003 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. No toxic, hazardous, hospital and industrial waste shall be allowed to be disposed of in the Sanitary Landfill Facility.

2.

That any use of chemicals shall be properly controlled and regulated pursuant to the provisions of RA 6969, otherwise known as “Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Act of 1990”.

3.

That Wastewater Discharge shall be secured from this Office prior to operation of the SLF Facility pursuant to RA 9275.

4.

That a 3”x4” Billboard Containing This Message “Notice to the Public. This Construction and Development of Sanitary Landfill Facility of Upi, Maguindanao was issued an Environmental Compliance Certificate with Ref. Code No. ECCARMM 20192013-09-120 by the DENR-ARMM on February 13, 2019”.

This message must be installed at the entrance of the project to inform the public within thirty (30) days from receipt of this Certificate. Picture verification of compliance to the posting of notice shall be submitted to EMB, this Office, within ninety (90) days from receipt of this ECC.

15. Individual refers to any person who is within the vicinity of the Municipality that includes both residents and transients.

16. Livestocks are domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce labor and commodities such as meat, eggs, fur, leather and wool. It includes poultries, large cattles, piggeries, and other related activities.

17. Mills/Dryers refer to facilities handling agricultural products such as rice, corn, and other related farm produce for milling.

18. Open Dumpsites refer to any area or space (public or private) utilized as dumping ground of unsegregated waste.

19. Recycling refers to the reuse, retrieval, recommission of element/matter for any and all purposes necessary to healthful and productive living; the process by which waste materials are transformed into new products in such a manner that the original product may lose their identity.

20. Resource Recovery refer to the extraction of material or energy from wastes.

21. Solid Waste refers to any discarded materials thrown away such as garbage, rubbish, trash, litters, junk and refuse from any source (homes, businesses, farms, industries, or institutions).

These are discarded materials with insufficient liquid content to flow. Examples are those non-liquid wastes resulting from the domestic, commercial, agricultural and industrial activities which can be divided into four categories/kinds;

Section 8.4. Specific Conditions: Further administrative conditions shall be strictly complied with.

5.

That approved plans and specifications of submitted drainage system and Leachate Treatment Facility for the effluents shall be strictly observed and implemented. All liquid wastes shall be properly treated and shall not exceed the DENR Effluent Standards;

6.

That establishment of green buffer zone and planting of appropriate tree species within and along the periphery of the project shall be undertaken to help attenuate noise levels, abate

2

9

THE MINDANAO CROSS

February 19, 2022 ORDINANCE NO. 2007-003 heat and absorb some pollutant emissions; 7.

That peripheral canals or ditches shall be constructed around the site to divert run-off;

8.

That fence shall be constructed around the sanitary landfill facility to prevent unauthorized entry of waste pickers and stray animals.

9.

The base of the landfill call per properly provided with clay liner of at least 60 centimeters thick or synthetic lines with at least 1.5 mm thick High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) membrane cover at least 60 cm thickness of compacted clay materials;

10. That a leachate collection and treatment system with installed pipes at the low areas of the liner shall be provided to collect the leachate for storage, treatment and discharge; 11. That exposed residual wastes at the landfill cell should be covered with soil of at least six (6) inches thick at the end of each working days to prevent emission of foul odor or methane gas. Sufficient soil cover materials shall be readily available in the stock place area of the facility for ready use.

12. That monitoring wells shall be constructed and maintained within the project site and identified impact areas which shall include the following; a) b)

A semi-annual groundwater qualify sampling shall be conducted and the results of the same shall be submitted to this Office; and Cisterns/holding tanks shall be installed to minimize the extraction of groundwater for domestic purposes.

13. That the proponent shall orient workers in the facility to observe proper health and sanitation practices and that annual medical check-up shall be done to monitor their health conditions;

Report to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) or other concerned office such the Office of the Barangay Chairperson, the PNP or the Office of the Municipal Mayor for any uncollected solid waste in the vicinity;

h)

Maintain and keep clean the thoroughfares (frontage of the house to the street gutter) and grounds fronting their residences;

Section 14. Collection and Transportation

i)

Avoid indiscriminate burning, littering, dumping and throwing of solid waste in public places including canals, streets, vacant lots, rivers, creeks, etc.

The LGU including the barangays, private owners and operators of collection vehicles for solid waste collection shall undertake the following system:

a. b. c. d. e. f.

Monitoring requirements as defined under the EMP Monitor actual project impact vis-à-vis predicted impacts and management measures in the EMP; Make recommendations for the revision of the EMP if necessary; Ensure that post-assessment permits are in place; Ensure and monitoring and reporting are undertaken; and Ensure compliance of all conditions and restriction of the approved ECC.

16. That the Environment Management Plan (EMP) incorporated in the IEE Report shall be strictly observed and implemented by the proponent to address all possible negative impacts perceived during the conduct of environmental impact assessment.

17. The DENR-ARMM reserves the right to cancel or withdraw this Certificate for misrepresentation of facts vital to the insurance of this ECC and for any violation of the conditions stipulated hereof.

18. That On-the-spot monitoring and inspection of the project can be initiated by the EMB, DENR-ARMM anytime without prior notice to ensure compliance of the proponent.

19. That in case of abandonment, the proponent shall notify the DENR-ARMM Regional Office within three (3) months prior to the abandonment and submit its abandonment mitigation plan.

20. That the proponent shall submit quarterly Self-Monitoring Report (SMR) to the EMB, DERN-ARMM using the standard format.

Section 8.5. Restrictions 21. That no other activities shall be undertaken other than what are stipulated in the IEE Report. Should there be expansion of the approved areas beyond the project description, construction of other structures beyond those stated in the IEE Report or any change in the activity shall be subject to a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirement; 22. This Certificate shall be automatically revoked if the project will not be implemented within five (5) years from the date of its issuance or if the project is suspended of stopped for a period of more than two (2) years such that significant changes in land and resource use have accrued in the project areas and immediate vicinities; 23. That relevant permits from other concerned agencies must be secured first prior to project implementation; and 24. That in case of transfer of ownership of this project, the same conditions and restrictions shall apply. The transferee shall be required to notify this office within fifteen (15) days from the date of such transfer.

a)

Use baskets such as those made from nito, bamboo or rattan or other reusable bags during marketing and avoid use of sando bags and other disposable cellophane-based materials;

b)

Maximize purchase of products packaged in biodegradable, reusable or recyclable packaging materials and maximize avoidance of using disposable materials/products to reduce volume of waste generated;

c)

Segregate properly their generated solid waste into 4 types: (1) compostable; (2) recyclable; (3) non-recyclable; and (4) special waste, by using separate and properly labeled receptacles/containers with cover for sanitary and efficient handling. Unsegregated solid waste shall not be collected by the appropriate agency/ies;

d)

Reuse materials that are reusable or recyclable such as cans, bottles, plastics, papers, cartons, etc. or recycle these materials into other products or sell to junk dealers/buyers;

e)

Put-up backyard composting facility such as drums, tires, or other composting methods for compostable waste materials;

f)

Bring out segregated solid waste in front of the gate or door or along the route of collection vehicle or cart during collection period or when the collection truck has already arrived. The specific collection scheduled shall be determined and properly disseminated by the concerned agency;

Toxic and hazardous wastes such as empty chemical containers shall not be thrown or dumped anywhere but must be kept in sealed containers (e.g. drums) or containment facility (e.g. septic tank/vault.)

a)

Unsegregated solid wastes shall not be collected.

All commercial, market and industrial establishments shall undertake the following solid waste management system.

b)

Segregated solid wastes shall be collected separately and must not be mixed in one collection vehicle unless the vehicle has separate compartments for segregated solid wastes.

c)

Establish properly disseminated collection schedule for various segregated solid wastes.

d)

If collection vehicle is a dump truck, cover shall be provided during transit to the processing center or disposal facility to avoid scattering and spilling of solid waste.

e)

Collection drivers and crew members shall be properly trained on the collection system and must be provided with personal protective equipment such as overalls, gloves, boots and masks.

a)

Minimize volume of waste;

b)

Maximize purchase of products that are packaged in biodegradable, reusable or recyclable packaging materials and avoid using disposable materials/products to reduce volume of waste generated;

c)

Segregate properly their generated solid waste into four (4) types 1) compostable; (2) recyclable; (3) non-recyclable; and (4) special waste, by using separate and properly labeled receptacles/containers with cover for sanitary and efficient handling. Unsegregated solid waste shall not be collected by the appropriate agency/ies;

d)

If area is available, put-up backyard composting for composting for compostable waste materials;

e)

Bring out segregated solid waste in front of the gate or door or along the route of collection vehicle or cart during collection period or when the collection truck has already arrived. The specific collection schedule shall be determined and properly disseminated by the concerned agency;

f)

Report to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) or other concerned office such the Office of the Barangay Chairperson, the PNP or the Office of the Municipal Mayor for any uncollected solid waste in the vicinity;

g)

Maintain and keep clean the fronting sidewalks, canals and immediate grounds/areas of the establishment;

h)

Avoid indiscriminate burning, littering, and dumping/throwing of solid waste in public places including canals, streets, vacant lots, rivers, creeks, etc.;

i)

Industrial toxic and hazardous waste shall be disposed of in accordance to the provisions of RA 6969 by the concerned industries.

Section 15. Materials Recovery Facility a)

There shall be establishment of Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in every barangay as required by RA 9003 for temporary storage of recyclables and composting of compostable materials.

The area and size of the MRF shall depend on the volume of recyclables and compostables to be collected by the barangay.

b)

The barangay shall allocate specific budget for the establishment of MRF in their barangay.

c)

The barangay shall operate the MRF in partnership with nongovernment organization, people’s organizations, or the private sector.

d)

The Municipal Government shall establish its own MRF to complement the barangays that can not afford to put up its own MRF.

Section 16. Disposal The LGU shall prohibit the use of open dumpsite and establish controlled dumpsite as its disposal facility. The operation of the controlled dumpsite shall be in the following manner: a)

Establish an appropriate permanent site as controlled dumpsite

Section 11. Institutions (Schools, Offices, Churches, Hospitals, etc)

b)

Provide a well-maintained all-weather access roads.

All institution shall undertake the following solid waste management system:

c)

Ensure security fencing of the facility for environmental reasons as well as elimination of access of human and animal scavengers.

a)

To reduce volume of solid waste generation, minimize the use and purchase of disposable materials and patronize products that are packaged in reusable /recycles/materials;

d)

Keep basic records of waste received daily and other related incidents.

b)

Segregate properly their generated solid waste containers with cover for sanitary and efficient handling. Unsegregated solid wastes shall not be collected by both appropriate agency and organization;

e)

Cover daily all solid wastes with inert materials or soil at least 6 inches in thickness. This shall apply at the end of working day.

f)

Provide aerobic and anaerobic decomposition to control odor.

g)

Provide septic vault for the disposal of special and residual waste.

h)

Provide at least 0.60 meters final soil cover at closure, and postclosure maintenance of cover, drainage and vegetation.

c)

Reuse materials that are reusable or recyclable such as cans, bottles, plastics, papers, cartoons, etc., or recycle these materials into other products or sell to junk dealers/buyers;

d)

If area is available, put-up backyard composting for compostable waste materials;

e)

Bring out segregated solid waste in front of the gate or door or along the route of collection vehicle or cart during collection period or when the collection truck has already arrived. The specific collection schedule shall be determined and properly disseminated by the concerned agency;

f)

Report to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) or other concerned office such the Office of the Barangay Chairperson, the PNP or the Office of the Municipal Mayor for any uncollected solid waste in the vicinity;

Section 17. The collection pattern will start at Poblacion covering all Puroks, municipal streets and national highway, public market, business district, institution and offices and health related sources with established common collection points. Far-flung barangay will be covered.

Section 18. An Ordinance Adopting the Interim Guidelines on the Management of COVID-19 Related Health Care Waste in the Municipality of Upi, Province of Maguindanao A. Policy Content and Guidelines Section 18.1. On Generated Wastes

g)

Maintain and keep clean the fronting sidewalks, canals and immediate grounds/areas of the institution;

LGUs shall consider all COVID-19 related wastes as potentially infectious and contaminated health care wastes.

h)

Avoid indiscriminate burning, littering, dumping and throwing of solid waste in public places including canals, streets, vacant lots, rivers, creeks, etc.;

Section 18.2. On Segregation and Storage at Source

i)

Section 9. Household /Residential All residents shall undertake the following solid waste management system:

b)

Section 10. Commercial Establishments, Markets & Industries:

14. That the open dumping and burning of wastes anywhere is strictly prohibited.

15. The proponent shall employ or designate a Pollution control Officer (PCO) in accordance with DENR Administrative Order 2014-02, who shall handle the environmental aspects of the project, which shall have the following responsibilities;

but properly composted.

g)

Funeral, hospital, pharmaceutical, waste must be stored, collected, transported and disposed of in accordance with the guidelines, rules and regulations of the Department of Health (Refer to the Manual on Hospital Waste Management, PD 856 known as the Sanitation Code of the Philippines).

Section 12. Public Transportation Vehicle (PUV’s, etc.) & Facilities (Terminals, etc.)

All public transportation vehicles and facilities shall undertake the following solid waste management system: a)

Buses, jeepneys, tricycles, and trisikads must provide waste receptacles/containers for its passengers.

b)

Operators of transport terminals must provide separate receptacles for compostable, recyclable and non-recyclable materials placed strategically around the terminal premises conveniently accessible to passengers.

c)

Bring out segregable solid waste along the route of collection vehicle or cart during collection period or when the collection truck has already arrived. The specific collection schedule shall be determined and properly disseminated by the concerned agency.

d)

The driver/conductor/operator of the public transport vehicles must ensure that the passengers are properly informed to throw their solid waste into the receptacles.

Section 13. Agricultural Areas All farm owners or operators shall undertake the following solid waste management system: a)

Agricultural wastes such as rice straws, corncobs, animal manure and other biodegradable materials shall not be burned

1.

The Local Government of Upi shall strictly implement proper waste segregation at source, and shall ensure that COVID-19 related wastes are not mixed with other domestic solid wastes but are rather stored in yellow bags, container, bins properly labeled.

2.

The Municipality shall ensure that all Barangays within their jurisdiction shall enforce proper segregation at the household level so that COVID -19 related wastes are not mixed with biodegradables/compostable, recyclable and residual wastes.

3.

The Municipality shall make available proper storage bags and container bins following the national standard to store infectious wastes.

4.

The Barangays shall ensure that all households have container bags/bins which shall be used as storage for COVID-19 related wastes.

5.

The Barangays shall, as much as practicable, provide households with adequately labeled storage bags or bins where the same could temporarily store their COVID-19 related wastes.

6.

The BESW Team shall collect the COVID-related waste in every household in their barangay once a month. COVID-related waste shall be immediately stored in the septic vault.

7.

The Municipality and the Barangays shall strictly monitor and ensure that waste collection personnel abide to the following guidelines:

8.

The Municipality shall ensure that all waste collection personnel, whether LGU-managed or contracted, are oriented on the proper handling of COVID-19 related wastes, and the hazards associated with it.

9.

The Municipality shall ensure that all personnel directly engaged in the collection, transport, and storage, and treatment and disposal of COVID-19 related wastes must be and/or goggles, gloves, and

10

February 19, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

ORDINANCE NO. 2007-003 closed shoes/industrial boots, which shall be used at all times.

officials. Failure of the LCE and the Sanggunian Members to comply with this provision, as deemed necessary by existing facts and circumstances, shall be tantamount to violation of the provisions of these guidelines.

Section 18.3. Treatment and Disposal The LGU shall: 1.

2.

Ensure that COVID-19 related wastes are properly treated with available technologies (i.e. sterilization, thermal processing like pyrolysis and gasification, incineration, etc.) approved by DENR, DOH and other concerned regulatory agencies. The microbial laboratory test results shall be submitted to DOH and DENR for validation as prescribed. In case of contracted waste service providers, the LGU shall require the provider to give the LGU a copy of any document issued by the DOH or the DENR, either approving the technology used or a copy of the test results duly received by the DOH and DENR. Ensure that its waste disposal facilities, whether own facility or contracted, follow the guidelines provided hereunder. The LGU is encouraged to conduct regular inspection to strictly monitor its operations:

3.

Treated infectious and contaminated health care wastes and/or residues shall have a dedicated separate cell within the approved sanitary landfills where such shall be disposed of;

4.

Waste disposal personnel must be informed and aware of the classification of wastes being delivered to take precautionary measures, and to maintain a safe distance from, and avoid direct contact with the wastes;

5.

A manifest system shall be implemented to ensure that the collected infectious waste are properly recorded, treated and disposed;

6.

Collect the records generated in its designated disposal facilities for monitoring purposes.

2.

The DILG Regional Offices, through their legal departments, shall submit to the Legal and Legislative Liaison Service, copy furnished the offices of the Undersecretary for Local Government, the Undersecretary for operations and the Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs, all reports relative to monitored, and/or confirmed violations of local government units of any provisions of these guidelines.

Section 20. Functions of the Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Board (MESWMB).

The Local Government Unit of Upi shall secure the compliance of their waste service providers to the following:

2.

Periodically assess and monitor the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management in the Municipality of Upi.

•

Development and formulation of own occupational health and safety (OHS) plan for the strict implementation and guidance of their personnel, consistent to the OHS Plan of the LGU;

3.

Monitor and evaluate range of compliance with respect to reduction and segregation at source, to include backyard composting per barangay.

Adherence to enhanced hygiene norms, including frequent change and cleaning and disinfection of PPEs (including, but not limited to, reusable coveralls, face masks and/or goggles, gloves and closed shoes/industrial boots);

4.

Review and refinement of procedures for SWM operations and enforcement.

5.

Review and refinement of incentives command and control system to reinforce the proper practice of solid waste management.

6.

Regularly meet at least quarterly to assess the implementation performance of the MESWM Office.

The fees shall be collected according to the following levels:

c.2. Municipal Level – the municipal SWM Board shall define the manner of collection of fees consistent with the accounting and auditing system of the local government.

The Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Board (MESWM) shall be composed of the following: Chairman: Municipal Mayor Vice Chairman: MENRO Members: Law Enforcement Agencies (PNP, AFP, BPAT) District Supervisors Head of Schools Women Sector CSOs Religious Organizations Barangay Chairmen

According to SW general type; Cost of management; Cost of construction; Type of technology.

c.1. Barangay Level - the Barangay may impose fees for collection and segregation of compostable and reusable wastes from households, commence, other sources of domestic waste, and for the use of Barangay MTFs. The computation of the fees is based upon the user fees established by the municipal SWM Board. The manner of collection of the fees shall dependent on the style of administration of respective Barangay Councils. However, all transactions shall follow the Commission on Audit rules on collection of fees.

Section 19. Composition of the Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Board (MESWMB).

Formulate policies for the implementation of ESWM for adoption of Sangguniang Bayan.

•

c.

ARTICLE 6 Creation of the Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Board

1.

Section 18.4. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

b.3. b.4. b.5. b.6.

c.3. Private Sector/civil society group – on the basis of the stipulation of contract or Memorandum of Agreement, the private sector or civil society group shall impose fees for collection and transport of segregated solid waste as established by the Municipal SWM board. Receipts and invoices shall be issued to the paying public or to the government. d)

Collection & Retention of Fines – the collection of fines under the penal provisions of the act and this ordinance shall be conducted by the Municipal SWM Board or any authorized body. The collection shall be given receipts. The Municipal SWM Board shall determine the retention & remittance rate.

e)

Special SWM Account – the Municipal SWM Board shall establish appropriate special accounts for the fines, fees, donations and other monies collected or generated under this ordinance.

ARTICLE 8 Education & Advocacy

Section 24. Integration of ESWM in School Curricula and Various Programs of Local and National Government a)

Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) shall be integrated in the elementary and high school curricula, and shall be a special program for the college (both public and private) through the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Non formal education.

b)

ESWM shall be integrated in the pre-marriage counseling and in seminar and training programs of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA) and other agencies.

c)

ESWM shall be integrated in the community outreach programs of the schools, civic Organizations, religious groups, NGOs, POs, GSP, BSP, Red Cross, and other relevant Organizations.

Free ESWM training shall form part of the requirements in procuring business license/permits to operate.

•

Ensuring the availability of disinfectants, and hand sanitizers in every collection vehicles;

•

Conduct of orientation to train workers on the proper usage, and maintenance of PPEs;

•

Conduct of trainings on OHS, including description of the hazards in the workplace, environmental and administrative controls, properties of PPEs, etc.;

Section 21. Financing

•

Observance of basic hygiene practices (i.e. wash hands with soap and water, avoid touching face, mouth, eyes, nose or open sores and cuts while handling infectious or special waste, etc.) of waste workers to reduce risks, and protect them from illness due to exposure to COVID-19 related wastes; and

a)

There shall be an allocation of specific budget for SWM from Annual Investment Plan of the local government:

d)

b)

There shall be creation of a Local Solid Waste Management Fund, also known as The FUND which shall be a special account in the local treasury and administered by the municipal ESWM Board.

c)

The MSWMB shall source out the fund from the following:

Section 25. Information Dissemination. There shall be information dissemination of ESWM through communications systems like broadcast media (TV, radio, films) and print (handouts, brochures, billboards, streamers, signboards, news features, strikers, t-shirts).

•

Make available handwashing stations in the garage and motorpool, nd waste treatment and disposal facilities to ensure hand hygiene practices.

ARTICLE 7 Financing, Incentives & Cost Recovery

c.1. Loans, grants, donation & contributions from local & foreign sources; c.2. Collection from garbage fee; c.3. Collection from fines & penalties; c.4. Sales from recyclable & reusable waste; c.5. 10% to be taken from 20% Local Development Fund; c.6. National Solid Waste Management Fund; c.7. Rentals from post-closed controlled dumpsite.

Section 18.5. Institutional Mechanism The Local Government of Upi shall: •

Establish a composite team in their Local Solid Waste Management Board that shall include, among others, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer of his/her designate, the Municipal Health Officer, a representative from the Sanggunian and the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay of the municipality or its equivalent position, to develop necessary programs, and to cause the implementation of the provisions of these guidelines;

•

Empower the Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management Committees (BESWMC) to support the strategies and measures of the municipality on proper management of COVID-19 related wastes.

•

Develop a COVID-19 waste management plan consistent with all existing and relevant guidelines, and shall strictly implement the same. The COVID -19 waste management plan shall be incorporated as an addendum and submitted as part of the updating of the LGU in its 10-year Solid Waste Management (SWM) Plan. Barangays, through their BESWMC, shall prepare their compliance plans to the measures as incorporated in the municipal COVID-19 waste management plans.

•

Together with their component barangays, allocate or realign a portion of their funds to adequately support the proper implementation of their COVID-19 waste management plan, and

•

Together with their component barangays, conduct orientations and other information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategies to all concerned stakeholders on proper management of COVID-19 related wastes.

•

Provide each barangay storage bins which shall serve as septic vaults, colored yellow (rubberized drums) which shall be properly in the MRF for safety. It shall be properly sealed and be taken-cared of by the BESW Team since it contains toxic waste materials.

Section 18.6. Reporting and Monitoring. The DILG Regional Offices shall facilitate the monitoring of LGUs compliance through the prescribed template. The DILG Regional Offices shall submit a consolidated report to the Bureau of Local Government Supervision (BLGS) every end of the quarter, to be submitted on the 10th day of the succeeding month.

Section 18.7. Dissemination. All DILG Regional Directors and the BARMM Minister of Local Government are herby directed to cause the widest dissemination of this Memorandum within their respective area of jurisdiction.

d)

1.

2.

3.

The Municipality shall exercise its power of supervision over barangays, and shall, through its Sanggunian, at the instance of the local chief executive, hear violations, misconduct, and/or dereliction of duty of barangay officials and impose sanctions as maybe allowed by existing laws against such erring barangay

The criteria for BLGU and private sector to avail fund shall be focused on the SWM plan of the proponent from which the project/activity was designed and approved by the MSW Board.

Only one project/activity shall be eligible for support.

Proponent may avail the SWM fund once in every 3 year but not the same project/activity.

Section 22. Incentives Incentives shall be provided to encourage BLGU and private sectors to participate in developing socially accepted, effective and efficient SWM program. The incentives shall include: a) Rewards - shall be provided to BLGUs, individuals, private organizations, NGOs, CSOs, that have undertaken outstanding innovative projects, technologies, processes and techniques or activities in the reduction, reuse, and recycling. The reward shall be appropriately sourced from the local ESWM Fund or other external sources.

Promote Solid Waste Management through plugging in all cinemas, radio and TV stations.

2.

Stickers, posters or signboards shall be placed in all public utilities, transportation (buses, jeepneys, taxis, tricycles, trisikads, skylab - single motorcycle for hire).

3.

Local Manufacturers shall place symbols or instructions on Solid Waste Management on all product labels and advertisements.

4.

Garbage trucks/compactor shall be equipped with public address system and make use jingles or music while collecting.

5.

Slogans, instruction and ordinances must be placed in strategic places (public markets, terminals and parks) through billboards, signboards and sound system as regular reminders.

6.

Primers, flyers and brochures shall be furnished to all households.

Section 26. Seminars and Trainings. There shall be scheduled seminars and trainings to be conducted to all sectors including government employees, teachers, students, commercial and industrial establishment, religious organizations, civil society organizations (NGO’s, PO’s) media sector, PNP, and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

b)

Grants - the BLGU SWM Committee and private sectors with SWM plans shall be eligible to receive project/activity grants.

Section 27. Upi Ecosavers Program. The Upi Ecosavers Program is an innovative recycling scheme conceptualized by one of the members of the Philippine Youth Leadership Program (PYLP). This program is implemented by PYLP in coordination with LGU of Upi and the different schools in order to promote a culture of discipline among the youth through ecological solid waste management. At the LGU level this program is being lodge in the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). In order to encourage greater participation among the youth and students, a points and incentives systems were highlighted and achievers were awarded with corresponding cash incentives and recognition such as Best Eco-Savers Student and Best Eco-Savers Class.

c)

Technical assistance - provide technical assistance to qualified prospective SWM project proponents.

ARTICLE 9 Enforcement Mechanics

d)

Knowledge and skill enhancement - the SWM board shall arrange cross study visits to areas in and outside the region in order to model SWM projects. The travel cost requirements shall be in consonance with existing rules and regulations.

Section 28. Enforcement Mechanics – the following shall be the enforcement mechanism to effectively implement this ordinance.

1.

2.

3.

The SWM board shall formulate standards of innovativeness, pro-activity, exemplary and outstanding SWM endeavors.

The ESWM Board shall determine the amount of the rewards.

There shall also be recognition of exemplary performance, criteria of which shall be determined likewise by the ESWM Board.

a)

There shall be recruitments, screening, and training of volunteers to be deputized as SWM enforcers. The volunteers shall be identified and endorsed by the MSWMB through a Board Resolution to the Local Chief Executive. The Mayor shall issue an appointment and issue identification cards to the volunteers who will be deputized.

b)

There shall be issuance of charge sheet or citation tickets to all violators who will be caught violating the provisions of this ordinance.

The SWM service fees shall be computed based on but not limited to the following minimum factors.

c)

There shall be provisions of incentives to the enforcers which the SWM Board shall determine accordingly.

b.1. Volume of waste; b.2. Distance covered in the transport;

d)

There shall be establishment of hotlines for coordination and monitoring.

Section 23. Cost Recovery a)

Section 18.8. Penalties. LGU officials who fail to comply with the provision of this Memorandum Circular may be penalized in accordance with existing laws and policies.

1.

Criteria for the availment of Local SWM Fund

1.

b)

The SWM Board shall impose user fees on the services provided by the LGU or its authorized organization or unit. It shall determine the amount of user fees only when it is based on a study and with proper consultation with various sectors. A supplemental ordinance shall be passed in support of this provision.

ORDINANCE NO. 2007-003 e) There shall be a conduct of contest/search to recognize best implementations of exemplary practices and initiatives of the SWM program. The Local Government through the MSWMB shall take the lead in the conduct of the contest/search. f)

The MSWMB or the appropriate agency shall conduct visits as the need arises to households, commercial and industrial establishments, schools, hospitals, offices, etc.

g)

The local government shall provide legal assistance to enforcers/volunteers when cases are filed against them for the reason of enforcing this ordinance.

ARTICLE 10 Cultural, Religious, and Gender Provisions

f.

Failure to properly dispose industrial, toxic and hazardous waste in accordance to the provisions of RA 6969.

1st Offense – ₱ 200.00 fine and seminar on ESWM or 1 hr. community service and seminar on ESWM

g.

Failure to properly dispose funeral, pharmaceutical, hospital waste in accordance with the guidelines, rules and regulations of the Department of Health, Hospital Waste Management and PD 856 known as the Sanitation Code of the Philippines.

2nd Offense – ₱ 1,000.00 fine and seminar on ESWM or 4 hours community service and a seminar on Solid Waste management

h.

Failure of buses, jeepneys, tricycles, and trisikads drivers and conductors to provide waste receptacles/ containers for its passengers.

i.

Failure of operators of transport terminal to provide separate receptacles for compostable, recyclable and non-recyclable materials placed strategically around the terminal premises conveniently accessible to passengers.

j.

Failure of the driver/conductor of the public transport vehicles to ensure that the passengers are properly informed to throw their solid waste into the receptacles.

k.

Burning of agricultural wastes such as rice straws, corncobs, animal manure and other biodegradable materials but should be properly composted.

l.

Failure to properly dispose toxic and hazardous wastes such as empty chemical containers.

Section 29. Cultural Provisions a)

SWM Facilities shall be situated far from mosque, churches, cemeteries and cultural landmarks.

b)

Collection shall not be done during prayer time/hour (12:00nn-1:00pm, 3:00pm – 3:30, and 6:00 PM - 7:00PM) and on special occasion.

Section 30. Religious Provisions a)

Religious leaders shall be encouraged to help in SWM advocacy.

b)

SWM shall be integrated in religious practices/advocacy.

Section 31. Gender Provisions a)

Women shall be given priority for recycling and related livelihood programs.

b)

Women shall also be prioritized for SWM employment opportunities (e.g. street sweeping, enforcers).

ARTICLE 11 Punishable Acts

Section 32. Punishable Acts. The following shall constitute acts punishable according to this Ordinance: a.

b.

Non segregation of solid waste according to compostable. recyclable, non-recyclable and special wastes with the use of properly labeled receptacle/container.

Failure for residential to put-up backyard composting facilities such as drums, tires, or other composting methods for compostable waste materials.

c.

Bringing out of segregated solid waste in front of the gate or door or along the route of collection vehicle when the collection truck has not yet arrived.

d.

Failure to maintain and keep clean the (frontage of the house to the street gutter), sidewalks canals, and grounds fronting their residences and business establishment.

e.

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February 19, 2022

Indiscriminate burning, littering, and dumping/throwing of solid waste in public places including canals, streets, vacant lots, rivers, creeks, etc.

ARTICLE 11 Fines and Penalties Section 33. Any act done in violation of this ordinance shall subject the offender(s) to the following penalties:

1. For the individuals, vendors, rolling store, markets stalls, sari-sari stores, flowers shops, mosques, churches and residential houses; trisikads, tricycles, and the like 2. For eateries/carenderias, barbers/massage shops, dress/tailoring shops, shoe shops, parlor/ beauty shops, bake shops, boutique, coffee shops, schools, farmers: PU jeepneys, private vehicles and the like 3. For banks, offices (either public or private) printing shops, bookstores, drugstores/ pharmacies, pawnshops, lending institution; PU buses, and the like.

4. For recreational centers, entertainment spots, transport terminal/garage (private or public), clinics, inns/pension houses, hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, machines shops, warehouses, mills/dryers, appliance centers, hardware, haulers and vans and the like 5. For resorts (beach, spring, or mountain), hotels, (either public or private) airport, hotels, laboratories and the like.

6. For local government, barangays, solid waste collectors (public and private) factories/ plants, livestock, slaughterhouses, department stores/ malls, hospitals (public or private) funeral parlors, hotels and the like.

Cotabato City begins jabs for 5-11 years old...from P1 city health office statement added.

He said there’s no problem in the 1217 years old category and the parents and guardians have not complained anything negative about the vaccination.

“Hopefully, the same will happen for the inoculation of 5-11 age group,” he said in the vernacular.

Patadon said the city has 47 various

vaccination sites across the city. Aside from major hubs and micro-sites in malls, the city health services office also deployed “bakunadors” in the barangays halls.

Even outside the prescribed dates, parents or guardians can bring their children to vaccination centers provide they bring with them children's original/ photocopy of birth certificate and the

Subsequent violations - ₱2,500.00 fine and seminar on ESWM or 1 day community service fine and seminar on ESWM and revocation of business permit for establishment.

Or by imprisonment of not less than one (1) day nor more than one (1) year, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court without prejudice to the imposition of a higher penalty under any other law or decree such as indicated in Section 3 of Part V Rule 18 of the IRR of RA 9003 which also states “if offense is committed by a corporation, partnership or other judicial entity duly organized in accordance with law, the chief executive officer, president, general manager, managing partner or such other officer-in-charge shall be liable for the commission of the offense penalized under this Ordinance. Failure to comply with the herein provisions shall result to the cancellation of business permits.

ARTICLE 12 Final provisions Section 34. Repealing Clause. All provisions of the municipal ordinance, orders or regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby amended, modified and repealed accordingly.

Section 35. Effectivity Clause. This ordinance shall take effect 15 days after publication of three (3) consecutive issues on a newspapers of general circulation and shall be remain in force until it shall revoked.

Enacted by the Sangguniang Bayan of Upi, Province of Maguindanao in its 44th Regular Session held at the SB Session Hall on December 15, 2021.

I HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the afore-stated ordinance.

WILFREDO T. IBAÑEZ

Presiding Officer

ATTESTED:

MERCEDES A. SUENAN Administrative Officer V APPROVED:

MC: Feb 12, 19 & 26, 2022

parents' or guardians' ID. Parents with their children may go to the City Health Office or other vaccination hubs during weekdays from 8am to 3pm.

“Together, let us keep everyone safe and recover as one,” Dr. Patadon said of the Office on Health Services slogan.

Also on Valentine’s Day, the Department of Health DOH-12) launched

RAMON A. PIANG, SR. Municipal Mayor

the RESBAKUNA Kids at the Pigcawayan Municipal Gymnasium.

Dr. Helario Tenorio, Pigcawayan municipal health officer, in “spiderman” attire led the vaccination of more than 100 children under 5-11 category.

“We made it like a children’s party so our kids will be encouraged to get the jabs,” Dr. Tenorio said.

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

Ang Feroce Pawnshop & Money Changer Inc.- Main, Duterte, Davao City, at Branches I, II, III, IV, V, VI sa Cotabato City, Branch VII sa Parang, Maguindanao, Pigcawayan Branch, Midsayap Branch, Pikit Branch at Kabacan Branch sa North Cotabato, ay magkakaroon ng “Subasta Sale” sa darating na Marso 31, 2022 sa ganap alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:30 ng hapon para sa mga hindi natubos na sangla sa buwan ng Oktubre 2021.

Ang Feroce Pawnshop & Money Changer-Main at Branches I, II, S.K. Pendatun, Sinsuat Avenue, sa Cotabato City, Branch III sa Midsayap, Kidapawan Branch, Isulan Branch at San Pedro Branch sa Davao City ay magkakaroon ng “Subasta Sale” sa darating na Marso 31, 2022 sa ganap alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:30 ng hapon para sa mga hindi natubos na sangla sa buwan ng Oktubre 2021.

Ang G-ROCE Pawnshop sa Cotabato City at G-ROCE Pawnshop Damosa, Davao City, ay magkakaroon ng “Subasta Sale” sa darating na Marso 31, 2022 sa ganap alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:30 ng hapon para sa mga hindi natubos na sangla sa buwan ng Oktubre 2021.

Upang hindi maremate ang inyong mga alahas magbigay ng interest bago dumating ang araw ng subasta.

Upang hindi maremate ang inyong mga alahas magbigay ng interest bago dumating ang araw ng subasta.

“Sa Feroce Pawnshop na tayo kumpleto na ang serbisyo”

“Sa Feroce Pawnshop na tayo kumpleto na ang serbisyo”

MC: Feb. 19, 2022

MC: Feb. 19, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late FELISA BOSE BARRIOS and CONRADO BARRIOS, SR. who died on January 25, 2001 and August 13, 1982, respectively in Cotabato City, left a parcel of land situated at Brgy.

Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato, containing an area of 3.1410 hectares, more or less, covered by TCT No. T-39383 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with Special Power of Attorney before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 3224; Page No. 3224; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late JOHNSON S. GO, who died intestate on January 16, 2021 in Cotabato City, left 2 parcels of land covered

by TCT Nos. T-21251 and T-19452 with the total area of 547.67 sq. mts., more or less, both situated in Cotabato City and Cash deposit with RCBC in the amount of P167,437.55 as of Dec. 6, 2021 are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with Special Power of Attorney before Notary Public Eugenio U. Soyao as per Doc. No. 391; Page No. 79; Book No. 51; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late PATERNA L. SUANO who died on October 14, 2019 in Kidapawan City, left a parcel of land Lot No. 3113, Ts-268, situated at Bo. Poblacion, Mlang, Cotabato, containing an area of 657 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-114510 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with Special Power of Attorney before Notary Public Regerick L. Benito as per Doc. No. 141; Page No. 29; Book No. CXLVII; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the late MAXIMIANO R. GARCIA who died on October 13, 2013 in Midsayap, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 2186-B-10, Psd-043202, situated in Bo. Lower Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 300 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 124; Page No. 23; Book No. CCLXXIV; Series of 2022.

MC: Feb. 12, 19 & 26, 2022

MC: Feb. 5, 12, & 19 2022

MC: Feb. 12, 19 & 26, 2022

MC: Feb. 12, 19 & 26, 2022

Upang hindi maremate ang inyong mga alahas magbigay ng interest bago dumating ang araw ng subasta.

MC: Feb. 19, 2022 Republic of the Philippines Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parang, Maguindanao OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048/10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Zohra Marandang Yusoph has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Zohra Marandang Yusoph who was born on January 19, 1996 at Pacoma, Poblacion 2, Maguindanao and whose parents are Asgar Yusoph and Baimia B. Marandang.

Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than February 23, 2022.

(Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Feb. 12 & 19, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Upi, Maguindanao OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Section 5 of the R.A. No. 9048, notice is hereby served to the public that Mudjahidin M. Mama has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Mudjaludin to Mudjahidin in the certificate of live birth bearing registry No. 84-00482 of Mudjaludin Mustapha Mama duly registered at the office of the Local Civil Registrar of Upi, Maguindanao and whose parent are Manguda Mama and Bai Lidang Mustapha.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file a written opposition with this office not later than February 23, 2022.

(Sgd.) JEAN P. BACAS Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Feb. 12 & 19, 2022

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February 19, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

NoCot rubber farmers brace for low production, income

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Rubber farmers in North Cotabato are now braving for low latex production and low income as the wintering season engulfed the province since December.

“Wintering season” or the coldest season of the year is common in the province during the first quarter of the year, according to Engineer Sustines Balanag, provincial agriculture chief.

He said the natural phenomenon affected at least 18,400 rubber planters in 28,800 hectares of rubber plantation across the province.

He said the "wintering season" lowered the latex production ranging from 50-70 percent, or an average of 250 kilogram pers hectare, compared to 400 kilogram per hectare after the plantations recovered from the so-called natural phenomenon.

Balanag said, a rubber planter could earned a maximum of P20,000

per hectare but now their income is only about P6,750, based on buying price of P27 per kilogram in the designated Bagsakan buying stations.

North Cotabato province have 18 Bagsakan Stations manned by barangay council that received a financial assistance from the provincial coffer.

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WINTERING. rubber trees in North Cotabato among the casualties of coldest weather phenomenon.

Photo courtesy of Williamor A. Magbanua

14 more BIFF men surrender to Army

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato — Fourteen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, five of them experts in fabrication of homemade bombs, pledged allegiance to the government Monday this week.

They yielded assault rifles, B40 anti-tank rockets and components for improvised explosive devices to officials of the Army’s 34th Infantry

Battalion during a surrender rite here Monday, witnessed by local officials.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said Tuesday the 14 terrorists surrendered through the intercession of Lt. Col. Edgardo Vilchez, Jr. of the 34th IB, the North Cotabato provincial police and local executives here and

in nearby Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao.

“We ought to thank them for having convinced these 14 men to avail of our reconciliation program for violent religious extremists,” Uy, commander of 6th ID, told reporters.

The group belonged to a BIFF faction led by Kagui Karialan, who is facing more than 30

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Moro families displaced by “rido”

SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao — Authorities are scrambling to settle a “rido” involving two heavily-armed Moro groups here whose gunfights over the weekend displaced no fewer than 300 families.

Rido means clan war in most Southern Philippine languages.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy of the Army’s 6th Infantry

Division on Monday this week urged local officials to disengage the feuding groups to prevent the displacement of more residents in Barangay Sinditan here, scene of clashes that sent villagers running for their lives.

The two rival groups, one led by Commander Gringo and the other by Jun Barang, are squabbling

for control of strategic areas in Barangay Sinditan.

Col. Jibin Bongcayao, Maguindanao provincial police director, said Monday both sides last fought using assault rifles on Saturday morning, forcing hundreds of villagers to evacuate to safer areas.

He said the chief of police here, Lt. Col. Sabri Lakibul, reported that one

of the feuding groups lost two men in Saturday’s skirmishes, escalating the animosity between them.

Uy, commander of 6th ID who is also in control of the military-led antiterror Task Force Central, said they have acceded to requests by community leaders to give the ceasefire committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation

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MP Loong wants equal employment chance for all

A lawmaker from Sulu in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) wants equal opportunities for all sectors in the region in appointments to BARMM offices.

This is in recognition to the cultural and religious diversity in the Bangsamoro region.

On Wednesday, Member of Parliament Engr. Don Loong and some members of the Parliament filed a bill ensuring that appointments to public service are equally distributed among the diverse groups in the region.

MP Loong filed Parliament Bill No. 168, the “The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity in Public Service Act of 2022.”

Under the proposed measure, the Chief Minister, the Bangsamoro Parliament, cabinet members, and other officials with appointing authority are required to ensure that appointments to positions at the regional office are distributed equally across provinces and cities.

Loong explained that his bill aims that that each Moro tribe, such as Meranaw, Maguindanaon, Tausug, Iranun, Yakan, and Sama, including representatives from non-Moro tribes, Indigenous peoples, and settler communities in the Bangsamoro, are equitably represented.

He said the same also applies to appointing authorities in the local government units to ensure that people from minority groups or tribes within their jurisdiction are equitably represented in their offices, without prejudice to the provisions of the Indigenous People’s Representation Act (IPRA).

“Appointment to public office in the Bangsamoro shall be free of discrimination based on tribal or cultural affiliation membership in any organization or religion,” MP Loong said in a statement.

All applicants getting the appointments must be resident of BARMM or in its provinces, he added.

Loong hoped his bill will hurdle BTA soonest.

Edwin O. Fernandez

Modern market rising in NoCot-SGA village

RESIDENTS of a remove village in North Cotabato who opted to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are recipient of a P25 million public market, officials said.

On Tuesday, Minister Naguib Sinarimbo of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) said his office will continue to build infrastructure projects in the region, with Pigcawayan Cluster in the region’s Special Geographic Area (SGA), as the latest recipient.

Sinarimbo said the groundbreaking has been done for the construction of public market in Barangay Binasing here.

He said it will be funded through the Bangsamoro Appropriation Act 2020 contingency fund, under the Bangsamoro Local Economic Support Services (BLESS) of MILG. “The construction of the public market served as the revival of the preconflict market which

was destroyed during the insurgencies,” Sinarimbo said.

He stressed that BARMM could not make markets in every barangay thus clustering of market operations is being proposed. He encouraged them to be strategic to maximize the opportunity in the new market.

"On behalf of the SGA Pigcawayan Cluster Development Alliance, we recognize that establishment of this public market plays a critical role in the development of the community hence we are grateful to BARMM for this project," said Datu Binasing Barangay Chairman Johan Sinarimbo.

"I hope this market will become instrument to improve the living conditions of our people,” Chairman Sinarimbo added.

Minister Sinarimbo said other markets will also rise in other parts of BARMM that do not have regular market place to improve local economy.

Edwin O. Fernandez

2 more NPAs yield to 6th ID

Mafar holds harvest festival to showcase rice varieties in Maguindanao.

Photo courtesy of MAFAR BARMM

BANGA, South Cotabato — Two more members of the New People’s Army surrendered to the military this week, a regional Army official said Thursday.

The duo surrendered through the intercession of the local government unit here and the Army’s 5th Special Forces

Battalion.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Thursday the duo turned in an M16 rifle and a .30 caliber Garand rifle before they renounced their NPA membership during a simple surrender rite here.

The two NPAs

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