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CHURCH / P4

BARMM-Lamitan infra efforts takes off

Bishop lauds PH move to welcome Ukrainian refugees

Tapatan Mary Jaquiline Chua Fernandez

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

EXEMPLARY WOMEN.They were honored for their exemplary services and significant contributions to the promotion of women’s rights in the city. Photo courtesy of City Government of Cotabato

BEST HIDEAWAY. Balut Island, a beautiful, stunning island of white unblemished sands and peaceful seas located west of Barangay Paril, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, emerging as favorite local destination to unwind and replace the stresses of urban living. Photo courtesy of Hero Dimalen Salik

COTABATO CITY HONORS WOMEN LEADERS

FIRST on the list of the awardees was City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia J. Guiani-Sayadi who, in her message, emphasized further that women of today play a more active and important roles in nation-building.

Be vigilant of foreign ships in Sulu, BARMM urged

Floods devastate southern towns, cities By John Felix Unson HUNDREDS of families were displaced by flashfloods and landslides in parts of Mindanao following weather disturbances the past few days A villager was drowned in floodwaters while crossing a river in Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato on Tuesday. Rolly Aquino, OIC of South Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office,

told Mindanao Cross Wednesday the cadaver of the villager was recovered by local emergency responders a day after the incident. Aquino said the PDRRMO and the municipal government of Lake Sebu are now together reaching out to flood-stricken residents. The villages of Barangays Lamlahak and Halilan were badly hit by flashfloods spawned by heavy

MORO peace advocates have urged the Bangsamoro Government to be vigilant of probable transnational formation of allied military powers along the open lanes of South Sulu Sea, which is feared to drag the country into a bigger international conflict than the regional South China

By Nash B. Maulana Sea disputes. The Ranao Youth Council (RYC) said it did not want the fledgling Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to “end up a host” to convergence of transnational military powers with Tawi-Tawi coves being a vast

anchorage area for naval ships, amid the armed conflict in Eastern Europe. Carl Lacoto Ma-amor, RYC overall chairman, said more Moro people have expressed fears that the nearest military superpower to probably make use of the TawiTawi coves for naval anchorage

New labor minister: Designation a “challenge” THE chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) saw as “another way forward” his designation as new labor minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

By John Felix Unson Muslimin Sema said the region’s chief minister, Thursday he has accepted Ahod Ebrahim. the post for it can be a “This is big challenge. springboard in furthering I will do my best to be of peace and sustainable service to the public again, development in BARMM, this time as BARMM labor s o m e t h i n g t h a t c a n minister,” Sema said. complement the peace and He had served as development initiatives of mayor of Cotabato City for

three consecutive terms. Sema’s designation, effective March 8, 2022, was signed by Ebrahim, who is at the helm of the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority, also known as BARMM’s interim parliament.

DID YOU KNOW?

MARCH 11-18 is Grandparent’s Week Grandparents’ Week is obser ved every March 11-18 by virtue of Republic Act No. 757, s. 1996 by then President Fidel V. Ramos

FLOOD-STRICKEN. Flashfloods hit many areas in Lake Sebu this week, damaging crops and causing displacement of hundreds of residents, mostly ethnic Tbolis. John Felix Unson

This waning tradition of fostering love and care for the elderly as represented by our “lolos” and “lolas” needs to be preserved and inculcated in our youth and in the succeeding generations of Filipinos.

March 12, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

BARMM-Lamitan infra efforts takes off

The Lamitan City city government and the Bangsamoro public works ministry have agreed to pursue more projects to boost the productivity of its constituent Muslim and Christian communities. Lamitan City Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay told Bangsamoro Public Works Secretary Eduard Uy Guerra during a meeting here Friday, March 4, that they are thankful to the autonomous government for having funded a number of infrastructure projects in the city. “Our people are grateful to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

for helping our local government become progressive through its infrastructure initiatives,” Furigay told Guerra during their dialogue. Guerra said the Ministry of Public WorksBARMM is aiming to put up more infrastructure projects in Lamitan City in support of the peace and development initiatives of its local government and the office of Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman.

Basilan covers the cities of Lamitan and Isabela and 11 other towns that are now markedly peaceful, cleared from presence of Abu Sayyaf terrorists. More than 300 Abu Sayyaf members in the province have surrendered in recent years through the efforts of provincial leaders, the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and the military’s Western

Mindanao Command. “The infrastructure projects that we got from BARMM in the past three years are helping sustain the peace-building efforts of our city government,” Furigay said. Furigay and Guerra ended their meeting with an agreement to chart together, along with Salliman’s office, more feasible infrastructure projects for Lamitan City.

John Felix Unson

COOPERATION. Public Works Minister Eduard Uy Guerra (left) and Vice Mayor Furigay met in Cotabato City Friday, March 4, and agreed to continue cooperating on infrastructure efforts essential to the socioeconomic growth of Lamitan City. John Felix Unson

UNDP-MILG BARMM expand e-governance pact THE UN, through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), will continue working with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on expanding networks of regional and local e-governance platforms. Scheduled to start after the May elections, an expanded regional connectivity through a BARMM-UNDP collaboration agreement will digitize government services across all BARMM ministries, while simplifying processes at local level, officials said. Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, head of BARMM’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, said a memorandum of agreement providing an expanded cooperation on digitalizing governance in BARMM has been signed between MILG and the UNDP. Digitalization forms part of the moral governance that the BARMM leadership is pushing, and is a continuing project that took off in 2020 from a P300 million UNDP funding program for BARMM development. Sinarimbo thanked BARMM Chief Minister Murad Ibrahim for allowing the partnership agreement to push through an expanded coverage to include other

regional agencies of BARMM, from the initial target of completing the loops at LGUs level of e-connectivity. The MILG chief signed the new MOA with Dr. Selva Ramachandran, the UNDP country representative who was here on Friday. For his part, Dr. Ramachandran commended the regional government for adopting innovations. “During the pandemic, we’ve seen the role of digitalization in our daily lives. Our initiatives now will not only help us during this time but will also prepare ourselves to deliver seamless services in the future,” Dr. Ramachandran said. The MILG minister said the development tieup took off from MILG’s Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) program, designed to improve efficiency in local governance and service delivery across the Bangsamoro region. He said the BARMM-MILG-UNDP partnership bore its first fruits of success from two pilot areas of digitalized local governance in Butig and Piagapo in Lanao del Sur. The expanded collaboration will “enable citizens of the region to capitalize on the benefits of digitalization and build capacities on improved

access to services and information, community enterprise development, and skills development.” First launched in Butig and Piagapo in October 2020, LeAPS is a collaborative project between MILG and UNDP to provide more effective and efficient ways in the delivery of government services, aided by digital technology, a BARMM statement said. Sinarimbo said LeAPS has been geared towards transforming local governance in the region by significantly accelerating connectivity in communities and enabling citizens to capitalize on the benefits of digitalization. “When it was still in its early stage as a project, its scope was very specific then, and because we met our target objectives from the two pilot sites, we are now expanding it to the whole region,” Sinarimbo explained. He said the MILG is one of the ministries that will join the journey through digital transformation, citing an example that: “issuance of a travel authority for local executives will soon be made possible by the fingertips.” A check bearing the amount of P166 million from UNDP was issued in last week’s signing ceremonies. Nash

Maulana with report from Abdullah Matucan/BIO

“No women, no genuine autonomy”

A Moro leader of women’s commission in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has said the role of women in the region in terms of governance and peacebuilding is crucial. Speaking during the launching Tuesday of religious rulings on women in line with the celebration of National Women’s Month 2022, Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) chairperson Bainon Karon stressed that women in the region now play major roles, including decision making. “There have been numerous change stories, told and untold, about women’s participation,” Karon said in her speech during opening salvo of women’s month’s celebration activities here. “Let us sustain this, for without us contributing to the process and outcomes of any policy and decisionmaking, there can be no genuine autonomy,” Karon stgressed. “Let this day be a celebration of who we truly are — as active agents of peace and development,” she added. Karon said the women’s month celebration in BARMM showcase the contribution of women in the transition, specifically in the implementation of the peace agreement and in

the normalization. BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim admitted that the success of BARMM was not possible without women’s participation. “Just like our previous celebrations, I am always proud to say that the Bangsamoro as an identity, as a people and now as a political entity, would not be possible without the sacrifices and contributions of our Bangsamoro women.” “This celebration, as manifested in its theme: “We make change work for Bangsamoro women,” speaks of our need to strengthen institutional mechanism to bring in enough numbers of women in the government, to save those who are trapped in domestic violence, to provide equal opportunities, and to make sure that our dear mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters are given the respect and the highest regard that they deserve in our society,” Chief Minister Ebrahim said in a statement. During the program, the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta and BWC jointly launched the “fatwa” or Islamic rulings on genderbased violence GBV. The “fatwas” focused on violence against women, wife desertion and abandonment, husband forcing sexual relations with his wife, rape, and human trafficking. Edwin

O. Fernandez

Don’t self-repair, Cotabato Light reminds

THE Aboitiz-owned power firm has urged consumers in the city and its environs to avoid “self-repair” of home electrical issues to prevent possible fire from happening. Basically, this is to prevent household fires and raise public awareness as part of the distribution utility’s customer care program, according to Valentin S. Saludes III, President and COO of Cotabato Light and Power Company (Cotabato Light). On Tuesday, Saludes urged residents not to “self-repair” domestic electrical connections and “allow only licensed and competent electricians to repair old and dilapidated electrical wires and cords.” Overloading electrical circuits can also start fires so consumers are advised to avoid plugging multiple appliances via extension cords. “Do not overload electrical circuits by putting up additional lights or equipment”

Saludes also advised power consumers. When not in used, electrical appliances should be unplugged that may result to two good things – prevent fire and reduced power consumption and power bills. “These tips are to be observed all year round, not only during this month, to save lives and properties,” Saludes said as the Aboitiz firm joins the nation in observing fire prevention month. “Whatever is the cause of a fire, may it be defective installation of electrical wiring or accidental ignition, what is important is for people to understand and know the different ways to prevent fire from happening in residential houses or business establishment buildings,” he added. He explained that household electrical equipment and appliances may trigger fire when incorrectly operated

SORSOGON Governor Francis Escudero said he will oppose moves to federalize the Philippines’ form of government if the Filipinos vote to send him back to the Senate in May 2022. In a dialogue with the local media on Thursday, Escudero said a federal set up will be counterproductive to Philippine economy in that investors would have to go through different policies and sets of requirements for just one purpose of investing in the regions or federated states that have different sets of laws and regulations. Escudero said that in the U.S. policies, laws and regulations applied on business groups infusing capital investments differed from one state to another. A two-term senator, Escudero said in the context of an autonomous blue print or template he is also against a shift to federal form of government, citing ARMM as a “failed experiment.” “So why do we have to shift the form of government of the entire country, knowing that the model of that system proved to be a failed experiment,” Escudero said in Filipino, referring to the dissolved ARMM, created in 1988 by the first Aquino administration and

which was so described by the second Aquino administration in 2011. Escudero said he was not endorsing or supporting any specific presidential candidate, and that his province is open for political campaign rallies of all the presidential aspirants. He also dismissed speculations that his white campaign color may have political relevance with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domago’s all-white campaign shirt worn by the latter’s supporters in political rallies and sorties. While Escudero did not apparently attribute federalism to any party or presidential contender, Escudero could be referring to presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s political party and the obvious platform of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) which pushes for a shift to federalism. Rejecting any political relevance in him and Moreno-Domagoso both wearing collared white T-shirts in campaign sorties, Escudero also trashed-out the federal agenda of Marcos and the party. To local political observers, however, the two statements impliedly narrowed down Escudero’s choices to between Vice President Leni Robredo and Panfilo Lacson. Nash B. Maulana

Escudero nixes Marcos’ federal platform

Floods devastate southern towns..from P1 recurring downpours that started two days before. R a m p a g i n g floodwaters destroyed a footbridge in Barangay Halilan. Another footbridge connecting the banks of a river in Barangay Dumangas at the border of Lake Sebu and Tboli, South Cotabato was

also swept away as the waterway swelled and overflowed. Eight houses of ethnic Tedurays in Upi, Maguindanao were destroyed Tuesday by mud and rocks that cascaded from a hillside, loosened by heavy downpours. The Upi Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Office said no one was hurt in the incident. E m e r g e n c y responders said about 300 cubic meters of mud and rocks from a hill in Purok 3A in Lower Bialong in Barangay Nuro, Upi ploughed through a road and hit adjoining houses along the route.

Cotabato City honors women leaders..from P1 She also highlighted the many programs of the city government that focus on promoting the rights of women and on empowering them, making them more productive and more effective members of the society. Mayor Guiani-Sayadi also recognized the activation of the Samahan ng mga Kababaihang Cotabateña or the SAMA KA, COTABATEÑA, that is composed of the leaders of the different women sectors in the city, who will serve as their voice in advancing more programs for the women. Other awardees include: Dr. Concepcion Ferrer

THE MINDANAO CROSS

March 12, 2022

Balawag - academe Dr. Maria Araceli Carrasco-Juliano – private sector Ms. Amy Lyn Moendeg Dolores – Indigenous Peoples sector Ms. Deborah Garsuta Tan Abing – business Ms. Jovita dela Cruz Isnani – senior citizen Ms. Ride Mae Gucon Muesco – person with disability Ms. Baihelen A. Ayao Overseas Filipino Worker Ms. Josing Demit Manandil (Posthumous) Dr. Carrasco-Juliano also graced the event as its guest of honor, further giving emphasis on the role of women in today’s era. She said that “in

times of turbulence and difficulties, the women are the medicine and guidance of their families and children.” She then proceeded to also congratulate all the

The office of Upi Mayor Ramon Piang has extended initial humanitarian support to the affected families. Flashfloods have also damaged bridges in Iligan City in Region 10. The Tubod, Palao and Mirilla Baraas bridges were closed for repair and clearing of mud and debris.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT awardees of the night. The Pinnacle Excellence Award was given during the city’s celebration of the International Women’s Day. CIO

NOTICE

VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I AND BRANCH II will hold a public auction sale of all unredeemed and unrenewed items pawned from September 1 to October 31, 2021 on April 8, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., and VGM PAWNSHOP INC. II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City

SUBASTA

Be There, Management

Ang VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I ug BRANCH II magsubasta sa tanan nga wala lukata ug wala tubui gikan sa bulan sa Setyembre 1 hangtud sa bulan sa Oktubre 31, 2021 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag karung Abril 8, 2022 sa VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., ug sa VGM PAWNSHOP BRANCH II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City. MC: March 12, 19 & 26, 2022

Mud and rocks due to a landslide also blocked a road connecting a residential area to the city proper. Iligan Mayor Celso Regencia suspended work and classes in all levels on Monday. More than 1,000 families displaced by flooding have returned to their homes as the water

Ang Nagdumala

Notice is hereby given that the late KALAM TAHA MALA, who died on April 2, 2021 at MB Bagua, Cotabato City, left a parcels of land Lot No. 10, Block 1, Pcs-123804-000760 and Lot No. 9, Block 10, Pcs-123804-000760, both situated at Bo. Manday, Cotabato City, covered by TCT No. T-35231 and TCT No. T-35232, respectively, containing the total area of 146 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro Jagunap as per Doc. No. 563 Page No. 563; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2022. MC: Mar. 12, 19 & 26, 2022

receded. Lowlands in Lamitan City, one of two cities in Basilan, were inundated following heavy rains that started Monday. Worst hit by floods in Lamitan City were Barangays Limook and Matibay. Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Malabang, Lanao del Sur OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1; Guidelines in the implementation of Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2013-1 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that “Jovie Equipaje Balatucan has filed with this office a petition for change of gender from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Jovie Equipaje Balatucan bearing Registry No. 2007-1357, who was born at Malabang, Lanao del Sur and whose parents are Jacquiline Repalda Equipaje and Alano Untong Balatucan. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file a written opposition with this office not later than 15 Calendar days.

(Sgd.) ASHRAF B. BAULO Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Mar. 12 & 19, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late MS. LINDA U. AMPATUAN, who passed away on November 2021, left a peso account with the Bank of the Philippine Islands- Cotabato, Rufino Alonzo Branch is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Jeihan Jein M. Gulo, RN as per Doc. No. 57; Page No. 12; Book No. III; Series of 2022. MC: Mar. 5, 12 & 19, 2022 EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late MS. LINDA U. AMPATUAN, who passed away on November 2021, left a US D account with Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company-MakakuaCotabato Branch under Account No. 074-207400449-5 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Jeihan Jein M. Gulo, RN as per Doc. No. 58; Page No. 12; Book No. III; Series of 2022. MC: Mar. 5, 12 & 19, 2022

AFFIDAVIT Notice is hereby given that the late ABDILA USOP BAYAO, who died intestate on September 26, 2021 in Bagua II, Cotabato City, left parcels of land covered by Transfer of Title No. T-54695 with an area of 150 sq. mts.; Transfer of Title No. T-20058 with an area of 400 sq. mts. with a 108.65 sq. mts. one storey residential building, both located in Cotabato City; Transfer of Title No. T-121439 and improvements thereon with an area of 120 sq. mts, located in Koronadal City; and a unit of Toyota Utility Vehicle with Plate No. FJB 188, CR No. 14529584-6 are the subject of affidavit of self-adjudication before Notary Public Sahara Alia J. Silongan as per Doc. No. 09; Page No. 51; Book No. 1; Series of 2022. MC: Mar. 12, 19 & 26, 2022

March 12, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Bishop lauds PH move to welcome Ukrainian refugees

A Catholic bishop has welcomed the decision of the Philippine government to open the country’s doors to war refugees from Ukraine. Bishop Ruperto Santos, vice chairman of the Church’s Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said the move “will be our gift to the whole world”. “That is good news to our humanity. We have done that before and we did it successfully and fruitfully,” Santos said. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier announced that Ukranians who will seek refuge in the Philippines “will be accepted”.

More than 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine have crossed into neighbouring countries in 10 days — the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Santos also said the church continues to offer prayers for an end to war between Russia and Ukraine. “We, chaplains, are offering Holy Masses for conversion of Russia, to foster peace and to stop the invasion,” he said. CBCP

News

Refugees from Ukraine arrive at Przemyśl Głowny train station in eastern Poland. Photo courtesy of Caritas Poland

Papal envoy meets Catholic leaders in Ukraine

LVIV, Ukraine— A papal envoy to Ukraine met on Tuesday with the leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) and the head of Ukraine’s Latin Rite bishops’ conference. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, was pictured in Lviv, western Ukraine, with Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk and Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki. Krajewski is one of two cardinals visiting the war-torn country at Pope Francis’ behest. He entered the country via his native Poland. The UGCC’s department for information said on March 9 that during the meeting the three men spoke directly with the pope via telephone. “The papal legate told the Holy Father about his first impressions of the visit, in particular about what he saw in Poland. The pope was also informed about the program of his envoy’s visit to Ukraine, which had been previously discussed by the participants of the meeting,” it said. “It is important to specify that the papal legate’s visit to Ukraine is not scheduled so far. The Holy Father instructed him to be in Ukraine as long as necessary to provide support for the Ukrainian people on behalf of the Apostolic See in these dramatic moments of its history.” Shevchuk said: “Pope Francis wants to be present in person through his legate. And this is the purpose of his visit.” The major archbishop, who has led the

UGCC since 2011, traveled to Lviv from the besieged city of Kyiv, where he has been sheltering with others under the Cathedral of the Resurrection. Mokrzycki has led the Archdiocese of Lviv of the Latins since 2008. He served as John Paul II’s deputy personal secretary from 1996 until the Polish pope’s death in 2005. He then spent two years as secretary to Pope Benedict XVI. Krajewski is expected to visit social service centers run by the UGCC and pray with members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO). In a March 8 statement, the council condemned the shelling of civilians. “The disdainful attitude of the Russian leadership towards human life, which we see in regard to Russian soldiers who were thrown into the jaws of the war of conquest, is now manifested in relation to the civilian population of Ukraine, which is forced to escape from Russian missiles and occupiers, migrating to safer regions of our country and to neighboring states of the European Union,” it said. Pope Francis announced in his Angelus address on March 6 that he was sending the 58-year-old Polish cardinal and Cardinal Michael Czerny, the interim prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, to Ukraine. Czerny met with Ukrainian refugees in the Hungarian capital Budapest on March 8. Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis wants 2023 World Youth Day in Lisbon to be an ‘event with life’

VATICAN— Given the many challenges the world is facing, next year’s World Youth Day should be a gathering filled with life and strength, Pope Francis told the Portugal event’s organizers. “In the midst of all these crises, you have to prepare and help so that the August 2023 event is a young event, a fresh event, an event with life, an event with strength, a creative event,” the pope said in a video message, shared on the World Youth Day 2023 website on March 7. Pope Francis encouraged members of the international event’s organizing committee to be inventive in planning the gathering, which will take place on Aug. 1-6, 2023, and not just to fall back on the format of past World Youth Days. “Do not live on the returns, on what has been done in the other meetings,” he said. “You have to create the meeting. If you are not creative, if you are not poets, this meeting will not work, it will not be original, it

h a n g e o r to satisfy our desires transformation is a rather than follow Jesus. fact of life. As human St. Augustine calls this beings we grow through the concupiscence. By being years and changes happen baptized and becoming to us , most noticeably we Jesus’ disciple we embark eflections grow physically and we into a life-long journey of grow more maturely and spiritual transformation. Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC act appropriate to our age As the first reading showed tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com emotionally. Intellectually, us, Abrahanm entered into we gain more knowledge and with experience we a covenant with God who was always faithful to him. also gain wisdom, able to apply our knowledge to life In Jesus and through Jesus we enter into this new situations. Spiritually, as St. Paul encourages the covenant with God whose love for us lasts forever. community in Philippi, we also become transformed into Although God is faithful, humans are not always Christ, by imitating him and walking in faithful. Transformation can follow a his way of life. Since we are citizens of downward path. There is the story of a heaven our final transformation will be painter who was looking for models of there where Christ will “transfigure our the characters of the Last Supper. He lowly body, making it like his own body, first looked for a model for Jesus. He radiant in glory “ (Phil. 3:17). met a young man who was radiating The gospel today narrates the goodness and nobility who agreed to event of the Transfiguration when pose for Jesus. He then painted the the disciples Peter, James, and John disciples and the last one was Judas. witnessed Jesus transformed before He looked for a model and it took him a their eyes while He was praying so that while to find a man who looked capable “his face was changed, and his clothing of betrayal and evil. He finally met a became dazzling white”. The disciples man among the less savory district then saw Jesus talking with Moses and of the city who agreed to sit for the Elijah about his death that will take place in Jerusalem. painting. When it was finished, he saw tears in the Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the eyes of the model for Judas. When he asked why, the prophets, who are the traditional guides of Jewish life. man pointed to the picture of Jesus, “ I sat as a model A cloud then came over them and a voice was heard, when you painted Him.” The tears might be the starting “This is my Son, my Beloved, listen to him” (Lk. 9:35). point for the journey back to the light. The good news Henceforth, Jesus Christ will be the Way, the Truth, of Lent is that sin is forgiven, God is merciful, and all and the Life for those who follow him. is not lost for the sinner. As experienced by St. Paul and St Peter and All of us are on a journey of personal transformation. the other disciples, the process of following Jesus On a wider level, communities and nations are also in need necessitates our own personal transformation or of transformation and healing. As the Lord said, “If my conversion. Human as we are, we are born into a world people who are called by my name humble themselves, and and environment where culture influences us. We are pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, born into a situation of sin described traditionally as then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins “original sin” and personally we have the tendency and heal their land.” (2Chr. 7:14)). MC

Transformation

“The good news of Lent is that sin is forgiven, God is merciful, and all is not lost for the sinner”

will be a photocopy of other meetings.” Francis cited Bl. Carlo Acutis. “As the young Italian blessed said: each of us has to be original, not a photocopy.” World Youth Day was established by Pope John Paul II in 1985. The multi-day gathering usually attracts hundreds of thousands of young people. The meeting is typically held on a different continent every three years with the presence of the pope. Pope Francis announced that the Portuguese capital would host the global Catholic gathering of young people at the closing Mass of the last international World Youth Day in Panama City in January 2019. Lisbon, a city of 505,000 people, is around 75 miles from Fatima, one of the world’s most popular Marian pilgrimage sites. Pope Francis said he was looking ahead to August 2023 and the event in Portugal, and he acknowledged the difficulty faced by the volunteers organizing the event from

all over the world. “It is not easy,” he said. “It is not easy because we go from crisis to crisis.” “We came out of a pandemic crisis, we entered an economic crisis, and now we are in the crisis of war, which is one of the worst evils that can happen.” He said that “crises are overcome together, not alone. And crises put us to the test so that we come out better.” Pope Francis added that he was following the planning from Rome and praying for all those involved. “And I pray for all the young people who are going to participate, either in person or by telematic means,” he added. “I pray that this meeting may be a fruitful one. May each one of us leave better than we arrived. I ask you, please, to pray for me, because I also need you to support me with prayer.” “See you in August,” he concluded. Hannah

Brockhaus/Catholic News Agency

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

2nd Sunday of Lent Readings:

Genesis 15.5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3.17 – 4.1 (or shorter); Luke 9.28b-36

“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” The second Sunday of Lent reminds us of the importance of listening. The word faith comes from the Latin word “Ab audire” which means “to listen.” Lent prepares us to suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus. We are then reminded to listen veery carefully to Jesus and put our faith in Him. The suffering that we may encounter, the pain that we may face, the struggles that we may go through, all these need faith in Jesus. His words are our strength, our light, and salvation. With faith, we may face trials but in the end, we will still endure. Prayer: Lord, help us to put our faith in you. Amen.

THE MINDANAO CROSS

March 12, 2022 EDITORIAL

What Challenges do we face this School Year?

here are so many negative effects of the Pandemic that has been raging our world. However, one of these which will affect the future is the effect on children’s education. After two years of the Pandemic, schools are now preparing for the “back to school” program to keep the students on track. Although we are trying to go back to what has been set before, this program will have to be very well fitted or what people say is “swak” on shaping the future generation. Schools play an important role in the lives of students, teachers, and parents. It gives an effect of normalcy in life – when to get up, when to go home, whom to hang with. Parents are also thankful for the time that schools look after the children, which allows them to do more productive endeavors (especially the mothers). It has established a normal routine that children look forward to. For most students school isn’t just about academics, it is also about social interactions. Groups of friends take their snacks at recess time or eat lunch together every day. Through their interactions with teachers and other school personnel young people learn to interact with non-family authority figures. It is through schools that children and teens are exposed to a variety of different cultures, dialects, and ways of living that are different from their own. The Protocols imposed during the Pandemic removed all these and many extracurricular activities. No more sports, school plays, music, and many more activities. This is where children develop their interests and personalities. During the Pandemic, their only contact are their teachers, who give them ratings based on the performance tasks they submit. The computer become their only comfort and friend. How about those who do not have the resources to purchase a computer or a mobile phone? Many have not enrolled since it is futile to follow the lessons without these technology. Schools will be opening for this year. But will the opening be beneficial to all children? There will always be the fear of the unknown. Are we sure that other students are not carrier of Covid 19? Will those who did not participate last school year be able to catch up with the lessons for this year? Will parents have the resources to send their children to school considering that many were laid off from work due to the Pandemic? There are so many things to catch up with in time with the new normal. The government should hurry up with the anti Covid vaccine shots to protect the children in school. There should be subsidy for enrollees who cannot afford the tuition fees, and whose parents have become victims of the Pandemic. The schools should also be looked into. Do they have the updated teaching materials for the school year? Are the teachers ready to take in disadvantaged children and bring them up to the level of the better ones? So many things to do; and to think that we have not defeated the Covid Virus as yet. 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.

survey conducted by the Social Weather Station for the last quarter of 2021 has revealed that close to half of adult Filipinos asked said their quality-of-life was worse than twelve months before. In face-to-face interviews conducted nationwide on December 12-16 last year, the respondents were asked: “Kung ikukumpara ang uri ng inyong kasalukuyang pamumuhay sa nakaraang 12 buwan, masasabi ba ninyo na ang uri ng inyong pamumuhay ay MAS MABUTI KAYSA NOON, KAPAREHO NG DATI, o MAS MASAMA KAYSA NOON? [Comparing your quality of life these days to how it was 12 months ago, would you say that your quality of life is BETTER NOW THAN BEFORE, SAME AS BEFORE, or WORSE NOW THAN BEFORE?]” 40% of the respondents said their quality of life was worse than a year ago. 24% said life got better, while 36% said it remained unchanged. According to the SWS official website 1,400 adults aged 18 years old and above were interviewed, 360 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon or Luzon outside Metro Manila, , the Visayas, and Mindanao. It said applying census weights, 13% of the respondents are from Metro Manila, 45% from Balance Luzon or Luzon outside Metro Manila, 19% from the Visayas, and 23% from Mindanao. Forty-eight percent are from urban areas, and the balance of 52% are from rural areas. By age group, 12% are youth aged 18-24, 19% are intermediate youth aged 25-34, 21% are middle-aged or 35-44 years old, 19% are 45 to 54 years old, and 29% are 55 years old and above. The same SWS survey revealed that 45% of Filipinos believe their quality of life will improve in the next 12 months. 42% of respondents believe there will be no change while 3% said life will worsen. The remaining 9% did not provide an answer. There is no doubt that the effect of the pandemic and the consequent lockdowns imposed to stem the spread of the COVID 19 virus and its variants in the period prior to the survey, and easing of the same lockdowns and the gradual opening of the economy in the same period factored in into the responses given by those who were interviewed. But world developments, particularly the Russian attack on Ukraine, have changed things drastically. Fuel prices are up and expected to go even higher as

ORMER Senator Fancis ‘Chiz’ Escudero neither endorses nor is aligned with any of the presidential contenders in the May 9, 2022 national elections. Instead, Chiz says, as current governor of Sorsogon, he has opened his province for campaign launching pad and political rallies for all presidential candidates— mainly Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao and Vice-President Leni Robredo, (in alphabetical order). But he sure has his personal choice, someone he did not name in a dialogue with local media practitioners at the city last Thursday. Though, we tried to determine who could it be by the “process of elimination” in probabilities from facts he shared: Fact 1: Escudero says he is opposed to federalizing the country’s form of government from the current Unitary Presidential Bicameral form; Fact 2) incidentally Marcos Jr. is running on the platform of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) which is obviously pushing for a shift to federal form of government; 3) Escudero rejects any political relevance in him and Domagoso both wearing their signature collared white T-shirt in provincial campaign sorties; and 4) He did not mention Paquiao until the latter’s name cropped up from a question of on his choice of “political color.”. But sure it’s much unlikely for Escudero at any given time to endorse for the presidency (or be aligned with) someone who has never been into the Executive, running the affairs as well as the programs and projects of more engaging public office than the legislative oversight functions. These facts would effectively reduce or narrow the range of choices in Escudero’s pick for the presidency to between Lacson, his former colleague in the Senate, and Robredo who, like him, also hails from the Bicol Region. The two-term former senator says he is open to dialogues on amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution; but movers of a constitutional change should come more specific in terms of lifting the foreign cap on business control that is constitutionally fixed at

Hard times Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

the conflict continues. At the same time, the value of the peso against the dollar has dropped. This combination is a double whammy that is expected to further jack up inflation in the country which has already been noted by independent research group IBON to be the highest in Southeast Asia for 2021 at 4.5%. IBON said prices increased much more slowly in the ASEAN member states of Malaysia (3.2% in December), Singapore (2.3%), Indonesia (1.9%), Vietnam (1.8%), Brunei (1.8% in October), and Thailand (1.2%). According to a recent online report by SunStar Davao, prices of petroleum products in Davao Region may now be averaging between P60 and P75 following successive price increases in the previous weeks. There is reason to believe that this is the case not only for Davao Region but for all other regions in the country as well. Increased fuel prices have always been proven to have an impact on the prices of food and other basis commodities via increased transport and manufacturing costs which manufacturers and distributors naturally try to recover by increasing prices. Experts say that the full impact of the RussiaUkraine conflict won’t be felt until after three months. That brings no comfort as it only means that we could be in for harder times. If 40% of adult Filipinos interviewed by SWS in December 2021 said their life got worse in the past 12 months, there is very little chance that they would change their answer if interviewed now or after three months. Their number could in fact go higher. We are in for hard times – nay, harder times even. This situation calls not only for a tightening of belts and prayers. It also demands that we ask ourselves: Is this social system we are in that benefits only a privileged few but leaves the teeming poor in the dregs still tenable and acceptable? MC

Guessing Chiz’s prexy bet from a conversational presscon

Penlight

Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

60 percent Filipino ownership. “Anong klaseng pamumuhunan o negosyo ang gusto nilang ipasok ay dapat malinaw sa paguusap dahil magandang pag usapan iyan, ngunit hindi ko pa naririnig iyan mula sa mga nagsusulong ng usaping iyan.” Oh! Well, if I got him right, Chiz wanted the proponents of a constitutional amendment to be more specific than what is already specified in the economic provisions (Article XII Section 2) of the 1987 Constitution, thus: “All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the State. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State. The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens. Such agreements may be for a period not exceeding twenty-five years, renewable for not more than twenty-five years, and under such terms and conditions as may be provided by law. In cases of water rights for irrigation, water supply, fisheries, or industrial uses other than the development of water power, beneficial use may be the measure and limit of the grant.” MC

March 12, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS That in honor of Flores, the authorized patent holder named the bright lamp Fluorescent lifted from the inventor’s surname. We are a people who believe or trust more on the imported than our own. That’s why most if not all allow ourselves to be used as puppets by the powerful. And seldom is rare for Manuel Quezon in his 9-year reign as the second PH President after Emilio Aguinaldo to declare before the American colonizers that it’s “better for a government run like hell by Filipinos than a government run like heaven by Americans.” Resisting US political control, Quezon went on to say, “My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins,” a timely reminder to all those wanting to lead by example. And this goes true to all newly appointed government officials like former Cotabato City mayor and concurrent MNLF vice chair Muslimin Sema, who is the new BARMM Labor and Employment Minister; Lawyer Saidamen Pangarungan of Lanao del Sur, who is the new interim Comelec chair; and newly appointed Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, a former lawyer of the Marcoses. Let’s hope and pray that the Commission on Elections will serve its mandate fair and square as a nonpartisan government agency devoid of “komisyon” and “koleksyon” in naughty connotation. Public service must be transparent and accountable not just in words but in deeds. For in the end we are all responsible before God and fellowmen. FOOD FOR THOUGHT In the world we have two masters that we allow ourselves to be used. We are either servants of God or Satan the devil. Christ has said: “If the world hates you, it hated Me first. If you are of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, the world hates you. “Remember, a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecute Me, they will also persecute you. And if they kept My Word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:18-20). MC

Walk the Talk True to Form Charlie Señase

csenase@yahoo.com

ts not “Tiktok,” of today’s social media hype but being true to form as this column suggests in the midst of feverish political race closing-in and electorates are in a quandary of life’s uncertainties with non-stopped soaring prices of goods and services. Amid poll aspirants promises for a much-improved life if elected, social, political and economic woes persist. Early this week alone, the Philippines had its 10th consecutive fuel price hike for 2022 which was regarded as exorbitant at nearly P5 or P6 per liter increase. And by next week, due to the scarcity of petroleum products aggravated by the Ukraine crisis, the Department of Energy expects another price jack-up that may reach, God forbids, to a hundred-peso per liter if the up-trend goes on. In 1969, a Filipino engineer named Daniel Dingel had an amazing experiment using water (H2O) as motor fuel, that such invention in 1996 was made possible for a car to operate using ordinary water as fuel. And since water is made-up of hydrogen and oxygen, the car waterfueled test-run was a success with zero carbon emission. However, instead of government support to improve Dingel’s invention, the Department of Science and Technology declared it as a hoax at a time when fuel products abound and priced at centavos per liter. It was not known what happened to Engineer Dingel’s invention patent that when kept and harnessed could have made Filipinos respectable to share to others in these trying times. He was a native of La Union to have rest in peace at 82. Poor Philippines to likewise share the ingenuity of another Filipino whose invention was belittled and ignored at home. Agapito Flores invented in the 50s the fluorescent lamp which was then the world’s most-sought lighting facility.

working for myself but for my institution . She was getting impatient. “would you like to terminate this grant right now? (Try na lang, stretching my patience as well. ) he tuff of ife Believing that she was in reality Ana, my referral Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy friend, I called Ana to ask franco1573victoria@gmail.com more information about Ms. he economic situation we are Ruth since it was Ana who e x p e r i e n c i n g i s b e i n g t a k e n referred her to me. Ms. Ana answered a d v a n t a g e o f b y s c a m m e r s immediately and said she could not speak assuming to be legitimate organizations clearly because the signal is not good at the or institutions. Over the weekend, a Ruth hospital where she was having surgery at Jeffery, representative of the International the moment. Development Grant Program , IDA Grant Back to Ms. Ruth: “ how about you Program (IDA) responded to my message, send the grant through my bank account?”, upon the recommendation of my friend give me your e-mail ad, we can chat too, I Ana (not her real name) am about to part with my money and hand Ana bragged that she received a it over to a stranger . “ It was Saturday, $500,000 grant from the IDA through Ms. there are no banks, there is no way I could Ruth and suggested that I send her the 178,000 pesos try to apply in as much as I which she was every eager have a project in mind that to get. We were going out of needs funding. I called Ms. town on Monday and won’t Ruth through messenger be back until Friday, there but did not get immediate is no way “FedEx” could answer. An hour later, she come to my house. introduced herself; and Early Monday morning, described the program. I received a call from Ms. “This is a Government Ruth, I told her I consulted and United Nations Grant with my husband, prayed Program which issues hard and God sent my billions of dollars in grant guardian angel, who said money to a variety of groups no, that’s a scam. As an each year. Grant programs do not require afterthought, I called Ana, the real Ana. I a credit check, security deposits or co- asked her how she was and when she was signers.” leaving the hospital. Bingo! I evaded a Mr. Google to the rescue. I checked in scam! Ana was never in the hospital that Google, there are a dozen Ruth Jeffery, week, it was the scammer in the guise of true there are grants but for places in Ana. Africa. I began to doubt. But it was so Ms. Ruth was not so smart after all. tempting except for the 1% I have to pay Her photo in messenger showed she was for the grant I will receive. For a $ 100,000 molato, the US flag at the background. grant, I will have to dole out Ph10,000. The haste with which my application was I chose $300,000 for which I will pay approved, within minutes, When I said 178,000 pesos. Now, that’s a lot of money I will avail of $300,000 her immediate for a pensioner like me. response was, ”do you have the money?” I I asked her how do I get the grant and said, it is night time here “what time is it how will she collect my 1% interest. She where you are?” she did not answer. was so evasive, and told me my grant will Long story short, I wasted one be delivered to me by FedEx door to door, afternoon, didn’t sleep well, awakened to which I responded there is no Fed-Ex early Monday morning, and thanked here. I also told her that despite my reason my guardian angel for manifesting her to avail of this grant, I still would like to guidance. Beware there are many more present my proposal because I am not just in this trade. MC

A New Look at Fruits Health Corner

atural fruit juices, sweetened juices, ready-to-serve beverages, nectar, cordial, squash, crush, syrup, fruit juice concentrate and fruit juice powder belong to the category of non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages. The principle groups of fruit beverages are as follows: • Ready-to-Serve (RTS) pre-packaged Beverages • Fruit juice and Nectars Ready-to-Serve (RTS) Beverages The ready-to-serve beverages as per FSSA specifications should contain at least 10 percent fruit content and not less than 10 percent TSS besides 0.3% acid maximum as citric acid. The levels of permitted preservatives include 70 ppm (maximum) for sulphur dioxide and 120 ppm (maximum) for benzoic acid. The total plate count and yeast and mold counts should not exceed, to 50.0 cfu/ml and 2.0 cfu/ml, respectively. The Coliform counts should be nil in 100 ml beverage samples. Since these beverages are consumed as such without dilution, hence are termed as Ready-to-serve beverage. The majority of packaged fruit beverages belong to this category. Wide range of fruits including mango, citrus fruits, berries, litchi, guava, pineapple, grapes etc. are preferred for RTS beverages. Required amount of sugar, acid, stabilizer, colouring and flavouring ingredients are added in juice or pulp along with water and the mixture is blending properly, filtered if desired. The RTS mix is pasteurized (80-90C) in bottle (20-30 min), continuous juice pasteurizer (few seconds to one minute) and cooled immediately. Nowadays, UHT processing of RTS beverages is quite popular because of longer shelf-life and less loss of nutrients during processing. The amount of fruit juice or pulp may vary according to fruit and cost effectiveness. The presence of oxygen in headspace often leads to oxidation resulting in off-flavour and loss of

Here’s the Rob

“I consulted with my husband, prayed hard and God sent my guardian angel”

Natural fruit juice Natural fruit juices also falls in the category of RTS beverage. It may be defined as pure juice which is extracted from ripe and mature fruits and contain 100 percent fruit content. The juice is extracted by various methods and contains mainly sugars, acids, vitamins, minerals and other minor components. These are preserved by thermal processing and freezing. The commonly available fruit juices are apple, pineapple, citrus, grapes, pomegranate and mango. The sweetened juices are beverages which possess at least 85 percent juice and 10 percent TSS. The sugar and acids are added to increase the TSS content and also to balance the acid-to-sugar ratio. A wide variety of fruit juices are used for the purpose. Sometime two or more juices are mixed to develop a palatable and refreshing drink with better flavour and balanced nutrition. Such beverages are also called as fruit punch. In certain fruits the blending or mixing of juices is done to balance the acidity and minimize the flavor changes. Use of fruit juice concentrate with suitable dilution with water is mostly used on commercial scale to produce uniform quality product. Example: • Very sweet (grape) and very bitter (grapefruit) • Highly acidic (lime, lemon, sour cherry) with bland tasting fruits (pear, apple) • Highly flavoured (guava, banana) with bland & insipid tasting fruits (pear, loquat) The freshly squeezed juices have very short shelf-life; hence they have to be stored at 0-5C to check spoilage. Some of them may have low pH (below 4.5) hence they require thermal processing in the range of 85-95C for a minimal period to ensure commercial sterility. The minimum TSS and acidity for various natural fruit juices has been specified by FSSA. MC

Perspective on Popular Issues…

A reprint from Food Technology 1

Market Driven

Danny Buenbrazo

danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

ith the campaigns for national and local elective offices in full swing, our senses are bombarded with the platforms of candidates trying to obtain our sympathy and, of course, our votes. Some of these promised policies, programs, and projects really resonate with the voters but whether they are feasible, practical, and beneficial is something that needs to be dissected. Let us discuss some of the more popular ones and I will provide my perspectives on their soundness. One of the most popular campaign promises is imposing a nation-wide hike in the minimum wages of workers. The range of the contemplated increase of around P750 per day with candidate Leody de Guzman being the chief advocate. The justifications include helping workers cope with rising cost of living, improving labor productivity, and increased consumption as workers have higher disposable incomes. Why is this idea quite radical (in the good sense of the work)? Currently the minimum wage varies from region to region with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) determining it. Determination of the minimum wage was regionalized so that local conditions are considered, including ensuing competitiveness of localities in attracting investments. The present minimum wage ranges from around P300 in the more rural regions to P500 to P537 in Metro Manila (depending on the work classification). Thus, Ka Leody’s plan centralizes wage-fixing and would increase it by around 50% in Metro Manila to more than 100% in some regions. As the war between Russia and Ukraine disrupts the world economy as the Western nations and their allies impose economic sanctions on Russia and the flow of goods (particularly wheat and corn) from the warring countries is cut-off, availability and prices of commodities have

nutritive value, hence antioxidants such as ascorbic acid is often added in RTS beverages. Besides it, colour and flavour ingredients which are stable to heat and oxygen are preferred.

risen and may continue to rise until peace is restored. This provides a justification for possibly increasing the minimum wages but having a common wage rate and raising it to P750 could have more negative than positive consequences. For one, a massive wage increase could drive some business firms to closure while others may not close but resort to laying-off employees to cope with rising costs of operating. The other consequence is that the incentive for investors to locate to less-developed regions will no longer be there as wages are the same throughout. Another popular platform is to continue with massive infrastructure projects as these are supposed to generate employment and trigger economic activities. Theoretically, infrastructure projects could help create jobs, usher economic activities, and improve social conditions. However, the kinds and location as well as the manner of funding infrastructure projects determine whether there would be net benefit or net loss to society. Infrastructure projects could be funded using government funds (national budget), through borrowings, or by allowing private companies to build and operate infrastructures such as roads, terminals, and the like (and recovering their investment and earning profits in the process). Prior to the assumption of the new administration in 2016, the preferred mode of financing for very large infrastructure projects was private equity through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program. However, the current administration shifted to funding projects using the national budget or borrowed funds. Interest rates are expected to go up and the Philippine government will have to service its domestic and foreign debts (it had incurred to fund COVID-19 expenses and the Build, Build, Build) in the coming years. Thus, only feasible projects should be undertaken, preferably private-sector funded. MC

THE MINDANAO CROSS

March 12, 2022

Don’t self-repair, Cotabato Light...from P2 and handled. To prevent that, he added, homeowners are advised to inspect all electrical installations, ensuring that all are unplugged when not in use. Illegal tapping Cotabato Light also warned the public against unauthorized tapping of electricity under Republic Act No. 7832, or the AntiElectric Transmission Lines / Materials Pilferage Act of 1994. Cotabato Light has already apprehended 560

violators, and they are required by law to pay for the stolen electricity and face criminal charges. Stressing that electricity is not the only source of fire in homes and establishments, Saludes said the Cotabato Light also issues some fire prevention tips for non-electrical items like candles and gas lamps that many residents still use at home. “Lighted candles and gas lamps should be placed far from curtains and highly combustible

materials like waste paper and other easily burned items should be properly disposed of,” Saludes said. Emergency team The Cotabato Light has an emergency response team working 24/7 to respond to fire incidents, whether the fire is electrical related or not. Whenever fire occurs in a particular area, Cotabato Light Emergency personnel cut power around the eye of the fire to prevent the spread of conflagration.

The MNLF and the MILF have separate peace compact with Malacañang. Sema replaced his nephew, Romeo Sema, as

BARMM’s labor minister. The MNLF and the MILF are cooperating in setting up an efficient BARMM government,

established only in 2019 as a result of 22 years of peace talks between Malacañang and the MILF.

Edwin O. Fernandez

New labor minister: Designation...from P1

In Loving Memory of

Parang hospital to serve Maguindanao, Lanao folks

TO help decongest other district hospitals and major health facilities here, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), through the Ministry of Health (MOH), on Wednesday opened the Iranun District Hospital (IDH) in Parang, Maguindanao. MOH Director-General Dr. Amirel Usman said the hospital can accommodate residents in Iranun municipalities and other residents in nearby places. Iranun municipalities refers to the adjoining towns of Parang, Barira, Buldon, Matanog, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura and Northern Kabuntalan in Maguindanao and the coastal towns of Balabagan, Kapatagan and Malabang in Lanao del Sur. The inhabitants there are known as “Iranun,” one of the tribes in the province. “We inaugurated the

Iranun District Hospital, a 25-bed hospital that can cater to mild and moderate illnesses,” Usman said whe led the inauguration and formal opening of the newest health facility in the region. Usman said currently, there are four medical doctors, 20 nurses, and 25 administrative support staff manning the hospital. "We are very grateful to the Bangsamoro Government because they have fulfilled the longstanding request of the Iranun communities to actually have a hospital here," Usman said. The Bangsamoro government, through the MOH, will help fund the professional requirements and operational expenses of the facility. BARMM Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun mentioned in his statement that aside from operationalization fund,

the hospital will receive AMBAG assistance that will provide a PHP10 million allocated budget for a start. Supporting the effective and efficient operation of the hospital is BARMM social services Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie who said that Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) has a program for indigent patients. Usman said MOH is working for the accreditation of IDH is to make it a Philhealth accredited hospital. “If that happens, our patients will be confined unhappy and in pain but will come out smiling and healed since he or she will have zero billing through PhilHealth,” Dr. Usman said. "We also allotted one room as a prayer room for our employees and patients where they can rest and pray," Usman added. Edwin

O. Fernandez

Be vigilant of foreign ships in Sulu..from P1

Laarni Alimbuyao Yerro Ocsio BORN: JUNE 14, 1977

DIED: MARCH 7, 2022

who passed away at the age of 45. Her remains lie in state at No.15 Quezon Avenue, Pob. 5, Cotabato City. Interment will be on March 13, 2022, 10:00 A.M at Catholic Cemetery, Cotabato City.

Thank you from the family of

Engr.Jose R. Rabago January 20, 1941 – February 24, 2022

Sad was the parting of the one we love so dear We’re left with sweet memories of him once here In some small way, every single day precious memories of him will come our way Unseen and unheard, but always near his divine spirit is just as dear We take comfort in your kind and thoughtful expression of sympathy It is deeply appreciated and gratefully acknowledged.

will be Australia. Ma-amor said Philippines and Australia are bound by the freedom of navigation agreement (along with other Indo-Pacific allied countries), adding that: “a convergence of foreign forces along the adjoining Celebes Sea and Sulu Sea could drag the Philippines into the bigger conflict in Europe, given Russia’s alliance with socialist China and North Korea.” Australia and the Philippines are members of the renewed powerful military and economic alliance of nations in the Indo-Pacific Region, along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, United States, and Vietnam. Ma-amor also said that many have expressed concerns that the Australian military’s human rights records have been

poorly rated by rights advocates from a recent Afghanistan experience for which RYC wrote the UN International Criminal Court (ICC) to look into alleged foreign military abuses involving members of the Australian Army. He said even Australia-bound vessels and its flagship carriers exiting that country to northeast, dump overboard tons of nonbiodegradable wastes along the historic South Sulu Sea lane across the Sibutu Strait. Ma-amor said smaller boats at 8-10 knots sailing to and from Bongao and Sibutu Island are often at risk of collision with big ships navigating fast offshore at 18-22 nautical miles per hour (knots) across the Sibutu Strait to and from Australia. 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.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late ISIDRO DELA CRUZ, who died on June 3, 2000, left a parcel of land Lot No. 12254-C, Csd-124709005647, situated at San Isidro, Midsayap, Cotabato covered by OCT No. P-60588, containing an area of 26,091 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 960; Page No. 02; Book No. LXXIV; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given to the public that the estate of the late M A M A S A PA L A O M . PA N G I L A M A N , w h o died intestate on August 16, 2021 at Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, a parcel of land Lot No. 838, Pls 463, containing an area of 5.5876 hectares, more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of real estate before N o t a r y P u b l i c A t t y. Mohammad Jameel A. Singh as per Doc. No. 343; Page No. 69; Book No. 16, Series of 2022.

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

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

Notice is hereby given that the late EFREN B. COROTAN, who died intestate on December 13, 2020 at Cotabato City, left parcels of land Lot2754-C-9-B-3-B, Psd-12002561 and Lot-2754C-9-B-5-B, covered by TCT Nos. T-96995 and T-60341, respectively, both situated in Poblacion, Libungan, Cotabato, containing the total area of 2,058 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of donation before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 3,753; Page No. 09; Book No. LXXXVII; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the late TRINIDAD P. NUEZCA, who died intestate on July 8, 2021, left parcels of land situated in San Emmanuel, Tacurong City, covered by TCT No. T-35407 with an area of 8,650 sq. mts., more or less and in Darugao, Upi, Maguindanao, covered by OCT No. P-03849, with an area of 167,990 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Leo Antoni C. Estaniel as per Doc. No. 337; Page No. 68; Book No. II; Series of 2022.

MC: Mar. 5, 12 & 19, 2022

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2013-1 No. 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 Jounalin J. Moralde has filed with this office a petition for correction of entry in the child’s sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Jounalin J. Moralde who was born on December 10, 1988 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Marciano Dagodog Moralde and Lourdes Sacares Jesalago. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than March 22, 2022. (Sgd.) CHONA M. PROVIDA, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 5 & 12, 2022

MC: Feb. 26, Mar. 5 & 12, 2022

MC: Mar. 5, 12 & 19, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses LEON GORDON, SR. and CRISTITA R. GORDON, who died at Pigcawayan, Cotabato on May 14, 1993 and February 26, 1982, respectively left a parcel of land Lot No. 3219, Cad Rec. No. 107, situated at Poblacion 2, Pigcawayan, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-7237 with an area of 79,854 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Roberto E. Examen as per Doc. No. 488; Page No. 99; Book No. 19; Series of 2021.

MC: Mar. 12, 19 & 26, 2022

MC: Mar. 5, 12 & 19, 2022

March 12, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

TAPATAN SA OBLATE MEDIA

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CUM DIRECTOR FOR FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE IAG

Mary Jacqueline Chua Fernandez is currently the Deputy Executive Director cum Director for Finance and Administration of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), a policy think tank based in Cotabato City, where she has been affiliated with for 17 years now. Jacque as she is fondly called by many has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Before her affiliation with IAG, she was Administrative Manager for more than 10 years of the Oblate-owned Notre Dame Printing Press. Jacque is married to Joseph P. Fernandez, the Director for Office on Community Development of Notre Dame University and has 2 daughters, Mary Therese (a Broadcast Communications graduate of UP Diliman) and Mary Frances (currently in her 3rd year BS Sociology in UP Diliman).

I am on my 17th year with the institute. If by challenge you mean my being a woman and if there was ever a time that I felt there was discrimination on my person, I would say I have not felt it at all. Since I started with IAG, I always knew that my role was important. I have always been consulted in decision making. My views and opinions in managing the institute have always been respected and considered. Even in dealing with our clients and partners, I never felt that my being a woman has been a challenge. Women the world over still face stark disparities in terms of recognition and opportunities. This is an ongoing struggle and my wish is for every woman to be respected by the society and be empowered to make meaningful contributions to the community.

No. Respect especially to the elders is crucial in my dealings. Before I got involved in peace and development works, my husband was engaged in this kind or work. It helped in a way that I already knew people from diverse culture and religion. I developed a good relationship with them especially with the Bangsamoro because I myself am a member of the Bangsamoro and some of the leaders and partners we engaged with are even my relatives. Respect is key to an open communication and in maintaining good relations.

I believe that a lot of women are already empowered in the local level. In fact, our city mayor is a woman herself. There are also a lot of women leaders in our local communities at present. Some may not be serving in a public office but are playing very important roles in their communities. I believe that the different programs and interventions to capacitate women have really helped the empowerment of today’s women, especially at the local level. In fact, capacity building for women has always been a significant part of the IAG programs.

The belief that women are only second class has long been trashed. Women now play different roles in the society making use of their intelligence, talent and strength. They know their self-worth. Their voices are heard. Women now not only know their rights but are also able to exercise them. As a woman, I know that women now can lead and exercise influence over effective development interventions in their own communities, and the society in general.

Wife nabbed, husband evades PDEA men

ANTI-NARCOTICS agents arrested a housewife for a drug trafficking offense but failed to clamp down her husband, a municipal councilor in Maguindanao. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents were to serve the couple, Suwaib and Raquel Manibpel, warrants for their arrest in connection with a drug trafficking case pending in a local court but got only one of them. Suwaib is Talitay incumbent municipal councilor.Some leaders in this town had been tagged as drug lords, even included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of narco-politicians. He managed to escape while agents

of PDEA-BARMM were approaching their house in Lower Taviran in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao to arrest him and his wife. Raquel is now in the custody of PDEA-BARMM. In a statement Monday, PDEABARMM said it has enlisted the help of the Maguindanao provincial police and units of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in locating Suwaib who eluded arrest.

John Felix Unson

Experts say box in Kidapawan terminal an IED

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Bomb experts here have confirmed that the unattended baggage left over the weekend inside the city integrated bus terminal was an improvised explosive device (IED) meant to maim or kill anybody but failed to explode. Lt. Tolindo Ypon, North Cotabato Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit team leader, said the box contained an initiator for mobile phone, enhancement and power source.

“It was a complete IED,” Ypon said in the vernacular. “During evaluation, we found out that there was a circuit, (to be) initiated through mobile phone," Lt. Ypon explained. The discovery of the box has alarmed passengers of Mindanao Star Bus that had just arrived at the bus terminal. They alerted the police who sent in K9 bomb sniffing dogs. The dog sat on the box that also contained dried fish. Lt. Colonel Peter

Pinalgan, city police director, said the presence of the dried fish was meant to divert the attention of the bomb sniffing dog. Pinalgan denied insinuations that the terminal security was relaxed. He said the box for Kidapawan was from Davao City and the bus conducted handed it over to the dispatcher. "We will review our security protocols. We will also ask the bus management to explain regarding this," Pinalgan said. Williamor Magbanua

Army says Lanao Sur DI forces weakened

MARAWI CITY — The military “broke the backbone” of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) in Lanao del Sur with its takeover Tuesday of its enclave in Maguing town, senior Army and police officials said. Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, told The Mindanao Cross the death of Dawlah Islamiya members during their clearing operation in Barangay Ilalag virtually left the group incapable of mounting attacks. Units of the 103rd Infantry Battalion also recovered more 40 firearms, including three crew-served machineguns, dozens of 40 millimeter grenade projectiles and B-40 anti-tank rockets abandoned by DI who escaped during Tuesday’s gunfight in the area. Seven terrorists were killed in the ensuing gunfights then while four others were wounded, the Army said, quoting civilians.

Jeannie Tamano, speaking for Lanao del Sur provincial government, told reporters the 103rd Brigade has assured that the DI bastion in Maguing was its last in Lanao del Sur. “We got assurance from Gen. Cuerpo that there is no more any similar camp of the Dawlah Islamiya in that area,” Tamano said. The DI in Maguing were followers of the siblings Omarkhayam and Abdullah Maute, founders of the Maute terror group that laid siege Marawi City from May 23 to October 16, 2017. BARMM police said Friday their units in all 39 towns in Lanao del and in its capital, Marawi City, are helping the 103rd Brigade guard against retaliation by the terrorist for its losses in Maguing. The DI and its ally, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, are known for venting ire on non-military targets to avenge deaths of members. John Felix Unson

Army seizes IED components

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Soldiers seized Wednesday components for homemade bombs in a lair of the Dawlah Islamiya in Barangay Pagatin, Shariff Saidona. Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Thursday it was vigilant residents of Shariff Saidona Mustapha

town in Maguindanao who helped troops recover the materials for improvised explosive devices. Soldiers found the cache in a hideout of the Dawlah Islamiya in Barangay Pagatin in Shariff Saidona Mustapha, according to Uy. The Dawlah Islamiya and its ally, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, were tagged in all deadly

bombings in central Mindanao in recent years. The IED components seized during an Army operation in Barangay Pagatin include ammonium nitrate, which is main blasting charge for home-made bombs, electrical wires, blasting caps, a B40 rocket and other contraptions for setting off explosives from a distance. John Felix Unson

HAPPY

Birthday Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, OMI