Issuu

70 plus state enemies yield to 6th ID

CHURCH / P6

Caritas Philippines to Local Candidates: Honesty is the Best Policy

P10

Tapatan Nelly Nita N. Dillera

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

E M P O W E R I N G T H E YO U N G . IAG’s IP Youth Leadership Training Series empower Teduray, Lambangian, Higaonon, Blaan and Erumanen Ne Menuvu Indigenous Peoples on their legal rights, including IPRA and BOL. Photo courtesy of Ram Toledo

SENIORS WELCOME NEW OSCA BUILDING

Members of the senior citizens in Cotabato City were all smiles as they witnessed the opening of the newly built Senior Citizens Building that will serve as the new Office on Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA).

Tamayo: Stay ban on open-pit mining By Bong Sarmiento

KORONADAL CITY — South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. has endorsed a resolution for the retention of the 12-yearold ban on open-pit mining in the province. Green groups lauded Tamayo for endorsing the resolution approved by the Provincial Development Council (PDC) of South Cotabato to the Sangguniang

Panlalawigan, which is hearing petitions to lift the controversial prohibition on open-pit mining method. In a virtual meeting on March 9, the PDC approved the resolutions passed by the body’s Social Development Committee, the Institutional Development Committee, and the Disaster Risk

British entity reaches out to BARMM TWO British dignitaries and the Bangsamoro labor minister agreed Wednesday to cooperate on promoting the welfare of the local labor sector and decommissioned Moro guerillas covered by the Mindanao peace

By John Felix Unson process. Lord Jack McConnell of the House of Lords, United Kingdom, Matthew Hedges of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and Bangsamoro Labor Minister Muslimin

Sema also talked about interventions meant to strengthen democracy in the regional government and its constituentcommunities. They met at the office of the Bangsamoro labor ministry

DID YOU KNOW?

March 22 is World Water Day

World Water Day, an annual United Nations observance day held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses on the importance of freshwater. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a theme of “Groundwater, making the invisible visible”.

RETIRED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. Sans facemasks, Cotabato City’s senior citizens wear huge smiles as they welcome the new OSCA building. Photo courtesy of City Government of Cotabato

SITG formed to speed up probe on Balquin’s murder

By Edwin O. Fernandez POLICE authorities in the Bangsamoro spokesperson of Cotabato City Police A u t o n o m o u s R e g i o n i n M u s l i m Office, told DXMS Radyo Bida that the Mindanao (BARMM) have announced creation of Special Investigation Task the creation of special probe team to fast Group (SITG-Balquin) was approved by tract the investigation on the murder Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, BARMM of retired (Colonel) Brig. Gen. Rolen police regional director. Balquin. Colonel Jeffrey Fernandez, M a j o r M a r k J o s e p h P o r r a s , BARMM police deputy director

Sox, BARMM COVID-19 cases down, more recoveries By Edwin O. Fernandez

TWO province and two cities have listed zero Covid-19 infections as of Tuesday, the Department of Health in the Soccsksargen region has said. In a bulletin released by the office of Dr. Aristides Concepcion-Tan, DOH-

12 regional director, the health department said no positive case was reported in Koronadal City and Tacurong City and in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato that normally had high cases in January and February.

DOH-12 recorded 18 new infections with Gen. Santos City and South Cotabato having seven each while Sarangani and Kidapawan City had one a piece. The DOH also reported 67 patients

March 26, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

70 plus state enemies yield to 6th ID

More than 70 enemies of state, among them six Dawlah Islamiya bomb-makers and 31 New People’s Army guerillas, surrendered to the Army’s 6th Infantry Division Friday last week, the biggest group to have pledged allegiance to the government. They are now being processed for reintegration into mainstream society by the 6th ID and the provincial governments of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, 6th ID officials told reporters Thursday. Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th ID commander, said during the event last week that credit for their surrender should go to local executives and peace activists who helped units of the division convince them to return to the fold of law. About 38 of them were Bangsamoro

Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), six followers of Dawlah Islamiya terror group leader Abu Toraife, and 31 NPAs from the adjoining Lebak and Kalamansig towns in Sultan Kudarat. The leader of the BIFF members who pledged allegiance to the government together at a function facility in this Army camp also swore over the Qur’an, before Army officials and reporters, to keep their promise of absolute turnaround from religious extremism. The allies BIFF and Dawlah

Islamiya terror groups were together tagged in all deadly bombings in central Mindanao in recent years. Both groups are using the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria as their banner. Uy said he is grateful to the couple provincial governors Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu and Suharto Mangudadatu of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, respectively, for their programs meant to return enemies of state to the local communities. John

Felix Unson

Collector axed, indicted for pocketing payments KIDAPAWAN CITY –– The Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) has dismissed and filed charges against one of its employees who allegedly faked his kidnapping last year in Arakan, North Cotabato. Cotelco technician Kier Sedilio, a resident of Kabacan, claimed he was abducted by gunmen in February last year and took away his undetermined amount of collection. He declared then that he was installing a solar home panels in Arakan when forcibly taken by gunmen. He was later released in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, Sedillo declared. Engr. Godofredo

Homez, Cotelco general manager, said Sedillo claimed he was kidnapped but Cotelco probe team suspected that it was a case of "kidnap me." Homez said that during investigation Sedillio failed to produce evidences to justify his claim. It turned out he misused his collection from the solar panel electrification project. "We already filed charges against him and terminated him," Engr. Homez told DXND Radyo Bida, adding that Sedillo had about P500,000 unremitted collections. Homez said Sedillo initially paid at least P100,000 and promised to pay the balance soonest.

Williamor A. Magbanua

BARMM’s Ebrahim grants P10-M for indigent patients

BACK TO THE FOLD OF LAW. A Muslim preacher lead violent extremists in pledging over the Qur’an to reform for good during a surrender rite Friday, March 18, at Camp Siongco in Maguindanao, where the headquarters of the 6th Infantry Division is located. John Felix Unson

MENRE Minister Brahim leads tree-planting

TO help improve the region’s forest cover, employees of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) have conducted a region-wide tree planting activities. “This is in celebration of the International Day of Forests,” MENRE newly designated Minister Akmad Brahim said Tuesday. Brahim led MENRE officials and employees in the simultaneous tree planting in Sitio Lomboy, Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat were more than 550 seedlings of mahogany specie were planted. Field personnel of MENRE also planted 200 seedlings in Brangay Udalo in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur; 250 yakal seedlings at Sitio Pilar, Barangay Yakal in Lantawan,

Basilan; and 50 mangrove propagules at Barnagay Pahut in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. The tree planting activity in Sulu was held earlier on March 17 during the visit of Minister Brahim to the province. “In protecting our forests, as one of the mandates of the MENRE, we also help in preserving wildlife habitats, biodiversity, and conserving forest resources for communities and families whose livelihood and sources of income are forest-dependent,” Minister Brahim said. Atty. Badr Salendab, MENRE director general, who also joined the tree planting, stressed the need to plant trees nowadays. “This celebration (of forest day) reminds the public regarding the importance of reforestation against climate change,” she said.

“Conserving and protecting the environment is part of everyone's responsibility not only for their own well-being but also for future generations,” Saldendab said. Held every March 21, the international day of forest aims to raise awareness on the importance of forests to people, and their role in poverty eradication, environmental sustainability, and food security. This year’s theme is “Forests and sustainable production and consumption.” BARMM, composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and TawiTawi and the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan and 63 villages in North Cotabato, has a more than 300,000 hectares of remaining forest cover, data from MENRE BARMM showed. Edwin

O. Fernandez

Floods submerge villages in NoCot

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Low lying villages in Matalam and Antipas, North Cotabato have been submerged by a knee-deep flood water following heavy downpour brought about by intense thunderstorm in Monday afternoon. The villages of Linao, Sta Maria and Minamaing in Matalam and Luhong in Antipas were severely affected, damaging several hectares of rice fields and fish pens. About half million worth of agricultural products and about P300,000 worth fish cages

with matured tilapia due for harvest were damaged after strong water current swept through the villages. Commuters were also stranded along the national highway linking Antipas and Pres. Roxas for several hours due to the overflow of rivers and drainage canals. "We waited for an hour for floods to subside because only huge vehicles can pass by the highway. While motorcycles cannot hurdle the water current across the road,” a motorcycle driver said. There are also reports

reaching the barangay councils of four affected villages that rice fields due for harvest next week were destroyed. Validations are ongoing to determine the exact amount of damages, a village official said. In Barangay Linao, Matalam at least ten houses inundated were penetrated by flood water including several piggeries. Flood waters from Barangays Bangbang, Minamaing, Sta. Maria, Luhong and Kiyaad flowed towards low lying areas of Barangay Linao

that serves as the catch basin. Villagers blamed land conversion as the culprit in flash floods that come even during light rains. They said the forest has been balding due to logging and land conversion from huge trees and coconuts to banana plantations. Affected families are to get aid from LGUs. Farmers covered by Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) can claim up to maximum of P10,000 insurance fund. Williamor

A. Magbanua

CHIEF Minister Ahod Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has granted a PHP10 million seed fund for indigent patients confined in a district hospital in Parang, Maguindanao. Through Minister Ebrahim’s “Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government (AMBAG),” the Iranun District hospital received Wednesday the PHP10 million worth of check intended for the indigent patients. On Wednesday, BARMM Cabinet Secretary Asnin Pendatun, representing Chief Minister Ebrahim, personally handed over the check replica to Dr. Ameril Usman, director general of the Ministry of Health (MOH) who is the Iranun District Hospital officer in charge. “There are indigent

patients confined in this hospital who are financially hard up so this fund will help them defray the expenses,” Dr. Usman said. Also present to witness the turn over program were Health Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas, Maguindanao health chief Dr. Elizabeth Samama and Dr. Ariff Baguindali of IPHO Maguindanao. Sec. Pendatun added that the fund will aid people who are unable to pay all of their medical expenditures with the IDH. M O H - B A R M M prioritized the rehabilitation of the district hospital that will service the patients, mostly indigents, coming from the adjoining towns of Parang, Barira, Buldon, Matanog and even Kapatagan in Lanao del Sur. Edwin O.

Fernandez

THE MINDANAO CROSS

March 26, 2022

RE-ELECT

Seniors welcome new OSCA building ...from P1

In a statement posted on its FB page, the city government announced that it was funded by the Senior Citizens Partylist, formerly led by Representative Francisco Datol, Jr., in coordination with the City Government of Cotabato, through the OSCA. Atty. Jarissa Guiani, Cotabato City administrator, personally accepted the infrastructure project, together with Dr. Danda Juanday and OSCA Executive Secretary Mrs. Tita Guiani-Compania. In her acceptance message, City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia J. Guiani-Sayadi, represented by Dr. Juanday, thanked the people who helped in realizing this project with their effort, dedication, contribution, and resources. The mayor also reiterated that the

government will continue to promote, advance, and ensure all programs for senior citizens in order to uplift their rights and protect their welfare. The building will also house the Office of Senior Citizen Government Retirees and the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines Inc. Cotabato City Chapter. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also donated five office chairs, five office tables and two cabinet furniture for the office. During that event, four centenarians from Cotabato City were awarded P100,000 from Department of Social Welfare and Development and additional P25,000.00 from Senior Citizen Partylist Representative Hon. Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes. CIO

Tamayo: Stay ban on open-pit mining...from P1

Reduction / Climate Change Adaptation Committee upholding the controversial ban on open-pit mining in the area. “May this request warrant the preferential attention of this honorable body,” Tamayo said in his letter to the provincial board. Tamayo chairs the PDC, which is composed of mayors, members of the House of Representatives and non-government organizations in the province. Rene Pamplona, chair of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), welcomed Tamayo’s endorsement. “This is a welcome move as it represents the sentiments of the stakeholders in the province. We commend the provincial government for heeding the demands of the residents of South Cotabato,” Pamplona said. “We have been anxious that by reviewing the ban on open-pit mining, the provincial government would cave in to corporate lobby. We are happy it stood with the people,” Pamplona said in a statement. Tamayo also endorsed to SP two other PDC resolutions all of which resolved to uphold the ban on open-pit mining. “We call on the Sanggunian Panlalawigan of South Cotabato to listen to the clamor of the people as represented by the PDC. As officials directly elected by the people, the SP must heed the call to uphold the ban on open-pit mining in the

province,” Jaybee Garganera, ATM national coordinator, said. Pamplona said that “the ban on openpit mining is for the protection and for the general welfare of the people of South Cotabato.” Spearheaded by the local Catholic Church, at least 93,453 signatures opposing the lifting of the open-pit mining method have been submitted to the provincial board. Sagittarius Mines, Inc., operator of the Tampakan project, earlier revealed in a study that the most viable way to extract the minerals is through open-pit mining. The Tampakan project is touted as the largest undeveloped copper-gold minefield in Southeast Asia and among the biggest of its kind in the world. It has the potential to yield an average of 375,000 tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold in concentrate per annum in the 17-year-life of the mine. The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC), which campaigned for the repeal of the Mining Act of 1995, stressed that “only the ban stands in the way of the Tampakan project, one of the largest openpit projects in Asia that residents fear will destroy the environment.” “This resolution is a good sign that the provincial government itself will eventually uphold the open-pit ban enshrined in the landmark environmental code of South Cotabato,” said Maya Quirino, LRC advocacy coordinator.

DR. EDDIE

RABAGO COUNCILOR

I am once again a candidate for another term (9th) in the city council/Sangguniang Panlungsod having been drafted by the Team Guiani ”One Kutawato/NPC” under the leadership of the Honorable City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia J. Guiani-Sayadi, and Vice-Mayor Graham Nazer G. Dumama. As a candidate in the forth-coming May 2022 election, I must look again to our fellow Cotabateños for inspiration and support. In presenting myself to the electorate, my qualifications for public service revolved around my experiences in community work as an active member of professional, business, civic, fraternal, religious and sport organization, and twenty-five (25) years of public service experiences: a) twenty-two (2) years, and as eight time elected City Councilor representative to the Sangguniang Panlungsod; b) and three (3) years as Asst. Secretary to the late City Mayor “Jojo” Guiani, Jr. In keeping with those mandates (1988, 1992, 1995; 2004, 2007, 2010; 2016 and 2019), I can say with all humility that I have translated the expectations of our constituents into meaningful and relevant pieces of legislations now found and manifested in the various Regulatory Ordinances and Resolutions I have authored. These ordinances and resolutions touched a wide range of issues; Infrastructure. Economics, Education, Transportation, Traffic, Social Services, Public Safety and Order, Health and Sanitation. It is on the basis of my experiences and performances in community work, and twenty-five (25) years of public service that I rely on my campaign for re-election. I commend myself to your kind care, love and protection! Marami pong salamat.

Team Guiani 1 ATTY. FRANCES CYNTHIA GUIANI-SAYADI

City Mayor

2 GRAHAM NAZER G. DUMAMA

City Vice Mayor

Councilors: 2 AL HAASHIR ALA

14 ROMEO LIDASAN

5 HASSAN BIRUAR

15 ABDILLAH LIM

8 MICHAEL DATUMANONG

21 DR. EDDIE RABAGO

10 JAPAL GUIANI III

22 REYNALDO RIDAO

11 DR. DANDA JUANDAY

24 SUKARNO SEMA

Nature conservation, empowering livelihood THE widespread use of fertilizer in seaweed farming continues to degrade the environment and jeopardize the livelihoods of many seaweed farmers in TawiTawi. Prior to the introduction of fertilizer in their community, Barangay Tundon Chairman Nadzmil H. Mantik stated that farming was a straightforward operation that did not take up too much of their time. All of this changed when fertilizer became popular, and people began to include it in their daily farming practices. "Back then, we could plant our seedlings right

away without having to keep an eye on them," Mantik explained."Now we have to apply fertilizer overnight and plant the next day, which has increased the time and cost." This is one of the issues that the Mindanao State University of Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU- TCTO) sought to address when they submitted a proposal to PRDP's I-PLAN subcomponent 1.2 for the mass production of laboratory-generated seaweed seed stocks and the establishment of seaweed nurseries in selected areas in Tawi-Tawi.

Seed stocks were created at the laboratory's land-based nursery and then outplanted to the seabased nursery for propagation. This nursery will be a source of high-quality seedlings and seed stocks that do not require fertilization. "The goal of this initiative is to assist the seaweed producers in their livelihood truly," Director of OCEANeS Richard N. Muallil explained. "We wanted to give them high-quality seaweed seed stock to plant, which will benefit not only the farmers but the entire seaweed sector in Tawi-Tawi," he added.

SEAWEED HARVEST. Seaweed growers in Tawi-Tawi province show their bountiful seaweed harvest. The group is earning good profit from their seaweed production business, thanks to the livelihood project of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform - BARMM PRDP.

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

March 26, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

March 26, 2022

NEWSBRIEFS Electric shock kills 1 in Parang

A villager perished while four others were seriously hurt when the metal radio antenna they were erecting hit a high-tension power cable in Barangay Nituan in Parang town in Maguindanao last weekend. It was the worst ever electrocution incident in the history of the now five-decade Maguindanao,

according to sources in the Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, the power utility in the province. Col. Jibin Bongcayao, Maguindanao provincial police director, said Monday the fatality, Mike Bello Palte, was declared dead-on-arrival by attending medical workers at a hospital nearby. John Felix Unson

NoCot beheading suspects fall

COOPERATION. Bangsamoro Labor Minister Muslimin Sema, the British dignitaries Lord Jack McConnell and Matthew Hedges and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy team in Mindanao met in Cotabato City Wednesday. John Felix Unson

British entity reaches out to BARMM...from P1

in Cotabato City on Wednesday morning. The WFD works with parliaments, political parties and civil society groups as part of an effort to enhance political systems in other countries and to help ensure transparency and accountability in governments. The British government is a longtime supporter of the Mindanao peace process - aiming to put a

diplomatic closure to the southern Moro problem hounding the country since the 1970s. Sema said he is thankful to McConnell and Hedges and Cynthia Guerra, WFD’s team leader here, for having reached out to the Ministry of Labor and EmploymentBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Sema said MOLE-BARMM has programs focused on the welfare

and protection of the local labor sector and other stakeholders to the Mindanao peace process, among them former Moro combatants. Sema is chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) that forged on September 2, 1996 a final peace pact with Malacañang. The chief minister of BARMM, Ahod Ebrahim, is the chairman of the central committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Sox, BARMM COVID-19 cases down, more recoveries...from P1

who survived the killer disease while two did not make it. The two fatalities were from Gen. Santos 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

City and Tampakan, South Cotabato. Overall, there are a total of 70,179 COVID-19 confirmed cases in the Soccsksargen region with 181 and 2,552 fatalities. In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late DR. RAMON H. RABAGO, JR. who died on December 29, 2021 in Cotabato City, parcels of land situated in Cotabato City, covered by TCT Nos. T-21489 and T-13169, containing an area of 338 sq. mts., more or less and 350 sq. mts., more or less, respectively are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De CastroJagunap as per Doc. No. 843; Page No. 843; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2022.

(BARMM), the Ministry of Health (MOH-BARMM) reported that only two persons have contracted the virus and are now isolated. Dr. Zul Qarnayn Abas, MOH-BARMM OIC minister, speaking during a regular MOH news conference, said Covid-19 infections have been going down steadily the past two months. “We will win if we work together, the infections are going down, we pray it will continue,” he said in the vernacular. As of Wednesday night, three new cases were reported in Maguindanao with one and two in Cotabato

City while zero was listed in Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan. Only two patients have recovered and the number of active cases was at 18. BARMM has 19,732 confirmed cases while 19,027 have recovered as of March 23. Death toll was at 687. Health authorities in Region 12 and BARMM remained hopeful that the latest Bakunahan, Bayanihan program in BARMM results should also improve the quarantine classification of the regions that remained still at alert level 1.

KIDAPAWAN CITY — The police has clamped down the siblings tagged in last week’s beheading of a farmer who was also mutilated in Ganatan, Arakan due to misunderstanding during drinking session. Givehart Masunong, 23, and his 19-yearold brother, John Paul, surrendered to community leaders in Malungon, Sarangani when they learned that witnesses have pointed to them as

behind the brutal murder five days before of farmer Berlie Rama. The Masunongs have confessed to having killed Rama with a machete inside his house in Barangay Ganatan in Arakan due to a misunderstanding while they were drinking together. Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, director of the Police Regional Office-12, confirmed on Monday the arrest of the Masunong brothers. John Felix Unson

TACURONG CITY — The police have launched a hunt for the owner of a marijuana farm policemen and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12 destroyed last week. Together, the police and PDEA-12 personnel operatives uprooted then P2.4 million worth of marijuana shrubs in an upland area in Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat. Agents of the PDEA12 and personnel of various

units of the Police Regional Office-12 immediately set on fire the marijuana plants they collected from a clandestine farm in Sitio Alyeng in Barangay Datalblao, Columbio. In separate statements early this week, the PDEA-12 and the office of Col. Tom Tuzon, director of the Sultan Kudarat provincial police, said a certain Leng Labuayan owned the illegal farm. John Felix

Hunt for marijuana planter on

Gang leader wanted in NoCot falls in Digos KIDAPAWAN CITY — The long arm of the law finally reached a leader of a gang involved in various crimes in North Cotabato. Antonio Belarma Sumampong Jr. 33, leader of Talaw Gang, a residet of Barangay

Binoligan, was arrested by Digos City and NoCot joint police opeartives in Mainit, Kapatagan. He did not resist arrest but denied he was involved in a rape case in Kidapawan City. DXND

Radyo Bida

Winds destroy 36 houses in S. Upi town

STRONG winds following heavy rains last week destroyed 36 houses in Barangay Kigan here. Barangay officials said the affected families have relocated to houses of relatives and school buildings nearby. Mayor Reynalbert Insular has dispatched

MC: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 & 9, 2022

Unson

emergency responders to extend initial h u m a n i t a r i a n interventions for displaced families. Barangay Kigan is an upland area where residents rely mainly on hybrid corn farming means of livelihood. John

Felix Unson

DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

Republic of the Philippines Region XII City Government of Cotabato OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR

Republic of the Philippines Province of Cotabato City of Kidapawan LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

Republic of the Philippines Region XII Pikit, Cotabato OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

Notice is hereby given that the estate of GEORGE O. YAP married to Pilar Ortuoste Yap, parcels of land Lot C-7-H-9-E-2-F-9F-3-A, Psd-12-004086 and Lot C-7-H-9-E2-F-9-F-3-B, Psd-12004086, both situated in Bo. Kakar, Cotabato City, covered by TCT N o s . T- 1 8 9 7 1 a n d T-19047, respectively, containing the total area of 430 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of Deed of Absolute Sale before Notary Public Melquiades E. Cedeño as per Doc. No. 6; Page No. 2; Book No. CCCXX; Series of 2022.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Bai Jihan Piang Sinsuat has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Jihan to Bai Jihan in the birth certificate of Jihan Piang Sinsuat who was born on November 26, 1979 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Datu Sarip Mantawil Sinsuat and Baidang Enok Piang. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office.

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Maria Teresa B. Ladub has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Edward to Al Edward in the birth certificate of Edward Feliciano Basilio who was born on March 29, 1967 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Bayani Dela Peña Basilio and Esther C. Feliciano. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office.

In compliance with R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Marites A. Bedio has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from M to Female in the birth certificate of Marites R. Arpon who was born September 2, 1981 at Kidapawan, North Cotabato and whose parents are Ireneo Arpon and Gloria Reliente. Any person adversely a ff e c t e d b y t h e s a i d petition may file his written opposition with this office.

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 20131, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), a notice is hereby served to the public that Dominica J. Padayao has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female and the child & father’s last name from Hawgan to Juagan in the certificate of live birth of Dominica Hawgan who was born 27 August 1950 at Dunguan, Pikit, Cotabato to parents Fausto Hawgan and Isidra Ramirez. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than April 7, 2022.

(Sgd.) TOHAMY M. LAUBAN City Civil Registrar

(Sgd.) RAULA. MALALUAN City Registrar

(Sgd.)MICHAEL C. TOBIAS, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 & 9, 2022

MC: Mar. 26 & Apr. 2, 2022

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), a notice is hereby served to the public that Rey John C. Ceriales has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from John to Rey John in the certificate of live birth of John Rejis Ceriales who was born 8 January 1982 at Ladtingan, Pikit, Cotabato to parents Santiago F. Ceriales and Renera F. Rejis. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than April 7, 2022. (Sgd.)MICHAEL C. TOBIAS, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 26 & Apr. 2, 2022

March 26, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Caritas Philippines to Local Candidates: Honesty is the Best Policy A day before the official start of the campaign period for local candidates, Caritas Philippines has urged politicians to be better examples of local politics. Caritas Philippines national director Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said that “if we want to improve the conduct of our elections, our candidates need to do the necessary, and that’s ensuring they first respect and abide by the election laws.” He emphasized the need for candidates to be “tapat dapat.” According to the Commission on Elections, the following are prohibited acts during the campaign period: vote buying or selling, removal or destruction of any lawful election material, display of campaign materials outside authorized areas, provision or receipt of transportation and food

during campaign sorties, and campaigning during Holy Week or after the campaign period. In addition, Comelec Resolution No. 10730 reminded candidates to follow COVID-19 preventive health and safety protocols during events, properly identify campaign materials, and indicate the name of donors or payors of all election propaganda materials. The head of Caritas Philippines also advised candidates to “be mindful of plastic wastes, campaign with clear platforms and programs, observe decency, de quorum, and COMELEC rules, and respect one another by

avoiding violence.” He also added that “as a virtue, kindness can bring more meaning to victory, than hitting each other below the belt.” The prelate of Kidapawan likewise prompted candidates to evoke the golden rule: do not do unto others, what you do not want others do unto you. Caritas Philippines, though its networks – Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Halalang Marangal 2022, Power of Purple, and I Vote God – is working with 85 Diocesan Social Action Centers to ensure clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful election come May 9, 2022. Caritas Philippines

Church continues to bring aid to ‘Odette’ survivors THE Catholic Church’s social action arm has been stepping up its assistance for people affected by last December’s powerful typhoon. Caritas Philippines returned to Negros Occidental province on Wednesday to provide shelter kits to more families, whose houses were damaged by typhoon “Odette”. In partnership with Coca-Cola Foundation, the Caritas Philippines has since provided aid to more than 28,000 families in the Kabankalan diocese. The shelter kits consist of six metal roofing sheets, three plywood sheets, two kilos of umbrella nails, two kilos of common nails and a solar powered lamp and radio. Cecilia Alcantara, Coca Cola Philippines Foundation president, said partnerships between business and the Church are important because “private institutions may have the resources to share and the Church knows where it

should go”. “Because we have trust in the institution, we know that the help that we will give will be used right and correctly,” Alcantara said. “That trust is what has pushed us to do the partnership even if we didn’t know each other face-to-face given the pandemic situation,” she added. Bishop Louie Galbines of Kabankalan said that around 30,000 individuals have received help through the Church’s cooperation with local government units and other private groups. The bishop also called for help to rehabilitate the livelihood of many farmers in the form of fertilizers and farm equipment. “It should be done in a systematic way,” Galbines said, “not just giving them a dole out, it should have a followup and a strategic planning.” Nikko

Balbedina/CBCP News

From left, Coca Cola Philippines Foundation president Cecilia Alcantara, Caritas Philippines executive secretary Fr. Tony Labiao, Kabankalan Bishop Louie Galbines, Kabankalan diocese’s Vicar General Msgr. Rolando Nueva lead the distribution of shelter repair kits to typhoon Odette victims in Kabankalan City on March 23, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Nikko Balbedina

HIS Sunday is Laetare first settlers of Australia were Sunday. “Laetare” is a prisoners from England who Latin word that means were placed in prison ships to “Rejoice!” In the midst of populate a new land. Between Lent and in anticipation 1788 and 1868, about 162,000 of the joy of Easter, we convicts were transported from celebrate a joyful Sunday, Britain and Ireland to various eflections hence the color rose for the penal colonies in Australia, Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC vestments and the altar most of whom committed petty tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com linens (nothing political crimes. It served a double about it). The readings this Sunday are also about joyful purpose having depopulated the prisons and brought events. In the first reading, the Israelites under the settlers to a new land. No matter what their former leadership of Joshua finally reached the promised land lives have been, these people were given a chance to after a long journey (Josh. 5: 9ff) . The second reading begin a new life. They had to face the challenges of speaks of the joy of new life for the believer, “the one taming a new environment and participate in the who is in Christ is a new creature” ( 2 Cor. 5:17). The process of building a new nation. gospel tells the beautiful story of the One doesn’t have to go far to start a return of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1 new life and be reconciled with God. The No matter what process of coming home to the Father is not ff.). In all these stories, there is a sense of newness: the Israelites start a new life complicated. First, there is the admission failures we have in the land promised to their ancestors, and confession of sins (even before the the Christian disciple lives a new life had in our personal sacramental ritual of confession), second having been redeemed by Christ, and there is a sense of regret and shame for the sinful son comes home to his father life..., there is always the offense we have committed, third is to begin anew. the resolution to change, and fourth is to the possibility of No matter what failures we have do some reparations for the damage that had in our personal life, misfortunes beginning a new life. we have done in the best way we can. All we have experienced, wrong decisions of these the prodigal son has resolved to do that we have made, sins that we have but even before the words came out of his committed, there is always the possibility of beginning mouth his father came running and restored him to his a new life. When I was a young parish priest I had a status as son by putting a ring in his finger, getting him conversation with one of my “lay ministers” or “kaabag”. into new clothes, putting sandals on his bare feet, and He revealed to me that he was once in prison. In an preparing a coming home party. argument with a neighbor he lost his temper and in Honestly, how do you feel about these actions of the the fight that followed he grabbed a piece of wood and father? Doesn’t it go against our sense of justice? This struck his opponent and killed him. He regretted what was what the older son felt and we cannot blame him. happened and served his sentence for many years. Upon But the father also came out to meet his older son, and his release he became involved in chapel activities until invited him to the celebration. “Everything I have is he became a lay minister. yours,” he told the older son. This includes his miserable Sometimes, in order to begin a new life a person brother. God is prodigal (overly extravagant) with His has to leave the place where he is well-known so that mercy. May we also be merciful and return to God when he can start all over again. It is a fact that among the we have turned away. MC

The Joy of Renewal R

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

4th Sunday of Lent Readings:

Joshua 5.9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5.17-21; Luke 15.1-3, 11-32 Prodigal means ‘having or giving something on a lavish scale.’ The gospel portrays a beautiful story of a son who lavishly squanders his wealth wastefully. And when ther was nothing left of him, he decide to go back to his father. It was not an easy task for the father to simply forget what the son did. And yet the story tells us that the father was waiting every day for his son to return. And when he did, the whole village made a great feast. This Fourth Sunday of Lent gives us the image of a God who is like a father who lavishly squanders His love to his children. We too are like the son who wasted so much in this life and yet God never forsakes us. Still, God would cling His hands on us, to love and forgive us. May we do the same to others this season of Lent. Prayer: Father, thank you for loving us. Thank you for forgiving us of our sins. Thank you for loving us even in our unworthiness. Amen.

THE MINDANAO CROSS

March 26, 2022 EDITORIAL

The Ukraine Problem

he world just woke up to Russia attacking its long time partner Ukraine. It was a surprise because if we go over the relationship between Russia and Ukraine, both were part of the United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) better known as the Soviet Union. Looking at the old records of history, Russia has been dependent on the food supplies coming from the Ukraine, since the latter is known to be a flat country with a huge production of agricultural supplies needed by the members of the USSR which includes Georgia, Armenia, and 11 other states, all of which are communist states and were said to be following Marxist socialism. Most powerful among the countries is Russia. After the breakdown of the USSR, many of its countries proclaimed their independence including Ukraine. This is the reason why Vladimir Putin always insists that Russia is only taking back what has been theirs. The problem is that the Ukrainians already enjoys its independence and would like to continue the status quo. This is the reason why there is stiff resistance to the Russian invasion. In addition, there are suspicions that Russia wants to control the resources that are found in oil rich Ukraine. Countries in Europe and the Americas refuse to be involved in a conflict that would lead to a Third World War. Instead, they prefer to impose economic sanctions against Russia which will surely affect prices of oil around the world. China, also a communist state, has been allied with Russia. Many are interested to know if it will be helping in the Russian war efforts. China has also embarked on an expansionist activity in the Western Philippine Sea. This has to be given attention to instead of our government concentrating on the coming election. The Russian invasion was never predicted (both Russian and Ukraine share the same Language and the Christian Orthodox religion) and it came like a “thief in the night”. Would China do the same? Watch out! Although we have been affected by the war due to the increase in prices of oil, the world still invites us to help provide for the welfare of the refugees. Just like our locally displaced persons, they will be gone from their homes for extended period of time. Luckily, there are kindly neighbors around Ukraine who welcomed the refugees into their homes. CNN reports how the nearby country of Poland have received thousands of these refugees. We ourselves have Oblate priests who are in Ukraine and Poland. They begged us to contribute in our own simple way to the needs of these refugees. Our only problem is that Ukraine is a cold country and their clothing needs cannot be provided with ukay-ukay. Don’t you feel lucky that some of your needs can easily be provided unlike them? MC +

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resident Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed on Monday, March 21, a law that further liberalizes Philippine economy by allowing full foreign ownership in more public services such as telecommunications and domestic shipping. Republic Act No. 11647 excludes telecommunications, domestic shipping, railways and subways, airlines, expressways and tollways, and airports from the definition of a public utility, thus amending the 85-year-old Public Service Act. Under the new law these utilities will no longer be subject to the 40% foreign ownership cap for public utilities mandated by the Constitution. The government is hoping the new law will help the Philippine economy recover from the pandemic by creating much-needed jobs. In his speech at the signing ceremony, President Duterte said he believes the easing of foreign equity restrictions would attract more investors, as well as modernize several sectors of public service, and improve the delivery of essential services. He also said that the law would generate more jobs for Filipinos and improve services for Filipino consumers. But critics like Senator Ralph G. Recto said allowing total foreign ownership of telecommunications companies would pose risks to national security. Also, according to think tank IBON Foundation, increasing foreign ownership in key industries will make it even more difficult for Filipino enterprises to develop. That is what import liberalization is doing to local agriculture, slowly choking to death local producers of rice, corn, sugar, vegetable, pork, and fish with continued liberalized importation of these commodities at the pretext of stabilizing supply and prices when the same can be achieved by encouraging more local production through adequate subsidy. This liberalized importation has not dampened local inflation, either, which is the second highest in the ASEAN. IBON Foundation executive director Sonny Africa said in February that amending the 85-year-old Public Service Act will be one-step-forward-two-steps-back for the country. Africa said it could be one step forward if it spurs foreign investment and expands telecom, shipping, airports and airlines, and railways. It is however two steps back, he said, “because, first, increasing foreign capital’s share entrenches them and will make it even more difficult for Filipino enterprises to ever develop in these industries

HE year was 1988: Fresh from college (read: student activism), I joined the mainstream print media, courtesy of a blooming broadsheet of the time, Philippine Daily Globe. I was recommended by a longtime friend Prof. Arnold Molina Azurin of the U.P. School of Anthropology to the late Teodoro “TeddyBer” Berbano, Globe’s news editor then. Upon my return to Cotabato City in 1991, I was invited by Fr. Raul Carag OMI in writing to join the pool of Op-Ed writers for The Mindanao Cross. The rest, so they say, is history. It was about the time when Congress was working on a constitutional priority legislation to pass an organic act creating an Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Bearing home-based interest in those timely, politically, culturally and the so historically relevant measures in the House of Representatives took me to the front-seat of the House galleries (on a day-today accreditation passes issued by the House Media Office) watching lawmakers deliberate and debate on proposed Bills and resolutions. With eyes closed even, I would know by just listening to the audios coming out of the sound box hung randomly by the walls, as to whether it was a RollCall at the start of the Session or for a nominal voting; or whether it was a period of debate, a period of interpellation or was it the period amendments. A baptism of fire into the business page was the proposed Charter of Islamic Investment Banking of the Philippines, a Bill authored by then Maguindanao Rep. Datu Michael O. Mastura. I sought Congressman Mastura for an interview on an imminent creation of ARMM by legislation as is provided in the 1987 Constitution. When he gave me a copy of his House Bill on Islamic Banking, Congressman Mastura told me he was contemplating to file a bill on the creation of an autonomous region. He did. How does an Islamic bank earn? Well, historically, early Muslim maritime merchants pioneered the concept of money-transfer and service charge(s), profit margins on foreign currency exchanges and imposition of tariffs on imports of goods. Indeed, an Islamic banking system operates in ways more transparent than do commercial, industrial, savings and other conventional banks. Depositors in an Islamic bank are considered “investors”

Still dependent, still enslaved or…

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

and, second, this threatens the long-term ability of the country to have communications and transport utilities secure from malign foreign activity.” In his critique of the then proposed amendment of the PSA, Africa noted that “the real metric of development is not more foreign telecommunications and transport infrastructure but rather more Filipino telecommunications and transport infrastructure. As in, Filipino-built, -owned, and -managed as possible. This is the only way to get the economic benefits from providing technology-intensive utilities while preserving national security.” We are reminded again of what former Agriculture Secretary and Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Manny Piñol said in a Facebook post was the reason for the Philippines’ economic woes - a deeply embedded colonial mentality which is mirrored so unambiguously in our national economic mindset: “We look at other countries as models rather than discover and utilize our own strength and resources. Our economic foundations are weak because we have relied on external interventions and factors for our growth and development. The obsession for Foreign Direct Investments and the craving for imported goods are the clear manifestations of the colonial economic mindset of our policy makers.” As we have said in a previous edition of this column, if we are to escape from this cycle and achieve an economic revolution, a redirection of the national mindset is needed. Call it intellectual liberation if you must. It is not easy, but it has to be done. As Piñol said, it is a choice between perdition or national survival. We can choose to continue being dependent and enslaved, or choose to be truly independent, self-reliant, and free. We can be. The choice is ours. MC

Covering Congress’ creation of autonomous region, Islamic banking

Penlight

Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

in that the bank may represent them in any conglomerated investments venue that suits its standards of Islamic banking concepts, namely: 1) “Musharaka” which pertains to partnership wherein two or more persons combine their resources in the forms of financial capital and labor to form a business and in which all partners share the profit according to a specific ratio, while the loss is shared according to the ratio of the contribution (Usmani). All three are based on a profit-and-loss-sharing partnership principle. 2) “Mudaraba”: is a partnership in profit whereby one party provides financial capital and the other party provides the skill and labor. The Arabic word “Mudaraba” literally means a ‘Travel’ on a business activity or undertaking. 3) “Ijarah,” literally, is a contract wherein one party transfers the right to use an item he owns to another party for a specified period in exchange for an agreed consideration. Leasing is the closest equivalent of Ijarah in the western term or type of contract of forms of transaction. However, Ijarah is also utilized in contracts governing loans for acquisition of machinery or estate for an individual or corporate business borrower, given a viable business plan and prospects.. However, the Philippine Islamic Banking System remains a “hybrid” of the conventional and Islamic banking operations, because the bank’s majority shares are owned by the government, and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) currently controls the government shares in the terms of DBP’s banking board policies prevailing over the Philippine Islamic Bank’s Charter, a law passed by Congress. MC

and righteousness. If these traits are for sale, they are not of God, but of the devil who’s out to deceive and mislead the world in darkness. Reports from the Asian Development Bank that the pandemic of 2019 has pushed almost five million people in Southeast Asia into extreme poverty is causing anxiety to some affected regions. But thanks God the Philippines is slowly recovering with the health threat dwindling and socioeconomic wellbeing normalizing despite soaring prices. Doubts and fear to life’s uncertainties must not be taken out of control, instead be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let our requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds through Christ our LORD and Savior (Philippians 4:6-7). As prophesied that there will be pestilences, wars and rumors of war in Matthew 24, the Philippines will have the “largest-ever war games with the USA” scheduled next week. Close to 9,000 Filipino and American forces will gather in Luzon on March 28 in anticipation for possible invasion by China over PH territorial sovereign rights. Let’s pray that the Ukraine experience with Russia is not pass-on to us as we struggle for survival in defense of our sovereign rights. God’s wisdom is what our leaders need for many are out to dope poor and developing countries to become puppets.

Pointblank True to Form Charlie Señase

csenase@yahoo.com

FTER having been acclaimed as the second “Safest City” in the country not too long ago, Cotabato was in a shock to mourn the death of its Chief Public Safety Officer retired Police Col. Rolen Balquin from suspected gunfor-hire group. The planned broad daylight assault at Barangay Rosary Heights-Mother that killed Balquin and seriously injured his police driver-escort Master Sgt. Ariel Gutang has boggled the imagination as the May polls near. The daring bloody attack was an insult to the men in uniform, prompting PNP-12 to join forces with PNP-BARMM in identifying the suspects believed hired by vested interest group. Why do we have to kill and be killed instead of love and be loved? Fear God and assuredly no weapons formed against us will prosper. For the LORD Himself said not to fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead fear God who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28). If we kill, we are murderers and liars which are Satan’s masterpieces for there is no truth in him (John 8:44). But God commanded us to love one another even those who are against us, for love begets love and mercy begets mercy under life’s cycle of sowing and reaping; that we will know the tree by its fruit (Matthew 7:17). This is a good biblical gauge in choosing our national and local candidates. What have they done? Who are they to their families, to their neighbors and communities? This is a timely reminder because most political supporters are into money-making as in paid-hack and other promised concessions. We all need money in life is reality, but with caution not to love it. Instead treasure priceless things that money can’t buy, like love, peace, truth

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Most want to live long-temporal life amid sorrow and pain of earthly survival instead of preparing eternity of endless joy and contentment in the hereafter. To believe in God is a must, but faith is voluntary that the LORD does not force or intimidate in order to allow one’s freewill to work by heart. Beware of God’s prophetic day coming like an oven meant to burn all the proud and the wicked, but the righteous and the God-fearing shall all be saved. MC

she imaged her fantasies. This bourgeois colegiala prepares her idiot cards for them to review before she steps out.She had a coterie of friends , her cheerers, he tuff of ife named Blue Ladies. Most of the ladies’ husbands and Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy their families benefited from franco1573victoria@gmail.com the largesse of the conjugal nce upon a time…..I was assigned dictators. Many of whom b y o u r f a t h e r , h i s p r i m r o s e abandoned them upon their exile in Triumph Herald convertible for Hawaii. my service so he did not have to take The dictionary coined the word me or pick me up at work. Nobody else IMELDEFIC to mean ostentatious is allowed to drive it, except he and me. extravagance, noting her 3000 pairs of It was the only top-down car hereabouts. shoes, her fabulous wardrobe-dozens One day, Dad was so excited because of fur coat in this tropical country. She a beautiful lady was going to sit at the requested Harrod’s in London to make rear seat for a motorcade. The organizers exclusive the library so she can freely chose the beauteous Dr. Mila Armamento browse around. Yes she purchased loads to drive , since I would be at school, of books that never were opened and besides I was not into politics nor public read. relations as they called it. She had an insatiable appetite for The sun was shining brightly, the jewelry. During their escape to Hawaii, special passenger wore a simple but she stashed some of her millions worth elegant outfit, long tresses up in her of collection inside the diapers of her signature style, holding a pretty parasol grandchildren. By the way, she sang adorned with flowers. What a sight to all the way to Hawaii, venting her behold, unforgettable. She was later disappointment on the poor Tommy introduced as the “secret weapon” of Manotoc, the one true love of Imee. then Congressman Ferdinand E. Marcos. She likes to do things in the grandest This was the period when they were to way. She transformed Sarat, hometown embark on the most challenging and of Pres. Marcos’ mother for the thematic important journey of their lives, the road wedding of her daughter Irene to Mr. to Malacanang. Araneta, a cousin of Mar Roxas. Author At first glance, Madam Imelda Primitivo MIjares, the columnist who Romualdez Marcos was really beautiful, introduced them, wrote that if the tall fair , dark black hair and very former President dictator wanted to do fragrant. Her scent stays long after she something else, he would send her to moves away. the farthest countries. Thus, Imeldific After the Edsa Revolution, I had a got to meet Kadafi in his private tent chance to visit the Malacanang Palace at the desert; her hand was kissed by where her many pairs of shoes were Mao Tse Tong ; made friends with the on display, her assorted signature sun Reagans. There was gossip too, that she glasses, her gowns and her personal label wanted to gift Prince Charles a yacht huge bottles of perfume. and then pair him with Imee. This did Madam Marcos loves flowers and all not materialize. She finally was able things beautiful. Flowers are ordered for to attend a gathering at the friend of every room in her hotel suites abroad; Queen Elizabeth. Oh wow! A diamond she prefers roses, thorns detached studded crown was polished for the for her bouquet. The simple singing affair. She was warned that no less than Tacloban lady, once named Muse of Queen Elizabeth would be there and Manila, metamorphosed into a proverbial that no guest should wear a crown. Her Phoenix lady. I believe she was tutored hairdresser turned the crown around by a colegiala, providing her with and placed it at the back, upside down. important facts of history, from where (to be continued…) MC

March 26, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

About Natural Health Products

Health Corner

A reprint

he Philippine natural health products industry is an emerging contributor to consumer welfare and inclusive growth in the country. Providing affordable and organic sources of personal care products, it caters to a niche market which can expand through developments in its supply chain management, production technologies and research and development. In the medium to long-term, the industry envisions itself to be a leading research and development center of natural health products in the ASEAN region, contributing to the country’s economic development and job generation. One of the biggest global trends in the past 20 years has been the growing interest in health and well-being. It has become increasingly important to consumers to improve both their own health and the environment they live in. Natural and organic household and home care products that include cleaners, surface, laundry and dish cleaners, pet food, flowers and linens and fibers are becoming more in demand by consumers who are interested in their health and well-being, inducing more job opportunities in the sector. The industry’s two core competencies are: 1) the presence of diverse natural resources and 2) the availability of land and the natural condition and location of the Philippines. In 2008 to 2011, health supplements grew by 40.35%, while personal care products increased by 34.25%. However, in 2009, these same products posted only a slight growth of 2.8% and 7.1%, respectively. The decrease for personal care products was caused by the decrease in imports by Australia and Malaysia, two of the top importers of Philippine personal care products. Meanwhile, medicinal plants/food posted the biggest leap, growing from 13% in 2009 to 111% in 2011. The continuous annual increase in the exports of medicinal plants/food can be attributed to the increase in demand of raw materials brought about by the increasing demand for organic and natural health products in the world market. At present, multinational and local companies cater to the expanding demand of the domestic and international markets, with 85% belonging to the micro, small

and medium-scale enterprise (MSME) category and 15% classified as large-scale. Products can be categorized into two: natural ingredients (i.e. essential oils, extracts, semi-processed and plant parts) in the upstream, and finished products (i.e. herbal medicines, traditional medicines, cosmetics, health supplements, green fertilizers and pesticides, household and homecare products, and veterinary/ animal products) in the downstream. Facts and Figures Based on the survey conducted by the Chamber of Herbal Industries of the Philippines, manufacturing firms engaged in the production of natural health products comprising of medium and small scale firms are operating at around 50-60% of their installed capacity; while large scale companies utilize around 60% of their installed capacity per year. For those engaged in the manufacture of natural cosmetics, home care and natural ingredients comprising of medium and small sized firms, capacity utilization is around 50% of total installed capacity per year. • Philippine natural and organic products have an estimated total export value (FOB) of about US$153 million in 2011. The major contributor of the growth in the sector is the medicinal plants/foods and the personal care category. • Currently, there are ten (10) Philippine medicinal plant species approved for therapeutic uses by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Department of Health (DOH): 1. Lagundi (Vitexnegundo) – Cough and asthma 2. Sambong (Blumeabalsamifera L.) – Antiurolithiasis (kidney stones) 3. Ampalaya (Momordicacharantia L.) – Lowering of blood sugar and antidiabetes 4. Garlic (Allium sativum) – Anti-cholesterol 5. Guava (Psidiumguajava) – Oral/skin antiseptic 6. Tsaang-gubat (Carmona cetusa) – Mouthwash 7. Yerba-Buena (Menthaarvensis) – Analgesic or anti-pyretic 8. Niyug-niyogan (Quisaualisindica) – Antihelminthic 9. Acapulco (Cassia alata) – Antifungal 10. Ulasimang-bato (Peperomiapellucida)Anti-hyperurisemia MC •

from the income produced by Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, tourism-related firms, financial service companies, among others. This sector contributed 61.42% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Philippines in 2020. Most, if not all, of the firms in the Services sector do not receive direct material and/or financial assistances from the government. The second largest contributor to the Philippine economy is the Industrial sector. Similarly with the Services sector, companies under this sector also do not usually receive subsidies from the government. The sector contributed 28.4% to the 2020 Philippine GDP. Some companies in the Services and Industrial sectors receive incentives from the government in the form of reduced taxes, lower taxes on imported goods directly used in their operations, and so on. As previously mentioned, the Agricultural sector has the least value of contribution to the Philippine economy with just 10.18% of the GDP. This, despite the variety of subsidies that government provides to those in the different agricultural sub-sectors. Through the various agrarian reform programs implemented over 60 years, farmers had been provided land, machineries and equipment, roads, buildings and other facilities, planting materials, and other assistances. Agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, among other provide a myriad of assistances. In the current administration, one of the flagship programs to help those in the farming sector is the provision of free irrigation. What is wrong with the agricultural sector? Could its stagnancy be solved by giving out more freebies? I believe that the most important reform to help those in the agricultural sector is a change of mind-set. Those who are engaged in agricultural production should have an entrepreneurial mind-set and consider market situation instead of expecting the market to adjust to them. MC

The Steel Butterfly

Perspective on Popular Issues (Part 3)

Market Driven

Danny Buenbrazo

danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

his is the third in the series of articles that this writer created to identify and attempted to dissect the policies, programs, and projects that are being discussed by candidates eyeing positions through their participation in thee May 2022 national and local elections. As previously explained, the identification and assessment of these issues of the day is being done to provide a better perspective of the merits and demerits of what parties and candidates are espousing as centerpieces of their respective platforms. Over the last two weeks, three of the most popular campaign items were tackled: the proposal to impose a nationwide hike in the minimum wage that would also result to a uniform rate across the country, the continuation of having a massive infrastructure program, and last week, the proposed shift to a federal form of government that is supposed to hasten the development of lagging regions and provinces. For this week, I would be discussing the proposal to further increase subsidy to the agricultural sector purportedly to increase productivity and improve the economic status of farmers. The Philippine economy, as in the case of other countries, is sub-divided into three major categories: Agriculture, Industry, and Services. The agricultural sector consists of those activities (such as crop cultivation, livestock and poultry production, fishery, and similar undertakings). Industry refers to most manufacturing and/or processing activities, construction, and similar activities. The Services sector involve activities that produce intangible but vital products such as: financial services, health services, hospitality services, and the like. For the last decade, the largest contributor to the Philippine economy had been the services sector, particularly

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 Salahudin G. Mangutara has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the birth certificate of Salahudin Ganatan Mangutara who was born on November 12, 1998 at Pob. 2, Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Abdullah M. Mangutara and Elvira B. Ganatan. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file a written opposition with this office not later than March 29, 2022. (Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 19 & 26, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION Notice is hereby given that the intestate estates of the late EMILIA M. COCAL and LUDOVICO R. COCAL, who died on December 4, 2003 and July 21, 2007 at UERM Hospital, Manila and Midsayap Cotabato, respectively, parcels of land situated in Pob. III, Midsayap, Cotabato covered by OCT No. P-58836 with an area of 489, sq. mts., more or less; land situated in Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato covered by TCT Nos. T-70122, T-71810, T-60348, T-60349, T-60350, T-60351, T-60352, T-60353 and T- 6 0 3 5 4 , w i t h t h e total area of 115,451 sq. mts., more or less and a land situated in Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by OCT No. P-64500 with an area of 20,006 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of Deed of Extrajudicial Partition of estates before Notary Public Atty. Joselyn Bonnie V. Valeros as per Doc. No. 410; Page No. 82; Book No. IV-F; Series of 2017.

SITG formed to speed up probe on Balquin’s murder ...from P1 for operations, was named as SITG supervisor and Colonel Rommel Javier, city police director, as SITG commander. Balquin, who retired in 2017 with the rank of brigadier general, was appointed as Cotabato City Public Order and Safety chief and served as such until he was gunned down on March 19 along Sinsuat Avenue here. His lone attacker used caliber .45 pistol in killing him at about 930 a.m. based on the empty shells found at the crime scene. Balquin’s police escort was wounded in the attack. Balquin who hails from Negros was declared dead on arrival at a government hospital here. Police have persons of interest in the murder that stunned the city residents since it occurred on broad daylight and during election period where gun ban is strictly implemented by the government law enforcement units. Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi has strongly condemned the EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EFREN B. COROTAN, who died intestate on December 13, 2020, parcels of land Lot 2754-C-9-B5-F-4, Psd-12-009076; Lot 2754-C-9-B-5-F-5, Psd-12-009076; Lot 2754-C-3-I-7-G, Psd-12026151; Lot 2754-C-3I-8-G, Psd-12-026126; Lot 2754-C-9-B-5-D-6, Psd-12-026149, Lot 2754-C-9-B-5-D-5, Psd12-026149; Lot No. 83D, Csd-12-002139-D; covered by TCT Nos. T- 9 7 0 2 6 , T- 9 7 0 2 7 , T-97051, T-97061 and T-97022, T-97021 & OCT No. P-58615, all situated at Barrio Poblacion, Libungan, Cotabato, containing the total area of of 15,694 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. 4,184; Page No. 95; Book No. LXXXVII; Series of 2022.

MC: Mar. 19, 26 & Apr. 2, 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 August 2021 will be auctioned on April 1, 2022 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before April 1, 2022 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta Lahat ng sangla noong August 2021 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Abril 1, 2022 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Abril 1, 2022 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

MC: Mar. 19 & 26, 2022

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

THE MINDANAO CROSS

March 26, 2022

Ang Nagdumala

attack and urged residents to help the police in identifying the attackers. Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, police regional director for Region 12 where Balquin also served as police officer vowed to help in the investigation and in bringing the perpetrators before the bar of justice.

Cotabato City was originally under PRO12 administrative and operational control. Now it is under PNP BARMM. A graduate of Philippine National Police Academy Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987, Balquin

served as commandant of cadets at Camp Gen Mariano N Castañeda in Silang, Cavite prior to his assignment to Mindanao. The PNPA flies the Philippine flag at halfmast in honor of Brig. Gen. Balquin.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EFREN B. COROTAN, who died intestate on December 13, 2020, parcels of land Lot2754-C-1-G, Psd-12026150; Lot-2754-C-9B-3-A, Psd-12-002561; Lot 2754-C-3-I-7-H, Psd-12-026151; Lot 2754-C-3-I-7-D, Psd12-026151; and Lot 2754-C-3-I-8-I, Psd-12026126, covered by TCT Nos. T-97004, T-62802, T-97052, T-97048 and T-97063,respectively all situated at Barrio Poblacion, Libungan, Cotabato, containing the total area of of 5,394 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. 4,183; Page No. 95; Book No. LXXXVII; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late WILFREDO M. QUITOR, who died on May 8, 2018 in Pigcawayan, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot No. 2221, TS-215, situated in Making, Parang, Maguindanao, containing an area of 600 sq. mts., more or less, is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Renie Jay Abad Soriano as per Doc. No. 221; Page No. 45; Book No. XXIII; Series of 2022. MC: Mar. 19, 26 & Apr. 2, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses SALEX P. CASTILLON and GLORIA G. CASTILLON, who both died intestate on May 7, 2010 and October 5, 2015, respectively, a parcel of land Lot 7, Block 8 , Psd-12-016835, situated in Bo. Kakar, Cotabato City, containing an area of 138 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-43055 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate among heirs before Notary Public Jose Emilio S. Valentin as per Doc. No. 480; Page No. 96; Book No. CVII; Series of 2020. MC: Mar. 19, 26 & Apr. 2, 2022

MC: Mar. 12, 19 & 26, 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

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 August 2021. Ang subasta ay sa Abril 01, 2022 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng mga umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Mar. 19 & 26, 2022

ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Pebrero hanggang Marso 2021. Ang Subasta ay sa Marso 31, 2022 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar. MC: Mar. 19 & 26, 2022

PMARK PAWNSHOP MAIN, PMARK PAWNSHOP - BRANCH I & PMARK PAWNSHOP BRANCH II Patalastas ng Subasta PMARK Pawnshop Main Branch ng S.K. Pendatun Avenue, Cotabato City, PMARK Branch I - Parang, Maguindanao, at PMARK Branch II Supermarket Site, Cotabato City ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay yaon pang isinangla magmula pa noong Oktubre 2021. Ang Subasta ay sa Abril 01, 2022 sa ganap na ika 9:00 ng umaga hanggang 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar. MC: Mar. 26, 2022

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late FLORENCIO D. MATUGAS, SR. who died intestate on March 4, 2021 in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 9, Block 14 , Pcs-3679 with improvements, situated in Bo. Colina, Cotabato, Cotabato, containing an area of 396 sq. mts., more or less and an insured amount from PDIC are the subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement of real property with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Sandy Balucan Sendad as per Doc. No. 392; Page No. 39; Book No. II; Series of 2022. MC: Mar. 19, 26 & Apr. 2, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Region XII City Government of Cotabato OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section

5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Fernando Mortera Gorospe has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Rosalia to Marilou in the birth certificate of Rosalia Umbao Alcazaren who was born on December 1, 1961 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Manfredo C. Alcazaren and Corazon A. Umbao. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file a written opposition with this office. (Sgd.) TOHAMY M. LAUBAN City Civil Registrar

MC: Mar. 19, 26 & Apr. 2, 2022 Republic of the Philippines Region XII City Government of Cotabato OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 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 Kleann Dimple Ko Bunagan has filed with this office a petition for correction of sex/gender from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Kleann Dimple Ko Bunagan who was born on March 10, 1986 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Maurito M. Bunagan and Lucia M. Ko. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file a written opposition with this office. (Sgd.) TOHAMY M. LAUBAN City Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 19 & 26, 2022

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP - SK PENDATUN CONLUCK PAWNSHOP - BONIFACIO & CONLUCK PAWNSHOP - ORC BRANCH COTABATO CITY

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

MC: Mar. 19 & 26, 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 2013-1 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 Rubie Magdosa Dablio has filed with this office a petition for correction of entry in sex from M to Female in the certificate of live birth of Rubie Alipin Magdosa who was born on November 19, 1981 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Porferio Magdosa and Feliciana Alipin. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than April 6, 2022. (Sgd.) CHONA M. PROVIDA, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 19 & 26, 2022

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 March 1-31, 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 March 30, 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 March 1-31, 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 March 30, 2022.

MC: Mar. 19 & 26, 2022

March 26, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

TAPATAN SA OBLATE MEDIA

Empowering women through improved capacities

Nelly Dillera, was a former parttime announcer at DXMS; Professor at Notre Dame University; Information Officer to Provincial Director at DTI-12; Regional Director at DOT-12; Director at DOT Office of Industry Manpower Development; Executive Director at DTI – Philippine Trade Training Center. Proclaimed Woman Leader and Ulirang Ina for Government Sector in 2019. To bring out what Nelly has done to Women Empowerment, the Mindanao Cross interviewed her for the Tapatan section of this publication. Below are the questions: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DTI-PHILIPPINE TRADE TRAININGCENTER

A big percentage of the work in PTTC is new to me. I serve as Resource Person, train or teach but developing curriculum and modules for entrepreneurs and engaging with international partners are quite new. Then pandemic came. We need to stay active and connected, and be able to deliver our programs effectively through new modalities. These are challenges. For me, challenging situations are those we consider we have little or no knowledge at all and we feel we are not ready to do. But I love to confront challenges. I may be uncertain if I can do it, but I always push through with enthusiasm and openness to learn, knowing that it is another skill developed. I believe it is also growing and developing a self-breakthrough.

In any organization, there are traditional leaders or staff that you have to deal with. For as long as the end-goal is clear, we can make people move. I still believe that in work, people are still looking for a sense of purpose on how they can contribute to the organization. Workers believe that they have the skills and competencies to deliver their tasks or if not, the management can help them realize their purpose. Setting examples on the new ways of leading can influence traditional leaders’ mindset. If they see that staff are more responsive to innovative practices, changes may follow.

In my engagement as Tourism 12 Director (then), with various women’s organization, I have seen their eagerness to develop self-worth and support their family’s needs by involving themselves in economic activities. Men/husbands were also supportive of women/wives allowing them to join organizations, attend meetings or be entrepreneurs themselves. In fact, this was our inspiration when we created COMPLETE WoMen – men and women working together; and government/private institutions working together to support their needs.

Women can look around, be involved in productive activities and in so doing expose themselves to opportunities that they can participate in. There are several opportunities around us, big and small. Capitalizing on one’s skills can be a take off point to improving one’s status. It may be challenging at the beginning, humbling and even horrifying but having a clear direction and connecting with the right people and organization can be helpful. Network and collaborate with friends, families or government and private institutions on productive ventures not on activities that will stagnate personal growth.

6 in illegal drug trade nabbed in GenSan

GEN. SANTOS CITY — Six persons, including four suspected drug den operators, were arrested separate entrapment operation by antinarcotics agents and police with the help of the suspects’ relatives.

In one operation, suspects Masher Ali, 35, and Baitungal Ali, 29, were arrested and are now detained, awaiting prosecution for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The anti-narcotics operation was carried out jointly by the General Santos City Police Office and the Philippine Drug Agency Enforcement-12 in Barangay Bula here. The operation was discreetly assisted by the suspects’ relatives. The couple were immediately cuffed after selling P36,176 worth of shabu to undercover agents in an operation supervised by city police director Col. Paul Bomitivo and PDEA agents. In another operation, police arrested four shabu peddlers operating a makeshift clandestine drug den, also in Barangay Bula.

Arrested were Lolong Kamad, Johaira Abas, Oliver Garcia and Raymond Colino and facing charges for violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Police and PDEA operatives also seized from the four suspects 33 sachets of shabu, worth P141,985, during a tradeoff in Barangay Bula at past 8:00 PM Wednesday. Bometivo said most of their recent operations, along with PDEA-12, that resulted in the arrest of shabu dealers were assisted by vigilant relatives of the now detained suspects. Police Lt. Albert Abelis of the city’s Drug Enforcement Unit and PDEA-12’s director, Naravy Duquiatan, separately said they are grateful to the informants who provided information on the drug trafficking activities of the suspects. John

Felix Unson

207 arrested in Sox police ops GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Units of the Police Regional Office-12 arrested 207 wanted persons and seized more than P100,000 worth of shabu in separate operations, a regional police official said Thursday. Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, director of PRO12, said 93 firearms without licenses were also voluntarily turned over to the police last week by residents of different provinces under their

jurisdiction. The 207 individuals arrested by different units of PRO-12 last week are long wanted law offenders. A number of them fell in anti-shabu entrapment operations. Policemen had also seized almost P200,000 worth of shabu and marijuana from the suspects who fell in separate stings. PRO-12 covers the provinces of North

Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong and Kidapawan. Tagum said he is thankful to the municipal police stations and the four provincial police offices in Region 12 for having carried out last week’s extensive, simultaneous law-enforcement operations in areas covered by PRO12. John Felix Unson

PAG leader, men yield to PNP in Maguindanao

A leader of private armed group (PAG) in Maguindanao and four of his men have voluntarily surrender to police ahead of the start of campaign period for local candidates. On Wednesday, Colonel Jeffrey Fernandez, deputy director for operations of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police office, welcomed the surrender of Sidik Ameril and four of his men during surrender rites in Talitay, Maguindanao. Ameril’s group turned over one unit of M14 rifle, one unit Ultimax rifle; one unit M16 A1 rifle, one unit homemade Grenade Launcher and one M1 Carbine rifle. Ameril, a former assemblyman of Maguindanao, said he and his men decided to formally surrender to clear their names from the PNP list of active PAGs and help in the government’s efforts to come up with a secure, accurate, fair and free 2022 National and Local Elections. In December, six member followers

of Ameril have surrendered to police authorities in Camp Gen. SK Pendatun, the BARMM police regional headquarters and handed over six assorted high powered firearms. “Our intention is honest, we want to live peacefully in our communities, we are ready to work with the government to help convince other PAGs to also surrender so we can come up with a peaceful and credible election,” Ameril said. Colonel Fernandez said PROBARMM is committed in dissolving PAGs in the Bangsamoro Region to achieve a peaceful and prosperous community. “Come down, return to the folds of the law and live peacefully,” Fernandez told other PAGs and armed lawless elections to also surrender peacefully. Brig. Gen. Arthur R. Cabalona, BARMM police regional director, lauded all police operating units for their efforts that resulted in the successful and peaceful surrender of Ameril’s group. Edwin O. Fernandez

BIFF with sniper gun yields in Shariff Aguak

IN his desire to live normal lives and ensure that his rifle will not go to wrong hands, a former Moro rebel decided to surrender to police in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. Lt. Lucky Seigred Sibayan, Shariff Aguak municipal police chief, said Badieod Zaman Solaiman, 49, a member of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) made remarkable decision to come forward and surrender. Sibayan said Solaiman voluntarily surrendered to his office at Wednesday bringing with him his home-made M-14 sniper rifle and bullets. Shariff Aguak Mayor Marop Ampatuan lauded

the move of Solaiman and personally expressed his appreciation for his decision to bring in his rifle during surrender rites inside the town’s Sangguniang Bayan session hall. M u n i c i p a l Administrator Anwar Kuit Emblawa said the decision of Solaiman will hopefully convince other BIFF to also surrender. Emblawa said that Solaiman decided to surrender “to live normal lives with his family and to clear his name from possible links to series of bombings and crimes in Maguindanao.” Lt. Sibayan also expressed hope it will help bring peace and order in town.

He appealed to other BIFF who are still out there to come forward because the PNP and the LGU are open to their peaceful surrender. “I appeal to other BIFF members who are still out there to come down, surrender and help build peace in our community,” Lt. Sibayan said. He said economic package await those who will avail of the government’s reconciliation program. “Your police station is open to all who wish to live normal lives, renounce violence and help build peace, come anytime, you are most welcome,” Sibayan said.

Edwin O. Fernandez