The Mindanao Cross | April 29, 2023

Bishop says Church ready to help Filipino repatriates from Sudan

HALAL INDUSTRY RISING IN COTABATO CITY, BARMM

HALAL INDUSTRY RISING IN COTABATO CITY, BARMM

COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) anticipates an upswing in investments in the Halal food industry in the region, propelled by the successful opening of a new Halal restaurant on April 24, at Timako Hill in Barangay Kalangan II, in this city.

BBOI Chairperson Mohammad Pasigan said, “the opening of this Halal restaurant marks the beginning of a potentially huge market, fueled by a large, fast-growing population of Muslims in the city and in the region

who are looking for products and services aligned with their Islamic way of life.”

He further stressed, “this move to adopt the Halal standard will allow the investors the opportunity to raise

Former info officer now DOLE-12 regional director

By Edwin O. Fernandez

KORONADAL CITY — Starting as information officer assigned to various regional offices across the country, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Soccsksargen region rose from the ranks and returned here as the regional director.

Joel M. Gonzales, newly designated DOLE-12 regional director, today begins his journey in government service as the highest labor official in the Soccsksargen region, promoting close collaboration among workers, employers, and different government agencies, in addressing labor and employment issues in the region.

Co-workers and former colleagues at the regional office here welcomed Gonzales. His first employer was DOLE12 as information officer when the office was still in Cotabato City about 35 years ago.

Gonzales, who previously served as the Regional Director of DOLE Region 2, has replaced former Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante who retired after more than four decades of service to the agency.

The welcome party was attended by heads of the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) 12, including those in the Department of Migrant Workers

DID YOU KNOW? Labor Day

(DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

DOEL-12 Assistant Regional Director Arlene R. Bisnon recounted the years Gonzales started his career with the department as an information officer and rose from the ranks.

“With your intelligence, vibrancies, and leadership, DOLE 12 will soar higher. You have a family here that will work with you, welcome home,” ARD Bisnon said.

Gonzales, in his speech, has highlighted the Labor Secretary’s call for meritocracy, accountability, responsibility, and competence among others.

“It is not easy to cascade our objectives down the line unless we are organized, we are one. Let us begin with the end in mind; we have to change lives for the better,” he added.

RD Gonzales brings with him a wealth of experience in labor and employment issues and a strong commitment to uphold the rights and welfare of workers and employers in the region.

He vowed to continue industrial peace in the region and addressed labor issues via diplomatic means to come with win-win solutions acceptable to all stakeholders.

Philippines Labor Day is celebrated annually on May 1 to celebrate hardworking Filipinos across the country. In Filipino, it is known as ‘Araw ng mga Manggagawa’. People in the Philippines relax and spend the day with their family and friends. These activities draw attention to their complaints, which include the minimum wage, inhumane working conditions, and other issues that undermine the rights of employees. Every hardworking Filipino is celebrated on this day, no matter their job.

the standard of halal foods and further strengthen the perception and market share of halal products in the regional food trade.”

Locals from this city and nearby towns can now enjoy the beach-type

ambiance and newly-opened ‘Timako Bay Seafood Resto’, a Halal restaurant that serves local seafood dishes, Maguindanaon delicacies, and offers catering services with a function hall that can accommodate a

Prayers, native delicacies highlight Eid event

AS the annual Ramadhan closed — a month when Muslims observe daily fasting and overall selfrestraint to nurture spirituality — a big celebration known as the Eid’l Fit’r was held last weekend, April 22, with prayers for unity and diverse food at the center of the festivities.

“As we celebrate this

By John Felix Unson

day, let us remember the true message of Ramadhan. Let us reaffirm our commitment to the tenets of mercy, patience, and charity that have been nurtured in us all during this holy month,” Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said during Saturday’s Eid celebration at the Bangsamoro government center in Cotabato City.

Mr. Ebrahim also

reiterated his call for continued unity as the Muslim-majority region in southern Philippines pursues peace and development alongside the Christian and indigenous people of the Bangsamoro.

“Let us all work together to build a community based on justice, equality, and respect for all, regardless of

NoCot villages get aid direct from BARMM

By Nash B. Maulana

WHAT used to be “isolated” barangays that voted to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2019 are now in a better position receiving support directly from the source, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim said.

At the ceremonial turnover of farm machineries Monday, Ebrahim told farmer-recipients that they are in more “advantageous” situation receiving aid directly from the BARMM government, than they would have been under

provincial or municipal local government units (LGUs).

Ebrahim said BARMM has allocated P 5 billion for a Special Development Fund (SDF) in its annual budget, with which the regional government procured the tractor units and trailerdiscs mechanized plow, harvesters and transplanting equipment for the recipient farming communities of Midsayap Municipal Cluster I and I in North Cotabato.

BARMM Interior and Local P11

Moro villagers displaced by gunfights

54 olive ridley sea turtles “journey back home”

SEA TRAVEL MADE EASY. With the launching of the Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) Shipping Service in BARMM from Polloc Free Port, Parang, Maguindanao Del Norte to Lamitan, Basilan on April 25, 2023 and expected to promote and strengthen economic activities in BARMM provinces.

Photo courtesy of UPPAF

HALAL RESTO. This Halal restaurant in Timako Hill, Cotabato City signals the beginning of a potentially huge market - fast-growing population of Muslims in the city and in the region looking for products and services aligned with their Islamic way of life. Photo courtesy of BIO

Moro villagers displaced by gunfights

GUNS are silent since Monday in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town but thousands of displaced villagers refuse to return without a written truce between two Moro groups whose clashes forced them to abandon their homes in haste.

The two heavily-armed groups groups are comprised of members of the 105th and 118th Base Commands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, squabbling for control of villages in Barangays Madia and Dapiawan, both in Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao del Sur province.

Combined units of the Maguindanao Provincial Police Office and the 6th Infantry Division drove the two groups out of Barangays Madia and Dapiawan in clearing operations Monday.

“We are calling on the evacuees to return to their homes now. We have peacekeeping teams to stay around” Brig. Gen. Oriel L. Pangcog

said Wednesday over radio stations in central Mindanao of the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation.

No fewer than 4,000 villagers from Madia and Dapiawan are languishing in evacuation sites since last week.

“Unless we don’t see a peace agreement signed by leaders of both groups, there can never be peace in our barangays,” a 60-year-old farmer, who asked to be identified only as Beduh, told reporters Wednesday in the Maguindanaon dialect.

Local executives in Datu Saudi Ampatuan drew flak from various sectors and from other public officials in the province for failing to

disengage the rival groups promptly. Gunmen from the two groups had set on fire more than a dozen houses in Dapiawan amid fierce gunfights in early April.

The two groups first figured in gunfights in late March.

Col. Ruel R. Sermese, director of the Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Police Office, earlier said they are trying to work out, along with the local government unit of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, the settlement of the conflict.

Public school teachers in the conflict-stricken barangays are also reluctant to reopen their classrooms for fear of a repeat of the gunfights.

John Felix Unson

MagSur distressed folks reluctant to return home

DESPITE assurances from police and military authorities that displaced families can now go home, the visibly traumatized civilians refused to journey back to their communities.

The conflict involving local leaders of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) over territorial and political disputes had affected about 3,400 families or about 17,000 in three adjoining towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Salido and Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

But most of the affected families are from the villages of Dapiawan, Elian, Gawang and Madia of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

Citing latest data, Ameer Jehad 'Tim' Ambolodto, Maguindanao Sur provincial disaster officer, said only more than 1,000 families out of the total number of displaced residents went home on Thursday.

“Let’s give them at least a day or two because what these families have went through is no easy. Imagine, hearing series of open fire near your house,” he said.

The gun-battle occurred during Ramadhan, Holy Week, and some took place earlier on March.

This caused disturbances for Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan that culminated on April 22, the supposed Eid’l Ftr celebration.

Displaced families failed to attend congregational prayers, instead, the evacuees celebrated the end of fasting month inside evacuation sites.

The Army’s 6th Infantry Division and Maguindanao Sur PNP have conducted the clearing operations earlier this week to keep the affected barangays free from exchange of fire emanating from warring MILF groups.

Citing reports from grounds troops and village officials, Lt. Col. Dennis Almorato, 6th ID Civil Military Operations Battalion commander, said atleast eight MILF combatants from both sides were killed during the skirmishes.

Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said the Army has deployed soldiers backed by armored vehicles to protect civilian communities.

As of April 27, economic activities in the local market of Dapiawan was already back to normal according to Datu Saudi Ampatuan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Head Rohanna Lintang Salik.

On April 4, the hostilities among MILF fighters left 16 houses and business establishments razed to the ground.

Security forces and local officials, along with the MILF’s Task Force Ittihad (Unity), have tried to convince leaders of 118th and 105th base commands to come to win-win solution.

However, an Army official said no peace deal was ever reached as of Thursday, April 26. Drema Quitayen Bravo

THE Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has called Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) warring groups to stop fighting and uphold civilian protection.

In a statement Wednesday, the BHRC said the fighting has already displaced more than 17,000 individuals in three adjoining towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Salibo and Saydona Mustapha.

Most of the affected

families are in Barangays Dapiawan, Elian and Madia, all in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

“We strongly appeal to both parties to immediately cease their firefight and prevent further hostilities, as it has already resulted in the displacement civilians,” the BHRC said.

“As Muslims, both armed groups should adhere to the teachings of Islam, which promotes peace, compassion, and respect for human rights,” it added.

The BHRC also

In

Pigcawayan, MILF infighting also erupted; town mayor intervenes

PIGCAWAYAN, North Cotabato –More soldiers have been deployed in Barangay Simsiman here to prevent the escalation after hostilities erupted between warring two Moro groups who belonged to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 105th base command.

Army Captain Jonas Cañete, 92nd Infantry Battalion Alpha company commander, told DXMS Radyo Bida that the firefight between the group of Sammy Usman and Noro Amir Abdulsalam Eson, started Monday evening at the center of the Barangay that forced dozens of civilians fleeing to safer grounds.

Cañete joined the team of Pigcawayan Mayor Juanito Agustin on Wednesday who stepped in to help resolve the conflict and had spoken to the two leaders of warring groups to prevent the escalation of the firefight into neighboring barangays.

In a facebook video, Mayor Agustin has expressed concern over the safety of civilians. He also appealed to the two Moro groups for a dialogue to settle the conflict.

Barangay Simsiman is now part of the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM).

Agustin clarified that he

intervened to prevent the spillover to other barangays in Pigcawayan.

Captain Cañete added that during the initial dialogue, both sides agreed to refrain from carrying or displaying firearms while roaming around the community.

Agustin also said that he will sit next week with the BARMM Government to jointly resolve the conflict in the Barangay.

Meanwhile, displaced families had received relief assistance from BARMM Government through Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD). Mark Anthony Tayco

COTABATO City's Al-Nor Commercial Complex is expanding exponentially from its business nucleus of well-furnished hotel rooms, fine dining, franchised coffee shops, a convention center, native and oriental food places, and movie houses.

The couple owners are pushing through with a gargantuan expansion program, initially by the on-going construction of an eight-layer hotel building extending southwest of its current Two-Star hotel accommodation facilities.

In another site, the expansion potentially covers some 260 units of condominium-type apartments on an erstwhile Episcopal Church estate in 23-levels, northeast of the Al-Nor Complex’s exit gate from the city’s Robinson’s branch, along Sinsuat Avenue.

Owner Hadji Kahar Nul, a former overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia, said an on-going expansion southwest of the complex’s entrance gate translates to 216 furnished hotel rooms which will be open for billeting reservations and accommodation by mid2023 in all the first six-floor levels.

The extension stands on a 2,000 square-meter northeast adjacent area from its main one-hectare commercial complex.

Before 2024, all new 112 rooms will be fully furnished-open for business in two more levels up of the on-going construction, in addition to the current 164 hotel rooms that are often fully-booked to visiting tourists, mostly foreigners, professionals involved in peace programs.

With the current rate of P 11,000 – P 12,000.00 per square-meter of conservative development estimates, the construction can cost way above P200 million for the hotel expansion with two levels of convention halls.

But no, there could be a lot more to spend on

materials, ocean freight and delivery costs, as the owners said they are importing the finishing construction materials, the marble tiles from Singapore and the veneer plane plywood sheets from another country.

Nul said creditor banks financing the construction that had been stalled by the past pandemic had offered financial reprieve to most clients in consideration of that unforeseen period that inevitably caused much delays, and which he and his wife as conjugal owners, had availed

But still they did not cease fulfilling loan repayment remittances. “That’s the secret of trust. Pay religiously even in times of severe crisis,” he said.

Nul’s Advice to Moros

Moros in general, Nul says, are fond of securing financial loans for “dead investments” like brand new vehicles. The more one gets used to putting risks on dead investment the least he is able to regain financial stability from losses, he confides.

But Moros, he says, should venture more of the bank trust loans into income generating, selfsustaining business that generates employments as well. The Al-Nor Commercial Complex in conjugal proprietorship has at least 1,200 personnel in its weekly and monthly payrolls from hotel personnel to franchisedshops employees and construction workers.

Hadji Kahar Nul had been an OFW with natural preference for entrepreneurship in his early professional life, with most of his employment period spent in Saudi Arabia where he ran an eatery for fellow Filipino workers. The usual local courses for goat meat, including “papaitan, kaldereta, sinina,” are often the meat preparation missed a lot in a foreign land, being in his menu. Nash B. Maulana

“Stop fighting,” HR commission tells warring MILF groups

WELCOME. A Moro woman with black shoal welcomes a military armored vehicle Thursday, as if saying “you are my shining armor,” as part of the Army’s peacekeeping tasks as MILF fighters cease fighting in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao Sur.

Photo courtesy of FLG Creation

Mall of Al-Nor half-way through P1-B ‘exponential’ expansion

The campaign, which is set to run from May 2-31, 2023, will involve vaccinating children aged 0-59 months against measles and giving them oral polio vaccines.

“I call on all community leaders and other stakeholders across the region to work hand in hand with MOH health frontliners to ensure the health and wellbeing of children in the region and contribute to the country’s efforts to eliminate measles and rubella and eradicate polio.”

-BARMM Health Minister Dr. Rizaldy Piang

BGC transfer to Parang, MagNor to boost region’s economy, stakeholders say

COTABATO CITY ― Relocating the administrative capital from Cotabato City to Parang, Maguindanao del Norte will pave the way for economic growth and development in the region, according to various stakeholders who participated in a public consultation for BTA Bill No. 43 on Monday, April 17.

Parang Mayor Cahar Ibay explained that the municipality is “ideally best for establishing the development and implementation of the master plan for the new seat of capital of the Bangsamoro government.”

The municipality of Parang, according to Mayor Ibay, fully backs BTA Bill No. 43, as it has much to offer.

Mayor Ibay and other stakeholders also appealed to the Bangsamoro Parliament to immediately pass the proposed measure that would make Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, the new seat of the Bangsamoro Government.

The Bangsamoro Parliament’s Rules Committee, chaired by Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, held a public consultation for BTA Bill No. 43, inviting several officials and representatives from the BARMM’s ministries, offices, and agencies, as well as concerned national agencies and provincial, municipal, and city local government units, financial and educational institutions, transportation groups, nongovernment organizations, and civil society groups.

Speaking about the recently passed Bangsamoro Electoral Code, Atty. Dumama-Alba emphasized the importance of public consultations to provide the Bangsamoro legislators with a more nuanced understanding of the implications of the proposed measure.

She also guaranteed that the committee will give careful consideration to all stakeholder’s feedback before submitting its report to the plenary.

Deputy Floor Leader Atty. Mary Ann Arnado noted that the public consultation is a great opportunity to engage with the public and hear their voices.

It’s crucial that everyone understand “what is the administrative capital, what requirements should be considered to become an administrative capital, and why Parang?” she said.

Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Parliament shall fix by law the permanent seat of the Bangsamoro government anywhere within the territorial jurisdiction of the region, taking into consideration accessibility and the efficiency with which its mandate may be carried out under the BOL.

The selection criteria for the new government center, according to the committee’s presentation, include location and accessibility, land availability and

suitability, infrastructure and utilities, economic, institutional, and social services, social and political acceptability, peace and order conditions, and the potential to enhance BARMM development.

Other locations considered were Cotabato City, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Sultan Kudarat, and Sultan Mastura.

Of these municipalities, Parang scored the highest in the assessment.

The committee said that the results of the feasibility study showed not just the need to relocate the government center but also the most ideal location for it to establish a new capital, the fast-growing town of Parang.

According to the proposed measure, the Bangsamoro Government Center in Parang will be autonomous from the local government unit and will report directly to the regional government.

A committee will be formed called the Committee on the Establishment of Administrative Capital (CEAC) to lead and organize the preparation, development, and implementation of masterplans, strategies, processes, and timetables that will serve as the framework for the development of Parang as the new administrative center of the Bangsamoro government.

Based on the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Parang municipality has 102,000 population, 17,000 households, and 25 barangays. It also includes the seven barangays of

BTA’s CAFAR deliberates propose agri-training institute

THE Bangsamoro Parliament’s Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform Committee met on Wednesday, April 26, to continue deliberating the proposed measure that would establish the Bangsamoro Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute.

Under BTA Bill No. 39, the Bangsamoro Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute (BAFTI) will lead the formulation of the regional agriculture and fisheries extension agenda and budget.

It will prioritize research on modern

agriculture and fisheries trends.

CAFAR Chair Matarul Estino said that representatives from important stakeholders will be invited to further discuss the proposed legislation in order to prevent duplication and save government funds.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture will be consulted to discuss the possibility of Al-Amanah Islamic Bank serving as a partner lending conduit for the Agricultural Credit Policy Council to make interest-free loans available to BARMM cooperatives and social enterprises.

Bongo Island.

Strategically placed in Maguindanao’s northwest, Parang is bordered by Matanog Municipality to the north, Barira and Buldon to the west, and Sultan Mastura to the south, all within Maguindanao del Norte Province.

The presence of the Polloc Freeport and Economic Zone creates a potential gateway to national and international direct commercial links that will provide a favorable environment for investment and trade, as well as employment opportunities that will stimulate economic growth and inclusive development.

The regional office of the Philippine National Police is also located in the municipality.

Parang is located 31 kilometers from Cotabato City and 36.7 kilometers from Awang Airport.

It is also a municipality in the province that produces agricultural products, including agro-industrial and high-value commercial crops.

“We firmly believe that our locality is appropriately and capably suited as an advantageous setting for the establishment of BGC, which will offer quality services that can be easily accessed by constituents across the Bangsamoro region,” said Mayor Ibay.

Meanwhile, Cotabato City Vice Mayor Johari Abu said that he hopes the Parliament will discuss the impact of this legislation on the economic growth and

activities of the city.

He also stated that the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cotabato expresses its full support for the Bangsamoro government’s larger actions for the betterment of its constituents.

Cotabato City is home to the Bangsamoro Government Center, formerly known as the Regional Autonomous Government in 1979, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 1989, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019.

The Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 42 was passed on September 22, 1995, with the intention of making Parang, Maguindanao, the permanent location of the regional capital until the development of necessary structures and infrastructure.

However, the move to Parang never materialized until the passage of Republic Act No. 9054 in 2001, which directed the ARMM Regional Government to construct a new permanent seat of government within its territory; Cotabato City remained the de facto location of the ARMM government.

Currently, the Bangsamoro Government Center houses the Bangsamoro Parliament along with the Office of the Chief Minister, 15 ministries, five commissions, and other agencies. According to Atty. Dumama-Alba, the committee report will be submitted to the plenary by May.

Health committee to conduct inquiry to vaccinations programs

SEVERAL proposed resolutions were approved by the Bangsamoro Parliament’s Health Committee, including measures to conduct inquiries on vaccination programs and the establishment of hospitals.

Based on the approved resolutions at the committee level, the COH will conduct an inquiry on the framework strategy, the implementation of all types of vaccinations, the status of emerging and re-emerging diseases in the region, and the MOH’s overall plan for the establishment of hospitals.

The Committee also adopted a resolution directing the MOH to inform and update the Bangsamoro Parliament on the status of community-intended health projects to include facilities, equipment, human resources, extensions

or outreach, and training by submitting a report through the Secretary-General. Committee reports, according to COH Chair Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., will be presented in the plenary when the second regular session resumes.

Meanwhile, the committee agreed to look into the alleged delayed signing of contracts and release of salaries for human resources in health, including those under the Nurse Development Program, Rural Health Midwives Placement Program, and other nationally funded programs.

The COH also posed an inquiry about the MOH's hiring and promotion of employees.

Four special subcommittees were created to look into the several issues and concerns on health programs.

BTA rules committee deliberate bill moving BARMM’s capital

THE proposed measure that would transfer the administrative capital of the Bangsamoro Government to Parang, Maguindanao del Norte has been approved at the committee level on April 19.

The Bangsamoro Parliament’s Rules Committee promptly deliberated BTA Bill No. 43 with the position papers, comments, and recommendations of various stakeholders the day after its public consultation with various

stakeholders.

After conducting a feasibility study, Parang was determined to be the most ideal municipality for the BARMM’s new administrative capital.

The new administrative center,

once approved, will house the offices of the Chief Minister and Wali, the Bangsamoro Parliament, ministries, and offices.

COR Chair Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba said that the committee

BTA holds PubCon on BTA Bill No. 43

VARIOUS stakeholders who participated in a public consultation for BTA Bill No. 43 expressed their full support for the proposed measure, which would make Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, the new seat of the Bangsamoro Government.

The Bangsamoro Parliament’s Rules Committee, chaired by Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, invited several officials and representatives from BARMM’s ministries, offices, and agencies, including concerned national agencies and provincial, municipal, and city local government units as well as nongovernment,

financial, and civil society groups.

The proposed legislation calls for the relocation of the Chief Minister’s Office, the Bangsamoro Parliament, and various ministries, offices, and agencies to Parang.

The selection criteria for the new government center, according to the committee’s presentation, include location and accessibility, land availability and suitability, infrastructure and utilities, economic, institutional, and social services, social and political acceptability, peace and order conditions, and the

BTA’s CAFAR deliberates propose agri-training institute

DEPUTY Speaker Atty. Paisalin

Tago recently handed over two land ambulances to selected communities in Lanao del Sur as part of his initiative to increase healthcare access.

The effort aimed to reduce emergency-related mortality in Marawi

City and Tamparan by making it easier for people who live far from big medical facilities to get health care.

The Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) of DS Tago supported the purchase of the emergency vehicles.

report will be presented in the plenary on the second regular session in May. She added that this will encourage the Bangsamoro government to expand its development and progress to other areas of the region.

potential to enhance BARMM development.

Parang Mayor Cahar Ibay and other stakeholders appealed to the Bangsamoro Parliament to pass the proposed measure, as the municipality is “ideally best for establishing the development and implementation of the master plan for the new seat of capital of the Bangsamoro government.”

Atty. Dumama-Alba also assured stakeholders that the proposed measure, including its impact on Cotabato City’s economic activities, will be carefully deliberated.

BTA educ committee discusses bill on creating Institute for higher Islamic studies

MEMBERS of the Committee on Basic, Higher, and Technical Education deliberated on Parliament Bill No. 31, also known as the Bangsamoro Regional Institute for Higher Islamic Studies Act of 2022.

The proposed bill seeks to establish a Kuliyyah Institution that offers a baccalaureate and postgraduate courses in Islamic and Arabic studies.

The Committee agreed to invite resource persons from the Regional

Madrasah Graduate Academy and the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education to further discuss PB No. 31. Resolutions 104, 153, 157, and 190 were also discussed and referred to their respective CBHTE subcommittees.

Bishop says Church ready to help Filipino repatriates from Sudan

A Catholic bishop said Tuesday that the Church is ready to work with the government to help Filipinos who will be repatriated from troubled Sudan.

Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) said the Church is always open “to help and offer our resources to our Filipinos”.

“Our Church extends our collaboration and assistance for their needs,” Santos, who is also the bishop-promoter of the Stella Maris-Philippines.

“There are programs and plans in the dioceses to give hope,

heal, and help our Filipinos that have been repatriated,” he added. The Department of Foreign Affairs said at least 156 Filipinos are ready to be repatriated due to the ongoing violence in Sudan that has left hundreds of people dead.

DFA Usec. Eduardo Jose de Vega said there could be up to 700 Filipinos in Sudan but only about 300 Filipinos have asked for repatriation.

Bishop Santos also assured their prayers for the welfare of

Vatican announces laypeople, including women, will vote in Synod on Synodality assembly

ROME— The Vatican announced Wednesday that there will be laypeople participating as voting members in the Synod on Synodality’s October assembly, a break with past custom, which allowed laypeople to participate without the right to vote.

Pope Francis will also approve every member in advance.

The general assembly of the Synod on Synodality will take place in two sessions, in October 2023 and October 2024. After the vote on a final document for the assembly, the pope alone decides whether to take any actions based on the recommendations in the final text or whether to adopt it as an official Church document.

The leadership of the synod released information in a FAQ sheet April 26 about who will attend the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October and how they will be chosen.

The biggest change announced Wednesday was the removal of the “auditor” role. In past synods, auditors included priests, religious, and laypeople, who did not have the right to vote in synod deliberations.

Now, these 70 members, who may be priests, consecrated women, deacons, and laypeople, will be able to vote. They will be chosen by the pope from among a list of 140 people selected by the leadership of this year’s continental synod meetings.

According to the synod leadership, it is requested that “50% of [the selected people] be women and that the presence of young people also be emphasized.”

“In selecting them, account is taken not only of their general culture and prudence but also of their knowledge, both theoretical and practical, as well as their participation in various capacities in the synod process,” the FAQ sheet says.

A second change states that five women religious and five men religious will be elected to represent their

The art of shepherding has3 changed little since biblical times. Today in places where sheep abound such as in New Zealand where there are more sheep than people, shepherds still bring their sheep to water and pasture and protect them from harm.

institutes of consecrated life rather than 10 religious priests as in the past.

The last modification is that Pope Francis will personally choose the representatives of the Vatican dicasteries who participate in the assembly.

“It’s a change, but it’s not a revolution,” Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, relator general of the Synod on Synodality, told journalists during a meeting to explain the changes April 26. “Change is normal in life, in history,” he added.

Approximately 21% of the total participation, expected to be 370 people, will be non-bishops, Hollerich explained.

Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, said the non-bishop participants — among them priests, religious, deacons, and laypeople — “are witnesses of the memory of the process, of the itinerary, of the discernment that began two years ago.”

Grech told CNA after the meeting that the synod of bishops has asked the presidents of the continental assemblies, which took place this spring, and the leadership of the Eastern Catholic Churches, to each submit a list of 20 people, 10 men and 10 women. From these lists, Pope Francis will choose 10 members.

He said the decision to include laypeople as full members does not “undermine” the nature of the synod as a meeting of bishops.

“It will remain a synod of bishops,” he said, “but it enriches all of the Church” to have the participation of others.

The process for electing the bishops to represent the various countries will remain the same, with one small addition, Hollerich said.

Previously, countries too small to have a bishops’ conference did not have a representative at the synod, he said. Now they will each send one bishop.

The other bishops will be elected

by their bishops’ conferences. The number of bishop representatives for each country is determined based on the size of the bishops’ conference. Pope Francis must also ratify the elections of bishops as members of the synod assembly.

There will also be participants with a nonvoting capacity, who are experts, facilitators, and fraternal delegates from non-Catholic faiths.

The norms regulating synods of bishops were updated by Pope Francis in 2018 in the apostolic constitution Episcopalis Communio.

According to the FAQ sheet from the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, the norms continue to be based on Episcopalis Communio “with some modifications and new features to the composition of the assembly and the kinds of participants.”

The document called the changes “warranted within the context of the synodal process.”

“This synodal process, initiated by the Holy Father, the ‘visible principle and foundation of unity’ of the whole Church (cf. Lumen Gentium 23), was possible because each bishop opened, accompanied, and concluded the phase of consultation of the People of God,” the FAQ sheet said.

“In this way,” it continued, “the synodal process was at the same time an act of the entire People of God and of its pastors, as ‘the visible principle and foundation of unity in their particular churches, fashioned after the model of the universal Church, in and from which churches comes into being the one and only Catholic Church’ (LG, 23).”

“It is in this perspective that one must understand the Holy Father’s decision to maintain the specifically episcopal nature of the assembly convened in Rome, while at the same time not limiting its composition to bishops alone by admitting a certain number of non-bishops as full members,” it said. Hannah Brockhaus/ Catholic News Agency

Shepherding in the Modern World

Reflections

Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com

As the responsorial psalm says of the Good Shepherd, “He leads me to green pastures and to fresh waters ({s. 23)”

The good shepherd protects his sheep so that they are not afraid to walk through dark valleys where predators wait. The shepherd is there with his crook and his staff, the crook to guide the straying sheep and the staff to fight off the wild beasts. As the gospel says, the sheep know the voice of their shepherd, and he knows his sheep, “he calls them by name” (Jn. 10:3).

Today modern shepherds, with hundred of sheep to care for use jeeps and motorcycles to herd the sheep . They are aided by sheep dogs who keep the flock in line, but the objective remains the same, to bring the sheep to good pasture and water, to shelter them and protect them from marauders and all kinds of harm. As the Lord Jesus said, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The shepherd is gentle with his flock and courageous against their predators. In the Hebrew scriptures, the epitome of the good shepherd was king David. He had courage to fight off the wild beasts and Goliath, but he was also humble enough to accept his sins and repent as his prayer says, “Have mercy on me, have mercy on me.” (Ps. 51).

The world has changed since biblical times and shepherding or leading becomes more complicated, especially for church leaders who are in charge of caring for their people. We are living in a secularized environment where spiritual teachings and guidance may not be given much relevance, and dismissed as “old

fashioned.” We are living in a globalized situation where the ease of travel and communications led to rapid exchange of ideas, so that the boundaries between “right or wrong,” “moral or immoral” has become blurred

There is a need for good shepherds, leaders who care for their flock instead of themselves. As Pope Francis pointed out, the church in the modern world is more like a field hospital that takes care of the victims of violent and uncaring environments. The local shepherds be they religious or civic leaders have their responsibilities pointed out to them by the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ Himself: to be gentle to the flock by listening to them and being close to them, in the words of Pope Francis “to smell like the sheep.” The modern shepherd has to be clear in himself what is the difference between right and wrong so that he can teach and guide his flock, especially the young people. The modern shepherd protects his people from what is harmful and sacrifices himself to look after their welfare.

I remember reading a true story of an old parish priest in France who was in a poor parish where he was often seen with his “kariton’ collecting food and clothes and bringing them to the needy. He was especially concerned with two of his parishioners who were orphaned by the war. The boy had physical disabilities and was often bullied, while the girl had to resort to prostitution to make both ends meet. One day the bullies were more violent and the brother died from physical abuse. Upon hearing what happened to her brother, the girl committed suicide. The parish priest said the funeral mass for these orphans. The church was filled with parishioners because of the case. During the homily the old priest with tears in his eyes said, “Forgive me Lord for failing you as a shepherd. My sheep have turned into wolves.”

the OFWs in the battle-scarred African nation.

“Through our chaplains, we are always praying and offering our Holy Masses for their safety, strength, and sound health,” he said. CBCP News

archbishop:

ARCHBISHOP-elect Julius

Tonel has vowed to listen to his flock as he forms vision for the southern Philippine archdiocese of Zamboanga.

A day after his appointment, the prelate was still in “disbelief” with his new ministry but he said “the mission must go on”.

The challenge, according to him, remains the same: how to bring the Gospel closer to the people in the best way possible.

“So I will do a lot of listening,” Tonel said, adding that it’s the best way he can have as a base to serve the people.

Taking a cue from the spirit of synodality, he said his ministry approach is to meet people where they are— in their life aand in their discernment.

“I have to work with all of these and everything that I will do has to be rooted in the Gospel,” he added.

Pope Francis on April 25 appointed Tonel, until now the bishop of the Diocese of Ipil, as the new archbishop of Zamboanga.

He will replace the

late Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz, who served the post from May 2014 until his death from illness in December 2021.

Auxiliary Bishop Moises Cuevas has been overseeing the archdiocese as apostolic administrator. Addressing the clergy and the faithful on Tuesday evening, he asked them to pray for their new archbishop “as he begins his new ministry among us”.

“May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen him as he leads us on the path of faith and spiritual growth,” Cuevas said.

“And may God bless our new archbishop and our local Church of Zamboanga. May we continue to grow in faith, hope and love under his spiritual guidance,” he added.

Tonel, who is turning 67 on Aug. 31, has been the bishop of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province since 2007.

The archdiocese has yet to announce the date of Tonel’s canonical installation as Zamboanga archbishop. CBCP News

4th Sunday of Easter

Acts 2.14a, 36b-41; 1 Peter 2.20b-25 John 10.1-10

Readings: no. 279, p. 542

1st Reading: Acts 11.1-18

Gospel (Year A): John 10.11-18

Readings: no. 280, p. 546 or no. 560, p. 670

1st Reading: Acts 11.19-26

Gospel: John 10.22-30

Readings: no. 561, p. 670; BG, p. 794 or RL, p. 788

1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.1-8

Gospel: John 14.6-14

Readings: no. 282, p. 550

1st Reading: Acts 13.13-25

Gospel: John 13.16-20

Readings: no. 283, p. 552

1st Reading: Acts 13.26-33

Gospel: John 14.1-6

Readings: no. 561B, p. 674; BG, p. 463

1st Reading 722(12): 2 Timothy 4.1-5

Gospel 724(10): John 10.11-16

Zamboanga’s new

‘I’ll do a lot of listening’

Archbishop-elect Julius Tonel of Zamboanga

Tracking the Growth of a City

Some20 years ago, the former administrations of Cotabato City were concerned with the physical characteristics of the city which was difficult to plan for. First of all, the city is located in a delta, an ecosystem which even the sophisticated government of Mexico City found a challenge to plan for. Second, its population is not homogeneous, but is a mixture of several indigenous tribes residing around the city. Third, after the second world war, the region where it is located had a separatist problem which many found to be a barrier to its peaceful development.

Having resided in the city for so long, I witnessed the countless times that the city government tried to come up with an acceptable City Masterplan. The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) was privy to the acceptance, rejection, revisions, of a masterplan which would fit the aspirations of its residents/ citizens. Whatever the final plan is, which keep on changing, parts can already be seen in the improved infrastructure of the city. At present, the fringes of the city which were feared to be impenetrable before are now even groomed to be tourist attractions. From the scenic Timako Hiil to the swamps of Kakar, residents can move around for the easiest entertainment or commercial targets that they can avail of.

The city, which was virtually separated from its neighboring towns by a number of rivers, can now be reached via three bridges (although the first one is due for repair after damaged by the 1976 earthquake). I remember during my younger days that the major river – the Pulangi or more popularly known as the Rio Grande –was a winding stream compared to a chicken’s entrails, that must be navigated for hours from the wharf at the city to the mouth of the river called the Bukana. At the Bukana are anchored the vessels that cannot navigate the shallow and small waterways that can carry only the flat tow boats that are used by the passengers. The project of dredging the Rio Grande to allow easier access to the Bukana hastened the travel time, although people point to the project as having caused flooding in the city. I’m not sure if this is due to wrong planning or wrong implementation. But it sure is a result of interfering with nature and its environmental design.

With the new administration at present, it is high time to review the masterplan so that revisions can be introduced. We have to accept the fact that with the Bangsamoro government in place, they would require changes that would fit their aspirations. Hopefully, the city’s multi cultural, multi religious character will be maintained by the new government, so that we can proudly say that stability and peace still reigns. MC

Amosque in Indonesia is reported to have successfully encouraged communities to manage waste and use the profit gained to support the mosque and congregation’s activities through what is known as GRADASI or Gerakan Sedekah Sampah Indonesia, the Indonesian Waste Charity Movement.

LiCas News, a Catholic church news agency based in Bangkok and staffed entirely by lay-people across Asia, reports that GRADASI was initiated in 2021 through the efforts of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Secretariat for the National Coordination Team for Marine Debris Handling, United Nations Development Programme Indonesia, and the Indonesian Ulema Council. It aims to reduce plastic pollution in communities by “donating” household waste in mosques.

According to the LICas report, data from Indonesia’s National Waste Management Information System showed the country produced 19 million tons of waste in 2022, of which 18.2 percent was plastic. “Plastic waste has caused many problems in the archipelago such as unsightly landscapes, polluted marine ecosystems, and potentially, health issues due to the leaching of microplastic,” the report added.

A religious approach like GRADASI can be successful in Indonesia, where an overwhelming majority of citizens – 87 percent – identify themselves as Muslims, the LiCas report said. If implemented widely, this movement has a strong potential to change the mindset of 280 million Indonesians, and lead to wiser plastic use and better plastic waste management.

We are told that in the Qur’an, God calls Adam, the first man he created, his Khalifah, a steward or someone who looks after something for someone else. This means God entrusted Adam and all future generations of people to look after the world. This idea of stewardship is very important within Islam.

The same thought, humanity’s stewardship of God’s natural creation, is similarly emphasized in the 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ of Pope Francis where he reminds not only members of the Catholic church but all humanity, all people of faith, should not only respect the Earth but

ITwas only after his death last week in Cebu City that we learned that little known Miconeilo B. Draper from Magindanao had been covertly commissioned to ghost-write for some “experts” in the formulation of questionnaire (from the actual evolution of the practice-to-theory process) randomly selected for the biannual ECE Board Exams in the country.

Miconeilo or Manong Nonong as he was affectionately called, was born and raised in Barangay Timbangan in Old Maganoy (part of the modern-day Maguindanao del Sur), and up to his dying years he could speak Magindanaon very fluently. He had a half-Muslim mother (Maria Dumpao, grandniece of Shariff Ampatuan). His social and cultural environs were heavily influenced by Moro neighborhoods.

also praise and honor God through their engagement with creation.

Very much like our ASEAN neighbor Indonesia, the Philippines, a majority Christian country, is also beset with a plastic waste problem. A recent Washington Post report has described us as a nation swallowed by plastic waste. Our population of 114 million people, the report said, produces over one-third of all oceanic plastic waste in the world. A staggering 2.7 million tons of plastic waste are generated in the Philippines each year, and an estimated 20 percent ends up in the ocean, according to a World Bank study.

During this year’s Earth Day celebration, Greenpeace Philippines pushed for a cap on production, an immediately planned phaseout of single-use plastics, and an urgent transition to zero-waste reuse models to spare the youth and future generations from the dire impacts of plastic pollution and climate emergency. As individuals and communities, we also have a share in reducing the menace of plastic-waste by living simply, minimizing consumption, and actively promoting ecological awareness and action.

What the Baitul Makmur Mosque in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia is doing can be replicated in faith-based communities in the Philippines: the congregation donates waste such as glass, metal cans, paperboard, and plastic, and the collected waste is taken to recyclers where it is shredded into smaller pieces that are then sold as a material to manufacture new products.

We are all stewards of the earth, our common home, and we should learn from each other and work hand in hand to save our planet in fulfillment of our common role as stewards of God’s creation.

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

He was colloquially called the “scientist” by contemporaries and members of his family, many of whom are into traditional-technology works, industrial mechanics and motor shop owners. But because his potentials in science and technology were hardly noticed in Muslim Mindanao, Nonong had to move decades ago to Luzon and eventually to Cebu where he met some of his paternal relatives and new friends who helped him acquire formal training in the field of his technological interests-- from TESDA.

It is said that being mechanics is in the genes of the Drapers of Datu Piang and Shariff Aguak. And Nonong was no exception; he was a creative worker of the traditional technology (Trad-Tech) who would have been an asset to Muslim Mindanao. Indeed, he was an inventor. He turned asthmatic as he aged when the coronavirus19 first struck in the country in 2020. Curiously, Nonong had developed a device to help him breath. It was made of manual air pump and a compressor tank with a built-in system denitrating or separating the Nitrogen gas content and retaining in the process only the pressurized oxygen of the compressed pumped air.

Friends and relatives in Cebu helped Nonong earn his TESDA NC4 as he needed to learn more of the technological terms of the chips and communications sets and systems that he had worked on and learned by experience in almost his entire lifetime.

Nonong’s father, Antonio Draper was a guerrilla who once went “missing” during World War II. But as it turned out, Antonio hid from the war enemy-seekers,

because of his skills in reviving dead or dysfunctional military communications gadgets and equipment from recoveries of the ruins of war.

His uncle Jose “Hadji Pitong” Draper worked for my father as a machinist-mechanic of a U.S.-Made 4cylinder GMC they had converted from land transport use, into a propeller-shaft-coupled boat engine in the mid-1950’s. They went up- and downstream from Dulawan to Timbangan (Maganoy) via the Kabulnan River (which was then navigable); and to Cotabato City and vice-versa.

Simply put: Nonong’s potentials were never noticed, much less discovered in Muslim Mindanao. On the other side of the plane, his skills were discovered and appreciated and other people put them to good use. Ironically, Muslim Mindanao would bump into those experts who made good use of the skills of Nonong who was from Muslim Mindanao. I met Nonong when I was a child, sometime in the late 1960’s, when he resided briefly in Datu Piang at the house of his sister who was married to my uncle. But like Sir Isaac Newton, Manong “Nonong” never married and neither did he have a child, according to Ma. Leofe Draper (daughter of the late Judge Felix B. Draper), our high school class valedictorian, and a much younger cousin of Manong Nonong.

As a child, I was fond of the wooden toy trucks that Nonong made when he was in Datu Piang, living next door to my grandma’s old house by the riverside. As a product of a broken family, Nonong hardly finished high school when we met, probably in 1968.

Nonong would have been effectively sent to school in BARMM’s time when the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) ensures that “NO Bangsamoro child shall be left behind in a common quest for the right to quality education.”

Head-on collision

Charlie Señase csenase@yahoo.com

vary that even experts in their fields of expertise are distant apart. That neutral observers would opine on who’s better is smarter that people in the world keep aiming high amid clash of opinions in trying to reach for the unreachable to perpetuate individual ego, envy and greed for power and possessions.

The acceptance speech early this week of newly installed PNP Chief Major General Benjamin Acorda, Jr. from outgoing retired Police General Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. fits well when he expressed the importance of all out cooperation and support in the maintenance of law and order. For “I cannot do it alone without your commitment.” As government’s safety and security forces, he said, “Together we will overcome the challenges the organization is facing. And together we will prove that the PNP serves with dignity and professionalism. As your humble servant, I will do my best to lead by example. Let us work together for the betterment of our country.”

An old familiar rhetorical message put across for the PNP and the citizens to towthe-line hoping that the messenger will be true to form to walk the talk in the midst of unabated proliferation of prohibited drugs, illegal possession of firearms and explosives, extortion, political violence and vendetta killings. As PMA or PNPA graduates, the public expects disciplined and well-trained men-in-uniform to honestly enforce the law without fear or favor unlike alleged abuses committed by top brass, acting as mastermind in lawless violence and other illegal drug-related activities that 36 police officers have to undergo thorough investigation by the NBI and PNP Advisory Board. Among them include Muslim Mindanao regional police chief who was arrested recently for malversation cases. The CIDG report tagged the relieved suspect as Police Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon.

Moves for the country to police own

rank-and-file must not only be confined in the PNP but to all government agencies and instrumentalities. For irregularities and corruption that led to lawless violence are perpetrated by the workforce not the workplace for the besmirched agency to be maligned.

This brings us back to that rhetorical cliché that if Congress approves the proposed Bangsamoro Organic Law, there would be “genuine, lasting and durable peace” in Muslim Mindanao. But sadly, amid efforts of BARMM officials to uphold that aspiration and yearnings even by their predecessors of the defunct RAG 9-12, LTP and ARMM, peace here and elsewhere has remained elusive and mere rhetoric.

Genuine peace is contentment as in peace of mind that can only be possible in faith. Unless we divest ourselves with our pride, envy and greed our peace is not of God. For God’s peace surpasses understanding that will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Our belated congratulations to Cotabato City Mayor Muhammad Ali Bruce Matabalao as the newly elected PNRC board of governors. Additional responsibility calls for extra mind-andbody work build-up to lose extra weight. In all our ways, let’s allow God to direct our steps with heat index soaring up high.

Flashback: Prior to the closure of the Cotabato City-based Philippine National Red Cross office at PC Hill it’s first and only PNRC head was the late Ranulfo Nartates. And we also had the late Bai Fatima Sinsuat as the first Muslim elected board member of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

That’s life, we all come and go, for nothing is permanent in this world except change. That while alive, let us all be contributors of change for truth and righteousness’ sake. For the world in reality is in a tug-of-war between good and evil and for us not to be double-minded but always steadfast with our faith, hope and love to choose blessing and life everlasting instead of curse unto the lake of fire.

The good life through honest living is happy Labor Day to one and all. And to God be the glory amid all complexities in life.

Intermittent Fasting (part 2)

h e A lth c o R ne R

Reprint from Johns Hopkins Medicine

What can I eat while intermittent fasting?

During the times when you’re not eating, water and zero-calorie beverages such as black coffee and tea are permitted.

During your eating periods, “eating normally” does not mean going crazy. Research shows that you’re not likely to lose weight or get healthier if you pack your feeding times with high-calorie junk food, super-sized fried items and treats.

But what some experts like about intermittent fasting is that it allows for a range of different foods to be eaten — and enjoyed. Sharing good, nutritious food with others and savoring the mealtime experience adds satisfaction and supports good health.

Most nutrition experts regard the Mediterranean diet as a good blueprint of what to eat, whether you’re trying intermittent fasting or not. You can hardly go wrong when you pick leafy greens, healthy fats, lean protein and complex, unrefined carbohydrates such as whole grains.

Intermittent Fasting Benefits

Research shows that the intermittent fasting periods do more than burn fat. Mattson explains, “When changes occur with this metabolic switch, it affects the body and brain.”

One of Mattson’s studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed data about a range of health benefits associated with the practice. These include a longer life, a leaner body and a sharper mind.

“Many things happen during intermittent fasting that can protect organs against chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, age-related neurodegenerative disorders, even inflammatory bowel disease and many cancers,” he says.

Here are some intermittent fasting benefits research has revealed so far:

•Thinking and memory. Studies discovered that intermittent fasting boosts working memory in animals and verbal

memory in adult humans.

•Heart health.

Intermittent fasting improved blood pressure and resting heart rates as well as other heart-related measurements.

•Physical performance. Young men who fasted for 16 hours showed fat loss while maintaining muscle mass. Mice who were fed on alternate days showed better endurance in running.

•Type 2 diabetes and obesity. In animal studies, intermittent fasting prevented obesity. And, in six brief studies, obese adult humans lost weight through intermittent fasting. People with type 2 diabetes may benefit: Most of the available research shows that intermittent fasting can help people lose body weight and lower their levels of fasting glucose, fasting insulin and leptin while reducing insulin resistance, decreasing levels of leptin and increasing levels of adiponectin. Certain studies found that some patients practicing intermittent fasting with supervision by their doctors were able to reverse their need for insulin therapy.

•Tissue health. In animals, intermittent fasting reduced tissue damage in surgery and improved results.

Is intermittent fasting safe?

Some people try intermitting fasting for weight management, and others use the method to address chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol or arthritis. But intermittent fasting isn’t for everyone.

Williams stresses that before you try intermittent fasting (or any diet), you should check in with your primary care practitioner first. Some people should steer clear of trying intermittent fasting:

•Children and teens under age 18.

•Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

•People with type 1 diabetes who take insulin. While an increasing number of clinical trials have shown that intermittent fasting is safe in people with type 2 diabetes, there have been no studies in people with type I diabetes. Mattson explains, “Because those with type I diabetes take insulin, there is a concern that an intermittent fasting eating pattern may result in unsafe levels of hypoglycemia during the fasting period.”

Ialwaysbelieve that if one has so much to share, they should share, especially if it is historical information not yet available to the outside world. Finally, no less than the illustrious descendant of Sultan Mastura Quadratullah , former Maguindanao Congressman and lawyer Atty. Michael Mastura launched the first of a series of books about his own ancestors, their friends and enemies who shaped the future of this once empire province of Cotabato and Maguindanao.

The scholarly Mike, a prolific researcher and writer, has done extensive research for Philippine Social Science Council under a grant by its Modern Philippine History Program. He has articles published in national dailies. The launching of his book Heroes of Maguindanao took place at the Pagana Restaurant and graciously attended by notable personalities of the city.

I haven’t seen nor read the book, I am sure it is good reading material. I wonder if somewhere in the book Mike mentioned how the Muslims in Mindanao were never conquered by the Spaniards. That part of our history fascinates me, imagine Muslim datus and warriors protecting the villages from their vantage point of the Colina Hill. By affinity, we are related to the Piangs of Dulawan, similar stories never escape me.

That was quite a scary combination of ferocious lightning and deafening thunder last Monday evening. Folks woke up to waisthigh water in many parts of the city. Earlier, the scorching heat recorded 33 degrees with a heat index of 38. Cotabato is listed as one of the hottest places in the Philippines with temperatures ranging from 24 degrees to 34 degrees and heat indexes of 42 degrees. Other cities in that range include Zamboanga City, Davao City, Tacloban City, Legaspi, Butuan. While the coldest places is lead by Baguio City, Sagada, Banawe, Tagaytay, Lake Sebu, Don Salvador Benedicto, Malaybalay and Canlaon.

I love summer for the abundance of fruits and blooming of plants and trees.

The Pigkawayan avocado, delivered fresh by our MedTech Clarette is to die for. The seeds detaches from the flesh readily if it is just right. I know that the heat is high, the African tulips, brilliant hued orange are in full bloom which brightens my morning as I look out of my window; also, the golden showers along the road to BARMM , the seed was planted years ago by Mr. Erling Laureano. All over town, bougamvillas are in full bloom as well. Part of my stress reliever is to go with my husband hunting for beautiful bougamvilles.

There is an impending El Nino phenomenon in the coming months, Indeed, climate change is making itself felt more than ever in the Philippines . Though collectively we contribute a minimal volume of carbon emission as compared to other industrialized countries, what can we do to help mitigate the problem of carbon emission.

Conquer your fears, we are told. How do we overcome our fear when the enemy is invisible, microscopic and changeable by mutation? Warning is up to don’t let our guard down, wear our masks, wash our hands , rinse with alcohol and stay away from crowded places.

Most delightful of all are the surprising blooms of my twin lovers, lily white blooms that come in pair, sometimes, four in a stalk. My stress reliever, any time. After a couple of years since we bought the bulbs, it has returned the favour with their magnificent flowers. Yes, patience is a virtue, even in gardening.

So You Want to be a Lender?

When money is free, the rational lender will continue to lend until there is no one else to lend to. —George Soros

My worst investment decision so far is to lend money to friends. So far it has all come t zero.—Marc Faber

It is the quality of lending over the quantity of lending.—Lewis Thompson Preston

In the last two months, I often touch on the subject of loans and borrowing. But in most of the discussions, the perspective was from that of the person or company seeking to secure a loan primarily for business purposes (from starting the business to expanding it).

This week, let me change the perspective and look at lending from the point of view of a person or a company that is keen on extending loans for a profit.

As a caveat, this is not an endorsement of the money-lending business nor does it intend to offend those that believe that lending money for profit is not good and/or permissible. The premise of the discussion is that the prospective lender is not prohibited by his/her cultural or religious affiliation from engaging in lending. Also, prospective borrowers are not forced or pressured to take a loan.

To legitimately engage in the money lending business in the Philippines requires the prospective lender to register as an enterprise (either a sole-proprietorship, corporation, cooperative, or some other legal business personality). Just like any other business entity, a lending company must also comply with the requirement to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), PhilHealth, Social Security System (SSS), Department of Labor (DOLE), among others. The firm is

also obligated to secure a business license from the local government unit where it operates on an annual basis.

Additionally, the lending company is required to apply and secure a permit from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) or other government agency that regulates various types of lending institutions.

What should a prospective lender consider before engaging in business?

First, does he or the firm have sufficient funds to sustain its lending and support operations (with the expectation of making a satisfactory return)? To answer this, the proponent should make a financial projection to determine minimum level of capital to become a viable entity.

Second, what form of organization will be used? Obviously, if you choose to form a corporation, the individual owners can have limited personal liability and also have some flexibility to raise funds for the lending business either by getting additional investments or from borrowing.

Third, the prospective lender needs to decide on which market to serve. Some decide to market their service to institutions or offices since these are easier to manage the operation and costs are lowered. Others decide to lend to businessmen or business firms since these generate profits and presumed to have the capacity to make repayment.

Fourth, the firm should consider the minimum and maximum loan amount to be extended. This entails balancing the need to minimize risks and efficiency on the other hand. Having smaller loans (higher number of borrowers) means reducing risk of defaults but increases cost of lending and collection.

Fifth, and perhaps one of the hardest things to decide on, is what rate of interest to charge. This means balancing profit and helping motives.

Finally, it is best to ponder what Lewis Thompson Preston said.

MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2003-1 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 JOKSAN TUBIANO TIMTIM has filed with this Office a petition for correction of clerical error in the child's sex from "Male" to "FEMALE" in the Certificate of Live Birth of JOKSAN TUBIANO TIMTIM who was born on June 6, 1989 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Apolinar Jr. L. Timtim and Ferpetuia A. Tubiano.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than May 12, 2023.

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

MC: Apr. 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late RASOL SARIBO RAGUIA who died on October 29, 2022 at Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, left parcel of land Lot 415-B, PSD-12-052523, situated in Tamontaka, Cotabato City, covered by Transfer

Certificate of Title No. T-48099, containing an area of 600 square meters, more or less; and three (3) bank

accounts: Dollar Savings

Account No. 102660349769 at BDO Makakua Branch; Dollar Savings Account No. 405160141385 at PNB Cotabato City - Makakua Branch; and Savings

Account No. 3-074-35176-

0 at Metro Bank - Makakua Branch are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with Special Power of Attorney before Notary Public Atty. Mark Esmael R. Nor, CPA as per Doc. No. 04; Page No. 01; Book No. V; Series of 2023

MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late GENARO P. CASTILLON and ABUNDIA CASTILLON who died on May 04, 1991 and May 28, 2010, respectively in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot. 1, Block 4, PSD32741, covered by TCT No. T-14649, containing an area of 813 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement with deed of partition and absolute sale before Notary Public Atty. Nasiff Brian O. Meditar as per Doc. No. 48; Page No. 10; Book No. XVI; Series of 2022.

MC: Apr. 22, 29 & May 6, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late ISIDRO DELA CRUZ who died on June 3, 2000 at Pob. 5, Midsayap, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 12254C, Csd-124709-005647, situated in San Isidro, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by OCT No. P-60588, containing an area of 26,091 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Noel

A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 2060; Page No. 12; Book No. LXXVI; Series of 2021.

MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province of Cotabato CITY OF KIDAPAWAN

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. Act No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Johnamel A. Onyot has filed with this office a petition for Change of First Name from NAZARMELIO to JOHNAMEL in the Birth Certificate of Johnamel A. Onyot who was born on 12 June 1962 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Damaso Onyot and Paciencia Andrade. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office.

(Sgd.)MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO Acting City Civil Registrar

MC: Apr. 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses GENARO B. BALLANO and LEONOR BALIBADLANBALLANO, who died on March 5, 1990 and May 27, 2007, respectively, at Pigcawayan, Cotabato, parcels of land Lot No. 8636, Midsayap Pls135, situated in Bulocawon, Pigcawayan, covered by TCT No. T-69753 with an area of 60,416 sq. mts.; Lot No. C, Pcs-12-000039, situated in Manuangan, Pigcawayan, covered by TCT No. T-59028 with an area of 30,000 sq. mts.; Lot No. 8539-A, Psd12-072171, covered by TCT No. P-59679 with an area of 40,438 sq.mts. and Lot No. 8539-B, Psd-12-072171, covered by TCT No. P-59679 with an area of 60,658 sq.mts., more or less, both situated in South Manuangan, Pigcawayan, all in Cotabato Province are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Nasiff Brian O. Meditar as per Doc. No. 445; Page No. 89; Book No. XXII; Series of 2023 MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of CONSOLACION FERNANDEZ VDA DE SERO, EDWIN F. SERO and EDGAR F. SERO, a parcel of land Lot. C-7-H-9, B-7-M-5-N, Psd -12-013692, covered by TCT No. T-26544, containing an area of 250 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Atty. Agnes P. Paracha-Balleque as per Doc. No. 379; Page No. 76; Book No. 15; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 22, 29 & May 6, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late SIMPAL GUIALAL who died on September 23, 1976 at Malabang, Lanao del Sur, left a parcel of land Cadastral Lot No. 484, Pls-519, Tax Declaration No. 478, situated in Barrio Navilan-Mompong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, containing an area of 14,772.60 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land, before Notary Public Atty. Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 288; Page No. 58; Book No. XLIII; Series of 2023.

MC:

6 BIFF bomb-makers surrender...from P12

34th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Salunayan, Midsayap.

Rillera said Midsayap Mayor Rolly Sacdalan had assured to help reintroduce the six erstwhile BIFF terrorists to mainstream society.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AMIL SALAMAT and DAUDAYAN SALAMAT, a parcel of land Lot 236A-1-1, Psd-12-007901, situated in Matampay, Cotabato City, covered by TCT No. T-22220, containing an area of 32,000 square meters, more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land before Notary Public Atty. Abyyr

A. Nul as per Doc. No. 433; Page No. 87; Book No. XLIII; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 22, 29 & May 6, 2023

Republic of the Philippines Pigcawayan, Cotabato

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 Guideliness in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2012 (IRR on RA. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that LORIE VILLARMA ESPAÑOLA has filed with this Office, a petition for change of first name from MARIA LORIE to LORIE in the certificate of live birth of MARIA LORIE ESPARAGOSA VILLARMA at Pigcawayan, Cotabato and whose parents are VENANCIO GRABERA VILLARMA and RESTITUTA ESPARAGOSA. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office with this office not later than May 12, 2023.

(Sgd) EVELYN B. LAGDAMIN Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Apr. 29 & 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MANIT YAP, a parcel of land Lot. 10, Block 2 Pcs-3635, situated in Matampay, Cotabato City, covered by TCT No. T-3763, containing an area of 400 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Atty.

Mohammad Jameel A. Singh as per Doc. No. 267; Page No. 54; Book No. 26; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 22, 29 & May 6, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late SIMPAL GUIALAL who died on September 23, 1976 at Malabang, Lanao del Sur, left a parcel of land Cadastral Lot No. 484, Pls-519, Tax Declaration No. 478, situated in Barrio Navilan-Mompong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, containing an area of 14,772.60 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land, before Notary Public Atty.

Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 289; Page No. 58; Book No. XLIII; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

A total of 289 BIFF members had surrendered to units of the 6th ID in different towns in the provinces of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani since 2022.

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION

Notice is hereby given that the late MEDTIMBANG N. MAMINTENG, who died intestate on August 13, 2015, left a parcel of land Lot 4, Block 12, Psd-79683, situated in Kakar, Cotabato City, covered by TCT No. T-15922, containing an area of 494 sq. mts., more or less is subject of affidavit of selfadjudication by sole heir with absolute sale before Notary Public Atty. Gapor G. Quitar as per Doc. No. 112; Page No. 23; Book No. LXXVIII; Series of 2023.

MC: April 29, May 6 & 13, 2023

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

I n compliance with the publication requirements and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that JIOVANIE TOJEMBARA MISARE has filed with this Office a petition for change of sex from "FEMALE" to "MALE" in the Certificate of Live Birth of JIOVANIE TOJEMBARA MISARE who was born on September 30, 1990 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are RODELIO S. MISARE and NORMELITA S. TOJEMBARA. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this Office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato.

(Sgd)NORAH B. CABUGWASON Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Apr. 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AMIL SALAMAT and DAUDAYAN SALAMAT, a parcel of land Lot 236A-1-1, Psd-12-007901, situated in Matampay, Cotabato City, covered by TCT No. T-22220, containing an area of 32,000 square meters, more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land before Notary Public Atty. Abyyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 432; Page No. 87; Book No. XLIII; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 22, 29 & May 6, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late SIMPAL GUIALAL who died on September 23, 1976 at Malabang, Lanao del Sur, left a parcel of land Cadastral Lot No. 484, Pls-519, Tax Declaration No. 478, situated in Barrio Navilan-Mompong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, containing an area of 14,772.60 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land, before Notary Public Atty. Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 290; Page No. 58; Book No. XLIII; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

The BIFF and its allies Dawlah Islamiya and Al-Khobar all have a reputation for bombing commercial establishments and buses if owners refuse to pay “protection money” on a monthly basis. John Felix Unson

AFFIDAVIT

Notice is hereby given that MUHAMMAD YUSOPH M. PENDONG, owner of a Sports Utility Vehicle Wagon with Engine No. 2KD6952438, Chassis No. MHFZR69G003034314, O.R. No. 1236000000014894, C.R No. 257320070, MV File No. 139100000115132 is subject of affidavit of change color from Dark Steel Mica to Stealth Gray before Notary Public Atty. Sittie Rayhana M. Santuring as per Doc. No. 97; Page No. 20; Book No. VI; Series of 2023.

MC: April 29, May 6 & 13, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with

Section 5 of R.A. 9048/10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Ma. Cristina Cabizares has filed with this Office a petition for Change of First Name from MARIA CRISTINA to MA. CRISTINA in the birth certificate of MARIA CRISTINA CABIZARES who was born on July 4, 1965 at Home, Parang, Cotabato and whose parents are Adriano Cabizares and Marcela Divinagracia

Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later the May 3, 2023

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

MC: Apr. 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JONAS L. LABANON, who died on November 5, 1994 in Cotabato City, left a parcel of land Lot No. 2871-D, Csd12-002214-D, situated in Gumaga, Libungan, Cotabato, covered by OCT No. P-52211, containing an area of 40,000 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement with simultaneous deeds of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 133; Page No. 27; Book No. IX; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 22, 29 & May 6, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late SALIPUDIN D. ESMAEL who died on June 06, 2019 at Poblacion, Pikit, Cotabato, left a TOYOTA HIACE VAN with Chassis No. JTFJT02P105000590, Engine No. 1KD2586420, Model 2016 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Mario M. Bello, Jr. as per Doc. No. 279; Page No. 56; Book No. LXIV; Series of 2023.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late MAIMONA M. PENDONG, who died intestate on October 24, 2022 in Cotabato City, left a Fortuner 4x2 2012 model, Sports Utility Vehicle Wagon Type,Engine No. 2KD6952438, Chassis No. MHFZR69G003034314, MV File No. 139100000115132,O.R. No. 1236-000000014894, C.R No. 257320070 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver and renunciation of rights before Notary Public Atty. Sittie Rayhana M. Santuring as per Doc. No. 98; Page No. 20; Book No. VI; Series of 2023.

MC: April 29, May 6 & 13, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048/10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Jehad Lampatan Kiram has filed with this Office a petition for Change of Sex from FEMALE to MALE in the birth certificate of JEHAD LAMPATAN KIRAM who was born on April 28, 2000 at Bacolod, Pob. II, Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Noruddin G. Kiram and Noria P. Lampatan

Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than May 3, 2023

(Sgd.)KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Apr. 22 & 29, 2023

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SANCHO D. DOMINGUEZ, who died intestate on February 5, 2022 in Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, a parcel of land Lot. 2186-W-2, Psd-12-043234, situated in, Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. 152-2017005234, containing an area of 300 sq. mts., more or less is subject of affidavit of selfadjudication before Notary Public Marlyn B. FlautaLim, CPA, LLM as per Doc. No. 334; Page No. 67; Book No. CII; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 22, 29 & May 6, 2023

AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late DENNIS EMMANUEL CENIZAL LONTOK, who died intestate on April 9, 2014 at Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot. 1-B, Psd-12-057613, situated in Parang Road, Cotabato City, covered by TCT No. T-53717, containing an area of 250 sq. mts., more or less is subject of affidavit of adjudication with simultaneous deed of donation before Notary Public Renato M. Eugenio as per Doc. No. 344; Page No. 70; Book No. 224; Series of 2023.

MC:

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

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

Republic of the Philippines Magpet, North Cotabato OFFICE OF THE

Halal industry rising in Cotabato City, BARMM .. .from P1

maximum of 200 people.

The BBOI led the grand opening of the said establishment with a total project cost of Php22.5 million which could generate 30 local workers.

The restaurant is a registered business enterprise (RBE) of the Bangsamoro Board of Investments with its application for registration approved last February 27, 2023.

Pasigan said the establishment of this new Halal restaurant is a testament to the vibrant and growing

business ecosystem in the Bangsamoro region.

“We are very glad that, finally, a Halal restaurant [which was registered in BBOI] opens for the first time in our region. Hopefully, more investors that focus on the Halal industry will put up their companies in BARMM and in the city,” Pasigan said.

Also present during the launch of the said establishment were former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – ARMM Secretary Atty.

Anwar Malang, former Rajah Buayan Mayor Yacob

“Stop fighting,” HR commission tells .. .from P2

reminded warring groups that the recent conclusion of the Month of Ramadan highlights the importance of unity, brotherhood, and peaceful coexistence.

Ameer Jehad Ambolodto, Maguindanao del Sur provincial disaster officer, said many of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have went home but were forced to return to the evacuation centers because of floodwater that submerged their communities.

“Guns are silent now, our security forces gave the go signal, people can go home but many are still reluctant,” Ambolodto said.

“May be one or two days they will decide to go home, you know the trauma of seeing gunmen in their neighborhood shooting at each other was very traumatic,” he said, adding that the provincial government

has provided food supplies that could last at least a week for the IDPs.

Guns of the rebels belonging to 118th and 105th base command have been silent since Tuesday night after the Army, PNP and the MILF ceasefire panel mediated and came up with a win-win solution, said Colonel Ruel Sermese, Maguindanao del Sur police provincial director.

Ambolodto said more than half of the IDPs have already returned home while others stayed in evacuation centers and to the homes of their relatives in the same villages.

Soldiers, backed by armored personnel carriers have been deployed in Barangay Dapiawan, Madia and Elian, Datu Saudi Ampatuan to serve as peacekeepers. Edwin

O. Fernandez

Ampatuan, Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC)BARMM Commissioner Nas Dunding, former Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Bansawan Ibrahim, former Department of Trade and Investments (DTI) Provincial Director Khalikuzaman Baraguir and Engr. Michael Agar, a representative from the Office of the City Mayor. BBOI remains committed to promoting investment opportunities in the Halal food sector and fostering a conducive environment for entrepreneurs to thrive in the region. BBOI

EVACUEES’ WOES. Life in evacuation center is hard, inhuman. But these people have to deal that amid extreme heat, sudden downpour, uncertainty when to return home, if their homes still exist, and worst when food is not enough. Health and sanitation are issues to deal with as well as traumatic injuries. Photo courtesy of BARMM-READi

Prayers, native delicacies highlight .. .from P1 ethnicity or background; after all, we are part of the same Bangsamoro family,” he said.

Elsewhere in the region, Eid’l Fit’r festivities were also peacefully held with messages of cooperation and interfaith solidarity.

“Respect for each other is so important. We can use social media to foster peace among us, not discord, cordiality, not animosity,” military preacher Alinair C. Guro said in his sermon at the mosque inside the Philippine Army’s Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat town.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Local Government Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo told the media they are thankful to the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, the regional police office, the military’s Western Mindanao Command, and local officials for securing areas where Eid’l Fit’r prayers were held.

BARMM covers the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Lamitan, Marawi and Cotabato, where around 80% of residents are Muslims.

Among Muslims in the Bangsamoro, the food served for the Eid feast are also diverse, reflecting the heritage of its indigenous cultures and traditions, the regional government said.

In Maguindanao, two of the most popular dishes during Eid’l Fitr are the linigil, a dish cooked with chicken and fresh coconut milk seasoned with the

Maranao condiment known as palapa; and pastil, a meal of rice topped with sautéed shredded chicken or fish wrapped in a banana leaf.

Maguindanaoans are also known for sweet delicacies such as the dudol, tinadtag, p’lil, and kumukunsi.

In Lanao del Sur, where the cuisine uses more spices, including chili, the most popular Eid food is randang, similar to the rendang that has its roots in the Minang tribe of Indonesia and has become one of the most well-known southeast Asian dishes.

In the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the Eid table is flavored with the cultures of the indigenous Tausug, Sama, and Yakan people.

Luz Halud, a Tausug from Sulu, said the main plate of feasts in their province as well as in Tawi-Tawi is the tiyula itum, a beef or goat dish in black soup, with the color and distinct flavor coming from burnt coconut meat.

The Yakans in Basilan are known for the crunchy lokot-lokot made from fried rice noodles; and panyalam, a sweet fried pancake made from glutinous rice flour, muscovado or brown sugar, and coconut milk.

Mr. Ebrahim said the completion of the month-long period of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer is “an opportune time of jubilation and festivity and a time to gather with family and friends to share in the blessings of this feast of breaking the fast”.

4 “dugongs” filmed while searching .. .from P12

Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), manifest the success of the department’s conservation efforts in the bay through the strategic investments in protecting and preserving the marine habitats of the marine mammals.

“The environmental protection is crucial for the survival of marine species like dugongs that depend on sea grass beds as their habitat and feeding grounds,” she added.

Joy C. Ologuin, SBPS protected area superintendent, said that the frequent sightings of sea cows in the SBPS are priceless indicators

of the positive impact of investments in conservation.

“They highlight how SBPS continues to thrive as a healthy ecosystem, and serve as a call to action to further invest in protecting our planet for future generations,” she said.

“The sighting of the dugongs clearly shows Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape as a key marine biodiversity area,” Atty. Felix S. Alicer, DENR 12 regional executive director, said. Alicer, also chair of SBPS Protected Area Management Board, has appealed to the public to

help protect Sarangani Bay. He said the bay needs continued protection not only by the DENR but by other stakeholders, especially those living around the bay.

“The DENR alone cannot carry out its functions effectively without the support of the citizenry and the local government units,” he said in a statement.

Declared a protected area in 1996, the 215,950-hectare bay straddles the towns of Glan, Malapatan, Alabel and Maasim in Sarangani province, and General Santos City. Edwin O. Fernandez

Government Minister

Naguib Sinarimbo said the two clusters of the Special Geographic Area (SGA) in Midsayap received eight small farm tractors equipped with trailer-discs, as well as five harvesters and transplanting machineries, and 300 bancas with fishing implements.

Ebrahim had also sworn into office Abunawas “Von Al-Haq” Maslamama, as his newly appointed BARMM senior minister.

Sinarimbo said the Bangsamoro Integrated Rural Development (BIRD) Program manages part of the SDF resources from the BARMM Office of the Chief Minister to boost

for the local governance the community-based agriculture and fishery production, in order to effectively generate and improve family-income and human resource-based revenues.

The BIRD, he said, has established a solar energypowered ice-making facility in Barangay Lower Bager in the Pigcawayan cluster of the BARMM SGA.

Ebrahim said the Bangsamoro Government envisioned the creation of provincial or municipal LGUs out of the SGA villages and to handle BARMM communities outside its core territory.

However, that would require a long tract of legal

and legislative process, Ebrahim said.

In effect, BIRD fills in for the temporary organizational gaps in SGA barangay communities in the absence of LGU setup levels, said Jayton Abas, local government operations officer for the BARMM SGA.

“We have formulated a manual of operations on the proper utilization of these agriculture equipment and fishery implements and facilities, to show to BARMM that we know how to put these resources to good use,” said Fatima Mokamad, president of the community Cluster I of SGA barangays in Midsayap.

54 olive ridley sea turtles “journey back...from P12

indication of a healthy ecosystem that provides a safe nesting ground for these endangered species.

"Our records suggest that the peak turtle nesting season in SBPS is around the months of March to May,” she said.

With the ongoing nesting season of “pawikan,” PENR Officer Maria Elvira V. Lumayag urged the public to keep the beaches clean and free from any structures and debris that may hamper the nesting activities of the sea turtles.

"Let us all take responsibility in ensuring the beaches of Sarangani Bay remain safe and open for pawikans to lay their eggs," she said.

Sarangani Bay is home to four species of marine turtles: the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), and the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate).

The DENR executives have encouraged the public to report sightings of “pawikan”

hospital where they rushed him for treatment.

An anti-narcotics agent in the Cotabato provincial police force, Staff Sgt. Abejay Dandan, perished in a nighttime ambush on April 11 in Barangay Katidtuan in Kabacan, also in an area traversed by the same national

in the shorelines to the local Bantay Dagat (volunteers), MENRO/CENRO, or nearest DENR Office.

Local residents said the coast of Barangays Maribulan and Landol have long been hosting a number of nesting sites of sea turtles.

Female turtles that were released reportedly return to their birthplace in 20 to 25 years to lay their eggs, the DENR said.

“They imprint on the unique magnetic field of their birthplace and the female ones use this information to later return to the nest,” a report from DENR-12 said.

DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09 or the “Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories,” declared marine turtles as endangered species.

The catching and hunting of marine turtles, like all wildlife species, are prohibited under Republic Act 9147or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Edwin O. Fernandez

highway.

Dandan succumbed to multiple bullet wounds in a hospital about four hours later after gunmen positioned along the highway shot his black Toyota Innova with assault rifles and hurriedly escaped using sports utility vehicles. John Felix Unson

54 olive ridley sea turtles “journey back home”

KORONADAL CITY - After almost two months of hatching at a protected nesting site, 54 olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) “returned to their homes” along the shores of Alabel, Saranggani province.

Sending the sea turtles, locally known as “Pawikan,” to its natural habitat, had been regularly done as part of efforts to preserve the ecosystem in Sarangani Bay.

Joy C. Ologuin, protected area superintendent PASu) of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape

(SBPS), said the release was done in celebration of this year’s Month of the Planet which carries the theme “Invest in our Planet.”

Participating in the activity were officials of the Sarangani Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Protected Area Management

NEWSBRIEFS

Office (PAMO) of SBPS, Municipal environment officer of Alabel, local Bantay Dagat, and community volunteers.

Oloquin said that the shores of Barangays Maribulan and Ladol in Alabel are known as nesting areas of marine turtles, an

Cops neutralize shabu dealer’s henchman

POLICEMEN shot

dead Sunday a trusted henchman of a large-scale narcotics dealer in a brief gunfight in Pikit town in Cotabato province.

Combined personnel of the Pikit Municipal Police Station and members of units under the Army’s 602nd Brigade were to peacefully serve Satar Kabunto a warrant of arrest in his hideout in Barangay Gokotan, but the attempt turned haywire when he and his companions resisted, provoking a gunfight.

Lt. Col. John Miridel

Calinga, Pikit municipal police chief, told reporters Monday Kabunto’s follower, Mundo Sultan Duma, was killed in the ensuing clash.

Calinga said Kabunto, most known in Pikit and nearby towns in Cotabato

province by his alias, “Expander,” managed to escape as he and his cohorts traded shots with pursuing policemen and soldiers.

The joint police-Army team out to arrest Kabunto was armed with a warrant from a court for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Sources from the intelligence units of the Police Regional Office-12 and the Army’s 90th and 34th Infantry Battalions said Kabunto also has a group of cattle and motorcycle thieves operating in isolated barangays in Pikit and nearby towns.

The slain Duma was Kabunto’s liaison with buyers of shabu that he peddled in Pikit, according to the sources. John Felix Unson

(SBPS), leads in releasing back to the wild 54 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings Alabel, Sarangani province. Photo courtesy of DENR Soccsksargen

4 “dugongs” filmed while searching food in SarBay

KORONADAL CITY

— Four sea cows, commonly known as dugong, were spotted and filmed in underwater by environmentalists off Sarangani Bay Thursday (April 19), environment officials said.

Using a drone camera, the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) monitoring office, filmed the three gentle giant sea mammals on Wednesday during the recent coastal and marine habitat monitoring in the protected seascape.

“Three dugongs were spotted by the monitoring team off the coast of Barangay Gumasa in Glan town on April 19 (Wednesday) while the

solitary sea cow was documented using the underwater camera in Glan monitoring area on Thursday (April

20),” Maria Elvira V. Lumayag, Sarangani provincial environment and natural resources officer (PENRO), said in

a statement. She said the sightings of the sea cows, considered as the flagship species of the

Police corporal die in Kabacan highway mishap

A police corporal died on the spot when his car collided head-on with another vehicle in Kabacan town in Cotabato late Wednesday.

In separate statements Thursday, the Cotabato Provincial Police Office and the local government unit of Kabacan identified the fatality as Cpl. Teodolfo Tugade Garavilles, a member of the Kabacan Municipal Police Station.

The 33-year-old Garavilles was driving a Toyota Vios past 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, en route to nearby Matalam town in the same province, when his vehicle

was hit by a white Toyota Hilux pick-up truck while at a stretch of the Cotabato-Davao Highway in Barangay Osias in Kabacan.

The driver of the pick-up truck, Louizer Alfar Malazarte, 33, is now in the custody of the Kabacan MPS.

Responding personnel of the Kabacan MPS and personnel of the Kabacan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office told reporters Garavilles, of President Quirino town in Sultan Kudarat, was declared dead on arrival at a

6 BIFF bomb-makers surrender

MIDSAYAP, Cotabato — The Army's 34th Infantry Battalion and local executives are now cooperating in reintroducing six bomb experts in the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who surrendered here in on Friday last week.

Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, early this week said the

BIFF members agreed to surrender through the backdoor intercession of officials of the Army’s 34 Infantry Battalion and Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran of the 602nd Infantry Brigade.

“Credit for their surrender also has to go to local officials in Midsayap municipality,” Rillera told reporters.

The six surrenderees had

78-year-old man jailed for 2 rape cases

TACURONG CITY — The police arrested here Wednesday a 78-year-old man wanted for two counts of rape.

The suspect, Narciso Gallardo Sabado Sr., was cornered by police agents with the help of local leaders in Purok 2 in Namnama, Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province after a longtime surveillance.

Col. Christopher M. Bermudez, director of the Sultan Kudarat provincial police, said Thursday Sabado, a widower-farmer, is now detained, awaiting prosecution for two sexual assault cases pending in a court in the province.

The court that issued the warrant for Sabado’s arrest has not recommended any bail for his temporary release, according to Bermudez.

John Felix Unson

South Cotabato drug den operators busted

KORONADAL CITY

— Anti-narcotics agents entrapped Tuesday three operators of a clandestine drug den in an upland town in South Cotabato province where they distributed their illegal merchandise to ethnic T’boli tribespeople.

Aileen Lovitos, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 12, said Thursday the suspects, Junriel Brillantes Caballero, 34, Cyril Gonzaga Simpao, 29, and the 42-year-old Reynaldo Teopes Rellon, are now detained, awaiting prosecution.

The three suspects were entrapped at about

dusk Tuesday in Barangay New Dumangas in T’boli, a bastion of South Cotabato’s ethnic T’boli tribe. They were immediately arrested after selling P78,800 worth of shabu to non-uniformed PDEA-12 agents and policemen. Lovitos said the entrapment operation that resulted in their arrest was laid with the help of the T’boli Municipal Police Station and the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office, premised on tips by villagers privy to their trafficking of shabu in the municipality.

John Felix Unson

confessed to their having fabricated IEDs that the BIFF had used in recent bombings in central Mindanao.

The six men turned in a .30 caliber Garand rifle, two 7.62 millimeter boltaction sniper rifles, an M79 grenade launcher and an M14 rifle before they renounced their membership with the BIFF during a surrender rite at the headquarters of the

GO HOME. Joy Ologuin (left), superintendent of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape

Photo courtesy of Gary Cabinta of SBPS

IN SEARCH FOR FOOD. Three sea cows, commonly known among locals as dugong, were filmed using drone camera by SBPS, while foraging on the seagrass meadow