The Mindanao Cross | July 30, 2022

Vol. LXXIV| No. 25 Cotabato City | Saturday, July 30, 2022| 10Pages | P10.00

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Basileños condemns murder of Furigay

CHURCH / P6

Pope Francis preaches on sharing faith with love

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P3-M worth shabu seized in Cotabato City

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

HASHIM SON, MILF DISOWN ‘SALAMAT WING’

By Nash B. Maulana

THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the family of its founding leader have disowned the alleged formation of an “MILFSalamat Wing”, saying it was a ploy by unnamed politicians to undermine the peace process.

M A G N I F I C E N T. Bud Tukay Peak in Parang, Sulu is awaiting declaration as an official community-based ecotourism zone. If done, it could lead to growth and new opportunities for the people who live in the area.

Photo courtesy of Vohaary Lee Mandangan

Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said the MILF “condemns in strongest terms the disinformation being circulated by misguided MILF members acting at the behest of some traditional politicians” in organizing an “MILF-Salamat Wing within the organization.”

Ebrahim also clarified that a suspension meted out on Shaykh AbduFatah Delna by the MILF Central Committee was “neither compelling or nor restraining upon the latter for or against any national candidate, just as the MILF-UBJP has not and is not engaged in dirty political tagging on any of them;” Abdullah Hashim, son of the late

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City mentors now know BARMM educ programs

By Edwin O. Fernandez THREE officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have shed lights on issues about uncertainties among teachers in Cotabato City, assuring them of BARMM projects that benefit the education sector.

Education stakeholders attended a forum on Parliament Program on Cultural Acceleration held at Pagana Kutawato Restaurant in Cotabato City.

Three speakers provided the inputs that helped stakeholders of the education sector understand the prospects and challenges of education system in BARMM, provisions of Bangsamoro Organic Law, projects and programs various BARMM ministries and updates and programs/ projects available for teachers from the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) The speakers included Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Bruce Matabalao, Member of Parliament Dr. Susana Salvador-Anayatin and MBHTE

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PBBM lays down PH sustainable dev’s goals in SONA

MJ from US seized in Kidapawan, consignee nabbed

By John Felix Unson

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Authorities arrested here Wednesday the supposed consignee of P1.3 million worth of marijuana oil and dried Kush from Folsom, California and seized from him the contraband, to be used as evidence against him.

Kush is a variety of the cannabis plant, just as addictive and a potent hallucinogen.

Naravy Duquiatan,

director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12, said Thursday Jude Paolo Javier is now clamped down, undergoing interrogation.

He was immediately arrested after claiming the package at the post office here.

Duquiatan said he shall be prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act

of 2002 if evidence will suffice.

Duquitan also clarified that the package containing marijuana oil in cans and the dried Kush were confiscated from Javier during a dragnet right at the premises of the Kidapawan City post office, not in Manila as earlier news reports stated.

The suspect is a contractual

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WITH DISABILITY YET PRODUCTIVE. A person with disability, Sonny Tanada, has focused more on his abilities rather than his disabilities that made him own and manage his furniture business in Tagum City. He is a beneficiary of the ICRC microeconomic initiative (MEI) programme. Story on page 2. Photo courtesy by M. Lucero-ICRC/Nash B. Maulana

By Edwin O. Fernandez A college dean and political analyst in want to her – agriculture and health,” Region 12’s state run university said Prof. Monderin said, adding that the Pres. Marcos laid down the foundation legislators and the audience in the of his administration in his first State House plenary hall responded with of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday. standing ovation when Pres. Marcos “ H e h a s s e t t h e t o n e f o r t h e mentioned about providing more country’s sustainable development hospitals in the provinces and not only goals,” Professor Marcos Monderin, in Metro Manila. dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Pres. Marcos stressed that hospitals of the University of Southern Mindanao that specialize in lung, heart, kidney ( U S M ) b a s e d i n K a b a c a n , N o r t h diseases should be established in Cotabato. all regions of the country, soliciting “He specifically mentioned (in his standing ovation and applause from SONA) issues that the more than 31 legislators, political leaders and million Filipinos who voted for him the public.

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July 30, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Basileños condemns murder of Furigay

Leaders in Basilan have condemned the murder on Sunday, July 24, in Quezon City of Lamitan City’s former three-termer mayor and her aide.

Rose Furigay, whose third and last term as mayor ended June 30, and companion Victor Capistrano, were killed with a pistol by physician Chao Tiao Yumol, in the premises of

the Ateneo de Manila University.

Furigay’s daughter, Hanna, was badly hurt in the shooting frenzy.

Yumol also shot dead a security guard named Jeneven Bandiala as he escaped.

He was arrested by pursuing police teams, now clamped down in a police detention facility.

Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman said Monday the incident was “barbaric,” something that needs immediate judicial closure.

“I condemn the murder of former Mayor Furigay and her staff, Victor and security guard Bandiola,” Salliman, chairman of the Basilan provincial peace and order council, said He said Furigay was a good leader, under whose tenure that lasted for nine years, the Lamitan city government received several Seal of Good Local Governance citations from the central office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

World market, exchange rates push electricity rates for June-July bills

THE price of fuel in the world market as well as the peso-dollar exchange rate has pushed the generation rate up by an average of P0.2739 for the June-July billing month for customers of Cotabato Light and Power Company.

The average overall rate for a typical household went up by 0.3352 centavos bringing it to P9.7750 per kilowatt-hour (/kWh) or a P67 increase for customers with an average monthly electricity consumption of 200 kWh. “Contributing to the increase is the generation charge when the prices are high in the world market,” explained Cotabato Light President and Chief Operating Officer Engr. Valentin S. Saludes III. The increase in the overall rate was due to the higher generation charge which went up by an average of 27.39 centavos to P5.3242 in June-July from P5.0503/kWh in May-June.

The generation charge in the customer's bill is considered a passthrough charge which means that Cotabato Light is merely acting as a

Lamitan City is one of two cities in Basilan.

Besides Lamitan City, the province also covers Isabela City and 11 other towns.

Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said he was saddened by the deaths of Furigay and two others in the gun attack pulled off by someone who is also from their province.

Yumol is also a resident of Lamitan City.

Gerry Salapuddin, administrator of the Southern Philippines Development Authority, said he wants speedy justice for Furigay, Capistrano and Bandiola.

Salapuddin is from Basilan’s Tuburan town, which is near Lamitan City.

“I partake of the grief of the families of the victims. I am urging them to be sober in this trying time and allow the wheel of justice to roll over the perpetrator of this shocking crime,” Salapuddin said. John Felix

Unson

collecting agent for the extra cost.

Cotabato Light’s own rate, which is the distribution charge, remains at P2.5377/kWh, as approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and has not increased since 2012.

“During this time when the rates are high, I highly encourage everyone to use electricity wisely and practice energy conservation and efficiency habits.

Once we are in control of our energy usage, we can be in a better position to manage our electricity bills.” He added.

Electricity rates have been increasing due to the volatility of fuel costs in the global market as a result of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and issues on supply and demand as economies continue to reopen following COVID-19 lockdowns.

On July 14, 2022, the price of coal in the world market hit an all-time high of $432 per metric ton.

Coal is widely used by power generators to produce energy that power households and industries. Arlene

Valdez-Hepiga/ Cotabato Light

MP Mawallil wants kidney dialysis units across BARMM

WITH Pres. Ferdinand BongBong Marcos announcing that one of his priorities is health care and decentralization of major hospitals from the capital to the provinces, Bangsamoro lawmakers have filed a bill seeing to establish dialysis units in all government hospital in the region.

Some lawmakers of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) noted that kidney patients have difficulty accessing safe and quality health care in the region.

One of the lawmakers who desires and vowed to push for the establishment of dialysis units in all government hospitals and the provision of free dialysis services to indigent patients was Member of Parliament (MP) Amilbahar Mawallil.

"Unfortunately, most of the kidney patients have to travel to nearby towns and cities to be able to get treatment,"

MP Mawallil said in a statement Wednesday.

Admittedly, he said, most rural health units are physically dilapidated, worn-out, and under-equipped.

On Monday, Pres.

Marcos stressed in his first SONA that he intends to establish heart, heart and kidney institutes outside the national capital region to the provinces across the country.

MP Mawallil filed BTA Bill No. 95 that was backed by seven other MPs. His bill seeks for the establishment of dialysis units in all government hospitals in the region.

The proposed bill said facilities should have the necessary equipment, supplies, and staff, including nephrologists, dialysis, and operating room nurses, and dialysis technicians in both peritoneal and hemodialysis, to meet the needs of patients.

The dialysis service area must meet the Department of Health's and the Philippine

Health Insurance Corporation's licensing and accreditation requirements.

When approved and implemented, dialysis patients in the BARMM will be provided with treatment free of charge.

Priority will be for indigent patients who have no visible means of income, compensation, or financial assistance from family members to support their basic needs.

"It is imperative for the regional government to respond to the needs of these communities by ensuring seamless delivery of health, goods, and services," MP Mawallil said.

The bill also calls that all government hospitals and stand-alone dialysis centers in the region shall establish chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevention strategies and health promotion activities that include advocacy activities targeting relatives of dialysis patients who are at risk for developing CKD. Edwin O. Fernandez

BARMM mourns untimely death of ex-Mayor Furigay

OFFICIALS of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have mourned the untimely passing of former Lamitan City Mayor Rosita Rose Furigay who was murdered inside Ateneo Campus in Quezon City.

“The former local chief executive will be remembered for leading Lamitan City to a more promising future – inspiring nearby towns and the whole Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” Chief Minister Ahod “Kagi Murad” Ebrahim said in a statement released Monday (today).

“During her time, Lamitan City became a hub of unbelievable progress, a home of intercultural understanding and a beacon of hope in the region,” he added.

Chief Minister Ebrahim said the BARMM regional government will be working with proper

authorities to assure that justice is served.

“This act of violence has no place in our country and in our region,” he stressed.

“Lamitan City, we grieved with you during these tragic times,” Chief Minister Ebrahim added.

Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM interior and local government minister, also condemned the attack against Furigay.

“Mayor Furigay was one of the top performing Mayors of the Bangsamoro region and a consistent SGLG Awardee.

“We condole with her family and offer our prayers for the swift recovery of her daughter who was also injured in this incident.

Police arrested the primary suspect, Dr. Chao Tiao Yumol of Lamitan City. He admitted to the crime and claimed he won’t regret what he did.

Edwin O. Fernandez

PWD from hard life, now shop owner SONNY Tanada lived working by the moral boosts of the furniture shop owner who had employed him in Tagum City, despite his being partly disabled from a motor crash.

He figured in an accident in 2009 that left his right leg badly damaged that it had to be amputated. For this, Sonny had been unemployed for almost 10 years, until he met a furniture shop owner who would employ and show him the way through windows of business opportunities in the rattan crafts trade.

Having learned the craft of rattan furniture and its micro-trade, Tanada is a beneficiary of the International Committee of the Red Cross` (ICRC) microeconomic initiative (MEI) programme.

Tanada recalls that through his employer’s contacts, he learned about the Davao Jubilee Foundation (DJF), a non-profit organization that provides free physical rehabilitation services to PWDs in Mindanao. He took a leave-of-absence from his employer-shop to focus on his physical rehabilitation at DJF. But sad news met him half-way back home as he learned that his employer had decided to close shop and move to another city. Sonny was again left jobless. Except for the small amount that he received from DJF, he was compelled by circumstances to rely on his mother and siblings for support.

But just when Sonny thought there was no way out, an employee of the DJF had told him about the ICRC microeconomic initiative (MEI) programme which he promptly applied for with his firm plan of opening his own rattan furniture store in Tagum City.

When his application was approved, Sonny bought all the necessary materials and equipment.

Sonny says his former boss encouraged him to learn more about business. He attended numerous training workshops, but learning how to craft rattan furniture struck his passion the most.

“I owe him a lot,” says Sonny of his former employer. “Like me, he is a person

with a disability. He constantly reminded me to learn the craft because he saw the potential in me and that (it seemed he foresaw) I could be running my own business someday.”

“I started [learning how to make] rattan furniture only in January 2020. It was not very difficult because I had previously worked in the construction industry. Though we got no salary, we were trained for free. I persevered because I wanted to develop my skills,” he says.

“My stay at DJF was free, including the food we ate every day. It was such a relief because we are poor. My father has passed away [while my] mother depends on my father’s pension,” says Sonny.

Sonny felt triumphant after he finished his rehabilitation in September 2021. His life was back on track, and was hopeful going back to his old job.

“If my business proposal had not been approved, I would have been in big trouble because I did not know where to go,” he says.

Sonny’s furniture business is flourishing a bit fast, now leading him to financial independence. “I receive a lot of orders that I cannot accommodate everyone anymore.

I never expected such a time,” says Sonny with a hint of pride.

To accommodate his growing list of clients, Sonny is planning to hire an assistant.

He also intends to ask his girlfriend, who currently works in Saudi Arabia, to move back to Tagum City since he can now support her too.

“I believe that I can provide for our needs now, so I want her to come home,” he explains.

He shares that his success has made him believe that he can do anything, despite his part disability.

“I see to it that I deliver quality work and take care of my clients. That is my secret to success… I am happy, and my clients are happy. They trust my work. Every time I reflect on this, I get emotional,” says Sonny.

M. Lucero-ICRC/Nash B. Maulana

BUSTED. The P3 million worth shabu seized from Buhari Tutin Abusupian, entrapped Wednesday in Barangay Tamontaka 1, Cotabato City by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Story on page 10.

Photo courtesy of PDEA-BARMM

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

July 30, 2022

Hashim son, MILF disown ‘Salamat...from P1 MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim, said the same statement circulated on social media was dropping his father’s name, ostensibly to catapult a group into the BARMM leadership.

The younger Hashim, a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, has issued a counter-statement, saying using his father’s name in vain was “putting at risk the peace process to which we are all stakeholders.”

Ebrahim issued the statement in his capacity as the MILF chairman, describing a “political statement” by an “MILFSalamat Wing” as an “unabashed application letter” to the national leadership “for membership into the BTA.” In a strongly-worded statement signed by Ebrahim, the MILF Central Committee said: “The supposed political statement authored by Delna is nothing but an unabashed application letter for membership into the BTA, devoid of any revolutionary principles and designed solely to secure personal political favor at the expense of the organization and its leadership. We cannot and will not tolerate such a brazen act.”

Ebrahim signed the

statement of the MILF Central Committee’ as concurrent MILF chairman, succeeding founding chairman Salamat Hashim since July 2003 when the latter passed away in Butig, Lanao del Sur. BTA MP Hashim’s statement has also been posted on the official Facebook page of BARMM Chief Minister Ebrahim, whom the former described as the rightful successor of his father by personal choice and by official consensus of the MILF Central Committee.

An adverse statement attributed to an ‘MILFSalamat Wing’ is one signed

by Delna claiming to be the “ad-hoc chairman” of the group he named after the late MILF leader.

The statement, however, could not be independently verified.

Ebrahim said the MILF Leadership “continues to practice the principle of Shura or consultative and collective leadership. This is why major decisions are made by the Central Committee only after consultations.”

He added: “It is therefore dishonest, and contrary to the avowed claim of this group to directly apply to the President of the Republic, for appointment as member

of the BTA, without going through the regular process of submitting their proposals to the Central Committee for bilateral appreciation, and consideration.”

For his part, Hashim asked the signatory of the adverse statement not to use his father’s name “to sow political chaos and destroy the fragile peace that we are beginning to attain under the MILF-led BARMM.” “To those who use my father’s name and his legacy as a front for politicking, and sowing intrigues, I pray that Allah guide you to the truth, and (I) ask you to let my father rest in peace,” Hashim said in his official statement about the alleged formation of an MILF-Salamat Wing.

Political pundits said with praises to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and for Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, the “Salamat-Wing” statement is unlikely credited to a dissident, who even urged the Chief Executive in his statement “to exercise his wide latitude of powers” to appoint members of the Bangsamoro Parliament.

In his statement, Delna accused the BARMM under the MILF leadership of blocking his “democratic rights” to be a member of the BTA Parliament.

employee of the Kidapawan City local government unit, according to Duquiatan.

The shipment was first detected at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and was allowed to get through to enable

the PDEA and the police to arrest whoever would claim it at the post office here.

Duquitan said combined PDEA-12 agents, personnel of units under the Police Regional Office-12, the

Highway Patrol Group arrested Javier here after the confiscation of the marijuana oil and Kush at the NAIA. The narcotics in the package were declared as kitchen utensils by its shipper in California.

MJ from US seized in Kidapawan...from P1

Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (RA 11054), the President appoints members of the 81-seat BTA. All 39 government nominees and 41 nominees from the MILF are screened and recommended by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPPRU) for issuance of Presidential appointments.

Normally, all documents issued by the Chief Executive also pass through the usual scrutiny and critical review by the Presidential Management Staff (PMS)—and the new group apparently wants the President to waive these processes.

Hashim said if the signatory of the statement

wanted “to exercise democratic rights then (he could) exercise them at the proper time. When the time comes for elections, the BARMM will be open as mandated by law.”

Hashim added that: “My

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

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

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement 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 Ali S. Mohammad has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Saher A. Mohammad who was born on November 13, 2013 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Ali S. Mohammad and Dina A. Adzal.

Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office.

In compliance with R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Aisa Mae V. Bacasa has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Aisa Mae Matondo Velesrubio who was born on 09 June 1985 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Arnulfo Velesrubio and Annalee Matondo.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office.

(Sgd.) EDRES A. SAMAMA Asst. City Civil Registrar Officer-in-Charge MC: Jul. 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

father is not a Prophet, and you, of all people, should know not to raise his status to such. The Seal and the Last of the Prophets is Muhammad (peace be upon him). Follow him and not my father.”

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

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

MC: Jul. 30, 2022

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Jul. 23 & 30, 2022

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

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, notice is hereby served to the public that Al-Nashrim D. Usman has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Jinhar to Al-Nashrim in the birth certificate of Jinhar Dandan Usman who was born on August 26, 1999 at Making, Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Abdul Muran Usman and Merijim Garcia Dandan.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than August 3, 2022.

(Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Jul. 23 & 30, 2022

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July 30, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

BTA legislators file bill regulating curfew hours of minors COTABATO CITY — The measure seeking to impose a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on minors has been introduced by some legislators in Tuesday’s regular session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

The proposed Bill No. 191, known as the “BARMM General Curfew for Minors”, introduced by Members of Parliament Baintan Adil-Ampatuan and Amilbahar Mawallil, prohibits minors from roaming around, loitering, wandering, staying, meandering or remaining in public places during curfew hours.

It also prohibits parents and guardians from allowing their children to be on the streets during designated curfew hours.

Minors are only permitted to go out beyond curfew hours if they are: accompanied or have written authorization from their parents, guardians, or the proper authorities to run errands; attend

graduation ceremonies, religious activities, extracurricular school activities; emergency situations such as conflagrations, earthquakes, hospitalization, road accidents, law enforcement encounters, and other similar incidents; going or returning home from work; in any mode of transportation accompanied by an adult; and can present papers certifying that the minor is a working student.

The age of a minor can be determined by presenting a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or any other relevant documents.

Proposed measure also mandates local government units to formulate implementing rules and regulations in their areas.

Violators will be taken into custody by the Barangay Council for Protection of Children to undergo intervention programs such as counseling and ensure that they will participate in the group activities and that parents attend parenting education seminars.

If the bill becomes law, parents or guardians whose minor children are found loitering in public places in violation of the statute will face a fine of P5,000 or up to one month in jail for each subsequent offense.

Individuals under the age of 18 are considered minors under the bill.

Proposed BTA bill aims to support Bangsamoro artists

COTABATO CITY — By establishing programs and grants of financial assistance, a recently introduced measure in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority seeks to expand opportunities for Bangsamoro artists.

Member of Parliament Amilbahar Mawallil, the main author of BTA Bill No. 198, or the Bangsamoro Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts Act of 2022, noted that the country’s 13 Islamized ethnolinguistic groups have distinct cultures and practices that can serve as inspiration for Bangsamoro artists and writers.

Moro artists are “exceptionally talented,” according to MP Mawallil, and he believes that the Bangsamoro government can help them by improving their skills, gaining exposure, and elevating Bangsamoro culture and the arts to the national and international scene.

The Bangsamoro government is mandated to preserve the history, culture, arts, traditions, and rich cultural heritage of the Bangsamoro people by encouraging and supporting their people in their artistic expressions reflective of the Bangsamoro culture.

Arts such as music, dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture and allied fields, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic and craft arts, industrial design, costume and fashion design, motion pictures, television, radio, film, video, tape, and sound recording, the arts related to the presentation, performance, execution, and exhibition of major art forms, traditional art practices by diverse people of the Bangsamoro region,

and the study and application of the arts to the human environment, are covered by the proposed legislative measure.

Once approved, the fund necessary to carry out the provisions of the said bill will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro.

A BEFCA Council will also be established to administer the fund and grant financial assistance exclusively for the implementation of the culture and arts program of the Bangsamoro Government.

The Council is authorized to establish programs and provide financial assistance to Bangsamoro groups and individuals engaged in the arts and culture, such as projects and productions that have substantial artistic and cultural significance and reflect the Bangsamoro culture; projects and productions that will encourage and assist artists and enable them to achieve wider distribution of their works and achieve standards of professional excellence; and projects and productions that will encourage and develop the appreciation and enjoyment of the arts by the Bangsamoro.

COTABATO CITY — “Considering the valuable properties under the custody of the Museum and its important role in the preservation of the artistic and cultural heritage of the Bangsamoro people, the establishment of the Bangsamoro Museum as an agency becomes vital,” Member of Parliament Amilbahar Mawallil said in filing BTA Bill No. 192.

The proposed measure will create a Bangsamoro Museum dedicated to its people and their history and culture. It will house artifacts, works of art, textual records, and iconographic representations.

Its primary mission will be to collect records, conserve artifacts, and display art and cultural objects that are either indicative of or unique to the natural history of the Bangsamoro region and the artistic and cultural heritage of its people.

Under the proposed bill, the museum, which will be a permanent institution in the service of the community and its development, accessible to the public, and not intended for profit, will be under the supervision of the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage.

Its permanent and exclusive site will be inside the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City.

In his explanatory note, principal author MP Amilbahar Mawallil explained that while the BCPCH holds office at the Bangsamoro Museum, there is no office or plantilla position within the BCPCH’s organizational structure that is responsible for managing and accounting for the Museum.

The Bangsamoro Museum, which is part of the BCPCH, is home to numerous valuable and priceless artifacts, including 125

ethnographic specimens, the most notable of which are the 19 limestone burial jars.

It also intends to establish provincial museums as well as area and site museums.

Locations will be chosen with geography, population distribution, administrative efficiency, outstanding artistic, cultural, and natural heritage significance, and educational, environmental, and tourism considerations.

Once approved, a board will be created to supervise and manage the museum.

Its powers and functions include: formulating its vision and mission; representing and mobilizing pertinent areas of the private and public sector; serving as the appointing authority for the Head of Agency and Agency Management in the various museums within BARMM; exercising general oversight over the operation and performance of the Museum; approving strategic policies, goals, and directions for the Museum; considering and appropriately disposing of appeals regarding administrative decisions of the Head of Agency; and providing an important link between the Museum and the community.

(LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division

BARMM legislator pushes bill on creating Bangsamoro Science High School COTABATO CITY —To maintain and support a comprehensive, adequate, and integrated high school science system for learners in the region, Bangsamoro Parliament Member Engr. Aida Silongan proposed a bill seeking to create Bangsamoro Science High School (BSHS).

Proposed Bill No. 203, also known as the “Bangsamoro Science High School Act of 2022,” will offer a free scholarship to qualified learners in the region interested in pursuing a career in science.

Through the Ministry of Science and Technology, the bill ensures that BSHS meets or exceeds the standards of the current Philippine Science High School System and integrates values education to fortify the foundation of both science and faith in the lives of students in the region.

Under the proposed measure, the BSHS will be established in Parang, Maguindanao.

The bill also proposed establishing a Board of Trustees chaired by the Minister of Science and Technology and co-chaired by the Minister of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, with members including the President of Mindanao State University System, the Campus Director of BSHS, the President of the BSHS Alumni Association, and a private sector representative.

BARMM legislators file bill granting medical scholarship and return service programs

BARMM bill proposes to regulate consumption and disposal of betel nuts COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro government will regulate the use, consumption, and disposal of betel nut products in the region, prescribing penalties for violation, if the proposed BTA Bill No. 205 is approved by the Bangsamoro Parliament.

Locally known as ‘mamah’, betel nuts are often chewed after being ground up or sliced and wrapped in leaves.

Betel chewing was once common throughout the Philippines, from the mountains in the north to the Muslim towns in the south.

Research published in Zamboanga City in 2019 claimed that chewing betel nuts can cause oral submucous fibrosis, which is caused by the active alkaloid arecoline in the betel nut.

The proposed measure aims to protect the Bangsamoro people from the adverse effects of betel nuts, as well as the irresponsible and unregulated disposal of their residues.

It also prohibits the consumption of betel nuts in public places and the selling of the products to minors.

Main author of the bill, Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, cited a study conducted by the World Health Organization’s International

BTA bill seeks to establish Bangsamoro Museum

Agency for Cancer Research, which classified betel nuts as a Group 1 carcinogen.

To avoid increased health hazards associated with regular consumption of betel nuts, MP Loong said that the government should regulate their use.

The proposed bill also seeks to preserve the cultural and tribal practice of consuming or chewing betel nuts in all of its forms, with or without tobacco.

Consumption and chewing of betel nuts will be prohibited in public places, including schools, colleges, youth hostels, and recreational facilities for those under the age of 18, elevators, and stairwells, as well as public and private health care facilities, including dental and optical clinics, and other establishments.

COTABATO CITY — A measure that would grant medical scholarships and return service programs to aspiring doctors, as well as require them to serve in the Bangsamoro region for at least two years, has been filed by several lawmakers.

The Parliament Bill No. 204, also known as the Bangsamoro Medical Scholarship Act of 2022, aims to address the scarcity of medical professionals and ensure that the Bangsamoro people have access to the best healthcare services.

Through the proposed bill authored by Members of Parliament Eddie Alih, Mohagher Iqbal, and Zul Qarneyn Abas, the region will produce more competent, committed, and community-oriented medical physicians to serve in the region and neighboring towns.

The MPs stated in their explanatory note that healthcare services in BARMM are still lagging behind those in other parts of the country, and that the proactive approach to a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic is “to start strengthening the medical frontliners by giving rise to medical doctors who would serve as our first and only line of defense to an enemy we cannot even see.”

Authors of the proposed measure said that it will help ensure that medical students can pursue their education with a minimal financial burden, allowing them to focus on their education and training.

Under the measure, the scholarship

is open to the Bangsamoro people who are not beneficiaries of any scholarship programs, including health professionals working in government offices, children and dependents of BARMM employees, barangay health workers, traditional birth attendants, and families of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front.

The scholars will be obligated to serve the region once they have completed their degrees and obtained their license as a physician.

According to the country’s Department of Health, the COVID-19 has left the Philippines short of 92,000 doctors and 44,000 nurses.

As of April 2020, BARMM had one doctor for every 12,000 residents.

The shortage of healthcare personnel in the country is exacerbated by the annual outmigration of 13,000 healthcare professionals, as reported by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Once approved, the Bangsamoro Medical Scholarship Program will cover 100% of all the expenses of a scholar.

These include tuition, miscellaneous and laboratory fees; student fund; books, uniforms, transportation, basic equipment, school supplies, miscellaneous, monthly living subsidy and lodging allowance; fees for the licensure review and examination; and PhilHealth insurance.

LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

July 30, 2022

Bud Tukay Peak eyed as community-based ecotourism zone COTABATO CITY — In a recently introduced measure, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority seeks to declare the Bud Tukay Peak a community-based ecotourism zone.

Member of Parliament Don Loong, said that if the Bud Tukay in Parang, Sulu is declared as an official community-based ecotourism zone, it could lead to growth and new opportunities for the people who live in the area.

“This would also take advantage of the current efforts by the national government and local government of Sulu to revamp the image of the province from its previous battle-weary reputation,” said MP Loong, main author of the proposed BTA Bill No. 206.

If approved, the Bud Tukay Peak will be prioritized for development by the Ministries of Trade, Investments, and Tourism; Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy; and Public Works.

Under the measure, the Bangsamoro government

is mandated to develop and promote community-based ecological tourism in the development of the Bud Tukay Peak and surroundings; ensure the preservation of the environment and conservation of the biodiversity within the Bud Tukay Peak Ecotourism Park; develop ecotourism products and programs that will generate employment and livelihood; and guarantee the financial and economic benefits of the tourism industry are equitably shared and distributed among the local residents in the area.

The bill also proposed establishing the “Bud Tukay Peak Development Council,” a multi-sectoral council with the Municipal Mayor of Parang as Chairperson and MTIT provincial director or representative as cochair with the following members: MENRE provincial director or representative; Barangay Chairperson of Parang; an academic institution representative; and a representative from the residents of Bud Tukay Peak as the private sector. The Secretary of the Sangguniang

BTA bill pushes learners to undergo remedial classes COTABATO CITY — As in-person classes in the country will soon resume, Bangsamoro lawmakers reiterated the importance of implementing a learning intervention program for struggling students in the region.

Under Parliament Bill 209, the program will be known as the Supplemental Academic Learning Amelioration Program (SALAP), which aims to improve the learning competencies of students and boost their confidence as they transition from lower to higher grades.

The program will implement wellsystematized tutorial sessions to ensure mastery of essential competencies covering the subjects of language and mathematics for Grades 1 to 12 and science for Grades 3 to 12.

Reading will be prioritized to develop the critical and analytical skills of learners.

Program’s tutors will also focus on building foundation skills to strengthen the literacy and numeracy competencies of kindergarten learners.

The measure allows tutorial sessions covering the most essential learning competencies under the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum to be conducted in three modalities to ensure accessibility for learners: face-to-face, online, and blended learning.

Students who will undergo supplemental classes under the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education include incoming grade one, first-year high school or college students; learners lagging academically; and marginally below the minimum level of mastery in language, mathematics, and science subjects.

Meanwhile, tutors will also undergo adequate training on innovative instructional techniques, interpersonal skills, socialemotional learning, and cultural competency and will receive compensation from MBHTE and the Ministry of Finance.

MP Don Loong, along with the other 22 co-authors, introduced the proposed measure. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division

Bayan of Parang will also serve as the secretariat of the council.

The actual area and coverage of the Bud Tukay Peak Ecotourism Zone will be determined by MENRE, in coordination with the local government unit.

BTA bill seeks to provide socio-economic assistance for family of deceased mujahideen COTABATO CITY — Families of fallen Bangsamoro mujahideen will receive socio-economic assistance, once the proposed measure filed during Thursday’s session is approved.

According to Parliament Bill No. 94, members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who served between the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 and the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2018 are eligible for the assistance.

Beneficiaries of the support are the parents, surviving spouse, children, and nearest of kin of mujahideen.

The Bangsamoro Parliament will

formulate a system to finalize the list of qualified mujahideen and their dependents who will be qualified for assistance.

All of the beneficiaries will receive aid, including livelihood projects for their parents or surviving spouse, as well as education assistance for their children.

MP Sultan Edrieza Nasser Rimbang, the principal author of the proposed measure, known as the Mujahideen Act of 2021, cited the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which states that the Bangsamoro Government has the power to enact programs and laws for women, labor, the youth, the elderly, the differently-abled, and indigenous people.

BARMM legislators push for establishment of dialysis units, free dialysis for indigents

COTABATO CITY — With kidney patients having difficulty accessing safe and quality health care, some Bangsamoro lawmakers are pushing for the establishment of dialysis units in all government hospitals and the provision of free dialysis services to indigent patients.

“Unfortunately, most of the kidney patients have to travel to nearby towns and cities to be able to get treatment,” said MP Amilbahar Mawallil, noting that most rural health units are physically dilapidated, worn-out, and under-equipped.

MP Mawallil then filed BTA Bill No. 95 together with seven other MPs, which mandates the establishment of dialysis units in all government hospitals in the region.

Facilities should have the necessary equipment, supplies, and staff, including nephrologists, dialysis, and operating room nurses, and dialysis technicians in both peritoneal and hemodialysis, to meet the needs of patients.

The dialysis service area must meet the Department of Health’s and the Philippine

Health Insurance Corporation’s licensing and accreditation requirements.

The proposed measure also requires that dialysis treatment be provided free of charge to indigent patients who have no visible means of income, compensation, or financial assistance from family members to support their basic needs.

“It is imperative for the regional government to respond to the needs of these communities by ensuring seamless delivery of health, goods, and services,” MP Mawallil added.

Under the measure, all government hospitals and stand-alone dialysis centers in the region shall establish chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevention strategies and health promotion activities that include advocacy activities targeting relatives of dialysis patients who are at risk for developing CKD; the provision of instructional materials and regular educational activities on the common symptoms of kidney disease; and advisories on the appropriate protocols for the diagnostic evaluation of possible kidney disease.

BARMM lawmakers seek establishment of IP community centers

COTABATO CITY — Community centers for the indigenous peoples (IPs) will be established in the Bangsamoro region under the recently introduced bill by several members of Parliament.

BTA Bill 208, also known as the Indigenous People’s Community Centers (IPCC) Act of 2022, principally authored

by Member of Parliament Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, aims to bridge the gap between the IPs and the Bangsamoro government.

With IP communities running the center, MP Loong added, they can access government services without fear of being discriminated against because of their religion or ethnic affiliation, race, culture, sexual orientation, or any other reason.

The centers, MP Loong emphasized, will serve as a channel for indigenous communities to express their concerns and needs, allowing the government to address them, and tailor each action to their specific needs.

They can also showcase their distinct cultures by incorporating materials and products that are unique to their communities.

The community centers, showcasing the designs of the IPs, will be equipped with: an assembly or meeting room; a training and learning room; a display kiosk or store; shower and toilet facilities; emergency/exit doors; food preparation areas; trash and waste management collection areas; health care areas; rainwater harvesting and collection facilities; and other facilities prescribed in the DSWD-DILG-DOH-DepEd Joint Memorandum.

The municipal government, through the concerned barangay, will be responsible for the operation, supervision, and management of IPCC. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs will identify areas for community centers and will also oversee the entire implementation of the measure.

Hundreds join BARMM labor summit C O TA B ATO C I T Y — M o r e t h a n a hundred participants from labor groups in the region joined the Bangsamoro Labor Summit organized by the Office of the Member of Parliament Romeo Sema.

The two-day summit, which is in partnership with the International Labour Organization, aims to provide a venue for development partners to discuss, clarify, and address concerns on the proposed Bangsamoro Labor and Employment Code and other labor and employment-related measures.

In his video message, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim called for the immediate passage of the proposed bills, which include the Bangsamoro Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal E c o n o m y ; B a n g s a m o r o Tr i p a r t i s m

and Social Dialogue; the Bangsamoro Public Service Eligibility Equivalency Act; and the Bangsamoro Labor Justice Administration Act. "The government of the day is one with the committee in calling for the immediate passage of the much-needed legislation to make the lives of the labor force much better," Chief Minister Ebrahim said.

MP Sema, chair of the Committee on Labor and Employment, reiterated the importance of the active involvement of Bangsamoro workers in exercising their rights to participate in policy and decision-making as enunciated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. (LTAISPublic Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division

BTA moves to help improve internet acces in BARMM COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s Committee on Ways and Means is set to file a committee resolution requesting the Ministry of Interior and Local Government and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to meet with local government units to discuss the concerns with internet access in the region.

MP Paisalin Tago, chair of the committee, said that the resolution will be filed "as soon as possible."

MP Maisara Dandamun-Latiph, who

also supported the measure, said that having reliable access to the internet is a basic human right and a necessity as a medium to communicate.

Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Treasury Office presented the status of the unutilized and unexpended funds for 2020 and 2021, as well as the actual collections, projected collections, and remittances of the MOTC, Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism, and the Ministry of Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment.

LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations

6

July 30, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Pope Francis preaches on sharing faith with love

PREACHING at a Mass celebrated in Canada’s largest stadium, Pope Francis reflected on the elderly, who he said should be honored, and who serve as an example to the Church on how to pass on faith in a loving way.

“In addition to being children of a history that needs to be preserved, we are authors of a history yet to be written,” the Holy Father said.

“The grandparents who went before, the elderly who had dreams and hopes for us, and made great sacrifices for us, ask us an essential question: what kind of a society do you want to build?”

Developing a theme he introduced Monday in his speech at Sacred Heart parish, the pope reflected on the importance of presenting the faith to others in a loving way, rather than with proselytism.

“From our grandparents we learned that love is never forced; it never deprives others of their interior freedom. That is the way Joachim and Anne loved Mary; and that is how Mary loved Jesus, with a love that never smothered him or held him back, but accompanied him in embracing the mission for which he had come into the world,” Pope Francis said.

“It was in our grandparents’ homes that many of us breathed in the fragrance of the Gospel, the strength of a faith which makes us feel at home.

Thanks to them, we discovered that kind of ‘familiar’ faith. Because that is how faith is fundamentally passed on, at home, through affection and

encouragement, care and closeness…

Let us try to learn this, as individuals and as a Church. May we learn never to pressure the consciences of others, never to restrict the freedom of those around us.”

The Mass marks the second day of Pope Francis’ public activities during his weeklong trip to Canada.

Yesterday, July 25, the pope publicly apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in running much of Canada’s government-sponsored residential school system. And speaking to a group of Catholics at Sacred Heart parish in Edmonton later that day, Francis reiterated his “shame” and sorrow at the hurt caused by Catholics during the era of Canada’s residential school system. He praised the parish community as “a house for all, open and inclusive, just as the Church should be.”

Commonwealth Stadium, home to the Edmonton Elks football team, is the largest outdoor arena in Canada.

Local authorities estimated a crowd of 50,000 people at the July 26 Mass.

Pope Francis preached on the importance of recognizing the sacrifices that previous generations have made and of “safeguarding the treasure” of the faith that they have passed down.

“May Joachim and Anne intercede

for us. May they help us to cherish the history that gave us life, and, for our part, to build a life-giving history,” the pope concluded.

“May they remind us of our spiritual duty to honor our grandparents and our elders, to treasure their presence among us in order to create a better future. A future in which the elderly are not cast aside because, from a “practical” standpoint, they are “no longer useful.” A future that does not judge the value of people simply by what they can produce. A future that is not indifferent to the need of the aged to be cared for and listened to. A future in which the history of violence and marginalization suffered by our indigenous brothers and sisters is never repeated. That future is possible if, with God’s help, we do not sever the bond that joins us with those who have gone before us, and if we foster dialogue with those who will come after us.”

Later today, July 26, Pope Francis will participate in a pilgrimage to Lac Ste. Anne, a site which plays host annually to thousands of pilgrims, billing itself as the largest annual Catholic gathering in western Canada.

The pope will also celebrate a Liturgy of the Word at the site. Jonah McKeown/

or Jurassic rockers, enjoy yourself” (Luke 12:19). you might remember Or is there more to life than the song of the ceaseless accumulation and Rolling Stones “I Can’t Get pleasure-seeking? Jesus No Satisfaction”. It was himself gave the lesson from performed by Mick Jagger, this parable, “This is the eflections with its unforgettable bass lot of the one who stores up introduction. This song riches for himself and is not Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC describes the theme of this wealthy in the eyes of God” tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com Sunday’s readings. We keep (Lk. 12:21). pursuing and working for what we eventually lost when St. Paul is more specific as to what one should pursue life ends: wealth, pleasure, and power. What then is the and avoid as a Christian disciple. “Set your mind on the use of pursuing all these things? things that are above, not on earthly things” (Col. 3:2).

For this reason the book of Ecclesiastes opens with “Put to death then, what is earthly in you life: immorality, the words of Qoheleth, “Vanity of vanity, everything is impurity, passion, evil desires, and greed which is a way vanity” (Ecc. 1:2) Human life is meaningless, futile, and of worshipping idols” (Col. 3:5). Indeed pursuing what absurd. What is the purpose of human toil and strivings? is ungodly is a form of idolatry. As St. Thomas said, sin This pessimistic view of the human condition antedates is nothing more than turning away from God, in pursuit the philosophers of the absurd, such as Albert Camus. of creatures, “Aversio a Deo et conversio ad creaturam.”

Camus likens human striving to the myth of Sisyphus, Certainly we need basic necessities in life as well as where as a punishment by the gods Sisyphus was amenities that make life easier and more convenient. condemned to push a big rock uphill only for it to roll to However, we should not substitute such pursuit for the other side, and again he pushes it uphill, unceasingly. the pursuit of God. In life, there are lesser goals, and Camus, the philosopher of the absurd, holds that despite there is the main goal, God Himself. We have also to be this absurdity of human life, the person has to continue aware that we are merely stewards of whatever wealth struggling just to affirm his freedom against all odds. and properties we have gained. Let us be thankful for The book of Ecclesiastes closes with some reminders whatever blessings God has given us and share them in for the young and old, “ Rejoice , O youth, while you are the best way we can. The pursuit of holiness is our main young and let your hearts be glad in the days of your vocation, whatever state of life we are in, lay or clergy youth” (Ecc.11:6). As for older people, it is inevitable, or religious. Even clergy and religious can fall into the it is best to remember that everything ends and “God temptation of greed. There is no end to our desires and will bring to judgment every work…whether good or bad wants but we can decide on what should be given priority (Ecc. 12:14). Keep this in mind, “Before the silver chord and decide when enough is enough. is snapped and the golden bowl is broken…and the dust I had a friend who when she learned that she had a returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath few more months to live, divested herself of all her wealth returns to God who gave it” (Ecc. 12: 6-7). and properties. She distributed her properties among Jesus tells the parable of the rich man who her family members. She also gave away substantial accumulated so much wealth for himself, and was amount of money to various charities . At the end, she self-satisfied, until he died unexpectedly. Just like in had nothing. She had given away everything when she Ecclesiastes, what is the use of so much striving? One can died. There is nothing to weigh her down on her last live for oneself as this man thought, “Rest, eat, drink and journey to the Lord. MC

Satisfaction

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ISABELA DE BASILAN prelate Leo Dalmao joined the calls for justice for a former mayor and two others who were killed in a gun attack over the weekend.

Former mayor Rosita Furigay of Lamitan City on the southern Basilan island was one of the three persons killed in a shooting incident last Sunday at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

Furigay, according to the bishop, was an active partner of the prelature in several peace building efforts and interreligious undertakings.

“We are pained by the loss of a fellow peace advocate,” Dalmao said in a statement issued July 26.

“We call for the swift and just resolution of this case.”

The bishop also assured his prayers for the victims and the bereaved families.

“I call for sobriety among the people of Lamitan and of the rest of Basilan. Let not this incident put to waste the peace we have worked so long and hard for,” he added.

Apart from Furigay, the shooting reportedly perpetrated by Chao-Tiao Yumol, a medical doctor, also killed her aide and a guard of the university and wounded her daughter.

Reports said the attacker opened fire as law students and their families gathered for a graduation ceremony.

Yumol was later nabbed while fleeing the crime scene. CBCP News

Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis celebrates Mass from the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 26, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Vatican Media

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Prelate cries justice for slain ex-Lamitan mayor

Bishop Leo Dalmao of the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan.

Photo courtesy of Claret Seminary Philippines

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

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

Ecclesiastes 1.2; 2.21-23; Colossians 3.1-5, 9-11; Luke 12.13-21 “Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” The first reading from the book of Ecclesiastes tells us that vanity is man’s source of misfortune. When a person is obsessed with possession, anxiety, sorrow, and grief, that person is living in vanity.

The gospel also tells us that richness, wealth and treasure on earth are not the means to living a happy and purposeful life. Vanity comes when a person’s heart is full of greed of anything.

Nothing can satisfy the human longing, they say.

What truly matters is that our hearts are focused on the treasures of heaven that lasts – kindness, compassion, service, and love. Everything else are secondary – position in society, properties, cash in banks and treasuries, and so on. So let’s stay away from greed and only want for what is enough.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be content and to restrain from any greed. Amen.

7

THE MINDANAO CROSS

July 30, 2022

EDITORIAL

Still on Food Security

A

s the country prepares for the impact of the dwindling Pandemic on Filipinos, plans are prepared by the new government on how the problem of food security can be addressed. In the recent commentary of Jarosław Szczepankiewicz* in the Business Mirror, President Putin of Russia is said to be bearing down on Ukrainian food as a weapon of war. According to JS, “The crisis caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine affects not only food, but also fuels and fertilizers known as “3F Crisis” (food, fuel, fertilizers).

The problem seen at present is that many countries have been affected by the Russian war in Ukraine, which according to JS is “further disrupting a global and liberalized food, energy and fertilizers systems that was already undermined by Covid and the unfolding climate crisis.” Just recently, the cost of fuel has increased to the extent that the transport sector, and those dependent on oil and gasoline are now feeling the brunt of the increase in prices.

This is a warning to the Philippine government that although the Russian-Ukraine War is in the other side of the globe, the food security situation is too fragile to be ignored.

For small countries like the Philippines, its vulnerability to the concepts of peace (and the way it is now interpreted by powerful countries) should be taken seriously.

If we recall, the 3F crisis (food, fuel, fertilizers) has taken center stage in the government issues of corruption. Thus, it is not just the effect of climate change or disruption on the transport system that has been talked about in government circles. With the new government coming in, these issues may be revived and its effect on food security (i.e. 3F crisis) be in the news again.

Think of how the Pandemic, Climate Change, and politics again influence inflation especially the prices of basic commodities.

It may sound funny for us who are miles away from Russia, but many of our “thinkers “ like the former foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario feels that countries like China may copy the actions of Russia to seize the West Philippine Sea. This is not a far flung step since countries like China which have problems of their own in solving their domestic 3F Crisis may follow the lead taken by Russia. Even countries in the Middle East are now searching for models to follow in face of an impending food security crisis.

It should be now a topic for smaller countries, and smaller government units, to contend with in the coming months. As they say, a violent solution may be short and painful, but a solution for a food security crisis drags on and on with more people involved, and more issues that keep on branching out. MC +

is published every Saturday by the Mindanao Cross Publishers, Inc., Sinsuat cor Quezon Avenues, Cotabato City. Tel Nos. (064) 4217161 and E-mail Address: mindanao.cross@gmail.com | mincross101@yahoo.com.ph

Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, Chief-Executive-Officer Eva Kimpo - Tan, Editor-in-Chief Edwin O. Fernandez, News Editor Gemma A. Peñaflor, Administration and Marketing Executive Julito P. Torres, Circulation Officer Karl John B. Daniel, Graphic-Layout Artist COTABATO CITY / ARMM CORRESPONDENTS

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

T

he 7.0-magnitude tremor that struck Abra and nearby provinces on Wednesday left five people dead and more than 150 others injured. It also brought down buildings, triggered landslides and shook high-rise towers hundreds of kilometers away in Manila.

Damage to centuries-old structure was also reported In Vigan City , a UNESCO World Heritage site and tourist destination in Ilocos Sur province, centuries-old structures built during the Spanish colonial period yet were also damaged. 460 buildings had been affected by the quake in the province, according to Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias Singson, including the Bantay Bell Tower, which partially crumbled.

While the human toll in terms of death and injured were considerably minimal, some 1,248 people had to be evacuated in the Ilocos region according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

One online report cited Michael Chan of the In Ilocos Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management as saying, 29,283 people are staying in evacuation centers as of Thursday, fearful of returning to their homes due to the expected aftershocks.

More than 800 aftershocks have been recorded since the quake hit, including 24 that were strong enough to feel, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

According to Phivolcs, the earthquake occurred at 8:43 a.m. on Wednesday and was located at 17.64°N, 120.63°E - 003 km N 45° W of Tayum in Abra and had a depth of 17 kilometers. Intensity 4 was felt in Bangued, Abra while Instrumental Intensity 4 was recorded in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur and Intensity 3 over Sinait, Ilocos Sur; and Tabuk, Kalinga. Intensity 2 was recorded over Gonzaga, Penablanca, Cagayan; and Laoag City, Ilocos Norte Intensity 1 in Baguio City, Benguet; and Claveria, Cagayan.

On Wednesday, the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia and Caritas Philippines ordered the assessment of the damage caused by the earthquake. Along with the structural damage to churches, the social action centers of the affected dioceses in the region are also determining the condition of residents in the affected areas.

In a recent post on its Facebook page, Caritas

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E have always encouraged young home-grown writers and media practitioners to more often show the good side of the Bangsamoro Region— stories left untold for decades when good news to some central desks about the region were those that tell of body counts in armed skirmishes, banditry or terrorism.

Help editors not from Mindanao better understand their provincial reporters’ areas of coverage, a community of diversity in tribes and tradition, rich in history as well as in cultural and ecotourism.

It’s not bad to defy the dictates of some newsrooms and tell them stories that could instead turn the flavors of terrorism—onto tourism journalism.

I was in Tawi-Tawi during almost the entire third week of July on invitation of Mayor Nur-Fitra P. Ahaja of Sibutu and Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MILG-BARMM). The occasions were the ground-breaking of Municipal Hall Buildings, one each in Sibutu and Sitangkai, and a wet market building on stilts in Sitangkai.

The flight to Bongao’s Sanga-Sanga Airport from Awang (Maguindanao) hardly exceeded an hour on PAL Airbus A320. We were a bit delayed from schedule to a take-off at 7:45 a.m. and we touched down on the SangaSanga Airport runway at almost 8:45 a.m.

On a mid-afternoon the next day, cruising the Sibutu Strait was rough on PNP Maritime speedboats. The blue waters were turbulent as the waves “clashed”:from the direction of the Sulu Sea, toward South China Sea and the Celebes Sea, and vice-versa. International vessels (in average of 150 in 24 hours, officials say) cruise the Sibutu Strait at daytime navigational speeds that range from 22 to 25 nautical miles per hour (knots). Yes, big vessels steam as fast as the speedboats we boarded in terms of relative speed (to size)—in their voyage from Australia to Japan and China, and vice-versa.

The following day, the sea water surface was clear and still, but the big ships really pose a risk on sea travellers in slow vessels, especially, that are cruising the strait on a daily basis. That is why the kumpit (wooden-hulled launches) serving the Bongao-Sibutu line only sail on daytime, a launch captain explained to me in January 2014 when I documented World Bank-supported ARMM

Calls for prayers, aid for quake-hit provinces of Luzon

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

Philippines said it first received reports on damaged churches, like the St. Paul’s Cathedral in Vigan, and chapels in Ilocos Sur. It said emergency teams are being deployed to further assess the damaged communities, and see how the Catholic church can best respond to the most urgent needs.

CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action Justice and Peace-NASSA national director and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo has encouraged everyone to continue to pray for each other’s safety from the effects caused by the earthquake. The bishop also asked for the solidarity of the Filipino people in offering both to those who may need help in these types of calamities.

Caritas Manila for its part has called for donations to provide relief assistance to those impacted by the tremor, asking for food packs, bottled water, hygiene kits, tents, sleeping mats, blankets, and solar lamps.

Wednesday’s quake was one of the strongest recorded in the Philippines where earthquakes are considered a regular occurrence, it being in the most geologically active area of the world called the Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire traces boundaries between several tectonic plates—including the Pacific, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Indian-Australian, Nazca, North American, and Philippine Plates. Ninety percent of Earth’s earthquakes occur along its path, according to National Geographic.

Being in a highly geologically volatile zone, Phivolcs says the best thing for Filipinos to do is to be prepared which is why it regularly conducts earthquake preparedness drills. It maintains that when an earthquake happens, the best way to protect oneself is to stay calm, not panic, and follow the duck, cover and hold protocol. MC

Shift from ‘terrorism’ to tourism journalism: Give it a try

Penlight

Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

Social Fund Projects in Tawi-Tawi and in other provinces of the region.

The BARMM may improve on the facilities like airport terminal buildings and modern auxiliary facilities like a more spacious baggage area, and a round of conveyor belts, and better furnished, tourist-friendly restrooms.

Indeed, the construction of a bigger Terminal Building is on-going in Awang.

Pershing Tayag, chief of Tawi-Tawi’s Provincial Tourism Office, says the best season for cultural tourism coverage is the weeklong Kamahardikaan Sin Tawi-Tawi Festival from September 11, marking the province’s 1973 separation from the old Sulu Archipelago Province, which also included Basilan.

During the height of the CoViD19 pandemic in 2020, Governor Esmael “Mang” Sali turned the tiny island of Sanga Siapuh into a place of isolation, which now is becoming a paradise of a beach resort. The governor became the first to have isolated himself from the rest of Tawi-Tawi residents in Sanga Siapuh. The island is only approximately 0.25 square kilometer, some 2.5 nautical miles South of Bongao and about two nautical miles Northeast of Simunul Island.

Each municipality has its distinct cultural presentations and parades in September that bring out the best in Tawi-Tawi—anywhere from stretches of roadshow of plentiful sea harvests and native products to the colorful fluvial parades by the cove bounded by Bongao’s coastlines.

Tourism agencies and councils and their private investment partners should really be working together as fast as the rate at which tourist travellers and bloggers do discover unaltered paradise places— to the last frontier of the South. MC

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Basilan, and three others.

The slain Mayor Rosita Furigay was in Quezon City to attend a graduation rite of her law-graduate daughter when attacked by a certain Dr. Chao Tiao Yumol, 38, also a resident of Lamitan. Allegations over illegal drugs and other malpractices were hurled at the suspect, who has several pending libel cases in court.

Tragic incidents happen everywhere that people wonder why? And this corollary news feed this week by Reuters about life’s irony that while attempting to escape from gang violence and severe poverty, 17 Haitians died aboard a boat that capsized in the Bahamas coastline.

“Behold disaster shall go forth from nation to nation and a great whirlwind shall be raised-up from the farthest part of the earth” (Jeremiah 25:32). Nature’s wrath is felt when the LORD shakes the earth out of its place and its pillars tremble (Job 9:6).

God telling us to repent, reconcile and turn at His rebuke and surely, “I will pour out My Spirit and make My words known to you.” And our refusal to heed His call and ignored His counsel, He said: “I will laugh at your calamity, mock when your terror comes like a storm and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, and your distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call but I will not answer, they will seek Me diligently but will not find Me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD” (Proverbs 1:23-29).

And here’s God’s promise to the humble and obedient – “In an acceptable time I’ve heard you and in the day of salvation, I’ve helped you” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Also know this by heart that eternal life is assured to those who pursue good deeds for God’s glory and honor. But those who are unrighteous and selfseeking are liars destined in tribulation and anguish (Romans 2:7-9).

Fear no one but God who warns the cowards, unbelievers, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire with brimstone which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).MC

Fathom Divine Wisdom True to Form Charlie Señase

A

csenase@yahoo.com

MID massive destruction to lives and properties due to man’s stubborn wickedness, it’s about time to pause in silence with humility and ask – What’s life all about?

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., in his first State of the Nation Address underscored his administration’s priority thrusts on urgent government reforms in the bureaucracy for better and efficient services toward food security and speedy health and economic recovery.

As usual, there were conflicting voices from the so-called majority and minority groups with their own vested interest. That even before the start of the 19th Congress, an enacted measure on smoking known as Vape Law, the minority block is calling for an urgent presidential veto of the bill which experts considered pollutant and health hazard especially to youngsters.

For the love of self and money that we have this kind of legislative agenda liken to gambling, intoxicated drinks, guns and weapons of mass destruction, that others regard as revenue-making and revelries. But these are biblical abominations to the Author of Life to whom as creatures we are indebted to obey and merit salvation.

God’s caution to our legislative body, including the executive and the judiciary to dispense respective functions with equity and irrespective of persons for God’s glory and for the greater good if we want SONA’s vision attained despite prophetic sorrow and uncertainties ahead. “God made man upright but they have sought-out evil schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29).

The proliferation of firearms and its unlawful use by irresponsible gunholders has killed and hurt so many that early this week took the lives of former lady mayor of Lamitan, a BARMM city of

Top ten best health care careers for the future (part 2)

are trained specifically in caring for patients between the site of a crisis and a hospital. A current national shortage of paramedics should make this a high ealth orner entry on future career lists.

A reprint BEST HEALTH DEGREES.COM Where To Start: The Paramedic/EMT . Radiologic Technician track is very attractive to many because What They Do: Radiologic Technicians operate it requires only a basic training that the complex machines that use radiation leads to state certification. With this basic to scan and image the human body. job experience under your belt, many These technicians are an important additional healthcare careers will open up. part of diagnosing diseases ranging 9. Clinical Research Administrator from respiratory issues to cancer.

What They Do: Where to Start: Clinical research looks for new ways Radiological Technicians are trained to treat different in specialized diseases and A s s o c i a t e ’ s conditions. It is an and Certificate important, but very programs. Many complicated process. technicians decide Scientists look to to pick up this skill Clinical Research after having some Administrators to previous training in take care of the medical care. nuts and bolts of complying 7. Medical with research Technologist regulations and or Laboratory managing research Technician participants.

What They Do: Where To Start: Medical Techs This is a very and Lab Techs specialized field, but perform all the there are now both testing requested undergraduate and by doctors when graduate programs diagnosing and that will train treating patients. students in clinical Whether it involves research from top to information or tissue, it takes skilled technicians to bottom. These skills are becoming very operate the equipment and technology valuable to researchers. that makes this possible.

10. Healthcare Administrator Where To Start: What They Do: People become Med Techs through In addition to Healthcare IT a variety of degree programs, from biology to computer science. But there a d m i n i s t r a t o r s , c u r r e n t h o s p i t a l are now dedicated Medical Technology practice requires people trained in a degree programs that train students variety of skills to manage patient care. in highly specialized laboratory skills. In addition to marketing, accounting, and human resources, hospitals and institutions also need people that 8. Paramedic understand issues specific to managing What They Do: Paramedics are first on the scene patient care and the needs of medical in emergencies and disasters. They professionals. MC

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Angelica Revilla in layered pina terno by Rob Ortega; #5 Bernadette Barbers in printed blue long skirt with black terno inspired top and he tuff of ife cinched with emerald green Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy narrow belt by Paul Cabral; franco1573victoria@gmail.com #6 Cong. Len Alonte ; #7 Kathryna Yu Pimentel was eeks prior to July 25, 2022, the day when the delivery of Pres. in a monochromatic blue terno with drape Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr his first on the hips by Michael Leyva; #8 Sen SONA, security checks were underway in Nancy Binay in off white terno by Randy the vicinity of the Batasan in Quezon City. Ortiz; #9- Usec. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar Thousands of soldiers lined the streets, in Lulu Tan-Gan; #10- Marga Nograles in traffic on those streets leading to the vertical patched work by KAAYO Modern Batasan was at a halt until the day arrived. Miindanao.

Cause-oriented groups expressed The hall was newly renovated for a fitting disappointment over Pres. Ferdinand return for the 19th Congress.

Meanwhile, the lady politicians Marcos Jr.’s silence about pressing and officials, the wives of senators and concerns in Mindanao. They asked what congressmen, as well as their girl friends he planned to do with the relatively busied themselves and their special new Bangsa Moro Autonomous Region couturiers preparing for their photo ops as in Muslim Mindanao, the unfinished they make their grand entrance through rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City, the red carpet. Camera men and the press the marginalized communities, and the edge their way to take the best place for the decades-old communist insurgency that had perfect shot. It had been a while that this adversely impacted many Mindanao areas. tradition was practiced, hence, this was It was noted also that PBBM was also silent a welcomed occasion to dress up, march about the plight of indigenous peoples in through the crowd with the partner, smile many parts of the country.

Ateneo de Davao University professor for the cameramen and be noticed by the “Fashion Pulis”. It appears that there and political analyst Rommel Beleno 3rd were two sessions for the senators, hence a appreciated Marcos’ SONA’s disciplined bonanza for the designers as they complete delivery. He was on script, no segues and he stopped on every applause (of which were to exhibit their creations.

White and ecru seems to be the color but few). He was fast paced, overall his of choice for them this season, prompting SONA was impressive as he prepared for the naughty bystanders to comment about it.” He however missed out on the terrorism being “first communicants”. There is also problem, corruption in government and an a new interest in our inaul as many , issue long hounding his family.

Immediately the following morning, including Senator Robinhood (address him thus) Padilla. I can’t quite understand the newly elected speaker of the house outfit of the controversial sister, while the Sen. Migs Zubiri vigorously defended other sister stands out for her ash grey hair the shortcomings or items left out, i.e. corruption, human rights, poverty omitted and elegant choices of her wardrobe.

The verdict of our Fashion Pulis in the SONA . He was in the several days is as follows. Their number one is also my and long hours of consultations in framing favourite . Some did not make it to the list the SONA. Are we in the same dilemma below though. VP Sara Duterte wore the years back when apologists explain the costume of the indigenous people of Davao. words of their boss?

Prof. Beleno suggested that Pres.

Best dressed #1 Hon Honey Lacuna, mayor of Manila City, in magenta Marcos should pursue his plan to rightsize terno by Jo Rubio. Best Dressed #2 Lucy (vis-à-vis downsize0 the bureaucracy and Torres-Gomez in ecru embroidered terno rid the government of excess fats). “It was

by Randy Ortiz; #3 Heart Evangelista good to hear him say ”We will not surrender in white terno by Mark Bungarner; #4 an inch of the West Philippine Sea.” MC

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“Advances in biomedical technology require people trained to put them into practice. A more efficient healthcare system requires people with solid backgrounds in administration and technology”

SONA Talk

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July 30, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Using Other People’s Money (OPM)…

L

Market Driven

S

Danny Buenbrazo

danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

uccess may be elusive or simply impossible to attain when a person or an organization only relies on his/her or its own resources.

That’s why experts tell us to “leverage” and to remember what John Donne said: “No man is an island.”

The concept of leveraging involves the use of something, usually belonging to a third person, to obtain benefits exceeding that which could be achieved utilizing only one’s resources.

Getting access to resources that do not belong to you or your business organization does not happen automatically, we have to earn the right to it. What are the resources that can benefit a person, a family, or an organization? These are the same as those commonly employed in enterprises or other endeavors designed to get profit or other positive benefits: manpower, machines, materials, and the most important thing, money.

Financial resources are very valuable since additional funds would enable us to make big item purchases that can be paid for by future earnings, such as buying a house and lot payable over 10 to 40 years (depending on the credit facility or our preference for payment period). Borrowed money can also be useful for a start-up business or for expansion or diversification of an on-going enterprise.

Some people or organization can readily obtain resources from other people or institutions like banks with little effort and at very low cost, if it is a commercial transaction. Others would never be able to borrow from outside sources or if they are able to do so, the transaction had to come at very high cost or stringent terms and

conditions (e.g.. short repayment period, high interest rate, or high penalty rate).

Thus, an individual, business firm, or other organization must strive to have a very positive credit score especially when there is an intent to access funds or financing from banks and other lending institutions. In the Philippines, there is a credit bureau that keeps tab on the performance of individuals and firms on handling their financial obligations. Banks and other institutions interested in knowing the credit worthiness of potential borrowers and customers have access to the credit ratings kept by the bureau.

An excellent credit score does not only ensure easier access to funds but would also mean better terms and conditions for a loan, that is, lower interest rate, longer repayment period, and possibly a grace period for payment of the principal amount.

There are a few ways to make sure that we achieve and maintain an excellent credit score.

First, ensure that our bills and other obligations are paid in time, better if paid in full instead of just settling the minimum payment required (usually in the case of credit card companies that allow you to pay much less than the total amount due).

Second, according to Investopedia, use only 30% of your credit line or limit. Borrow only what you actually need. Many employees avail of the full loan limits allowed by Pag-Ibig, SSS, and GSIS when they actually just need a fraction of that.

Third, consolidate your debts for ease of monitoring. We are more likely to miss a payment if we used several credit cards than just one or two.

Fourth, settle your debts earlier than the time that they are due when you have available funds anyway.

Finally, live below your means and save as much as you can. MC

9

THE MINDANAO CROSS

July 30, 2022

City mentors now know BARMM educ programs...from P1

Deputy Minister Haron Meling.

The objective of the day-long activity was primarily to bring to constituents the nature, functions, powers and activities of BARMM as new political entity.

“Based on the assessment of my office, there is a urgent need to reach out to our people and inform them about the BTA, the BARMM, its offices and commissions and

their respective programs and projects,” MP Anayatin said in a statement.

She explained that the teachers, both from private and public schools, have a substantial interest in deeply understanding the BARMM since they are at the forefront of the education of our youth.

“Buy informing them about

this new political entity, we would indirectly educate our youth who are on the receiving end of our educational and cultural acceleration efforts,” MP Anayatin said, adding it also aimed to empower the teachers by providing them updates on MBHTE programs for the education sector.

“Many of our questions were aired and answered by competent

authorities, I have the impression that we are in good hands,” said one teacher who was among the 113 participants.

“We learned a lot, I am happy I was able to attend this forum,” another teacher-participant said.

“I am looking forward for more activities like this one, more engagements,” he added. “We are glad we have Mayor Matabalao

who listened to our issues and concerned.”

Anayatin said the activity also provided hearing venues to listen to teachers’ thoughts, opinion, and concern about BARMM, the activity gathered fist hand information about the needs and demands of the people toward greater moral governance in the aspect of education.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

DEED OF ADJUDICATION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ELADIO E. BINGIL, who died on June 22, 2018 at Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 14, Psd-12068652, situated in Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 1,390 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 152-2018000382 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 135; Page No. 27; Book No. CXXXV; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LUDIVINA BINGIL VILLAFLOR, who died on January 29, 2014 at Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 10, Psd-12-068652, situated in Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 1,391 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 152-2018000378 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 86; Page No. 18; Book No. CCC1; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LUCILA E. BINGIL, who died on April 1999 at Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 10, Psd-12-068652, situated in Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 1,390 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 152-2018000379 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 147; Page No. 32; Book No. CCC1; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late PENDI A. ABPET, who died on December 9, 2012 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, a parcel of land Lot 7, Block 2, PSD-12-047948, situated in Tamontaka I, Cotabato City, containing an area of 200 sq. mts., more or less, covered

by TCT No. T-50473 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with sale before Notary Public Roberto E. Examen as per Doc. No. 35; Page No. 8; Book No. 28; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late VICENTE VALDEZ, who died on March 22, 1987 at Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot No. 949, Pls-519, situated in Blensong, Upi, Cotabato (now Maguindanao), containing an area of 191,652 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P-35870 is subject of deed of adjudication before Notary Public A t t y. A g n e s R . D e Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. 1006; Page No. 1006; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late RAMON SINGCO ONG, who died on January 29, 1998, a parcel of land consisting of 48,255 square meters, more or less, situated in Libungan, North Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-58140 is subject of affidavit of self-adjudication of sole heir before Notary Public Atty. Ysnaira A. Ibrahim as per Doc. 258; Page No. 34; Book No. IX; Series of 2020.

MC: Jul. 23, 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

MC: Jul. 23, 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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

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

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

MC: Jul. 30, Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

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

MC: Jul. 30, Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

MC: Jul. 30, Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

MC: Jul. 30, Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

AFFIDAVIT

Republic of the Philippines Midsayap, Cotabato LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ESTELITA J. DIERO, who died intestate on November 24, 2016 in Cotabato City, parcels of land Lot 10, Block 1, Psd12-0022408 and Lot 11, Block 1, Psd-12-0022408 situated in Rosary Heights 7, Cotabato City, covered

by TCT Nos. T-38534 & T-38672, respectively, containing the total area of 234 sq. mts., more or less, are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Atty.

Abbyr Ahmad Nul as per Doc. No. 288; Page No. 58; Book No. XXXIV; Series of 2022.

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048/10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Dionisio F. Econar, Jr. has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Judimher Asid Econar who was born on June 29, 2005 at Making, Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Dionisio Jr. Fantonial Econar and Meriam Akmad Asid.

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

In compliance with the publication requirement 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 Jewel Alex Murro has filed with this office, a petition for correction of entry in sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Jewel Alex Murro at Mirasol, Alamada, Cotabato and whose parent is Maureen Love Joy V. Murro.

Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than August 11, 2022.

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

(Sgd.) MA. LENY B. BUENAFE Municipal Civil Registrar

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LEONITO TURCINO FLORENTINO and BASILISA HIMAYA FLORENTINO, who died on June 05, 1987 and September 28, 2009 at Ta g b a c , M a g p e t a n d Paruayan, Alamada, Cotabato, respectively , a parcel of land Lot No. 614, Pls-866, situated in Magca-alam, Magpet, Cotabato, containing an area of 96,017 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. T-70023 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Jonah E. Denaque-Mineses as per Doc. 142; Page No. 30; Book No. 69; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ERNESTO G. LIM, who died on May 31, 2004 in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 2, Block 37, Psd04-00305, situated in Barrio Donare, Caloocan City, Metro Manila, containing an area of 301 sq. mts., more or less, is subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Omar Yasser C. Sema as per Doc. No. 463; Page No. 93; Book No. XXII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ALBIN O C OR PU Z and JULIANA CARAMAT, who died on September 15, 1996 and January 24, 1995, respectively at Malamote, Kabacan, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 2285E, (LRC) Psd-160182, situated in Kabacan, Cotabato, containing an area of 25,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered

by TCT No. T-35607 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of donation before Notary Public Atty. Joeyfer Samaniego Villanueva as per Doc. 344; Page No. 70; Book No. XVII; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ANSARI ABDULSATAR ZAILON who died intestate on March 15, 2022 in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 7, Block 10, Psd(ARMM)-0005, situated in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, containing an area of 200 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-34212 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Amira S. Pagayao, CPA as per Doc. No. 350; Page No. 70; Book No. X; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the l a t e C A R M E L I TA C .

CHENG, who died on January 2, 2005 in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 1, Block 16, Pcs-3679, situated in Colina, Cotabato, Cotabato, containing an area of 321 sq. mts., more or less, covered

by TCT No. T-19158 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of share before Notary Public Roy P. Acelar as per Doc. No. 425; Page No. 85; Book No. LII; Series of 2018.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EDUARDO HEIZON, who died on September 5, 1998 in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot No. 420, Pls-357, situated in Nicaan (now Pacao), Alamada, Cotabato, containing an area of 48,560 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-43045 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 146; Page No. 30; Book No. CCC; Series of 2022.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2013-1 Guidelines in the implementation of Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Leonora J. Billano has filed with this office a petition for change of date of birth from March 31, 1970 to April 1, 1970 in the certificate of live birth of Leonora Tabuco Gimenez who was born on March 31, 1970 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Leonedis Esmedina Gimenez and Gregoria Adolfo Tabuco.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than August 8, 2022.

(Sgd.) CHONA M. PROVIDA, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Jul. 23 & 30, 2022

MC: Jul. 23, 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

MC: Jul. 16, 23 & 30, 2022

MC: Jul. 16, 23 & 30, 2022

PMARK PAWNSHOP MAIN & PMARK PAWNSHOP ALNOR BRANCH Patalastas ng Subasta PMARK Pawnshop Main Branch ng S.K. Pendatun Avenue, Cotabato City, PMARK Pawnshop Alnor Branch, Mall of Alnor, Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City ay nagpatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula noong Pebrero 2022. Ang Subasta ay sa Agosto 01, 2022 sa ganap na ika 9:00 ng umaga hanggang 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Jul.. 30, 2022

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

MC: Jul. 16 & 23, 2022

MC: Jul. 23, 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

MC: Jul. 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

MC: Jul. 16, 23 & 30, 2022

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 904810172), a notice is hereby served to the public that Baikan T. Puas has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Fadak Talib Puas who was born on 20 March 2008 at Balungis, Pikit, Cotabato to parents Nasser M. Puas and Baikan I. Talib.

Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than August 13, 2022.

(Sgd.) MICHAEL C. TOBIAS, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Jul. 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

MC: Jul. 16, 23 & 30, 2022

In compliance of Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Ma. Mae Ostique Montaño has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Maria Teresa to Ma. Theresa in the certificate of live birth of Maria Teresa Failano Calderon who was born on December 30, 1973 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Prudencio R. Calderon and Filipina M. Failano.

Any person adversely affected by the 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: Jul. 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

MC: Jul. 16, 23 & 30, 2022

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

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

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

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

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

“Sa Feroce Pawnshop na tayo kumpleto na ang serbisyo”

“Sa Feroce Pawnshop na tayo kumpleto na ang serbisyo”

MC: Jul. 30, 2022

MC: Jul. 30, 2022

10

July 30, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

P3-M worth shabu seized in Cotabato City

ANTI-NARCOTICS agents seized P3 million worth of shabu from a 22-year-old dealer entrapped in Barangay Tamontaka 1 here Wednesday.

Rogelito Daculla, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said Thursday suspect Buhare Tutin is now in their custody, undergoing interrogation.

He was immediately arrested after selling P3 million worth of shabu to non-uniformed agents of PDEA-BARMM in a tradeoff in Barangay Tamontaka 1 here.

Daculla said the entrapment operation that led to the arrest of Abusupian was assisted by

units of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region and the Army’s 99th Infantry Battalion.

Daculla said the sting was premised on tips from informants aware of his drug trafficking activities.

Agents of the PDEA-BARMM and anti-narcotics operatives of the Cotabato City Police Office are now trying to determine the source of the P3 million worth shabu confiscated from Abusupian.

The suspect, now locked in a detention facility of PDEA-

BARMM, hails from Barangay Damablak in nearby Talayan town in Maguindanao.

Earlier, PDEA-BARMM also nabbed two drug peddlers - Karim Mamalangkay and Mastura Mamantal and P340,000 worth of shabu were taken from them during anti-drug operation in Barangay Rosary Heights 10, Cotabato City.

The entrapment operation that led to their arrest was laid with the help of the Cotabato City Police Office, according to Daculla. John

Felix Unson

RECOGNITION. Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) present to Ms. Sarah Matalam a framed copy of BTA Resolution, authored by MP Susana S. Anayatin, honoring her late father Bangsamoro Leader Datu Guimid Matalam for his contributions to the cause of the Bangsamoro people. Also in photo from left MP Atty. Maisara D. Latiph, Majority Floor Leader Atty. Lanang, Ali, Jr., MP Dr. Susana Salvador Anayatin, Ms. Matalam, MP Akmad Abas, Deputy Speaker Atty. Omar Yasser C. Sema.

Contributed Photo

“Authorities guard vs 2 terror groups AUTHORITIES are bracing for attacks by two local terror groups in what could be desperate attempts to project strength following the deaths of nine bomb-makers from both sides in clashes with pursuing soldiers since January.

More than a hundred members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Dawlah Islamiya have also surrendered in batches since November 2021 through the efforts of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Major Gen. Roberto Capulong, commander of 6th ID, said Wednesday they have intensified their backchannel efforts to secure

the surrender, via backdoor efforts, of more hardcore BIFF and Dawlah Islamiya members.

“It’s better for them to come out now and return to mainstream society before it is too late,” Capulong said.

Three members of the BIFF were killed for trying to take over, along with some 80 others, a detachment of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last week.

Soldiers in the detachment, only 30 of them, repelled the attackers, forcing them to retreat carrying three dead companions and seven others wounded in an eight-hour showdown.

Local officials had told

reporters the attack was meant to disprove public perception that the BIFF and the Dawlah Islamiya have been weakened by the deaths of 16 senior leaders and nine bombmakers from both sides in clashes with units of 6th ID in the past 18 months.

Capulong said officials of their units in the adjoining North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces are trying their best to reach out, with the help of local executives, to hardcore BIFF and Dawlah Islamiya members to convince them to avail of the division’s local reconciliation program for religious extremists. John Felix

Unson

Father, son jailed for narc offense

THE two alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a father and a son, arrested early this week in Mlang, North Cotabato for possession of shabu and firearms now face criminal cases.

This was announced late Wednesday by Naravy Duquiatan, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12.

Duquiatan said besides P180,000 worth of shabu, PDEA agents also

seized from Mohar Talimbo, 34, and his 62-year-old father, Jimmy, two unlicensed firearms --- M16 and a Bushmaster assault rifles - in their house in Barangay Dungguan in Mlang.

Duquiatan said the suspects introduced themselves as members of the MILF. PDEA-12 agents and personnel of the Cotabato Provincial Police Office searched for shabu in the

residence of the suspects owing to reports about their peddling of shabu in Mlang and nearby towns.

The team that carried out the operation was armed with a search warrant from a local court.

Duquiatan said the Talimbos have been charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2022 and illegal possession of firearms. John Felix

Unson

3 BIFF slain in bungled Army post attack

THREE terrorists were killed while a soldier was hurt in an encounter in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao from late Thursday until dawn Friday last week.

The hostilities erupted when a large group from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters attacked a detachment of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tukanalipao and opened fire, provoking intermittent exchanges of gunshots that lasted for eight hours.

Local leaders said the BIFF gunmen thrice tried to surround the detachment but failed owing to the strong resistance by only about 30 soldiers inside.

Officials of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade and the 6th Infantry Division said Saturday the attack was a retaliation for the death, a week before, of a senior BIFF member, Ramos Amilil, in a brief clash with soldiers in nearby Shariff Saydona, Maguindanao.

Amilil was an expert in fabrication of improvised explosive devices, according to police and military intelligence sources.

Units of the 6th ID, covering central Mindanao, had killed 13 BIFF bomb-makers in one encounter after another since January.

Villagers, among them traditional Moro elders, and sources from the Maguindanao provincial police said the attack on the 33rd IB’s detachment was planned and led by “Commander Boy Jacket” and companions Musa Ganoy and Muslimin Amilil, who is related to the slain bomb-maker.

The three BIFF leaders who instigated the atrocity are long wanted for heinous offenses, also all tagged in a spate of recent deadly bombings in central Mindanao.

Villagers told reporters the cadavers of the three BIFF members killed in the encounter in Barangay Tukanalipao were carried by companions as they fled when they sensed that Army reinforcements were closing in.

In a statement Saturday, the Army’s 33rd IB said a soldier in the detachment was slightly hurt in the incident.

Major Maximino Gerodias, Jr, chief of the Mamasapano Municipal Police Station, said the BIFF’s harassment of an Army detachment in Barangay Tukanalipao caused panic among villagers in houses nearby.

A number of Moro families have evacuated to areas far from the scene for fear of a repeat of the incident. John Felix

KORONADAL CITY — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is now prosecuting a 52-yearold peddler from whom agents seized P88,400 worth of shabu early this week.

Naravy Duquiatan, director of PDEA-12, said Friday the detained Roel Gubaton Austria, who fell in a sting in Barangay Morales here, had been charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Austria was arrested after selling P88,400

worth of shabu to nonuniformed PDEA-12 agents in an entrapment operation laid with the help of the Koronadal City Police Office and the Police Regional Office-12.

Austria is a resident of Barangay Lambunao in Tantangan town, not too distant from Koronadal City, capital of South Cotabato.

Duquiatan said the entrapment operation that led to Austria’s arrest was premised on tips from relatives and friends aware of his shabu peddling activities. John Felix Unson

Unson

SoCot peddler faces anti-narc case

PBBM lays down PH...from P1 “That was the most applauded part of his SONA,” Prof. Monderin said in a radio interview Tuesday.

When he mentioned about his agriculture programs, Pres. Marcos really showed his care for the country’s backbone – agriculture, farmers and fisherfolks.

Pres. Marcos is concurrently Agriculture secretary.

Pres. Monderin added that Pres. Marcos has mentioned many doable things that can be done right away while

others are for long term programs.

“Land distribution is doable, sustainability of food and food security are doable, more health care facilities are doable,” he said, adding that Pres. Marcos also cautioned the people that when inflation worsen, calamities occur, “then we should be ready.”

“Generally, the SONA provides Filipinos what to expect from Marcos administration in the next six years,” he said, hinting Filipinos should support his administration