The Mindanao Cross | October 22, 2022

BARMM STARTS CONSULTATION ON DRAFT POLL CODE

By Edwin O. Fernandez

THE Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has started consulting major stakeholders on the proposed Bangsamoro electoral code, one of the priority codes in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

On Thursday, the BTA rules committee, headed by Member of Parliament Atty. Sha Elijah DumamaAlba, met with experts from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), election watchdogs like National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and other major stakeholders.

This is to expedite the passage of one of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s priority legislations.

This is also to provide ample time to prepare for the 2025 regional elections.

In a statement, the BTA Media office said the BTA is doubling down on the enactment of the code in keeping with the commitment of Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim to have it approved by the first quarter of 2023.

While expediting the passage of the proposed measure, the Parliament wants to ensure that the electoral code

CRMC receives commuter coaster from BARMM

MEDICAL personnel of Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC) will now be served in home-to-work transit with a commuter coaster provided for them by the Bangsamoro Government.

Officials said use of the commuter coaster, the size of a mini bus, will also ensure safety through work-tohome transit of health workers, particularly, those serving the night through the midnight or graveyard shift at the CRMC in the city.

On Monday, October 17, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim and the Ministry of Health (MOH) turned over the vehicle in a simple ceremony at the Badjau Hall, at the Executive Building of the Bangsamoro

Government Center (BGC) in the city.

During the ceremony, Chief Minister Ebrahim said the vehicle will not only traverse the region’s roads to save lives but will also “carry messages of hope, peace, and solidarity.”

“This will amplify our call for everyone in the public service, especially those in the medical field to be just committed to their functions, and we in the Bangsamoro Government will provide you with the best possible assistance for you to deliver great results,” Ebrahim said.

“We continue to build infrastructures and provide vehicles for the efficiency of transporting our services and conveniently assist our public servants in their

to Christmas

MP Kadil’s team serves hundreds of eye patients

By John Felix Unson

ENTITIES cooperating to provide medical eye treatment to the needy screened no fewer than 500 patients in separate outreach missions this week.

A total of 162 eye patients were screened in Cotabato City by the staff of Member of Parliament Kadil Sinolinding, Jr., of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, employees of the nongovernment Kaagapay OFW Resource and Service Center Incorporated and

a team from the Deseret Ambulatory Referral Center, a medical service outfit.

At least 127 of the 162 people who benefited from the humanitarian activity are women.

The screening process showed that 25 of the 162 eye patients screened then for eye problems need surgery.

Tuesday's free screening service was done at the office of the Kaagapay OFW Resource and

Investments, labor issues tackled in BARMM summit

PARTICIPANTS to the Bangsamoro Labor Consultative Summit here Wednesday are optimistic of an economic boom in the autonomous region soon.

The summit, themed “Sustaining Productivity, Bridging Economic Recovery” and held in Cotabato City, was organized by the Ministry

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of Labor and Employment (MOLE) Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

More than 200 representatives from various sectors, including the business blocs in BARMM’s five provinces and three cities, participated in the summit.

October 18-24 is United Nation week

United Nations Week starts on October 18 and runs up to October 24 every year. This day has been celebrated annually since 2003. Presently made up of 193 member states, including the Philippines, the U.N. has evolved throughout the years to keep up with an ever-changing world, but its work is still guided by the principles held within its founding charter. It’s the one place on Earth where all nations can come together, discuss problems, and find a solution that benefits everyone.

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Among the speakers in the summit was Jerome Yanson, director of the National Wages and Productivity Commission. Entrepreneur-traders Haron Bandila and Anwar Malang had separately said they are confident of BARMM’s socio-economic growth owing to the extensive programs

QUAKE AFTERMATH. Students, teachers comfort colleagues of Kidapawan City National High School who experienced dizziness, others have collapsed, following a Magnitude 5.4 quake that rocked Davao del Sur but felt at Intensity V in Kidapawan Wednesday,

2022.

BARMM links up peace, humanitarian ties for Pikit peace

T’boli mothers in Sarangani ditch ‘palteras,’ thanks to gay midwife

By John Felix Unson

Photo courtesy of DXND

HAPPY BIRD. DENR 12 and Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PBCFI) sighted “Apo Myna” bird species that is endemic to Mindanao and is common within suitable habitats including Daggayan, Mt Kitanglad and Mt Apo.

Photo courtesy of Godo Jalosalem and Lisa Paguntalan

BARMM links up peace, humanitarian ties for Pikit peace

STAKEHOLDERS met at the Bangsamoro Government Center on Tuesday in a bid to contain a looming humanitarian crisis wrought by displacement of families, following spate of killings in interior villages of Pikit, Cotabato.

Local officials have initially named villages that voted to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

But BARMM Interior and Local Governments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said the troubled villages’ being part of the region was more incidental than the Bangsamoro Government’s direct involvement and efforts in addressing the problem.

BARMM agencies have promptly linked up programs and peace initiatives together, along with the security sector, the administration of the BARMM Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato to which some of the conflict-affected barangays belong, the police and the military, as well as the Ministry of Social Welfare, in working collaboration with the United

Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

The problem, Sinarimbo said, would have to be addressed around holistic approach by involving the BARMM SGA administration of the 63 barangays in six North Cotabato municipalities, as well as the peace and security sectors, the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), the police, military as well as international humanitarian and development bodies.

The 63 barangays voted affirmatively in a February 2019 plebiscite to become part of BARMM. Only a few of which, however, are affected by the reported killings and evacuation.

Sinarimbo co-chairs the stakeholders meeting along with

Melindi Malang of the UN OCHA and with the BARMM READI (Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidents), his office said.

Stean Augusten, an international humanitarian development worker, presented to the stakeholders meet the concept of the HDP Nexus Initiatives.

HDP Nexus Initiatives are a conventional approach on the interlinkages of efforts, workings and programs between and among the humanitarian, development and peace sectors.

The military, through Cpt. Charles Ursua of the 6th Infantry Division, briefed the stakeholders meeting on the security situation in Central Mindanao in general, and in Pikit in particular. Nash B. Maulana

Gun control in Pikit launched

AUTHORITIES have started a crackdown on loose firearms in Pikit town in Cotabato where 27 people have been killed in deadly attacks since 2020.

The move was agreed by the police, the military and local executives during an executive committee meeting of the North Cotabato provincial peace and order council in Kidapawan City Monday.

Major Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Thursday they have deployed more soldiers in Pikit to help the local police restrain residents with firearms from roaming around.

Most of the recent killings in Pikit happened in barangays under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“We have to put an end to this

culture of violence in Pikit, a culture condoned by loose firearms in the hands of people who are involved in clan wars. Some of these gun owners are engaged in criminal activities,” Galido said.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza who presided over the PPOC meeting, told reporters via Viber Thursday she will support the police and Army’s joint anti-loose firearm campaign in Pikit.

Mendoza said she is confident the 6th ID and its component-unit in North Cotabato province, the 602nd Infantry Brigade, the police and the local government unit in Pikit will succeed in preventing a repeat of the recent killings in the area.

Pikit has been calm for more than a week now, after a grenade attack in the town proper early this month, an ambush incident

that left three women wounded and the death of a security guard in a gun attack preceded by the two incidents.

There are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front in Pikit, some of them locked in bloody family feuds.

Mendoza said her office shall help the police and military reconcile feuding clans in the area.

Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, BARMM police director, said the PRO-BAR and the Region 12 police command are now coordinating on peace and security missions in Pikit.

Guyguyon said they shall maintain law and order in Pikit in coordination with the regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. John Felix Unson

DAR grants drying facility to NoCot farmers

A package of support services worth P450,000 is expected to help boost farmers' productivity and profitability after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned-over drying facility with capacity building interventions under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program (CRFPSP)Sustainable Livelihood Support.

On Wednesday, Charish Paña, North Cotabato Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO II), said that eight units of collapsible driers were turned-over to Upper Pacao Farmers Association of Pacao, Alamada, North Cotabato.

"Farmers can now dry their produce such as corn, rice, copra, and other commodities with the availability of these collapsible driers. This project will also make farmers and their organization become resilient in responding to the challenges brought about by climate change," Paña said in a statement.

During the turn-over ceremony, Deputy Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) for Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) Felerma Gimenez said the CRFPSP is one of the many DAR programs provided to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) organizations to make their lives better.

"We are happy to see that what we provided is really useful and is now being used by the farmers,” Gimenez told organization members.

“The turn-over ceremony symbolizes that we are giving you the responsibility to manage the project. We hope that you will implement the policies well to make the

project sustainable," she added.

Gimenez also added that the project also aims to help farmers to become more resilient in adapting to climate change.

"With these collapsible driers, you can survive the erratic weather conditions, generate more income, and improve your living," Gimenez added.

Joey Obenza, barangay chair of Pacao, Alamada, said that the limited number of solar driers in their Barangay has been a struggle for the farmers, especially during harvest season.

"Due to limited solar driers in our barangay, farmers have no choice but to sell their produce directly to traders, usually at a low price,” he said, adding that farmers have cannot dictate on the prices since the products are not yet dried.

“But now that DAR has provided the collapsible driers, there is no reason that farmers can't dry their produce before selling to the market," Obenza said.

Cheryl Rose Belbar, President of Upper Pacao Farmers Association, said her group was grateful to DAR for the immediate response to the need and clamor of the farmers.

"This collapsible dryer will provide a great relief to farmers because everyone can now have access to an instant solar dryer anytime they need it. The facility will also serve as an incomegenerating project for our association," she said.

The turn-over ceremony was also attended by MARPO Emelita Acosta, CRFPSP provincial point-person Engr. Ester Lanzarote, Development Facilitator Michelle Bona, and some DAR personnel from provincial and municipal offices. Edwin O. Fernadnez

Investments, labor...from P1 of the regional government needed to improve the region’s business climate.

Yanson told summit participants that BARMM has natural resources and hardworking people zealous to see the local economy grow for the benefit of the local communities.

“More equitable sharing of gains lead to a productive workforce,” Yanson said in a message.

Representatives from the business and labor sectors in BARMM’s Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces participated in the summit.

MP Kadil’s team serves hundreds of eye patients...from P1 Service Center, Inc. at the Ante Compound in Cotabato City.

MP Sinolinding has been serving poor patients for two decades now as a “doctor to the barrio.” President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed him member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) last August 2022.

The eye treatment team

of Sinolinding’s office and representatives from the Deseret Ambulatory Referral Center had also screened dozens of patients in Cotabato City and in Kabacan in Cotabato province during the October 13 observance of the World Sight Day.

Reports dispatched to different radio stations by the office of

Sinolinding stated that they have also provided interventions for 121 “senior citizens” from different barangays in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte this week.

The humanitarian mission in Sultan Kudarat was in support of the Bangsamoro Elderly Filipino Week activity of the Ministry of Health-BARMM.

BARMM’s labor minister, Muslimin Sema, said he is thankful to employers in BARMM for supporting their labor sector-empowerment programs and other initiatives meant to improve worker-employer relations.

“This consultative assembly will bolster the cooperation between and among the employers, the workers, and the

government in shaping labor, social and economic policies and programs of the government,” Sema said.

Issues and concerns besetting BARMM’s labor sector and the region’s investment prospects were discussed during the summit. Comprehensive resolutions are expected to be out soon.

Wednesday’s summit also involved members of the BARMM Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board and directors of different offices under MOLE, among them Bai Sara Jane Sinsuat of the ministry’s Bureau of Employment, Promotion and Welfare.

Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao was also among the dignitaries who attended the cross-section engagement that MOLE organized.

Sema said he is grateful to stakeholders from across BARMM’s component-cities, Marawi, Cotabato and Lamitan, and its five provinces for having joined the summit.

OPTHALMIC SURGERY. A staff of Bangsamoro parliament member and physician Kadil Sinolinding, Jr. screens an eye patient during an outreach mission this week in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Photo courtesy of Deseret Ambulatory Referral Center

BARMM starts consultation on draft poll code...from P1

would be free of any constitutional flaws.

A series of public consultations will then be held in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

MP Dumama-Alba said simultaneous consultations will also be beld next week in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, and Special Geographic Areas composed of 63 villages in North Cotabato.

MP Dumama-Alba, will lead the public consultations for the draft electoral code.

MP Dumama Alba said the series of consultations will ensure that all relevant stakeholders are involved in the lawmaking process and that their views and perspectives will enhance the proposed bill.

“The support and inputs of the resource persons will be vital in refining the code to ensure the smooth conduct of elections,” she said in a statement.

"The Comelec’s input would be particularly beneficial for the Bangsamoro Electoral Office that would be created through the Bangsamoro electoral code," she added.

Under the draft electoral code, the BARMM shall establish an electoral office, which will serve as the central body of the region for the supervision of all elections with delegated powers from the Comelec.

BTA Speaker Lawyer Pangalian Balindong said that the proposed measure reflects the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people and their assertion of self-

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Eldebrando R. Enoc has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Jeallian T. Enoc who was born on 04 February 2006 at Kidapawan City, Cotabato and whose parents are Eldebrando R. Enoc and Rosemarie L. Tablante.

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

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO

Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Oct. 22 & 29, 2022

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of RA 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Celia Niñal Basal has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Arcelia to Celia in the birth certificate of Arcelia Ninal who was born on January 26, 1964 at Magsaysay, Parang, Cotabato and whose parents are Arturo Ninal and Rufina Villarmea.

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

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

MC: Oct. 22 & 29, 2022

governance.

The Bangsamoro Electoral Code of 2022 is one of the priority codes that the BTA must enact within the transition period. It will prescribe the structural, functional, and procedural principles for electing officers in the region.

It also aims to ensure an honest, credible, just, and free elections that allows democratic political participation, and reflects the genuine will of the electorate in the region.

The first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government under the Bangsamoro Organic Law shall be held and synchronized with the 2025 national elections.

Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim committed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr during the Second BTA inauguration last month that the region’s electoral and local governance codes will be enacted in the first quarter of 2023.

As stated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the BTA is mandated to enact seven priority codes, namely: administrative, civil service, electoral, education, revenue, local governance, and Indigenous people’s rights.

Three of these codes have been enacted into law. The Administrative Code, Education Code, and Civil Service Code.

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 Nevie Tumulac Cabanilla has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Nevie Camagos Tomulac who was born on April 5, 1982 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Arcadio C. Tomulac and Bitcherose C. Camagos.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato.

(Sgd.) NORAH B. CABUGWASON

Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Oct. 22 & 29, 2022

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2013-1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Rafoncel Aquino Gomez has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Rafoncel Alfredo to Rafoncel and change of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Rafoncel Alfredo Vicente Aquino who was born on August 18, 1981 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Alfredo M. Aquino and Violeta C. Vicente.

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

(Sgd.) CHONA M. PROVIDA, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Oct. 15 & 22, 2022

CRMC receives

transformations as they fulfill their duties,” he added.

CRMC Medical Center Chief II Dr. Ishmael Ramalan Dimaren said the he and the CRMC management were profoundly grateful to the Bangsamoro Government for its full support in addressing the needs and ensuring the safety of medical workers.

“This is the first time in CRMC’s history that we received such vehicular transportation which will be used for the regular transportation of our employees, especially for those who are living outside Cotabato City,” Dr. Dimaren said on behalf of CRMC.

“Makakaasa po

kayo na hindi namin makakalimutan [ang BARMM projects]. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts sa walang sawang pagtulong sa mga pasyente at manggagawa ng CRMC,” he added.

The Medical Chief also mentioned the previous 100-bed capacity as well as healthcare supplies donated by the Bangsamoro Government as part of its commitment to delivering quality services to all communities across the region. Nash B. Maulana/ Johaira Sahidalal

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Merhamah A. Hadji Serad has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Merhamah A. Hadji Serad who was born on 26 November 1996 at Butig, Lanao del Sur and whose parents are Abdullah P. Hadji Serad and Sunang L. Alamada.

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

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Oct. 15 & 22, 2022

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late WILMA JEAN DECENA ALIVIO who died on July 21,2021 in Cotabato City, parcels of land Lot 8 B, Psd-12-009743, located in Malagapas, Cotabato City; Lot B-3, Pad-12002487 in Blensong, Upi, Maguindanao; Lot 2488-A-2-A, Psd124709020654 and Lot 2488-A-1-K-2, Psd-12062676; both situated in Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato; covered by TCT Nos. T-24477, T-5744, T-88375 and T-1522012000352, respectively, containing the total area of 44,120 sq. mts., more or less are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Keen John T. Usman as per Doc. No. 411; Page No. 83; Book No. I; Series 2021.

MC: Oct. 15, 22 & 29, 2022

38 coops, associations get P8-M worth of farm machineries

IN line with the expansion of the moral services towards Bangsamoro farmers and fisherfolk, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform conducted a ceremonial turn-over and distribution of farm machinery held at MAFAR-BARMMIARC, Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Today, October 13, around 38 cooperatives and associations from the towns of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, SGA, and Cotabato City received the said intervention.

According to OIC Chief of Agriculture Operation, Baharen A. Piang, the farm machinery distributed consisted of 6 units of Floating tillers, 7 units of Rice transplanters, 7 units of Hand tractors, 6 units of Rice thresher, 6 units of Corn shellers and

6 units Corn mill, with a total amount of P8.1-M.

“This activity aims to increase the level of mechanization and lessen the production losses among our farmers,” Piang said.

Director II for Agriculture Services Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel said the distribution’s main objective is to help farmers upgrade and ease their farming activities which correspond to the primary purpose of the ministry.

“With this activity, we are hoping that your production cost will be lessened as well as your farming activities will be easier for you and later achieved high yield production,” Engr. Guiamel said.

Furthermore, MAFAR-Maguindanao Provincial Director Dr. Ronjamin M. Maulana reminds all

the beneficiaries to become accountable for the project; they are the partners in food sustainability.

“We will closely monitor this project because we want it to serve its purpose,” PD Maulana emphasized.

The beneficiaries extend their appreciation to the MAFAR because the project benefits them, especially in this generation of modern agriculture.

Other officials who witnessed the said activity were Director II for Research, Development and Extension Services Tong A. Abas, Assistant Provincial Director for SGA, Cotabato City Disumimba Rasheed, MAFAR-Maguindanao Chief Agriculturist, Dr. Saudi Mangindra, Senior Agriculturists, MAFAR Municipal Officers, and other staff. MAFAR BARMM

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

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

Republic of the Philippines Midsayap, Cotabato LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

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

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

Time to come back to churches, Catholics told

THE head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday encouraged the faithful to return to churches for Mass, especially on Sundays.

CBCP president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said the current pandemic circumstances “permit and oblige us to the normality of Christian life, which has its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist”.

“We strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, renewed amazement, and increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love and hope,” David wrote in a circular to all the bishops and diocesan administrators.

Citing church law, he stressed that “the faithful are to hold the Eucharist in highest honor, taking active part in the celebration, receiving the sacrament devoutly and frequently,

and worshipping it with supreme adoration”.

The church official made the call as the government placed the nation into more relaxed health protocols as a result of decreasing Covid-19 cases and high vaccination rates.

At the same time, he asked parishes to still implement the basic health protocols against Covid-19.

“We make sure that our faithful are convinced that they are safe in our churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations,” David said.

Many dioceses dispensed the faithful, especially the elderly, children and the sick, to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation while the threat of the virus was still widespread.

As the result of the government’s stricter Covid-19 measures during those times, the CBCP

also pushed for the live streaming of Masses to compensate church closures.

Saying that the pandemic “has weakened”, the CBCP sought for evaluation on the needed frequency of celebrations of the Mass by live streaming.

“Greater coordination in the diocese is needed on this issue,” David added.

Echoing the letter of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to the episcopal conferences in September 2020, he also said that “no broadcast is comparable to personal participation” in the Mass “or can replace it”.

“The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis,” the bishop said. CBCP News

Singapore cardinal: Stand up against ‘erosion’ of truth, justice

SINGAPORE’s first cardinal exhorted his fellow bishops to “stand firm” as shepherds of the Catholic Church in Asia, especially against what he called as the ‘erosion’ of truth and justice.

Cardinal William Goh said during Sunday Mass before an assembly of Asian bishops in Thailand that the present challenges call the church more urgently to act as “courageous” shepherds.

“Defending the Gospel requires us to stand up against the erosion of truth, of justice, the fight against discrimination, violence, and to alleviate the poverty of our people,” Goh said in his homily.

Among these challenges, according to him, is the attack on the traditional culture and values of society, of marriage, family and even gender.

“We are living in a confused state,” he said.

Calling the Asian bishops to be witnesses, the cardinal stressed the importance of prayer, and the clergy and the laity journeying together.

While there is a time to be silent, according to him, there is also time to speak and act.

“Not every time we need to speak. But when the time comes that we have to speak, we must speak. Not to speak will be an act of irresponsibility,” Goh said.

“As leaders we need to be firm when it is necessary,” he added.

More than 150 bishops have gathered in Bangkok since Oct. 12 for the general conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC).

The meeting, which will culminate on Oct. 30, also marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the federation.

The past few days were highlighted with the segment “Visita Asia,” with reports on the emerging realities from different episcopal conferences.

Speaking for the U.S bishops conference on Oct. 15, Filipino-American Bishop Oscar Solis of Salt Lake City assured their communion with the FABC. Roy Lagarde/CBCP News

Heart to heart. The whole quotation is “Heart speaks to heart,” or in Latin “Cor ad cor loquitur.” It is the motto of St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, a saint of this century. This motto describes what prayer is. Prayer is born of a relationship with God, heart speaking to heart. Last Sunday we read the story of Moses lifting up his arms to God in prayer. This Sunday , Jesus tells us another story, a parable on prayer (Lk. 18:9-14).

Cor ad Cor

Reflections

is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” Prayer is therefore baring our heart to God in a humble way. God knows us intimately and we do not have to pretend before His Majesty.

Daily Scripture Readings

Two people went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, an upright man and a model of piety in the eyes of the Israelites. The other was a publican, one publicly seen as a sinner because of his profession as a tax collector for the Romans, their conquerors. The Pharisee was making an accomplishment report, boasting about his own righteousness and comparing himself with so-called sinners like the publican. He was not like the rest of men. He was not in search of salvation. He did not even need God. He accomplished his spiritual success through his own efforts. On the other hand, the publican was so ashamed of himself that he stood far off and did not even dare lift his eyes to heaven. He realized that he was a sinner and he came to the temple to ask for forgiveness. His prayer was very simple, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

Like in many of his parables, Jesus was inverting the social expectations -- the publican went home justified (forgiven), the Good Samaritan became a hero, the Prodigal Son was welcomed home. In all these parables, Jesus was emphasizing the centrality of the heart or the goodness of the soul. It is not by the externals that God judges, but what is in the heart. I can still recall that famous quotation from The Little Prince, “ “It

The second reading from the letter of St. Paul to Timothy shows us the elderly Paul baring his heart. He was writing from prison and he had intimations of his approaching death, “my moment of departure has come” (2 Tim. 4:6). By this time he would be about 60 years old, having preached the gospel for about 30 years. He gave his famous valedictory in this letter, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” All of his sacrifices were like a libation of wine (the ritual pouring of offering ) for the sake of Jesus. He kept faith in the Lord until the end, “The Lord will save me from all evil, bringing me to his heavenly kingdom, Glory to him forever and ever, Amen!” In a way Paul was saying his prayer expressed letter, “Mission accomplished, do with me what you will.”

The first reading from the book of Sirach gives a counsel regarding prayer, “The prayer of the humble person pierces the clouds” (Sir 35:17). This summarizes what Jesus was illustrating in his parable. Prayer is heart speaking to heart, no pretenses, and in all honesty facing God as we are, in need of God’s mercy and salvation.

As we approach the end of the liturgical season, and in preparation for Advent, we are being invited to examine our own relationship with God. Deep in our heart we know who we are, our hidden sins, desires, and aspirations. Let us meet God humbly saying, “Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.” This prayer is pleasing to God.

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Malachi 4.1-2; 2 Thessalonians 3.7-12; Luke 21.5-19

Readings: no. 497, p. 1728

1st Reading: Revelation 1.1-4; 2.1-5a Gospel: Luke 18.35-43

Readings: no. 498, p. 1730

1st Reading: Revelation 3.1-6, 14-22 Gospel: Luke 19.1-10

Readings: no. 499, p. 1733

1st Reading: Revelation 4.1-11 Gospel: Luke 19.11-28

Readings: no. 500, p. 1736 or no. 678, p. 1874

1st Reading: Revelation 5.1-10 Gospel: Luke 19.41-44

Readings: no. 501, p. 1739

1st Reading: Revelation 10.8-11 Gospel: Luke 19.45-48

Readings: no. 502, p. 1740

1st Reading: Revelation 11.4-12 Gospel: Luke 20.27-40

Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCCtonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com

Devotees attend Mass at the Quiapo Church in Manila on Jan. 5, 2021

Photo courtesy of QUIAPO CHURCH

“ It is not by the externals that God judges, but what is in the heart. ”

Cardinal William Goh of Singapore during Mass with the participants of the FABC General Conference in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022

Photo courtesy of FABC

Immunity passport

Now that the COVID scare seem to be finally over, its being a health issue is now much debated in many countries. Some countries still think of COVID as a pandemic; while countries like the United States consider it an ordinary health issue which should be treated like the common influenza or measles. However, those who wish to rise from the dump brought by the epidemic to its government coffers wish to be more careful lest they return to their former financial positions.

Because of this, many are toying with the idea of imposing an immunity passport for travelers, whether leaving or entering their countries. This “passport”, just like the rest that many are now using, would give people the rights and privileges that other members of the community may use in many instances such as for work or travel.

According to the National Library of Medicine, “Immunity passports could allow those who have tested positive for antibodies to COVID-19 the freedom to return to work, shop, and travel. These passports could even be electronic and have a QR code that could be scanned like a boarding pass and presented as needed for entry to a variety of venues”. This may be a new health protocol, but the idea behind this is simple: have people carry a digital or physical proof that they have been infected with an infectious disease in the past and might, therefore, carry antibodies that make them immune, or that they have been immunized against such a disease.

The Department of Health already have a semblance of this when they provided Health Vaccination Cards to those who have been given the COVID vaccine, but not all LGUs are requiring that these cards be shown whenever travelers pass by checkpoints or enter the shopping malls. Of course, there are issues of human rights to be considered before the cards are approved as a national policy. And in retrospect, can the DOH honestly say that the COVID program does not have “kinks” in its implementation? If we review our health situation, there may be a lot that must be considered before a big leap like an Immunity Passport be considered by the government.

Some of the significant implications of an Immunity Passport is its effect on “privacy and autonomy, freedom of movement and association, equity, and discrimination, particularly when it comes to accessing everyday goods and services”. The World Health Organization (WHO) cautioned the public that this may not yet be the right time to push for vaccine passports especially as a prerequisite for travel (Jeff Corpuz), since it is a good way to jumpstart international travel and tourism. However, as Corpuz cautioned the use of the immunity passports, these carry scientific, ethical, and legal questions. Immunity passports, which can be viewed as a license card, are also an invitation for discrimination and fraud. In the end, the world may be faced with more problems than just controlling the spread of a disease. MC

On October 10, a Saturday, thousands of bikers nationwide gathered for a weekend ride. It was not the same usual group ride for socialization, though; it had something else to it, a social responsibility dimension. It was to kickstart a nationwide “bamboo forest” project to help mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Spearheaded by the social action arm of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, Bishop Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan described the project as “our humble contribution to help protect our environment.” Bagaforo, who heads the CBCP’s National Secretariate for Social Action, or NASSA, and national director of Caritas Philippines, said the project is also “an avenue for social enterprise and an avenue for poverty alleviation.”

Bishop Bagaforo himself rode his bike at the lead of the 32-kilometer “Caritas Bike for Kalikasan” from the Manila Cathedral to the La Mesa Dam Nature Reserve Ecopark in Quezon City where bamboo seedling were planted by the bikers and all other who joined the project launch. The event also marked the culmination of this year’s “Season of Creation.”

Bishop Bagaforo explained that they decided to plant bamboo because it is useful both ecologically and economically: “If we can create bamboo forests across the country, an auxiliary industry will also flourish. Bamboo is called the poor man’s timber because of its durable material.” The project aims to plant five million bamboo trees in 85 Catholic dioceses across the country in five years.

The October 10 bike ride did not happen only in Manila. At least 10 dioceses, including Lucena, Virac, Infanta, Tarlac, San Jose, and Kidapawan, also conducted their respective cycling and bamboo planting activities on the same day. The Kidapawan edition of the Bike for Kalikasan had about a hundred riders or so tackling the 17-kilometer mostly uphill grind from St. John Mary Vianney Parish Church in Kidapawan to the planting site in Barangay Kisante in Makilala and back. Leading the riders was St. John Mary Vianney parish rector Fr. Hipolito Paracha, DCK. Adult men and women riders pedaled along with riders as young as eleven and as old as 60 and above. All bikers and non-bikers who accompanied them planted bamboo seedlings in a 4-hectare land owned by the Diocese.

UNLIKE in the glorious age of technocracy, today’s methodologies of planning call for more collective, calculated and more precisely optimized activities in terms of programs collaboration and partnership.

Also evolving from the traditional media reporting, we in this profession would have to connect to engage more actively for an expanded role of knowledge-sharing more closely with the technocrats—normally the government and corporate planners. That is why a company’s VP for corporate communications knows the internal principles of the firm that s/he represents in dialogues with the press.

Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, Chief-Executive-Officer

Eva Kimpo - Tan, Editor-in-Chief

Edwin O.

Gemma A. Peñaflor,

P. Torres,

Karl John B. Daniel,

CITY

Marketing Executive

ARMM CORRESPONDENTS

John M. Unson, Ferdinandh B. Cabrera, Charlie C. Señase Nash B. Maulana

NORTH / SOUTH COTABATO CORRESPONDENTS

Williamor Magbanua, Romer “Bong” Sarmiento, Roel Osano & Drema Quitayen Bravo CARTOONIST

Lourd Jim Diazon

Today, technocrats’ planning outputs are more “popularized,” simplified and better appreciated by journalists with the lay participation of the civil society, the non-government organizations in community-based planning. Thankfully, they engage more and more lay professionals like journalists to closely appreciate and understand the workings in the process and methodologies of planning.

Journalists effectively get to translate the language of the experts with lay explanations in their articles—or broadcast reporting in the case of radio and television media.

Community needs assessment (CNA) is one such venue in today’s planning methodology that veer lay planners off the monopolistic drawing boards of the experts. Plans and project outputs drawn out of the CNA direct engagements with the community are aptly called “community-driven projects” or CDPs.

Twice over in my career, I have had my share of documenting into coffee-table books output the stories of beneficiaries of projects and programs supported by the World Bank in the five Muslim provinces and two cities then of the ARMM.

Beyond a lonesome challenging experience of travelling around, those book documentary projects

Caring for the earth is a moral obligation

hinking A loud

Research shows that bamboo can help curb greenhouse gas emissions through its forests, which act as giant carbon sinks. A newly planted bamboo can sequester two tons of carbon dioxide in seven years compared to a typical hardwood tree that sequesters one ton of carbon dioxide in 40 years. A study also shows that a hectare of bamboo can store at least 306 tons of carbon over a 60-year period.

Father Labiao said Caritas Philippines and the social action network will implement the project in partnership and in collaboration with different government agencies and civil society groups. Kidapawan Diocese is among the lucky areas to have several groups and individuals who are also proponents of bamboo propagation who can lend their expertise to the success of the program, should they be tapped.

We view this move by NASSA-Caritas Philippines as a necessary response to what the country’s Catholic bishops have collectively described in a 2019 pastoral statement as a climate crisis that has thus far claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions of people, and brought about tragic devastation in many parts of the country and the world, and one that is bound to get much worse in the years ahead if nothing is done about it. In that same pastoral statement the bishops said “We have the moral imperative to act together decisively in order to save our common home. This is our Christian duty and responsibility.”

Pope Francis said in Laudato Si: ““Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home…. All is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good and making a new start.”

Caring for the earth is our moral obligation, one that no doubt spells our salvation.

P enlight

B.

have brought me closer to “bridging” institutional programs with the community beneficiaries by utilizing my homemade but more effective strategic development communications template.

We connect the programs to the lay beneficiaries through viable communications conduits that effectively reached the community, even as we would tend to popularize and simplify the technocrats’ language for the community to understand better.

Preparing for this long journey through strategic development communications, one has to understand by heart and mind the agency-based operational development programs, designed to deliver government responses to the community needs that have been pre-assessed, pre-determined through close engagements, dialogue with the people. In the case of the BARMM, it is the diverse community of its component provinces and cities, plus the Special Geographic Area (SGA) in six municipalities of Cotabato Province.

Last Saturday, we optimized an agency-based strategic development communications plan through the lenses of various programs, the lessons of communications challenges, as well as methods to overcome challenges, and media platforms and conduits. We have come up with an initial template to graphically illustrate cooperation and partnerships through planning, by the methods of mapping of the programs, corresponding to communication methods and platforms utilized, approaches, and frequency.

Brings

R ue to f o R m Charlie Señase csenase@yahoo.com

us back to reality that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. And as mortals, despite human frailties, we aim to accomplish transparency and accountability before God and fellowmen. For nothing hidden that will not be uncovered or kept secret that will not be exposed in God’s time.

It takes steadfast faith and love to survive day-to-day suspicion on mounting deception, machination, wicked collaboration in unrighteousness for self-love and moneysake. They don’t care if others suffer and die, provided they amass wealth and other worldly concessions. Such are of the devil that we have to rebuke and cast away.

Early this week, the suspected trigger man that killed hard-hitting radio commentator Percival Mabasa or popularly known as “Percy Lapid” voluntarily surrendered and confessed to authorities that he is a “gun-for-hire.” The self-confessed suspect, who introduced himself as 39-year old Joel Estorial admitted to have received P140,000 in his bank account from unnamed “mastermind” at the National Bilibid Prison. He told authorities that the amount is part of the P550,000 reward money promised to him and five other companions tasked to eliminate Lapid, whom they said had been critical in his “Rapid Fire” radio program of the Duterte and Marcos administrations.

Estorial identified his other companions in the plot and admitted to have yielded before the PNP at the dictate of his conscience and out-of-fear for his safety following CCTV footages showing him as one of the hired killers. The other suspects have remained at large but in a quandary of their safety due to government’s huge reward money of P6.5 million that may lead to their recovery dead or alive.

Whether Estorial’s media-covered confession to authorities were true or halftrue, will depend on our justice system, especially on the aspect on who really is the “brain” behind the slay plot? And if PH politics had something to do with all these

bloody mess and so-called syndicated crimes? Mabasa is the second radio journalist killed under the Marcos watch. The first was Rey Blanco of Negros Oriental who was stabbed to death in September.

About Urinary Tract Health (Part2)

The Naked Truth h e A lth c o R ne R

Recent online death threats on our colleagues from TV-5 Network - Ed Lingao and Lourd de Veyra prompted PNP operatives to be on their toes with their house-to-house scrutiny on would-be targets by felons. In the midst of under-attacked media practitioners: Fear not in upholding truth devoid of malice and ill-will. For trueto-life journalist is in the blood who are fearless on those who kill the body but God who alone can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28).

Does political partisanship in the justice system work? This timely issue and concern came about to directly affect Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla following his son’s recent involvement in illegal drug importation of high grade marijuana. Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla III was collared by antidrugs operatives in Las Pinas City on October 11 in possession of the illegal drug which had no bail recommended by the city prosecutor’s office forcing the accused to be imprisoned.

When asked to voluntary step-down for delicadeza-sake so as not to influence lower court decisions, the justice secretary flatly ignored suggestions unless it’s a presidential directive for him to resign. However, he insists to remain neutral on his son’s docketed offense.

Weighing earlier comments issued by Remulla, a former lawmaker on the drugrelated case of ex-senator Leila de Lima, said “She is in jail because she participated in drug crimes. It’s not political or about gender.” While on his son’s arrest and incarceration on alleged marijuana importation which he described as “A very difficult time for me and my family. But this is nothing compared to what many Filipinos are going through. I will respect the justice system, and I wish my son a path to redemption.”

the risk of UTIs. Spermicides can cause skin irritations that allow bacteria to invade.

Diaphragms may slow urinary flow, encouraging bacteria to multiply.

Urinary

tract health refers to how well the system works at removing wastes and producing and controlling urine, as well as any disorders or problems that might occur within the tract.

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

UTIs are common infections, usually caused by bacteria, in the bladder or urethra. They are more common in women than in men. UTIs are common infections, usually caused by bacteria, in the bladder or urethra.

There are several kinds of UTI. The type of a UTI depends on where the infection occurs. For example:

•Urethritis is an infection in the urethra.

•A bladder infection is called cystitis.

If left untreated, a UTI could travel up one or both ureters to the kidney(s), causing pyelonephritis or a kidney infection. Kidney infections can become serious and may require hospitalization as part of treatment. UTIs are not the only cause of kidney infections.

UTI symptoms include pain while urinating, a frequent urge to urinate, and milky or foul-smelling urine. UI symptoms include uncontrollable leaking of urine.

What causes UTIs & UI?

UTIs in Women

A UTI develops when microbes enter the urinary tract and cause infection. Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs, although fungi rarely can also infect the urinary tract. E. coli bacteria, which live in the bowel, cause most UTIs.

The female anatomy contributes to women’s increased likelihood of contracting a UTI.1 A woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s, allowing bacteria better access to the bladder. A woman’s urethral opening is also close to sources of bacteria from the anus and vagina. Sexual activity can move bacteria to the urethral opening.

Unlubricated condoms or spermicidal condoms may cause irritation, which can help bacteria grow.1

UI in Women

UI is caused by problems with the muscles and nerves that hold or release urine. These muscles include bladder muscles, which contract to force urine into the urethra, and sphincter muscles that surround the urethra, which relax to allow urine to pass from the body. Incontinence occurs if bladder muscles suddenly contract or sphincter muscles are not strong enough to hold back urine.

These muscles also help to hold the urinary tract in place, so if the muscles are weakened, they may not be able to keep the bladder or other structures in the right position in the body. These types of structural problems, such as when the bladder is out of position, can also cause UI.

UTIs, vaginal infections or irritation, and medications can temporarily cause or aggravate UI. Constipation and being overweight or obese put pressure on the bladder and its controlling muscles and can also cause or aggravate UI.

Other problems that can contribute to UI in women include:2

•Weakened and stretched pelvic muscles after childbirth, with aging, or from genetic causes

•Thinning and drying of the skin in the vagina or urethra after menopause

•Weak bladder muscles or muscle spasms

•Damage to nerves that control the bladder because of Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or physical injury

• Age-related or behavioral changes

• Diabetes

Obesity

Schools of thought vary, but in life nothing under-wrapped that will not be revealed or nothing hidden that will not be uncovered in God’s time. This is for all of us to keep by heart not to be worldly for all visible things are temporal unlike unseen things which are eternal that we have to treasure and cherish. MC MC

Covid and Me

at least I try to look at the positive side of every situation, this is one unwelcomed positive situation. I thought, this is going to be my extended me time. I can rest from office work, drugstore, home chores.

Having bacteria in the bladder does not always mean there is an infection. Like the bowel, the bladder has bacteria and other microorganisms that help to keep it healthy and functioning properly.

Some forms of birth control also increase

Any injury, disability, or disease that makes it difficult to get to the bathroom promptly

What are the treatments for UTIs & UI in women?

Antibiotics are the most common treatment for UTIs. UIs may be treated in a variety of ways, including by bladder training, medications, and more.

What is the Size of Your Parachute….

AR ket d R iven

Danny Buenbrazo danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

Covid survivors say that their lives are no longer the same after going through the virus infection. I tend to believe that, in many aspects, it cannot return to what it used to be; health wise, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

My covid infection took me 7 days to acknowledge I was in denial. I pride myself to have faithfully followed my protocols, as prescribed by doctors, the DOH and the WHO. As a pharmacist, I should know better. I knew, or at least I was aware of the nuances pertaining to Covid infections and transmissions. I also commiserate with those who suffer from Covid, more so for the families with fatal consequences of the virus.

As far as I know, my husband and I shared our bed and room and everything in our house, and nobody is allowed inside.. One morning, I watched my husband peacefully sleeping soundly like a baby, the sound of a low snoring enveloped the room, overpowering that of the air conditioner.

The thought just crossed my mind: what if we were infected as well? My concern was the co-morbidities of my husband. For a while, I comforted myself by counting all the protocols we followed; including incantations to ward off the “evil spirits” and the prevalence of Covid in any form. Ultimately, I concluded, if Covid strikes anyone, it will. Indeed covid is an equalizer, walang pili, as they say.

We run to the ND Hospital with the help of the ever-reliable Rofel, for some tests. My fears were partially fulfilled. Thankfully, my husband tested negative, my antigen test revealed positive. In addition, I undertook a PTR test which confirmed I am one of the daily statistics recorded as SARSCovid19 , not a joke really.

As an advocate of positivity, or

The doctors did not think my condition required hospitalization that badly; my immunity low as it was, I might catch other bacteria or virus while out of isolation. Home isolation we did. True enough, I was diagnosed with basal pneumonia, with it goes phlegm, stuffy nose, headache, sleeplessness.

Nothing that antibiotics, expectorants and mucolytics cannot remedy, over 7 days of medication. None of my “rest days’ plans came to fruition. I was so dazed and feeling lazy, brainless, undecisive, confused, I just gave up.

The road to recovery will take a long time I know. For one thing, we must suffer the use of masks, observe protocols, use alcohol and others. Everyone is a suspect carrier, myself included. I have become paranoid.

A feeling of deafness overcame me. months of my life, and two month’s worth of livelihood had been lost while I was sick, two months of no contact with friends, except through facebook which pales miserably from face to face chit chats .My brother said, once you had been infected, you have at least 3 months’ immunity, how true is that?

Ann Parker, M.D., PhD, who specializes in lung disease and critical care noted that mild or moderate COVID-19 lasts about two weeks for most people. But others experience lingering health problems even after the fever and cough go away and they are no longer testing positive for the illness. Post -Covid-19 condition, the term coined by WHO for corona virus symptoms that return three months after a person becomes ill from infection with SARS CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19. Those symptoms include : fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive problems (thinking and memory) The symptoms can come and go, but have an impact on the person’s everyday functioning.

An international research agency, the Mercer CFA Institute, had just published its assessment of the pension systems existing in fortyfour (44) different countries. The Philippine pension system came out as the second worst in all of the countries covered by the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2022.Iceland, the Netherlands, and Denmark topped the Index while Singapore placed 9th, the nest ranking among the ASEANmember countries.

The ranking of the 44 countries studied were based on three (3) criteria items assigned different weights: Adequacy (40%), Sustainability (35$), and Integrity (25%).

While studying at the National University of Singapore (NUS), one of my professors asked me if I would be interested to help do research into the Philippine pension systems. The study sought to cover the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) that caters to public servants and the Social Security System (SSS) that serves private sector employees and self-employed individuals.

The Economics professor was interested in the Philippine pension systems since these were perceived as one of the less responsive ones compared to other social security systems in Asia.

Since I had a contractual obligation with the government office I was connected then to go back to the Philippines and serve for a minimum of three (3) years as return service for the privilege of going on a two-year

graduate study with pay, I had to decline the offer made by my professor.

To this day though, I continue to wonder what could have learned about the Philippine social security systems and the possible improvement that we could have recommended to help improve the lot of retirees and would be retirees.

In the 1980s till the first few years of the 21st century, those in the private sector were generally getting better pay and other privileges compared to their public sector counterparts. However, in the last 15 years of so, the situation has reversed with public servants now earning more than most of those in the private sector (for similar positions).

A good pension has become more important in the last two decades as life expectancy of people rose from 60 plus years to over 70 plus years. People need more money in their twilight years as they live longer and inflation eats the value of a fixedamount pension.

The smallest pension for a member of the SSS is P2,000 per month while the highest is said to be P18,495 per month. On the other hand, public servants who retire at age of 57 and above can receive 80% of their average monthly salary for the last three years prior to retirement and 75% of AMS for those who retire at age lower than 57. For a division chief that earns P80,000 per month and retires at 57 years old or lower, this means getting P64,000 per month, three times more than the maximum entitlement of a private sector retiree.

If you prefer to have a bigger parachute when you jump out of the employment plane, those who are in the public sector could apply for SSS membership and pay at least 120 contributions to receive pension from both systems.

You can even play it safer by developing a regular cash flow from investments in financial instruments or your own business.

A reprint from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Health and child Development

he s tuff of l ife Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy franco1573victoria@gmail.com

“W

e are not just products of our past; people in our present also influence us and help mold our character. “ —David Packer

2 towns in NoCot...from P8

Lt. Eugenio noted that through the CSP, security forces discovered and eventually dismantled three underground mass organizations run by the Kilusang Rebolusyonaryo sa

Barangay (KRB).

He said 41 NPA personalities also surfaced that included 35 members of the KRB and the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad, among others. Edwin O. Fernandez

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

corner Bonifacio and Don Rufino Alonzo Sts., Cotabato City

Ang Sultan Pawnshop ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Marso 2022. Ang subasta ay sa Nobyembre 2, 2022 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng mga umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC:Oct. 15 & 22, 2022

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

Notice for Auction

All unredeemed articles pledged on March 2022 will be auctioned on November 2, 2022 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before November 2, 2022 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta

Lahat ng sangla noong Marso 2022 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Nobyembre 2, 2022 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Nobyembre 2, 2022 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

MC:Oct. 15 & 22, 2022

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP MAIN CONLUCK DON RUFINO BRANCH CONLUCK PAWNSHOP BRANCH 4 & CONLUCK PAWNSHOP PLAZA

Cotabato City ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Setyembre hanggang Oktubre 2021 . Ang Subasta ay sa Oktubre 31, 2022 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar. MC:Sept. 15 & 22, 2022

Notice for Auction

Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV in Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak announce the Auction Sale of all unredeemed pledges contracted October 1-30, 2021 at 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main 4J Bldg. Corner Jose Lim Sr., and Don Roman Vilo St. Cotabato City. Auction sale will be on October 26, 2022.

Patalastas ng Subasta

Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de OroPawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV sa Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Oktubre 1-30, 2021 sa alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:00 ng hapon sa Agencia de Oro - Jose Lim Branch, corner Jose Lim Sr, and Don Roman Vilo St., Cotabato City sa Oktubre 26, 2022.

MC:Sept. 15 & 22, 2022

AFFIDAVIT OF SELFADJUDICATION

Notice is hereby given that the late MARILOU C. CASUELA who died intestate on September 18, 2017 at Libungan, Cotabato, left a bank deposit with Landbank of the Philippines under SA Account No. 1006-2654-01 is subject of affidavit of self-adjudication before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1203; Page No. 32; Book No. XCIV; Series of 2022B.

DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

Notice is hereby given that the late GENARO BALLANO, who died intestate, left a parcel of land Lot 8539-A (portion of Lot 8539, Pls-135), containing an area of 40,438 sq. mts., more or less is subject of deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Antonio F. Diocera as per Doc. No. 318; Page No. 65; Book No. I; Series of 2014.

COOPERATIVE BANK OF COTABATO Name of Bank PUBLISHED BALANCED SHEET (Head Office and Branches) As of September 30, 2022 CONTROL PROOFLIST

Account Code Current Quarter Previous Quarter

Cash and Cash Items 108000000000000000 28,026,866.74 36,047,941.60

Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 105150000000000000 30,032,326.45 28,032,326.45

Due from Other Banks 105200000000000000 679,552,359.44 604,846,877.32

Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss 112000000000000000 0.00 0.00 Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net 195200000000000000 1,156,263.29 156,263.29 Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net 195250000000000000 606,311.77 606,311.77

Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net 195300000000000000 0.00 0.00

Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net 195350000000000000 0.00 0.00

Loans and Receivables - Net 195400000000000000 1,758,442,655.56 1,735,322,846.86

Other Financial Assets 148000000000000000 10,262,251.41 10,302,876.41

Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint VenturesNet 195452500000000000 0.00 0.00

Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net 195500500000000000 128,573,024.37 131,638,326.43

Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net 195501000000000000 1,905,593.37 1,905,593.37

Non-Current Assets Held for Sale 150150000000000000 6,899,348.51 3,478,288.56

Other Assets-Net 152000000000000000 124,973,592.37 134,633,368.91

Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Phil. branch of a foreign bank) 155250000000000000 0.00 0.00

TOTAL ASSETS 100000000000000000 2,770,430,593.28 2,686,971,020.97

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss 208000000000000000 0.00 0.00

Deposit Liabilities 215000000000000000 1,675,198,179.17 1,577,842,793.58

Due to Other Banks 220050000000000000 0.00 0.00

Bills Payable 220100000000000000 326,330,852.14 350,556,708.31

Bonds Payable-Net 295201500000000000 0.00 0.00

Unsecured Subordinated Debt-Net 295202000000000000 0.00 0.00

Redeemable Preferred Shares 220250000000000000 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00

Special Time Deposit 220300000000000000 0.00 0.00

Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 230350000000000000 0.00 0.00

Other Financial Liabilities 240050000000000000 9,297,785.88 8,977,162.12

Other Liabilities 240100000000000000 122,504,820.50 112,760,264.32

Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) 230850000000000000 0.00 0.00

LIABILITIES

STOCKHOLDERS’

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

2,134,331,637.69 2,051,136,928.33

635,834,092.64

2,686,971,020.97

Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) 499020000000000000 2,120,039,399.93 2,085,847,866.18

Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP 499300000000000000 344,445,116.40 333,916,814.74

Non-Performing Loans (NPLs)

a. Gross NPLs 499100500000000000 365,069,338.19 362,743,740.17

b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 499150500000000000 17.22% 17.39%

c. Net NPLs 499101000000000000 37,588,272.45 45,272,453.30

d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 499151000000000000 1.77% 2.17%

e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) 499151500000000000 99.05% 96.63%

f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) 499152000000000000 94.35% 92.05%

Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations

a. Total CAR (%) 499650500500000000 20.39 20.89

Tier 1 Ratio (%)

Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/

1/ Common

Tier

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ANDAMAN ANGKAD MANDUGAY, who passed away on April 30, 2015 in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 2, Block 24, Psd123804-019622, situated in Malagapas, Cotabato City containing an area of 120 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-44942 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Atty. Jeihan Jein M. Gulo, RN as per Doc. No. 84; Page No. 17; Book No. III; Series of 2022.

MC: Oct. 15, 22 & 29, 2022

Signatory

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ADOLFO T. ADRIATICO and PACIENCIA PEDROLA, who died on November 7, 2012 and November 1, 2017 in Kidapawan City and President Roxas, respectively, a parcel of land Lot 2-T-11, Psd12-004230, situated in Nuangan, Kidapawan, North Cotabato, containing an area of 289 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-66587 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Angeli Ness Casador Evangelista as per Doc. No. 5; Page No. 2; Book No. VIII; Series of 2022.

MC: Oct. 15, 22 & 29, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses RUFINO MANDOLADO and RELINDA BACAOCO ROALES, who died on January 29,1998 and September 25, 2021, respectively, both in North Manuangan, Pigcawayan, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 3261-D-27, Csd-12-006033, situated in Manuangan, Pigcawayan, Cotabato with an area of 492 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P-61133 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous waiver of rights before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 286; Page No. 58; Book No. CCCVI; Series of 2022.

MC: Oct. 15, 22 & 29, 2022

19.81 20.31

0.00 0.00

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late MARCOS D. LIDASAN who died on August 18, 2022 in Davao City, left bank deposits with Land Bank of the Philippines, Parang Branch under Account No. 2661-0446-78 is subject of extrajudicial with waiver of rights with deed of indemnity before Notary Public Renie Jay Abad Soriano as per Doc. No. 223; Page No. 45; Book No. XXIX; Series of 2022.

JUDE A. DACUTAN - ACCOUNTING MANAGER

ROLLY R. DELA CRUZ - PRESIDENT Autorized Signatory

T’boli mothers in Sarangani ditch ‘palteras’, tnx to gay midwife (Part 2)

Maitum town has 19 barangays, three of them considered GIDA areas, including Bati-an that is the assigned village for Odani.

Each village also has assigned nurses, thanks to the program of the Department of Health – Human Resource for Health (DOH-HRH). Of the 19 nurses, only one is under and getting salary from the LGU and the rest from the DOH-HRH.

Only seven of the 19 midwives are regular employees of the municipal health office.

Dr. Marilyn Silauso, acting municipal health officer, admitted that the LGU has limited resources for the hiring of nurses and midwives to the villages.

The RHU does not accept patients for admission due to lack of rooms. Instead, it refers patients to the nearby hospital owned by the Sarangani provincial government.

“Aside from medical check-up and dental service, RHU Maitum has laboratory facilities that can be availed for free by our clients,” Silauso said.

Regular community presence Odani regularly goes to his assigned area at least once a week.

As his expertise, he provides preand post-natal care services to pregnant mothers and teaches family planning to the tribal members. His backpack always contains medicines for ordinary illnesses in case constituents would ask for it.

Because of his steady presence in Barangay Bati-an, the LGU managed

to stop the practice of mothers in the village relying on palteras to deliver their babies.

“The pregnant mothers would go to our birthing centers on their expected due dates,” Odani said.

For maternity services, Maitum town operates three birthing facilities – in the población, in Barangay Upo and in Barangay Maguling.

Pregnant mothers, even from neighboring towns, can choose which birthing facility they would deliver their babies.

Members of the state-owned Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) or indigent patient could give birth for free in these facilities.

Safe and convenience

Analita Dingly, 39, gave birth to a healthy baby boy at around 6:05 p.m. on September 1, her sixth child. She delivered her first three children at their home with the help of a paltera, which she paid P500 for her service.

Dingly was looking healthy and recovered the day after she gave birth at the birthing facility in Barangay Upo. Beside her was a mother who just gave birth also, the latter looking strong and healthy.

“I wanted to go home. I feel strong already. My baby is alive and kicking,” Dingly said in Filipino.

However, the mother and her newborn need to be observed for 24 hours before they can be discharged from the birthing center.

Compared to giving birth at home with the help of a hilot, Dingly noted

that delivering at the birthing facility is convenient and safer both for the mother and the baby.

“There’s a midwife and a nurse making sure that we’re in good condition. My recovery here is fast because of the medication,” she said.

Dingly only shelled out P50 for the processing of her birth certificate.

On family planning, midwife Odani often emphasizes to parents to space giving birth, and to produce less children so they can address their needs.

“Considering that many of the Tbolis are poor, they will have more difficulty addressing the family’s needs if they have more children,” he explained.

For members of the T’boli tribe in Barangay Bati-an, the regular presence of midwife Odani in their midst is a big relief.

“We can feel the presence of the government with his presence in our community. We are thankful for his work and dedication even if we are far from the town center,” said Cabulat, the grandfather mentioned in the opening of this story.

Odani stressed he will not get tired of helping the T’boli mothers receive proper pre- and post-natal care, and medical attention to the rest of the tribe suffering from ordinary illnesses.

“We must strive to make a difference in the lives of those in last mile communities. If they can’t come down to avail, let us bring basic government health services to their place,” he said. Bong Sarmiento

THE two suspects arrested in a P6.8 million worth shabu tradeoff with lawmen shall have their day in court, the director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement AgencyBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said.

PDEA-BARMM Director Rogelito Daculla said suspects Madjid Arandani Sala and Alfagar Asgali are now detained.

The duo were immediately arrested after selling a kilo of shabu to nonuniformed agents PDEABARMM and anti-narcotics operatives from the Sulu Provincial Police Office Monday.

“A case had been filed against them,” Daculla said Wednesday.

Records in PDEABARMM and PRO-BAR indicate that more than P30 million worth of shabu had been confiscated from traffickers in one operation after another in different towns in in Sulu and in nearby Tawi-Tawi province, also in the Bangsamoro autonomous region, in the past eight months.

Daculla said the PDEABARMM is grateful to the barangay leaders and local

officials who supported Monday’s entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of Sala and Asgali.

In Lanao del Sur, PDEA filed charges against five people who fell in a shabu entrapment operation Wednesday in Tugaya, Lanao Del Sur, all allegedly linked to the Dawlah Islamiya terror group.

Director Daculla said the Lanao del Sur PNP have helped them build a case against the suspects, Samsiah Dilabayan, Kairon Umbaro Bayaba, Alioden Banto, Aminodin Busran Sultan and Saadudin Busran Sultan.

They are now under PDEA-BARMM’s custody.

They were arrested after selling P238,000 worth of shabu to non-uniformed PDEA-BARMM agents and Lanao del Sur police in a tradeoff at about 5:00 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Campong Talao in Tugaya town.

Intelligence agents of different units under the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade in Lanao del Sur also confirmed the links of the five suspects with the Dawlah Islamiya. John Felix Unson

TIRED of running away from pursuing military forces, 13 members of Moro armed group surrendered with their firearms to military authorities in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Lt. Colonel Nathaniel Balintong, commander of the 92nd Infantry Battalion, presented the 13 members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of 6th Infantry Division, during surrender rites inside the First Brigade Combat Team headquarters in Barangay Pigcalagan, Sultan Kudarat Maguindanao.

THE US government is investing an additional P228 million ($3.8 million) to provide free skills-based and work-based training to unemployed and out-of-school Filipino youth.

The assistance package will be implemented through a private sector-driven employability partnership between the YouthWorks PH and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd).

The additional funding extends the YouthWorks PH program for another three years, to be completed in 2026.

US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Heather Variava made the announcement during YouthWorks PH’s first-ever Skills Partnerships Summit held in Taguig City on October 8.

With the theme “Back on Track: Paving the Path to Prosperity with a Skilled Young Workforce,” the summit gathered the Philippines’ top business leaders and national and local government officials to discuss partnership strategies for the skills development of the Filipino

youth, a statement from the U.S. Embassy said.

Deputy Chief of Mission Variava commended the commitment and creativity of government and private sector partners in spearheading initiatives to further enhance technical-vocational skills training in the Philippines.

“The US government is proud to invest in the Filipino youth.

Together with PBEd, we are providing training opportunities that will lead them to employment so they can provide for themselves and contribute positively to society,” said Variava.

“With the help of our partners, we are able to provide work-based training, enhance their employability and help them get back on track,” she added.

“Investing in our youth is investing in our country’s success.

Through YouthWorks PH, the youth—especially those who are not in education, employment or training—are empowered with the right skills needed for their employment,” PBEd Chairman Ramon R. Del Rosario Jr. said.

To date, the partnership between USAID and PBEd has provided more than 13,000 work-based training positions with its industry partners, leading to the placement of close to 4,000 youth who are not in education, employment, or training, the Embassy statement said.

The embassy statement said initially implemented in five main areas (Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, General Santos, Greater Manila Area, and Zamboanga), the program has also expanded its geographic reach to five additional sites (Agusan del Sur, Bohol, Northern Cebu, Sarangani, and South Cotabato).

During the event, USAID and PBEd also welcomed industry giants as new YouthWorks PH project partners: McDonald’s Philippines, Amazon Web Services, Banco de Oro Unibank Inc., Proudcloud, and Launchgarage.

According to the statement of the U.S. Embassy, the partnership will contribute nearly Php 54 million ($915,000) worth of support to the training needs of at least 5,600 youth around the country. Nash B. Maulana

“These surrenderees belonged to the BIFF Bongus faction operating in North Cotabato and Maguindanao,” Lt. Colonel Balintong said, adding that seven were from Midsayap, North Cotabato and six

from Sultan Kudarat town Maguindanao.

“We decided to yield because of continuous military operations against us, beside, we want to live peacefully with our families,” one of the surrenderees said in the vernacular.

Maj. Gen. Galido also appealed to other BIFF still in the marshland of Maguindanao and North Cotabato to follow suit and live normal lives.

After their surrender, the former BIFF combatants received food aid and financial assistance from the local governments of Midsayap and Sultan Kudarat as well as from Maguindanao provincial government.

Since January, more than 50 BIFF have decided to return to the mainstream via the 6th ID. Edwin O. Fernandez

MILITARY authorities have declared that two towns in the province of North Cotabato have been cleared from communist rebels.

The Army said the towns of Matalam and Mlang have been declared “insurgency free” after the Armed Forces of the Philippines dismantled New People’s Army (NPA) guerilla fronts operating in the adjoining towns.

On Wednesday, 1Lt. Michael Allan Eugenio, the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion civil-military chief, said the two towns were declared as free from NPA presence through Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Resolution No. 03 of

Matalam and SB Resolution No. 004 issued by Mlang town council.

Lt. Eugenio said government forces neutralized the NPA Guerilla Front (GF) 53 in Matalam, and the GF 72 Mt. Alip Command operating at the borders of Mlang in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, and part of Davao del Sur.

"The declaration came after our consistent military operations and efforts in reaching out to the former rebel-influenced communities, sectors, and organizations through the Community Support Program (CSP),” he said.

HEALTHY. Analita Dingly attends to her newborn healthy baby boy at the birthing facility in Barangay Upo, Maitum, Sarangani. The baby was born at 6:05 p.m. on 1 September 2022.

Photo by Bong Sarmiento

Tired of fighting, 13 Moro extremists yield to Army

(Second part) MAITUM, Sarangani Province – John Mark Odani, who is openly gay, is making natal care services in far-flung tribal communities here easily available to pregnant mothers and newborn babies.

$3.8M more from US for work, skills-based PH youth training

P6.8-M worth meth seized in Sulu, 5 nabbed in Lanao

2 towns in NoCot now “insurgency free”