The Mindanao Cross | August 21, 2021

Vol. LXXIII| No. 28| Cotabato City | Saturday, August 21, 2021 |8 Pages | P10.00

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BMSM vows all out support to PRO-BAR

CHURCH / P4

Marbel diocese launches signature drive against open-pit mining

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Another shabu dealer entrapped

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

ON TOP OF THE WORLD. A peculiar sight in a farming community in Mt. Agkir-Agkir in Libungan, Cotabato.

Photo courtesy of Tyano Catimbang Abellana

COVID-19 CASES RISING IN REGION-12

By Edwin Fernandez The number of new infections of COVID-19 in the Soccsksargen region continues to surge the past few days with 12 fatalities as of Thursday.

This was based on the August 19 bulletin of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD-12).

The DOH-12 said 319 new cases were recorded as of

Thursday. On August 18, it recorded 332 new cases, August 17, it had 356 new infections, 215 new patients on August 16 and 315 on August 15.

On August 19, DOH-12

also reported that 261 patients have survived the killer virus.

Unfortunately, 12 patients have died.

Most of the 12 fatalities, the DOH-CHD data showed, were above 60 years old and

4 more members bolt from BIFF FOUR more members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, two of them henchmen of the long wanted Kagui Karialan, surrendered Wednesday.

They yielded through the efforts of the Army’s 92nd Infantry Battalion and local leaders in Datu

By John Felix Unson Hoffer Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Thursday the four men, Ustadz, Magdusa, Kano and Abu Zubair, shall be reintroduced into mainstream society with

AS President of Notre Dame University, Fr. Francis Efren C. Zabala, OMI received two resolutions from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in recognition of the contributions of Fr. Eliseo R. Mercado, Jr., OMI to the Bangsamoro on August 16, 2021 at the NDU President’s Boardroom.

Resolution 125 recognizes and commends the role and contributions of Rev. Fr. Eliseo R. Mercado, Jr., OMI, Ph.D. to Peace and Development in the

Four of the 12 fatalities were from Gen. Santos City.

Overall, there are a total of 32,414 COVID-19 confirmed cases reported to DOH CHD SOCCSKSARGEN region. Of this number,

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Marbel diocese wants mining ban to stay

By Bong S. Sarmiento

the help of different line agencies and the Bangsamoro regional government.

“We can’t reveal their correct full names because the BIFF has that practice of persecuting members who have availed of our domestic peace and reconciliation

BTA honors Fr. Jun, OMI

have co-morbidities. The youngest was 46 years old female who has Chronic Kidney Disease Secondary to Diabetes Mellitus Nephropathy on Hemodialysis and listed as COVID-19 Critical.

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Bangsamoro.

The principal author of this resolution was MP Dr. Susana S. Anayatin.

On the other hand, Resolution No. 126 expresses the profound sympathy and sincere condolence of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority on the death of Fr. Eliseo Mercado, and honors his contributions to the Bangsamoro people’s cause for genuine autonomy.

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KORONADAL CITY – The Diocese of Marbel has launched Monday a signature drive to demand for retention of open pit mining ban in South Cotabato.

Organizers also vowed to make mining an election issue for the sake of environment,

food security and future generations.

Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas urged the parishioners, particularly the youth, to make the signature campaign viral as he stressed that areas without internet service will be reached

through the Gagmay’ng K r i s t o h a n o n g Katilingban (GKK) or Basic Christian Communities.

“Definitely, the Diocese of Marbel will make mining and the environment an important issue during the coming

Roads to connect 63 NoCot villages seen to spur economic growth

By Nash B. Maulana Now being connected by concrete PIGCAWAYAN, North Cotabato — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in roads are communities of Moros, as Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is paving well as members of Filipino Indigenous its long road to improving governance Tribes and Christian settlers in this old and socioeconomic activities at village town of North Cotabato.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod level, engaging communities that saw the beginnings, the peak as well as the Balawag Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim, lowest point of the Moro dissidence in who was then vice-chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation the seventies.

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DID YOU KNOW? Today is Ninoy Aquino Day Aug. 21 was declared Ninoy Aquino Day by virtue of Republic Act No. 9256 signed on Feb. 25, 2004.

MP Dr. Susana S. Anayatin presents the award to Fr. Francis Efren C. Zabala, OMI

Photo courtesy of Notre Dame University

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It is a special nonworking holiday to commemorate the death anniversary of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., a staunch critic of the Marcos dictatorship who was one of the first to be arrested after the abolition of Congress and declaration of martial law in 1972.

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August 21, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

BMSM vows all out support to PRO-BAR

MAGUINDANAO Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu on Wednesday vowed to provide all out support to all programs and advocacies of the Police Region Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR).

“As your governor, I am with you in the campaign against criminality, lawlessness and all your advocacies about peace and development,” Gov. Mangudadatu said during the 120th Police Service Anniversary celebration in the region.

Gov. Mangudadatu was the guest of honor and speaker of the celebration held at Camp SK Pendatun in Barangay Making, Parang, Maguindanao.

“Whoever is your enemy is the enemy of my province, we should unit because we have one mandate – that is to serve and protect our people,” she added.

The governor also expressed expressed her appreciation to the service rendered by the Bangsamoro Police who greatly contributed to the peace and order of Maguindanao.

With the theme “Hangad na Kalinisan sa Kapaligiran at Kommunidad; Ibayong

Gampanan para sa Pangkapulisang Integridad,” the PSA celebration also gave due recognition to PNP personnel who showcased a notable service of dedication and selflessness that significantly contributed to the PNP service.

Police Service Anniversary is a commemoration of the establishment of the Philippine Constabulary as the country's first insular police force founded on August 8, 1901.

Brigadier General Eden Ugale, PROBAR regional director, has presented the awards to PNP Units and personnel cited for outstanding performance and achievements in service over the past years.

Ugale also lauded Gov. Mangudadatu for the support she extended, not only to Maguindanao PNP, but to the regional police office. Edwin O. Fernandez

BARMM, Army capacitate former BIFF

TACURONG CITY — Former members of a terror-group tagged in deadly bombings in central Mindanao finished Friday last week a livelihood workshop as initial step towards their reintegration into the local communities.

Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade based in Barangay Kalandagan here, said the entrepreneurship development training was facilitated by the Bangsamoro local government ministry.

Galido said 26 now reforming erstwhile members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters benefitted from the threeday activity.

More than a dozen of them were trained in fabrication of improvised explosive devices and powerful roadside bombs, the signature weapons of the BIFF.

The training was part of the “Project Tugon,” or Tulong ng Gobyerno sa Nangangailangan initiative of the regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The BIFF, tagged in all deadly bombings in central Mindanao since 2013, operates in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

More than a hundred BIFF members surrendered in batches in the past eight months through the intercession of Major Gen. Juvymax Uy of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, BARMM officials and local executives in the adjoining provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Galido and Uy on Friday separately expressed gratitude to BARMM Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo for

embarking on the Project Tugon.

Project Tugon aims to hasten the return to mainstream society of former BIFF members through livelihood, psycho-social, education and other humanitarian interventions.

A number of former BIFF members who earlier surrendered to 6th ID are now thriving as farmers in their barangays, according to Uy. “We have this open arms policy in dealing with those who are willing to avail of our local peace program for violent religious extremists,” Uy said.

Galido said they are expecting the surrender soon of more hardcore BIFF members through the efforts of their units and municipal officials helping push the 6th ID and BARMM’s joint peace programs forward. John

Felix Unson

Surrender of more BIFF men expected

ARMY officials are expecting the surrender of no less than 30 more members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters before yearend.

Units of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato provinces have been receiving feelers from different BIFF groups lately, channeled through local executives in the three provinces.

“They must have learned about how their companions who have surrendered earlier got reintegrated into mainstream society,” Major Gen. Juvymax Uy of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said Thursday.

A bloc of BIFF terrorists surrendered in Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao Friday last week, two days after the arrest of a Dawlah Islamiya leader while on his way to South Cotabato province.

Uy said Commander Mulawin and his 10 followers yielded through the efforts of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion and the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

Mulawin and his men, known for aliases Rahib, Nasrullah, Salahuddin, Esmail, Rahim, Haron, Tapa, One Eye, Naser and Kasim, belonged to the Karialan faction in the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, or BIFF. “We can’t reveal their complete names pending their relocation to safe areas.

The BIFF is known for its impunity on members who have returned to the fold of law. It also persecutes relatives of those who have bolted from the group,” Uy said.

The BIFF, operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is tagged in all deadly bombings in central Mindanao since 2014.

More than a hundred members of the BIFF, the Ansa’r Khilafa Philippines and the notorious Al-Khobar extortion gang, which are both Dawlah Islamiya subgroups, have surrendered to units of the 6th ID in the past eight months.

Mulawin’s group turned over a .30 caliber Garand rifle, an M16 rifle, an M14 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, a machine pistol, improvised explosive devices and a 60 millimeter mortar with two live explosive projectiles.

“Credit for their surrender has to go partly to the barangay and municipal officials in Shariff Aguak who helped workout their surrender via backchannel dialogues,” Uy said.

Mulawin and his followers renounced on Friday their membership with BIFF at the headquarters of the 33rd IB in Radjah Buayan town in Maguindanao exactly two days after the arrest of Khalid Andalani Kalaing in nearby Barangay Labu-Labu, Shariff Aguak.

Kalaing is a senior official of the Maguid faction in the Dawlah Islamiya, also an ISIS-inspired group.

He was intercepted by a joint Armypolice team in a checkpoint in Barangay Labu-Labu while on board a pick-up truck bound for South Cotabato.

Kalaing is wanted for acts of terror and vehicle theft.

He is now clamped down in a detention facility of the Maguindanao provincial police command.

Uy said among those who have sent surrender feelers are BIFF members who have moved out from their hideouts in the second district of Maguindanao. John

Felix Unson

Gang member arrested in SK town

THE police arrested Sunday in Sultan Kudarat town a suspect in three high-profile crimes whose 12 alleged co-perpetrators together perished in a clash with policemen in January.

Police Major Esmael Madin, provincial officer for Maguindanao of the Criminal Investigation and Detection GroupBangsamoro Autonomous Region, said Monday suspect Mike Igal is now clamped down at CIDGBAR’s detention facility.

He yielded voluntarily when CIDG-BAR agents, backed by members of the Maguindanao provincial police and the Sultan Kudarat municipal police station, served him three different warrants for his arrest in Barangay

Limbo in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao at about 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional OfficeBAR, said Igal is a follower of the slain criminal gang leader Pendatun Talusan who was killed, along with 11 followers, in a clash with members of the elite Special Action Force in Barangay Limbo early this year.

A SAF operative was killed while four others were wounded in the incident.

Agents of the CIDGBAR and a SAF team from PRO-BAR were to peacefully arrest Talusan then for heinous offenses but the operation turned haywire when he and 11 followers shot with assault

rifles the policemen approaching their hideout in Barangay Limbo.

The provocation sparked a gunfight that resulted in the death of Talusan and his cohorts, felled one after another

by SAF personnel in a commando-style maneuver that lasted for about five hours.

Madin said the team that arrested Igal was armed with three warrants for his arrest - one for double frustrated murder, another for robbery with homicide and, the third, for vehicle theft.

Ugale on Monday lauded the CIDG-BAR, the Maguindanao provincial police office and the Sultan Kudarat municipal police force for the arrest of Igal.

John Felix Unson

Rape suspects nabbed in SoCot

KORONADAL CITY — The police arrested three rape suspects and an alleged child molester in separate operations the past two days in South Cotabato province.

In a statement Saturday, the South Cotabato Provincial Police said personnel of the T’boli municipal police first arrested after a longtime surveillance Arjie Tosol Salan, respondent to a rape case pending at the Regional Trial Court Branch 45 in Surallah town.

The 27-year-old Salan, single, was cornered by a police team in Barangay Poblacion in T’boli, South Cotabato in an operation premised on tips from vigilant informants aware of his exact location.

He yielded peacefully when police operatives showed him an arrest warrant signed by Judge Vicente Peña.

Next to fall was rape suspect Carlito Branzuela, Jr., 26, arrested in Barangay Linan in Tupi, South Cotabato by combined members of the local police, policemen from San Pablo town in Zamboanga del Sur and agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9.

Branzuela, reportedly hiding in Tupi since 2017, is wanted for rape in Pagadian City.

The police operation in Barangay Linan, Tupi that resulted in his arrest was assisted by local officials.

The warrant for Branzuela’s arrest emanated from the Regional Trial Court Branch 22 in Pagadian City, signed by Judge Benjamin Lanzaderas.

Another rape suspect, the 61-yearold Pedro Botil Mahinay, was nabbed without resistance by policemen led by Captain Junel Rey Gatera in Barangay Maibo, Tantangan.

Mahinay was charged with rape before the sala of RTC Branch 26 Judge Felix Mesa in Surallah.

An alleged child molester, Jundrine Mendal Caha, was also clamped down by a police team, led by Police Major Irish Hezron Flores Parangan, following his arrest in Barangay Talcon, T’boli.

Caha is wanted for violation of Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. John Felix Unson

4 more members bolt from BIFF...from P1 program for them,” Uy said.

The four men are followers of Kagui Karialan, leader of one of three factions in the BIFF. He is wanted for more than 30 high-profile cases pending in courts, including deadly bomb attacks in central Mindanao since 2014.

The four men turned in two .30 caliber Garand rifles, an M16 assault rifle and a 5.56 caliber Ultimax light

machinegun to Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, during simple surrender rite Wednesday in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

More than a hundred members of the BIFF, operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, surrendered to different units of 6th ID in the past eight months.

One of the four terrorists handed over an Ultimax light machinegun to Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio.

Photo courtesy of 6th ID Public Affairs Office

August 21, 2021

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

Roads to connect 63 NoCot villages seen to spur economic growth ...from P1 Front (MILF), had to move to and from the plains of Barangay Datu Binasing and the interior village of Bager to the marshland of Libungan, Kabuntalan and Gambar in times of intense operations launched by government forces.

On Tuesday, BARMM Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua opened the first of road concreting projects to connect all 63 barangays of North Cotabato that opted to become territorial and administrative

part of the autonomous region in the February 2019 plebiscite.

BARMM Interior and Local Governments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said BARMM’s Bangsamaoro Integrated Rehabilitation Development (BIRD) Program covers the 63 villages as BARMM’s Special Geographic Area (SGA).

The road reopened in modern day was the old main way adjoining the PigcawayanNuling Section of DavaoCotabato Highway. But the

DA-12 gather samples from ASF-infected Kidapawan villages

KIDAPAWAN CITY — A team of experts from the Department of Agriculture Region-12 conducted Thursday an environmental assessment on areas here affected by the African swine fever (ASF).

City veterinarian Dr. Eugene Gornez said Friday the experts gathered samples from hog farm water sources, piggeries and even swabbed hogs in the ASF-infected villages that include Linangkob, Paco, Sikitan, Gayola, and Mua-an.

“Hundreds of sample specimens were collected for testing to determine if the ASF virus persists on the five villages,” Gornez

national government had to keep the public off a leprosarium along this route and opened the present route via Crossing Simuay during the period of the leprosy pandemic in the 1950s.

This situation has isolated the communities in almost half a century.

To Ebrahim, these communities deserve more than just “giving back.” The BARMM through the Bangsamaoro Integrated Rehabilitation Development (BIRD) Program

delivers development programs, based on barangay needsassessment and improve on the village governance along with implementation of infrastructure and livelihood projects to spur economic development.

Ebrahim has designated a team of young men and women to determine community needs.

The residents wanted and had the socio-economic development package initially in the form of roads and social infrastructure

projects, inland motorized boats for fishing with inboard engine, and a net in each set, pre- and post-harvest facilities like irrigation system and mechanical drier. (Next: Signs of Time come, seen in peaceful environment) Minister Macacua, represented Ebrahim is assisted

by Minister Sinarimbo in ceremonies granting widows of war with relief assistance, and wheelchairs to the weak-ataging among them.

Marbel diocese wants mining ban to stay...from P1

said.

The samples will be brought to the DA’s Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in General Santos City and the result will be given a week later, Gornez added.

He said once a negative ASF result would come out for the affected villages, biosecurity measures would be strictly implemented in all the villages to ensure the safety of hog meat in the market.

“Such measure includes the installation of septic tanks, perimeter nets, foot bath and shields intended for caretakers,” he said.

Based on the

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Magelco moves to improve collection, services

THE Maguindanao Electric cooperative Incorporated (Magelco) has strategized its management operation to improve collection, avoid systems losses and pay power suppliers.

“I have introduced a paradigm shift of management starting August 16,” Sultan Ashary Maongco, Magelco general manager, said in a phone interview Friday.

He said they will be shifting to the new functional organization following an approval from the Magelco board of directors.

“I want major change in how my people think and get things done to reach our target of 95 percent collection efficiency,” Maongco, an electrical engineer, added.

The new set up primarily aims to address commitment to major stakeholders - the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM); the National Grid Corporation of the

Philippines (NGCP); and the member-consumers.

“For PSALM and NGCP, we are committed to pay our obligations,” Maongco said.

For Magelco memberconsumers, he said their our goal is to stabilize power supply, obtain single digit system losses, achive 95 percent collection efficiency, and 100 percent project completion, among others.

Magelco serves Maguindanao’s 36 municipalities.

Meanwhile, Maongco said a law now exists for the division of Maguindanao into two, Maguindanao Sur and Maguindanao Norte.

“Ahead of the scheduled plebiscite this year about the division, Magelco has already put in place experts and personnel for effective operational management,” he said.

Area heads had been designated, accompanied by operation and maintenance as well as revenue and regulatory in charge, to ensure effective collection and delivery of services to Republic of the Philippines member consumers.

Region XII Pikit, Cotabato Besides, he said, the OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL area chief has managerial REGISTRAR supervision over newly NOTICE TO built 10MVA and 5MVA THE PUBLIC situated in both areas of Maguindanao.

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Despite the pandemic OCRG Memorandum Circular and major challenges facing No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the the Magelco continue to Implementation of Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012(IRR push for rehabilitation, on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby innovations and served to the public that Gea R. improvements.

Asis has filed with this office a petition for correction of clerical The latest of which error in gender from Male to was the inauguration and Female in the certificate of live energization on Wednesday birth of Xian Rufano Timtim, who of the so called “Power was born at RHU, Pikit, Cotabato on 19 March 2019 and whose Super Highway” in northern parents are Ricky M. Timtim and Maguindanao held at Polloc Gea D. Rufano.

Free Port and Ecozone in Any person adversely Barangay Polloc, Parang, affected by said petition may file Maguindanao. his written opposition with this Maongco said the office not later than September ‘Power Super Highway’ 1, 2021

refers to the power lines (Sgd.) EDITHA I. MONTERDE, MAEd from Barangay Pigcalagan Municipal Civil Registrar boundary of MC: Aug. 21 & 28, 2021 Maguindanao and

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elections. It will be part of the discernment in choosing the candidates,” the prelate said.

Casicas, however, noted that the diocese will have to collectively decide if the candidates will be singled out based on their position on the open-pit mining method or not.

During the term of the late Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, a staunch anti-mining advocate and Casicas’ immediate predecessor, the diocese launched a campaign during the 2013 elections dubbed “Team Pabor-Team Ayaw,” which sought to educate local voters on the stand of candidates involving the $5.9 billion Tampakan project.

Sagittarius Mines, Inc, (SMI) is the developer of the Tampakan project, touted as the largest known undeveloped copper and gold minefield in Southeast Asia, through a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) granted by the national government.

SMI studies showed that the most viable way to extract the massive mineral deposits is through the open-pit mining method.

Casicas said they launched the signature campaign to retain the provincial ban on the open-pit mining method to protect nature and the integrity of creation.

The prelate noted that parishioners should sign the campaign on their own volition.

The signature campaign carries the slogan “Protect Nature,

Protect Our Future.” The campaign materials have translated versions in English, Ilonggo, Cebuano, Blaan and T’boli.

“We demand that the Sanggunian Panlalawigan of South Cotabato stands firm in its duty to ensure the safety, convenience and well-being of its constituents,” it said.

"The provincial Environment Code and its provision that specifically bans open-pit mining must be upheld. Thisis the right thing to do and to ensure that the future generations inherit a better society enjoying the fruits of a sound environment,” it added.

The Iglesia Filipiniana Independiente, Alyansa Tigil Mina, Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan and Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc., among others, supported the signature campaign.

Fr. Jerome Millan, the diocese’s Social Action Center director, said the 29 parishes in the diocesan territory would be at the forefront in encouraging the faithful to affix their signatures to the campaign.

“There will be a massive education awareness about why the open-pit mining ban must remain.

They (parishioners) will be made to understand and not just sign the campaign for the sake of signing,” the priest said.

The diocese covers the entire South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces and parts of Sultan Kudarat, which are all Christian-

dominated areas.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan had started conducting consultations after the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) from several towns in South Cotabato sought the lifting of the ban on open-pit mining. The IPMRs' request was anchored on the economic contributions of the Tampakan project to the localities straddled by the venture.

Millan noted that lifting the provincial ban on open-pit mining method will open the doors for the Tampakan project to proceed to the commercial production phase.

“Let us not allow that. The Tampakan project is a big threat to food security and the environment in the area,” he added.

Roy Antonio, SMI corporate linkages manager, has yet to reply to requests for comments on the signature campaign launched by the diocese for the retention of the ban on open-pit mining method.

In October 2020, Judge Vicente Peña, acting presiding judge of Regional Trial Court 11th Judicial Region Branch 24, denied a petition by tribal councils supportive of SMI’s mining venture to revoke the open-pit mining ban in South Cotabato.

In a 31-page promulgation, Peña wrote that "the ban on openpit mining in South Cotabato is not invalid, but rather legal and consistent with the Local Government Code of the Philippines and the Constitution."

SIGN BOARD. A sign found in the Tampacan mining area show off to visitors.

Photo courtesy of Bong S. Sarmiento

What therapies might help people with severe COVID-19...from P6 use in non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Remdesivir In October 2020, the FDA approved the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat COVID-19. The drug may be used to treat adults and children ages 12 and older and weighing at least 88 pounds, who have been hospitalized for COVID-19.

Clinical trials suggest that in these patients, remdesivir may modestly speed up recovery time.

Baricitinib in combination with remdesivir In November 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the use of baricitinib in combination with remdesivir in

hospitalized adults and children two years and older who require respiratory support. However, there is not yet enough evidence to support the use of this therapy instead of dexamethasone with or without remdesivir.

Anticoagulation drugs (“blood thinners”) Almost all people admitted to the hospital with COVID receive medications to help prevent blood clots. Doctors usually prescribe low dose heparin or enoxaparin. However, some patients require full doses of anticoagulants if they already have developed blood clots or have a high risk of doing so. Doctors always need to balance the risk of dangerous bleeding when prescribing full doses. MC

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August 21, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Marbel diocese launches signature drive against open-pit mining

A Catholic diocese has embarked on a signature drive against a copper and gold mine project in southern Philippines.

The Diocese of Marbel particularly wants provincial officials to keep the ban on openpit mining in South Cotabato.

It said that the province’s environment code and its provision that specifically prohibits open-pit mining must be upheld.

The diocese demanded for the officials to stand firm in their duty to ensure the safety and well-being of their constituents.

“This is the right thing to do and to ensure that the future generations inherit a better society enjoying the fruits of a sound environment,” it said in a statement.

Sagittarius Mines Inc., the company that owns the mining project holds a 25-year mining permit in the area but was suspended in 2020 in compliance with the provincial ban on mining in the province.

In renewing its opposition to the Tampakan mining project, the diocese said that it “failed to convince us that it will bring genuine development”.

Bishop Cerilo Casicas of Marbel led the launching of the campaign in Koronadal City on August 16.

The prelate urged the faithful to help promote the campaign online. He said that areas without internet connection will be reached through the Basic Ecclesial Communities.

Caritas Philippines also called on Filipinos to support the campaign, saying that the project “will never be in favor of the general welfare of the province”.

“We are not convinced that it will bring genuine economic freedom to our impoverished communities, nor justice to the deteriorating Mindanao ecosystem,” it said.

The church’a social action arm also called on concerned government agencies to honor the ancestral domains, traditions and interests of the indigenous peoples.

“We know what is the right thing to do. Let us do it now. Collectively together,” it said. CBCP

News with reports from Aimee Yeo

Bishop Cerilo Casicas of Marbel.

Photo courtesy of Screenshot/Diocese of Marbel

Caritas Philippines to Commission on Audit: Do Not Be Afraid

CARITAS Philippines applauds the firm stance of the Commission on Audit in reporting to the public the irregularities in fund management of the different agencies of the government.

“We thank COA for being a bastion of truth and courage despite the intimidation from President Rodrigo Duterte,” comments Fr. Antonio Labiao, Jr., executive secretary of Caritas Philippines.

Recently, COA has been copying the public of their audit reports detailing the different discrepancies, unallowable and unliquidated expenses, and other unsound fund disbursements and management by the Office of the President, the Department of Health, Office of the Solicitor General, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Social Welfare

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and Development, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and various local government units including Davao City, among others.

In August 12, 2021 for example, COA said that DOH has a 29% or P59.125 billion unspent budget out of the P200.855 billion allocated budget for 2020. The department also came under heavy public scrutiny because of overpriced midrange laptops, in addition to another COA finding of unused and misused COVID-19 funds amounting to P67 billion.

“Our public medical frontliners are wanting of appropriate support and benefits, while our kababayans have been dying in hospital parking lots! The money could have made a huge difference in our war against

e have to make bad decision-making, I am decisions in our daily against it. But if you mean life. It is unavoidable. alcohol which makes social The problem is when there are occasions happy, which too many choices. There was brings friends and family a parent who asked his son to together, I am for it.” Good go to the store and buy some answer. There are also the soft drink. The boy asked, rash decision-makers. They Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC “Coke or Sprite?” The father make decisions without tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com answered, “Coke”. “Regular enough data. They listen to or Coke Zero?” “Basta yong “chismis” rather than facts. ordinaryong Coke.” “In a bottle or can? “ Sa bote. “Eight A good decision maker first looks at the facts. What ounce or litro?” “Huwag na, tubig na lang.” Son is the situation, what is happening? However, a “caveat”. answered, “Mineral or sterilized?” Life was easier when The same fact may be interpreted differently. One there were fewer choices. With so many choices available must understand and gain the proper insight based decision-making becomes more complicated. on the fact. There was a teacher conducting a biology There are heavier decisions that we have to make. experiment and illustrate the bad effects of alcoholic Should I work abroad or not? Should I get married or drinks by putting some earthworms in a bottle of rum. not? Whom should I marry? Or should I be a priest or a Of course the worms died. Those are facts. How then is religious? For those still pursuing their studies they have the fact to be interpreted? Most of the class said, alcoholic to make a decision what course to choose. We also have drinks is harmful to living creatures. Another boy had to make moral decisions when confronted with moral a different conclusion, “Those who drink rum have no choices. We have to choose between good and evil. At intestinal worms or “bulate”. Once a correct insight or some time in our life, we may have made a fundamental interpretation is made, then action follows. Decision is choice that we will do our best to do what is good and to completed by action. And this is where some decision avoid what is evil. That fundamental option is tested makers have a weakness. They know that actions have to and challenged everyday. A taxi driver who found a bag be taken but they do not act or they procrastinate, hoping with so much money left in his car has a choice to keep it the problem will disappear with no action. or return it to its rightful owner. A government employee All these discussions on decision-making is occasioned who is being offered a bribe to facilitate matters has to by our readings this Sunday. We have to make a make a decision to accept the bribe or refuse it. decision for God or not. In the first reading, Joshua Because decision-making is not easy, there are as a leader challenged the tribes of Israel, “Make known different types of decision makers. There is the this day, whom shall you serve…As for me, I and my procrastinator. This person delays the decision to the household will serve Yahweh” (cf. Josh 24: 1 ff). Jesus last moment, hoping something else will come up in the made the same challenge to his disciples when some meantime. There is the fence-sitter. He cannot quite of his audience started to leave, after listening to His make a decision one way or the other and tries to please all discourses on the Bread of Life. He asked them, “Will parties. This is illustrated by a politician who was asked you also go away?” It was Peter who answered, “Lord to about his stand on the sale of alcohol. His answer, “If whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal you mean alcohol which leads to quarrels, diseases, and life” (cf. Jn. 6:60ff) MC

Decisions

REFLECTIONS

CIVID-19 pandemic had our health department, in particular Sec. Francisco Duque, stepped up, listened to and worked with health experts, instead of being a Malacañang puppet,” added Fr. Labiao in a statement.

Hence according to Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, national director of Caritas Philippines, “these examples of incompetence and mishandling of funds just show how mismanaged our government is, especially at a time of a pandemic.”

“Therefore, it is but right for the Filipino people to support COA in flagging misuses and abuses of public funds to finally serve justice. We call on all taxpayers, all sectors and stakeholders: let us rally behind COA and protect its independence.” NASSA/

Caritas Philippines

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

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

Joshua 24.1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ephesians 4.32 – 5.1-2, 21-32++; John 6.53, 60-69 When you feel despair, suffering, and pain, do you reach out to God and rest your trust in Him? I say, yes, we look for God when life is difficult - we close our eyes, kneel before Him, and pray. But there were also moments when, instead of listening and following God’s will, we simply make our own priorities in life and we say, “not this time, Lord.” “Lord, that is difficult, I can’t do that.” And so, when life is hard and you seem like giving up, are you also leaving Christ? To whom shall you go?

Prayer: Lord, be my path and never let me go astray. Amen.

Fr. Peter

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

August 21, 2021 EDITORIAL

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Valuing what is old

y encounters as a senior citizen pleases me no end ever since the Senior Citizen Law was passed. For someone in the twilight of her years, the law gave me the belief that life is still worth living for, even when the productive years are over. So many things happened in behalf of senior citizens (except during Covic 19 Pandemic when old people are prevented from going outside their homes to protect them from the disease). Privileges such as 20% discounts on meals and movies, avoidance of those long lines (you get to feel like the king and queen who had to be served first), and many more.

This gives us the impression that what is “old” is really precious and important. In terms of people, Filipinos are very concerned about the welfare of their elders (with some exceptions), but in terms of materials and places, there seem to be still a lack of fond memories attached to it.

The Meranaos happen to be the first group in this region to give that much importance to old and memorable things. They were able to preserve the old houses, the old places, so much so that one of our writers in the Mindanao Cross – Nash Maulana – wrote about the Bangsamoro’s glorious past. He is starting to record the events that happened in Picong, one of the places that only recently was open to vehicular traffic. It was a happy development that the BARMM will be constructing a shorter route to Marawi City, so that the inland towns will have access to the open sea. Other places in Lanao Sur (especially along the Lanao Lake area) have also interesting historical backgrounds like Picong which will surely contribute to the development of tourism in the whole region.

Events will not be given importance when the household articles and materials during that time are not saved for posterity. The beautifully carved “baurs”, intricately designed “malongs”, those attractive table cloths and umbrellas makes the memories complete, especially when it has the “sari-manok” as its focal point. I have a collection of these memorabilia, although I have to confess that these are not the original antiques, but these make me happy just to have them as part of my life.

Of course, closer to my heart are the Maguindanaon artifacts, since I married into the Maguindanao tribe. Their brasswares are exquisite, much more the jewellery developed by local artisans. There are still weavers among the women who can turn out beautiful mats and bags from the local swamps.

Going to the potentials of Sulu and TawiTawi would still give a lot of ideas for our tourism development; but I leave this to writers who come from the islands. Having such beautiful places cannot be described in just a column. It needs a book where these are all put in details, for the appreciation of students in the Bangsamoro region, but especially for posterity’s sake, so that Filipinos from other parts of the Philippines can better appreciate the country where they were born. MC +

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as Health Secretary Francisco Duque III being melodramatic in his rant against the Commission on Audit for its report that flagged deficiencies in the Department of Health’s management of the P67.32 billion COVID-19 response fund in 2020?

Speaking before members of the House Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday, Duque said he and other DOH personnel have lost sleep. “Sa kahihiyan, we were bloodied and bludgeoned with this issue,” the health Secretary was quoted in online reports as saying.

Duque said the COA report was painful for the agency as it is the one that primarily faces and responds to this pandemic. He added that health workers have gotten sick, have been isolated, quarantined, some have even died. “Diyos por Santo, maawa naman kayo, kayo nga ang pumunta dito at kayo ang gumawa?” he said, daring the COA to do the health agency’s job in responding to the pandemic instead.

Truth is the COA report did not mention “corruption” or that the deficiencies it found are indications of such.

The audit report noted that the deficiencies were caused by non-compliance with pertinent laws and regulations that have led to missed opportunities and contributed to challenges that the country faced during the health crisis.

For Senator Francis Escudero, Duque’s rant did not explain even a single deficiency that the COA report cited.

In a post on Twitter, Senator Escudero reminded Duque “Explaining to the public both our actions/inactions are part po of our job as public servants… no need to cry or pander.” In a Facebook post, he also pointed out that everyone in the government had received an audit observation memorandum from COA. It is a matter of routine in government.

The Department of Education was also found to have deficiencies in spending P8.136 billion in funds for its Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan. The COA found lapses in budget utilization, noncompliance with the Government Procurement Reform Act, and issues on procurement, reproduction and delivery of self-learning modules. The Commission said the deficiencies affected “the overall effective implementation of the BE-LCP” and the DepEd’s mandate to provide quality basic education amid the pandemic.

State auditors also questioned the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for its “highly questionable” transfer of P160 million from the central office to regional offices for the rollout of the government’s anti-communist programs. COA said the transfer of a total of P160,083,401 to implement the programs under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC created

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DOH is not alone

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

under Executive Order No. 70 are “highly questionable for lack of authority/ legal basis and the absence of appropriate guidelines as to how this fund shall be utilized, likewise exposing these funds to possible misuse or misappropriation,” an online report said.

Disparities were also noted in TESDA’s use of P768.53 million in COVID-19 funds and its gains in retooling Filipinos amid the pandemic. An online report said state auditors noted the agency’s reported 96 percent obligation and 66 percent disbursement of P768.53 million transferred to regional offices for COVID-19 interventions “does not match” with the accomplishments.

The Department of Information and Communication Technology is also being asked by state auditors to explain its purchase of more than P170-million worth of gadgets which were donated to schools amid the pandemic. The gadgets which included thousands of laptops, pocket wi-fi and tablets, were bought by DICT from a construction firm. COA noted that the said construction firm has “doubtful financial capacity to implement the projects.”

State auditors likewise said the firm is not involved in supply and delivery of gadgets and devices because its purpose is for general construction, thus making its legal capacity to engage in such kind of business questionable.

On top of that, state auditors said the purchase of various gadgets is not under DICT’s mandate and implementing policies, which means it could be an illegal expenditure.

Even the Philippine Ports Authority in La union is being questioned for building an infinity pool and a guest room worth P10.835-million, an “improper and wasteful” construction.

No, the DOH is definitely not alone, but it seems no one else is crying.

Indeed, as Senator Escudero has very accurately pointed out explaining to the public both their actions and inactions are part of the job as public servants.

Public office is a public trust. Civil servants and public officials are accountable to the people, whom they should serve with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency. It is both sad and tragic when that reality becomes lost to many in the government service. MC

Throw your book at critics; don’t blame the media

ELIEVE you me that there’s not much professional interest among Filipino health experts as well as government resources invested on research and development (R&D) that should be complementing the country’s struggle against a pandemic.

For God’s sake, the Department of Health being in the forefront of the fight shouldn’t be dealing with Nash B. Maulana professional doubters like Dr. Romeo Quijano M.D. nash.penlight@gmail.com using only a strongly-worded press statement to rebut his contention. For instance, when Dr. Quijano But sans independent R&D, the country doesn’t (a retired professor of the UP Pharmacology and stand on solid ground in the fight against pandemic Toxicology Department) says he’s been “long studying In its press statement, the DOH says it “condemns vaccines being more risky to the vaccinated person health professionals who have been spreading than the virus itself” that poses false information regarding life-saving the challenge to the prime health intervention such as the COVID-19 agency to also say it has conducted vaccines. It is especially irresponsible as It is likewise or is conducting parallel R&D efforts the country continues to face the threat or independent relevant research of the more infectious delta variant.” irresponsible for studies. Throw your paper at the But to be fair, an independent media outlets to allow Medical Science R&D carried by DOH critics and not the mud; and do not blame the media, either. be the best answer to Dr. Quijano’s such professionals to should A Philippine-commissioned R&D contention--NOT a “condemnation” via will remain the great challenge to press release. use their platforms Philippine DOH if it truly cares “There’s a growing number of realmuch to achieve general health world evidence globally which have to spread baseless welfare for the Filipino people. On consistently shown that COVID-19 information the other hand, the lack of which, vaccines have led (sic) to significant coupled with public health funds reductions (sic) in hospitalizations (sic) disbursement held questionable at and deaths among vaccinated individuals. Moreover, post-audit Commission on Audit (COA) Memorandum, despite increases in Covid19 cases in these countries, will forever be told of the Duterte Government--not the same rate of increase is not seen in hospitalizations much about Dr. Duque as health secretary in the time and deaths.” No mention of which countries the press of pandemic. statement is referring to.

The country may not be able to gain access to R&Ds Face the critics squarely, and just don’t shoot the commissioned by transnational pharmaceuticals messenger, saying: “It is likewise irresponsible for companies (even with WHO intervention). But an media outlets to allow such professionals to use their effective collaboration may open a door to R&Ds platforms to spread baseless information that stand funded by the First-World or the developed COVAX- to harm Filipinos, especially those who are in the donor countries—like the U.S. process of deciding to get vaccinated.” MC

Penlight

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

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

NORTH / SOUTH COTABATO CORRESPONDENTS Williamor Magbanua Romer “Bong” Sarmiento Roel Osano Orlando Dinoy CARTOONIST Lourd Jim Diazon

Member: PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

6

but President Duterte prevailed not to give up the post. Some Senate and House members want Duque probed on alleged irregularities.

The heated COA expose’ briefly simmered Charlie Señase down this week with the csenase@yahoo.com sudden passing away of HE world is in the brink of Atty. Jake Cimafranca, instability with the flourishing who was the COA team leader that crimes on dishonesty and greed came up with the DOH audit report. that breed on corruption and violence. He died of cardiac arrest which former The much talked about Taliban COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza a r m e d i n v a s i o n i n A f g h a n i s t a n suspected to be due to physical and despite the latter’s US military mental stress. support has been blamed to alleged In faith, whatever it is, things corruption. happen for a Divine reason that we According to retired US Army have to accept. That we only live M a j o r R i c h a r d O j e d a t h e U S twice, here and the hereafter. government spent about $2 trillion for And for the living, fear no one but the past 20 years purposely to train God, for there is nothing covered that and equip Afghanistan’s armed forces will not be revealed and hidden that but only to be defeated by a weeklong will not be exposed in God’s time for Taliban offensive.

He alone sees the heart of man.

The retiree opined that it was In the name of transparency not about real training but about and accountability, if COA audits, military contractors and corporations if DOH cures, if NBI investigates, raking-in huge profits for the last two if Supreme Court renders justice, decades. if the Presidential Anti-Corruption Here at home, President Duterte Commission is after violators and if was ranting on COA’s latest audit all other government agencies are on report on perceived DOH’s misused of their mandated tasks, who will judge funds amounting to about P67 billion. them in the end?

The Commission on Audit also Judge not that we may not be reported an unused 2020 public health judged. For with what judgment service allocation of P246 billion amid we use, we too will be judged with complaints from health frontliners the same measure used. We are of meager pay and allowances in the all hypocrites in judgment, for it is midst of raging pandemic. A Cainta written: Why do we look at the speck public health nurse who died recently of others’ eye, but do not consider of COVID-19 was complaining of the plank in our own eye. We have to meager hazard pay of P60 per day. cleanse our own self first before we A c c o r d i n g t o t h e P h i l i p p i n e can judge according to God’s standard Nurses Association such predicament that is based on righteousness and not prompted about 40 percent of these one’s outward appearance (Matthew professionals in private hospitals to 7:1-6). have resigned.

Who will audit COA or who will Because of COA’s derogatory judge judicial members? In the end the report on DOH, its Health Secretary true Justice and final verdict on who Francisco Duque III said it has we really are, is our God Almighty, caused them in the Department who said “My thoughts are not your sleepless nights, claiming they have thoughts nor your ways My ways… been shamed and besmirched of their declaring the end from the beginning reputation. and from ancient times things that Some lawmakers in Congress are not yet done, My counsel shall are calling for Duque’s resignation stand (Isaiah 46:10; 55:8). MC municipalities The design of the medal pay tribute to the ancient tradition of Japanese craftsmanship and olympic spirit. Each case is manufactured from Japanese ash dyed the Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy same color as the olympic franco1573victoria@gmail.com e m b l e m . T h e r i b b o n s combine the traditional he final gold medal tally at the Japanese design motif of 2020 Tokyo Olympic Competitions matsu itchimatsu and kasare no irome is : USA 39 , China 38 Japan 27, in modern presentation intended to Great Britain 22, ROC (the Russians reflect Japan and its demonstration of accused of doping) 20 , Australia 17 . unity and diversity.

Something happened to the tally Every medal has its own wood on its way to China Media. China fiber pattern infused into the design, Media came up with 42 gold medals representing each individual olympian for China, much to the disconcertion who step into the field to play. Actually of the Olympic Committee. It turned then, gold medals in any of the Olympics out that, for the numbers to surpass could not be pure gold, neither pure that of the US, the gold medals won by silver nor pure bronze: Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan were Other trivia: added to enlarge the numbers of gold *Winning a gold, silver or medals won by China. Media referred bronze medal is the reward for years of to Taiwan as Chinese Taipei to appease sacrifice and grueling training sessions Beijing, wrote Taiwan News. hidden from the public gaze.

Some Trivia: The Tokyo Olympic *Olympians competed for 1,017 medals have been molded entirely from medal over 339 events at Tokyo 2020. recycled electronic gadgets. It included *Michael Fred Phelps II is the most a total,of 78985 tons of discarded devises successful decorated Olympian of all which were classified, dismantled and time with a total,of 28 medals. melted down. Organizers intended * USA is the most prolific medal to make environmental friendly and winning nation in the history of the sustainable games so far. These Olympics. All in all, the US has 2,941 devises were practically donated by total medals between the winter and people all over Japan pitched in for summer games, including 1166 gold two years. Over 90%’of municipalities medals. The next closest is Soviet of Japan participated in the drive from Union which has 1204 total medals and April 2017 to 2019 from 624 to 1621 473 gold, Russia has 618 gold. MC

Judge the Judges

True to Form

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Olympic Medals Trivia

The Stuff of Life

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August 21, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

What therapies might help people with severe COVID-19 prior to hospitalization?

inflammatory drugs. They are readily available and inexpensive.

The NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines recommend the use of dexamethasone in certain people hospitalized with severe COVID-19. The recommendation was based on results from the RECOVERY trial. In the study, more than 6000 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 randomly received either dexamethasone or standard treatment.

Patients who required supplemental oxygen or ventilators and who received dexamethasone were less likely to die within 28 days than those who received standard care. Dexamethasone did not have a benefit in patients who did not need respiratory support.

HEALTH CORNER

I

By Juliette Steen

n November 2020, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to two monoclonal antibody treatments (bamlanivimab, made by Eli Lilly; and a combination of casirivimab and imdevimab, made by Regeneron). Both treatments have been approved for non-hospitalized adults and children over age 12 with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms who are at risk for developing severe COVID-19 or being hospitalized for it. In these patients, the approved treatments can reduce the risk of hospitalization and emergency room visits. These therapies must be given intravenously (by IV) soon after developing symptoms.

If you are recovering at home, these measures can help reduce symptoms: 1. While you don’t need to stay in bed, you should get plenty of rest.

2. Stay well hydrated.

3. To reduce fever and ease aches and pains, take acetaminophen. Be sure to follow directions. If you are taking any combination cold or flu medicine, keep track of all the ingredients and the doses.

For acetaminophen, the total daily dose from all products should not exceed 3,000 milligrams.

What medications can doctors use for people hospitalized with COVID-19?

Dexamethasone Many doctors, including those in the United States, have been treating very ill COVID-19 patients with corticosteroids since the pandemic began. It makes biologic sense for those patients who have developed a hyper-immune response (a cytokine storm) to the viral infection. In these cases, it is the immune system’s overreaction that is damaging the lungs and other organs, and too often leading to death.

Dexamethasone and other corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone) are potent anti-

Tocilizumab The FDA has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for tocilizumab (Actemra) for the treatment of hospitalized adults and children ages 2 years and older who are receiving systemic corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, and who require supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or a heart-lung bypass machine, also known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody, already FDAapproved to treat several autoimmune diseases.

Some COVID patients get sicker because of an overreaction of the body’s immune response (a cytokine storm) to the viral infection. When this happens, the body overproduces interleukin-6 (IL-6) — a protein involved in inflammation — in lung cells. Tocilizumab blocks the action of IL6, and thereby dampens the exaggerated immune system response.

The EUA was based on four clinical trials of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, which compared the use of tocilizumab plus routine care for COVID-19 (including corticosteroid therapy) to usual care alone. Through 28 days of follow up, tocilizumab plus usual care reduced the risk of death and the risk of being placed on a ventilator, and decreased the amount of time patients remained in the hospital, compared to usual care alone.

Tocilizumab is not authorized for

P3

or corporation if its for profit purpose otherwise it can be set up as a non-profit corporation (foundation, association, etc.).

Various units of the Danny Buenbrazo new organization should danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com then be determined. The simplest organization he failure of some organizations, public or private, could be traced w o u l d h a v e t h e l i n e a n d s t a f f back to how it was designed, departments or units. Line unit refers organized, and staffed. Problems such to that group of personnel that would as confusion in responsibility and be charged with pursuing the basic authority, overstaffing or understaffing, purpose for which the organization was high payroll, and poor performance created (e.g. selling goods for a business of personnel, among others are organization or promoting human rights for a government agency). For agencies manifestations of such errors.

Before a new organization or agency with two or more important mandates, is established, there are basic questions there could be more than one line or operations departments/units or subto resolve.

First, is it really necessary to units could be placed under the main establish a new organization? When operational unit.

Staff unit refer to that which considering creating a new government agency, we should first determine if performs functions that support the the purpose for its creation is really operational unit. Those functions could that important. There may already be include personnel management, finance, existing agencies that can just take on the planning, among others.

It would be better to have less additional responsibility contemplated for the proposed organization, or the departments and personnel at the functions can be better off left to the inception of the organization. Should the private sector. For business entities, the need tor more divisions and/or personnel necessity of having a new organization be determined at a latter time then should also be considered as the mother the necessary expansion or upsizing of corporation or other subsidiaries could the organization can be done. It would suffice in performing the functions of the be difficult and/or costly to downsize units and personnel later on when the proposed new company.

Second, government should consider realization that there are more units or the form or nature of the proposed agency. staff necessary than was determined at Should it be a regular department, a the point of creating the organization. commission, or a government-owned Abolition of units/divisions and firing or controlled corporation? The type of of people could disrupt the operation of public or publicly owned organization the organization, cause demoralization, would affect how it would operate. or unnecessary litigations by people Pure public organizations would have affected by downsizing.

The functions and authority of to be funded out of the annual national budget and would not be normally every department and personnel of an allowed to borrow. On the other hand, organization must be clearly defined a government-owned or controlled to avoid confusions and conflicts. corporation (GOCC) can operate like Management can periodically review a private corporation with the right how responsive the design of the to engage in business, generate profit, organization is vis-à-vis its mandates borrow, and use its income for various as well as the number and type of purposes. For private organizations, personnel that are employed in the the people designing the new entity agency or business entity.

We tackle human resource must decide on its legal form: single proprietorship, partnership, cooperative, development next. MC

Building Effective Organizations…

Market Driven

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DA-12 gather samples from ASF-infected...from P3

record, the ASF has affected 142 hog raisers in the city from January

to April this year.

The DA-12 and the city government earlier

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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

Notice is hereby given that the late ELPIDIO ABIL, who died on October 26, 2010 at Sarmiento, Parang, Maguindanao, left parcels of land Lot 11, Block 6, (LRA) Pcs10918 and Lot 54-Q-5, portion of Lot 51-Q-5, Psd-12-002288, covered

by TCT Nos. T-488 and T-3914, respectively, both situated in Sarmiento, Parang, Maguindanao with the total area of 495 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of donation before Notary Public Denise Alexandra P. Olaguer, as per Doc. No. 33; Page No. 8; Book No. I; Series of 2021.

MC: Aug. 21, 28 & Sept. 4, 2021

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

August 21, 2021

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012(IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Lilibeth E. Ong has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Lilibeth Maria Teresa to Lilibeth in the certificate of live birth of Lilibeth Maria Teresa Ellica Ong, who was born at Ginatilan, Pikit, Cotabato on December 17, 1960 and whose parents are Vicente M. Ong and Cresencia C. Elliaca.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than September 1, 2021.

(Sgd.) EDITHA I. MONTERDE, MAEd Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Aug. 21 & 28, 2021

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 Enero 2021. Ang subasta ay sa Setyembre 01, 2021 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Aug 21 & 28, 2021

RANEN PAWNSHOP MAIN, BRANCH I, II & III

Don Rufino Alonzo & Don Tomas Martinez Sts, Cot. City

Notice for Auction All unredeemed articles pledged on January 2021 will be auctioned on September 1, 2021 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before September 1, 2021 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta

Lahat ng sangla noong Enero 2021 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Setyembre 1, 2020 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Setyembre 1, 2021 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

extended assistance to the affected hog raisers. PNA EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late FORTUNATO CALUNSAG, who died on May 29, 2017 in Libungan, North Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot G-1-B, Psd -12024932 situated in Bario Sadaan, Midsayap, Cotabato covered by T C T N o . T- 9 0 4 9 6 , containing an area of 22,302 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap, as per Doc. No. 4613; Page No. 4613; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: Aug. 21, 28 & Sept. 4, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late SANTOS T. GUTIERREZ, who died on October 12, 1985, left a parcel of land Lot 1, Block 13, (LRC) Psd-7123 in Awang, Dinaig, Cotabato (now Maguindanao), covered

by TCT No. T-4549 with an area of 803 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De CastroJagunap, as per Doc. No. 4624; Page No. 4624; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: Aug. 21, 28 & Sept. 4, 2021

COVID-19 cases rising in Region-12...from P1 3,346 (10.32 percent) are active cases.

A total of 27,998 (86.37 percent) have recovered and 1,065 (3.29 percent) have died due to COVID-19 related diseases.

The number of patients to have recovered was at 27,737 (86.42 percent) recoveries and 1,053 (3.28 percent) COVID-19 related deaths.

South Cotabato has the highest number of confirmed infections at 10,255 based on the Aug. 19 data.

Gen. Santos City coming next with 9,003 and North Cotabato with 5,771 total cases.

Sultan Kudarat has 3,731 and Sarangani has 3,654.

North Cotabato has more active cases 810, South Cotabato has 791 and Gen. Santos has 745.

South Cotabato has 314 COVID-19 related deaths.

Meanwhile, DOH central office said as 9 August 2021, a total of 24,479,750 doses have been administered.

BTA honors Fr. Jun, OMI...from P1 The principal authors of this resolution are MP Amilbahar S. Mawallil, and MP Baintan A. Ampatuan.

Both resolutions were adopted on June 17, 2021 during the 3rd Regular Session of the Bangsamoro Parliament.

On behalf of NDU, Fr. Zabala thanked the BTA for the resolutions.

“Any honor given to Fr. Mercado is an honor to Notre Dame University. He is part of the story and history of Notre Dame University.

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP MAIN CONLUCK DON RUFINO BRANCH & CONLUCK PAWNSHOP BRANCH 4 ng Cotabato City ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Hulyo 2020 hanggang Agosto 2020. Ang Subasta ay sa Agosto 31, 2021 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Aug 21 & 28, 2021

To date, there have been zero deaths caused by the COVID-19 vaccines. On the contrary, 29,128 people have died from COVID-19.

The number of those who received first dose of vaccines was at 13,087,781 individuals and 11,391,969 have received the second dose.

“Vaccines are safe, effective, and free! Be part of the BIDA BAKUNATION!,” the DOH said in its infomercial.

The DOH also clarified that there’s nothing wrong if an individual, after receiving the first dose or only dose, have experienced no untoward reactions from the vaccines.

“No untoward reactions doesn’t mean the shot isn’t working,” the DOH said.

“Our bodies react differently to the vaccine! Others may experience these reactions while others do not.

Vaccines work, whether you experience untoward reactions or not,” the DOH bulletin said.

MC: Aug 21 & 28, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

He was the University’s 5th President, from 1992 to 2002,” Fr. Zabala said.

Present to receive the same copy of the resolutions were Fr. Gerry Gamaliel Delos Reyes, the OMI Philippine Province Superior; and Atty. Benedicto Bacani, Executive Director of Institute for Autonomy and Governance. (Fr. Mercado used to be a Senior Policy Adviser of the IAG.) Fr. Mercado’s family members were also able to witness the handing over of the resolutions via zoom.

Fr. Mercado was 72

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late SEMA KALANTUNGAN, who died on September 25, 1995 in Cotabato City, left parcels of land Lot 643-I-9-A-3-H-5, Psd-12036640 and Lot 643-I-9A-3-H-6, Psd-12-036640, covered by TCT Nos. T-42507 and T-42508, respectively, situated in Bo. Kakar, Cotabato City, with the total area of 480 sq. mts., more or less, are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Omar Yasser C. Sema, as per Doc. No. 134; Page No. 27; Book No. XXII; Series of 2021.

when he passed away on May 23, 2021. NDU EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late JESUS AUJERO CERBOLLES, who died on February 12, 2021 at Midsayap, Cotabato, left a savings bank account with BDO-One Network under Account No. 040350023506 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis, as per Doc. No. 242; Page No. 49; Book No. CCXLIV; Series of 2021. MC: Aug. 14, 21 & 28, 2021 EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late BEATRIZ AMANDO TRECERO and REYMUNDO PALAYAN TRECERO, who died on August 26, 2012 and April 22, 1973, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot No. 1-B1, CSD-(ARMM)-000286, consisting of two separate l o t s s i t u a t e d i n B r g y.

Lomboy, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao with the total area of 6,250 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. de CastroJagunap as per Doc. No. 4021; Page No. 4021; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late PORFERIA S. ACASO, who died on July 30, 2018 in Davao City, left parcels of land Lot 2470-A-2, Psd-12036843, under TCT No. 152-2016000392, and Lot 2470-A-5, Psd-12036843, under TCT No.110782, situated at Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato, with the total area of 19,182 sq. mts., more or less, are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis, as per Doc. No. 12; Page No. 3; Book No. CCXXXII; Series of 2021. MC: Aug. 14, 21 & 28, 2021

Notice is hereby given that the late EDUARDO B. DIAZ and EVELYN B. DIAZ, who died on July 10, 2017 and June 7, 2012, respectively in Kidapawan City, left parcels of land Lot No. E-2-C-6, Psd-12-003040, under TCT No. T-76586, and Lot No. E-2-C-7, Psd12-003040, under TCT No.T-76587, situated at Sayugan, Kabacan, Cotabato, with the total area of 1,384 sq. mts., more or less, are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with sale before Notary Public Joseph N. Madriaga, as per Doc. No. 351; Page No. 71; Book No. 12; Series of 2021.

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby given to the public that Maria Isabel S. Gallano has filed with this office a migrant petition for change of first name from Isabel to Maria Isabel and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the Implementation of Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172) for correction of entry in the child’s date of birth from July 7, 1962 to July 8, 1962 in the Certificate of Live Birth bearing Registry No. 78 of Maria Isabel Garcia Suan duly registered at the office of the Local Civil Registrar of Jose Abad Santos, Davao Del Sur and whose parents are Elpedio Suan and Conrada Garcia.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file a written opposition with this office not later than August 31, 2021.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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 August 1-31, 2020 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 August 25, 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late GENDI BEDO, who died on March 29, 2015 at Tamontaka, D.O.S, Maguindanao, left a parcel of land Lot. 56, Pcs-(ARMM)0 0 0 0 4 3 ( A R ) O . L . T. a t Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, covered

by TCT No. EP-09527 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion before Notary Public Atty.

Abbyr Ahmad Nul, as per Doc. No. 465; Page No. 97; Book No. XXV; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late EVELYN S. WEE, who died on February 24, 2021, left a Savings Account with Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (METROBANK)-Cotabato Main Branch under Account No. 3-074-238050 is the subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement before Notary Public Renato M. Eugenio, as per Doc. No. 494; Page No. 101; Book No. 210; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late JOSE M. EDUARTE, who died on June 4, 2003 at Quezon City, left a parcel of land Lot-1-B-1, Psd-12015351 at Bo. Sarmiento, Parang, Maguindanao with an area of 10,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-17181 is the subject of addendum to the deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Portia D. Flores Diesta as per Doc. No. 344; Page No. 70; Book No. CLXXV; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late CATALINA DE CASTRO PEREA, who died on June 25, 2001, left a parcel of land Lot 7-G-5-D-4, Psd-12-006495 at Bo. Fatima, Cotabato City with an area of 89 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-22082 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. de CastroJagunap as per Doc. No. 4124; Page No. 4124; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

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 Agosto 1-31, 2020 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 Agosto 25, 2021.

MC: Aug. 14, 21 & 28, 2021

MC: Aug. 14, 21 & 28, 2021

MC: Aug. 14, 21 & 28, 2021

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

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

Sgd.) JEAN P. BACAS Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: August 14 & 21, 2021

MC: Aug. 7, 14 & 21, 2021

Notice is hereby given that the late MARY NGINGIT VEGAFRIA and CRESENCIANO FORTOS VEGAFRIA, who died on March 27, 2018 and August 14, 2009 in Davao City and Midsayap, Cotabato, respectively left parcels of land Lot No. 2979-C-10, Psd-12-040253, under TCT No. 106455, and Lot No. 2979-C-4, Psd-12-040253, under TCT No.106449, situated at Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato, with the total area of 822 sq. mts., more or less, are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis, as per Doc. No. 69; Page No. 14; Book No. CCXL; Series of 2021.

MC: Aug. 14, 21 & 28, 2021

MC: Aug. 7, 14 & 21, 2021

MC: Aug. 14, 21 & 28, 2021

MC: Aug. 7, 14 & 21, 2021

Notice for Auction

Patalastas ng Subasta

MC: August 14 & 21 , 2021

8

August 21, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Another shabu dealer entrapped

Authorities seized P340,000 worth of shabu from a trafficker arrested last weekend in Datu Odin Sinsuat town after seven attempts to entrap him.

Arsad Gunda Salik was nabbed after selling 50 grams of shabu to a non-uniformed agent of the Philippine DrugEnforcement AgencyBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in Barangay Poblacion 2 in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

He eluded seven attempts to clamp him down in the past 12 months.

PDEA-BARMM officials told Mindanao Cross Salik is a resident of Barangay Tulunan in Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao.

PDEA-BARMM agents and Datu Odin Sinsuat police personnel led by Lt. Col. Romel Dela Vega also seized from Salik a .45 caliber pistol and mobile phones containing numbers of his contacts in different

towns.

The entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of Salik was assisted by the Army’s 22nd Mechanized Company, which is under the control of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

Salik is now detained in the office of PDEA-BARMM in Cotabato City, awaiting prosecution. John Felix

Unson

BARMM to build modern 2-storey school buildings

THE Bangsamoro govenrment has stated the construction of more modern schools for the basic and higher education learners across the region.

On Monday, Minister Mohaqher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Teachnical Education in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (MBHTE-BARMM) announced that the construction of school buildings commenced this month.

“These school buildings are expected to be completed within this year,” Minister Iqbal said in a statement.

To be built are 22 units of 2-storey with 10-classroom school buildings for the basic and higher education learners in the region.

Iqbal said 17 of these buildings are funded under the Special Development Fund (SDF) 2020 amounting to P375.2

million. These buildings are for basic education learners.

Of these buildings, two will be for the Special Geographic Areas in North Cotabato, four for Maguindanao, three for Lanao del Sur, one for Marawi City, two for Basilan, one for Lamitan City, two for Sulu, and two for Tawi-Tawi.

Meanwhile, the remaining five school buildings for higher education learners, worth P96.5 million, are to be funded under the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) 2021.

Iqbal said that the selection of these school beneficiaries went under thorough validation of the School-Based Assessment 2020-2021.

“No Bangsamoro should be left behind as far as education is concerned,” Iqbal said. Edwin O. Fernandez

Former extremists to help end violent extremism

THE government here has found what it believed was effective in ending violent extremism – use of former extremists to fight it.

A total of 152 former Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) underwent entrepreneurial skills training from project Tulong Ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit (TuGoN) of the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The training ended Wednesday, Aug. 18.

The skills trainings were held simultaneously at Radjah Buayan, Maguindanao; President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; and Kabacan, North Cotabato, respectively, was in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade,

Investments and Tourism (MTIT) from August 16 to 18.

With the help from the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion, 601st and 602nd Army brigades, the entrepreneurship development training was part of the assistance of Project TuGoN purposely to capacitate former combatants on starting up business, financial literacy, business resiliency, and other important areas of entrepreneurship.

These are in preparation for their reintegration into mainstream society and become more productive Bangsamoro citizens.

“We believed the BIFF now still out there would be convinced the government is serious in helping their comrades, hopefully it will entice them to yield too and return to the

mainstream,” a statement from the BARMM interior ministry office said.

Project TuGoN also plans to do the same activity in the provinces of Lanao Del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi to cater former combatants to avail of the skills trainings that could help them in reshaping their lives.

The Bangsamoro Government will continues its drive to end local armed conflict and encourages other lawless groups to re-integrate to the mainstream, society, and avail themselves of the Project TuGoN program and services, and other government assistances which provide skills trainings, basic services, benefits, and support to the former rebels, the MILG said.

Edwin O. Fernandez

Magelco moves to improve collection...from P3 North Cotabato to Polloc Free Port via Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura and Barangay Sarmiento in Parang and the

groundbreaking of another 10 MVA power substation in Sarmiento, Parang. Edwin

O. Fernandez

FOR EFFECTIVE SERVICES. The Magelco board members, with general manager Ashary Maongco (left), tackle matters during a board meeting held on Aug. 16, 2021 at the Magelco office in Barangay Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. The meeting touched, among others, the board’s approval of a management paradigm shift.

Photo courtesy of Magelco

NEWSBRIEFS No case of delta variant in Cotabato City, BARMM

COTABATO CITY — Health authorities in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Wednesday clarified that, on record, novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) delta variant carrier in Cotabato City and the region.

Dr. Bashary Latiph, BARMM health minister, in a news conference, stressed that the reported delta variant case in Marawi City was a case of misinformation.

“The patient, a child, was tested positive in Marawi City but he and

his parents were from Tangkal, Lanao del Norte, therefore, official not in BARMM,” Dr. Latiph said, adding that the child was taken into custody by the Tangkal MDRRMO to be isolated in town.

He said as far as BARMM, Cotabato City, included, is concerned no delta variant on record exist or recorded in the region.

One case was reported in Cotabato City but turned out the report was not verified, validated and remained unconfirmed. Edwin O. Fernandez

BTA solons seek creation of archives office COTABATO CITY — Eight lawmakers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have joined hands to author a bill that would strengthen the system management and archival records of the region.

In a statement Thursday, Bangsamoro

Transition Authority parliament members Don Mustapha Loong, Baintan Ampatuan, Amilbahar Mawallil, Laisa Alamia, Rasol Mitmug Jr., Suharto Ambolodto, Rasul Ismael, and Jose Lorena said they have introduced BTA Bill No. 120 or “Bangsamoro Regional Archives Act,” in the plenary for the

establishment of the Office of the Bangsamoro Regional Archives (OBRA).

“The maintenance of archival records is one of the important tasks of the BARMM government that should be advanced to preserve the region’s collective identity and history,” the group said.

PNA

Cops seize illegally cut forest product in Magpet MAGPET, North Cotabato — Police here arrested a cargo truck driver and seized 260 illegally cut logs products after he failed to permits to cut and transport forest products.

Roger Grape of Tacurong City was driving the truck when flagged down by police personnel in Barangay

Tagbac here on Wednesday afternoon.

Police were tipped off by a concerned citizen about the transport of suspected illegal cut 760 board feet of Gmelina forest products.

He is now detained at Magpet PNP lock-up cell and the forest products were turned over to DENR.

DXND Radyo Bida

SoCot to put up medical oxygen plant

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of South Cotabato is planning to establish its own medical oxygen generating plant to ensure sufficient supplies for local hospitals amid the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Dr. Conrado Braña, the designated head of public hospitals in the province, said Wednesday studies are underway for the development of the facility in coordination with concerned stakeholders.

Braña said South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo

Tamayo Jr. has initially considered the project, which is deemed vital in the province’s Covid-19 response.

“We can include it in our next supplemental budget or in the budget for next year since we’re already preparing it,” he said in a press conference. PNA

Comelec postpones Maguindanao division plebiscite, 4 others

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not hold plebiscites in Maguindanao and other areas until after the conduct of next year's elections.

The Philippine News Agency reported that in Resolution No. 10716, the Commission en banc has decided to postpone five scheduled plebiscites as they need to concentrate on the preparations for next year’s polls.

"Now, Therefore, after due deliberation, so as not to derail the preparations for the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections, the Commission En Banc, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and other election laws, hereby resolve, as it hereby resolves to suspend the conduct of all plebiscites, and schedule the holding of said plebiscites within four months from the end of the election period for

the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections," the resolution read which was promulgated on August 18 and mad e public on Thursday.

These include the plebiscite to ratify the creation of Barangay New Canaan into a regular and district barangay in the municipality of Alabel, Sarangani; the plebiscite to ratify the merging of Barangay District 1 and Barangay District 28 and the renaming of Barangay 29 in Ormoc City; the plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the municipality of Calaca in the province of Batangas into a component city; the plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the city of San Jose Del Monte into a highly urbanized city and the plebiscite to ratify the division of Maguindanao into two provinces.

The poll body said preliminary activities such as the configuration of vote-counting machines (VCMs), the

preparation of the final database for all elective positions, among others are taking much of their time aside from the deadlines that they have to meet.

“Whereas, all these preliminary activities must be completed before the scheduled filing of Certificates of Candidacy, thus, the database for all elective positions nationwide should be finished on or before August 30, 2021.

Whereas, considering the timeline laid above for the preparation for the 2022 NLE and the arduous preparations needed for its implementation, in order to concentrate all its resources in the preparation for the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections, there is a need to set a cutoff date for the conduct of plebiscites," the resolution added.

The filing of the certificates of candidacy for next year's polls is set from Oct. 1 to 8 this year.

Ferdinand Patinio/PNA