The Mindanao Cross | January 23, 2021

SECOND PAGE

Vol. LXXII| No. 50| Cotabato City | Saturday, January 23, 2021 |10 Pages | P10.00

CHURCH TAPATAN

Unity is both gift and responsibility—Lampon/P6

Lanao mayors backs extension/P2

CM ATTY. Cynthia Guiani Sayadi/P10

BARMM TURNS TWO. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao kicked off Monday the weeklong celebration for its second anniversary on Thursday, 21 January, unveiling its official flag and hymn amid a rainy morning due to a low pressure area 100 kilometers southwest from here.

Photo courtesy of Bangsamoro Government

BARMM RAISES OWN BANNER THE WALI stood side by side with the Chief Minister of Bangsamoro as he banged the gong for the ceremonial raising of the Bangsamoro Banner, alongside the Philippine Flag for the first time in two years to start the 2nd year foundation anniversary celebration.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) or Republic Act 11054 creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) took effect with the plebiscite ratifying it on January 21, 2019.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Balawag

Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim officially declared the anniversary activities open to public, saying: "Here we are – hoisting the Bangsamoro flag next to the Philippine flag for the first time ever."

Sheikh Khalipha U. Nando, the

Wali of the Bangsamoro, banged the gong to signal declaration of the opening of ceremonies and activities marking the second founding anniversary of BARMM Monday at the Bangsamoro Government Center here.

A “Wali” is an Arabic

word more familiar in Malay public administration setup and is variously translated as "authority," "custodian," "protector," "friend" or a "master," and is also referred to more literally as "friend of God." In the BARMM, the

The Tamontaka Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes

Wali, considered as the ceremonial head of the region, has specific functions and qualifications defined by law.

Officials, workers and residents witnessed the symbolic raising of the Bangsamoro flag for the first time since the new autonomous setup started two years ago.

The Monday morning banner-hoist ceremonies officially started a series of weeklong activities, marking the second anniversary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

BARMM succeeded the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on February 25, 2019,

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PART 2

by Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado, OMI (OMI Archivist)

CEREMONIAL OPENING. Sheikh Khalipha U. Nando (left), the Wali, stood side by side with Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim (right) as he banged the gong for the ceremonial raising of the Bangsamoro Banner, alongside the Philippine Flag for the first time in two years.

Photo courtesy of Bangsamoro Government

Maguindanao folks want BIFF out

Hundreds of residents of a town in Maguindanao frequently harassed by Dawla Islamiyah gunmen have stood up on Tuesday against the groups’ lawlessness and terror activities.

“Enough is enough,” said officials and inhabitants of Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao, led by Mayor Yacob Ampatuan, as they marched around town in a peace rally and condemned the atrocities carried out

by BIFF. Carrying placards and banners, the residents, all Muslims, condemned the atrocities of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who have been harassing and mulcting farmers during harvest season.

The peace rally was attended by village officials, business people, women’s group, nongovernment organizations, Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerillas and Muslim religious leaders.

“Hindi nakakatulong sa amin ang terorismo, wag niyo kami idamay, hindi kayo welcome dito sa aming bayan,” some of the streamers read.

“The people have spoken, the BIFF are persona non-grata in our town,” Mayor Ampatuan said.

Kedtag Salamat, a villager, said he had witnessed countless harassment by the BIFF in the past and he wanted to live peaceful and productively with his family in one of 11

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We now can speak of the first Shrine and the second Shrine of our Lady of Lourdes in Tamontaka.

The first Shrine was “naturally” built based on the contour of the land and with the use of the natural lime stones “woven” together by Terraces Artisans from the Cordillera. The Cave art work that enshrined the statue of our Lady of Lourdes faced the platforms that looked like

the rice “terraces” of the Cordillera; and beyond the platforms/terraces were the forested portion of the land.

The first Shrine with all its natural and idyllic beauty was destroyed by the Big Earthquake in July 1976. The caver that ser ved as nic he for the Blessed Virgin collapsed and the walls and terraces were also destroyed.

The rebuilding P6

MARAWI CITY — The Lanao del Sur provincial government is training detainees how to fabricate the iconic Maranao “baor” for them to earn while incarcerated.

The handmade baor, or treasure chest, a strong symbol of Maranao identity, is expensive, possession of which is a “status symbol” depicting strong love for Maranao lineage.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr. said the initiative is also part of the social preparation for the detainees to have means of livelihood when they return to mainstream society.

The training program is being handled by the Gender and Development

Office under Adiong’s management and the provincial jail administration.

“One of those training them is a former detainee who is now an expert baor craftsman,” Adiong said.

Adiong’s office is helping facilitate the sale of the “baors” produced by detainees at the Lanao del Sur provincial jail in Marawi City.

Adiong said they have provided the provincial jail management with adequate tools for the baor production project.

Among the detainees being trained now are reforming former violent religious extremists, some of them erstwhile members of the Maute terror group that

TAMED STO. NIÑO. Cotabato Archbishop Angelito Lampon, OMI blesses different sizes of Sto. Niño statues with holy water at the Sto. Niño Parish of Midsayap during its 82nd patronal fiesta.

Photo courtesy of Fr. Boyet Cabrera, OMI

Lanao Sur detainees RBOI-BARMM calls for fabricate iconic ‘baor’ passage of tax perks bill

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COTABATO CITY — The Regional Bangsamoro Board of Investments of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-BARMM) joined Monday, Jan. 18, the private sectors and various business groups' call for the swift passage of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE bill drafted by the Congress.

“On the occasion of the start of the session of Congress in 2021 this week, which week also coincides with the celebration of the Bangsamoro Foundatio n Day on January 21, the RBOI hopes that Congress will finally pass the CREATE bill as it is

the best economic relief for the business constituency of the country and the BARMM,” RBOI Chair Atty. Ishak Mastura.

RBOI-BARMM is among the Investment Promotion Agencies (IPA) covered by the CREATE law as it is the sole IPA in the BARMM recognized by the national government to dispense fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to investors in the region, as provided in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Congress is now trying to reconcile provisions of the versions of the CREATE bill at the Bicameral Conference Committee before it is ratified and submitted for the President’s signature.

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January 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Lanao mayors backs extension

LDS isolation center launched

All the 39 town mayors of Lanao del Sur are now supporting calls to extend the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) until 2025 to allow sufficient time to fulfill its mandate.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr said the Lanao del Sur League of Municipalities (LMP) has passed a resolution following a meeting and consultations with their respective constituents on the request of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) chief Minister Ahod Murad Ebrahim.

The mayors’ stance came more than a month after reports circulated in the province and in BARMM that Lanao Sur mayors were opposed to the extension. Although their stance was informal and was not made public, according to Adiong.

In a meeting last December in Marawi City with Gov. Adiong, the town mayors aired reservations

on calls to extend BARMM until 2025 as stated in the BTA resolution asking Congress to give the BTA ample time to fulfill its commitment as stated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. In a meeting LMPLanao Sur members attended by Adiong and BARMM officials, the town mayors approved a resolution supporting calls to extend the transition period until June 30 2025.

The resolution was signed by all municipal mayors of Lanao del Sur, led by LMP president Atty.

Jimmy Pansar, mayor of Butig town.

Earlier, the BTA has passed a resolution urging the House and the Senate to extend the BARMM transition period to June

30, 2025.

In the LMP resolution, the mayors said they recognized “the gargantuan task of the BTA under the leadership of Interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim that still requires more time to be fully accomplished.”

The mayors said they came up with the decision after a series of meetings and consultations with their respective constituents.

Atty.

Naguib Sinarimbo, minister of the interior and local governments in the BARMM, said the decision of the Lanao town mayors was unprecendented and it was historic since it came while the region is celebrating its second year foundation anniversary.

Before the resolution was made, Gov. Adiong

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has set aside P500 million pesos for the procurement of antiCovid-19 vaccines for its constituents, the BARMM health minister said.

Dr. Ameril Usman, BARMM health chief, said they have enough budget allotted to help contain the spread of virus to be procured through a tripartite teal between BARMM, national government and the suppliers.

“I will introduce soon the vaccination program

, so probably it will give us some time, at least two months, as to what brand to take,” he said.

Usman admitted the regional government has not entered into any deal with any pharmaceutical firms for supplies of vaccines.

“We are still in the process of knowing what brand is applicable in BARMM environment or situation,” Usman said, adding that the MOH is giving high consideration to the region’s storage capacity.

For example, he said, if the region chose to purchase Pfizer vaccines,

it will entail -70 degree Celsius storage capacity while what the region has is a 228 degree Celsius capacity.

“We need this preparedness assessment so that we will know if the people we target are willing to be vaccinated, and we don’t have enough manpower yet as of now,” added Usman.

A Trainor’s training is still ongoing at this moment for the vaccinations and vaccine management team as part of the bigger task they will be undertaken in the coming months.

BARMM sets P500M for COVID-19 shots

generating sets and other medical provisions, from the United Kingdom of Great Britain, the International Office on Migration and the German Cooperation were presented to reporters during a simple rite at the Bangsamoro capitol here on Tuesday morning.

“We are grateful to these foreign donor organizations for complementing our regular

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providing the province with a P22 million worth COVID-19 isolation facility.

The facility, to be managed by personnel IPHO under physician Allen Minalang, is located in the municipality of Marantao near Marawi City.

The BARMM government constructed, from between July to November last year, prototype isolation facilities each in the compound of the Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital and in the Datu Blah Sinsuat District Hospital in Sultan Kudarat and Upi towns in Maguindanao, respectively.

The isolation facilities in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur were constructed by BARMM’s Ministry of Public Works.

“We are thankful to the BARMM leadership for embarking on this project in the first

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Ferdinandh Cabrera

BARMM gets antiCOVID-19 equipment

Three transnational benefactors turned over Tuesday to the Bangsamoro government P30 million worth of equipment essential to regional COVID-19 containment initiatives.

The equipment, three ambulances, a speedboat for sea rescue missions, three refrigerated pick-up trucks for transporting COVID-19 vaccines to farflung areas, solar power

generously hosted provincial activities of the different ministries of the Bangsamoro government in connection with the commemoration of the 2nd Founding Anniversary of the Bangsamoro Government.

BARMM kicked off its 4-day anniversary celebration on Monday, January 18 until January 21, the foundation day with a series of activities.

“It was a full day for us,” Sinarimbo said of the activities held in Lanao del Sur that included ground breaking the construction of 4 two story municipal buildings funded by Ministry of the Interior and Local Governments for the towns of Butig, Poona Bayabao, Lumbac a Unayan, and Sultan

MARAWI CITY — Officials launched Tuesday the new P22 million worth 100-bed capacity COVID-19 isolation facility in Lanao del Sur that the Bangsamoro government built using regional funds.

Naguib Sinarimbo, local government minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, representatives from BARMM’s public works ministry and local executives together facilitated the turnover of the building to the Lanao del Sur Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) on Tuesday morning.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr., chairperson of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, said he is grateful to the BARMM government for

health programs and our current war on COVID-19,” physician Amirel Usman, Bangsamoro health minister, told reporters present in the event.

Usman said the assistance from the UK government, the German Cooperation, also known as the Deutsche Zusammenarbeit, and the IOM, which is an outfit of the United Nations, was a strong

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TRADITIONAL MARANAO “BAOR.” Detainees show samples of the traditional Maranao baor, or treasure chest, they produced inside the Lanao del Sur provincial jail in Marawi City.

Photo courtesy of Lanao del Sur governor’s office

SEA AMBULANCE. Two new units of sea ambulances awarded to Ministry of Interior and Local Government’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence by the Bangsamoro government undergo test drive along Tamontaka River on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of MILG-READi

Flash floods damage bridge’s approach in N. Cotabato ARAKAN, North Cotabato — Rampaging waters spawned by Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) have destroyed the approach of a bridge that connect North Cotabato to Davao City, a ranking public works official today said.

This after the river in Barangay Salasang, Arakan swelled and overflowed putting dangers to approach of the 18-meter long Guibato bridge.

Engineer Elpidio Birog, DPWH First Engineering District head for North Cotabato, said Guibato Bridge approach settled down for at least six inches following the flash floods.

Birog said the river has been silted heavily causing the water to quickly drench the river banks after heavy downpour.

However, Birog assured that the bridge is still safe to all motorists because

its flooring and foundation were not affected by floods and remained stable despite the incident.

“We can guarantee the safety of our motorists, including the travelers.

We can easily repair the damage approach by filling in some limestones to level it the bridge concrete pavement,” Birog said.

The P18 million Guibato Bridge was constructed the Manila-based 3Ws Construction firm, according to Birog.

Birog said the contractor had pledged to give assistance when the need arises, particularly the repair of the approach since the one-year warrantee is still in effect.

Engineer Birog, also explained that the project has passed in their inspection and denied reports it was substandard.

“There is no need to put iron bars in our concrete roads,” Birog said without

explanation.

Guibato Bridge was the second infrastructure project that was damaged due to flash floods in Barangay Salasang, Arakan.

In October last year, a Diwatix Bridge, located about 50 meters away from the Guibato Bridge was also damaged by floodwaters. Diwatix bridge is also passable and safe to all motorists.

Birog said to ensure safety, among passing vehicles the DPWH has assigned watchers and early warning devices especially during heavy downpour, especially at night time.

Both Guibato and Diwatix bridges are common way in going to Barangay Sto Niño, Salasang and Datu Ladayon in Arakan town, and in areas in Davao City and Bukidnon. Williamor

Magbanua

January 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

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January 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

corner Bonifacio and Don Rufino Alonzo Sts., Cotabato City

NATIONAL ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION “The 1st Performance Governance SystemInstitutionalized National Government Agency” 57 NIA Road Government Center, Diliman, Quezon City 1100

Ang Sultan Pawnshop ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Hunyo 2020. Ang subasta ay sa Pebrero 2, 2021 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

Needed Immediately

MC: Jan. 16 & 23, 2021

GENERAL MANAGER

Notice for Auction

for

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 January 2-31, 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 January 27, 2021

COTABATO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. Manubuan, Matalam, Cotabato Qualifications: • Graduate of Bachelor ’s Degree in Engineering

• • • •

(preferably Electrical, Mechanical and Electronics and Communications Engineer), Business Administration/ Finance Management, Accountancy, Behavioral Science Completion of Post-Graduate Degree or its equivalent or with Master’s Degree preferred Must have at least five (5) years managerial experience in a utility-related business enterprise Computer literate Must be willing to relocate with his/her family in Cotabato

Patalastas ng Subasta 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 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 Enero 2-31, 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 Enero 27, 2021.

Starting Salary: P150,000.00 Application forms and additional information may be obtained from the Institutional Development Department, 6th Floor, NEA Building, NIA Road, Government Center, Diliman, Quezon City. Deadline for submission of application form is on 02 February 2021.

MC: Jan. 16 & 23, 2020

SUBASTA

(SGD) ZENAIDA N. EMBODO Board President MC: Jan. 16 & 23, 2021

BARMM gets anti-COVID-19 equipment... FROM PAGE 2 “vote of confidence” for the regional government of the Bangsamoro

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM.

NOTICE

VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I AND BRANCH II will hold a public auction sale of all unredeemed and unrenewed items pawned from July to August 31, 2020 on February 10, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., and VGM PAWNSHOP INC. II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City

SUBASTA

Be There, Management

Ang VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I ug BRANCH II magsubasta sa tanan nga wala lukata ug wala tubui gikan sa bulan sa Hulyo hangtud sa bulan sa Agosto 31, 2020 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag karung Pebrero 10, 2021 sa VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., ug sa VGM PAWNSHOP BRANCH II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City.

Ang Nagdumala

MC: Jan. 16, 23 & 30, 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 June 2020 will be auctioned on February 2, 2021 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before February 2, 2021 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta

Lahat ng sangla noong Hunyo 2020 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Pebrero 2, 2021 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Pebrero 2, 2021 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

MC: Jan. 16 & 23, 2020

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

ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Disyembre 2019 hanggang Enero 2020. Ang Subasta ay sa Enero 30, 2021 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Jan. 16 & 23, 2020

The BARMM covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan and Marawi.

There are three BARMM outfits in the EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late DATU TALUTUCAN MATALAM who died intestate on September 8, 2012 at Poblacion, Pagalungan, Maguindanao, left parcel of land Lot 71, Ccs-12-000269, containing an area of 40,399 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P70164, is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 9273; Page No. 9273; Book No. XXV; Series of 2020.

MC: Jan. 9, 16 & 23, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby served to the public that the intestate estate of the late MATILDE S. CHUA who died on February 6, 2019 at Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 9-A, Psd-43802 situated at Cotabato City with an area of 150 sq. mts., covered by TCT No. T-36062, is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with simultaneous absolute sale to Carmelo S. Mungkas before Notary Public Mama S. Dalandag as per Doc. No. 275; Page No. 56; Book No. I; and Atty. Joseph Andrew L. Calubaquib as per Doc. No. 138; Page No. 29; Book No. 61; both Series of 2020.

MC: Jan. 23, 30 & Feb. 6, 2021

Ang SAFETY PAWNSHOP-COTABATO, Don Rufino Alonzo St., Cotabato City ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla magmula pa noong Mayo 2019 hanggang Setyembre 2019. Ang subasta ay sa Enero 29, 2021 sa ganap na 9:00 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Jan. 23, 2021

JIMMY P. LIM, Proprietor

forefront of the regional government's war on COVID-19, the health and local government ministries and the Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence, or READI contingent that has disaster and calamity response teams trained in medical missions and offshore rescue operations.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, who is BARMM's local government minister, is overseeing on concurrent capacity the READI contingent. John Felix

Unson

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby served to the public that the intestate estate of the late ARCADIA VDA DE VALLE who died on May 27, 2002, parcels of land Lot B Psd53816 at Borongotan, Upi, Cotabato, Lot B-55 (LRC) Psd62511 and Lot B-56 (LRC) Psd-62511 at Poblacion, Nuro Upi, Cotabato, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title Nos. T-3540, T-3541 and T-3542, respectively, and a Residential Building situated at Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao with Tax Declaration No. 609 are the subject of extrajudicial settlement before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. de Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 9205; Page No. 9205; Book No. XXV; Series of 2020.

MC: Jan. 23, 30 & Feb. 6, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses DORFIN D. DOFELIZ and ELDELIZA DIESTO who died on January 7, 2007 and June 26, 2011, respectively, at Midsayap, Cotabato, left parcel of land Lot 6, Bsd-1240709001786-AR, situated in Poblacion 7, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 22,172 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-7038, is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 489; Page No. 98; Book No. CLXXXV; Series of 2020.

MC: Jan. 9, 16 & 23, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late PATRICIO B. DELOS REYES, SR. and MILAGROS T. DELOS REYES who died on May 17, 2001 and November 9, 1989 at Cotabato City, respectively left parcels of land situated in Cotabato City, covered

by Transfer Certificate of Title Nos. T-3123, T-3576, T-7138 and in North Cotabato, covered

by OCT Nos. P-51421, P-51445, T-14316 and T-14241; together with all the improvements and structures existing thereon, are the subject of extrajudicial settlement before Notary Public Atty.

Agnes R. De CastroJagunap as per Doc. No. 7001; Page No. 7001; Book No. XXV; Series of 2020.

MC: Jan. 9, 16 & 23, 2021

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12th Judicial Region BRANCH 27 Cotabato City Special Proceeding No. 2020-1481

-for-

PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH RONALDO ALFARO MILLAMA,

Petitioner, versus RAMIL A. MILLAMA, RUBYLN M. CASIMIRO, RICHARD A. MILLAMA, VIRGINIA A. MILLAMA and the CIVIL REGISTRAR OF COTABATO CITY, Respondents. x--------------------------------------x ORDER A verified petition was filed by petitioner, assisted by counsel, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an order be issued directing the Local Civil Registrar of Cotabato City, to make the necessary correction in the Certificate of Live Birth of the Petitioner under Registry No. 1287 (F82) particularly his birth year instead of May 30, 1982 the true and correct is May 30, 1988.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, let this case be set for hearing on February 23, 2021 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which place, date and time, any person who may have interest, if any, may show cause why the petition should not be granted.

Let this Order be published in a newspaper edited and of general circulation in the City of Cotabato and Province of Maguindanao, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing at the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED. Cotabato City, Philippines, this 24th day of December, 2020.

(Sgd.) KASAN K. ABDULRAKMAN

Presiding Judge

MC: Jan. 9, 16 & 23, 2021

Republic of the Philippines Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parang, Maguindanao

Republic of the Philippines Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parang, Maguindanao

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Alfredo B. Lidasan, Jr. has filed with this Office a petition for change of first name from Elfred to Alfredo Jr. in the birth certificate of Elfred Baransuela Lidasan who was born on March 12, 1969 at Parang, Cotabato and whose parents are Wilfredo Lidasan and Evangeline Baransuela.

Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than January 27, 2021.

(Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Jan. 16 & 23, 2021

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Jocelyn S. Hornido has filed with this Office a petition for change of first name from Jennifer to Jocelyn in the birth certificate of Jennifer Molina Sabanal who was born on December 5, 1980 at Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Melchor N. Sabanal Jr. and Gloria T. Molina.

Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than January 27, 2021.

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

MC: Jan. 16 & 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

January 23, 2021

5

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Province of Maguindanao MUNICIPALITY OF DATU PIANG OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN “EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN OF DATU PIANG, MAGINDANAO HELD AT THE SESSION HALL ON JANUARY 12, 2021 AAT 9:00 A.M.” Present: Municipal Vice Mayor/Presiding Officer -

HONORABLE NASSER S. ABPI

Sangguniang Bayan Members:

ABSENT:

1. HONORABLE DIANA M. MOKALID 2. HONORABLE MACMOD K. TUAN 3. HONORABLE THONG A. ASIM 4. HONORABLE GENUINE P. KAMAONG JR. 5. HONORABLE SANDRA U. ALI (SK Fed.Pres.)

6. HONORABLE MUSA L. BAGO 7. HONORABLE HARRISTANG K. KASIM 8. HONORABLE DATUAL M. UTTO 9. HONORABLE NASSER T. ABDUL 0. HONORABLE ASH-SHA ABI Y. PIANG None

Resolution No. 001 – 2021 “A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE HEROISM AND BRAVERY EXEMPLIFIED BY THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) DURING THE ATTACK PERPETRATED BY LAWLESS ELEMENTS IN DECEMBER 03, 2020” WHERAS, the people of Datu Piang, Maguindanao were surprised and shocked by the attack perpetrated by lawless elements in the evening of December 03, 2020 which apparently showed a mix feeling of fear and anger on the part of the civilians; WHEREAS, such unexpected disturbance of peace particularly in the center of the municipality has put the readiness and capability of the military troops to test in terms of responding to such emergency situation given the normal alert level status prior to the attack; WHEREAS, immediatley after the attack, the Office of the Sangguniang Bayan has issued a corresponding Resolution condemning the said attack and declaring the attackers as persona non grata; WHEREAS, responding to the call of such emergency situation, the Local Chief Executive has automatically alerted both the military elements and the barangay officials concerned in order to ensure the safety and security of civilians and protection of their properties as well; WHEREAS, it has been observed that the efforts exerted by the elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at the time was sufficient and practical and therefore highly commendable which prevented further escalation of the violence as well as further damage in the community; WHEREAS, upon motion of Hon. Macmod K. Tuan, Chairman – Commitee on Peace and Order duly seconded by Hon. Musa L. Bago, this resolution commending the heroism and bravery exemplified by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during the attack perpetrated by lawless elements is hereby adopted; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN in regular session assembled to commend the heroism and bravery exemplified by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during the attack perpetrated by lawless elements on December 03, 2020; RESOLVED FINALLY to forward a copy of this resolution to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Office of the Municipal Mayor for information and reference.

ADOPTED this 12th day of January 2021 at SB Session Hall, Brgy. Poblacion, Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

MACMOD K. TUAN Sponsor

I hereby certify to the correctness of the foregoing Resolution.

SAMMY G. IBRAHIM, MPA Secretary to the Sangguniang Bayan

Attested:

Vice-Mayor NASSER S. ABPI Presiding Officer

MC: Jan. 23, 2021

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January 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Unity is both gift and responsibility—Lampon Catholic bishops’ top ecumenical official has called for more work for unity, saying that ecumenism is not just a gift but a responsibility.

Archbishop Angelito Lampon, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Ecumenical Affairs, said a concerted effort is needed to achieve unity not only among Christians but all mankind.

“While unity is a gift from God, it is also a task and responsibility that

we have to work hard in order to achieve it,” Lampon said in a video message for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Cotabato archbishop said this can be done by “our coming together, respecting each other’s beliefs and

rejoicing in our diversity”.

“We are already making a huge statement to the world that unity is possible not only among Christians but also for humanity,” he added.

This week of prayer kicked off on Monday via online due to the prevailing coronavirus

pandemic.

The theme for the celebration was taken from the Gospel of St. John: “Abide in my love… you shall bear much fruit”.

Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, also said that the initiative, that has been

going on for 27 years, may bear fruits and collaboration.

Albeit marred by the pandemic, he lauded the efforts to observe the annual celebration “to pray together, to beseech, to entreat the Lord for the gift of unity”.

He explained

this year’s theme that highlights the need for people to come together because “with Him all things are possible, without Him nothing is possible”.

“Ecumenism is a gift from God, a gift that becomes possible through prayer,” Brown said.CBCP

Tamed 82nd Sto. Niño Patronal The Tamontaka Shrine of Our...

Fiesta celebration of the Shrine needed much funds for it but also on weekdays. The center FROM PAGE 1

This year 2021 has seen a different kind of celebration for Sto. Niño Parish in Midsayap as it celebrates its 82nd patronal fiesta. Usual huge gatherings and revelries—the tourism’s pride Halad Festival— where people flock from different barangays and municipalities were celebrated the day before the Sunday fiesta celebration.

The Agro Show which highlights different food stalls, clothes and accessories around the municipal plaza, the live acoustic and bands along the roads and private establishments, and the long parade of Sto. Niño in costumes, almost all of these were minimized and cancelled because of the threat of COVID-19.

Despite pandemic, the Halad festival was not totally cancelled.

There was a formal celebration inside the compound of Notre Dame of Midsayap College the day before the actual feast. Prayers and messages from different groups and individuals commemorating the halad festival were said.

Instead of the usual street dance, the parish had the image of Sto. Niño exposed around the town using a pick-

I

up truck. Twice, the image took the streets while blessing with holy water those who brought with them their Niños.

Likewise, the dancing was done in the parish only for video purposes due to health protocols.

Although, there was a huge difference in the recent fiesta celebration, nevertheless, the essentials of the patronal fiesta during the pandemic were there— intact and visible.

For Midsayap Parish, the patronal fiesta is not merely the common understanding of mass celebration where people attend and then go to their homes and celebrate. Instead, it is the silent and long months of preparation coupled with sacrifice and dedication.

Days before the fiesta, the parish has a long tradition of “panaw” which literally means walk or travel. The main idea of panaw is pilgrimage where the image of Sto. Niño visits all the chapels under its parish. This practice was introduced 19 years ago and every year, this has been the life of the faithful Midsayapeños.

Today, the parish has 69 chapels covering different barangays.

The panaw usually begins on the second week of October and ends before novena masses.

It is a daily activity.

It starts at 3:30 in the morning where the image of the Sto. Niño is brought to a chapel.

The people then receive the image with simple liturgy. After that, mass celebration follows.

Then a simple salo-salo is served which lightens the day. And then the lay ministers or kaabag begins to visit the houses for the blessing.

Houses are blessed with holy water—the only time of the year where most houses and families are being visited and blessed. Various activities continue in the afternoon including a catechesis. The community schedules a vigil until the next morning. Every hour, assigned groups take turn to pray together either inside the chapel, barangay hall or in the gymnasium. After the vigil, the image of the Sto. Niño is again transferred to a nearby chapel.

Fr. Elmer Boston, OMI, the parish priest of Sto. Niño Church in Midsayap, witnessed how people loved and revered the

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Disciple and apostle

was decided the walling of the place and the platforms would be made by cement and steel bars. The stone works that characterized the first Shrine were all gone except for the niche that house the Statue of our Lady of Lourdes.

The OMI Philippine Mission Bureau then based in Texas under Fr. Deckert, the Provincial Treasurer Fr. Bertlesman and the newly appointed Shrine Director in the person of Fr. Richard Pommier undertook the gigantic steps of fund raising to build the new Shrine (the present Shrine). The construction began in mid-October 1979. The civil engineers undertook the building of the new Shrine and Center that also included the House and Office of the Shrine Director – Engr. Salvador Guarino and Eng. Marciano Salahug, Jr. At the height of the construction, about 100 workers were employed for this Shrine project.

The main portion of the new Shrine that included the platforms/terraces were ready for the visit of our Lady of Fatima with Fr. Patrick Peyton for Diocesan Rosary Crusade on March 1980. The Director’s House and Office was blessed on January 10, 1981.

The Way of the Cross, the Resurrection steps and the plaza of Saints were inaugurated in August of the same year.

With the new shrine and a Missionary Center and the assignment of a full-time Director, the Shrine ministry has begun to evolve. Visitors begin to come not only on weekends

n today’s gospel, away” (1 Cor. 7:31).

Mark the evangelist There is a need for an gives a summary initial group of believers of the public ministry who would proclaim and live of Jesus. Jesus began the values of the Kingdom. to preach the coming Jesus therefore recruited of God’s kingdom, his first disciples. The first the demand of this recruits were fishermen new reality (repent along the shores of Galilee; and believe), and the Peter and his brother practical method of Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC Andrew and James and his spreading the kingdom tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com brother John. Jesus invited (the calling of the these fishermen to become disciples). In a few sentences, St. Mark put together “fishers of men.” They were so convinced by Jesus Jesus’ proclamation or the gospel, the new mind and that they abandoned their nets and followed him. heart in response to the good news , and the forming Like Jesus who left his occupation as a carpenter in of a community to proclaim and live the gospel.

Nazareth, they became itinerant preachers beginning At the core of the Jesus’ proclamation is the new from the shores of Galilee then crossing over to reality called the kingdom of God or God’s reign. In Samaria, and finally to the city of Jerusalem and the the mind of Jesus’ audience God’s reign is something Judean countryside. On their final visit to Jerusalem they longed for. It is identified with the coming of the during the Passover, Jesus was welcomed as a Messiah Messiah who will establish God’s reign of justice and with people waving palm branches singing “Hosanna peace. In the Jewish mind of that time, the coming to the Son of David” (Mt. 21:9). The King has come, of the kingdom of God means the restoration of but the story will have a different twist contrary to the the Davidic kingdom and the intervention of God in people’s expectations. Jesus would be crucified and rise history with the coming of the “Son of Man” (book of from the dead. Redemption was accomplished by the Daniel). The concept of the reign of God has therefore sacrifice on the cross. a political as well as a divine futuristic dimension.

This Sunday is Bible Sunday. The Bible contains Jesus connected with his hearers’ expectations when the story of Jesus. The story of Jesus lives on. The he proclaimed that the kingdom of God has arrived, disciples of Jesus up to these days continue to tell this “This is the time of fulfillment, the kingdom of God is beautiful story of tragedy and triumph. The story at hand” (Mk 14: 1ff). did not end on the cross, rather Jesus lives again.

The coming of the kingdom demands a new He still lives today among us through His Spirit and understanding and a commitment. These are new through all who proclaim Him. The call to discipleship times and therefore there is a need for a renewed heart, continues. The challenge to proclaim God’s kingdom “Repent and believe.” Repentance means a complete of love, justice, and peace continues. The challenge turnabout. It is being open to the new reality and its to conversion and total commitment continues. The consequences. This call to repentance is akin to the challenge to offer oneself as a sacrifice for the sake of message of Jonah in the first reading who exhorted the Kingdom goes on. the people of Niniveh to turn away from their sinful We the new disciples who learn from Jesus are now ways. One has to believe in Jesus and His message in called to become apostles who proclaim Jesus and the order to make way for the kingdom and its new way Kingdom of God. The mission goes on, until the full of life. As St. Paul reminded the Corinthians in the flowering of the Kingdom comes as a gift from the Lord second reading, “the world in its present form is passing who will come again. MC

REFLECTIONS

has become a place for families on weekends. And on Sundays with Mass regularly celebrated at 11 am, people come for Mass and family picnic after.

In no time, Fr. Pommier built a place to showcase the many and diverse cultures of Mindanao – with life sized papier-mâché images in their indigenous customs. Soon a small world for kids with all the swings, kids pool, Ferris wheel and merry go around toy horses and a house of dolls were added. Then a minor zoo with birds and crocs of the Liguasan Marsh became one of the major attraction for kids. Local donors come handy and the Our Lady of Lourdes Association or OLLA for short became the pillars in fund generations for the grotto operation.

The Shrine also provided good and very affordable places for recollections, mainly coming from public schools. They bring their own “baon” (lunch) and they pay a minimal fee. And in time the place has become a place for prayers and recollection for kids in the public schools.

The place, especially the small world, has become a place for a day of relaxation and recreation for kids in the day care centers. The kids enjoyed the rides and house of dolls and the showcase of cultures and peoples of Mindanao.

In short, the place has become a Shrine, a Missionary Center and place where families gather. MC

B adaliyya Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI

Short Reflection for the 3rd Sunday in the Ordinary Time (B) Readings:

Jonah 3: 1-.10; 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31; Mark 1: 14-20

Selected Passage:

As Jesus passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew and he said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of people.” (Mk.1:17)

Meditation:

Jesus continues to call ALL. His invitation is to become his companions and co-workers in building God’s kingdom. The real challenge is: are we willing to abandon everything and heed his call? In building God’s kingdom, no one can remain bystander. The first disciples heard the call; they abandoned everything; and followed Jesus.

Today, Jesus invites us to do likewise. Cf.

DHIKR SIMPLE METHOD Dhikr is an Arabic word for remembrance. In the “tariqa” (the way) movement, dhikr developed into a form of prayer… It is a prayer of the heart… following three simple steps: 1. Write in one’s heart a certain passage of the Holy Writ…

2. Make the same passage ever present in one’s lips.

3. Then wait for God’s disclosure on the meaning of the passage…that interprets one’s life NOW…!

It takes a week of remembering (dhikr)…or even more days to relish the beauty of this method…

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

January 23, 2021

EDITORIAL

Effect of the pandemic on children

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ur lives have been controlled for almost a year by the coronavirus pandemic. From policy decisions on population behaviour against the spread of the disease, to accessing the vaccine that would protect each person in contracting the disease, the normal course of life have changed. The problem with the new normal is that it has interfered with all aspects of our lives – our traditions, our values, and our day to day routines.

The most affected among the population (since they are identified as high risk in contracting or spreading the disease) are senior citizens aged 60 and above, and children aged 20 below. There seem to be no question on the part of senior citizens because their risk have been studied for so long, and data even shows that many of those dying of COVID-19 are the elderly due to their previously underlying illnesses. This has therefore led to more concern on adults at the expense of children who are thought to be low risk.

According to KFF.com, “children’s lower risk of serious illness due to COVID-19 has led most discussion and policy debate over the pandemic to focus on adults at high risk, though the recent debate over school openings has shifted focus to children’s health and well being.”

This is good news because “many children are currently facing substantial access barriers, emotional strain, and financial hardship that could have long-term repercussions for their lives.

Policies to ensure access to needed health services, particularly behavioral health services, as well as facilitate access to social services to support families with children, can help address some of the consequences children are currently facing.”It would be superfluous to give an assessment that all the existing policies to control the pandemic have removed a year in the life of a child. But it is not enough to state that the pandemic has caused the loss of one year in the lives of children. This should be a wakeup call to government to provide support to these children, especially those from poor families, to help them go through these hard times.

Some of the complaints received from parents is that the policies, education in particular, does not fit well into their new way of life. Many children have dropped out of the new approach in learning, and parents have their own problems in playing their role in this new normal. Making learning dependent on computer technology when the country has very poor internet services, getting the help of parents who were schooled in the traditional way, and adding extra responsibilities to overloaded teachers may not be a recipe for a successful scheme.

The fight over more physical development for children is another bone of contention. If children are prevented from going out of their homes, where do they get the chance to exercise? This already shows the imbalance in the new educational scheme. Even in the priority listing for vaccination, the children are way down the list.

At a time when the country is celebrating the feast of the Sto. Niño, this should be a hint for government to give more attention to children.

What kind of future leaders will we have in this country because of the pandemic? MC +

is published every Saturday by the Mindanao Cross Publishers, Inc., Sinsuat cor Quezon Avenues, Cotabato City. Tel Nos. (064) 4217161 and E-mail Address: mindanao.cross@gmail.com | mincross101@yahoo.com.ph Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, Chief-Executive-Officer Eva Kimpo - Tan, Editor-in-Chief Edwin O. Fernandez, News Editor Gemma A. Peñaflor, Administration and Marketing Executive Valérie Ann P. Lambo, Reporter 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.

T

wenty-two peace and human rights advocates – aggrupations, institutions, and individuals – called last week for more definitive action on ongoing assaults against human rights in tri-people communities in the Bangsamoro and elsewhere in Mindanao, causing death, displacement, and aggravated suffering among the Moro, Indigenous People, and migrant settlers amid the present pandemic. In a statement, the group cited the murder of nine Moro individuals in Aringay, Kabacan in August last year, the killing of seven other Moro individuals in Miascong, Tupi earlier in April, and the recurring armed clashes that have affected Moro and Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples communities in Talayan, Talitay, Ampatuan, Datu Piang, and Guindulungan from January until the end of 2020.

The joint statement likewise cited the report of Timuay Justice and Governance, the traditional governance of the Teduray and Lambangian Indigenous peoples, that “In July of 2020, the number of IDPs increased to 3,300 in 11 conflict sites within the Teduray and Lambangian ancestral domain areas in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces,” and how such incidents have continued. It recalled how just before 2020 ended, no less than 500 NMIP families in Barangay Itaw, South Upi, Maguindanao fled their homes to escape an attack of armed men identified to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters; how on January 1, 2021, another attack ensued, along with the burning of thirteen houses and farm harvests.

“It is very alarming that these incidents happened particularly in the BARMM in spite of the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) or Republic Act 11054 in 2018, the product of the decades-long peace process between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government Republic of the Philippines (GRP). Three years on, communities have yet to realize the gains of this landmark law that has promised to achieve genuine and long-lasting peace in the region,” the statement said.

In the first plebiscite of January 2019, filled with hopes for peace and a better life, Moros and nonMoro Indigenous People voted overwhelmingly for the ratification of the BOL and the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Later in February, in the second plebiscite, 63 of the 67 barangays in Cotabato province, and 9 of 22 towns in Lanao del Norte favored joining the then-proposed

R

ATHER than holding the occasion of its second Founding Anniversary in a more festive mood, the fledgling Bangsamoro Government apparently opts to bring its services closer to the community in general, and in particular, to least-known characters of the Moro struggle to self-determination.

On Monday, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) flew its banner side-by-side with the Philippine Flag from the single-beating of the gong by the Wa’li (literally, the authority).

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim officially declared the anniversary activities open to public, saying: “Here we are – hoisting the Bangsamoro Flag next to the Philippine Flag for the first time ever.”

The BARMM Ministry of the Interior and Local Government under Minister Naguib Sinarimbo unveiled two ambulance speed boats to effect prompt health services at seashore and inland water communities of the region amid CoVid19 pandemic.

The keel-less or flat-bottom are doubleoutboard motor-driven speed boats, each with a rated speed of 32 nautical miles per hour (knots).

It will be commissioned under the management of the BARMM-READi and the Ministry of Health.

The second year of BARMM has also been marked with granting of livelihood programs for families of former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF), and scholarship slots to members of their families opting to pursue higher education.

The regional leadership shows its priority for education of the children and youth as the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), under Minister Mohaguer Iqbal, delivered armchairs to replace old dilapidating chairs in public schools.

Sheikh Khalipha U. Nando, the Wali of the Bangsamoro beat the gong to signal declaration of the opening of ceremonies and activities marking

‘Peoples’ rights matter’

Thinking Aloud

Caloy Bautista

caloyb@gmail.com

region. The Bangsamoro is currently celebrating its first foundation anniversary. At the same time, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority is supporting calls for an extension of the transition period mandated by the BOL until 2022 for another three years until 2025, saying the extension will give the BTA sufficient time to carry out its mandate and programs under the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In their joint statement, the peace advocates said “We understand the birthing pains of the transition to BARMM. However, we want to pressure the BTA to make true of its promise for a more inclusive and plural governance. We believe that the transition period is an apt time for the new government to prove that BARMM will indeed serve the interests of its constituents that the previous ARMM was not able to fulfil.”

They add” “We expect that the BARMM government shall engage in true democratic processes and shall listen to peoples’ demands, especially the most underserved in the region.” They urge both the BTA and the Philippine national government “to adhere to national and international instruments in protecting the rights and welfare of all peoples in the region as articulated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. “We must respect and revisit the Mamalu-Tabunaway peace pact of the ancestors of the Moro and non-Moro Indigenous peoples in order to bring about mutual understanding and sustainable peace between and amongst the peoples in the past and current tri-people communities within and outside BARMM. We strongly believe that all peoples and communities in the region must be afforded equal rights, supported by building and strengthening a democratic, moral and inclusive peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. This should be a moral imperative for all.” MC

More services mark BARMM Founding Day PENLIGHT Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

the second founding anniversary of BARMM Monday at the Bangsamoro Government Center here.

A wali is an Arabic word more familiar in Malay public administration setup and is variously translated as “authority”, “custodian”, “protector”, “friend” or a “master”, and is also referred to more literally as “friend of God.” In the BARMM, the Wali, considered as the ceremonial head of the region, has specific functions and qualifications defined by law.

For his part, Executive Secretary and Environment Minister Abdulraof Macacua mobilized BARMM’s Ambag (Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government) with distribution of relief goods and wheelchairs The region uses a dual-calendar system on matters of records and official activities. The then Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) turned over to BARMM on February 25, 2019, corresponding to the 4th day of Jamad Al-Akhirah in the Islamic Hijrah Calendar. In 2021 that date in the Hijrah Calendar corresponds to January 17.

“We can now proudly say that we have achieved genuine autonomy that encapsulates the long history of the Bangsamoro people – our sacrifices and our shared vision for the next generation,” Ebrahim declares. MC

8

Sowing and reaping

Asia popularity survey showed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio way ahead against Vice President Leni Robredo by 26 percent and 8 percent respectively.

With all the calamities and pestilences, still Charlie Señase a lot of people would csenase@yahoo.com want an elective post, either national or local. roponents of Charter Change has Is this about fame and fortune? For the full support of Bangsamoro elected leaders ought to know that righAutonomous Region in Muslim teousness exalts a nation but sin is a Mindanao not only in the economic reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). realm but other salient administrative This timely reminder also goes to political innovation – from the pres- our lawmaking body in Congress that ent Republic with a presidential form greed for gain as in extortion would of government to a Federal system of surely trouble your own House but he which BARMM’s autonomy is envi- who hates bribe will live in contentsioned. ment. For treasures from corruption Amid global health profit nothing but crisis brought about by being upright and COVID-19 with new lawful shall deliver emerging variants, you from shame and Cha-Cha proponents mockery. hailed a proposed PreAuthorities must amble for the country’s be role models of innew political set-up tegrity for some in under the so-called government are scal“Bayanihan Federal awags that lawmen Constitution.” should police their It reads: “We the own. Recently, the sovereign Filipino national police hierpeople imploring the archy has dismissed aid of Almighty God, from service a police to build a permanent major who used to and indissoluble nahead the Zamboanga tion, and establish a City Drug Enforcement Unit after havjust, humane, united and progressive ing been tested positive of drug use society under a government that shall twice in a row. embody our shared ideals and aspiraAnd there are still many men in tions to promote the common good, uniform out there who are a disgrace conserve and develop our patrimony to the organization they belong. and secure to ourselves and our posterEvil men are everywhere that after ity the blessings of independence and the sensationalized rape case that killed democracy under the rule of law and a a Mindanao-based flight attendant in a regime of truth, justice, freedom. Love, Makati Hotel, another similar incident equality and peace, do ordain and pro- happened to a 16-year-old girl in Nueva mulgate this Constitution of the Federal Ecija. Police immediately arrested three Republic of the Philippines.” suspects, including the victim’s fiancée.

Opposition lawmakers plan to It’s time to repent and turn to God tackle the substantial issue at the with fear and trembling if we want to time the pandemic is under control be cleansed and God’s favor be upon us. and the 2022 presidential polls are Obedience to all His precepts is what’s over. Especially so, that recent Pulse life all about. MC

TRUE TO FORM

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Authorities must be role models of integrity for some in government are scalawags that lawmen should police their own.

our time pieces, and the alarm clock.

I say my morning prayers, participate in my daily masses and hold it too, before I sleep when I say my daily rosary with scriptures. I too, bring my cellphone wherever I go, Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy except in the bathroom, the franco1573victoria@gmail.com garden, the kitchen, when doing laundry and on the re we afraid of injections? It is dining table. called Trypanophobia. We shall Let’s take a look at the Facebook suffer from this any time soon; posts: plants, gardens, travels, gossip, or are we imagining it now while we birthday, anniversary greetings, await the coronavirus vaccine. The scenery, pets, cookery and many others. longer we wait, the more anxious we Some express their feelings, thoughts, become. Arachnophobia is the fear and for me, I enjoy the jokes. Social of spiders; acrophobia is the fear of media like Facebook and Instagram heights; cynophobia is the fear of dogs; has created a platform for bragging; it astraphobia is the fear of thunder and is where events, things, and happiness lightning; ophidiophobia is the fear of itself seems to be in competition at snakes. times. People are comparing their best Among the common fears are picture,perfect experiences which may Pteromerhanophobia the fear of flying, lead one to wonder what you are lacking. claustrophobia fear of closed spaces.

It creates a feeling or perception that We are born with only two innate fears: others are having more fun, living better the fear of falling and the fear of loud lives, or experiencing better things than sounds. you are; It involves a deep sense of envy There is one emerging fear we might and affects your self esteem. Dr. Dan all be suffering from unknowingly. What Herman, a marketing strategist, coined is the last item on your hand before you the term FOMO, “fear of missing out” go to sleep? What do you hold, carry has written a research paper on FOMO around, sit with you at the dinner which he started in 1996. table, breakfast, lunch and dinner? You FOMO is just not the sense that cannot leave the house without it; at the there might be better things that you kitchen, the food gets burned because could be doing at this moment, that it your focus is on your gadget; at the is the feeling that you are missing out garden, it disastrously gets wet. Your on something fundamentally important world is turned upside down, more so if that others are experiencing right now. it is broken; and when there is no WIFI It can apply to anything like a promotion it simply drives you crazy. You can’t at work, but it always involves a sense of leave the house without it. You bring it helplessness that you are missing out on to the bathroom, in short you and your something big. Thus, to showcase your cellphone are inseparable. own accomplishments, be it in preparing In fairness, the cellphone is our one good meals, growing exotic plants, and single entertainment in this pandemic etcetera, time goes by swiftly, and your time. We renew relationships with day ends green from envy, and lower friends, get fresh news here and abroad, self esteem. engage in gossip, do online banking, You wonder, why are these families attend meetings, gatherings through so closely knit? How much are they zoom with no extra expenses for the making to own several houses? or cars ? attire. Students rely on their phones for Why is her skin so radiant? Wow! what their distant learning. It is important a figure. Then you click “like” making when we need to send messages pronto; the one on the other end, happier, and we watch movies; it takes the place of you more miserable. MC

What is FOMO? THE STUFF OF LIFE

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January 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Educating health care workers on elderly care

could have led to the elevated BP and if his mom has maintenance medications. He said yes, one in the morning and one in the evening.

I told him to give her mom her evening dose, ‘make her relax and don’t show her that you are in panic.’ If the BP does not go Cheridine P. Oro- Josef, down after 30 minutes M.D., DFM, FPAFP, FPCGM or an hour, we might cheridinemd@gmail.com consider bringing her to a hospital. Thirty any older patients complain that minutes after, he called and said that her the primary care workers in the mom’s BP is 140/90 and she feels a lot health centers lack compassion better. and they are harsh in dealing with them.

In my own personal experience of These workers on the other hand complain staying in the emergency room, the anxiety that older persons are obnoxious and escalates especially when you see patients are difficult patients. who are intubated and The perennial questions are suffering from “who would you like heart attack! You start to kiss, a newborn to panic and become baby or an old lady?” anxious if you too will “Whose diaper would suffer the same fate. you like to change, a This anxiety will only newborn baby’s or that elevate the BP more of an old man?” are still and for an elderly, difficult to answer. It the fear of impending is true that is very easy death becomes so real. to take care of babies This is why I am very while it’s very hard to careful in managing deal with older persons. the elderly with high Culture and society play blood pressure. Of an important role in course, this is done this kind of mentality. with proper medical Perhaps a little change history and a query of perspective will help us take care of on what the patient really feels. If the these two vulnerable members of society symptoms were likely to be an acute with the same love and affection. coronary attack, I would have advised Why is there a need to educate primary otherwise. care health workers on the proper care of The point is, the elderly has to deal the elderly? with a lot of changes, which may be An elderly person presents differently normal and common as we age. A little in the clinics. The normal signs and bit of empathy and understanding these symptoms of certain diseases are affected physiologic changes might help the health by the normal physiologic changes and care workers look at the elderly at a diseases that the elderly have since different perspective. Understanding that adulthood. we too are going to become older persons A very worried patient called one day someday and that we too will undergo after lunch time, asking me if he needs to same changes might help us to become bring his 65 year old mother to the hospital. caring providers. Aging is a gift and a Her BP was 160/ 100, she was nauseated privilege not given to many. We should be and complains of head ache. I told him to thankful that our dear ones are still with calm down and asked him of the events that us when they are old. MC

GOLDEN THREADS

M

Aging is a gift and a privilege not given to many. We should be thankful that our dear ones are still with us when they are old.

The Case for Agriculture….

MARKET DRIVEN

Why is Philippine agriculture not flourishing ?

There are a variety of reasons for the country’s agricultural sector not doing so well. People from different persuasions would look at the case of Danny Buenbrazo Philippine agriculture’s poor state from varying danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com points of view, some from opposing perspectives. nation’s economy stands on One of the most controversial points three legs: agriculture, industry, and services. In the case of the is whether agricultural holdings should Philippines, the Agricultural sector had be “big” or “small.” Big here means that always been the laggard and contributes individuals and corporations should the least to the Gross Domestic Product be permitted to own and develop large or GDP. The GDP is the measure of the tracts of agricultural land, believing monetary value of all goods and services that economy of scale would make that were produced using local factors of Philippine agriculture more viable. The more popular view is that “small” is production.

In the year 2019, the share of better and this is largely in line with the Agriculture to the Philippine Gross agrarian reform program of succeeding Domestic Product was 8.82% while administrations.

The other item of contention is Industry contributed 30.17%, and whether agriculture should be more of Services was the biggest contributor with 61 %. The share of Agriculture to the a free enterprise versus the belief that GDP decline year-on-year as the sector the State should subsidize farmers, the latter being the more popular ideology. contributed 9.65% to the total in 2018.

With the factor endowment of the This can be seen with the large budget for country (large tracts of fertile land, forest irrigation, provision of farm equipment lands, inland water, and the open sea), and other goods (seedlings, fertilizers, the Philippines should be a dominant pesticides, etc.), price subsidy (through country in agriculture as it has almost the purchase of NFA), infrastructure, all the requisites for cultivation of and technical support. The less popular crops, raising of animals and poultry, view is for agricultural activity to be more and fishery (both inland and marine). of a private enterprise where farmers Other countries, such as Israel, have to should treat their endeavor as a means for convert desert land into soil that would be making profit (and not to rely on subsidies cultivation and they require sophisticated and support mechanisms) such as tariff irrigation system to make sure that their on imported products).

Finally, farmers cannot seem to get crops would survive.

Unfortunately, the country is not themselves to produce what the market a major player in agriculture at the demands, preferring to engage in the international level with coconut, banana, production of crops that do not provide and a few other crops as its notable export profit.

Farming should be market driven. products. Most of our food requirement If consumers want to purchase more are imported from other countries, to include rice, poultry, and meat of all ornamental plants or exotic vegetables kinds. The Philippines is the location of at good prices, why shouldn’t the farmer the International Rice Research Institute cultivate these commodities?

The popular mind-set is that we should (IRRI) and we have some of the best agriculture experts, but the country be producing our own food. But what is cannot seem to put order within its own wrong with producing something else and just buy food from elsewhere? MC house.

A

9

THE MINDANAO CROSS

January 23, 2021

BARMM ‘Wali’ bangs gong as... FROM PAGE 1 corresponding to the 4th day of Jamad Al-Akhirah in the Islamic Hijrah Calendar.

That date in the Hijrah Calendar corresponds to January 17 in 2021. The region uses dual-calendaring system on matters of records and official activities.

"We can now proudly say that we have achieved genuine autonomy that encapsulates the long history of the Bangsamoro people – our sacrifices and our shared vision for the next generation," Ebrahim added.

Rather than spending resources on a more festive mood

of marking the region’s second year of existence, officials said they preferred to share the fruits of moral governance with BARMM constituents amid public acquiescence to minimum health standards during pandemic.

School armchairs were distributed by Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education. For his part, Executive Secretary and Environment Minister Abdulraof Macacua mobilized BARMM’s Ambag (Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government) with distribution of relief goods and wheelchairs

Maguindnao folks want BIFF out ... FROM PAGE 1

villages in Rajah Buayan.

“Our town has no BIFF, the terrorists are from other towns but they conduct harassment against our people, especially during harvest season,” a village officials said, asking he remained unidentified in the report.

After a brief march, the villagers proceeded to the town’s covered court and set on fire a black flag

that symbolizes the root causes of the conflict in town – drugs and terrorism.

Another villager said the works of the BIFF “hinder development of our communities and the education of our children and it must stop.”

“We are glad our local officials take this stance not taken by other leaders for fear of reprisal from BIFF,” a teacher who introduced

himself as Salman said.

Without providing statistics, he said many innocent civilians have either been harmed or killed by the BIFF for refusing to share “revolutionary taxes” to the armed group.

The Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion stationed in town provided security while the peace rally was on going. Edwin O. Fernandez

COOPERATIVE BANK OF COTABATO Name of Bank

PUBLISHED BALANCED SHEET (Head Office and Branches) As of December 31, 2020

CONTROL PROOFLIST

Account Code

Current Quarter Previous Quarter

Cash and Cash Items

108000000000000000

19,087,910.33

21,404,550.53

Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

105150000000000000

28,964,651.65

29,369,232.56

Due from Other Banks

105200000000000000

623,036,530.01

502,777,203.21

Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

112000000000000000

0.00

0.00

Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net

195200000000000000

146,263.29

143,233.90

Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net

195250000000000000

612,808.79

699,424.76

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

1,612,532,809.86

1,542,778,753.78

Other Financial Assets

148000000000000000

0.00

0.00

Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures-Net 195452500000000000

0.00

0.00

Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net

195500500000000000

109,068,162.65

99,181,641.54

Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net

195501000000000000

1,707,864.23

1,707,864.23

Non-Current Assets Held for Sale

150150000000000000

3,478,288.56

3,478,288.56

Other Assets-Net

152000000000000000

115,219,827.27

113,829,832.03

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

0.00

0.00

TOTAL ASSETS

100000000000000000

2,513,855,116.64

2,315,370,025.10

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

208000000000000000

0.00

0.00

Deposit Liabilities

215000000000000000

1,328,823,887.95

1,242,935,652.86

Due to Other Banks

220050000000000000

0.00

0.00

Bills Payable

220100000000000000

381,749,049.88

280,040,459.62

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

9,078,770.88

7,641,656.50

Other Liabilities

240100000000000000

126,100,894.96

101,576,611.85

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

0.00

0.00

TOTAL LIABILITIES

200000000000000000

1,846,752,603.67

1,633,194,380.83

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

300000000000000000

667,102,512.97

682,175,644.27

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

905000000000000000

2,513,855,116.64

2,315,370,025.10

TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

400000000000000000

5,676.00

5,784.00

Gross total loan portfolio (TLP)

499020000000000000

1,766,056,791.76

1,691,302,735.67

Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP

499300000000000000

134,865,844.37

129,865,844.36

a. Gross NPLs

499100500000000000

266,758,981.21

287,006,358.49

b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%)

499150500000000000

15.10%

16.97%

c. Net NPLs

499101000000000000

170,401,527.18

196,436,532.25

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

499151000000000000

9.65%

11.61%

e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%

499151500000000000

57.55%

51.75%

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

50.56%

45.25%

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Non-Performing Loans (NPLs)

Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%)

499650500500000000

23.01

25.20

b. Tier 1 Ratio (%)

499650501000000000

22.33

24.47

c. Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/

499650501500000000

0.00

1/ Common Equality Tier 1 is only applicapble to all Universal and Commercial Banks and their subsidiary banks.

I hereby certify that all matters set forthin this Publish Balance Sheet are true and correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief.

JUDE AL DACUTAN - ACCOUNTING MANAGER Autorized Signatory

ROLLY R. DELA CRUZ - PRESIDENT Autorized Signatory

Minister Naguib Sinarimbo led the BARMM’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Governments in the launching of regional disaster vehicle and rescue speed boats and equipment.

The Department of Health Center for Health Development in Region 12 has also bee turned over to the BARMM’s Ministry of Health under Dr. Ameril Usman, the health minister, and the distribution of agricultural equipment by Dr. Mohammad Yacob, the agriculture and agrarian reform minister. Nash B. Maulana

Lanao Sur detainees ... FROM PAGE 1 instigated the May 23 to August 16, 2017 conflict in Marawi City.

The three-month hostilities resulted in the deaths of more than a thousand people,

among them a hundred policemen and soldiers, displaced at least 300,000 residents and left historic centuries-old Maranao dwelling enclaves in ruins. John Felix Unson

RBOI-BARMM calls ... FROM PAGE 1 The immediate relief for the business sector under the CREATE bill is the tax cut on income taxes ranging from 5% to 10% retroactive to 2020, and as such is considered

a major part of the government’s economic relief for businesses suffering from the economic ravages brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. RBIO-BARM

Dumalondong.

Also in the same day, the BARMM turned over to the Integrated Provincial Health Office of Lanao del Sur a newly built 100-bed capacity Covid 19 Isolation Center and groundbreaking for the construction of another 100 bed capacity Isolation Center in Dr. Serapio Montaner Memorial Hospital in Malabang.

“In behalf of Chief

Minister Ebrahim, we express our gratitude to the provincial government of Lanao del sur and the mayors for this gesture of solidarity,” Sinarimbo said.

Mohaqher Iqbal, BARMM education minister, said the proposed extension was not about staying in office longer but to comply with the deliverables as contained in the BOL. Edwin O.

Gov. Adiong, 39 Lanao... FROM PAGE 2

Fernandez

Lanao del Sur’s COVID-19 ... FROM PAGE 2 district of Lanao del Sur. This is a big support to our anti-pandemic initiatives in this part of the Bangsamoro region,” Adiong said.

Sinarimbo and other BARMM officials also led, in a separate event Tuesday, the groundbreaking rite for the construction of another COVID-19 isolation facility in the premises of the Doctor Serapio Montañer Memorial Hospital in Malabang town in the second district of Lanao del Sur. S i n a r i m b o , spokesperson of BARMM, is also overseeing on concurrent capacity the Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence, or READI contingent,

comprised disaster and calamity response teams that are also involved as frontliners in the regional government's war on COVID-19.

Lanao del Sur has prevalence of coronavirus infection cases owing to its having so porous borders with Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Iligan City in Region 10 and in a number of towns in Zamboanga del Sur in Region 9.

Such geographical setting is a serious constraint affecting the Lanao del Sur provincial government’s enforcement of quarantine regulations along arterial exit and entry points in the province, according to Adiong. John Felix Unson

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, told Mindanao Cross early this week.

He said the 6th ID is proud of the role of PAF’s TOG-12 in its recent accomplishments in addressing security problems in central Mindanao towns due to the presence of local terror groups operating in the fashion of the Islamic State

of Iraq and Syria and the equally troublesome New People’s Army.

The helicopter piloted

by Arroyo was in a resupply mission for the Army’s 403rd Brigade when its engine malfunctioned while hovering above Barangay Bulonay in Impasugong, causing the deadly crash. John Felix

Military sad over ... FROM PAGE 8

Unson

Tamed Sto. Niño ... FROM PAGE 6

Sto. Niño. “During the pilgrimage, people still come and join even if it’s still dark and sometimes raining. Even in the celebration of novena masses, the Church was constantly filled with people. Some of them come to the Church an hour before the mass simply to attend because most people have their “panata” or promises.

They believe that if they can complete the

novena masses, blessings especially their prayers will be answered. And for me, that is faith,” Fr. Boston expressed in awe.

“What is also worthy to note are the efforts of the LGU and the parish team in providing security and safety to the people especially during the celebrations.

Protocols were faithfully observed,” Fr. Boston said. Fr.Rockmore Saniel,

OMI

10

January 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

“Tapatan sa Oblate Media” is a monthly public journalism feature to complement the Sanduguan Mindanaw. This section is designed to go beyond the frontiers of the newsroom through informal conversations, dialogues, or interviews with the region’s influential persons and decision makers to bring back the news to the community and help people understand deeper the issues affecting them.

TAPATAN SA OBLATE MEDIA

The coronavirus infection in the Philippines have climbed up past 500,000 in a new bleak milestone with the government facing backlash for failing to immediately launch a vaccination program amid a global scramble over COVID-19 vaccines.

In Cotabato City, the health ministry of the Bangsamoro region reported 39 active cases, bringing the total confirmed cases to 1,094 as of January 19, the second highest in the region. There have been 1,015 recoveries and 40 deaths.

While the Philippine government is negotiating with seven western and Chinese companies to secure 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, many local government units have been resourceful in securing doses for their constituents.

The Bangsamoro region and three cities in Region 12 made back-to-back

announcements on their initial efforts to allot budget for the vaccine.

The Mindanao Cross spoke with the local chief executive of Cotabato City, Mayor Atty. Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, to find out more about these issues.

What is the current COVID-19 situation in the city? Is it better or worse? Do you have a new COVID strategy this year?

The current COVID-19 situation in our city is far better now compared to that of what we had experienced last year especially during the last quarter of 2020. It was recorded that in the month of October last year, cases spiked at its highest with a staggering number of more than 300 cases. From the beginning of the pandemic, our Office on Health Services kept data pertaining to the city’s cases. For this month, it is significantly low. However, it is not yet safe to say that we are nearing the end. For this month of January 2021, we still recorded cases from the first day of the year to present. I am glad because our daily report on new confirmed cases is less than 5, but at the same time, I feel continuously worried because we get confirmed cases in most days.

Our strategies and policies remain the same—observe all the health measures and protocols set—but the local government now focuses on acquiring vaccines for our people.

Like other LGUs, what is your vaccination plan for your constituents?

Now that the vaccines for COVID-19 are already available in the global market, the city government is already planning to allocate funds for its purchase. However, since it is still on the early stage of its release, our medical people are still observing and studying which vaccine is best for us. There is still news of the side effects that the vaccines have on people and we don’t want to just buy immediately and suffer the possible consequences later on.

So, we are still looking at the different brands of vaccines and then when our medical people will be able to choose from these, then we will immediately purchase them. Because our funds are also limited, we want to choose the vaccine that is practical enough without having to compromise its effectiveness, potency, and quality. Once we have the vaccines, we will prioritize its recipients but rest assured, every Cotabateño will be given their slot.

January 19 data from MOH-BARMM reported 39 active confirmed cases in Cotabato City while on January 1, there were 50 active confirmed cases. Comparing the data, there has been a significant decrease in the surge of infection in the city. Why is there a need to continue the No Movement Sunday? What is the policy’s main purpose? When will this end?

We have heard the sentiments of our people and with this, we have continued our coordination, collaboration, and cooperation with our various sectors. Our No Movement on Sundays remain in place to protect our people from the spread of the virus and get more infections, most especially that the UK strain of COVID has already entered the country. We do not want to experience what we had seen and felt during the surge before where one barangay in our city was put into strict lockdown, that is why we deemed that prevention is indeed better than cure.

This strategy has helped us curb our cases and limit the movement of our people. Plus, the No Movement also gives our front liners a day of rest and for all of us to have a day spent with our families for if there is one thing that this pandemic has taught us, it is that life is short and time is unpredictable. So at least we can now have one day to be with our loved ones and do things together in the safety of our homes.

This policy will only be lifted once the situation in our city becomes more manageable and when we can clearly see that chances of infection is nil.

The Bangsamoro region celebrates its second founding anniversary this week, can you describe the current relationship of the city LGU to the region?

As of now, I cannot say that there is a “relationship” between the LGU and the Bangsamoro region.

Remember that we still have a pending case at the Supreme Court and we are still waiting for its resolution.

Military sad over deadly chopper crash The Mindanao-based Tactical Operations Group 10 and 12 of the Philippine Air Force are mourning the demise of four helicopter crewmen killed in a crash in Bukidnon last weekend.

The fatalities, pilot Lt.Col. Arnie Arroyo, copilot 2Lt. Mark Anthony Caabay and crew members Staff Sgt. Mervin Bersabi and Airman 1st Class Stephen Agarado, were together in the UH-1H helicopter that crashed in Barangay Bulonay in Impasugong, Bukidnon.

Their three passengers, two of them soldiers under the Army's 403rd Brigade and the other a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit, also perished in the accident.

Arroyo was from

Zamboanga City, son of a midwife in a military hospital while his father, who died in 2019, was a retired member of the Philippine Marine Corps.

Caabay, of Class 2018 of the Philippine Military Academy, hailed from Roxas, Palawan.

Members of PAF’s TOG-12 based in the Cotabato Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao said Sunday they were saddened by the demise of their colleagues.

Arroyo is a jolly and friendly officer, according

to TOG-12 members who knew him personally.

Even personnel of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in Camp Gonzalo Siongco, which is near the TOG-12 headquarters, are grieving the death of the passengers and crew of the ill-fated helicopter.

“We share with the grief of our counterparts in the Philippine Air Force.

We pray for the repose of the victims of that tragedy.

We wish their families to have the strength needed to overcome their grief,” 6th ID’s commander,

The Philippine Statistics Authority in North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces have commenced Monday gathering of data for Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) prioritizing about 328,000 individuals in both areas.

For North Cotabato, Engr. Belinda Penuela, provincial statistics officer, said a total of 200,000 indigent individuals in five pilot barangays in each town will be prioritized in the registration activities that will last until March 31.

The target indigents were chosen and identified in every barangay by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) based on highest poverty incidence.

Penuela said as government response to low income households seriously affected by the pandemic, having

the national ID is an advantage because it will fast tract the processing of fund assistance through bank transactions.

“I am happily waiting for them (enumerators) to come and list me up, I am glad the government has this reach out program,” Eduardo Mariano, a resident of Bacalan, Mlang, North Cotabato said as he prepares to give his demographics data.

Mariano, a farmer, said he could not go to the village center or the town proper to register for national ID due to the pandemic. He prefers to stay home as advised by the government because he belonged to the vulnerable sector.

In Sultan Kudarat, Provincial Statistics officer Herlita Caraan said field supervisors and data enumerators are already in the field since Monday to conduct house to house for demographic

data gathering.

Caraan said as part of step 1, an appointment will be given to each qualified registrant indicating when and where to proceed (location of registration centers) for next step. Under Step 2, biometric information of the registrants will be captured such as iris and fingerprint scanning and front-face photograph.

Release of IDs will follow.

Both Caraan and Penuela have assured that the minimum health protocols will be properly observed during the whole process of data gathering.

They also appealed to local government units of Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato and the public to support the PhilSys program.

The PSA aims to register in the PhilSys majority of Filipinos by year 2022. Edwin O.

MATALAM, North Cotabato — The local government unit here has disbursed almost half a million pesos as support to qualified Person’s with Disability (PWDs) in the town’s 34 villages.

Matalam Vice Mayor Cheryl ValdeviesoCatamco, personally handed over the financial assistance of P2,500 each of 195 beneficiaries during her barangay visitation.

“The local government will go to respective

villages to give the cash assistance under strict health protocols,” Vice Mayor Catamco said.

Catamco said the LGU has allocated at least P487,500 as financial aid to qualified PWDs beneficiaries.

“We would like to give importance to our PWDs because they too form part in the development of our villages and even the town of Matalam,” she said.

Meantime, Mayor

Oscar Valdevieso, has released educational aid to all 63 public elementary and high schools in Matalam.

The aid includes school supplies include P12,250 reams of bond paper and ink which are necessary in printing modules during pandemic.

“The LGU is strengthening support to our learners while they cannot go to school due to Covid 19,” the mayor said.

PSA starts PhilSys pre-list up in NoCot, SK

P9

Fernandez

Matalam PWD’s receive cash assistance

Williamor Magbanua

What are your plans for the Cotabateños this year?

You know, the city government had big plans for Cotabato City last year but because of the pandemic, we were not able to fully implement some projects and somehow our economic activities were hampered. So, this year, we are committed to make up for the losses of 2020.

First, we shall be rekindling our ties with our potential investors. Actually, towards the end of last year, we were already beginning to communicate with them and thankfully, we still got favorable responses. Amid the pandemic, there are still companies that will be coming in the city.

By the way, we are prioritizing our economic recovery because we all know that some of our fellow Cotabateños and others from our neighboring towns, have lost their jobs last year. So, we want to still give them hope for a fresh start this year.

Of course, we also have our infrastructure projects. All of these will continue this year. The activities of our front liner offices like the Office on Health Services, our City Social Welfare and Development Office, and others, will also intensify the activities under the “Tatak Guiani’ program.

And although the COVID-19 pandemic is predicted to last for several years still, we are aiming for a COVID-19 FREE Cotabato City by the year 2022. We can see in our records that our cases are already going down and so far, we already have no COVID-related deaths, and we want to continue this trend until we already have the vaccine and then be totally free of the virus by next year. Hopefully, we will be able to attain this with the cooperation and help of our fellow Cotabateños. For as long as we will all be following the protocols, the minimum health standards, and the guidelines that the city government releases, then I am confident that we will get there.

Interview by Valerie Ann P. Lambo

NEW RIZAL PARK. The city government of Cotabato is gearing up for the unveiling of the newly rehabilitated Rizal Park which will feature amenities such as public fitness facilities, children’s playground and ground fountain.

Photo courtesy of Amy Lyn Dolores