The Mindanao Cross | January 30, 2021

Vol. LXXII| No. 51| Cotabato City | Saturday, January 30, 2021 |10 Pages | P10.00

SECOND PAGE CHURCH SANDUGUAN BIFF blamed for bombing South Upi roadside/P2

Sr. Diana Fe Gillesania, OND, dies at 70/P6

Transition Extention/P10

SOX POPULATION TO HIT 5M The Commission on Population and Development (PopCom 12) has projected that Soccsksargen’s P9 population will reach at 5,025,502 million by the end of 2021.

C O LO R F U L B I R D S . T h e s e colorful pur ple-throated sunbird (Leptocoma sperata) photographed in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, are species of bird in the family Nectariniidae and of juliae race found only in Mindanao. Their natural habitats are lowland tropical forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest.

Photo courtesy of Allan Barredo

BTA explains ‘extension’ bid

OFFICIALS of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority have explained the need to extend the BTA tenure for three more years after 2021.

Lawyer Jose Lorena, BTA parliament member, said the process of normalization, as provided in the 2014 peace agreement, should take preference in the order of political priorities for the region.

Lorena, a former undersecretary of the

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), said decommissioning and reintegration of the combatants to normal community life were “provided under the Annex Agreement on Normalization” to allow them to participate in democratic processes like elections and referendums.

But actually, he said, only about 12,000 of the more than 40,000

combatants have been decommissioned as yet. Still the 12,000 decommissioned MILF forces are waiting for the implementation of the financial, community livelihood and scholarship package committed to them by the national government under the agreement.

Internationally acclaimed Peace Process Lorena said leaving the normalization process barely started

Bloody police ops according to rules – PNP-BAR

THE Regional Police Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said Thursday the law-enforcement operation in Barangay Limbo, Sultan Kudarat that left 12 gang members and a policeman dead was done by the book.

Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez, director of PRO-BAR, said the hostilities erupted only after the subjects of warrants fired at policemen approaching their lairs in Barangay Limbo at past 3:00 a.m. of January 23, sparking a 5-hour gunfight.

The gunmen, led by former Barangay Limbo Chairman Pendatun Talusan, opened fire on the agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and

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personnel of a Special Action Force under PRO-BAR, killing SAF member Staff Sgt. Elenel Pido and wounding four of his companions.

"The raiding teams were forced to return fire. Everything was done according to rules," Rodriguez said, adding that two other suspects escaped.

Municipal officials and barangay leaders identified them Hajer Mama and Jason Guiabel, who escaped as their companions fell one after another during shootout with SAF and CIDG personnel.

The attempt to arrest the slain gang members went haywire when they fired at approaching lawmen, SAF operatives killed Pendatun

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Hataman calls for BOL midterm review, Sinarimbo says no need

A MID-TERM review on the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was unnecessary at this time as proposed by former autonomous region governor and now Rep. Mujiv Hataman, an official of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM Interior and Local Government Minister, said the Philippine Congress can exercised oversight powers of review on laws only after five to 10 years of enactment.

In a statement, Sinarimbo said: “You do not conduct a review in less than two years.”

Hataman, now representative of Basilan and House deputy speaker for Mindanao, has called for an exhaustive midterm review on the BARMM before “we talk about extension of the transition period.”

Hataman made the call after the BARMM public works revealed some questionable

infrastructure projects during the time of the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao where Hataman headed for several years.

He denied there were anomalies in public works projects during his term.

“Mas mabuti na maging malinaw ang lahat, mas maganda may review, kasi dito natin malalaman ang mga holes and gaps,” Hataman said in a radio interview over DXMS in Cotabato City.

“I am not against the extension. But I feel it is not wise to blindly decide to extend without looking at the very reasons for the proposed extension…

Kung wala tayong malinaw na roadmap, paano natin ma-assess kung ano ang kulang at ano ang kailangan,” he explained.

But Sinarimbo, also BARMM spokesperson, said midterm review at this time is premature.

Sinarimbo vividly recalled that Republic Act 6734, the first charter of the now defunct ARMM, was passed in 1988.

However, it was only reviewed after 12 years or in 2000 for its amendments that eventually gave birth to RA 9054 in 2001.

RA 9054 was subjected for review 16 years later.

Its amendment was introduced in 2018 and eventually the passage of passage of BOL or RA 11054, the law creating BARMM, ratified in plebiscites in January and February 2019.

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority has passed a resolution asking Congress for an extension of transition period from 2022 to 2025.

Sinarimbo said there exist a mechanism where a review on compliance of the peace agreement can be done as an instrument of peace settlement.

He said a review on bilateral compliance can be carried out by the reconstituted government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels or by the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT).

And both have already conducted

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Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Present Realities (part 3)

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

CLOGGED. The extensive growth of water hyacinths in the Delta Bridge area in Cotabato City, photographed Tuesday, has clogged the flow of the Rio Grande de Mindanao.

Photo courtesy of Myrna Jo Henry/MILG-READi

THROUGH the years, the Shrine of our Lady of Lourdes in Tamontaka has become not only a place for devotion to our Blessed Mother but also a family center. On Sundays, families come for Sunday Masses and family picnics while their small kids enjoy the never ending wonders of the Small World, Zoo and the Garden of Creation.

It is also an educational center for miniatures of world-famous buildings, palaces and monuments. There is also the life-size papier-mâché images

that tell the diverse lives and cultures of our Indigenous Peoples in Southern Philippines.

The Shrine is sustainable from its income – the charges for entrance and generous donations. Things have been running smoothly. The new Shrine Director, Fr. Marciano Andres, OMI, has busied himself sprucing the Shrine: trimming branches to give more sunlight to the place; re-arranging the cages of birds, snakes and the monkeys and re-configuring the zoo and P6

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BIFF blamed for bombing South Upi roadside Authorities have blamed the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters as responsible for Tuesday’s roadside bombing in South Upi town that killed a motorist and hurt another.

The fatality, Alberto Delos Santos, died on the spot from multiple shrapnel wounds.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Wednesday there are strong indications that the roadside bomb attack was pulled off

by BIFF members who had repeatedly attacked villages in South Upi, Maguindanao.

South Upi Mayor

Reynalbert Insular believed he was the target of the bombers who laid the improvised explosive device that killed Delos Santos, 51 and hurt his companion, Loreto Palma, 56, Palma is now confined in the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City.

Insular thrice survived roadside bomb attacks since 2017.

“The 6th ID detests this act of terror. We call

on South Upi municipal and barangay leaders to help our troops and the municipal police in guarding their communities from such atrocities,” Uy told reporters via online Messenger.

Delos Santos and Palma were riding together a motorcycle and pulled over to fix Palma’s helmet then the blast.

The IED used in the attack was fashioned from an 81 millimeter mortar

BTA members explain ...From page 1 and to shift to political activities for elections campaign, would divert plans already altered by the social and economic effects of the pandemic.

That, he said, would defeat the purpose of an internationally acclaimed Peace P r o c e s s — t h e Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

To illustrate his point, Lorena said even the OPAPP which leads all government efforts on peace processes, had to be temporarily designated to another set of tasks in sheer urgency — that of implementing the national government’s programs against the CoVid19 Pandemic.

Lorena said this showed that government priorities had shifted to more urgent concerns, and that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is no exemption to such situation.

BTA Speaker Pangalian Balindong said “these are the things that make the need for transition logical.”

Balindong, also a lawyer and a former Lanao del Sur congressman, said “not even people in Congress who have experienced this kind of legislation will agree that we can finish the task that we

are now (undertaking).”

“So, it is logical that we support the transition, this (proposed extension) is not actually our initiative, but we must accept that we need more time in order to accomplish our mandate,” Balindong pointed out.

Balindong added: “Even if we will be extended for another three years, there will still be challenges ahead.

That is why in the BOL provisions, even after the end of the term of transition period, other concerns may (yet arise).”

MP Omar Sema representing the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the BTA, said “it was clear” from way back then “that we had the challenge of time.”

“I think it is clear that when the BTA was formed, we already had the challenge of time.

Because while we were writing the Bangsmoro Basic Law, on the Expanded BTC, merong naging component doon, yung Moro National Liberation Front which was not in the first BBL, and I think that was a blessing because that enabled the MNLF to participate, and the MNLF had introduced numerous provisions.

First off, we agreed that a-three year (transition)

period was not enough, based on the experience of the Moro National Liberation Front in the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.”

Sema, also a lawyer and one of the drafters of the BOL as member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), said it was only after 10 years that parties realized that the 1996 MNLF Peace Agreement needed to be reviewed for a number of emerging issues.

“Actually from the perspective of the MNLF, the push for the extension of Transition Period becomes more compelling, dahil nga sa experience ng (because of the experience of) MNLF. We don’t want a repeat in history in (that) experience. And of course, marami pang kailangan dito (we still need a lot of things to do).

We have to address the issues of the pandemic.

I think the Speaker has done his part here.”

Sema said “time was the essential issue then.”

“The issue now is space…it’s about how well we can perform our mandate, given all the changes and restrictions under a new normal.

But thanks to Speaker Balindong, we can now deliberate (on matters before us) even only through zoom. Our screen is clearer…” Nash

B. Maulana

Bloody police ops according... page 1

Talusan, Abdullah Talusan, Bembi Talusan, Randy Talusan, Abdul Mubarek Talusan, Khadafi Esran, Ahyot Degan, Abdul Patah Buday, Samsudin Ali, Bulod Adam, Butoh Minandang and Sangkupan Minandang, CIDG-BAR operatives and forensic experts from the Bangsamoro Police Regional Crime Laboratory collected six M16 assault rifles, a 7.62 Belgian FN assault rifle, a .22 caliber bolt-action rifle, a .50 caliber Barret sniper rifle and a .45 caliber pistol beside the cadavers of the gunmen.

The CIDG-BAR said the slain

members of the “Talusan criminal ring” were wanted for frustrated murder, homicide, car theft and collection of protection money from local traders and illegal drug trafficking.

Rodriguez said the slain gunmen were also implicated in the fatal ambush between 2017 to December last year of no fewer than 15 off-duty policemen and soldiers riding motorcycles en route to their hometowns for weekend breaks.

The culprits took their victims’ firearms as they fled on separate motorcycles after each attack. John

Felix Unson

Hataman calls for BOL midterm...From page 1 midterm review of bilateral compliance which revealed that both sides have hardly reached 10 percent compliance of the peace accord, thus the call for extension.

“The pandemic slowed us down, it adversely affected the implementation of deliverables,”

January 30, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Sinarimbo, adding that an independent NGO, the Mindanao Peoples Caucus, first sounded the bell that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) be given three-year extension to fully create an impact in the Bangsamoro.

Sinarimbo said even Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

(OPAPP) Sec. Carlito Galvez agreed with the MPC recommendation and told President Duterte about it.

Retired Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, archbishop emeritus of Cotabato, also called on Congress to allow three more years for BTA. Edwin

O. Fernandez

projectile detonated from a distance using a mobile phone.

R e s p o n d i n g policemen and soldiers found several minutes later a larger, more powerful secondary IED near the spot where the first home-made bomb was found.

The bomb was made up of a 105 Howitzer cannon round with a blasting contraption attached to a 12-volt battery. John Felix Unson

3 BIFF killed in Maguindanao

Three members of the Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed and another was hurt during intensified focused military operation in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao, the Army said.

The fatalities were identified as Haider Suri, Guiali Pikas, Usman Abdulmaguid and the wounded as Monib Animbang, all BIFF members.

Major General Juvymax R. Uy, 6th Infantry Division commander said soldiers under Lt. Colonel Charlie Banaag of 6th Infantry

Battalion conducting combat clearing operations when they encountered an undetermined number of heavily-armed BIFF at about 1 p.m.

“We will go after these extremists and continue to pressure terror groups like the BIFF that threaten the peace and security in this part of Mindanao,” Maj. Gen. Uy said.

“Even with the threat of pandemic, our gallant soldiers from JTFC have been vigilantly guarding the entire Central Mindanao to pursue the remnants of the terror group,” said Maj. Gen. Uy, also commander of Joint Task Force Cetral.

DPAO-6ID

BARMM’s “Bantay Tulay” clears water hyacinth Before it can cause massive floods in the city and nearby town of Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura, the Bangsamoro Region’s “Bantay-Tulay” has started unclogging water hyacinths that clogged under Delta Brigade along Rio Grande de Mindanao.

“Bantay-Tulay” is composed of men from Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action Response on Disaster Incidence (READi) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

They were deployed since Sunday to ease the waterways under the Delta bridge where huge chunks of water hyacinths had been building up under the bridge, which when left unattended, could trigger massive floods in low lying areas of the city and nearby towns.

Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, also BARMM spokesperson, ordered the deployment of abled bodied men to help destroy and cut into pieces the water hyacinth so water could flow freely toward the Moro Gulf.

BARMM’s quick response aims to preempt the repeat of massive flooding in 2011 in Cotabato City where around 10 hectares of hyacinth clogged the river channel.

“Lets call the attention of DPWH (national office) to address this immediately as this has not been turned over to BARMM,” he said.

Today, BARMM Bantay-Tulay workers to push away manually, cutting block-by-block the hardened hyacinth while a water master machine from the DPWH-12 (amphibious excavator) is also working to quickly remove the water plants.

In 2011, people from various sectors volunteered to help unclog the river, showed a unifying gestures from both military and police and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, who worked “elbowto-elbow” for the betterment of all constituents. Ferdinandh Cabrera

Army who salutes using left hand is new AFP chief The next Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is uniquely salutes using his left arm.

But behind the story of an “awkward and unusual military gesture” lies the story of exceptional gallantry, heroism and a true blooded military warrior in military history.

President Duterte named Lt. General Cirilito Sobejana, currently Philippine Army chief, as the successor of General Gilbert Gapay who will retire on February 4 when he turns 56 years old, the mandatory retirement age of military servicemen.

He will be the 55th AFP chief as announced

by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

Sobejana is a Medal of Valor awardee in 1996, the military’s highest decoration for gallantry and courage.

Sobejana was then an Army captain in 1995 when the platoon he was leading engaged a group of 20 Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Isabela, Basilan.

In that armed hostilities, the number of ASG eventually rose to about 150 fully armed men as fighting rages.

In the course of 2-hour firefight,

Sobejana sustained two bullet wounds to his right forearm, a third bullet wrecked his rifle. His arm was almost severed that he had to bite his right thumb to keep the arm from falling off.

But still he managed to be composed and determined to defend position and the lives of his men, he switched to firing left-handed while giving his men directions.

Sobejana’s team killed 30 ASG. At the hospital, he refused to have his arm amputated and instead underwent several surgical procedures in the United States.

He underwent initial surgery at Triper Army Medical Center in Hawaii, he spent ten months there for reconstructive surgery.

He was later transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio Texas for more rehabilitation process.

Sobejana was also awarded with other combat medals, like a Gold Cross medal, two Bronze Cross medals, Wounded Personnel Medal and numerous decorations outstanding accomplishments as a soldier.

Sobejana is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class

of 1987. He underwent the Executive Course on National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines.

He also holds a Master’s in Public Administration degree and a fellow of corporate governance.

He is a Scout Ranger trained-General, and is also a qualified member of the Special Forces, paratrooper and scuba diver.

Sobejana has been company and battalion commander of Scout Ranger units. He was once Commandant of the Scout Ranger School and Commander of CivilMilitary Operations Group (now Civil-Military Operations Regiment) of the Philippine Army.

In 2003 to 2004, he was deployed under the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNMISET) as a military observer.

In 2013 to 2014, he served as chief of staff of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in IsraelSyria borders.

In 2016 he served as brigade commander of the 601st brigade in Central Mindanao, later as Joint Task Force Sulu chief, 6th ID commander, Westmincom chief and Philippine Army chief.

Ferdinandh Cabrera

January 30, 2021

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

CONGRATULATIONS, COTABATO CITY! We ranked 20th out of 112 Component Cities in the whole Philippines in the Overall Competitiveness during the 2020 Search for the Most Competitive Cities and Municipalities.

We are also the ONLY CITY in REGION XII to have entered the Top 20 with an overall score of 34 in Economic Dynamism, 15 in Government Efficiency, 21 in Infrastructure, and 24 in Resiliency.

Thank you to the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, Department of Trade and Industry XII, and the Regional Competitiveness Coordinating Committee for this Recognition.

Sigay Ka Cotabato City!

ATTY. FRANCES CYNTHIA J. GUIANI–SAYADI City Mayor

GRAHAM NAZER G. DUMAMA City Vice Mayor

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January 30, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS Republic of the Philippines City of Cotabato Region 12

TANGGAPAN NG SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

16 Sangguniang Panlungsod City of Cotabato 71th Regular Session th

and all other public places.

EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION (VIRTUAL SESSION) OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD, COTABATO CITY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020 AT 9:20 A.M. Present: Hon. Graham Nazer G. Dumama - City Vice Mayor & Presiding Chair Hon. Japal G. Guiani III - Majority Floor Leader Hon. Freddie A. Ridao - Assistant Majority Floor Leader Hon. Abdillah J. Lim - 1st Assistant Majority Floor Leader Hon. Johari C. Abu - Assistant Minority Floor Leader Hon. Mohammad All C. Matabalao - Minority Floor Leader Hon. Eduardo C. Rabago - Member Hon. Michael A. Datumanong - Member Hon. Florante L. Formento - Member Hon. Hassan B. Biruar - Member Hon. Anthony P. Ross - Member, ABC President Hon. Amy Lynn Moendeg-Dolores - Member, IP Representative Hon. Talib M. Abo III - Member, SK Representative Absent: Hon. Christina T. Chua

- Member

ORDINANCE NO. 4841 Series of 2020

AUTHOR: HON. EDUARDO C. RABAGO AN ORDINANCE SUPPORTING THE ZERO OPEN DEFECATION POLICY (ZOD) AND FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION IN THE CITY OF COTABATO, PROVIDING GUIDELINES, APPROPRIATION AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF. WHEREAS, the World Bank and Department of Health-Environmental Management Bureau (WB-DOHEMB) pilot project on Sustainable Sanitation in East Asia, including the Philippines, has confirmed that sanitation remains a critical public hea th concern and because of this, environmental problems continue to pervade the country such as open defecation in pockets of low-income urban and rural communities, lack of appropriate sanitation facilities, improper hygiene behaviors, and low level coverage of urban waste water management services (collection, treatment and disposal) which lead to the contamination of water sources, high incidence of water-borne disease and impact negatively on environmental health. The United Nations has already declared access to water and sanitation as a human right in its July 28, 2010 General Assembly; WHEREAS, these realities necessitate tangible and concerted efforts from the constituents of local government units (LGUs); WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 2, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, and the General Welfare Clause of the Local Government Code of 1991, local government units are mandated to uphold the general welfare and ensure the health and safety of their constituents. As such, the City of Cotabato must take the lead in sustainable sanitation in the city most particularly in the control of communicable diseases; WHEREAS, one of the most urgent challenges confronting LGUs in the aspect of environmental protection and health issues is the continuing practice of open defecation which affects everyone in a given environment therefore it is important to moivate those who are still practicing it to shift to safe sanitation practices; WHEREAS, there is an imperative need for more effective and community-based programs that will enable the city to contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through the implementation of a Zero Open Defecation Program (ZODP) which utilizes community-led approaches. This will maximize community participation and empower communities to make decisions and take action to improve their current sanitation conditions, and collectively help others abandon the practice of open defecation; NOW THEREFORE, by authority of Section 16 of RA 7160, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in a session regular assembled that: Section 1. TITLE. This ordinance shall be known and cited as “ZERO OPEN DEFECATION ZOD,) ORDINANCE IN THE CITY OF COTABATO”.

Section 2. SCOPE AND COVERAGE. This ordinance shall govern the sanitation, goals, strategies, mechanism, monitoring and services of ZOD in Cotabato City.

This will be applied in the whole city covering all households, business establishments, private and government facilities, agencies, offices, schools, institutions

Section 3. DECLARATION OF POLICY AND OBJECTIVES. The City of Cotabato hereby declares its full support to achieve Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) in the city to promote sustainable sanitation for all Cotabateños, strongly adhering to the thrust of the national government through Presidential Decree No. 856 otherwise known as “The Code of Sanitation of the Philippines and its Implementing Rules arid Regulation “.

Believing on the importance and benefits of clean environment, this ordinance envisions the implementation and achievement of the following objectives: a. The city government shall have its own health sanitation plan on Zero Open Defecation and appropriate funds for its implementation; b. All barangays shall be declared Open Defecation Free by achieving 100% access to sanitary toilets; c. Reduction of water-borne diseases and other sanitation and hygiene-related diseases; d. Reduction of Acute Gastroenteritis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis incidents attributable to poor sanitary conditions to almost nil or at least by 60%; e. Change in the behavior and practices of households practicing open defecation; f. Reduction in the number of households using unimproved toilet facilities; g. Proper practice of using sanitary latrines or sanitary toilets; h. Strengthened Barangay Health Boards; i. Creation of Barangay Sanitation Task Force and appointment of trained Barangay Sanitation Inspectors at the barangay level; j. Intensification of ZOD implementation through massive Information Education Campaign (IEC), social marketing and development; k. Institutionalization of Zero Open Defecation through strict enforcement of this ordinance; I. By 2028, universal access to safe and adequate sanitary facilities shall have been achieved, behavioral change and proper hygiene practices have become accepted norms within families and communities, and mechanisms for sustainable sanitation are institutionalized.

Section 4. LEGAL BASIS. a. Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2019-0054.Subject: Philippine Approach to Sustainable Sanitation (PhA TSS) Policy b. Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2010-0021-Secretary Esperanza L Cabral.Subject: Sustainable Sanitation as a National Policy and a National Priority Program of the Department of Health c. Presidential Decree No. 856.Subject: The Code of Sanitation of the Philippines and Its implementing Rules and Regulations.

Section 5. ZERO OPEN DEFECATION PRINCIPLES. Recognizing the essence of healthy living through environmental sanitation, prevention and control of diseases, ZOD adheres to the following guiding principles that proper waste disposal of human excreta can: a. Reduce the incidence of water-borne and other related diseases such as gastro-intestinal infection and parasitism; b. Protect water resources from excessive pollution and prevent fecal contamination in the drinking water supply resources; c. Prevent the cross-contamination of drinking water supply resources; d. Prevent the cross-contamination of the soil surface, minimizing if not preventing the spread of intestinal parasites; e. Prevent and reduce the spread of diseases through diseases transmitters such as flies and other insects; f. Prevent and reduce environmental nuisance due to open defecation practices; and g. Provide decent and healthy living condition for every household in the cormmunity.

Section 6. DEFINITION OF TERMS. As used in this ordinance, the following terms and acronyms shall mean: 1) OD (Open Defecation) - the practice of passing feces outside the latrines or toilets or in a national environment, such as open field, body of water, etc.

2) ZOD (Zero Open Defecation) - the eradication of defecation in an open environment or outside a latrine/ toilet.

3) BHB (Barangay Health Board) - a local body that serves to directly increase community participation and to respond to the immediate needs of the community relative to its unique setting.

4) BST (Barangay Sanitation Task Force) - a proper body that shall recommend policies to address the sanitation and accompanying health issues in the barangay given the ever changing sanitation and health needs in different sitios and puroks.

5) IEC (Information Education Campaign) - a campaign that aims to orient and inform households or individuals about certain programs or thrusts of the local government.

6) TWG (Technical Working Group) - a body whose goal is to handle the technical details of the issues being raised relative to a particular subject matter.

7) CLTS (Community Led Total Sanitation) - a primary strategy implemented for demand creation compliment with other interventions that enhances effectivenessin instilling

in the minds of the people in the community the desire to stop open defecation for behavioral change.

8) SLTS (School Led Total Sanitation) - a primary strategy implemented for demand creation compliment instilling behavioral change in the minds of the school children by practicing proper hygiene and sanitation.

9) NGO (Non-Government Organization) - an intermediate organization between the people and the state where the principal interest is to promote the welfare of the poor and the disadvantaged and where the members do not necessarily belong to such marginalized sector and live in the same community.

10) EPI (Expanded Program on Immunization) - is a World Health Organization program which aims to make vaccines available to all children throughout the world.

11) P.D. No. 856 - Sanitation Code of the Philippines and its implementing Rules and Regulations.

12) PD No. 522 - a decree which prescribes the sanitation requirements for the operation of establishments and facilities for the protection and convenience of the travelling public.

13) Amoebiasis - is a type of gastroenteritis which generally lives in people caused by a tiny parasite Entamoeba Histolytica which infects the bowel; is generally with people living.

14) Building Permit - a consent to allow the construction of a building upon compliance of the required requisites after evaluation.

15) Business Permits - a certification issued by the local chief executive authorizing the operation of a certain business or establishment in the locality upon compliance of the required documents and payment fees and charges.

16) Cholera - is an infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium vibrio cholera. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected person, including one with no apparent symptoms.

17) Contamination - the state of being infected or polluted.

18) Disincentive - a deterrent or non-availment of goods and services.

19) Environmental Sanitation - sanitary conditioning affecting the existence, growth and welfare of organisms 20) Excreta - human waste.

21) Gastro Intestinal Diseases - stomach and intestinal illnesses.

22) Government Services - assistance, aid, support or benefit granted/given by the government to its constituents.

23) Hygienic Disease - a disease that can be acquired through poor sanitation.

24) Incentive - a monetary or non-monetary inducement, award or reward.

25) Mother’s Class - is an information-sharing type of activity where mothers are provided with basic health and nutritional information, identifies/nutritional problems and suggests solutions on how these can be solved in the most practical ways.

26) Parasitism - disease caused by parasites such as intestinal worms.

27) Pollution - any various noxious chemical and refuse material which impair the purity of water, soil, or the atmosphere.

28) Prevention - precautionary measures which hinder or intend to protect from harm or diseases.

29) Sanitation Inspector - a government official or personnel employed by the city government who enforces sanitary rules, laws and regulations and implements environmental sanitation activities under the supervision of the City Health Officer.

30) Sanitary Latrines - are toilets within the sanitation system.

31) Sanitary Toilet - is functional water-sealed latrine in a secured household with sufficient water supply and a two-chamber septic tank that is water impermeable.

32) Sanitary Permit - a certification by the City Health Officer attesting that the establishment complies with the existing requirements upon evaluation or inspection conducted in accordance with PD No. 522, PD No. 856 and local ordinances.

33) Sanitation - removal or neutralization of element detrimental to health, disease prevention and cleanliness.

34) Sanitation Task Force - a body tasked to conduct study, collect data and make recommendations on health and sanitation.

35) Surface water - is water on the surface of the planet such as streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands or oceans.

36) Typhoid Fever - also known simply as typhoid, a common worldwide bacterial disease transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person which contain bacterium salmonella enterica serovar typhi.

37) Unimproved Toilet - a functional Antipolo type toilet in a covered structure with insufficient water supply.

38) Water-Borne Diseases - illnesses or disorders caused or carried by polluted/contaminated water.

Section 7. GENERAL PROVISIONS. a. Every household within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Cotabato is required to build its own sanitary toilet to ensure the proper disposal of human waste and prevent the spread of diseases caused by open defecation. b. Beneficiaries of Conditional Cash Transfers or 4P’s shall comply with the requirement to install sanitary toilets in their households. c. All establishments in the city, private or government agencies, schools, offices, institutions and all other public places are mandated to install sanitary toilets in their respective premises.

d. Business establishments shall be subjected to sanitary inspections and shall adhere to the goals and objectives of ZOD prior to the approval and issuance of permits and licenses. e. Building constructions (upon securing building permits) are required to include provisions of sanitary toilets and other sanitary provision in their building plans prior to the issuance of building permit, subject to the sanitary inspection upon completion of the said construction. f. A technical working group shall be created to formulate strategies and mechanisms to enforce policies for the attainment of zero open defecation in the city. g. The Barangay Health Boards in the 37 barangays of Cotabato City shall be strengthened and reorganized to ensure proper implementation of the provisions and objectives of this ordinance. h. A Barangay Sanitation Task Force shall be created in each barangay to ensure and monitor the compliance of zero open defecation in every household of the barangay. i. The position of Barangay Sanitation Inspector shall be created in every barangay of Cotabato City who will be tasked to facilitate the sanitation inspection in the puroks and sitios of the barangay, conduct monitoring, information and education campaign and reporting, subject to the guidelines, procedure and plan of the city in achieving ZOD. j. An incentive shall be awarded to barangays that will achieve zero open defecation.

Section 8. STRATEGIES AND MECHANISMS. Strategies and mechanisms must be followed to ensure compliance of the sanitary requirements of zero open defecation, to wit: 1 . VA L I D AT I O N 0 F H O U S E H O L D S A N D ESTABLISHMENTS. Profiling and validation shall be conducted by the Barangay Sanitation Task Force in each barangay to come up with the master list of households and establišhments without sanitary toilets.

2. INFORMATION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN (IECs). a. Meetings, consultations and education campaigns on the ill-effects of open defecation shall be conducted among households without toilets as well as to the general public which will be spearheaded by the City Health Office. b. Continuous Intensive Information Educatìon Campaign (lEG) on ZOD shall be conducted during barangay assemblies, Mother’s Class, Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Sessions and other governmentrelated activities. c. Ensure the involvement of all public and private schools within the city on School-Led Total Sanitation (SLTS) and ZOD. d. Conduct of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and School-Led Total Sanitation (SLTS) in the barangays and public and private schools within the City of Cotabato. e. Encourage and engage all stakeholders in the campaign to attain the ZOD goal.

3. CREATION AND ORGANIZATION OF BARANGAY HEALTH BOARDS, BARANGAY SANITATION TASK FORCE AND BARANGAY SANITATION INSPECTORS Under the supervision of the City Health Office through its Sanitation Inspector, a Barangay Health Board shall be organized in every barangay in the city which will be created by the barangay council through a barangay resolution which shall adhere to the mandate set forth in this ordinance. a. BARANGAY HEALTH BOARD (BHB) COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS Chairman: Punong Barangay • • • •

Lead the preparation of the Annual Barangay Health Plan including the budget allocation for health-related activities; Ensure complete delivery of primary health programs and activities through assemblies counseling and visitations; Monitor and provide support to all health-related activities through the Community Health Team; and Supervise the conduct of mortality and morbidity reviews with the midwife and barangay health worker.

Vice-Chair: Barangay Kagawad - Chairman, Committee on Health

• • • • •

Give technical assistance in the preparation of Barangay Health Plan and ensure accuracy of health data for programming and planning; Prepare Barangay Scorecards, agenda of Barangay Health Board meetings and submit monthly updates to the City Health Officer; Assist in the activities of the barangay health workers and other members of the Community Health Team; Facilitate the conduct of mortality and morbidity review; and Monitor and evaluate progress of programs and identify gaps and challenges for interventions.

5

THE MINDANAO CROSS

January 30, 2021

Barangay Secretary Keep the records and take minutes of the board meetings; •

Inform the board of the schdule of meetings and ensure attendance of the members in the monthly Barangay Health Board meeting;

Barangay Sanitation Inspectors Provide information, data, updates and other sanitationrelated issues, concerns and activities.

Barangay Health Worker •

Provide information, data, updates and other healthrelated issues, concerns and activities.

Barangay Nutrition Scholar •

Provide information, data, updates and other nutrition-related issues, concerns and activities.

b. A Barangay Sanitation Task Force shall be created to implement, monitor and evaluate the approved policies on health and sanitation in the different sitios and puroks of the barangay.

BARANGAY SANITATION TASK FORCE COMPOSITION, DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS: Chairperson: Punong Barangay Action Officer: Barangay Kagawad, Committee on Health Members: > Rural Health Midwife > All Purok and Sitio Leaders > Barangay Sanitation Inspectors > Barangay Health Workers > Barangay Nutrition Scholars > Pantawid Parent Leaders > School Heads > Day Care Teachers Duties and Functions: a. Acts as a consultative body in all aspect of barangay sanitation including the enforcement of policies and the conduct of periodic inspection to ascertain the maintenance of adequate sanitary conditions. b. Lead in the advocacy on proper health and sanitation programs to advance best practices for the effective implementation of the Barangay Sanitation Program. c. Refer and recommend to the barangay council, through the Barangay Health Board, the necessary legislation to further improve barangay health and sanitation. d. Integrate the set of actions or recommendations as embodied in the Local Sustainable Sanitation Plan to the Barangay Health Plan. e. Facilitate the promotion on the use of supplies, products, services, sanitary and hygiene practices that can help in the attainment of total sanitation through Zero Open Defecation (ZOD): f.To cause the mandatory water testing and micro-biological analysis of all water system in the barangay to be facilitated by the City Health Office through the sanitation inspector. g. Gather data, monitor and evaluate the compliance of zero open defecation program in the barangay and other duties and functions related thereto. c. Awards and Incentives. A monetary and non-monetary incentive/award shall be given to the barangay who can achieve ZOD. An Incentive and Awards Committee shall be organized to promote and bolster the implementation of the ZOD Ordinance. The committee shall be responsible to craft mechanics and guidelines relative to the awards and incentives subject to the concurrence of the City Technical Working Group on Water and Sanitation.

A cash incentive and citation award shall be granted to the performing barangay/s who is/are compliant to ZOD which shall be determined and recommended by the Committee on Awards and Incentives. However, the said incentive cash award shall be spent only for development-related projects Section 9. PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE. a) Any person caught/apprehended for defecating or disposing excreta in public places, open spaces, canals or water ways shall be penalized accordingly, to wit:

First Offense

Php 500.00

Second Offense

Php1,000.00 and compulsory community service for 3 hours

Third Offense

Php3,000.00 plus compulsory community service for 5 hours

2.Hotels, apartments, banks, offices, shops, lodging houses, dormitories, commercial, establishments, industrial, institutional establishments, hospitals

Php5,000.00 or imprisonment of not less than one (1) day but not more than(1) year or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court Failure to comply with in the cancellation of the buisnes permits for the commercial, industrial and institutional establishment

3.Owners of existing septic tanks that are not accessible for dislodging and do not conform to the Sanitation Code of the Philippines and other standards are required to repair or upgrade their septic tanks at the owners’ expense

Php5,000.00

Section 10. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT a) The City Engineer or his/her authorized representative shall check the general design, construction and maintenance requirements of the septic tanks in all buildings, subdivisions, commercial, institution and business establishments in the city and shall issue a Notice of Non-Comformity to property owners, administrators or occupants who do not have septic tanks, unless they have an alternative system approved by the city government. Likewise, do the same to property owners or Occupants whose septic tanks are not properly designed and inaccessible for dislodging. b) The City Environment and Natural Resources Office shall be in-charge of regulating and monitoring septage collection, transportation and disposal.

Section 11. SANITARY PERMIT AND BARANGAy CERTIFICATION. In adherence to the ZOD goal of the city, a strict compliance to the rules and guidelines for eradication of open defecation, the issuance of Barangay Clearance/ Certification is prerequisite to the issuance of sanitary permit to entities or households in the city.

In addition to the provisions and requirements of the Sanitation Code of the Philippines (P.D. No. 856) for the issuance of sanitary permit and/or certification, there shall be an attached copy of monitoring and inspection result (duly signed by the city and barangay sanitation inspectors) prior to the issuance of the barangay clearance and sanitary permit.

Conditional Cash Transfer beneficiaries shall secure barangay sanitary certification as additional requirement on local health improvement to be issued by the Barangay Sanitation Inspectors.

Section 12. MONITORING AND EVALUATION. The monitoring and evaluation tool will be subject to the formulation by the City Technical Working Group and approval of the Local Health Board.

Section 13. BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS. Budget appropriation for the implementation of the ZOD will be sourced out from 70% of the 5% appropriation for Disaster Risk and Reduction Management (DRRM) budget of the city worth Ph500,000.OO every year to ensure sustainable implementation of the ZOD. The budget will be used to fund all projects, programs, activities (PPAs),awards of compliant barangays as recommended by the ZOD Committee and capital outlay that will be used for the implementation of the ZOD Ordinance, subject to usual procurement, accounting and auditing rules.

Section 14. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE, If any part or provision of this Ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 15. REPEALING CLAUSE. All ordinances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, in conflict with or inconsistent with any provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 16. EFFECTIVITY. This ordinance shall take effect on the date of the approval of the Local Chief Executive of Cotabato City subject to publication in the locaI newspaper of general circulation and/or posting requirement set forth in Republic Act 7160.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AND ENACTED, November 24, 2020.

I HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the abovequoted Ordinance.

Members: Assigned Midwife • • • •

Assist the punong barangay in barangay health planning and formulation of health-related barangay resolutions and ordinances; Provide assistance to ensure proper implementation of health-related barangay resolutions and ordinances; Provide assistance to ensure the participation of the community in health programs and activities through assemblies, counseling and visitations; Update other members of the barangay council during the regular barangay meetings on Barangay Health Board plans, programs and activities.

b) Any establishment or commercial building who fails to comply with any provisions of this ordinance within one (1) year:

1.Private Residential Php1,000.00 Building

ATTESTED:

APPROVED:

6

January 30, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Sr. Diana Fe Gillesania, OND, dies at 70

Oblates of Notre Dame Sr. Diana Fe Tapang Gillesania peacefully breathed her last on January 23, at the OND Novitiate at the OND Compound, Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao after a bout with ovarian cancer since September 2020.

S h e d i d astonishingly well in the educational field being assigned at the Notre Dame University Elementary Training Department, Directress-Principal at the Notre Dame of Abuyog in Leyte and at the Notre Dame of Bongao for 13 years.

While she was in Bongao, she was required to seek edical attention Sr. Diana Fe T. Gillesania, OND m for an experience of persistent discomfort.

She had submitted to She sailed from Bongao chemotherapy for three to Zamboanga but was out of eight scheduled advised to proceed to sessions. She would be 71 Cotabato City for further on February 5, 2021. medical intervention at Sr. Dianne, as she is the Cotabato Regional and fondly called, was born Medical Center. on February 5, 1950 in The faculty and staff of Pagalungan, Maguindanao the Notre Dame of Bongao and was the eldest of (NDB) are most grateful 11 children of Dionisio and appreciative of her as Gillesania and Illuminada an administrator, mentor, Tapang. Following a career and friend for the maternal in teaching at the Notre care they experienced from Dame of Libungan and her.

Notre Dame University, She is remembered she entered the OND a s a v e r y a c t i v e congregation on May 21, participant in the many 1982. advocacies, particularly She made her first on environmental issues in vows on November 1, 1985 Tawi-Tawi and in Bongao and pronounced her vows where she used to be a to be an OND for life in member of the Provincial/ 1992.

Municipal Planning and H e r 3 6 y e a r s a s Development Committee.

OND showed her fidelity Jolo Vicariate to common life, to God’s Bishop Charlie Inzon, mission engaging in varied O M I , D D d e s c r i b e d ministries with generosity her “as a hardworking and creativity, compassion administrator of the Notre and friendliness.

Dame of Bongao for so She was engaged in many years." various ministries such "The Apostolic as the media ministry Vicariate of Jolo is deeply (Radio Veritas) in 1986 saddened by her passing shortly after the People away. I will offer prayers Power Revolution, and the and masses for the repose pastoral ministry in the of her soul,” Bishop Inzon Archdiocese of Cotabato said.

(Teachers’ Formation In the homily of Most Program) and at the Our Rev. Angelito R. Lampon, Lady of Grace Parish in OMI, DD during the funeral Caloocan City. mass on January 26, he

S

underlined the firmness and friendliness of Sr. Diana as an administrator.

Bishop Lampon who was the Apostolic Vicar of Jolo and President of the Board of Trustees of the Vicariate Schools when Sr. Diana was NDB directress, expressed his appreciation at how she and the other NDB administrators were able to “miraculously” implement the construction of the NDB elementary school building, a project long conceived before her incumbency.

Sr. Erlinda C. Hisug, OND Superior General, disclosed during her thanksgiving message at the funeral mass that Sr. Diana prayed for a miracle to happen. However, as she slowly felt the pains after the chemo sessions, she began to pray for courage and acceptance, articulating her personal motto as an OND, "Lord, not what I want, but what You want.”

Sr. Linda conveyed the congregation’s gratitude to all who assisted Sr. Dianne during the period of her illness, particularly her supportive siblings, doctors and caregivers in Bongao, Zamboanga and Cotabato, the NDB family, Vicariate of Jolo, the clergy and religious women and men who attended the wake, offered various forms of support and participated in the funeral mass at the Our Lady of Hope Chapel.

Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo officiated the Rite of Committal at the OND Cemetery, “where we expressed our hope that Sr. Diana, marked by the sign of faith in baptism, will indeed experience the glory of resurrection.” Sr. Maria

Luz P. Fernandez, OND

The Exorcist

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto... FROM PAGE 1

the garden of Saints.

Then from nowhere, Covid 19 strikes and it was, in no time, declared a Pandemic. Beginning March 15th, 2020, due to the declaration of enhanced community quarantine and its subsequent lockdown, the operations of the shrine came to a halt! No work; No visitors; and No income! The savings through the years dwindled and in time the “well went dry”! Animals in the zoo have to be fed and there is simply NO income.

Workers and staff have to re-arrange the work days and rest days, for the simple reason that there is NO income to cover the salaries.

It is a veritable crisis that threatens the viability of the whole Shrine and Center. While there are generous donors to feed the animals; it is not enough and soon “donors’ fatigue” begin to settle in. The Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate has come to the rescue by assuming the salaries of the workers and staff during this time of crisis.

The enhanced community quarantine is now upgraded to modified community quarantine, movements of people are allowed following the prescribed protocols - wearing face masks, keeping social distance, and constant cleaning of hands. Although movements have been restored, the usual crowd that gives life and sustainability to the Shrine is still wanting.

There are questions that need to be faced and this needs the reading of the signs of times and true discernment vis-à-vis the Shrine ministry in the time of Pandemic. First is to determine the shape and consequences of the “new normal” to the Shrine? Second is to configure the viability of the Shrine operations.

Where to get the funds for the salaries/ wages of the staff and worker and food for the animals in the zoo?

It is a long shot to rely on the “return” of the usual visitors in the Shrine for income and viability. The “old normal”

ometimes, I am and acted normally until asked if I have the ceremony was over. The performed any next Sunday they came to exorcism in the fortymass and told me that they four years of my priestly were never bothered again ministry.I have been by the “tumawo”.Was it true called to many instances possession? I am not certain. where a person was But I am certain about the Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC power of the Eucharist to supposed to be suffering tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com from possession by the free her from her oppression. devil.Mostof these instances I could attribute to a I am telling this story because in this Sunday’s psychological imbalance or a psycho-emotionalcrisis gospel reading, Jesus was performing an exorcism as and evencrowd hysteria (which usually happens in part of his public ministry (cf. Mak 1:21ff).The man with schools). When thepsychological cause is identified and the unclean spirit identified Jesus as the Holy One of addressed, the problem is usually resolved.

God and shouted, “Have you come to destroy us?”Jesus There was however one case whichIremember with a voice of authority rebuked the unclean spirit, with some fondness and a sense of awe. I was a young “Quiet, come out ofhim.”The spirit leftshouting after parish priest and I did not have much experiences in convulsing the man andthe possessed person became these paranormal matters. I was in the office when the normal.The gospel passage shows us the encounter secretary came running and I could hear commotions between Jesus and the devil, between the power of next door where a pre-Cana seminar was beingheld.A good and the power of evil, between light and darkness. couple was attending the seminar and then the woman Jesus overpowered the evil one. grew wild.She started shouting and was fearful of the Cases of possession are rare, but evil in its many crucifix and sacred pictures in the conference room.Her forms manifest itself and possess people. Those who partner was trying to control her. I went inand told the are enslaved by greed, violence, pleasure-seeking, couple to go to my office. and many forms of vices are caught in the trap of the In the interview that I conducted after the woman evil one.They needto be exorcised from the grip of calmed down, I was informed that the lady was being sin.The exorcism may not be the official ceremony of courted by a “tumawo” or a supra-natural beingwho driving out the devil. What isneeded is a conversion of did not want her to be married to anyone.The woman heart and mind, and a return to the ways of Christ.It would sleep when I triedtointerview her ( a form needsrepentance and the sacramentof Penance. of resistance).Thehusband even asked that they be As for possessions by evil spirits, let us be aware married on a Tuesday or a Friday because on these that there is a special minister of exorcism.Not all days the “tumawo” has no power.So, after praying over priests can do exorcism as the law of the church states the couple and blessing them with holy water (I used (Canon Law 1172 no. 1), “No one can legitimately lots of it and the woman wasdrenched), I assured them perform exorcism over the possessed unless he has that the “tumawo” has no more power over the woman. obtained special and express permission from the Let the wedding continue on the usual day which was local ordinary (bishop).”However prayerful and pious Saturday. believers, following some church guidelines,can pray The wedding day came and everything was forthe deliverance ofpersonsor places and things normal during the exchange of vows.At the “Our fromoppressiveevil influences.

Father” the bride started to doze and fell asleep.When The battle between good and evilcontinues but I gaveher communion, she had tobe awakenedto receive we are assured thatwith Jesuswe can overcome the sacred Host.She became fully awake after that evil. MC

REFLECTIONS

is simply not “coming back”, at least, in the short term. And since the vaccine is long in coming, the return to old normal is NOT in sight.

Faced with this grave crisis, the management of the Shrine has decided to formalize the establishment of the Shrine following Canon Law for an Archdiocesan Shrine. On February 13th, 2021, Archbishop Angelito Lampon, OMI will read the canonical declaration “officially” making the Shrine of our Lady of Lourdes in Tamontaka an Archdiocesan Shrine.

History tells us that the Shrine has been officially established by then Bishop Gerard Mongeau, OMI on December 8th, 1961. Bishop Mongeau was a Pastor and a Missionary Bishop and he paid little attention to Canon Law. Albeit no canonical declaration, there was a de facto establishment of the Shrine on that date with Bishop Mongeau himself presided at the Blessing and Consecration of the Statue of Our lady of Lourdes (from Italy) and he was at the head of the first Marian Pilgrimage in the then Prelature of Cotabato that comprised the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and all cities therein). Ever since, by custom since 1961, the Shrine of our Lady of Lourdes in Tamontaka has been a place for Pilgrimage, devotion to our Lady of Lourdes and a place for recollections and prayers, especially during Holy Week.

Now, the question is what awaits the devotees and people of Cotabato with the canonical declaration of the Shrine as Archdiocesan Shrine during this Pandemic. In short, what is the “add on” of this canonical declaration and what are the prospects of the Shrine ministry in time of the Pandemics? This will be the subject of our 4th and last article on the Shrine that will include the schedule of celebration beginning February 4th, 2021. MC

B adaliyya Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI

Short Reflection for the 4th Sunday in the Ordinary Time (B) Readings:

Deuteronomy 18: 1-20; 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35; Mark 1: 21-28

Selected Passage:

“The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”(Mk.1: 22)

Meditation:

The Gospel invites to reflect on the meaning, “to teach as one having authority”.There are two sources of this authority – first, Jesus proclamation of the reign of God was seen both in his words and deeds; second, his great love for each one of us.And he calls us his friends and he would lay down his life as ransom that we may have life to the full.

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…

7

THE MINDANAO CROSS

January 30, 2021

EDITORIAL

What is in store for our local newspapers?

I

n preparation for the coming 73rd anniversary of The Mindanao Cross, the longest and most consistent carrier of printed local news in Central Mindanao, we would like our readers to be acquainted with the rocky road that newspapers are facing at present (which includes The Mindanao Cross).

This situation has been persistent since the turn of the century with the coming of digital technology, and was made more obvious by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a paper written by Gary Mariano, a professor of Mass Communications at De la Salle University, he stated that “Much has been said and written about newspapers dying in a few years.

Worldwide, publishers have been worrying about the rising costs of production and distribution of a product whose main feature – timely information – is seriously threatened by other media. Newspapers are shutting down for good. Advertising continues to be a big industry, but in the Philippines, newspapers get only five percent of the pie, with TV grabbing almost three-quarters (Salvosa, 2010).

Newspapers that persist are forced to scale down. Manila’s “broadsheets” are now physically narrower. Some have fewer pages and done away with weekend editions.” This observation, made a few years ago, did not include the impact of computer networks on the viability of printed news. These problems persist until today.

The Mindanao Cross, a Catholic newspaper owned and operated by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was able to continue its publication even during the Marcos’ Martial Law days, when most newspapers have shut down. It is surprising that in a predominantly Muslim Mindanao, the newspaper is still going strong although it also has to struggle with rising cost. Fortunately, it has a core of writers and staff who work not for the monetary returns, but as a sort of vocation to bring balanced news to both Muslims and Christians alike. In a country where the people are imbued with the search for personal gains, The Mindanao Cross stands as an exception, for it considers the truth and advocacy for peace first before anything else. 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.

I

n a recent news release emailed to the press, timed with the second anniversary of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the subsequent creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said the Bangsamoro government has, since its inception, achieved significant strides “anchored on the principle of moral governance.”

The news release cited Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman and BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Balawag Ebrahim outlining the BARMM government’s accomplishments in his State of the Transition Period address, particularly detailing the priority legislation already passed by the regional government such as the Bangsamoro Administrative Code, as well as other codes that are at varying stages of approval among which are the Civil Service Code, Local Governance Code, Education Code, Electoral Code, and Revenue Code.

While such significant strides have been made, there is belief that the BARMM has a lot more to do to pave the way towards the promised peace and progress in the region, and that the transition period from ARMM to BARMM, mandated in the BOL to take place within three years from 2019 to 2022, may not be enough.

As the ratification of the BOL and the creation of the BARMM was approaching its second anniversary, recommendations were made to extend the transition period for another three years until 2025. While there are issues raised about such an extension, support for it is reportedly gaining ground. Among one of the more prominent personalities that have expressed support for the transition period’s extension is retired Cotabato archbishop, His Eminence Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, a staunch supporter of the Bangsamoro Peace Process and dubbed by many as “Cardinal Peace.”

Cardinal Quevedo believes the Bangsamoro Transition Authority will not be able to complete its mandate within the currently given period of transition.

In a statement last week he said “Major issues still have to be resolved. Such major issues include: the status of private sectarian education in the Bangsamoro; the completion of the decommissioning process; the setting up of the Office of Settler Communities (which, as settler communities believe, should be a Commission); the critical demarcation of the ancestral domain of Indigenous Peoples as well as the determination, defense, and development of their rights; the structural and legal assurance of equality and non-discrimination of minority groups within the Bangsamoro with regard to hiring and positions. Moreover, it is not possible to establish within the allotted transition period a new political culture within the Bangsamoro that would be ruled by the principle of transparency, accountability,

G

OING through analysts’ views on the proposed extension of term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, I find myself seeking for more.

University of the Philippines Professor Dr. Francisco “Pancho” Lara argues that by asking for extension of the BTA term, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) does a “U-Turn” in democracy. Lara reduces (read blows up) the issue to an alleged “MILF demand” for a no-el (no election), apparently to de-popularize and even decontextualize an internationally acclaimed Peace Process.

What probably is missing in Dr. Lara’s presentation is the fact that every task in the formation of or in organizing the BARMM, both under the law and in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), would have to be bilaterally or jointly undertaken by the fledgling Regional Government and by the National Government. Therefore, a success (or a failure) and whatever is accomplished in less than three years is to be attributed to both parties. Republic Act 11054 (Bangsamoro Organic Law) provides for the activation of intergovernmental relations bodies (IGRBs) to bilaterally work on organizing and operationalization of regional finance, budget and management; public works, and energy development, among others, in BARMM. Lawyer Jose Y. Dalisay III—who as a former journalist had covered Muslim Mindanao, for The Mindanao Cross from the1980s through 1990s— says the BOL does not explicitly limit the BTA term, but only of its members whose tenure of office ends with the May 2021 election (instead of Noontime of June 30, as the term of the regular constitutionally elected local officials is supposed to end every three years).

The proposed extension of the period of transition does not directly touch on, much less affect, the holding of both the May 2022 local and national elections prescribed by the Constitution. So, how could that be a “Democracy (in) U-Turn”?

A complementing commentary even connects Lara’s line to Marcos “undemocratic” interpretation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement in his administration’s implementation of the

Expectations from BARMM

Thinking Aloud

Caloy Bautista

caloyb@gmail.com

and efficiency - which is the professed intent of the Bangsamoro leadership.”

Earlier this month, twenty-two peace and human rights advocates called on the BARMM government in a joint statement “to make true of its promise for a more inclusive and plural governance.” Saying “People’s rights matter,” they urged both the national and regional government to look into the continued killings and harassment of Moro and non-Moro Indigenous Peoples in the BARMM and outside the BARMM. They called on the regional government to fast-track the passage of the NMIP Code, and on the national government to intervene to lift the cease and desist order (BTA Resolution Number 38) of the BARMM on NCIP’s delineation process of the NMIPs’ ancestral domain, saying “The gains of BOL will be in vain if the new government will continue to uphold the cease and desist order versus the processing of the Teduray and Lambangian Ancestral Domain Claim (TLADC), through BTA Resolution No. 38.” This as they called for the involvement of “the grassroots Bangsamoro inside and outside BARMM and the NMIPs inside BARMM in deliberating the BTA term’s extension proposal.”

This week, in an online press briefing for its Conflict Alert 2020 Report, peacebuilding organization International Alert Philippines said even as conflict incidents in the Bangsamoro trended downward, flashpoints developed in many pockets and corners of the region, with feuds “fueled by personal and political grudges and land conflict.” In the briefing, events in NMIP communities in South Upi and other areas in Maguindanao were among those mentioned. IA believes acting on such conflict must be the priority of the BTA if it is to continue with the momentum initiated by the Bangsamoro Peace Process.

It is still unclear if the ARMM-to-BARMM transition period will be extended. There is no doubt however that people in the region – Moros, Christian Settlers, and Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples – expect a lot from the regional government, expectations which fueled their support for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law two years ago. MC

On transitions and elections in Mindanao autonomy

PENLIGHT Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

Regional Autonomous Government (RAG). The comparative analysis supposes that RAG officials then occupied high positions without the benefit of elections. This contention, however, sits on an inaccurate historical recollection!

The interim government setup then was called the Office of the Regional Commission (ORC) to which a set of interim officials were appointed in 1975. However, regional elections were also held four years later on May 7, 1979 for the Sanggunian Pampook (SP).

But when some of the key figures of the Separatist Movement of the 1970s surfaced to join the government in 1980, the holding of regional elections became more flexible.

In particular, the administration of President Cory Aquino suspended the holding of regional polling in three years, until 1989 when a plebiscite was held for the ratification of RA 6734, the ARMM charter.

The SP and LTP were a governing setup in the form of a Unicameral Legislature and an Executive Branch, both headed by a Chairman voted to office by SP members who were elected via direct district voting by constituents from the Provinces of Lanao del Norte, lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao and the cities of Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato, for the Central Mindanao Region. Only representatives of the basic sectors were appointed. MC

8

January 30, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Rebuke hypocrites

in aid of legislation” by conducting midterm review of all BARMM infrastructure projects and other governmentfunded projects.

Hataman, a presidential appointee then elected ARMM Charlie Señase governor to have served csenase@yahoo.com for six years, has urged colleagues to include his N the changing world of whose ways are good, better or best make us administration in the midterm review how wonder to ponder on “The Way We it paired with meager budget of only P50 billion from 2012 to 2018 as against P107 were.”

This comes to mind in the midst of billion current annual budget of BARMM. Both past and present political setnumerous endorsements and support to extend the three-year term limit of ups are reformatory in nature with the the Bangsamoro Transition Authority defunct ARMM’s thrust on transparency to ensure that institutional reforms to and accountability and BARMM’s nonon sense pursuance of weed out corruption, moral governance. injustice and poverty Whatever it is are achieved in the that redounds for seemingly expanding the greater good and Bangsamoro territory general welfare will that has now included surely obtain huge Cotabato City and support and adulation. nearly a hundred That leaders must be villages belonging true to their mandate to other regions.

- public service first Could the decadesand foremost amid old Moro obsession adverse criticisms by for a MinSuPala detractors.

(Mindanao-SuluPrudence dictates Palawan) come to reality under a prolonged Moral transitory that the best things in life are free that without faith, it is impossible to please the governance?

A number of prominent congressional Creator who made all things possible. But luminaries, local government executives God in Spirit and in Truth has reminded and other organizations have made their us that faith alone is not enough. But keep sentiments felt in media outlets that love the most by reaching out so others included Cardinal Orlando Quevedo may reap and share too what we have and North Cotabato Gov. Nancy sown in them.

This goes true with a multi-million Catamco, among several others who want to give BARMM Interim Chief mothballed nuclear power plant in Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim’s moral Bataan that a leader envisioned for his ascendancy a chance to prove its worth constituents being the cheapest source of in alleviating the plight of the oppressed energy but chastised and ignored because and the disadvantaged through peaceful he was branded a dictator. Now experts want it revived due to rising cost of fuel coexistence.

However, Basilan Rep. Mujiv and energy.

Indeed, it’s true that what has been Hataman, who was former governor of the defunct Autonomous Region in is what will be and being poor and GodMuslim Mindanao has filed a House fearing is not a curse but a blessing to those Resolution with caution that though he who treasure a good name than ill-gotten favors extension moves, he wants an wealth for where our treasure is, it’s also in appropriate House committee “to inquire our heart that no one sees but God. MC

TRUE TO FORM

I

That leaders must be true to their mandate - public service first and foremost amid adverse criticisms by detractors.

Time out from COVID and kick-vac

The President and Vice President lead the inaugural parade approximately 1.5 miles from the Capitol to the White House to review the parade from an enclosed stand, without crowds. To add to the eerie nature of the day, even the outgoing president choose to boycott the event.

Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy There was no president and franco1573victoria@gmail.com first lady’s first dance, cameos from the first family and here was no stopping the Inaugural preparations for the incoming 46th who’s who of the administrations famous President of the United States of friends and supporters.

A star studded concert marked the America Joseph Biden, Jr. The sun shone brightly as the US Capitol set the stage beginning of Joseph Biden’s presidency. “This for the forthcoming event, the Presidential day is about witnessing the permanence of Inauguration in Washington, D.C. on our American ideal,” said Tom Hanks, host of the show. Bruce Springsteen kicked off January 21, 2021.

After the attack on the Capitol sparked the event with his song Land of Hope and security concerns, and the pandemic dreams, reflecting the aspirations of the rages on, the Inaugural Committee’s chief new administration,while Demi Lovato executive Tony Allen said “We want to be sang Lovely Day accompanied by doctors sensitive to the realities of the moment, have and nurses in their hospital scrubs. Foo safety protocols first and foremost.” The Fighters dedicated Times Like These to ceremony combined centuries old tradition teachers who face unprecedented creativity, with socially distanced twist necessitated while cellist Yoyo played a moving version by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. of Amazing Grace.

The concert was closed by Katy Perry, Security was present in abundance all who sang a rousing orchestral version of her around. Hundreds of the glorious, proud US flag waved in the wind. The crowd was signature Firework, as fireworks exploded reduced to about a thousand people, down around Washington Monument. She was watched by the Biden Family from the from the traditional 200,000.

Ticket for the Swearing in Ceremony in balcony of the White House.

Earlier on Wednesday, Lady Gaga the Silver Mall standing area cost $200 per person or North, South/West standing for led the musical contributions to President $750, includes Inauguration package, daily Biden’s Inauguration, eclectically garbed breakfast, Ball that the President attends, in red flowing skirt she could hardly walk and on sight assistance from Inauguratiom around in. Clearly, she was a crowd favorite with her heart-rending emotional rendition experts.

A presidential inauguration may have of the National Anthem.

Jennifer Lopez appearance at the the pomp and pageantry of a Hollywood inaugural affair was symbolic. She movie, but who would have thought it costs performed the American classics “This as much as some biggest blockbusters.

What is clear are the two groups land i.e. your Land, and bridged it with who foot the bill-donors and taxpayers. America the beautiful. For once, she was Public funds are used for the actual not dancing, swinging and her to die for swearing in ceremony, that includes abs and legs were completely covered. security, maintenance, constructions, Garbed in flowing, stiff white taffeta, she bleachers and fencing. President Trump’s was absolutely stunning.

Very much awaited were the signature 2017 inaugural committee was able to garments Dr. Jill Baden wore and their raise an unprecedented $107 million from donors, double what previous presidents fashion icon daughter’s choice. Vice had accepted. Among some of the biggest President Kamala, in a fetching purple pant names donating to Biden’s are giant tech suit was stunning. These are all recorded companies, Google, Microsoft Verizon and on TV where all the world can see, how the American people handle their special Amazon. occasions.(To be continued). MC

THE STUFF OF LIFE

T

The secrets of centenarians

you can’t laugh and feel envious.”Bel Kaufman, 102 “ Mind your own business and don’t eat junk food. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated, work hard and love what you do.” Besse Cooper, 116 Cheridine P. Oro- Josef, “ Do the right thing, M.D., DFM, FPAFP, FPCGM don’t smoke, don’t drink cheridinemd@gmail.com and don’t overdo it. If you need a little extra help, hen I invited her to share her take some vitamins. Going secrets to the senior citizens group to work is what keeps me going.” Anthony I organized in Marikina, here is Mancinelli, 101 what she said: “ Oh, I eat anything and “Look inside your soul and find your everything, meat, vegetables, fruits but tools. We all have tools and have to live more of vegetables and fruits!”. She is with the help of them. I have two tools, my ‘Nanay Conchita’. Few years back, she words and my images.I used my typewriter, was referred to me because of weakness. computer and my cameras to fight injustice.

Eventually, I was able to help her gain Whenever I see a possibility of helping strength. She was only 97 then. She lived people who are in danger, I want to help until 102. them.” Ruth Gruber, 101 Nanay Conching was a fine beautiful “ Eat right and do what you love. lady in her youth. She boasts of her many Whatever you love to do is play; doing travels here and abroad. She has 3 equally what you don’t like to do is work. I have successful children. She stayed in the US never worked a day in my life.” Dr. Laila for some time before she came back home Denmark, 114 to retire in our native land. “ Have a good appetite, lots of friends What is Nanay Conching’s usual and keep busy.” Bonita Zigrang, 108 diet? She is correct to say that she eats “ have a good wife, two scotches a night everything. Everything though means and be easy- going.” Samuel Ball, 102 eating a part of the food that she is served. “ Whatever is hard, you make hard, but She does small but frequent feeding. The if you take it as it comes, it doesn’t come everyday meal always include at least 5 hard. Don’t worry, don’t want so much, and pieces of lady fingers (okra) which is her be satisfied with what you’ve got. Be willing all time favourite. She lives her life one day to share with your firends and those less at a time albeit complaining why she was fortunate.” Loreta Hodge, 102 given long life.

“You must keep active or you will just Longevity is an interplay of genetics wither away. Always be involved in some and lifestyle. However, our attitude towards activity.” Miriam Henson, 105 life is perhaps the most important thing. “ You have to make the best out of your I enjoy interviewing my old patients and life and have a good attitude.” Barbara wonder what keeps them going and what is Brody, 102 common among their answers are: be active, “ When you live for God, talk to him, laugh a lot, do what you want to do and pray. go to church,, have nice people around you; I would like to share the followingwords that is the best medicine. God provides for from Centenarians interviewed by Gwen you. Sometimes you don’t know when it is Weiss- Numeroff written in her book, coming but it is coming.” Winifred Thomas, “Extraordinary Centenarians in America: 101 Their Secrets to Living a Long Vibrant Life” Nanay Conching lived until 102. She “Laughter keeps you healthy. You can returned to Our Lord in 2019. survive by seeing the humor in everything.

Do we really want to age until 100? It Thumb your nose at sadness; turn the really depends on how we live our lives and tables on tragedy. You can’t laugh and what we believe in. “Make the rest of your be angry. You can’t laugh and feel sad, life, the best of your life.” MC

GOLDEN THREADS

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The Ks of local tourism….

their economic growth and development.

Depending on its attributes and situation, a city or municipality can choose from a variety of selling points in attracting tourists. I Danny Buenbrazo will call these the Ks, to danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com wit: Kalikasan (nature), Kasaysayan (history), ocal government units are mandated Kultura (Culture), to prepare and periodically update Kasayahan (Sports and Entertainment), their Comprehensive Land Use and Kalakalan (Shopping).

Plans *CLUPs) and Comprehensive Some LGUs may only have one kind Development Plans (CDPs). These are of tourist attraction but other may be able multi-year plans that define the direction to market their place to entice visitors of development for a city or municipality because they have two or more of Ks. For and provide for the allocation of land for example, a city could have three (3) Ks to various uses that support the chosen promote: a good history, rich culture, and development directions. attractions for nature lovers (e.g. water In 2019, local government units falls, caves, rivers, and the like). started the process of reviewing and Towns and cities that have higher updating their respective CLUPs and financial and administrative capacities CDPs. The former Housing and Land for tourism development and promotion Use Regulatory (HLURB), now the activities may take advantage of the Ks Department of Human Settlements of their neighbors and make money in the and Urban Development (DHsUD) process. One locality could just function as provided guidance through the issuance a gateway to tourist attractions in their of guidelines, conduct of training, and vicinity by having good transport facilities other forms of technical assistances (e.g. airport, seaport, or land transport in the preparation of the CLUP. The hub, and tourist transport vehicles), as Department of Interior and Local well as, facilities (hotels, restaurants, Government (DILG) was also issuing and the like) where visitors can stay upon directives for the preparation of these arrival and/or prior to their departure. planning documents.

Preparing a town or city to cater to However, with the onset of the tourists require meticulous planning and COVID-19 pandemic, the planning policy-making. An LGU need to decide process was derailed as the seminars what Ks it would offer to potential tourists of the DSHUD and the consultations and plan the development of these Ks and required to be done by the LGUs can no the supporting facilities and services. longer be conducted in the usual manner.

Thus, the tourism development Having visited several local government a n d p r o m o t i o n p l a n s h o u l d b e units, it appears that a vast majority integrated in the CLUP and the CDP have not yet completed the preparation for easier implementation and to ensure of their successor CLUP and CDP due sustainability. to restrictions on travel and gatherings.

A city cannot promote its rivers and In the preparation of their plans, other ways for tourism yet neglect to LGUs need to decide whether their main incorporate this in the CLUP for zoning driver of economic development would be purposes, as well as, for marking these agriculture, industry, the services sector, places for requiring conservation and or any combination thereof. protection activities.

With the difficulties in agriculture Tourism can be a double-edged sword, and the industrial sector, many localities it provides opportunities and income but are opting to have the services sector it can also cause environmental and social (particularly tourism) as the flagship for problems. MC

MARKET DRIVEN

L

them to have. So how Guided discovery approach want can mathematics teachers get their students to better understand the concepts in Mathematics that are being taught?

MATH &SCIENCE Prof. Marino Ridao

ridaomarino@yahoo.com.sg

H

ow do you know that 7x8 = 56? My apo asked me showing her module on Math. I tried to answer her using her cellphone but she wanted “how it was done.” So I started explaining through the guided discovery approach in teaching mathematics. “ 7x8” is an expression. It means we add 7 itself 8 times repeatedly “ 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7” Now we have two expressions, on the left 7x8 and on the right “ 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7” These two expressions are equal, so we write 7x8 = 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 the relation of the two expression called equation.

Google says that “In every academic subject, there are a variety of strategies for teaching mathematics to school-aged students.”

Some strategies seem to be better than others, especially when tackling certain topics. There is the direct instruction approach where students are given the exact tools and formulas they need to solve a problem, sometimes without a clear explanation as to why. The student is told to do certain steps in a certain order and in turn expects to do them as such at all times. This leaves little room for solving varying types of problems. It can also lead to misconceptions and students may not gain the full understanding that their teachers

A somewhat underused strategy for teaching mathematics is that of guided discovery. With this strategy, the student arrives at an understanding of a new mathematical concept on his or her own.

An activity is given in which "students sequentially uncover layers of mathematical information one step at a time and learn new mathematics".

This way, instead of simply being told the procedure for solving a problem, the student can develop the steps mainly on his own with only a little guidance from the teacher.

The ability for children to discover is innate. From birth children discover all sorts of different things about the world around them. It has even been said that "babies are as good at discovery as the smartest adult" Discovering is the natural way that children learn. By interacting with the world around them they get their personal impression of the environment.

The main result of this approach is “It points out the lasting effect of learning theory “a sense of accomplishment, something they cannot get through direct instruction alone.” This sense of accomplishment will raise their mathematical self-esteem. This can, in turn, help students appreciate and enjoy mathematics even more. Few would argue against the idea that any teaching strategy that gets students to believe in themselves and enjoy the subject is a good one. (Teaching Mathematics through Guided Discovery, Google) MC

Region 12 population to hit 5-M in 2021... FROM PAGE1

Such estimate is based on the geometric-method projections using the 2015 population census by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Based on PopCom 12 estimates, the region’s population by Dec. 31 this year will increase by 487,924.

In 2015 census, Region 12 has a population of 4.54 million.

Despite this rise, the region is looking at a gradual population growth by end

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SUSAN FRONDA GUANSING who died intestate on July 12, 2020 in Poblacion 3, Midsayap, Cotabato, parcels of land Lot 2465-G-5-H, Psd-12003522, Lot 63-C, Psd-12007584 & Lot No. 6908, Pr-148, all situated at Poblacion, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by TCT Nos. T-71805, T-69739 & T-91577, respectively with the total area of 1,979 sq. mts., more or less and Lot 31-B-6-W, Psd-11-027079, situated at Maa, Davao City with an area of 252 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-177948 are the subject of extrajudicial settlement with waiver of rights of share before Notary Public Rodolfton S. J. De Leon as per Doc. No. 437; Page No. 84; Book No. 71; Series of 2020.

of 2021 at 1.31 percent, an increase from 4,960,231 in 2020.

As for population growth rate, there is a slight decrease expected from 1.63 percent in 2020 to 1.58 percent by end of 2021.

South Cotabato is projected to have the highest number of population with 1,682,269 million, followed

by North Cotabato with 1,568,859 million, Sultan Kudarat with 867,290 and Sarangani with 594,901.

Cotabato City which is now officially part of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is projected to reach 312, 322.

On the other hand, the region’s working population, specifically those who are

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby served t o t h e p u b l i c t hat t he 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. 30, Feb. 6 & 13, 2021

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

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.

MC: Jan. 16, 23 & 30, 2021

9

THE MINDANAO CROSS

January 30, 2021

Ang Nagdumala

aged 15-64, is also projected to hit at 3,119,302 million, from 3,078,788 million in 2020, which constitutes 62% of the entire region’s population.

According to PopCom-12 Regional Director Edwin Mateo P. Quijano, the increase in working-age population, although minimal, indicates a demographic precondition for greater productivity, given its potential to support the dependent population.

However, it poses a greater challenge to the government and the labor sector, to create job opportunities for members of the labor-force to become productive because of the impact of COVID-19 in the country’s economy.

But even so, the government and the labor sector have to beefup its efforts to provide opportunities for the labor force to make them productive, foreseeing their potential contributions in boosting our economy and

AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late DANILO DE GUZMAN MACARAEG who died intestate on September 23, 2019 at Cotabato City, parcels of land Lot 5, Block 6, Psd (ARMM) 99-000069, Lot 4, Blck 6, Psd (ARMM) 99-000069 & Lot 3, Bock 6, Psd (ARMM) 99-000069, all situated at Making, Parang, Maguindanao with the total area of 4,048 sq. mts., more or less covered

by TCT Nos. T-34998, T-34629 & T-32950, respectively;a portion of lot situated at Purok 9-A, Poblacion Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, with an area of 1,050 sq. mts., more or less andGround Floor Level (Unit GO1) Residential type Condominium Unit at Maa, Davao City, with an area of 52 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of affidavit of adjudication by sole heir before Notary Public Atty. Habari L. Balt as per Doc. No. 241; Page No. 49; Book No. VII; Series of 2021.

MC:Jan. 30, Feb. 6 & 13, 2021

Office of MP Saliga conducts IEC on NMIP Rights

MP Saliga's staff with the participants.

In the pursuit to equip the non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs) with their respective rights, the office of Member of Parliament Romeo C. Saliga launched the first of the series of Information and Education Campaign (IEC) for NMIP barangay officials and traditional leaders in the Bangsamoro region in Barangay Bayabas, Upi, Maguindanao on January 19 to 20, 2021.

A total of 56 individuals, which include the Barangay Chairperson, Kagawads, Lupong Tagapamayapa, BPATS and selected leaders of the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) in fënuwo (village) level, have participated.

The program purports to a) elaborate the rights of NMIPs as stipulated in R.A. 8371 and R.A. 11054, b) deepen the understanding of the local leaders on such rights, and c) solicit issues and concerns as basis in formulating possible policies.

Among the issues and concerns recited by the participants are a) unavailability of farm to market road and emergency vehicle considering the distance of the community, b) inaccessibility to socio-economic opportunities, c) the need to more toilet bowls for sanitation, and d) renovation of their out-of-date health center.

Barangay Chairwoman Hon. Lolita Dionisio is grateful to the office of MP Saliga for its information dissemination initiative. “Sana patuloy pa ang ganitong inisyatibo upang mapalawak pa ang kaalaman lalung-lalo na sa ating mga kabataan,” she stated.

Mel Antonette Amando Political Affairs Officer IV Office of MP Romeo Saliga in country’s development at large.

Echoing Health undersecretary for population and development Juan Antonio A. Perez III statement, Director Quijano emphasized the need to ensure that this group of population is highly skilled, educated, competent, and healthy to significantly contribute in the development.

This is crucial to attaining the demographic dividend or reaping the economic benefits in the next five years; if not, they may most likely continue being dependent on the family’s collective income and also heavily reliant on government services.

POPCOM

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

THE REGENT PAWNSHOP Quezon Avenue, Cotabato City

Patalastas ng Subasta

Ang THE REGENT PAWNSHOP ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla magmula Hulyo 2018 hanggang Hunyo 2019. Ang subasta ay gaganapin sa Pebrero 15, 2021 sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Jan. 30 & Feb. 6, 2021

PMARK PAWNSHOP MAIN, PMARK PAWNSHOP - BRANCH I & PMARK PAWNSHOP BRANCH II

Patalastas ng Subasta PMARK Pawnshop Main Branch ng S.K. Pendatun Avenue, Cotabato City, PMARK Branch I - Parang, Maguindanao, at PMARK Branch II - Supermarket Site, Cotabato City ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay yaon pang isinangla magmula pa noong Agosto 2020. Ang Subasta ay sa Pebrero 01, 2021 sa ganap na ika 9:00 ng umaga hanggang 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Jan. 30, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MARCELO BIGWAS who died intestate on April 6, 1994 in Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 2856-A, Psd22907, situated in the Bo. of Libungan, Mp. of Midsayap, Cotabato, with an area of 79,823 sq. mts, more or less, covered by TCT No. T-58052 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement before Notary Public Rodolfton S. J. De Leon as per Doc. No. 438; Page No. 89; Book No. 71; Series of 2020.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late HENRY FUGATA PACUBAT who died intestate on November 21, 2019 in Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 2485-F-6-C3-A, Psd-12-038265, situated in Brgy.

Poblacion, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-103100 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement before Notary Public Rodolfton S. J. De Leon as per Doc. No. 62; Page No. 13; Book No. 71; Series of 2020.

MC:Jan. 30, Feb. 6 & 13, 2021

MC:Jan. 30, Feb. 6 & 13, 2021

10

THE MINDANAO CROSS

January 30, 2021

Sanduguan Mindanaw is the public journalism page of The Mindanao Cross. It comes out every last Saturday of the month. The stories covered in Sanduguan are selected by the staff based on the criteria that these are the issues that matter most to the communities in the BARMM and Central Mindanao; that these stories educate, explain, empower, and help readers understand what is happening around them; and at the same time enabling them to be advocates for change. The name of the section connotes ONE BLOOD for peace.

TRANSITION EXTENSION The clock is ticking for the fledgling Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The BTA, an 80-member body appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte, will serve as the interim government during the three-year transition period that will end on June 30, 2022.

To complete the governance structure of BARMM, it has to enact the Administrative Code, Revenue Code, Electoral Code, Local Government Code, Education Code, Civil Service Code, and the law for indigenous peoples. It has so far passed the Administrative Code. Under its normalization program, the BTA also needs to decommission 40,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants. A total of 12,000 MILF fighters have so far been decommissioned.

Hence, calls for the transition extension hounds the halls of both the lower and upper houses since the last quarter of 2020. The extension has caused flurry of heated discussions on streets and on social media.

This, after the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) released on October 2020 a report entitled Rapid Midterm Review on the Bangsamoro Transition Period. Among its top recommendation is the extension of the period of transition for another three years.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro leaders quickly expressed its support for the recommendation 'to provide the BTA sufficient time to fully accomplish its mandate.'

On November 23, President Rodrigo Duterte and key Cabinet officers met in Davao City with Bangsamoro interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim and his delegation to discuss the proposed extension of the transition period.

On November 26, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez told the House Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity chaired by Maguindanao 2nd district Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu that President Duterte “believes that three years is too short and he agrees for the possible extension of the BTA up to five to six years.”

Immediately, five bills in the House of Representatives and two Senate bills were filed to reset the BARMM elections.

Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) or RA 11054, the first regular election of the Bangsamoro government “shall be held and synchronized with the 2022 national elections” (Sec. 13 of Art. XVI). This provision can, of course, be amended by Congress, under Sec. 1, Art. XVII of the BOL. The law does not categorically limit the term of the interim parliament of the region to three years. The three-year term limit is imposed on the members of the regular Parliament (Sec. 11, Article VII). MC VAL

However, the call for the transition's extension was not met with all ayes.

The Mindanao Cross for this week's Sanduguan Mindanaw, presents various opinions about the controversial move.

As a Christian religious leader in Bangsamoro territory, with urgency, I officially and formally endorse the petitions to extend the Bangsamoro transition period for three more years after 2022. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority will surely not be able to complete its mandate within the period of transition. The reasons are indisputable. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for the BTA to have regular face-to-face sessions. Security issues posed by radical armed groups prevent freedom of travel for BTA officials to perform their tasks. The constraints of time are simply insurmountable.

To allow the extension of the transition period would be tantamount to escape judgment by the constituents of the BARMM on the performance of the latter vis-avis its capability to administer a region. It would also be a blatant denial of the people’s constitutional right of suffrage, to which the Bangsamoro Organic Law has been incorporated into, thus requiring constitutional amendment or legislative intervention, failing which possible legal redress may be sought. [T]he region and the country in general, should be spared the humility and made a laughingstock for perpetuating the condescending brand of a failed experiment.

Sulu Provincial Board

+Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, OMI

(Manifesto passed November 17, 2020)

Archbishop Emeritus of Cotabato

The Teduray and Lambangian do not favor the amendment of the BOL on the provision for the first regular election on 2022 to 2025, extending the term of the BTA in a status quo. The extension will only prolong the agony of historical and contemporary injustices succumbed by the NonMoro Indigenous Peoples. We fully believed that the composition of the present BTA is the stumbling block for the BARMM to achieve genuine inclusive peace, development and progress.

We manifest our full support to the call for political transition extension. We believe that building the foundations for an inclusive and accountable autonomous government cannot be done in just three years. In the same manner, we do recognize that there are still substantial deliverables that need to be accomplished in the normalization track of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro such as decommissioning, camp transformation and transitional justice reconciliation.

Timuay Justice and Governance

Church leaders and Christians for Peace Movement

More than 2 years na, ano ba ang nangyari? Nothing happened. And you need another 3 years? Grabe na ang paghihirap ng tao niyan. The BTA did not listen to the complaints and concerns of the public. Issues such as delayed payment of salaries for teachers and health-care workers have been unresolved. You know, 'pag nasa gobyerno ka, you can't wait na sasabihin mo, 'Sandali lang (Hold on). You give me another 3 years.' No. Terms are specific. The tenures of office are specific.

On the proposed extension of transition period of the Bangsamoro government, my stance is anchored on the welfare of the people of 63 villages in the province that opted to join the BARMM. I am convinced that the regional government was drastically hampered by COVID-19. I believe that BARMM leadership should be given ample time to fulfill its enormous tasks of improving the lives of our people, address historical injustices and show to the world that peace is feasible and attainable in Mindanao.

Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi

Nancy Catamco

Cotabato City Mayor during ANC's Matters of Fact interview

Cotabato Provincial Governor

If we want this transition to be successful, we have to give our brothers (in the Bangsamoro) ample time to lay down the foundation, and realistically we cannot achieve this in three years. The movement of peace workers as well as international peace partners have been restricted. Moreover, funds have been reduced since some of the resources were utilized for emergency purposes.

President Durterte also believes that three years is too short and he agrees for the possible extension. So, ladies and gentlemen, that is the position of the OPAPP.

No to extension dahil ayaw namin ng magulo. Hindi lahat ng Kristiyano gusto ng extension. These "church leaders" did not consult us, therefore they made the call in their own personal capacity. They do not represent the majority.

Daniel

Facebook User

Carlito Galvez Jr.

Presidential Peace Adviser

We, in Lamitan, honestly believe that sufficient time is needed for the BTA to lay down the foundation for the institutionalization of a just and lasting peace and to maintain the momentum in achieving economic growth in the Bangsamoro. A task as big as this is a long and arduous process so that the BTA must be extended and allow it to fulfill its mandates to the fullest and at its best, we have already felt the gains of the new Bangsamoro and it is but right and just to allow it to come to fruition so that we do not compromise the peace gains we have achieved.

Based sa pagkakaintindi ko, itong extension hullabaloo is about BARMM wanting to amend the clause on 2022 election sa kanilang Bangsamoro Organic Law. My question for them, why are they so scared of the election? What's so scary about that? Kung ilalaban nila yung governance and normalization, maipagpapatuloy naman iyon in accordance sa pinirmahang peace deal. Tatapusin lang naman ng mga appointed member of parliament yung priority bills. Then mag-eelection and the elected officials can continue the rest. Unless they have vested personal interest at gusto nila talaga kumapit sa pwesto. Ano na lang ang impact nito sa 'moral governance'?

Rosita Furigay

Conchita

Government employee

Lamitan City Mayor

Hindi ako against the extension. But I feel it is not wise to blindly decide to extend without looking at the very reasons for the call of extension and present concrete plans at addressing them. Kung wala tayong malinaw na roadmap, paano natin assess kung ano ang kulang at ano ang kailangan. Para malaman natin kung may problema nga ba sa ARMM and to identify the challenges and hurdles experienced by the transition leadership in project implementation and see where we can plug these holes and help.

Mujiv Hataman

Basilan Representative