The Mindanao Cross | May 22, 2021

Vol. LXXIII| No. 15| Cotabato City | Saturday, May 22, 2021 |12 Pages | P10.00

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CHURCH / P4

Seminarians urged to engage young voters in 2022 polls

WB, partners launch Mindanao Peace Fund

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SK guv suspends vice mayor, councilors

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

“NO CHILD SHALL BE LEFT BEHIND”

By Nash B. Maulana

THE Bangsamoro Parliament approved on Tuesday the Education Code of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), establishing a “complete and integrated quality education system for the future of the region’s children and youth.”

Asik-Asik Falls. in Alamada, North Cotabato comes from a Hiligaynon term which means to sprinkle. The waterfalls resemble a curtain of spring waters flowing down from a wall covered in lush foliage.

Photo courtesy of ibarra.photography

Koronadal LGU maximizes anti-COVID-19 efforts

By John Felix Unson KORONADAL CITY — Personnel of the city police impounded 45 motorcycles and held for orientation 63 violators of curfew and other local anti-COVID-19 regulations in a series of operations in the past three days.

The City Government of Koronadal City reported via Facebook Monday that three of the apprehended violators are minors.

Some of the motorists were apprehended, in joint operations by the Koronadal City police and anti-coronavirus

frontliners from the May 15 to 17, for not wearing facemasks and for violation of the citywide nighttime curfew meant to limit movement of residents to protect them from COVID-19.

The Koronadal City local government unit has markedly been active in enforcing health protocols in all of its constituent-barangays in support of the state's war versus COVID-19.

There has been a spike in local COVID-19 cases in Koronadal City in recent weeks.

The Koronadal

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Farmer dies, infra projects, crops damage

By Edwin O. Fernandez A farmer was drowned while infrastructures were destroyed as floods and landslides brought about by intertropical convergence zone hit Soccsksargen region.

The South Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said the day-long rains caused the Allah River to overflow and inundated communities and farm areas nearby.

Initial reports showed that the flash floods damaged vast tract of agricultural lands in at least four towns.

The river crisscrossed the towns of Lake Sebu, Tboli, Surallah, and Sto. Niño in South Cotabato and Isulan and Esperanza in Sultan Kudarat and ended in the Maguindanao marshland.

In Surallah, South Cotabato, municipal disaster officer Leonardo Ballon, said 44-year-old Roger Barneso of Barangay Moloy, was believed to have drowned after his head hit huge stones along Allah River.

He was swept away at about 10 p.m. after his tricycle, with his wife and daughter on board, fell off a wooden bridge in Barangay Dajay. The wife and the girl survived.

Barneso’s remains was fished out along Allah River in Barangay Bai Saripinang, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.

Ballon, in his report to South Cotabato PDRRMO head Rolly Doane Aquino, said the flash floods damaged the Maculan bridge in Barangay Veterans, four foot bridges in Barangays Lamsugod, Tubi Allah and Buenavista, a bridge in Barangay Moloy.

Ballon said assessment is still on-going on the extent of damages to crops and other agricultural products.

NoCot IPHO: Isolation facilities almost full

Region 12 resources manage COVID-19

KORONADAL CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) assured Tuesday the region still has enough resources to manage its increasing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Dr. Aristides Tan, DOH-Region 12 director, said the region’s hospital and isolation capacity remains under the “safe zone” amid the spike in new infections in various localities since last month.

Tan said they are continuously working with local government units (LGUs) in the area to improve their capacity in handling the mounting cases, especially in terms of testing, isolation, and treatment of patients.

As of Monday evening, DOH-12 recorded at least 1,429 active cases in the region, one of the highest since last year.

The confirmed infections in the area have reached a total of 9,184, with 298 related deaths and 7,455 recoveries.

Tan said they recorded an average of 100 new infections per day in the region’s four provinces and four cities in the last two weeks.

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By Edwin O. Fernandez HEALTH authorities in North Cotabato today said that isolation facilities for COVID-19 are almost full.

Dr. Eva Rabaya, North Cotabato provincial health chief, said health officials feared that the number of Covid-19 patients may go higher as against isolation rooms in the provinces’ hospitals and isolation facilities.

“The cases of infections are rising and we fear we might be overwhelmed by this,” Dr. Rabaya told DXND Radyo in the vernacular.

“Our facilities are not yet full but if the trend continues, we might run

out of isolation rooms,” said Dr. Rabaya, also head of North Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office.

She cited the case of Mlang District Hospital where at one given time the Covid-19 patients rose to 20, three patients short to its full capacity of 23.

There are patients who are also on waiting list for admission in the same hospital.

“Even the other isolation facilities in various localities are also nearing full capacity,” she added.

“We appeal to our local health frontliners in conducting their

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DID YOU KNOW? May is National Heritage Month May was declared National Heritage Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 439 signed on Aug. 11, 2003 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The month of May is by tradition the time of the year most fiestas, festivals and other indigenous activities are celebrated throughout the country. According to the proclamation, the celebration aims to create consciousness, respect and love for the legacies of Filipino cultural history and raise support for the protection of tangible and intangible heritage.

PWD FRIENDLY CITY. Cotabato City government promotes equal opportunities for differently abled persons amidst impairments and challenges they experience. These wheelchairs will help them lessen the barriers they encounter as we move towards a more inclusive society.

Photo courtesy of City Government of Cotabato

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May 22, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

WB, partners launch Mindanao Peace Fund

THE World Bank was joined by international partners in the launch Wednesday of the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) in support of the Mindanao Peace Process.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Al-Hadj Murad Ebrahim and Peace Sec. Carlito Galvez along with World Bank Country Director Ndiame Diop and representatives of other international organizations signed Wednesday the Agreement on the Establishment of the BNTF. In a virtual press event, Diop said, “The BNTF is about funding a transformation— transforming former combatants and their communities into productive elements of Bangsamoro society.”

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said the region is “grateful” for yet another step at realization of the bilateral commitments in the Normalization Annexes to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro which the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) entered into in 2014.

BARMM Education Minister and Member of the Bangsamoro Parliament

Mohaguer Iqbal said designating World Bank to manage the BNTF would best ensure transparency on utilization of funds usage.

International stakeholders, mainly the International Contact Group, have designated WB as the fund manager of the BNTF Galvez said the signing of the BNTF marked a “historic moment” that it fosters “strong spirit of cooperation” among former parties to armed conflict and their international partners and stakeholders, supporting the common quest for peace with justice— justice to women, men, children and youth, as well as persons with disabilities as war victims.

Parties to the BNTF through the World Bank will finance, coordinate and oversee delivery of assistance from international partners and other donors in the normalization track, including for rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of Bangsamoro communities;

the decommissioned MILF combatants and their communities, and vulnerable sectors in the Bangsamoro.

Iqbal represented the MILF in the signing of the agreement being the chairperson of its panel in the Peace Process.

“The BNTF is about funding a transformation; (that of) transforming former combatants and their communities into productive elements of Bangsamoro society,” Diop said The May 16 Agreement on the Establishment of BNTF states that the government “may also provide counterpart funding for the BNTF.” Diop said the Australian government and the European Union have pledged amounts to support the development of BARMM. Australian Ambassador Steven James Robinson like other said he was honored that his country is being part of Normalization Process. Nash B. Maulana

Mayor Susing: “I am asymptomatic, I am okay” ALAMADA Mayor Jesus “Susing” Sacdalan said he has been in isolation and is doing fine.

Sacdalan who on Wednesday announced he has the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) said he is asymptomatic.

He then urged people and co-workers who have close contact with him to undergo quarantine.

“With sadness, I announced to you that I

am positive of COVID-19,” said Sacdalan, former congressman representing Cotabato first district.

He theorized that he may have acquired the virus in one of the gatherings in town while he was on official function as town mayor.

“I am now isolated, I am asymptomatic, don’t worry I am okay,” Sacdalan said in his FB page.

Sacdalan appealed to all people in the local

government unit and in the town hall who may have close contact with him from May 12 “to undergo selfquarantine and report to the rural health unit should you manifests symptoms of possible infections.”

Sacdalan, a senior citizen, said he has been strictly observing maximum health protocols while performing his duties as town mayor.

“This (infection) is a manifestation that no matter

how extra careful we are, we remain vulnerable,” he said, repeating his appeal to all the people of Alamada to observe and religiously comply with the minimum health protocols being promoted by the Department of Health.

Sacdalan hopes to resume official functions on June 3.

In his statement, Sacdalan did not name town caretaker but the town vice mayor is Leonigildo Calibara Jr. Edwin O. Fernandez

Skeletal workforce up in NoCot capitol TO help prevent the spread of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in the provincial capitol of North Cotabato in Kidapawan City, Gov. Nancy Catamco on Wednesday ordered the implementation of skeletal work force scheme but assured clients will still be served “As precautionary move to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the recent recorded positive cases in the province you are directed to set up skeletal work force,” Catamco told all department heads whose offices are in the provincial capitol building.

The implementation of skeletal workforce scheme will last from May 19 to May 28.

In a particular office, 50 workers will report from Monday to Thursday while the other 50 will work from home.

Friday is disinfection day.

It aims to protect some 800 employees from possible COVID-19 infected clients visiting government offices.

It also aims to help contain the spread of the disease that have hit the province and on the rise recently.

As of May 19, North Cotabato has 297 active cases. On Wednesday, 20 new cases were reported with Kidapawan City having the highest number with 15.

Speaking over DXND Radyo Bida, Catamco also cancelled her activities like village visitation and implementation of projects to far flung areas, including End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) activities.

Preventive steps have been taken by some local government units following a spike of infections.

A village in Carmen, North Cotabato with about 14,000 inhabitants was placed on lockdown after posting high cases of infections due to local transmission.

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UN, BARMM cooperate on KKB project

THERE is this “arms-to-farms” initiative supported by the World Food Programme converting into productive agricultural enclaves the lands where Moro rebels and government forces had fought deadly battles.

The WFP, known as the “food assistance branch” of the United Nations, is the world’s largest provider of food for communities in conflict and calamity-stricken areas.

WFP representatives and officials of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and EnergyBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MENREBARMM) inspected Wednesday the “Kayod ka Bangsamoro (KKB)” project in Barangay Nekitan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and found out that members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the area now producing “Lakatan” table bananas and vegetables in bulk.

The Bangsamoro government was represented in the event by MENRE-BARMM deputy minister Akmad Brahim, and Alindatu Pagayao, assistant regional secretary.

Barangay Nekitan was a bivouac area of Moro rebels during the Southern Mindanao secessionist conflict in the 1970s.

The sides of the farm trails that lead to the center of the barangay then was dotted with booby traps and homemade landmines, according to elderly residents.

“It is exciting to see the progress happening around. The Bangsamoro

has lands that can be made productive,” Brenda Barton, WFP’s country director in the Philippines, said.

The KKB project is a joint initiative of the WFP, MENRE-BARMM Minister Abdulrauf Macacua and the office of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.

Spouses of MILF members residing in the area told the visiting WFP officials, among them Melina Nathan, senior UN peace adviser, that their husbands now earn no less than P30,000 monthly from banana production.

“It is the buyers that come around to procure bananas from MILF members here. The buyers buy in bulk and pay in cash,” Brahim, a senior member of the front, said.

Pinagayao said the productivity now of MILF members in Barangay Nekitan is just an initial dividend of the front’s peace process with Malacañang.

“This area was a battle zone in the early 1970s,” Pinagayao said.

Brahim said Air Force planes had dropped hundreds of bombs on strategic spots in the barangay to flush Moro rebels out.

Pinagayao and Brahim separately said their focus now is how to connect former MILF combatants to buyers of vegetables in trading hubs in Cotabato City and in nearby municipalities.

The hostility between the government and the MILF ended with the crafting of the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and, subsequently, the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro by both

ARMS-TO-FARMS. Visiting dignitaries, among them representatives from the World Food Programme of the United Nations, inspect pumpkins produced by former Moro guerillas in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, where the WFP and the Bangsamoro regional government are together in improving the agricultural productivity of local communities via the Kayod ka Bangsamoro project.

John Felix Unson sides after about 20 years of peace talks.

The two documents paved the way for the creation of BARMM that has a congressional charter, the Republic Act 11054, most known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

Ebrahim is the chairman of the MILF’s central committee.

Some of the former MILF combatants now thriving as farmers in Barangay Nekitan are children of his followers who fought the government during the 1970s. John Felix Unson

BTA allots ambulances to LGUs Cases filed versus 15 drug dealers

TWENTY local government units and health stations across the Bangsamoro Region have received land ambulance units from the region’s Ministry of Health and from members of Bangsamoro Parliament Tuesday.

Health Minister Bashary Latiph said the distribution of new ambulance units was through the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF), an initiative project of the Bangsamoro Parliament that provides assistance to

their chosen beneficiaries.

Minister Latiph said that ambulance services will provide immediate response to any medical related emergencies in the region.

“It includes transporting the patient from the incident site to the emergency room of the receiving hospital for definitive care, transferring the patient to another hospital for further diagnosis and treatment purpose, rendering emergency medical care

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AUTHORITIES have filed criminal cases against 15 members of a notorious shabu distribution ring nabbed in Picong, Lanao del Sur on May 14.

Their arrest could be the biggest feat achieved by the Philippine Drug Enforcement AgencyBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Musllim

Mindanao in the past 12 months, The Mindanao Cross learned.

There was resistance from the suspects when PDEA-BARMM agents raided their hideout that led to the death of one of its leaders.

Cases have been filed against the suspects at the Lanao del Sur Provincial

Prosecutor’s Office in Marawi City.

Three policemen, Master Sgt. Rafael Abdulah of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and Patrolmen Melvin Habiling and Richard Nicolas, both members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group,

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May 22, 2021

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

“No child shall be left behind”...from P1

Region 12 resources...from P1

It was eventually signed into law by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim who said the BARMM Education Code embodies the collective aspiration that “No Bangsamoro child shall be left behind”—as primarily advocated by the region’s Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE).

Member of Parliament Mohagher Iqbal said provisions of the BARMM Education Code translate into a legislated policy “the hopes and ideals of the Bangsamoro people for an inclusive, culturebased, effective, and sustainable education framework.”

“As we continue our journey for peace and development, I don’t think there can be any landmark accomplishment that is worth celebrating than being able to establish the Bangsamoro Education Code,” BTA Speaker Atty.

Pangalian Balindong said.

T h e B A R M M Education Code professionalizes the noble profession of teaching, starting from the recruitment process through appropriate guidance in professional practice.

It opens the windows of opportunity through partnership programs on professional development and capability building for teachers, said BTA Member Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan, an ardent advocate for quality education in the region.

Professionalizing the ranks of the teaching profession aims to address perennial concerns on mostly temporary, noneligible teachers holding onto permanent plantilla positions, allegedly on backing of lobby groups of well-entrenched influence.

“These are mostly traced from exposure to Covid-19 cases, (attendance to) social gatherings in communities and homes, and transmission in workplaces,” he said in a presentation during the fourth leg of the Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA (state-of-thenation address) Series here.

The cases involved individuals aged one to 103-years-old, with the majority consisting of the

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses ADRIANO RONQUILLO and LUCIA GERALDEZ RONQUILLO, who both died at Sagasa, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, on March 19, 1997 and April 2, 1989, respectively, left parcels of land Lot No. 1179-A, Psd-12001867 in Sagasa, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat under TCT No. T-20697 and Lot No. 1186A, Psd-12007067 in Paitan, Ampatuan, Maguindanao (now Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat) under TCT No. T-19833 with the total area of 81,998 sq. mts., more or less, are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Ukol M. Paglala as per Doc. No. 158; Page No. 32; Book No. XXVI; Series of 2021.

MC: May 8, 15 & 22, 2021

The Regional trial Court Branch in Central Mindanao has upheld Iqbal and MBHTE in a bold, decisive move to rid the region of noneligible teachers holding permanent positions.

Iqbal, who is also BARMM education minister, defended the measure in the plenary of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, along with Lidasan and Deputy Minority Leader Rasol Mitmug Jr., a lawyer and former education secretary of the erstwhile ARMM. In crafting the code, Iqbal said, “we wanted a version that includes significant provisions that will enhance the Bangsamoro education system, protect the wellbeing and rights of our teachers, non-teaching staff, parents, and learners.”

Iqbal said the Education Code provides for management and support to the development of complete and integrated quality education system for BARMM. MBHTE also regulates Arabic schools known as madaris (literally, schools) by establishing the Bureau of Madaris, which designs and implements distinct policies to professionalize and set the benchmark of qualifications for asatidz (teachers) as well as requirements for private madrasah schools management.

The measure signed into law Wednesday by Ebrahim was passed via BTA nominal voting in which 61 members of the Parliament voted in favor of the Cabinet Bill No. 70, the Bangsamoro Education Code.

“It is about time that we have the kind of education we have always aspired for as Bangsamoro people. One that is comprehensive EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late RAYMUNDO BARRIOS, who died on February 25, 1987 at Midsayap, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 2975C, Psd-15485, situated at Batiocan, Midsayap (now Libungan), Cotabato, containing an area of 40,328 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-11653 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of intestate estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 330; Page No. 66; Book No. CCXXX; Series of 2021.

MC: May 8, 15 & 22, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late REYNALDO ESCLETO who died on January 25, 2021 at CRMC, Cotabato City, left an insurance claim with Insular Life under Insular Diamond Life Plan with Policy No. 0002180825 is the subject of extrajudicial of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 934; Page No. 934; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late GERTRUDES BALGOS who died intestate at Sambag, Jaro, Iloilo City on January 21, 2021, is the co-owner of Macaria M. Jabasa over a parcel of land Lot 181-B-2-A-20, Psd62018, situated in the District o f C o l i n a , C o t a b a t o C i t y, covered by TCT No. T-45709 with an area of 325 sq. mts., is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with waiver of rights before Notary Public Joshua C. Alim as per Doc. No. 130; Page No. 27; Book No. I; Series of 2021.Series of 2021.

MC: May 1, 8 & 15, 2021

MC: May 15, 22 & 29, 2021

as it is integrated into an Education system in Bangsamoro,” Balindong added.

The education code “is an embodiment of our aspiration for the Bangsamoro children to have a bright future,” the Bangsamoro Parliament Information Office quoted Iqbal as saying.

Under the Code, the MBHTE is in charge of formulating, planning, implementing, and coordinating policies, plans, programs, and projects in all learning systems within the Bangsamoro region, such as formal and non-formal as well as the operational supervision of all public and private educational institutions.

Minister Iqbal said that the code allows the MBHTE to effectively govern the education system in the Bangsamoro and “set the strategic direction towards a balanced, accessible, and high standard educational structure.”

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12th Judicial Region BRANCH 27 Cotabato City Special Proceeding No. 20211516 IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH, JOSEFINA S. CANLAS, Petitioner, versus THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF PARANG, MAGUINDANAO Respondents. x---------------------------------------x ORDER A verified petition was filed by the petitioner, assisted by counsel, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an order be issued directing the Local Civil Registrar of Parang, Maguindanao, to correct the true and correct last name of herein Petitioner and her father from Salba to Salva.

Further, for the year of birth of the petitioner to appear as January 5, 1957 instead of January 5, 1958.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, let this case be set for hearing on June 30, 2021 at 8:30 0’clock in the morning, at which place, date and time, any person who may have interest, if any, may show cause why the petition should not be granted.

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

SO ORDERED. Cotabato City, Philippines, this 11th day of May 2021.

(Sgd.)KASAN K. ABDULRAKMAN Presiding Judge MC: May 15, 22 & 29, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AIDA M. EUGENIO who died intestate in February 10, 2018 at Cotabato City, consisting of a Saving Account Deposit with the Land Bank of the Philippines, Cotabato City Branch, with a balance of P151,572.12, was the subject of an Affidavit of Adjudication By Sole Heir, executed by the Heir before Notary Public Renato M. Eugenio of Cotabato City on May 12, 2021, per his Natarial Register known as Doc. No. 95, Page No. 20, Book No. 210 Series of 2021.

MC: May 22, 29 & June 5, 2021

20 to 29-year-old range.

Tan assured the region has “a lot of vacant beds” to administer or properly manage the current Covid-19 cases.

“Our hospital bed utilization rate is only 26 percent so we’re still in the safe zone,” the official said.

DOH-12 has over 8,000 beds in temporary treatment and monitoring facilities and 1,190 beds in 68 hospitals. PNA

In Mlang, North Cotabato, Mayor Russel Abonado has supended the operation of all swimming resorts and other tourist attractions to avoid unnecessary convergence of people.

In Kidapawan City, the town center village was placed under focused containment after residents of three adjoining homes have tested positive of the virus. Edwin O. Fernandez

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

corner Bonifacio and Don Rufino Alonzo Sts., Cotabato City

Ang Sultan Pawnshop ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Setyembre 2020.

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

MC: May 15 & 22, 2021

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

ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Abril 2020 hanggang Mayo 2020. Ang Subasta ay sa Mayo 31, 2021 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: May 15 & 22, 2021

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

Notice for Auction

All unredeemed articles pledged on September 2020 will be auctioned on June 01, 2021 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before June 01, 2021 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta

Lahat ng sangla noong Setyembre 2020 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Hunyo 01, 2021 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Hunyo 01, 2021 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

MC: May 15 & 22, 2021

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the late KUTIANG S. TAPARAK, who died on April 3, 2021 at Cotabato City, left a bank account with the Philippine National Bank (PNB) under Account No. 405110008630 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De CastroJagunap as per Doc. No. 1012; Page No. 1012; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2021.

MC: May 8, 15 & 22, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late MILDRED M. BOLONGON, who died on April 19, 2021 at Cotabato City, left a bank account with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) under Account No. 94092105-51 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 1035; Page No. 1035; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: May 8, 15 & 22, 2021

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12th Judicial Region BRANCH 14 Cotabato City SPL. PROC. CASE NO. 2013-739

VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I AND BRANCH II will hold a public auction sale of all unredeemed and unrenewed items pawned from November 1 to December 31, 2020 on June 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

Skeletal workforce...from P2

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 Nobyembre 1 hangtud sa bulan sa Disyembre 31 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag karung Hunyo 10, 2021 sa VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., ug sa VGM PAWNSHOP BRANCH II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City.

MC: May 15, 22 & 29, 2021

Ang Nagdumala

Notice for Auction

Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV in Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak announce the Auction Sale of all unredeemed pledges contracted May 2-31, 2020 at 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main 4J Bldg. Corner Jose Lim Sr., and Don Roman Vilo St. Cotabato City. Auction sale will be on May 26, 2021.

Patalastas ng Subasta Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de OroPawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV sa Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Mayo 2-31, 2020 sa alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:00 ng hapon sa Agencia de Oro - Jose Lim Branch, corner Jose Lim Sr, and Don Roman Vilo St., Cotabato City sa Mayo 26, 2021.

MC: May 15 & 22 , 2021

IN RE: PETITION FOR THE C A N C E L L AT I O N O F T H E C E R T I F I C AT E O F B I R T H OF SHARON CHAN PER LCR NO.1,563 (K-73) AND FOR THE CORRECTION OF LIVE BIRTH OF SHARON SETIAR PER LCR NO.1643 (A-78),

SHARON CHAN SETIAR, Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF COTABATO CITY,

Respondent. x---------------------------------------x ORDER This is in reiteration of the Order of this Court dated August 13, 2014 wherein a verified petition was filed by the petitioner thru counsel, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an Order be issued directing the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Cotabato City to CANCEL AND SET ASIDE Petitioner’s Certificate of Birth as registered under Registry No.1,563 (K-73) dated November 29, 1973 and INSERT the name “CHAN” as Petitioner’s Middle Name under Item No.3 in Petitioner’s Certificate of Birth as registered under Registry No.1643 (A-78) dated August 18, 1978.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and in substance, let this case be set again for hearing on May 25, 2021 at 1:30 o’clock in the afternoon, at which place, date and time, any person who may have interest, if any, may show cause why the petition should not be granted.

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

SO ORDERED. Cotabato City, Philippines, this 15th day of April, 2021.

(Sgd.) KASAN ABDULRAKMAN Acting Presiding Judge

MC: May 8, 15 & 22, 2021

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May 22, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Seminarians urged to engage young voters in 2022 polls Seminary to plant ‘500 jubilee trees’

A network of theology seminarians encouraged its members to engage youth voters in the upcoming local and national polls.

With only a year before the elections, the Seminarian’s Network of the Philippines (SemNet) said it’s crucial to help educate young people on important issues facing the country.

“We urge everyone to engage their circles of influence, especially our youth, in conversations that will help form their conscience in choosing leaders who live out their values,” SemNet said.

“We enjoin each one to help build communities of solidarity and form leaders who will enable their flourishing,” it said.

The group made the call in a statement released on May 13, as they launched a “Year of Prayer for Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful, and Peaceful Elections”.

The seminarians said the May 2022 polls offer an opportunity to “rebuild our

nation based on high principles”.

“We need to go beyond shortsightedness, petty provincialism, and mere superficiality in order to make better choices with far-reaching responsibilities and impact,” they said.

They also emphasized the need to establish a network of empowered communities that needs “to be sustained” by national leaders with structures “to improve their situation for a long-term common good”.

“This is a mission which our Church shares, and we can make significant contributions,” the seminarians added.

SemNet also called on seminarians and the youth to register and vote in the coming elections and encouraged seminaries to work with stakeholders to ensure a credible and orderly elections.CBCP News

Vatican asks dioceses to promote local World Youth Day celebrations

VATICAN — The Vatican released pastoral guidelines Tuesday for local World Youth Day celebrations with the aim of encouraging Church leaders to “give more importance to the diocesan celebration of WYD.” In addition to the massive World Youth Day gatherings typically held every three years, the Catholic Church also sponsors local youth day events for which the pope sends a message each year.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, and Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, the dicastery’s secretary, signed the guidelines published May 18 with Pope Francis’ approval.

“Some young people cannot take part in the international WYDs because of their studies, work or financial difficulties.

It would therefore be good for each particular Church to offer them the possibility, even if at a local level, of a personal experience of a ‘festival of faith’ that can be a powerful occasion for witnessing, communion and prayer similar to the international events,” the pastoral guidelines said.

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Pope Francis announced last November that these local youth celebrations should take place on the Solemnity of Christ the King starting in 2021. They had formerly been held on Palm Sunday.

The guidelines said: “The key proclamation that must be addressed to young people and that must be at the center of every diocesan/ eparchial WYD celebrated on the day of Christ the King is therefore: receive Christ! Welcome him as King into your lives! He is a King who came to save.”

The text outlined six “cornerstones that must be at the heart of every WYD,” whether diocesan, regional, or international. These include making the event a joyful festival of faith, an experience of ecclesial communion, an opportunity for discernment, and an experience of pilgrimage.

Young people themselves should play an active role in organizing these local youth day celebrations, according to the guidelines.

“In this way, the diocesan/eparchial event can be a very good opportunity to motivate and welcome all those young

his Sunday we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, also known as the birthday of the Church, when the Holy Spirit, symbolized by tongues of fire, came down upon the disciples. It is known as the birthday of the Church because as shown in the first reading (Acts 2:1-11), the group of disciples who were timid and fearful came out and started telling the story of Jesus. The people of many nations who were around to celebrate the Jewish feast of harvest fifty days after Passover heard the disciples speaking in different tongues. The birth of the church coincides with its missionary activity. From that moment, the believers would go to all the ends of the earth to proclaim Jesus and the Father’s plan of restoring creation to Himself. The disciples would be strengthened by the Spirit that they have received.

According to St. Paul in the second reading, (1Cor. 12:3b-ff), it is the Spirit that gives the church a variety of gifts. Using the analogy of the body, St. Paul says, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). When Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection He greeted them with “Peace be with you.” And He breathed the Holy Spirit on them. It is the Spirit who gives peace and unites the disciples.

Just as the Spirit renewed the disciples, so through them the Spirit renews the earth. A traditional prayer to the Holy Spirit goes, “Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of your love.

people who may be looking for their place in the Church and who have not yet found it,” the document said.

Fr. Awi Mello spoke at a Vatican press conference May 18 to promote the diocesan youth days.

“These meetings, born of the prophetic intuition of St. John Paul II, have been recognized by most as a source of grace for many young people, for youth ministry and for the entire Church. How many conversions, how many vocations are born during WYD,” the Brazilian priest said.

“We firmly believe that the international WYD and its local counterpart are mutually enriching. The international dimension broadens the horizons of young people and opens them to universal brotherhood. The local WYD, because of its geographical and physical proximity, can more easily generate a commitment in young people that will change the face of the society in which they live and increase their sense of belonging,” he added.

The next World Youth Day is scheduled to take place in Lisbon, Portugal,

WHEN these seminarians go home for vacation later this month, they will bring with them unusual belongings: tree seedlings.

These ‘jubilee trees’ will be planted in various parts of Mindanao, Bohol and Maasin where the seminarians of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary come from.

Fr. Reynaldo Raluto, SJVTS’ Academic Dean, said the planting of trees is part of the seminary’s “500 Trees for the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines” initiative.

“This is the aim of SJVTS to mark this important year in the history of the

Philippine Church,” Raluto said.

Archbishop Jose Cabantan of Cagayan de Oro, his predecessor Archbishop Emeritus Antonio Ledesma, bishops Antonieto Cabajog of Surigao, Cosme Damian Almedilla of Butuan, Raul Dael of Tandag, and Malaybalay diocesan administrator Msgr. Noel Pedregosa planted the first six of the 500 new trees in the seminary compound on May 12.

The priest said the remaining 494 trees will be planted in their seminarians’ home places.

“They will bring home from the seminary seedlings

properly marked as ‘Vianney Jubilee Trees’ and plant them in their home or parish lots,” Raluto said.

“Each of the seedlings the seminarians will plant will be counted as part of the 500 jubilee trees,” he added.

The project is one of the seminary’s green initiatives, including its “community pan-tree” in response to Pope Francis’ challenge “to care for our common home”.

SJVTS’ Integral Ecological Concerns Ministry, which is also under the supervision of Fr. Raluto, coordinate’s the seminary’s ecologyrelated activities. CBCP

News

Archbishop Jose Cabantan of Cagayan de Oro (L-R), Bishop Antonieto Cabajog of Surigao, Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla of Butuan, Bishop Raul Dael of Tandag, Archbishop Emeritus Antonio Ledesma of CDO, and Malaybalay diocesan administrator Msgr. Noel Pedregosa plant the first six of the 500 new trees at the Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City on May 12.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

in August 2023. Bishop Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar, who is overseeing preparations for the event, told CNA that the youth gathering will be “an opportunity to renew the hope in the post-pandemic period.”

St. John Paul II first started World Youth Day in 1985. At the time, he explained: “All young people must feel that they are cared for by the Church.

Therefore, may the entire Church on a worldwide level, in union with the Successor of Peter, be more and more committed to young people, to their concerns

Renew the Earth REFLECTIONS

Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com

Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth.” Every Christian disciple is therefore a partner of the Holy Spirit in renewing the face of the earth. This is the mission of the church – to renew people’s hearts and thus renew the earth.

The world is in constant flux. Things change. We are witnesses to a great change happening now in the world brought about by Covid-19. From the distant barrios to the cities, our lives are being changed.

Covid-19 impacted our health care institutions greatly and has also affected all areas of life. The lockdowns are affecting economic activities. Impediments that are intended to control the spread of the virus are also harming the exchange of goods and services.

Culturally, due to health protocols we cannot socialize as we used to. Even the children cannot go to school, study, and play. Governance has given more emphasis on the local governing units. Even religious activities

and worries and to their aspirations and hopes, so as to meet their expectations by communicating the certainty that is Christ, the Truth that is Christ, the love that is Christ.”

On the feast of Christ the King in 1984, the Polish pope said: “On this feast day […] the Church proclaims the Kingdom of Christ, already present, but still growing in all its mystery towards its full manifestation. You, young people, are indispensable bearers of the dynamics of the Kingdom of God, the hope of the Church and the world.”

The last international World Youth Day took place in Panama in January 2019, drawing an estimated 700,000 young Catholics.

At some past World Youth Days attendance has reached into the millions.

“To invest in young people is to invest in the future of the Church.

It is about encouraging vocations, and it effectively means the initiation of remote preparation for the families of tomorrow,” the pastoral guidelines said.

“It is, therefore, a vital task for every local Church and not simply one more activity.”

Catholic News Agency

are limited due to health protocols.

The Covid-19 has made world leaders and great minds to think about a “Great Reset”. This is the theme of the World Economic Forum for this year. Just like a computer that has become problematic, one calls an expert to reset the computer – so it is with the world.

The Covid-19 has so affected the international order that there is a need for a Great Reset. According to its proponents, The Reset intends to establish a new equilibrium among political, economic, social and environmental systems. In other words, due to the imbalance caused by the Covid pandemic, there must be a new World Order described as greener (environmental care and sustainable development ) smarter ( use of technology), and fairer ( fairer outcomes for stakeholder ). This seems to be fine, but critics of the great reset say that it will be a substantial socio-political-economic overhaul that will benefit the elite, the powerful, and the technologically-advantaged, rather than the greater majority of the masses.

We cannot deny that the pandemic has affected the world so much. Bright minds and powerful people are thinking about a Great Reset but how is our participation in this? Isn’t it also a time to make a micro reset in our own attitudes? Shouldn’t we renew our hearts and minds? From divisiveness to unity , from corruption to integrity, from indifference to social concern , from consumerism to sustainable productivity, and if necessary from apathy to protest. Come Holy Spirit, renew the face of the earth. MC

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

May 22, 2021 EDITORIAL

The barangay in the new normal

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colleague once told me that including the barangay as an important cog on the wheel of local governance is just a waste of time. The barangay is a throwback in the days of old when the migrants from the south brought their clans to settle in this country. These were important in governance due to the need to provide security to the members and consolidate power to the more powerful leaders (the datus at that time). But with urbanization, the need for the barangay as a part of governance has waned, and the leadership transferred from the “cabeza de barangay” to the mayors as we see it now.

I disagreed with my colleague because I believe that the barangay has a very important role in governance, as the roots for the development of its people. That was 20 years ago, and now the events happening in our country is proving me right. The only problem is that with rapid urbanization, the responsibility of developing itself has been taken away from leadership of the barangay. Instead, it is used as a stepping stone for the consolidation of power, which now rests on the executives of the local government – the mayor and the municipal council. I could see the defect is in the Local Government Code which downplayed the function of the barangay.

With the important events unfolding, like the COVI- 19 Pandemic, the role of the barangay as the most accessible governance to the people cannot be denied. The vaccination program, the contact tracing, these look forward to the barangay to keep them moving. Those with highly functional barangays have no problem with making the protocols work. But those that were neglected for so long in the government hierarchy are still kept in the side lines – especially since communication and information on vital issues do not reach the officials and the barangay constituents. Vaccination?

What is that for, some would say. Some residents have information but most likely, the wrong ones.

Fortunately for them, they are so far from the action that they probably haven’t heard of the pandemic and are not in the risk priority. But in matters of education, security, and the essential needs of the family, they have to wait for the municipal LGU to give them attention.

Right now, the barangays are in the news because of break down in peace and order. Too far to be reached by the military, the barangays of South Upi have added problems of security in addition to the Pandemic. The BARMM has its hands full.

Should they prioritize the security needs of the barangay, or should they keep the barangays at risk with the protocols in relation to the implementation of the New Normal. Probably, these are the children where the Blended Learning in Education will fit.

But where will the children have access to the new technology? Going to the urban centers will put them at risk during the Pandemic.

Hopefully, the government will review the role and functions of the barangays which has changed a lot since the passage of the Local Government Code.

New challenges cannot be aided by an antiquated law. Calling the new BARMM dispensation, especially under the indefatigable MLGC Atty.

Sinarimbo. Please come up with more novel roles and functions (that are more relevant) than merely copying the National Local Government Code like what the old ARMM did. MC +

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

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

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

Member: PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

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hurch bells tolled nationwide at 12 noon after the Angelus two Sundays ago, on May 9, to encourage Filipinos to go out and register in order to vote in the national elections of May 2022.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action headed by Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said in a statement that this was part of initiatives lined up by the Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon, a nonpartisan, multi-sectoral coalition of 29 civic and religious organizations and individuals, to encourage eligible citizens to register and vote. Registration with the Commission on Elections is the first step for all qualified Filipino citizens to exercise their right to vote and choose their leaders. The electoral process is in fact a “sacred duty, not only as Filipinos but as Christians,” said CBCP President Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles.

In a manifesto released on May 7, Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon sad: “We believe in the dream that everyone, regardless of their age, status and personal viewpoints, can collectively unite to achieve our ambition of a brighter and better future for all, especially the poor and marginalized. We believe that registering to vote is among the most accessible and sustainable means for every Filipino to achieve this desired future.”

Before the pandemic hit last year, Comelec’s target number of voters was 65 million. It has since been reduced to 62 to 63 million. There are doubts within the Commission that the number will be reached before the voter registration deadline on September 30. Reports state that at the last election registration hearing on April 19, the total number of registered voters stood at 58.9 million. Meanwhile, of the 4 million to 5 million target new voters, just over 3 million have registered as of May 11.

Aside from this, 7 million voter accounts had been deactivated due to failure to vote in three successive elections. Of these deactivated accounts, only around 700,000 have been recently reactivated, according to Comelec’s records.

Getting people to register and vote is one thing; getting them to vote intelligently and with consideration for the things that really matter is another. And that is the bigger challenge.

As we have shared in the previous edition of this column, the Philippines has a more serious political predicament. We have voters who are easily swayed by jokes, entertainment gimmicks like candidates singing and dancing to the latest beat, or the latest

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WISH they were prudent enough before jumping into a conclusion that didn’t make sense of their advocacy as peace activists.

Recall that when the government withdrew from the MOA-AD signing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 22, 2008, a small group of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) broke away in an unprecedented fury of simultaneous offensives in parts of Maguindanao and Cotabato provinces that push communities close to state of humanitarian crisis.

I was commissioned by Jose Deles, Joseph Palanca, program director and program officer respectively of the Local Governance Support Program (LGSPA) to work for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in an ardent advocacy of calling on the parties to the conflict to come to terms in a respite of cessation of hostilities. We were on this noble mission in the tutelage of the UN Act for Conflict Transformation (ACT) for Peace Programme under the late Reyzaldy Tan, together with lawyer Raiza Jajurie.

In September 2008, a letter to the UN SecretaryGeneral which I was tasked to draft was workshopped by Atty. Raiza in General Santos City with me and the late Sammy Maulana behind her.

Of course, we do have a broad room for working collaboration with the CSOs, quite contrary to an impression raised and posted on FB by a friend in the ranks of peace activism.

While we all want to show to the world the “human faces” of the local armed conflict , we are quite clear about being against politicizing the local skirmishes by elevating it (knowingly or unknowingly) into a higher plane of recognition-that is, belligerency in international law.

I mean this conflict in the SPMS Box is far different from the wars we had covered involving

The bigger challenge

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

social media trends, a situation which Senator Panfilo Lacson has described as pathetic.

Lacson believes though that the situation can still be remedied through massive voter information, but it would not be easy. The Catholic church and many other religious institutions and civil society groups have embarked on voters’ education campaigns in the past decades, yet still we are largely in a lamentable situation overall. Headway has been made in several local government units, where voters have been serious enough to elect people who are responsible enough to ensure good governance, but these have been the exemption rather than the rule.

In a recent online multi-sectoral discussion on matters pertaining to elections that this writer has been lucky enough to join, it was pointed out that most voter education campaigns in the country happen only during the year leading to an election, which is not enough. What is needed is an ongoing campaign at the school, church, or community level that will educate voters on their collective responsibility to kin and country to vote people into office on the basis of clearly defined programs of governance meant to address the problems experienced by the people.

Teaching voters about making the right choice with the larger community in consideration is not enough either. They have to be made to appreciate the fact as well that voting someone into office is only the beginning. They should be made to understand that making sure that those elected to office live up to their promises during the campaign comes next.

That includes not taking in hook, line, and sinker whatever the winner says to justify not living up to those promises, including dismissing it as just a joke. That is one joke that leaves a bad taste in the mouth, unacceptable from any rational point of view.

Such dismissals and apologetics show a person’s disrespect for the sacredness of the vote and the value of the voter. MC

Humanizing the faces of armed conflict Penlight Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

the Philippine Government Forces and the MNLF and the MILF-BIAF on which we would clearly draw the line of separation, between a “state actor” and a “non-state actor” as parties to a conflict.

In peace forums, I have always raised this question about a potential “risk” in labelling parties to local skirmishes as media introduces the “application” of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by which some peace advocates --may be for lack of more appropriate terms --tag extremists as a “non-state actor” group.

Yes, it’s simply impossible to dissociate our coverage of the state of IDPs from the cause of their displacement— the skirmishes between government or pro-government forces and a group not even sure about upholding norms, including the IHL, which they may perceive as “western” and “un-Islamic.” The point being is that such group(s) can uphold norms only if conventional norms tilt towards their interests; or simply can reject them for being a “western dictum” and is, therefore, “un-Islamic.”

Simpler put: I would not be a party to acts (publicizing included) that can possibly elevate extremism into a status of belligerency--because of wrong decisions, wrong planning and/ or blunders in coverage and reportage, and of designation of terms. MC

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May 22, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Hold-on: Don’t despair

of six killed and two arrested this week that peacekeeping forces led

by ARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim appealed for calm and Charlie Señase sobriety calling rebels csenase@yahoo.com to surrender and live peaceful lives.

LOBAL vaccine roll-out The Middle East armed conflict heightens as COVID and strange variants flourish between Israel and Palestine with nations fostering individual including the burning political issue peculiarities as shown by varied on the control of West Philippine Sea cases of recovery and casualty (WPS) with China must be resolved with prudence and sobriety, knowing figures.

A s o f m i d w e e k , t h e w o r l d today’s modern technological warfare registered over 164 million total cases using nuclear armaments and guided and more than 3.4 million fatalities missiles would entail widespread with the Philippines contributing destruction to lives and properties 19,262 dead. So far, the health while the world is still heavily laden department has yet to report the with the unresolved pandemic.

World leaders must be worried total number of inoculated citizens as the World Health Organization for such event to happen adversely officially released its global jab affecting the environment with its deadly pollutants that could cause figure of 1.4 million-plus.

It’s good to know that India’s global starvation and diseases.

A biblical reminder to fear daily COVID cases of 400,000 has dipped down to 300,000 in 25 days G o d w h i c h i s t h e b e g i n n i n g o f knowing that, the average 4,000 wisdom and regarded as much better daily death toll has also dwindled than world power and weapons of mass destruction. We ought not accordingly.

Thanks to the mass inoculation to be deceived and misled by the with caution though from some millennial trend of materialism religious conservatives, not to waive and worldly pleasures as we’ve a steadfast faith by having to abide been forewarned of perilous times in a l l a n t i - C OVID safe ty ne ts, in the last days when men will be but keep Psalm 91 the most that lovers of themselves and lovers thousands may fall, yet we remain of money which is the root of all evils. Other signs include traits of whole and sound.

In the midst of global crisis, the boastfulness, proud, disobedient to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region parents, ungrateful, unholy, traitors, seemed to have sustained its health bullheaded, brutal and without selfand social welfare services with control among other wickedness of never-ending outreach activities men (2 Timothy 3:1-9).

Why do we have to hate and be in hard-pressed communities from filled with envy, greed and resort man-made and natural calamities.

Displaced families from recent to killing one another when Adam’s atrocities by BIFF armed extremists wife, Eve was the mother of all the in Maguindanao have been attended living (Genesis 3:20)?

Despite sorrows and tribulation to by concerned agencies through B A R M M - R E A D i , i t ’ s r e g i o n a l for the world to end as prophesied, God promised to create new heavens emergency action response team.

The death of two BIFF extremists and a new earth where righteousness on Wednesday has brought to a total dwells (2 Peter 3:13). MC

True to Form

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Mohammad. In moments of anxiety, her demeanor was comforting. My friend Farida and I, have discussed these vaccines lengthily and came to this center with Sinovac as Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy our vaccine in mind. Ms franco1573victoria@gmail.com Samina allayed my fears and reassured me and the fter days and months of hesitating 2 other elderly like myself to get or not vaccinated,the hubby with the efficacy of Astra Seneca; there and I presented ourselves at the was a waver though, like I “came to City Health Office today, May 20, 2021, this... on my own free will” and will go back 3 months later for our We accepted the fact that we are second booster. getting Astra Seneca, and Ms Samina The past months my time was was really helpful. She first discussed occupied with readings, comparing what the vaccine does to our body, each vaccine. I consulted my brothers the benefits we shall derive from the who, are all in the health profession, vaccination, and that we could be my physician friends , my senior feverish, or feel body aches. These friends each one had their own view are easy to remedy with a tablet of on the issue. Friends from abroad were analgesic/antipyretic like Biogesic. In sending scary videos, I got so confused. some cases, there could be headache, The hubby and I finally decided, or a rise in blood pressure, or chilling prayed hard, and may be experienced. went on to the She also advised center for our shots hydrating, preferably in consideration of with warm water; avoid the people who work cold drinks and more for us. Our staff in importantly stay at the pharmacy are home for 24 hours; do considered front not exhaust yourself, liners, so we would take a rest. want them also to None of those be protected. Hence, existed as far as my we had to set the friends who got their example when shots ahead of me are their turn comes, concerned. As a whole, as A4 candidates for the entire set up at vaccination. the Center was well We did not preorganized, efficient register as recommended by friend flow of clients, and accommodating Farida Ibrahim, but she said we have courteous, caring staff, through the been pre-registered by her. There we steps. Congratulations. were, we assessed the situation, held I got to talk to Dr. Patadon , who our bottles of alcohols, and were warmly deserves to be promoted to the highest welcomed to the waiting area where we office of DOH someday. He was a filled up some forms. Step 2 was taking classmate of one of my daughters. He is our blood pressure, our temperature. the epitome of patience, consideration Step 3 was filling up again the form and dedication to his calling. with the help of a doctor. Here they Regarding the continuation of the asked for allergies, any illnesses, high lengthy article I wrote last week, I blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, defer it to wish happiness to our boss, cancer and others.

Madam Eva Tan and husband Alex on The most heartwarming part was their 48th wedding anniversary two meeting charming Nurse Ms Samina days ago.

A leap of faith

The Stuff of Life

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stay at home for 24 hours; do not exhaust yourself, take a rest.

have tremendous promise to help us understand and treat a range of diseases, injuries and other health-related conditions. Their potential is evident in the use of blood stem cells to treat diseases of the blood, a therapy that has saved the lives of thousands of children with leukemia; and can be seen in the use of stem cells for tissue grafts to treat diseases or injury to the bone, skin and surface of the eye. Important clinical trials involving stem cells are underway for many other conditions and researchers continue to explore new avenues using stem cells in medicine.”

There is still a lot to learn about stem cells. The media and other parties still do not fully understand the science and current limitations. It is therefore important to discuss data available with your doctor when you decide if it is right for you….assuming you can afford its cost.

According to literature on the matter, the list of diseases for which stem cell treatments have been shown to be beneficial is still very short. The best-defined and most extensively used stem cell treatment is hematopoietic (or blood) stem cell transplantation, for example, bone marrow transplantation, to treat certain blood and immune system disorders or to rebuild the blood system after treatments for some kinds of cancer.

Some bone, skin and corneal (eye) injuries and diseases can be treated by grafting or implanting tissues, and the healing process relies on stem cells within this implanted tissue. These procedures are widely accepted as safe and effective by the medical community. All other applications of stem cells are yet to be proven in clinical trials and should be considered highly experimental.

There. If you want to look like Enrile and Estrada in their old age, you can start your own research on stem cells. Some people just will not give in to nature’s process, especially if they have the money for it. MC

That Stem Cell Therapy HEALTH CORNER A reprint from Healthline

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ver wonder why old people like Exsenator Juan Ponce Enrile, and the likes of Ex-president Joseph Estrada, seem to have found the “fountain of youth”?

Every time you see them on television, they look younger than the last time you stared at their young and well cared complexion.

The grapevine will tell you that they have undergone the very expensive “stem cell “ therapy.

In recent years, stem cell therapy has become a very promising and advanced scientific research topic. Below is an abstract from a paper developed by a group of doctors –researchers. “The development of treatment methods has evoked great expectations. This paper is a review focused on the discovery of different stem cells and the potential therapies based on these cells.

The genesis of stem cells is followed by laboratory steps of controlled stem cell culturing and derivation. Quality control and teratoma formation assays are important procedures in assessing the properties of the stem cells tested. Derivation methods and the utilization of culturing media are crucial to set proper environmental conditions for controlled differentiation. Among many types of stem tissue applications, the use of graphene scaffolds and the potential of extracellular vesicle-based therapies require attention due to their versatility. This paper summarized challenges that stem cell therapy must overcome to be accepted worldwide. A wide variety of possibilities makes this cutting edge therapy a turning point in modern medicine, providing hope for untreatable diseases.”

According to Healthline, “stem cells

Some people just will not give in to nature’s process, especially if they have the money for it.

Of Inventions and Innovations….

glass would break when force is applied on it or it comes into contact with a harder object. But man has been able to make glasses that are virtually shatter proof.

Danny Buenbrazo Life had become danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com much better and hings and processes are always comfortable for man in a state of change. Perhaps the through combination of invention and only ones that would not change innovation. How do we differentiate are the laws of nature such as people these two concepts? and animals without wings, cannot fly An invention is the development like birds. Glass breaks when a hard of a new process, a gadget or device, a object is hurled or pounded into it. new way of doing things, developing or But given the so-called immutable applying new technologies in products, laws of nature, people in different services, and processes. Innovation on g e n e r a t i o n s h a v e t h e i r f i l l o f the other hand involves developing or seeing many things that defy usual applying new technologies in products, explanations. What are ordinary and services, and processes. taken for granted now were considered The two terms somehow overlap impossible. but perhaps we can establish a For centuries, people envied the differentiation that invention is a more birds for their ability to fly. And radical change than innovation. For while the general belief is that it is example, the flying machine developed impossible for people to fly, there was by Wilbur and Orville Wright can no shortage of people that attempted be described more appropriately as to fly. Not a few may have broken a invention while the introduction limb or two when they tried the feat of changes in that original flying of flying. machine to make flight time longer, By the beginning of the 20th increase carrying capacity, improve century, the Wright brothers finally safety, and so on are innovations. achieved what hundreds of people Countries where there are set out to do before them, to fly. The conscious efforts to develop creativity ability to fly was realized not by in their people and programs for someone growing up wings or using a c o m i n g u p w i t h i n v e n t i o n s a n d contraption that resembles a wing and i n n o v a t i o n s d e v e l o p f a s t e r t h a n to fly by means of flapping as the birds others. Every notable invention or do. Instead, what the Wright brothers innovation creates enterprises, jobs, used was a machine that can defy the and improve the income of individuals, pull of gravity and was capable to organizations, and an entire nation. maintaining a certain altitude while We just have to see how the moving from one point to another. invention of telephone, cars, x-ray From that funny-looking machine, machines, among others and the we have added different parts to the innovations that followed thereafter original airplane that the modern improve the lives of the inventors/ ones can fly much higher, faster, and innovators, their employees, and can carry hundreds of people or tons society. of cargo.

Inventions are innovations fostered Man was able to invent glass of b y a n a t m o s p h e r e o f e x c e l l e n c e , different kinds, serving different competition, and desire to have a purposes. Mirrors to see his own better life. In some societies this seem image, jalousies to have a transparent to be natural, in others the mindset window that he can use to allow air for invention and innovation needs to in or to shut out noise. By nature, be cultivated. MC

Market Driven

T

7

THE MINDANAO CROSS

May 22, 2021

Another NoCot mayor tests positive for COVID-19

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Another town mayor in North Cotabato, his wife and two workers of the municipal government have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Manuel Lalaguna, municipal administrator of Makilala, North Cotabato on Friday said Mayor Armando Quibod and his wife along with two town employees are now stable and currently isolated in a COVID-19 isolation facility.

He is the second town mayor of North Cotabato who tested positive of the virus.

On Wednesday, Mayor Jesus Sacdalan of Alamada, Cotabato admitted he contracted the virus.

It was in Makilala town where 348 doses of Coronavac, worth about P500,000, were damaged after it was kept in a freezer that has no electricity for more than two days.

Lalaguna said Mayor Quibod presided over a municipal peace and order council meeting where one of the participants was later tested positive of the virus.

“All personnel working at the mayor’s office, me included, are on quarantine,” Lalaguna said in a radio interview here.

He did not name the employee with whom the mayor believed to have contracted the virus but said the worker underwent swab test on May 11, a day after the PPOC meeting. The result came out on May 15 showing the worker had the virus.

Lalaguna said on May 16, Mayor Quibod had shown symptoms of the virus like dry cough and sore throat, prompting him and his wife to undergo swab test.

The results came out Wednesday.

All workers at the town hall who had close contact with the mayor in the last seven days, including police and military, are now isolated.

With Mayor Quibod isolate, Vice Mayor Ryan Tabay is the acting mayor.

To ensure government services continue, Lalaguna said a skeletal workforce was in place in the municipal hall. Edwin O. Fernandez

Madaris teachers get eligibility...from P12 Republic Act No. 1080 or the act declaring the bar and board examinations as civil service examinations.

He further said that Section 18, Article IX of the Bangsamoro Organic Law mandates the promulgation of qualification standards for Madaris teachers, and for this purpose the MBHTE shall propose QS subject to the approval of the CSC. Under the BEC, the

MBHTE “shall provide for the qualifications of Asatidz/ Mudarris taking into consideration the relevant educational background such as but not limited to Tarbiyyah (Bachelor’s Degree in Education) and other relevant bachelor’s degree, eligibility, and proficiency in Arabic language and/or Islamic Studies of applicants together with their ability

to read and write in English and Filipino.”

Moreover, all Madrasah school teachers in the Bangsamoro must “have subject mastery and pedagogical competence and must possess good personality and social and interpersonal skills.

Further, teachers must have the capacity to address the needs of learners with special needs.” BIO-BARMM

BTA allots ambulances to LGUs...from P2 and life support to sustain the stability of the patient in transit to and from the hospital,” Dr. Latiph said.

Minister Latiph noted that some people under emergency situation were unable to reach the hospitals in time due to lack of transportation.

“It is then a necessity that we take action and relieve our people from this

problem,” he added.

Speaker Atty. Pangalian M. Balindong said under this project, parliament members also extended medical assistance to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC), distributed kits to Barangay Health Workers, and provided medicines to far-flung towns in Sulu province. Edwin O. Fernandez

NoCot IPHO: Isolation facilities almost...from P1

assessment,” Rabaya said. “Although positive per RT-PCR but if the patients are asymptomatic and show mild signs, they may be advised to take home isolation.”

“Severe cases from North Cotabato are sent to bigger hospitals but these referral hospitals are also nearing full capacity,” Rabaya said, referring to Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City and Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City.

Rabaya also revealed that during the recent local health board meeting the possibility of adding more isolation facilities was raised.

Being considered are public schools equipped with isolation ICU. The North Cotabato Inter-Agency Task Force has recommended the following DOH issued minimum health protocols under “new normal.”

“Minimum health standards while staying at home,” the advisory said.

“Always remember, prevention is better

than cure.”

These include: • Consumer health foods and follow “Pinggang Pinoy” concept.

• Stay hydrated by taking 1.5 liters of water per day or more and avoid drinking alcohol.

• Get enough rest/sleep of 7-8 hours daily.

• Boost immune system by exercising for 15 minutes daily or more. Stop smoking.

• Wash and sanitize hands all the time. Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth.

• Practice cough and sneezing etiquette.

• Disinfect house and home furnitures.

• Stay at home, unless extremely necessary.

• Practice physical distancing even at home • Evaluate your health.

GO TO LAKE AND MULTIPLY. As of uttering these words, town and education officials of USM-Kabacan release thousands of Tilapia fingerlings in Lake Pisan as part of Commission on Higher Education anniversary.

Photo courtesy of Unlad Kabacan

Dear Ma’am Tan, Greetings!

We received a copy of the May 8, 2021 issue of the Mindanao Cross and we came across a picture of one of the major projects of the Metro Cotabato Water District (MCWD), located along Sinsuat Avenue and at the corner of Quezon Avenue, Cotabato City.

Although we admit that the project implementation, by Contract, has indeed taken so long to finish, we would like to inform you that as of date, it is already 90.52% completed. Unfortunately, the area indicated in the picture will be taken up as the last part of their activities since the Contractor has yet to conduct hydrotesting, disinfection and flushing procedures at the 30mm (14 inches) diameter steel pipe/cement-coated/epoxy-lined pipelines, to ensure that there will be no leakages along the pipelines from corners of Rajah Tabunaway Avenue and Quezon Avenue, along Sinsuat Avenue, Poblacion 5, this City.

The said Contractor is doing its best to expedite the said project and the MCWD in conducting close monitoring of their activities.

Inasmuch as we would want the job finished at the soonest possible time, we also understand that this is the most crucial part of the project, thus, utmost care should be undertaken to ensure that technical procedures are applied to avoid untoward results in the future.

We hope for your understanding on this matter.

Very truly yours,

Noted by:

(Sgd) MARGARITA F. ROALES Acting General Manager

(Sgd) BIMBO A. SINSUAT, JR. Chairman of the Board

7 more BIFF...from P12

from the local communities.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th Infantry Division, said soldiers found broken rifle parts and ammunition.

Uy said their campaign against Karialan and his followers will continue as planned.

Uy said they are guarding against retaliations by the outlawed BIFF for the deaths of members in encounters with soldiers in the past 12 days.

The BIFF has a reputation for bombing non-military targets, business establishments and public conveyances to avenge losses in clashes with pursuing state security forces. John Felix Unson

BARMM continue...from P12 offices of the Municipality of Datu Paglas, Paglat, Buluan, and Pandag where some civilians were also forced to evacuate.

She assured her office will keep an eye on the evacuees to ensure their safety and will provide additional food rations if necessary after the two-week period. Edwin O. Fernandez

Koronadal LGU...from P1

City Police and the LGU are together in imposing measures aimed at preventing more residents from getting infected with COVID-19.

Cases filed versus 15 drug dealers...from P2 were hurt when a 40 millimeter grenade projectile, fired by one of the suspects, exploded near them.

Major Esmael Madin, CIDG Maguindanao head, said Habiling and Nicolas are now safe and recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.

A fine metal fragment hit Abdullah in the face, according to PRO-BAR officials.

A drug ring leader, Kareem Usop Abedin, was killed in the ensuing gunfight.

Juvenal Azurin, PDEA-BARMM director, said the joint anti-narcotics operations backed by the Navy’s 5th Marine Battalion, the CIDG-BAR, the National Bureau of Investigation and units of PRO-BAR were premised on tips from villagers aware of large-scale drug trafficking activities in Picong.

Followers of the slain Abedin - Ansano Ampuan, Amrudin Sarip, Aminodin Ditucalan, Samsudin Itaw,

Libot Dimaampao, Liya Dimaampao and Jerry Toma --- peacefully turned themselves in when they sensed that their location had been surrounded by anti-narcotics operatives ready to attack if they refuse to cooperate.

PDEA-BARMM agents seized from them 23 sachets of shabu and two M16 assault rifles.

Azurin and Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, Bangsamoro police regional director, have separately confirmed that eight more, Gorbani Bitucalan, Jomar Pagayawan, Samin Abdillah, Alioden Buale, Bokari Dagu, Asrap Dimampa, Jasser Baguan and Jomar Abdul, were arrested in a subsequent raid in another area in the same town.

Ugale said government forces found in the drug den of the eight suspects 58 sachets of shabu, drug sniffing paraphernalia and a fragmentation grenade.

The target of the third raid, Camar Mauyag, also a known large-scale drug

distributor in Picong, had fled before PDEA-BARMM agents and policemen could surround his house.

PDEA-BARMM agents recovered in Mauyag’s house five sachets of shabu.

Witnesses told reporters they saw Mauyag carrying a green bag possibly containing shabu as he ran away, an assault rifle slung on his right shoulder.

“We are grateful to the Marines, to units of PRO-BAR, to the Lanao del Sur provincial police, to the Picong municipal police, to the NBI and to the CIDG-BAR for the good teamwork during our operations in Picong,” Azurin said.

Brig. Gen. Jonas Lumawag, commanding officer of the 1st Marine Brigade, said he has directed their intelligence agents to help the PDEABARMM, the NBI and the CIDG build airtight cases against the drug traffickers arrested on Wednesday. John Felix

Unson

8

THE MINDANAO CROSS

May 22, 2021

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

MINISTRY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ AFFAIRS 2nd Floor JICA Building, BARMM Compound

Bangsamoro Government Center, Governor Gutierrez Avenue, Rosary Heights VII, Cotabato City mipa@bangsamoro.gov.ph MIPA- ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.003 Series of 2021 GUIDELINES ON DELINEATION AND RECOGNITION OF ANCESTRAL DOMAINS AND LANDS Pursuant to Article II Section 22, Article XII Section 5, Article XIV Section 17 of the Philippine Constitution of 1987 and the provisions Section 7 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8371 or otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, Section 3, Article IX of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11054 or otherwise known as Bangsamoro Organic Law, and Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 13 of 2020. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) hereby adopts and promulgates the following Guidelines on Delineation and Recognition of Ancestral Domains and Ancestral Lands GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Title. These Guidelines shall be known as the “Guidelines on Delineation and Recognition of Ancestral Domains and Ancestral Lands of 2021.”

Section 2. Coverage. These Guidelines shall cover the following: a. Applications for CADT/CALT pursuant to Republic Act 11054, Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 13 of 2020, and Section 7 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8371. b. Application of Ancestral Land Survey for Indigenous Peoples in the BARMM area.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. a. Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC)/Certificate of Ancestral Land Claim (CALC) - refers to that Certificate issued by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENRE) recognizing the claims of ICCs/IPs to their ALs/ADs. b. Chief of Survey Party (COP) – refers to the head of the survey team who conducts the survey activities. c. Community Delineation Team (CDT) - refers to that group constituted in the Community Service Center (CSC) that is tasked to gather, process, and field validate proofs, produce or re-produce pertinent documents and papers for the processing of CADT/CALT applications. d. Geodetic Control Point (GCP) - refers to a point, permanent in nature, used in surveys as reference, which is established through: (a) Conventional Method - triangulation, trilateration, and any combination thereof, together with leveling and astronomical observation in order to determine the accurate geographic position of the point taking in consideration the curvature of the earth; and (b) Satellite survey such as that used in Global Positioning System (GPS) Technology. e. Elder/leader – An elder/leader emerges from the dynamics of customary laws and practices; they evolve from a lifestyle of conscious assertion and practice of traditional values and beliefs. They are recognized as authority in conflict resolution and peace-building processes, on spiritual rites and ceremonies and in doing so, possess the attributes of wisdom and integrity.

They lead and assist the community in decision-making processes towards the protection and promotion of their rights and the sustainable development of their ancestral domains. f. IP Representative - refers to a member of the ICC/IP community, family or clan, and of legal age, duly authorized in writing and under oath, to represent them in the filing and processing of the appropriate application for the issuance of CADT/CALT. g. Notice to Proceed - refers to the notice issued by the concerned Minister of the MIPA to the Contracted Private Geodetic Engineer ordering him/her to commence the survey or other related activities. h. Original Survey - refers to the survey of areas not yet surveyed for the purpose of titling. i. Community Service Center (CSC) - refers to that group constituted on the Provincial level that is tasked to gather, process, and field validate proofs, produce or re-produce pertinent documents and papers for the processing of CADT/CALT applications. j. Regional Review Body (RRB) - refers to that Body constituted at the Regional level that shall review and evaluate documents related to the delineation and recognition of AL/AD before it endorsement to the Minister for the issuance of CADT/CALT. k. Self-delineation - refers to the identification and determination by the ICCs/IPs of their AL/AD, and the extent and traditional boundaries thereof. l. Survey Authority (SA) - refers to an order issued by the Minister authorizing a duly accredited private Geodetic Engineer or those under the employ of partner agencies/institutions to conduct surveys of AL/AD. m. Work and Financial Plan (WFP) – refers to the detailed delineation and titling activities and the corresponding budget allocation.

Section 4. Objectives. This Rules aims to: a. Promote and protect the fusaka inged or native title and other rights of ICCs/IPs to their ADs/ALs. b. Affirm and defend the cultural integrity of the ICCs/IPs in order to ensure their economic, social and cultural well-being. c. Identify roles and accountabilities of the ICCs/IPs, MIPA, Local Government Units (LGUs), participating private sector organization/s (PSO), and other stakeholders in the delineation and recognition of ADs/ALs. d. Enhance the harmonization of various government policies affecting ICCs/ IPs. Section 5. Guiding and Operating Principles. In implementing these Guidelines, the following operating principles shall be observed: a. Self-delineation. Self-delineation shall be the guiding principle in the identification and delineation of ADs/ALs. As such, the ICCs/IPs concerned shall have a decisive role in all the activities pertinent thereto. Corollary to this, there shall only be one CADT for every ancestral domain. b. ALs/ADs are Private Lands. ADs/ALs are private lands under the concept of Fusaka Inged or Native Title. c. Rights of other people within the domain. The rights of non-IPs or IPs within the AD and who are not co-owners thereof, validly acquired, shall be recognized and respected. d. Primacy of Customary Law. In the resolution of all conflicts involving ADs/ ALs, the primacy of applicable customary laws shall be observed. e. Non-transferability of CADTs. CADTs issued over delineated ADs are non-transferrable.

f. Cultural Integrity. The holistic and integrated adherence of IPs/ICCs to their respective IKSPs, their character, their identity as a people and their assertion over their territory shall remain inviolable. All activities pertinent to the identification, delineation and recognition of the ADs/ALs of ICCs/ IPs shall be in consultation with them and measures must be undertaken to ensure that the culture and traditions of the concerned ICCs/IPs are respected, applied and/or utilized in the process. Hence, the principle one CADT for every AD. g. Inter-Ministries collaboration and Community Support. The participation of the concerned ICCs/IPs is indispensable and the collaboration of other Ministries in the process of delineation shall be greatly encouraged and vigorously pursued. The respective roles of all participating groups or other agencies shall be specified in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) executed for the purpose. h. Peace-Building. The delineation and recognition of ADs/ALs should foster national unity, peace and development. i. Existing Property Rights Regimes. Property rights within the ancestral domains already existing or vested upon the effectivity of R.A. 11054 shall be recognized and respected. j. Philippine Reference System 1992 (PRS92). The Geodetic Engineer authorized to undertake the survey of ADs/ALs shall use the geodetic control network adopted in 1992 as the standard reference system for all surveying and mapping activities.

Section 6. Application and Construction. These Guidelines shall be liberally construed in order to promote the protection of ICCs/IPs. COMPOSITIONS, ROLES & FUNCTIONS OF KEY PARTICIPANTS IN THE DELINEATION & RECOGNITION OF ANCESTRAL DOMAINS & LANDS Section 7. ICCs/IPs and the elders/leaders. The ICCs/IPs, through their authorized community elders/leaders, shall submit their written intention to apply for CADT/CALT which shall be made an attachment of the application.

They shall identify, from among themselves or anyone from the same applicant ICCs/IPs, the person/s who shall be their authorized representative/s in the filing and processing of their application. Such elders/leaders shall likewise assist the CDT and the survey team in all undertakings related to the delineation and provide the CDT all necessary information in support of their application.

Section 8. Representative/s of the Applicant/s. The duly authorized representative/s of the applicant/s, who should be a resident of the applied AD/AL, shall file and sign the CADT/CALT application and other pertinent documents supporting the application in behalf of the community/clan/family.

He/she shall serve as liaison only between and among the community, the MIPA and other stakeholders in all undertakings in the delineation, and extend the needed assistance to the CDT. Such authority of the representative shall automatically cease upon approval of CADT/CALT application by the MIPA unless earlier revoked at the instance of the community/clan/family granting said authority.

Section 9. Community Delineation Team (CDT). The CDT shall be composed of three (3) to six (6) MIPA personnel to be headed by the Community Development Officer (CDO). The members shall be designated from among the personnel of the CSC or Regional Office to be augmented and designated by the Minister, upon request by the concerned CDO. The CDT shall perform the following functions: a. Evaluate the completed application form, and pertinent attachments, if there be any. b. Prepare the Project Proposal and Work and Financial Plan (WFP). c. Coordinate with all stakeholders. d. Plan and undertake the Information, Education and Consultation (IEC) activities. e. Validate identified leaders/elders of the community. f. Assist the community in the preparation of an indicative map of the entire AL/AD applied for and indicating adjacent communities. g. Gather and document information/data including census and genealogical survey. h. Conduct community validation of all information/data. i. Provide support to the Survey Party. j. Prepare, compile and complete the AD/AL Recognition Book. k. Facilitate resolution of any issues and concerns. l. Evaluate and Validate proofs supporting the claim. m. Such other functions related to the foregoing.

There may be as many CDTs as there are applications being processed. In all cases, the CDO shall always act as the Team Leader.

Section 4. Regional Review Body (RRB). The Minister shall constitute the RRB composed of the Head of Ancestral Domain Section (ADS)/Division Chief of Bureau of Ancestral Domain/ Native Title (BAD/NT), the Regional Legal Officer (RLO), and one other personnel from the Regional Office. The Minister shall designate the Head of the RRB as he sees fit in the best interest of the service.

The RRB shall review the CDT report and prepare and submit its findings to the Minister.

Section 6. Survey Party. The Survey Party, is composed of team or teams headed by a Geodetic Engineer authorized by the MIPA to conduct surveys over ancestral lands/domains.

PROOFS REQUIRED IN CADT/CALT APPLICATION Section 7. Proofs Required. Proof of Ancestral Domain Claims shall include the testimony of elders or community under oath, and other documents directly or indirectly attesting to the possession or occupation of the area since time immemorial by such ICCs/IPs in the concept of owner/s which shall be any one (1) of the following authentic documents:

May 22, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

9

a. Written accounts of the ICCs/IPs customs and traditions; b. Written accounts of the ICCs/IPs political structure and institutions; c. Pictures showing long term occupation such as those of old improvements, burial grounds, sacred places and old villages; d. Historical accounts, including pacts and agreements concerning boundaries entered into by the ICCs/IPs concerned with others ICCs/IPs; e. Survey plans and sketch maps; f. Genealogical data; g. Pictures and descriptive histories of traditional communal forests and hunting grounds; h. Pictures and descriptive histories of traditional landmarks such as mountains, rivers, creeks, ridges, hills, terraces and the like; or i. Write-ups of names and places derived from the native dialect of the community.

together with the minutes of the said assembly, certified by CDT; c. The resolution recognizing the NGOs/LGUs as assisting partners in the delineation; d. Minutes/Report/s on conflict or dispute resolution conducted or documented

by CDT; e. Minutes of all activities conducted and facilitated by the CDT during the delineation process; f. Pacts or agreements between the applicant community and the adjacent community/ies or private property owner/s; g. Photographs documenting the activities relative to the delineation.

The CDT and RRB, in the exercise of sound discretion, may require the submission of additional proofs.

Section 15. Filing of CADT/CALT Application. By Whom and Where filed; Form and Content. The duly notarized application/petition shall be filed by the authorized Elder/Leader or ICC/IP Representative with the nearest MIPA Community Service Center (CSC) or Regional Office (RO) in the prescribed MIPA form and shall contain the following basic information:

Section 8. Sworn Testimonies of Elders/ Leaders or Community under Oath. Sworn testimonies shall be given by at least two (2) elders/leaders, attesting, among others, to the following: a. The identity of the ICCs/IPs, including their leaders and original settlers, based on ethno-history; b. The fact that they have possessed, occupied, claimed and used the territory and the resources therein as AD/AL claim since time immemorial; c. The description of the metes and bounds or traditional landmarks of the AD/AL claimed, as well as the land use practiced; d. Customs and traditions related to land and its use practices; and e. Political structure and institutions.

The CDT shall adopt appropriate techniques to draw from the elders/leaders substantial and additional facts through searching questions, focused group discussions (FGDs), time lines, sketches and such other information that the elders/leaders could voluntarily and freely communicate, to be made part of their sworn testimonies.

The CDT shall help the elders/leaders or communities their execute place their testimonies in proper form. Such testimonies shall then be read and translated to each of them in the language/dialect he/she speaks and understands. After affirming the contents of his/her testimony placed in proper form to be true and correct, he/she shall sign or thumb-mark the same and have it subscribed before a person authorized to administer oath. Where the elders/leaders could not sign and can only affix his/her thumb-mark, a community member who knows how to read and write must sign as witness.

Testimonies of persons who are not co-applicants but with in-depth or authoritative knowledge of the history and culture of the ICCs/IPs may also be secured as corroborative evidence.

Other sources of secondary data or information shall be properly named/cited or acknowledged.

Section 9. Community’s Testimony. In the event that available elders cannot provide data on section 8 a-e, the CDT should go for the testimony of the community under oath.

Section 10. Written Accounts. These are accounts in writing about the particular ICCs/IPs, their customs and traditions, political structures and institutions, other lifestyles or cultural expressions, which may include anthropological data, etymology of names and places derived from the native dialect of the community and such other records in writing containing a recitation of the community’s history.

Section 11. Indicative Maps. These are graphics representation of the ancestral domain/land actually occupied, possessed and accessed in the past and/or at present by the community and its corresponding use, the traditional and natural landmarks marking the boundaries of each of the communities and the entire AD/AL and its adjacent areas. a. To be prepared by each of the community who joined the application. The indicative map be the manifestation of self-delineation or self-description of each community. b. Narrative description should be included. Basing from the indicative map it will start from one traditional boundary or land mark to the next traditional boundary until it closes with the first traditional boundary and stating therein, the importance or reasons that the landmark is their traditional boundary. c. Maps generated from NAMRIA and others may be used as reference.

Section 12. Genealogical data. This consists of a chart showing the relationships between/among present claimants and their predecessors, who lived in the same territory at least three (3) generations earlier than the present generation, the latter being the ego, for CALT application. In the case of CADT, applying the three-generation rule, the genealogical charts of at least five (5) informants composing the majority of the ICC population must be submitted.

The Genealogical Charts shall be presented to the ICCs/IPs for validation.

The head/s of the clan/s whose genealogy was illustrated shall affix his/her signature/thumb-mark to attest to the truth of the information therein and certified to and witnessed by the CDT members present during the validation.

The Genealogical Verification Report shall then be prepared by the CDT. It shall include pictures evidencing the conduct of the genealogical survey.

Section 13. Pictures. Pictures are still photographs depicting and illustrating the following: a. Traditional landmarks such as mountains, rivers, creeks, lakes, ridges, terraces, sacred places, hunting/ fishing grounds, and the traditional use of resources with detailed description of their importance to the lives of the claimants; b. Physical evidence of long term occupation or settlements such as old structures and improvements, burial grounds and sacred places; and, c. Artifacts owned by the ICC/IPs. The pictures of the places and objects taken with the ICC representative/s in the foreground or background to establish authenticity, describing in a label what the picture depicts, identifying therein the date when it was taken as well as the photographer.

Section 14. Supporting Documents. The following may be considered as documents in support of the CADT/CALT application: a. The community resolution recognizing the elders/leaders who served as key informant, together with the minutes of the said assembly, certifying by CDT; b. The resolution recognizing the elders/leaders who served as key informants,

PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF ANCESTRAL DOMAIN TITLE/ CERTIFICATE OF ANCESTRAL LAND TITLE (CADT/CALT)

a. b. c. d.

Name/s of CADT/CALT applicant; Tribe/ethno-linguistic group; Specific location/coverage of the AD/AL; General information of the land/domain applied for, including its estimated area; and e. Signature/s or thumb-mark/s of applicant or duly authorized representative/s of the clan/family/ individual or community.

Section 16. Attachment to the Application/Petition. The application/petition for CADT/CALT shall be supported by the following documents/writings: a. For CADT application – Sworn Letter or Resolution of Intent signed by the majority of the traditional Council of Elders/Leaders stating therein that the application was a community decision arrived at in accordance with customary processes, and that the area subject of their application/petition is their ancestral domain since time immemorial. b. For CALT application – Sworn Letter or Resolution of Intent signed by the ICCs/IPs applicant stating therein that the area subject of the application/ petition is their ancestral domain/land since time immemorial, and where the presence of other co-owners is apparent, their duly verified conformity.

Where the application is to be accomplished and filed by a representative of the CADT/CALT applicant, the representative/s must submit the Authorization/Special Power of Attorney constituting him/her/them as the legal representative/s which, among others, must indicate the personal circumstances of such representative/s and the nature, extent and term of the authority granted.

Such authority of the representative shall automatically cease upon the approval of CADT/CALT application by the MIPA unless earlier revoked at the instance of the community/clan/family granting said authority.

Section 17. CADT/CALT Application Record Book (CARB). Each CSC, as the case may be, shall maintain a logbook of CADT/CALT applications which shall be known as CADT/CALT Application Record Book (CARB). Immediately upon receipt of the application, the same shall be recorded in the CARB, provided however, that in cases where the application was submitted and received by the Regional Office, the same must be immediately transmitted to CSC concerned for entry in the CARB. The CARB shall contain basic information on time and date of receipt, name and address of the applicant, assigned control number and the signature of the personnel making the said entry.

Section 18. Initial Review and Evaluation. The CDT shall review and evaluate all documents/proofs supporting each application/petition including the attachments and other documents required in Section 14 to determine the sufficiency of the application.

If upon review and evaluation of the application, it is found to be false and/ or fraudulent, the CDO shall deny/reject the application and issue the notice of rejection stating therein the grounds for denial. However, if the said CADT/ CALT is found to be in order, the CDO shall inform through correspondence the concerned ICCs/IPs or clan/family through the CADT/CALT representative or the individual CALT applicant that said application shall be processed upon the availability of funds.

Section 19. Preparation and Approval of Project Proposal and Work and Financial Plan (WFP). The CDT shall prepare and sign the Project Proposal/WFP of the CADT/CALT application. The WFP shall be endorsed by the concerned CDT to the Regional Office thru the Section Head ADS/Chief BAD/NT. The Section Head ADS/Chief BAD/NT shall, within seven (7) working days from receipt of the WFP and project proposal, review the said documents. If found sufficient, the Minister shall, within five (5) working days from the review of the WFP and project proposal, approve the same and furnish copies thereof to the Finance and Administrative Office (FAO).

Section 20. Contents of Project Proposal/Work and Financial Plan (WFP).

The WFP shall contain the following: a. Names of the parties; b. Date of preparation; c. Specific location of the project; d. Approximate total AD/AL area; e. Estimated total IPs population/right holders; f. Ethnic group/s living in the area; g. Kind of application; h. Brief description of the landscape of the area; i. Status of the accomplished activities, if any; j. Total amount needed to complete the project; k. Initial amount already expended, if any; l. Source/s of funds; m. Specific activities and duration; n. Physical output indicator for each activity; o. Name, address and contact number/s of representatives of assistors, if any; p. Specific activities clearly indicating the counterparts of the assistors or any support group/s; and q. Such other undertakings or agreements of the parties, if any.

Section 21. Notice to Stakeholders. Notices shall be issued within seven (7) working days from the availability of funds as certified by the Chief Finance and Administrative Division. The said notices shall include, but not limited to, the following: a. Adjacent communities/lot owners; b. Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) and

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May 22, 2021

Land Registration Authority (LRA) through the concerned Registry of Deeds (ROD); c. Government agencies claiming jurisdiction over the area applied for, if any; and d. Concerned LGUs.

hunting, gathering, collecting, fishing grounds and other proofs of long time possession and ownership within the AL/AD; d. Ascertain the presence of holders of existing and/or vested property rights in the applied area. In case there is such a holder, the same shall be required to submit evidence thereof.

The notice shall attach a copy of the application for recognition and delineation and other supporting documents and shall be posted in conspicuous public places within and adjacent to the AD/AL.

Section 29. Social Preparation Accomplishment Report (SPAR) for Issuance of Work Order/Survey Authority. Within fifteen (15) working days from the conduct of ocular inspection, the CDT shall prepare a SPAR summarizing the activities conducted to be submitted to the RRB. The SPAR shall contain the following:

Section 22. Filing of Opposition - At any time during the delineation process but before the issuance of CADT/CALT, a verified opposition to the application, attached to which is a certified copy of documentary evidence including affidavit of witnesses, if there be any, may be filed with the CDT or RO as the case may be, by one whose interest is affected by the delineation, on any of the following grounds: a. b. c. d.

Adverse claim; The application is false or fraudulent; The area being claimed or portion thereof, is not an AL/AD; or The area being applied for, or portion thereof, has encroached into the adjacent or another AL/AD.

Section 23. Disposition of Oppositions. Upon receipt of the opposition, the CDT shall exert diligent efforts to facilitate resolution of issues in accordance with Section 5 (d) of these guidelines. If unresolved, the CDT shall endorse the matter to the RO for resolution within a period not exceeding thirty (30) days.

For this purpose, the Minister may designate the Regional Attorney to conduct investigation and recommend proper action. The decision of the Minister shall be furnished to the concerned parties.

The pendency of the investigation shall not suspend the delineation process.

Section 24. Resolution of Conflicts/Disputes among ICCs/IPs. Should the conflict/dispute be between and among ICCs/IPs, the primacy of customary law shall be observed in the resolution of the same. The CDT shall, as far as practicable, undertake the following: a. Determine the nature of the conflict/dispute. b. Initiate the customary conflict-resolution process and document the same. c. Assist the parties in the execution of a MOA in case an agreement/settlement is reached. In case no settlement is reached, the parties may agree in writing to segregate the contested area or enter into some other forms of arrangement in the meantime so as not to unduly delay the CADT/CALT processing without prejudice to future settlements or the full adjudication of the dispute before the proper body. d. In case of non-inclusion from the list of rights holders, said persons whose names were inadvertently omitted as members of the community/clan/ family shall be included in the list upon request, and the updated list, duly authenticated by the council of leaders/elders or head of the family/or clan, shall be submitted by the applicant to the CDT. e. The council of leaders/elders/clan/family may exclude persons who are not entitled to be included in the list and shall thereafter submit the amended list to the CDT. Any aggrieved person/s may ask for reconsideration of the above recommendation. Should it be granted, the original list shall remain, otherwise, the matter shall be subject to conflict resolution facilitated by the CDT. If it still remains unresolved, the person/s concerned may have recourse to remedies allowed under existing rules.

In no case shall the request for inclusion or exclusion affect the processing of the application. If after the exercise of diligent efforts, no settlement or agreement is arrived at, the processing of the application shall be suspended.

Section 25. Capacity Building. The MIPA shall conduct capacity building to ensure the capability of the stakeholders for the effective implementation of the project/program.

Section 26. Community-wide Information, Education and Consultation (IEC). Within five (5) working days from the completion of the posting of Notices, the conduct of the Community wide-IEC shall ensue. Notices on the conduct of the IEC shall be sent to the ICCs/IPs concerned and to the stakeholders at least three (3) working days prior to the conduct of the community-wide IEC. During the conduct of IEC, discussion of the salient feature of R.A. 8371, with emphasis on the principles of self-delineation, communal ownership, cultural integrity, native title, rights, and responsibilities of the ICCs/IPs relative to their AD/AL, as well as the metes and bounds of such AD/AL, and the contents of the WFP, including tasks, responsibilities and counterparts of the applicant and such other matters related to the delineation process shall be done.

Section 27. Data Gathering and Documentation. Within thirty (30) working days from the conduct of IEC, the CDT shall assist the ICCs/IPs in the gathering of the testimony of elders/leaders, historical accounts, genealogical data, census of population, preparation of the indicative map and other secondary data.

The CDT shall secure a certified list of data or information affecting the AD/AL applied for from the appropriate government agency/ies and private institutions or persons.

A certified copy or list of any of the following data issued by the concerned agency shall be secured by the CDT, if the same affects/involves the applied area: a. Resource use permits, grants and other instruments entered into/ issued by the government through its agencies/ LGU; b. Proclamations, laws, orders, zoning ordinances, decisions of courts and other tribunals involving the ancestral domain/ land or portion thereof. c. Proof of ownership over land within the ancestral domain which has been vested prior to the effectivity of R.A. 11054; d. Public/ private agreements/ contracts entered into by ICCs/ IPs involving transfer of rights over land, prior to the effectivity of R.A. 11054; e. Institutions or entities having interest in the ancestral domain/ land which may affect the ICC/IPs’ right to effectively exercise acts of ownership; f. Sketch maps, approved survey plans and/or other records to identify boundaries or adjacent owners; and g. Applications for issuance of title or certification on fact of absence of application.

Section 28. Ocular Inspection. Within five (5) working days from the completion of the conduct of data gathering and documentation, the CDT, together with the Council of Elders/Leaders or their representatives, shall conduct ocular inspection to: a. Verify traditional, physical and cultural landmarks or boundaries of the AD/AL; b. Determine the existence of boundary conflicts, if any; c. Verify and confirm the actual location of sacred/worship places, burial,

a. Introduction, consisting of brief description of the project and its purpose. b. Background, describing and identifying the rights holders; History of the people and the area, including its geography and access thereto; Political, social and economic situation; and availability of infrastructures and communication facilities. c. Discussion on: (a) Preliminary Activities which should include meetings conducted; coordination with applicants, government agencies, nongovernment agencies and other entities having direct or indirect interests in the area, partnerships and other relevant activities undertaken; (b) Social Preparation – a narrative description in the implementation and conduct of the activities enumerated below including the problems encountered and how resolved, and if not, what are the planned actions to be undertaken, hindering factors as well as other factors that aided the accomplishment of the activity, status of each activity, extent of the accomplishment, involved entities and other relevant information useful for evaluation and assessment. d. Attachments/Annexes, copy of the agreements/s on the Resolution/s of boundary conflicts/disputes or tenurial concerns; Photo documentation or Photocopy thereof; and other relevant documents.

Within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the SPAR, the RRB shall review and evaluate the same. If the RRB, upon review, finds that the SPAR is insufficient, it shall inform the CDT of such insufficiency for the latter to comply or submit the lacking documents/evidence; otherwise, the RRB shall endorse their report/ evaluation to the Minister for the issuance of SA. Section 30. Commencement of Survey Activities. Based on the favorable recommendation from the RRB, the Minister shall direct the commencement of survey activities through the issuance of SA with notice pursuant to Section 21, provided that funds are already available for this purpose.

PROCEDURES FOR THE SURVEY OF AD/AL Section 31. Issuance of the Survey Authority. Within five (5) working days from receipt of RRB’s recommendation, the Minister shall issue the Survey Authority to the concerned Geodetic Engineers/Contracted Geodetic Engineer.

Section 32. Constitution of Survey party and issuance of notice to proceed. The Minister shall, within five (5) working days from the issuance of SA, constitute the survey party composed of at least one (1) CDT, a Chief of Party (COP), and members of the community and thereafter shall issue a notice to proceed.

Survey Returns of AD/AL shall be prepared by the Chief of Party (COP) and submitted to ADS/BAD/NT for initial verification and projection. Should the ADS/BAD/NT find any technical defect, it shall cause the correction of the same, otherwise, the survey plan shall be presented to the community/applicant for validation.

Section 33. Research/Data Gathering. The Survey Team shall collect all data/documents/materials that will facilitate the generation of the technical description of the ancestral domain/land and Land Registration Authority requirements. Moreover, the Survey Party must ensure that all survey related documents not forming part of those submitted by the community/land owner/ claimants must be researched and secured in order to facilitate the delineation.

Section 34. Survey Notification. All stakeholders shall be notified of the intended survey in accordance with Section 21 of these guidelines.

Section 35. Mission Planning. During the Mission Planning, the Geodetic Engineer, together with the CDT, shall discuss with the stakeholders the procedures involved in the survey activity and their respective functions and responsibilities.

If the area to be surveyed is located next to another ancestral domain area, representatives from the adjoining area shall be invited to attend the Mission Planning.

Section 36. Reconnaissance. A field reconnaissance shall be carried out by the Survey Team prior to the survey in order to identify the location and existence of previously established control/reference points and possible location of project control points to be established and route for the survey.

Section 37. Establishment of Project Controls. In the establishment of project controls, the Survey Team shall look for existing control/reference points within or near the ancestral domain/land and thereafter establish new controls for the ancestral land/domain boundaries.

Section 38. Data Processing, Preparation of Survey Returns and Technical Report. The survey plan shall be prepared and indicate the orientation, final boundaries, technical descriptions, footnotes, marginal information, natural landmarks/features, technical marks and other relevant details. It shall be conformed to by the authorized representatives of the applicant community.

Section 39. Projection of Survey Plan. Within fifteen (15) days after the initial verification and projection of the survey returns, a copy of the sketch plans shall be furnished to the MENRE, MAFAR and LRA for purposes of common projection in order to determine if there are titled properties and lands with approved surveys that overlap with the surveyed AL/AD. Consequently, said agencies shall issue either a certification of non-overlap or comments/remarks on the result of the projection.

Section 40. Validation of Survey Plan by the Community. The Geodetic Engineer or any member of the survey team, with the assistance of the CDT shall present the survey plan to the applicant community/clan/family and adjacent community/ies for validation. The applicant community/clan/family may invite a resource person who can assist them in analyzing the survey plan, if they so desire. Any expressed doubts or comments shall be addressed and documented. If corrections are to be made, the Geodetic Engineer shall cause the rectification and subject the survey plan for revalidation by the community/ clan/family before its finalization.

The council of leaders/elders, or in their absence, the representative/s of the applicant community/clan/family shall affix their signatures/thumb-marks on the plan as confirmation.

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The conformity of the elders/leaders/authorized representative of the adjacent community shall be inscribed in a separate document.

Section 41. Submission/Transmittal of Survey Returns. All survey returns shall be transmitted by the Geodetic Engineer to ADS/BAD/NT within forty-five (45) days from the termination of the community map validation.

The Geodetic Engineer shall submit electronic files of survey data, computation results, and final plan to ADS/BAD/NT and ensure that all survey returns are properly authenticated, accompanied by a project completion report prepared by the Geodetic Engineer following the prescribed form.

Section 42. Evaluation/Verification of Survey Returns. The ADS/BAD/ NT shall verify the survey returns transmitted by the survey team/geodetic engineer, which process includes: a. Preliminary evaluation through the checking of the completeness of the survey returns. b. Recording and receiving of survey returns by assigning survey numbers. c. Initial projection of the survey plan to determine any overlap between the subject area and the adjoining ancestral domains/land. d. Checking the correctness of computations and preparation survey returns. e. Final projection of the verified survey. f. Endorsement/recommendation to the Minister for approval of the survey plan.

Section 43. Publication of the Technical Description. The verified technical description shall be published in accordance with Section 21 of these guidelines.

Section 44. Protest after Publication/Posting. Any protest on the survey shall be governed by Sections 22 to 23 of these guidelines.

Section 45. Approval of Survey. The Minister, upon the recommendation of the Section Head of ADS/Chief BAD/NT, shall approve the submitted survey returns after compliance with all requirements.

Section 46. The CDT Report – The CDT shall prepare a report describing all the processes conducted and incorporating all supporting documents relative thereto.

The CDT shall transmit to the RRB its report after fifteen (15) working days from the last day of publication, if no opposition in due form is received; otherwise, Section 22 of these guidelines shall apply.

Upon receipt of the report, within a period of fifteen (15) working days, the RRB shall conduct a review on the CDT Report.

Within ten (10) working days after the review, the RRB shall submit its report and endorsement to the ADS/BAD/NT which shall form part of the Recognition Book.

Section 47. Preparation and Transmittal of Recognition Book. The Recognition Book shall contain the following: a. CDT Report. This refers to the final report containing proofs, documentary evidence, writings, maps, sketches, documentations, activities and the findings or analyses of all data/information gathered during the investigation, evaluation, including the SPAR, survey report and conflict resolutions, if any, prepared and signed by the members of the CDT. b. RRB Report. This refers to the report containing the evaluation by the RRB of the AD/AL Recognition Book. c. Conflict Resolution Report. This refers to the report containing all resolutions of boundary conflict and disputes resolutions and related documents, facilitated and decided by either the CDT or the RO. All reports must be duly subscribed and sworn to, by the members of the team who prepared the same.

Section 48. Preparation and Signing of CADT/CALT. The appropriate CADT/ CALT in the name of the owner/s shall be prepared by ADS/BAD/NT and reviewed by the RLO before submission to the Minister for signing.

Section 49. Registration of CADT/CALT. The ADS/BAD/NT through the concerned CDO shall assist the owner/s in the registration of the CADT/CALT with the appropriate Registry of Deeds (ROD).

After the registration of CADT/CALT by the MIPA, the concerned CDO shall request from the ROD a certified photocopy of the registered title and subsequently submit the same to ADS/BAD/NT for record keeping.

Section 50. Awarding of CADT/CALT. The CADT/CALT shall be formally awarded to the concerned ICCs/IPs after its registration.

Section 51. Record keeping of CADT/CALT. All unregistered CADTs/CALTs shall be in custody of the ADS/BAD/NT, and shall likewise keep a record of certified true copy of all registered CADTs/CALTs. APPLIED AD/AL OVERLAPPED BY PROPERTY RIGHTS Section 52. Vested and Existing Property Rights. Vested and existing property rights referred to in Sec. 56 of R.A. 8371 shall be fully recognized in accordance with the legal terms contained therein but shall not be a bar to delineation and recognition of ADs/ALs. A vested right/existing right is some right or interest in property that has become fixed or established and no longer open to doubt or controversy. Vested Rights include Free Patent, Homestead Patent, Sales Patent, Emancipation Patent, Certificate of Land Ownership Award and Judicially Decreed Titles. Lands covered by such titles shall be segregated and excluded from the ADs/ALs. The vested or existing rights of any person within the AD/AL shall be respected provided, however, that the rights holder shows and submits proof/s of such rights to the CDT. ACCREDITATION OF GEODETIC ENGINEERS Section 53. Who are authorized to Conduct Surveys. All AL/AD surveys shall be conducted by Geodetic Engineers employed with or contracted by the MIPA or those under the employ of an agency or organization which has an agreement with MIPA relative to the delineation process.

Geodetic engineers validly authorized to engage in private practice or members of a partner agency or organization who desire to conduct the survey of ADs/ ALs may be accredited and authorized by the MIPA.

Surveys to be conducted by partner agency/organization shall be covered by a MOA with the MIPA. Private Geodetic Engineers who intend to undertake AD/ AL survey shall go through the normal bidding process in the engagement of services of private entities as prescribed by R.A. No. 9184, otherwise known as Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003 and Commission on Audit (COA) rules.

Section 54. Process of Accreditation. The application for accreditation of Geodetic Engineers mentioned above shall be filed with the RO. For purposes of accreditation, the following must be taken into consideration: a. Competence to conduct AD/AL survey evidenced by a list of surveyed projects; b. Possession of survey equipments duly registered and calibrated by NAMRIA and LMB; and c. Certification of Good Moral Standing from the Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines (GEP).

After satisfying all the above requirements, the Section Head of ADS/ Chief BAD/NT shall endorse said application to the Minister for the issuance of the certificate of accreditation.

PRESCRIBED SURVEY RETURNS AND FORMS/FORMATS Section 55. Survey Returns. The following documents shall form part of the survey returns of AL/AD surveys: a. b. c. d.

Transmittal Letter Work Order or Survey Authority Receiving copy of the Survey Notification Letters Original Field Notes, with pagination, the cover of which is dry sealed by the Geodetic Engineer, notarized and stamped e. Original and duplicate copy of the Astronomical Computation Sheets completely filled up and signed by the geodetic engineer f. Original and duplicate copy of the Traverse Computation Sheets completely filled up and signed by the Geodetic Engineer g. Original and duplicate copy of the Lot Data Computation Sheets completely filled up and signed by the Geodetic Engineer h. Indicative Maps i. Monument description sheets j. Photo documentation of monuments and other survey activities with caption k. Sketch plan of the survey drawn on appropriate scale l. Survey plan m. GPS survey returns signed and sealed by the Geodetic Engineer n. Lot description o. Notarized documents embodying agreements between and among the stakeholders relative to the resolution of conflicts, if any p. Project Completion Report signed by the Geodetic Engineer/s and noted by the concerned CDO q. Other related supporting documents Section 56. Survey Plans. Maps and plans of all AL/AD surveys shall be plotted on appropriate standard base maps projected upon spheroidal quadrangles of Clarke’s Spheroid of 1866. The AL/AD survey plan shall contain the following: a. Name of Claimants for ALs and Tribe/s for Ads b. Actual location of the AL/AD, identifying therein the Barangay/s, Municipality/ies and Province/s covered c. Area of AL/AD d. Technical Description e. System of survey used f. Scale used g. Inclusive dates when the survey was undertaken h. Name and signature of the geodetic engineer who conducted the survey i. Name and signature of the CDT endorsing the survey plan j. Name and signature of the designated geodetic engineer who verified the survey returns k. Name and signature of the Section Head ADS/Chief of BAD/NT recommending the approval of the plan l. Name and signature of the Minister approving the plan m. Name/s and signature/s of the elders/leaders or representatives as the case may be n. Annotations indicating Section 56 of IPRA Law, authority to execute survey, description of corners, adverse claims, relation with any cadastral or public land surveys or reservations, land classification and other information relevant to the surveyed area.

FINAL PROVISIONS Section 57. Non-waiver of Native Title. The decision of the AL/AD claimant/s to have only those uncontested portions of their claim surveyed shall not be deemed a waiver of their right over the contested area.

Section 58. Identification of Ancestral Lands and Exercise of Option Under Section 12 of IPRA LAW. Any IP who claims to own an ancestral land and who wishes to exercise his/her option as provided under Section 12 of R.A. 8371 must formally inform the MIPA through its CSC. Section 59. Administrative Discipline over MIPA Personnel. Any employee, personnel or officer of the MIPA violating any of the provisions of these guidelines shall be sanctioned or dealt with in accordance with the Civil Service Rules on Discipline.

FINAL CLAUSES Section 60. Separability Clause. In case any clause, sentence, section, or provision of these guidelines or any portion hereof is held or declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 61. Repealing Clause. The provisions of all NCIP/OSCC administrative orders, circulars, special orders, office orders of other issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 62. Effectivity. These guidelines shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the newspaper of general or regional circulation.

Issued this 17th of May 2021, Cotabato City, BARMM.

TIMUAY MELANIO U. ULAMA Minister

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SK guv suspends vice mayor, councilors

SULTAN Kudarat Gov. Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu has Wednesday a 45-preventive suspension against a town vice mayor and five town council members for alleged violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Vice Mayor Lord Dean Castillo of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat was suspended along with Municipal Councilors Rene Aristoza, Mariblithe CartujanoGaringo, Gina Belmes Dael, Ryan M. Dumaran and Clarice Lagdamen.

Retired Judge Lorenzo Balo, Sultan Kudarat Provincial legal officer, said the suspension order was contained in Administrative Order No. 15 issued by Gov. Mangudadatu after the chairpersons of Barangays Kolambog and Dansuli filed charges against Isulan officials for violation of R.A. 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Balo said the suspension was preventive and will allow the respondents to air their sides in proper forum.

In February this year, Castillo and co-accused went to the court to post bail after words have circulated in town that they were arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“We were not arrested; we voluntarily went to the court to post bail, went to the police to submit necessary documents,” Castillo said in a statement on February 3.

“We are not in any way involved in graft or corruption,” he added.

Castillo said he and other local officials did not receive any subpoena from the provincial prosecutor’s office to air their side on the case filed against them.

The vice mayor

recalled that barangay officials in two villages of Isulan had filed complaints against their village chairs after they were removed from their respective jobs following the 2019 elections.

Castillo said the complaints against the barangay chairpersons were filed before the Isulan town council and it is still pending.

T h e v i l l a g e chairpersons, meanwhile, filed charges against the vice mayor and five other council members before the Sangguniang Panglalawigan of Sultan Kudarat for violation of RA 3019.

The accused are out on bail but could not perform duties as they were suspended for 45 days.

In a statement entitled “Spirits unbroken, hearts unbowed,” Castillo and the accused said they will abide by the governor’s order and obey the law even if it was against their will.

“Our lawyers are working to challenge the order that we believed are unfair and oppressive,” the accused said.

“We maintain our position that we have done no wrong and we have only stayed true to our principle to give equal opportunity for everyone to be heard,” the group who carries the hashtag #Isulan6, said.

“In due time and through legal means, we will be back to as your lowly public servants in our beloved municipality,” t h e y s a i d . E d w i n O.

Fernandez

NATURES’S RAGE. Nobody wants it but light to moderate rain in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat inundated communities along the Alah River, killing one farmer, destroying infrastructures and crops.

Photo courtesy of Amiel M. Cagayan

100 individuals get free cleft lip surgery AT least 100 individuals will soon have every reason to smile once they emerge out of a state owned hospital inside a premier university here.

Since Monday, at least 50 individuals have successfully undergone cleft lip and palate surgery under the joint project of North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco and PROJECT BOSS, headed by Dr. Rico Nebres and Dr. Voltaire Carandang, University of Southern Mindanao

6 shabu peddlers nabbed in Maguindanao

SIX operators of a clandestine drug den, among them an incumbent barangay councilor, fell in a sting Thursday in Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Juvenal Azurin, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement AgencyBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said suspects Ronnie Mama, Tato Lalaog, Rustom Mama, Joharie Cusain, Norman Abdullah, and Alimudin Sucor, all residents of Barangay Semba, are now detained.

Azurin said Ronnie Mama is an incumbent member of the Barangay Semba council.

The suspects were frisked and cuffed after selling 10 grams of shabu

(methamphetamine hydrochloride) to non-uniformed PDEA-BARMM agents in a tradeoff at about 9:00 a.m. Thursday in Sitio Laguialam.

The entrapment operation that resulted in their arrest was assisted by the Datu Odin Sinsuat municipal police under Police Lt. Col. Romel Dela Vega.

“It was their neighbors and relatives who informed us about their drug trafficking activities,” Azurin said.

Besides shabu, PDEA-BARMM agents also seized from one of the six men a .45 caliber pistol.

“We are grateful to the Datu Sinsuat municipal police for helping us put these six suspects behind bars,” Azurin said.

John Felix Unson

Madaris teachers get eligibility

ASATIDZ/Mudarris or those who teach in Madaris (Islamic schools) in the Bangsamoro region can now hold permanent positions in the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) once they pass the ministry’s special eligibility examinations.

This is one of the salient provisions of the approved Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC).

Section 104 of the BEC provides that the MBHTE shall develop and administer special qualifying examinations for permanent appointment to Mudarris positions in the ministry.

In coordination with the Civil Service Commission for BARMM, the MBHTE

shall grant special license to those who passed the exam, provided that the granted eligibility shall only qualify the appointee to permanent appointment to Mudarris.

It shall not be considered as a substitute to second level eligibility, unless authorized by the national Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Graduates with latin honors from a recognized university or institution of higher learning in Arabic and/or Islamic Studies, whether local or international, may be exempted from the special qualifying exams.

They shall be deemed to have met the eligibility requirement for permanent appointment to Mudarris positions subject to

applicable civil service rules on granting honor graduate eligibility.

“This is a test of autonomy given to the BARMM, na on the issue ng Mudarris, pwede na tayo mag-decide on our own,” said MBHTE Minister and Member of Parliament Mohagher Iqbal.

“Consultation with the CSC revealed the possibility of granting of special eligibility for as long as there is a law or legal basis allowing it, thus the provision on the BEC,” added Iqbal.

He emphasized that Asatidz/Mudarris is not one of the professions being regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and is not covered by

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(USM) Faculty Association and USM Alumni Association.

The project, dubbed as "Operation Sweet Smile" was performed at the state-run USM hospital and ended on Thursday.

Catamco said about 106 beneficiaries from North Cotabato’s 17 towns and one city have been prelisted and after antigen tests were operated on.

Prequalification check-up

was conducted by Project Boss, performed the operation and provided medicines.

Under the joint venture, the provincial government hauled the patients from their homes to the hospital and send them back home, including food provisions.

The provincial government, through its health frontliners, will monitor the patients’ road to recovery. Edwin O. Fernandez

7 more BIFF terrorists neutralized

SEVEN members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have been killed by soldiers in series of skirmishes since May 8, Army and police officials confirmed to Mindanao Cross this week.

Soldiers shot dead two members of the BIFF in an encounter in Barangay Mao, Datu Paglas. They were reportedly among the gunmen who stormed last May 8 the public market in the municipality.

The slain bandits were followers of Kagui

Karialan, leader of one of three factions in the BIFF, who is facing more than 30 cases in different courts for acts of terror, including deadly bombings in central Mindanao in recent years.

Sunday’s hostilities in Barangay Mao erupted when BIFF gunmen attacked soldiers patrolling in the area, dispatched to check on reports by villagers on sightings of armed around.

The Army said the slain BIFF, named Mansur Amil and Salem Oting, were

among the bandits who stormed the public market of Datu Paglas , an incursion that sparked hostilities with units of the Army’s 601st Brigade dispatched to drive them away.

Seven BIFF members have since been killed in continuing Army clearing operations.

Three other BIFF gunmen, initially identified only as Tatoh, Sanged and Samsudin, were wounded in Sunday’s encounter in Barangay Mao, according to sources

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BARMM continue helping IDPs

THE Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-BARMM) continue to provide food and nonfood assistance to some 100 displaced families from Datu Paglas now in North Cotabato.

These residents, all Maguindanaons, have fled their homes during Eid'l Fit'r (feast of breaking the fast) when the military intensified its offensives against Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

These evacuees are now staying at the Mahad Mamalangcap evacuation center and covered court in Barangay Dunguan, M'lang, North Cotabato as a temporary shelter.

MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie personally visited the temporary shelter area and handed over food supplies, sleeping kits and hygiene kits to each of the families.

The distribution was carried out in partnership with the Mlang LGU and the municipal social welfare and

development office.

On top of distribution of relief assistance, Jajurie said the Bangsamoro Government is organizing a Peace and Security Summit for Sustainable Local Development to identify more coherent strategies and areas for cooperation between the Bangsamoro Government and other development partners towards durable solutions to displacement and sustainable development.

“The MSSD [and the entire Bangsamoro Government] is committed to supporting you during these most trying times wherein you [evacuees] had to leave your homes,” said Jajurie during the dispersal program.

The clashes between government forces and BIFF started on May 8 when the BIFF occupied the town center of Datu Paglas, forcing some 2,000 civilians to flee as the military were about to launch attacks.

Jajurie said BARMM MSSD has been working with the local disaster risk reduction and management

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