The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (May 30-June 5, 2022)

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May 30-June 5, 2022

Marcos-Sara proclaimed winners

F

ERDINAND MARCOS JR. was proclaimed the next president of the Philippines by a joint session of Congress following a landslide election triumph 36 years after his dictator father was ousted in a pro-democracy uprising.

Continue on page 2

Bajaj Mobile Food Festival, a huge success President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. (PNA)

Pinas, nasa minimal Covid risk pa rin; monkeypox binabantayan na!

Bajaj Mobile Food Festival with Madiskarteng Entrepreneurs.

READ STORY ON PAGE 2

NASA MINIMAL risk pa rin ang bansa ayo sa data ng mga Covid-19 cases, ayon kay Health Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama Jr.

Sinabi rin ni Dumama na karamihan sa mga regions na nasa ailalim ng “minimal risk case classification” ngunit ang Regions III, V, VIII, XII, CARAGA, at BARMM ay nanatiling nasa “low risk

classification.”

Ngunit inoorbserbahan na umano ang mga region na nakapagtala ng positive rate sa loob po ng mga nakaraang linggo at ito ang NCR at ang Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B,

V, VII, VIII, IX, XI, XII, at CARAGA. Ayon kay Dumama, nanatili pa rin na low risk ang healthcare utilization rate sa buong bansa bagama’t may konting Continue on page 5

Duterte urges next president to revive nuke power plant AirAsia Philippines eyes Tawi-Tawi route, cargo operations in Zambo

PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte has urged the incoming President Ferdinand Marcos to revive the mothballed nuclear power plant in Bataan’s Morong town in Luzon.

Duterte said he hopes Continue on page 5

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (Image: Jiru27)

2nd booster shot for senior citizens, frontline health workers only CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Health has urged se-

ARMM

nior citizens and frontline health workers to get their second booster shot of

Covid-19 vaccines to further protect them from Continue on page 2

Eastern Mindanao

WORLD’S LOWEST cost airline AirAsia Philippines said it is now holding talks with Tawi-Tawi officials for the opening of a new route as it continues to expand operations in southern Philippines.

“Tawi-Tawi is a beautiful province and the people of Tawi-Tawi are asking us to open a route,” said Captain Steve Dailisan, a spokesman for AirAsia, adding the Tawi-Tawi-Zamboanga-Manila route will further boost the economy not only of the province, but Continue on page 2

Western Mindanao

Cebu

Manila

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The Mindanao Examiner

May 30-June 5, 2022

Marcos-Sara proclaimed winners AirAsia Philippines eyes Tawi-Tawi route, cargo operations in Zambo Continued from page 1 also Zamboanga City.

Aside from Tawi-Tawi, Dailisan said they are also looking into the province of Sulu and even in Sandakan in Malaysia.

Dailisan was in Zamboanga ahead of the launching of its cargo operations and the increase of its flight frequency to the city. He said AirAsia Philippines is determined to aid in the economic recovery of Zamboanga City with the upcoming launch.

He said AirAsia will commence its expanded daily cargo operations here starting next month following the installation of new x-ray machines and the availability of a bigger warehouse.

“These expansion initiatives will allow AirAsia to fly more than 200 tons of both passengers and commercial cargo per month – an auspicious development for partner enterprises set to increase their shipments between Zamboanga and Manila,” Dailisan said.

Most of the cargoes from Zamboanga are marine products export and even Mangosteen from Sulu which is being used for the manufacture of

health supplements.

Dailisan said AirAsia Philippines, having had successful flight operations in the past year and a half here, is also augmenting its flight frequency to Zamboanga, which will be scheduled daily starting also in June to stimulate tourism and the economy in the region.

The airline initially flew twice a week when it launched the route in October 2020, but the operation was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourist arrivals in Zamboanga City dropped by 81.68% due to the health crisis. From 125,614 arrivals in the first quarter of 2020, the number of visitors slipped to 23,010 in the same period in 2021.

Dailisan said Zamboanga, known as the flagship tourism destination of Western Mindanao, is the gateway to other tourist destinations in the region. “Zamboanga City is the gateway to the entire Zamboanga Peninsula, making it a critical and strategic hub for any transport business.”

“We hope that with the increased flight frequency and expanded

cargo operations, we can continue to aid in the growth of the city’s tourism and trade industries.

We are confident that Zamboanga, through the Zamboanga City International Airport, is poised to be a key economic driver for the region as the country gears for post-pandemic recovery,” he said.

Dailisan also cited a survey commissioned by AirAsia Philippines last December which revealed that 29% of general travelers would like to spend time and explore Zamboanga and 31% of those coming from the Visayas region will also visit the city.

He said AirAsia Philippines is moving fast on the path to recovery as attested to by its strong revenue performance in the first quarter of this year. AirAsia Philippines currently operates 15 domestic destinations – Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Caticlan, Kalibo, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, General Santos and Dumaguete. It aso flies to Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Japan. (Zamboanga Post, Mindanao Examiner)

Continued from page 1 The Senate and House of Representatives also declared that his separately elected vice presidential running mate, Sara Duterte, had won by a wide margin. She is the daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, whose turbulent six-year term ends on June 30.

They will lead a nation battered by Covid-19 lockdowns, crushing poverty, gaping inequality, Muslim and communist insurgencies, crime and political divisions further inflamed by the May 9 election.

With his 92-year-old mother, Imelda Marcos, his wife, family and siblings beside him, Marcos Jr.’s hands were raised by the Senate president and House speaker in a plenary hall bedecked with a huge

Philippine flag to applause from the audience, which included diplomats.

“I’m humbled,” he later told reporters. “I thank our people and, beyond that, I promise you that we may not be perfect but we will always strive for perfection. I ask you all to pray for me, wish me well. I want to do well because when the president does well, the country does well,” he said, without taking any questions.

The Duterte administration also released a statement congratulating the pair.

“We congratulate Mr. Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. and Ms. Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio on their electoral victory and for their proclamation as President-elect of the Philippines and Vice President-elect of the Philippines,

respectively…proclamation ceremony by Congress marks another historic milestone in our political life as a nation underscoring that we are, indeed, a showcase and beacon of democracy in this part of the world.”

“As both leaders are about to embark on the responsibilities and challenges of their respective offices, we reiterate our call for our people to stand behind our newly elected leaders. The Office of the President shall ensure a peaceful, orderly and smooth transfer of powers to the President-elect as we extend all the necessary support and assistance to various transition activities,” it said. (AP, Jim Gomez. With additional reporting from The Mindanao Examiner.)

2nd booster shot for senior citizens, frontline health workers only Continued from page 1 the deadly respiratory disease.

It said the second booster shot is initially available for senior citizens (Priority Group A2) and frontline health workers (Priority Group A1), adding the second booster shot is primarily mRNA vaccines such as those manufactured by Moderna and Pfizer which will strengthen immunity against the virus, including the latest Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1.

Following the earlier grant of an Emergency Use Authorization by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration and recommendation by the Health Technology Assessment Council, the DOH released Interim Operational Guide-

lines on the Administration of the second booster shot for senior citizens and frontline healthcare workers ages 18 years old and above.

“This is the moment we have all been waiting for.

After careful study and consideration of the best available evidence, we shall now roll out effective immediately the second booster for our frontline health workers and senior citizens. This is part of how we fight back against the virus,” said DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje.

The DOH guidelines said the following are under Priority Group A1: Workers in essential health services and all people 60 years old and above; Priority Group A2: Senior Citizens. The

vaccines are to be given at least four months after the administration of the first booster dose.

“The second booster for our health workers and senior citizens will enhance protection given by the first booster and the primary series against all variants, including the recent Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1.

Against whatever variant there is out there, the second booster fortifies the defense of health workers and highly vulnerable seniors.

Everyone eligible can get the second booster jab done at the local government vaccination sites nearest you. They are safe, effective, and free of charge,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. (Mindanao Examiner)

May 30-June 5, 2022

The Mindanao Examiner

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The Mindanao Examiner

May 30-June 5, 2022

SKYcable completes digitization in Zambo S KYCABLE Zamboanga has finally completed digitization of its local facilities, including the upgrading of cable and fiber internet services.

With the digitiza- over 80 channels – 72 stan- immediately experience tion in Zamboanga com- dard definition and 17 HD cable entertainment.

Customers can also pleted, SKY has accom- high-definition resolution plished digitization of all through their digital HD enjoy next-level entertainment when they avail of its serviceable areas in and EVO boxes.

Mindanao.

“Our customers de- the SKY Evo digibox as an Digitization is the serve to experience the add-on to their existing process of converting in- best of SKY’s services, no plans. It provides seamless formation into a digital or matter where they are in access to streaming apps computer-readable for- the country. Moreover, it’s like HBO GO, Viu, Vivamat. The result is the rep- vital for the flourishing Max, YouTube, and Sporesentation of an object, city of Zamboanga to have tify; and has the ability to image, sound, document access to quality cable and download over 5,000 apps or signal (usually an analog internet, which are main on Google Play Store.

Now that the city is signal) obtained by gener- sources of information Zamboating a series of numbers and entertainment these fully-digitized, angueños can subscribe that describe a discrete set days,” Fernandez said.

“We are committed to any of SKY Fiber’s new of points or samples.

Skycable in Zambo- to providing the best cus- plans, as compared to preanga was the last to digi- tomer service and relevant vious offerings which were tize its facilities due to the products to all our SKY limited up to 120Mbps Covid-19 pandemic which Kapamilyas. With the dig- speed only.

SKY Fiber’s Super delayed the completion of itization complete, we’ll the project, according to be focusing our efforts on Speed Plans provide opEdwin Bernardo, the local ensuring all our customers tions for households needSKY manager, referring to in Mindanao are satisfied ing fiber-fast internet conthe travel ban across the with our products and ser- nection at a price that suits country at the height of the vices. We’re also constantly their budget. Other SKY Fipandemic in 2020 which studying and exploring ar- ber plans even include free became restricted a year eas where we can expand WiFi Mesh devices to ento make quality and afford- sure seamless connection later.

“Due to the pandem- able cable & fiber internet anywhere in the home.

Customers can choose ic, our technicians were services more accessible in from the most affordable not able to come to Zam- the country,” he added.

With SKY’s digitization 20Mbps Plan at P999 a boanga to finish the digitization,” Bernardo said efforts, local residents now month or up to 200Mbps during a recent virtual have access to digital ca- speed for only P3,499 a news conference attended ble TV that allows them to month. And with SKY Fiby at least 44 participants. avail more channels for as ber’s ongoing promo, Allan Fernandez, low as P500 a month which speed of select plans are SKY’s business unit clus- includes 57 standard defi- boosted up to 50% more ter head for Mindanao, nition and 13 high-defi- for free so that subscribsaid with the completion nition channels. Existing ers can experience faster of the digitization here, SKYcable subscribers are speeds at no added cost. subscribers can expect also provided with free Subscribers can enjoy this high quality viewing from SKY HD boxes so they can special promotion until

SKY has completed digitization of its facilities in Zamboanga City making all SKY serviceable areas in Mindanao fully digital.

July 31.

Those interested to subscribe to SKY may opt to bundle their cable and internet subscription with

their Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plans. The 40Mbps Plan for P1,699 a month provides a suitable speed for your internet

needs and a SKY Evo digibox with several SD and HD channels to complete your home entertainment.

(Mindanao Examiner)

DOH told to speed up provision of benefits to healthcare workers SENATOR BONG Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reminded the Department of Health to ensure the proper implementation of the law by providing what is due to medical frontliners while the country aims for pandemic recovery.

The DOH reassured that it is exerting great efforts to hasten the release of Covid-19 sickness and death compensation worth P1 billion for qualified healthcare workers (HCWs) and support staff.

“As much as possible, kung kakayanin naman ng pondo, dapat ibigay natin ang lahat ng suportang pwede nating ibigay.

Hindi masusuklian ang hirap at sakripisyo nila upang makapagligtas ng buhay,” Go said.

Last April 27, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11712 which grants mandatory continuing benefits and allowances to public and private HCWs, regardless of employment status, during the Covid-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies.

Under the law, each frontliner will be entitled to a fixed Covid-19 allowance per month of service applied retroactively from July 2021.

“Republic Act No. 11712, which I was among those who authored and co-sponsored, covers all public and private medical, allied medical and other personnel who are assigned in hospitals, laboratories and medical or temporary treatment and monitoring facilities,” Go said.

“Sa ilalim ng batas na ito, mas maraming healthcare workers na ang makakatanggap ng allowance. Hindi na limitado

sa mga directly exposed sa Covid-19 patients dahil sabi ko nga, lahat naman ng frontliners na naka-duty sa mga ospital ay maituturing na exposed sa banta ng Covid-19. Kaya dapat masiguro na maimplementa ito ng maayos.

Huwag na natin sayangin ang oras. Ibigay ang dapat ibigay na naaayon sa batas,” he added.

Under the Republic Act 11712, public and private HCWs are entitled to health emergency allowance for every month of service during a state of public health emergency based on the risk categorization.

For HCWs assigned in low risk areas, they will receive P3,000 while P 6,000 shall be given to those under medium risk areas.

Furthermore, those who work in high risk areas will be granted P9,000.

In addition, the healthcare workers will be receiving separate compensation if they contract Covid-19 while on duty. For those with mild to moderate symptoms, they will receive P15,000 while individuals with severe symptoms or under a critical state will receive P100,000.

Meanwhile, for those who unfortunately succumb to the virus, the government will be giving P 1 million to the families they left behind.

“Gaya ng sinabi ko noong deliberation namin sa Senado about the Special Risk Allowance, hindi po ako pumayag na pipiliin natin na 'yung exposed lang daw. Iko-compute 'yung oras ng ilang oras lang na-expose. Sabi ko, napaka unfair niyan. Hindi po ako papayag diyan. Dahil once na pumasok ka sa ospital na 'yan noong

unang panahon, talagang exposed ka,” Go said.

“Ito 'yung kalaban na hindi natin nakikita. So, napaka unfair naman po iko-compute mo kung kailan ka pumasok. How about 'yung nasalubong mo at na-expose sa 'yo... yung risk allowance na 'yon, dapat talaga maibigay sa mga kababayan natin (na qualified)," he added.

Go has been persistent in advocating for a better and strengthened healthcare system in the country. He had earlier appealed for the provision of allowances for HCWs at the height of the pandemic.

In 2019, the lawmaker was also instrumental in the enactment of Republic Act No. 11466 or the "Salary Standardization Law 5". The measure gives all civilian government employees, including nurses, increased salaries broken down in tranches.

In the same year, he likewise ensured that enough funding was allotted for the implementation of the 2019 Supreme Court decision that upheld Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, which sets the minimum salary grade of the Nurse I position at SG-15.

“Hindi pa po rito nagtatapos ang aking apela sa gobyerno na bigyan ng nararapat na suporta ang ating mga healthcare at non-healthcare workers. Sila ang dahilan kung bakit napakaganda ng ating Covid-19 response,” Go said. “Tayong mga public servants, tuloy lang dapat ang malasakit sa ating kapwa. Hindi natin makakaya ito kung wala sila. Walang tigil dapat ang serbisyo lalo na sa panahon ng krisis na ito.”

(Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

May 30-June 5, 2022

Duterte urges next president to revive nuke power plant

Bajaj Mobile Food Festival, a huge success

Continued from page 1 the next administration would initiate discussion on the possible use of nuclear energy to wean the country from dirty fossil fuel that harms the environment.

The country’s energy sector continues to use coal that has devastating environmental consequences, according to Duterte.

“I hope we can transition to nuclear, pag-usapan na.

The next administration might want to just start the ball rolling and just — maski i-discuss na because we have to educate so many people,” he said.

He said that if the country opts to adopt the use of nuclear power, it must also address the threat posed by communist insurgents to such sensitive facilities.

Aside from environmental concerns, Duterte also raised the use of nuclear power as he expressed dismay over the rising oil prices as a result of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

The conflict has influenced the stability of the global fuel prices, and it already had an impact on ordinary Filipinos and the economy.

Duterte suggested a shift to a more stable source of energy in order to have an efficient energy supply in the near future. “You know oil is not infinite, may katapusan ‘yan. Someday it will dry up. It would be good for any government to prepare the possibility of making the

transition earlier from oil ‘yung fossil fuel to nuclear kasi ang nuclear is forever,” he said, adding “tutal ang nag-umpisa naman nito si Marcos noon. Nagpagawa siya ng nuclear plant.”

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was built during the time of Marcos’ father, former President Ferdinand Marcos.

The Philippine nuclear program started in 1958 with the creation of the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission under Republic Act 2067. Under a regime of martial law, Marcos in July 1973 announced the decision to build a nuclear power plant.

A presidential committee was set up to secure funding for two 620 megawatt nuclear reactors for the energy needs of Luzon. This was in response to the 1973 oil crisis, as the Middle East oil embargo had put a heavy strain on the Philippine economy, and Marcos believed nuclear power to be the solution to meeting the country's energy demands and decreasing dependence on imported oil.

The construction of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant began in 1976. Following the 1979 Three Mile Island accident in the United States, construction on the power plant was stopped, and a subsequent safety inquiry into the plant revealed over 4,000 defects. Among the issues raised was that it was built near a major geological fault line and close to the

then dormant Mount Pinatubo.

By 1984, when the nuclear power plant was nearly complete, its cost had reached US$2.3 billion.

Equipped with a Westinghouse light water reactor, it was designed to produce 621 megawatts of electricity.

But Marcos was overthrown by the People Power Revolution in February 1986. Days after the April 1986 Chernobyl disaster in what was then the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, the succeeding administration of President Corazon Aquino decided not to operate the plant. Among other considerations taken were the strong opposition from Bataan residents and Philippine citizens as well as concern over the integrity of the construction.

The Philippines experienced 8-12-hour rolling blackouts and power rationing from 1989 to 1993.

The government sued Westinghouse for alleged overpricing and bribery but was ultimately rejected by a United States court.

Debt repayment on the plant became the country's biggest single obligation.

While successive governments have looked at several proposals to convert the plant into an oil, coal, or gas-fired power station, these options have all been deemed less economically attractive in the long term than simply constructing new power stations. (Mindanao Examiner)

Pinas, nasa minimal Covid risk pa rin; monkeypox binabantayan na!

Bajaj Mobile Food Festival with Madiskarteng Entrepreneurs.

From page 1 CALAMBA CITY – Over 1,400 people flocked to the 1st Bajaj Mobile Food Festivals, a threeday weekend event that took place in Aplaya in Calamba City in Laguna province where the “Madiskarteng Entrepreneurs” showed off their unique business ideas made from Bajaj Business Solutions.

The huge crowd linedup throughout the festival held along the Aplaya Baywalk where seven Bajaj Food Cart concepts with varying famous Pinoy favorite snacks were a big hit from burgers, hotdogs and sandwiches, Takoyaki, ice scramble, fruit refreshments and coffee latte, among others.

Festival organizers said Pinoys are natural businessmen, especially the Madiskarteng Entrepreneurs that even the Covid-19 pandemic did not stop them from coming up with new food ideas and with their Bajaj Three-wheelers as food carts they can sell without worries wherever they want.

Because of the huge success of the recent 1st Bajaj Mobile Food Festival, organizers said it is holding another Bajaj Mobile Food Festival from May 27-29. The three-day festival, organized by Motorcentral Sales Corporation, an authorized dealer of Bajaj Three-wheelers, will be held at Metro Cen-

tral Mall in Santa Cruz.

Organizers said those who are interested at putting up their own food carts or even food delivery business can own a Bajaj Food Cart for as low as P25,000 down payment and can simply fill out the form by accessing this URL: https://bit. ly/BajajInquire or visit their website on this URL: https://bajaj.com.ph to know more about their modern three-wheelers Bajaj RE, Bajaj Maxima Z and Bajaj Maxima Cargo which are all the best choice of the Pinoy entrepreneurs and tricycle cooperatives in the country due to their durability and dependability. (Richard Ebona)

Continued from page 1 pagtaas sa kaso ng Covid-19. Sa kabila nito ay bumaba rin ang Covid-19 mortalities sa buong bansa.

Patuloy rin ang pagbabantay ng Department of Health sa posibleng pagkalat ng Omicron subvariant BA.4 matapos itong makita sa isang returning overseas Filipino worker galing sa Qatar. “Patuloy na binabantayan ng ating Epidemiological Bureau at Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit ang kaso,” ani Dumama at sinabing naka-recover na ang naturang OFW at mga nakasalamuha nito.

Ang BA.4 po ay itinuturing na variant of concern ng European Center for Disease Prevention and Control dahil sa higher transmissibility at kakayahan na labanan ang immune protection ng ating katawan.

Tinututukan rin umano ng DOH ang monkeypox na

kabilang sa Orthopoxvirus genus kung saan kabilang rin dito ang smallpox at isa itong re-emerging disease na nagmula sa West at Central Africa.

Ipinaliwanag ni Dumama na ang unang kaso ng monkeypox sa tao ay naitala noong 1970 sa isang batang lalaki mula sa Democratic Republic of Congo. Ang monkeypox ay isang zoonotic disease na nagmula po ito sa mga hayop at karaniwan nito ay ang mga rodents at primates.

Sinabi ni Dumama na bilang isang zoonotic disease, ang monkeypox ay puwedeng maipasa sa tao mula sa jayup at human-to-human sa pamamagitan ng droplets ng laway, body fluids o sa sugat at kontaminadong damit o tela.

“Puwede pong kagat o bite ng human o scratches, animal to human, raw

or minimally processed wild meat o contaminated materials. Karaniwang sintomas po ng monkeypox ay ang pagkakaroon ng lagnat, rashes at pamamaga ng lymph nodes, ‘yun pong mga kula-kulani. Maihahalintulad ito sa sintomas ng smallpox, maliban sa swollen lymph nodes. Ngunit ito po ay — sa kabutihang palad — medyo less contagious at less severe po. Kasalukuyang 12 bansa na po ang may pinakabagong kaso ng monkeypox,” wika ni Dumama.

Kabilang sa mga bansang may kaso ng monkeypox ay ang Estados Unidos, Canada, Australia at sa Europe.

Dahil dito, pinaiigting na ng DOH at iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan ang screening process sa mga borders ng bansa upang maiwasan ang pagpasok ng monkeypox. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

May 30-June 5, 2022

U.S. official cites media’s role in democracy

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Heather Variava delivers remarks at a World Press Freedom Day event at Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography. She also meets with Joint Task Force TawiTawi Commander Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio.

TAWI-TAWI - U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava who recently visited the southern province of Tawi-Tawi emphasized the media’s significant role in democratic societies.

Speaking to more than 100 students and faculty members at Mindanao State University’s College of Technology and Oceanography during the World Press Freedom Day, Variava said: “It is important for our democracies and for our future that we find ways to make media freedom a reality. We need to protect these freedoms on the digital frontiers and in

traditional media.”

During her trip, Variava also engaged with local government officials, met with Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi Commander Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, and toured the American Corner at the university.

Variava’s discussion with Racadio, alongside members of U.S. Special Operations Task Force 511.2, focused on working together to strengthen maritime security posture and address security challenges in the South China Sea and the Sulu Archipelago.

Task Force 511.2 part-

ners with the Western Mindanao Command and has teams embedded directly with Philippine forces throughout the area. Variava’s visit aims to promote shared U.S.-Philippine values such as press freedom and to strengthen the already robust collaboration with local partners for inclusive peace in the region.

Since 2003, the U.S. government-supported American Corner Tawi-Tawi has been a library and community resource space for the MSU community. Housed on two floors of the library, the American Corner features books and reference materials about American history, culture, and institutions, plus information about studying in the United States.

It also features a mural that is part of the Embassy’s Friends-Partners-Allies Mural Project, incorporating U.S.-Philippine shared values and traditional elements of Tawi-Tawi culture. (Mindanao Examiner)

Tight security in Koronadal after bus bombing KIDAPAWAN CITY – The police tightened security in Koronadal City in South Cotabato province following the recent bombing of a passenger bus that injured two civilians.

The improvised explosive went off May 26 at the engine bay of the Yellow Bus Line while travelling in downtown Koronadal.

Two drivers of motorcycle taxis tailing the bus were injured in the explosion, but it was not immediately known whether any of the passengers onboard the Yellow Bus Line were wounded.

The explosion occurred at the engine bay

of the bus in downtown Koronadal. The bus originated from Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack, the second since last month after a bomb explosion also ripped through another provincial bus in Maguindanao’s Parang town and wounded several passengers.

The attack occurred in the village of Making where the bus, operated

by Rural Transit Mindanao, made a stop at a roadside eatery. The bus was on its way to Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte

from Cotabato City in Maguindanao when the powerful explosion occurred at the rear.

In January, a bomb explosion also went off near a fruit stand and a ticket booth where a Yellow Bus Line was picking up passengers. The powerful blast killed a civilian and wounded 7 others.

The blast came a day after pro-ISIS militants detonated a roadside bomb in the town of South Upi in neighboring Maguindanao and killed one civilian. The military blamed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters for the bombing. (Mindanao Examiner)

Kampo ng BIFF, binomba

Mga armas na nabawi ng militar mula sa BIFF sa lalawigan ng Maguindanao.

COTABATO CITY – Kinumpirma ng militar na dalawang miyembro ng teroristang grupo na Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) ang napatay sa bayan ng Datu Salibo sa magulang lalawigan n Maguindanao matapos na bombahin ng 6th Infantry Division ang kuta ng pro-ISIS group.

Sinabi ni Brig. Gen. Eduardo Gubat, ang acting commander ng 6th Infantry Division at Joint Task Force Central, na nasawi sa atake ng militar si Abdul Patir at Sadam Salandang at may tinatayang 17 ang sugatan, kabilang na ang kanilang lider na Abu Turaife.

Bagama’t sugatan ay Nakatakas naman ang

gupo ni Turaife. Isinagawa ang pambobomba sa grupo ng BIFF kamakailan, subali’t ngayon lamang ito inilahad ng militar matapos na makumpirma ang bilang ng mga casualties sa panig ng mga terorista.

“Tiniyak naman natin na hindi malalagay sa peligro ang buhay ng mga residente dahil sa pagnanais ng ating kalaban na maglagi sila sa lugar.

Siniguro naman ng ating mga kasundalohan na nasusunod parin ang karapatang pantao na pinapairal natin. Hindi lamang sa mga residente pati na sa mga nakasagupa ng ating pwersa,” ani Gubat.

May panawagan naman ang Heneral sa mga natitirang myembro

ng BIFF at iba pang mga grupo na sumuko na lamang ng mapapayapa at magbagong-buhay at tutulungan umano sila ng pamahalaan.

“Those weakened BIFF-Karialan Faction members who remain entangled in their twisted violent ideology and terroristic ways must surrender now as the JTFC will always be relentless in its operations and we will hunt them down until the last terrorist element is prevented from waging violence and intimidation to our peace-loving communities in the province of Maguindanao,” wika pa ni Gubat sa mga ayaw sumuko. (Mindanao Examiner)

May 30-June 5, 2022

Mabisang Paraan Para Gumanda.

Joy in the cross

by Fr. Roy Cimagala (Cebu) “AMEN, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” (Jn 16,20) With these words, Christ is telling us not to be afraid of whatever evil, in any of its forms, that we would unavoidably have in this life. In other words, the cross will always be with us.

But as long as we tackle that cross together with Christ, that cross will in fact be a source of joy and peace for us, for it is through it that we would attain our own salvation and that of many others.

We, therefore, have to learn to lose any fear of the cross. That instinct of ours to be afraid and to flee from the cross has to be reversed, and made into an instinct of love for the cross. This may take time and effort, this may require a lot of thinking and discipline, this may involve some drastic and even painful adjustments in our understanding of things, but it is all worthwhile to do so. When we lose the fear of the cross and develop the love for it instead, we would have the proper light to guide us in our life here on earth. Not only that, we can have the invincible peace and joy that is proper to us as persons and as children of God. Thus, it is important that we have a proper understanding about the phenomenon of evil and suffering in this world. And that proper understanding comes from our Christian faith. In the Catechism, we are told that God permits evil to happen because he respects the freedom of men and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it. (cfr.

CCC 311) The Catechism further tells us

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The Mindanao Examiner OPINION

regarding this point that: “In time we can discover that God in his almighty providence can bring a good from the consequences of an evil, even a moral evil, caused by his creatures: ‘It was not you,’ said Joseph to his brothers, ‘who sent me here, but God…You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.’

“From the greatest moral evil ever committed—the rejection and murder of God’s only Son, caused by the sins of all men—God, by his grace that ‘abounded all the more,’ brought the greatest of goods: the glorification of Christ and our redemption…” (CCC 312) Again it’s good to be theological in our understanding of the cross because the mere human attitude toward the cross can never fathom the crucial and indispensable significance the cross of Christ possesses.

Christ’s cross, which Christ himself told us to carry (cfr. Mt 16,24), converts that tree of death that led to the downfall of our pristine humanity in Adam and Eve into a tree of life that brings us back again to God, our Father and Creator. It is this cross that assumes all the sins of men and destroys them. It is this cross that reopens the gates of heaven to us after it was closed due to our sins. We need to engrave these theological truths of the cross so we can be guided properly. Only then would we find joy in the cross. It becomes our way to our greatest joy—our own salvation and reconciliation with God and that of the others!

Ni Dr. Willie Ong (Manila)

A

YON SA Doktora Katty Go, isang magaling na dermatologist, mayroon mabisang paraan para malunasan ang mga sakit sa balat. Ayon sa pagsusuri, ang taong masaya o masiyahin ay mas hindi nagkakasakit sa balat.

Ang pagiging masaya ay dagdag pa sa pangkaraniwang payo para gumanda tulad ng pag-iwas sa araw, paggamit ng sunscreen, pagkain ng prutas at gulay at pag-inom ng 8 basong tubig bawat araw.

Be happy. Maraming sakit ang malulunasan ng pagiging masaya at pagbawas sa stress: 1. Eczema – Ang eczema ay isang pamamaga sa balat na lumalala kapag kinakamot ito. Ka-

pag inis tayo at hindi natin ito nailalabas, puwede ito lumabas bilang eczema sa katawan. Kapag masaya ka, mas mabilis gumaling ang eczema.

2. Psoriasis – Lumalabas ang pantal ng psoriasis kapag nagalit ang pasyente. Napatunayan sa pagsusuri na ang galit ay nag-trigger ng “flare-up” ng psoriasis dahil humihina ang immune system.

3. Kulubot sa Mukha – Kapag galit o inis tayo, lalong kukulubot ang ating mukha. Lalalim ang kulubot sa noo, pagitan ng kilay at tabi ng bibig.

4. Maitim na Balat – Ang dahilan ng pangingitim ng balat ay ang pag-kuskos at pag-kamot.

Kapat emosyonal tayo, hindi natin namamalayan na kinakamot na natin ang

ating balat. Dahil dito, magsusugat ito at mangingitim.

5. Tigyawat (Pimples) – Ang tigyawat at lumalala kapag stressed o puyat.

Kapag masaya tayo, mas mababawasan din ang tigyawat.

6. Balakubak (Dandruff) – Ang sanhi ng balakubak ay isang fungus, na tinatawag na “pityrosporum ovale”.

Ang balakubak ay mas kumakapalat nangangati kapag stressed ang tao.

Tandaan: Kapag naiinis ka sa iyong sakit sa balat. Lalong lalala ang iyong sakit. Kahit ano pa ang ipahid mo sa iyong balat, kapag mainit ang iyong ulo, ay hindi pa rin gagaling iyan. Kaya “be happy” na para tuluyang gumanda ang balat.

Making Good Use of Time

by Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo (Cebu)

Sunday Reflection

by Mayor Beng Climaco (Zamboanga City) Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23 John 14:23-29 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’

If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. Today we celebrate the First Death Anniversary of my Spirtual Guide and Mother, Sr. Agnes Xavier of the Holy Spirit. Years after the death of my Mother, she took on to mentor me and it was because of her guidance I said yes to Serve God, Help Zamboanga City in Public Service. She has loved and lived her life for Jesus. She taught me to catch the gaze of Jesus. And in Bishop Moises’ homily the gaze of love of Jesus is prayer itself. In times when we were in crisis Sr. Agnes taught us to say: “Mary show yourself a Mothet to us!”

The past week I have been brought to a realization of how untruth and lies in the ugly ploy of propaganda and gaslighting has destroyed my name con mancha ya dale duda na gente.

Two radio stations mouthing false accusations succesfully cast doubts and disappointments on people about me.

As I embrace the pain and all the diffculties that come my way, I humbly surrender unto the Lord. What car-

ries me today? God’s presence, God’s peace. Being more aware of my vulnerability I make an effort every second to express my love to others. Whether it is a coworker who was a victim of mauling, fire victims and co-workers distributing assistance I serve, I feed, I love. There are doors in my life that have been closed only to surprisingly find other opportunities. One was the validation for Social Services by the Association of Social Workers where I honored Ma’am Soki Rojas for exemplifying resilience despite of personal burdens. She and all our Social Workers respond to the call of service putting others ahead of themselves .

As to clearing my name, I am at peace that I have done my best to faithfully serve the Lord. The bashing and negativity will continue, I am not in control of that nor can please everyone. I open avenues of Gratitude to God most specially for every kind act given with those who supported me and believed in what we worked for and voted for me amidst all that was said to destroy me. I thank you all and God bless you all abundantly.

It will take time and I am uncertain of the future whether my name may be cleared by the public. I put my trust in God alone. I pray we all do trust in God! “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

“One of the deceptions of an unproductive life is that today is not important.”

(John Mason) One of the reasons why many people waste their time is the lack of goals in life. If we don’t have specific goals or dreams of finishing college for example or working abroad or starting a business, etc., chances are we’ll just be letting the days go by with no sense of direction. The only sense of direction it will have would be wherever the wind blows. We would then be at the mercy of what comes up during the day. If a friend calls up inviting us to a drinking session, of course we can’t say no because we have no plans for that day anyway. If you open the TV and there seems to be an interesting show you can’t say no because there’s nothing else to do.

You seem to have all the time in the world but it also has no sense of purpose. No wonder your life is dull and boring.

Time is like seed money that God gives to us. God tells us in scripture, “Trade until I come” (Luke 19:13) We are all spiritual businessmen. God expects that we invest our time, along with the talents and capabilities that He has given us to make it prosper and gain both spiritual and earthly profits. If we have talent in music, we ought to let it flourish. If we have talent in math, we should let it prosper. If we have talent in sports, we should let it bear fruit. God expects us to use them and make them grow. That’s why He gave them to us in the first place. Let’s just make sure these gifts don’t contribute to our spiritual ruin through pure self-serving interests. Our talents should serve society

in one way or another, and use them as instruments in giving glory to God and bringing many people closer to Him. I remember a classmate of mine in college who was working in Manila for a telecommunications company back in the late 1990’s. His work was to come up with a cell site design. At that time his colleagues were busy playing computer games even during working hours while he would try to do some “experiments” as he would call them by coming up with different cell site equipment combinations at the least cost.

His customers were both PLDT and Globe.

Needless to say, he became an expert on it and became a big income earner for the company. His break came when the main office of their company based in the U.S. was in need of a cell site equipment estimator. He got promoted and moved his entire family abroad. He reaped the rewards of his efforts because he made good use of his time instead of wasting it on useless and mindless computer games that his colleagues got hooked on.

He reminds me of William Ward’s recipe for success: “Study while others are sleeping; work while others are loafing; prepare while others are playing; and dream while others are wishing.” Our destiny is not a matter of chance; it’s a matter of choice. And it starts with how we use our God given time. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)

SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO

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The Mindanao Examiner Lifestyle

Section

May 30-June 5, 2022

Photos from the Office of the Sulu Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Maimbung Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz Salapuddin

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May 30-June 5, 2022 Across : 1. Drinking tube 6. Shoemaker’s tool 9. Graceful tree 12. Yonder 13. As well as 14. Caspian ___ 15. Made mistakes 16. Board member 18. Cruel 19. Restrict 20. Ted Kennedy, e.g.

22. Massachusetts city 26. Grand ___ Opry 27. Foolish 28. Scoundrel 32. Make sorrowful 33. Was sore 34. Solar body 35. Obeys 36. Thinnest 41. Motorist’s aid 43. Famed canal 44. Motor City 47. Informed 48. One of us 49. ___ day at a time 50. Put back to zero 51. London’s country (abbr.)

52. Went first 53. Recently picked

Answer to last week’s crossword:

Down : 1. Pipe parts 2. Trio number 3. Showed again 4. Fight site 5. Tie the knot 6. Clothing 7. Fish bait 8. New Orleans’ state 9. Cleveland time zone (abbr.)

10. Grant’s enemy 11. Bombshell ___ West 17. Tolerate 19. Lounge 21. Poisonous mushroom 23. Boy 24. Wind dir.

25. chess pieces 28. Cheerleader’s shout

29. Expert 30. That woman 31. Closet wood 32. Takes legal action 34. Scheduled 37. Not as old 38. Wipe out 39. Fathers 40. Fangs 42. Fishing string 44. Colorant 45. Billion years 46. Harbor vessel 47. Dog’s sound

Weekly Sudoku:

MAF Trading Zamboanga 062-9555360 / 0917-7103642

Answer to last week:

Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief

Reynold Toribio Graphics/Video Editor

MANILA No. 18 Purok 4B Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, 1632 chardee.mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com (0916) 9558559, (0915) 0070927, (0947) 2652969 Richard C. Ebona

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Wage hike in Central Visayas approved

C

EBU – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has approved a P31 a day wage hike for all private sector workers in Central Visayas.

This was also con- wage is now between P387 At the same time, the firmed by the Department and P435 for non-agri- DOLE said the RTWPB also of Labor and Employment culture employees; and granted a P500 increase in (DOLE), saying with the between P382 to P425 for monthly pay for domestic RTWPB’s decision, the re- workers in the agriculture helpers or household helpgion’s current minimum sector. ers in Central Visayas. This

increased their minimum salary to P5,500 and P4,500 for chartered cities and first-class municipalities, and other municipalities, respectively.

The new wage order will be submitted to the Na-

tional Wage and Productivity Commission for review and shall take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation such as The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper.

Central Visayas is composed of the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, and highly urbanized Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City. (Ferdinand Patinio, Cebu Examiner)

‘Libreng Sakay’ expanded to farther routes CEBU CITY – Commuters can now enjoy travel even up to Cebu’s northern and southern localities through the national government’s “Libreng Sakay (free ride)” program.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas regional director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said they have approved more routes for the free rides under the national government’s service contracting scheme.

“Transport service cooperatives and transport corporations have joined the fleet of the Libreng Sakay under the service

A modern jeepney plying the Cebu City uptown route through the "Libreng Sakay" program. LTFRB-7 regional director Eduardo Montealto Jr. says more routes are added to the program, this time servicing commuters going to Cebu's southern and northern towns. (PNA photo by John Rey Saavedra)

contracting program of the Department of Transportation. Take note of these routes for you might be able to avail the free rides in your area,” Montealto said.

He said they also added 23 routes to cater to more passengers from the south and north district, including loop services servicing hospitals in the southern and northern areas here and the neighboring city of Mandaue.

Workers living in the interior villages here can now travel for free to their workplaces, shopping centers and supermarkets, business districts, and even to the upland barangay of Guba. There is

also an added route that will cater to people who will catch a flight by taking the route passing the Talisay-Mactan Cebu International Airport corridor.

Montealto said they also approved buses plying the routes from the North Bus Terminal to the towns of Borbon and Tabogon, as well as the Cebu City to Bogo and Tuburan, and a special route from Carmen town in northern Cebu province to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in the program. He said passengers to and from Alcoy, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, and Balamban can also enjoy the free ride and likewise the Cebu City

Hospital-Carcar City route.

Workers from the northern town of Liloan can take a ride for free in going to Mactan Export Processing Zone in LapuLapu City while residents of this historical island city can take a ride from the public market to Barangay Marigondon or to the neighboring town of Cordova.

In Bohol, there are six routes for the “Libreng Sakay” which mostly link the capital city of Tagbilaran to six towns. In Negros Oriental, the routes approved are the Dumaguete City to Jimamalud, Mabinay Bayawan, and Manjuyod routes. (John Rey Saavedra)

Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet 2 San Carlos alumnus rank 1st, 10th in chemical engineering board exam coffee isn’t really pricey

CEBU CITY – Two graduates from the University of San Carlos (USC) here emerged as the 1st and 10th placers in the Chemical Engineer Licensure Examination held this year.

Richmond Pepito bested other examinees after getting the highest rating of 86.90% for the licensure examination for chemical engineers. Another alumnus of USC, Reinell Guevarra, is listed as the 10th placer after he scored 84.20%.

Shania Angel Montesa, a Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila graduate, got 2nd place.

Four of the topnotchers - Angelica Jao (3rd placer), Kobi Christian Go (6th placer), Maria Andrea Lisa Umali (8th placer), and Sabrina Nicole Blanco (9th placer) - were from the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman in Quezon City.

Two graduates from the De La Salle University in Ma-

ARMM

(Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers) nila – Christelle Paula Batac and John Vincent Jose – placed 4th and 7th, respectively. UP-Los Baños graduate Nomer Mendoza landed 5th place.

The Professional Regulations Commission said that 585 of 1,032 examinees passed the examination. The graduates who participated in the

examination were from Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Legazpi.

UP-Diliman, USC, UPLos Baños, DLSU-Manila, and UP-Visayas in Iloilo City ranked respectively on having the most number of examinees reaching at least 80% in the passing percentage. (John Rey Saavedra)

Eastern Mindanao

COFFEE LOVERS in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think.

Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated with other fecal matter, they are collected.

In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad.

But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee seller in Zamboanga City.

The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink.

Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a home reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roast-

Western Mindanao

ed to perfection.

Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice.

And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 0915-3976197. (AJC)

Cebu

Manila