The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (July 18-24, 2022)

U.S. destroyer sails past Chineseheld South China Sea islands THE U.S. Navy sailed a destroyer close to China-controlled islands in the South China Sea in what Washington said was a patrol aimed at asserting freedom of navigation through the strategic seaway.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold

Est 2006

sailed past the Paracel Islands on July 13 and continued thereafter with operations in the South China Sea. The operation “upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea,” the 7th Fleet said in a news release.

Such operations are considered key to the U.S.

mindanaoexaminer.com

Navy maintaining its presence in the Indo-Pacific, where China has grown its presence through a massive ship building campaign.

Beijing has also alarmed the U.S., Australia and New Zealand with the signing of a mutual Continue on page 6

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July 18-24, 2022

Luxembourg units seized

by Sultan of Sulu heirs K

UALA LUMPUR - Two Luxembourg-registered subsidiaries of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) have been seized by “heirs” of the late Sultan of Sulu over a US$15 billion (approximately RM66.55 billion) legal dispute with the Malaysian government arising from an agreement signed 144 years ago, the Financial Times (FT) reported.

According to the FT embourg seized the com- Azerbaijan (Shah Deniz) Continue on page 2 report, bailiffs in Lux- panies, namely Petronas

BBM survives Covid-19 The magnificent Tulay Mosque in Sulu’s capital town of Jolo. (Photo by Al Jacinto)

Classes start August 22, end on July 7 DAVAO CITY – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has released the guidelines setting the start of classes on August 22 and will end on July 7 next year.

Continue on page 2

PRESIDENT BONGBONG Marcos has survived the deadly Covid-19 respiratory disease and is now free from all symptoms.

This was also confirmed by Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles citing the latest health bulletin released by Marcos’ personal physician Dr. Samuel Zacate. “Dr. Zacate gave the happy news that on Continue on page 2

President Bongbong Marcos now free from Covid-19.

MSU Sulu proposes College of Law

Filipino students gear up for face-to-face classes.

Marcos supports review of education curriculum PRESS SECRETARY Trixie Cruz-Angeles said President Marcos is fully supportive of proposals to look at the country’s education curriculum in order to equip students with skills required by different industries and address the Continue on page 5

unicef.org

ARMM

Eastern Mindanao

Provincial government photos show Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan during a meeting with officials of the Mindanao State University for the proposed establishment of the College of Law.

Western Mindanao

Cebu

SULU – Mindanao State University here is proposing the establishment of the College of Law and school officials led by Chancellor Nagder Abdurahman have met with Governor Sakur Tan to ask for his endorsement.

Abdurahman presented the proposal for Tan’s endorsement to the MSU Board of Regents.

He said all necessary Continue on page 6

Manila

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The Mindanao Examiner

July 18-24, 2022

Luxembourg units seized

by Sultan of Sulu heirs

Continued from page 1 and Petronas South Caucasus, on behalf of their clients.

The report said the subsidiaries managed gas interests in Azerbaijan and could be worth more than US$2 billion. Petronas had not responded to a request for comment at press time.

The move is part of legal efforts by the Sulu heirs to win compensation over land in Sabah that they said their ancestor leased to a British trading company in 1878, before the discovery of vast natural resources in the area, FT reported.

Petronas had in February sold 9.99% stake in the Shah Deniz natural gas project to Russian oil and gas company LUKOIL for about US$1.45 billion, following a revision of the original planned deal which involved the sale of Petronas’ entire 15.5% stake in the project for US$2.25 billion.

The state-owned energy company was dragged into this dispute as Malaysia does not recognise the decision by an arbitrator in France,

which had ruled in March that Malaysia must pay the descendants US$14.9 billion.

The dispute arises after “heirs” and “successors-in-interest” to Sultan Jamalul Kiram II initiated a claim against the government of Malaysia through an international arbitration proceeding in Madrid, Spain, Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) had said in a joint statement in March.

The ministry and AGC said the claim is based on an agreement Sultan Mohamet Jamal Al Alam, the Sultan of Sulu at the time, and Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent entered into in 1878 under which the Sultan of Sulu granted and ceded in perpetuity the sovereign rights over certain territories located in North Borneo, now forming part of Sabah, Malaysia.

“As a token, RM5,300 per annum was to be paid to the then Sultan of Sulu, his heirs or successors.

Following the Lahad Datu armed invasion, payment was ceased in 2013,” the

statement read.

The statement was issued after the French arbitration ruling, a ruling which Malaysia pointed out it had not participated in.

“The government of Malaysia does not recognise the claim and did not participate in the purported arbitration proceedings because Malaysia has always upheld and has never waived its sovereign immunity as a sovereign state,” Putrajaya said in its March statement.

“In addition, the subject matter of the claim is not commercial in nature and thus cannot be subject to arbitration and the 1878 Agreement contains no arbitration agreement.

We further stress that the claimants’ identities are doubtful and have yet to be verified,” it added.

The FT also reported on Tuesday that if Malaysia continues to ignore the ruling, the money owed to the “heirs” is set to increase, and the claimants’ lawyers indicated that they would pursue more state assets if a resolution was not reached.

The arbitrator in

France previously highlighted that for every year the Sulu heirs are getting unpaid, Malaysia’s outstanding liability to the heirs will rise by 10%, the report noted.

Bernama in May, citing Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, reported that Malaysia will be sending diplomatic notes to 168

countries that signed the New York Convention as an early notification on possible unilateral legal claims by descendants of the Sulu Sultan.

The proactive move was taken so that 168 countries were aware of the unilateral claim, apart from hoping that the countries involved would inform Malaysia if there

were such applications filed in their countries, Saifuddin reportedly said.

The New York Convention applies to the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards and the referral by a court to arbitration. Malaysia and Luxembourg are contracting states in the convention. (Chester Tay and Sukhi Khalid / The Edge Markets)

BBM survives Covid-19

Continued from page 1 the 5th and 6th day of his isolation, the President is now free from all symptoms of Covid-19,” Angeles said.

She said Zacate reported that the President has finished all his medications and based on his clinical opinion, Marcos is ready to go back to his face-to-face engagements.

“Dr. Zacate told the President that that he still needs to complete

his seven-day isolation as mandated by the health department’s protocol,” Angeles said.

On his 6th day of isolation, Zacate reported that Marcos has no cough, no fever, no nasal stuffiness, and no nasal itchiness and basically asymptomatic.

“The President’s vital signs are all within normal limit. He has no signs of respiratory distress and very comfortable,” Angeles said.

Despite testing positive for Covid-19, Marcos has not slowed down from his work and has been presiding cabinet meetings via teleconferencing.

Angeles announced on July 8 that the President was tested positive for Covid-19. She said the President’s sons, Rep. Sandro Marcos, Simon and Vinny, including the First Lady, Liza Marcos, had no contacts with the Filipino leader. (Mindanao Examiner)

Classes start August 22, end on July 7 Continued from page 1 Under the guidelines she signed recently, the Department of Education (DepEd) provides direction and guidance in the re-opening of classes and the gradual introduction of five days of in-person learning modality classes. According to Duterte’s order, there will be no inspections, tools, or any additional requirements to re-open schools; and implementing five days of in-person classes will be required, except for the compliance with the usual pre-pandemic regulatory permits and licenses, as required by law or ordinances.

DepEd only prescribed the options of five days

in-person classes, blended learning modality, and full distance learning until October 31. Starting November 2, all public and private schools shall have transitioned to five days of in-person classes. No school shall be allowed to implement purely distance learning or blended learning except for those implementing Alternative Delivery Modes.

Meanwhile, the learning intervention for Alternative Learning System (ALS) will officially start on the same opening date, while the program duration will depend on the learner’s educational background or existing knowledge level before enrolment in the ALS program. In relation to

the school opening, the implementing guidelines on the School Calendar and Activities for the year 20222023 will apply to all public and private elementary and secondary schools, including Community Learning Centers nationwide.

Private schools, state/ local universities, and colleges may implement the calendar. They may also start classes not earlier than the first Monday of June and not later than the last day of August. DepEd said enrollment will be held from July 25 to August 22, and Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela will be conducted from August 1 to 26 and on August 15, respectively. (Mindanao Examiner)

July 18-24, 2022

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The Mindanao Examiner

July 18-24, 2022

Benepisiyaryo sa DSWD livelihood assistance program nakadawat og ayuda

Mayor Darel Dexter Uy kauban si Nursida Taradji Sarail, Regional Program Coordinator sa Sustainable Livelihood Program sa DSWD. DIPOLOG CITY - Ang Department of Social Welfare and Development uban sa koordinasyon sa kagamhanang lokal sa Dipolog pinaagi sa buhatan sa City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), ang mitunol sa Livelihood Assistance Grant ngadto sa 80 ka benepisyaryo gikan sa nagkalain-laing barangay.

Si Mayor Darel Dexter Uy ug Nursida Taradji Sarail, Regional Program Coordinator sa Sustainable Livelihood Program sa DSWD, ang nangulo sa pagpangapod-apod sa nasangpit

nga grant nga mobalor og P15,000 matag benepisyaryo.

Nasayran gikan ni CSWD Officer Arlene Jatico nga ang maong ayuda gihatag ngadto sa mga gamay’ng negosyante dinhi sa dakbayan kansang mga panginabuhian ang apektado sa pandemya.

Dugang niya, tumong niini nga tabangan nga makabakod og balik ang mga na-undang nga negosyo tungod sa Covid-19. Niini, gi-awhag niya ang mga benepisyaryo nga gamiton ang P15,000.00 sumala sa

tumong niini.

Samtang nagpasalamat si Uy ngadto sa DSWD tungod sa kanunay nga paghatag niini og ayuda sa mga Dipolognon. Gitambagan usab sa mayor ang mga benepisiyaryo nga dili kalimtan ang pag-ampo aron magiyahan sa kahitas-an.

Mapasalamaton usab ang Regional Program Coordinator nga si Sarail ngadto ni Uy tungod sa pagpanglimbasog niini nga tabangan ang mga lumulupyo aron makasugakod sa kalisod gumikan sa pandemya. (LTD)

Camiguin Water vows to improve, develop sustainable water supply CAMIGUIN - The Camiguin Water Company (CWC) has partnered with Camiguin Integrated Water System Cooperative (CIWASCO) to provide sustainable water infrastructure solutions in the island.

“A total of P600 million during a 30-year contract will be invested for the development and expansion of water services and sanitation management in the province,” said CWC General Manager Danvir Mark Farnazo.

He said that in their first 10 years of operation, about P275 million is set for water source development, asset and non-revenue water management programs and service coverage expansion.

Farnazo said CWC is close to completing a water system which will provide

potable water to over 4,000 residents in the villages of Tupsan Pequeno, Catohugan, and Hubangon in Mahinog as well as Tupsan Grande in Mambajao.

He said CWCs service level commitments include reliable, 24/7 access to water, improved water pressure to at least 8 psi, and distribution of safe and potable water supply compliant to the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water to the consumers.

“CWC also commits to implement non-revenue water (NRW) reduction program ensuring sustainable water supply for the Camiguinons. Without water infrastructure developments, we have projected a supply gap of XX million liters per day by 2031 due to system losses and unmaintained pipelines.”

“We will be investing 16 million to reduce the current NRW of 47% to 20% in 10 years, which translates to improved water pressure and expansion of service coverage benefiting more than 8,000 households in Camiguin,” Farnazo said.

CWC, he added, has also allotted P173 million for rehabilitation and modernizing CIWASCO and waterworks’ facilities such as water sources, reservoirs, transmission and distribution pipelines as well as provision of chlorinators to ensure water potability, water production meters, and replacement of customer meters.

“Our objective is to turnover a modern and well-maintained water infrastructure to the Camiguinons after our 30-year project,” Farnazo said.

More women being hired in leadership roles NEW LINKEDIN data, published in the World Economic Forum’s 2022 Global Gender Gap Report, reveals that more women are being hired in leadership roles since 2015, with the largest increase seen in the Philippines among all Asia Pacific (APAC) markets studied, according to new LinkedIn data.

Only about 1 in 3 (34%) hires into leadership positions in the Philippines in 2015 were women, with that figure jumping to 43% in 2022. Of the countries considered, the second largest increase among APAC markets are from Australia and New Zealand (from 34% in 2015 to 40% in 2022) and India (from 18% in 2015 to 24% in 2022). Singapore saw a slightly smaller increase in the hiring of women into leadership roles from 32% in 2015 to 37% in 2022.

Out of the 36 major economies considered, the Philippines ranks 4th globally in the representation of women in leadership positions. LinkedIn data shows that women account for a third of leadership roles (31%) worldwide. Among the coun-

tries studied in the APAC region, the Philippines has the highest representation of women in leadership at 41%, followed by Singapore (39%), New Zealand (33%), Australia (32%) and India (18%).

However, women are not getting promoted internally into leadership positions as frequently as men. In the Philippines, men are 26% more likely to be promoted into leadership positions than women. This statistic is more pronounced in other APAC countries like Singapore and India (42%).

According to LinkedIn’s report, the proportion of women decreases as they rise through the career ranks. At a global average, there are only 27% of women at the Vice President (VP) level, and 25% at the C-Suite (CXO) level – two of the highest seniority levels in the workforce.

In the Philippines, there are 40% at the VP level, and 32% at the CXO level, higher than the global average. While there are more female leaders in industries where women are better represented in the workforce, their represen-

tation in leadership roles within these industries are not always necessarily higher than men. For example, in the Philippines, there are more women working in Education (62%) and only slightly more female leaders than male leaders (52%).

In the Healthcare sector, there are more women (60%), but only 45% women are in leadership roles.

Feon Ang, Managing Director, APAC, LinkedIn said, “Our data is telling us a very clear story: Women face more barriers in the workplace when compared to their male counterparts – they are currently underrepresented in leadership, and are not being promoted into leadership roles at the same rate as men.”

“We need to do more to ensure that women in the workforce have equal access to opportunities.

Organisations and business leaders should look at solutions like internal mobility, fair hiring practices with a focus on skills and flexibility. This will ensure that women are equal contributors at all levels in an organisation.” (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

July 18-24, 2022

U.S. Embassy, UN Foundation’s Girl Up hold women in science camp

Davao campers at the American Corner mural at Ateneo de Davao University.

DAVAO CITY – The U.S. Embassy and Girl Up, an initiative of the United Nations Foundation, recently concluded the Women in Science (WiSci), Technology, Engineering, Arts & Design, and Mathematics (STEAM) Camp held at American Corners Davao, Bacolod and Batac.

Some 30 young Filipina 70 campers across the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia for the sixday program composed of STEAM skills training, design thinking, prototyping, robotics, leadership development, and mentorship from U.S.-based scientists, technologists, and tech experts.

Campers learned from each other across cultures, participated in team building exercises, and presented STEM projects that provide solutions to social issues.

Girl Up will be select-

ing WiSci campers or counselors for monetary project awards to help them bring their STEM projects to life in their communities.

“Last year, the United States took historic steps to bridge the gender divide by launching the first National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality. Launching the WiSci STEAM camp with our colleagues from the UN Foundation’s Girl Up campaign is one step toward fulfilling the Gender Strategy and supporting the attainment of UN Sustainable Development Goal Five: achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls,” said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava.

“We know the power of female leadership, and the importance of closing the gender gap across STEAM fields. Girl Up is

so proud to be part of WiSci Southeast Asia, helping girls build their skills and explore STEAM careers,” said Girl Up Executive Director Melissa Kilby.

Since 2015, WiSci Camps have been made possible through private-public partnerships between Girl Up and the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships, Intel, Google, Millennium Challenge Corporation, and other local partners such as American Corners supported by U.S. embassies.

In the Philippines, WiSci is implemented by American Corners located at Ateneo de Davao University, Mariano Marcos State University, and University of St. La Salle. To date, WiSci Camps have trained more than 1,000 girls from 35 countries around the world. (Mindanao Examiner)

Marcos supports review of education curriculum Continued from page 1 existing job mismatch. Angeles said concerns about workers’ skills, competencies, and the way the Philippines produces its graduates were raised during a recent Cabinet meeting.

“Among the suggestions to address these standing issues include a reform of the current curriculum since the rise of automation has posed a threat to many jobs,” she said.

Marcos told his Cabinet members that basic education skills and knowledge must be improved to prepare students as they pursue a higher level of learning.

“That’s exactly what is happening. That is why we have to look at the curriculum as well. Not only TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), but also even our diploma cours-

es,” Angeles quoted Marcos as saying.

In his PowerPoint presentation, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual underscored the need for a review of the country’s curriculum particularly the basic and tertiary education. He said basic skills must be instilled in students, said, adding that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is also ramping up efforts to help universities develop micro-credentialing systems to catch up with fast-changing technological advancements.

“We are developing or helping universities develop this system of micro-credentialing because technology is changing very fast. There is a need for workers to update themselves, to reskill or upskill,” Pascual said.

Pascual cited the case of the National University

of Singapore which offers focused but short courses on certain technology and awards students with micro-credential, which is similar to a diploma but for a short course.

He also suggested the need for the Philippines to send Filipino teachers abroad for training. “Vietnam, for example, sends teachers to the United States and Europe for advanced studies,” he said.

To address the current job mismatch, Pascual said the DTI should collaborate closely with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and TESDA. “We will also collaborate with the said entities or authorities, the skills development, reskilling and upskilling of Philippine workforce through our own Philippine Skills Framework,” he said.

(Mindanao Examiner)

SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO Mga katawhan gipahimangno-an nga mag-amping batok sa Dengue DIPOLOG CITY - Subli karong nagapahimangno ang kagamhanang lokal ning siyudad pinaagi sa lokal nga buhatan sa City Health Office ngadto sa tanang mga katawhan nga magbantay batok sa Dengue.

Kining maong pahimangno ang giluwatan nunot sa sigeng pag-ulan nga atong nasinati diin mao kini ang panahon sa pagdaghan sa lamok. Partikular nga gipahimangno-an mao kadtong mga ginikanan nga aduna pa’y mga gamay nga kabataan, ilabi na gayud kadtong atua nagpuyo sa mga kabaranggayan.

Sigun sa gabay nga giluwatan sa Department of Health, nga atong sundon ang programang “5S

Diskarte kontra Dengue” pinaagi sa pagpabiling limpiyo sa palibot dinha sa atong tagsa-tagsa ka panimalay, uban na sa pagpang-yabo sa mga napondong tubig nga nakatambak nga container, lata ug botelya, sa pagdangop dayon sa mga ospital o health centers alang sa pagpakonsulta, ilabi na kon makabantay kita sa pipila ka mga sintomas sa Dengue pinaagi sa paghilanat, pagtugot sa mga “fogging o misting” dinha sa mga dapit nga gituho-ang itloganan sa mga lamok, pagsuot sa mga “sweaters ug pajamas” ilabi na sa mga kabataan aron malikayan ang pagpa-ak sa lamok, ug sa pag-inom sa daghang tubig aron malikayan

usab ang “dehydration” o pagka-mad-an sa tubig ang atong lawas.

Ang Dengue maoy usa ka makuyaw nga sakit dala sa lamok, alang kanatong tanan, ug ilabi na gayud sa mga kabataan.

Sigun sa atong madunggan gikan sa mga balita, nga aduna na’y pipila ka mga dapit dinhi sa nasud ang nagdeklarar na og Dengue Outbreak, diin ning kasamtangan, dinhi sa atong lalawigan,aduna na’y dul-an sa upat ka gatos ang natakboyan sa Dengue.

Subay ning maong kalamboan, hugtanon karong naga-pahimangno ang buhatan sa City Health alang sa hugtanong pag-amping aron makalikay kita gikan sa Dengue. (AFB)

USAID, DepEd launch course on futures thinking for education THE UNITED Agency for International Development (USAID), partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) recently to launch a training program on co-creating learning spaces for the future.

The Leaders in Futures of Education (LIFE) course will teach teachers and administrators how to collaboratively design and plan for innovative future learning spaces that will maximize children’s language and literacy. After the course, participants will develop local prototypes of future learning spaces.

“We are taking this

challenge even beyond this administration. Within the overall framework of DepEd’s long-term goal for the Basic Education Development Plan 2030, the goal of enhancing the capabilities of our education leaders and movers remains relevant especially within and beyond crisis and uncertain futures,” said former Education Undersecretary Atty.

Nepomuceno Malaluan.

Some 50 school leaders and teachers from the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Tuguegarao enrolled in the LIFE course. Through its All Children Reading Philippines project, USAID aims

to improve early grade reading skills for 100 million children by supporting DepEd. “I hope that this course will help our education partners gain the necessary tools and insights that will help you come up with innovative ways to design and create a better education for the future,” said USAID Philippines Acting Education Director Yvette Malcioln.

The United States government has been a key development champion in the Philippines for over 60 years, working with individuals, communities, and the government to improve everyday lives.

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The Mindanao Examiner

U.S. destroyer sails past Chineseheld South China Sea islands Continued from page 1 defense agreement with the Solomon Islands, under which it could receive Chinese troops in emergencies and possibly establish a permanent Chinese military presence.

In response to the Benfold's passage, China's Southern Theater Command tracked the vessel's movements and ordered it to leave the area, Air Force Col. Tian Junli was quoted as saying on the Defense Ministry's website.

“Our troops in the military area are on high alert at all times to safeguard national sovereignty, security and peace and stability in the South China Sea," the ministry said.

China claims ownership over virtually the entire strategic waterway, through which passes around $5 trillion in global trade each year and which holds highly valuable fish stocks and undersea mineral resources.

The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also lay competing claims to the region.

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan has

also been deployed to the South China Sea, along with its strike group including guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam and guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins.

“Our presence in the South China Sea demonstrates America’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Capt. Fred Goldhammer, commanding officer of the Ronald Reagan, was quoted as saying in a news release.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on July 13 reiterated China's rejection of a 2016 Hague arbitration ruling brought by the Philippines under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that invalidated Beijing’s vast territorial claims in the South China Sea. “China neither accepts nor recognizes (the ruling). China will never accept any claim or action based on this award," Wang said at a daily briefing.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on July 12 issued a call for China to abide by the ruling and warned that Washington is obligated to defend

treaty ally Philippines if its forces, vessels or aircraft come under attack in the disputed waters.

While publicly pursuing closer ties with the Philippines government, China has moved aggressively to assert its control in disputed waters with its vastly superior coast guard and naval assets.

Dozens of left-wing activists and workers protested in front of the Chinese Consulate in the Philippines’ Makati financial district on July 12, asking Beijing to respect the arbitration ruling and for newly elected President Bongbong Marcos to defend the country’s territory and sovereign rights in the South China Sea. Washington lays no claim to the disputed waters but has deployed Navy ships and Air Force jets to patrol the waterway for decades and says freedom of navigation and overflight is in the U.S. national interest.

China has responded angrily, accusing the U.S. of meddling in a purely Asian dispute and demanding it leave the region where it has had a naval presence for more than a century. (AP)

July 18-24, 2022

FOR SALE Kampilan 21” (P13,000)

Made from 5160 High Carbon Steel and Kamagong handle and scabbard.

For table and wall display, or as self-defense weapon.

Zamboanga City 0915-3976197

Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey

PDEA gidasig ang mga mayor nga mas hingusgan ang kampanya batok droga PAGADIAN CITY - Gidasig sa Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency ang mga mayor sa Zamboanga del Sur aron mas hingusgan ang kampanya batok sa droga, atol sa Joint Meeting sa Provincial Peace and Order Council ug Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

Sumala ni PDEA Provincial Officer Cesario Judilla Jr. nga dili magmalampuson ang ilang mga pagpaningkamot nga masugpo ang iligal nga droga kung wala ang tabang sa mga local chief executives sa ilang mga operasyon.

Segun sa datos sa ahensya, anaa na sa 80.32% ang mga drug-

cleared barangays sa tibuok probinsya sa Zamboanga del Sur ug mao kini ang pinakataas sa tibuok Zamboanga Peninsula.

Sa pagkakaron, mokabat na sa 494 ang drugcleared barangays gikan sa 681 nga total number of barangays sa lalawigan ug gilaumang madugangan pa kini sa sunod bulan human sa deliberation sa uban pang barangay.

Gibutyag ni Judilla nga ning bulan sa Hunyo 2022, anaa sa 10 ka mga high value target drug personalities ang nasikop sa ilang ahensya ug kapin 500,000 nga kantidad sa drogang shabu ang nasakmit sa ilang mga oper-

asyon.

Pag-awhag sa ahensya ngadto sa LGU nga bantayan ang gitawag og “drug route” aron dili makalusot ang illegal drugs nga gikan pa sa mga silingang probinsya sama na lamang sa Lanao del Sur ug Lanao del Norte.

Agresibo usab ang pamunuan ni Gov. Victor Yu nga hinloan ang probinsya sa iligal nga droga hinungdan nga todo suporta kini sa kapulisan ug law enforcement authorities.

Sa ingon niini, mapanalipdan ug maproteksyunan ang katilingban ilabina ang kabataan batok sa makadaot nga gidiling droga.

NOTICE Please report to us any individual or persons who are illegally soliciting money or donations for or in behalf of THE MINDANAO EXAMINER REGIONAL NEWSPAPER-CEBU EXAMINER, and THE ZAMBOANGA POST and RADYO MINDANAO. We have a strict company policy against solicitation in any forms and the Company shall not be responsible for illegal practice of unscrupulous persons, who pass themselves off as Reporter, Stringer, Correspondent or Sales Executive of all outlets mentioned above.

When in doubt, please call or SMS us at these numbers (062) 9555360 or SMS 0917-7103642 or email us – mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

KIDAPAWAN CITY - 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 roasted 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)

MSU Sulu proposes College of Law Continued from page 1 preparations were made, including the feasibility study of the proposal.

“Instructors, who are mostly composed of MSU Alumni, will conduct face-to-face classes, if given the go ahead signal,” Abdurahman said.

Tan commended the MSU for pushing through with this initiative and

expressed his all-out support and assistance for the realisation of this objective. He also urged MSU to put more emphasis on courses in Agriculture, saying the province has naturally rich soil and vast agricultural lands planted with a variety of fruit trees, abaca, cacao and coffee to which Sulu is popular.

“Agriculture is all

around us, it is the number one source of livelihood for our people.

We must capacitate our people in this regard, put some technology into it,” he said.

Abdurahman welcomed Tan's suggestion, adding the MSU also has 1,000 hectares of hatchery dedicated to sea cucumber and mad crabs. (Mindanao Examiner)

7

The Mindanao Examiner

July 18-24, 2022

Buto, Osteoporosis at Fracture

Proofs of the existence of our soul

by Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo (Cebu) HOLY SCRIPTURE is very clear in telling us that there is life after death. As a consequence of that, we therefore have something within us that does not die. It can’t be our body since it can only live by an average of 71 years, which is the life expectancy in the Philippines according to the World Health Organization.

That something that lives in us forever is what we call the soul. Actually, it’s someone rather than something because our souls are our very selves. Or as the philosophers would call it, it is our very “I” which is the strongest description of our individuality or personhood.

Even without the Bible we could ascertain that we have souls based on reason.

There are several proofs actually but we will just mention the two most common ones here. The proofs are not physical of course, but logical or philosophical, since our soul is invisible or immaterial and can’t be subjected to scientific experiments. Science is limited to the study of corporeal or physical entities.

The first proof is based on the principle that action follows being. The principle simply means that whatever is the action or activity, based on that activity we could determine the nature of the cause (who or what is causing it) or we could ascertain the nature of the being causing the activity. If the activity is a physically moving car, we know the cause or what makes the car move is something we can physically see or detect. We know that the movement of the car is caused by the movement of the pistons inside the car’s engine that makes the car move. In the case of a bulb that is lighted, the light is caused by electric current although we don’t physically see the electrons that move across the wire, but we can detect it with an instrument.

Thus, physical actions are caused by physical causes.

Likewise, spiritual actions are caused by spiritual causes. Based on this principle, we know we have a soul because we humans can do spiritual acts. A spiritual act such as “thinking” can come only from a spiritual cause. If we think of concepts such as “jus-

tice” or “truth” these are not physical realities but spiritual. These concepts don’t have color, size or weight but they do exist. Well, you might argue that this is caused by our brains.

Scientists have found that we can detect how the brain forms images inside our head but it can’t be determined how the brain puts together these images.

Self-consciousness for example which means “I am aware that I exist” or “I am aware that I am thinking” is a very intense spiritual act that you can never locate physically in your brain. Therefore, the brain requires a higher capability outside of it. And that capability comes from the soul which has a faculty called the “intellect”. Aside from that, the material effect is predictable if you have a material cause. Cars moving forward caused by the burning of gasoline, is something we can demonstrate many times. Animals too have predictable behaviors. But with humans we can never predict a person’s behavior because of his or her inherent capacity to make moral choices which is a spiritual act caused by a spiritual soul.

Second proof is by analogy. How come we can convict a person who has violated a law when the unlawful act happened decades ago? Such was the case for example of Manuel Gonzales a truck driver who was convicted of second-degree murder on September 30, 1999 with the slaying of off-duty police officer Ronald Stapleton on December 18, 1977 in New York. Mr. Gonzales could have argued that it was not him who committed the crime because he is now an older person. He could have said it was not me but the younger version of me with a different face, different height or different weight. He could even further argue that he is a “reformed man now”. Nevertheless, the court convicted him because it is still Mr. Manuel Gonzales who did the unlawful act regardless of age. Thus, there must be something that makes us the same person across space and time. And that something or rather that someone is our soul.

Our true rest only with Christ

by Fr. Roy Cimagala (Cebu) THAT’S what Christ clearly said. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” he said. (Mt 11,28) For those who try to follow Christ faithfully and are burdened as can be expected, they should find consolation in these words of his. He also reassured them that they should be unafraid to take Christ’s yoke for as he said, “my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Mt 11,30) We really need to know what our proper rest really is. Nowadays, people have different and even conflicting ideas about what it is. For some it is purely something physical.

For others, it is more on the emotional and psychological side. There are those who think that resting is doing what they like to do at the moment, enjoying a peaceful moment, sipping a favorite drink. Still others believe it is having the sensation of letting go of something that weighs heavily on their mind and heart. There still are others who think that is about achieving a goal they had set out for themselves.

All of these, of course, have their valid points. But I believe there is still a higher metric that would best define what our proper rest is and that would somehow integrate all these other ideas about rest. And that is whether we manage to be with God at the end of the day—or of our life. We have to realize that true rest can be found only in Christ. The rest that he gives us is not only physical. It is the rest that includes all the aspects of our life—emotional, psychological, mental, moral and spiritual. We need to broaden our understanding of rest to go beyond the physical dimension.

Christ offers us the due rest for our souls

that can be harassed by the problems of this world and the requirements of our lifelong pursuit for holiness and apostolate. (cfr.

Mt 11,29) This is the real rest that is indeed meant for us. Short of this, our rest would be at best only apparent, and cannot cope with the over-all demands and pressures of our life.

For this he advises us to learn from him, particularly in his meekness and humility. I imagine that these virtues were highlighted because they are the ones that would open the gates of our soul to receive God’s grace, to be guided by faith rather than simply by our senses and emotions and even by our intellectual powers.

We have to see to it that our search for rest should not get stuck in the level of our physical, emotional and intellectual conditions. This is a crucial point because the entry point in our process of knowing is through our senses, instincts and emotions, before things get processed by our intellect. And things do not just end there in our intellect.

We have to see to it that our intellect, which does not create the truth but can only recognize and express it, be enlightened and inspired by the ultimate source of truth, which is our faith.

Faith is a God-given view of all the truths that we need to know. It is God revealing and sharing his knowledge of things with us. It is God sharing his powers with us. We just should not be guided by our own lights and faculties, but rather by the light God gives us through the gift of faith. With this faith in God as revealed to us in full by Christ, we can find our true rest!

Ni Dr. Willie Ong (Manila)

Alam ninyo ba na…

1. Ang sanggol ay may 300 buto sa katawan. Paglaki niya ay magiging 206 na lang ang mga buto. Ito ay dahil karamihan ng ating buto ay magdidikit na.

2. Mayroon tayong 14 na buto sa mukha, 8 buto sa wrist, at 23 buto sa paa.

3. Pagdating ng edad 20, halos kumpleto na ang bone mass o tigas ng ating buto. Dahil dito ay dapat tayong uminon ng gatas at kumain ng pagkaing mayaman sa calcium habang bata pa.

4. Isa sa 3 kababaihan ay may osteoporosis. Ngunit 1 lang sa 5 kalalakihan ang may osteoporosis.

5. Kapag kulang ang calcium sa kinakain natin, kumukuha ang katawan ng calcium mula sa buto. Kaya hihina ang

ating buto at magdudulot ng osteoporosis.

6. Ang isang sanggol ay kumukuha ng calcium mula sa gatas ng ina. Kaya dapat kumain ng maraming calcium ang mga nanay.

Pag-alaga ng buto: 1. Bawat taon, may 1.6 milyong hip fractures sa buong mundo.

2. Para alagaan ang ating tuhod, umiwas sa mga tinatawag na high-impact exercises, tulad ng basketball, badminton, jogging at football. Mas hindi stressful sa tuhod ang swimming, walking at Taichi.

3. Kapag napilay, tandaan ang kodigong RICE. R – Rest, I – Ice, C – Compression, E – Elevation.

Rest – Huwag igagalaw at lagyan ng splint or sling.

Ice Compression - Lagyan ng yelo sa loob ng 20 minuto. Elevate – Itaas ang nasaktang parte ng katawan.

4. Mahirap maibalik sa dating lakas ang isang nasirang tuhod. Ingatan

ito.

Believe it or not: 1.

Ang pinakamatangkad na tao ay si Robert Pershing Wadlow, isang Americano na may 8 feet at 11 inches ang tangkad.

2. Ang pinakamaliit na tao ay si Gul Mohammed ng India na 22 inches lamang ang tangkad.

3. Ang pinakamahabang buto sa katawan natin ay ang buto sa hita.

Ang buto ng hita ay nagbibigay ng 28% ng ating taas.

4. Ang pinakamabigat na tao sa buong mundo ay si Jon Minnoch na umabot sa timbang na 1,399 pounds.

5. Ang pinakamalakas na masel sa katawan ay ang masel ng panga, ang masseter, na ginagamit sa pag-nguya. Kaya mga kaibigan, mag-ingat na huwag ilagay ang daliri sa bibig ni baby.

Baka makagat kayo ng masseter, ang pinakamalakas na masel.

Bukirin

by Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano Nang sa bintana’y dumungaw Ganda mo’ aking natanglaw Kaligayaha’y umapaw Sa puso’t isip ay ikaw

Bituwing kumikislap Tila ako’y kausap Buwan aking hinanap Nais ko’y kanyang yakap

Kay ganda ng tanawin Preskong simoy ng hangin Masustansiyang pagkain Sa mesa’y nakahain

Tahimik at maaliwalas Kasiyaha’y walang katumbas Sa bukirin ang bawat bukas Puno ng alaala’t bakas

Paruparo

by Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano Sari-saring mga kulay Sa bukid nag bigay buhay Damdaming balot ng lumbay Galak ang iyong inalay Sa bulaklak at halaman Nakaaakit titigan

Para bang isang kaibigan Laging nandiyan pag kailangan Marikit na paruparo Tunay kang nakaka aliw Aral iyong itinuro Tumatak sa aming puso

Alitaptap

by Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano Sa gabing kay payapa Nakatitig sa tala Mata ko’y lumuluha Kailan pa ba huhupa?

Alitaptap kong kaibigan Bituwin ng kagubatan Madilim man ang daanan Matibay silang lalaban

Alitaptap sa gubat Sa akin ay nagmulat Mangarap ka’t magsikap Abutin kahit ulap

Para sa aking hangarin Ilog man ay tatawirin Bundok ay handang akyatin Kahit dagat sisisirin

8

The Mindanao Examiner Gallery

July 18-24, 2022

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

9

The Mindanao Examiner

July 18-24, 2022 Across :

MAF Trading Zamboanga

1. Energy 4. Existed 7. Colorado resort 12. Alias initials 13. Psychic letters 14. Stop 15. Get worse again 17. Swiftness 18. Wasps’ defenses 20. Farm yield 23. Amtrak stop (abbr.)

24. Curvy turn 27. Do again 29. Otherworldly meeting 32. Upright 33. Water plants 34. Plaid 36. Show up 37. Compass point (abbr.)

38. Coffee server 40. Fine ___ 41. Adolescent 45. Fittingly 47. Of the seashore 51. Rent contract 52. Slip up 53. Raw mineral 54. Relieved 55. Eminem’s milieu 56. Koppel or kennedy

062-9555360 / 0917-7103642

Answer to last week’s crossword:

Down : 1. Golf goal 2. Supplement 3. comrade 4. Cried 5. Help 6. Paid out 7. Soreness 8. Scorch 9. Plane patron 10. Superlative suffix 11. Once called 16. Facet 19. Cooking fuel 20. Mediterranean island 21. Televised again 22. Musical dramas 25. Meager 26. Plant beginnings

28. “One Day ___ Time” (2 wds.)

30. Have breakfast 31. Communion tables 35. Convent dweller 36. Soft wool 39. Professional speedster 42. In addition 43. Watched 44. Wyatt 45. Malt beverage 46. Legume 48. Little one 49. Have being 50. Was ahead

Weekly Sudoku:

Answer to last week:

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

Reynold Toribio Graphics/Video Editor

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P10

July 18-24, 2022

Teachers to get free Covid-19 test kits

C

EBU – Governor Gwen Garcia is expected to distribute for free Covid-19 antigen test kits to unvaccinated teachers who are worried of having to spend for the test to enter their school premises, as mandated by national government guidelines.

This, after the Limdaqui ly on health issues. We are so tigen test kits at the Capitol.

Trading Inc. donated a total proud to be part of this proThe governor has been of 10,000 antigen test kits to gram,” Leslie Lim said. the voice for unvaccinated the Provincial Government.

Garcia said the teachers individuals, especially the Garcia thanked Leslie and shall be given priority in the teachers, saying such should Charles Lim of the Limdaqui distribution of the antigen remain a personal choice that Trading Inc. for the donation test kits. “You will be given should be respected. which she said is a signifi- priority. You will be able to She said the rule set by cant help, especially for the take the antigen test for free,” the national government’s unvaccinated teachers. she told some unvaccinated Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task “We are honored to teachers who were present Force requiring unvaccinated share our products especial- during the turnover of the an- teachers to present negative a

Covid-19 test before they are allowed to enter the school premises is unfair and an added burden to them, which is already tantamount to a penalty.

She pointed out that the money these teachers may

have to spend for the test could already be spent for more necessities, especially now that prices of basic commodities, including oil, are rising.

Education Regional Director Dr. Salustiano, who

was also present during the turnover of the donation, praised and expressed his gratitude to Garcia. He said the donation is an “answered prayer” because the teachers can now have their Covid-19 tests for free. (CL)

U.S., DOH launch Central Visayas Health Referral System Operations Manual

DOH Central Visayas Assistant Regional Director Dr. Sophia Mancao (third from left) joins DOH and PhilHealth officials, USAID Philippines Office of Health Deputy Director Dr. Yolanda Oliveros (third from right), and USAID ReachHealth Project implementing partner RTI International Vice President of Global Health Dr. Hala AlMossawi (second from right) during the June 28 launch of the second edition of the Central Visayas health care referral system operations manual.

CEBU - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Health (DOH) launched recently the second edition of the Central Visayas Center for Health Development health care referral system operations manual.

The health care referral system ensures the efficient referral of patients among health care providers and is a critical component of the Universal Health Care Law. The new manual contains guidance on implementing the region’s upgraded referral system, ensuring strong collaboration among health care providers, local governments, and other health care organizations.

ARMM

It draws on lessons learned from the previous edition of the manual and has been adapted to current realities and needs.

Through its ReachHealth Project, USAID supported DOH’s Central Visayas Center for Health Development in revisiting its referral system processes, conducting stakeholders’ consultation and finalizing the second edition of the manual.

“We are proud to be part of this endeavor toward seamlessly providing health care for Filipinos. As an enduring friend, partner, and ally, the U.S. government, through USAID, will continue to work with our partners in further strengthening the region’s health system in pursuit of the vision of the Universal Health Care

Law,” said USAID Philippines Office of Health Deputy Director Dr. Yolanda Oliveros.

The updated manual also reflects the region’s innovations in implementing a functional health referral system at the regional, provincial, and city levels—pioneering electronic referrals, the 711 healthline, and lifesaving telemedicine services.

Since 2015, the regional referral system has helped thousands of clients from the Central Visayas access quality primary care services and lifesaving telemedicine.

“This knowledge product is a powerful tool in operationalizing our upgraded health referral systems. It is a heartfelt reminder that securing people’s health leads to creating healthy and progressive communities— the ultimate goal of AmBisyon Natin 2040,” said DOH Central Visayas Center for Health Development Regional Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas.

Since 2019, USAID has supported national government and local governments with technical assistance and policy guidance to implement the Universal Health Care Act. The United States government has been a key development champion in the Philippines for six decades, working with individuals, communities and the government to improve everyday lives. (Cebu Examiner)

Eastern Mindanao

Governor Gwen Garcia receives the 10,000 Covid-19 antigen test kits donated by Leslie and Charles Lim of of the Limdaqui Trading Inc. (Junjie Mendoza)

Public health protocols remain a challenge for air travellers CEBU PACIFIC (CEB) expressed optimism the government could make public health protocols simpler to boost the recovery of the aviation sector which was the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

CEB chief commercial officer Xander Lao said passengers now are more concerned with the travel regulations. “Before the pandemic, what's important to the passengers is the cost of the airfare, which is affordable.

But now, the passengers' concern is more on the travel regulations,” he told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

Lao also noted that protocols, as well as registration apps, varied in many local governments and he said one way to simplify things is by allowing passengers to just show their vaccination cards.

Another thing that Lao hopes the Marcos administration would continue is the investments in airports, and the training of air traffic controllers.

Western Mindanao

Cebu Pacific Airplane (Cebu Pacific Air FB) “We need to increase the capacity so that more flights can be accommodated to and from the country,” he said.

Lao acknowledged the previous administration’s aid to the airline industry. “At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government deferred the local carriers’ payment for parking, landing, and take-off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, as well as all the airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. The waiving of fees is certainly appreciated,” he said.

He said at present, CEB has already reached 100% of its

Cebu

pre-pandemic domestic capacity. “International (capacity), however, is difficult (to achieve 100%) because this depends on regulations. Hong Kong, for example, is open, but requires quarantine. How could someone want a vacation with quarantine?” he asked.

CEB currently has less than 50% of its pre-pandemic international capacity. Lao even said that CEB used to fly five times a day to China. Now it services the Chinese route only once a day. “This will be very dependent on how countries reopen,” he said. (Maria Cristina Arayata)

Manila