The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (August 1-7, 2022)

DOH to roll out 2nd booster shot Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Health has finally allowed people to receive their second booster shot against Covid-19.

According to its guidelines, people ages 50 and above, and 18 to 49 years old with comorbidities, shall be allowed to receive the booster shot - either Pfizer or Moderna Continue on page 4

(Photo by Al Jacinto)

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coffee isn’t really pricey 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,

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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.

Continue on page 6

August 1-7, 2022

Marcos urges Congress to pass priority measures P

RESIDENT BONGBONG Marcos urges Congress to pass at least 19 priority measures of his administration that would help improve government services.

Among them are the ernment Rightsizing Pro- Modernization bill, the proposed National Gov- gram (NGRP), the Budget Continue on page 2

Philippines negotiates with Saudi to protect OFWs THE GOVERNMENT is now negotiating with Saudi Arabia so that Fil-

ipino workers could get appropriate wages and protect their rights and

well-being.

This was confirmed Continue on page 4

Why are the Philippine heirs of a sultan clashing with Malaysia over Sabah?

A dispute over a colonial-era land deal, involving territories in the furthest corners of Malaysia and the Philippines, is back in the spotlight after the heirs of a defunct Continue on page 6

Sultan Jamalul Kiram III came to the throne at age 10 in 1894. He was the last formally recognised Sultan of Sulu. (KITLV/ Creative Commons)

Monkeypox reaches Thailand, patient escapes hospital THAILAND HAS confirmed its first case of Monkeypox after a 27year old Nigerian man was tested positive for the highly infectious disease, but authorities said

the patient has escaped from hospital.

Police are now searching for the man and is believed to be somewhere in Phuket.

Continue on page 4

A monkeypox infection. (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control)

ARMM

Eastern Mindanao

President Bongbong Marcos

Inday Sara to put up more satellite offices DAVAO CITY – Vice President Sara Duterte, who is also the Secretary of Education, is putting up more satellite offices in various regions in an effort to serve more people, especially the poor.

This was announced

by Duterte’s spokesman Reynold Munsayac. “The OVP (Office of the Vice President) intends to open additional satellite offices Continue on page 2

Western Mindanao

Vice President Sara Duterte with President Bongbong Marcos and Rep. Imee Marcos. (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)

Cebu

Manila

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The Mindanao Examiner

August 1-7, 2022

Marcos urges Congress to pass priority measures

Continued from page 1 proposed E-Government Act, and the proposed E-Governance Act which is aimed at improving service delivery in government, according to Marcos.

The NGRP is a reform mechanism that seeks to enhance the government’s institutional capacity to perform its mandate and provide better services, while ensuring optimal and efficient use of resources.

The rightsizing efforts, Marcos said, will involve the conduct of a comprehensive strategic review of functions, programs and projects that will cut across various agencies.

“Compared to previous government reorganization efforts, the NGRP will entail a comprehensive strategic review of

the functions, operations, organization, systems and processes of the different agencies, and massive and transformational initiatives in agencies concerned, such as merger, consolidation, splitting, transfer, and abolition of some offices,” Marcos said.

Marcos said the proposed Budget Modernization law will institutionalize the Cash-based Budgeting System (CBS), which was adopted by virtue of Executive Order 91 signed in 2019, to strengthen fiscal discipline in the allocation and use of budget resources.

He said the measure would ensure that every peso budgeted by the government would lead to the actual delivery of programs and projects. “The full implementation of the

CBS is timely and vital as the government executes response and recovery plans post- pandemic,” Marcos said.

Marcos also asked Congress to support the proposed E-Government Act which provides for the establishment of the E-Government Master Plan which shall cover all e-government services and processes. The proposed E-Governance Act, on the other hand, aims to promote the use of Internet, Intranet, and other Information and Communications Technology to provide opportunities for citizens.

He also sought the passage of measures creating the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR).

The proposed VIP, he said,

Inday Sara to put up more satellite offices Continued from page 1 to expand the reach of its social services, programs to more marginalized communities,” he said.

Munsayac said the OVP would also launch a livelihood program called “Mag Negosyo Ta Day” which aims to provide inclusive financial empower-

ment to women and members of the LGBTQ sectors.

He said qualified beneficiaries will undergo basic business management training. They will also receive a grant of P20,000 as their livelihood capital.

The program was first implemented in Davao City when Duterte was mayor.

The OVP is also study-

ing other basic social services that it can offer to the public, apart from the existing medical and burial assistance, according to Munsayac.

Duterte last month put up satellite offices in the cities of Zamboanga, Davao, Tandag, Dagupan, Cebu and Tacloban. (Mindanao Examiner)

would serve as an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“All offices and units under the DOST with functions related to virology shall be transferred to the VIP,” Marcos said.

On the other hand, the proposed Integrated Water Resource Management will be adopted as the strategic framework for national water management, policy making and planning, once the DWR is created, Marcos said.

Marcos also mentioned that the creation of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), which will be attached to the Department of Health (DOH), are also among his government’s priorities.

The MRC, which will be under the Health and Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB) of the DOH, shall be composed of licensed physicians, medical students who have completed their four years of medical course, graduates of medicine, registered nurses, and licensed allied health professionals.

Tax reforms Marcos likewise expressed optimism that the lawmakers would back the Tax Package 3: Valuation Reform Bill and the Tax Package 4: Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA).

The Valuation Reform bill seeks the establishment of real property values and valuation standards across the country, as well as the development of Real Property Information System that provides for the database of all real property transactions and declarations in the country.

The proposed PIFITA, on the other hand, aims to introduce reforms to the taxation of capital income and financial services by redesigning the financial sector taxation into “simpler, fairer, more efficient and a revenue neutral tax system.”

Businesses The other priority measures of the Marcos administration include the proposed Internet Transaction Act or E-Commerce Law, as well as the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE).

The E-Commerce Law aims to establish an effective regulation of commercial activities through the internet or electronic means, Marcos said.

The GUIDE bill, meantime, seeks to provide financial assistance to distressed enterprises critical to economic recovery through programs and initiatives that will be implemented by the Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines and Philippine Guarantee Corporation.

Marcos also pushed for a measure introducing amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law, in an effort to improve the implementation of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Program and align the desired outputs and outcomes with the strategic development targets of the country.

The amendments, he said, would address the ambiguities in the existing law and the bottlenecks and challenges affecting the implementation of the PPP Program.

Marcos added that amending the BOT Law would create a “more competitive and enabling environment” for PPP. Energy sector Marcos also expressed optimism that Congress would support the enactment of an enabling Law for the Natural Gas Industry.

“This primarily seeks to foster the development of the Midstream Natural Gas Industry in a bid to strengthen Philippine energy security by diversifying the country’s primary sources of energy and promoting the role of natural gas as a complementary fuel to variable renewable energy,” he said.

He also asked the legislators to amend Republic Act 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, to improve the implementation of the law’s provisions and enhance its effectiveness to address high cost of electricity, alleged market collusion, and insufficient power supply.

“The bill seeks to restructure the Energy Regulation Commission to foster accountability and improve the commission’s government system that would ensure consumer protection and in enhanc-

ing the competitive operation of the electricity market,” Marcos said.

Developing lands, defense sector Marcos said he also expects both the Senate and the House of Representatives to support the proposed National Land Use Act, the proposed National Defense Act, and the proposed Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and National Service Training Program.

The proposed National Land Use Act provides for a rational and holistic management and development of land and water resources; hold owners accountable for making lands productive and sustainable; strengthen the local government units to manage ecological balance within its jurisdiction.

“It also provides for Land Use and Physical Planning and Framework as a mechanism in determining policies and principles to implement this legislative measure,” Marcos said.

On the other hand, the National Defense Act seeks amendments to the antiquated National Defense Act of 1935 to provide for a change in the military structure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, making it “more responsive to current and future non-conventional security threats to the country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” Marcos said.

Marcos also stressed the need to reinstitute the ROTC program as a mandatory component of senior high school programs (Grades 11 and 12) in all public and private tertiary-level educational institutions.

“The aim is to motivate, train, organize and mobilize the students for national defense preparedness, including disaster preparedness and capacity building for risk-related situations,” he said.

He likewise wanted to institutionalize the United System of Separation, Retirement and Pension which will grant a monthly disability pension, in lieu of disability benefits provided under existing laws, for military and uniformed personnel retired by reasons of disability.

(PCOO, Mindanao Examiner)

August 1-7, 2022

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August 1-7, 2022

Philippines negotiates with Saudi to protect OFWs Continued from page 1

by President Bongbong Marcos who also vowed to ensure the welfare of the Filipino workers and their families. “Muli nating pagtitibayin ang respeto at pagkakaibigan ng ating dalawang bansa tulad ng namagitan sa aking ama at sa kanilang hari,” Marcos said.

“Sa mga susunod na buwan ay magtutungo si Secretary Susan Ople sa Saudi Arabia upang tiyakin na may sapat na puwersang magsisiguro na mabubuksang muli ang empleyo sa bansa, at para maisulong ang ating kampanya laban sa human trafficking,” he added.

The Philippines had ordered the temporary deployment ban on Filipino workers bound for Saudi Arabia in October last year following the failure

by Arab employers to settle the unpaid wages and end of contract payments of some 10,000 OFWs amounting to some P4.5 billion.

Then Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello was adamant that the claims had been lying idle for more than four years and remained unattended despite a final and executory ruling by a Saudi court favoring OFWs. Marcos also announced his administration’s programs for the children and families of OFWs leaving the country.

He stressed that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), will ensure that they could get high-quality education on financial literacy, mental wellness, sports, culture, and arts.

This will be done through strong collaboration between government agencies, the president explained, adding that the government will take care of the future generation of Filipinos.

“Sa ating mga kababayan na nasa ibang bansa, you deserve a Home in Government not only for the money that you send home, but you are not cold tools of the economy. You deserve it for your sacrifices, for our country and your perseverance and excellence in the global arena. You OFWs represent the fighting faith of the Filipinos as a nation and as a people. Let us transform your overseas journey into inspirational stories for all time,” Marcos said.

He said that the newly-created DMW would ensure the welfare of OFWs as they work overseas.

Marcos vowed to eliminate red tape by pushing for digital empowerment, as he called for the automation of the verification of contracts, as well as the issuance of secure Overseas Employment Certifications that can be stored

in smartphones.

Marcos now wants the DMW and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to make the reform a top priority. He also called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to work with the DMW to ensure that all diplomatic posts are assisting OFWs in finding new jobs after losing employment opportunities in recent years.

Foreign employers, who wish to hire Filipino workers, will be mandated to shorten the document processing time to three weeks from three months.

The government is also working to simplify a complicated OFW rules and regulations handbook, downsizing it to a simple pamphlet from the 240-page handbook, according to the President.

“Mahirap na nga ang buhay, kaya naman ayaw pa natin makitang lalo pang nahihirapan ang ating mga manggagawang mandarayuhan sa pagtupad sa kanilang mga pangarap,” he said.

The government will also respond quickly to OFWs facing abuse or danger through the launching of the One Repatriation Command Center. Marcos said a social media platform and a hotline managed by the DMW would respond to OFWs needing assistance. (PCOO, Mindanao Examiner)

DOH to roll out 2nd booster shot Continued from page 1 vaccines - and can only be administered at least four months after the previous dose.

“We are dedicated to helping our people remain protected against Covid-19.

We are making it easier for us, many of our people to avail of the primary series and boosters, including second boosters. The Department of Health, along with other government agencies and private sector partners, aim to increase vaccine coverage nationwide,” said Health Undersecretary Dr

Maria Rosario Vergeire.

“We need every eligible Filipino to turn this into a whole-of-society fight against the virus. Together with the President (Bongbong Marcos), we stand by the fact that vaccines are safe and effective and remain to be our best defense in this pandemic,” she added.

The DOH previously said the second booster shot is initially available for senior citizens (Priority Group A2) and frontline health workers (Priority Group A1). It said the sec-

ond 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.

It 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. (Mindanao Examiner)

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Monkeypox reaches Thailand, patient escapes hospital Continued from page 1 At least 154 people had contact with the Nigerian and were all traced and tested and none were found to be infected with the monkeypox virus, according to Bangkok Post.

The newspaper also quoted Dr Kusak Kukiartkul, chief of the Phuket public health office, as saying the monkeypox detected in the patient was the African variant. He said the man had sought treatment at a private hospital as an outpatient. He was not admitted as his condition was not severe.

The Nigerian man had a fever, coughing, sore throat and runny nose, a rash and lesions in his genital area that spread to other parts of his body and face, according to reports, adding the police, immigration and disease control officials have been assigned to find him.

Meanwhile, hospitals, sexual disease clinics and international airports have been alerted to strengthen screening procedures for monkeypox. Department of Disease Control chief Opas Karnkawinpong said that monkeypox had been placed on the list of communicable diseases under surveillance.

Provincial communicable disease committees, including Bangkok, need to put in place a disease control plan, as required by the Communicable Diseases Act. All detected cases must be directly reported to the authorities.

He said the Public Health Ministry had ordered the implementation of a surveillance and screening system for people suspected of having the disease. The symptoms included high fever,

headache, sore throat, and blisters on the hands, feet and genitals.

All hospitals, sexual disease clinics and disease control officials at international airports must have a surveillance and screening system to detect the disease.

Singapore in June also confirmed one case of monkeypox after a 42-year old British national who works as a flight attendant, is tested positive for the virus, according to a report by the Channel News Asia.

The Ministry of Health said the man was in Singapore between June 15 and June 17, and again on Jun 19 as he flew in and out of the country.

The case had the onset of headache on June 14 and fever on June 16. These symptoms subsequently resolved, and he then developed skin rashes three days later. The man then sought medical attention online on the night of June 19, and was conveyed to NCID on June 20 for further assessment.

The World Health Organization has reported that monkeypox is now present in over two dozen countries, and warned the public that there will be more cases as the virus continues to spread.

Among the countries with reported monkeypox cases include Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Congo, French Guiana, United States, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Australia.

Zoonotic disease Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms very similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. It is caused by the monkeypox virus which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family.

The name monkeypox originates from the initial discovery of the virus in monkeys in Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1958. The first human case was identified in a young child in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970.

Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding. The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.

Various animal species have been identified as susceptible to the monkeypox virus, according to WHO. “Uncertainty remains on the natural history of the monkeypox virus and further studies are needed to identify the reservoir(s) and how virus circulation is maintained in nature. Eating inadequately cooked meat and other animal products of infected animals is a possible risk factor,” it said.

Monkeypox is usually self-limiting but there is likely to be little immunity to monkeypox among people living in non-endemic countries since the virus has not previously been identified in those populations. (Mindanao Examiner)

August 1-7, 2022

The Mindanao Examiner - Region

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BTA legislators file bill regulating curfew hours of minors COTABATO CITY — The measure seeking to impose a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on minors has been introduced by some legislators during the regular session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

The proposed Bill No. 191, known as the “BARMM General Curfew for Minors”, introduced

by Members of Parliament Baintan Adil-Ampatuan and Amilba-

har Mawallil, prohibits minors from roaming around, loitering, wandering, staying, meandering or remaining in public places during curfew hours.

It also prohibits parents and guardians from allowing their children to be on the streets during designated curfew hours.

Minors are only permitted to go out beyond curfew hours if they are: accompanied or have

written authorization from their parents, guardians, or the proper authorities to run errands; attend graduation ceremonies, religious activities, extracurricular school activities; emergency situations such as conflagrations, earthquakes, hospitalization, road accidents, law enforcement encounters, and other similar incidents; going or returning home from work; in any mode

BTA bill seeks to establish Bangsamoro Museum

COTABATO CITY — “Considering the valuable properties under the custody of the Museum and its important role in the preservation of the artistic and cultural heritage of the Bangsamoro people, the establishment of the Bangsamoro Museum as an agency becomes vital,” Member of Parliament Amilbahar Mawallil said in filing BTA Bill No. 192.

The proposed measure will create a Bangsamoro Museum dedicated to its people and their history and culture. It will house artifacts, works of art, textual records, and iconographic representations.

Its primary mission will be to collect records, conserve artifacts, and display art and cultural objects that are either indicative of or unique to the natural history of the Bangsamoro region and the artistic and cultural heritage of its people.

Under the proposed bill, the museum, which will be a permanent institution in the service of the community and its development, accessible to the public, and not intended for profit, will be under the supervision of the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage.

Its permanent and exclusive site will be inside the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City.

In his explanatory note, principal author MP Amilbahar Mawallil explained that while the BCPCH holds office at the Bangsamoro Museum, there is no office or plantilla position

within the BCPCH’s organizational structure that is responsible for managing and accounting for the Museum.

The Bangsamoro Museum, which is part of the BCPCH, is home to numerous valuable and priceless artifacts, including 125 ethnographic specimens, the most notable of which are the 19 limestone burial jars.

It also intends to establish provincial museums as well as area and site museums. Locations will be chosen with geography, population distribution, administrative efficiency, out-

standing artistic, cultural, and natural heritage significance, and educational, environmental, and tourism considerations.

Once approved, a board will be created to supervise and manage the museum.

Its powers and functions include: formulating its vision and mission; representing and mobilizing pertinent areas of the private and public sector; serving as the appointing authority for the Head of Agency and Agency Management in the various museums within BARMM; exercising general oversight over the operation and performance of the Museum; approving strategic policies, goals, and directions for the Museum; considering and appropriately disposing of appeals regarding administrative decisions of the Head of Agency; and providing an important link between the Museum and the community. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

of transportation accompanied by an adult; and can present papers certifying that the minor is a working student.

The age of a minor can be determined by presenting a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or any other relevant documents.

Proposed measure also mandates local government units to formulate implementing rules and regulations in their areas.

Violators will be taken into custody by the Barangay Council for Protection of Children to undergo intervention programs such as counseling and ensure

ence High School Act of 2022,” will offer a free scholarship to qualified learners in the region interested in pursuing a career in science.

Through the Ministry of Science and Technology, the bill ensures that BSHS meets or exceeds the standards of the current Philippine Science High School System and integrates

statute will face a fine of P5,000 or up to one month in jail for each subsequent offense.

Individuals under the age of 18 are considered minors under the bill. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

Proposed BTA bill aims to support Bangsamoro artists COTABATO CITY — By establishing programs and grants of financial assistance, a recently introduced measure in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority seeks to expand opportunities for Bangsamoro artists.

Member of Parliament Amilbahar Mawallil, the main author of BTA Bill No. 198, or the Bangsamoro Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts Act of 2022, noted that the country’s 13 Islamized ethnolinguistic groups have distinct cultures and practices that can serve as inspiration for Bangsamoro artists and writers.

Moro artists are “excep-

BARMM legislator pushes bill on creating Bangsamoro Science High School

COTABATO CITY —To maintain and support a comprehensive, adequate, and integrated high school science system for learners in the region, Bangsamoro Parliament Member Engr. Aida Silongan proposed a bill seeking to create Bangsamoro Science High School (BSHS).

Proposed Bill No. 203, also known as the “Bangsamoro Sci-

that they will participate in the group activities and that parents attend parenting education seminars.

If the bill becomes law, parents or guardians whose minor children are found loitering in public places in violation of the

values education to fortify the foundation of both science and faith in the lives of students in the region.

Under the proposed measure, the BSHS will be established in Parang, Maguindanao.

The bill also proposed establishing a Board of Trustees chaired by the Minister of Science and Technology and co-chaired by the Minister of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, with members including the President of Mindanao State University System, the Campus Director of BSHS, the President of the BSHS Alumni Association, and a private sector representative.

(LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

tionally talented,” according to MP Mawallil, and he believes that the Bangsamoro government can help them by improving their skills, gaining exposure, and elevating Bangsamoro culture and the arts to the national and international scene.

The Bangsamoro government is mandated to preserve the history, culture, arts, traditions, and rich cultural heritage of the Bangsamoro people by encouraging and supporting their people in their artistic expressions reflective of the Bangsamoro culture.

Arts such as music, dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture and allied fields, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic and craft arts, industrial design, costume and fashion design, motion pictures, television, radio, film, video, tape, and sound recording, the arts related to the presentation, performance, execution, and exhibition of major art forms, traditional art practices by diverse people of the Bangsamoro region, and the study and application of the arts to the human environment, are covered by the proposed leg-

islative measure.

Once approved, the fund necessary to carry out the provisions of the said bill will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro.

A BEFCA Council will also be established to administer the fund and grant financial assistance exclusively for the implementation of the culture and arts program of the Bangsamoro Government.

The Council is authorized to establish programs and provide financial assistance to Bangsamoro groups and individuals engaged in the arts and culture, such as projects and productions that have substantial artistic and cultural significance and reflect the Bangsamoro culture; projects and productions that will encourage and assist artists and enable them to achieve wider distribution of their works and achieve standards of professional excellence; and projects and productions that will encourage and develop the appreciation and enjoyment of the arts by the Bangsamoro.

(LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

BARMM legislators file bill granting medical scholarship and return service programs COTABATO CITY — A measure that would grant medical scholarships and return service programs to aspiring doctors, as well as require them to serve in the Bangsamoro region for at least two years, has been filed by several lawmakers.

The Parliament Bill No. 204, also known as the Bangsamoro Medical Scholarship Act of 2022, aims to address the scarcity of medical professionals and ensure that the Bangsamoro people have access to the best healthcare services.

Through the proposed bill authored by Members of Parliament Eddie Alih, Mohagher Iqbal, and Zul Qarneyn Abas, the region will produce more competent, committed, and community-oriented medical physicians to serve in the region and neighboring towns.

The MPs stated in their explanatory note that healthcare services in BARMM are still lagging behind those in other parts of the country, and that the proactive approach to a crisis like the COVID-19 pan-

demic is “to start strengthening the medical frontliners by giving rise to medical doctors who would serve as our first and only line of defense to an enemy we cannot even see.”

Authors of the proposed measure said that it will help ensure that medical students can pursue their education with a minimal financial burden, allowing them to focus on their education and training.

Under the measure, the scholarship is open to the Bangsamoro people who are

not beneficiaries of any scholarship programs, including health professionals working in government offices, children and dependents of BARMM employees, barangay health workers, traditional birth attendants, and families of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front.

The scholars will be obligated to serve the region once they have completed their degrees and obtained their license as a physician.

According to the country’s Department of Health, the COVID-19 has left the Philippines short of 92,000 doctors and 44,000 nurses.

As of April 2020, BARMM had one doctor for every 12,000 residents.

The shortage of healthcare personnel in the country is exacerbated by the annual out-migration of 13,000 healthcare professionals, as reported by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Once approved, the Bangsamoro Medical Scholarship Program will cover 100% of all the expenses of a scholar.

These include tuition, miscellaneous and laboratory fees; student fund; books, uniforms, transportation, basic equipment, school supplies, miscellaneous, monthly living subsidy and lodging allowance; fees for the licensure review and examination; and PhilHealth insurance. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

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The Mindanao Examiner

August 1-7, 2022

Why are the Philippine heirs of a sultan clashing with Malaysia over Sabah?

Continued from page 1 Philippine sultanate attempted to seize assets belonging to Malaysia’s national petroleum company Petronas worth some US$15 billion (S$22.8 billion).

The heirs sought legal recourse in a French arbitration court following Malaysia’s move to stop paying the money granted them under the 144-yearold agreement in which the sultanate surrendered its claim over what is now the oil-rich Malaysian state of Sabah.

Malaysia, which inherited the colonial agreement, terminated it unilaterally following a 2013 incursion by Sulu armed militants.

While arbitration started in 2017, it rarely made a splash in Malaysia, where the Sulu issue is seen more as a historical quirk than a serious threat to the country’s sovereignty.

This was until the French court’s shock ruling, which raised questions about how Malaysia – an independent, sovereign nation – could be threatened by the heirs of a defunct sultanate in a small archipelago 1,000km south of Manila.

Who are the claimants?

The 1878 agreement between Sulu Sultan Jamal Al Alam and Hong Kongbased Gustavus Baron von Overbeck, along with the British North Borneo Company, guaranteed the sultan and his heir a yearly payment of 5,000 pesos (S$339) – in perpetuity – for ceding his sovereignty over a large swathe of Sabah.

When the last formally recognised Sultan of Sulu died without an heir in 1936, the British colonial government – which had inherited the treaty obligation – identified nine claimants to the defunct throne and continued making payments to them, to be split among themselves.

Malaysia, formed in 1963, took over the obligations from the British, paying 5,300 ringgit (S$1650) annually to the Sulu heirs through the Philippine government.

The two sides have different interpretations of the agreement, with Malaysia inheriting the British understanding that the sultanate had relinquished their claim and ceded the territory. The Sulu side claims their family had merely leased it.

Malaysia’s Attorney General Idrus Harun recently tried to cast doubt over the identity of the claimants in an effort to invalidate their claim, but this was rebutted by their lawyers who said previous correspondence from Idrus’ predecessors proved that Malaysia had “for years” known and formally recognised the claimants.

What are the claimants seeking?

In 2013, six Malaysian civilians died after one of the claimants, Jamalul Kiram III, sent armed groups into Sabah – with 10 members of Malaysian security forces and 58 of the attackers also dying in the resulting clashes.

While Malaysia fended off the attack, then-prime minister Najib Razak decided to unilaterally terminate the payment arrangement, saying that the incursion rendered the treaty null and void.

“What? You break the agreement by invading our country and killing 10 of our heroes in cold blood, and still hope that we pay you?” Najib said last week, reacting to the latest developments.

However, the Sulu heirs – now down to eight after the death of Jamalul Kiram III – successfully argued to a Spanish arbitrator that Malaysia was in the wrong for terminating the payment.

Under the 1958 New York Convention, an arbitration award issued in any state party to the treaty can generally be freely enforced in another contracting state. Both Malaysia and Spain are parties to the treaty.

But Malaysia said “the subject matter of the claim is not commercial in nature and thus cannot be subject to arbitration”, adding that the 1878 agreement at the centre of the controversy “contained no arbitration agreement”.

Earlier in March, Malaysia had asserted that it did not recognise the French arbitration court ruling as it upheld its immunity as a sovereign state.

Why is there a political blame game in Malaysia?

Though his actions as prime minister led to the present-day dispute, Najib has nevertheless started pointing the finger at the Mahathir Mohamad administration that succeeded him in 2018, saying it dropped the ball as the arbitration notice was only

served after the election on May 9 that year.

The 2013 incursion was a prominent feature of Najib’s tenure, as his administration had more closely courted Sabah compared to previous governments.

Following the incident, Najib was often portrayed as a heroic figure who thwarted a foreign “invasion”.

His political opponents however have been quick to highlight that the current legal battle in Europe stems from the unilateral move to cease paying the Sulu heirs outside proper legal channels, with Rafizi Ramli, a senior member of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat, mobilising 100 party members to file police reports against Najib claiming his negligence had led to the stand-off.

“I believe Najib should take responsibility for the failure and negligence as prime minister … that led to these claims by the heirs of the Sulu sultanate that now burdens every federal government administration after his,” Rafizi said.

What happens next?

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has pledged that Malaysia will not budge “an inch” over Sabah and gave assurances that the government will protect the country’s assets.

He also set up a special task force to formulate an action plan to address the issue.

Long-time Malaysian political watcher James Chin, a professor at the University of Tasmania, said he believes the Philippine heirs’ claim to be a tactical gambit backed by wealthy European investors.

“This is not so much about the merit of the case, but about London investors bankrolling the claimants,” Chin said.

A Financial Times report on the issue pointed out that the Sulu claimants were being supported by funds from London-based investor Therium.

While bullish that Malaysia would prevail, Chin said the legal fight will require a lot of resources.

“It’s a matter of how much Malaysia is willing to settle for or will they fight in every jurisdiction where [the Sulu heirs] file a seizure of assets,” he said. (By Hadi Azmi – AsiaOne. This article was first published in South China Morning Post.)

SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO

U.S. to train agri tech officials vs. ASF THE UNITED States is helping the Philippines strengthen local veterinary services for safe pork and pork products and will provide Filipino agriculture officials two weeks of training as part of a new project.

Through this project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Emerging Markets Program and implemented by the University of Minnesota, the Department of Agriculture (DA) technical officials will receive the training in the United States, equipping them with relevant knowledge to conduct workshops across the Philippines to help combat the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).

DA officials signed the memorandum of understanding to implement the project at the DA office in Quezon City. Agriculture Commissioner of Minnesota Thom Petersen represented the University of Minnesota at the ceremony.

In his remarks, FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley noted that the project builds on the work of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency and USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on combating transboundary animal diseases.

Also witnessing the launch were leaders from the U.S. and Philippine hog sectors. “Since our initial conversation with the Philippine government a few years ago, the opportunity to better understand ASF and the benefits for both countries were always clear,” said National Pork Producers Council President Terry Wolters, the author of the project proposal.

Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines President Rolando Tambago welcomed the project as a “timely initiative that will enhance the industry’s competence on disease control,” while National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. President Chester

Tan said the knowledge gained from the project “can be cascaded to our Asian neighbors to better equip farmers in their fight against ASF.” Through the USDA-funded Building Safe Agricultural Food Enterprises project, the United States also assists Philippine hog farmers in their repopulation efforts by strengthening biosecurity measures at the farm level.

Through the Cochran Fellowship Program, USDA has trained many local hog raisers since 2017 in improving their food safety through proper cold chain and handling.

The launch of this project was held as part of the USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to the Philippines from July 18 to 21. Administrator Whitley is leading a delegation of 16 U.S. companies, 10 State Departments of Agriculture, and 11 trade associations to strengthen U.S.-Philippine economic and agricultural partnerships and boost food security. (Mindanao Examiner)

Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey Continued from page 1 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 of-

fering 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 0917-7103642. (AJC)

7

The Mindanao Examiner

August 1-7, 2022 OPINION

Refuting Reincarnation

by Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo (Cebu) REINCARNATION, WHICH means literally “to be made flesh again,” is the belief that after death the soul lives on in another body.

The soul might inhabit a similar body (e.g., a man’s soul enters another man’s body) or even a radically dissimilar body (e.g., a man’s soul enters a frog’s body).

What does our Catholic belief say about reincarnation? The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: Death is the end of man’s earthly pilgrimage, of the time of grace and mercy which God offers him so as to work out his earthly life in keeping with the divine plan, and to decide his ultimate destiny.

When “the single course of our earthly life” is completed, we shall not return to other earthly lives: “It is appointed for men to die once” (Heb. 9:27). There is no “reincarnation” after death. (CCC 1013) There are quite a number who believe in reincarnation even among Christians these days. I even have a priest friend of mine who is doing missionary work in Africa who has some belief in it. I sort of told him that time, while he was still in the Philippines, that reincarnation is not possible because when the soul is separated from the body through death it cannot remain in this world because the earth is not a place for the spirits. Reincarnation is a belief that does not stand a chance if we just use logical reasoning and common sense. Here are a few reasonings against it: If we all have been reincarnated, we or each and every one of us should have some recollections of our past life as another person. We know that scientific laws are confirmed as “laws” because they are repeatable and observable anytime and anywhere in the world such as the law of gravity. But if very few people claim they are reincarnated or not all can relate to it or it is not a common phenomenon then that is hardly a truth of nature.

Second, as it is believed that in some reincarnations, humans after death could enter

an animal’s body, then we should be talking to some animals right now. We should be able to hold conversations with some dogs, cats, goats or frogs if they have been inhabited by a human soul because a soul does not lose its rationality. Rationality is what makes us different from animals. Animals don’t have intellect and will. When we die, we don’t lose those faculties because they reside in our souls. So, if a human soul enters an animal, it should at least show some semblance of higher intelligence. Besides, it sounds absurd that we having a higher form of being that will go into a lower one. Only Christ as God did that.

Being God He became man to save us.

Third, proponents of reincarnation believe that souls are not created nor destroyed.

Souls are just perpetually reborn to other bodies. If that’s the case, then our population or the number of people living in this world should remain constant. But the population is always growing. Where do the new souls come from? There was one reincarnation believer who tried to defend this by saying, they come from another world. But from which world? Well, that’s what we call muddling the issue. Defending a confusing topic with another confusing one.

God gave us only one life but as the saying goes if we do it right, once is enough. In Tagalog (as I’ve learned in my Pilipino class in college), “Minsan lang tayo mabuhay, pero kapag nabuhay tayo ng matino, ang minsan ay sapat na”. Or as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt would say, “Life is like a parachute jump; you’ve got to get it right the first time.”

Even with one shot at life God gives us many chances to get it right such that no one at the end of his or her life would be able to say he or she lived the wrong life but did not have the opportunity to correct it. If there’s life, there’s always hope (to change for the better). And there is no such thing as too late to change.

You can change your life right now if you want to. Only dead people cannot change. (CC)

OPINION

Privileged but not feeling entitled by

by Fr. Roy Cimagala (Cebu) THAT’S how we should behave. We may be quite privileged in life because of the many gifts and other endowments God and others may have given us, but we should never feel entitled to anything. Instead, our attitude toward these privileges should be one of willingness to serve more, doing a lot of good while passing unnoticed, and all for the glory of God and for the good of all.

That amusing story of the mother of the apostles, James and John, asking Christ that her sons be given a special place in heaven (cfr.

Mt 20,20-28) teaches us this precious lesson. I suppose the mother can be excused for making such a request. Mothers will always be mothers who wish to have the best for their children. But Christ purified that request.

“Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” Christ asked them, referring to the fact that Christ in the end will offer his life on the cross for the salvation of mankind. Whether James and John understood what Christ meant or not, it is to their credit that they immediately responded, “We can.”

But Christ kindly told them that it “is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father,” somehow deflecting them from this request and instead suggesting to focus more on what they should be doing as apostles. This gospel episode actually warns us to be wary of our tendency to feel entitled because of the privileges we may be enjoying in life. We should rather sharpen our desire to serve and not be served, always following the example of Christ who said, “The Son of man has not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his

life as a ransom for many.” (Mt 20,28) Let’s remember that to serve is the language and the action of love. It authenticates any affirmation of love that we make, converting it from intention to tangible reality. This is the attitude meant for us, with God himself as the exemplar.

Imagine, Christ served us by dying on the cross.

Before that, he shocked his apostles when he insisted that he be allowed to wash their feet. That was to give an example to them, and us, so that what he did we would also do.

The angels too, superior to us in nature, are made to serve us, following a divine law articulated by Christ himself when he said: “Let him who is greatest among you become as the youngest, and him who is the chief as the servant.” (Lk 22,26) Christ is the very epitome of this proper attitude. Being God, he emptied himself to become man and to bear all the sins of men by dying on the cross, all for the purpose of saving mankind. (cfr. Phil 2,7) He reiterated this point when he lamented about the domineering sense of entitlement of some of the leading Jews of his time while praising the poor widow who put all that she had into the temple treasury. (cfr. Mk 12,38-44) While it’s true that we obviously are entitled to our rights, we should not feel entitled to privileges and favors that are above our rights and needs. If they come and we cannot avoid them, then let’s be thankful. But let’s be reminded that these privileges, favors and blessings are meant for us to strengthen our desire to serve and not to be served. But as it is, we should try to avoid them, since they tend only to spoil and corrupt us. (RC)

Pastor Quiboloy, nagsalita sa walk out issue ni Mike Abe USAP-USAPAN ngayon ang umano’y pagwo-walk out habang on-air ang programa ng SMNI news anchor na si Mike Abe dahil hindi umano nito nagustuhan ang pahayag ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy hinggil sa naganap na unang State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, ayon sa mga nakasaksing manonood nitong Hulyo 26.

Nagkakadiskusyunan daw sina Abe at Quiboloy patungkol sa katatapos na SONA ni Marcos na naganap noong Hulyo 25.

Si Abe, na masugid na tagasuporta ni Marcos, ay naniniwalang marami raw na positibong plano si Marcos sa ekonomiya ng bansa, batay sa mga nasabi nito sa SONA. Ayos lamang daw kung maraming mga hindi nabanggit ang pangulo gaya ng war on drugs, anti-corruption, paglaban sa komunismo, at iba pa.

Kinontra naman umano ito ni Pastor Quiboloy dahil wala umano itong silbi kung hindi mapupuksa ang insurgency sa bansa. Hindi umano ito nabanggit sa SONA ng pangulo. Sana raw ay binanggit ito ng pangulo dahil tila mawawalan daw ng pangil kung isasantabi lamang, lalo’t nasimulan na umano ito ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

Tila hindi umano “bumenta” kay Abe ang mga nasabi ni Pastor Quiboloy.

Maya-maya, nagpasalamat si Abe sa 15 taon

niyang serbisyo sa SMNI. Hinubad daw niya ang kaniyang suot na lapel at saka nag-walk out. Tila nagdabog daw ito dulot ng mataas na emosyon.

Sinagot naman ni Pastor Quiboloy ang isyu sa pamamagitan ng mga tanong ng mga netizen sa kaniya, Hulyo 26, na binasa naman ng host nito.

“May sarili po akong opinyon eh. Eh kasi hiningi niya ang aking opinyon tungkol sa SONA. Sinabi ko na ‘di ba? Inulit nila sa Usapin ng Bayan,” ayon sa pastor.

Ang punto raw ni Abe, kung babanggitin ni Marcos lahat ng mga plano niya sa bayan, matatapos umano ito ng tatlong oras.

“Sino ang pinatututsadahan niya roon? Ako?! Ako ang unang nag-comment eh. Ako ang unang ipinahiya niya sa TV. Ako eh nakikinig lang, nakita ba ninyo akong nakikialam sa mga programa ng SMNI? Nakikialam ba ako sa Usaping Bayan?

Pero pinahiya mo ako sa TV, sa aking mga comments, o opinyon ko, sinalungat mo

at isa kang correspondent ng SMNI, eh talagang sasagutin kita publicly,” giit ni Quiboloy.

“Hindi kita babastusin, sasagutin lang kita.”

“Opinyon mo? Eh opinyon ko rin ito. Programa mo ‘yan? Eh estasyon ko ‘yan,” banat pa ni Quiboloy. “Nagpo-programa lang siya sa estasyon ko. Kailangan igalang niya muna ako at ang opinyon ko. Kung may opinyon siya na sarili niya, eh huwag niyang salungatin ang chairman niya. Kasi hindi naman pagkakampi-kampi kung kanino itong opinyon ko.

Hindi naman ako binabayaran sa opinyon ko.”

Bilang chairman ng SMNI, talagang sinusubaybayan daw ni Quiboloy ang lahat ng programa. Kapag alam na niyang mali ang nangyayari, talagang panghihimasukan na niya ito.

“Hindi ninyo puwedeng gamitin ang SMNI para sa sarili ninyong opinyon na hindi na objective! Hindi puwede sa SMNI ‘yun,” giit ng pastor. (Richard de Leon – Balita)

Instantly send cash to a Metrobank account through PERA HUB branches

MANILA - Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) has expanded its partnership with remittance company PERA HUB, allowing individuals to conveniently send money to Metrobank account holders nationwide.

With this service, individuals who need to send cash to Metrobank account holders simply need to: • Head to the nearest PERA HUB branch; • Accomplish their remittance form; and • Show one valid ID to the PERA HUB agent Senders can remit P100 up to P25,000 with a minimal fee of P100 per transaction. Meanwhile, recipients can easily withdraw the money they received from any Metrobank ATM or over-the-counter in Metrobank branches for passbook account holders.

“This added service with our partner, PERA HUB, shows that Metrobank remains committed to our customers in improving our services and providing them with more accessible and convenient channels to conduct their financial transactions with us,” said Richard So, Metrobank Executive Vice President and Retail Banking Sector Head.

Metrobank and PERA HUB has been in tandem in providing Filipinos with accessible remittance channels to help them send money to their loved ones wherever they may be.

PERA HUB, the retail brand of PETNET, is geared towards providing complementary products such as money changing, bills payment, airline ticketing, cell phone loads, micro-insurance and other cash and payment related solutions to its growing market. (Richard Ebona)

8

The Mindanao Examiner Gallery

August 1-7, 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

August 1-7, 2022 Across :

MAF Trading Zamboanga

1. Honolulu greeting 6. Peak 9. Swiss peak 12. Urban drainpipe 13. “Snakes ___ Plane” (2 wds.)

14. Soccer’s ___ Hamm 15. Synthetic fabric 17. Naughty child 18. Longing for something past 20. Wicker 24. Dolts 25. Smells 26. Hymn ending 27. ___ Moore of “Ghost” 28. Lyrical “before” 29. Slight advantage 33. Colorless 35. Scoff 36. Baltimore bird 39. Inferior 40. Wood-smoothing item 42. Undercover gp.

43. Began 48. Dancer ___ Miller 49. Forget-me-___ 50. Proverb 51. Kind of bread 52. Baseball stat 53. Skier’s hotel

062-9555360 / 0917-7103642

Answer to last week’s crossword: Down : 1. Nile snake 2. Zodiac sign 3. Wise bird 4. “You there!”

5. Coliseums 6. Little children 7. Former (hyph.)

8. Formal procession 9. Friend (Sp.) 10. Boundary 11. Mamas’ mates 16. Mama’s boy 19. Bedding 20. Fishing gear 21. Summer beverage 22. Actor ___ Hanks 23. Camera support 26. How ___ you?

28. Mrs. Roosevelt

30. French article 31. Golly!

32. Mess up 34. Like Swiss mountains 35. Continuing story 36. Movie award 37. Drizzly 38. Silly 39. Allow 41. Pocket bread 44. Busy activity 45. Tiny bit 46. Hen product 47. Poor grade

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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Marcos keeps Lhuillier as PH envoy to Spain

President Bongbong Marcos shakes hands with Philippine Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Spain, Philippe Lhuillier. Marcos retains him as the country's envoy to Spain which Lhuiller held since 2017.

CEBU - President Bongbong Marcos has retained seasoned diplomat Philippe Jones Lhuillier as the country’s envoy to Spain.

Marcos administered the oath of office to Lhuillier at Malacañan Palace.

“Pinangunahan din natin ang panunumpa ni G. Lhuillier bilang AEP (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary),” he said in tweet.

Marcos also shared a photo of him and Lhuillier taken during the oath-taking ceremony.

In 2017, Lhuillier was appointed by former president Rodrigo

ARMM

Duterte as the Philippine Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Spain. He also served as Philippine Ambassador to Portugal from 2012 to 2016 and was the country’s ambassador to Italy from 1990 to 2010, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of San Marino and the Republic of Albania.

Prior to joining the diplomatic service, Lhuillier served as chairperson of the country’s largest pawnshop chain, Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop.

As a diplomat, he earned several awards and recognitions.

Lhuillier

was awarded by Italy with the Ordine Della Stella Della Solidarieta Italiana, the highest award given to foreigners and Italians living abroad, for his significant achievement in fostering goodwill between Italy and the Philippines.

He was also conferred the Order of Rajah Humabon by Cebu City on its 73rd Charter Anniversary on February 24, 2010 for promoting economic development and tourism.

In 2008, he was unanimously selected as one of the Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad (TOFA) for promoting the image of Filipinos while serving as Philippine ambassador to Italy, Albania and San Marino.

De la Salle University likewise awarded him the Distinguished LaSallian Award for his sterling record as Ambassador to Italy and his commendable work on behalf of the overseas Filipino workers.

The University of the Philippines also gave honor to Lhuillier by naming one of its lecture rooms as Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier Lecture Room.

(Ruth Abbey Carlos)

Eastern Mindanao

EBU - Kabilang sa mga proyektong uunahin ng administrasyong Marcos Jr. para sa Cebu ay ang railway system at ang pagpapatupad ng Cebu Bus Rapid Transit.

Naniniwala ang rightsizing sa gobyerno ay ito ng post-production pangulo na napapanahon makakabuti rin anya para processing. Paglilinaw pa na para palawakin ang mga sa pagtitipid na magrere- ni Marco, ang modernikasalukuyang railroad net- sulta sa mas madali at sim- sasyon na kanyang nais works gayundin ang pag- pleng proseso. Sinabi din ay hindi dapat makaapekpapatayo ng mga bago at nito na maaaring malam- to sa climate change.

Bukod sa moraturium buhayin ang mga hindi pa pansan anya ng bansa ang napakalaking utang nito sa loans ng mga magsasanaaalis sa pipe line.

Sa kanyang State of the na lumubog sa panahon ng ka, nais pa ng pangulo na paigtingin ang suporta sa Nation Address, sinabi ni pandemya.

Sinabi ni Marcos na pinansyal na pangangailMarcos na maglalaan ang pamahalaan ng hanggang tatapusin niya ang mga angan ng mga ito Tiniyak naman ng 6% ng Gross Domestic kasalukuyang proyekto sa Product para sa infrastruc- ilalim ng Department of Department of AgriculTransportation. Sa ilalim ture ang pagsasa ayos ng ture projects. kanyang adminis- buong value chain upang Kayang pondohan ng ng bansa ang mga plano ni trasyon, isa sa magiging matugunan ang mga panMarcos kaugnay sa han- prayoridad nito ang mod- gunahing problema tulad garin nitong ipagpatuloy ernisasyon sa agrikultura ng tumataas na mga biliang mga proyektong pang na tutulong sa mga mag- hin sa agrikultura at farm imprastraktura ng bansa, sasaka na mapabuti ang input prices. Puntirya ng kagawaran ay makakamit ayon kay Finance Secretary kanilang produksyon.

Ayon kay Marcos, lahat ang food sufficiency para Benjamin Diokno.

Idinagdag pa ni Dio- ng ito ay ibabase sa siyen- sa bansa. (IBC, Cebu Exkno na ang hakbang na sa. Susuportahan din aniya aminer)

Airlines welcome plan to build more airports CEBU - Local carriers welcomed President Bongbong Marcos’ plan to upgrade the airports and build more international airports in the country.

Marcos said doing so would improve connectivity to strategic locations and this would help decongest the bottleneck in the country's main gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“That's good news for airlines! We look forward to better airports because that will make travel more convenient and enjoyable for passengers," Cebu Pacific (CEB) spokesperson Carmina Romero told the Philippine News Agency.

CEB chief commercial officer Xander Lao earler expressed his hope that the Marcos administration would continue investments in airports, and well as training of air traffic controllers.

“We need to increase the capacity so that more flights can be accommodated to and from the country,” he said.

Philippine Airlines chief operations officer Stanley Ng

Western Mindanao

(Photo by Al Jacinto)

also agreed with Marcos that the construction of new international airports will help boost tourism targets, and generate economic growth that will create employment opportunities in the aviation and tourism industries.

“New access roads will help these economic benefits to flow into local communities. As industry stakeholders, we welcome and support these plans announced by President Marcos in his SONA,” he said.

Budget airline AirAsia Philippines said it supports the administration's vision for better, reliable, and safe air transport through infrastructural development, particularly the improvement of the existing airports and the establishment of new ones.

The airline said it will remain aggressive and competi-

Cebu

tive in domestic and international air travel and cargo as it serves a greater number of Filipino travelers and overseas Filipino workers, spokesperson Steve Dailisan said.

“The Marcos administration can expect AirAsia to support its vision by adhering to the highest standards of safety in all of its flights; and facilitate fleet and route expansion to cater to the growing demand of passenger and cargo traffic in the different provinces,” he added.

Dailisan said the airline will complement the administration's vision with strategic collaborations with stakeholders through initiatives like the a-fest (AirAsia Fiesta) which he said actively promotes the various festivities nationwide. (Maria Cristina Arayata)

Manila