LANAO DEL SUR - Pushing forward with the goal of ending gender-based violence (GBV) in their community, Johaena Marcom, Marantao’s Planning and Development Coordinator, along with their local ending-gender-based-violence
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MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to push for the creation of the so-called Maharlika Wealth Fund, saying it is a good investment vehicle to foster an improved environment for economic development in the country.
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DAVAO
Every Name,” and is among over 40 individuals
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ZAMBOANGA CITY –
Authorities are still hunting the man accused of scheming investors into putting their hardearned money in his company Silverlion Livestock Trading Corporation in Zamboanga City.
The
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– Philip-
MANNY PACQUIAO is back. Sort of. The 43-yearold living legend returned to the ring on Sunday, going six, two-minute rounds against a YouTuber named DK Yoo in Goyang, South Korea.
the past six months in western Mindanao.
The Bureau of Customs
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Though Pacquiao was announced as the winner, the exhibition does not count as an official fight, with both men having their hands raised in the end. The exhibition was
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KIDAPAWAN CITY – Umabot sa 44 mga miyembro ng Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, kabilang ang kanilang commander, ang sumuko sa militar sa bayan ng Kabacan sa North Cotabato.
Kinumpirma rin ito ng 6th Infantry Division at sinabing sa grupo ng 90th Infantry Battalion boluntaryong sumuko ang mga rebelde kamakailan lamang.
Kabilang sa mga sumuko ay apat na sub-leaders at pitong bomb experts. Isinuko rin ng grupo ang 34 na iba’tibang armas at mga bala, ayon kay Lt. Col. Rommel Mundala, ang battalion commander.
“Napagtanto nila na panahon na para talikuran ang kanilang ipinaglalaban at nais na nilang mamuhay ng normal
kasama ang kanilang mga pamilya,” ani Mundala.
Naging posible ang pagbalik-loob ng mga rebelde sa pagsisikap ng mga kasundalohan, ayon naman kay Col. Donald Gumiran, commander ng 602nd Infantry Brigade.
“Ang pagsuko ay resulta ng joint effort ng 90th Infantry Battalion at ng mga intelligence unit na naka-deploy sa lalawigan,” wika pa ni Gumiran.
Isasailalim naman sa proseso ang enrolment ng mga rebelde sa reintegration program ng gobyerno, paniguro ni Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, ang division commander. “Their documents will also be processed for enrolment in the reintegration program of the government,” sabi pa ni Galido. (Mindanao Examiner)
Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 and entities from across nine countries sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury for alleged involvement in corruption and human rights abuses
“The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) - in recognition of International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day - is sanctioning a diverse array of over 40 individuals and entities that are connected to corruption or human rights abuse across nine countries.
The Treasury said it utilized various tools and authorities — including Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act — to demonstrate the U.S. gov-
ernment’s focus on promoting respect for human rights and countering corruption.
“Corrupt actors and human rights abusers both rely on deficiencies in the international financial system to perpetrate their activities,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.
“Over the past year, the Treasury has made combating corruption and serious human rights abuse a top priority, including through the use of financial sanctions and addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. and international financial systems. By exposing the egregious behavior of these actors, we can help disrupt their activities, dismantle their networks, and starve them of resources,” he added.
Washington said it is committed to taking actions consistent with its values and recognizes that respect for human rights is a prerequisite for global peace, security, and prosperity.
The Treasury said the actions are also a key component of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to implement the first-ever U.S. Strategy for Countering Corruption, released in December 2021.
“As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC,” the Treasury said.
“In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent
or more by one or more blocked persons, individually or in the aggregate Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.”
This was also confirmed by the U.S. Embassy in Manila, saying: “Among other effects, all property and interests in property
for Quiboloy in the U.S. are blocked, and U.S. persons and entities are blocked from engaging in transactions with Quiboloy.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Quiboloy is wanted for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.
“Members who proved successful at soliciting for the church allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States year-
round. Furthermore, it is alleged that females were recruited to work as personal assistants, or “pastorals,” for Quiboloy and that victims prepared his meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called “night duty,” the FBI said.
It added that Quiboloy was indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California, for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling, and on November 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest. (Mindanao Examiner)
MEMBERS OF the ‘Girl Defenders’ alliance have lauded the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11596, also known as an “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof.”
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the international humanitarian and development organization, Oxfam Pilipinas, together with other government organizations and civil society groups, participated in the recent ceremonial signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law in Quezon City.
Oxfam Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Geronimo said the signing of the IRR of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law is a major milestone for the Philippines in its efforts to end Violence Against Women and Girls, and Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
“We know we should not stop here. We know that we need to continue our efforts to ensure the proper implementation of this IRR – a collective responsibility requiring a coordinated multi-sectoral approach. We are sure that everyone is up to the challenge, to continue brokering new conversations to shift negative norms, until we achieve the world we have envisioned when we started on the mutual journey to end child marriage,” Geronimo said.
Maguindanao Alliance of Youth Advocates (MAYA) Chairperson Juanday Esmael also expressed optimism in the implementation of the law, especially for fellow Bangsamoro youth.
“We have seen the negative impacts when girls are married at a young age in our communities. Child, early, and forced marriages deprive children of the opportunities to pursue higher education, earn decent income, enjoy their childhood, and make their own choices. With the signing of the IRR, we are optimistic that the practice of child marriage would finally end and give us renewed hope of a better and equal future,” Esmael said.
Data show that the Philippines ranks 12th among countries with the highest numbers of child marriages. One in six Filipino girls are married before they turn 18.
The Philippine Legislators Committee on Population Development (PLCPD), which is also part of the ‘Girl Defenders’ Alliance, said this is just the beginning of a long battle to protect the rights of women and girls. “Half of our work is done with the enactment of the law. Now that the IRR is ready for rollout, we have to continue to work together to ensure the full and meaningful implementation of RA 11596,” PLCPD Executive Director Romeo Dongeto said.
Other members of the
‘Girl Defenders’ alliance include lawmakers, youth campaigners, government agencies, women’s rights organizations, and civil society groups, including United Youth of the Philippines-Women (UnYPhil-Women), Maguindanao Alliance of Youth Advocates (MAYA), Linding Ko Kalombayan PLCPD, and Oxfam Pilipinas. The Girl Defenders’ Alliance was established thru the Creating Spaces Project of Oxfam Pilipinas and its partners, with support from Global Affairs Canada. Its major accomplishment includes the successful lobbying for the passage of the Prohibition of the Child Marriage Law in the Philippines.
The DSWD will lead the implementation of the law, including providing programs that address the prevalence of child marriage and playing an active role in awareness campaigns on the negative effects of child marriage. RA No. 11596 was signed into law on December 10, 2021, closing the legal loopholes and challenging practices that enable child, early and forced marriage in the country.
According to the law, any person who performs or officiates a child marriage will face imprisonment of up to 12 years and a fine of not less than Php 50,000. The law also provides that any person who causes, fixes, facilitates or arranges a child marriage will be imprisoned for up to 12 years. Adult partners who cohabitate with a child, regardless of SOGIE outside wedlock shall suffer the maximum imprisonment penalty. Government officials who solemnize child marriages may also be punished with perpetual disqualification from public office. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Maharlika Wealth Fund is a sovereign wealth fund which will be used by the government to invest in a wide range of outlets such as foreign currencies, fixed-income instruments, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, commercial real estate, and infrastructure projects, among others.
Marcos also said that it is best to let lawmakers closely examine the proposed bill on the Maharlika Wealth Fund in order to come up with the “perfect” version of the sovereign fund.
“We’re just doing the regular process of looking at the bill. Well, not us. It’s the legislature. So let them do their jobs. Tama ‘yan. Para gawin nilang perfect,” Marcos said. “Let’s not debate until we see the final
form because we could be debating about provisions that no longer exist. So antayin natin kung ano’ng gagawin ng legislature.”
The President made this remark after lawmakers moved to exclude the Government Service Insurance System and the Social Security System as contributors to the proposed sovereign wealth fund.
“I wouldn’t have brought it up otherwise… It’s very clear that we need added investment. This is another way to get that,” Marcos said.
Marcos’ economic managers, led by Finance Sec. Benjamin Diokno, earlier said the Maharlika Wealth Fund is expected to increase investments and the funding of infrastructure projects and countryside development, particularly in agriculture.
The economic managers stressed that in the near and medium term, the Maharlika Wealth Fund is seen to enhance the country’s fiscal space and reduce fiscal pressures as the fund “pursue public infrastructure projects, as well as reduce uncertainties in cases when fund resources are channeled to high-yielding financial undertakings.”
A total of P250 billion startup investment for the Maharlika Wealth Fund will come from government financial institutions such as the Landbank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines. This will be supplemented by annual contributions from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Department of Finance and other sources. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Corporation, remains at large and authorities have not issued any report on the progress of their search for the elusive suspect.
The company lured a still undetermined number of people to invest with it in exchange for a huge profit or interests.
Last month, members of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Securities and Exchange Commission raided two
branches of Ladoing’s company here and seized some P15 million in cash, pistols and magazines, and voluminous documents believed to be used in illegal business transactions similar to Ponzi scheme, a form of fraud that lures investors and pays profits to earlier investors with funds from more recent investors.
The Securities and Exchange Commission said it filed criminal charges against the firm’s incorpo-
rators and officers Ladoing, Renan Lara Ladoing, Rosemarie Alvarez Guzman, Neña Ewayan Algoy, John Paul Dellara Lopez and Michael Villalobos Berja.
It said Silverlion Livestock Trading Corporation had been offering and selling investment packages to the public with guaranteed returns of 35% within just 15 days. With this, investments ranging from P1,000 to P100,000 could yield returns
worth P1,300 to P130,000, respectively.
“The scheme involves the sale and offer of securities to the public in the form of investment contracts, whereby a person invests his money in a common enterprise and is led to expect profits primarily from the efforts of others,” the Securities and Exchange Commission said.
Ladoing has also been involved in another investment scam through RGS World Marketing which was ordered closed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Securities and Exchange Commission also warned the public against investing with Frutas Comida Zamboanga which it said is another unauthorized investment scheme.
It said the Frutas Comida Zamboanga has been offering guaranteed returns of 20% per month to the public although it has not secured the necessary registration from the Securities and Ex-
change Commission, and the corresponding order of registration of securities and certificate of permit to offer and sell securities.
Frutas Comida Zamboanga’s Facebook page shows that it has been encouraging the public to invest as little as P5,000 in exchange for monthly returns of P6,000.
“Investments are collected through online banking channels and other digital payment platforms Profits distributed to member-investors supposedly come from the sale of fruits and food tray packages. Frutas Comida also noted that investors need only invest in their business and wait for the 20% returns every month.
The scheme involves the sale and offer of securities to the public in the form of investment contracts, whereby a person invests his money in a common enterprise and is led to expect profits primarily from the efforts
of others,” the Securities and Exchange Commission said.
“In view thereof, the public is hereby advised to exercise caution in dealing with any individual or group of persons soliciting investments for and on behalf allegedly of Frutas Comida Zamboanga. The public is further advised not to invest or to stop investing in the investment scheme being offered by any individuals claiming to represent said entity,” it added.
The Securities and Exchange Commission said those who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers or agents or claim to act as such on behalf of Frutas Comida Zamboanga in selling or convincing people to invest may be prosecuted and held criminally liable under Section 28 of the SRC, and penalized with a maximum fine of P5 million or penalty of 21 years of imprisonment or both.
(Mindanao Examiner)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Customs here said it recently seized some P25 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from a motor launch off the southern port city of Zamboanga and held its 11 crew members.
It said a patrol boat intercepted M/L Paris near Santa Cruz Island while trying to sneak 707 boxes of cigarettes to Zamboanga. The boat originated from the town of Pangutaran in Sulu province.
“The 11-man crew failed to provide importation documents for the
goods onboard. The vessel came from Pangutaran, Jolo in Sulu, and was bound to Barangay Baliwasan seaside in Zamboanga City,” said District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr., adding, “the crew members are now undergoing interrogation and profiling.”
He said the intensified border control is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos’ directive to curb smuggling activities in our jurisdiction. But the Bureau of Customs has – as in previous apprehensions – not release
or identify the owners or financiers of the contraband for a still unknown reason.
It was also unclear how cigarette smugglers managed to continue their illegal trade unabated and undetected by the Navy and Coast Guard, and police authorities in Sulu. The smuggling of cigarettes and other products from nearby Malaysia and Indonesia is so rampant that these contraband are openly sold in public markets and barter trade centers here. (Mindanao Examiner)
and Tawi-Tawi last May to November 2022,” he said, adding the successful anti-smuggling operations in the South was also supported by various government agencies, including the police and military.
Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 led the public destruction of the cigarettes in Zamboanga and Pagadian cities on Tuesday, December 13. The second mass destruction of smuggled cigarettes was the second this year after. In May, the Bureau of Customs also destroyed at least P110
million worth of confiscated cigarettes, according to District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr.
He said over 1,200 cases of cigarettes were destroyed. “The contrabands were seized during separate anti-smuggling operations in Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu,
“The Port of Zamboanga recorded more than P500 million worth of confiscated cigarettes for the year in line with the directive of Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz and upon the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen measures against smuggling and promote transparency in operations,” Barte said.
Barte did not say who were behind the smuggling of cigarettes or whether any charges had been filed against them in court. (Mindanao Examiner)
Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 the first time that Pacquiao, a former eight-division champion with a 628-2 (39 knockouts) record, had been in a ring since declaring his retirement following his August 2021 decision loss to Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao had weighed in at 161 pounds, 14 pounds heavier than the welterweight limit he had previously weighed in at during his previous career highs. Yoo was significantly heavier at about 174 pounds, but his size advantages were negated by the former eight-division champion’s vastly superior skill and athleticism.
Yoo, who is also 43, brought some athleticism mixed with the boxing instincts that Mitt Romney
showed in his 2015 charity exhibition with Evander Holyfield. Yoo appeared to quit near the end of the fourth round after retreating into a seated squat in his own corner after Pacquiao unleashed a twopunch combination. The referee called off the bout, but then changed his mind after Yoo protested.
The referee gave Yoo a breather in the fifth after Pacquiao missed a punch over the top of Yoo’s head during an assault and ruled it a rabbit punch.
Pacquiao dropped Yoo again in the sixth round with a left uppercut, after which the referee gave him 30 seconds to recover so the self-styled master of the “zero inch punch” could last the distance. Pacquiao knocked Yoo down again at the end
of the sixth round, but the Korean Boxing Commission referee took Yoo’s word that it was a slip.
Afterward, Pacquiao seemed to leave the door open to future exhibition matches, which have come back into vogue after Pacquiao’s former rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. competed in a number of them in recent years.
Mayweather had previously beaten Pacquiao by unanimous decision in a 2015 mega-fight that was several years overdue.
Pacquiao, when asked about facing Mayweather once more, this time in an exhibition, was unsure about whether their paths would cross again in the ring. “I have no idea. He always changes his decision,” said Pacquiao.
(Ryan Songalia, Ring TV)
Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 (EGBV) champion, Diamond Abinal, are heading the charge in amplifying generations’ worth of suppressed voices in a culture where silence is encouraged.
A survivor of child marriage, Diamond was married off to a relative at 13 years old under the belief that a better life awaited her with his family. One year later, she gave birth to their first child and promptly bid her childhood a permanent goodbye.
When USAID and Plan International’s Marawi Response Project (MRP) found their way to Marantao town and reached out to Jehan’s office to collaborate with them towards uplifting women’s rights and welfare, Diamond gathered her courage and volunteered to train under them and join their journey in ending gender-based violence in their community.
Throughout their 4-year run, one event stood out to Diamond. It was during their second ending-GBV rollout in her village of Mantapoli when a young girl came up to her and asked for her help. She told Diamond about her parents’ plans on marrying her off at a young age and begged her to talk to them on her behalf. She wanted to finish her education first, get a college degree, and build a life for herself before entertaining the thought of marriage.
As someone who had the very same opportunities taken away from her, Diamond always knew that her work with the MRP was a noble cause, but it wasn’t until she saw her 13-year-old self re-
flected in the young girlsomeone who was scared, who still had their whole life waiting for them, whose life as a woman hadn’t even begun yetstaring back at her that it fully dawned on her just how important this cause was.
With new vigor, she continued advocating for women’s rights within their community and with the help of MRP and Jehan’s office, they were able to establish Referral Pathways not only in her local village of Mantapoli but throughout Marantao in the hopes of combating GBV.
As the president of “Matarantis a Baes,” an all-women community solidarity group and a member of the Marantao Women’s Association - the municipal sectoral federation for women formed through the help of MRP - Diamond is devoted to ensuring that no child nor woman will ever have to experience what she went through ever again.
With the help of her fellow ending-GBV advocate and local MPDC, Jehan, they are able to continuously look for ways to strengthen their referral pathways within and throughout the municipality of Marantao. Jehan’s office also received a grant from the MRP which they utilize in their fight against gender-based violence.
To fully hammer down the importance and urgency of their advocacy, Jehan shared a recent case involving a young girl who was impregnated by her own father. This just proves to show that violence against women and children is and always has been present, just never
fully recognized and addressed.
She emphasized that it is the culture of silence that has enabled cases of gender-based violence to continue to propagate and it is that exact culture that they are trying to eradicate with the help of MRP through their Referral Pathways and training seminars.
Both women expressed their gratitude to USAID, Plan International, and MARADECA, the Marantao People Development Center Incorporated, for enabling and supporting their movement and their advocacy. Were it not for them, Diamond would never have gotten the courage nor the platform to stand up for her inner child’s rights as well as the rights of every other young girl in their community, and Jehan’s office would never have gotten the funding it needs to address the calls of the public against GBV.
Throughout history, women have always been on the short end of the stick when it came to rights and representation, and while there are been many iconic and world-altering movements in the past, in a culture as conservative as the Maranao, small steps like the ones Diamond and Jehan are making are already causing tremors in the long-standing system of female repression.
Both women assure that while MRP is coming to an end, the impact it had on their lives and community will continue to ripple until future generations will no longer need programs like theirs to live their lives to the fullest. (Pamela Joyce L. Fumero)
SENATOR RISA Hontiveros has filed Senate Bill No. 1593, a proposed law to decriminalize libel, highlighting how current libel laws have been used and abused to suppress freedom of the press.
“Our libel laws have been weaponized to stifle very basic fundamental rights. These laws have been used to constantly attack many of our freedoms, but particularly the freedom of the press. We need to decriminalize libel if we are to truly defend press freedom,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros stressed how cyberlibel was also repeatedly used against Nobel laureate Maria Ressa for her work in Rappler.
In 2020, Ressa and former colleague Reynaldo
Santos were convicted for cyber libel. In July 2022, the Court of Appeals rejected Ressa and Santos's appeals, and last October, the Court of Appeals again rejected their motion to reconsider the decision.
“These journalists have wasted years of their lives facing charges for basically doing their jobs. Gamit na gamit na ang cyber libel para patahimikin ang ating mga mamamahayag. Kung hindi natin maiwasto ito, patuloy na gagamitin ang libel para kitilin ang ating kalayaan,” Hontiveros said.
In SB No. 1593, Hontiveros emphasized that the rise and prevalence of social media as a primary medium of communication has led to the further weaponization of libel
laws against the press and active citizenship.
Hontiveros also said that the avalanche of cyberlibel cases has only resulted in the clogging of our court dockets.
“Trabaho ng mga reporter ang magbahagi ng mga impormasyon para sa kaalaman ng publiko. We need the press to vet information and continue to be the safekeepers of facts,” she said.
“Sa pagbaha ng fake news sa social media, mas lalong kailangan nating maprotektahan ang propesyon nila. If we fail to do so, if we allow our laws to punish rather than protect the press, we chip away at our Constitutional rights. This will cost us our democracy,” she added. (Mindanao Examiner)
ogy Referral and Training Center at the East Avenue Medical Center.
WHILE LONG banned in developed countries, toys containing benzene, a chemical classified as “carcinogenic to humans,” are still sold in the domestic market, according to EcoWaste Coalition.
It said the continued sale of plastic balloon blowing kits with a solvent mixture containing benzene prompted them to ask the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the regulatory agency in charge of toys and child care articles, to impose a ban on benzene in toys and other children’s products.
The EcoWaste Coalition called for a “swift regulatory action” to protect the right of every child not to be exposed to hazardous substances like benzene, one of the “ten chemicals of major public health concern” as per the World Health Organization (WHO).
“In the interest of preventing children’s exposure to carcinogenic benzene in toys, we request the FDA to immediately ban benzene in plastic balloon blowing kits, and stop further sale and use of such benzene-containing toys. We further urge the FDA
to disallow toys and other children’s products containing and releasing volatile organic compounds or VOCs,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. “.”
The toxics watchdog group pushed for benzene ban in toys after confirming the presence of this hazardous chemical in three plastic balloon products that it bought from toy vendors in Divisoria, Manila and subsequently submitted to a non-profit scientific institute for laboratory analysis.
Based on the analysis conducted by the Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry using Headspace-Gas Chromatography, J.H. Toy Space Balloons, Bili Plastic Balloons, and Haida Taikong Space Balloons were found to contain 26, 31 and 44 parts per million (ppm) of benzene, respectively, exceeding the 5 ppm limit for benzene in toys under European Union’s regulations.
Prior to this, J.H. and Haida Taikong plastic balloons were found to emit 28 to 167 ppm of VOCs as determined through Photoionization Detector tests conducted by the Toxicol-
“Human exposure to benzene has been associated with a range of acute and long-term adverse health effects and diseases, including cancer and hematological effects,” according to the WHO, warning “children are particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of lead, and even relative low levels of exposure can cause serious and in some cases irreversible neurological damage.”
In Canada, benzene is banned in toys, and plastic balloon blowing kits have been prohibited there since 1973. In Australia, plastic balloons cannot contain benzene. In Europe, benzene in toys cannot exceed 5 ppm. And in the USA, benzene has been banned as an ingredient in products for use in the home, including toys.
In banning plastic balloon blowing kits, Health Canada explained that “children can be fascinated with these products, and if they blow balloons for extended periods they may experience early symptoms of central nervous system depression or dysfunction, including euphoria, hallucinations, dizziness, and difficulties with coordination of voluntary movements.”
“We trust the FDA will issue a directive soon banning benzene in toys, particularly in plastic balloon blowing kits. Hazardous substances that can seriously harm a child’s health have no place in all children’s products,” Lucero said. (Mindanao Examiner)
“Habang nagba-Biology, doon ko narealize na hindi biyolohiya ng tao ang gusto ko. Isang araw, sumulat ako sa mga magulang ko. Sabi ko sa kanila na hindi na ako magmemedisina. Gusto ko na lang ituloy ang pagiging biyolohista, at maging isang marine biologist pagkatapos.”
THE NEWLY-launched Sulong-Agham series of multilingual children’s books aims to inspire Filipino children to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by showcasing the lives and work of Filipino scientists.
Born out of a collaboration between the UP Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) and non-profit organization Supling Sining, Inc. (SSI), together with the UP Diliman College of Arts and Letters Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikang Pilipino (UPDCAL DFPP), Sulong-Agham was successfully launched last December 12 at the UPDCS Admin Building.
Limited signed copies of the first book in the series, "Ang Doktor ng Dagat," were given out at the event, which was graced by the author, former UPD-CAL dean and professor emeritus Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu; and the titular subject of the tome, pioneering oceanographer and marine scientist Dr. Deo Florence Onda of the UPDCS’ Marine Science Institute (MSI). Written in Filipino, Cuyonon, and English, the storybook touches on Dr. Onda’s life and work as the first Filipino and one of the first humans ever to explore Emden Deep in the Philippine
Trench — the third deepest place in the world’s oceans.
Following the successful launch of this first volume, Dr. Torres-Yu announced that the next title in the Sulong-Agham series will tackle the life and work of famed Filipino biologist Leonard Co.
The Sulong-Agham book series on the lives and work of Filipino scientists, available in Filipino and other languages.
Dr. Torres-Yu also talked about how “Doktor ng Dagat” began as a passion project during the pandemic. It was, for her, a creative spark of hope at a time when it was most needed: “Sa karanasan kong ito, lalong lumakas ang paniniwala ko na ang malikhaing imahinasyon ang naging sagwan ko sa pag-gaod sa dagat ng takot, kawalang pag-asa, at lungkot upang matuklas ko ang misyong lumikha ng mga kuwentong magbubukas sa mga batang Filipino sa mundo ng agham.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Onda fondly recalled how he all but stumbled into becoming a scientist, initially pursuing a biology degree as the first step to fulfilling his parents’ wishes for him to become a medical doctor. However, he quickly discovered that his interests were elsewhere:
He also looked back on the thrill of his adventure in Emden Deep. It was a scary once-in-a-lifetime experience that he just couldn’t pass up: “Ilang beses lamang ba nagiging balita ang isang siyentipiko? Ilang beses lamang ba nagiging kuwento sa buong bansa ang kuwento ng isang siyentista? Napakalimitado. Napakakaunting panahon. Napakakaunting oportunidad.”
But Dr. Onda quickly added that the real story at the heart of “Doktor ng Dagat” is much bigger than himself; it’s about the liberation and empowerment that comes from following a dream. “Sinasabi ko po lagi, ‘yung kuwento ng Emden Deep, mas malayo pa siya sa kuwento ko. Kuwento ‘to ng mga batang nangarap, nangangarap, at tinutupad ang mga pangarap nila. Sana ‘yung kuwento ng Doktor ng Dagat ay maging inspirasyon ng mga batang wala masyadong oportunidad sa buhay. Sana maging daan rin siya para mangarap sila at ‘yung mga taong tutulong sa kanila ay maging inspired rin para tulungan sila.”
UPD-CS Dean Giovanni Tapang wrapped up the launch by highlighting the rarity of children’s books that feature scientists, and his hope that the Sulong-Agham book series could help children see scientists in a more positive light. “Importante na magkaroon tayo ng mga ganitong klaseng libro para bigyan ng ibang klaseng pagtingin ang mga kabataan natin na maganda maging isang siyentista, mag-aral ng agham, kasi ito ang kailangan natin sa ating lipunan ngayon.”
SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental - The province government broke ground for the P500 million Asenso Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park (AMORAP) located in the village of Libertad Bajo here.
The project, dubbed as the Maldives of Mindanao inspired by the Maldives resort, is aimed at boosting local economy.
Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Sec. Ivan John Enrile Uy and Gov. Henry Oaminal led the recent groundbreaking ceremony and capsule laying.
“A united Misamis Occidental and Misamis Occidental that will strive to bring progress, to alleviate poverty and to bring economic benefits to the province,” Uy said. “It will be a destination that everybody will want to go because they will be envious of the experience of the sites, the people that they will encounter here in Misamis Occidental.”
Vice Gov. Rowena Gutierrez said once completed, this AMORAP will attract more tourists in the province. “More tourists means more livelihood opportunities for our constituents. More jobs means
increased family income. Increased family income means increased financial capability, so on and so forth,” Gutierrez said.
Colupan Bajo Village chieftain Tessie Misagrande hailed the project. “Sa amo nga taga diri, malipayon gyud kaayo mi ug mapasalamaton nga naa diri gyud nabutang ang maong Maldives. Isa pud ni nga oportunidad namo mga taga diri nga makahatag ni namo og mga kaayuhan sa pag-asenso sa matag usa nga mga lumulupyo niini nga maong lungsod,” she said. (Shaine Mae Nagtalon)
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health clinics nationwide to be accredited providers of its Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama or the PhilHealth Konsulta Package.
The Konsulta Package has been expanded to include targeted health risk screening and assessment, initial, and follow up consultations, selected laboratory tests, drugs and medicines as needed by the patients and as recommended by their primary care physician.
Laboratory and diagnostic examinations under the package include complete blood count with platelet count, urinalysis, fecalysis, sputum microscopy, fecal occult blood, Pap smear, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, oral glucose tolerance test, electrocardiogram, creatinine and HbA1c.
Likewise, a total of 21
drugs and medicines shall be made available such as anti-microbial, anti-asthma, antipyretics, anti-dyslipidemia, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive medicines, including fluids and electrolytes, anti-thrombotic, and anti-histamines.
PhilHealth shall release annual capitation funds to accredited Konsulta Providers in PhilHealth to healthcare facilities: Be accredited for Konsulta package tranches based on the number of registered members and their performance at a per capita rate of P500 in public facilities and P750 in private providers.
The application for Konsulta accreditation is open to non-hospital facilities such as rural health units, ambulatory surgical clinics and infirmaries. All outpatient departments of PhilHealth accredited
Level 1, 2, and 3 public and private hospitals are also encouraged to be accredited for the purpose. Interested providers may submit their application and self-assessment tools to the Local Health Insurance Office nearest their facility.
They must be compliant with the mandatory standards stated in PhilHealth Circular No. 2020- 0021. Minimum requirements in terms of service capability include the conduct of preventive/screening service and health education, provision of required laboratory and radiologic services, and the dispensing of drugs and medicines.
PhilHealth said intensified efforts are underway to accredit more providers to make this benefit accessible to as many Filipinos as possible. (Mindanao Examiner)
DOT Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said these new routes are an important factor in making a place market-ready and providing additional accessibility by land, air and sea.
Tiopes noted that about two weeks ago, the Kho Shipping Lines launched the Maasin City route for one of their fleets connecting Southern Leyte to Mindanao through Su-
wants to raise to $6,000 the aggregate tax-exempt purchases that returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and Balikbayans may make at duty-free shops operated by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Libanan has filed House Bill No. 6472, which seeks to upgrade the benefits and privileges enjoyed by returning Filipinos under a 33-yearold law that established the Balikbayan Program.
“Once enacted, we expect our measure to encourage a greater number of balikbayans to make their
purchases here at home in DOT duty-free shops shortly after arrival, rather than in foreign stores and help the Philippine economy generate more dollars,” Libanan said.
Balikbayans are currently entitled to make only up to $3,500 in tax-exempt purchases at DOT duty-free shops. The $3,500 ceiling is split into up to $1,500 worth of discretionary consumer goods, plus up to $2,000 worth of “livelihood tools” under the exclusive “kabuhayan” shopping privilege.
Libanan’s bill would increase to $3,000 the limit for discretionary items, and also raise to $3,000 the separate threshold for livelihood tools
ranging from computers and sewing machines to carpentry gadgets and farm implements.
“The upward adjustments in the allowable tax-exempt purchases are needed to account for decades of cumulative price inflation and to ensure that the shopping privileges remain substantial for the benefit of balikbayans,” he said.
Congress enacted the Balikbayan Program Law in 1989 to encourage Filipinos overseas to come and visit their homeland. Balikbayans may make their tax-exempt purchases at DOT duty-free shops within 15 days from ar-
CEBU - Gov. Gwen Garcia is set to ask the Provincial Board’s authority to take legal action against the Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over the unfinished road work along U.N. Avenue which has long been causing inconvenience to Cebuano motorists.
Garcia expressed her disappointment at the seemingly refusal of DPWH officials to go into a compromise agreement with the concerned contractor of the project in hopes to finally complete the road upgrade.
This project has been stalled for 3 years now due to legal issues between DPWH and its contractor.
“I will proceed in accor-
dance with my duty to the Cebuanos,” Garcia said on filing civil, administrative, and criminal cases against DPWH during her recent meeting with DPWH officials and her legal consultants.
She had called the attention of the DPWH officials on what can be done to fix this unfinished project which has also caused traffic jams in the area, pestering motorists for years now. While a compromise agreement has been proposed to give way to the project’s completion, it seems DPWH is adamant on this proposed action. (CL)
rival, or during the Christmas season (from Nov. 15 to Jan. 15 of every year), within 30 days from arrival.
The DOT runs three duty-free shops at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and five other duty-free shops at Fiestamall in Paranaque City, the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Kalibo International Airport and Iloilo International Airport.
rigao port and Central Visayas via Cebu port.
The operation of Kho Shipping Lines is an expansion from the existing roll-on, rolloff ports in Liloan and San Ricardo port that links Southern Leyte to Surigao.
“This is a positive development, especially for our dive markets as it gives guests another option to reach Southern Leyte. Foreign and even domestic tourists going to Sogod Bay Dive sites will now find it more convenient to take the ferry boat from Cebu to Maasin,” Tiopes said, adding, ferry route to Surigao also opens up tourism and trade opportunities not just for Maasin but also for other towns in Southern Leyte.
Ocean Jet also recently launched the Palompon-Cebu route through its fast craft. The town of Palompon in Leyte is known for its picturesque Kalanggaman Island, the most visited destination in the province.
Before the new sea route, Palompon is accessible from Cebu through the airport in Tacloban City and seaport in Ormoc City.
The Philippine Airlines (PAL) will launch its maiden flight from Cebu City to Borongan City in Eastern Samar. The flag carrier also made flight arrangements to connect Borongan to Manila through Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
“The Cebu-Borongan-Cebu flights of PAL increase the opportunities to capture the Central Visayas tourists market as well as those using Cebu as their international gateway or port of entry to the Philippines,” Tiopes said.
“With Cebu as a domestic flight hub, it also enhances connectivity between Eastern Samar towns and Cebu, plus to key areas in the country that are connected by air through Central Visayas,” she added.
Tiopes urged the transport companies to ensure safe and pleasant travel, above-par services, value-for-money facilities, and high-quality tourist experience to “optimize the windows of opportunities” for tourism. (Roel Amazona)
CEBU – A tripartite agreement between the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas, Cebu provincial government and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency signed a tripartite agreement creating a new task force to combat the proliferation of illegal drugs, including human trafficking, smuggling and even terrorism in the province.
The memorandum of agreement was recently signed for the creation of the “One Cebu Inter-Agency Interdiction Task Force,” according to Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, the regional police chief.
He said the task force is an anti-drug unified group that would strengthen inter-agency collaboration and continuously curtail the entry and proliferation of illegal
drugs in Central Visayas.
“One Cebu-Inter-Agency Interdiction Task Force promotes inter-agency collaboration for greater efficiency in service delivery to improve the role definition of participating agencies and the quality of information exchange on the security of borders. It also aims to address the issues and concerns we have in our ports based on the current risk and threat assessment,” Alba said.
He said the task force also serves as the premier forum within the regional system for devising strategies, and anti-criminality measures, identifying gaps in interdiction strategies and recommending remedial actions. “The task force’s work will be a decisive factor in the continued success of our campaign against illegal
drugs not only in Cebu but for the whole of Central Visayas as well,” Alba said.
“Team PNP Region 7 hopes to gain support as partners in crafting programs and activities that will translate into a strong partnership in intensifying border protection measures, making Central Visayas a drug-free island and a favorite and must-see tourist destination in the country,” he added. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)