The Zamboanga Post (April 11-17, 2022) by Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper

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April 11-17, 2022

BBM pinag-aagawan!

ATULOY ANG agawan ng suporta ang Team Colorao ni dating mayor Celso Lobregat at ng Team Dalipe ni Congressman Mannix Dalipe sa mga supporters ni presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos sa Zamboanga City na kung saan ay nagpa-patalbugan ang dalawang kampo. Parehong bitbit nina si Ferdinand Marcos - at Lobregat at Dalipe ang Davao City mayor and vice tambalan nina Marcos presidential candidate Continue on page 2 - anak ng Diktador na

Presidential candidate BongBong Marcos, ex-mayor Celso Lobregat at Rep. Mannix Dalipe. Larawan mula sa kanilang Facebook pages.

‘Cong’ Beng, patok sa mga barangay WALANG HUMPAY ang suporta ng mga Zamboangueños kay Mayor Beng Continue on page 3

Isang homemade placard na nagpapakita ng suporta sa Team Climaco ang bitbit ng isang babae sa isang rally ni Mayor Beng Climaco, na ngayon ay tumatakbong congresswoman sa District 1. Mayor Beng Climaco leads the previous clearing of public roads and spaces in Zamboanga City.

Mayor wants public roads, Mass vaccination continues spaces clear of obstructions MAYOR BENG Climaco has ordered authorities anew to clear public

roads and spaces of all obstruction following a meeting of the local peace

ZAMBOANGA CITY continues its mass vaccination program in an effort to protect the public against the deadly Covid-19 respiratory disease. Continue on page 7

and order council which she chairs. Continue on page 2

City Hall condemns fake information THE LOCAL government has accused Councilman Khymer Olaso of spreading Continue on page 3

A 2019 photo from the Facebook page of the late Councilman Crisanto ‘Monsi’ dela Cruz shows him with Mayor Beng Climaco and other members of the Team Climaco. Dela Cruz ran and won under Team Climaco in the 2019 election.

Zamboanga Peninsula

Basilan

A woman gets a vaccine jab in Zamboanga City. (Al Jacinto)

Opposition councilors blamed anew for demise of Largo Vida ZAMBOANGUEÑOS, who benefitted from the Largo Vida program of Mayor Beng Climaco, continue to blame members of the City Council behind its

untimely demise. Climaco, who is now running for congresswoman in District 1, also blamed the opposition councilors who are political allies of

Sulu

former mayor Celso Lobregat (Team Colorao) and Congressman Mannix Dalipe (Team Dalipe) for “killing” the Largo Vida. Continue on page 3

Tawi-tawi

The Zamboanga Post

April 11-17, 2022

BBM pinag-aagawan!

Continued from page 1 Sara Duterte - anak ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Si Bongbong ay nasa Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, samantalang si Sara naman ay miyembro ng Lakas-CMD at party mate ni Dalipe. Si Lobregat naman ay nasa PDP-Laban matapos na tumiwalag sa LDP. Si Marcos ay nagtungo sa Zamboanga nitong Marso 29 na kung saan ay nagkaroon ng caravan at political campaign rally sa Universidad de Zamboanga Summit Center sa Barangay Tetuan na dinaluhan ng halos 10,000 katao. Ipinag-malaki naman ni Lobregat na siya ang inindorso ni Bongbong matapos nitong itaas ang kamay ng dating mayor. Ibinahagi pa ni Lobregat sa kanyang Facebook page na sinabi umano ni Bongbong na: “Ang ating matagal nang kaibigan si Mayor Celso Lobregat… kami ni Mayor Celso 2nd

generation na po kami na ka-alyado…matagal na matagal na kaming magkasama hindi lang sa pulitika.” Binatikos rin ni Lobregat ang diumano’y pagsiksik ni Dalipe at ng kanyang mga ka-partido sa truck na sinasakyan ni Bongbong sa kanyang caravan. Ito ay matapos na kumalat sa social media ang biglang paglipat ni Dalipe sa truck ni Bongbong sa R.T. Lim Boulevard matapos na harangin ng mga supporters ng Team Dalipe. Ani Lobregat: “Hindi kami sumusuksok ng aming sarili sa truck, hindi kami saling-pusa. Thank you to BBMSara supporters in Zamboanga City and PFP for the overwhelming success of the Grand Caravan and Rally. Sama-sama tayong Babangon Muli! Junto-junto kita Levanta otravez!” Hindi mabatid kung si Dalipe ang pinasaringan ni

Lobregat na “saling-pusa.” May counter-attack naman si Dalipe sa mga pasaring ni Lobregat at ito ang kanyang isinulat sa Facebook. “Bongbong Marcos together with Hon. John Dalipe, Cong. Mannix Dalipe, Atty. Wendell Sotto, Atty. Mel Sadain at the Uniteam Caravan in Zamboanga City. Hindi kayo lang, hindi kami lang. Sama-sama tayong lahat. Todo man ayudahan. The Essence of Uniteam. No to LAGAK mentality.” Ang salitang LAGAK ay ang Chavacano word ng “Suwapang,” ngunit hindi naman mabatid kung si Lobregat ba ang pinatatamaan nito. Hati naman ang loyalty ng mga DDS (Duterte Diehard Supporters) at BBM (Bongbong Marcos) supporters. Karamihan sa mga DDS ay ayaw kay Bongbong dahil sa background ng pamilya nito at sa mga kinulimbat na salapi ng bayan sa pana-

Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER. Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco at Davao City Sara Duterte. hon ng Diktador. Ayaw rin ng mga BBM supporters kay Sara dahil ang loyalty ng mga ito ay nasa magamang Duterte lamang. Hindi rin inindorso ni Pangulong Duterte si Bongbong at ilang beses pa itong ininsulto at binansagang “weak leader” at may “bagahe.” Tanging si Sara lamang ang inindorso ni Duterte. Matatatndaan na dating magka-alyado sa City Council ang mga line-up nina Lobregat at Dalipe at binansagan pa nila ang naturang samahan na “Conscience Block at Majority Block” at nagsanib puwersa upang sa pambabatikos kay Mayor Beng Climaco matapos itong tumanggi na huwag ng tumakbo bilang alkalde sa

2016 at 2019 elections. Ngunit nagwagi pa rin si Climaco sa halalan kahit pa itinaas ng nina Duterte at Sara ang kamay ni Lobregat at inindorso ito. Noong 2019 election ay hindi umubra ang endorso ng mag-amang Duterte kay Lobregat dahil inilampaso pa ni Climaco ang beteranong pulitiko matapos ng isang landslide victory – ito rin ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa mahabang political career ni Lobregat na siya at natalo. Ngayon ay tumatakbo si Climaco bilang congresswoman sa District 1 at lahat ng political campaign rallies nito sa iba’tibang barangay ay jampacked o punong-puno ng mga supporters kung

ihahambing sa grupo nina Lobregat at Dalipe. Plataforma de gobierno at ang maraming mga accomplishments ang ibinabangka ni Climaco, gayun rin ng kanyang buong partido. Inaasahang magwawagi ang Team Climaco sa halalan sa Mayo dahil sa malaki at patuloy na suporta ng mga Zamboangueño sa grupo ni Mayor. Suportado rin ni Climaco si Vice President Leni Robredo bilang susunod na Pangulo ng bansa at si Sara bilang Vice President. Sa katunayan, isa si Climaco sa mga pulitikong nagsusulong ng ROSA o Robredo-Sara Tandem na suportado ng mga DDS. (Zamboanga Post)

Mayor wants public roads, spaces clear of obstructions Continued from page 1 Climaco ordered the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office under Elmeir Apolinario to immediately coordinate with the police force and the Interior Department in the clearing operations. Last December, the mayor reminded all barangay officials to clear public roads of all obstruction and to maintain the cleanliness of their respective places and ensure that all roads and walking paths are free from any blockage. Climaco noticed during one of her inspections that many roads and walking paths are again obstructed with parked cars, among others. She said barangay officials

should clear public roads and spaces of all obstruction as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). In July 2019, the DILG - upon Duterte’s order - issued Memorandum Circular 2019-121 which gave mayors 60 days “to exercise their powers essential to reclaim public roads which are being used for private ends, and in the process rid them of illegal structures and constructions.” Following Duterte’s directive, Climaco – together with barangay officials – led a massive operation called “Oplan Baklas” against road obstructions even though the local government had

been implementing this long before the DILG order. Because of Climaco’s efforts, Zamboanga was cited by the DILG for its vigorous road-clearing campaign, including the strict enforcement of the anti-littering, anti-garbage and anti-traffic laws and city ordinances. The DILG commended Climaco and the local government for its efforts in implementing Duterte’s order to clear public roads of all obstruction. Many barangays now are virtually back to what they were prior to the DILG order despite repeated orders from Climaco to maintain the cleanliness and clear public roads of obstructions. (Zamboanga Post)

The Zamboanga Post

April 11-17, 2022

‘Cong’ Beng, patok sa mga barangay

City Hall condemns fake information Continued from page 1 fake information after claiming that City Hall did not fly the Philippine flag at half-mast when Councilman Crisanto dela Cruz died last year. Olaso, a member of Team Lobregat, wrote on his Facebook page: “When the late monsi passed away, I remember the flag at city hall was not flown half mast (sic)…I even make (sic) a comment at our city secretary that time…but why now with due respect one of the head office passed away the flag was in half mast? This is what I don’t really like akel apiki lang

na pogon among lang kel ta puede saka benepisyo.” He was referring to Dela Cruz, a former priest who ran and won under Climaco’s political team in the 2019 election. Dela Cruz died from a heart attack on April 7, 2021. Olaso’s statement came after a senior City Hall official, Engineer Rodrigo Sicat, passed away on March 29 due to a lingering illness. Mayor Beng Climaco, who is now running for congresswoman in District 1, actually issued Executive Order 648-202 and ordered the national flag to fly at half-mast in memory of Dela Cruz. She

A 2019 photo from the Facebook page of the late Councilman Crisanto ‘Monsi’ dela Cruz shows him with Mayor Beng Climaco.Dela Cruz ran and won under Team Climaco in the 2019 election.

even condoled with the family of Dela Cruz. The City Government branded Olaso’s statement as “malicious” and strongly condemned it. “We strongly condemn the fake information posted by Councilor Khymer Olaso regarding his malicious statement that the City Government of Zamboanga exhibited biased action in honoring City Officials who pass away. We remind the public to be more discerning of information obtained on social media, as some of these are meant to misinform the public and put the LGU and the current administration in a bad light as the local campaign period already began (sic). The post reeks of insensitivity of the concerned official as the LGU mourns the demise of City Planning and Development Coordinator Engr Rodrigo “Jojo” Sicat,” a statement released by the local government said. “We would like to inform the public that an Executive Order was also issued by the Mayor directing the Philippine flag at City Hall to be flown at half mast (sic) during the day of the internment of the late Councilor Monsi Cris Dela Cruz. It is sad to note that a person who has long been gone is being dragged into this issue by Councilor Olaso just for him to gain political mileage,” it added. (Zamboanga Post)

Continued from page 1 Climaco at ng Team Climaco lalo na sa mga barangay na kung nakatira ang mga konsehal na kontra sa administrasyon. Si Climaco ay tumatakbong congresswoman sa District 1 at halos wala itong kalaban sa naturang posisyon dahil sa dami ng mga supporters kung ihahambing sa ibang mga kandidato na pulos mga bagito sa larangan ng pulitika at walang konkretong plataforma de gobierno at mga accomplishments. Ikina-kampanya ni Climaco ang kanyang mga kandidato sa District 1 at District 2. Maging ang Barangay San Roque na siyang nagpanalo sa Team Climaco noong 2019 election ay todo-suporta pa rin sa naturang grupo matapos ng isang malaking campaign rally doon. Nagpasalamat naman si Climaco sa mga taga-Barangay San Roque matapos ng mainit na pagtanggap sa Team Climaco kamakailan lamang. ““You delivered votes for Team Climaco in 2019. Let’s repeat history this 2022 and win big! Muchas Gracias Barangay San Roque na amor y na supporta. Man junto-junto kita asegura el victoria del Team Climaco para na bienestar del Familia Zamboangueño,” ani Climaco. Ilang beses rin itong naglagay ng post sa kanyang Facebook page at muling nagpasalamat sa Barangay San Roque dahil dinagsa ang kanyang campaign rally doon ng napakaraming tao. “WE WILL WIN BIG IN SAN ROQUE! Thank you for the electrifying energy you have given us! With all your help and solid support, we will win big in San Roque! We remain firm in our commitment to ensure that no one will be left behind in our agenda of government! Na

Team Climaco, hay continua el ayuda y mas pa!” wika pa ni Climaco. “MUCHAS GRACIAS SAN ROQUE!...you have proven again that San Roque remains a Team Climaco bailiwick! Muchas gracias con todo vivientes quien ya man junto canamon este noche. Na Team Climaco, asegurao el opportunidad y bienestar del cada familia Zamboangueño!” dagdag pa nito. Halos lahat ng campaign rallies ni Climaco ay puno ng tao at kahit umulan pa ang hindi natitinag ang mga ito. Ganito rin ang naganap sa grand rally ng Team Climaco sa Barangay Vitali at Mercedes at kahit malakas ang ulan ay may baong payong ang mga residente doon. Binansagan rin ni Climaco na “BRAVE VITALI!” ang naturang barangay. “Amidst the rain, the brave people of Vitali remained with Team Climaco all through the night to show their support during the team's grand rally at Tamion Road! Muchas gracias con todo con ustedes na caliente suporta amediante el ulan. Junto junto kita asegura que hay continua el ayuda na liderato del Alcalde Jawo Jimenez, Vice Alcalde Pinpin Pareja, Congresista Kim Elago y todo consejales del Team Climaco!” sabi pa ni Climaco. “AMIDST THE RAIN, MERCEDES MESMERIZES! We felt the heart-warming support from the people of Mercedes. Amidst the rain, they never left us, instead, we felt their overwhelming support for Team Climaco. Este lang el Team que tiene grande corazon para na maga vivientes, mucho accomplicimiento y experiencia que hay puede asegura el prosperidad na Ciudad de Zamboanga. Muchas gracias, Mercedes!” pahayag pa ni Climaco. Maging sa Barangay Calarian, puno-puno rin ng tao

ang rally ni Mayor at sinabi nitong: “CLARO EL VICTORIA NA CALARIAN! Muchas gracias con todo vivientes de Barangay Calarian na gran suporta que ya dale ustedes con el entero Team Climaco este noche! El de ustedes confianza na Team Climaco ay asegura que hay continua pa el ayuda para na bienestar del familia Zamboangueño! Vaya con Dios!” Hindi naman nagpatalo ang Barangay Labuan at todo rin ang pwersa nito sa grupo ni Climaco. Ayon pa sa pahayag ng Team Climaco: LABAN LABUAN! Maraming salamat, Barangay Labuan sa mainit na pagtanggap sa buong Team Climaco ngayong gabi! El de ustedes suporta y confianza ta dale canamon fuerza y inspiracion para trabaha mas para na un mas mejor Ciudad de Zamboanga y asegura el bienestar del entero familia Zamboangueño!” “DYNAMIC DIVISORIA!” naman ang bansag ng Team Climaco sa naturang barangay matapos ng isang gabing rally doon. “Energy is high in Divisoria as Team Climaco comes in full force to woe voters and solidify support for Mayor Jawo Jimenez, Vice Mayor Pinpin Pareja, D2 Congressman Kim Elago and the entire Council slate led by Divisoria's very own son - Jungjung Macrohon! Congresswoman Beng Climaco joins the team in Divisoria with a clear message - continuity of progress is vital and that we should remain hopeful for better things to come for Zamboanga and our people. Man junto junto kita asegura que hay continua el ayuda! Suporta con el Team Climaco na Mayo 9, 2022!” ayon sa Team Climaco. Umaapaw rin ang mga supporters ni Climaco sa iba pang mga barangay sa kanilang mga house-to-house campaign. (Zamboanga Post)

Opposition councilors blamed anew for demise of Largo Vida Continued from page 1 She said senior citizens and the vulnerable sectors could have received more had not the opposition councilors trashed the Vida programs. The Largo Vida was the initiative of Climaco which she started in 2018 and had intended to expand to cover some 60,000 beneficiaries this year. But she said the opposition councilors removed the Largo Vidas vital funding in the P4.38 billion 2021 Executive Budget because of politics. Climaco identified the opposition councilors as Monsi dela Cruz (now deceased); John Dalipe, BG Guingona, Mike Alavar, Litlit Macrohon, Khymer Olaso, Lilibeth Nuño, Cary

John Pioc, VP Elago, Gerky Valesco and Jerry Perez. Families of senior citizens and those who benefitted from the Largo Vida vowed to campaign and vote for Team Climaco to ensure that the pro-poor program continues. Congressman Jawo Jimenez, who is running for mayor, also blamed opposition councilors for the demise of the Largo Vida program, saying this action had severely affected the pro-poor programs of the Climaco administration. Jimenez said if he becomes mayor, he will revive and expand the Largo Vida program to benefit more poor residents, especially the elderly and the most vulnerable sectors.

“El importante alli, Number 1 continua kita el Largo Vida program que ta dale ayuda con el maga senior citizens and we will expand the project como aqui ta habla si Mayor Beng quiere le queda 60,000 el maga beneficiaries del Largo Vida and we will do that; and Number 2, continua kita el financial assistance que ta dale con el maga senior citizens de atun como ahora el maga ultra poor,” he said. He also said the Largo Vida program was the first in Zamboanga and that even Lobregat, who is again running for the mayoralty post, had no programs for the senior citizens and the poor as now. (Zamboanga Post)

The Zamboanga Post

April 11-17, 2022

Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by Bong Serondo, Eugene Elnar, and Daphne Marquina.

April 11-17, 2022

The Zamboanga Post Exclusive

Zamboanga Pictures in the News

Germany, IOM donate ambulance, medical equipment

Mayor Beng Climaco and Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite thank German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel and Troy Dooley, the Chief of Mission for IOM Philippines, for the donated ambulance and medical equipment. (Eugene Elnar) MAYOR BENG Climaco thanked Germany and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for donating various medical equipment, including an ambulance for the Zamboanga City Health Office. Climaco and Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite received the ambulance, two ultra-low temperature freezers and 150 oxygen tanks with regulators from the German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel and Troy Dooley, the Chief of Mission for IOM Philippines. IOM is part of the United Nations System as the leading inter-governmental organization promoting humane and orderly migration for the

benefit of all. Climaco said the medical equipment will greatly support the local government’s efforts on Covid-19 vaccination and other health initiatives. “Today, with whatever resources we have in the city government, plus the resources given, we will be able to face our challenges as we face the new normal,” she said. Dooley said the German government funded the donation. “We are grateful for the funding from the German government and also the partnership with Zamboanga City,” he said. Reiffenstuel, for her part, highlighted the importance of working in solidarity and the strong

ties between Germany and the Philippines. “I have realized during the pandemic over the past few years, there are a lot of challenges we have faced but we have also embraced this opportunity, these challenges, and understood it as a chance to grow. This has shown us how deeply rooted the connections are between our countries and how important it is to work in solidarity,” she said during the turn over ceremony held recently. Dooley said the donation of medical equipment is part of the IOM’s Prepare, Prevent, Protect program with support and humanitarian assistance from the German government, which aims to mitigate the impact of Covid-19. Germany is one of the top 10 trading partners of the Philippines, and has the largest share in the EU-Philippine trade relations. The overall annual volume of bilateral trade has seen a stable 6 billion EUR (approx. P328-B) over the past few years. (Zamboanga Post and Jasmine Mohammadsali)

Beng lauds honest employee MAYOR BENG Climaco has lauded a street sweeper for his honesty during a flag raising ceremony in front of the City Hall. Climaco praised Samson Narvasa, an employee of the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources, for returning a wallet containing P12,ooo in cash, to its owner last month. The owner of the wallet was not identified. The mayor recognized Narvasa for his integrity and honesty and made him a role model not only for the local government employees, but for all residents. Climaco said Narvasa brought pride and honor to the local government. Climaco, assisted by Assistant City Administrator Raymond Padayhag

Samson Narvasa, an employee of the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources, thanked Mayor Beng Climaco for the Certificate of Recognition, during a flag raising ceremony. (Eugene Elnar) and Gerry Pollisco, head of Environmental Management Division, also gave Narvasa a Certificate of Recognition in front of local government employees. “Sus buenas acciones

merecen emulacion y eso trae orgullo y honor al Gobierno Local,” the mayor said during the awarding. Narvasa thanked the mayor and his superiors for the recognition. (Zamboanga Post)

The Zamboanga Post

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April 11-17, 2022

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The Zamboanga Post

April 11-17, 2022

Travellers amaze at Zambo’s modern bus terminal

Mass vaccination continues Continued from page 1 Mayor Beng Climaco said the local government has opened more vaccination sites to make it easier for residents to access the medicines. She said vaccinators also go houseto-house to be able to inoculate more people, especially in far-flung areas, adding the City Health Office also launched mobile and drive-thru vaccination. “We continue the vaccination rollout for all unvaccinated, as well as those partially vaccinated, and at the same time pursuing booster shots for the priority groups,” she said. Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, said more people are now flocking to various vaccination sites across Zamboanga due to the massive government information campaign on Covid-19 and the efficacy of the vaccines against the disease. She also renewed calls for residents in remote villages to go to the nearest health centers and get vaccinated to protect them from the virus, especially now that there are Covid-19 variants. The City Health Office said as of March 31, a total of 655,880 people or

91% of the target eligible population, have received their first dose of vaccines while 641,941 residents received their second jabs and are considered fully vaccinated. Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista hailed Zamboanga City’s vaccination program following a meeting with Climaco last year. Just last month, the Duterte administration congratulated the City Government for being Number 1 in the country in the implementation of the national vaccination program dubbed “Bayanihan Bakunahan” and the Safety Seal certification, including the digital vaccine certificate. Zamboanga City was hailed 1st placer for the “2nd Doses Accomplishment” category, followed by Agusan del Sur and Taguig City while under the “A2 Doses” category, Ilocos Norte was the top-performing province followed by Ilocos Sur and Pampanga. Nueva Ecija was 1st placer for the “Total Doses Administered” category followed by Cavite and Bulacan. The winners for best performing local governments in support of the Bayanihan

Bakunahan were determined by the Department of Health and categorized according to the percentage of accomplishments for 2nd doses, A2 doses, and total doses administered. The Department of the Interior and Local Government said Duterte congratulated the winning local governments and the chief executives for their able leadership amid the health crisis, and for being invaluable partners of the national government in executing important programs that contributed to the improved Covid-19 status of the country. “Salute to all the recipients of this day’s awards for your robust commitment and partnership with the national government as we altogether implement these programs down to the grassroots. I know and acknowledge that without your support, we would have not surmounted the past two years of this pandemic. Kaya nais kong ipaabot sa inyo ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat,” Duterte said in a statement released by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año. (Zamboanga Post)

TRAVELLERS HAVE praised the modern Zamboanga City Integrated Bus Terminal following the resumption of the operations of provincial buses here. The administration of Mayor Beng Climaco has not failed to modernize the bus depot, which is one of the best in southern Philippines, since it opened in 2015. Since then, the local government has continuously upgraded the terminal by installing security cameras, baggage x-ray machines and body scanners. The bus depot’s Supervising Officer Rafael Derick Evangelista said the mayor wanted only the best for the public, adding all the improvements at the facility are part of Climaco’s legacy. The bus terminal is being operated by the local government. Climaco, now on her third and last term, is running for congresswoman in District 1 and remains largely popular in Zamboanga mainly due to her pro-poor programs and honest-to-goodness governance the past three terms, and even when she was a congresswoman and House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao from 2007 to 2013. And majority of the Zamboangueños wanted her to continue serving again as lawmaker. Evangelista said Climaco together with City Administrator Michael Saavedra inspected newly-constructed and rehabilitated projects at the terminal - the rest rooms at the departure building, the City Treasurer’s Office, the concrete guard house, the surveillance center and dozens of cameras and electronic parking barriers. The mayor has been frequently visiting the bus terminal to ensure it remains at par with the others in the southern region.

Government photos show Mayor Beng Climaco inspecting the new restroom at the Zamboanga City Integrated Bus Terminal - operated by the local government - together with Supervising Officer Rafael Derick Evangelista. Last year, the Department of the Interior and Local Government awarded the Safety Seal certification to the bus terminal for its outstanding implementation of the public health protocols. The DILG team of inspectors led by Jun Cillo awarded the certification after the bus terminal passed all the safety standards and regulations set by the national

government. Evangelista thanked the DILG for the Safety Seal certification and lauded the hard work of employees at the bus terminal for ensuring public safety throughout its operation and even before the health crisis. He also praised Climaco for her support in making the bus terminal one of the best in Mindanao. (Zamboanga Post)

OPINION

Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco

“I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.” MAY THIS verse from Philippians inspire us to pursue our goals and persevere in life toward Jesus our ultimate goal. Today, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, is also the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan. We are similarly called to observe prayer, fasting, and good works, deeds, words, and actions. Our Muslim faithful begins their journey as we intensify our journey toward the Holy Week sacrifice of Jesus’ suffering and death. The Gospel narrates Jesus’ writing on the ground twice, as scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to be stoned to death. They tested Jesus on the stoning. Jesus replied: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Here we reflect on today’s digital world where by a quick press and swipe, one is able to throw “stones of condemnation virtually!” How easy it is for others to judge, condemn and destroy the reputation of others by posting, creating and reacting to what is available in social media. Being bullied and condemned causes great harm on the victims, their loved

ones and the public condemnation gains greater mileage. Lent is a time to ask God for Mercy and Pardon for the hate we cause by our judgements. May we repent of our acts and follow Jesus toward kindness and Mercy. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied: “No one, Sir.” Then Jesus said: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” (MBC)

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April 11-17, 2022

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