The Zamboanga Post (May 10-16, 2021)

Covid-19 is airborne!

‘But it doesn’t mean outside air is contaminated’ THE LANCET report states that unlike what was believed earlier, coronavirus might actually be airborne, is the talk of the town.

The report, authored by six experts from the US, the UK and Cana-

Founded July 2019

da, said: “SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted primarily by the airborne route” The authors - Trisha Greenhalgh, Jose Jimenez, Kimberly Prather, Zeynep Tufekci, David Fisman and Robert Schooley - also gave 10 reasons

backing their claim. They also called for immediate modification of established Covid-19 protocols.

But this might not mean quite what you think it means.

Many have taken it to believe that the outside

Image: (Bronkhorst)

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air could be contaminated with coronavirus and stepping out might mean that one contracts the virus. However, that’s not the case.

Dr. Faheem Younus, Chief of Infectious Continue on page 3

May 10-16, 2021

‘Barangay Sita Task Force’ binuo!

T

UMULONG NA rin sa wakas ang mga opisyales ng barangay at mga tanod sa pagpapatupad ng health protocols sa kanilang mga nasasakupan, ito’y matapos na maglabas ng isang executive order si Mayor Beng Climaco.

Kamakailan lamang men na mabibigo sa pag- pagtaas ng Covid-19 cases at binalaan ni Duterte papatupad sa health pro- sa bansa. Sinabi ni ang mga barangay chair- tocols dahil sa patuloy na Continue on page 2

Beng reminds contractors of ultimatum to finish Z3R projects CONSTRUCTION WORKS continue at resettlement areas in an effort to finish the construction of the Z3R housing units for some 720 families Continue on page 3

A photo from the Housing and Land Management Division shows the progress of construction works at the Z3R project site.

Makikita sa larawang ito na mula sa pulisya ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad sa health protocols. At ang mga lumalabag sa batas (inset) sa Barangay Guiwan.

School gym converted into Covid-19 facility

Zambo to open own Covid-19 molecular facility

Mayor Beng Climaco inspects the Zamboanga City Molecular Testing Center in Barangay San Roque.

Zamboanga Peninsula

ZAMBOANGA CITY is set to open soon its first Covid-19 molecular testing center which will drastically help the local government in its efforts to boost response in combatting the spread of the deadly respiratory disease.

Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the local task force on Covid-19, said the Continue on page 3

Basilan

The Covid-19 isolation facility at the gymnasium of Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School in Barangay Santa Maria. Inset, Mayor Beng Climaco. (Bong Serondo) WHILE DOOMSAYERS demonize residents of Barangay Pasonanca to

reject the Covid-19 isolation facility built there by the government, the Santa

Sulu

Maria Barangay Council has allowed the use of Continue on page 7

Tawi-tawi

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The Zamboanga Post

May 10-16, 2021

‘Barangay Sita Task Force’ binuo!

Si Mayor Beng Climaco habang nasa patrulya.

Continued from page 1 Duterte na ang mga mayor ang may superbisyon sa mga barangay chairmen kung kaya’t dapat silang sumunod sa kautusan.

“Now, itong mga barangay captain ang problema kasi maliit ang barangay. Do not give me that shit about hindi mo alam. So the Local Government will go after you administratively and criminally,” ani Duterte.

Sa Executive Order BC 653-2021, ipinag-utos ni Climaco ang pagbuo ng “Barangay Sita Task Force” sa lahat ng 98 barangays ng Zamboanga na siyang magpapatupad ng health protocols upang pigilan ang paglaganap ng Covid-19.

Ang barangay chairman at ang hepe naman ng pulisya at militar sa naturang lugar ang magsisilbing pinuno ng Barangay Sita Task Force

na kabibilangan ng mga chairpersons ng Sanguniang Kabataan, Barangay Health and Sanitation, Peace and Order at Disaster Committees, gayun rin ng Barangay Information Officer, Tanods at mga miyembro ng Barangay Information Network, Purok leaders, Barangay Health Workers at mga Nutrition Scholars, at Social Worker.

Sa kasalukuyan ay mahigit 150 bawat araw ang naitatalang bilang ng

Covid-19 sa lungsod at posibleng umabot o lumagpas pa ito ng 3,000 kaso bago matapos ang buwan.

Maging ang mga Netizens ay nagsusumbong sa Facebook page ni Climaco sa talamak na paglabag ng maraming tao sa health protocols sa ibat-ibang mga barangay. Likas umanong matigas ang ulo ng mga residente at ngayon tumataas ang Covid-19 cases ay isinisisi naman ito kay Climaco sa kabila ng paulit-ulit na paalala nito na sumunod sa health protocols.

Sa kanyang executive order, ipinag-utos ni Climaco sa lahat ng Barangay Sita Task Force na magsagawa ng random roving sa kanilang mga lugar upang masigurong nasusunod at napapatupad ang health protocols – paggamit ng face mask at face shield, at physical distancing at iba pang mga kautusan kaug-

nay sa Covid-19. May mga pena ang mga lalabag sa minimum health protocols.

Dapat ay matagal na umano itong ipinatupad ng mga opisyales ng barangay kahit walang executive order mula kay Climaco. Motu proprio na ito sa mga opisyales ng mga barangay bilang bahagi ng kanilang tungkulin, subali’t hindi naman nila ginawa sa kabila ng pandemnya, bagama’t may mga ilang opisyales rin ang kusang nagpapatupad ng health protocols ngunit hindi naman ito regular.

Wala rin makitang mga opisyales ng barangay at mga tanod na regular na nagpa-patrulya sa kanilang lugar upang ipatupad ang health protocols at iba pang mga ordinansa o batas. At halos lahat ay iniaasa na lamang kay Climaco o sa lokal na pamahalaan, sa pulisya at

militar, ang bawat problema at solusyon nito.

Maging ang road clearing operations na ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Duterte ay nag-mistulang ningas-kugon lamang sa ibat-ibang barangay dito.

Kamakailan lamang at binalaan ni Duterte ang mga barangay chairmen na mabibigo sa pagpapatupad sa health protocols dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng Covid-19 cases sa bansa. Sinabi ni Duterte na ang mga mayor ang may superbisyon sa mga barangay chairmen kung kaya’t dapat silang sumunod sa kautusan.

“Now, itong mga barangay captain ang problema kasi maliit ang barangay.

Do not give me that shit about hindi mo alam.

So the Local Government will go after you administratively and criminally,” ani Duterte. (Zamboanga Post)

Climaco pushes for ‘work-at-home’ scheme

An unidentified man reads a copy of the Mindanao Examiner regional newspaper outside a commercial building owned and operated by the City Government of Pagadian.

PAGADIAN CITY – The national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has responded to the request of Mayor Beng Climaco to allow Zamboangueño employees working at different government agencies in Pagadian City to “work-from-home” for a period of 14 days.

Climaco earlier made similar request to Secretary Rolando Bautista, the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Western Min-

danao. She said working at home limits the employees’ mobility and protect them and their families from being infected with Covid-19, especially now that the number of infections is increasing in the region.

The mayor said her request was also based on appeals of many Zamboangueño employees in Pagadian City - the regional center - to allow them to work at home in Zamboanga City.

Climaco said the local government is will-

ing to pay for the RT-PCR testing of Zamboangueño employees returning here.

Zamboanga still requires negative Covid test for all people entering the city, including travellers and even APORs or Authorized Persons Outside Residence.

“Fighting this Covid-19 pandemic is not just the responsibility of government and its partners in the private sector.

It is a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach,” she said. (Zamboanga Post)

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The Zamboanga Post

May 10-16, 2021

Beng reminds contractors of ultimatum to finish Z3R projects

Photos from the Housing and Land Management Division show the progress of construction works at the Z3R project site.

Zambo to open own Covid-19 molecular test facility

Mayor Beng Climaco inspects the Zamboanga City Molecular Testing Center in Barangay San Roque.

Continued from page 1 facility in Barangay San Roque will hasten the testing, tracing and treatment strategy of the City Health Office in a bid to prevent and control the transmission of the disease.

Once operational, the

facility, owned by the local government, can run 300 Covid-19 tests per day.

Molecular and antigen tests are types of diagnostic tests than can detect active Covid-19 infection. Samples for diagnostic tests are typically collected with a nasal

or throat swab, or saliva collected by spitting into a tube. The test takes usually less than an hour and is typically highly accurate and usually does not need to be repeated. Some may indicate the need to re-test in certain circumstances.

(Zamboanga Post)

Continued from page 1 displaced by 2013 deadly attacks of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members loyal to Nur Misuari.

Z3R stands for Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction.

Mayor Beng Climaco, who chairs the Local Inter-Agency Committee, reminded various government agencies and private contractors of her ultimatum to finish all construction projects by August 31.

The mayor said she will invite President Rodrigo Duterte to inaugurate the projects set on September 9 which coincides with the commemoration of the infamous MNLF siege of Zamboanga.

Different government agencies and private contractors committed to speed up works on the Z3R projects after Climaco’s ultimatum. Climaco

has repeatedly reminded LIAC members to expedite completion of the projects and to ensure the remaining victims of the siege who are in temporary shelters be given permanent housing units.

“As mayor and chairperson of LIAC, I have given the agencies concerned a deadline until August 2021 to finish the construction of the housing units and award them to the target beneficiaries - the internally displaced people,” she said, adding, “we want our IDPs to know that we have not forgotten them even as we are currently coping with the Covid pandemic,” said Climaco.

She said her directive was in line with Duterte’s instructions to all government agencies to have their projects, programs and activities completed before his term ends next year.

Last year, Climaco directed LIAC members

to ensure continuity of various projects and programs amid the Covid-19 pandemic to help alleviate the plight of families displaced by the MNLF siege.

Supporters of Misuari attacked Zamboanga after declaring independence and their failed attempt to raise the Bangsamoro Republik flag at City Hall. Misuari publicly denied involvement in the siege of Zamboanga that displaced over 200,000 people and affected the economies of Basilan and Sulu which are dependent on Zamboanga for their trades and goods.

Climaco set September 9 as a “Special Day of Remembrance” in honor of all those who perished in the siege that lasted for 3 weeks. Eight years after the deadly attack, residents here are still crying for justice which remains elusive for the innocent victims of the siege. (Zamboanga Post)

Covid-19 is airborne!

‘But it doesn’t mean outside air is contaminated’

Continued from page 1 Diseases at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health, explained what it actually means. “(The) Lancet study: Airborne does not mean outside air is contaminated. It means the virus may remain suspended in the air - typically in indoor settings - and pose a risk. Our parks and beaches are still the safest places to enjoy without a

mask (provided 6 feet distance),” he tweeted.

Younus also explained the easiest way to keep oneself safe from the virus - face masks.

He elaborated that it is known that Covid spreads through droplets to being airborne. “LANCET STUDY: No worries.

We know Covid spreads (droplet to airborne) in a spectrum,” adding that the best solution is N95

or KN95 masks, and not cloth masks.

He also suggested that the masks must be used alternatively every 24 hours. “Solution: Buy two N95 or KN95 masks.

Use one today; leave the other in a PAPER bag for tomorrow. Keep alternating every 24 hours. Reuse for weeks if they aren’t damaged. Ditch cloth masks,” said Younus.

The Lancet report

says that detailed analysis of human behaviour and interactions, as well as room sizes and other variables are consistent with airborne spread of SARS-CoV-2. “Long-range transmission of SARSCoV-2 between people in adjacent rooms but never in each other’s presence has been documented in quarantine hotels,” the paper said.

In conclusion, the au-

thors of the report, propose that it is a scientific error to use lack of direct evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in some air samples to cast doubt on airborne transmission while overlooking the quality and strength of the overall evidence base. “There is consistent, strong evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spreads by airborne transmission. Although other routes can contrib-

ute, we believe that the airborne route is likely to be dominant. The public health community should act accordingly and without further delay,” the authors said.

The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal. It is among the world’s oldest and best-known general medical journals. (Business Today, Mindanao Examiner)

4

The Zamboanga Post

May 10-16, 2021

Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.

May 10-16, 2021

The Zamboanga Post

5

Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo, ZCPO, CDRRMO, Verna Daniels, Giana Andrion, Gilbert Rio, and Eugene Elnar.

6

The Zamboanga Post

May 10-16, 2021

Across : 1. Ruckus 4. Stick up 7. Staggers 12. ___ Ripken of baseball 13. Woolly mama 14. ___ Banks of baseball 15. Green gem 17. The Devil 18. Rot 19. Gobi, for one 20. Twice the radius 23. Strike caller 26. Narrow board 27. Be a passenger 30. Tiny vegetable 31. Stopwatch 33. Habit wearer 34. Calcutta dress 36. Instance 37. “In ___ We Trust” 38. Forefather 41. cowboy’s tools 43. Ceremonies 47. Select group 48. Mutton, e.g. (2 wds.)

50. Famous 51. Small bill 52. Notable period 53. Oozes 54. Poet’s eternity 55. Double agent

Down : 1. Experts 2. Soggy 3. Butter substitute 4. Unidealistic one 5. Nocturnal bird 6. Slumber spot 7. Bowler’s button 8. Pencil end 9. Going in 10. Untruthful one 11. Shipped 16. Disencumber 19. Loathe 21. Cooper and Faye 22. Papas’ partners 23. ___ and downs

The Zamboanga Post

An Edition of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper

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The Zamboanga Post

May 10-16, 2021

Alert up on fake Covid-19 vaccines A ZAMCELCO street pole is now covered in vines in the village of Tetuan in Zamboanga City. Even electric meters are also covered in vines. The electric cooperative does nothing to remove the vines that cover many street poles.

(Zamboanga Post)

School gym converted into Covid-19 facility Continued from page 1 the gymnasium at the Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School as an added facility for Covid-19 patients.

The Santa Maria Barangay Council led by its chairman Los Eli Angeles even passed and approved a resolution throwing its all-out support to the efforts of the local government in putting up more isolation wards following the surge in Covid-19 infections in Zamboanga.

Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, lauded and praised the Santa Maria Barangay Council and its residents, and the Department of Education and the Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School, saying, “the support and cooperation of the different barangays and residents in our Covid-19 response efforts is vital in stopping or controlling the spread of the disease. This is a whole-of-government, whole-of-city approach, in fighting Covid-19.”

“Muchas gracias Department of Education and the Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School, and the Santa Maria Barangay Council for your all-out support to the City’s Covid-19 response by allowing the use of the gymnasium as a quarantine facility for suspected Covid-19 cases,” she added.

Climaco, who recently inspected the 100-bed facility, following preparations made by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the City Engineer’s Office, also recognized the efforts of Barangay San Jose Gusu chairman Joel Esteban and Barangay Pasonanca chairman Efigenio Julian for hosting the local government’s isolation facilities.

The alarming increase in active Covid-19 cases here prompted the lo-

cal government to put up more isolation and quarantine facilities to accommodate patients who do not require medical attention from hospitals and or medical facilities.

While Climaco continues with the construction of more isolation facilities, propagandists and social media trolls have also resumed their political attacks ahead of next year’s national polls, targeting the efforts of the local government to control the spread of the deadly virus.

Political propagandists resorted to spreading fake news and false information on facts about Covid-19 and even denounced the recently constructed 20bed isolation facility in Barangay Pasonanca. The isolation facilities were constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to augment the existing quarantine facilities and mitigate the rapid spread of the respiratory virus.

The construction of the quarantine facility followed the standard designs and plans proposed by the DPWH in collaboration with the Department of Health. Three more tents will be constructed by DPWH with 30 more beds capacity.

The facility consists of two constructed tents with 20 beds capacity and is equipped with air conditioner units, adequate lighting and ventilation, uninterrupted electricity supply, potable water source and sewer line. It has separate doors intended for entrance and exit while a common toilet and bath is constructed adjacent to each tent.

The project was inaugurated by DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain and turned over to Climaco.

This was also witnessed by DPWH Region 9 Director Cayamombao Dia and As-

sistant Director Honorato Saldua.

Climaco thanked DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and said the isolation facility, completed at the more opportune time, will go a long way in controlling further spread Covid-19.

But anti-Climaco propagandists said the isolation facility would put residents in Barangay Pasonanca at risk of being infected with Covid-19 because the “virus can jump out of the tent.” They also called on Pasonanca residents to oppose the project while others have “demonized” those living near the facility to protest it.

The spread of black propaganda, fake news and false information have alarmed Pasonanca residents and has prejudiced public tranquillity.

Police have previously arrested dozens of people and filed charges against them for spreading fake news and unverified information on social media amid the pandemic. Those who spread fake news and false information can be charged with violations of the “Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code as amended, concerning Sec 4c4 (online libel) and Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Law.” Violators face imprisonment of one to six months and a fine ranging from P40,000 to P200,000.

They could also be punished under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and could be held for violating Presidential Decree Number 90 which makes rumor-mongering and spreading false information as unlawful because it may cause or tend to cause panic, divisive effects among the people, and undermine the stability of the government. (Zamboanga Post)

THE DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has warned all local governments and the public against buying fake Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines following an alert issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año called on all provincial governors and mayors, and even barangay chairmen to be cautious about their vaccine sources or chain of supply and to ensure that all medical products particularly Covid-19 vaccines come from authorized and licensed suppliers.

“While there is no information yet on the presence of the fake vaccines in the country, the local governments should exercise increased diligence as these fake vaccines may be dangerous to the health of those who get

inoculated,” Año said.

WHO recently issued a global medical product alert on a falsified Covid-19 vaccine with the product name “BNT162b2” which claims to be manufactured by Pfizer Biontech. The product contains the lot number “783201” and stated an expiry date of “AUG 24.”

The fake vaccine was first discovered in Mexico, according to WHO which is currently conducting laboratory analysis of its contents. It will provide updates as soon as the results are available.

“Ngayong marami na namang kaso ng Covid-19, ang kailangan natin ay pag-iingat at proteksyon laban sa sakit na ito sa pamamagitan ng mga bakuna at hindi dagdag na problema na maaaring idulot ng pekeng bakuna,”

said Año.

He also directed the Philippine National Police(PNP) to provide the necessary assistance in investigating and confiscating fake Covid-19 vaccines. “Inatasan ko na ang PNP na tutukan ang isyu tungkol sa pekeng bakuna para walang mapahamak sa paggamit nito,” he said.

Año appealed to the public to immediately report any information about the fake vaccine to the National Task Force Vaccine Cluster by calling or texting them through this mobile phone number 0917-8237310 or the police and local governments. “Mangyari lamang po na ipaalam ninyo sa awtoridad ang anumang impormasyon tungkol sa pekeng bakuna para mapigil natin ang pagbebenta nito sa merkado,” he said. (Zamboanga Post)

Give ‘em food

Photos from the CSWDO show chief social worker Maria Socorro Rojas and Councilor Josephine Pareja distributing food packs in houses placed under granular lockdown in Barangays San Ramon and Talisayan.

THE LOCAL government continues to provide food aid to families who houses are placed under a strict lockdown due to Covid-19 infections in their household.

Mayor Beng Climaco ordered the City Social Welfare and Development Office under Maria Socorro Rojas to regularly provide relief assistance to

those affected by Covid-19 lockdowns in different barangays.

Rojas said Climaco’s marching order is part of the administration’s priority to “Heal the sick and feed the hungry,” and to ensure the safety and welfare of other people and the family members who are not allowed to go out of their houses due to the

stricter quarantine measures - such as granular or focused lockdowns in the barangays or neighborhood - to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

Social workers led by Rojas are also being assisted by members of the Barangay and City Councils in the distribution of the food aid. (Zamboanga Post)

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Mayor lauds Navy, Coast Guard

M

AYOR BENG Climaco lauded the Philippine Navy and the Coast Guard for intercepting a boat loaded with smuggled cigarettes off Zamboanga City.

Security officials mas gracias Philippine Coast P490,000 and had been said the boat was trying to Guard and Philippine Navy handed over to the Bureau of sneak into Barangay Recodo for your commitment in the Customs. some 205 boxes of assorted fight against smuggling,” she Climaco previously orcigarette brands - Champi- said. dered the police and military on, Cannon and New Far – In March this year, the to intensify their anti-smugworth over P7 million when mayor also lauded the ef- gling campaign and also it was intercepted last week. forts of the Philippine Navy warned smugglers to stop Authorities also ques- following the seizure of their nefarious activities or tioned the boat’s 10 crew smuggled cigarettes off Su- face the long arm of the law. members and passengers lu’s Kalingalan Caluang. The “We will not tolerate smugwho are natives of Sulu contraband, which origi- gling in Zamboanga and I province. The boat’s captain nated from Indonesia, was warned smugglers to stop also failed to present any worth over P17 million and their illegal activities and we legal documents or impor- reportedly owned by a trad- will catch you and throw you tation papers. er identified only as Wari, all in jail,” she said.

Security officials did who is based in Zamboanga She also ordered authornot release the names of the City, according to Lt. Chester ities to curb the selling of crewmen and passengers Ross Cabaltera, a spokesman contraband items, including or the owner of the contra- for the Naval Forces Western cigarettes, in Zamboanga band for a still unknown Mindanao.

City which deprive the govreason, but said all of them Prior to that, the local ernment of much need revewill be charged in court for police force also confiscated nues. “The City Government various violations of the 49 boxes of smuggled ciga- has to intensify the campaign law. rettes in Barangay Cawit in against smuggling. That is Climaco praised the Zamboanga City. Members why an intensified campaign seizure of the contraband of the Police Station 9 discov- against the proliferation of which was turned over to ered the 2,450 reams of ciga- any smuggled products must the Bureau of Customs. rettes inside two abandoned never be tolerated,” the may“Enhorabuena y muchisi- vans. The contraband, worth or said. (Zamboanga Post)

Military photos show the smuggled cigarettes and the boat used to transport the contraband to Zamboanga City.

Resort workers receive aid

Sunday Reflection

by Mayor Beng Climaco

Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 9:26-31 Psalm 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32 1 John 3:18-24, John 15:1“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Apart from me you can do nothing!”

THIS IS what the Covid-19 pandemic has taught me, total dependence on God. Earlier on, Fr. Echo Bustamante, S.J., thanked me for the vaccines and as I reflected, I wanted to tell him it is the DOH, the National Government through the CHO, not me! The different Homilies led me to reflect on our NEED FOR GOD ALONE! Nohay cosa puede hace si hinde bajo na mano de Dios!

Fr. Rentax, S.J., shared his experiences of pruning grapes being a student of agriculture. We too are pruned by God. Cutting decayed branches that are unproductive vices in our lives.

Last September, Christian Olasiman a certified “Presidente de Plantito,” always a hopeful person who chooses his battles and looks at possibilities in the bright side of life, gifted me with a pink Syngonium. After unsuccessful experiences with Lithops, he has renewed his faith in my capacity to care for plants. Just like me, the plants gifted to me require minimal care, low maintenance. I enjoy seeing the leaves of my Syngonium sprout 8 then 9.

Then one day, I discovered my husband, a certified “green thumb” let the pot get direct sunlight! Upon return indoors, I scrutinized the leaves only to discover dark, weak, decayed stems which I easily plucked out - 1,2, 5, then now only 3 remained. I let fate decide if my drastic plucking was wise. Only time will tell.

Looking at the plant, we too are nurtured with God’s love. The Second Reading 1 John 3: 18 onward: “And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as He commanded us.”

Those who keep His commandments remain in Him, and He in them, and the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He gave us. Amidst unsettling events of uncertainty, we cling on to Jesus! Remain in Jesus! A fruitful future awaits us. This Month of May, we begin with the Feast of Saint Joseph and pray the Rosary daily and end with the Flores de Mayo in honor of our Mother Mary!

Remain in Jesus and bear Fruit! (MBC)

Zamboanga Peninsula

Basilan

Councilors Jimmy Villaflores, Josephine Pareja and Al Jihan Edding and other barangay officials assist social workers in distributing local government aid to resort workers. (Eugene Elnar) DOZENS OF resort workers affected by the temporary closure of their establishments thanked Mayor Beng Climaco for the relief goods they recently received through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

Social workers and Councilors Jimmy Villaflores, Josephine Pareja and Al Jihan Edding and other barangay officials distributed the aid to the workers from Jeers Resort in Boalan, Las Palma’s, Zambowood Woodland, Goldie and Stephanie, Panubigan Island Ferry Association, Golf

Sulu

Beach, La Vista del Mar, Danmar Resort Talisayan, Puerto Villa Patalon, San Roque Hilltop and Family Garden Santa Maria, among others.

Climaco told CSWDO head Socorro Rojas to make sure that all affected workers and families are properly assisted.

The workers of accredited beach and inland resorts received the local government aid to help alleviate their plight after the mayor issued an executive order for the temporary closure of all beach resorts and similar es-

tablishments due to the rising number of Covid-19 infections. Climaco extended this order until May 15.

Any beach resort or other similar establishments found to be operating during the temporary closure shall be fined a maximum of P5,000 and this is on top of the automatic revocation of their business permit and the closure of their establishment. And all persons or participants caught in resorts shall also pay P1,500 fine. (Claudine Uniana)

Tawi-tawi