The Zamboanga Post (July 19-25, 2021)

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Choose: Health protocols or Covid

W

HILE THE number of Covid-19 cases is going down, Mayor Beng Climaco reminded the public anew to strictly follow health protocols and community quarantine guidelines in an effort to control the spread of the deadly respiratory disease.

Read Story on page 2

DOH rolls out A4 vaccination THE DEPARTMENT of Health has ordered the Continue on page 7

Those under the A4 category of the government’s mass vaccination program get inoculated. The DOH has allocated only 5,000 doses for the A4 priority list in Zamboanga City. (Photo by Christine Lim)

Volunteers of Al-Markazul Islami carry a Covid-19 infected dead body for final rituals. (M. Hossain OPU/ICRC)

Holders of fake RT-PCR Beng’s popularity high test results face charges

PNP Chief, General Guillermo Eleazar and Mayor Beng Climaco.

DESPITE THE health crisis and black propaganda against her, Mayor Beng Climaco remains popular among residents here and proof of this is the spike in the number of her followers on social media.

Climaco’s Facebook page is now being followed by nearly 359,000 Continue on page 2

DOZENS OF people who were caught using fake RT-PCR test results to enter Zamboanga City are facing criminal charges as local authorities tightened its security in all points of entry.

Among those caught with fake RT-PCR test results were civilians and 8 policemen from Continue on page 2

Mayor Beng Climaco

Elderlies laud Climaco administration DESPITE THE demise of the Largo Vida program of the Climaco administration, senior citizens and their families lauded

the local government for its continued support to the welfare of the elderlies as octogenarians and nonagenarians received

cash incentives.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) and the City Continue on page 3

Services of contact tracers, medical frontliners extended MAYOR BENG Climaco said the national government has approved her request to extend

the services of Covid-19 contact tracers as well as medical frontliners until the end of the year.

Zamboanga Peninsula

Climaco said Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista, who Continue on page 7

Basilan

Mayor Beng Climaco and Councilor Pinpin Pareja pose with an elderly woman who received her cash incentive. (Bong Serondo)

Sulu

Tawi-tawi

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July 19-25, 2021

Choose: Health protocols or Covid From page 1 Climaco has warned about the new Covid-19 Delta variant which first appeared in India and is more contagious than any other variants now in the country.

The Department of Health (DOH) has so far confirmed 19 cases of the Delta variant from returning overseas Filipino workers. And health experts warned the Delta variant is deadlier from the original Wuhan virus which sparked a global health crisis last year.

Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, told Zamboangueños to get listed so they can be inoculated as soon as the vaccines are available. “With the discovery of Delta being the new variant of concern worldwide, people should get vaccinated and religiously observe the minimum health standards from wearing face masks, face shields to observing social distancing and hand sanitation,” she said.

“Health experts have said that people not wear-

ing face masks, observing physical distancing, and avoiding enclosed spaces can get the virus even during a short interaction with someone carrying the mutated variant,” the mayor added.

With these, Climaco stressed that people should get vaccinated as a protection against the virus, saying that “a dose of the vaccine is a dose of hope.”

City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite also explained that even fully-vaccinated individu-

Beng’s popularity high Continued from page 1 fans from only 133,000 in 2018 – a year before was re-elected and won by a landslide over former mayor and lawmaker Celso Lobregat.

Her followers increased by more than 47,000 compared to last year’s 312,000 which was more than 200% from 2018.

Climaco is now on her third and final term and she is leaving behind a legacy of good governance responsive to the needs and welfare of the Zamboangueños, more especially at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, trolls and political foes continue their black propaganda against Climaco, taking advantage of the situation ahead of next year’s polls in an effort to influence and boost those they are supporting.

But residents also continue to support Climaco, who remains loyal to the Liberal Party despite calls for her to shift to the ruling PDP-Laban.

Climaco said she believes in liberalism, democracy and ideology of the Liberal Party. And despite her membership with the Liberal Party, Climaco said she is supporting the programs of the Duterte administration.

Climaco has repeatedly lambasted fake news and disinformation being

peddled by her detractors and called on the public to carefully scrutinize news or stories created to deliberately misinform or deceive readers to influence views or for political motives.

“El black propaganda ta continua y el fake news, false information na social media ta continua hace calayat el cuantos maga persona que tiene mal intencion para destrosa el govierno local, para destrosa el esfuerzos del govierno por de ila vested interest,” Climaco told the Zamboanga Post.

“Y el los demas personas, como venganza contra con el govierno cay no puede estos maga gente influir con el gobierno local. Por tantos años, el ataque contra na administracion sin descanso por causa de politica,” she added.

Climaco said the local government continues to work hard for the welfare of the people while her foes are busy spreading black propaganda. In one of her weekly columns, “Sunday Reflection”, Climaco said she leaves everything to God. “Where would I hewn my strength if not from God alone who placed me here? Despite the toxicity of politics, bien mabuling gayod, I am here to respond to the calling of God to change systems to be able to deliver quality

service to the people. Just as in Jesus’ ministry, there were noisy, angry, and divisive voices that became obstacles in His mission.

I too, navigate into these destructive obstacles that try to lure me away from my mission and my focus on my work,” she wrote.

“Politics is the main challenge that continues to distract our efforts to address the real problems of Covid-19. Malicious claims, spreading of baseless accusations and giving people false hope in doing what is popular…and all these for personal and political agenda? Very divisive and distractive as it is an obstacle to unity in these times of crisis. This is the cross a leader must carry, to deny oneself for the people. Not to let the distractive voices be an obstacle in following Jesus and our mission to serve.

No matter how heavy our crosses may be, do not let obstacles block God’s love to grant you hope and a future!” she added.

In the end, Climaco quoted Jeremiah 29:11 and wrote: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

She also thanked the Zamboangueños for their unwavering support and love for her. (Zamboanga Post)

als may still get infected because of emerging Covid-19 variants. However, she said vaccination will ensure protection against severe infections.

Miravite urged residents to register online through zambocovax.com or the nearest barangay health center so they can be vaccinated as soon as Covid-19 vaccines are available.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also said the Delta variant causes more severe symptoms.

Molecular epidemiologist Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana said the Delta variant is more contagious than other Covid-19 variants. In a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte last month, Salvana said: “The Delta variant is really very scary and this is all the more reason why we really should police our borders po kasi it only takes one variant to get in and then puwedeng mag-India-like

surge po tayo kasi mataas po talaga ‘yong number of people na kayang i-infect ng isang taong mayroong Delta variant.”

“Kung ‘yong dating virus po natin ay ‘yong original virus dalawa lang po iyong nai-infect, itong Delta variant up to eight po. So it’s up to four times more contagious than the original virus from Wuhan (China) po. So this will really be a big disaster if we do not keep it out of the country.”

With the presence of the Delta virus, Salvana said stringent protocols must continue.

“Wala pa po tayong community transmission ng Gamma at Delta and we really want to keep it that way, and that is why very important po ‘yong stringent protocols natin. Iyong Delta po, as I have mentioned, is 60 percent increased transmission over Alpha or ‘yong UK variant, which has already 60 percent increased transmis-

sion over the original virus from Wuhan. So mabagsik po talaga ito. If we thought Alpha was mabagsik, ‘yong UK variant, mas mabagsik po itong Indian variant, ‘yong Delta. And, of course, there’s also the finding that ‘yong mga partially vaccinated ‘yong one dose pa lang, nahahawa pa rin po sila kasi mukhang itong Delta really needs two doses para ma-protektahan po nang maayos. Iyong one dose po is not very good at protecting against Delta,” he said.

The DOH also confirmed Salvana’s report and said the Philippines has all those Covid-19 variants - the Alpha variant or the United Kingdom variant; the Beta variant, also known as the South African variant; Theta variant or the Philippine variant, and now the Lambda variant from Peru. Aside from Delta variant, India also has Delta Plus and Kappa variants. (Zamboanga Post)

Holders of fake RT-PCR test results face charges Continued from page 1 Isabela and Lamitan cities in nearby Basilan province. One man was also arrested recently in Barangay Santa Barbara for selling fake negative RT-PCR test results.

National Police Chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar has ordered the filing of administrative and criminal charges against the policemen.

“We have zero tolerance for this kind of shameful and unscrupulous act.

Hindi natin palalagpasin ito. I am directing the PRO-BAR to look into this and lodge criminal as well as administrative charges against these PNP personnel.”

“Tayo ang tagapagpatupad ng batas kaya’t nararapat lang na tayo ang nangunguna sa pagsunod sa mga quarantine protocols na inilalabas ng gobyerno ngayong panahon ng pandemya,”

Eleazar said.

Eleazar said this incident should serve as a reminder and stern warning to other police personnel to follow the law and set a good example for the general public. “Papaano tayo seseryosohin at rerespetuhin ng publiko kung tayo mismo ang hindi sumusunod sa batas. Being a policeman doesn’t mean we are above the law. Hindi tayo exempted sa pagsunod sa batas,” he said.

Mayor Beng Climaco has repeatedly warned persons against using falsified negative RT-PCR tests to enter Zamboanga City.

Climaco previously ordered security forces to intensify patrols and prevent the entry of people without the necessary health requirements after receiving intelligence reports that travellers are also using Simariki Island off Zamboanga to sneak into the city without negative RT-PCR tests.

She said all travellers and even individuals even those fully vaccinated - are required to present their negative RT-PCR test results upon entering Zamboanga City as part of stricter health protocols in combating the spread of the deadly virus.

“Zamboanga City is strictly implementing the No RT-PCR Test, No Entry Policy for all travellers, including those from Sulu,

Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur,” she said.

Climaco said travellers must have negative Covid-19 test results – whether by Saliva RT-PCR test or nasopharyngeal RT-PCR test.

She also issued Executive Order 651-2021 that mandates all inbound passengers, whether APOR (Authorized Persons Outside Residence) or private individuals, regardless of reason or purpose of entry, including transit travellers to present negative RT-PCR test result within 5 days from date of specimen collection and their valid identification cards before they can enter Zamboanga City.

“These are temporary measures designed to curb the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases in order to promote the health and safety of the general welfare of the citizens,” the mayor said.

Soldiers and policemen had intercepted dozens of people trying to enter Zamboanga the past months without the health requirements.

Zamboanga, which has a long coastline, is dotted by over two dozen islands and islets which makes it extremely difficult for security forces to guard. (Jasmine Mohammadsali, Zamboanga Post)

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July 19-25, 2021

Elderlies laud Climaco administration

Mayor Beng Climaco speaks to senior citizens during the distribution of cash incentives recently in Barangay Pasonanca. (Bong Serondo) Continued from page 1 Treasurer’s Office facilitated the distribution of the incentives to beneficiaries in different barangays in coordination with the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), the Federation of Senior Citizens Association.

Mayor Beng Climaco said the cash incentives is just one of the numerous benefit packages her administration has for senior citizens. She said the cash incentive will ensure that senior citizens will have funds to buy basic necessities such as medicines.

Climaco, accompanied

by Councilor Josephine Pareja and personnel from the CSWDO and OSCA led the distribution of cash incentives to the senior citizens. The mayor also spoke with the beneficiaries and assured them of her administration’s support and various benevolent programs for the elderly sector.

Nonagenarian or those whose ages are from 90-99 years received P20,000 each, and P10,000 each was also given to octogenarians who are 80-89 years old. Centenarians or those 100 years old or more will also receive P50,000.

Discontinued Senior citizens could have received more had not the opposition councilors trashed the Vida programs of the Climaco administration. Beneficiaries of the

Vida programs blamed opposition councilors for “killing” the assistance intended for senior citizens and the disadvantage sector of the community.

The opposition councilors, who are allies of former Congressman Celso Lobregat and incumbent Congressman Mannix Dalipe, removed the Vida program’s vital funding in the P4.38 billion 2021 Executive Budget. One such program is the Largo Vida, an initiative that Climaco started in 2018 and which she had intended to expand to over 60,000 beneficiaries this year.

Climaco identified the opposition councilors as Monsi dela Cruz, who is now dead; John Dalipe, BG Guingona, Mike Alavar, Litlit Macrohon, Khymer Olaso, Lilibeth Nuño, Cary John Pioc, VP Elago, Gerky Valesco and Jerry Perez. Dela Cruz and the younger Dalipe ran under Climaco’s political party, but eventually broke off ties after winning the 2019 polls and aligned themselves with Lobregat’s Team Colorao. Climaco defeated Lobregat in the election after winning a landslide victory over the veteran politician.

There were reports that Lobregat will again run for mayor and also the elder Dalipe with his brother possibly gunning for a congressional seat. Or Dalipe to seek re-election in the congres-

sional race with his younger brother running for the mayoralty post.

Climaco vowed to provide more assistance to tens of thousands of beneficiaries of her various pro-poor Vida programs, especially the elderly and the poor, and the disadvantage sector, including people with disabilities, among others.

The mayor said the Vida programs really aimed to create a more lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of all its beneficiaries.

“We need to empower our people and create a more lasting and meaningful impact on their lives, their families and communities.

Deseo de atun todo dale mas largo y buen vida na de atun maga abuelo y abuela na Ciudad de Zamboanga,” she said.

“It is with deep regret that (opposition) majority of the members of the City Council resolutely removed vital appropriations in the FY (Fiscal Year) 2021 Executive Budget of the City Government of Zamboanga. Very important social services programs such as the Largo Vida, Salva Vida and Cuida Vida, which could have benefited senior citizens, low income families, disadvantaged communities, marginalized sectors, most affected families of the Covid-19 pandemic and other vulnerable members of society, were unfoundedly

scrapped,” she added.

Climaco said the actions of the Lobregat-Dalipe allies in the City Council have affected some 17,000 senior citizens and all 400 “Vida lifeliners,” including women and those who are out-of-school and mostly breadwinners of their families, who were tapped to tirelessly deliver health assistance door-to-door to every elderly beneficiaries of the Largo Vida.

“These (Vida) programs were carefully planned by the Executive Department to be sustainable and to introduce a trailblazing brand of service to our constituents that is projected to have a significant impact in the lives of the target beneficiaries. These programs cannot be replaced by mere doleouts and cash donations that were not studied and haphazardly thought-out.

Those (opposition council) members who voted to remove funding for such vital programs must face the people of Zamboanga City and must be held responsible and accountable for such irrepressible action,” she said.

“It is not just cash that is needed, we need a more comprehensive program that will genuinely and sustainably empower our people through medicines, access to critical social services and livelihood to make our people resilient and survive the day to day challeng-

es while we are under a pandemic. Necesita kita dale servicio de calidad because our people deserve only the best,” the mayor added.

It is only during the time of Climaco that such programs and social services benefitted thousands of senior citizens and the vulnerable sector.

“It is only during our administration that we were able to introduce a widerange of social services to our senior citizens – birthday cash incentives, free maintenance medicines, free movie screening and other key forms of assistance.”

“We intend to expand these to a more comprehensive package, not only for our senior citizens, but also social packages for other vulnerable sectors especially for our society’s patriarchs and matriarchs, PWDs (persons with disabilities) and other vulnerable sectors, the marginalized, low-income families in disadvantaged rural and urban communities and most affected families of the Covid-19 pandemic, who are in need of these social protection programs, now more than ever,” Climaco said.

Largo Vida The Largo Vida program was supposed to originally get P187 million from the 2021 Executive Budget and also part of the local government’s social services is the

“Ayuda La Vida program,” which would have P65 million budget to provide various sectors with livelihood programs, including those in the night market and “ukay-ukay” stall owners.

On the other hand, the “Cuida Vida program” or Soup Kitchen Program was originally to get P50 million allocation to cover mobile feeding initiative in a bid to sustain the daily meals of the marginalized and most affected families of the Covid-19 pandemic.

An allocation of P50 million was also included in the budget for the “Salva Vida” program which is intended to provide food packs and hygiene kits to low-income families in disadvantaged rural and urban communities in the different barangays. The original budget likewise allocated P15 million for outreach programs to the 98 barangays, and P100 million for socialized housing programs.

And another P50 million for “Siembra Vida program” intended to provide training, livelihood and caravan projects, including activities of the agri-fishery sector; and a total of P906 million for investments in infrastructure and developmental projects. But all these were gone because the opposition councilors did not want it to continue.

(Zamboanga Post)

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July 19-25, 2021

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

July 19-25, 2021

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Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Christine Lim, CHO, Jonathan Perez, Giana Andrion, ZCPO, Bong Serondo, City Fire Marshall, Coun J. Villaflores, OCENR, and Reynold Ong.

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Across : 1. Stairs 6. First woman 9. Lawn material 12. Midwest airport 13. Edge 14. Horse food 15. Sophia ___ 16. Separate 18. Deposes 19. Corroded 20. Conger 22. Two cubed 25. Marooned 30. Tint 31. Tear apart 32. Pub 33. Discount event 34. Puma, e.g.

35. Johann ___ Back 37. Group of rooms 39. Bring to court 40. Australian dog 43. Homes for birds 47. Conductor ___ Bernstein 49. Mushroom “seed” 50. Picnic pest 51. Bind 52. Macaroni shape 53. Miniature 54. Navy officer (abbr.)

55. Exams Down : 1. Fly alone 2. Biblical “you” 3. Corn units 4. Make believe 5. Perceived 6. Pennsylvania port 7. Passport endorsement 8. Showed feelings 9. Chinese seaport 10. Edible grain 11. Color 17. Luau garland 21. Earring site 23. Hawaiian dance 24. Juvenile 25. Circle segments

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Services of contact tracers, medical frontliners extended Continued from page 1 is also the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security, has sent her a letter approving the extension of the services of both the contact tracers and healthcare workers.

She said the Department of Health (DOH) also approved her request for more Rapid Antigen Test Kits and personal protective equipment; and additional vaccines for those under the A4 category list in the government’s mass inoculation program.

Climaco made the request since last year, saying there is a dire need to extend the services of local contact tracers as the local government continues to battle the spread of the deadly respiratory disease, especially now that there are new strains of coronavirus, one of them the more contagious Delta variant which first ap-

Healthcare workers during their house-to-house Covid-19 swabbing. (Zamboanga Post) peared in India and has spread around the globe.

The mayor, who heads the local Covid-19 task force, said one of their challenges has always been the shortage of healthcare workers, as well as effective contact tracing.

“Our country is still suffering from Covid-19 pandemic and while it is true that our country is slowly opening up the economy with concomitant increased of people mobility, the virus is still here and its threat to our

health and safety is ever present.

Thus, the need to extend the services of Covid-related personnel until December 2021,” the mayor emphasized in her previous letters to the DOH and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Climaco has repeatedly expressed her gratitude to the contact tracers and commended them for their dedication in helping the City Health Office. (Zamboanga Post)

DOH rolls out A4 vaccination

Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey KIDAPAWAN CITY Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think.

Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated with other fecal matter, they are collected.

In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad.

But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee seller in Zamboanga City.

The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to

give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink.

Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a home reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection.

Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and

resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice.

And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 09153976197. (AJC)

Continued from page 1 local government to begin the vaccination of those under the A4 category in the mass inoculation program of the Duterte administration.

Some 5,000 doses of the Chinese Sinovac vaccines were allocated for the A4 category which includes economic frontliners and other government personnel, according to City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite.

“We received an advisory from the Department of Health that we can start vaccination for the A4 category,” she said, adding, as of July 9, only 21,161 or 3% of the city’s 700,000 target population have received two doses of their allocated vaccine.

Mayor Beng Climaco, who heads the local Covid-19 task force, has previously urged the DOH to include local essential workers and uniformed personnel under the A4 priority list in the mass vaccination program to protect them from the deadly Covid-19 disease.

Her request came after the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) has begun inoculating those in the A4 category at the National Capital Region to help jumpstart the safe reopening of the economy.

In her request to the IATF-MEID, Climaco said: “Hinihiling po namin na masagawa na po ang pagbukas ng A4 priority cat-

egory (sa Zamboanga).”

And at the same, the mayor thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and members of the IATF-MEID for prioritizing Zamboanga City in the allocation of vaccines.

Climaco said the mass vaccination in Zamboanga City continues and urged residents to register online through - zambocovax. com – or to the nearest barangay health centers.

The IATF-MEID started its A4 vaccination in the Metropolitan Manila area, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cebu prov-

ince and Metro Davao, which includes the cities of Davao; Digos in Davao del Sur province; Tagum, Panabo and Samal in Davao del Norte province.

Those who were vaccinated were call center employees, travel guides, tricycle drivers, household staffs, SM Supermalls personnel, representatives from the entertainment sector, drivers, teachers, government workers, fast food crew workers, food delivery riders, and news reporters from the Malacanang Press Corps.

(Claudine Uniana, Zamboanga Post)

Those under the A4 category of the government’s mass vaccination program get inoculated. The DOH has allocated only 5,000 doses for the A4 priority list in Zamboanga City. (Photo by Christine Lim)

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Pasonanca isolation facility now open Mayor Beng Climaco and Councilor Pinpin Pareja inspect the 188-room quarantine facility at the Pasonanca Convention Center. (Bong Serondo)

T

HE DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has formally turned over to the local government the 188-room isolation facility at the Pasonanca Convention Center.

DPWH Undersec- Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite, program aimed at fighting retary Emil Sadain led Elmeir Apolinario, of the the spread of the deadly public works officials in CDRRMO; and other local respiratory virus. “We are boosting our isolation fathe handover of the fa- officials.

Pareja thanked DPWH cilities and efficiency of cility to Councilor Pinpin Pareja, who represented Secretary Mark Villar ambulances,” she said, Mayor Beng Climaco on and Sadain and DPWH adding, she ordered Apobehalf of the local gov- Regional Director Cay- linario to build the faciliernment. amombao Dia, and Pa- ties.

The mayor also Sadain said the proj- sonanca barangay offiect is intended to aug- cials led by its chairman thanked President Roment the two quarantine Efigenio Julian. “This is drigo Duterte, Villar, and tents with 20 beds also one of the manifestation DOH Secretary Francisco in Pasonanca which was of the whole of govern- Duque and his Assistant completed in March. ment approach, ang pag- Dr. Romeo Ong for all the Both facilities shall be tutulungan ng national Covid-19 projects.

But while Climaco managed and operated at local para labanan ang pandemic,” and the DPWH and DOH by the City Health Office COVID-19 continue efforts to adand City Disaster Risk she said.

Climaco previously dress the pandemic and Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) under said the local government respond to the health crisupervision by the DOH. is putting up more iso- sis, social media trolls and Also present during lation facilities and tar- black propagandists also the turnover ceremony geting at least 2,000 beds heightened their attacks were Dr. Manolo Alpi- as part of the Covid-19 against the mayor ahead supplement- of next year’s polls. chi, of the Department response, Climaco’s foes pedof Health; City Health ing the mass vaccination

BJMP awards City Government THE BUREAU of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has given a special award to the local government for its magnanimous support and assistance to prisoners, citing the Climaco administration’s unyielding dedication to the protection of those behind bars against Covid-19.

The award was given during a virtual ceremony of the BJMP which coincided with its 30th anniversary. It said the award was given to the local government for its efforts in ensuring prisoners also get the same protection as civilians against the deadly virus.

It said prisoners tested

Zamboanga Peninsula

positive for Covid-19 were immediately given the necessary medical attention and care for their fast recovery. The BJMP also thanked the City Health Office and the local Covid-19 task force for providing those infected with the respiratory disease proper isolation facilities.

(Claudine Uniana, Zamboanga Post)

Basilan

dled fake news and false information aimed at bringing down the mayor, who is on her third and final term. Political propagandists resorted to spreading misinformation about Covid-19 and even denounced the isolation facilities in Barangay Pasonanca, saying it would put residents 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.

The DPWH said it is also ramping up the on-going construction of additional isolation facilities here with construction of an “off-site modular hospital and pop-up dormitory” for health workers.

The DPWH is also constructing a modular hospital with 22 beds for moderate, severe to criti-

cal Covid-9 patients at the Mindanao Central Sanitarium General Hospital (MCSGH) in Barangay Pasobolong and will be operated by the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) with equipment supplied by the DOH; and a dormitory with 16 rooms and double decker beds medical personnel.

Sadain said he and Abdel Kanti, of the CDRRMO; and DPWH Region 9 Construction Division Chief Engr. Atila Barre have - after their assessment - identified five buildings and a covered

court at the Regional Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center also at the MCSGH compound as a potential 300-bed quarantine facility and dormitories with 30 beds for health workers.

He said the projects at the MCSGH were also discussed in a meeting and inspected by Dia and the Chief of Hospital, Dr. Hannah Turco, including ZCMC Chief Dr. Afdal Kunting. (Jasmine Mohammadsali, Zamboanga Post)

DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain with Councilor Pinpin Pareja during the turnover of the 188-room quarantine facility to the local government. (Jasmine Mohamdsali)

Kids now allowed outdoors, but…

CHILDREN ARE now allowed outdoors, but they should be under the strict supervision by their guardians to ensure that health protocols are religiously followed to protect them from Covid-19 infections.

Mayor Beng Climaco issued Executive Order BC 667-2021allowing children who are 12-17 years old to go outdoors. But those 5-11 years old are

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only allowed to outdoors only during weekends.

Outdoor areas refer to and limited to parks such as in Pasonanca and Abong-abong, among others; playgrounds, beaches and resorts, biking and hiking trails, outdoor tourist sites and attractions and outdoor non-contact sports courts and venues.

But Climaco said children are not allowed in in-

door and outdoor buildings and facilities such as shopping malls and similar establishments, and that private outdoor areas must be compliant with the Safety Seal requirements set by the government.

Children allowed in those areas outdoors must also wear face masks and face shields and so are their guardians. (Zamboanga Post)

Tawi-tawi