MINDANAO TODAY JUNE 2-3, 2021

MINDANAO TODAY

The M

nitor

| Volume I | Number 37

| www.mindanaotoday.com | wed-thu, june 2-3, 2021 | 8 pages | P15.00

With active Covid-19 cases now at 1,272, the IATF has placed Cagayan de Oro City under MECQ, the only area in Northern Mindanao categorized as such

By Jigger Jerusalem and Franck Dick Rosete

T

HE national government has put Cagayan de Oro under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) as the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the city continue to go up.

The national inter-agency task force (IATF), through Resolution 118-A, dated May 31, 2021, has reclassified the city’s quarantine status to MECQ, from its previous MGCQ level, the only area in Northern Mindanao to have been declared

as such, until June 15.

All the region’s provinces – Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental – have been placed under modified general community quarantine.

Iligan City, one of the chartered cities of the region, is on general community quarantine until June 30.

“The following provinces, [highly urbanized cities, independent chartered cities] shall be placed under MGCQ until 30 June 2021, without prejudice to their reclassification as may MECQ p 7...

‘No Movement Sunday’ in NoCot page 2

Kapitan Kress award Corporate

PAGE 3

Fact-checking Amorsolo’s work

A police officer manning a checkpoint at the boundary of Opol, Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro informs motorists that the city is now under the modified enhanced community quarantine Tuesday, June 1. (Jigger Jerusalem)

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PNP beefs up ties with BJMP, BuCor

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Trapped villagers, workers rescued in Kidapawan landslides

By Edwin Fernandez

KIDAPAWAN CITY – At least 250 families and 20 employees of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in Barangay Ilomavis here were rescued Sunday evening after being trapped for several hours following rain-induced landslides in the area.

In a report to North Cota-

CIDG nabs 5 for guns, ammunition possession

By Jigger Jerusalem Associate Editor

THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-10 (CIDG-10) arrested five persons for alleged possession of various firearms and ammunition in separate raids in a town CIDG p 7...

bato Governor Nancy Catamco Monday, Board Member Philbert Malaluan, said intermittent downpours caused the Kabacan River to overflow, inundating low-lying communities and farmlands and triggering landslides that cut traffic flow in three upland villages here.

Huge boulders and soil also covered several meters of the Ilomavis section of the high-

way, cutting traffic going to the city proper, Malaluan said.

Ilomavis village chief Jimmy Mantawil said all the families living in the critical and landslide-prone areas of the village were rescued by the emergency responders of the provincial government.

Barangay Ilomavis hosts the EDC geothermal plant situated at the slope of the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo.

“We are glad nobody died or was injured in the calamity,” Mantawil said.

Clearing operations to remove huge boulders and trees along the highway are still ongoing amid light to heavy downpours.

Catamco called on local government executives to place their respective disaster units on standby and available should any emergency occurs. (PNA)

1 dead, another missing as flash floods hit SoCot

By Allen Estabillo GENERAL SANTOS CITY – A 14-year-old girl was confirmed dead while her father is still missing after flash floods hit portions of a major river traversing two municipalities in South Cotabato province on Sunday.

The heavy flooding along the critical Banga River, which destroyed various infrastructure and submerged communities as well as farmlands in Banga and Norala towns, was caused by the moderate to heavy rains in parts of the province spawned

by Tropical Storm Dante.

South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said Monday the body of Divine Grace Moreno was recovered by rescuers and residents late Sunday afternoon, hours after she and her father Prudencio, 55, were swept by rushing DEAD p 7...

Medical group slams vape, e-cigarettes

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Kulas is DOST-11 ambassador

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Due to suge in Covid-19 cases, Samal LGU suspends beach operations, resort parties OPERATIONS of all beach and inland resorts in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) are suspended, as well as gatherings and parties in private resorts and establishments, starting June 1 to June 14.

Mayor Al David Uy on Sunday released Executive

Order (EO) No. 291 that aims to arrest the surge of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the city as well as in neighboring local government units (LGUs).

Exempted from the EO are Department of Tourism (DOT) star-rated resorts, which may continue to oper-

ate as they have been certified to have passed the agency’s Staycation Program.

“As a precautionary measure to prevent an uncontrollable surge of Covid-19 transmission, it is necessary to suspend temporarily all resort operations (inland and beach) and all tourism activi-

ties in the Island Garden City of Samal,” the EO read.

As of Saturday, Igacos has 21 active cases out of the 357 total Covid-19 cases.

A total of 322 have recovered while 14 died.

Uy said they are protecting Igacos from the National Capital Region and neighbor-

ing LGUs, specifically Davao City, that have reported surge of cases as well as the emergence of new Covid-19 variants.

“We need to balance public safety with economic recovery to protect the people against Covid-19 transmission,” Uy stated.

He said clustering of cases was due to the conduct of events, transmissions in the market, workplace, and other areas where people converge.

“Thus, to prevent the same from turning into full-blown community transmission, it is imperative for the City SAMAL p7...

BARMM to build P400M water expansion project in Marawi City

By Edwin Fernandez COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government and Lanao del Sur provincial government have agreed to put up P400 million worth of water projects in Marawi City in support of the govern-

ment’s rehabilitation efforts.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim and Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. inked the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the expansion of the Marawi water system covering five areas of the city, according to BARMM Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo.

Sinarimbo said the signing was done at the extension office of Murad in Barangay

Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

He said the water expansion project will benefit the residents of Mindanao State University (MSU) Zones 1, 2, and 3; the Bless Area; and the 12th Infantry Battalion up to the Pugaan area.

“The project is in support of the national government’s efforts to rebuild the wardevastated city through the Task Force Bangon Marawi,”

Sinarimbo said.

Adiong lauded the BARMM government for prioritizing Marawi City and Lanao del Sur by providing funds for the multi-million water project that is among the many BARMM-supported undertakings aimed at improving governance and betterment of the people in the area.

Marawi City has 96 barangays. (PNA)

HUGE WATER PROJECT. BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Murad Ebrahim (right) signs the memorandum of agreement on Sunday (May 30, 2021) with Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. (left) for the expansion of the water system project in Marawi City.

(Photo courtesy of BARMM Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo)

was wounded in a 10-minute firefight between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Badas, Mati City, Davao Oriental Sunday morning.

Based on the report of the 10th Infantry Division (10ID), the Alpha Company of the 66th Infantry Battalion (66IB) was on board a military truck bound for Banaybanay town from Barangay Taguibo when more or less 10 NPA Guerrilla Front 18

ry Lamosao, spokesperson of 10ID, said the wounded soldier was hit at the back and taken to Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) in Barangay Dahican.

“He is now in stable condition,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

Lamosao said the 66IB immediately deployed more troops to hunt down the communist terrorist group.

Traffic was halted along the main thoroughfare, which

Region 12 logs 200 Soldier hurt as NPA rebels ambush military truck in Mati Covid-19 rebels ambushed them near serves as the only farm-toBy Che Palicte Punta Tagawisan. market road, for about two recoveries In an interview, Maj. Jer- hours, according to Mati MayDAVAO CITY – A soldier

By Noel Punzalan COTABATO CITY – Two hundred coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients have recovered from the disease as of Thursday evening, the Department of Health in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) announced.

Arjohn Gangoso, speaking for DOH-Soccsksargen, said of the total recoveries, 108 were from Sarangani province; South Cotabato, 42; General Santos City, 32; and North Cotabato, 18.

“The big number of recoveries is somehow a relief for us health workers,” Gangoso said, adding though that “the battle is yet far from over.”

He said amid the huge number of recoveries, 136 new cases were reported on the same day. Of the new cases, General Santos city registered the highest at 58; North Cotabato – 44; South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat with 16 each; and Sarangani -2.

“We remain steadfast in battling the disease but we need the people’s cooperation. Please stay at home,” Gangoso said. (PNA)

AMBUSH. The military truck carrying members of the 66th Infantry Battalion that was ambushed by an estimated 10 members of the New People’s Army in Barangay Badas, Mati City, Davao Oriental on Sunday morning (May 30, 2021). (Photo courtesy of Mati City Information Office)

‘No movement Sunday’ in North Cotabato starts

By Edwin Fernandez and John Andrew Tabugoc KIDAPAWAN CITY, NORTH COTABATO – The first observance of “No Movement Sunday” here and in the entire province of North Cotabato went on smoothly with the majority of the inhabitants complying with the health protocols.

The policy was implemented as the province reverted to general community

quarantine (GCQ) after cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections spiked in recent weeks.

“I am glad the people in the province cooperated with the local government,” North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco said in a statement.

Although there were minor glitches like commuters who came from a wake of a relative in a nearby province and had to pass by North Cotabato going to Bukidnon, overall, the no-movement policy was a

success, said Provincial Board Member Philbert Malaluan, speaking for the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force (PIATF) on Covid-19.

“All the LGUs have successfully implemented the no movement Sunday,” Malaluan said.

Meanwhile, in this city, at least 16 violators were apprehended and were briefly held and oriented about the policy the PIATF has been implementing every Sunday under the GCQ mode. (PNA)

or Michelle Rabat who condemned the “atrocious act.”

“Today’s incident along the national highway in Sitio Tagawisan, Barangay Badas is unfortunate and we condemn such atrocious act by a lawless armed group. For two hours, many livelihoods were affected,” she said in a statement.

Rabat added that the incident underscored the fact that armed struggle is not the way to bring peace and development. (PNA)

3 Zambo City villages cleared of illegal drugs

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr. ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar announced Friday that 14 of this city’s 98 barangays have now been cleared of illegal drugs.

Salazar said the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay DrugClearing (ROCBDC) recently cleared three of this city’s barangays--Licomo, Limaong, and Lapakan-

-that were able to present their respective antiillegal drugs campaign, complete with documentary evidence on both past and ongoing intervention programs to rehabilitate identified persons who use drugs (PWUDs) in their area of responsibility.

Eleven of the previously cleared barangays are Lumayang, Lansones, Capisan, Dulian–Upper Pasonanca, Tigbalabag, ZAMBO p7...

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Kapitan Kress Bayaning Mangingisda Competition:

A grand salute to fishermen as modern-day heroes

JGO Ventures Corporation, the authorized distributor of Kress Elektrowerkzeuge in the Philippines, has anchored its heart on supporting Filipino community causes. And together with Kress, the company pays homage to the valor and valuable contributions of Filipino fishermen through the Kapitan Kress Bayaning

Mangingisda Search 2021.

Putting fishermen on the spotlight for their countless sacrifices, Kapitan Kress Bay an in g M an g in g i s d a Search 2021 aims to recognize the selfless contributions of fishermen for others to exemplify and take inspiration from.

Launched in October,

l Mondelez Philippines supports recycling and reusing packaging material l Where plastic never becomes waste or pollution THE phrase “May pera sa basura” has long been heard in the Philippines.

Newspaper drives and glass bottle collection initiatives are common measures to

recycle.

The same process can apply to plastic packaging.

The concept of the ‘circular economy of plastics’ means that plastic is viewed as a

2020, Kapitan Kress Bayaning Mangingisda Search 2021 by far is the most comprehensive competition for Filipino fishermen in the country.

Last May 25, 2021, Mr. Dante Noces of Balaoan, La Union bested more than 50 nominees all over the country to be the first Kapitan

material that can be reused, to avoid depleting natural resources.

This is a concept and economic model that Mondelez Philippines supports, in line with its goals towards zero waste to nature by 2030.

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the ‘circular economy of

Kress Bayaning Mangingisda Grand Winner.

Bonifacio Mengullo of Rosario, Cavite was awarded First Runner-Up. Second Runner-Up was Rolando Pablo of Navotas, Manila.

Third and Fourth RunnersUp were Mr, Rolando Casipit of Luna, La Union and Armando Bibat of Calamba,

plastics’ means “…A system in which materials are designed to be used, not used up.”

The foundation works at promoting and developing this economic model.

Think about it, our economy today continuously churns packaging material using irreplaceable natural resources like fuel, with the

Laguna. The awarding ceremony was held at Sobel Hotel in Caloocan City.

Mr. Noces took h o m e P50,000 cash (tax-free), a fishing boat worth P50,000, Kress Nautica engine worth P30,000, Kress Ambassadorship, trophy and certificate.

Mr. Noces also won the People’s Choice Award.

He garnered the most video shares and votes from the online audience.

As an active leader of fishermen in Balaoan, La

intent of making them single use.

But they don’t have to be used just once. Plastic packaging can and should be recycled to avoid them becoming waste or polluting marine life.

In fact, using plastic as a resource that can be recycled continuously is giving rise to industries that make a profit while preventing waste. PR

Union, Mr. Noces initiated and implemented the successful breeding of the “maritangtang” or sea urchin to their place.

Mr. Noces’ nominator, Miss Leony Gagni, will receive a Honda TMX125 Alpha motorcycle with sidecar, Kress generator set and a certificate.

With the favorable turnout of the competition, Miss Belle Santiago, Vice President of JGO Ventures Corporation expressed “we owe the success of this program to our Filipino fishermen.

We will continue to support our fishermen. Expect a better, more dynamic and more enriching Kapitan Kress Bayaning Mangingisda program on its second year. A grand salute to all our bayaning mangingisda.” PR

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Fact-checking Amorsolo’s work

W

HO among us do not know Fernando C. Amorsolo, a national artist in painting, whose famous works include “The Making of the Philippine Flag?”

Many consider this as one of his masterpieces – out of some 10,000 paintings he had done in his lifetime – that showcase his mastery in the use of light.

Like many Filipinos, Views from the South recognizes Amorsolo’s artistic excellence.

But let’s examine this painting which undeniably has historical significance and relevance days before the June 12, Philippine Independence Day. All these years, we have been made to believe that there were three women who sewed and embroidered the first Philippine flag for five days until May 17, 1898.

It was made out of 100% fine silk, in royal blue, crimson red, golden-yellow colors, and white.

The flag was designed by revolutionary leader Gen. Emilio F. Aguinaldo, who eventually became the first president of the Philippines.

He requested Marcela M. Agoncillo, a seamstress, to

stitch the flag in time for the declaration of the Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite.

All of these facts are correct, except that one of the supposed women was a seven-year-old girl, the daughter of Marcela named Lorenza.

The other woman was Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, Marcela’s friend and Dr. Jose Rizal’s niece.

Marcela, a mother of three children, was then 37 years old when her husband, lawyer Felipe E. Agoncillo, was deported by Spanish authorities to Hong Kong in 1889.

Amorsolo’s artwork was inaccurate, deceptive and untruthful since it failed to show that one of the three human figures in a pointillist painting was a girl.

No wonder, national artist for sculpture Napoleon Abueva labelled his artistic creation “Three Women Sewing the First Filipino Flag,” thus perpetuating Amorsolo’s utter disregard for facts which historians are obliged to keep.

Abueva was a student of

the country’s prolific and multi-awarded Amorsolo.

This writer also observed that the national artist for painting was inconsistent in his depiction of reality that the three were in a rented house at 535 Morrison Hill Road, Wan Chai District, in Hong Kong.

Amorsolo should have known they were in baro’t saya – perhaps, with tapis, not in traje de mestizas as if they were going to a party or perform on stage. These were the common attires of Filipino women in the late 1800s.

Amorsolo, who was quite popular for his skills in commercial arts, must have been

commissioned to do the painting and that he was dictated upon what and how the composition and subjects must look like, for a fee.

Nobody knows exactly when “The Making of the Philippine Flag” was painted, unlike his other widely-acclaimed artworks.

It appears that Amorsolo is no different from foreign and local tourists, including some bloggers, who would demand that indigenous natives must wear their customary attires and perform dance moves before clicking their still and video cameras, capitalizing these for whatever QUILINGUING p11...

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HISTORYAHE!

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Himugso Series: Congressman Pedro Sa. Baculio, ‘The Forgotten Founding Father’ “AT 11:30 a.m. on June 15, 1950, President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act 521 and completed the Kagayanons’ aspirations because the small slumbering town has become a city.”

H

OWEVER, the inception started when the local municipal board of Cagayan passed a resolution dated January 2, 1947, requesting Congressman Pedro Sa. Baculio to sponsor and author a bill for the chartering of Cagayan as a city, then a municipality of Misamis Oriental.

Consequently, in the same year, Congressman Baculio actively sponsored and initially authored the legislation for the charter hood of the town.

The following year in 1948, public hearings were held in the city to seek popular sentiment for the realization of the proposed city charter.

Who was Pedro Baculio?

Pedro Sa. Baculio was a duly elected Misamis Oriental Governor in 1941 at the onset of the Philippine Commonwealth, then becoming a Congressman in 1946 and the 2nd City Mayor of Cagayan de Oro in 1953.

However, his nationalistic fervors started when he was a young law student in Manila.

The young Pedro Sa. Baculio, then a student at the Philippine Law School during the 1930s, was an active and pioneering member of the Young Philippines Party (a NATIONALISTIC and PROACTIVE youth movement founded by Wenceslao Vinzons).

He was an eager supporter of then-House Speaker Manuel Roxas and Senator Sergio Osmeña during the passing of the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act in 1933.

During the 1941 elections, he used his membership with the Young Philippines Party as leverage to run as provincial governor.

During the 2nd World War, he was appointed Military Governor by Wendell Fertig in 1942; and again appointed as Civil Governor

by President Sergio Osmeña in 1945 when peace resumed in the archipelago.

However, seeing the urgency to do more for his countrymen, he ran for a seat at the lone district of Misamis Oriental in 1946.

He was a pioneering representative during the inaugural Congress of the First Philippine Republic.

As a solon of the newly established 3rd Philippine Republic, and under his charge as a congressman, he spearheaded the establishment of the Municipalities of El Salvador (1948), Medina (1948), Jasaan (1948), and Manticao (1949).

SANCHEZ p7...

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PNP to strengthen ties with BuCor, BJMP vs. drug ops behind bars

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to intensify coordination with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to stem the continuing illegal drug operations of inmates behind bars.

This came after two drug suspects, Vencent Mayol Suplac and Giovanni Montecalvo Ambray, admitted that

they are working as couriers for a detainee of the Cebu City Jail, after yielding P6.9million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation conducted by the local police on May 28.

“The syndicates are not running out of ways to sell illegal drugs so we too are not running out of strategies to catch them. We already have an existing partnership with the BJMP and the BuCor and we will strengthen it even more so that the drug traffickers we caught are no

longer given the opportunity to continue selling drugs,” PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement.

Citing his experience as former Metro Manila police chief, Eleazar said he provided manpower to the BuCor in conducting greyhound operations and in guarding the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Eleazar said part of the strong coordination is the conduct of regular assessment and information-sharing among the PNP, the

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), BJMP, and BuCor to stop persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from continuously trafficking illegal drugs while in detention facility or prison.

Eleazar also lauded the Cebu City Police for the successful operation.

“I commend the Cebu City Police for arresting two drug suspects who are said to be doing the bidding of a Cebu City jail inmate.” he said. (PNA)

PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar (File photo)

By Liza Agoot

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, who led the turnover of the certificate of eligibility Sunday, said about 1,466 identified members would benefit from the

cash assistance.

In a message during the event, Puyat said the assistance is the government's aid to workers in the tourism DISPLACES p7...

Baguio City Hall (File photo)

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing 2019 Silliman University

cardiac arrest which led to fatal arrhythmia.

He was 53.

Cordova joined the BikeFor-A-Cause headed by Col. Leonardo Peña, commander of the 302IB, and collapsed while riding a bicycle along the national highway near St. Paul University in this city.

He and other participants arrived here from Tanjay City, about 30 kilometers north of this capital.

Meanwhile, Leocadio Trovela, regional director

Her Dissertation focused on the experiences of violence of nurses working abroad.

She was able to present her dissertation paper last year at the International Associate of Human Caring. She recently won the best oral presenter at the 13th Manila Doctors College of Nursing.

DUMAGUETE CITY – Dumaguete Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova died Sunday morning after collapsing during the charity bike run event organized by the Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade.

Doctors at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital attempted to revive him but Cordova succumbed to what was initially believed to be

of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Central Visayas, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency, reassured there will be no vacuum left at the city council following Cordova’s death.

This, as the city council has suspended its sessions since last week after many of its members tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), and are “incapacitated” at the moment as they are under isolation. (PNA)

PSA, PhilSys warn against fake social media accounts

By Judy Quiros MANILA – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has cautioned the public against Facebook accounts that claim to be connected with the agency or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) for the purpose of charging processing fee for the Step 1 online registration.

“We are again reminding everyone to AVOID and REPORT the TEMPORARY

Facebook pages that pretend to be related to PhilSys or PSA and CHARGE processing fee for Step 1 registration,” the PSA stated in a May 27, 2021 post.

PSA identified one of the Facebook pages as “National ID Online Registration” (https:// web.facebook.com/National.

ID.Online.Registration08).

The agency said applicants should engage only with PSA Philippine Identification System, the official

Facebook page of PhilSys. “PSA is engaging with the right authority to give it the rightful action. This is the only and official PhilSys Facebook page: fb.com/PSAPhilSysOfficial,” the PSA post read.

To avoid being scammed, PSA advised registrants to personally undergo online Step 1 demographic registration and avoid “stranger registration” which may compromise personal information. (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY – After several months of surveillance, a notorious drug suspect operating in Bicol and Calabarzon regions fell into the hands of authorities during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City on Sunday afternoon.

In an interview on Monday, Maj. Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office-Bicol Region (PRO-5) spokesperson, said a joint operation conducted by PRO-5 and PUSHER p7...

DR.FRANCES GAY PIA-ACUŃA

Dumaguete v. mayor dies in bike event after bout with Covid-19

By Mary Judaline Partlow

‘Pusher’ nabbed, P3.4-M shabu seized

By Mar Serrano and Connie Calipay

Displaced tourism workers in Baguio City to get assistance

BAGUIO CITY – Displaced tourism workers in the city will get cash aid after the government released to tourism-related organizations here certificates that allow their members to receive assistance.

5

Her paper was chosen to present at the Sigma Theta Tau 46th Biennial Convention Indianapolis USA

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Vape, e-cigarettes not healthier alternative to cigarettes: group Bobby Lagsa Correspondent A MEDICAL association decried claims that e-cigarettes and vapes are a healthier alternative to regular cigarettes and called these “fake news.”

In a statement, Dr. Michael Caampued of the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians (PSPHS) said that e-cigarettes and vapes should not immediately be viewed as healthier alternatives to cigarettes.

“At present, it is danger-

ous to brand these novel products as helpful to those who want to stop cigarette smoking while there are still no high-quality evidence to back the claim,” he said.

Contrary to claims, Caampued said that there are now evidence suggesting that

there is a rise in cases of ecigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI).

The term was recently coined by the Center for Disease Control in response to a multi-state outbreak of VAPE p7...

mum public health standards, amid risks of coronavirus infections.

These include a married couple who were apprehended Sunday morning (May 30) by virtue of a pending arrest warrant for alleged violations of Sec. 9, Republic Act

No. 11332, the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. Lt. Earl T. Cartagena, assistant police station commander of Police Station 1, who personally served the warrant, identified the sus-

pects as Felix D. Granedo, 51, and Glenda S. Granedo, 49, both married and residents of Zone 4 in Barangay Bonbon, this city.

Their arrests came after Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Presiding Judge Evelyn COCPO p7...

Cocpo files 30 raps vs protocol violators

By Uriel Quilinguing Contributing Editor

THE city police office has lodged 30 criminal cases in judicial courts against Cagayan de Oro residents who openly defied the mandatory observance of mini-

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Local gov’t monitoring Badjaos during pandemic THE local government unit here, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD), has intensified its monitoring of the Badjao community cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) continue to rise here.

Venamay Celeste, head of the CSWD Oro Response and Processing Center, said the intensified monitoring is part of their measure to help the city government to prevent the surge of confirmed cases.

There is a Reach Out and Street Monitoring Team, she said, that monitors the Badjao people and other street dwellers in

order to ensure that they couldn’t beg for money in public places, in line with the anti-mendicancy law and to avoid possible virus transmission.

Celeste also noted that there are five Badjao individuals who are employed under the cash for work, which started last year, to help the CSWD in street monitoring.

“CSWD employs cash for work Badjao people here in our office to help with street monitoring and reprimand their community if there are new Badjao comers who have just come to the city to beg,” she said.

BADJAOS p7...

PNP-10 expects more applicants with the new height law THE Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) said that they are expecting an applicant increase in the next recruitment process.

Lt. Col. Michelle Olaivar, PRO-10 Spokesperson, made the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte signed into

law a bill that lowers the minimum height requirement for aspiring officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other uniformed services.

“This means that many aspiring police officers would apply. With this, we expect

an increase in the number of applicants for the next recruitment processing,” Olaivar said.

Republic Act 11549 amended sections of three different laws which set the general and standard qualifications for the members of

the PNP, the Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

The newly-enacted law now sets the minimum height requirement of 5 feet and 2 inches for male applicants

from 5 feet and 4 inches; and 5 feet for female applicants from 5 feet and 2 inches.

However, Olaivar emphasized that being a police officer doesn’t measure through height but through the service he or she gives to the people as a PNP member.

As of this writing, she can’t provide the exact date for the next recruitment process, but the processing of the current batch started last month.

“I’m not sure on the date but the processing started last Monday, May 24, 2021 PNP p7...

Over 33K Caraga residents served by police food bank project: PNP

By Alexander Lopez

AID AMID PANDEMIC. The Police Regional Office in Caraga Region says that 683 ‘BARANGAYanihan’ activities were conducted and 548 BARANGAYanihan kiosks were established from April 23 to May 29, 2021 in the different police units, benefiting at least 33,520 individuals in the region. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13 Information Office)

BUTUAN CITY – At least 33,520 individuals in Caraga Region directly benefited from the “BARANGAYanihan Help and Food Bank Project” (BARANGAYanihan) of the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13).

In a statement Monday, PRO-13 said that series of BARANGAYanihan activi-

ties were held in different police provincial offices from April 23 to May 29.

“The BARANGAYanihan aims to provide support to residents in Caraga who are severely affected by health pandemic brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19),” Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr., PRO-13 director, was quoted as saying.

During the period, PRO-13

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pecially those who are living in remote areas, the PRO-13 chief said.

Caramat said the BARANGAYanihan was simultaneously launched last May 14 by all PNP regional offices and units in the country.

“As public servants, it is the duty of every police officer to extend help to those who are in need not just during a crisis but on whatever situation there is that needs police assistance,” Caramat said. (PNA)

By Edwin Fernandez

1 p.m.,” Uy said, adding that the two have standing warrants for murder, extortion, kidnapping, and robbery.

“Both were listed as two of the most wanted persons in Region 12 having numerous warrants of arrest issued by local courts,” Uy said.

He said government troops under the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade (602nd IBde), backed by the local police and militiamen, engaged the lawless group in a running gun battle in the peripheries of Bualan village.

In a separate interview, Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, the 602nd IBde commander, said the group yielded two M16 rifles, a .45 caliber pistol, ammunition, WANTED p7...

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units conducted 683 BARANGAYanihan activities in 548 established BARANGAYanihan Kiosks, Caramat said.

“The foodstuffs, goods and other essentials aided to the beneficiaries during the period amounted to PHP3,411,036,” Caramat said.

The outreach activities are in line with the initiative of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar to help the less fortunate families and individuals es-

Boy Isog

CAMP SIONGCO, MAGUINDANAO – Government forces arrested two “most wanted” siblings who allegedly led a private armed group during a law enforcement operation in Pikit, North Cotabato, an Army official said Monday.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said Monday that siblings Montukan Bungay and Walo Bungay, both leaders of the Bungay lawless group, were arrested following a six-hour gun battle on Sunday with the armed men in Barangay Bualan of the municipality.

“The gunbattle began at 7 a.m. and ended at around

MINDANAO TODAY AS IT HAPPENS, WHERE IT HAPPENS MECQ from 1... be warranted and the declaration of localized ECQ in critical areas,” read a part of the IATF resolution.

Under the MECQ, public transportation is prohibited and travel around the city is limited to buying of essential items such as food and medicines and authorized persons outside residence.

During his daily press briefing Monday afternoon, Mayor Oscar Moreno he was not keen on putting the city on MECQ as his request was only for GCQ. “I didn’t ask for it (MECQ), but I will not object to it,” he said, adding that the Department of the Interior and Local Government has advised him he can lodge

CIDG from 1... in Bukidnon on Sunday morning, authorities said Monday, May 31.

According to the report, those arrested were identified as Ramel Jabiniao, Vergilio Sarepa, Abraham Jabiniao, Randy Sabanto, and Rolly Jabiniao.

Taken from the suspects

DEAD from 1... floodwaters in Purok Paraiso, Barangay San Miguel, Norala.

Reports said the two were staying in a hut in the area while attending to their wild ducks when huge volumes of floodwaters caused the Banga River to swell early Sunday.

The victims tried to evacuate from the site around 3 a.m. but were carried away by the strong water current.

Divine Grace’s body was found past 5 p.m. Sunday along the downstream portion of the Banga River in Purok Lambunao, Barangay B.S. Aquino, Norala.

“We deployed additional teams to the site to assist the ongoing search operations for the missing father,” Tamayo said in his radio program “Ang Gobernador kag ang Katawhan (the governor and the people.”

Aside from the incident, Tamayo said they monitored floods

BADJAOS from 6...

The said the employed Badjao also helps in identifying their fellow Badjaos who are not residents of Cagayan de Oro. “We have a list of Badjao people who are really Cagayan de Oro residents. If they are not on the list, meaning they are from other places, and at the same time, these cash-for-work Badjao also identify Badjao who are not from here,” Celeste said.

Based on the data from the

SAMAL from 2...

Government to institute preventive measures. Records from the City Investment and Tourism Office showed that the city is frequently visited by tourists conducting summer outings, gatherings, and other celebrations, which will be a potential source of

ZAMBO from 2...

Pasilmanta, Landang Laum, Sibulao, Tictapul, Tolosa, and Pamucutan.

Salazar assured the ROCBDC o f t h e l o c a l g o v e r n m e n t ’s commitment to rid this city of the drug menace by working closely with the barangays.

The regional oversight committee is composed of

DISPLACES from 5... sector who were displaced by the pandemic.

“We included other sectors which are indirectly related to tourism but whose financial situation is also hurting when the tourism sector was affected by the pandemic,” she said.

Some of the beneficiary organizations include wedding and events suppliers’ organizations, events workers associations, masseuse and tour guide associations, among others.

Each of the individual beneficiaries will receive P5,000.

Puyat said the latest beneficiaries now join the 6,521 other workers in the tourism sector who have received cash assistance.

She added that over P30 million has been released by

an objection to the quarantine reclassification.

“Even if I wanted to object, I hesitate to do so because our cases have been increasing,” Moreno said.

It can be recalled that Moreno wrote to the IATF last week asking it to put the city under GCQ. Also, the region’s Covid-19 referral hospital, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, has declared “code red” as it is now utilizing 50 percent of its facilities and services to Covid-19 cases.

“We have to show results, if we are unable to show results, it is possible that IATF will impose higher quarantine level on their own, they can do that if they want to,” Moreno said in last week’s press briefing.

Moreno said that if national IATF sees that GCQ is not enough, they can raise the quarantine level to MECQ. “They are entitled to that. The IATF has the power to do that,” Moreno said.

“Your cooperation is sought, my brethren, we want that (quarantine level) not heavy, because if they bring us to MECQ, that is very heavy,” Moreno said.

As of June 1, 2021, Cagayan de Oro has now 1,272 actives cases, with 315 admitted and 957 confined at the temporary treatment and monitoring facility.

The city also recorded 5,615 recoveries with 328 deaths. The cumulative cases as of March 2020 is 7,215.

were improvised shotguns, M1 Garand rifle, .22 caliber pistol, .45 caliber pistol, carbine rifle, two fragmentation grenades, live ammunition and magazine containing live bullets for the firearms.

The CIDG-10 said the weapons were confiscated after the serving of individual search warrants to the suspects, who are all residents of

Barangay Laculac, Baungon town, Bukidnon.

The warrants, dated May 26, 2021, were issued by a local judge based in Gingoog City.

For possession of the weapons and ammunition, the suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act.

and landslides in other localities, especially in parts of Tboli town, due to the intermittent rains.

He said the clearing operations are ongoing in several road networks affected by the landslides in coordination with the concerned local government units.

A report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said at least three bridges and a concrete dike in Banga town were damaged due to the floods.

The bridges were situated along the Banga River in Barangays Lamapos, Lambukay, and Lambingi while the dike was located in Purok Mahigugmaon, Barangay Improgo.

Crop damage was reported in Barangay Lambingi while around 109 households were affected by floods in Purok Riverside, Barangay Yangco in Banga.

In Norala, Mayor Clemente Fedoc said they recorded heavy flooding in communities traversed

by the river in Barangays San Miguel, Matapol, Puti, and other downstream areas.

The floods damaged riverside dikes, play (unhusked rice) farmlands, and fishponds and swept a number of farm animals.

Tamayo said the assessment of the reported damages is ongoing in the affected areas through personnel from the PDRRMO and the Provincial Engineering Office.

“The effect is province-wide and our teams are fast-tracking the assessment so we can properly assist the affected families and implement necessary interventions,” he said.

Tamayo said the provincial government remains on high alert in the wake of the heavy rainfall warning in the area due to “Dante”.

He said he directed the local DRRM units to closely monitor the situation in their areas, check their geohazard maps and issue the necessary warnings to residents.

(PNA)

CSWD, there are only 42 Badjao families who are residing in the city.

Celeste explained the Badjao community was given a one-time educational and financial assistance by the office, and there is an after-care section who manage cases for them.

“There are also some Badjao who received assistance under the SAP (Social Amelioration Program) and all of them were also given food packs,” she said.

Celeste also cited that there are now few non-resident Badjao in the city due to the travel restrictions

imposed by other local government units.

“Travel restriction and the Covid-19 have been factors in lowering the number of Badjao mendicants,”’ she said.

In September 2020, there were 26 non-resident Badjao families who were being deported to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Zamboanga Peninsula and Iligan City during the last massive “Balik Probinsya” program of CSWD. (Franck Dick Rosete)

Covid-19 transmission,” he added.

Uy said pre-bookings shall be temporarily stopped until further notice while all confirmed bookings and approved tourist QR (quick response) codes will be canceled.

All affected resort workers shall be assisted by the city government through the TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating

Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) Program of the Department of Labor and Employment.

DOT regional director Tanya Rabat Tan said in a statement that they respect the temporary suspension despite its effect on some 130 establishments. (Che Palicte | PNA)

representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Department of the Local and Interior Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH), and local government units.

Salazar said the committee has also certified Barangay Pangapuyan as unaffected by illegal drugs.

Emerson Margate, PDEA-9 director who sits as ROCBDC

chairperson, thanked the city government for its continuing support to the drug-clearing efforts despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“The triumph against illegal drugs can be measured not by the number of operations or the volume of drugs seized but by the number of barangays cleared. The drugclearing program is the main and best strategy,” Margate said. (PNA)

the government to Baguio and neighboring areas.

Puyat said Baguio, the show window of the region and the area with the biggest tourism share, received 268,912 tourists in 2020 which is an 82 percent drop from the tourist arrival in 2019.

Baguio only received P1.8 billion in tourism receipts in 2020 compared to the P8.6 billion in 2019, she added.

The city did not record a zero tourist arrival after it decided on a “slowly, surely, safely” opening of its doors in October 2020 to tourists within the Ridge and Reef tourism bubble with the provinces of Region 1.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who joined Puyat in the event, said the city’s tourism sector was hit hardest by the pandemic.

Businesses that cater to tourists,

including those that operate as supplemental service to the sector, all stopped operations that created a domino effect on the city’s economy.

“I am thankful for the cash assistance to the sector,” Magalong said.

Puyat said Baguio City played an important role in reopening the country’s tourism, being the “model” local government that showed tourism is possible amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“In 2020, no local government wants to open to tourism except Baguio. Because of him sumunod na ang Region 1 (Region 1 followed),” Puyat said.

She added that Baguio came up with a system adopted by the other local governments which allowed them to reopen the tourism sector.

(PNA)

QUILINGUING from 4... motives they have.

If indeed costumes are worn in homes while doing chores, and natives donning headdresses and trinkets once they travel to cities, so be it. But such should not be dictated on them.

Distorting realities in artworks

SANCHEZ from 4...

He also passed the resolution and authored the original bill that paved the way for creating the charter-hood of Cagayan, Misamis Oriental from 1947-1949.

Congressman Pedro Sa. Baculio has exerted much time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears to realize the charter-hood of Cagayan.

However, there were three possible events why it took a more extended period for the charterhood to realize.

First, the unfortunate death

VAPE from 6... severe lung illness that was first identified in August 2019 and is associated with using e-cigarette and vaping products.

“In fact, the Philippines already recorded its first case in 2019,” said Dr. Corry Avanceña, a pediatric pulmonologist of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS).

“These novel products emit aerosols containing chemicals that harm the lungs of the users and even the lungs of those around them,” Avanceña said.

“The best way to quit smoking is through a mix of safe and doctorrecommended methods: nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, and family support, among others,” she said.

“You shouldn’t replace an addiction with another addiction,” Avanceña said.

Vape and e-cig bill endanger public health The medical associations also expressed their concern against bills in Congress that seemingly seek to regulate the sale, promotion and distribution of vapes and e-cigarettes.

House Bill No. 9007 hurdled the third and final reading at the House of Representatives last

COCPO from 6...

Gamotin-Nery issued an arrest warrant on May 13, this year, against the Granedos, the respondents of Criminal Case No. R-CDO-01955. Recommended bail bond for their temporary liberty is P3,000 each.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Lemuel G o n d a , d e p u ty d ir e c t o r f o r operations of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said the Granedos are among the respondents of the 30 criminal cases Cocpo has filed before the courts since April 5, last year.

Gonda said that of the 30 cases, one has already been decided and has been under a “plea bargaining” agreement.

PNP from 6... and we expect that this batch will take an oath by July and September. After that I think straight for the next processing,” Olaivar said.

According to the data given

by Olaivar, the current batch

WANTED from 6... and other war materiel.

“Our forces are in the area as part of the JTFC’s intensified combat operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan faction who has been the subject of our sustained pursuit operation,” Capulong said.

Based on intelligence reports, Capulong said the Bungay brothers

PUSHER from 5... and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) policemen resulted in the arrest of Khalid Sana Guiabal alias “Leds,” and seizure of some P3.4-million shabu.

She said based on surveillance, Guiabal had been getting his drug supply from Metro Manila, and distributes the illegal substance in the Bicol and Southern Tagalog areas.

After intelligence gathering, PRO-5 operatives teamed up with

wed-thu, june 2-3, 2021

7

which would later become priceless historical gems is a plain and simple dishonesty. If these are unnoticed, the present generation must do the fact-checking.

[Uriel Quilinguing is a former editor of Cagayan de Oro-based dailies and weeklies and had anchored radio and TV public affairs programs in the

past four decades. Prior to a career in journalism, he was a social science research associate of the Philippine Folklore and Folklife Center of Xavier Ateneo de Cagayan University. The same school where he had his graduate studies in public administration, after completing AB Philippine Studies.]

of President Manuel A. Roxas on April 15, 1948; second, the national elections took place on November 8, 1949; and third, a new Philippine president, Elpidio Quirino, and a new Misamis Oriental Congressman, Emmanuel N. Pelaez.

Despite all his untiring efforts, Congressman Pedro Sa. Baculio has been the FORGOTTEN FOUNDING FATHER of the charter-hood of Cagayan de Oro. From 1947 to 1949, he toiled hard for the sponsorship, authoring, passing, and at the point of having it nearly approved under his term

could also be worth remembering.

Congressman Pedro Sa. Baculio, a leader and a young nationalist, aspired the best for Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro. He pioneered the creation of modern municipalities of El Salvador, Medina, Jasaan, Manticao and initially paved the way for the pioneering bill that chartered Cagayan de Oro. Learning from his actions and his history, he did not ask what his country could do to him, but he did ALL HIS BEST FOR HIS MOTHERLAND.

week. A similar measure will be deliberated in the Senate.

Some 192 members of the lower chamber voted for it, while 34 were against it and four abstained.

The house bill if passed into law will allow the loosening of some restrictions. It would lower the minimum age of individuals who can buy and use vapes and e-cigarettes to 18-year-olds, from the previous 21.

“In reality, the proposed measure in Congress on vapes and e-cigarettes weakens our policy milestone in tobacco control set

by RA 11467 (Sin Tax law),” Caampued said.

“If we are to regulate a product that is this dynamic, we should not weaken regulation, rather encourage continuous review of evidence and afford the FDA stronger regulatory roles,” he said.

Caampued said that the government should not introduce policies that weaken existing regulations on the sale, promotion, distribution, and use of vapes and e-cigarettes.

He added that the house bill is dangerous to public health as it will roll back the age restriction set by the FDA for the sale of these novel products from 21 years old to 18 years old.

“This will embolden vape and e-cigarette makers to market their products to non-smokers as ‘healthier products’,” Avanceña said.

“We have to remember that the brain continues to mature until our early 20s and that early exposure to nicotine could impair the brain’s development,” she added.

Vapes and e-cigarette makers target youth Meanwhile, law group ImagineLaw also exposed the practice of vapes and e-cigarette makers to target young people as new consumers.

“Tapping youthful influencers, launching gimmicks and promos, and maximizing online platforms are just some of the tactics that vape and e-cigarette makers engage in in order to target young people as new consumers” said lawyer Atty.

Anna Bueno, ImagineLaw Policy Associate.

“E-cigarette and vape industries, some of them with ties to tobacco companies, are looking for new products to lure new consumers to nicotine addiction,” Bueno said.

Once the Vape Bill is passed into law, young Filipinos’ health will be compromised in the name of profit, she added.

Plea-bargained decided cases usually result to a reduced penalty, agreed upon with the prosecutor and the accused, once the respondent pleads guilty of a crime charged, though subject to court’s approval.

It may be recalled that Cocpo collared on April 5, 2020 a certain Alfred Caslam, pastor of the Cagayan de Oro-based Word of God Spirit and Life Ministries, for repeated holding of worship services with over 500 participants in what used to be a theatre building.

Caslam was charged that same day for violating R.A. No. 11332, a law enacted at the onset of coronavirus disease outbreak, requiring persons and entities to cooperate with authorities in the event of notifiable diseases or

health events of public concern.

Other than the pastor, the Cocpo official said respondents in other cases include workers, employees and jobless individuals.

Gonda said that although some have posted bail, pending the decision of the complaints against them, others are still behind bars, as of this writing, but declined to disclose detailed figures.

Those convicted for violating any of the prohibited acts under Section 9 of R.A. No. 11332 “shall be penalized with a fine of not less than P20,000 but not more than P50,000 or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the proper court.”

comprised 736 total applicants and the PRO-10 only needs to get 150 of them. Fifty applicants will take an oath in July for the first cycle and the remaining 100 will take an oath in September for the second cycle.

As to the question if the new height requirement will apply to the current batch, Olaivar said they

will wait for the instruction from the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

“We will wait for the instruction from NAPOLCOM because it’s still starting. We are still in BMI (Body Mass Index) right now, well that already includes the height,” she said. (Franck Dick Rosete)

harbored the group of Karialan who has been evading government forces in the vast Liguasan Marsh situated in the border of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

The military has also been hunting down the group of Karialan following the series of atrocities in Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan last March 2021, and the faild attack at the public market of

Datu Paglas, Maguindanao earlier this month.

Capulong said follow-up operations are ongoing against other members of the Bungay gang who splintered into small groups while withdrawing into the marshland.

The captured suspects are now under the custody of the Police Regional Office-12. (PNA)

their counterparts from the QCPD to arrest the suspect as he tried to sell shabu to undercover law enforcers.

“During the operation, a poseur buyer was able to procure from the subject person one medium heat-sealed transparent plastic containing suspected shabu weighing MOL (more or less) 50grams which resulted in his immediate arrest. Recovered from his possession and control is 21 pcs of assorted size heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet believed to be shabu with a total weight of

MOL 590 grams,” Calubaquib said.

Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, PRO-5 regional director, lauded the efforts of the joint operating team as he cited the police’s relentless campaign to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs in the region amidst the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

He vowed to continue what the regional police has started to thwart various forms of illegal activities and criminality that hamper the region’s peace and order situation.

(PNA)

8

wed-thu, june 2-3, 2021

MINDANAO TODAY

By RG Alama

D

AVAO CITY – The Department of Science and Technology-11’s GRIND Program has tapped popular Canadian travel vlogger Kyle Douglas “Kulas” Jennermann as its official ambassador.

The GRIND Program provides opportunities to stimulate overall growth of the country by utilizing community-led solutions geared towards sustainable development.

It seeks to empower marginalized communities by developing and strengthening its existing Grassroots Innovations (GIs).

One of its highly important activities is the conduct of the Solutions Mapping Adventure called “SalikLakbay..

“SalikLakbay,” a combination of the words ‘Saliksik’ (to explore or research) and ‘Lakbay’ (to journey or go in an adventure) aims to identify grassroots innovations and solutions and assess the needs and opportunities in the community where DOST can provide science and technology interventions to address certain problems.

DOST-11 in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program in the Philippines (UNDP-PH) – Accelerator Lab have been conducting SalikLakbay in different areas in Davao region since 2020.

Currently, a total of six activities have been conducted in the region – two in Davao Oriental, one in Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, Davao City, and the latest in Davao del Norte.

More SalikLakbays in different parts of the region

AS IT HAPPENS, WHERE IT HAPPENS

“We selected Kulas as our GRIND Ambassador because he embodies what it is to be a ‘SalikLakbayer.’”

– DOST-11’s GRIND team

chosen as ambassador for grassroots innovations are set in the coming months.

Kulas who was officially recognized as GRIND ambassador on May 14 is well known for his travel vlogs across the Philippines particularly in Mindanao.

His vlogs highlight the positive and beautiful aspects of the country alongside the people and culture in its locales.

His various social media accounts named Becoming

Filipino reflects the passion to share and promote Filipino culture towards various social media platforms.

He has 1.2 million followers on Facebook, 925,000 subscribers on Youtube and

219,000 followers on Instagram.

Last year, during the pandemic he based himself in Cateel, Davao Oriental, where he constructed a beach house and immersed himself

in the different parts of Davao’s east coast.

According to the GRIND Management Team, they have chosen Kulas as the Program Ambassador as he has the characteristics of being a SalikLakbayer” (SalikLakbay participant/ researcher).

“We selected Kulas as our GRIND Ambassador because he embodies what it is to be a SalikLakbayer.

With the many adventures he has done, he has been featuring the innovativeness and creativity of the Filipinos through the solutions they created as a response to a social need,” the GRIND Team said.

Kulas’ initial GRIND foray was on May 14 in Talaingod where together with 15 GRIND researchers they were able to immerse in the Ata Manobo indigenous peoples community.

In his vlog, he was able to detail several grassroots innovations involving native plants found in the area such as the “bagtok,” which is a type of bamboo; “hagonoy,” a medicinal plant; and “apusaw,” which figures in indigenous cuisine.

“Such a wonderful program. Looking forward to seeing how the DOST and UNDP as well as our online community utilize our resources to help these amazing innovations continue to grow in a positive way. Thank you, Ata Manobo, for this experience,” Kulas commented in one of his posts. (PIA | RG Alama with reports from DOST-11 GRIND)