THE MINDANAO TODAY DECEMBER 12-13, 2022

PRELATE ALARMED BY FAKE SOLICITATIONS

Catholic bishop warns of crooks

By Uriel Quilinguing Contributing Editor

THE head of the Roman Catholic Church in Bukidnon has warned over 1.4 million parishioners of bogus solicitations through letters with forged signatures and cloned social media accounts, appealing for financial assistance purportedly from the Malaybalay diocese and its parishes.

Circular No. 3-2022 which Malaybalay Bishop Noel P. Pedregosa issued on Friday, December 9, advised all 97 diocesan and religious priests in 54 parishes to read the contents of the pastoral letter in two successive Sunday masses.

WestMin Navy acquires missile-capable gunboat

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The

Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) got a boost in its capability against

terrorism and kidnapping with the deployment of a missile-capable gunboat on the country’s southern border.

In a statement Friday,

capable gunboats, BRPNestor Acero (PG901), to the NFWM area of responsibility.

Capt. Dwight Steven

Customs, police on the hunt vs

DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is collaborating with the Philippine National PoliceRegional Anti-Cybercrime Unit in the Davao Region to combat rising cases of “love scam.”

BOC-Davao and RACU 11 will intensify information dissemination in ports and exchange information to fast-track concerns and ease data sharing, according to a news release over the weekend.

Also called parcel scam, the fraudulent scheme involves texting, calling and emailing victims about cargoes and parcels supposedly addressed to them.

“However, payment is needed to get the package that is allegedly being held

Naked from the waist up, a worker at a tire repair shop in Barangay 32, Cagayan de Oro, fixes a busted tire Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Cherry Ann Ratunil)

‘love’ scammers in Davao

Lt. Senior Grade Chester Ross Cabaltera, NFWM information officer, said the Philippine Navy (PN) has deployed one of the two newly-acquired missile

A resident avails of the dental services provided by the city government during the “Klarex nga Serbisyo sa Baryo,” a one-stop shot outreach program initiated by Cagayan de Oro Mayor Rolando Uy in Barangay Gusa, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (Photo by Rhoel Condeza | CIO)

regions

COTABATO CITY – The health and education ministries of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have joined hands to improve the vaccination rate among learners in the region.

This came about as combined data from the region’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) and the

Ministry of Health (MOH) showed that only a few thousand schoolchildren are vaccinated in the region.

“Only 3,124 schoolchildren out of 1,051,384 learners in BARMM have been vaccinated,” MOH Deputy Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas said in a statement Friday, citing data from both MOH and MBHTE.

Full face-to-face (F2F) classes in the region began last month upon orders of the Department of Education.

“This means that most of our schoolchildren are considered as high risk. I urge the education stakeholders to help us in shielding our learners via the anti-coronavirus diseases 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination,” he said.

In a separate statement, MBHTE Minster Mohagher Iqbal emphasized the need to support the BARMM government's initiative to intensify its vaccination program.

Iqbal noted that the region remains vulnerable to the virus since the threats of Covid-19 remain with the new variants coming in. (Edwin Fernandez | PNA)

ministries tie up to boost vax rate in schools PH gets $89 million worth of dev’t program from Australia

DAVAO CITY – Australia has allotted around USD89 million worth of development projects for the Philippines, the newly designated Australian envoy to the country said during a visit here Friday.

“We have a development program which is Australia’s fifth largest in the world for the Philippines. A big part of that

goes straight to Mindanao,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu said in an interview with reporters here.

She said the program covers areas in education, community resilience and humanitarian disaster response.

“We have also assisted in the area of health,

particularly during the pandemic by providing vaccines and mental assistance through our wonderful partners. We also have around eight projects on environmental conservation, sports, emergency preparedness, and livelihood programs,” she said.

With the strong relations between Australia and the Philippines, Yu

said Australia is looking to elevate the partnership further.

“Our relationship has moved into more of the strategic nature because we have real true friends and partners and the world is a complex place at the moment and so our partnership has become more important,” the envoy said.

(Che Palicte | PNA)

Surigao City farmers get P2.4-M worth of rice seeds

By Alexander Lopez

BUTUAN CITY – About 1,907 rice farmers in Surigao City received P2.44 million worth of rice seeds during a distribution conducted by the city government and the Department of Agriculture (DA) 13 (Caraga) from Wednesday until Thursday.

In a statement on Thursday, the Public Information Office (PIO) of the Surigao City government said 3,210 bags of certified palay seeds were

distributed during the twoday activity.

“Agriculture, especially rice production, is among the priorities of the present administration of Surigao City government under Mayor Pablo Dumlao II,” the PIO said.

It said the 1,907 farmer beneficiaries came from Surigao City’s 34 barangays.

The distribution of rice seeds is being funded under the DA’s National Rice Program.

The PIO also reported

that P1,815,255 worth of certified rice seeds was given by the City Agriculture Office (CAO) to the rice farmers in the area in September.

“We are also announcing that the city government of Surigao is set to receive additional aid under the Quick Respond Fund (QRF) of the DA,” it said.

The additional QRF support will consist of 70 bags of certified rice seeds and 100 bags of hybrid rice seeds. (PNA)

Zambo City logs 141 leptospirosis cases with 26 deaths

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The City Health Office (CHO) has recorded 141 cases of leptospirosis with 26 deaths since January this year.

“We have a total of 26 deaths reported that gives as a case fatality rate of 18 percent,” Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, CHO chief, said Friday.

Miravite said most of the infected individuals are aged between 20 and 29, while 120 or 86 percent of the 141

cases are males.

Miravite said 62 of the 141 cases were recorded after the two-day downpour of Typhoon Paeng on Oct. 27-28.

Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, said earlier the flood affected 56 of this city’s 98 barangays.

Leptospiroris is caused by the Leptospira spiro -

chetes bacteria that is spread through rat urine.

Its mode of transmission includes wading in contaminated floodwaters and ingesting contaminated food or water.

Miravite said most of the cases reported were in Barangay Tumaga, Pasonanca, Guiwan, Tetuan, Tugbungan, Santa Maria, Ayala, TalonTalon and Tulungatung. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr. | PNA)

NoCot clash: 9 dead, 5 hurt

Maj. Jennefer Amotan, the police chief of this town, said Saturday that prior to the firefight, lawless elements killed in an ambush Ramel Santillan, a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), around 2:30 p.m.

Santillan, 22, was driving his motorcycle on his way to the Tapudoc CAFGU detachment when ambushed.

The militiamen on duty, upon hearing the gunfire, rushed to the scene and found Santillan on a dirt road. (Edwin Fernandez | PNA)

Surigao del Sur cops nab wanted NPA officer in Bulacan

BUTUAN CITY – Police

operatives have arrested a top communist New People’s Army commanding officer (CO) wanted in Surigao del Sur in the city of Malolos, Bulacan province, an official said Friday.

In a statement, Col. Dennis Siruno, the Surigao del Sur provincial police director, identified the arrested NPA leader as Ronald Galdiano, alias Rolando Enriquez, a native of Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

Galdiasno, 39, was arrested in Barangay Guinhawa, Malolos City on Thursday. He was found to be residing in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Sta. Maria, Bulacan at the time of his arrest.

A joint operation conducted by police personnel from Lianga and the Malolos City police station led to his arrest.

Galdiano is allegedly the CO of the Weakened NPA Guerrilla Front 19,

Sub-Regional Committee Southland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

The suspect has standing arrest warrants for three counts of murder issued by the Regional Trial

Court Branch 28 in Lianga town on Feb. 23, 2021.

“Galdiano is listed as an NPA priority target, and as the sixth most wanted person in the Caraga region,” Siruno said. (Alexander Lopez | PNA)

Health Deputy Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas (left) and BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal (right). (Photo courtesy of MBHTE-BARMM)

New Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu to the Philippines. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

Farmer beneficiaries pose with the sacks of rice seeds at a warehouse in Surigao City. (Photo courtesy of Surigao City PIO)

ALEOSAN, North Cotabato – A militiaman was killed in an ambush while eight others also died in the succeeding firefight in Barangay Tapudoc here on Friday afternoon.

Zamboanga City's Risk Communications Team launches information sessions in different barangays. (Photo courtesy of City Hall PIO)

Mon-Tue, December 12-13, 2022

26th NPC underscores media contributions towards dev’t

By Vincent Philip Bautista

CAGAYAN DE ORO

CITY – The Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI), in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology-10 (DOST10), Misamis Oriental provincial government (PGMO), and the Cagayan de Oro city government, held its 26th National Press Congress (NPC) to underscore the contributions of the media towards the development of the country, December 6.

With the theme, “Collaborative media groups’

support to Government towards Enhanced National Food Security, Economic Recovery, and Socio-Economic Welfare," the first day of the three-day media convergence tackled the importance of relevant, timely, and accurate information for the masses amid the new normal.

PAPI Chairman Emeritus Johnny Dayang reiterated the need to remain steadfast, responsible, and uphold the essence of journalism by preventing and countering fake news, especially in the rapid innovations of the digital age brought by the new normal.

Attended by PAPI regular members comprising of community newspaper publishers, and the organization's associate members such as media executives, editors, broadcasters, reporters, and campus journalists across the country, discussions on the Value and Risks offered by social media by Former National Press Club President and Columnist Roy Mabasa alongside “Media Security Vanguards,” and the Functions of Focal Persons for the security of media personnel by Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office Chief Redrico Maranan were

tackled as timely concerns.

Awards of recognition for stakeholders and members were also given such as GMA 7 being awarded as the Outstanding Television Network in this year’s congress, and PAPI

President Nelson Santos receiving a token for his contributions on this year’s 2022 National Investor Week held last November 21 to 25.

Mandated Under Presidential Proclamation 1187,

the NPC is a yearly media convergence declaring December every year as the Month of the Community Press dedicated to promoting and defending press freedom as a public service. (VPSB | PIA-10)

IDPs, communities’ participation heart of Marawi Response Project

By Apipa Bagumbaran

displaced

course and the wins of the Marawi Response Project (MRP).

This was emphasized by Plan International Phils Deputy Country Director Bobby Fugnit during the formal closeout of the project on Monday, November 28.

He said the MRP started its groundwork with social preparation by organizing community solidarity groups (CSGs) composed of both IDPs and host community members (HCMs) which became important vehicles through which the MRP packages of as-

sistance were delivered.

Accordingly, a total of 672 CSGs representing the 16,000 IDPs and HCMs were organized under the project.

"With the goal of increasing the self-reliance of IDPs and HCMs, the active participation of CSGs was necessary," said Fugnit citing the CSGs as the heart and soul of the project implementation and management.

This was affirmed by Salika Maguindanao, chairperson of Maranao Collectibles, an MRP-assisted weavers’ cooperative

with an established business in Marawi City. She said the MRP made her feel that they were not mere recipients of the project but partners.

“We always felt we are an essential part of the development, of the recovery,” she said.

For Sittie Asia Mai of Guinaopan Youth Action Organization (GYAO) which received mushroom food processing equipment and technical skills training from MRP, the project nurtured her and brought out the best in her.

To date, GYAO through

its mushroom for change project is employing women and out-of-school youths in the community through this alternative agricultural commodity.

Meanwhile, Fugnit thanked the CSGs for their patience and perseverance as well as for trusting the project and the process.

“It was a daunting task but because of our collective efforts, we were able to deliver and touched more lives including women, young people, and children,” he further said.

(APB | PIA-10 | Lanao del Sur)

CFSI helps 3,172 vulnerable LDS individuals secure birth certificate

MARAWI CITY – Noting the importance of birth certificates to authenticate one's identity and gain access to basic social services, the Community Family Services International (CFSI) assisted vulnerable individuals in the province secure certificate of live birth in security paper (SECPA) from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Through its Marawi Covid Recovery Project (MCRP), CFSI provided 3,172 individuals with SECPA copies of their birth certificates as of October 2022.

These individuals are residents of the project's covered barangays in Marawi City and the municipalities of Ditsaan-ramain, Marantao, Piagapo, Butig, Lumbayanague and Masiu.

“The SECPA birth certificates were used by the recipients to avail of government services and programs,” said Project Coordinator Farida Mangcaan.

She emphasized that because of the SECPA birth certificates households were assured of their children's enrollment in school, elderlies and PWDs were able to apply for social pension and stipend

programs, respectively, while the sick have availed of free Malasakit services of the Amai Pakpak Medical Center.

Among the recipients is farmer Madrigal Amerol and his family of seven

from the Ditsaan-Ramain town.

He is thankful because they were able to get SECPA birth certificates which they used for Pantawid Pamilya enrollment.

Meanwhile, Mangcaan

said they would continue with the support until all the 3,800 target individuals are served.

The MCRP is funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It has

three components, namely, livelihood, protection, and psychosocial.

The facilitation of birth registration is part of the protection component which aims to ensure that persons uprooted by the

MARKETING

Marawi siege and the early impact of the pandemic can fully exercise their rights without fear of retribution. (APB | PIA-10 | Lanao del Sur)

MARAWI CITY – The involvement of internally

persons (IDPs) here and members of their host communities was a crucial part in charting the

PNP Public Information Office Chief Redrico Maranan discusses “Media Security Vanguards” and the Functions of Focal Persons for the security of media personnel. (PAPI)

Salika Maguindanao, the chairperson of Maranao Collectibles, a weavers’ cooperative assisted by the Marawi Response Project. (Pamela Joyce Fumero | PIA-10 | Lanao del Sur)

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AS IT HAPPENS, WHERE IT HAPPENS

First reply to ‘Letter to Santa Claus’

(2nd of 2 parts)

IN the end, prosecutors indicted a lieutenant and eight troopers for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and attempted homicide.

Twenty-seven others were charged with obstructing justice.

Twelve years hence the case pends in court. Leonard’s widow Glenda appealed in 2010 for the charge to be amended to murder.

After all, the 36 respondents admitted to intentionally targeting the victims.

Too, they acted with the singular purpose of killing. None could say who actually saw the supposed rebels. Ballistics showed they fired close range from higher vantage.

Did the soldiers ambush them? The Commission on Human Rights has been questioning such military operations deemed as civilian rights violations and even admitted in Army press releases.

Short of cash, Glenda travels every two months to Leyte to attend hearings.

A University of the Philippines Biology professor in 2010, Leonard

was doubling as EDC’s reforestation consultant.

The firm’s former chairman Oscar Lopez had tapped him to replant seedlings at the firm’s geothermal power facility in Kananga’s Brgy. Lim-ao.

Leonard’s tireless replenishing of endangered species inspired EDC staff.

Leonard was a prominent figure in UP Diliman in the 1970s. He looked nerdy in thick eyeglasses, crew-cut, camisa de chino, denims, rubber slippers, and with folded umbrella under his arm.

Amused fellow students watched him crouching over shrubs, scrutinizing flowers and brushing aphids from under leaves.

Leonard’s scholarship amazed members of the Biology Students’ Circle. He dabbled in Literature with the campus theater troupe Samahang Magaaral ng Pilipino.

In 1975 he led both groups and other volunteers (me included) to replant hardwood around the grassy lagoon between the Faculty Center and the tennis courts.

Every week he inspected the saplings of what are now a lush sanctuary of rare birds, insects, and flora.

BEFORE you may think that it was Santa Claus who made this reply, I had the permission of the writer to publish her generous comments.

I sought her permission as this “reply” not only served as a fitting reaction, but also, it had substantially enriched the Santa Claus story and presented the other relevant view to it.

December 2, 2022

Somewhere in the Philippines

Dear Dr. Maxim:

Good day. Well, it’s difficult not to speak out for such an interesting letter. It has a nostalgic flair, too, for I remember writing notes to Santa when I was younger.

Now that I’m an adult, it feels very different now.

I wish I still have this kind of faith. But perhaps, the real Santas are those people we encounter randomly, every day, with a random acts of kindness, no matter how small.

I find it interesting that you may be Muslim and I may be a baptized Catholic (yet an neutral, nonatheist/non-theist kind of person), and I think Christmas is just too commercialized; we all forget

They wasted a Filipino genius Church leaders call for compensation and climate justice

that each day should be one.

“At this time of the year, I know you have not been to any place yet as you are busy making a list and checking it twice.

I wonder for whom your gifts are intended to after finding out who’s naughty or nice and good or bad.

Are they for the nice and good children only, for the naughty and bad or for both? I ask this silly question however I know that you do not discriminate in the matter of giving gifts.

But what are those gifts for if they were not meant as incentives for children to be nice and good? I leave everything to you and assume that you know better.

“Somehow, you can’t keep me from wondering why you keep doing what you do? What do you get in return?

And why do you leave Mrs. Claus all alone, out in the cold, on Christmas Eve? I think that is quite unkind of you to stay away from your loved ones on a night that is supposed to be special.”

This got me thinking, you know, that kindness is supposed to be unconditional, like love, and not some sort of incentive.

(1st of 2 parts)

THE environmental conference on the climate crises called COP 27 in Egypt is coming to a close this week and the voice of the Catholic Church calling for climate justice and restitution payments for the loss and damage caused by the industrial nations against the poor was heard.

Many in the hard-hearted rich industrial countries refuse to admit and accept their responsibility and liability for causing the climate crises.

These are the powerful hidden forces of industry that capture government departments and compromise and bribe politicians and bend them to their will.

Their will is for all to deny that there is a climate crisis and leave the world as it is, consuming fossil fuel non-stop.

The planet is heading for a cliff at full speed, as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, with the deniers and obstructers’ foot hard down on the accelerator.

The tipping point of no return will soon be reached when the heating cycle of the planet continues indefinitely.

Life on earth will be unbearable for creatures, plants and humans, the experts say.

Paying reparations for harm being done to poor nations is an urgent matter of conscience, according to Archbishop Nicolas Thévenin, Apostolic Nuncio to Egypt and deputy head of the Holy See’s delegation.

He said that the rich industrial nations must pay compensation for polluting the planet and damaging the lives and environment of everyone else.

In other undiplomatic words, the rich countries must stand up and pay up.

“It is imperative that we build

bridges of solidarity. Those who are most vulnerable to the ravages of climate change are urgently calling for real support in this moment of crisis.”

He said “to ignore them [those affected by climate crisis] would be a failure of conscience.”

Pope Francis in Laudato Si teaches that all humans have to save the environment and the planet from the destructive forces of irresponsible governments and industry that cause global warming and the massive disasters that are happening around the world.

The damage to small countries from floods, typhoons and drought is immense and is brought upon them by irresponsible governments that approve coal and oil power stations and are paying oil companies a trillion dollars in subsidies to explore for more oil and gas.

This is extreme hypocrisy and a total contradiction to their statements in the past and today at COP 27 where they vow to reduce CO2 and methane levels in the atmosphere.

In fact, they are increasing the emissions of CO2. (To be continued) (LiCAS.news)

Pag-IBIG

WITH their significant contributions to the continued growth of the PagIBIG Fund, 22 members of the largest private housing developers’ alliance in the country, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc. (SHDA), were commended as topperforming real estate developers in the Pag-IBIG Fund Stakeholders' Accomplishment Report (StAR) for Q1 to Q3 of 2022.

The Stakeholders' Accomplishment Report is an event conducted by the state-owned Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund to recognize the top de -

Fund report recognizes SHDA members

velopers, employers, service partners, and key stakeholders in five major regions in the Philippines whose support to the organization has been instrumental in allowing them to perform excellently in the pursuit of their mandates.

“As the largest and leading housing and real estate developers association in the Philippines, it is truly an honor for us that HDMF recognized the achievements of some of our members, which have delivered outstanding performance in the first to the third quarter of this year. We are proud to say that our members have been consis-

tent recipients of Pag-IBIG Fund's StAR Awards year after year. This shows how our alliance is committed to Pag-IBIG Fund's pursuit of providing affordable home financing for Filipino families and a more vibrant housing and real estate sector,” said SHDA President May Rodriguez. SHDA members Raemulan Lands, Inc., Axeia Development Corporation, The New Apec Group of Companies, 8990 Housing Development Corporation, Borland Development Corporation, Homemark Group of Companies, P.A Alvarez Properties and Development Corporation,

CENQHOMES Development Corporation and PHINMA Property Holdings Corporation claimed the top nine spots respectively for top developers in the National Capital Region.

Borland Development Corporation is named “best performing loans ratio” and the “best performing accounts ratio,” while A. J Mark Group of Companies grabbed the “best performing conversion” award in the NCR.

Included in the North Luzon top developers are Hausland Group (Top 1), Borland Development Corporation (Top 3), 8990

Housing Development Corporation (Top 4), The New Apec Group of Companies (Top 7) and P.A Alvarez Properties and Development Corporation (Top 8). Borland Development Corporation bagged the “best in performing accounts

ratio award. The New Apec Group of Companies got the “best in performing loans ratio” award, while 8990 Housing Development Corporation got the “best performing conversion” award. (PR)

City Hall cites media role in PH econ recovery

By Stephen Capillas CAGAYAN DE ORO

CITY – The country’s media industry is a valuable partner in nation-building especially at this time when the Philippines is slowly recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, a top City Hall official said on Tuesday.

“As we go about having more businesses open up and resume operations for their benefit and the benefit of the community, the government is there (not only to stimulate resource generation) but to help improve the welfare of their constituents,” City Administrator Roy Hilario Raagas told delegates of the 26th National Press Congress held in one of the city’s hotels.

Speaking in behalf of Mayor Rolando Uy, Raagas extended City Hall’s welcome to the Press Congress

delegates who are editors and publisher members of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI).

This year’s three-day Press Congress carried the theme ‘Collaborative Media Groups Support to Government Towards Enhanced National Food Security, Economic Recovery and Socio-Economic Welfare.’

In his message, Raagas

said City Hall is grateful for the support of PAPI’s members to them and the local community especially in the Uy administration’s efforts to improve the quality of life of Kagay-anons, their investors and those who live and work in the city.

“The media together with the chamber of commerce, the inventors group and other stakeholders (are invaluable partners)

to government,” he said.

Through responsible reporting and coverage, Raagas said the media industry helps government influence and shape Filipinos into a “responsible citizenry.”

“Through the Klarex administration’s RISE agenda—R for Regional Leadership, I for Institutional Development, S for Safety and Security and E for Economic Recovery— the last two being in sync

with the Press Congress’s theme,” Raagas said.

Through constructive collaboration, Raagas said the government, media and other stakeholders can help achieve economic recovery and sustained growth as well as peace for the country.

“Together we can come up with programs that will address poverty along with the issues and concerns at hand,” Raagas told the press congress delegates.

The three-day congress which ends on Dec. 8 is spearheaded by PAPI in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology, Cagayan de Oro City Hall, the Provincial Capitol of Misamis Oriental, the Philippine Press Institute, Philippine Online Broadcasters Association, Mindanao Independent Press Council and the Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas. (SC | CIO)

BFAR-10 lays out plan to empower fisherfolk in MisOcc

MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL – TO ensure sustainable fisheries and aquatic resources in Misamis Occidental, Teodoro Bacolod Jr., Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region-10 (BFAR-10) regional director, laid out plans with the province’s 1st District Rep. Jason Almonte to empower fisherfolk in the locale towards

productivity and resiliency.

Bacolod, together with Cirilo Bagcat, the provincial fishery officer (PFO) in MisOcc, discussed with the congressman through programs and projects fitted for the increase of fisheries production in the province.

Almonte responded on a positive note and guaranteed to work hand-in-hand with the bureau to make

these plans realized within his term.

Furthermore, both were looking forward to a window of opportunities for a legislated hatchery, a fish port, and a series of training in aquaculture for inspiring pond owners that encourage additional yield for fisherfolk living offshore. (BFAR-10 | PIA10 | Misamis Occidental)

Twenty-two members of the largest private housing developers’ alliance in the country are commended as topperforming real estate developers. (Photo supplied)

City Administrator Roy Hilario Raagas cites media’s role in rebuilding the country’s economy. (Roel Felicitas | CIO)

Teodoro Bacolod Jr., BFAR-10 regional director visits Misamis Occidental to talk to 1st District Rep. Jason Almonte through programs and projects fitted for the increase of fisheries production in the province. (BFAR-10)

Building business opportunities in Agriculture

By Maria Eloisa Akut

“ANG tableya ni mama, walay lasa (My mother’s tableya has no flavor).” So how can we market these? And the glaring financial records with 200 heads of free-range chickens eating sackful of feeds a day with no revenues at all!

The curiosity and the entrepreneurial mind of Julie Ann were triggered by the situations she witnessed on their farm, SiaKeAn's Integrated Farm (stylized as SiaKeAn), which was owned and operated by her mother.

How come her mother continued to spend money with barely enough income to pay the laborers?

She took these situations as challenges in farming which she thought is a way to help her mother’s dream come true.

“My dream is for SiaKeAn's Farm to be an exporter of cacao beans and other products, to be a prime chicken meat producer, and a vegetable

product consolidator in the province,” this is what Julie Ann answered when asked about her current plan in life.

A strike of fate

An architect by profession, Julie Ann Alvarez is the second child of Garlan Alvarez who is a seafarer for decades, and Sagrada Alvarez, a city agriculturist.

She worked in a construction company for six years after graduating from Mapua University and after getting her license.

Managing a team of architects honed Julie Ann’s managerial skills to handle people and motivate them to work for the company’s goals.

Trapped in the construction site for months because of Covid-19 pandemic, Julie Ann was bored and granted to be allowed a Christmas vacation in their home in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental.

A strike of misfortune or fate, she became sick with pneumonia, thanks to her

hardworking ways and the city lifestyle.

Hard work to a point of less or no sleep at all, she added.

“While recuperating, at first, I was just tending the flowers since I do not know anything about agriculture. But when I saw the

Hubbard chicken weighing an average of 3 kilos and eating up my mama’s funds with no return, I suggested disposing of it. And voila! Everything of the 200 heads was sold in just two weeks!”

That made Julie look into all other records of the

farm and realized that it is not gaining profit at all.

The biggest challenge

The challenge she was facing then was how to make the farm productive and generate income.

Seeing the cacao and tableya production as having the lowest revenue product but with high potential, Julie Ann tried to improve it by including fermentation of the cacao

beans in the process.

“I experimented fermentation with the help of watching videos on YouTube, I can declare that I am a YouTube graduate. Then I attended the trainings organized by the ATI. Why not avail of all these free training programs?”

The product did improve and she was able to market online through a popular app.

AGRICULTURE

| p7

‘Pantawid Pamilya helps me bounce back from life’s challenges’

By Ma. Katherine Calunod

“LIFE will knock us down, but we can choose to get back up.” – The Karate Kid, 2010

This has been my life’s motto and has kept me going for the past years. I was born and raised in a low-income family where we always worried about our next meal.

I am the eldest of four siblings. My father, the

family’s breadwinner, is a fisherman, while my mother is a housewife

I remember growing up with no electricity and no water supply at home, so we relied on gas lamps and had to sleep early at night to save gas.

Also, we always walked a mile or two to fetch clean water to drink. My parents taught us to go to school without money to buy snacks during recess.

I remember that when-

ever it was recess, I always opted to stay in the class so that I could not see my classmates and schoolmates enjoying their snacks.

That is why my mother will see that we eat enough breakfast to sustain us for the rest of the morning class. It was only during high school that my mother had to give us money for us to pay for our fares.

She will give us P15, enough to cover the cost of the fare going back and

forth to the school, a total of 14 pesos at that time, so I will have one peso to spare for my snack.

However, that one peso can only buy me a cold drink or a candy, not even enough to quench my hunger.

Nonetheless, it did not stop me from keeping on. What I did was for me to buy my snacks; I saved the fare intended for going home by walking from the school to our house.

In high school, we be-

came a 4Ps beneficiary of the Pangtawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

It is a tremendous blessing to my family. This time we don’t have to worry if the weather is not favorable because if this happens, the sea will not be fit for fishing, and, hence, there will be no food on the table.

The 4Ps made my family’s worries lighter so that it would somehow fit the release date of the payout on those days when we had no money, and my father could not go to the sea to fish.

After receiving the payout, my mother will see that she has bought 50 kilograms of rice. So we could have a good meal once in a while, which I was looking forward to during payouts.

It might be small for some, but it fed my family and me.

Indeed, 4Ps alleviated the hunger my family was experiencing, especially

on days when we had nothing.

Here comes college.

Even though my father doubted his ability to support me during this time, he still pushed me to go to a university to study and get a degree.

During my first year, I was unaware of the scholarship intended for 4Ps beneficiaries, the Expanded Students’ Grants-In-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA).

I only learned about it during my second year in college. I applied and passed the necessary documents for the scholarship.

Unfortunately, I failed to avail myself of the program.

Despite this, I did my best to maintain my grades and obtained a spot on the dean’s list, which exempted me from paying my tuition fee.

The scholarship was of great help to my father’s budget allotted for me.

Ma. Katherine is now supporting her family at Purok 6, Taboc Sur, Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental. (Photo supplied)

SiaKeAn's Integrated Farm’s bestselling products include coconut-based and cacao-based products. They also have chili flakes, salabat, roselle jelly, and maize sinangag. (Photo supplied)

Aiming to become an exporter of cacao beans and other cacao-based products, Julie Ann works hard and is hopeful to attain her aspiration in the near future. (Photo supplied)

MINDANAO TODAY

HOROSCOPES

ARIES (Mar. 21- A pr. 19) — You may be reluctant to commit to anything major today, Aries. Your natural tendency is to look askance at those who promise grand and wonderful things. You're smart to question such talk. Don't be surprised if someone's new idea garners all the acclaim. Don't buy into it without first hearing the facts. It isn't a good day for you to gamble, either.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20) — This may be one of those days when you feel completely alone even if there are hundreds of people around, Taurus. No one seems to understand your perspective. Your incredible sensitivity and emotionalism are putting you in a category all your own. Try not to ostracize yourself from the group. Reach out instead of pulling away. You have more in common with other people than you think.

GEMINI (May 21 -June 20) — Balance your boisterous, adventurous nature with a bit of discipline today, Gemini. It's important to laugh, but it's also important to stay on task with your duties. The good news is that both of these things can work in tandem. They aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, one will help you achieve the other. Be serious but have a good time and keep things in perspective.

CANCER (June 21 -July 22) — There may be a thousand things for you to do today, Cancer, but you can only get them done if you concentrate on one at a time. Take a lighthearted approach. You will never finish by focusing on the sheer amount of work you have to do. Break it up into smaller pieces and delegate tasks if you can. Try to see the fun side of things. Schedule in breaks and snacks.

LEO (July 23 -Aug. 22) — No matter what you're doing today, have fun, Leo. Whistle a tune. Turn the stereo up to full volume and dance around the kitchen as you make dinner. You can find amusement in just about anything, so keep this in mind as you tackle even the menial tasks. You're responsible for your own attitude, so don't blame anyone else for a sour mood. Turn yourself around and have fun.

VIRGO (Aug 23 - S ep. 22) — You might need to spend time alone in order to reset your programming, Virgo. Other people's influence may be seeping into your psyche. There's no reason to always do or say what other people dictate. Your sensitivity helps you understand things about others, but it can also bring you down if you start to take on their burdens. Try to counterbalance this tendency with more of your own energy.

LIBRA (Sep. 23 - O ct. 22) — You will find that discipline, organization, and a bit of a dramatic flair are exactly the things needed to be successful today, Libra. Just because you have to be practical doesn't mean that you have to be stern and grumpy. Remember that taking care of serious matters can actually be fun as long as you maintain a positive attitude about the situation. A smile goes a long way.

SCORPIO (Oct. 3 -Nov. 21) — You might find it difficult to deal with people on an emotional level today, Scorpio. Others could seem too demanding of your attention and want to keep the focus on themselves. At the same time, you will probably need a bit more attention than usual. Try not to be so stubborn! Give people the love they need, and you will find that the love you require will come to you as well.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 -Dec. 21) — You might find your emotions a bit dampened today, Sagittarius, but this may not be a bad thing. Try not to blow things out of proportion so much. Don't feel that you need to turn every small story into a major headline. There's no need to exaggerate the truth just to get more attention. Take a more reserved approach to your actions and reactions to all situations.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) — Make sure you get your daily dose of laughter and try to come out of your shell a bit more, Capricorn. This is an important time for you to let go of your inhibitions and open up to the world. You may find that there's a sober tone to your emotions, but you can overcome this easily as long as you keep your chin up. There's no reason for you to be gloomy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) — This is an important day for you to give thanks for all that you have, Aquarius. Give your loved ones extra hugs and let them know how much they mean to you. If things start to get a bit too serious and somber, you're the one who can pull others out of the rut. There is no need to be sad when you have so much to be happy about.

PISCES ( Feb. 19 - Mar. 20) — Maintain a positive attitude, Pisces, and things will naturally flow your way. Tell a few jokes and keep things light and energetic. You will find that you can multitask very well, and you have the ability to make everyone smile. Don't shy away from things - move toward them. Put away your self-doubt and be more proactive in your approach to everything you encounter.

CATHOLIC | from p1

While financial support and in-kind donations to Church-sanctioned activities are laudable gestures of chairty, the diocese, however, cannot turned a blind eye on parishioners being victimized by swindlers, the Circular states.

All communications from the diocese originate from the Office of the Chancellor and these have dry seal stamps, the bishop said, advising parishioners to inform their parish priests if they suspect the motives of solicitors.

The same, he said, may

NAVY

be reported to the police for investigation and even arrests.

Pedregosa’s pastoral warning stemmed from two solicitation letters, asking for financial support to defray expenses of seminarians supposedly set for ordination rites on December 1 and November 15, this year.

In the December 1 ordination, a certain “Rev. Roel Andal” was mentioned as recipient of the financial assistance.

The other letter, dated November 1, 2022, and shared online bear the signatures which appeared to be that of the Bishop – minus

the cross symbol before his name – and that of Father Biven L. Belderol, parish priest of San Isidro Labrador in Musuan of Maramag town.

A certain Noel Cabaluna was to be ordained in Digos City on November 15, this year, for the Sacred Order of Presbyters under the Order of Saint Benedict (OSB). Donations for him may be sent to GCash Account No. 9956459320.

“I did not endorse these solicitation letters. I don’t know them (those named for ordination),” Pedregoza wrote in the Circular, written in Bisayan language.

The bishop said there have been instances of identity theft, when social media accounts bear the name and photos of priests, asking for financial assistance through Facebook messenger and that the money may be sent to a GCash account.

So far, not one in Malaybalay diocese has come out in the open, claiming he is a swindling victim. (MT)

CUSTOMS | from p1 by the Bureau of Customs. The gift, however, does not exist,” BOC-Davao said.

| from p1

Dulnoan, NFWM acting commander, rendered an arrival ceremony for PG901 and its crew Thursday at Ensign Majini Pier of the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, which houses the NFWM headquarters here.

PG901, one of two PN’s Acero-class patrol gunboats, is a missile-capable Shaldag Mk. V Fast Attack Interdiction Craft Missile (FAIC-M). Cabaltera said the 32-meter high-speed ves -

MOSAID | from p4

Or is this because Santas are our parents, stealthily placing gifts in the middle of the night so children would behave? But truth be told, sometimes we just have to be generous and thoughtful just so, not just because someone is being good.

At times, perhaps, giving something great to people who are “bad” or “naughty” makes you a better person if not at par with Santa Claus.

This is too much of a classical conditioning.

AGRICULTURE | from p6

With its new taste, the tableya made it through and online orders came pouring in.

And that’s when another challenge came. The market is not the problem now, it is the raw materials.

Cacao beans from the farm are not enough to produce more tableya, and Julie Ann had to make excuses with the buyers. She can’t supply them anymore.

She tried to diligently apply the organic concoctions to bring more fruits to the cacao trees but still, the fruits are not enough.

BONDOC | from p4

Environment activism and campus turbulence disrupted Leonard’s studies.

Yet despite his unfinished undergrad, he was consulted by younger professors on their researches. He later breezed through master’s and doctorate programs.

Daughter Linnaea Marie was 12 when Leonard was killed. He had named her after the beautiful twinflower Linnaea borealis of Scandinavia and Alaska. Linnaea and Gladys buried part of

sel is equipped with quick intercept ability, remote stabilized weapons, and short-range missiles that are capable to deliver precision strikes against larger hostiles and high-value targets on land or sea.

BRP-Nestor Acero will augment the existing NFWM fleet guarding cross-border terrorism, kidnapping, and other crimes in the southern seas.

The PN’s two Acero-class gunboats are named after Philippine Marine Corps he-

Now, this is more like what I wish Santa would address:

“I hope you are safe, Santa. More than your safety though, I wish that what you do makes you happy. I know a lot of people who are unhappy. I think they are stressed by selfishness, greed, pride and vanity, arrogance, envy or simply by their unfortunate circumstances. I wish you could give them happiness instead of material gifts which do not guarantee long and lasting joy. I really wish gift-giv-

Linkage and coordination are the keys, Julie Ann thought. And she tried it with the cacao farmers in one of the meetings.

She offered them almost double the price of the cacao beans they are currently selling.

“Pero murag wala sila nituo sa ako. Tingali abi nila gabinuang man ning anak ni Diding (It seems they did not believe me. Maybe they thought this daughter of Diding is joking).”

This is one of the current experiences some young farmers are facing when dealing with the older and

his ashes beneath his tree in the UP woods.

The rest they brought via bus, Navy boat, tricycle and trek to the Sierra Madres in Palanan, Isabela, to blow away in the forest where he discovered his Rafflesia. (LiCAS.news)

(Editor’s note: This opinion piece, written by awardwinning Filipino journalist and author Jarius Bondoc, was first published in the LiCAS.news website on Nov. 17, 2022. We are republishing it with permission from the LiCAS.news editors.)

roes and Medal for Valor recipients, the late Pfc. Nestor F. Acero, and the late 1Lt. Lolinato G. To-ong.

The two gunboats are part of the nine FAICS-M acquired by the Philippines from Israel for PHP10 billion.

The acquisition of the FAICS-M are among the 2019 projects approved by former President Rodrigo Duterte under the Horizon 2 List of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program. (PNA)

ing isn’t so materialistic this time. In fact if I had known that you also give PEACE as a gift, I would rather prefer that over anything else. That is so wanting in our Mindanao or probably in the whole world now.”

Yet happiness is a choice, or a perspective. It’s true that many people are not happy because of their own demons, so to say.

Very well said and very well written, I must say.

Now, if only the world would realize everyone can be Santa Claus, giving be-

experienced ones in the field.

Such complexity did not stop Julie Ann to pursue her plan of getting big with cacao production.

She approached the cacao farmers in the neighborhood and started buying their beans at a higher price to

PANTAWID | from p6

Luckily, in my fourth year in college, a professor of mine happened to be the head of the scholarship program I had applied to.

He knew I was a 4Ps beneficiary, so he just told me to submit the documents, and I became a scholar.

It was timely because I had to pay for my graduation fees in my senior year. So, once again, it eased the burden of my family’s having another payment to think of.

I graduated with Latin honors (cum laude) with my course Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSUIIT).

I am eternally grateful to God and my family, who have always been there for me throughout my journey.

Since 4Ps caters only to a maximum of three children

BOC-Davao’s Port’s Public Information and Assistance Division deals with the complaints that have reached 100 so far as of October, although officials said some victims may be ashamed to file reports.

Most of the victims were reported to be below 40 years old while the largest scammed amount is about P35,000.

“More people fall victim to this online fraudulent scheme where foreigners befriend Filipinos and engage them in romantic relationships,” BOC-Davao said. (With a report from Che Palicte | PNA)

cause it makes us happy when we see others smile, because sharing with a fellow human being is love, and because love is that thing that makes mankind survive as a species, this world is already heaven to live in.

I feel for our brethren in Mindanao, and in the whole world.

Sincerely, Vivien Lopez (MindaNews)

boost their supply of raw materials.

With patience and perseverance, more meetings and linkages with farmers are coming up, and by now, surely, SiaKeAn's tableya is back to online business.

per household, it will be our last month to receive help from it because my third sibling will be graduating from senior high school this coming June 2022.

Looking back and counting the years the program has been with us through thick and thin, it has been with us for eight fruitful years.

In eight years, I obtained my master’s degree at MSUIIT in 2019, and by 2020, I started to pursue my doctorate at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), where I am a DOST scholar.

2020 was the most challenging year for my family and the rest of the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, everyone was encouraged to stay at home and be extra careful whenever going outside by always wearing a facemask and maintaining social distancing.

Mati receives ‘most beautiful bays’ citation in Cambodia

By Che Palicte

DAVAO CITY – The city government of Mati in Davao Oriental has received the recognition as one of the most beautiful bays in the world during the 16th Congress of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World Club in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Dec. 10.

In an interview, city information officer Ben Jason Tesiorna said Mati City has the lone distinction of having three bays declared as the world’s most beautiful bays.

The Pujada Bay, along with Mayo and Balete Bays, has been included on the list of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World through an official communication from the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Association (MBBWA) on Feb. 21, 2020.

In January 2020, two top officials of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World from France and Canada – Treasurer Guy Rousset and General Manager Bruno Bodard –visited the province and conducted a four-day validation and site visit at the Pujada Bay.

During their stay, both officials said they were impressed by Pujada Bay’s beautiful and rich seascapes and landscapes.

Following the validation, the officials submitted their on-site visit report to the Board Members of the Most Beautiful Bay of the World, who gave the official nod for Pujada Bay’s inclusion in the prestigious association.

“Around 130 delegates from 23 countries all over the world will join the congress,” Tesiorna said. (PNA)

‘Maldives in Mindanao’ resort to rise in MisOcc town

By Shaine Mae Nagtalon

SINACABAN, Misamis

Occidental – The province broke ground for the P500 million Asenso Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park (AMORAP) located in Barangay Libertad Bajo, Sinacaban, here.

The project is dubbed as the Maldives of Mindanao inspired by the Maldives resort. It is aimed at boosting local economy and is expected to spur economic activities that will eventually trickle down to the communities in terms of more income opportunities.

Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Sec. Ivan John Enrile Uy and Gov. Henry Oaminal led the groundbreaking and capsule laying ceremony of the Asenso Misamis Oc-

cidental Resort and Aquamarine Park (AMORAP).

Uy said this dream will become a reality so long as the province are under the leadership of Oaminal and so long as all mayors here will work together.

“A united Misamis Occidental and Misamis Occidental that will strive to bring progress, to alleviate poverty and to bring economic benefits to the province,” he said.

Uy is also confident that Region 10 and Misamis Occidental will be put in the world map.

”It will be a destination that everybody will want to go because they will be envious of the experience of the sites, the people that they will encounter here in Misamis Occidental,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Rowena Gutierrez said the goal for tourism in

the province is not just to increase tourist influx, but to attract more investors, to provide employment opportunities, and to generate revenues.

“This tourism site will attract more tourists in our province, more tourists mean more livelihood opportunities for our constituents. More jobs mean increased family income. Increased family income means increased financial capability, so on and so forth,” Gutierrez emphasized.

In an interview, Barangay Chair Tessie Misagrande from Colupan Bajo, Sinacaban, expressed her gratefulness to Oaminal and leaders of Misamis Occidental for their strong support in the realization of this project.

“Sa amo nga taga diri, malipayon gyud kaayo mi ug mapasalamaton nga

naa diri gyud nabutang ang maong Maldives. Isa pud ni nga oportunidad namo mga taga diri nga makahatag ni namo og mga kaayuhan sa pagasenso sa matag usa nga mga lumulupyo niini nga maong lungsod,” she said.

(For those of us who are here, we are very happy and grateful that the Maldives is located here. This is also an opportunity for us in our town that will give us the benefits for the

betterment of each and every one of us here in Sinacaban)

A 49-hectares coastal forested area features various amenities, including 4-storey hotels and cottages, inland villas, playground, inland villas with Jacuzzi, clubhouse, wildlife, fish feeding, fish pond, mangrove villas, midpoint rest cafe, spa village, restaurant by the sea, coastal villas with swimming pool, golf clubhouse, convention

center, camping sites, nature trails, bird sanctuary, aquaculture, vegetable plantation, chapel and others.

This is one of the flagship projects of the provincial government of Misamis Occidental under the leadership of Oaminal in line with the vision of Asenso Misamis Occidental as a tourism destination and investment hub of Mindanao. (SMRN | PIA10 | Misamis Occidental)

MSTONE OPENS BRANCH IN SM UPTOWN

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Mstone Korean Solid Surface in now open at SM City CDO Uptown to cater your aesthetic, minimalist and timeless aspirations for your home! They offer solid surface stones with beauty, excellent quality, consistent colors and patterns that make your countertop or living space look classy. It has non-porous and seamless features, making it an advantage for your home. Mstone is lated at the second level, North Wing of the SM City CDO Uptown. (PR | Photo supplied)

Capsule Laying of the new AMORAP in Barangay Libertad Bajo, Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental. (SMRN | PIA-10 | Misamis Occidental)

Representatives from Mati City Tourism Office, City Environment Office, and City Information Office will formally receive the recognition. (Photo from Mati CIO)