THE MINDANAO TODAY NOVEMBER 2-3, 2022

Grave-seekers get online help in Oro

By Uriel Quilinguing Contributing Editor

FOR the first time in three years, those wanting to visit their departed loved ones buried years ago at the biggest public cemetery in

Cagayan de Oro needed an online registry system to lo cate the remains, a City Local Environment and Natural Re sources Office (CLENRO) of ficial said Monday, October 31. Engr. Armen Cuenca, CLENRO head, said they

have set up a public assis tance center at the Cagayan de Oro Cemetery and Memo rial Park, formerly known as Bolonsiri Public Cemetery, at Camaman-an village to guide visiting relatives. Cuenca said PAC per

sonnel had assisted starting Monday those who wish to spend time with their dead family members earlier than the November 1 and 2 All Saints Day and All Souls Day, respectively.

Paeng death toll in B’moro now 51

By Edwin Fernandez

COTABATO CITY – The death toll of the devastation brought by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in Maguindanao rose to 51 with 14 others still missing, the Bangsamoro Au tonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said Monday.

PPO CHIEF’S 1ST 100 DAYS REPORT

MisOr cops nab 143 suspects, nets P1M ‘shabu’

By Franck Dick Rosete Correspondent

A TOTAL of 143 illegal drug suspects have been arrested in Misamis Oriental within the first 100 days in office of the

provincial police chief. Col. Gonzalo Villamor, Jr., the director of the Misa mis Oriental Police Provin cial Office (MORPPO), in a press conference on Monday, October 31, said that the ac

complishment was in line with the government’s fight against illegal drugs as it remained as of one of the priorities of the Phil. National Police.

The said numbers of illegal drug suspects were arrested

from a total of 124 conducted anti-illegal drug operations from all city and municipal police offices in the province from the time Villamor as sumed the office on July 22

Col. Gonzalo Villamor Jr. (left), Misamis Oriental provincial police director, answers questions from reporters during a press conference on his 1st 100 days in office at the PNP provincial headquarters in Brgy. San Martin, Villanueva town, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. With him is Lt. Col. Ariel Pontillas, deputy provincial director for operations. (Jigger Jerusalem | MT)

November

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

ZAMBOANGA CITY –

The City Council has ap proved the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) to place this city under a state of ca lamity due to the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja said Monday that the city council, through the res olution, approved the recom mendation of the CDRRMC in a special session Saturday

afternoon.

The declaration will en able the city government and the affected barangays to utilize resources and address damages caused by Paeng that battered this city starting Thursday night until Friday.

Flash floods caused by Paeng left four dead from drowning and two others missing, while 10,754 fami lies were displaced in this southern port city.

The Emergency Opera tions Center (EOC) under the City Disaster Risk Re duction and Management

Office (CDRRMO) said in a statement Monday that three of the four fatalities were identified as Tanya Abadies, 60; Edgardo Supil, 57; and, Liza Mae Domingo, 23.

“The identity of the fourth casualty is still being veri fied,” Dr. Elmeir Jade Apoli nario, CDRRMO chief, said Monday.

City Agriculturist Car mencita Sanchez said Paeng destroyed 44.4 hectares of rice fields and vegetable farms with damage estimated to have reached over P1.8 million. (PNA)

KORONADAL CITY – The South Cotabato provincial police office here has de ployed more than 300 per sonnel for the observance of “Undas” this year, officials said Friday.

In this city alone, at least 118 police officers will be fielded for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls' Day to ensure the safety of the public.

Lt. Col. Amor Mio So mine, the city police chief,

said the deployment order covering the October 28 to November 2 period involves a sizable number of police officers at the four largest cemeteries here.

“All our police personnel during the period will have no day off,” Somine said in an interview, adding that the current police deployment on roads and other crowded places will stay.

Meanwhile, Capt. Renjun Bagaman, the provincial

police office spokesperson, advised police field units in South Cotabato to coordinate with local government units in putting up the needed facilities for security in the cemeteries.

“Local police shall also coordinate with the munici pal or city health offices for the implementation of the coronavirus disease 2019 health protocols,” Bagaman said. (Roel Osano | PNA)

farmers coop

By Che Palicte

DAVAO CITY – A farmer’s association in Davao Occi dental has received PHP5.5 million worth of assistance from the Department of Ag riculture in the Davao Region (DA-11) to boost their swine production initiatives.

In a statement Monday, DA-11 identified the Malita Rural Workers Agrarian Ben eficiaries Multipurpose Co

operative (MARWABEMP CO) in Malita, Davao Oc cidental, as the beneficiary of the assistance.

DA-11 said the coop erative received its check on Oct. 21 for the implementa tion of community-based swine production under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program.

Composed of 74 mem

bers, MARWABEMPCO is also a recipient of 129.5 hect ares of agricultural land from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) - Compre hensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Under the project, PHP4.475 million is allo cated for the biosecure hous ing facility for swine, while PHP525,000 is for 75 swine heads and PHP500,000

FARMERS, | p7...

DAVAO CITY – The Task Force Davao (TFD) has seized over P7 million worth of illegal drugs and smuggled cigarettes from January to October this year, its top of ficial said Thursday.

In an interview here, Col. Darren Comia said from Jan.1 to Oct. 14, some 204 grams of shabu with an estimated

street value of P3.2 million and 867 grams of marijuana valued at P108,598 were seized from 155 people.

In addition, Comia said a total of 7,952 reams of smug gled cigarettes worth P3.9 million were also seized, including the P1.25 million worth of cigarettes seized on Oct. 18.

“We have apprehended 215 people who attempted to smuggle illegal drugs, ciga rettes, and firearms through the city’s borders,” Comia said, adding that they have also arrested 42 individuals for carrying illegal firearms.

With the series of at tempts to bring contraband inside the city, he said se

Wanted commie official nabbed in AgSur

By Alexander Lopez

BUTUAN CITY – Another leader of the New People's Army (NPA) fell into the hands of authorities, the Police Regional Office-Caraga (PRO13) announced on Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Cara mat Jr., PRO-13 chief, said Rudolfo Dolera, 42, of the Guerrilla Front 21, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee and a resident of Barangay Los Angeles, Butuan City was arrested in Barangay Padiay, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur on Friday.

Dolera, the No. 3 most wanted in Agusan del Sur and a priority NPA target, has a standing arrest warrant for frustrated murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 in Butuan. (PNA)

curity inspections in the five border checkpoints (Sirawan, Eden, Lacson, Malagos, and Lasang), the airport, and the non-stop patrols in the Davao River will be heightened.

“Through this, we can check all those entering Davao City (from all sides),” he said. (Che Palicte | PNA)

AFP, BARMM join hands vs. terrorism in Sulu area

COTABATO CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philip pines (AFP), through the Joint Task Force (JTF Sulu) and the Bangsamoro Au tonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have vowed to work closely in

combatting terrorism and pursuing peace and devel opment in Sulu and nearby areas, officials said Monday.

Joint Task Force (JTFSulu) commander Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio of the Army’s 11th Infantry Di

vision met with BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebra him over the weekend here, where they tackled the peace and security situation in Sulu.

During the meeting, Ebrahim acknowledged JTF Sulu’s contribution to sus

taining the gains of the peace process.

“The joint normaliza tion initiatives of the na tional government and the BARMM are making sig nificant progress and ac complishment as we continue

to fight for autonomy and decent governance," Ebrahim said in a statement Monday.

In response, Patrimonio committed to working togeth er with BARMM to support initiatives on peace, reconcili ation, and development.

“This network is a mani festation that there is no problem in the team that can’t be solved if we work together towards peace and develop ment,” Patrimonio said in a separate statement. (Edwin Fernandez | PNA)

Water tankers of the CDRRMO deliver water to barangays in the west coast of Zamboanga City. (Photo courtesy of City Hall PIO)

The Koronadal City Police Office. (Photo courtesy of Koronadal CPO)

Col. Darren Comia, the Task Force Davao commander. (PNA file photo)

TF-Davao seizes P7-M in contraband from Jan.-Oct.

The DA-11 turns over P5.5 million worth of assistance to boost the swine production initiatives. (Photo courtesy of DA-11)

GOODNEWS

Pinoy-made mobile lab to detect ASF, Avian flu now in Bukidnon

MARAMAG, Bukidnon –

A Pinoy-made Mobile Labo ratory Unit (MLU) to detect ASF, Avian Flu, and other zoonotic flu viruses is now in Bukidnon as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Business Innova tion through S&T (BIST) program officially launched and turned over the MLU to Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Maramag, Bukid non, October 28.

The MLU is equipped with state-of-the-art animal health diagnostic technolo gies designed and created by a local veterinary research and diagnostics company known as BioAssets Corpo ration.

“The mobile biocontain ment laboratory, the first of its kind in the country, will initially serve hog and poul

try breeders in Bukidnon, and the MLU can serve an estimated 5-10 farms per day that require diagnostic tests for livestock,” said Dr. Homer Pantua, president and co-founder of BioAssets Corp. and project leader of the Building Research and Innovation Development Goals for Engineering SUCs (BRIDGES).

Pantua, who also heads the Balik Scientist and BIST projects, explained that the test is equivalent to pooling and testing 150-250 samples in one location; thus, the establishment of the said mo bile laboratory will support rapid response to potential outbreaks and improve dis ease surveillance, allowing farmers and veterinarians to craft mitigation strategies, preventive and control mea

sures as needed.

Bukidnon province has the highest production of 137.28 thousand metric tons of live weight in 2021, ac cording to statistics. In its 22 municipalities, there are cur rently 16,007 backyard hog raisers and 71 commercial hog raisers. A total of 251 poultry farms were also re corded to be operating in the province in December 2021.

“With a significant num ber of hog and poultry raisers in Bukidnon, the first-ever MLU must be made available in the area to support disease diagnostics,” Pantua said.

In his speech, CMU Presi dent Dr. Jesus Antonio De rije lauded the BioAssets Corporation and DOST for working together to sup port the university's College of Veterinary Medicine in

fulfilling its commitment to bring innovative tools to resource-limited areas.

“The partnership between CMU and BioAssets Corpo ration, as well as the estab lishment of the mobile lab under the Science for Change (S4C) program are essential components in the develop ment of a national disease surveillance program led by

Dr. Homer Pantua. Such pro gram will benefit both farm ers and the general public by establishing preventive and control measures for poten tial zoonotic diseases.

Meanwhile, DOSTBukidnon Provincial Direc tor Ritchie Mae L. Guno said that the department’s S4C-BIST Program provides financial assistance to Fili

pino private companies for the acquisition of strategic and relevant technologies to conduct research and devel opment studies. The funds, which may be used to pur chase high-tech equipment or to secure technology licens ing and/or patent rights, will be refunded to DOST with no interest. (DOST-Bukidnon | PIA-10 | Bukidnon)

Marawi liberation anniv teaches public to prevent another war, says CDA

By Claire Gigje

MARAWI CITY – The commemoration of the an niversary of the liberation of

the city here from five-month warfare in 2017 signifies a great realization to the public that is not to allow another firefight to happen, said the

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

While the National Coop erative Month is celebrated in the same month as the obser vation of the said occasion, the CDA has also been post ing reminders to the whole populace of the locality that it is important to banner a last ing peace to welcome devel opment which covers all of the communities, including the cooperatives.

CDA Board Member Asec. Datu Pendatun Disim ban underscored that they do not commemorate the libera

tion anniversary because they wished for what happened years ago, rather, they want it to serve as a lesson to all citizens.

He stated that residents, especially internally dis placed persons (IDPs), could attest to how difficult it was for them to sustain their sur vival amidst the aftermath of the destruction.

As such, Disimban em phasized that it is only ap propriate to be one in fighting the causes of war.

“We know how hurtful all the scenarios were. We do

not want that our fellowmen anywhere in the world would feel that, that is why we com memorate this so that we will always be unified and not permit what happened five years ago,” he said.

Disimban shared that they have been consulting reli gious leaders regarding the siege in the city in 2017 and all of them, accordingly, emphasized that the involved terrorists were wrong and morally lost.

He reiterated that Islam is a religion for peace and this did not command the killing

of innocent lives, regardless of their religion and spiritual beliefs.

“If someone is doing this, then they are wrong. They are not Muslims, that is why we need to be unified. If they are wrong and we are right, then we must not fear defending what is right,” said Disimban.

This year, the city com memorates the fifth anniver sary of its liberation from the five-month brutal attack of the Daesh-inspired Maute group in 2017. (CRG | PIA10 | Lanao del Sur)

Bukidnon wins

welfare quiz competition

MALAYBALAY CITY –Grant Jhazzel Ortega, a stu dent from Central Mindanao University Laboratory High School (CMULHS) in Mu suan, Maramag, Bukidnon was declared champion of the regional consumer quiz competition in celebration of Consumer Welfare Month with the theme “Sustainable Consumerism in the Digital Age.”

Ortega defeated other contestants from schools in five Northern Mindanao provinces in this year's quest held at Mallberry Suites and

Business Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City on October 26.

Famelah Racquel Villan ueva, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bukidnon, said this is one of the ways the department disseminates information and broadens education on policies af fecting both consumers and the general public through scholastic competition.

“The Regional Consumer Quiz aims to raise the level of readiness of the academic sector to take a proactive

A Pinoy-made Mobile Laboratory Unit (MLU) to detect African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian Influenza is now in Bukidnon. (BGE | PIA-10 | Bukidnon)

Asec. Datu Pendatun Disimban, Cooperative Development Authority board member. (Jason Casas | PIA-10 | Lanao del Sur)

Grant Jhazzel Ortega (center), a student CMULHS in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon was the champion in regional consumer quiz. (DTI-Bukidnon)

Wed-Thu,

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HAPPENS, WHERE IT HAPPENS

(2nd of 2 parts)

PRAYING must there fore become an emo tional exchange of words spoken and heard in the deepest recesses of our hearts, a dialogue of love and affection defying space and time.

Aside from a blessing, a prayer may perhaps be the only example of an im materiality emanating from the human soul, capable of transcending materiality.

So, in praying, it is vital we commit to a daily prayer time with God, like keeping a daily “date” with someone we love.

Praying must become a habit, persevered upon not because we are only in need of support and companion ship, but because we are also in need of understand ing and hope.

Making prayer a daily habit is the first sign of per severance.

But once we are in the encounter, we always wait for the voice of God, speak ing to our minds, through our hearts and for our spirits.

The will of the Spirit is not our will; the will of the Spirit actually fulfills it in ways and means we did not expect, in ways and means we do not deserve.

In persevering prayer, we will realize that there is always the “most appro priate time and place for everything.” Humility and patience in prayer are the second signs of persever ance.

In persevering prayer, we will surely be trans

formed. Our daily “date” with God gives us regular and frequent opportunities for knowing the will of the Spirit, for accepting these expressions of love for us, and for initiating our own expressions of love for him.

Once we learn why we must love and understand God, we make reparation for our offenses against him, and we promise to obey him from now on.

Thus, through a regular prayer habit, we are moved to love him more and more each day, leading us to desire learning more about him and to try doing what he does, sharing his love to and for others, in the family and in the community.

Obedience and charity are the fruits of persevering prayer; justice and peace are the fruits of obedience and charity.

And through persevering in these works of mercy and compassion, we are moved towards a more intimate relationship with him.

We are inevitably drawn into a silent, self-surren dering immersion in him, in which actions become inactions, in which “who we are” and “what we have” are gradually taken away from us, in which the “subject” becomes the “object” of infinite Mystery.

At this point, persever ing prayer has reached its most consummate level in passive prayer.

It is in passive prayer that we are ultimately brought into the eternal union with divine Love.

An amazing reservoir

(1st of 2 parts)

THE transfer of thoughts and messages is as old as man himself.

The ability to commu nicate and develop means to communicate whether through sound (hearing), origin (sight, feeling), has, however, not solved man’s problems and lack of under standing or miscommunica tion still plague societies.

Since the time when the first woman used communi cation to entice the first man to eat the forbidden fruit, to this day when threats of nu clear annihilation are relayed through veiled double-talk using the most sophisticated communication equipment, we still have to study and understand one of the most reliable sources of truths, nature.

We believe that the truths that somehow elude us in spite of the knowledge ex plosion and the information highways available to us, are actually ours for the picking, from nature.

And to go further, from these truths, lessons can be joyfully learned.

From the diverse day-today changes that occur in na ture, be it the blossoming of a lilliputian wild grass flower, to the rushing madness of flash floods, there is always something to discover.

The Holy Book teaches us this, that in nature, we can explore what we cannot find in books or computers.

Jesus used the mustard seed, the rainbow, the lil ies, birds, fish, foxes, the rain, wind, fig trees and the branches and vines as a

means of getting His mes sages across, as a means of revealing the truth in His teachings.

This is the prevailing mode of life in the farm — where I now live — a height ened awareness of nature’s messages.

Just like the message of typhoon Karding’s unwel come brief visit to the farm.

Typhoon Karding, (in ternational name: Noru) the 11th tropical cyclone for 2022, lashed with torrential rain and fierce winds wreak ing havoc along its path, entering through Burdeos, Quezon and Dingalan, Au rora, crossing Nueva Ecija, Tarlac then emerging over Zambales waters.

Our town, San Miguel, in the province of Bulacan, like all those areas that lie in her path, suffered losses to lives and property, from the floods caused by the rains, especially in the agricultural lands.

The Department of Ag riculture put the cost of ag ricultural damage due to Karding at PhP3.12 billion, (as of October 3) with at least 108,594 farmers and fisherfolk affected.

These figures, though big, have less impact on ordinary farmers like me. (To be con tinued) (LiCAS.news)

(This opinion piece, writ ten by Edita Burgos, a doctor of education and a member of the Secular Order of the Discalced Carmelites, was first published in the LiCAS. news website on Oct. 14, 2022. We are republishing it with permission from the LiCAS.news editors.)

in Metro Manila.

He was a brave, outspoken radio journalist who may have angered some politicians with his allegations of wrongdoing.

and writers were killed in a massacre together with followers of a politician in Mindanao.

The Philippines is among the most dangerous places to be a journalist be sides war zones.

(1st of 3 parts)

TRUTH-TELLING is the work of journalists, writers and broadcast ers and the duty of Church leaders above all.

Telling and writing the truth about wrongdoing, injustice, exploitation and abuse is above all the only way to bring the rule of law and respect for human rights and civilization to a nation, expec tantly one that claims to be democratic, free and open to the truth.

In the Philippines, we are far from that goal as shown by the recent assas sination of journalist Percival Mabasa, 63, who was shot dead with two bullets to the head while in his car at Las Pinas

His radio broad cast name was Percy Lapid. No one has been arrested for the fatal shooting and police are looking into the assassination.

An official of the Marcos govern ment, Hubert Guevara, senior deputy executive secretary, has been tasked to pursue an investigation following a national outcry demanding justice.

On September 18 last, radio broad caster Renato Blanco was stabbed to death in Negros Oriental in the central Philippines, adding to the toll of 187 murdered and assassinated Filipino jour nalists in the past 35 years, according to Reporters without Borders.

In one mass killing alone, on 23 No vember 2009, as many as 32 reporters

The voices of truth that challenge the powers that rule are facing numerous court cases under the harsh cyber-libel law that is said to curb and limit free speech.

The internationally renowned and Time Magazine front cover journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, the founder of online news agency Rappler, and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr., had their appeal rejected and conviction of libel upheld by the Court of Appeals last 10 October 2022. They are facing serious jail time.

The Court of Appeals justices in their 16-page decision rejecting the motion for reconsideration of the conviction said: “In conclusion, it [is] worthy and

AS

On the practice of persevering in prayer

Speaking truth to power is a moral obligation

ECONOMY

Parents of child laborers in Sebucal receive DOLE livelihood kits

OROQUIETA CITY – A total of 14 parents of child laborers of Barangay Sebu cal, a far-flung community in Oroquieta city are now entre preneurs after they received their livelihood starter kits amounting to P189,000 from the Department of Labor and Employment-10 (DOLE-10).

Ebba Acosta, DOLE-10 Misamis Occidental Provin cial Field Office (Mis. Occ. PFO) chief, said the turnover ceremony was held in a more accessible barangay in Lake Duminagat, a two-hour trek from the main road, since Ba rangay Sebucal is a four-hour walk from Lake Duminagat. The lake is located in the Municipality of Don Victo riano Chiongbian of the prov

ince, near the very mouth of Mt. Malindang.

Acosta said her staff en dured the long hours of walk to the area to award the 14 starter kits on sari-sari store projects inclusive of grocery items (7 beneficiaries), goat raising (3), and hog raising projects (4) worth P13,500 each parent-beneficiary.

Due to their remote loca tion, the beneficiaries were overjoyed as first-time live lihood recipients from the government. A 55-year-old, Janito Gandamon said with his hogs to raise, he com mitted to focus on caring for them to augment his income so his two young sons will no longer work in the quarry to suffice their daily needs.

The livelihood assistance is through the DOLE Inte grated Livelihood and Emer gency Employment Program (DILEEP) for poverty and risk reduction among the working poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged workers through the development of entrepreneurship and com munity enterprises.

The DOLE livelihood assistance to parents of child laborers is a strategic re sponse to prevent and elimi nate child labor. Parents of child laborers are among the priority beneficiaries under the DILEEP.

labor.

The livelihood assistance provided can be in the form of Negokart, starter kits, or materials needed to start a livelihood undertaking.

Chiild Labor Prevention

and Elimination Program (CLPEP) aims to remove children from child labor par ticularly in its worst forms.

The program contributes to the Philippine Program Against Child Labor of the

national government inter ventions for eliminating or preventing child labor by promoting child-focused actions and rights-based ap proach. (DOLE-10 | PIA-10 | Misamis Occidental)

Under the Guidelines of the DILEEP, beneficiaries should not allow their chil dren to be engaged in child Some 14 parent-beneficiaries receive DOLE-10 livelihood starter kits. (DonVic Local)

PLDT, Smart confirm network stayed resilient following #PaengPH

AS of 8:00 a.m., Philippine Standard Time, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Com munications, Inc. (Smart) network remained resilient in Northern Luzon following the onslaught of #PaengPH, now a tropical storm.

“Our teams have preposi tioned mission-critical equip ment and manpower even be fore ‘Paeng’ intensified into a severe tropical storm which helped our network stay resil

ient. We await more details on the restoration of com mercial power in areas such as Batangas and Laguna, as our connectivity service is dependent on power. We are widening our relief distribu tion in the coming days to reach more people in need,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Group Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.

Network assessment is

still ongoing in areas expe riencing service disruptions in part caused by commer cial power outages due to “Paeng.”

PLDT and Smart continue to work with their partner vendors on fully restoring network services in these areas.

PLDT and Smart’s site facilities continue to stay on full alert until tropical storm ‘Paeng’ leaves the Philippine

Area of Responsibility.

PLDT and Smart has be gun free calls, charging, load assistance since yesterday, October 29, and is due to widen the coverage of relief work in the coming days.

The Group is also in close coordination with its partners on the immediate deploy ment of relief assistance to severely impacted communi ties. (PR)

Malaysian bizman inspires Marawi locals to start as small entreps

By Claire Gigje

MARAWI CITY – Real izing what little steps can do, a successful Malaysian businessman hearted the citi zenry here to kick-start their journey towards the realm of business by emerging first as small entrepreneurs.

Tengku Hawadi Tengku Hazil who owns a big store in Malaysia shared that just like any other traders, they started with a small business and went with the risk until they grew.

He stressed that it only took them to discover their capacity and utilize potential linkages to improve little by little, and eventually build a community and business network.

However, among all the experiences they had to un dergo, Hazil bared that it was

their faith in their Almighty God that paved the way for their huge success.

“We also have great faith in Allah because if Allah does not say that gives a chance to do those things, this would not happen,” he said.

Hazil made it clear that Marawi has plenty of re sources, hence, it is only fit ting for the residents to begin a small industry, especially since stakeholders like them are supporting as well by giving free education on how to build a significant commu nity beneficial in improving the economy.

“It is very good to start with small [businesses]. We try to bring more traders to Malaysia because it is one of the common needs. We are now successful in Malaysia and we came here to help the Philippine community,

specifically Marawi City. We hope that in the future, we will have a strong partner ship,” he said.

Hazil conveyed his opti mism that with proper strate gies and unceasing faith, the Islamic city would likewise

attain its longed economic betterment.

“Just look forward. We need to see a brighter future

and we can then give back,” he said. (CRG | PIA-10 | La nao del Sur)

PLDT and Smart continue to work with their partner vendors on fully restoring network services in these areas.

Successful Malaysian businessmen, especially Tengku Hawadi Tengku Hazil (center), encourage citizens of Marawi City to start as small entrepreneurs until they grow. (Jason Casas | PIA-10 | Lanao del Sur)

FEATURES

NMRDRRMC, OCD-10 hone rescuers' skills to save more lives

By Jan Albert Araña MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The Northern Mindanao Regional Disaster Risk Re duction and Management Council (NMRDRRMC),

through the Office of Civil Defense-10 (OCD-10), raised the bar high for community rescuers and responders by staging a seven-day Commu nity First Responder (CFR) training course, on October

10-16, 2022.

Participated by 86 emer gency responders and res cuers, the training course aims to further enhance and improve the participants' knowledge and skills in as

sessing and managing emer gencies, as they are the first to arrive on the scene in an emergency call.

"This is to ensure that our first responders are always ready, in tiptop shape, and build up the team’s coordi nation and camaraderie so that if they are called at a moment's notice due to emer gencies, they are prepared,” said OCD-10 Regional Di rector Antonio Sugarol.

He disclosed that the sev en-day training was inspired by observations made during the Rescue M.A.R.C.H or Mass Assembly for Res cue and Care for Human ity Challenge, which was held last July and depicted a worst-case scenario of an

earthquake. It was during the simulation exercise that trainers noticed that some of the rescuers' skills needed to be enhanced as well as their equipment units.

Community First Re sponder, Resource Manage ment, Initial and Immedi ate Response, Communi ty-Based Information and Reporting, Life Saving and Water Rescue Techniques (Basic Swimming), Ban daging Technique, Soft and Rigid Splinting, Head-to-toe Examination, Head-andSpine Immobilization, Spine Board Transfer Techniques, Emergency Carries/Trans fer, and Patient Documenta tion and Endorsement were among the topics covered.

Responders from the 1005th Community Defense Center, Reserve Command, Philippine Army, Philip pine National Police-Police Regional Office 10, and Phil ippine Coast Guard-Coast Guard District Northern Min danao participated in the training course.

Rescuers and respond ers from local government units such as Cagayan de Oro CDRRMD Oro Rescue, MDRRMO Impasugong, Bukidnon, MDRRMO Tal akag, Bukidnon, MDRRMO Sinacaban, Misamis Oc cidental, and MDRRMO Alubijid, Misamis Oriental also took part in the CFR training. (JAKA | PIA-10 | Misamis Oriental)

CWC inaugurates new office, facility, assures better water service in Camiguin

By Recthie Paculba

CAMIGUIN – Marking a good start in providing better water service in the province, the Camiguin Water Com pany (CWC) inaugurated its office, October 25, together with the local officials of the province.

“You know several road blocks happened but we did not waver because we know for sure that we could be of service to the communities here in Camiguin. Hence, in the HQ [headquarter] in Mizu, we have paused our projects, dropped everything, and focused solely here,” Rowena Dalosa, Mizu Re sources, Inc. president and CEO, said.

Targeting to establish an integrated, sustainable, and well-operated water sup ply system in the province, Farnazo said the existing partnership between CWC and Camiguin Integrated Water System Cooperative (CIWASCO) entails over P61 million investment. Such is dedicated to ensure water supply and security in the next 30 years.

“Ang akoang mandato dili na gyud padugayon ang proyekto nga among gusto iimplementar diri sa Camiguin. I am very, very happy na we have the full support of everybody. Me dyo daunting yet very chal lenging 'yung task natin for the following year,” CWC General Manager Danvir

Farnazo said.

(My mandate is not to de lay the project that we want to implement here in Camiguin. I am very, very happy that we have the full support of everybody. The tasks we have for the following year is somehow daunting yet very challenging)

Addressing urgent wa ter needs in the province, the general manager said they will operate the Tupsan Pequeño Water System by the end of 2022.

“This will provide water to more than 800 house holds or 4,000 residents in Barangays Tupsan Pequeño, Catuhogan, and Hubangon in Mahinog and Tupsan Grande, Mambajao,” he added.

Moreover, the company

will also operate the Mam bajao Waterworks that covers unserved areas of Mambajao including Magting, Anito, Kuguita, Bug-ong, Yumbing, and Naasag, with over 2,000 residents or 450 households.

For his part, Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo empha sized the need to support projects geared towards de veloping the province such as the CWC-CIWASCO partnership that will entice more investors to venture in Camiguin.

“Muhangyo lang ko sa inyo, ato gyud ning tarun gon [ang panubig]. Naa mi diri musuporta gyud sa inyo, so ato gyud ning ayuhon ang atong tubig. Atong man gyung promise adtong kam panya pirmi is magpadayon

ang progreso sa Camiguin.

Karon we are very proud of our partners for con tinuing the progress diri sa Camiguin,” Romualdo said.

(I ask everyone to please help in making this water system work. We are just here to support you, thus, we just need to improve our water system services. What we promised during the

campaign is the continuing progress in Camiguin. Now, we are very proud of our partners for continuing the progress here in Camguin)

A ribbon cutting of CWC office in Sagaywas held, Oc tober 25, as well as the bless ing of their new office and the Tupsan Pequeño reservoir and pumping station. (RTP | PIA-10 | Camiguin)

PSA Camiguin names 33rd NSM poster making contest winners

CAMIGUIN – In partner ship with the Department of Education (DepEd)-Division of Camiguin Office, the Phil ippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Camiguin's 33rd Na tional Statistics Month poster making competition was participated by 13 junior high school students from second ary schools in the province.

With this year’s NSM theme, "Boosting the Coun try’s Recovery with Informed Decisions, Better Policies," the participants were chal lenged to translate their rich minds into a poster, depicting the vital role of statistics in pursuit of economic recov ery, and as the country adopts strong, responsive socioeco nomic policies based on rel evant and accurate statistics.

The judges for this year’s contest were composed of Generoso V. Retor, Bazil T. Sabacajan, and Siegred R. Pulgarinas, of DepEd Divi

sion of Camiguin Office. The entries were judged based on the relevance to the theme (40%), creativity (40%), and originality (20%). Participants were given one hour and thirty minutes to complete the poster, which had to be done only on the spot.

Elvis B. Manino from Kuguita Integrated School was champion, with an aver age score of 96.33%, second was Albeah Joy A. Dagondon from Yumbing National High School, with an average score of 94.67 %, while Angel Rose C. Abian from Ma hinog National High School claimed third place, with an average score of 92.67%.

The winners received plaques and certificates, while the others received certificates of participation for their cooperation and support. (PSA-Camiguin | PIA-10 | Camiguin)

Eighty-six community first responders and rescuers take part in a training drill for life-saving and water-rescue techniques. (OCD-10)

The Camiguin Water Company inaugurated its office and the Tupsan Pequeño reservoir and pumping station, October 25, 2022, together with the local officials of the province. (CWC)

CULLEN, | from p4...

relevant to point out that the conviction of the accused-appellants for the crime of cyber-libel punish able under the Cybercrime Law is not geared towards the curtailment of the freedom of speech, or to produce a seemingly chilling effect on the users of cyberspace that

DTI, | from p3...

stance towards more re sponsive and proactive con sumerism,” she said.

Ortega won a cash prize of P9,000 and a trophy as the quiz bee's champion. Byron Recia, his coach, also received P5,000 cash.

Meanwhile, Charmie Pogoy of Labo National High School, representing Misa mis Occidental province, was named 1st runner-up, bringing home a cash prize of P7,000 and a trophy.

Louisa Medeia Orlanes of Lanao del Norte's Lala National High School ranked 2nd runner-up and received a P5,000 cash prize as well as a trophy.

In accordance with Presi dential Proclamation No.

FARMERS, | from p2... for feeds and biologics, Dr. Marila Corpuz, DA-11 technical director for opera tion, said.

She also thanked the lo cal government unit for their strong partnership with DA

would possibly hinder free speech.” (To be continued) (LiCAS.news)

(This opinion piece, writ ten by Irish Columban priest Fr. Shay Cullen, was first published in the LiCAS.news website on Oct. 17, 2022. We are republishing it with permission from the LiCAS. news editors.)

1098, the DTI leads the cel ebration every October.

Junar B. Merla, DTIBukidnon Consumer Protec tion Division chief, said the month-long celebration aims to raise consumer awareness by disseminating relevant information about consumerfriendly policies and pro grams.

“The month-long celebra tion highlights the role of consumers adopting a con scious mindset and making more informed and sustain able decisions when pur chasing goods and services via online platforms. It also calls for businesses to adopt sustainable practices in the digital transformation of their products and operations,” Merla said. (DTI-Bukidnon | PIA-10 | Bukidnon)

as well as DAR for their as sistance in the implementa tion of the program.

The program is a joint effort of the government together with different stake holders and institutions. (PNA)

MINDANAO TODAY

GRAVE, | from p1...

“We have a Cemetery Registry System in place,” said the CLENRO chief who assured the public they have encoded in a data-base the identities of the 19,147 re mains that were excavated from burial caves and whose bones were subsequently kept in ossuary vaults.

These, aside from those who opted the skeletons –with official documents -- to be reburied somewhere else.

One may search for burial location of a relative online through the CLENRO CRS simply by encoding the name of the dead, after which an 11-digit alphanumeric Refer ence Number and a Control Number would appear, as well as the Date of Death.

He said that since 2019, when the redevelopment of the Bolonsiri Public Cem etery began and bone niches

PAENG, | from p1...

The situation report re leased by the BARMM’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) Monday morning showed that 31 others were injured, mostly residents of a relocation site in Barangay Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, hit by landslides on Thursday dawn.

BARMM READi, the humanitarian and disaster response unit of the autono mous region, said 31 of the fatalities were from Datu Odin Sinsuat town, seven in Datu Blah Sinsuat, eight in

SHABU, | from p1...

this year. His 100 days ended on Sunday, October 30.

Out of the 124 conducted operations, a total of over 214.0191 grams of suspected shabu and a total of 187.6996 grams of Marijuana had been seized with an estimated mar ket value of P1,458,329.36.

Opol town, the first mu nicipality located west of Cagayan de Oro, had seized the highest suspected shabu with 69.4685 grams.

This was followed by El

were introduced in two phas es, 3,642 bodies had been buried and all of these as well as that of the 19,147 buried in the past 40 years are available in the CRS.

Cuenca said 27 cremains in storage urns have already been kept at the columbary vaults since the completion and opening of the COCMP Crematorium and Colum barium last June 28 this year.

Earlier, the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) of the city announced special traffic schemes for the City Cemetery as well as in 10 other public and seven private cemeteries after a “No Entry” to all vehicles would take effect from 8 a.m. until 10 pm of November 1 and 2, unless authorized for specific and special purposes.

This after Mayor Ro lando A. Uy issued Executive Order No. 099 on October 19, 2022 which, aside from

Upi, three in Barira, one in South Upi, all in Maguin danao del Norte and one in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

It said that 582,884 indi viduals were affected from 202,598 households in 389 barangays across the region.

The office of BARMM’s Education Minister Mo haqher Iqbal monitored 84 schools across the region that were submerged by floodwa ters as of Sunday.

At least three bridges in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur had been damaged and destroyed by floods.

Salvador City with 47.779 grams, Tagoloan with 41.902 grams and Villanueva with 32.5165 grams.

The MORPPO is also strategizing its anti-illegal drug operation to follow the directive of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos already pointed out that apart from the fo cus on educating the health impact of illegal drugs and improving the rehabilitation centers, he also wanted the police to focus on capturing big-time illegal drug traders, as he believed that it would

“No Entry” directive, also enforces the observance of the minimum public health standards (masking, distanc ing, and hand-washing) in all cemeteries, and the pro hibition on bladed weapons, musical instruments, liquor, and even use of backpacks.

But Uy offered free rides to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant persons, including children who wish to visit the ceme teries to reminisce memories of their dearly departed.

The city mayor also re leased Memoranda Nos. 1490 and 1491 on October 25, this year, which called for the reactivation and recom position of the Incident Man agement Team (IMT) of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) effective Octo ber 28 until November 2.

“The IMT is tasked to help in organizing and direct

These are the KusiongTapian Bridge in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Nituan Bridge in Pa rang, and Labu-Labu Bridge in Datu Hofer Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Norte.

BARMM Interior Min ister Naguib Sinarimbo, his staff, and relief teams braved the roads and the huge river current to reach Barangay Matuber, Datu Blah Sinsuat.

Sinarimbo brought emer gency relief aid to Datu Blah Sinsuat flood victims on Sunday afternoon.

Jafeer Sinsuat, chairper son of the most devastated Barangay Kusiong, said vil

bring an actual difference.

Lt. Col. Ariel Philip Pon tillas, the MORPPO deputy provincial director for op erations, in the same press conference, said they will continue their strong relation ship with the community, especially in the barangay level to track big-time illegal drug peddlers.

“Through good communi ty relations, good community oriented policy and good rap port to the community, that is the key that’s why we have a good number of accomplish ments within the 100 days

ing all assigned resources –including resources of na tional government agencies operating in the city level – for effective, efficient, and safe implementation of Ka lag-Kalag 2022,” a portion of Memo No, 1490 states.

Headed by CDRRMO head Nick Jabagat, the IMT is primarily composed of CDRRMO personnel with representatives from the City Health Office, Office of the Building Official, City Eco nomic and Enterprise De partment, City Information Office, and the RTA.

Both the Police Regional Office 10 with its Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COC PO) and Philippine Army 4th Infantry Division-backed Task Force Oro have earlier reaf firmed support – in coordina tion with the CDRRMC-IMT – in ensuring a secure and safe observances of All Souls and All Saints days. (MT)

lage watchmen noticed at past 1 a.m. on Thursday the unusual flow of waters from Mount Minandar, a mountain covered with cogon grass.

“We sounded the alarm so that people can evacuate to safer ground,” Sinsuat said.

“But it was too late since an avalanche of huge rocks and boulders with mud cascaded quickly toward the relocation site inhabited by Teduray people, the Maguindanao In digenous Peoples,” he added.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim has placed the entire region under a state of calamity. (PNA)

of our provincial director,” Pontillas added.

Apart from illegal drugs, within the said period, the provincial police also ar rested 152 individuals from 54 conducted anti-illegal gambling operations.

They also tallied 12 com munist rebels arrested and six communist rebels who returned to the fold of the law, with a total of eight confiscat ed, surrendered and recovered firearms. In the same period, they also recorded four com munist rebels who died in police operations. (MT)

AS IT HAPPENS, WHERE IT HAPPENS

Mountain marathon showcases DavSur town’s tourism potential

By Che Palicte

MATANAO, Davao del Sur – There were no cash prizes for the winners but the 1st Matanao Mountain Marathon on Saturday successfully showcased the richness of the mountainous ar eas, caves, and waterfalls here.

The first-ever Mindanao-wide mountain run ning event lured 18 participants in the 42-kilo meter (km) distance and 41 in the 21-km.

Romualdo Calbes, race director and founder of Vertical To Sky Mountain Races & Climbs in Philippines, said in an interview that Matanao holds potential in hosting similar races with foreign participants.

“Foreigners will love to conduct extreme sports here due to the high terrains and moun tains,” said Calbes, a seasoned mountaineer and mountain runner in and outside the Philippines.

The race that started at the Matanao tourism building passed by Su’bon Cave, Mount Lamabal, Seven Waterfalls, Fetam Waterfalls, Underground River, Soliman Cave and Waterfalls, Bantong Falls, Skyfall Peak, and Dats Cave, among others.

DOT-10 showcases underwater wonders via Camiguin dive fest

CAMIGUIN – The Department of Tourism-10 (DOT-10), in part nership with the local government of Camiguin, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Navy, Camiguin PCRT, kicked off the launching of the 2nd Camiguin Dive Festival with a coastal and Scubasurero underwater clean-up at Mambajao, this province.

Marie Elaine Unchuan, DOT10 regional director, expressed her gratitude to Sec. Christina Garcia Frasco, Dive Champion Usec Shalimar Tamano, the Lo cal Government of Camiguin headed by Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, PCG led by CG Capt. Geronimo Tuvilla and PCG Commander PJ Cabasag, the Philippine National Police

(PNP) led by Provincial Director Col. Elias Hampac, Camiguin dive operators, scuba divers, and other stakeholders for support ing the department's initiatives in promoting the Dive Tourism of the province.

"Now that we have reopened tourism again, aim to reclaim Camiguin’s place as one of the most amazing dive destinations in the country and I am happy to see you all here again to share this memorable moment with us,” said Unchuan.

Also present during the event include Ma. Victoria Jansol, Sangguniang PanlalawiganCommittee Chairman on Tour ism; Executive Director Marco Ancheta; Philippine Commis

sion on Sports Scuba Diving Ex ecutive Director Marco Ancheta; world-renowned Dive Pho tographer Ram Yoro; DOT-10 Project Director and underwater photographer Kurt Chan; and Camiguin Provincial Tourism Officer Candice Dael.

Meanwhile, dive operators Vladimir Elazegui of Scuba de Oro, Jack Wasmoeth of Camiguin Souldivers, and Ro man Jung of Black Beach Div ers, Amir Elazegui of Scuba de Oro also delivered their words of gratitude and support for the DOT-10’s NorthMin Dive Festival and to all the dive tour

ism development projects of the region during the launching.

Interested divers may join or witness the 2nd Camiguin Dive Festival Underwater Photo Con test that will run from October 24 until November 2022, the Dive Spotter’s Training, Dive Familiarization Tours, Dive Awareness Seminar, Discover Scuba Diving Activity and the NorthMin Dive Photo Exhibit.

To know the guidelines and details, one may visit and like Dive NorthMin and Department of Tourism Northern Mindanao social media accounts. (DOT-10 | PIA-10 | Camiguin)

The top finishers, including 42-km winner Roberto Cain, will be endorsed to the 5th Mt. Apo Sky & Vertical Race slated December 16 to 18 in Sta Cruz town.

Cain finished the race in seven hours and 14 minutes.

“The trail was very difficult. Some routes you needed to crawl, then run, and slide on slopes. But all in all, Matanao mountain ranges are very beautiful,” he said.

Cain urged the youth to get into running as it is both healthy and beneficial for their total well-being.

“You can start by training two times a day and have a good diet. But continue to focus on your studies as well,” he said.

Clover Jane Sabornido, Matanao tourism of fice head, said they are relying on sports tourism to promote their sites.

“This one will really boost our tourism in dustry. We indulge in extreme sports because the Matanao topography is very ideal for trail mountain marathons,” she added “We are plan ning international competitions, hopefully in the next two to three years.” (PNA)

Scuba divers behold the beauty of life under the sea during the Camiguin Dive Festival. (DOT-10)

Featuring the underwater wonders of the province, the Department of Tourism-10 holds the Camiguin Dive Festival as the province also celebrates its 43rd Lanzones Festival. (DOT-10)