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Vol. II, No. 36 | Feb. 18-24, 2022 (Rajab 17-23, 1443)

BARMM in Focus

BARMM to build another town hall in Maguindanao

awyer Naguib Sinarimbo, Bangsamoro interior and local government minister, led the groundbreaking recently for the establishment of a Municipal Hall building for the municipality of Sultan Sa Barongis, Maguindanao. This municipality is at the periphery of the great Ligawasan marsh and holds great potential for agriculture and is the site of the PNOC oil drilling for natural gas. Our hope is that this new municipal buklding will fuether enhance service delivery by the LGUs to their constituents. PMT

DAR to start awarding Marawi’s Camp Keithley to landless farmers By ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

EBU CITY – A portion of Camp Keithley, a military reservation in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, will be distributed to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). “They have waited long enough. This land is part of their ancestral domain. It should be returned to them. Let us do our best to distribute these lands to them this March,” said Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Bernie Cruz at the

A2 MINDANAO

Parliament pushes equal distribution of employment among Muslim provinces Members of Bangsamoro Parliament have filed a bill ensuring that appointments to public service are equally distributed among the diverse groups in the region.

agency’s 2021 year-end assessment and 2022 direction setting held here. Cruz said the distribution of idle government-owned lands (GOLs) like in Marawi is a top priority in accordance with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s directive under Executive Order No. 75, series of 2019. “The President believes that there were historical injustices inflicted against the Bang-

A2 PEACE AND SECURITY

PNP monitoring persons linked to Hamas over ‘terror plot’: DILG The Philippine national Police (PNP) is monitoring some persons in connection with the reported plan of the Middle East-based Hamas militant group to operate in the Philippines.

samoro people, jeopardizing their legitimate birthright over their ancestral lands. And it is just right to indemnify them by distributing all government-owned lands to the rightful claimant to correct the historical offenses,” Cruz said. Cruz instructed the DAR Field Operations

A3 2022 ELECTIONS

Know Your Muslim Senatorial Candidates There are two Muslim men and four Muslim women accepted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as official candidates for senator running under different political parties. PMT is featuring them at page A8.

Office and its Northern Mindanao regional office to immediately complete the survey activities on Camp Keithley in Marawi City, identify those who will be affected, and distribute the lands to the identified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the area. DAR | A5

A6 WORLD

WHO seeks $16B from rich countries to narrow vax gap, fight Covid The World Health Organization has renewed its appeal to highincome countries to stump up USD16 billion for its program to give lower and middle income nations equal access to vaccines...

For latest update, visit: www.philmuslim.today. For Press Release, email to: chiefeditor@philmuslim.today

News

PNP monitoring persons linked to Hamas over ‘terror plot’: DILG

Vol. II, No. 36 | Feb. 18-24, 2022 (Rajab 17-23, 1443)

BANGSAMORO REGION

Lawmakers push equal distribution of employment among Muslim provinces By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

distributed among the diverse groups in the region or to all provinces.

It can be recalled that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is composed of the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, TawiTawi (BaSulTa) and the mainland provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur and Cotabato City as well. Member of Parliament Engr. Don Mustapha Loong filed Parliament Bill No. 168, otherwise known as “The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity in Public Service Act of 2022.” He said this is in recognition of the cultural and religious diversity in the Bangsamoro region. MP Loong on Wednesday said the proposed measure that he authored required the Chief Minister, the Bangsamoro Parliament, cabinet members, and other officials with appointing authority to ensure that appointments to positions at the regional offices are distributed equally across provinces and cities. The bill emphasizes that each Moro tribe, such as Maranao, Maguindanaon, Tausug, Iranun, Yakan, and Sama, including representatives from non-Moro tribes, Indigenous peoples like the Badjao, and settler communities in the Bangsamoro, are equitably represented. Appointing authorities in the local government units should also ensure that people from minority groups or tribes within their jurisdiction are equitably represented in their offices, without prejudice to the provisions of the Indigenous People’s Representation Act (IPRA). “Appointment to public office in the Bangsamoro shall be free of discrimination based on tribal or cultural affiliation membership in any organization or religion,” MP Loong emphasized. Except in the absence of a qualified applicant from a different tribal or cultural background, the minister, director, or head of each ministry, bureau, agency, or office as well as the deputy minister, assistant director, or assistant chief of office or agency shall not belong to the same tribal affiliation.

In addition to the qualifications prescribed by the Bangsamoro Civil Service Code (CSC) and other laws, no person shall be appointed to any position at the provincial or local office of any ministry unless they are a permanent resident of the said province. Under the proposed bill, the Bangsamoro government will continuously provide public service training programs on diversity, cultural and religious understanding, and other interventions designed to produce a cohesive and all-inclusive Bangsamoro constituency. If passed into law, all concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the regional government must develop an All-Inclusive Focal Point System (AIFPS), designate a focal person, and demonstrate and accelerate all-inclusiveness within the agency. (JIJ)

OTABATO CITY: The Bangsamoro members of the Parliament have filed a bill ensuring that appointments to public service are equally

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (File photo)

ANILA – The Philippine national Police (PNP) is monitoring some persons in connection with the reported plan of the Middle Eastbased Hamas militant group to operate in the Philippines. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año told reporters on Wednesday night that those people mentioned in the report are now under surveillance and being monitored. Año was referring to a report that was recently submitted to him by the Philippine National Police (PNP). He, however, did not say how many individuals are being monitored for supposedly being involved in the plot. “The PNP Intelligence Group is into this, they’re monitoring the movement of these Filipinos who are reportedly (involved),” said Año. He added the effort has been coordinated with the Anti-Terrorism Council. While he believes that the plot was already preempted, the DILG chief said intelligence personnel continue to monitor and gather relevant information on the matter. “There are no indicators that they are really on the verge of implementing it (plan to establish foothold). It’s still information that is being acted upon by the intelligence community,” the DILG chief added. On Tuesday, the PNP Intelligence Group said it has uncovered a plan to recruit Filipinos who will be “utilized to kill Jews present in the country, conduct rallies at the Israeli embassy and spread (of) video propaganda against Israel.” The information was uncovered through information provided by a local contact of Hamas who was allegedly approached by Hamas-Foreign Liaison Section head Fares Al Shikli, who is based in Turkey, as early as 2016. The “local contact” reportedly made several trips to Malaysia from 2016 to 2018 to discuss the possibility of launching attacks in the Philippines in exchange for financial assistance. This is not the first time Hamas tried to establish a presence in the country. In January 2018, police operatives arrested Iraqi national Taha Mohammed Ahmed alJabouri in Pampanga. The 64-year-old Al-Jabouri, who was later deported by the Bureau of Immigration to Turkey, was described by the police as a “chemist with knowledge on explosives” and “closely affiliated” with Hamas. (With PNA) PMT Desk Staff

Drug suspect nabbed in a buy-bust in Lanao Sur COTABATO CITY: The joint elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

APPREHENDED DRUG DEALER: Arrested drug suspect identified as Samsodin Pascan Ara who was arrested in a joint drug buy-bust operations of the MBLT-12 and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in Balabagan Municipality in Lanao del Sur. Two M-14 rifles shown above were also confiscated from the said drug suspect. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

(PDEA-RO BARMM) arrested a drug suspect in a joint buy-bust operation in Barangay Macao, Balabagan, Lanao del Sur on Tuesday February 15 at around 11 in the morning. WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr. on Thursday said that based on the report from the ground, the apprehended personality was identified as Samsodin Pascan Ara, who is allegedly involved in the drug trade in the areas of Balabagan in Lanao del Sur. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of two M14 rifles, more or less 100 grams of white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, known as “Shabu”, one black Suzuki multicab, one black leatherette wallet bag containing voter’s ID and driver’s license, and one genuine P1,000.00 bill placed on top of two bundles of photocopied P1,000.00 bills used as buy-bust money. The suspect and the recovered items are already in the custody of the PDEA-RO BARMM for proper disposition. Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Central, ensured that the respective units of the task force will attune their efforts in upholding the advocacy of the President Rodrigo Duterte in its antidrug campaign. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

News

OUR VOTE MATTERS Know Your Muslim Senatorial Candidates

Vol. II, No. 36 | Feb. 18-24, 2022 (Rajab 17-23, 1443)

FRIED SHRIMP

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL BANGSAMORO HALAL DISH

fter we have published these Free Ads for us to know who are the Muslims who had signified their good intentions to run as official candidates for Senators in the coming May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections, there are now two Muslim men and four Muslima accepted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as official candidates running in different parties. They are Shariff Ibrahim Albani (SIA) running under the Labor Party of the Philippines (LPP) and Robin Padilla who was announced by Vice Presidential Candidate Inday Sara Duterte in a rally in Pasay, as member of 12-man Senatorial slate of UniTeam. However the announcement of Inday Sara was immediately corrected by Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. who said Robin Padilla is not officially under the UniTeam Senatorial slate but just a mere friend of UniTeam. The four Muslima in the Senatorial slate also running in the different political parties. The new one is Nur Mahal Kiram who is dubbed as the Prinsesang May Malasakit. She is popularly known in her Facebook Account as Princess Light Kiram. Nur Mahal Kiram is the daughter of the late Sulu Sultan Mahakuttah Kiram by his wife Princess Meriam Kiram. At the same time she is the sister of the reigning Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah).

With Maria Fhebie Ortil

The other two Muslima running for Senators are Princess Lady Anne Sahidulla of Sulu and Samira Gutoc ng Aksyon Demokratiko of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. If you know other Muslim candidates not yet featured in this column, let them submit their photo and brief profile by sending an e-mail to julmunir1845@gmail.com or call JIJ Cellphone: +639778430218.

alaam and Jumaat Mubarak. Thanks Goodness It’s Friday (TGIF). The Philippine Muslim Today still runs the Bangsamoro Halal Cuisine now under Volume 2, Number 36. Coincidentally just like in the previous issue in Volume 2, No. 35 we discussed also the Shrimp Recipe which is the Shrimp Boil. However this time although also a Shrimp Recipe, but it has a variation since it is now a Fried Shrimp. Fried shrimp - Ebi Furai in Japanese, made from juicy shrimp wrapped with a thick breaded crust and fried until crispy. This homemade fried shrimp recipe is so easy to prepare and best served as a side in Japanese bento. To prepare the Fried Shrimp please follow the following ingredients including the Tartar Dipping Sauce. Likewise just follow the easy to follow instructions in order to prepare a delicious Fried Shrimp. INGREDIENTS 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon bonito flakes 1 egg (2oz without shell) 3/4 cup milk 2 cups Panko, Japanese breadcrumbs vegetable oil for deep frying TARTAR DIPPING SAUCE 1 hard-boiled egg 1/4 yellow onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons Japanese mayonnaise Kewpie salt ground black pepper INSTRUCTIONS 1. Peel the shrimp and leave the tails. Devein and rinse the shrimp. 2. Cut a few shallow vertical slits at the bottom of the shrimp to avoid them from curling up when you fry them. 3. Pat dry the shrimp with paper towels and set aside. 4. Add all-purpose flour, salt, bonito flakes, egg and milk in a bowl, and whisk to combine well. 5. Set the batter aside. (Mix the batter with a little bit more milk, if the batter turns out too thick). 6. Pour the Panko breadcrumbs into a shallow plate. 7. Coat the shrimp evenly with the batter by holding the tail, and roll it into Panko. 8. Give the shrimp a light press to ensure that the shrimp is entirely covered with the breadcrumbs. 9. Repeat the same process for the remaining shrimp. 10. Fill the deep pan with vegetable oil, and heat the oil to 340°F to 360°F (170°C to 182°C). 11. Deep-fry the shrimp until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Dish out with a strainer, and drain the excess oil on a plate lined with paper towels. 12. Prepare the dipping sauce. Cut the hard-boiled egg into small cubes, mix it with chopped onion and Japanese mayonnaise in a bowl. 13. Finally, add salt and ground black pepper to taste. 14. Enjoy the shrimp hot with dipping sauce immediately.(MFO)

opinion Philippine Muslim Today Inc.

Vol. II, No. 36 | Feb. 18-24, 2022 (Rajab 17-23, 1443)

Unfortunate scrapping of the Kashmir’s (India) autonomy

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rticle 370 of the Indian constitution gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The Article conferred power on Jammu and Kashmir to have a separate constitution, a state flag and autonomy over the internal administration of the state. the article was deemed to have become a permanent feature of the Indian Constitution. Article 370 along with Article 35A, defined that the Jammu and Kashmir state’s residents live under a separate set of laws, including those related to citizenship, ownership of property, and fundamental rights, as compared to residents of other Indian states. Kashmir is a region which has an area of about 222,236 sq km (85,806 sq mi. including Ladakh state). Both India and Pakistan claim all of Kashmir, but the territory has been partitioned between them since 1947. Pakistan’s Azad Jammu and Kashmir, abbreviated as AJK and colloquially referred to as simply Azad Kashmir, is a region administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity with an area of 13,297 sq. km and population of 4.045 million (2017). The other part of Kashmir is Jammu and Kashmir is underIndia controls the southern half of Kashmir, which it has organized as the state of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union territory with an area of 101,387 sq km, population of 12,367,013, (2011). The majority of the union territory’s population are Muslims, (Wikipedia). We are more interested in Jammu and Kashmir, the only Muslim populated state of India which recently made headlines in world political events. In 2019 it was downgraded to a union territory, and the eastern Ladakh region likewise became a separate union territory. Under various Indian National Congress party-led central governments and locally elected state governments — such as those of the National Conference — between 1954 and 2011, India used the provisions of Article 370 to issue presidential orders to gradually extend the Indian constitution to Jammu and Kashmir with the concurrence of the State Government, and reduce the state’s autonomy. Prime Minister Modi’s tenure has experienced democratic backsliding. Following his party’s victory in the 2019 general election, his administration revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and also introduced the Citizenship Amendment Act, On 5 August 2019, India issued a Presidential order superseding the 1954 order that made all the provisions of the Indian constitution applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. Following the resolutions passed in both houses of the parliament, the President of India issued a further order on 6 August declaring all the clauses of Article 370 except clause 1 to be inoperative. Insaid rare and unfolding event for Kashmiris Muslims, the Parliament of India voted in favor of a resolution tabled by Home Minister Amit Shah to revoke the temporary special status, or autonomy, granted under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir.

It was reported by the media that actions and unpopular policies of Prime Minister Modi resulted in widespread protests across the country. Described as engineering a political realignment towards right-wing politics, Modi remains a figure of controversy domestically and internationally over his Hindu nationalist beliefs and his handling of the 2002 Gujarat riots, cited as evidence of an exclusionary social agenda. Comparing the Kashmir and BARMM Autonomy Kashmir autonomy is provided in the Indian Constitution; however, it has no safeguard measures to guarantee its continuity, said provisions can be amended by the Indian House of Representatives with the concurrence of the Kashmiri’s state assembly thru presidential order. Unfortunately, the same maybe true of BARMM, thus, R.A. No. 11054 states: ARTICLE XVII- AMEDMENTS, REVISION, REPEAL Section 1. Amendments and Revisions. – Any amendment to, revision, or repeal of this Organic Law shall be made by law enacted by the Congress of the Philippines. The provisions suggest that RA 11054 can be abrogated by Congress of the Philippines anytime as it wishes without pre-condition. unlike the first ARMM Law or RA. 6734- (AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO) provide safety measure before it can be amended by Congress, the said law state: ARTICLE XVIII-AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS SEC. 1. Consistent with the provisions of the Constitution, this Organic Act may be amended or revised by the Congress of the Philippines upon a majority vote of the House of Representatives and of the Senate voting separately. SEC. 2. The Regional Assembly shall have the power to initiate proposals for amendment to or revisions of this Organic Act by a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all its Members or it may call for a Regional Consultative Commission to propose the amendment or revision. In any case, the amendment or revision shall require the approval of the Congress of the Philippines. SEC. 3. Any amendment to or revision of this Organic Act shall become effective only when approved by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose, which shall be held not earlier than sixty (60) days or later than ninety (90) days after the approval of such amendment or revision. Stated otherwise, RA. 6734 can be amended only on the following conditions: (1). By majority vote of the House of Representatives and the Senate voting separately, (2). The amendment to or revision of this Organic Act shall become effective only when approved by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose, further, the Regional Assembly shall have the power to initiate proposals for amendment to or revisions of this Organic Act by a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all its Members or BALT | A5

Opinion

How pathetic our Muslim candidates in the Senatorial slate!

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi With Julmunir i. Jannaral

s I have promised I will tackle in my next Batanes To Tawi-Tawi column particularly about the declaration of Martial Law which I told my former professor at then Mindanao State University-Sulu College of Technology & Oceanography (MSU-SCTO) back in 1972 when the capital town of Bongao was still under the administrative jurisdiction of the Province of Sulu. Muslim candidates for the Presidency, Senatorial slate are so pathetic not unless we are in federal government. We have only one (1) Muslim candidate running for President of the Republic of the Philippines in the person of Faisal Mangondato who is running under the political party of Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi. Perhaps he knew all along that even with well oiled machinery is just like an old machine that cannot be started and cannot run as well. I have heard him interviewed by Media and Mangondato was harping on the change of the form of government if he wins as in turning it to federalism. But his dream of winning an election even after the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections would still be a dream. Now let us set aside this Muslim presidential ambition. Personally as a Muslim brother though I don’t know and have not met him in person in my heart I would still like him to win as President. That would be a great honor that the next President of the Philippines is a Muslim. However, as a Member of the Media for around four (4) decades, I shouldn’t flatter him but rather give him an honest to goodness assessment that a Muslim candidate for President and Muslim candidates for Senators are just but an exercise in futility. This is in comparison to candidates from Luzon and the Visayas who are all well funded and have complete machinery in terms of fund-

ing and standby voters as well. Not to under estimate our Muslim candidates for Senators unlike their counterparts from Luzon and the Visayas they cannot afford to pay the millions of pesos of political ads in television. Hence, most of them are merely using the Social Media since this is a free medium. I am not giving bad vibes to our Muslim candidates but good vibes to all of them. In fact as a sense of belongingness to the same Islamic faith the Philippine Muslim Today has given the Senatoriables Free Ads weekly that we care to publish their Platform of Government. We know for a fact that winning for them is still a dream. But the PMT -19 Management winning is immaterial for we know for them to be winners have very slim chances. As to whether they will win or lose is really immaterial to us. What counts most is that we have helped them in our own little way as members of the Fourth Estate rather than we just keep silent and do not lift even a finger to help them. In a nutshell, our Muslim candidates especially those running for Senators will have fighting chances of winning if the elections for Senators will be done by Regions. Meaning they will just be elected by Region and not yet nationwide as what we are going to do this coming May 9, 2022. To achieve this, it can be done only when our form of government is already changed to a Federal Form of Government. Be that as it may, for the benefit of our registered voters from Batanes To Tawi, I would like to mention again the names of the COMELECaccredited Muslim candidates running for Senators. For the Muslim male candidates for Senators there are only two (2) candidates in the persons of SHARIFF IBRAHIM ALBANI (SIA) who is run-

ning under the Labor Party of the Philippines (LPP) or the Workers and Peasants Party. SIA is with COMELEC No. 2 and being supported by thousands of members of World Philosophical Forum (WPF) of the Philippines where he is also the Chairman, and by his thousands of fraternity brothers in the Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRho) nationwide; and ROBIN PADILLA who is being endorsed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself. Robin who is now a Balik Islam has also a Muslim name of Abdul Aziz. As a Muslim himself, many Muslims and Balik Islam members are supporting his candidacy. He is with COMELEC No. 49 in the official ballots. The three Muslim women candidates for Senators are NURMAHAL KIRAM. She is being supported by the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah). Her late father is Sultan Mahakuttah Kiram by her mother Princess Meriam Kiram. She is also the Sister of the reigning Sulu Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram. Notably the Royal Family of Sulu particularly the Kiram lineage have signified to give 100 percent full support to the candidacy of Nur- Mahal. Dr. Dayang-Dayang Sh-vethlana Kiram, who is the daughter of the late Sultan Esmail Daluz Kiram II told this Columnist that she is mobilizing all the Royal Families of Sulu including Mindanao and Palawan to give full support to the candidacy of Nur- Mahal Kiram. To those subscribers in the Facebook, NurMahal Kiram is popularly known in her Facebook Account as Princess Light Kiram as originated from her real name as Nur that means Light and Mahal or Love. She is dubbed also as Princessang May Malasakit. Nur-Mahal Kiram has a COMELEC No. 36 in the Official Ballot. The last two Muslim women candidates are Princess Lady Anne Sa-

Vol. II, No. 36 | Feb. 18-24, 2022 (Rajab 17-23, 1443)

hidulla of Sulu. Lady Anne as she is popularly called is not only a Singer but has an extensive experience in local government units (LGUs). She first started as Municipal Mayor of the Municipality of Banguingui (Tongkil), then she was elected as the Vice Governor of Sulu, and finally she became as Congresswoman or Representative of the 2nd Congressional District of Sulu. Apart from having a wide experience in LGUs, Princess Lady Anne has also the full support of the

Royal Princes and Princesses of Tubuh Panabuan in Indanan, Sulu. According to Datu Colonel Ahiyal Sappayani and Datu Colonel Julmin Tapsirul the Royal families of Tubuh Panabuan where Princess Lady Anne came from are actually the descendants of the fierce Datu figured in the Bud Daho Massacre. And now PRINCESS LADY ANNE SAHIDULLA tries her luck to run for the 2nd time as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines. She is running under the political party of Pederalismo ng

Dugong Dakilang Samahan. She has COMELEC No. 55 in the Official Ballot. The last but not the least is also a 2nd timer in the Senatorial Slate. She is SAMIRA GUTOC of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. She is running as the official candidate of Aksyon Demokratiko. She has COMELEC No. 32 in the Official Ballot. ———For your Comments & Suggestions, please send an email to: julmunir1845@gmail.co m. Cellphone No. +639778430218.

DAR | from Page A1

DAR to start awarding Marawi’s Camp Keithley... DAR-Northern Mindanao regional director Zoraida Macadindang in her progress report said the DAR has been working very hard amid the threat of the pandemic. Issues in the coverage of Camp Keithley military reservation are also being resolved including the resistance of the potential ARBs/applicants in Barangay Alinun, Saguiaran to conduct the survey and delay in the conduct of subdivision survey due to the absence of potential ARBs/applicants at the time of the survey. “But in spite of all these challenges, we are now 70 percent done with identifying the landholdings for distribution, perimeter surveying, procurement activities and

validation, documentation, and approval of subdivision plans,” Macadindang said. “We can now start distributing lands this coming March starting with around 200 hectares and will follow it up with succeeding land distributions in the next months as we finish up working on the rest of the military reservation,” she added. In October 2021, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana turned over the deed of transfer of a portion of governmentowned Camp Keithley military reservation to the DAR. Under the CARP, the military reservation will be distributed to identified Marawi farmers. This military reserva-

tion is composed of 6,667 hectares and based on Executive Order 75 and after the initial survey of DAR, 4,000 hectares of land will be distributed to the qualified beneficiaries in Marawi, Marantao, Piagapo, and Saguiaran towns in Lanao del Sur. Camp Keithley is a former military base of the United States of America that was built during the start of the Philippine-American War in the early part of the 20th century. By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 453 of former President Elpidio Quirino, the 6,667-hectare area was converted into a military reserve on December 23, 1953. (PR

BALT | from Page A4

Unfortunate scrapping of the Kashmir’s (India)... it may call for a Regional Consultative Commission. Some stakeholders are apprehensive should there be a change of leadership in Malacañang and Congress. Simply a hostile Chief Executive may do a Modi’s nationalist policy of abrogating or downgrading R.A. 11054. Fortunately, all presidential aspirants for

the May 9, 2022 elections have no pronouncements against the BARMM, as a matter of fact, one presidential candidate in his interviewed told the media when asked about the Moro Muslims, he said “Bigyan natin sila ng tunay na autonomiya”. That sounds good, simply any law passed similar to Kashmir will not be conducive to our political and

economic stability. ————————For comments: Email me at bayanbalt@yahoo.com Atty. Bayan G. Balt is a past Chapter President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBPMarawi City and Lanao del Sur, 2013-2015) and Chairman of the Ranao Federal State Movement, (RFSM)

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Death toll climbs to 67 from deadly rains in Brazil

UENOS AIRES – At least 67 have died after heavy rains hit Petropolis in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, authorities said Wednesday. The death toll from floods and landslides includes 22 men, 37 women and eight children, according to a report by Brazilia’s G1. Fifty-four houses were destroyed and 370 people are being housed in shelters. Also, 400 firefighters are participating in search and rescue efforts in the region but authorities have not yet determined the number of missing people. Rio de Janeiro state Governor Claudio Castro said the situation resembled "war,” as cars were hanging from poles and the streets were filled with mud and water. Authorities said Tuesday that Petropolis saw precipitation in six hours for the entire month of February. More than 900 people died in a flooding tragedy in the city in 2011 and more than 100 people went missing. (ANADOLU)

Japanese princess hospitalized for Covid-19, pneumonia

STANBUL – The first member of Japan’s imperial family infected with the coronavirus has been hospitalized after being diagnosed with pneumonia. Princess Yoko, 38, was reported to have caught Covid-19 on Tuesday but the latest medical reports showed doctors diagnosed her with pneumonia, Japan’s Imperial Household Agency said in a statement on Wednesday to Tokyo-based Kyodo News. Yoko is the first member of Japan’s imperial family to have been infected with the coronavirus. She was being treated inside the imperial palace before being brought to the University of Tokyo Hospital after her fresh medical reports came. Yoko is the daughter of the late Prince Tomohito, a cousin of former Emperor Akihito. Akihito stepped down from the throne in 2020, a historic first in Japan’s imperial history. The princess complained of a sore throat on Monday and her test came positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday. No infection in her family nor her staff has been found so far. She serves as head of Yuai Jujikai, a social welfare corporation based in Tokyo. She also leads Japan Universal Sound Design Association, a non-profit organization that helps people with hearing loss. Japan is undergoing an intense sixth wave of Covid-19 and the government is set to expand quasistate of emergency to 12 more provinces. For now, 34 of 47 provinces are under enhanced restrictions to stem the spread of the infection. The country of 126 million people has reported 3.4 million Covid-19 cases and 19,587 deaths since the 2019 outbreak. (ANADOLU)

European gas prices decline as Russia-Ukraine tensions abate

NKARA – Natural gas prices in Europe started to decline on Wednesday after Russia announced a partial withdrawal of troops from the Ukrainian border. Natural gas prices for March future contracts, traded on the TTF, the Netherlands-based virtual natural gas trading point, reached as high as €83.60 (€1 equals 15.51 Turkish liras) on Tuesday. Natural gas was trading at €68.50 on Wednesday, with a 15-percent decrease after closing the previous session at €80.77. Europe imports approximately 40 percent of its natural gas needs from Russia, equivalent to 175 billion cubic meters. International benchmark Brent similarly declined as tensions eased between Russia and Ukraine. Brent crude was trading at $94.37 per barrel at 0815 GMT on Wednesday for a 1.96-percent drop, having reached $96.26 a barrel in the previous session. (ANADOLU)

News Abroad

Vol. II, No. 36 | Feb. 18-24, 2022 (Rajab 17-23, 1443)

WHO seeks $16B from rich countries to narrow vax gap, fight Covid By PMT DESK STAFF

ENEVA – The World Health Organization on Wednesday renewed its appeal to high-income countries to stump up USD16 billion (PHP800 billion) for its program to give lower- and middleincome nations equal access to vaccines, treatments, and personal protective equipment. The ACT-Accelerator is asking donor countries to contribute USD16.8 billion of the USD23.4 billion total budget in immediate grant funding for October 2021 to September 2022, said the WHO. “The rapid spread of Omicron makes it even more urgent to ensure tests, treatments and vaccines are distributed equitably globally,” WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said in a statement. “If higher-income countries pay their fair share of the ACTAccelerator costs, the partnership can support low- and middle-income countries to overcome low Covid-19 vaccination levels, weak testing, and medicine shortages,” he added. He said science had given the world tools to fight Covid-19, and if they are shared globally, the

world can reach its goal of ending the pandemic as a global health emergency this year. WHO said only USD814 million of the USD16.8 billion has been pledged so far. The ACT-Accelerator initiative works to overcome vast global inequities by providing low- and middle-income countries with access to Covid-19 tests, treatments, vaccines, and personal protective equipment. The accelerator agencies urgently need new funding to scale up their work to develop and deliver the Covid-19 countermeasures essential to address the threat of omicron and prevent even

more dangerous variants from emerging. New financing framework WHO said a diverse group of governments has agreed on a new financing framework developed to support the ACTAccelerator, making “fair share” requests to more affluent countries. “Supporting the rollout of tools to fight Covid-19 globally will help to curb virus transmission, break the cycle of variants, relieve overburdened health workers and systems, and save lives,” the WHO said. “With every month of delay, the global economy stands to lose almost four times the investment the ACT-

Accelerator needs.” According to the WHO, the ACTAccelerator is the only global, end-to-end solution to the pandemic, supporting access to Covid19 tests, treatments, and vaccines from research to rollout. The initiative is structured around diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. The main partners of the ACT-Accelerator are: WHO, CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations), FIND, Gavi, the Global Fund, UNICEF, Unitaid, Wellcome, the World Bank, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. (ANADOLU)

World spends daily average of 7 hours online: Report

NKARA – The amount of time people across the world spend online has surged remarkably in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the trend showing no sign of slowing, according to a new report. The report, titled "DIGITAL 2022 – Global Overview," was released by the New York-based agency We Are Social and social media management firm Hootsuite, offering insights into digital trends, including daily time spent on the Internet and social media platforms. Across all devices, the average Internet user aged 16 to 64 spends six hours and 58 minutes online per day, according to the report. "South Africans now spend the greatest

amount of time online each day, with the country’s working-age internet users saying that they spend an average of 10 hours and 46 minutes using connected tech every day," the report said. South Africans spend the greatest amount of time online each day, as its working-age Internet users are online 10 hours and 46 minutes daily, followed by the Philippines with an average of 10 hours and 27 minutes. "Filipinos and South Africans are also considerably more likely to use social media for work than the global average, with more than one-third of internet users aged 16 to 64 in both countries saying that social media plays a role in their professional activities," the

report said. Countries including Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Malaysia, Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, UAE, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Portugal, Russia, Israel, Singapore, India, Romania, and the US spend more time than the average on the web. People in Japan, on the other hand, spent the least amount of time on the Internet as they had a daily average of four hours and 26 minutes. The main reasons for using the Internet, according to the report, included finding information; staying in touch with friends and family; keeping up-to-date with news and events; watching videos, TV shows, and movies; researching how to do things; finding new ideas or inspiration;

accessing and listening to music; researching products and brands; and filling up spare time and general browsing. Other major uses listed in the report were education and studyrelated purposes; researching places, vacations, and travel; researching health issues and healthcare products; managing finances and savings; gaming; business-related research; meeting new people; organizing day-to-day life; sharing opinions; and business-related networking. (ANADOLU)

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DEED OF EXTRA JUDICAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: This DEED OF EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE made and entered into this _____ of December 2021 in Sugod, Marawi City by and between: 1.

URGENT HIRING

NEED ONE (1) NEWSPAPER EDITOR. SEND RESUME ASAP TO: chiefeditor@philmuslim.today FOR SALE

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LOCATED AT CONSUNJI ST., POBLACION, ILIGAN CITY (front of Emcor Motors). CALL Tel.No. 0632290965. SERVICES

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WE ACCEPT RUSH PRINTING: “LAYOUT, EDITING AND PRINTING OF SCHOOL ORGANS, MAGAZINES AND TABLOID SIZE NEWSPAPERS.” CALL/TEXT: 063 3035565, 063 2290965, 09477201555 OR VISIT US AT OUR PRINTING PLANT: CONSUNJI STREET, POBLACION, ILIGAN CITY (In front of Emcor Motors) Tel. 063 3035565 | 09477201555 —————————————WE ALSO ACCEPT PUBLICATION OF THE FOLLOWING: Extra-Judicial Settlements, Court Orders, Legal Notices, Obituaries, and other announcements. R.A. 10172 & R.A. 9048 Form No. 10.1 (LCRO) Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province: Lanao del Sur City/Municipality: Balindong NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 7 of R.A. 10172 & Section 5 of R.A. 9048 a notice is hereby served to the public that JULYDIEN H. TAHA MAMOSACA has filed with this Office a petition for Correction of Clerical Error particularly GENDER/SEX from FEMALE TO MALE in the Certificate of Live Birth of JULYDIEN H. TAHA MAMOSACA who was born on July 7, 1997 at Cadapaan, Balindong, Lanao del Sur whose parents are LINGCOAN M. H. TAHA and SAMPORNA H. MAMOSACA. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than January 28, 2022.

(SGD) ASMA N. MAMPAO Municipal Civil Registrar

Vol. II, No. 36 | Feb. 18-24, 2022 (Rajab 17-23, 1443)

2. 3. 4.

BINASING DATU IMAM, of legal age, married and a resident of Barangay Sugod, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; TIMBANGO “HADJI OMILKHAYR” DATU IMAM, of legal age, married and a resident of Barangay Sugod, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur: MONTILA DATU IMAM, of legal age, married and a resident of Barangay Sugod, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and DILABI DATU IMAM, of legal age, married and a resident of Barangay Sugod, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, we are the sole heirs of deceased DURUAN DATU IMAM who died sometime in September 1972 at Sugod, Marawi City; WHEREAS, DURUAN DATU IMAM died intestate, without will or testament, and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity; WHEREAS, DURUAN DATU IMAM is the registered owner of a parcel of land located at Sugod, Marawi City covered by Original Certificate of Title No. RO-24 (911) issued by the Register of Deeds of Marawi City, containing an area of 159,999 square meters and more particularly described as follows:

“A parcel of land (LOT 262, Q-124 of the Cadastral Survey of Dansalan) together with all the improvements thereon, situated in the Barrio of Sugod, Marawi City, Province of Lanao del Sur, Island of Mindanao. Bounded on the NE by Lot No. 283, Q-124; on the E by Lot No. 264, Q-124 and Lot No. 283, Q-124; on the SE by Lot No. 283, Q-124 and a creek; on the S by Lake Lanao; on the W by Lot No. 241, Q-124; and on the NW by lot No. 242, Q-124,. Beginning at A. point marked “1” of the Lot No. 262, Q-124 being N 41 deg. 12’E, 406.84 m from BLLM No. 3, Q-124; thence S 21 deg. 52’E, 368.60 m to point 2; S 01 deg. 55’E, 86.85 m to point 3; N 80 deg. 55’E, 55.20 m to point 4; N 75 deg. 05’E, 102.77m to point 5; S06 deg. 38’E, 160.80 m to point 6; S 57deg 41’W, 114.19 m, to point 7; N 55 deg. 05’W, 5.33 m to point 8; S 33 deg. 16’W, 36.00 m to point 9; S 38 deg. 33’E, 72.69 m to point 10; S 02 deg. 40’W, 35.98 m to point 11 ; S 60 deg. 24’W. 128.26 m. to point 12; N 49 deg. 28’W, 87.52 m to point 13; N 23 deg. 49’W, 460.86m, to point 14; N 21 deg. 56’E, 344.04 m to point 1; point of beginning.” Containing an Area of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY NINE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY NINE (159,999) SQUARE METERS more of less. All points are marked on the ground by old point. Bearing true, surveyed during 1914 by M. D. Munn, Public Land Surveyor. WHEREAS, a portion of the above described land, with an area of Eighteen Thousand (18,000) square meters, had been sold by said Duruan Datu Imam before her death in favor of Hadji Tamamak under a Deed of Absolute Sale of Real Property dated August 7, 1970 and registered on same date of August 7, 1970 under Entry No. 1079 of the Primary Entry Book of the Registry of Deeds of Marawi City; WHEREAS, after the execution of the aforesaid deed of sale, Duruan Datu Imam presently owns the remaining portion of said land, with an area of One Hundred Forty-One Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-nine (141,999) square meters;

WHEREAS, no personal properties are involved in this Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Deed of Absolute Sale and that to the best of our knowledge and information of the parties hereto said deceased left no debts; WHEREAS, pursuant to the Section 1, Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court, we hereby adjudicate unto ourselves the entire aforestated estate (having the total area of 141,999 square meters) of our deceased mother, Duruan Datu Imam in equal shares, that is, each of us having the share of 35,499.75 square meters in area;

Subdivision Plan: Beginning at a point marked “1” on the plan, being S 88 deg. 44’E, 327.11 m from Tie point “1”, BLLM NO. 3, Q124, Dansalan Cadastre; Thence N 36 deg. 26’W, 118.94 m to point 2; N 45 deg. 01’E, 3.69 m to point 3; N 33 deg. 51’E, 7.34 m to point 4; N 16 deg. 51’E, 3.30 m to point 5; N 45 deg. 22’E, 3.94 m to point 6; N 64 deg. 02’E, 3.53 m to the point 7; N 79 deg. 47’E, 3.39 m to point 8; N 76 deg. 47’E, 5.81 m to point 9; S 38 deg. 50’E, 5.25 m to point 10; S 40 deg. 55’E, 101.16 m to point 11; S 32 deg. 53’W, 39.6 1 m to point of beginning, containing an area of THREE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIX (3,806) SQUARE METERS, more or less. All corners marked as “P.S’ Cyl. Conc, Mons.15x50cm and rest by old BL Cyl Conc. Mons. 15x50cm. Bearing grid, datebof original survey in 1914 and that of the subdivision survey on April 28, 2018 executed by Engr. Ador M. Macamimis. Approved on November 21, 2018. FURTHER, FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos only (₱250,000.00), Philippine Currency, the receipt hereof is hereby acknowledged in full sum from spouses H. MONER ABEDIN & HADJA SITTIE NORHANAN P. ABEDIN, both of legal ages, Filipinos and with residence address at Sugod, Marawi City, I, TIMBANGO “HADJI OMILKHAIR” DATU IMAM do hereby SELL TRANSFER, CONVEY and DELIVER, by way of ABSOLUTE SALE unto said spouses H. MONER ABEDIN AND HADJA SITTIE NORHANAN P. ABEDIN, their heirs, assigns and successors-in-interest the property above described (Lot 262-A of PSD-ARMM-18-004839) with all the improvement existing thereon. That this land is not tenanted and does not come within the operation of the Land Reform Program and allied Presidential Decrees and circulars of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereunto set their hands this ___th day of December 2021 at Marawi City, Philippines. (SGD) BINASING DATU IMAM

(SGD) MONTILA DATU IMAM

(SGD) DILABI DATU IMAM

(SGD) TIMBANGO “HADJI OMILKHAIR” DATU IMAM Vendor SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF: (SGD) HADJI MONER ABEDIN Husband-Vendee

(SGD) HADJA SITTIE NORHANAN P. ABEDIN Wife-Vendee

(SGD) ABUNAMLA S. LOMANGCO Witness

(SGD) ALI DATU IMAM Witness

(SGD) CAIRONISA PETIMBANGAN Witness

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Republic of the Philippines) Islamic City of Marawi ) S.S. BEFORE ME, this 31th day January 2022 in Marawi City, personally appeared: NAMES ID/RES. CERT. NO 1. BINASING DATU IMAM 13092573 2. TIMBANGO DATU IMAM 13092572 3. MONTILA DATU IMAM 13092574 4. DILABI DATU IMAM 13092575

DATE/PLACE ISSUED 01-24-22 / Marawi City 01-24-22 / Marawi City 01-24-22 / Marawi City 01-24-22 / Marawi City

Known to me and to me know to be the same persons who executed the foregoing DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE and acknowledged the same before me as their free and voluntary act and deed. WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL on the day, the year and place first above written.

WHEREAS, it is likewise hereby adjudicated unto Timbango “Hadji Omilkhair” Datu Imam as part of her share a portion of the above-described property (Lot 262, Q-124 of Dansalan Cadastral Survey) having an area of 3,806 square meters described as follows;

(SGD) ATTY. CAIRODING P. MARUHOM NOTARY PUBLIC UNTIL JUNE 30, 2022 NOTARAL COMMISION NO. 452-20 ROLL NO. 35712 - 4/2/83 PTR NO. 03007270 – 12/14/2021 IBP NO. 095377 – 11/21/2019 MCLE COMPLIANCE NO. VI-0028691 VALID UNTIL 4/14/2022

“A parcel of land (Lot 262-A, of the subdivision plan, PSD-ARMM-18-004839); being a portion of Lot 262, Q-124 Dansalan Cadastre, situated in the Barangay of Sugod, Marawi City, Province of Lanao del Sur, Island of Mindanao; Bounded on the NW along lines 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 by lot 262-E of the Subdivision Plan (Remaining Portion); on NE along line 10-11 by lot 262-E of the Subdivision Plan (Remaining Portion); on the SE along lines 11-1 by lot 262-E of the Subdivision Plan (Remaining Portion); and on the SW along line 1-2 by lot 262-B, PSD(ARMM)-18-00-4839 of the

Doc. No. 416 Page No. 85 Book No. XXV Series of 2021.

PMT: Feb. 11-17, 2022; Feb. 18-24, 2022; Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2022.

ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCT FOR SALE OR RENT FOR FREE You can advertise your product for sale or for rent such as house & lot, and real estate property, cars, anything in a certain space we provide here for free.— Editors

Vol. II, No. 36 | Feb. 18-24, 2022 (Rajab 17-23, 1443)

SUPPLEMENT ISSUE

Muslim senatorial candidate Albani wants more jobs for Filipinos once elected

3 Marawi schools resume face-to-face classes on Feb. 14

BY JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

OTABATO CITY: A Muslim Senatorial candidate from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) bared in one of his platforms of government that once he wins in the Senatorial slate that he will work out in the Senate that all qualified Filipino must be given appropriate jobs suitable for their skills and experiences. This was bared on Thursday by Shariff Ibrahim Albani (SIA), a Senatorial candidate running under the Labor Party of the Philippines (LPP) who is on political campaign around the BARMM provinces. Albani who hails from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi said he is asking the votes of not only his Muslim brothers in the BARMM but also his friends from the Christian and indigenous peoples of the Bangsamoro region this coming May 9, 2022 national and local elections. The candidacy of Albani who is now the No. 2 in the official list of official candidates in the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is also backed up by the World Philosophical Forum (WPF) where he is the incumbent chairman. And so one of the platforms of government of Albani is that he envisioned a job for all qualified Filipinos. Wherein he emphasized that it should not be for Muslims alone but for all Filipinos though he belongs to the Islamic faith. Albani said “a well employed or job engaged citizenry will result in productive people and eventually turns into productive nation.” Shariff Albani also said “more than national unity, we must have a definite roadmap for national productivity in order that we may be able and empowered to best protect our sovereignty and promote our national interest.” In the same manner, he emphasized we must therefore have a futuristic outlook for the well being and prosperity of our next generations. On matters of sovereignty, Albani explained that a meaningful sovereignty should not be a sentimental dogmatism. On matters of West Philippine Sea, this Muslim Senatorial candidate who hails from Tawi-Tawi said, “We must define our baselines so we can better argue in favor of our sovereign territory, seas and economic maritime zones, consistent with our laws, history and culture and not vestiges of Western colonialism.” He hastened to add, “we must repudiate arbitral rulings as well as treaties and agreements with other nations that do not coincide with our national security in the light of the fast-changing realities facing our region.”

SIA as his official initial also suggested to continuously modernize our armed forces and the police, to ensure the preservation of sovereignty, and the safety of our communities. Finally, this Senatorial candidate being a “Shariff” or belonging to a royal or noble Tausug clan also made an emphasis “we must revive our claim to Sabah, which is more proactive than our endless disputations in the South China Seas. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

BY ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

ARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – Three elementary schools here will implement limited face-toface classes on Monday after finishing the simulation to determine solutions for possible problems. Marawi City Schools Division Superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte Alonto said Angoyao Elementary School in Barangay Paridi, Mapandi Elementary School in Barangay Gadongan, and Nanapun Elementary School in Barangay Bangon all met the requirements for the resumption of physical classes. Unte-Alonto said the Bangsamoro Region's Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) determined 27 schools are conducive for the face-to-face approach as they are “low risk” based on the assessment. The division opted to focus on the three schools first based on the number of vaccinated teachers while those in far-flung communities will hone their preparations. "We acknowledge the (approval of the) face-to-face classes given by the DepEd (Department of Education) central office," Unte-Alonto told reporters. On February 3 during the simulation, a total of 100 learners of Mapandi saw their classrooms again after nearly two years. They include Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2 students. The children washed their hands, recorded their body temperature, and changed into slippers while leaving their shoes in boxes before entering their classrooms. There are thermometers, box face masks, alcohol, and disinfection spray in each classroom. Each classroom will have 70 learners divided into four groups to observe the one-meter physical distancing. Each group will attend classes for one week each month from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Different approach Jamila Maruhom, the parent of a first grader, said she prefers face-to-face learning because the teacher has a different approach than parents. She also believes her son needs to have interac-

tion with his classmates to develop his social skills. "Kami lang kasi sa bahay wala siyang ibang nakikita. Hindi siya nakikinig sa akin kung ako ang nagtuturo. Mas excited din siya pumasok kasi iba 'yung makakasalamuha niya sa labas (He doesn’t see other people anymore, except us. He’s also inattentive when I’m teaching him. He’s really excited to go back to school)," Maruhom said in an interview. During the simulation, a teacher whistled, a signal for the medical team to go to the classroom. One student coughed and was asked to go home. "The child will be fetched by the school nurse, to be taken to the school clinic for observation. If the child needs to rest, the mother will be called to bring home her child," Majarlica Baragona, the Mapandi Elementary School head, said. Other classrooms, like in some Lanao del Norte schools, did away with plastic barriers to allow proper ventilation. Officials said masks, face shields, and physical distancing are enough. Preserving culture Along with the return of limited physical classes, Unte-Alonto presented her "Project Meranaw Ako Wednesday" proposal to solicit support from various stakeholders. The proposal aims to strengthen the preservation of Meranaw (or Maranao) culture and protect it from "erosion." Unte-Alonto said the wearing of the ethnic malong (wraparound skirt) every Wednesday would inculcate among learners the importance of appreciating the Meranaw culture. She wants the City Council to make the wearing of malong official in all public and private schools under the Division's jurisdiction. “We have observed that the different things associated with our race as Meranaw are being forgotten. So what we thought in the City Schools Division is for us to wear malong at least once a week, which we chose Wednesday because we also need to wear our uniforms for the rest of the week," she said. (With PNA)

MinDA chief tries ATM in Lanao Sur town TARAKA, Lanao del Sur — Continuing the good programs of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Secretary Maria Belen Sunga Acosta dropped by at an automated teller machine (ATM) of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) installed and now fully operational in the Municipality of Taraka in Lanao del Sur. Mayor Nashiba Sumagayan told the Secretary that the ATMs are now being used by residents even from the nearby municipalities being the first and only ATM in the Basak region (District 1) of Lanao del Sur. ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

Mulondo students hail Mayor, Councilor MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – Students who hail from the municipality of Mulondo, Lanao del Sur, expressed gratitude to Mayor Nihara Macabando Panandigan in launching a project that is aimed to help students from the municipality pass the SASE and SHEE examinations of the Mindanao State University (MSU) Main Cam-

pus in Marawi city. The students also thanked Councilor Ame-

nollah “Amen” Panandigan Mala for initiating the program entitled FREE

SASE AND SHEE REVIEW. Mayor Panandigan said the local government unit of Mulondo desired for the success of the students because their success in any endeavor and field is also the success of Mulondo. Incidentally, Panandigan has no opposition in the 2022 national and local elections. ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL