The Filipino Press: May 6-12, 2022

MANILA --

recently expressed gratitude to Filipinos who continue to trust President Rodrigo Duterte and appreciate his work performance.

This, after OCTA Research, in its Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from March 5 to 10, found that Duterte earned the highest performance and trust scores among the top government officials.

Results of OCTA Research’s poll revealed that Duterte received a satisfaction rating of 67 percent and a trust rating of 69 percent.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa inyong patuloy at walang sawang suporta at pagtitiwala sa ating Punong Ehekutibo, Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte na nakakuha ng pinakamataas na performance rating at 67 percent at pinakamataas na trust rating, 69 percent (We thank the public for their continued support and trust in our Chief Executive, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who got the highest performance rating at 67 percent and highest trust rating at 69 percent),” said Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar in a virtual presser.

Andanar assured the public that Duterte’s signature “Tapang at Malasakit” (courage and compassion) brand of leadership will continue until the end of his

SAN DIEGO, CA -- To mark National Travel & Tourism Week, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) joined with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and local hospitality and business industry leaders, including the San Diego Tourism Authority, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and San Diego County Lodging Association to highlight the importance of reigniting travel and tourism.

A new report from AHLA and Kalibri Labs shows the travel industry continues to recover, with leisure travel expected to return to prepandemic levels this year. While San Diego continues to be one of the topperforming destinations in the country, the industry cannot fully rebound until meetings, conventions and events make a full comeback, as they play such a vital role in the sector’s overall health.

AHLA’s CEO Chip Rogers, who represents all major hotel brands in the United States, said he is bullish on leisure travel and becoming more optimistic about business travel, pointing to a recent national survey showing 77% of business travelers say it is more important than ever to bring back business travel. The same survey showed that nearly two-thirds of business travelers said increased reliance on virtual work during the pandemic negatively impacted productivity (64%) and workplace culture (65%).

“The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on travel, but we are optimistic about the future of travel in the United States and San Diego. The city is well-positioned to

term on June 30. “Makakaasa po kayo na ang tapang at malasakit ng ating Pangulo, ang kaniyang paglilingkod, ay mararamdaman

hanggang sa huling sandali ng kaniyang termino (You can expect our President’s courage and compassion to continue until the end of his term),” he said.

According to OCTA Research’s poll results, vice presidential aspirant and Senate President Vicente Sotto III is the second most trusted and appreciated top

government official, registering a satisfaction and trust scores of 60 percent and 68 percent, respectively. Following Sotto were

capitalize on new travel trends from “bleisure” travel to digital nomads and the return of major meetings and events,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and Julie Coker of the San Diego Tourism Authority said the city is ready to welcome back visitors and eager to see large meetings, events and conferences return to San Diego.

“Our tourism industry and its dedicated workers are a vital part of our local economy and community,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “From meeting and event goers to family vacationers, we have one simple message: San Diego is open and ready to welcome you with open arms.”

“Meetings and conventions are major revenue drivers for our local tourism industry and given San Diego’s dual role as a major leisure destination, we are well-

positioned to capitalize on the trend of travelers mixing business and family vacations,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority.

According to the regional chamber of commerce, San Diego’s tourism industry also drives significant economic benefit and support for jobs in other sectors.

“The economic benefit of tourism doesn’t stop within the walls of a hotel or convention center. From local restaurants and retail shops to small business vendors and suppliers, tourism provides an economic boost across nearly every sector in San Diego,” said Jerry Sanders, president and CEO, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. State and regional hotel leaders said recovery from the pandemic was crucial to the California and San Diego economies and that hotels are preparing for the uptick in travel and tourism.

“California’s economy has faced significant hurdles in the wake of the pandemic – the hospitality industry included,” said Lynn Mohrfeld, president and CEO, California Hotel & Lodging Association. “Hotels employ over 285,000 Californians and support even more jobs across the broader hospitality industry. The industry’s recovery is essential to California’s economic outlook moving forward.”

“Our hotels are on a hiring spree with nearly 2,000 open positions right now in San Diego on Indeed. com,” said Fred Tayco, executive director, San Diego County Lodging

By Jenny Manrique

The medical community is celebrating drug maker Moderna’s recent announcement that it is seeking FDA approval for its Covid-19 vaccination for younger kids, though experts add they are “anxiously” awaiting further data on its efficacy and safety.

“We have seen that our youngest patients are getting sick and hospitalized with COVID… even previously healthy kids can develop complications,” said Pediatric Pulmonologist Dr. Manisha Newaskar with Stanford Children’s Health during an April 29 press briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services.

“The data still needs full review, but we have to educate our families and encourage them to get their young ones vaccinated,” Newaskar added.

The vaccine will require two doses one month apart and is expected to be authorized by the FDA in June. Parents have been hesitant about shots for their kids in part due to the risk of myocarditis—an inflammation of the muscles around the heart— though experts note the risk decreases for younger patients.

“Schools may have a role to play in getting the vaccine out there,” said Dr. Ben Neuman, professor of Biology and chief virologist with the Global Health Research Complex, Texas A&M University.

“There are 500 deaths per year from bacterial meningitis, and that is one of the things that schools would normally require vaccination against,” explained Dr. Neuman. “COVID-19 is around 350 deaths in the same age group in roughly the

span of a year. This needs to be one of the vaccines to make school work.”

Moderna previously requested FDA authorization for its vaccine for kids ages 6 to 11 and ages 12 to 17. It expects to submit data on the efficacy of these vaccines by May 9.

The news comes as Moderna also announced progress on a “bivalent” vaccine that would provide immunity to the original Covid-19 strain along with newer variants.

“Each year we update our influenza vaccine and it’s now a quadrivalent vaccine. It has four different antigens in it. So, the thinking among vaccine scientists is to do something quite similar with COVID,” explained Dr. William Schaffner, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

“Expanding the antigens in the vaccines, we get broader coverage against this array of variants going forward,” Schaffner noted.

The speed at which variants of the Covid-19 virus are appearing, along with their relative transmissibility, calls for the development of multivariant vaccines, speakers said.

presidential candidate and Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo (40 percent satisfaction rating and 42 percent trust rating), House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (20 percent satisfaction rating and 17 percent trust rating), and Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo (15 percent satisfaction rating and 15 percent trust rating).

Transition plan

Andanar said the Office of the President (OP) has formed a committee that will oversee and ensure the smooth transition of power when Duterte steps down from office.

The transition committee will be led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Andanar said.

“The Office of the President created a transition committee chaired by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to prepare and implement the Office of the President's transition plan,” he said.

The OP, Andanar said, has yet to divulge the names of committee members.

In a speech delivered in Cainta, Rizal on Tuesday, Duterte expressed willingness to serve the public even beyond his term. Duterte, a lawyer, said he would continue helping Filipinos who would seek his advice even if he is already a civilian. (MNS)

The BA2 Omicron variant, which emerged in late November in the United States, is almost gone but has been replaced by a subvariant that is even more contagious: the BA.2.12.1

“We need to advocate the FDA to update the vaccines more quickly considering that we’re just tweaking the spike protein a little bit,” said Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, co-founder of the World Health Network and chief of the COVID Task Force at the New England Complex Systems Institute.

“We should be able to do a phase two (of approval), and then allow these brand-new phases to adapt the vaccines pretty quickly…”

Experts also weighed in on the removal of mask mandates on public transportation which several U.S transit systems, including airlines, have already adopted.

“We don’t just stop wearing helmets, unbuckle our seatbelts, and allow drunk driving because hospital beds are not full. I think the CDC is forgetting prevention (strategies) in trying to push for a return to normal,” added Dr. Feigl-

The Malacañang

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) campaign rally at the Cainta Municipal Ground in Cainta, Rizal on May 3, 2022. (MNS photo)

The Pampered Pinay: Happy Mommy’s Day!!!

By Francine Maigue Mommies,

it’s your day! (I mean, every.single.day is YOUR DAY!) THANK YOU for all of the lessons learned, selfless sacrifices and abundance of Mama Magic you use to make our lives better…to make us better.

WE LOVE YOUUUUUUU!!!!!

Alright friends, it’s our turn to serve up some magic for the Queen Mothers in our lives. We gotta celebrate, but we gotta stay safe. Here are some ideas to help ensure your mama (or mama figure) is the ultimate Pampered Pinay…even during a pandemic:

is heard and felt is to pause, look Mama in the eye, and say with every ounce of sincerity, “Thank you, Mommy.”

Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero's daughter diagnosed with autism

2. At-home Spa – Facials, manicures, pedicures, massages… Online tutorials + homemade treatments could be the magical combo to bring the spa experience home for your relaxing spadeserving mama.

3. Say, “Thank you.”

Actually.say.the.words. Maybe you think it’s generally understood. Maybe you think the sentiment is expressed in other ways. The only way to be sure that your gratitude

1. Clean. – Almost always, this responsibility falls on a household’s mama. (The injustice!!!) Because keeping a clean, germ-free space is more important than ever, help Mama out and pitch in…then continue to do so PAST this pandemic!

We are requesting for community prayers for our very own Francine (9th, l-r), who recently passed and healing for her family and loved ones. Dedicated and loving of her family, friends and community, we will be re-printing Francine's article/s which was earlier published, yet remains relevant to the times, filled with valuable insights and life lessons that are timeless.

4. Feed Her – Arrange to send her, her favorite takeout. Deliver something delicious to her door. Make her a menu to remember. Whatever you choose, whatever is possible, let mama eat something yummy…and in peace!

5. Online Party – Because families may not be able to celebrate in person, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Facebook, Instagram, etc. parties have become the new normal. Bring everyone “together” through technology to thank mama.

6. Discover & Display

Priceless pictures that celebrate mama and your relationship are always a great gift. Whether you frame and hang the masterpieces or share your treasures online complete with a thoughtful message, let mama know just how much you appreciate her and all of the golden moments she helped bring to life over the years.

7. Movie Night – Bring the movie house experience home with some popcorn, nachos or candy (whatever your mama’s fave cinema snack may be), and a film (or filmsss) in your mama’s favorite film genre.

8. Mama Zone – Mama Bears share their, well, everything! This tends to mean too little time and space just for her. Help Mama feel like the Queen she is with her own, clean, personalized space. No matter the size or location, make it special and make it JUST FOR HER – a place where she can take solace, find respite and take a well-deserved staycay…even from those she loves.

MANILA -- Actress Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero took to social media to raise autism awareness as they shared that their daughter Rocket has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or ASD.

In their respective Instagram accounts on Tuesday night, Miles and Montero shared that it took them some time to talk about their daughter's condition because they are still learning more about the disorder.

"It was important for us to educate ourselves about it. At first we were confused, and questioned ourselves, how and why. We searched around for an ASD specialist before anything else," Miles and Montero shared.

In the post, the couple also cleared things about autism and stressed that the disability is different for every child.

"Some people might think someone with autism acts crazy, has mental problems, physical issues and other stuff. Yes, it’s mental but not a problem, yes can be physical but it’s not an issue and definitely not crazy. Autism is different for every kid."

According to them, Rocket has the common symptoms like:

Delayed speech

No eye contact

Difficulty communicating

Can focus on one thing for hours

Repetitive, she does things over and over again like running and flapping her hands etc. She flaps her hands when she likes something, another way to address her emotions.

Cries her heart out like nobody's around. "From 1 she can get to 10 real quick. When you hear it, sounds like she’s getting hurt but really she just wants her toy or something that she cannot express.:"

Hard time controlling her emotions. "Sometimes there’s no middle. Happy or sad, Laughing or crying out loud and doesn’t know how to stop."

"There’s a lot more for other kids

I’m sure, but so far these are the things we see from Rocket," they said.

Currently, Rocket is taking speech therapy and occupational therapy. Montero and Miles encouraged other parents whose kids were diagnosed with ASD to message them and reach out to other support groups.

“You’re not alone. We will embrace and understand each other. Keep your faith high and do the best that you can. Stay strong. Appreciate the love and growth of our kids,” the couple said. Miles has two other kids, one from a previous relationship and another with Montero. (MNS)

"Autism is always present, in many ways. There’s no proven reason that’s 100% why kids get autism. It can just happen. It’s possible for first time parents to think it’s the worst thing that can happen to their baby. It’s surely can be scary and who knows what the future holds but definitely not the worst. You just need to know where to go, what you’re dealing with, finding the right therapist, the right support groups and lots of love. We’re still in the process of learning. It’s going to be a long ride," the couple added.

The Maigue and Bendorf Families during one of their happier moments.

City of San Diego Commission on Police Practices Selects New Independent Outside Legal Counsel

SAN DIEGO (May 4, 2022) -

The City of San Diego Commission on Police Practices (Commission) announces the appointment of Duane E. Bennett as new Independent Outside Counsel. Mr. Bennett has been a practicing Attorney for 39 years. Mr. Bennett has extensive experience in governmental law, employment, contracts, land use, insurance, civil rights, and civil litigation. He was the former Oceanside City Attorney and Port Attorney/General Counsel for the Port of San Diego. Mr. Bennett was the first African American appointed as City Attorney in the County of San Diego. He also served as an Assistant City Attorney, Police Legal Advisor and Deputy District Attorney. Commission Chair Brandon Hilpert was excited about the appointment of Mr. Bennett. “After an exhaustive search, the Commission enthusiastically selected Mr. Bennett to serve as our new outside legal counsel. Not

only does Duane bring a wealth of knowledge to the Commission, but also invaluable personal experience to community-based police oversight. We are delighted to have him on our team and look forward to working with him as we continue to develop our roles and

responsibilities for the community.”

The selection and appointment of the Commission’s outside legal counsel was made possible by the passage of Measure B by voters in 2020 and the City fully funding the Commission’s budget requests.

Outside Legal Counsel Duane E. Bennett stated, “I am honored to be able to assist the Commission on Police Practices in its investigatory and oversight role. I believe that the goal is the same for the Commission and Police Department - to ensure appropriate investigations into critical incidents, while maintaining public safety, accountability, due process, equal protection and the civil rights of all citizens.”

Mr. Bennett has been actively involved in litigation and consultant related to civil rights, due process, and equal protection involving law enforcement agencies throughout the nation. He has conducted workplace

investigations in the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego as well as numerous internal investigations for governmental agencies. Mr. Bennett served many years for the Riverside County Sheriffs’ Association and County of Riverside deciding disciplinary matters and grievances. He has also taught law enforcement courses in the states of Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana.

Even though retired, Mr. Bennett has expanded his private law practice as an experienced arbitrator, mediator and litigator handling employment and commercial disputes involving governmental agencies, financial institutions, and more. He arbitrates and mediates for the American Arbitration Association and serves on the arbitration panel for the San Bernardino Civil Service Commission. Mr. Bennett also serves as outside counsel to San Diego County Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB).

To learn more about the Commission on Police Practices new outside counsel Duane E. Bennett, visit Duane E. Bennett to check out his LinkedIn account.

“The Color Purple” Author Alice Walker to Speak at Free Public Event Celebrating New District Chancellor

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Acclaimed activist and author of “The Color Purple,” Alice Walker, will be a featured speaker during a May 31 investiture celebration for San Diego Community College District chancellor Carlos O. Cortez. The free, public event, “A home run for social justice and inclusion,” will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Petco Park.

The event is being hosted by the SDCCD Board of Trustees, who selected Cortez last spring after a national search. In July 2021, Cortez became the SDCCD’s first new chancellor in 17 years. The investiture will include speeches, performances, and multimedia presentations highlighting the district’s commitment to student success, academic excellence, social justice, equity, inclusion and access.

Mr. Duane E. Bennett

The keynote speaker, Alice Walker, is an internationally celebrated writer, poet and activist whose books include seven novels, four collections of short

THIS MOTHER’S DAY 2022, PLEASE STOP CALLING MOTHERS “BIRTHING PEOPLE”… YOUR MOM DESERVES THE BEST FOR ALL THE THINGS SHE’S DONE IN YOUR LIFE!

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Greetings!

Is Mother’s Day a challenge for you?

“Womanhood and female achievement deserve to be defended, celebrated, and upheld,” wrote American activist, author and former state official in the Georgia House of Representatives - (She is a niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and daughter of civil rights activist A.D. King and his wife Naomi Barber King) - Dr. Alveda King in an opinion for Fox News.

On the other hand, President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, who the Senate voted on, failed to answer Sen. Martha Blackburn’s basic question, “Can you provide a definition for the word ‘woman’?”

Jackson, an Ivy League law school graduate, has served her community as a Supreme Court clerk, a District Magistrate, and a Court of Appeals Judge. Despite these qualifications, Jackson was unable to offer a response to the simplest of questions, on the meaning of the word “woman.”

Sojourner Truth, the storied defender of human rights in early America, once famously posed the query “Ain’t I a woman?” to highlight the strength inherent to her very womanhood, Dr. King noted. “Today, it appears that her question is relevant once again.” This entire situation does raise a few interesting inquiries: if Jackson did not know what a woman is, how can we be sure she would be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court? Does Judge Jackson even consider her a woman?

And for the $64,000 Question, do you say “birthing people” or “mothers”?

Last year, an online debate was sparked by Missouri Democratic Congresswoman Cori Bush over Mother’s Day that weekend after she used the term “birthing people” in a speech in Congress, and Boy, did Twitter literally lit up with controversy!

Some people have advocated for the term birthing people (or birthing parents, for that matter) because they see it as inclusive of Tran’s men (females who transition to male) and non-binary people, who may still have a womb and offer childbirth. In this view, men can give birth, and the term “birthing people” is across the board and compassionate toward transgender and no binary people. Others, however, say that the term “birthing parents” is actually non-inclusive because it strikes out biological women. They argue that only women can give birth, because they define members of the fair sex as those who have female reproductive parts. In this view, the term “birthing parents” represents

an erasure of biological reality, and is therefore exclusive of biological females and insulting to mothers.

Unquestionably, leftists cancel “mothers” and say “birthing people” instead – because presumably “mother” could make some Trans person, somehow, feel left out.

I guess the rest of us will just have to make note of it.

Unfortunately, the left often then accuses us all of being “triggered by a word.”

Well…this is what’s called projection, my dear folks.

Understanding differences in word choice can clue us in to the bias of a media outlet. For example, an Instagram post by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) News hour chose the term “birthing parents.”

Indisputably, the debate over “birthing parents” versus “mothers” is rooted in what has become a hugely polarizing issue – whether gender is a social construct/ spectrum, or even-if it is largely determined by biology.

In any case, and I say this with conviction that “Happy Birthing Person’s Day!” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, and despite the update in politically correct terminology, you might want to stick to the standard “Happy Mother’s Day” greeting this coming Sunday, May 8th.

If you – my dear folks – are still not aware of it, the phrase “birthing person” is becoming commonplace among those on the left, and as I have indicated earlier above with Rep. Cori Bush testifying in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform exactly a year ago about her experience as a “birthing person” for a bill ironically named the “Mommies Act.”

This mystifying shift in language is so new that even as the abortionrights organization NARAL ProChoice America is now proclaiming that it’s the “inclusive” thing to do to refer to a woman as a “birthing person,” as they were also still using the eminently reasonable (and accurate) phrase “pregnant woman.” Of course, the word mother would also do.

So, if you feel like you can’t keep up with this evermore progressive lexicon, don’t worry, you’re not alone; we’re bound for another change of terminology soon - all for the sake of what can only be called performative inclusiveness since it so often excluded people, like my wife, who call her mother, well, a mother.

Unfortunately, in the left-leaning portion of “doulas” (women, typically without formal obstetric training and employed to provide guidance and support to a pregnant woman during labor) and lactation consultants, this has been the trend

ANOTHER

ANOTHER

for a while; with “birthing person” and “chest feeding” replacing mother and breastfeeding as the appropriate industry-wide parlance. This shift is now seeping into mainstream Democratic circles, making its way into congressional record without a hint of reflection beforehand.

What does it say about our society that those who count themselves among the “feminists” and progressives are spending the week before Mother’s Day normalizing the cancellation of all traces of femininity from motherhood? What does it do to our culture to promote the idea that anyone, male or female, can be a mother, and that there is nothing inherently feminine about the job?

People often think and feel differently about the very same words and phrases. The All-Sides Red Blue Dictionary includes hundreds of such terms, so that you can better understand the other side; its entry on the term “transgender” can be a guide to understanding this hotly debated issue.

What do you think? Is birthing people pro-trans and inclusive term, or does it unfairly abolishes and denies the reality of biological women and mothers?

What is a mother?

Well…I reckon conventional gender roles are traditional for a reason – they’ve been around awhile; the parent, who brings forth life, nurses the baby out of infancy and as that bundle of joy

Papaunlarin ng Badyet ng County ang Mga Pangako sa Mga Pangunahing Larangan

Naglabas ngayong araw ang County ng San Diego ng $7.15 bilyong inirerekomendang badyet na magpapaunlad sa mga pangako nito na tugunan ang kalusugan ng pag-iisip, kawalan ng tirahan, equity, hustisya sa lahat ng lahi, at pagbabago ng klima. Magdaragdag ito ng maraming pamumuhunan at mahigit 1,000 tauhan sa mga priyoridad na larangan. Pinapanatili din ng badyet ang kinakailangang pampublikong kaligtasan, paggamit ng lupa, at mga serbisyong pangkalusugan at panlipunan.

Jesse T. Reyes Filipino Potpourri

grows, mends a skinned knee and lovingly guides them through life’s metamorphosis.

Mothering isn’t easy, which is why Mother’s Day celebrations are encouraged to be a bit over the top. We’re told to lavish mom with gifts, attention and love because she absolutely deserves the best for everything she has done and continues to do all year long.

If you ask my dear wife, she would answer that mothering isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s physically, emotionally and spiritually engaging, and sometimes, yes, d-r-ai-n-i-n-g! And if I may consider, too – it’s all genuinely true especially if you are a military spouse (and Mom) as in the case of my beloved Zeny…Ha-ha-ha-ha! But there’s a deep and profound comfort in being a mother, she adds up emphatically – you’re the only one a crying baby or a sick toddler seeks out.

The job of mothering cannot be accomplished by a man or an amorphous “person,” it is the job only a woman could do. This is a fact that women, especially selfproclaimed feminists, should take deep pride in, and yet, they are working to undermine it instead. From growing a baby, to nursing it, motherhood is a monumental endeavor. It is the most powerful component of womanhood, and it’s what sets women apart from men in the most striking manner.

Feminists of yore have paved the way for women and men to have parity in countless ways; men and women have the same right and ability to vote, do the same jobs and more. The household roles, and their ability to grow and nurture our young, is what makes females of every species in the animal kingdom most unique. But some so-called feminists are now working to strip from women the most empowering part of the existent female, and are doing a disservice to the members of the fair sex existence in the process. Perhaps they are achieving their ultimate goal: the total equalization of the male and female experience. But that even-up means the deletion of what sets them apart from their husbands and reduces the vision and power of motherhood to mere parenthood.

If so, this is a clear ideological opening for a new kind of feminist movement, one that doesn’t try

to erase the female experience, but instead works to highlight its inherent uniqueness and beauty. These new empowered women ought to be promoters of what makes everything about femininity special and distinct from the male encounter. Its goal would not be to prove that men and women are the same, but instead that women are capable of what men never could or would be, namely, motherhood. Modernday feminists subscribe to an ideology that holds that in order to be a woman, a man simply has to “feel” like a woman and don a dress in order to become a woman; but empowered feminists know that there is something more deeply intrinsic and nontransferable about womanhood, and it’s that somethingspecial that is motherhood.

No doubt, it is the Creator’s great gift, allowing women to mother new life. Our beloved mothers are not just “birthing people,” they are, as it says in the oldest of books, the mothers of all the living.

Your Mom would certainly love to hear how thankful you are for the things she’s done in your life. Being a mom is absolutely a lifelong commitment full of hard work and sacrifice. I’m sure that she’ll love anything you had planned, but receiving a simple, handwritten letter of gratitude is priceless. To be sure, writing about the things she did right, your favorite memories together or just telling her how she inspired you and raised you to be the person you are today would simply mean the world to her.

So, how about it…How are we supposed to live without our Moms?

I miss my own Mother a great deal!

I say the loss of your mother, no matter how old you are, changes your life forever. Your mother is your first love and forever friend. You never really get over the deprivation, but you learn to live with it. She is never far away from your thoughts, and she is always in your heart.

For my two cents, nothing on Earth can separate you – not time, not space…not even death.

I love you, Ma!

Happy Mother’s Day to all!!

I hope your day is filled with happiness! Mabuhay!!!

• Mayo 23: Distrito 3

• Mayo 31: Distrito 4

• Hunyo 2: Distrito 1

• Hunyo 6: Distrito 5

• Hunyo 8: Distrito 2

Namumuhunan ang inirerekomendang badyet sa mga pangunahing larangang ito: Suporta sa Kalusugan ng Pagiisip at Paggamit ng Substance Inirerekomenda ng bagong badyet na magdagdag ng $71.8 milyon at 115 bagong posisyon para matulungan ang mga pagsisikap ng County na baguhin ang sistema nito sa kalusugan ng pag-uugali at ituon ito sa pag-iwas at tuloy-tuloy na pangangalaga mula sa pagtugon sa krisis, para panatilihing konektado at malusog ang mga tao. Patuloy na papahusayin ng badyet

Ang kabuuang inirerekomendang badyet ay 1.1% na mas mababa sa inaprubahang badyet ng mga superbisor ng County noong nakaraang taon, dahil maraming isang beses na gastos para sa pagtugon sa COVID-19 ay hindi na kailangan. Dapat mag-apruba ang Lupon ng Mga Superbisor ng County ng bagong badyet bago ang Hunyo 30, at hinihikayat ng mga lider ng County ang publiko na makibahagi sa proseso ng pag-apruba. Magkakaroon ng pangkalahatang-ideya ng badyet ang lupon sa mga presentasyon ng mga departamento ng County sa mga pampublikong pagpupulong sa Mayo 19 at 20. Puwedeng magkomento ang publiko nang personal o sa pamamagitan ng telepono sa dalawang pagdinig sa badyet sa Hunyo: isang pagdinig sa araw sa Hunyo 13, at isang panggabing sesyon sa Hunyo 16. Puwede ring magkomento ang mga tao online sa pamamagitan ng e-comment hanggang sa magsara ang mga pagdinig sa badyet. Tumingin pa ng impormasyon tungkol sa kung paano magkomento sa mga pagpupulong ng Lupon ng Mga Superbisor. Bukod pa rito, puwedeng dumalo ang publiko sa mga virtual na pagpupulong ng komunidad sa badyet para sa bawat distrito ng Lupon ng Mga Superbisor (hanapin ang iyong distrito):

ang mga serbisyo para matulungan ang mga taong may mga problema sa kalusugan ng pag-iisip at sakit sa paggamit ng substance, habang nakatuon sa mga taong matagal nang tahimik na naghihirap, kabilang ang kabataan at mga taong nakakaranas ng kawalan ng tirahan.

Susuportahan ng mga pondo ang Mga Mobile Team sa Pagtugon sa Krisis, na binubuo ng mga eksperto sa kalusugan ng pag-iisip at hindi ng mga tagapagpatupad ng batas, para tumugon sa isang taong nakakaranas ng krisis.

Ang badyet ay mayroon ding iba't ibang resource para maitugma sa tamang uri ng pangangalaga ang taong nangangailangan – mga bagay tulad ng pangangalaga para sa pagpapagaling, mga serbisyong nakabase sa paaralan, mga serbisyo para sa mga foster na kabataan, mga tao sa mga pangmatagalang serbisyo ng pangangalaga at ang LGBTQ community.

Pabahay at Kawalan ng Tirahan

Kasabay ng suporta sa kalusugan ng pag-iisip at paggamit ng substance ang mga pamumuhunan sa mga makabagong solusyon sa pabahay para magkaroon ng malaking pag-usad sa pagwawakas sa kawalan ng tirahan.

Kasama sa mga pinalaking pamumuhunan sa bagong inirerekomendang badyet ang $11.9 milyon mula sa mga isang beses na

stimulus na pondo para magtayo ng abot-kayang pabahay para mabawasan ang kawalan ng tirahan.

May dagdag pang $10 milyon na gagamitin para matulungan ang mga taong nakakaranas ng kawalan ng tirahan sa buong rehiyon sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan sa mga lungsod na bumili ng mga masisilungan at matutuluyan ng mga tao. Ang isang kamakailang pakikipagtulungan sa Lucky Duck Foundation at Lungsod ng San Diego ay magreresulta sa emergency shelter na may 150 kama na magbubukas ngayong tag-init. Sa mga karagdagang pagsisikap para gumawa ng mas abot-kayang pabahay para sa mga residente, may $3 milyon para alisin ang mga bayad sa permit para hikayatin ang pagtatayo ng mga accessory dwelling unit. May $810,000 pang gagawa ng inclusionary na zoning ordinance kung saan iaatas sa mga bagong pagpapatayo na magsama ng pabahay na abot-kaya ng mga taong nasa median na antas ng kita o nasa mas mababa pa.

Reporma sa Hustisya Patuloy na kumikiling ang sistema sa hustisya ng County sa pagpigil, rehabilitasyon at pagsasanay para tulungan ang mga taong iwasan ang pagkakasangkot sa krimen at bumalik sa ating mga komunidad pagkatapos ng panahon sa kustodiya. Kasama

dito ang inisyatibong Mga Alternatibo sa Pagkakakulong, na sumusuporta sa mga alternatibo sa kulungan at nagbibigay ng mga serbisyo at pangangalaga sa mga taong hindi nagdudulot ng banta sa kaligtasan ng publiko, kasama ang mga serbisyo sa pangangalagang pangkalusugan at pagpapa-sober.

Mahigit $130 milyon ang ipinuhunan sa mga serbisyo sa pangangalaga sa kalusugan sa mga kulungan ng County para tulungan ang mga nagkasala.

Humigit-kumulang $6.2 milyon ang gagamitin sa isang Youth Development Academy para matulungan ang mga kabataan na nakagawa ng mabibigat na krimen sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa kanila ng mga mas masusi at mas pangmatagalang serbisyo para sa kalusugan ng pag-uugali, rehabilitasyon at pagpapaunlad ng kasanayan para matulungan silang makabalik sa ating mga komunidad. Gagamit ang Probation ng County ng $1 milyon para sa pagsasanay sa de-escalation para sa kanilang tauhan, na sumusuporta sa mga taong pinapangasiwaan nila.

Magdaragdag ng $2.4 milyon sa Juvenile Diversion Initiative and Transitional Age Youth Diversion program sa opisina ng Abogado ng Distrito para bigyan ang mga bata ng oportunidad na tumanggap ng mga serbisyo at pagpapayo sa halip na paguusig.

Magdaragdag ang Opisina ng Pampublikong Tagapagtanggol

ng $21.8 milyon at 90 tauhan para magtanggol ng mga kliyente, magkatawan ng mga imigrante at ng mahihirap sa ating mga kapitbahayan, at padaliin ang mga pagbalik sa komunidad.

Gagamit ang Abogado ng Distrito $3.5 milyon at magdaragdag ng 18 posisyon para palawakin ang mga serbisyo sa mga naging biktima ng krimen, kabilang ang Sentro ng South Bay para sa Katatagan ng Komunidad at Pagpapalakas mula sa Trauma, at programa sa muling pagsesentensya. Equity at Access Itutuloy din ng bagong badyet ang mga pagsisikap na ilakip ang equity sa lahat ng serbisyo at programa ng County. Ipinatupad na Opisina ng County para sa Equity at Hustisya para sa Lahat ng Lahi ang bago nitong Tool sa Pagtatasa ng Equity ng Badyet na tumutulong sa mga departamento ng County na gawing priyoridad ang mga serbisyo at alokasyon nang isinasaalang-alang ang equity. Gumagamit ang tool ng serye ng mga tanong para mas maunawaan kung paano naaapektuhan ng mga paglalaan ang mga matagal nang marginalized at vulnerable na komunidad, iyong mga may mababang kita o iyong mga matagal na at kasalukuyang nahihirapan dahil sa hindi pagkakapantay-pantay. Isinasama rin ng tool ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa komunidad, isang mahalagang bahagi ng mga

Duterte to make healthcare system 'better, more responsive'

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday promised to strengthen the country's healthcare system until the end of his term.

Duterte made the vow, as he hailed the inauguration of the new Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (DJFMH) at the San Lazaro Compound in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

"With less than two months in my term, I cannot afford to waste time and resources as we fulfill our promise for a better and more responsive healthcare system across the country," he said in a speech delivered before the medical professionals.

Duterte expressed optimism that projects like the newly-inaugurated DJFMH would make a "long-lasting, positive" impact on Filipinos.

He also thanked the Department of Health (DOH), as well as the management and staff of the DJFMH, for building a "new and improved" hospital.

Duterte said he is also grateful for the "heroic" acts of health workers who remain at the forefront of the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

"[I] encourage healthcare workers to remain steadfast in your noble task of promoting our people's health and saving lives. Your efforts, especially in the past two years, have truly been heroic," he said.

The onset of the Covid-19, Duterte said, has prompted his administration to ensure that the country's healthcare system is "functional and responsive."

"You have the full support and the eternal gratitude of the Filipino people. Ako man. Salamat. Before I forget, salamat sa tulong ninyo sa gobyerno. Tayo, nagtulungan to fight Covid-19 (I also thank you for assisting the government. We help each other to fight Covid-19)," Duterte told the health workers. "Let us take heed of those lessons so that we can serve our people better."

During the event, Duterte unveiled the project marker that symbolizes the completion of the project.

Duterte was accompanied by DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III, DJFMH Medical Center Chief II Dr. Esmeraldo Ilem, and Senator Christopher Lawrence Go.

The DJFMH, previously on Lope de Vega Street along Sta. Cruz in the City of Manila, is now transferred to the San Lazaro Compound adjacent to the DOH Building. The new hospital is an 800bed capacity building ready to provide out-patient services such as molecular laboratory, X-ray, mammography, blood donation services, and consultations.

It is also expected to provide more services such as MRI, CT scan, dialysis, minimally invasive surgery, and a number of laboratory tests in the future.

The hospital, which is known to offer maternal, neonatal, and child health services to the public, will also serve as the Apex Center in Reproductive Health in the Healthcare Providers Network (HCPN) by virtue of the Republic Act (RA) 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act.

It will likewise open a MaternalFetal Intensive-Care Unit (MFICU) to maximize the growth of the fetus in-utero and minimize NICU admissions, and bring forth better newborn survival. The hospital is also a proponent of human milk banking and comprehensive family planning services. The DJFMH's School of Midwifery, which is celebrating its 100-founding anniversary this year, has started its face-to-face classes

in the new building, along with its other training programs.

Establishment, conversion of hospitals

Meanwhile, Duterte also signed laws that provide for the conversion and establishment of several hospitals.

Duterte inked RA 11715 converting the Cotabato Sanitarium in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao into a general hospital. The converted hospital will be known as the Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital.

Duterte also signed RA 11718 establishing a tertiary general hospital in Abulug, Cagayan, which will be known as the Northwestern Cagayan General Hospital.

RA 11719 also converts the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Daraga, Albay into a general and subspecialty hospital. This will be known as the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center.

A new general hospital in Bocaue, Bulacan, which will be known as the Joni Villanueva General Hospital, will also be established following the signing of RA 11720.

RA 11721 also mandates the establishment of a general hospital in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental which will be known as the Northeastern Misamis General Hospital.

The Sulu Sanitarium in Jolo, Sulu will now be known as the Sulu Sanitarium and General Hospital after being converted into a general hospital, according to RA 11722.

Under RA 11723, the Western Visayas Sanitarium in Santa Barbara, Iloilo is also converted into a general hospital and renamed the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital.

Duterte inked RA 11725 converting the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo into a tertiary hospital. The converted hospital is renamed the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center.

Increased bed capacity

Duterte also signed laws increasing the bed capacity of three hospitals.

Under RA 11716, the bed capacity of Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City will be raised from 600 to 1,200 beds.

Duterte signed RA 11717 increasing the bed capacity of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City from 1,200 to 1,500 beds.

Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City, La Union will also increase its bed capacity from 300 to 800 beds following the signing of RA 11724.

The laws, which were made public on Wednesday, were signed on April 29.

Duterte willing to serve public even after his term President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday the Filipino people could still seek his assistance even after he steps down from office in June.

Duterte issued the statement during the campaign rally of his ruling party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDPLaban) in Cainta, Rizal, as he promised to "remain a worker for the people" after his presidency.

He said he is willing to help Filipinos who would seek his advice even when he is already a civilian.

"Totoo. Kung ‘yung may problema kayo hindi na kaya ng gobyerno, government cannot solve it, paalamin mo ako, tignan ko lang (That's true. If you have a problem and the government cannot solve it, let me know. I'll help). I will also just say to you a guarantee na pakinggan

kita at tutulong ako (that I will listen to you and I will help you)," Duterte said.

The President admitted that much remains to be done despite the accomplishments made under his watch.

He also noted that the accomplishments of his administration are "a product of synergy and collaboration between the national and the local government, including the people."

"As we have these things to be grateful for, there is still much to do to ensure that everyone lives the best life they can live," he said.

Nonetheless, Duterte expressed confidence that the PDP-Laban candidates would continue his policies and programs, if they win the May 9 local and national elections.

Wooing the campaign rally attendees to vote for PDP-Laban bets, the President made an assurance that they would "tirelessly work" to give the Filipinos a comfortable life.

"That is why I ask all of you to support my fellow party mates who are present here tonight so they can continue the initiatives that my administration has started. Not only do they carry the ideals of the PDPLaban, but also they have in their hearts the welfare of the Filipino people on top of its priorities," he said.

Duterte called on Filipino voters to give his party’s candidates the same support and confidence that they have given him in the past years.

He also reminded them to choose "good" leaders who have wisdom and love for public service.

"Let us therefore unite and work together with the candidates of the PDP-Laban so we can secure a brighter future for our beloved country and for the future," Duterte said. "To my party mates, remain rooted in our best values as Filipinos and may you remain a source of light to our people, especially as we work towards the recovery of nations."

Palace: PAGCOR will find new revenue source after e-sabong closure

Malacañang on Tuesday was confident the country's gaming regulator will be able to find new sources of revenue after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the "end" of online sabong operations nationwide.

The revenue loss from e-sabong is estimated to be up to P6 billion for this year, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has said. "Tiwala kami sa PAGCOR to generate new revenues," acting Palace spokesperson Martin Andanar said in a press briefing.

Andanar noted that a formal order from the President has yet to be released from Malacañang's record office.

Duterte has ordered all e-sabong operations stopped after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) survey showed its supposed negative impacts to Filipino society.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said his agency recommended the suspension "until a better set of framework and regulations are formulated" and until stakeholders were protected from the "moral decay of society."

At least 30 sabungeros have disappeared due to e-sabong, authorities said, while 8 cops involved in online gambling have already been charged.

PAGCOR authorized 6 companies to do e-sabong as of April last year, but it feared that illegal online gambling will be an offshoot of the development. (MNS)

PNP chief Carlos relieves entire Pilar, Abra police

MANILA -- Philippine National Police chief Police General Dionardo Carlos ordered Wednesday the relief of the entire personnel of Pilar, Abra municipal police station upon the recommendation of the Commission on Elections.

“Sa Pilar, Abra, I just texted the regional director si (Police Brigadier) General Ronald Lee that effective immediately we will remove all the Pilar, Abra MPS personnel and immediately be replaced. I will be seeing Ronald Lee this afternoon,” Carlos said during a joint press conference with Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan.

He said police personnel from the Regional Mobile Force will be deployed to replace the relieved police officers.

"Actually that police station will have about 20-30 personnel, madali naman i-replace 'yan and 'yung personnel na ipapalit natin knows the area. Normally coming from the Regional Mobile Force or somebody who has been assigned before in the town of Pilar. So hindi po magiging problema 'yan. We can immediately adjust," said Carlos.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said personnel from the Special Action Force will also be sent to Pilar, Abra.

"Maliban sa pagpapalit ng ibang tauhan sa Pilar, Abra, maglalagay ng additional personnel from Special Action Force at dadagdagan po natin ito ng Regional Mobile Force from Cordillera para masiguro na hindi mage-escalate ang gulo," she said. Pangarungan made the recommendation after placing Pilar, Abra under Comelec control.

He said he received confidential reports from CAR regional election director Ederlino Tabilas and petition of the local government regarding the supposed bias of the Pilar, Abra police and threats and intimidation received by supporters of certain candidates.

"Dahil sa mga (Because of) threats and intimidation by private armed groups to certain candidates in Pilar, Abra. Pati ‘yung mga mayor, vice mayor, mga councilor e halos nagtatago na sila (Even the mayor, vice mayor, and councilors were hiding) because they feel that they cannot be protected by the local police detachment of Pilar and all these concerns as confirmed to be by the regional election director, I declared Pilar under Comelec control using my emergency power,” Pangarungan said.

“Ang (The) recommendation is to relieve the entire police force of Pilar and that would include the chief of police. B’asta palitan yung entire police detachment para magkaroon tayo ng peaceful, orderly, and honest elections,” he added.

Last week, the National Bureau of Investigation filed complaints for murder before the Department of Justice against top police officials in the Cordillera Autonomous Region and Abra in connection with the shooting incident that led to the killing of a bodyguard of Pilar Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Somera Disono in March.

Año to e-sabong violators: Expect to be arrested Those who will continue with

"e-sabong" or online cockfighting operations despite President Rodrigo Duterte's order may be arrested despite the absence of implementing rules and regulations (IRR), Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday.

Asked regarding those who are seeking for the IRR of Duterte's order, Año said, “Wala namang sophistication diyan sa utos ng Pangulo. ‘Pag sinabi ng Chief Executive na hindi na pupuwede ito, at ito naman ay ayon sa kapangyarihan ng ating Pangulo, ipatutupad natin yan.”

“‘Pag sinabing stop, stop na ‘yan. Wala nang mga anumang technicalities o anumang justifications. Ganun lang siya kasimple. Kung hindi ka susunod, eh di mananagot ka sa batas at expect mo na magkakaron tayo ng mga pag-aresto diyan sa mga hindi susunod,” he added.

Año reiterated that Duterte’s decision came following a survey conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on April 19 regarding the e-sabong operations, which is being blamed for the deterioration of moral values among many Filipinos.

Citing the survey results, he noted that 68% of the respondents said they “highly disagree” that e-sabong helps with their finances.

Meanwhile, 62% agreed that e-sabong should be stopped, 34% said that it should be regulated, and the remaining 4% said it should continue without any regulation.

“‘Yung pinakamatindi dito ‘yung moral issues tulad ng addiction. Sobra talaga ‘pag nalulong sa e-sabong. Hahanap ng pera, ibebenta ‘yung bahay, lupa, kahit anong gamit,” Año said.

Año further said the DILG’s recommendation to stope-sabong operations also stemmed from the disappearance of about 34 cockfighting enthusiasts or “sabungeros,” most of whom allegedly involved in game rigging.

At least four senators on Tuesday said they believe that the passage of the bill seeking to grant a franchise to an e-sabong firm is already dead in the 18th Congress due to lack of material time to tackle the measure.

With this, the DILG chief pinned his hopes that the next administration will “see importance” of Duterte’s decision to stop e-sabong operations.

“Sa tingin ko naman, kung sino ang susunod na administration, baka naman makikita niya ang importansya ng desisyon Pangulong Duterte at ipagpatuloy ang ginawa niya. Abangan na lang natin,” he added. PNP stations nationwide now on full alert

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday announced it has placed all its stations nationwide on full alert as part of its efforts to secure the May 9 national and local elections (NLEs).

“We are all systems go. We have placed all police stations nationwide on full alert status,” PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said in a statement. As part of its election security preparations, the PNP on Wednesday simultaneously opened the "National Election Monitoring and Action Center" (NEMAC), and Regional

force

Election Monitoring and Action Centers (REMACs).

Carlos said the NEMAC and REMACs will serve as the “eyes and ears” of the PNP Security Task Force NLE 2022 that will provide an updated report of all incidents related to election and security activities undertaken by the police.

He said that standby forces and quick reaction teams will be stationed on a 24-hour basis at the command posts in their respective headquarters.

"We will stand strong, we will finish strong and we will perform professionally for peaceful elections.

The 225,000 strong men and women of the PNP are with the Comelec (Commission on Elections) to make sure that we guard the votes of our Filipino nation. That is a commitment. And to the Filipino people, your PNP will be there in all polling centers and polling precincts to make sure that your votes will be counted," Carlos said.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is also ready to secure the elections with its police counterparts on election day.

"The AFP is prepared, we are ready, we have done the planning, we have done the organization, and we have set up our monitoring command centers. We are declaring 'red alert' by Friday so that we ensure that all AFP personnel across the country are accounted for by their commanders and ready for the election on Monday," AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino said.

He also assured the public that the AFP is strong and capable to perform its mandate of securing the May 9 elections.

Duterte finally halts e-sabong operations

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the immediate termination of e-sabong (online cockfighting) operations in the country.

Duterte's decision was based on the recommendation of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to stop the operations of e-sabong.

"And the recommendation of Secretary Año is to do away with e-sabong. He cited the validation report coming from all sources. So, since it's his recommendation and I agreed with it and it is good, so e-sabong will end by tonight," he said in his taped Talk to the People delivered Monday night but aired Tuesday morning.

Duterte earlier directed Año to conduct a survey on the "social impact" of e-sabong on the Filipino people.

His directive came in the wake of the still unresolved disappearance of some e-sabong aficionados in the country.

One of the findings, Duterte cited, is that aficionados are deprived of sleep because they are getting addicted to online cockfighting.

"It might not be sophisticated, but still, it is a survey," Duterte said. "[It is] loud and very clear to me that it was working against our values."

The mounting calls for the suspension of the multibillion cockfighting industry came following a series of alleged abductions and

LABOR DAY RITES. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana delivers a speech during the Duterte Legacy Caravan at People Power Monument on Edsa, Quezon City on Labor Day Sunday (May 1, 2022). Organized by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict through the Philippine National Police, it is a collaboration and convergence of services of government agencies as well as volunteers and force multipliers. (MNS photo)

operasyon ng County na papalawakin sa badyet na ito para magbigay ng mga oportunidad sa lahat ng miyembro ng komunidad na magkaroon ng mahahalagang gampanin sa mga talakayan at pagpapasya. Magbibigay ng mas bukas na access sa mga serbisyo at impormasyon ang pinaraming mga serbisyo sa pagsasalin at interpretation.

May bagong Opisina ng

Sustainability at Hustisya Ukol sa Kapaligiran (Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice) na popondohan ng $3.5 milyon at magtatrabaho para matiyak na may pare-parehong proteksyon ang lahat ng komunidad laban sa mga panganib sa kalusugan.

At ang bagong Opisina ng Mga

Pamantayan at Pagpapatupad sa Paggawa ng County ng San Diego (San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement) ay magsisilbing sentro para sa edukasyon at mga resource para sa mga employer at kanilang mga manggagawa, magsasagawa ng pananaliksik at pagsusuri ng datos kaugnay ng mga isyu ng manggagawa, at magsusulong ng mga hakbang sa pagpapatupad para protektahan ang mga manggagawa.

Sustainability at Paglaban sa Pagbabago ng Klima Naaapektuhan na ng pagbabago ng klima ang mga komunidad ng County ng San Diego, at nagsusumikap ang County para matugunan ang isyu sa pamamagitan ng pagbabawas ng mga pagbubuga ng greenhouse gas at pagpapabuti sa sustainability.

Mahigit $25 milyon ang ipupuhunan para itigil ang mga pagbubuga ng greenhouse gas sa ating mga unincorporated na komunidad, kabilang ang $1 milyon para suportahan ang mga istasyon para sa pag-charge ng electric na sasakyan.

Kulang-kulang $60 milyon ang gagastusin para sa iba pang pagpapabuting pangkapaligiran, kabilang ang $40 milyon para tugunan ang stormwater, $16.3 milyon sa Programa sa Pangangalaga sa Maraming Species (Multiple Species Conservation Program) at $3.4 milyon para linisin ang Tijuana River Valley. Isusulong ang green building at solar energy sa pamamagitan ng

pagpapaliban ng tinatayang $2.1 milyon sa mga bayad sa permit. Mahigit 3,500 puno na kokolekta ng mahigit 178,000 pounds ng carbon dioxide taon-taon ang itatanim sa county.

Mababawasan ang mga pagbubuga ng greenhouse gas — habang pinapalakas ang equitable na access sa pangangalagang pangkalusugan — sa tulong ng $2 milyong para makabili ng dalawang karagdagang sasakyang Live Well on Wheels at isang bagong mobile na laboratoryo ng pampublikong kalusugan para maghatid ng mga serbisyo sa mga residente sa halip na hilingin sa kanilang bumiyahe nang mag-isa. Pagsuporta sa Mga Pamilya Kasama rin sa badyet na ito ang karagdagang pagpopondo at mga posisyon para tumuon sa mga pangaraw-araw na pangangailangan ng mga residente sa bahay at sa trabaho, lalo na ng mga pinaka-vulnerable. Daragdagan ng 60 bagong posisyon ang Mga Pansuportang Serbisyo sa Bahay para sa mga nakatatandang adult at mga bulag o may kapansanan. May 100 pang bagong posisyon na magpapalakas sa mga kinakailangang serbisyo kasama ang CalFresh at Medi-Cal, para matulungan ang mga taong makuha ang pagkain at pangangalagang pangkalusugan na kailangan nila. Magdaragdag din ng 100 bagong posisyon ang Mga Serbisyo sa Kapakanan ng Bata para dagdagan ang suporta sa pagtugon sa emergency at de-kalidad na placement para sa mga bata sa pangangalaga, para palakasin ang mga serbisyong pang-iwas at patuloy na pahusayin ang pagkonekta ng mga pamilya sa mga serbisyong nakabase sa komunidad.

Mahigit $30 milyong natanggap sa pamamagitan ng Batas sa Plano ng Pagligtas sa Amerika ng 2021 ang patuloy na susuporta sa balangkas ng Lupon ng Mga Superbisor sa paggamit ng mga pondo, kabilang ang mga serbisyo sa kalusugan ng pagiisip para sa mga kabataan at suporta para sa mga umuupa at mga programa sa nutrisyon.

Ang bagong Opisina ng Pagpapaunlad sa Ekonomiya at Mga Gawaing Pampamahalaan (Office of Economic Development & Government Affairs) ng County ay magtataguyod ng paglago ng ekonomiya, magbibigay ng mga

opotunidad sa sining at kultura, at magsasagawa ng mga programa ng grant na nakatuon sa mga organisasyong nonprofit at nakabase sa komunidad.

At ang bagong Opisina ng Pagsusuri, Pagganap at Analytics (New Office of Evaluation, Performance and Analytics) ng County ay gagamit ng datos at analytics para mas mapagbatayan ng mga pasyang nakakaapekto sa ating mga komunidad at nagpapahusay sa paghahatid ng serbisyo.

Pagpapaganda sa Mga Komunidad at Pagpapanatiling

Ligtas sa Mga Ito

Namumuhunan din ang badyet sa kaligtasan at kalidad ng pamumuhay.

Kasama rito ang $2.9 milyon para sa lupa sa para sa pasilidad sa pampublikong kaligtasan sa hinaharap sa Interstate 15 at State Route 76, at $250,000 para makapagsimula ng mga plano at disenyo para sa bagong istasyon ng bumbero sa Jacumba.

Bukod pa rito, magdaragdag ang Distrito ng Proteksyon Laban sa Sunog ng County ng San Diego ng $2.2 milyon para protektahan ang mga komunidad at paliitin ang panganib ng wildfire sa komunidad sa mga unincorporated na lugar sa pamamagitan pamamahala sa mga halaman sa tabing-kalsada at paggawa ng mga fire break.

Magdaragdag ang Mga Serbisyo sa Pampublikong Kalusugan ng 71 bagong posisyon para patuloy na palakasin ang pangkalahatang kakayahan nitong protektahan ang kalusugan ng ating mga residente. $550,000 ang gagastusin para sa mga bago at pinalawak na parke ng County, kasama ang Calavo, Star Ranch, Lindo Lake, Park Circle at ang Waterfront Park.

Popondohan ng $1 milyon ang Inisyatibo sa Access sa Pagkain para tumulong na gumawa ng mga hardin ng komunidad.

Makilahok sa Proseso ng Badyet Para malaman ang iba pa tungkol sa inirerekomendang badyet at mga paparating na pagpupulong at pagdinig, bisitahin ang budget. sandiegocounty.gov. Puwede rin ninyong bisitahin ang website ng Klerk ng Lupon o tawagan ang 619-5315434 para makakuha ng mga detalye tungkol sa mga pagdinig at humiling ng mga serbisyo sa pagsasalin.

“Can you please massage me?”

NATIONAL CITY, CA -- It was a nice warm sunny day, as I drove to my patient’s house, my phone rang and a voice email was recorded. It was a call from the nurse telling me that I have to discharge my patient that I’m about to visit. She said that it was because the patient refused to continue dialysis and the phone hung up. As I parked, I was in a deep state of confusion. I was asking myself why a young person at her mid age of 40’s chose to stop getting treatment.

I then got out of my car and walked to the hallway towards her apartment. Then, I knocked and I was greeted by a young boy, probably around 10- 12 years of age. I greeted him as well and informed him that I am the Physical Therapist. The boy let me in and walked my towards my patient’s bedroom. I entered the room and closed the door behind me. It was a dark room in which all the blinds were closed. You would still notice that it was a nice sunny day outside because the rays of the sun were going through the spaces of the blinds. I settled my things on the bedside table and started pulling out my equipment. These are mainly equipment to check blood pressure, temperature, oxygen level and heart rate. As I turned around , I noticed that my patient was laying facedown on a stack of pillows under her stomach. I softly said that I was her Physical therapist and that I would be taking her vitals. In a very low tone voice she said okay. I helped her roll on her side and to sit on the edge of the bed. I took her vitals and then she repositioned back on her stomach. Out of curiosity, I asked her, “Why

are you positioned this way?” She then told me that this position is comfortable for her and that she is in less pain when she is on her stomach. I proceeded reviewing her home exercises and discussed that I would be discharging her. As I was about to ask her the big question of why she was refusing to continue her dialysis. She quietly asked, “Can you please massage me?” I took a deep breath and was kind of hesitant to begin with because for one, this is not part of my treatment plan for her and being a physical therapist is different from a massage therapist. I realized that she was in pain and throwing the hesitation on the side, said “Yes, of course”. I slowly put on my gloves, grabbed the lotion beside her and started to gently pull her shirt to expose her back. Then as I landed my hands on her back, I was fascinated to feel her body. Silently I said to myself, “Oh God now I know why”. I felt her spine and the ribs on her side. As I started to gently stroke and massage her back, I felt a deep sadness. This feeling in my heart made me start calling and praying to God. Tears started to fall down my cheeks and I tried to compose myself. There was a knock on the door. The boy entered and asked, “Mom can I go with my friends to buy something”. My patient then answered in her soft voice, “No son, I need you to stay with me.” The boy’s face then turned into sadness reflecting the feeling of being frustrated as well. He then left the room and closed the door. My heart stopped for a second as I felt a mother’s longing for her son and sadly, the son had no

EXPERTS

Continued from page 1

Ding, who highlighted the fact that even for people who are boosted, the protection against hospitalization and death is 90-95%, but the protection against infection is only about 45%. “Adults now are going out to gatherings, parties, bars, restaurants, nightclubs… so the likelihood of transmission is higher,” continued Dr.

MAYOR

Continued from page 1

Feigl-Ding, “and someone may have immunocompromised children at home or family members who could actually have a severe outcome (from infection).”

Dr. Schaffner agreed that the ending of the mask mandate might increase the vulnerability of already fragile people and suggested that people consider their personal circumstances when deciding to leave the mask at home. “Are you older? Do you have an underlying

illness, heart disease or lung disease?

Are you immune-compromised? Are you a person that’s providing care for someone? Continue to be very careful.”

The speakers emphasized that vaccination is safe and that boosters are essential to strengthen immunity against COVID-19 and its long-term effects such as headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbance, stomach aches, chest tightness, and loss of appetite among others.

Association. “With more competitive wage compensation and benefits combined with robust opportunities for advancement, there has never been a better time to consider a career in the hotel industry.” The event today was part of a series of “Reigniting Travel” events this week hosted by AHLA across the state of California. AHLA also announced this week the relaunch of the Hospitality is Working campaign. The campaign highlights the hotel industry’s strong commitment to investing in its workforce, providing quality career opportunities, protecting employees and guests and supporting local communities across the country as more Americans begin to travel. Mayor Todd Gloria presented a proclamation to the San Diego Tourism Authority in honor of National Travel &

idea that he would have many more opportunities to be with his friends, but is running out of time to be with his mother. At this moment , I had come to realize that I now had the answer to my question. She fought her condition for the past 7 years and I’m positive that her spirit was willing to continue, but her body was no longer able to. She had come to a point where she have to surrender to His will and accept her fate. As I was finishing, my tears continued to pour down my cheeks. I wasn’t able to say anything, not wanting her to notice that I was crying, and I did feel the need to scream as I felt this heaviness in my heart. I was lucky enough that she was on her stomach while I was working on her back being able to grab the tissue in between. When I was done, she thanked me for giving her a massage and told me that she felt some relief. I’ve never felt so proud and happy to give anybody a simple massage. I then said my goodbyes to her and told her to be strong. Her young son walked me out and before I stepped out, I told him to enjoy his day with his mom. And as I walked back to my car, my tears started to flow again. I got in my car, composed myself and said a prayer for my patient, her son and family. I called my dear friend and shared this story and also asked her to pray for my patient. At that moment, I appreciated what I have much more. My health and the time that God is giving me to still be with my family and loved ones.

From this experience, I have learned not to judge other people’s decisions as we all have our very own battles in life. We shall come to a point in our lives when we have to surrender to His will…

Spiritual Life

Dealing with crisis in your life

The death of someone you love, a painful loss of a job or a home, a divorce, an injury or illness, bankruptcy, or the revelation of some shocking unwanted news, are situations which invariably cause so much distress and grief. Your world has fallen apart and you wonder how you will ever get through the succession of sad days ahead of you, You may feel your life has been so overturned you worry how you will survive. To whom can you turn for comfort? What resources can you draw upon? Are there coping strategies that you can learn? Is there any way you can bypass grief and sorrow?

In his article on "Finding Strength o Survive a Crisis or Tragedy", Eugene G. Wheeler, a licensed clinical social worker, offers these tips:

1, Allow yourself to grieve. You must fully experience your grief in order to be fully healed. the purpose of giving is to help you get to the point where you can remember without the pain. Grieving means letting yourself feel the anguish - not suppressing it, It means sharing it, talking about it, and allowing yourself to go through the various stages that grief encompasses which may include shock, denial, guilt, anger, depression, and finally acceptance of the situation and moving on to he next phase of life.

Unexpressed sorrow may come out in physical symptoms. depression, or the inhibition of other emotions such as love and joy, You cannot choose to shut down a particular segment on the continuum of your emotions without risking shutting down

a much larger portion of your personality. So allow yourself to feel and to express your feelings. Painful though that may be, eventually you will come through the experience more alive, without deadening your capacity to feel.

2. Seek help from a friend. One of the most basic human fears is the fear of abandonment, Stripped of all its other definitions, a friendship affirms that we will not be abandoned, The first gift of friendship is companionship, which is the knowledge that one will not be abandoned. The second is a gift of hope. A good friendship affirms that good things can still take place no matter what the magnitude of the loss.

3. Consult experts to help you care for yourself - physically, emotionally, spiritually. Seek help from your clergy person and your faith community for spiritual crisis or simply for emotional support, Because traumatic periods in life can be extremely physically stressful, you need to pay special attention to your health, and may want to see your doctor for a checkup.

4. Cultivate hope. Norman Cousins describes the will to live

as the "ignition system to the motor that turns on the voltage and sets the stage for progress."

Now is the time to rekindle your will and purpose by reviewing what you have in your life that has, or could have, meaning. Do you have people whom you care about deeply? Can you motivate yourself to take better care of yourself? Are you willing to examine your inner dialogue and work on turning any negative messages into more positive ones?Allow God to reach you by being receptive to the divine presence, Where human efforts fall short, God will take up with you and will accompany you faithfully on your journey from darkness to light.

5. Let go of the past. There is a time to grieve and a time to let go. Appreciating what you have in the present depends on your ability, at some point, to relinquish the pain of the past. When reviewing your losses is no longer helpful, you need to take control of your response to the crisis.

In time you can view crisis as an opportunity for learning and growth. You will rekindle hope and faith and move confidently into a new chapter of your life.

When difficulty or danger invades your life, where do you run?

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.

(Proverbs 18:10-11)

The world of the Bible could be divided into the open countryside and fortified cities. People living in the countryside were exposed to the dangers of thieves, roving bandits, and invading armies. When an alarm was sounded, people would scramble for safety to the fortified cities with their high walls, strong towers, and well-defended gates. You had to run quickly and get there before the gates were closed. These verses ask us to reflect on where we find our sense of safety when the hazards of life come upon us. The "rich man," Scripture says, trusts in his possessions. For him, possessions provide comfort and protection, security and provision.

Scripture's judgment is clear: it's all in his imagination. Believing that things other than God can make you safe is to buy into an illusion that can be

Today the whole Catholic Church celebrates the Sunday of the Good Shepherd and at the same time many countries in the world celebrate Mother’s day. It is noteworthy how this Sunday of the Good Shepherd follows the Sunday in which the reading tells us how important the Eucharist is in recognizing Jesus in our midst. Today’s gospel reading focuses on what Jesus mentioned that he is truly He is the Good Shepherd whom the sheep follow because “my sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me, I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.” (John 10:27) What an amazing day to remember Jesus as the Good Shepherd whom we, the sheep, have to follow because we know His voice and He knows us, His sheep. Aren’t mothers also good shepherds? During this historic moment when our mothers are recognized by society as real enablers of family life, I believe that we must consider the roles of mothers as shepherding roles, too. This notion allows us to look into the role of motherhood in society that has acknowledged the reality that mothers may essentially have the generative role in the family, but the formative role should also be fully admired. When both parents cooperate in the formation of the personality of their children, we can be assured of a well rounded Christian family that is so needed in the world and the church today. How can we continue giving due honor to mothers today. First, I

believe we should acknowledge the role of women in the world today, from the Christian point of view. In the book of Genesis 2:18 God said “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fir for him.” Indeed the Lord intends our women to be partners with our men in love and life. The most concrete way by which this partnership is exemplified is in family life, where according to Proverb 31:1ff, “an excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands….”

Second, is to find models of mothers who can be followed in our church and society. The best model that come to mind is the Blessed Virgin Mary herself whose life and faith show us how to be a true mother of the Son of God and mother of us all, members of the church. There are three virtues that

we can point out in the life of Mary is a model of motherhood: faith, hope and charity. Her strong faith kept her through the sufferings she underwent throughout the life of Jesus even until His death. Her hope kept her confident in the fulfilment of the prophecies of Jesus Christ and her charily made herself available to Jesus and his disciples during his ministry and even after His death and resurrection.

Finally, since today is Good Shepherd Sunday, I would like to mention the need for us to pray for our pastors. Let us commend our pastors that they may have true love for their flock. This stems from the love for the Eucharist. Let us pray that their ministry would be sustained by their faith in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist as the “Bread of Life” that came down from heaven, because this faith on which is the only way by which the faithful would recognize Jesus and eventually attain eternal life. This is the reality that the Good Shepherd continues to teach us to love and know. The Eucharist is his gift that relives the paschal mystery and anticipates the heavenly banquet that He promises all who would eat his flesh and drink his blood. Let us pray that our pastors today would continue to imitate the role of the Good Shepherd.

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, let us all pray and commend our pastors and our mothers and pray that Jesus would bless them and protect them always.

disappearances of aficionados over the past few months.

Around 23 senators have signed Resolution 996 urging the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to suspend the license to operate of e-sabong operators and immediately stop all related

Danny Hernaez From Whom All Blessings Flow

shattered in an instant. Jesus makes this point about a rich man who trusted in his wealth. "You fool," God tells him, "This very night your life will be demanded from you" (Luke 12:20). The righteous person, however, trusts in God. In the face of difficulty, trial or danger, they run to God for safety. In Scripture, God's "name" stands for His power and authority to act. In Him, His people find their fortified tower, well-defended by God our lover and redeemer. In Him, we are truly safe regardless of anything else that may invade our lives.

When difficulty or danger invades your life, where do you run?

Jesus didn't come as a king, but as a helpless infant (Luke

activities until the cases of 31 missing cockfighting aficionados are resolved.

Duterte earlier rejected calls to suspend e-sabong operations since the government is earning millions of pesos from the betting game. He instead asked Congress to regulate the operations of e-sabong by issuing a legislative franchise.

Duterte eventually expressed openness to the calls to halt the operations of e-sabong due to the

2). Although he was perfectly God and perfectly human at the same time (John 1:14), he lived his life as a humble laborer.

After he began his ministry, he demonstrated humble service to others in the miracles he performed, as well as in his instruction to his disciples. When the time came for him to die, he submitted to his Father's divine will (Mark 14:36). And now, seated in power at the right hand of God, he intercedes on our behalf (Acts 5:29-32). As the perfect model for godly leadership, Jesus set the perfect example of humility. Ask God to help you follow Jesus' example as you seek to demonstrate the kind of humility that will cause others to see Jesus in you.

<(((><

apparent "social problem" involving aficionados and their families.

The government was able to collect around PHP3.69 billion from the gaming operations of eight e-sabong licensees from April to December 2021, according to the data released by Pagcor.

From January to March 15, 2022, there was a collection of around PHP1.37 billion from the operations of seven licensees. (MNS)

Please wear your mask at all times especially when attending events

history. We are honored to have Joe as part of the Sycuan family and look forward to being able to offer our guests exclusive experiences through this new partnership.” In his first year with the Padres, Musgrove set career highs in a variety of categories including 181.1 innings pitched, 203 strikeouts and 3.18 ERA. He also threw a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, the first no-hitter in Padres history. Musgrove, a San Diego native, was a class of 2011 graduate from Grossmont High School in El Cajon.

“I am very excited for my new partnership with Sycuan Casino Resort,” said Musgrove. “Not only has Sycuan been a longtime supporter of the San Diego Padres, but they truly embody Padres baseball at their

resort with their exclusive Padres Club Sycuan Card and an official Padres Hotel Suite not offered anywhere else. Being from San Diego myself, it’s really cool to be able to represent such a well-known local brand that is all about entertainment, fun and giving back to our community.”

For more information about Sycuan Casino Resort, please visit sycuan.com or call 619-445-6002.

About Sycuan Casino Resort

Sycuan Casino Resort began as a humble Bingo Palace in 1983.

Now more than 38 years later, it has become a community landmark and one of San Diego’s premier casino and resort destinations. Sycuan’s newly expanded AAA Four Diamondrated property includes a 12-story hotel tower with over 300 guest rooms and 57 luxury suites. Guests can enjoy a wide range of onsite amenities including a variety of restaurants and bars from fast-casual to fine dining, meeting and event space, a fullservice spa, fitness center and a stateof-the-art outdoor pool deck with two pools, a lazy river and swim-up bar. Sycuan also boasts an expansive casino floor with more than 2,300 slot machines and 54 table games in a variety of gaming options. Sycuan is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, please visit www.sycuan.com, Facebook: @sycuancasinoresort, Instagram: @sycuan_casinoresort, Twitter: @ sycuancasino and LinkedIn: company/ sycuancasinoresort or call 619-4456002.

How McCoy de Leon won over depression thanks to Elisse Joson

The photo was taken from a scene in their film

In the caption, the actor explained how it reminded him of his bout with depression.

“Naalala ko nung tinamaan ako ng sakit na hindi ko alam na meron pala ako. Nung taong 2020 na-diagnose ako ng depression. Nakangiti ako pero sa loob ko hindi kinakaya yung mga bagay na pinagdadaanan,” he shared. “Naalala ko rin naisama ko pa nga sa isang short film kung ano itsura ko nun. Gantong oras din yun 4:40am kaya hindi ko makakalimutan yun hanggang sa inumaga ako at hindi nakatulog. Bigla nalang ako yuyuko, naiiyak at malapit nang sumuko.”

He added, “Itong eksena na to ang parehas na parehas ng naramdaman ko nung nararanasan ko na yung sakit na yun. Hindi man parehas ang sakit na meron sa pelikulang ito… Pero parehas na tao ang nasandalan ko.” McCoy reiterated how Elisse served as his medicine. “Sinamahan niya ako magpadoktor,

binilhan niya ako ng pusa na sinasabing makakatulong daw ito higit sa lahat nilapit niya ako sa Diyos lalo lahat ng way naging lunas sa sakit ko noon. Kaya laking pasasalamat ko sa taong ito,” he related. He then gave some encouraging

words to people going through the same thing. “Sa lahat ng iba na nakakaranas pa nito laging may rason at wag susuko,” she said. “Nai-share ko lang dahil nung nakita ko yung picture na to na galing sa pelikula namin bumalik lahat.” (MNS)

MANILA -- McCoy de Leon recently shared on Instagram a photo of him and Elisse Joson.

“Habangbuhay.”

KAILANGAN NG MGA MANGGAGAWA SA BOTOHAN!

Ika-7 ng Hunyo, 2022, Gubernatoryal na Primaryang Eleksyon

Hiring Ngayon! Kailangan ng mga mangagawa sa Botohan. Paglingkuran ang inyong komunidad!

• Kumita ng $15 kada oras

• Kailangan ang tulong pang Bilingguwal:

o Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Spanish, at Vietnamese

• Kailangang mayroong maaasahang transportasyon papunta at mula sa vote

center kada araw

Para maging manggagawa sa botohan, kayo dapat ay:

• Isang U.S. citizen at rehistradong botante sa California, o

• Legal na Permanenteng Residente ng U.S.

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, mangyaring bisitahin ang sdvote.com, tumawag sa (858) 565-5800, o mag-email sa pollworker@sdcounty.ca.gov

Interesado? Mag-apply ngayon!

I-scan ang QR code para matuto nang higit pa.