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Of fi ce of BARMM Chief Minister gets huge chunk of Covid funds
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OTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM said it released over P1.9 billion in response to the novel coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic, and the Office of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim got a huge chunk of the funds. According to the April 30 by the Ministry of tributed to his own office BARMM Bureau of Pub- Finance, and Budget and and also the Ministry of lic Information or BPI, Management which Ebra- the Interior and Local the funds - released on him also heads –were disContinue on page 3
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod ‘Murad’ Ebrahim (File Photo)
Religious gatherings now allowed in areas under MECQ, GCQ THE INTER-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has allowed the conduct of religious gatherings in areas placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ). Cebu and Mandaue cities will be placed Continue on page 3
Sulu now under ‘MGCQ’ SULU PROVINCE has been placed under Modified General Community Quarantine or MGCQ from May 16 until end of the month following an order from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases or IATF to curb the entry
of novel coronavirus or Covid-19. Governor Sakur Tan, who heads the provincial task force on Covid-19, also signed on May 15 the Executive Order No. 6 adopting the Resolution No.35 of the IATF placing the province of Sulu under MGCQ and providing the
implementing quarantine guidelines. Sulu has only 1 confirmed Covid-19 case and four probable cases and the province is considered a low-risk area for the deadly respiratory disease. Prior to the signing Continue on page 3
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May 18-24, 2020
Zambo virtual concert brings hope, tears to locals
A VIRTUAL concert paying tribute to frontliners battling the novel coronavirus pandemic here brought refreshed hope, love and faith to the locals, but also moved many of them to tears as the health crisis enters its 3rd month in Zamboanga. The musical, dubbed as “Lumbre: A Concert of Hope” banded dozens of local artists for one night of music and prayer for the heart and soul as a tribute too, to all brave and hardworking frontliners fighting the deadly pandemic. The concert went viral on social media with thousands of views overnight. The live streaming one-hour musical which was also broadcast on a local television channel recently was hosted by Mayor Beng Climaco. “Este Concierto de Esperanza, Lumbre dedicao na de atun frontliners - el de atun maga heroes que ta combate contra el Covid y por amor de ila ta continua para todo quita sale victorioso contra Covid na favor de Dios.” “Con gran agradecimiento del entero ciudad de Zamboanga, ta dale kame este de atun dedicao voz para con
todo con ustedez que ta dale kanamun inspiracion para no mas siempre perde esperanza cay na de atun dificultad ustedez el de amun luz el que ta guia kanatun para na un futuro lleno de paz, amor y tambien lleno de esperanza,” Climaco said. The Zamboangueño artists who participated in the concert were Tweena Campos (Vocalist, New Soul Band), Armando Cruz (GMA The Clash Finalist), Jullienne Tuazon (Original Chavacano Video Music Festival 2017 Finalist), Dave Alvarado (Vocalist, The Cousings | Zamboanga Idol 2019), Francel de Leon (Vocalist, Maldita), Darla Sheen Malcampo (Zamboanga Film Festival 2020 Best Actress), RB Bandiola (Guitarist, Madeline and Unica/ Maldita), Donna Mae Bacay (Vocalist, Quiet Noize Band), Jeremiah Saavedra (Tawag ng Tanghalan Contender, 2016), Dora de Zamboanga (Comedian/ Singer/Vlogger), Paolo Onesa (The Voice of the Philippine Season 1), Marjorie Escobar (Cosplayer), Chris Sison (Frio), Dorothy Catherine Rabino (Nurse/ Worship Leader), Alrass Amarillo (Original Chavacano Video Music
Festival 2019 Champion), Ino Makata (WUT/ Champion, RAPTure 2019) and Jelo Bangcal (Vocalist, Comic relief ). “Wow! Bravo,” said Pika Angelo Bazan in reaction to the concert. One woman, Estellita Reyes, said she and her husband were in tears while listening to the variety of songs - from original compositions to religious and Muslim songs – performed by the local artists. “Tumatayo nag yun mga balahibo namin habang nakikinig sa mga songs. Naawa tuloy kami kay Mayor Beng at sa mga frontliners natin at alam namin na pagod na pagod na talaga sila. Sana matapos na itong pandemic,” she said. Catimbang Mayumi Lara Chesca also praised the artists, saying: “Sobra (ang) galing nilang lahay. Pang-Clash isa laban sa lahat.” She was referring to the Clash, a GMA television reality talent competition show originally hosted by Regine Velasquez, Andre Paras and Joyce Pring. “Congratulations Madam (Mayor) Beng for hosting this concert,” wrote Loida Beldad Lim on her comment to the Facebook page of Climaco. (Zamboanga Post)
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Lanao Sur supports ‘Balik Probinsya’ program
Sulu Governor Sakur Tan signs an executive order placing the province under modified general community quarantine. (Sulu Task Force Covid-19 Photo) MARAWI CITY – After President Rodrigo Duterte institutionalized the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pagasa” (BP2) program, Lanao del Sur also launched its own version of the project to support the national government efforts in bring back those from the province. Duterte signed Exec-
utive Order No. 114 which aims to ensure balanced regional development and equitable distribution of wealth, resources and opportunities through policies and programs. These policies would boost countryside development and inclusive growth, provide adequate social services, and promote full
employment, industrialization and an improved quality of life in rural areas. The Lanao del Sur provincial government said it Balik Probinsya program is also aimed at tracking stranded Meranaos in the country and provide assistance to those who wish to return home. (Asangan Madale)
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May 18-24, 2020
Office of BARMM Chief Minister gets huge chunk of Covid funds Continued from page 1 Government or MILG under Naguib Sinarimbo, and the Ministry of Social Services and Development or MSSD headed by Raissa Jajurie. But only on May 7, BARMM Cabinet Secretary and Bangsamoro Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19 spokesperson, Mohd Asnin Pendatun, said the P1.9 billion is a combination of the reg-
ular and quick response funds. He further clarified that “it does not entail that these funds have already been completely disbursed or utilized.” “Gusto lamang po nating i-emphasize na ‘yong P1.9B fund, hindi lahat ay na-disburse o nagamit na. Ibig sabihin lamang po nito ay maaaring gamitin ang funds na ito for Covid-19 related activities or programs,”
Pendatun stressed. The breakdown of the P1,918,782,295 were as follows: For Ebrahim’s office alone – TABANG Program P1 billion, Fund Augmentation for Social Services P200 million, Fund Augmentation to provincial and municipal governments P155 million, Procurement for Covid-19 related health supplies and material requirement P100 million,
Religious gatherings now allowed in areas under MECQ, GCQ Continued from page 1 under ECQ, while Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva, Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales, and Angeles City will be under MECQ from May 16 to 31.Other places nationwide that are not under ECQ or MECQ will be under GCQ. Under the omnibus guidelines on the implementation of community quarantine in the country released on Friday, the last day before the transition, religious gatherings in areas under MECQ would be highly restricted and limited to not more than five persons. While religious activities are not encouraged in areas placed under GCQ, the IATF-EID authorized such activities, so long as the maximum number of participants is 10.People engaged in religious activities must observe minimum health standards. Public gatherings that are “unauthorized, nonwork essential, or are entertainment-related” remain prohibited in places where MECQ and GCQ are implemented. In areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), mass gatherings are still prohibited. Mall operations Limited operations in malls and shopping areas
in places under MECQ and GCQ will be allowed, except for leisure establishments and services. Pregnant women and individuals with health risks may not enter malls and shopping centers in areas under MECQ, “except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in establishments located therein.” For areas under GCQ, individuals aged 21 years and below and 60 years and above may not enter malls and shopping centers, “except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in establishments located therein.” Leisure activities not allowed in areas under MECQ The new guidelines also prohibited the public in areas under MECQ from visiting tourist spots, such as water parks and other places that offer similar services.Operations of entertainment industries, such as cinemas, theatres, and karaoke bars are also banned. People are likewise not allowed to go to kid amusement establishments; libraries, archives, museums, and cultural
centers; and gyms, fitness studios, and sports facilities.They also cannot avail of personal care services from massage parlors, sauna, facial care, and waxing. Public transportation Mass public transportation in places where ECQ and MECQ are imposed remains suspended. However, commissioned shuttle services for employees of permitted establishments, and point-to-point transport services for front-line workers are allowed to operate at reduced vehicle capacity to observe minimum health standards. The IATF-EID also allowed exempted individuals to use private company shuttles and personal vehicles, as well as bikes and other non-motorized vehicles in areas under MECQ. Meanwhile, the road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation in areas under GCQ are allowed to operate at a reduced operational and vehicle capacity.A strict one-meter distance between passengers must be observed and appropriate engineering controls must be in place, according to the guidelines.(Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)
Sulu now under ‘MGCQ’ Continued from page 1 of the Executive Order No. 6, Tan convened an executive committee meeting of the provincial task force on Covid-19 and discussed the guidelines after the deadline of the General Community Quarantine on May 15. Tan said the mandatory wearing of face masks and social distancing practise continue, including the suspension of congregational prayers in
mosques, Islamic seminars and Eidl Fitri prayers in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque also said: “We are still on ECQ. Tinawag nating modified siya kasi ang katotohanan po ay hindi na natin kaya na talagang nakasarado ang ating ekonomiya ‘no. Pero we are still on ECQ, mas marami lang po iyong mga industriya na binuksan natin.”
“Pero habang wala nga pong bakuna, habang wala pong gamot dito sa COVID-19, we are still on quarantine. At importante po na ang basic rule, maski ilang mga industriya na bukas na, iyong mga hindi nagtatrabaho sa mga industriyang ito ay kinakailangang homeliners pa rin po sila – stay home kung hindi naman kinakailangang lumabas.” (Mindanao Examiner)
AMBAG Program P50 million, Isolation Buildings P50 million. And for the MILG, P116.3 million for its READi (Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence) Program; and for MSSD another P116.3 million for its Emergency Assistance Program and P113.6 million for Welfare Goods. It was not immediately known how much assistance really went to the provinces under BARMM – Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao – as there are no records on the BARMM portal or social media accounts. But in Sulu, the provincial government only received P5 million and P1 million for each of 19 municipalities there – and this is part of the P155 million allocated for all 5 provinces and their municipal governments. And BARMM has nearly 4 million population and the funding released by Ebrahim was not even
enough, according to local officials. Despite the meager resources it got from BARMM, Sulu officials from the provincial government down to the municipal executives – managed to feed nearly all residents since the health crisis began in March. Social media accounts of provincial and municipal governments showed a unified efforts in the distribution of relief assistance to over 900,000 populations in Sulu. Each household were provided multiple times with a sack of 50kilo rice, canned goods and other grocery items while officials were busy fighting the spread of the deadly respiratory disease. Sulu only recorded one positive Covid-19 case because of its strict implementation of the quarantine guidelines in preventing the spread of the virus in the province. However, the
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BARMM-BPI on May 14 quoted Sinarimbo as saying that based on the monitoring conducted by the MILG, the local governments in the Muslim region complied with their respective tasks upon receiving the augmentation fund from Ebrahim’s office. Sinarimbo said the funds can only be used for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment, relief goods, and assistance for front liners and daily wage earners. He said all Covid-19 task forces of the 123 local governments in BARMM have been activated and that 2,590 Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams are functional, adding a total of 90 quarantine facilities are now available across the region. BARMM-BPI also quoted Jajurie’s report that over 50% of the 505, 954 targeted beneficiaries in the region have already received their Social Amelioration Program or SAP. (Mindanao Examiner)
Police hold 17 Islamic missionaries for quarantine violations LANAO DEL SUR – Police are holding 17 Islamic missionaries in the island-town of Balut in Davao Occidental province in southern Philippines, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said. It said the missionaries were recently arrested and detained for breaking the quarantine guidelines when they returned by boat from missionary works in General Santos City. They were not wearing face mask and failed to coordinate their movement with the local government and had incomplete papers. NCMF Regional Director Sherrila Porza said she talked to the relatives of the missionaries and they admitted that the documentation of the Tablighs was not complete, and that they insisted to return to the island despite the gov-
Islamic missionaries in jail for violating quarantine guidelines in Balut Island in Davao Occidental. (NCMF Photo) ernment’s travel advisories and quarantine guidelines. Dr. Jun Alonto Datu Ramos, NCMF Director for External Relations and
spokesman, said he will meet with Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista to discuss the matter. (Asangan Madale)
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Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Task Force Covid-19)
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LTO resumes operations in Zamboanga
THE LAND Transportation Office or LTO resumes its operations in the Zamboanga Peninsula after the Inter-Agency Task Force on Infectious Diseases placed the whole country under general community quarantine, except for the National Capital Region, Cebu City and Laguna province. This was also confirmed by LTO Regional Director Atty. Aminola Abaton and said their operations started May 13 in the following areas
– Ipil District Office and Buug Extension Office in Zamboanga Sibugay; Pagadian District Office and Molave Extension Office in Zamboanga del Sur; Dipolog District Office, Dipolog Licensing Center and Sindangan Extension Office in Zamboanga del Norte; and also in Jolo District Office in Sulu; Basilan District Office and Bongao Extension Office in Tawi-Tawi; and in Zamboanga City. Abaton reminded the public that health and
sanitary protocols upon entering the LTO offices are strictly followed such as the wearing of face mask, social distancing practice, taking of body temperature, hand sanitizing and stepping on disinfection foot mat. He said while under GCQ, all LTO offices will not allow persons below 21 years old and 60 years old and above, and pregnant women to transact any business as part of the health protocols set by the IATF guidelines. (Zamboanga Post)
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Cebu airport prepares for ‘new normal’ in travel
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EBU CITY – The management of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has started ramping up preparation for the “new normal” travel experience as Cebu province, except this city, will be downgraded from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to general community quarantine (GCQ) starting May 16 until May 31. Andrew Acquaah-Harrison, GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) chief executive advisor, said the company’s sued by the IATF-EID and the and airport employees must unnew measures will be in ad- DOTr are intended to protect the dergo body temperature scan by herence to the guidelines of well-being of the public against airport security staff using handthe Inter-Agency Task Force for the continuing threat of corona- held scanners at all airport entry points. the Management of Emerging virus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Personnel from the Bureau Among the measures, HarInfectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the Department of Trans- rison said, is the limiting of the of Quarantine will also monitor number of well-wishers for de- the body temperature of arriving portation (DOTr). “GMCAC and the Mac- parting passengers to one per passengers through thermal imtan-Cebu International Air- passenger. “This will go a long aging systems. The airport manport Authority (MCIAA) are way in helping us avoid close agement will require passengers implementing stringent proximity crowding anywhere and airport staff to sanitize their preventive health and safety on the airport premises,” he said. hands and disinfect their shoes All passengers and airport before entering the airport termeasures at the MCIA. This is in preparation for the lifting employees will be required to minals. The airport will provide of travel restrictions and the wear face masks and other per- hand sanitizers and footbaths at resumption of flight services sonal protective equipment if all entry points. in line with airline sched- they are within the vicinity of At the queuing points, the Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and ad- passengers will be required to ules,” Harrison said. He said the guidelines is- jacent areas. Also, all passengers maintain social distancing of
Agri-based firms go digital, diversify amid pandemic THE DEPARTMENT Trade and Industry said it is now assisting the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adapt new business concepts and get past the so-called old “brick and mortar” mindset in order to survive the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). A senior DTI official Maria Elena Arbon underscored the benefits of digitization amid Covid-19 pandemic. “As an advocate for digital transformation, I have experienced the hurdles of convincing our MSMEs and people in general to adopt and adapt digital. Perversely, Covid-19 has effectively forced everyone to accept more digitization into their lives, work and businesses,” she said. She said one Cebu-based company FRL Trading has successfully translated its business online. FRL Trading, a start-up company selling agri-based products, diversified to producing washable face masks and running a grocery delivery service online. Proprietor Felita Lubon said that although her company earns well producing turmeric and ginger tea, she saw the high demand for washable face masks and decided to look for good needle workers in the
ARMM
mountain barangays of Cebu. “I bring the fabric to their homes and collect the finished products from them. These needleworkers are happy that they earn income from their work and are able to support their family despite the lockdown,” Lubon said. Currently, FRL Trading produces 6,000 to 10,000 facemasks a day for local and international buyers. In late April, Lubon noticed the huge volume of people who have been forced to stay home and were unable to do groceries as well as drivers who were suddenly rendered jobless. This crisis gave Lubon the idea of establishing an online grocery delivery service that brings supermarket items to those compelled to stay home and give jobs to drivers who are out of work as well. And in recent weeks, Lubon’s grocery delivery service receives an average of 100,000 online orders a day. DTI Assistant Secretary Asteria Caberte also said developing this kind of mindset, seeing opportunity in obstacles is part of the training, workshops, and other interventions that DTI offers to business start-ups. “DTI also assists MSMEs in product development, design, packaging, standards compliance,
marketability, production capability, brand development, among others,” she said. Felita Lubon is a beneficiary of DTI’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) program for entrepreneurs who engage in business within the value chain of OTOP products such as raw material suppliers, processors, distributors, retailers, manufacturers. Lubon is also a graduate of the Kapatid Mentor Micro Entrepreneurs program which helps MSMEs scale up their businesses through mentoring on different functional areas of entrepreneurship, produces the right mindset and business know-how. “In the coming months, DTI may hold most of its training via video conferencing to comply with the new normal restrictions,” Arbon said. For remote barangays where technology may not be accessible, she added DTI may hold seminars in gymnasiums, multipurpose buildings but with limited number of participants as to comply with the social distancing protocol. Caberte underscored that DTI is open to using other viable means to reach out to MSMEs in the countryside such as radio and comic strips written in the local dialect.
Eastern Mindanao
Mactan Airport (Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority FB page) three to six feet and observe a one-seat-apart policy in waiting areas. “There will be visible floor markings to guide the passengers while queuing at high traffic areas such as entry gates, ticketing booths, check-in counters, F&B (food and beverage) and retail stores, boarding gates, escalators and stairs,” Harrison said. The use of the elevators will be regulated to conform to social distancing protocols, he added. Airport procedures such as security checks and check-in will be modified to adopt “no-touch measures” to reduce any means of contact.The passengers will be asked to follow gradual aircraft boarding and disembarkation procedures to avoid any queue
formation and congestion. The “keep right policy” in walkways and lanes will be encouraged. The MCIA management will regularly conduct sanitation in high-touch surfaces on escalators, elevators, stairways, passenger boarding bridges, restrooms, and items that are physically handled by passengers such as baggage trolleys and security trays at the security screening points. It said that regular disinfection will also be done in passenger areas such as departure boarding gates, arrival reclaim halls, and immigration passport control area. They will also install additional alcohol-based hand sanitizers in public areas of the
terminals for the use of passengers and airport employees. The liquid hand soap in all restrooms will be replaced with medical-grade hand washing soap for thorough disinfection. The airport management will install protective clear shield in all check-in counters to serve as a protective barrier between the passenger and the check-in agents. The isolated holding areas intended for travellers placed at the onset of Covid-19 crisis, will continue to be used for quarantine assessment. A public address reminding travellers and employees on social distancing will be aired every 30 minutes. (John Rey Saavedra)
BSP cuts remittance growth forecast to 2% PHILIPPINE MONETARY officials further reduced their growth projection for inflows from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) this year to two percent due to the impact of the global pandemic. Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said the original target of three percent growth has been slashed to 2.2 a- 2.8 percent or an average of 2.5 percent last March. He said the earlier cut was made after monetary executives earlier projected about two to eight percent contraction of remittances from the original target. “To be on the conservative side, BSP adopted an amended forecast of two percent, which
Western Mindanao
is less than 2.5 percent. That’s BSP’s latest forecast,” he said. A large number of OFWs have been repatriated after losing their jobs overseas because of the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Diokno noted that “the government has now allowed OFWs to leave the country, except health workers who are most needed at home.” This is seen to be a good sign vis-à-vis the remittance inflows, which already posted slower growth last February. Recent data released by the central bank showed a 2.5 percent annual expansion of cash remittances last February to USD2.358 billion, slower than the 6.6 percent growth in the previous month.
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Diokno said average remittances to date rose by 5.6 percent year-on-year. “Of course, BSP will continue to closely monitor the level of remittances sent by Filipino overseas workers in addition to other inflows of foreign currencies. And we will continue to release monthly data on such foreign trade and incomes numbers,” he said. In 2018, total cash remittances to the Philippines grew by 4.1 percent, higher than three percent target, to USD30.133 billion. Remittances are among the major growth driver of the economy and account for about nine percent of annual domestic output. (Joan Villanueva)
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