Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (082) 2841859
P10
August 3-9, 2020
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Teodoro Locsin, Nur Misuari, President Rodrigo Duterte.
‘Sabah is not Malaysia’ ‘Is Malaysia supporting terrorism in Mindanao?’
F
OREIGN AFFAIRS Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said Sabah – which is being claimed by the Sultanate of Sulu – is not Malaysia. Locsin, in a Twitter the Philippines.” on their donation of hypost, said: “Sabah is not His tweet was in re- giene kits to the deportin Malaysia if you want to sponse to the U.S. Embas- ed Filipinos from Sabah have anything to do with sy in the Manila’s tweet Continue on page 3
Face mask cuts risk of Covid infection The influential Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate composed of Sultans Ibrahim Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin, Muizuddin Jainal Abirin Bahjin and Phugdalun Kiram II with their Special Envoy, Dr Sakur Tan also called Datu ShahBandar. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Zamboanga bans pork from Luzon, Mindanao provinces
Pigs (Freepik)
ZAMBOANGA CITY has banned the entry of pork from Luzon and many provinces in Mindanao where there are reported cases of the African swine fever or ASF. Mayor Beng Climaco said the local government imposed the ban not only on pork, but processed Continue on page 7
AMID reports of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, which is the causative agent of Covid-19, being airborne, the Department of Health (DOH) stressed the importance of wearing a face mask as part of the prescribed minimum health standards to ensure utmost protection from the deadly virus. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Continue on page 2
Wearing face mask, Gannymede Tiu, general manager of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, reads the Zamboanga Post newspaper.
Philippines’ debt now at P9 trillion The Philippines’ outstanding debt soared past P9 trillion (roughly 183.9 billion U.S. dollars) as of end-June as the Duter-
te government borrowed more to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Bureau of Treasury. It said the total debt
stock reached P9.05 trillion, an increase of P163.3 billion pesos or 1.8 percent compared Continue on page 3
First Standard Finance Corporation Zamboanga City 0995-5202358 KIA FOR SALE Toyota FOR SALE FOR SALE Toyota P650,000
Hiace
P550,000
Sportage
P750,000
Altis
2
The Mindanao Examiner
Face mask cuts risk of Covid infection Continued from page 1 Vergeire said this is the reason why healthcare workers use N95 masks. She said although more definitive studies are necessary for non-healthcare settings, the public is enjoined to wear masks and practice the minimum health standards to reduce the transmission of the virus. “Kami po ay nananawagan sa inyong lahat na gawin lagi ang ating minimum health standards, katulad ng pagsusuot ng mask, madalas na paghuhugas ng kamay, physical distancing, at iba pa lalung-lalo na sa mga lugar na sarado, naka-aircon, at walang maayos na ventilation,” Vergeire said. “Marami pa rin ang nakakalimot sa ating minimum health protocols. Maaaring ang kailangan
natin ay hindi ang pagbalik sa Enhanced Community Quarantine kundi maging mas mahigpit sa pagpapatupad at pagsunod sa mga itinakdang health protocol,” she added. Vergeire said the effectiveness of personal protective equipment, such as face masks, face shields, and physical distancing must not be underestimated. “According to studies, wearing masks lowers the chance of transmission by up to 85%, while maintaining a physical distance of one meter reduces the risk of transmission by 80%,” she said. She urged the public to work together in protecting the vulnerable sector. “Patuloy nating pangalagaan ang kalusugan ng mga vulnerable
persons sa ating tahanan, katulad ng mga senior citizens, mga maysakit, at mga maliliit na bata. Nagawa na ho natin ito nitong mga nakaraang buwan, ituloy lang po natin kahit lumalabas tayo,” she said. She also called the public to become part of the solution by staying vigilant and following the prescribed health protocols. “Huwag po tayong maging kampante. Sa halip, patuloy po tayong maging responsable. Alagaan po natin ang ating mga sarili, ang ating mga mahal sa buhay, at ang iba pang myembro ng ating komunidad. Sa kamay po nating lahat nakasalalay ang kaligtasan at kagalingan ng bawat isa,” Vergeire said. (Mindanao Examiner and Zamboanga Post)
Daghan Salamat DILG
Si Mayor Sammy Co ug DILG Regional Director Paisal Abutazil. PAGADIAN CITY - Kinasing-kasing na gidawat og mapasalamaton gayud si Pagadian City Mayor Sammy Co sa Department of the Interior and Local Government sa Zamboanga Peninsula nga gipangulohan ni Regional Director Paisal Abutazil ang 50 food packs ug hygiene kits atol sa selebrasyon sa
disability prevention ug rehabilitation week para kini sa mga disabled Pagadianons. Nagpasalamat si Co kay usa ang syudad sa Pagadian nga naka benepisyo niini og gi-saysay sa amahan sa syudad nga dugangan niya kining mga food packs og hygiene kits.
Ang kada pack adunay sulod nga bugas, can goods, noodles, itlog, toothbrush, toothpaste, sabon, alcohol, ug face mask. Gibutyag ni Co nga usa sila nga gihatagan gayud og dakong pagtagad sa local government. (Asenso Pagadian. Mindanao Examiner)
Pabahay para sa T’boli, Blaan pinuri NORTH COTABATO Isang daang pamilya mula sa tribu ng T’boli at Blaan sa bayan ng Tulunan sa North Cotabato ang makikinabang sa pabahay ng pamahalaang Duterte, ayon sa National Housing Authority o NHA. Todo naman ang pasasalamat ni Tulunan Mayor Pip Limbungan at miyembro ng Sanggunian Bayan at maging ang mga Barangay Bacong officials sa 100 bahay. Matagal na umano ang kahilingang ito at ngayon ay maibibigay na sa mga karapat-dapat na bene-
pisyaryo ng NHA. Nagbalik tanaw naman si Limbungan sa sakripisyo ng lahat at pag-aasikaso ng mga dokumento at kooperasyon ng homeowners at ng mga lideres nito. Labis rin ang pasasalamat ni Barangay Chairman Victor Acac, sa lahat ng ahensya na tumulong sa kanila. Kanya rin hiniling ang dagdag pang bahay para sa mga residente na nangangailangan rin ng tulong. Hiniling din ni Acac na maisaayos ang kanilang farm-to-market road.
Sinabi ni NHA Regional Manager Engr. Erasme Madlos na bukas ang kanilang tanggapan sa hiling ng pabahay, lalo na mula sa mga indigenous groups o tribu dahil bahagi sila ng prayoridad ng pamahalaan na matulungan. Nagpasalamat rin ang mga natibo kay Governor Nancy Catamco sa malaking suporta nito. Kasabay ng okasyon ay namahagi ng planting material at abono si Catamco sa mga magsasaka sa nasabing lugar. (Rhoderick Beñez)
August 3-9, 2020
3
The Mindanao Examiner
August 3-9, 2020
‘Sabah is not Malaysia’
‘Is Malaysia supporting terrorism in Mindanao?’
JV Ejercito (FB page) Continued from page 1 who arrived in Tawi-Tawi province and Zamboanga City recently. The U.S. Embassy said: “USAID donated 500 hygiene kits to the @ dswdserves Region IX for the 395 returning Filipino repatriates from Sabah, Malaysia who arrived in Zamboanga City and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.” Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein described Locsin’s tweet as irresponsible. “This is an irresponsible statement that affects bilateral ties (between Malaysia and the Philippines. I) will summon the Philippines Ambassador (Charles Jose) to explain. Sabah is, and will always be, part of Malaysia,” Hussein said in his Twitter account. Locsin said until now the U.S. Embassy has not taken down its tweet. “It started with a US Embassy
tweet that hasn’t been taken down. When the country united around (Philippine President Ferdinand) Marcos, including his critics, the US discouraged an attempt on our part to concretely assert our claim. The US didn’t want us to add to their growing problem in Vietnam. History,” he said, referring to the Philippines’ claim of Sabah. Marcos said the Philippines “acquired sovereignty and dominion over the territory of Sabah in accordance with a series of events, acts, agreements and transactions, including the Deed of Cession from the Sultan of Sulu of 1962 to the Philippines.” “I also wish to say that the Philippines will pursue its right to Sabah by peaceful means in accordance with the provisions of its Constitution, our Constitution, which renounces war as an in-
strument of national policy, and that our country is also committed to the principles of the United Nations binding member states to the pacific settlement of international disputes,” he said. Sultanate of Sulu The Sultanate of Sulu continues to lay claim to Sabah which it obtained from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on Borneo Island. The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of World War II. The Sulu Sultanate said it had merely leased North Borneo in 1878 to the British North Borneo Company for an annual payment of 5,000 Malayan dollars then, which was increased to 5,300 Malayan dollars in 1903. The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. It stretches from a part of the island of Mindanao in the east, to Sabah, in the west and south, and to Palawan, in the north. North Borneo was annexed by Malaysia in 1963 following a referendum organised by the Cobbold Commission in 1962, the people of Sabah voted overwhelmingly to join Malaysia. Former Senator JV Ejercito said he is supporting Locsin’s statement on Sabah. “I support Sec. Teddy Locsin on his statement regarding Sabah. It may anger the Malaysians, but Sabah historically belongs rightfully to
the Philippines,” he said. Ejercito also alleges that Sabah or Malaysia is secretly supporting terrorists in the South. “They also are allegedly secretly supporting the terrorists in the South. I suspect that a lot of funding and arms of these bandits coursed through Malaysia. So that the Philippine government will have its hands full to even think about the Sabah issue,” he said in a tweet to Locsin. No More Cession Money Hussein recently said that Malaysia has stopped paying cession money to the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu and that Kuala Lumpur made an understanding with the Philippines that the claim by the Sultanate of Sulu over the mineral-rich state of Sabah will not be raised at any regional or international platform. He said Malaysia also did not recognise and entertain any claim by any party over Sabah, as the state had been recognised as being part of Malaysia by the United Nations, as well as the international community. “Malaysia and the Philippines have an understanding that the claim over Sabah will not be raised at any regional or international platform,” he said, adding, they also stopped paying
annual cession money of RM5,300 (about P61,300) through lawyers representing the nine heirs of the Sulu Sultanate since 2013. He said the payments were made based on a treaty signed on January 22, 1878, between the then Sultan of Sulu, Sultan Jamal Al Alam and Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent of the British North Borneo Company. “Apart from the payments to the heirs of the Sulu Sultanate, Malaysia has never made any payment to the Philippine government,” Hussein said in a written reply to Chang Foon Hin (PH-Kota Kinabalu), uploaded on the Parliament website, according to a report by Bernama. It said Chang wanted to know if the Malaysian government planned to stop paying the cession money to the Sulu Sultanate through the Philippine government as a measure to end foreign interference in Malaysia’s sovereignty, and instead utilise the money to solve the issue of illegal Filipino immigrants entering Sabah, just several hours by boat from the Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi. “Until now, the claim on Sabah has only been raised by those who claim to be descendants of the Sulu Sultanate,” he said.
But Sulu Governor Sakur Tan (also called Datu Shabandar), who is also the Special Envoy of the Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate, said the cession money that Malaysia pays annually to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu was insulting. “The amount is insulting anyway, you can never change history,” he said. The Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate is composed of Sultans Ibrahim Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin, Muizuddin Jainal Abirin Bahjin and Phugdalun Kiram II. Even Nur Misuari, chieftain of the Moro National Liberation Front, previously said that what Malaysia pays to the Sultanate of Sulu (and North Borneo) is but a pittance. Manila has not abandoned its claim on Sabah, according to then President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman and now Chief Legal Counsel, Salvador Panelo. Panelo reiterated Duterte’s position that he would pursue the Philippines’ claim to Sabah. “The position of the President, meron tayong claim. Eh totoo namang may claim tayo di ba? That has been a bone of contention ever since,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
US donates more PPE, medical supplies hospitals
Philippines’ debt now at P9 trillion Continued from page 1 to May due to the net issuance and availment of domestic and external financing. Of the total outstanding debt stock, the Bureau of Treasury said 32 percent were sourced externally while 68 percent are domestic debt. Data from the Department of Finance (DOF) also showed that from January to June, the government has availed pro-
gram loans worth P216.3 billion (roughly 4.4 billion U.S. dollars) for coronavirus response, with P130.5 billion (roughly 2.6 billion U.S. dollars) from the Asian Development Bank and P85.8 billion (roughly 1.74 billion U.S. dollars) from the World Bank. The Philippines’ debt-to-GDP ratio before the COVID-19 strike was at only 39.6 percent in 2019. Ndiame Diop, the
newly designated country director of the World Bank for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, said that with the Philippines’ debt of equivalent to just 40% the size of its economy at the time when the coronavirus pandemic struck, the government has enough fiscal space to address the emergency triggered by the health crisis. (With additional reporting from Mindanao Examiner.)
Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
U.S. military and Philippine Coast Guard members stand with U.S.-donated PPE destined for Ospital ng Palawan. U.S. Army and Marine Corps delivered an additional P11.4 million in personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to hospitals in 11 cities across the Philippines. This new donation brings total U.S. government Covid-19 assistance to the Philippines to P989 million. The assistance will provide medical clinics
from Luzon to Mindanao with much-needed PPE and other essential equipment to support frontline workers in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. It will be distributed to 16 medical clinics, hospitals, and local Departments of Health in Palawan, Batangas, Pampanga, Cebu, Sulu, Maguindanao, Zamboanga del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Misamis Orien-
tal, Lanao del Norte. The supplies include disposable gloves, masks, medical clothing, various types of face protection, and tools such as infrared thermometers. The United States said it has provided more than P228 billion in development assistance to the Philippines over the past 20 years, including over P29 billion in health assistance. (Zamboanga Post)
4
The Mindanao Examiner
August 3-9, 2020
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, and Jolo Municipal Government)
August 3-9, 2020
The Mindanao Examiner
Sulu Pictures in the News
5
6
The Mindanao Examiner
August 3-9, 2020
Across : 1. Tacks on 5. Siesta 8. Molecule component 12. Ark’s captain 13. Fruit punch 14. Heredity carrier 15. ___ Moore of “Ghost” 16. Fatherly 18. Painted 20. look happy 23. Track events 26. Compact 30. Decay 31. Circle parts 32. Approvals 33. Nothing more than 34. Disfigure 35. Dislike 37. Earnest requests 40. Exterior 41. Aardvark 45. Hindrance 47. Periods in history 51. Troubles 52. Female fowl 53. Recedes 54. Lord’s wife 55. Sept. follower 56. Kind
CEBU CITY G/F Dreamfield bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan (0923) 1670009
Rodil P. Ybañez
DAVAO CITY Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines (082) 2841859 / (0932) 4323301 / (0997) 3172021
Marilou Cablinda
NORTH COTABATO KIDAPAWAN CITY CENTRAL MINDANAO COTABATO CITY Rhoderick Beñez (0927) 4757936 Answer to last week’s crossword:
PAGADIAN CITY
Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera st., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur (0910) 7348600
Richard Suarez
Down : 1. As well 2. Forest female 3. River barrier 4. Knight protectors 5. ___ Valley (vineyard site) 6. Eve’s guy 7. ___ Sampras of tennis 8. Consent 9. Most sore 10. “Snakes ___ Plane” (2 wds.) 11. Producer ___ Brooks 17. Graceful tree 19. Born 20. Rascal 21. Fable’s lesson 22. Enlarged 24. Rich cake
ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA BASILAN, SULU, TAWIͳTAWI ΈBARMMΉ
25. Guide 27. Head movement 28. Snow runner 29. Hazardous curve 33. Actress ___ Stapleton 36. Foot part 38. Restless 39. Depot (abbr.) 42. Canyon sound 43. A Baldwin brother 44. Camp shelter 45. Hooting bird 46. Python’s kin 48. slugger’s stat 49. CBS rival 50. Compass direction (abbr.)
Weekly Sudoku:
3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / 0995-5202358
Maritess Fernandez The Mindanao Examiner The Zamboanga Post
Newspaper, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief / Producer (OIC)
Answer to last week:
Reynold Toribio Graphics/Video Editor
Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily / Business Week / Mindanao Star ADVERTISING Rhoderick Beñez (0927) 4757936 Central Mindanao/ Kidapawan City/Cotabato City North Cotabato Eduardo A. Sode (0917) 3087366 044 Mabini St. Cebu City Rodil P. Ybañez (0923) 1670009 Ground flr, Dreamfield Bldg, Sanciangko St., Kamagayan Cebu City
Marilou Cablinda (0997) 3172021 Davao Region/ Eastern Mindanao Jeng Fernandez (0917) 7930652 Zamboanga Peninsula
Richard Suarez (0910) 7348600 Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera sts., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines. ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Phone & Fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0995) 5202358 DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero Phone: (082) 2841859 Mobile: (0925) 7621914 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: 3/F JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Phone & fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0995) 5202358
The Mindanao Examiner
August 3-9, 2020
Zamboanga bans pork from Luzon, Mindanao provinces Continued from page 1 pork products as well from the whole island of Luzon and Panabo City, Talaingod and Santo Tomas towns in Davao del Norte, and all municipalities or areas in Davao del Sur except the town of Hagonoy; and the Davao Occidental towns of Jose Abad Santos, Don Marcelino, Malita and Santa Maria. Also Kidapawan City, the towns of Magpet, Makilala, Matalam, M’lang, President Roxas, Tulunan, Antipas, Arakan in North Cotabato; and the towns of Columbio in Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani’s Alabel, Glan, Malapatan and Malungun town. AFS virus which is transmitted to pigs through direct contact with infected pigs, their waste, contaminated clothing, feed, equipment and vehicles, and in some cases, some tick species. Although ASF cannot be transmitted to humans through contact with pigs or pork, the virus causes a haemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in domestic pigs; some isolates can cause death of animals as quickly as a week after infection. Climaco also praised border guards and local authorities for their strict implementation of safety measures to ensure that Zamboanga remains
free from ASF amid the Covid-19 pandemic. She also sought the cooperation of all stakeholders and strongly advised pork sellers to secure the necessary permits or documents from local or the National Meat Inspection Service. “We seek the cooperation of all livestock transporters and dealers to acquire pigs from local hog producers or from ASF-free localities to support our local swine industry. Transport of livestock is governed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Administrative Circular 12, series of 2019.” “In the same manner, we advise all sellers to secure pork and pork products that were inspected and passed Local or National Meat Inspection Service standards and demand for the meat inspection certificate for the day as proof of inspection. Let us keep Zamboanga City ASF Free,” Climaco said. Last June, local authorities destroyed over 200 kilos of confiscated processed meat and chicken products which came from Cebu City. The Bureau of Animal Industry and the DA seized the meat products from a boat after alert security guards and port police inspected the vessel to ensure they were free from the ASF virus.
The meat products - 194 kilos of processed meats and 30 kilos of chicken products - had been mis-declared and did not have documents. It was all burned in the presence of representatives from the Food and Drug Administration, the Meat Inspection Service and DA. Climaco said the City Veterinary Office continues to strictly implement the DA guidelines of zoning and protocols with regards to the movement, sale, and trade of hogs, pork and pork products to contain the spread of ASF in the country. She signed early this year the Executive Order 543–2020 in support to the DA guidelines and also in pursuant to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order urging local and national government agencies to harmonize efforts with the DA in stopping the spread of ASF. Checkpoints have been placed in entry and exit points in Zamboanga since last year to ensure that no infected hogs and its pork products slip past the city. She said personnel from the City Veterinarian Office continue to inspect and conduct disinfection of trucks transporting live pigs and other animals to Zamboanga to protect the hog population against the ASF. (Zamboanga Post)
Earn More, Be an Advertising Agency! Do you want to earn more? Be an ADVERTISING AGENCY and DEALER for the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper and earn hefty commissions. Apply now. This offer covers Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon. ZAMBOANGA CITY
DAVAO CITY
3rd Floor, JLC Building, Don Alfaro St., Tetuan, Zamboanga City Phone: 062-9555360 Mobile: 0995-5202358
Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines Phone: 082-2841859 Mobile: 0947-4823453
CEBU CITY Ground Floor, Dreamfield Bldg, Sanciangko St., Kamagayan Mobile: 0923-1670009
NOTICE Please report to us any individual or persons who are illegally soliciting money or donations for or in behalf of THE MINDANAO EXAMINER REGIONAL NEWSPAPER-CEBU EXAMINER, and THE ZAMBOANGA POST and RADYO MINDANAO. We have a strict company policy against solicitation in any forms and the Company shall not be responsible for illegal practice of unscrupulous persons, who pass themselves off as Reporter, Stringer, Correspondent or Sales Executive of all outlets mentioned above. When in doubt, please call or SMS us at these numbers (062) 9555360 or SMS 0995-5202358 or email us – mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
7
8
The Mindanao Examiner
August 3-9, 2020
August 3-9, 2020
The Mindanao Examiner
9
Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (082) 2841859
P10
August 3-9, 2020
Cebu town reclamation project gets green light from DENR C
EBU CITY – The 100-hectare reclamation project in Minglanilla town, 15-kilometers south of here, is finally pushing through after obtaining an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Project developer Cebu the test of public hearings and In 2016, a memoranLandmasters Inc. (CLI) an- DENR’s stringent review pro- dum of understanding was nounced the ECC was issued cess,” Jose Soberano III, CLI signed between the PRA and on July 22 following a compre- chairman, and CEO said. the municipal government hensive two-year review. Mayor Elanito Peña of with Ming-Mori as its private Dubbed as Ming-Mori Minglanilla said: “The grant consortium partner. Techno Business Park, the of the ECC has brought us Soberano said that in adproject is a joint venture be- closer to the materialization dition to housing light industween the local government of the reclamation project trial facilities, the future mixedof Minglanilla and private which will propel the munici- use township will also bring consortium partners Ming- pality of Minglanilla to higher residential and commercial Mori Development Corp. heights and cements its role properties. “The Covid-19 pan(MMDC), an affiliate of pub- as a major economic player demic has shown us that welllicly listed CLI. in the province of Cebu.” planned communities that ofThe project envisions a “The development proj- fer growth prospects alongside world-class estate that will ect will not just modernize safety and security for employgenerate over 75,000 jobs in the landscape of Minglanilla ees and residents are the way the municipality. but will also create immea- to go. This township’s residents This new development surable socio-economic op- will have access to those benewill now be subject to the portunities to all people, not fits and more,” he explained. approval process of the Phil- just for the MinglanillahanThe Ming-Mori Techno ippine Reclamation Author- ons,” Peña added. Business Park will be CLI’s third ity (PRA) after the issuance Following a memoran- estate project. Land developof the ECC, one of the major dum of agreement between ment of the 22-hectare Davao prerequisites and milestones the municipality of Mingla- Global township is on-going of a reclamation project. nilla and MMDC in 2013, CLI while its planned township in “We hope to achieve the was appointed in 2015 to tap Cagayan de Oro is undergoing best balance among econom- a roster of consultants with a approvals. CLI said more townic, social, and sustainability track record in similar projects ship projects are underway in goals and are pleased that to create detailed design and the cities of Mandaue, Tagbilaour plans, which have been engineering plans, feasibility ran, Cagayan de Oro, and Baaligned to that ideal, passed and environmental studies. colod City. (Carlo Lorenciana)
Cebu biz sector backs call for improved telcos CEBU CITY – While they recognize the efforts of telecommunication companies to improve connectivity, business leaders in Cebu welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s stern call on the telecommunications industry to improve their service to their subscribers. The business sector here said improved internet connectivity is especially important these days when remote work is widely adapted. Wilfredo Sa-a Jr., Cebu IT BPM Organization managing director, said the reliability of telecommunications services is even more vital now as more people work from home and rely on the internet connections for their deliverables. “The reliability of telco services and Wi-Fi will always be welcomed as work-fromhome is getting to be a very popular option,” he told the
ARMM
Philippine News Agency. He said the more reliable telcos, the better, and hope this will be accompanied with more globally competitive costing, fast and affordable Internet services. Sa-a is leading the group of outsourcing companies in Cebu, one of the sectors that are highly dependent on internet connection. For Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Steven Yu, telecommunications companies have done measures to improve their services. “The telcos are not perfect but I believe that they are also trying their best to improve connectivity. They may have issues on permitting, etc. and we can listen to them,” he said. Duterte urged PLDT and Globe Telecom to improve their services by December or face closure. “Kindly improve the
services before December… better have that line cleared... If you are not ready to improve, I might just as well close all of you and we revert back to the line telephone at kukunin ko yan expropriate ko sa gobyerno,” he said. He said the telecommunications giants should find ways to infuse more capital if money is the problem. Duterte vowed to spend his last two years in office in improving telecommunications services in the country with the help of Congress. Globe Telecom, backed by Singapore’s Singtel Group, is a unit of Ayala Corp. while Manny Pangilinan serves as the chairman of PLDT Inc., which is partly owned by Japan’s NTT DoCoMo and HK-based First Pacific Co. And the third telecommunications player DITO Telecommunity is aiming to challenge Globe and PLDT. (Carlo Lorenciana)
Eastern Mindanao
A flat aerial model plan shows the 100-hectare Ming-Mori Minglanilla Reclamation Project in Cebu. In a stock exchange disclosure, Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) announced that the DENR issued on July 22 an Environmental Compliance Certificate in favor of the project. (CLI)
Cebu City to aid LSIs CEBU CITY – Mayor Edgardo Labella issued guidelines on the release of financial assistance to locally stranded individuals (LSI) who have signified their intention to go back to their respective towns and cities. Labella’s order came a month after Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu who is the government’s overseer for Covid-19 response, requested the city government to trace LSIs here and provide for mechanisms to help them return to their respective places. “We can provide P5,000 financial assistance to the LSI. Many of these LSIs are from our neighboring towns, cities, and provinces of Cebu,” Labella said. In his guidelines, Labella said each LSI will receive up to maximum of P5,000, depending on the assessment of the local government’s Department of Social Welfare and Services. He added that subject to the assessment of city social workers, LSIs who are availing the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program will go back to their respective places through land, sea and air travel, will receive cash aid in three categories. Those who are travelling from the capital city to the northern and southern part of Cebu province will get P1,000 to P1,500; and those who are travelling from the city to any other areas in the Visayas will receive P1,500 to
Western Mindanao
Mayor Edgardo Labella (left) concurs with Inter-Agency Task for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases policy implementers Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu (right) and Melquiades Feliciano during a recent IATF meeting. (Cebu City PIO) P3,000. And Cebu City-based LSIs who will return home to Luzon or Mindanao are qualified to receive P3,000 to P5,000.The financial aid from the city government can be availed only once. To avail of the benefits under the AICS program,applicants are required to present their government-issued identification that reflects the LSI’s hometown address, travel authority issued by the Philippine National Police Covid Shield and certification from the barangay where the LSI is currently residing. “Incomplete documents will not be entertained,” the guidelines stated. The city government encouraged the LSIs to file their applications by sending it, together with the required documents in PDF format, to project.spgarcia@ gmail.com. Walk-ins, according
Cebu
to the guidelines, will not be entertained. Once an applicant has completed the submission, he/ she will receive an email of his/ her scheduled interview and assessment at the DSWS Office located across Labangon Elementary School, Katipunan Street, Barangay Labangon. After assessment, applicants who are deemed qualified to receive the financial assistance will receive an email confirming their inclusion to the program as well as the date for the release of such aid. The cash assistance will be released “only on scheduled date”. The Cebu City Hall has listed over 15,000 LSIs who are stuck in the city after losing their jobs as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. (John Rey Saavedra)
Manila