Murad turns to Duterte after Sulu rejects term extension AFTER FAILING to get the support of all the governors in the Muslim autonomous region to extend his term and the interim Bangsamoro government for another three years, Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim now turns to President Rodrigo Duterte to lobby for it. They met recently in Davao City. Ebrahim - also the
Founded 2006
chieftain of the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said he is pushing for the extension of the interim government based on the recommendation of the peace advocacy group called Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus (MPC) following its so-called “rapid midterm review” on the Bangsamoro transition period. Details of Ebrahim’s
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meeting with Duterte were not made public, but this centered on the proposed extension of the interim government. However, under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the Bangsamoro Continue on page 2
President Rodrigo Duterte meets with BARMM Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim in Davao City. (PCOO)
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League of Municipalities backs Tawi-Tawi judge T
HE LEAGUE of Municipalities in Tawi-Tawi has passed a position paper and cited a legal opinion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government or DILG on the issue of “persona non grata” following a resolution of the Provincial Board which declared a local judge as unwanted in the province. The Provincial Board tober 16, declared Judge ner in the 2019 general or the Sanguniang Pan- Grace Tillah, of the Re- elections following an lalawigan presided by Vice gional Trial Court Branch electoral protest he filed Governor Michael Ahaja, 26, “persona non grata” against Simunul Mayor in a resolution approved after she affirmed candi- Wasilah Abdurahman. by its members on Oc- date Benzar Tambut winContinue on page 3
Stop all illegal logging, quarrying KIDAPAWAN CITY - Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has ordered all local governments and the po-
lice to crack down on illegal logging operations and quarrying and to plant more trees follow-
ing deadly typhoons that hit the country in recent weeks. Continue on page 3
Duterte to get more loans Simunul Mayor Benzar Tambut and Senator Bong Go. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
THE PHILIPPINES continues to sink in debts the government trumpeted fresh loans running
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demic. President Rodrigo Duterte had already Continue on page 2
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Duterte to get more loans Continued from page 1 borrowed billions of pesos since 2016 after winning the election, for his ambitious Build, Build, Build infrastructure projects and dole outs to poor families across the country. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told Duterte in a recent briefing that the government has 3 sources of funding through various loan agreements – the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank and domestic banks such as Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and even Government-Controlled Corporations. He said government can get as much as P40 billion loans from ADB and World Bank, and another P20 billion from domestic sources. And not only that because Dominguez is also looking to get more loans from bilateral sources in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) where Covid-19 vaccines are available amounting to over P13 billion. “Mr. President, may tatlong sources po tayo ng funding okay. Ang first — ang unang source
natin ‘yung mga multilateral agencies: ADB at saka World Bank. Ang estimate namin we will have around 40 billion pesos from them. Low cost, long-term loans, 40 billion from multilateral agencies.” “Tapos mayroon po tayong domestic sources of financing. Ang domestic sources of financing we estimate around 20 billion. So that will come from Land Bank, DBP, and possibly ‘yung mga government-controlled corporations. So that’s 20 billion,” he said. Dominguez added that the government will negotiate with bilateral sources in UK and US for the purchase of the vaccines. “Tapos magne-negotiate pa po tayo sa mga bilateral sources depende sa source ng — depende sa source ng vaccine, either England or US or whoever. And ang target po namin doon around 13.2 billion pesos. So ang total niyan is about 73.2 billion financing that it’s pretty much — it’s almost fixed. Most of it is already fixed, 13.2 billion hindi pa completely negotiated. So 73.2 billion pesos,” he said. Dominguez estimat-
ed the cost of the vaccine at around $25 (about P1,200) per person and since the government is targeting to vaccinate some 60 million Filipinos, he said the loans are enough to cover the expenses. “Ngayon ang estimate namin sa average cost ng vaccine is around 25 dollars — not per dose, per person. ‘Di ba? Around 25 dollars which is 1,200 pesos more or less. Some are lower, some are higher so we don’t know yet exactly how much is the cost. But let’s say 25 dollars or 1,200, 72 — 73.2 billion pesos is good for 60 million people to be vaccinated, around 60 million people. So that is more or less what we have in line. Ngayon, we’ll have to consult with the DOH if 60 million is enough, if 60 million people is enough to be vaccinated,” he explained. Aside from massive borrowings, Duterte also hiked taxes despite public outcry, saying he needed it to fund government more projects. The Bureau of Treasury said the government’s outstanding debt stood at P9. 615 trillion as of August 2020. (Mindanao Examiner)
Murad turns to Duterte after Sulu rejects term extension Continued from page 1 Transition Authority will be dissolved once the new parliament is formed after the first regular elections in the region in 2022. However, any extension in the term of the BTA would require congressional approval. And because of that, Ebrahim’s allies in the Bangsamoro Parliament adopted a resolution on November 17 urging the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines to extend the Bangsamoro transition period from 2022 to 2025. A press statement from Ebrahim’s office said MP Jose Lorena, one of the principal authors of the resolution, claimed the proposed extension is aimed at providing the BTA sufficient time to continue in performing its powers and functions, and complete its mandate. Also cited in resolution are the calls from the League of Municipalities of the Philippines’ chapter in Tawi-Tawi, and the Provincial Boards of Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao to extend the transition period. Rejected Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim region, flatly rejected the proposed extension of the
interim Bangsamoro government citing various reasons, according to a manifesto passed November 17 by the Sulu Provincial Board after consultations with municipal mayors and peoples’ organizations among other sectors. The manifesto said the Bangsamoro Parliament and the Regional Government have not delivered even the most basic of government services, as mandated, to Sulu. And for almost 2 years, all it delivered were the retrenchment and separation from services of regional employees causing a great distraught to the affected and their families. It said that after almost 2 years, “all they can afford to banner is but the passing of an Administrative Code while the administration of component localities, in particular, the insular provinces, were left to fend for themselves.” The manifesto also said BARMM’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Sulu, thus far, have been unsubstantial and wanting, almost negligible; And to allow the extension of the transition (period) would be tantamount to escape judgment by the constituents of the BARMM on the perfor-
mance of the latter vis-avis its capability to administer a region, and would be a blatant denial of the people’s constitutional right of suffrage to which the BOL has been incorporated into, and thus requiring constitutional amendment or legislative intervention, failing which possible legal redress maybe sough. It further said “that the region and the country in general, should be spared the humility and made a laughing stock for perpetuating the condescending brand of a failed experiment.” “The question should be asked to those who are in the seat of authority in the BARMM on why are they so hesitant to submit themselves to an election when even before the transition they have repeatedly boasted of their readiness and preparedness to rule and govern; and how could they have the moral ascendancy to sit as an authority over a region when they are devoid of a mandate by the true will of the people, thereby casting doubts on their platform of so-called “Moral Governance?”, the manifesto reads. It also called on the Office of the President, House of Representatives and the Senate, and Con-
stitutional Commissions and other concerned groupings and individuals and the BARMM general populace to disallow and deny all attempts and maneuverers to extend the tenure of the BTA. It said that aspiring members of the Bangsamoro Parliament should be compelled to submit themselves before the true will of the people to legitimize their mandate through the electoral process as set and scheduled by the Constitution. Sulu Governor Sakur Tan said he received reports that Basilan and Lanao del Sur provinces are also opposed to the proposed extension of the interim Bangsamoro government. “We received reports that Basilan and Lanao are also opposed to the extension of the inter-
im Bangsamoro government,” he told The Zamboanga Post newspaper. Fear Ebrahim also fears that he may not win should the elections push through and that is why there is a need to extend the term of the interim government. “We are very concerned kasi ang tingin namin, nag-i-start pa lang kami. And then parang wala pa kaming tangible na accomplishment talaga na maipakita namin. So ‘yun ang challenge sa amin, na kung mag-eleksyon, baka sabihin ng mga tao, wala naman ginawa ito,” he said in a podcast interview on November 13 with journalist Christian Esguerra on Press One. He said new transition schedule might not be enough to complete systemic and structural
changes in the region, including the crucial decommissioning of combatants under the peace deal’s normalization process. “Kasi nga nakita natin na kailangan talaga na meron. Halimbawa, mabuti kung talagang siguradong manalo kami (in 2022 elections). Pero walang assurance ‘yun kasi anybody’s game na pagka-eleksyon na. Pag hindi, ano mangyayari dun sa other aspects ng negotiation?” he told Esguerra. Esguerra’s report said BARMM was allocated a much bigger budget compared with the old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Its block grant is worth P65.3 billion in this year’s appropriations law, on top of a P10-billion special development fund it was supposed to receive. (Mindanao Examiner)
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League of Municipalities backs Tawi-Tawi judge Continued from page 1 The resolution also accused Judge Tillah of abusing her office. The provincial board resolution was also approved by Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael ‘Mang’ Sali. Not so fast But the governor’s elder brother, Abduhasan Ismail Sali, who is the municipal mayor of Languyan and concurrent chapter president of the League of Municipalities in Tawi-Tawi, does not agree with the provincial board resolution declaring Judge Tillah as “persona non grata.” Mayor Sali said the League of Municipalities, comprising the 11 municipalities of Tawi-Tawi is constrained to come with their position paper, following Judge Tillah’s “persona non grata” declaration by the Provincial Board. The position paper said the Latin term “persona non grata” is use to describe an “unwelcome person” who is no longer welcome to the government to which he or she is accredited and is barred from remaining in the country. It said normally, the term “persona non grata” is appropriately used against unwanted diplomat or foreign dignitaries and / or foreign individual staying in a domicile other than his home country. It further said that there have been instances where the term “persona non grata” is being used in its generic term by local legislative bodies to express their sentiments or opinion on certain matter. DILG Opinion The League of Municipalities has cited the DILG Opinion No. 30, (Series of 2020) dated February 7, 2020 and signed by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año in the case of Anahawan Mayor Roberto Loquinte in Southern Leyte. It said the DILG Opinion “is very informative and should guide legislative bodies in the usage of the term.” In the DILG Opinion, Secretary Año said a resolution is merely a declaration of the sentiment or
opinion of a law-making body on specific matter. Thus, a resolution declaring a certain person as “persona non grata” is a declaration of the sentiment of a law-making body over that person. “While it is true however that a local Sangunian like you may pass a resolution declaring your sentiment and that would include declaring a certain person as “persona non grata,” the same must be done within the bounds of the law. That is, if such declaration is your way of expressing your sentiment, this is perfectly within your authority. However, if such declaration would already engender preventing Mayor Loquinte from assuming his office and/or discharging his function, this is already reprehensible.” “Thus, you are hereby advised to act within the bounds of law and abide by the duly-issued COMELEC Writ of Execution. Until such time that the write of execution is reversed by a competent court, the same remains valid and must be enforced. Dura lex, sed lex. The law may be hard to observe or difficult to obey, but it remains the law and must be therefore followed just the same,” Secretary Año said in his letter addressed to the members of the Sanguniang Bayan of Anahaw. Mayor Loquinte’s “persona non grata” tag stemmed from the ruling of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) which issued a Writ of Execution in his favor. Prudent, Cautious Mayor Sali said: “Guided by the above Opinion and ruling of the DILG, and as duly elected officials of the Municipalities in the Island Province of Tawi-Tawi, it is the position of the League to be prudent and cautious enough in following Resolution No. 16-072.” He said the League of Municipalities respects the sentiments of the members of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan, however, the resolution declaring Judge Tillah shall remain a
mere resolution. “It is our position that Resolution No. 16-072 shall not hamper the sworn duty of Judge Grace C. Tillah to function as the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 of Sapa-Sapa; neither will it hamper her constitutionally-protected rights to travel from her abode to her place of work and vice versa.” “While the League fully understands and respects the sentiments of the members of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan, it is however our position that the issue raised in Resolution No. 16-072 is political in character involving parties to the case which could fully ventilated by following the appropriate judicial remedy on appeal or certiorari, as the case maybe, available to the parties,” Mayor Sali said. “Moreover, assuming arguendo, that Judge Grace C. Tillah had abuse her office resulting to miscarriage of justice, the appropriate remedy is to elevate the matter to the attention of the COMELEC and / or the Supreme Court where the decision and/or authority of Judge Grace C. Tillah may be reviewed and sanction may be imposed. This is due process in action. Finally, the League in the Island Province of Tawi-Tawi does not want to experience local lockdown between and among the Executive, Legislative and the Judiciary branches of the government where the three equal branches of government to function and to serve them, and serve them well,” he added. The League of Municipalities said it will furnished its position paper to all the municipal mayors, government offices, regional and municipal trial courts, members of the Academe and the tri-media, business chambers, including the hotels, resorts and restaurant owners for wider dissemination and information. Ignorance
Huli ka! NORTH COTABATO – Hawak ng pulisya ang umano’y killer ng isang faith healer matapos itong madakip sa bayan ng Makilala. Sinabi ng pulisya na patuloy ang imbestigasyon sa motibo ng pagpaslang kamakailan kay Ulysses Manligro Mirabueño, na residente ng Barangay San Vicente ng nasabing bayan. Ayon sa awtoridad, binaril ng suspek na si Robin Sarol Lonzaga ang faith
healer. Nabawi rin sa bahay ni Lonzaga ang kanyang baril at isang granada at bonnet. Pinaniniwalaang hired killer si Sarol at inaalam pa ng pulisya kung sino ang nasa likod nito. Lumalabas sa imbestigasyon na ang biktima ay lulan ng motorsiklo mula sa Makilala at patungo sa bayan ng Tulunan ng sundan ng suspek na sakay rin ng motorsiklo at pinagbabaril.
Nagtamo ng tama ng bala sa ibat-ibang bahagi ng kanyang katawan ang faith healer na dahilan ng kanyang agarang kamatayan. Ayon kay Makilala police chief, Major Arniel Melocotones, nakilala ang suspek sa tulong na rin ng mga nakasaksi sa krimen. Tumugma din ang mukha nito sa mga larawang hawak ng Makilala police na umano’y hired killer. (Rhodz Beñez)
Judge Tillah also criticized the provincial board resolution declaring her “persona non grata.” “This resolution is clear evidence that ignorance resonates in the provincial administration. They who did not witness court proceedings arrogated unto themselves judicial power and seek ouster of a judge who only followed the law. Lawlessness and ignorance should not characterize each Tawi-Tawian. This is a disservice to the community.” She further said that courts should be respected as a co-equal branch in a Republican government and that Executive and Legislative branches should work in their own jurisdictions. “Only courts have the power to try and decide electoral protests subject to appeals process, including issuance of temporary restraining orders. Ours is a government of laws and not of men. Just because a court decision is not to one’s liking is not license for the other branches of government to cast aspersion, hence eroding confidence on the judicial system otherwise people will just take the law into their own hands. This does not augur well for a stable government and a stable community because the three branches (Legislative, Executive and Judicial) belong to
one entity - the Republic of the Philippines,” Judge Tillah said. How It Began In challenging Mayor Abdurahman, candidate Tambut claimed massive fraud, anomalies and other irregularities in the elections and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was tapped to conduct technical examination of election documents, including official ballots which yielded to the discovery of the following – deceased persons were able to cast their votes, illiterate voters were able to sign their names in the ballots legibly and there were inconsistent thumb marks in the Book of Voters, registration records and posting of the list of voters. According to the court’s decision, Judge Tillah invalidated over 5,000 votes of Mayor Abdurahman due to massive fraud. The Court also took reliance on the findings of the NBI during the examination of pertinent election documents. The technical examination is one legal process allowed by law to protect the sanctity of ballots and mandate of the electorate. In this process, the NBI takes charge of the examination of documents being the only agency possessing expertise on the matter. In her six-page decision dated October 5, Judge Tillah invalidat-
ed Mayor Abdurahman’s proclamation on the ground of “massive fraud, anomalies and other irregularities” in 23 clustered precincts. “The proclamation of protestee Wasilah Abdurahman is hereby held invalid, annulled and set aside on the ground of massive fraud, anomalies and other electoral irregularities in the 23 clustered precincts. Protestant Benzar Tambut is hereby declared as the legally and duly elected mayor in the municipality of Simunul being the winning candidate with the highest number of plurality of valid votes cast,” Judge Tillah said. “Protestee Wasilah Abdurahman is hereby ordered to vacate her position and to cease and desist from further discharging the duties and functions officially vested in the office of the municipal mayor of Simunul which are now conferred in favor of protestant Benzar Tambut, who is hereby ordered to act, perform and discharge the duties and responsibilities and all incidents pertaining thereto,” she added. Municipal authorities were also ordered to enforce and implement and assist in the implementation of the court’s order. Mayor Tambut and his supporters praised the decision of the court. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Stop all illegal logging, quarrying Continued from page 1 Año said the police and local governments must prioritize the protection of the environment. “We must act quickly and in a whole-of-society fashion to protect our remaining forests across the country otherwise we are creating and causing more disasters for our country,” he said. “The flooding brought by Typhoon Ulysses is a harsh reminder that we are failing at doing our level best to protect the environment, especially our remaining forest cover. Kayat inaatasan ko ang lahat ng PNP units at LGUs na pigilan ang illegal logging at illegal quarrying sa kanilang mga nasasak-
upan.” Año cited the widespread flooding in Cagayan Valley, Bicol and Rizal provinces, Marikina City and in other parts of the country and said “it should be a wake-up call to all of us that we must protect our remaining forest cover, preserve our rich biodiversity, and allow our forests to regenerate and grow again.” He directed local chief executives and the police to reactivate their local anti-illegal logging task forces in coordination with the Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office. “All LGUs must reactivate their local Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force and be
decisive in implementing the anti-illegal logging campaign and implementation of environmental laws and programs within their localities,” he said. He also directed the police to set up checkpoints and arrest illegal loggers who violate the Revised Forestry Code or the “Unlawful Occupation or Destruction of Forest Lands and Grazing Lands.” “It is imperative that we must stop the wanton destruction of our remaining forest resources not only for our sake but also for future generations who will suffer the consequences of our inaction,” Año said. (With additional reporting from Rhoderick Benez.)
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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, Jaques Tutong, Task Force Covid-19, and Jolo Municipal Government)
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Across : 1. Wail 4. Road curve 7. Long-legged bird 12. Honest ___ Lincoln 13. Compete 14. Hair coloring 15. Disagrement 17. Not outer 18. Moment 20. Small pies 23. Flock female 24. Drama division 27. A Baldwin 28. Restore conficence 30. Sullen 32. Bookworm 33. Painted 35. Bites 36. Cozy room 37. Clamor 38. Midler or Davis 39. skin drawings 41. Fool 44. Stir up 48. Huge 49. Tax agency (abbr.) 50. Bother 51. work with dough 52. Grant’s rival 53. Color
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Hindus upset, urge Pinay singer to apologize for mimicking goddess Kali
Photo of the album cover of Fuccboi sent by Hindu statesman Rajan Zed to the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper.
Russia says Covid vaccine costs under $10
HINDUS ARE upset over the mimicking by Filipina-German singer and beauty queen Imelda Bautista Schweighart of the goddess Kali on her album cover “Fuccboi” Imelda. Goddess Kali, who personifies Sakti or divine energy, is widely worshipped in Hinduism. She is considered the goddess of time and change. Some Bengali poets described her as supreme deity. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who is also President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that goddess Kali was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used for selling albums
with vulgar names. He said inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees. And Hindus are urging Schweighart to apologize and replace cover of her album. Celebrities should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities, according to Zed, adding “it is deeply disrespectful and trivializing of divine Hindu deities to be ill-used in scenarios like this.” “Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion in the world with about 1.2 billion adherents and has a rich phil-
osophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled,” he added. “Such trivialization of Hindu deities was disturbing to the Hindus world over. Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers,” he said. Just recently, Schweighart was also criticized for saying that Filipino fans of K-pop are losing their identity trying to be like Koreans. “I hate K-pop. Filipinos are losing their identity trying to be like Koreans. Can we have some pride, please?” “I’m not sure if anyone can identify with (K-pop stars) but if anyone could, it’s imagining what you could look like after heavy plastic surgery. Insecurity is what they sell. They are not promoting self-love,” she said at the same time praised “Western culture.” The 22-year model who was crowned 2016 Miss Philippines Earth, said: “Western influence is top notch. And we are under them up to this day. We need them as Filipinos and i salute to them for being exemplar in everything because ultimately, they are our superiors.” (Mindanao Examiner)
FOR SALE THE RUSSIAN Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) announced the cost of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine for international markets will be less than $10 per dose starting from February 2021, which is less than $20 for the two doses necessary to vaccinate one person. It said Sputnik V will be two or more times cheaper than foreign vaccines based on mRNA technology with similar efficacy rates. For Russian citizens, vaccination with Sputnik V will be free of charge. The uniqueness of the Russian vaccine lies in the use of two different vectors based on the human adenovirus, which allows for a stronger and longer-term immune response as compared to vaccines using one and same vector for two doses. Currently, RDIF and partners have launched production of the lyophilized (dry) form of the vaccine, which is stored
at a temperature of +2 to +8 degrees Celsius. Such a regime enables the distribution of the vaccine in international markets, as well as expanding its use in hard-to-reach regions, including areas with tropical climates. Current agreements between RDIF and leading foreign pharmaceutical companies allow production of the vaccine abroad for 500 million people per year starting from 2021. RDIF said it is currently considering additional applications from a number of countries and companies to further increase production capacity. The first foreign deliveries of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine will be made to customers in January based on existing partnerships with foreign manufacturers. Those customers, who have recently submitted their requests, will be able to receive the first batches of the vaccine starting from March 2021.
Kirill Dmitriev, RDIF CEO, in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner, said the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology has developed one of the most efficient vaccines against coronavirus in the world with an efficacy rate of more than 90% and a price that is two times lower than that of other vaccines with similar efficacy rate. “The uniqueness of the Russian vaccine lies in the use of two different human adenoviral vectors which allows for a stronger and longer-term immune response as compared to the vaccines using one and the same vector for two doses. We are ready to start deliveries of the Sputnik V vaccine to foreign markets thanks to partnerships with manufacturers in India, Brazil, South Korea, China and four other countries,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Tax amnesty hailed C
EBU CITY – The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has urged its members to take advantage of the tax amnesty program being offered by the local government. “The CCCI strongThe tax amnesty ordi- without penalty by Decemly urges its members and nance of 2019 was approved ber 15. non-members alike to grab in late 2019, and took effect It also imposes a fixed this rarely given opportu- in September. It rate of 10 percent on all unnity before its deadline,” measures grants re- paid due and demandable CCCI president Felix Tagu- prieve and foregoes or real property, business, and iam said. waives the collection of un- community taxes, as well as Taguiam said amid the paid interest, penalties, and other fees and charges afeconomic struggles faced surcharges of all outstand- ter this date but within one by businesses, this is an ing or unpaid local taxes in- year from the effectivity of important piece of legisla- cluding real property, busi- the ordinance. tion that will bring relief to ness and community taxes The city government business owners facing tax in 2019 and previous years has moved the deadline for challenges. CCCI’s call came after Mayor Edgardo Labella called on companies here to take advantage of the tax concessions offered by the city government. CEBU CITY - Nakadawat Edgar Labella nga tabanSpecial Officer of the sa ilang financial loan gang kadtong mga nagMayor for Finance and assistance ubos sa Self kalisod gumikan sa panTreasury Jerone Castillo Employment Assistance demya nga makasugod said the CCCI was instru- Program nga gi-imple- sa ginagmay nga negosyo mental in the creation of mentar sa Department pinaagi sa assistance. the tax amnesty ordinance of Social Welfare and Gipahigayon ang disand crossing parties to push Services (DSWS) ang 43 tribution sa tag P5,000 for its passage. “This is not a ka molopyo sa Barangay matag usa kanila sa covproposal of the city. This is Cambinocot. ered court sa nahisgutang an initiative of the CCCI in Ang financial loan as- Barangay nga gipangurelation to the ease of doing sistance subay sa kaman- nahan ni DSWS Assistant business,” Castillo said. duan ni Cebu City Mayor Head Jonil Matuguina.
payment of real property taxes and business taxes for fiscal year 2020 to December 21. Castillo also urged that the CCCI, which is the largest business group in Cebu, may lobby for further extension of the deadline to provide relief for taxpayers. He said taxpayers may visit the city hall for accurate assessment and computation of their tax obligations. (Carlo Lorenciana)
43 beneficiaries nakadawat sa loan assistance
Mayor Edgardo Labella
Panghinaut ni Matuguina nga ayohon pagdala ang negosyo aron molambo gyod kini ubanan usab sa pag-ampo sa labaw’ng makagagahom sanglit andam og tagana nga motabang si Mayor Labella nga makabangon sa kalisod ang mga kaigsuonan Sugboanon. (CPIO)
Cebu reopens tourism sites CEBU REOPENED its tourism and visitors are slowly flocking to various tourist spots and among them is Malapascua Island where villagers are brimmed with hope and excitement. The island barangay in Daanbantayan town, northern Cebu is one of the top destinations in the province flocked with local and international tourists before the Covid pandemic. But when quarantine restrictions were imposed in March, all of the island’s locals and businesses lost their livelihood and income. Cebuanos praised Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for reopening the tourism industry as the province managed to control the spread of Covid-19. “Pasalamat kaayo ko kay Governor na gi-open na balik ang tourism diri sa isla because for many months, we had no income,” said Gary Cases, owner of Sharktail Dive Shop.
ARMM
His shop has been operating for the past 19 years, but was forced to close down and his employees were left with no work due to the pandemic. The same goes for Ramon de Dios, owner of Mabuhay Treasure Dive Resort which started as a food stall in 2005. “Zero (income) gyud for nine months,” he said, adding that he, too, had to let go of his employees as he could no longer sustain the business. Garcia emphasized that the main goal of reviving the Province’s tourism industry is to bring back the livelihood of the Cebuanos. “As governor, I am responsible for the lives and livelihoods of millions of Cebuanos. I cannot just step back and say the popular thing which is to be scared of Covid right now,” she said. Instead, she chose to push for the reopening of tourism for the benefit of the daily wage earners whose
jobs depended on especially for a tourism-based island like Malapascua. “Too many people are suffering not because they are afflicted by Covid but because of a Covid-19-afflicted economy,” Garcia said. Garcia together with the members of the Cebu Provincial Tourism Task Force visited the island recently to deliver the good news to the Logonanons. Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 Director Shahlimar Tamano also urged Malapascua resort owners and tourism operators to secure the necessary certificates and authorities to operate from DOT, Philippine Commission on Sports SCUBA Diving, and the Cebu Provincial Government so they can resume their operations. He commended the Executive Order (EO) 20-A issued by Garcia establishing the protocols and guidelines to be followed in the Province’s tourism revival. “This is
Eastern Mindanao
the most comprehensive EO you will find in the country imposing stricter measures not for the sake of government, but for tourism,” he said. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Asteria Caberte committed the agency’s continued support to the tourism revival and other local initiatives geared towards economic recovery. She said DTI delivered hardware materials to 20 boat operators in Malapascua Island, fulfilling their promise made during the consultation in June. “We hope those 20 will soon be back to income generation again. The conversation doesn’t stop here. We will continue to visit Malapascua,” Caberte added. Garcia, however, emphasized that the reopening is intended for local tourism at the moment since foreign travels in the country are still restricted. “Let’s not pin all our hopes in international
Western Mindanao
tourism alone, it will come. Let us encourage domestic tourism. That should be a start,” she said, adding that only President Rodrigo Duterte can lift foreign travel restrictions. She said many domestic tourists expressed relief with the reopening of the industry as they no longer felt the need to compete with foreign tourists. “Cebuanos are now given first priority in our own island because there is no need to fight with foreigners in our tourism activities,” Garcia said. The governor said she is set to meet with the governors of Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental next month to discuss the reopening of the Central Visayas tourism circuit. Toledo City also reopened its tourism industry. Known for its natural rock formations, the city has been a favorite destination for rock climbers and enthusiasts, particularly the popu-
Cebu
lar rugged cliff in Barangay Cantabaco. Toledo City Mayor Marjorie Perales thanked Garcia for leading the reopening of the local tourism industry. She said local tourists can now visit not just natural and heritage sites, but their solar farms as well in Barangay CalongCalong and the copper mining museum in Barangay Don Andres Soriano. Garcia emphasized that the revival of tourism industry aims to help Cebuanos move on with their lives and livelihoods and learn to live with Covid-19 as part of the new normal. “We have to flatten the fear of Covid-19, revive our ravaged economy, and move forward,” she said. “We have to pick up the pieces of our lives and deal with Covid-19. We manage it in a way that, first of all, we have to protect ourselves.” (Lianne Llesol and Eleanor Valeros)
Manila