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Istupido! ‘Pangulong Duterte, napikon na naman sa mga kritiko’
T
INAWAG NA “istupido” ni Pangulong Duterte ang mga kritiko nito na nagsasabing wala o kulang ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan upang ma-address ang Covid-19 pandemic sa bansa. Dahil dito ay muling son and people who are “Ang gamot lang — napikon si Duterte at ito behind Covid-19. Kayong ang ano lang diyan, ang ang kanyang sinabi sa mga critics ba na hindi panglaban lang ng COVID isang public broadcast na-handle ng gobyerno. is wash your hand, tapos kamakailan lamang: “I Alam mo pagka-stupido wear a mask, and stay Continue on page 2 will ask our resource per- talaga ninyo.”
President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO)
Duterte goes ballistic, calls lawmaker ‘dog poop’ DAVAO CITY – Filipino leader Rodrigo Duterte has threatened a pro-communist lawmaker and lawyer Carlos Zarate and called him “dog
shit” during a public broadcast, and accused his group and other partylist organization as fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and
its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) and the political National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Continue on page 2
Sulu lawmaker donates digital tablets to grade schoolers President Rodrigo Duterte and MNLF Chair Nur Misuari(PCOO)
Misuari silent on proposed BARMM extension MORO NATIONAL Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari remains silent on the issue of the proposed extension of the interim Bangsamoro govern-
ment for another 3 years as Sulu - one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region - flatly rejected the proposition being pushed by Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim.
Ebrahim, also chieftain of the rival group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is pushing for the extension of the interim government based on the Continue on page 3
Rep. Samier Tan during the distribution of dozens of digital tablets to elementary pupils in Jolo town. (All photos are from Rep. Samier Tan Facebook page)
SULU – Representative Samier Tan distributed dozens of digital tablets to school children in the capital town of Jolo as part of his educational support and assistance to those who cannot afford to buy the electronic gadget. Parents and pupils, as well as teachers and village and town officials, praised Tan, of Continue on page 2
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Istupido! ‘Pangulong Duterte, napikon na naman sa mga kritiko’
Continued from page 1 home. Iyan lang ang medisina diyan. Walang… Hindi mo mabili sa botika ‘yan. Hindi mo mabili sa mga utak ninyo. But some writers for reasons known…may nagsasabi na hindi… Walang gamot ‘yan, nasa hangin ‘yan. Mask, may ubo, that moist that you spewed out through your nose or mouth, that travels a long way. Walang ano diyan usually ‘yan, ‘yan ang lumalabas. Hugas ng kamay, keep clean, then wear a mask, then stay home.” Paulit-ulit na sinabi ni Duterte na tanging vaccine lamang ang solusyon laban sa Covid-19 at kahit pigilan umano ng
gobyerno ang mga tao na lumabas ng bahay ay tiyak na lalabas pa rin ang mga ito. Kung kaya’t kaliwa’t-kanan ang pag-utang nito ng bilyon-bilyong piso upang ipambili ng vaccine, kabilang ang sa China. “Ngayon, ‘yang stay home ano ‘yan it’s highly debatable. You cannot insist on the theory that they will go out — they get out, they get the Covid. But wala nang makain. So ‘yan. Walang gamot except the vaccine,” paliwanag nito. Kilalang pikon si Duterte at kahit noon pa man ay maraming beses na nitong minumura at tinatawag na istupido ang
kanyang mga kritiko at kalaban sa pulitika. Maging ang Santo Papa at ang mga Santo at Diyos ay minura rin nito. Sinabi ni Duterte na talagang matigas ang ulo ng mga Pilipino kahit pa na patuloy ang pagtaas ng bilang ng Covid-19 cases sa bansa. Inihalimbawa pa nito ang lumalalang kaso ng Covid-19 sa Europa at Estados Unidos. “Now, let me remind you that Europe and America are experiencing what they would call some say a third wave na pagbalik, mas marami ang nagkasakit ngayon at namatay. Ito this is a country which is rich na dapat may bakuna na,
Ayuda ng North Cotabato, pinasalamatan
Isang benepisyaro ang nagpakita ng tskeng natanggap. (Nancy Catamco Facebook) KIDAPAWAN CITY – Malaki ang pasasalamat ng mga residente ng 3 barangay sa bayan ng Arakan sa North Cotabato matapos na makatanggap ng ayuda mula sa pamahalaang panlalawigan. Umabot sa P246,000 ang naipamahagi sa 123 benipisyaryo na nagmula sa barangay ng Salasang, Anapolon at Naje. “Dagko na mga negosyo karon nag sugod sa
gamay, kami ay umaasa na sa konting halaga pandagdag puhunan ay mapalago ninyo,” ito ang naging pahayag ni Dr. Samuel Aquino, ng Provincial Cooperative Development Office (PCDO), sa ginawang orientation nito kasabay ng pamamahagi ng tseke sa mga benepisyaryo ng Entrepreneur Support Program. Pasasalamat naman ang tugon ni Konse-
hala Rhea Gayatin kay Gov. Nancy Catamco sa tig-P2,000 na natanggap ng kanyang mga kababayan, at kanyang pinaalahanan na gamitin ito na pandagdag-puhunan at palaguin. Pinangunahan ng PCDO, Barangay Affairs Office, Food Security Team at ng Provincial Treasurer’s Office ang naturang programa. (Rhoderick Benez)
Sulu lawmaker donates digital tablets to grade schoolers Continued from page 1 Sulu’s 1st Congressional District, and thanked him for his support especially at this time of Covid-19 pandemic. The first distribution of the gadgets was held in the village of San Raymundo where selected grade schoolers took turn in thanking the popular lawmaker, who belongs to a philanthropist and well-respected family.
San Raymundo village chairwoman, Amelyn Izquierdo, also thanked Tan, who pledged to duplicate the project in other poor areas to help students in their online schooling. Tan, who purchased the gadgets from his own salaries, said each digital tablet has educational applications to aid the pupils in their studies. “I gave (the digital) tablets (complete) with
educational apps to the less fortunate brothers and sisters because I see my kids in them and making them happy is a fulfilment (to me) as a father,” said Tan, who has 2 children. “I allocated part of my salaries to give these kids smiles on their faces in this season of giving. More will be given to remaining barangays,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
can afford it. And yet, maraming nagkakasakit, namatay for the simple reason na matigas ang ulo, ayaw eh. Ngayon ‘yung sa Pilipinas, matigas ang ulo. But itong mga critics saying, “Eh bakit rumami?” Eh bakit hindi rumami na lumabas na ang lahat. Bakit mapigilan mo? Mapigilan ng gobyerno? Mapakain ba ng gobyerno ang lahat? Iyan ang istorya diyan.”
“Kung hindi sila maglabas ng bahay, can you sustain their lives while inside the house? Nobody is buying food, hindi na kikita, walang trabaho, wala lahat. Kaya napipilitan lumabas. It’s between hunger and the spectacle of…mamili ka diyan,” sabi pa ni Duterte. Maging sa balwarte ni Duterte sa Davao ay malala rin ang Covid-19 cases kung kaya’t agad itong isinailalim sa Gen-
eral Community Quarantine (GCQ) hanggang sa katapusan ng taon at malawakang Covid-19 testing ang isasagawa. Bukod sa Davao, nasa kategorya rin ng GCQ ang National Capital Region, Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur, Iligan City at Davao del Norte. At ang ibang bahagi ng bansa ay nasa Modified General Community Quarantine. (Mindanao Examiner)
Duterte goes ballistic, calls lawmaker ‘dog poop’ Continued from page 1 Duterte’s tirade came after the communist front called Makabayan Bloc slammed the Philippine military of using the dead body of a female rebel Jevilyn Cullamat for propaganda. The 22-year rebel, the daughter of Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamt, was killed last week in a clash with Special Forces in Surigao del Sur’s Marihatag town. Zarate’s group also accused the military and police of red-tagging them. “Itong mga legal fronts ng komunista, lahat ‘yan, Makabayan, Bayan, they are all legal fronts, Gabriela. Hindi ‘yan sila — we are not red-tagging you. We are identifying you as members in a grand conspiracy comprising all the legal fronts that you have organized headed by NDF tapos ‘yung…sagol ang New People’s Army, NDF at Communist Party of the Philippines,” Duterte said. “Ilang tao (rebel surenderees) na galing doon sa inyong kam(po)… at (they) openly have attacked you, not only criticized, for your sheer brutality in this communal war. Communal war ito. There is no longer any ideology. Wala itong mga komunista wala ng ideology. They do — gusto lang nila umagaw ng gobyerno. Mga bobo naman ang putang ina. Sinong mga bright? Si (CPP Founder Jose Maria) Sison? Iyon ‘yung bright si Sison? Susmaryosep. Iharap mo si Sison sa akin, magdebate kami,” he said. Duterte said the military has been correct all the while for red-tagging members of the Makabayan bloc and defended those who accused the groups of recruiting for
the NPA. “Ano nakuha mo diyan sa ideology na ‘yan communism? They are accusing, red-tagging you. No, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is very correct. You are being identified as the members of the communist. Alam namin. Iyon ang totoo. Hindi red-tagging. Iyang si Zarate, si — lahat kayo.” “Kita mo…tapos abugado ng… Susmaryosep. Alam mo sabihin ko nangangailangan ka ng pera. That’s the only reason. Komunista ka to defend an oligarch. Hindi ka naman summa cum laude. Pareho naman tayo pumasa ng bar. Kung magsalita ka you make it appear that we are milking the government of… It’s you. Alam mo sa totoo Zarate ‘pag nakikita kita sa TV, para akong nakakita ng tae ng iro, para akong nakakita ng tae ng aso. Sa totoo lang. Bantay ka sa akin,” Duterte warned. Duterte’s peace talks with the rebels collapsed after Manila rejected CPP demands for the government to free all jailed rebels languishing in jails and grant amnesty to all of them. The rebels also demanded co-equal control of the government before they sign the peace accord. But Duterte had freed at least 19 senior rebel leaders during the negotiations to join the peace talks and are now all in hiding and some fled abroad. NDFP peace negotiator Fidel Agcaoili previously accused Duterte of using the health crisis as a cover for militarist rule and blamed him for the spread of the coronavirus disease in the country. The virus, now a glob-
al pandemic, broke out in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year, and quickly spread to over 100 countries. “Duterte and his fascist minions should stop manipulating the Covid-19 emergency in the Philippines to push their militarist and anti-people agenda and shortcut their fascist dream to govern the country martial lawstyle,” Agcaoili said. He said Duterte ignored warnings not to allow Chinese tourists into the Philippines even though the virus wreak havoc in China and spread outside its borders. “In February, while the Duterte regime had allowed the entry into the country of hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists, including those from Wuhan, and ignored the grave implication of the death of the first victim in the Philippines, the revolutionary forces have been closely monitoring developments in the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.” “As the virus started to wreak havoc in China and began to spread outside China’s borders, immediately the revolutionary movement through its National Health Bureau has been busy organizing and mobilizing revolutionary health committees from the national down to the village levels to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in their areas, and check on the people’s health,” Agcaoli said. Rebel forces have been fighting the democratic government for many decades now in a violent campaign to establish a communist state in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
December 7-13, 2020
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Misuari silent on proposed BARMM extension Continued from page 1 recommendation of the peace advocacy group Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus (MPC) following its so-called “rapid midterm review” on the Bangsamoro transition period. The extension of the interim government would also extend Ebrahim’s term and members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and those holding key positions in the regional government. Ebrahim also met with President Rodrigo Duterte recently to lobby the proposed extension even without consulting the governors and mayors and the Muslims in the region. Misuari has not issued a statement on the proposal and Muslims are waiting for his stand on the issue. Tausug Manifesto But Sulu has cited various reasons for rejecting the proposed extension, according to a manifesto passed November 17 by the Provincial Board after consulting 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 negligi-
ble; And to allow the extension of the transition (period) would be tantamount to escape judgment by the constituents of the BARMM on the performance of the latter vis-a-vis 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 Constitutional 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 interim Bangsamoro government,” he told The Zamboanga Post newspaper. Concerns Ebrahim said he 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 mageleksyon, 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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December 7-13, 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, Jaques Tutong, Task Force Covid-19, and Jolo Municipal Government)
December 7-13, 2020
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Sulu Pictures in the News
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December 7-13, 2020
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Jemaah Islamiyah Uses Charity Boxes to Collect Fund for Terror Activities Jemaah Islamiyah, or JI, a terrorist group responsible for the 2002 Bali bombing, has deployed charity boxes at minimarkets in several regions throughout Indonesia to trick the unsuspecting shoppers into giving money that would fund the group’s terror activities, the police said on Tuesday. The National Police uncovered the funding operation after questioning 24 Jamaah Islamiyah members arrested in the October-November period. “The charity box misuses that we found were located in minimarkets in several regions in Indonesia,” Brig. Gen. Awi Setiyono, the National Police spokesman, said in a press conference. Awi said the group used the funds to fly terrorists to Syria for military training and terror tactics and buy weapons and explosives to be used in terror attacks. The police arrested four JI members in Central
Java, two in West Java, one in Banten, eight in Greater Jakarta Region, another in Yogyakarta, and eight in Lampung. Upik Lawanga Among the terrorists arrested was Taufiq Bulaga, also known as Upik Lawanga, arrested by the police anti-terror squad Densus 88 in Seputih Banyak, Central Lampung Nov 25. “UL was called a professor in his group because he was considered to have the ability to make high explosive bombs,” Awi said in a press conference a day earlier, referring to Upik by initials. “UL is a precious asset of Jemaah Islamiyah because he is the successor of Dr. Azhari,” Awi said. Azhari, a Malaysian national masterminded the 2002 Bali bombing, was killed in a police raid on his hideout in Indonesia in 2005. Upik had managed to evade police since 2007 after fleeing from Poso, Central Sulawesi, via
Makassar, Surabaya, Solo route until he finally settled in Lampung and was arrested. Densus 88 was still hunting down other JI members suspected of having played a role in hiding Upik. Upik was involved in various acts of terror in Poso, Central Sulawesi, including the shooting and bombing of Pastor Susianti Tinulele at the Effata Church in Palu in 2004, the bombing at the market in 2005, and the bombing with a thermos bomb in 2006. He caused a total of 27 deaths and 92 injuries there. Upik was also involved in making bombs to blow up the JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels in 2009, killing seven people and injuring dozens of others. In 2020, Upik supplied homemade firearms and set up bunkers to produce and store weapons, explosives, and bomb components that would be used to carry out terror attacks, Awi said. (Farouk Arnaz Jakarta Globe)
SM in Zambo cancels opening of mall anew ZAMBOANGA CITY - SM CITY Mindpro again postponed its scheduled opening in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. The mall first cancelled its grand opening in October and moved it to November 27, but postponed this for a still unknown reason. It then announced a soft opening on November 29 only to cancel it again. SM City Mindpro did not say why it cancelled the soft opening. Its Facebook account was flooded with comments from Netizens criticizing the mall for its confusing decisions on whether to open or not, or the reason behind it. But there were reports the mall did not push through with the grand opening after two of its employees contracted Covid-19. It was unknown whether the duo had infected the others that forced the SM City Mindpro to cancel the opening of the mall. Mall executives also
cancelled the VIP invitations it sent on November 26, eve of the grand opening, for reasons unclear. Those invited had to cancel their busy schedules just to attend the VIP event only to be told later that it had been cancelled. SM CITY Mindpro public information officer, Arnel Manahan, did not say why they cancelled both events. Pressed for answers whether the mall had received terror threats, Manahan told the Zamboanga Post newspaper: “No, it’s not about that. I cannot say anything more.” Ironically, the SM CITY Mindpro said it will follow strict implementation of minimum health standards using advanced, touch-free technology. It even boasted that the mall uses “Trace Together,” an end-to-end contact tracing solution to fight the spread of coronavirus disease. Its news release added that mall-goers are required to download the
digital application and must scan the QR code at all entrances using their mobile device and declare information like name, address, mobile phone number, and health condition status. SM CITY Mindpro also said it would implement the “No Face Mask, No Face Shield, No Entry,” policy in line with the government’s health protocols and check body temperature using thermal scanners, and there are disinfectant mats and alcohol in all the mall’s entrances. But it was unclear how or where their employees got the Covid-19. Manahan did not say when the date of the grand opening. But the mall’s Facebook page posted an announcement saying it would open on November 29, adding to the confusion and frustration of residents who fear there may be late changes again in future advisories. (Zamboanga Post)
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‘Misa de Gallo’ allowed only in churches
C
EBU CITY – The local government said it will allow dawn masses or Misa de Gallo, but only in churches and prohibited the nine-day Eucharistic celebrations in shopping malls, small chapels and other venues. Misa de Gallo is a vance of minimum health to decide whether or not name for the Catholic protocols, particularly to conduct Misa de Gallo Mass celebrated around the 50-percent capaci- is given to the LGUs (local midnight of Christmas ty per venue at one time. government units), I, myEve and sometimes in the He said since Cebu City is self, is in favor of the Misa days immediately pre- under Modified General de Gallo,” Labella said. ceding Christmas. Community Quarantine, Labella said he decidMayor Edgardo La- churches must observe the ed to limit the pre-Christbella said this policy will 50-percent capacity limit. mas dawn celebrations to ensure the strict obser“While the authority the main churches in com-
pliance with the policies and the health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in combating the spread of Covid-19. He said the local government sought the assistance of the Parish Pastoral Security Council of the Archdiocese of Cebu in
laying down security measures, as well as in deploying marshals, to ensure churchgoers are compliant with health measures such as wearing of face mask and physical distancing. Labella also urged Cebuanos to bear with the local government’s policy in not allowing all establishments to reopen even if the capital city is
now under lower quarantine restrictions. “Always remember, even if Cebu City has been under MGCQ but not all establishments are open. We have opened the economy but those establishments that may put the health and lives of the people at risk are still prohibited today,” he said. (John Rey Saavedra)
MPSA holders to pay 2% of fair market price
MPSA holders in Cebu Province agreed to pay 2% of the local fair market value per metric ton of all extracted non-metallic mineral commodity in accordance to the Provincial Revenue Code. (Junjie Mendoza) CEBU MINING companies holding Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) will have to pay the Provincial Government two percent of the local fair market value per metric ton of all extracted non-metallic mineral commodity. This was agreed upon by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 Director Armando Malicse, and the MPSA holders, among others in a recent meeting. “That is why we have called you ang tanang holders of MPSA issued by the MGB, so that we could now define your positions and obligations to the Province insofar as Section 124 of the Revenue Code is concerned,” Garcia said, adding, the MPSA holders fall within the definition of Section 124 of the Province’s Revenue Code. “Now kaning two
ARMM
percent of the local fair market value per metric ton of all non-metallic mineral commodity extracted, mao na inyo bayran. Unya dili na ta according to the table, according to actual volume extracted which will be validated by the issuance of DRs (delivery receipts) kay para duna tay closer monitoring og pila gyud ang volume,” the governor explained. Currently, the MPSA holders follow the table provided under Section 125 of the Revenue Code that lays down the number of cubic meters with corresponding annual fixed fee for the extraction of non-metallic minerals. Garcia said using the table as basis of their annual fixed fee seems unfair to other permittees of the Province. “Kay kani man gud, we are all presuming 400,000 and below (cubic meters and metric tons). Kamo (MPSA holders) maoy muingon nga
400,000 and below among volume, mao na among gi report sa MGB but MGB does not actually count truck by truck pila gyud na inyong gi extract. And it is unfair kun mismo ang mga processors nato they are paying by truck,” she said. “What we would like is, if we are subjecting such rigid procedures to our own permittees then we will also impose the same procedures sa uban kay ma subject to abuse man. Unya it is unfair because all of these extractions are within Cebu Province. Why should those that are issued by the Province be subjected to stricter controls and that those permits issued by the MGB we will just be based on good faith? Mura og dili consistent,” the governor added. Garcia explained the Provincial Government is not saying MPSA holders were giving wrong reports, but for transparency and accountability on the cubic meters or metric tons extracted from Cebu’s resources, actual volume in the imposition of tax will be applied, not the processors’ declarations based on the table. With that, the governor wants to have some of the provisions of the Provincial Revenue Code amended. Moreover, Garcia clarified she is not asking MPSA holders to stop doing business but she is
Eastern Mindanao
asking them to exercise fiscal and environmental responsibility for what is due to the Province in accordance with the ordinance. “Why I am asking for this is because we have a very ambitious road concreting and other infrastructure development program,” she said. During the out-of-
town session of the Provincial Board (PB) on November 23, Garcia defended the P15 billion budget for 2021, which was approved on second reading. In the session, she told the PB Members that aside from the Internal Revenue Allotment of over P4 billion, one of the fund sources seen to realize revenues is the stricter
implementation of the Revenue Code specifically Sections 124 and 125. Others present in the meeting were Board Member John Ismael Borgonia, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources chief Rodel Bontuyan, and Capitol Consultant Atty. Benjamin Cabrido Jr. (Mylen Manto)
British copper firm invests P583-M in Cebu BRITISH FIRM CD Processing Ltd. has invested P583 million in its ore sortation facility in Cebu, a pioneer project approved by the Board of Investment (BOI). Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo told the Philippine News Agency that the British firm’s unit will be involved in reclaiming valuable copper-bearing ore from low-grade ore discarded by copper mines. CD Processing (Philippines) Inc. will be providing ore sortation solution to Carmen Copper Corp. in Cebu, generating 63 jobs. “This is now in the processing side, not only mining,” Rodolfo said. Copper industry is identified as one of the five priority areas under
Western Mindanao
the country-wide “Make It Happen in the Philippines” investment campaign launched by DTI. Aside from copper, other key sectors include aerospace, automotive, electronics, and information technology and business process management.“These are the sectors which we believe would be able to bring investments,” Rodolfo said. He added that the “Make It Happen in the Philippines” campaign also seeks to address the value chain gap of local sectors like the copper industry. The country is one of the largest copper producers in the world, with reserves of around 4 billion metric tons. In 2018, the country’s copper exports amounted to USD1.9 billion. Apart from extracting
Cebu
and exporting copper only to import its finished products, the DTI eyes to attract investments in processing, wire rod casting facilities, and manufacturing of higher-value copper-based products. Rodolfo said the DTI will be launching the Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone (LEIZ) Program next month.LEIZ Program aims put up integrated copper processing facilities through industry clustering. It will also capitalize on the existing capabilities and infrastructure in the province of Leyte, which has the Leyte Industrial Development Estate that houses two international ports which can service panamax vessels of up to 60,000 to 70,000 tons. (Kris Crismundo)
Manila