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November 1-7, 2021
Bongbong Marcos not Oxford graduate T
HE OXFORD Philippines Society has expressed concern over the continuing misinformation relating to the academic qualifications of the only son and namesake of the late Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos. It has issued a state- bong’ and ‘BBM’ in the officially confirmed by ment saying Marcos, who Philippines did not finish the University of Oxford is also known as ‘Bong- his Degree and this was Continue on page 2
Andanar misleads in claiming Philippines not among ‘deadliest’ countries for journalists: VERA Files VERA FILES has belied claims made by Communications Secretary Martin Andanar who said in radio interview that the Philippines was no longer among the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists due to the “swift resolution” of the Maguindanao massacre in 2019, which he said, formed part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s legacy. The massacre, the single deadliest attack against journalists, claimed the lives of 58 people, including 32 media Continue on page 2
Former Senator Bongbong Marcos gestures as he speaks to supporters during his recent visit to Cebu province. This photo, posted from his Facebook page, has this caption: "I want to thank our team members in Cebu who have put together this wonderful headquarters in the heart of the city. This will be instrumental in gathering our supporters in the province and in managing a well-organized campaign with the challenges of the pandemic. Daghang salamat Cebu!"
Covid booster shot to use different brands
A Red Cross staff vaccinates a woman. (PRC)
THE DUTERTE administration is now considering “heterologous vaccination” for fully vaccinated individuals who are up for their third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to boost immunity. Heterologous vaccination or mixing different vaccine brands would ensure the public’s immunity Continue on page 3
PCOO Chief Martin Andanar
NASA Chief Suggests Recent UFO Sightings Could Be ETs An unidentified flying object was sighted hovering over a quiet village in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines on December 24, 2005. The object, which appeared metallic and emitting a white and red glow on its top, was spotted in the remote village of Lumbangan, about 10 kms east of Zamboanga. (Al Jacinto)
After foiled VP bid, PDP-Laban now pushes Duterte to run in Senate
ARMM
DAVAO CITY – After pushing him to run for vice president in next year’s polls, President Rodrigo Duterte’s own political party PDP-Laban now Continue on page 2
BILL NELSON wants to believe. The Head of NASA recently weighed in on the spate of recent high-pro-
PDP-Laban's Alfonso Cusi gestures as President Rodrigo Duterte listens in this photo taken in May 2018. (Toto Lozano)
THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines unveiled a new campaign
Eastern Mindanao
file UFO sightings by US Navy pilots – while claiming he doesn’t truly understand what these phe-
nomena were all about, he suggests it’s impossible to rule out they were Continue on page 3
New tourism campaign kicks off
Western Mindanao
and released a video designed to welcome domestic tourists back to the country’s tourism destinations.
Cebu
Dubbed as “It’s More Fun with You,” the video is part of the DOT domestic tourism Continue on page 5
Manila
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The Mindanao Examiner
November 1-7, 2021
Bongbong Marcos not Oxford graduate
Continued from page 1 in England in 2015. The statement, it said, is to set out the facts concerning Bongbong Marcos’ claims about his tenure at Oxford University. Marcos has said he graduated from the University of Oxford. The Oxford Philippines Society said Marcos matriculated at the University of Oxford in 1975 to read for a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (the “Degree”). Matriculation is a formal ceremony marking a student’s admission to the University of Oxford. This is a requirement that all students need to undergo at the beginning of the course. It said Marcos failed his Degree’s preliminary examinations at the first attempt. Passing the preliminary examinations is a pre-requisite for continu-
ing one’s studies and completing a degree at Oxford University. Preliminary examinations are taken in the first half of a degree course, usually in a student’s first year of studies. But Marcos, who is running for president in next year’s polls, has been awarded with a Special Diploma in Social Studies in 1978. A Special Diploma is not a degree, and neither is it comparable, superior nor equivalent to one. A Special Diploma is not a course of higher education leading to an undergraduate or first degree or even a master’s degree. “We would like to emphasise that this statement is not a political statement. We are making this statement in aid of public discourse in a time where disinformation and fake news are prevalent. Such disinformation prevents Filipinos from exercising their democratic
rights in a fair and meaningful way, and we believe every Filipino should have access to correct information as we prepare to vote in May 2022,” said the Oxford Philippines Society. The Oxford Philippines Society, together with its former members, is made up of almost 200 Filipino students and alumni of Oxford University. The Oxford Philippines Society is the only Filipino society registered with, and recognised by, Oxford University. ABS-CBN in a report said lawyer Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ chief-of-staff, has challenged people to disprove Oxford's “degree confirmation” to him. “We stand by the Degree confirmation which was issued by the University of Oxford. It is up to anyone to question or challenge this with the said university if they so please,” the report quoted Rodriguez
as saying. Rodriguez said Marcos has been honest about his special diploma from the University of Oxford. “He has always been forthright on his conferment of a special diploma in social studies by the distinguished university and has never misrepresented his Oxford education,” he said. But in an interview with dzMM in 2016, Marcos said that after questions were raised on his academic background in 2015, he flew to England and personally went to the University of Oxford where he received a cer-
tificate confirming his degree. However, the University of Oxford said Marcos was awarded a special diploma in Social Studies. “We can confirm that a Ferdinand Marcos matriculated at the University of Oxford in 1975 to read for a BA in Philosophy, Philosophy and Economics. According to our records, he did not complete his degree, but was awarded a special diploma in Social Studies in 1978,” it said. According to ABSCBN report, Marcos is not the only sibling, whose academic record has been questioned, adding in
2019, the University of the Philippines also issued a statement to say that then Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos - at the time running for a Senate seat which she eventually won - did not finish a degree from the state university. The 64-year old Marcos, who served as governor, congressman, and senator topped recent presidential surveys and is popular in many parts of the country. His father ruled as a dictator under martial law from 1972 until 1981 and kept most of his martial law powers until he was deposed in 1986. (Mindanao Examiner)
After foiled VP bid, PDP-Laban now pushes Duterte to run in Senate Continued from page 1 wants him to seek a senate seat. Duterte has backed out from the vice presidential race following a public outcry and criticisms, but PDP-Laban has hatched a new plan and that is for the president to run in the Senate instead. The push for the ageing Duterte to run for senator has shocked the public anew and raising suspicion that his allies in Congress wanted to prolong their hold on the former Davao City mayor to ensure the party’s political clout. Energy Secretary Al-
fonso Cusi, of the PDP-Laban, is among those who is pushing Duterte to run for the Senate instead of retiring, saying his victory will help push legislative reforms. “If the President will not really run as vice president because he has already decided that he does not want to run and he doesn’t want to break his own words, I said - Okay, then just run as senator’ so that you can bring change in the Senate,” Cusi said. Duterte has pushed for Bong Go, his long-time aide-turned-senator, to run for vice president with Bato dela Rosa, also a sen-
ator and former national police chief, as president under the PDP-Laban. He previously told his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to run for president with Go as her running mate, but Sara rejected the offer and said she will seek re-election. Duterte’s political plan is largely seen as a strategy to avoid prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on his bloody drug war that had killed thousands of drug suspects. The ICC is currently investigating the extrajudicial killings in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Andanar misleads in claiming Philippines not among ‘deadliest’ countries for journalists: VERA Files Continued from page 1 workers in 2009. The nonstock, nonprofit independent media organization said Andanar’s statement was inaccurate on two counts. It cited the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) barometer on press freedom violations which shows that the Philippines has fallen in and out of the top five deadliest countries for journalists from 2009 to 2020. Its barometer covers January 1 to December 31 of each reporting year, explained RSF in an October 22 email to VERA Files Fact Check. Further debunking Andanar’s claim, the country ranked higher in 2019 (tied at third with three others) — when the Maguindanao massacre conviction was handed down — than the previous year (tied at sixth with four others), though the tally of killings was the same (three).
In 2020, the Philippines moved down from fifth to seventh worst country worldwide in the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) Global Impunity Index. VERA Files said this was because the Maguindanao massacre “no longer fell into the 10year time frame for calculating the index.” The CPJ also said the landmark conviction in December 2019 of several perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre changed the status of the case to partial impunity from full impunity. For this reason, the decade-long case “would no longer have figured into the index calculation regardless of the time frame.” The CPJ noted in its 2020 report, however, that while the Philippines is now the “seventh worst” country, it still has 11 unsolved murders of journalists in the current 10-year index period (20102020). (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
November 1-7, 2021
Covid booster shot to use different brands
NASA Chief Suggests Recent UFO Sightings Could Be ETs Continued from page 1 the technology of extraterrestrial life. Nelson, former astronaut and Florida Senator, has been NASA administrator since May. He recently spoke in a livestreamed interview with the University of Virginia in which he tackled everything from space relations with China to the question of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sightings. In the discussion, Nelson says there have been more than 300 acknowledged sightings of unidentified flying objects since 2004. Their origins, however, remain unknown. “I’ve talked to those pilots and they know they saw something, and their radars locked on to it. And they don’t know what is. And we don’t know what it is,” Nelson told professor Larry Sabato, director of University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. “We hope it’s not an
adversary here on Earth that has that kind of technology. But it’s something. And so this is a mission that we’re constantly looking, ‘Who is out there?’ 'Who are we?’ 'How did we get here?' 'How did we become as we are?' 'How did we develop?' 'How did we civilize?' And 'are those same conditions out there in a universe that has billions of other suns and billions of other galaxies?’ It’s so large I can’t conceive it.” “Now there are even theories that there might be other universes,” Nelson added. “And if that’s the case, who am I to say planet Earth is the only location of a life form that is civilized and organized like ours?” "I tell you what it makes me think: I better be a better steward of what we have because we're messing it up. I know what my mission is: to be a better steward of this planet and be a better citizen of
planet Earth," he added. "But are there other planet Earths out there? I certainly think so because the universe is so big." Once considered the domain of conspiracy theorists, UFO sightings have been given a renewed sense of legitimacy in recent years thanks to a number of high-profile sightings that were given mainstream media attention and later confirmed by the Pentagon. This year even saw the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence release a much-hyped report on UFO sightings. The report didn't find much, concluding there was no evidence to either confirm or deny that any of the sightings were extraterrestrial life. Nevertheless, it certainly looks like the US government is finally taking the idea of UFO sightings seriously after many decades of dismissal. (IFLScience)
Continued from page 1 against the deadly coronavirus regardless of manufacturers’ supply, said Carlito Galvez Jr., incharge of the government’s vaccine procurement program. Galvez said they are awaiting recommendations from vaccine experts before giving the third dose specifically to healthcare workers, immunocompromised people or those having an impaired immune system, and the elderly. He said the emergency use authorization issued to different Covid-19 vaccine brands must also be amended before giving the booster shot to the intended segment of the population. Apart from heterologous vaccination, Galvez said one other government strategy is to vaccinate 90% of the student population and teaching personnel to gradually bring the country back to normalcy. Galvez, who is also the National Task Force Against Covid-19 policies chief implementer, said that apart from economic revival, the government also focuses on pediatric vaccination, considering the psychological and emotional toll of the pandemic on the youth as a result of the nearly two years of lockdowns and restrictions. Citing studies conducted by psychologists, Galvez noted a 300 to 400% increase in cases of depression and suicidal ideation among the younger population during the pandemic. “Once the children are vaccinated against the coronavirus, the government could start easing the restrictions, allowing young people to go out, socialize, and play,” he said. With the help of the local governments, Galvez said he is optimistic that pediatric vaccination will be completed by December
this year. The World Health Organization with support of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization and its Covid-19 Vaccines Working Group is reviewing the emerging evidence on the use of heterologous priming schedules. WHO said the most common reason for considering a heterologous Covid-19 vaccine as second priming dose is lack of availability of the same vaccine in settings with limited vaccine supply or unpredictable supply. It said interchangeability of vaccine products would therefore allow for added programmatic flexibility. “There are other reasons to investigate the utility of heterologous priming such as reducing reactogenicity, increasing immunogenicity and enhancing vaccine effectiveness. Heterologous priming should only be instituted if supportive evidence is available,” WHO said. WHO said SAGE continuously reviews new data on heterologous priming vaccine schedules. Guidance is available in some of the product specific interim recommendations (to date, for mRNA vaccines, i.e. BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273, and ChAdOx1-S or recombinant vaccines). In general, for Covid-19 vaccines listed for emergency use by WHO with a 2-dose primary series schedule, WHO recommends that the same vaccine product should be used for both doses. If different Covid-19 vaccine products are inadvertently administered in the two doses, no additional doses of either vaccine are recommended. At present, mix and match schedules constitute off-label use of respective vaccines and as such should only be used if benefits outweigh the risks such as in
situations of interrupted vaccine supply. Studies to date of immune responses after a first dose of ChAdOx1-S products followed by an mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273) show higher neutralising antibody levels and higher T cell-mediated immune responses in comparison with two doses of ChAdOx1-S products and similar levels to those of two mRNA vaccines. The sequence of the first dose being ChAdOx1-S followed by the mRNA vaccine as second dose was more immunogenic than a first dose mRNA vaccine followed by ChAdOx1-S vaccine. While these studies are encouraging, they require cautious interpretation given the limited sample sizes and lack of follow up, especially related to safety data, and the uncertain relevance of immunological readouts in relation to clinical impact. The first results on short-term vaccine effectiveness (VE) against infection following a heterologous schedule have become available from Denmark showing an effectiveness of 88% (95% CI 83-92%) when combining the ChAdOx1 and an mRNA vaccine, similar to the VE of two doses of an mRNA vaccine, in a population-wide register-based study when the Alpha variant was dominant. More observational data on safety and effectiveness will be forthcoming. While there is currently no data for heterologous priming with other vaccine products, a large number of clinical studies of various vaccine combinations and schedules are currently on-going. SAGE will review these data as they become available and update the recommendations accordingly, according to WHO. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
November 1-7, 2021
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, Maimbung Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz Salapuddin)
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The Mindanao Examiner
November 1-7, 2021
New tourism campaign kicks off
Colorful vintas in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. (Al Jacinto)
River wall built in Misamis town
Continued from page 1 campaign called “Have A Safe Trip, Pinas.” The video is aptly scored with Rivermaya’s 1997 hit single “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita” to illustrate the desire and excitement of local tourism destinations to welcome back their guests. It features a surfing dog named Tuna, who is unable to contain his excitement as he welcomes a friend back to the beach after a long absence. It’s More Fun with You, as the main messaging of this domestic tourism welcome back campaign, encourages Filipinos to travel and explore the country again after a long hiatus due to pandemic-related travel restrictions. The cam-
paign also supports recovery initiatives and efforts of the tourism industry. “Our latest ad highlights the joy of reuniting with loved ones and traveling with them to their favorite places, or visiting new spots where more memories will be made. It’s more fun in the Philippines and it’ll even be more fun with you,” said DOT Secretary Berna Puyat. The DOT and TPB also launched the “Have a Safe Trip, Pinas” stickers that can be downloaded on Viber (https://bit.ly/ HaveASafeTripPinas) and were created exclusively for this campaign. The first of two categories of the stickers remind the public and travelers of
the basic health and safety protocols. The other encourages safe and fun travel to domestic destinations. Popular Filipino food stickers are also featured as a bonus. “With health and safety protocols in place, we can look forward to opening more tourism destinations in time for the holidays, and shift recovery into high gear,” Puyat said. She also encouraged domestic tourists to discover and plan their travel and receive the latest updates and travel advisories about the Philippines by downloading the Travel Philippines mobile application through Google Play and Apple Store. (With additional reporting from Malou Cablinda.)
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila puts up School of Social Work Revetment wall constructed at the Dangoan River in Misamis Oriental's Medina town. MISAMIS ORIENTAL The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it has constructed a P29-million revetment wall at the Dangoan River further reinforcing Medina town’s flood control system. A revetment wall is a permanent structure designed to prevent the types of subsidence that
commonly occur adjacent to waterways and the ocean. By definition, it is a protective covering on an embankment of earth designed to maintain the slope or to protect it from erosion. Complete with earthworks, sub-base and base courses, drainage, and slope protection structure, among others, the
wall will serve as protection to nearby residences, businesses, and properties in the area from flooding. In addition to the wall, a project contract worth P75 million is currently ongoing for the continuation of the revetment project which covers the upstream portion of the river. (Mindanao Examiner)
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THE PAMANTASAN ng Lungsod ng Maynila said it has put up School of Social Work, which will upgrade and expand the offerings of the existing Department of Social Work. It said the establishment of School of Social Work was approved by PLM Board of Regents and is a product of careful planning with the help of former Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary now PLM Presidential Adviser for Social Work Judy Taguiwalo. The University first offered the Bachelor of Science in Social Work program in the 1970s having produced graduates who have performed well in licensure examinations – the latest of which was being the third best performing school in the country in 2017. Many of the graduates pursued their professional careers in government agencies and private institutions. The existing Depart-
ment of Social Work has produced a high of 88 graduates per year since 1973, with 237 students currently enrolled in the undergraduate program for Academic Year 20212022. The Department, currently part of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, has three full-time and five part-time faculty members. Upgrading the unit into a School will require the hiring of additional faculty and staff to cater to additional enrolees, as well as improvements to the program’s curriculum; field instruction; library and other learning resources; research and publications; and linkages with public, private and civil society organizations. Members of the PLM Board of Regents found the proposal very timely in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic which exposed a huge number of Filipinos needing government assistance following a se-
ries of lockdowns, business closures, and job losses. “The pandemic highlighted just how important the role is of social workers in ensuring that the needs of every Filipino family are met. This is the way PLM can contribute to nation-building at a time when poverty, hunger, and inequity are more pronounced,” said PLM President Emmanuel Leyco, who was once undersecretary and officer-in-charge of the DSWD. PLM is a publicly funded university supported by the City of Manila, which is the second-largest city and among the densely populated areas in the Philippines. Social protection programs, resettlement projects, hospitals, schools, and programs of corporate social responsibility require the skills and commitment of social workers. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
November 1-7, 2021
Pag-IBIG offers longer payment options CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The state-run Pag-IBIG Fund said it has made its cash loans more affordable by lengthening its payment term from two years to three years. Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, Chairman of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, said Pag-IBIG continues to improve its programs to respond to the needs of its members, especially at this time of the pandemic. “This year, we are lengthening the term of our cash loans from two years to three years to give borrowers more time to pay off their loans, and more importantly, to make its monthly payments lower,” Del Rosario said. Last year, he said they launched special programs such as a payment moratorium and grace periods in accordance with the Bayanihan Acts, to help the borrowers with their finances. Pag-IBIG Fund’s cash loans come in the form of a Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL), and a Calamity Loan (CL) for areas un-
der a state of calamity. Also known as Short-Term Loans, the MPL and CL serve as affordable and readily accessible sources of funds for its members. Qualified members can borrow up to 80% of their total Pag-IBIG Regular Savings, which consists of their monthly savings, their employer’s counterpart contributions, and dividends earned annually. The proceeds can then be used to pay for tuition fees, medical expenses, minor home improvement, as capital for small businesses, or as emergency funds during calamities. Acmad Rizaldy Moti, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer, also said that Pag-IBIG cash loans are paid over the course of 24 months and members have the option to extend the term to 36 months. By choosing the longer payment period, members can enjoy significantly lower monthly payments, he said. Moti said they have reduced monthly payments by almost one third. With the average cash loan amounting to P20,000, members pay P1,016.52 per month for an MPL, and P897.23 per month
for a calamity loan under a two-year payment term. However, with the new three-year payment term option, the amount of each monthly payment will be reduced to only P734.57 a month for an MPL, and P615.72 a month for a calamity loan. With payments spread out over a longer period, monthly payments were brought down by 28% for the MPL and 31% for the CL. “We recognize that these are challenging times, and we are doing all we can to help our members as the health emergency continues. From January to July alone, we have released P25.42 billion in cash loans to aid more than 1.1 million members,” Moti said. He said Pag-IBIG is poised to help more members in the coming months, now that the extended payment term has made the cash loans even more affordable. “We also made the process of applying for loans safer and more convenient by accepting loan applications online via the virtual PagIBIG. This is Lingkod PagIBIG at work, especially when members need us most,” Moti said. (Mindanao Examiner)
DTI warns public on undersized steel bars ILIGAN CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry has urged consumers and retailers to carefully check the marking on steel and angle bars as well as the scope of the Philippine Standard or Import Commodity Clearance seal to assure them of its safety and quality. In the recent monitoring conducted simultaneously by DTI and the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau across the country, it was found out that some hardware stores were selling the steel products without the required marking in reference to applicable Philippine National Standard (PNS). Deformed steel bars and rerolled steel bars must meet the requirements of PNS 49:2002 and PNS 211:2002, respectively, while equal leg angle bars must fulfil the requirements of PNS
657:2008. Reports also showed that there are some sizes of deformed steel bars and angle bars sold in the local market which are not included in the approved scope of PS or ICC license issued by the Bureau of Philippine Standards. Being included in the list of mandatory products, selling steel and angel bars without the required marking and/or with its size excluded in its license scope constitutes a violation of DTI Department Administrative Order 02 series of 2007 - Defining the Responsibilities and Liabilities of Manufacturers, Importers, Traders, Wholesalers, Distributors, Retailers, Service Providers and or their Agents, concerning Products/Services Covered by Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes.
Product marking involves the logo of the manufacturer, the size (in nominal diameter, length/thickness); and grade. The penalties in violation of DAO 02:2007 include cease and desist order, confiscation/destruction of goods, and an administrative fine of not more than P300,000. “DTI regulates consumer products for their reliability and safety. And in assuring that mandatory products are safe to use by consumers, these goods must comply and pass the requirements of the Philippine National Standard including marking. These products were sampled and subjected to various chemical and physical-mechanical tests before being sold in the local market,” said DTI provincial director Ruel Paclipan. (Mindanao Examiner)
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November 1-7, 2021
The Mindanao Examiner
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Sulu Pictures in the News
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The Mindanao Examiner
November 1-7, 2021
Across : 1. Possesses 4. Do the wrong thing 7. Musician ___ John 12. Museum offering 13. Director Spike ___ 14. Showed again 15. Boston ___ Party 16. Escapade 18. Sign up 20. Perches 21. South ___ (state) 22. Seesaw 25. Flask sips 27. Bank (on) 28. Peculiar 31. Desist 34. Get by 35. Nays 37. Tablet 39. Writer ___ Christie 42. Get lost! (2 wds.) 46. Double 47. “The ___ Strikes Back” 48. Act of leaving 51. Racket 52. Knowing 53. Misdeed 54. Curvy letter 55. Fender nicks 56. Cereal grain 57. Pronoun Down : 1. Detested 2. Sports venue 3. Stem 4. Rubber band 5. Bureaucratic delay (2 wds.) 6. Clergy mem. 7. ___ Banks of baseball 8. Mailbox item 9. Board member 10. Rowing device 11. Compass point (abbr.) 17. Superlative ending 19. Electrified atom 23. Forest animal 24. Kind of bread 26. Sucker 28. Stop ___ dime (2 wds.)
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Snoopy, e.g. Without expression cold Russian region Helium, e.g. Mouse ___ Little Baby’s seat Rabbits’ kin Bottom-row key Ocean currents ___ setter High-strung Mom’s spouse Lamb’s mama GI’s hangout
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The Mindanao Examiner
November 1-7, 2021
PHINMA Properties eyes Davao City for new project
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. and US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, David Gamble, during the turnover of ICU beds and Covid-19 vaccine cold storage unit for Victoriano Luna General Hospital.
AFP receives ICU beds, Covid-19 cold storage units THE US military has donated intensive care unit beds and Covid-19 vaccine cold storage units to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The donation of the medical equipment and supplies was received by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. The ceremony, held at the AFP General Headquarters, was attended by US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, David Gamble, who said the donation is intended to support AFP Health Service Command under Brig. Gen. Edgar Cardinoza. Representatives from the Joint US Military Assistance Group-Philippines joined Gamble during a tour of the Victoriano Luna General
Hospital following the ceremony that provided a firsthand look at how past and future donations will be used to support the AFP’s Covid-19 care facilities. “The AFP is grateful to the United States government for the donations, which will surely enhance our capacity to afford our military personnel and their dependents the best healthcare services that we can provide,” Faustino said. “We will ensure that these equipment and supplies will be fully utilized to fulfill not only our COVID-19 response efforts, but also other medical needs of our personnel who incessantly render faithful and dedicated service to the Filipi-
no people,” he added. To date, the US has provided more than P1.9 billion ($37.47 million) to support the Philippines’ Covid-19 response. “This is just another step in our long partnership as treaty allies that has been going strong for 70 years. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Philippines and the AFP in this fight against Covid-19,” Gamble said. The Philippines is the United States’ oldest treaty ally in Asia. This joint US-Philippine partnership builds on decades of bilateral military cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counterterrorism, maritime security, and many other fields. (Mindanao Examiner)
DAVAO CITY - PHINMA Property Holdings Corporation’s (PHINMA Properties) said it is preparing to launch new residential townhouse and single attached home developments in Tugbok District here before the year ends. This was confirmed by PHINMA Properties President and CEO Raphael Felix, who said the project is part of the company’s evolution to fit market needs, adding the shift in focus to horizontal developments outside of the National Capital Region (NCR) is seen to further boost economic development not only Davao but in San Jose town in Batangas province as well. “Our move is timely as more home buyers seek spacious living spaces away from congested cities. Through these new regional residential projects, we also intend to help create a more balanced or equitable level of development across the country,” Felix said. Davao City Councilor Danny Dayanghirang confirmed this trend, saying that Covid-1919 has shifted many home buyers’ preferences towards favoring more space and comfort outside of crowded urban areas.
After more than a year of lockdowns, Dayanghirang also stressed the need to focus on recovery of the local economy, and described how real estate investments are helping the region bounce back. As chairman of the City Council’s Finance Committee, Dayanghirang has helped to enact several resolutions and ordinances to mitigate the pandemic’s effects particularly on the business sector. “The housing industry is one of the pillars of economic growth in our city, as this sector propped up employment as well as the construction sector. New developments help to create regional growth hubs, which in turn generate more livelihood and various ancillary opportunities starting from the importation of raw materials to construction of finished products,” Dayanghirang said. “The mushrooming of Phinma projects propels economic activity not only for the city but for the whole of Region 11 as well. Construction of horizontal infrastructure brings in investments, creates jobs and increases the value of land. This private sector version of ‘Build Build Build’ means
Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey
Zamboangueño layman succumbs to Covid-19 A ZAMBOANGUEÑO layman, Rhoderick Jacinto Toh, battling Covid-19 died of cardiac arrest following multiple organ failure a week after he was intubated while at the Critical Care Unit of the UERM Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City. The 61-year old former air force captain succumbed to Covid-19 and acute pneumonia October 28 after a month in the hospital. He was admitted to hospital after complaining of difficulty in breathing and coughing and was tested positive for the deadly respiratory virus. Doctors said they did everything they could to save Toh’s life, but his liver, kidney and heart were most affected by the disease. Toh’s family, who now
Father Rhoderick J. Toh lives in Lipa City in Batangas, thanked all those who prayed for him, including Kusug Tausug Rep. Shernee Tambut for her financial assistance.
Toh’s younger brother said the layman was unvaccinated and had no protection against Covid-19. (Mindanao Examiner)
a lot for a city that is on the road to recovery,” he added. Philippine Statistics Authority figures show that, while the Davao region’s economy contracted by 7.6% in 2020 due to the global pandemic, it had been growing at an average of 8.1% since 2016. The region has remained a popular investment destination for Philippine and multinational companies alike through the years. Dayanghirang explained that while some businesses suffered due to the pandemic, many other businesses have thrived under the ‘new normal’ set-up. Dayanghirang commended companies such as PHINMA Properties for introducing a high standard of residential developments to the region, which combine modern Filipino style with future-proofed home features and fully-integrated amenities. “We welcome the presence of PHINMA Properties in our communities, and appreciate how its professional and highly-technical team has helped to create more quality and durable townhouses and single-attached homes for the people of Davao,” he said. (Malou Cablinda)
KIDAPAWAN CITY Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think. Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated
with other fecal matter, they are collected. In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad. But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee
seller in Zamboanga City. The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink. Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a home reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection. Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice. And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 09153976197. (AJC)
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The Mindanao Examiner
November 1-7, 2021
November 1-7, 2021
The Mindanao Examiner
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November 1-7, 2021
Durano sees Davide health program comes back to life
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AKUD GUBERNATORIAL bet Ace Durano welcomed Governor Gwen Garcia’s move in hiring additional 72 medical personnel after two years since the Covid-19 pandemic started. “Maayo na, that’s the step in PGH (Philippine General Hospital) comment. Kadako ato nga balita sa the right direction para mabawi and kani na sila mismo ning contact 2019, nakadungog ta ato tanan, kay iya gihimo pag-2019, nga na-un- sa ilang mga kauban, ‘dali, diri ta sa kita ato tanan na-apektuhan,”Duradang ang health program ni Vice Cebu trabaho,” Durano said. no, a former Tourism secretary, said. Governor Davide,” Durano said. He said the young doctors He said when Garcia took He said under the health were enticed to work in the pro- over as governor, at least 300 docprogram of former Governor Da- vincial and district hospitals be- tors and nurses hired under Davide vide, then Provincial Health Of- cause they were offered a monthly also left. Durano hopes Capitol will ficer Dr. Rene Catan conducted a wage of P85,000 under Davide’s add more to the 72 it hired in 20 massive recruitment drive to bring health program. However, this was months to bring the level of effecdoctors and specialists to the dis- slashed to just P54,500 when Gar- tiveness of the district and provintrict and provincial hospitals. cia took over as governor. cial hospitals up to 2016 levels. “An effective health system “An effective health system “Maayo nga kaning 72 directneeds first and foremost, compe- is not only about having the right ly hired, dili na i-outsource. Kay katent people and to get these com- facilities, it’s having the right peo- tong ni-announce sila nga ang mga petent people, you have to give ple and it’s good that by hiring 72 doctors i-outsource through LBP them an offer that they can’t refuse. medical personnel, Governor Gar- services, ang agency sad ni-pagaMao na ang gihimo ni Dr. Catan cia is beginning to see that and iya was ug ad for doctors sa Cebu nga and Governor Davide sa ilang i-abandon kato iya 2019 plan to hire ang sweldo between P45,000 and panahon. It was so effective that 1,000 personnel via the outsourc- P50,000 pero ang plantilla kay for they even got one whole graduat- ing firm LBP Services Corporation. P54,500,” Durano said. (With a reing batch of anesthesiologists sa Dili man na Johnny-come-lately na port from Cebu Examiner)
Minors with guardians allowed in indoor establishments CEBU CITY – Acting Mayor Michael Rama said unvaccinated minors are now allowed in indoor establishments provided they are accompanied by their parents, guardians, or responsible adults who are fully vaccinated. Rama’s clarification came after many patrons of restaurants and fast food chains took their sentiments to social media after being refused entry by establishments that only allow individuals or groups who could present vaccination cards. Rama set certain standards for the establishments that are allowed to operate at a maximum capacity of 50% for fully vaccinated customers and 70% for outdoor venues. He also reminded residents to strictly maintain minimum public health standards even if they are fully vaccinated. “Any person below 15 years old, those who are over 65 of age, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women should be required to remain in their residences at all times, except for obtaining essential goods and services, or for work in industries and offices or such other permitted activities,” Rama said in his directive. He said those who are over 65 years old, but fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are allowed to go
ARMM
Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama says fully vaccinated guardians must accompany minors in indoor business establishments. (PNA, John Rey Saavedra) out of their homes. Rama also said establishments and institutions that are allowed to resume operation under the Alert Level 2 issued by the National Inter-Agency Task for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases were required to submit a duly signed Pandemic Related Contingency and Action Plan to his office through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Business Permit and Licensing Office. He said these establishments could only resume operation if their contingency plan passes the thorough evaluation by the EOC and issuance of a certificate of approval. “The certificate of approval will serve as an authority to operate and/or conduct the newly allowed business activity,”
he said, adding that those who will violate the rule will face penalty without prejudice to suspension or closure of operation,” Rama said. (John Rey Saavedra)
Bakud Gubernatorial candidate Ace Durano and his running mate Vice Governor Junjun Davide.
South Road Properties continues to attract businesses CEBU CITY – The major developments at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City are projected to drive property values in nearby areas, particularly the neighboring city of Talisay and is expected to generate employment in Metro Cebu, where economic activity is picking up. This positive projection was made by Ramero Espina, vice president for sales and marketing of Cebu-based developer Primary Homes, as he sees the big-ticket projects, that have provided many jobs, particularly in construction to the locals, in what is seen to be Cebu’s next biggest business district driving real estate values here moving forward. SRP is the name of a 300 hectare island-type reclamation area located off the coast of the southern district of Cebu City near the villages of Mambaling, Inayawan, and Pasil. Espina said they are banking on the development of SRP,
DFA opens passport services in SM Seaside The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has opened a temporary offsite passport services (TOPS) at the SM Seaside in Cebu City in response to the public’s clamor for more appointment slots in the Visayas region. The TOPS SM Seaside is expected to serve an initial 300 applicants daily and will be supervised
Eastern Mindanao
by a DFA Consular Office (CO). However, passport processing and encoding will be done off-site. The DFA opened its first regional TOPS facility at SM Olongapo City which was followed by the inauguration of another site at Robinsons Galleria South in San Pedro town in Laguna province. (Joyce Ann Rocamora)
Western Mindanao
South Road Properties is formerly called the South Reclamation Projects. (Wikimapia) where various big projects are being undertaken including a resort casino, malls, commercial buildings, arena, and a convention center, among others. SRP is also where Cebu’s soon-to-completed third bridge is located. The country’s major developers owned by the Gokongwei, Sy, Ayala, and Gotianun families have invested in the SRP district as they see its huge economic potential in the future, especially as soon as the local economy fully reopens. “The developments in SRP will really change the landscape of Cebu City,” Espina said, adding this potential is also a boon to local developers as it makes their projects appreciate in value, which also benefits property investors. Almond Drive project, a walkup condo development in Talisay City near the SRP district which started in 2019, is seeing a growing interest from young professionals here who are looking for good property investment, Espina noted.
Cebu
He said most property buyers now are looking for a progressive and investment-worthy location that gives them access to essential establishments. “Almond Drive project is built on a 1.5-hectare property very close to the South Road Properties, Cebu’s next biggest business district where billions worth of investments in retail, real estate, and tourism continue to pour in,” Espina said. He said they are banking on providing the much desirable condominium home option in this high-growth area of Metro Cebu. According to realtor Colliers International Philippines, investors looking to purchase residential properties should consider projects close to Cebu’s major infrastructure developments, including the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, which is scheduled for completion in 2022. (Carlo Lorenciana)
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