Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (November 15-21, 2021)

LABANAN ANG COVID-19! ISANG PAALALA MULA KAY GOV. SAKUR TAN, VICE GOV. TOTO TAN AT CONG. SAMIER TAN.

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November 15-21, 2021

Pangit, Putang…

‘Yurak-yurak na naman kay Duterte ang ayaw sa bakuna’

M

ULING NIYURAKAN ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang katauhan o dignidad ng mga umaayaw sa bakuna matapos nitong murahin at tawagin na “pangit” ang mga tumatanggi sa naturang gamot kontra Covid-19.

Ang pagmumura ni to the People” ay broad- kung saan ay Duterte sa kanyang “Talk cast sa buong bansa na Continue on page 2

Expert warns public on ‘unauthorized’ booster shot

President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO)

Sulu ‘solid’ for Duterte SULU GOVERNOR Sakur Tan reiterated the solid support of his province and municipal mayors Continue on page 2

The beautiful and historic Masjid Tulay or Tulay Central Mosque in Sulu is lightly covered in fog in this early morning photo taken in 26 August 2007 from a ferry approaching a pier in the capital town of Jolo. (Image: Al Jacinto)

Vape Bills opposed!

HE WAS not a smoker. He has never tried smoking cigarettes. But when his older broth-

ARMM

er started bringing home what looked like an attractive device that releases a sweet chocolate

smell, Kyle Esposado was amazed. Soon, he started sharing vape with his Continue on page 3

Eastern Mindanao

Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana

DOCTOR EDSEL Maurice Salvana, a molecular epidemiologist from the University of the Philippines, has warned the public against getting an unauthorized booster shot against COVID-19.

In his social media page, Salvana wrote: “I’m not blind or naive. I know some of you have taken boosters. I know a lot of

people don’t use face shields with their masks.

As a doctor, I base my recommendations on what I believe is in the best interest of a patient.

As someone who keeps updated on the latest studies and has the requisite training to analyze this data, I try my best to give the safest and most Continue on page 6

Doc paints to pass time during pandemic ZAMBOANGA CITY – With the Covid-19 pandemic entering its second year, the health crisis affected not only the business sector, but everyone else. Many have lost their jobs, others suffered from depression and stress due to lockdowns and limited movement of people.

And Covid-19 itself can lead to neurological and mental complications, such as delirium, agitation, and stroke.

People with pre-existing mental, Continue on page 5

Anesthesiologist Dr. Marcus Mancao puts finishing touches on one of his paintings at his studio in Zamboanga City.

Western Mindanao

Cebu

Manila

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The Mindanao Examiner

November 15-21, 2021

‘Pangit, Putang…’

‘Yurak-yurak na naman kay Duterte ang ayaw sa bakuna’

Continued from page 1 nanawagan ito sa publiko na magpa-bakuna at samanralahin ang tatlong araw na vaccination drive na ilulunsad ng pamahalaan ngayon buwan.

“We are planning to conduct a three-day national vaccination drive

from November 29 to December 1, coinciding with our November 30 commemoration of Bonifacio Day. With this, we want to convey the message that every Filipino who will get vaccinated. Lahat na pala, ang gustong sabihin dito sa gobyerno na ‘yung lahat nagpa-bakuna are

heroes, lahat kayo hero.

Iyong hindi nagpabakuna ‘yung mga pangit na put, putang ina kayo. Huwag ninyo akong bigyan ng problema,” ani Duterte.

Ilang ulit ng pinagmumura ni Duterte at pinagbantaang ikukulong ang mga mamamayan na ayaw sa bakuna.

Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Sinabi naman ni Interior Secretary Eduardo Año ay naglabas na ito ng direktiba na naglalayong mapabilis ang utilization ng mga bakuna sa mga lokal na pamahalaan. Nakasaad sa direktibang ito na inaasahan umano ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang patuloy na koordinasyon ng mga local governments sa Regional Vaccination Operations Centers.

Dapat umanong siguraduhin na nakapagsumite angf mga local governments ng kanilang vaccination reports sa tamang oras upang malaman kung gumagalaw ba ang mga bakuna at makasiguro na walang masisira o masasayang na bakuna at maibigay ito sa mga kababayang

naghihintay ng kanilang COVID-19 vaccine.

Pinuri naman ni Año ang mga gobernador at mayors sa kanilang suporta sa mass vaccination program ng pamahalaan.

“Natutuwa po tayo na ang mga governors at mayors ay nagbigay ng commitment upang doblehin ang kanilang performance.

Naglabas din ang Kagawaran ng kahalintulad na direktiba para naman sa mga DILG regional directors, sa ating BARMM Interior and Local Government minister upang sapat na magabayan ang LGUs sa tamang storage at handling ng mga gamot at masigurado ang mabilis at maibigay ang bakuna sa taong-bayan.”

“Para naman po mahikayat ang mga tao na

magpabakuna, ang ating LGUs ay magsasagawa nang mas maiigting na advocacy campaign at magpapasa ng mga ordinansa na bibigyan ng mga insentibo ang fully vaccinated na kababayan natin sa mga economic and social activities. Napag-usapan din po namin sa aming pagpupulong na ito ang maraming best practices ng ilang local chief executives at natutuwa pa rin po tayong madinig mismo sa ating mga mayors at governors na handa silang tumulong sa kanilang mga karatig-probinsiya, lungsod o munisipyo upang mapabilis ang administration ng COVID-19 vaccine lalo na sa mga LGUs na kulang sa manpower at logistical capabilities,” paliwanag pa ni Año. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sulu ‘solid’ for Duterte Continued from page 1 and constituents to President Rodrigo Duterte’s leadership and the ruling political party, PDP-Laban ahead of next year’s polls.

Tan previously assured that all 19 municipal mayors and the Tausugs are behind Duterte and whoever he chooses to be the presidential candidate.

“Solid kami ditong lahat sa Sulu para kay Presidente Duterte. Napakaraming tulong sa amin dito sa Sulu si Presidente at mahal na mahal namin ang Pangulo. At ganoon rin kay Senator Bong Go at dahil sa kanya ay may mga Malasakit Centers na kami dito sa Sulu na napapakinabangan ng lahat kung kaya’t malaki ang aming pasasalamat kay Presidente at kay Senator Bong Go,” he told the Mindanao Examiner by phone from Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Tan is a close political ally of Duterte and the only governor in the Muslim autonomous region that supported Duterte’s candidacy and campaign in the 2016 presidential elections where he rallied his mayors and the Tausugs to vote for Duterte.

He and his sons Vice Governor Toto Tan and Rep. Samier Tan - who are all running unopposed – recently met with Duterte in Davao City, but details of their meeting were

not made public, but the lawmaker released a set of photos showing them posing with the president.

“Our family and the rest of Sulu are with you all the way our dearest President,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

His elder brother also posted the same photos on his social media page and thanked Duterte. “Salamat po Tatay Digong,” the vice governor wrote.

The Tans, who are philanthropists and influential politicians not only in Sulu, but in Mindanao, have repeatedly made public announcements of their “unwavering and loyal support” to Duterte.

Nur-Raez Omar, one of the Tans’ loyal supporters, who shared the photos of President Duterte and the trio, said: “A manifestation of a great leader is being recognized by the highest position in the land - the President of the Philippines himself. The father and his sons, equally competent and compassionate. A living proof of Kusug sin Tausug iban Pag-makusug sin Amah sin Bangsa Sug. May Allah always guide, strengthen and grant long life to our leaders and nama-mawgbug sin Lupah Sug.” Another supporter, Nahdin Jubaira, said: “The Patriarch of Sulu, Governor Abdusakur M. Tan with sons, Congressman Samier Tan of the 1st District of Sulu, and Vice Governor Toto Tan with Presi-

dent Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Davao. The siblings and the father who are seeking re-elections in their respective present positions are unchallenged in the coming elections. It augurs well for the continued progress and development of Sulu. We are in good hands, Alhamdulillah!”

Tan has cited Duterte’s sincere leadership and concerns for the poor, and the government peace and development efforts not only in his province, but the entire Muslim autonomous region.

And at one point, he even said the Tausugs wanted Duterte to run for the vice presidency despite his withdrawal from the political race. “Alam mo kaya gusto ko si President Duterte tumakbong vice president kasi as far as Sulu is concerned, napakaganda na ngayon ng Sulu. Tahimik, walang kidnapping, wala lahat, puro development ngayon.

Kailangan may continuity, kung mawala yun continuity babalik na naman kami sa gulo,” Tan said.

He said the government’s anti-insurgency and peace and development campaign in Sulu has drastically reduced the number of Abu Sayyaf members due to the mass surrender of militants under the auspices of the provincial government and the Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict.

(Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

November 15-21, 2021

Vape Bills opposed!

(Roman Kosolapov)

SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO

National ID rollout

(Maimbung Municipal Govt. / Radyo Pilipinas Jolo) SULU - Tiyagnaan sin Landbank of the Philippines - Jolo Branch in paglamud ha piyapa'awn registration para ha Philippine Identification System atawa PhilSys ha Barangay Laum Maimbung.

Duwa municipality in giyuguun ma-collocate sin LBP - Jolo kaagi sin banking partner nila amun Sulu Provincial Employee

Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SPEMPC). 2,500 Agent Banking Card (ABC) in giyuguun hikadihil ha Maimbung hain 3,000 ABC isab ha municipality sin Parang.

Makajari lumamud ha program in raayat sa sukuh sin wayruun ATM Account ha unu jinis bangko, E-wallet account biyah sin GCash, Pay Maya iban kaibanan pa. Lamud ha

program sin Parinta Pilipinas ha babaan sin PhilSys in kapahinangan bank account in katan raayat, awla na mga indigent sa sukuh sin way bank account, maksud kaluhayan in parinta tumukbal pilak tatabangan pa raayat mapatut hikasud pa mga program iban maabut sila sin banking service. (Radyo Pilipinas Jolo)

Continued from page 1 brother. “I love the chocolate flavor, and thought it was cool. I also never thought that it was bad for my health because how can something that smells good be toxic?” Kyle, who was a minor when he started using vapes, said. Not long after, he started coughing for no apparent reasons. He also started having difficulty breathing.

“That’s when I thought I should stop. It was also some sort of a blessing that my brother lost his job so he cannot buy flavored juices anymore,” he narrated in a recent media briefing.

Kyle’s experience clearly shows the need to highly regulate vapes.

In a study conducted by the Philippine Pediatric Society in partnership with the Department of Education, Dr. Rizalina Gonzalez of the Philippine Pediatric Society confirmed that among Filipino youth “flavors” was also one of the top reasons why they tried vapes.

In the U.S., the flavored e-cigarettes were blamed for the “epidemic” on youth-use of vapes as declared by the Food and Drugs Administration. Currently, many U.S. States adapted flavor bans to arrest the growing number of users of vapes among their youth. No less than President Rodrigo Duterte made a strong stand against vape proliferation in the country in 2019 when he said that these products are “toxic” and said that the government has the power to issue measures to protect public health and interest.

As a result of this statement, two laws were passed strictly regulating e-cigarettes by raising the age of access to vapes from 18 to 21, restricting vape flavors to menthol and tobacco, and putting regulatory power over the product under Food and Drugs Administration.

However, the Senate Vape Bill (SB 2239) of Senator Ralph Recto attempts to reverse these restrictions by lowering access to vapes to 18, allowing more flavors, and even providing a looser policy on use of vapes in public.

Dr. Gonzalez has strongly opposed the bill, saying that current regulations should actually need to be strengthened by even increasing the age of access

to vapes and even cigarettes to 25-years-old and ban menthol flavors which were also proven to attract the youth.

“Even with the existing regulations, we already found that almost 11% of students with the age of 10-15 years old have already tried vapes. It will be highly irresponsible to even lower the age of access, especially with the experience of other countries” she added. According to Dr. Gonzalez, the youth are easily influenced by friends who are also using vapes. “Our children who are below 18 usually have friends in their social circle who are 18-years-old and above and are able to access vapes.”

Senator Rector justifies the lowering of age to 18 to align it to the existing law on cigarettes.

And Senator Pia Cayetano, on the other hand, filed a bill increasing the age of access to cigarettes to 21 also to align the almost 20-year old Tobacco Regulation Act to current evidence supporting the need to increase the age of access to cigarettes.

Toni Flores, Coordinator of the Child Rights Network, lamented that Senator Recto would even consider weakening existing policies despite the local and global evidence showing the danger to a possible youth-use epidemic happening in the Philippines. She also cited studies that vape-use has been proven to be a gateway to cigarette-use which is directly opposite to the claim of the vape groups.

“If the Recto Vape Bill is passed we should expect more young people to be lured into this harmful vice and eventually led to the fatal addiction to cigarettes. This is against the best interest of the child and compromises children’s rights to survival and development. We must not leave anything to chance when it comes to the protection of our children,” she said.

At least 68% of those living in Metro Manila and 61% in Luzon, 43% in Visayas and 75% in Mindanao, showed support on banning flavors in vapes, and about 66% of vape users also agree to impose a ban on flavors, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey conducted nationwide.

Filipinos also support absolute ban on vape use in public places. The survey results reinforced the collective call of former Health Secretaries to junk the vape bill. In

a separate statement, former Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said: “If our Senators pass this Vape Bill, it shows that they are gambling with the lives of our youth and children and would rather prioritize the interest of the vape and tobacco industry rather than the health of our people.”

Imelda Gocotano, of the Davao-based “Parents Against Vapes,” also appealed to Senator Recto to junk his vape bill. “As parents, we want our children not to be hook on this new form of harmful addiction, especially now that we are facing a pandemic that ultimately targets weakened lungs.”

She has likewise called on the Department of Health and Food and Drugs Administration to implement existing regulations without further delay to prevent our children from being addicted to vapes and protect their lungs as we face the Covid-19 pandemic. “I hope our Senators will realize that vapes are very much attractive to us young people. We hope you can come up with rules that will limit our access to vapes and support activities that will inform us about the harms of vaping,” Kyle stressed.

The Manila Times also reported that 60 medical groups in the country have urged Congress to junk the Recto Bill.

The report also said that Dr. Maria Encarnita Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, described Senate Bill 2239, which allows for the regulation of importation, manufacturing, sale, advertisement, and promotion of electronic nicotine/non nicotine delivery systems and heated tobacco products, as “anti-health.”

She also said that the passage of its counterpart House Bill 9007 or the “Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act” was passed without the recommendations of the health sector and that the Senate version of the bill is being fast-tracked while the medical community is fighting the pandemic. “Ito pong bills na ito ay anti-health at isang regressive bill, dahil parang tayo ay binabalik na naman sa dati na halos hindi ho natin ma-regulate ang mga e-cigarettes at electronic smoking devices na ito,” Limpin said. (Malou Cablinda)

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The Mindanao Examiner

November 15-21, 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 15-21, 2021

Doc paints to pass time during pandemic

Philippines fails to qualify for US grant due to poor mark in fighting corruption THE DUTERTE government has failed to qualify for a grant from an independent American aid agency next year after getting a red mark in the control of corruption requirement.

In a statement released on November 9, the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) said that to be eligible to receive funding, countries must pass at least 10 of 20 indicators, as well as both categories that the aid agency considers hard hurdles for eligibility, namely - the political rights or civil liberties indicator, and the control of corruption indicator.

In the MCC’s Fiscal Year 2022 scorecard, the Philippines passed 12 of the 20 indicators - fiscal policy, inflation, regulatory quality, trade policy, gender in the economy, land rights and access, political rights, civil liberties, government effectiveness, natural resource protection, girls’ secondary education enrollment rate, and child health.

However, the country received a red mark in the control of corruption indicator - a must-pass according to the MCC. Apart from failing the hard hurdle indicator, the Philippines also received failing marks on access to credit, business start-up, rule of law, freedom of informa-

tion, health expenditures, primary education expenditures, and immunization rates.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the Duterte administration does not tolerate corruption. “Kung iyan ay kulang sa tingin ng mga dayuhan, so be it. Pero ang ating mga ginagawang polisiya dito sa Pilipinas ay independent of what other countries will say.

Seryoso tayo sa kampanya laban sa korapsyon, at si Presidente, hindi talaga nagku-kunsinti ng korapsyon,” he said at a news conference on November 11.

The MCC said scorecards are a key component in its competitive selection process that determines which countries are eligible to develop a five-year grant agreement known as a compact. This year, the MCC said it created scorecards for 81 countries - 28 passed and 53 countries did not.

The scorecard consists of a collection of 20 independent third-party indicators that measures a country’s policy performance in the areas of economic freedom, ruling justly, and investing in people. “MCC’s Board of Directors selects new partner countries annually in December based on scorecard performance, sup-

plemental information, the opportunity to reduce poverty through economic growth, and the availability of funding. After considering the pool of countries that have passed the scorecard, MCC’s Board of Directors makes the decision on which countries to select for compact investments,” it said.

The MCC said that only low and lower-middle income countries as classified by the World Bank are eligible for its assistance.

In December 2016, the MCC deferred the selection of the Philippines to receive a multi-million dollar development grant, citing concerns about the rule of law and civil liberties. In response, President Rodrigo Duterte said the MCC could “eat its money,” saying the Philippines could survive without its assistance.

The MCC is an independent US government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth, by providing time-limited grants and assistance to countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, fighting corruption, and respecting democratic rights. It was created by the US Congress in 2004.

(By Ted Cordereo, with reports from Llanesca Panti, VBL, GMA News)

Continued from page 1 neurological or substance use disorders are also more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection they may stand a higher risk of severe outcomes and even death.

Many people in Zamboanga City resorted to flower gardening to cope with the stressful day-today life, others have raised cats and dogs to help manage their children’s anxiety And the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that children with dogs in the home had reduced anxiety levels and reduced amount of perceived stress. They believe that kids who interact with dogs have increased levels of oxytocin released into their brains.

But one medical doctor in Zamboanga City has unique ways on how he spends his quality time being an anesthesiologist and a loving father of two and a husband to an equally busy and beautiful wife, who is a nurse by profession.

Dr. Marcus Mancao tells the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner that despite his rigorous job he still finds some time to do things he truly loves - painting and scale model assembly - but the 41year old doctor is also a fitness enthusiast who goes to the gym when he has time and an endurance cyclist and marathoner.

He says painting is his passion even when he was just little.

“It started when I was a kid and as a preschooler, I kept on painting and drawing as a pastime with my older brother. I guess it just developed from there. Although I never had any formal training in painting, I just paint like how I imagine it in my mind,” says Dr. Mancao, a father to a pair of intelligent kids Calebs, 8; and Savannahs. 4.

“It wasn’t until Christmas of 2020 when my wife, Amirrah, got me some painting supplies and suggested I should get back to doing what I used to love. So I spent some of my free time during this pandemic doing just that,” he says as he gestures to some of his pieces at his living room-turned-studio. “Besides my older pieces done when I was younger, I've currently done 10 pieces in the past years.”

But the health crisis also brought fear to Dr. Mancao after he tested positive for the deadly respiratory disease that has already claimed the lives of nearly 1,000 people since last year; and his family also contracted Covid-19 and they all survived the virus.

From that harrowing experience, Dr. Mancao - like the mythical phoenix - painted the “Perseverance” which reflects his continued effort to do and achieve something despite the difficulties and failure in life.

“I did the ‘Perseverance’ piece when I got the Covid-19 virus, I took the opportunity while I was quarantined at home, in isolation together with my family, who also had the virus. In a way, it was timely amidst all the uncertainties we are all facing right now, life needs to move on. The pandemic helped me realize that all the material things in life shouldn’t be your priority. The real wealth is your health and your family.”

“The pandemic made me realize that your health is far more

Anesthesiologist Dr. Marcus Mancao puts finishing touches on one of his paintings at his studio in Zamboanga City. important than anything else. This is a very perilous time to be a physician, you can literally die if you let your guards down, but this is also the time when humanity needs you the most. You really have to answer the calling. Painting is one way to get off some of the stresses of being a frontliner,” the doctor says, his voice cracking from the memories of the past that he has to retell for everybody to realize that Covid-19 chooses no one.

Dr. Mancao admits that emotions played a vital role in some of his paintings. His dreams, he says, are also reflected on his canvasses.

“Emotions, some of it, yes. Some are just what attracted me during that time. I dreamt of it, I thought of it or just saw it a while ago and I’d say ‘hey, I like to paint that,’ although some of my pieces have hidden messages and meaning in it, mostly about life and nature,” he says, noting that in the past, he tried to follow the styles and brush strokes of famous artists, but he finds that his unique and own artistic expressions simply work magic and he attributes this to his mood.

“I tried following famous artists’ works and I just couldn’t, I just have to make my own style. I think it’s much better that way, uniquely my own. My paintings are really greatly influenced by mood. I paint when I have free time, and when I am in the mood for painting. I want to get the work done in one sitting, but I can’t, given the very

busy schedule in hospitals. So, it’s like when I am in the mood and when I have a free time, I will grab it and continue painting. It’s always fun and exciting to see your work unfold every time you sit there, and you should know when you’re done, so you won’t overdo it,” explains Dr. Mancao, adding “I would like to think anesthesiologists have steady hands, an advantage for someone who paints. As a doctor, we always give much attention to details, we love scrutinizing.”

Dr. Mancao says his painting mediums are oil and acrylic and his beautiful pieces are “somewhere along Art Nouveau and realism art.”

Although he wants to hold a solo exhibit, Dr. Mancao says the Covid-19 pandemic remains a public threat.

Many of his friends want to buy his paintings, but Dr. Mancao says “it’s really hard to let go of the things I put much time and effort on. Just like when you breed dogs, it’s just hard to let go of the puppies.”

Aside from painting, Dr. Mancao also busies himself in assembling scale models of battle tanks, among others and also paints them according to their colors during their era. “It so good to assemble scale models, it keeps my mind and spirit busy, especially this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. We need to do something, work on something that we love and that’s good enough,” he says. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

November 15-21, 2021

Expert warns public on ‘unauthorized’ booster shot Continued from page 1 beneficial advice. Ultimately, that's what it is, a recommendation.”

“I never take it personally when a patient doesn’t follow what I recommend. In a way, it's a relief because I am no longer responsible for what happens because the patient didn't follow the advice. The only downside for me is that I end up taking care of people who could have saved themselves a lot of trouble if they had listened in the first place. Such a waste of everyone’s time.”

Salvana also said that in the past days, three people have asked his help after taking unauthorized booster jabs and had a bad reaction.

And he posted this on his Facebook page: “Three people now in the last three days sheepishly asking for help since they took an unauthorized booster and had a really bad reaction. Here are my thoughts: 1. If someone is willing to give you a shot “off the record,” how sure are you that’s a real COVID-19 vaccine you're getting?

Could be water. Worse, might be contaminated and you get a very bad infection. Even if it’s real, it might be expired or improperly stored.

2. We still aren’t sure which vaccines are safe to mix with others. Early data shows higher reactions with mixing for most combinations. You're really taking a gamble by haphazardly mixing without proper safety data to back it up.

3. The efficacy of a

third shot remains unclear, especially with different combinations. So you might be risking a bad reaction with no clear benefit. For instance, Astra uses an adenovirus carrier which our body makes antibodies against.

A third shot may not work because your body kills the adenovirus before it can deliver its load. This is why Gamaleya uses different adenoviruses for its 1st and 2nd dose.”

Salvana said taking any unauthorized medicine is not just against the law, but “you are literally playing around with your health and with your life.

Doctors study immunology and vaccinology for many years, and if we recommend a drug, we are accountable for that advice. Please stop experimenting. You might end up with something worse than COVID-19.”

The Duterte administration is also 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 against the deadly coronavirus regardless of manufacturers’ supply, said Carlito Galvez Jr., in-charge 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 peo-

ple 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. (Mindanao Examiner)

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November 15-21, 2021

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Sulu Pictures in the News

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The Mindanao Examiner

November 15-21, 2021

Across : 1. Worth 6. Quilting party 9. Sis’s sibling 12. Wear down 13. Elbow location 14. Paddle a boat 15. Teach 16. Get 18. Exit 20. Advanced gradually 21. Limited 25. Snacks 26. Gun org.

27. Show boredom 31. Rd. 32. Uncle ___ 33. Indignation 34. Salon treatment 36. Compass dir.

37. Length times width 38. Appraisal 41. Incline 44. Thump 45. Root vegetable 48. Make joyous 51. Adam’s mate 52. Train termnal (abbr.)

53. Sandwich shops 54. Had been 55. Boston time zone (abbr.)

56. Sharply inclined Down : 1. Came acrosss 2. Goof 3. Type of car 4. Fools 5. Choir voice 6. Saloon 7. Before, in verse 8. Roast host 9. Military prison 10. Ramble 11. Was indebted to 17. whirlpool 19. Gets the soap off 21. Gather crops 22. Icicle’s spot 23. Hoisting machine 24. Least wild

MANILA No. 18 Purok 4B Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, 1632 chardee.mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com (0916) 9558559, (0915) 0070927, (0947) 2652969

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DAVAO CITY Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines (082) 2841859 / (0932) 4323301 / (0997) 3172021

Marilou Cablinda Answer to last week’s crossword:

28. Wire-haired terrier 29. Small songbird 30. Uncluttered 35. Atlas items 37. Talisman 39. Feel 40. Tool buildings 41. Erupt 42. Fluid rock 43. Mine products 46. The I in TGIF 47. Butter unit 49. Neckwear 50. Psychic letters

Weekly Sudoku:

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PAGADIAN CITY

Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera st., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur (0910) 7348600

Richard Suarez

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Maritess Fernandez / Ramon MaƟas

Answer to last week:

The Mindanao Examiner The Zamboanga Post Newspaper, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief / Producer

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The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.

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HEALTH

PANAWAGAN NG TULONG NG PAMILYANG NAMATAYAN NG AMA DAHIL SA COVID. Una po sa lahat ay gusto po munang magpasalamat ng aming pamilya sa mga taong nagbigay ng tulong pinansyal sa amin. Salamat din po sa pagpapaabot ng inyong panalangin at pagpapalakas ng loob namin.

Tunay nga pong napakabigat ng problemang aming kinakaharap. Nawalan po kami ng mahal sa buhay at napakalaking halaga pa po ang kailangan namin dahil meron pa po kaming kailangang bayaran na utang sa ospital, as of Nov. 03, 2021 may balanse pa po kami na P1,509,500.00 (1,200,000.00 Hospital Bill + 309,500.00 Professional Fee).

Kaya naman po kami ay patuloy na kumakatok sa inyong mga puso, anumang halaga na inyong ipagkakaloob ay malaking kabawasan na sa pinansyal na problema na pinagdadaanan namin ngayon at ito ay tatanawin naming malaking utang na loob sa inyo.

Sa mga nais pa po na magbigay ng tulong, eto po ang GCash # namin.

GCash Number: 0947-6428513 / 0965-5245150 - Marjorie B. Toh GCash Number: 0926-8850607 - Angelo Frederick A. Toh Pwede din po dito sa aming bank account.

Bank Name: Metrobank Account Name: Marjorie Buela Toh Account Number: 574-3-57411184-7 Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

NOTICE Please report to us any individual or persons who are illegally soliciting money or donations for or in behalf of The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, The Zamboanga Post and Radyo Mindanao.

We have a strict company policy against solicitation in any forms and the Company shall not be responsible for illegal practice of unscrupulous persons, who pass themselves off as Reporter, Stringer, Correspondent or Sales Executive of The Mindanao Examiner, The Zamboanga Post and Radyo Mindanao. When in doubt, please call or SMS us at these numbers (062) 9555360 or 0915-3976197 or email us – mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey

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

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The Mindanao Examiner

November 15-21, 2021

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)

Mga Pagkain Para Gumanda Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong

M

arami ang nagtatanong, ano ba ang magandang kainin para gumanda ang balat? Mahalaga ang hitsura kasi ito ang unang nakikita kapag tayo ay may kausap.

Ang kulubot o wrinkles ay dulot ng pagkabawas ng collagen at elastin epekto ng pagedad. Ang mga anti-oxidants tulad ng vitamin A, C, E at selenium ay depensa sa free radicals na sumisira ng mga selula.

1. Ang vitamin A o beta carotene ay para sa pagsasa-ayos o repair ng body tissue at proteksyon sa damage na dulot ng araw. Mga pagkaing mayaman sa vitamin a o beta carotene ay kamote, Karots, Kalabasa, kamatis, bayabas, letsugas, mangga at kangkong.

2. Ang vitamin C ay tumutulong sa pag-gawa ng collagen at

proteksyon sa free radicals. Mayaman sa vitamin C ang bayabas, mangga, kalamansi, dalandan, sili, melon, strawberry, okra, pinya, papaya at pakwan.

3. Ang vitamin E ay proteksyon ng cell membrane. Taglay ito ng abokado, mani, red bell pepper, manga, papaya broccoli at tomato paste.

4. Kailangan ang selenium para sa posibleng proteksyon sa pinsala ng araw. May selenium ang talaba, tilapia, laman ng baka, hipon, brown rice, pitso ng manok, itlog, kabute, de latang tuna.

5. Kailangan ang Zinc para mapanatili ang collagen at maiwasan ang pamumula, pagbabalat, pagkakaroon ng nana o impeksyon sa balat. Kumain ng talaba, baka, tenderloin o laman ng baboy, peanut butter, kasoy, mani, walnuts, at green peas.

6. Ang omega 3 fatty acids ay proteksyon

sa pinsala ng araw. Ang mga pagkaing mayaman sa omega 3 ay sardinas, dilis, tawilis, hasa-hasa, alumahan, galunggong, tamban, walnuts, talaba, seaweeds o nori.

7. Uminom ng sapat na tubig para at kumain ng mga prutas at gulay na matubig tulad ng pakwan, papaya, pineapple, peppers, melon, mangga, kalamansi, dalandan, broccoli, Karots, cauliflower, letsugas, kabute at kalabasa.

8. Pwede din ang tsaa dahil meron itong polyphenols, antioxidant at tubig.

9. Piliin ang dark chocolate dahil ang cacao ay may anti-oxidant na flavonoids at pampasaya pa.

10. Ang lato o seaweeds o nori ay may phytonutrients para sa balat, buhok at kuko.

Mayroon ding iron, iodine, zinc, omega 3 fatty acid at selenium.

Halaman Sa Loob Ng Bahay P

roblema ngayon ang polusyon sa hangin. Napakaraming sakit ang makukuha sa polusyon tulad ng hika, pulmonya, ubo, sakit sa puso at istrok.

Isang paraan para mabawasan ang polusyon ay ang pag-alaga ng mga halaman (house plants). May benepisyo pa ang mga halamang ito sa ating kalusugan: 1. Ang mga halaman ay nagbibigay ng oxygen at nagtatanggal ng carbon dioxide sa paligid.

Kabaligtaran ito sa tao na nangangailangan ng oxygen at naglalabas ng carbon dioxide.

2. Ayon sa isang pagsusuri ng NASA, inaalis ng house plants ang toxins sa ating kapaligiran.

Ito ay ang mga VOCs o volatile organic compounds na galing sa pintura, mga coating at refrigerator.

Mababawasan din ang carbon

monoxide mula sa kotse.

3. Makaiiwas tayo sa trangkaso at ubo. Ayon sa pag-aaral ng University of Agriculture sa Norway, ang pag-alaga ng house plants ay nakababawas sa pagod, ubo, sipon at sore throats ng 30%. Ito’y dahil sa pag-alis ng alikabok sa paligid.

4. Natural humidifier ang mga house plants.

Pinapataas nito ang humidity (o tubig) sa hangin dahil hinihigop ng ugat ng halaman ang tubig at nag-e-evaporate mula sa dahon. Kapag mataas ang humidity, mas hindi tayo tatamaan ng mga impeksyon.

5. Kapag may alaga kang house plants, ika’y magiging mas masaya at mas positibo ang pananaw sa buhay.

6. Natuklasan sa pagsusuri na mas gumaganda ang trabaho ng mga empleyado sa opisina kapag may nakikitang halaman sa paligid.

7. Mas gaganda at hihimbing ang iyong tulog.

8. Ang halaman sa loob at labas ng bahay natin ang ating panlaban sa init ng panahon at global warming. Ang temperatura sa ilalim ng puno ay mas mababa ng 1 degree kumpara sa ibang lugar.

9. Para maging mas epektibo ang iyong mga house plants, piliin ang malalaking house plants na 6 to 8 inches ang lapad. Ang mga bamboo plants ay napakaganda dahil nagbibigay ito ng 10 doble na dami ng oxygen kumpara sa ibang mga halaman.

Tandaan lamang na dapat palitan ang tubig ng halaman bawat linggo. Ito’y para hindi pamugaran ng kiti-kiti na puwedeng magdulot ng dengue. Pero sa kabuuan, may benepisyo ang pag-aalaga ng halaman sa loob ng bahay.

Subukan niyo ito.

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The Mindanao Examiner

November 15-21, 2021

November 15-21, 2021

The Mindanao Examiner

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November 15-21, 2021

No bonus for unvaccinated Cebu employees

M

ALACAÑANG BACKED Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s policy to deny Christmas bonus to local government employees who refuse Covid-19 vaccination, saying such bonus is not mandatory.

Presidential spokes- gobyerno ay 13th and 14th ample for their citizens as government employees. man Harry Roque said month pay,” he said. there is nothing wrong Roque said the mayRoque said the maywith Rama’s “no vaccine, or’s policy is acceptable or’s policy is acceptable to no Christmas bonus” to convince more people convince more people to policy, adding the grant- to get inoculated against get vaccinated. “Dahil dising of a Christmas bonus the deadly respiratory dis- cretionary po ang Christis not mandatory. ease. “Dahil discretionary mas bonus, pupuwedeng “Wala po akong na- po ang Christmas bonus, gamitin po iyan kabahagi kikitang pagkakamali pupuwedeng gamitin po ng incentive para makadiyan kasi Christmas iyan kabahagi ng incen- pagbakuna ang mas bonus po ang pinag-uu- tive para makapagbakuna marami sa atin,” he said. sapan. Hindi naman po ang mas marami sa atin,” Nearly 300,000 have requirement ng batas na he said. been vaccinated in Cebu magbigay ng Christmas Rama explained there City whose population is bonus. Ang requirement is a need for such a policy almost one million. (Ruth po para sa mga taong to set themselves as an ex- Abbey Carlos)

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama

Schools back campus-based Bantayan gets own power plant biodiversity advocacy

Isla Norte Energy Corporation inaugurates its first power plant in Bantayan Island.

THE ISLA Norte Energy Corp.

(INEC) has recently inaugurated the 23-megawatt diesel power plant on Bantayan Island, effectively providing additional power supply in one of Cebu’s tourist destinations.

Bantayan Island is situated to the west of the northern end of Cebu across the Tañon Strait.

INEC president and chief executive officer Emil Andre Garcia said the increasing power supply in Bantayan opens greater opportunities for the island, especially for investments in the tourism sector.

“The beaches here are really beautiful. Once tourists come here, aside from the beaches, they want (a) steady supply of power, for the internet, aircon, etc. We’re hoping that with the steady supply, we

ARMM

can see that boom in the economy,” Garcia said during the switch on ceremony.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued to INEC - a joint venture of Vivant Integrated Diesel Corp. and Gigawatt Power Inc. - a provisional authority to operate its first power plant in Bantayan.

INEC will be supplying its output to Bantayan Electric Cooperative Inc. Of the total capacity, the Bantayan power plant guarantees 15 MW dependable capacity, enough to supply the peak demand in the island. Some 7.27 MW will be the reserved supply.

Garcia, who is also an executive at Vivant Corp., said Vivant is supporting the government’s push for renewable energy (RE) as the company eyes to build more RE facilities in the future.

“We want to have at least 30 percent of our portfolio on RE. So over the next couple of years, we want to build over 300 megawatts of renewable plants,” he said. (Kris Raymundo)

Eastern Mindanao

CEBU CITY – Top education officials in Central Visayas have raised the importance of environmental preservation and conservation efforts in school campuses here as a way to inculcate care for the environment among students.

Salustiano Jimenez, regional director of the Department of Education in Central Visayas, said school campuses are implementing various environmental programs to actualize school-based biodiversity development.

“Nowadays, DepEd in Central Visayas intensifies further our effort in restoring our environment and biodiversity restoration and conservation through forestation, gulayan sa paaralan at tahanan, integrated school nutrition model, information and education advocacy, integration of climate mitigation and reduction at the basic curricu-

Western Mindanao

lum, biodiversity conservation program in collaboration with non-government organizations, like Soil and Water Conservation Foundation,” Jimenez said during the recent Regional Climate Change Caravan.

Jimenez said the education sector believes that if various types of plants are planted within the school campuses, it will increase biodiversity development in the future.

He said they have initiated an advocacy program called the “SAL on ECO-BIKER”, which stands for sustainable program for the environment, advocate Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the love of nature.

The program, according to Jimenez, also encourages environmental projects and promotion of bicycles as means of transportation. “Rhe program also promotes conservation

Cebu

of natural resources as well as biodiversity conservation through outreach and interactive activities as well as educating people on the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle and reforestation,” he said.

Jimenez said many species of the country’s flora and fauna are now threatened because of some people’s apathy and irresponsibility towards the environment.

Cindylyn Pepito, a spokeswoman for the Environmental Management Bureau, -Region 7 spokesperson, said the concept of preservation and conservation must be taught to the young generation, stressing their future responsibility in taking care of the environment.

Pepito also noted that health is inter-related with the environment as the latter has a great influence over the people’s well-being. “You cannot detach health from environment, so as environment from health. How we manage the so-called environment will greatly affect our health. Your health does not depend on your lifestyle or food intake alone but it is greatly affected by the quality of environment where you are in,” she said.

Pepito said the environmental caravan is also part of the celebration of the 14th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week from November 19-25.

(John Rey Saavdera)

Manila