Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (December 20-26, 2021)

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

Founded 2006

mindanaoexaminer.com

FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (082) 2841859

P10

December 20-26, 2021

DDS watak-watak na?

‘Go-Duterte tuluyan ng umatras’

M

ISTULANG PINAGLARUAN na naman ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte and Senador Bong Go ang kanilang mga supporters matapos silang umurong sa darating na halalan.

Pormal na naghain ang dalawa ng kanilang withdrawal sa eleksyon sa Commission on Elections.

Naunang nagsabi si Duterte na tatakbo itong bise presidente, ngunit naghain ng kandidatura bilang senador at kalaunan ay umurong matapos na batikusin ng husto si Bongbong Marcos, na kanidato sa pagka-pangulo ng anak nitong si Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Target naman ni Si Presidente Rodrigo Duterte at partner na si Honeylet Continue on page 2 Avanceña at nagiisang anak na si Veronica. (King Rodriguez)

Composite photos show Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, her father, President Rodrigo Duterte and his former long-time aide and now Senator Bong Go.

Malaysia, Philippines dismiss 'fantastic' reports of invasion plan MinDa pushes for clean, sustainable energy sources in South

WHO WAS the source of the Hong Kong-based South China Morning

Post news article elaborating an alleged secret plot hatched by elected offi-

cials in the Filipino province of Sulu to invade the Continue on page 3

Sulu burns illegal drugs SOME P58-million worth of confiscated crystal meth and dried marijuana leaves was destroyed in the southern province of Sulu where government and security officials vowed to further intensify the anti-drug campaign.

Gov. Sakur Tan led the recent burning of the illegal drugs and marijuana at the Capitol ground in Patikul town Continue on page 5

ARMM

THE MINDANAO Development Authority is pushing to improve access to clean and sustainable energy sources for agriculture productivity among

marginalized and underserved communities in the region.

In a recent technical session on “Decentralized Renewable Energy Solu-

tions for Agri-food and Water Sectors” of the 5th International Off-grid Renewable Energy Conference (IOREC), MinDA Continue on page 3

Omicron now in the Philippines A provincial government photo shows Gov. Sakur Tan leading the security and judiciary officials in the burning of seized illegal drugs in Sulu.

Eastern Mindanao

THE DEPARTMENT of Health said two travellers - a Filipino and a Nigerian - who arrived recently in the country from Nigeria

Western Mindanao

and Japan were both tested positive for the Omicron variant.

The unidentified travellers are now under quar-

Cebu

antine, but the DOH said it is still tracking down those who have close contacts with the duo.

Continue on page 2

Manila

2

The Mindanao Examiner

December 20-26, 2021

DDS watak-watak na?

‘Go-Duterte tuluyan ng umatras’

Continued from page 1 Go ang pagka-pangulo, ngunit dahil sa gulo sa pagitan nina Duterte at Marcos-Sara tandem ay tuluyan rin itong umurong.

Ito rin ang style ni Duterte noong 2016 na kung saan ay paulit-ulit nitong sinabi sa publiko na hindi siya tatakbo bilang Pangulo, ngunit panay naman ang kampanya sa buong bansa at gamit ang adbokasiya sa pederalismo bilang cover at sa huling sandali ay nag-desisyon sumabak sa halalan.

At ginamit rin ni Sara ang style ng ama matapos itong maghain ng kandidatura bilang mayor, ngunit sa bandang huli ay binawi ito at tatakbo na lamang bilang bise presidente ni Marcos, na anak ng diktadong na si Pangulong Ferdinand Mar-

cos. Ilang ulit rin sinabi ni Sara na hindi ito tatakbo sa anumang national position kung tatakbo ang ama.

Dahil sa laro ng magamang Duterte at Go ay nahati ang puwersa ng DDS o Die-hard Duterte Supporters. Nawalwan rin ng kandidato ang PDP-Laban at Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan na siyang Partido nina Duterte at Go. Ginamit umano ni Duterte ang batas upang paikutin ito at malaman ang pulso ng mga mamamayan, ngunit dismayado rin ito sa ginawang pagsanib ni Sara kay Marcos dahil ang nais nito ay ang anak ang tumakbo bilang Pangulo. Ito rin ang unang hiling ni Duterte kay Sara na maging bise presidente ni Go, ngunit inalmahan

naman ito ng anak at si Marcos ang pinili.

May personal isyu rin diumano sa pagitan nina Sara at Duterte kung kaya’t matagal na itong hindi naguusap. Si Duterte ay kasalukuyang nasa partner nitong si Honeylet Avanceña at may isang anak na babae; at si Go ay kilalang malapit kay Honeylet.

Hindi pa sinasabi ni Duterte kung sino ang susuportahan nito sa pagka-pangulo o kung ikakampanya ba nito si Marcos dahil sa anak sa kabila ng mga pambabatikos nito sa dating senador.

Umaasa naman sina presidential candidates at Manila Mayor Isko Moreno at Senador Manny Pacquaio na sila ang suportahan ni Duterte. (Mindanao Examiner)

Omicron now in the Philippines Continued from page 1 It was unknown how many cases of the new variant are now present in the country as genome sequencing from samples taken in different regions are currently being examined.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization told reporters from WHO headquarters in Geneva that the variant is now present in at least 77 countries.

“Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant. We’re concerned that people are dismissing Omicron as mild. Surely, we have learned by now that we underestimate this virus at our peril.”

“Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems. I need to be very clear: vaccines alone will not get any country out of this crisis. Countries can – and must – prevent the spread of Omicron with measures that work today,” Tedros said.

Tedros warned that making choices about strategies to halt the pandemic was the wrong approach: “It’s not vaccines instead of distancing. It’s not vaccines instead of ventilation or

hand hygiene. Do it all. Do it consistently. Do it well.”

He said in the past 10 weeks, the international vaccine rollout initiative, COVAX, has shipped more vaccines than in the first 9 months of the year combined, with most countries using vaccines as fast as they get them.

“A small group of countries are facing challenges rolling out vaccines and scaling up rapidly, and WHO and our partners are working closely with those countries to overcome bottlenecks. Although we expect further improvements in supply, there are no guarantees, and the hard-won gains we have made are fragile,” Tedros said.

Tedros said “evolving evidence suggests a small decline in the effectiveness of vaccines against severe disease and death,” noting that booster rollouts for all over-18s to fight Omicron in some countries, had begun despite a lack of evidence that they will be effective.

“WHO is concerned that such programmes will repeat the vaccine hoarding we saw this year, and exacerbate inequity…Let me be very clear: WHO is not against boosters. We’re against inequity. Our main concern is to save lives, everywhere,” he added.

The WHO chief said that giving boosters to groups at low risk, simply endangers the lives of those facing higher risk, who have not yet got their primary doses, due to supply constraints. On the other hand, giving additional doses to people at high risk can save more lives than giving primary doses to those at low risk, he reasoned.

“Together, we will save the most lives by making sure health workers, older people and other at-risk groups receive their primary doses of vaccines. In most countries, those being hospitalized and dying are those who have not been vaccinated. So, the priority must be to vaccinate the unvaccinated, even in countries with the most access to vaccines,” he said.

Tedros said the priority in every country, for the sake of the global effort to halt the pandemic, “must be to protect the least protected, not the most protected.”

He said some 41 countries have still not been able to vaccinate even 10% of their populations, and 98 countries have not yet reached 40%. “If we end inequity, we end the pandemic. If we allow inequity to continue, we allow the pandemic to continue,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner, UN)

DOT Sec. Bernadette Puyat

DOT launches website with exclusive travel deals for Balikbayans, OFWs BIG DISCOUNTS and great deals from airlines, accommodation establishments, tour operators, and travel agencies await Balikbayans who will come home home this Yuletide season as the Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the balikan.ph website - a one-stop site which offers exclusive promotions for returning Filipinos.

The DOT said the Balikan.ph website aims to encourage Filipinos and Overseas Filipino Workers to come home for the holiday season and rediscover the Philippines

with their loved ones.

“Through the balikan. ph website, we can offer great travel deals from airlines and DOT-accredited hotels, resorts, and tour operators to our Balikbayans and their families. This is one way to make their visit here more affordable and fun, especially after a long separation caused by the pandemic,” said DOT Sec. Bernadette Puyat.

She said the balikan.ph page serves as an aggregator of information where different travel promotions and packages are posted for the consumption of returning Balikbayans.

The posts, she explained, will lead Balikbayans to the merchant’s websites for the specifics of the deals and discounts. The offers have been curated in cooperation with the various airlines, DOT-accredited establishments, the Philippine Tour Operators Association Inc., the Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. and the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International Inc. Balikbayans are encouraged to regularly check the site for updated lists and details of travel deals. The campaign will run until March 2022. (Malou Cablinda)

3

The Mindanao Examiner

December 20-26, 2021

Malaysia, Philippines dismiss 'fantastic' reports of invasion plan

MinDa pushes for clean, sustainable energy sources in South

MinDa Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro during the three-day day international virtual event organized by the Dubai-based International Renewable Energy Agency, in partnership with the Alliance for Rural Electrification.

Continued from page 1 Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro presented Mindanao’s initiatives capitalizing on the southern region’s strength in its agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Montenegro also cited MinDA’s efforts to push for ramping up of electrification in the remote and off-grid areas of the island region that are also producing a sizable output of the country’s food requirements.

Several initiatives with its development partners include the MinDA Water Supply Program using solar-power irrigation and water systems in partnership with Department of Interior and Local Government and the Development Bank of the Philippines; EU-funded Renewable Energy Technology to Increase Value-Added of Seaweeds in Tawi-Tawi Project in partnership with UNIDO; and also

EU-funded Integration of Productive Uses of Renewable Energy for Inclusive and Sustainable Energization in Mindanao Project, in collaboration with the National Electrification Administration.

Montenegro said while Mindanao sees a promising future with the agriculture and fisheries sectors as significant drivers of economic growth, it is struggling with the irony that many farm and fishing communities still lack access to electricity to improve productivity and value adding. “across the 26 million populations in Mindanao, around 1.4 million households are still without electricity, especially in off-grid, rural yet agriculturally productive areas,” he said.

With this reality at hand, he pointed out the importance of integrating renewable energy in the agriculture value chain as strategies to achieve food security and foster countryside development. Along

this line, he underscored how this could support the island region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also urged for the cooperation and synergy of all the stakeholders to contribute to the energy transition agenda. “This is definitely going to be a challenge and a difficult task, but as long as we hold together as one, the energy transition can be realized,” he said.

The three-day international virtual event organized by the Dubai-based International Renewable Energy Agency, in partnership with the Alliance for Rural Electrification, aims to provide an avenue for both public and private sectors to share their country-specific success stories and best practices in the off-grid RE deployment and in narrowing energy disparity. (With a report from Malou Cablinda.)

Continued from page 1 Malaysian state of Sabah off southern Philippines.

The article published on December 9 by the SCMP quoted an unnamed regional security source, who elaborated the fantastic plot hatched on December 1 following a clandestine meeting by a locally-elected official of Sulu who gathered all 19 mayors to discuss plans to set up a “Royal Sulu Army” with a target of recruiting up to 600 men to invade Sabah.

The report said of the 19 mayors who attended the secret meeting, 11 agreed to the plan while the rest sat on the fence, neither agreeing to nor rejecting it. “Each mayor is expected to provide 50 men who are skilled and brave in battle. The cost of ammunition and other logistics is to be borne by the high-ranking official who also promised to contribute 500,000 pesos to build 100 speed boats that will be used to attack Sabah,” the source said.

The source said that according to the plan, the local official was believed to have supplied 500 firearms to local representatives in Sulu who would then distribute them, adding, some 150 to 200 spies from Sulu were expected to be directed to Lahad Datu and Semporna – two key coastal towns where an invasion force might land.

“All the Sulu soldiers entering the waters of Lahad Datu and Semporna will be bringing in firearms [according to the plot],” said the source.

“All the firearms will be buried in an area before being used to attack the targeted area.”

However, the source added that “no one” had infiltrated Sabah – but warned the Sulu plotters had “sleeper cells” there.

The security source said intelligence gathering and security had been stepped up in Sabah since the discovery of the Sulu meeting.

“The potential of the plan to attack Sabah coming to fruition depends on how much political support and funds it can get from various parties.

Many stakeholders in the Philippines and abroad are willing to exploit this issue for their respective political and strategic interests,” the SMCP quoted its source as saying.

The source said February next year was seen as the best time to invade. That time was likely to have been chosen to “commemorate” an inva-

sion of Sabah eight years ago by fighters from Sulu, the SCMP source added.

In February 2013, Sabah was rocked by the – ultimately unsuccessful – invasion of over 200 armed followers of the Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram III. The men were led by the sultan’s brother, Agbimuddin Kiram, who had come to press an ancestral claim over Sabah. Malaysia responded by sending troops and launching airstrikes before the stand-off ended.

The conflict, which lasted more than a month, resulted in the deaths of 68 men from the Sulu sultanate, nine Malaysian armed services personnel and six civilians.

“The failure of the heirs of the Sulu Sultanate to obtain the consent of the Malaysian government to settle the proprietary rights over Sabah prompted the implementation of this plan,” the SCMP quoted its source as saying.

The SCMP also quoted Malaysia Inspector General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani as saying there is no confirmation on the intended plan so far. He said it is believed “information has been manipulated by parties who are jealous of the level of security and close ties between Sabah and the southern Philippines.”

“The Royal Malaysian Police takes this matter seriously and will take immediate action to increase the preparedness [of the police] to the highest level in Sabah to face any possibility of a threat of invasion and to avoid any repeated incident of infiltration in the state,” he added.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah also dismissed the news report as untrue. “The report is not true, nevertheless, we are always enhancing maritime security,” Idris told Daily Express on December 9 after the SCMP came out with the article which was branded as “fantastic” by a Philippine military commander based in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Philippine Army First Lt. Jerrica Angela Manongdo, a spokesperson for the Joint Task Force Sulu, also denied the news report, although he admitted there was a meeting, but it has nothing to do with Sabah, now a federal state of Malaysia.

“There was a meeting (by Sulu leaders), but

(it) has nothing to do with Sabah or Malaysia,” Manongdo told Daily Express.

In a separate statement, Manongdo said the meeting - convened by Gov. Sakur Tan and the 19 municipal mayors - was aimed at developing a project to strengthen the maritime borders of Sulu by organizing the “Bantay Dagat” in the province.

The Bantay Dagat, in collaboration with the military, will manned by fishermen and volunteers and patrol the sea around the province to help improve border control against terrorist and any other lawless elements, and will also be utilized for disaster response during calamities in the maritime and coastal areas.

“This initiative stemmed out of the inclination to continue improving the island province’s stability in terms of security and economic aspect,” Manongdo said.

The spokesperson said some 299 locals were also recruited as soldiers and now members of the 11th Infantry Division in Sulu and that 300 civilian volunteers are currently undergoing military training in the province.

“All in all we have 820 men and women ready to serve the nation wearing the military uniform. We will continue to recruit and train to fill-up the manning of our newly created infantry division.

We are at the forefront of ensuring security and we will tirelessly collaborate with the local governments when it comes to humanitarian development and economic initiatives,” Maongdo said.

Tan is a respected and influential political leader in the South.

The SCMP, founded in 1903 and was once one of the most profitable newspapers in the world, boosted by a large classified job-advertisement section. Media mogul Rupert Murdoch acquired control of the paper in 1986 before selling his stake to Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok in 1993. The paper changed hands again in 2015 when Alibaba agreed to buy it in a HK$2.06 billion deal.

Alibaba, whose founder Jack Ma came under fire for criticizing China’s financial watchdogs last year, has been under pressure from the Chinese government to divest some of its media assets, including the SCMP, Bloomberg News reported in March. (Mindanao Examiner)

4

The Mindanao Examiner

December 20-26, 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)

5

The Mindanao Examiner

December 20-26, 2021

Bajaus finally get birth certificates

FOR SALE

SOME 287 Sama Bajaus have finally received their birth certificates through the efforts of the Bongao local government in Tawi-Tawi province, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

The Sama Bajaus form one of the State-identified populations at risk of statelessness in the country and because of their itinerant way of living and generations of non-registration among families, they face documentation issues, which in turn puts them at risk of statelessness.

Through the 2019 UNHCR-UNICEF Joint Strategy for Addressing Childhood Statelessness, both UN agencies supported the local government unit Zamboanga City in piloting birth registration for Sama Bajaus. And in 2021, the project expanded to reach Sama Bajaus in Tawi-Tawi following an assessment conducted in 2019 led by the Geneva-based Joint IDP Profiling Services and UNHCR, which found the prevalence of non-registration of birth among respondents in Bongao.

Sama Bajau children and families who are not registered at birth are excluded from the conditional cash transfer program, have limited access to other social services, and become limited in their movement. Most of the Sama Bajaus in Bongao are also internally displaced due to natural disasters, further heightening their

level of vulnerability.

The 2019 exercise, which was conducted in collaboration with key government agencies from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, civil society organizations, and other UN agencies. Because they lack awareness on the importance of birth registration, have limited finances, and are unfamiliar about the process, some Sama Bajaus have not been able to register their birth. Cases of multiple birth registration also surfaced as a concern, posing difficulties for the Local Civil Registrar in reconciling its records.

The village of Lamion in Bongao was identified as a pilot community in coordination with key officials of the municipal government. In response to the report’s finding that health workers play a vital role in transmitting health-related information among Sama Bajau communities, the birth registration activities were conducted with the active participation of health workers in Lamion.

Staff from the Bongao LCR and members of U-Report Philippines from Tau-Social Peace Advocate of Real Tawi-Tawian Active Network, KAKASIE, Youth Volunteer Organization and Simunul Youth Guild, Path for Peace and Nutrieskwela Radyo Kasannangan were also trained on birth registration and advocacy ahead of the rollout.

Created by UNICEF, U-Report is a social messaging tool and data col-

lection system to improve adolescent and youth citizen engagement, inform leaders, and foster positive change. The youth volunteers will spearhead the conduct of community-based advocacy on birth registration targeting parents, caregivers, government officials and decision-makers in Bongao.

UNHCR also provided support to the digitization process of the Bongao Local Civil Registry through the provision of ICT equipment and establishment of a database system to address the issue of multiple birth registration.

“We extend our sincerest appreciation to the municipality of Bongao for its leadership and commitment to the birth registration of Sama Bajaus, a population facing double vulnerability since they are also internally displaced in addition to being at risk of statelessness. We also extend our appreciation to partners from the government as well as civil society organizations for the success of this endeavour,” said Maria Ermina Gallardo, Head of National Office of UNHCR Philippines.

“We will continue to work with partner agencies such as UNICEF to ensure the protection of Sama Bajaus through their access to documentation.

Our efforts are in line with the Philippine Development Plan, the National Action Plan to End Statelessness by 2024, and the 2030 Agenda of leaving no one behind,” she added.

(Malou Cablinda)

Sulu burns illegal drugs Continued from page 1 and witnessed by security and judiciary officials, and different municipal mayors.

Among those who joined the public destruction of the seized drugs were Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Director Gilbert Buenafe; Judges Alsad Al-

Kampilan 21” (P13,000)

Long Kris 20” (P13,000)

Short Kris Colored Forged 16” (P13,000)

GinunƟng 12” (P7,500)

Made from 5160 High Carbon Steel and Kamagong handle and scabbard.

For table and wall display, or as self-defense weapon.

Zamboanga City 0915-3976197

fad Jr and Shene Canete; Mayors Kerkhar Tan of Jolo; Al-Khadar Loong of Parang; Ben-Sayeed Muksan of Siasi; Provincial Prosecutor Atty. Anna Marie Pierreangelie Ledesma; Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the 11th Infantry Division; Col. Jaime Mojica Jr, the provincial police chief;

among others.

Tan lauded the efforts of the PDEA, the police and military, including the judiciary for their hard work and unwavering campaign against illegal drugs. He reiterated his full support in the campaign against illegal drugs and criminality. (Mindanao Examiner)

6

The Mindanao Examiner

December 20-26, 2021

Congress urged to fund NTF-ELCAC programs CEBU CITY – Bohol Governor Arthur Yap has urged members of Congress to show their sincerity in resolving the decades-old old insurgency problems by approving the funding for barangay-level development projects.

Yap said the development programs are the answer to the insurgency in villages identified as communist terrorist group-affected areas.

“ELCAC (Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict) is the most expansive program to fund development down to the barangay level in CTG affected areas,” he said, adding, the projects prepared through the Barangay Development Program are vetted by the local governments side by side with the affected communities and national government agencies.

“Now that the hard preparatory work is done, I ask that Congress, especially the Senate, must now fund this project to show our serious resolve in ending half a century of bloodshed and missed opportunities,” he said.

He called on the law-

makers to support the administration’s effort to end the insurgency in order not to waste more time and lives uselessly.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo also called on his constituents to show their dismay by not electing politicians who would block development efforts in the conflict-hit villages. “If there are politicians who want to undermine this unified program for national peace, let them show our frustration by denying them of our vote in the upcoming election on May 9, 2022,” he said.

Degamo said programs designed solely to benefit residents in affected and vulnerable areas have restored people’s confidence in our government. He cited the National Task Force ELCAC’s effort to bring in various national government agencies, local officials, community leaders, and people’s organizations in proposing programs through the whole-of-nation approach as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte under Executive Order No. 70.

Guihulngan Mayor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes also thanked Duterte and the legislative branch for funding development projects in conflict-hit communities in his city which is considered as the most vulnerable area in Central Visayas due to the presence of the New People’s Army.

Reyes said the city’s Task Force ELCAC has been working with the national task force in hatching projects that will directly redound to the benefit of vulnerable communities.

“Guihulngan City Task Force ELCAC is immensely grateful to NTF-ELCAC for the tangible and solid gains achieved in terms of peace and national security. These gains are the natural and expected benefits that spring from the grant of to the different conflict-affected barangays,” Reyes said.

These projects, he said, should continue as the government intends to face the challenge of uplifting the lives of the constituents by responsibly executing the delivery of basic and social services.

(John Rey Saavedra)

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

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)

MANILA ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our MANILA Media Sales Consultant at this phone number:

RICHARD EBONA

Phone: (0916) 9558559, (0915) 0070927, (0947) 2652969 Email Address: chardee.mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

CEBU CITY ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our CEBU CITY office at this phone number:

RODIL YBANEZ G/F Dreamfield Bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan, Cebu City Phone: (0923) 1670009

DAVAO REGION ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our DAVAO REGION office at these following phone numbers:

MALOU CABLINDA Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City Phones: (082) 2841859, (0932) 4323301, (0997) 3172021

NORTH COTABATO ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our NORTH COTABATO office at these phone numbers:

PAOLO DE JESUS Kidapawan City Phones: (0927) 4757936, (0918) 7229009

ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA office at these phone numbers:

JENG FERNANDEZ / RAMON MATIAS 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan, Zamboanga City Phones: (062) 9555360, (0915) 3976197, (0935) 6123587

December 20-26, 2021

The Mindanao Examiner

7

Sulu Pictures in the News

8

The Mindanao Examiner

December 20-26, 2021

Across : 1. ___ Ripken, Jr. 4. Soil 9. Alias letters 12. Boxing great 13. Forbidden 14. Racket 15. Gang 16. Constitution change 18. Part of MPH 19. What Moses parted (2 wds.)

20. Suitable 22. Plant stalks 26. Scrape 31. Psychic’s phrase (2 wds.)

32. Drought’s lack 33. Hr. part 34. Glance at 35. Attired 36. Nice 38. Spanish title 40. Toothpaste form 41. Distant 45. Horned viper 48. Boat with two hulls 51. Make a knot 52. Cold cubes 53. Not active 54. Certain grain 55. Nibbled 56. Exams 57. Chambers (abbr.)

Down : 1. Child’s resort 2. Burn balm 3. Book organizer 4. Begins 5. Not wild 6. Not up yet 7. Charged particles 8. Lymph ___ 9. Citrus drink 10. Family 11. Tiny insect 17. Artist Henri ___ 21. Curious woman of myth 23. Moving stairway 24. Nasty 25. Shipped 26. Circle segments

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

Richard C. Ebona

CEBU CITY G/F Dreamfield bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan (0923) 1670009

Rodil P. Ybañez

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

Marilou Cablinda Answer to last week’s crossword:

27. Bundle of hay 28. Little devil 29. Tanker cargo 30. Compass point (abbr.)

37. Brokers 39. Send money 42. Lion’s hair 43. Unrefined metals 44. Small pastry 46. Thailand, once 47. Favorites 48. Espionage org.

49. Play section 50. Golfer’s need

Weekly Sudoku:

NORTH COTABATO KIDAPAWAN CITY CENTRAL MINDANAO COTABATO CITY Paolo De Jesus (0927) 4757936

PAGADIAN CITY

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

Richard Suarez

ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA BASILAN, SULU, TAWIͳTAWI ΈBARMMΉ 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / (0915) 3976197 / (0935) 6123587

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

Reynold Toribio Graphics / Video Editor

Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily / Business Week / Mindanao Star

ADVERTISING Richard C. Ebona (0915) 0070927 Manila Eduardo A. Sode (0917) 3087366 044 Mabini St. Cebu City

ADVERTISE WITH US IN NORTHERN MINDANAO!

Rodil P. Ybañez (0923) 1670009 Ground flr, Dreamfield Bldg, Sanciangko St., Kamagayan Cebu City

Paolo De Jesus (0927) 4757936 Central Mindanao/ Kidapawan City/Cotabato City North Cotabato Marilou Cablinda (0997) 3172021 Davao Region/ Eastern Mindanao Jeng Fernandez (0917) 7930652 Zamboanga Peninsula

Richard Suarez (0910) 7348600 Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera sts., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur

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

ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Phone & Fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0915) 3976197

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

DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero Phone: (082) 2841859 Mobile: (0925) 7621914

ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE

3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / 0915-3976197 mindanaoexaminer.com

mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE: No. 18 Purok 4B Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, 1632 Contact Mobile No. TM 0916.955. 8559 Globe 0915.007.0926 Smart 0947.265.2969

OPINION

RECIPE

Being Decisive

Filipino-style Lasagna

by Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo (Cebu) HERBERT PROCHNOW said: “There is a time when we must firmly choose the course which we must follow, or the relentless drift of events will make the decision for us.” I totally agree. Life is full of decision-making processes. By the time we wake up options are already made available to us. In fact, the very time we get up from bed is in itself a decision we have to make. We can choose to get up from bed by the time the alarm clock rings or decide to sleep some more.

The drift of events Herbert Prochnow mentioned can refer to circumstances in life or persons around us that could decide things for us. Usually, we make certain goals in life such as to finish college, to work abroad, to start our own business, etc. as our guide in making everyday decisions. We normally ask ourselves before making a decision, “Is this activity going to bring me closer to my goals or not?” If we don’t have a firm resolve to stick to our goals, instead of spending time studying for an exam for example we could easily make excuses such as “going out with my barkada won’t be a big deal, I only do it once in a while anyway”. But before you know it you’ve already been hooked to the group.

We ought to follow Kenneth Blanchard’s advice: “There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you only do it when it is convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” The word commitment means

you are going to fulfill your promise such as fulfilling your commitment to marriage, or your commitment to your boss in the office. If we have made a commitment to get good grades for example so as to land a good job later, deciding whether to have a night out with our friends or go study for an exam will not be a tough decision to make.

Oftentimes the dilemma in decision making especially for managers is not to make a decision until all data is available. Waiting for additional information or data before making a final decision is a prudent thing to do especially if an important data is crucial to the decision we have to make. But if you are racing with time and any delay could make the situation worse, then you’ll have to decide as best as you can.

US President Harry Truman once said, “Some questions cannot be answered, but they can be decided.” Even when we do not have all the facts available, we usually have all the facts needed to make a decision.

Of all matters, we have to be decisive with spiritual ones. If we are neutral in spiritual matters, we’ll eventually find ourselves operating against heaven. The Bible says to let the peace of God rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15).

It tells us how to decide on things, especially the important things in life with the peace of Christ as an umpire in our hearts. His peace can literally say “out” to that relationship and say “safe” to that business idea. Consulting our decisions with God through prayer is a very wise and prudent thing to do.

HEALTH

Mga Sakit sa Mata sa Pag-edad Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong

M

9

The Mindanao Examiner

December 20-26, 2021

apapansin natin ang mga ito sa edad na 40 pataas.

Ipa-check-up sa ophthalmologist o doktor sa mata kung makararanas ng mga ganitong sintomas: 1. Katarata o cataract Ang lente ng mga mata ay parang may ulap o puti sa gitna.

Ang kulay ay madilim at mabilis masilaw, hirap sa gabi, madalas magpalit ng salamin sa mata, kupas ang kulay na nakikita o doble ang nakikita.

Gamutan: (1) tamang grado ng salamin, (2) mas maliwanag na bahay sa labas, (3) sunglass, (4) huwag magmaneho sa gabi (5) operasyon sa katarata.

2. Presbyopia - Ang lente ay hindi makafocus kaya hindi mabasa ang malapitan na letra. Magpagawa ng salamin.

3. Eye floaters o iyung may lumulutang na bagay sa paningin – Kung paisa-isa lamang ang nakikita ay hindi naman delikado dahil ito ay dulot ng pag-edad. Ngunit

kung dumami ay kailangan ng magpatingin.

4. Panunuyo ng mata (dry eyes) - Sobrang pagluluha at magaspang ang pakiramdam na parang may puwing sa mata.

Patakan ng artificial eye drops.

5. Age-related macular degeneration – Kung saan ang macula ng mata ay humihina.

Ang sintomas nito ay: (1) ang maliit na letra at malabo ang mata, (2) ang kulay ay nababawasan, (3) hirap maka-aninag ng mukha, (4) nag-iiba at parang alon-alon ang nakikita, at (5) lumalayo ang mga bagay.

Kumonsulta sa isang eksperto sa mata gaya ng Retina Specialist. Kumain ng mga pagkaing mayaman sa Vitamin A, C, E, zinc, copper, para hindi lumala.

6. Glaucoma – Tumataas ang presyon sa mata. Madalas ay wala itong babala kaya hindi agad napapansin. Ang sintomas ay: (1) hirap ang paningin sa gabi, (2) tunnel vision, (3) malabo, (4) may “halo” o bilog sa liwanag, (5) namumula ang mga mata, (6) masakit ang ulo o ang mga mata, (7) pakiramdam na parang nasusuka at nahihilo, at ( cell damage sa optic nerve.

Kumonsulta agad sa Eye Spe-

cialist para hindi mabulag.

7. Drooping Eyelid (Ptosis) - Humihina ang muscle sa talukap ng mata kaya minsan ang balat ay tumatakip sa mata. Ino-operahan ito kung nakatakip na sa mata.

8. Diabetic Retinopathy – Kapag hindi na-kontrol ang diabetes ay puwede masira ang mata at mabulag. Dapat nasa normal palagi ang iyong blood sugar.

9. Retinal Detachment – Sa pag-edad, ang mga ugat na nagdadala ng dugo, oxygen at nutrisyon sa likod ng mata ay lumalayo. Ang retina ay numinipis, nagkakaroon ng maliliit na butas at nalalagyan ng fluid kaya lumalayo ang retina sa ugat. Gayun din pag may diabetes. Ang sintomas ay may bagong floaters or light flashes, wavy, dark shadow sa paningin, parang nakasisid sa tubig. Kumonsulta agad sa doktor.

Kumonsulta sa Eye doctor kung: biglang lumabo ang mata, may flashes ng liwanag, masakit ang mata, biglaang pagdoble ng nakikita, biglang pamumula o namaga ang talukap ng mata.

INGREDIENTS : • 15 pieces uncooked lasagna noodles • 1 cup Cheddar Jack cheese, shredded FOR THE MEAT SAUCE : • 1 tablespoon canola oil • 6 pieces Filipino-style hotdogs, sliced diagonally • onion, peeled and chopped • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced • 1 red or green bell pepper, seeded, cored and chopped • 3 pounds ground beef • 24 ounces tomato sauce • 12 ounces banana ketchup • 1 cup beef broth • 3/4 cup tomato paste • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning • 2 teaspoons sugar • salt and pepper to taste FOR THE BECHAMEL SAUCE : • 1 cup butter • 1 cup flour • 6 cups milk • salt and pepper to taste

kawalingpinoy.com

2.

INSTRUCTIONS : 3.

FOR THE NOODLES : 1. In a large pot over medium heat, bring about 4 quarts salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes less than package directions Rinse under cold running water and drain well.

FOR THE MEAT SAUCE : 1. In a large thick-bottomed pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add sliced hotdogs and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly browned. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan and set aside.

2. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.

3. Add bell peppers and cook until softened.

4. Add ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking into small pieces, for about 7 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Drain excess fat, if any.

5. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, and beef broth. Stir in sugar and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil.

6. Lower heat, cover and simmer for about 35 to 45 minutes or until meat is fully cooked and sauce is slightly thickened.

7. During the last 10 minutes of cooking, add browned hotdogs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

FOR THE BECHAMEL SAUCE : 1. In a large saucepan over medium

4.

5.

heat, melt butter.

Add flour and stir well into a smooth paste. Cook, stirring regularly, for about 1 to 2 minutes or until golden (but NOT browned) and starts to bubble a bit.

Slowly add milk in a thin stream, whisking vigorously until the mixture is very smooth and lump-free.

Continue to cook, whisking regularly, for about 4 to 5 minutes or until thick but pourable. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

ASSEMBLY : 1. Grease bottom and sides of a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Ladle about 1/2 cup of meat sauce and spread it to cover the bottom of the dish.

3. Ladle bechamel sauce over the meat sauce and gently spread across.

4. Arrange one layer of lasagna noodles lengthwise over the white sauce. Cut a piece of lasagna to fit into gaps as needed.

5. Ladle a third of the remaining meat sauce over the noodles and spread across the surface.

6. Ladle another layer of white sauce over the meat sauce 7. Finish with a third layer of noodles, meat sauce, and bechamel.

8. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top and last layer of bechamel sauce.

9. Tent the lasagna pan with foil and bake in a 375 oven for about 30 to 40 minutes or until completely heated through and cheese is melted.

10. Remove from heat and allow to rest for about 15 to 20 minutes before cutting.

10

The Mindanao Examiner

December 20-26, 2021

December 20-26, 2021

The Mindanao Examiner

11

Founded 2006 mindanaoexaminer.com FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (082) 2841859

P10

December 20-26, 2021

‘Santo Niño de Cebu’ brought to Spain

T

HE PHILIPPINE government has sent the replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu to Spain with the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia as its first stop, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The replica was pre- Barcelona during an inter- was celebrated by the Apsented by the Philippine national mass in the icon- ostolic Nuncio to Spain Consulate General in ic Spanish church which Bernardito Cleopas Auza,

The replica of the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu when it was brought to the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia in Spain. (Photo: Philippine Consulate General)

a native of Bohol, and the archbishop of Barcelona Cardinal José Omella.

The original image, also the oldest religious relic in the Philippines, originally a gift from explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon and his chief consort on account of their Christian baptism in 1521.

The National Quincentennial Committee said: “The noted minor basilica receives the historic image as a gift from the Filipino Catholic faithful 500 years later since it was gifted to our ancestors in Cebu by the Spanish expedition, the Armada de Maluco led by Ferdinand Magellan and completed

by Juan Sebastian de Elcano.”

On December 5, the Sagrada Familia received

its exact replica as a gift from the Filipino Catholic faithful 500 years after it was gifted to Cebu by the Spanish expedition, the Armada de Maluco led by Ferdinand Magellan.

"This bringing of the Santo Niño is really history. I believe that this is long overdue and this is a special time to have as we celebrate the 500 years anniversary of (Christianity in the Philippines)," Philippine Ambassador to Spain Philippe Lhuillier said.

Archbishop Auza said the Holy Image has always been a symbol of Philippine Catholicism in the past five centuries, a devotion that withstood the test of time as reflected with the annual grand feasts celebrating the image of Child Jesus in differ-

ent parts of the country.

Aside from the replica presented by the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan also donated another image of Child Jesus to Barcelona.

The National Quincentennial Committee said the two images of the Santo Niño de Cebu will roam the churches in the Catalunya, along with the replicas of the historic Santo Niño images of Tondo, Ternate, and Pandacan.

The historic return of the Santo Niño de Cebu is the highlight of PCG Barcelona’s cultural diplomacy program for this year and is part of its 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations.

(Joyce Ann Rocamora)

Bidding for P10-B container port in Cebu set next month THE PUBLIC bidding for the civil works contract of the P10-billion Korea-funded New Cebu International Container Port project is set to begin next month.

This was also confirmed by the Korean

Embassy and said the project aims to build a bridge, access road and harbor facilities on a 25-hectare reclaimed land in Consolacion town to free up the existing seaport in the province and make way for the un-

impeded flow of goods and services in the Visayas.

The Korean government, through its loan aid agency KEXIM Bank, will extend the amount of $172.6 million (approximately P8.6 billion) with

Find attacker of Cebu journo

Rico Osmeña (From his Facebook Page) CEBU CITY – Media groups have urged the police to find the attacker of a local journalist who was shot while in a passenger jeep on his way home.

Rico Osmeña, who writes for the Daily Tribune and a radio announcer at dyLA, was attacked on December 16.

ARMM

Another passenger was also wounded in the shooting.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the shooting which occurred near the Plaza Independencia along M.J. Cuenco Avenue. The motives for the attack remain unknown.

The attack came a week after another journalist, Jesus Malabanan, was killed in his home in Calbayog City in Samar province.

The 58-year old Malabanan, who wrote for several newspapers in Manila, was fatally shot by motorcycle gunmen on the evening of December 8. Malabanan previously sought help from authorities after receiving death threats in Pampanga province that forced him to relocate to Calbayog.

(Cebu Examiner)

Eastern Mindanao

a preferential interest rate of .15% per annum for non-consulting services and zero percent for consulting services.

The Philippines will provide a counterpart fund of $26.09 million or about P1.4 billion.

The port's construction is scheduled to be completed in 2024, according to the Embassy, adding it is expected to address congestion of cargo traffic at Cebu Port by increasing capacity for domestic cargo to 449,000 TEUs and 402,000 TEUs for foreign cargo in 2025. In 2016, Cebu Port was only able to handle 424,000 TEUs for domestic and 386,000 TEUs for foreign cargo.

The Embassy said the project will also generate around 5,000 jobs for the construction stage alone.

“This year marks 30 years of Korea’s development partnership with the Philippines. Through

Western Mindanao

Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Inchul meets with Cebu Port Authority General Manager Leonilo Miole and visits potential site where the New Cebu International Port will be constructed. The project is expected to be completed in 2024.

(Photo: Korean Embassy) this partnership, Korea’s ODA projects have contributed to upgrading infrastructure facilities in the Philippines. Korea will remain committed to supporting the Philippine government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and by doing so, ultimately achieving sustainable

Cebu

and inclusive economic growth,” Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Inchul said.

Inchul visited the potential NCICP site on December 2 together with Leonilo Miole, the general manager of the Cebu Port Authority.

(Joyce Ann Rocamora)

Manila