The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (October 10-16, 2022)

A UFO somehow ended up on a U.S. intelligence agency logo

A U.S. intelligence agency has removed a tonguein-cheek logo (or two) from its website following news that it included a flying saucer. Until early Tuesday morning, the website for the National Intelligence Manager for Aviation (NIM-A), which advises the head of U.S.

intelligence on aviation matters, briefly sported a logo that included a Turkish drone, a Russian fighter jet, and ... a UFO.

The agency has since removed the logo, and has hardly mentioned that its purview includes all threats to aviation—

Human rights groups laud ICC decision to

Duterte

INTERNATION-

for Human

‘Formula 1’ is best way to drum up business: Marcos

BONGBONG Marcos

“They say that playing golf is the best way to drum up business, but I say it's Formula 1. It was

fulfilling to have been invited alongside several dignitaries and to have met new business friends

up

PRESIDENT BONGBONG Marcos said the best way to drum up business is

who showed that they are ready and willing to invest in the Philippines. Will be

Heirs of late Sulu sultan try to seize Malaysian assets anew

LAWYERS ACTING for the heirs of the late Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram II are understood to be in the process of submitting an application to the Dutch courts to seize assets belonging to Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), sources familiar with the matter tell The Edge.

Journos attend climate change seminar

DAVAO CITY – Lawmakers have questioned the controversial P150 million confidential funds proposed by the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Secretary and also Vice President Sara Duterte.

Duterte’s proposed confidential

are

the

Singapore

the

the First Lady Marie Louise Marcos and their son Rep Sandro

with the First Marie Louise Marcos and their son Rep. Sandro Marcos

other Filipino politiciansMarcos

other politicians.

President Bongbong Marcos with Singapore's Minister for Manpower, Tan Seng Leng and other officials. (Photo from Tan Seng Leng Facebook page.)

‘Formula 1’ is best way to drum up business: Marcos

Continued from page 1Continued from page 1 sharing more details on this at a later time,” he said.

Marcos’ secretive trip to Singapore was widely criticized by Filipinos and politicians, especially at a time when many areas in the Philippines were devastated by a recent typhoon.

But Irish Frank, a social media influencer, said this in her post on Marcos’ Facebook page: “This is what I have been saying. Bashers don’t understand the importance of attending events and gatherings. Just because umaattend ka nagpapachill ka lang at nagpapakasarap.”

“They don’t realize by socializing jan mo mameet at makilala ang mga potential clients and investors kasi karamihan sa mga umattend mga malalaking tao din, businessmen and the likes. More investment, more jobs will be created. They are so adamant to criticize the president they fail to see these things basta makabatikos lang.”

Tan See Leng, the Minister for Manpower of Singapore, also thanked Marcos for watching the Singapore Grand Prix.

“Happy to meet various Heads of States, Ministers and foreign dignitaries (including Bongbong

Marcos, President Surangel Whipps Jr., Cambodia’s Minister attached to the Prime Minister and Managing Director of Electricite Du Cambodge (EDC), Keo Rottanak, Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce, Pan Sorasak, Advisor to the Royal Court, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Fahad Bin Abdullah Toonsi) to affirm our bilateral economic relationships and strengthen collaborations in energy cooperation as well as exchange views on manpower policies on the sidelines of the race,” Tan said in a post on his Facebook page.

“Last but not least, (I am) especially happy to have our community

Heirs of late Sulu sultan try to seize Malaysian assets anew

Continued from page 1Continued from page 1

Petronas via Dutch companies, such as Petronas Carigali Canada BV, Petronas International Power Corporation BV and PLI (Netherlands) BV, has extensive assets in Canada, India and Indonesia among others.

“The process of submitting the application was done an hour ago,” a source told The Edge. The source declined to elaborate more, but said that the assets that could be under “siege could be worth a lot, in the billions probably”.

“Malaysian companies have a lot of businesses in the Netherlands, be it CPO (crude palm oil) or even LNG (liquefied natural gas), so it looks like an interesting target,” the source said.

Meanwhile, lawyer Paul Cohen, a lead co-counsel for the sultan's heirs from British law firm 4-5 Gray's Inn Square, said in a statement to The Edge: “We have submitted an exequatur petition with The Hague Court of Appeal, requesting recognition in The Netherlands of the Arbitral Award dated 28 February 2022, that was rendered against the State of Malaysia, and requesting leave to enforce the Award against assets of Malaysia located in The Netherlands. We will formally notify Malaysia of these pending proceedings in due course.”

Reuters had reported Cohen as saying: “This filing in the Netherlands will soon be followed by other enforcement actions,

of varying types, in multiple jurisdictions. This may include immediate, direct attachment of specific Malaysian assets in The Netherlands and elsewhere”.

The Edge understands that Petronas and the Malaysian government are already aware of the plan to seize the assets.

After Malaysia, Canada holds Petronas’ next largest resources, unconventional gas and oil resources in North Montney, which is reported to have over 52 trillion cu ft of reserves and contingent resources. There were also plans for a US$29 billion gas facility in Prince Rupert, British Columbia in Canada, but were put on hold some years back. “In Indonesia, the assets are more exploration related, and there are also many lubricant assets Petronas has in Europe which are held via Dutch companies,” the source added.

Backing the Sulu sultan’s heirs on this venture is Therium, a company registered in Jersey in the English Channel and headquartered in London, and one of the world’s largest litigation funding firms.

The action comes after bailiffs acting for the Sulu Sultan seized Petronas Azerbaijan (Shah Deniz) Sàrl and Petronas South Caucasus Sàrl in Luxembourg, both of which belong to Petronas, to satisfy a US$14.92 billion (RM66.4 billion in mid-July) award by the Spanish arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa.

However, a Petronas statement following reports of the seizure clarified that these units had already divested their entire stakes in the natural gas project in Azerbaijan, and that the proceeds from the disposal had been repatriated.

To recap, the legal dispute erupted after the eight heirs of the late Sulu sultan initiated international arbitration proceedings against the government of Malaysia in end-January 2018 in Madrid, based on an 1878 agreement between Sultan Mohamet Jamal Al Alam (the Sultan of Sulu then) and Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent, which granted perpetual sovereign rights over what is parts of Sabah today, in return for an annual RM5,300 token payment.

Malaysia has been paying the annual RM5,300 since 1878.

Then Datuk Seri Najib Razak administration ceased the RM5,300 yearly payments in 2013, after an incursion of more than 200 armed militants who invaded Lahad Datu and resulted in 78 deaths caused a breach in the 1878 agreement. Malaysia claims the militants are linked to the Sultan of Sulu, but the heirs dispute this claim.

Petronas’ 51% unit shipping company MISC Bhd also has several companies in the Netherlands, which hold some of its assets. It is not clear if these will be impacted. (Jose Barrock, The Edge Markets)

and tripartite leaders and frontliners at the event.

Thank you for your contributions towards the fight against COVID-19 over the last 2 years. I hope everyone had a chance to soak

in the Singapore Grand Prix activities, whether it is the race or lifestyle experiences happening in town and within our community,” he added.

Tan also posted a pho-

to of him and Marcos with other officials. He also congratulated Mexican racing driver Sergio Perez for winning the Singapore Grand Prix. (Mindanao Examiner)

Human rights groups laud ICC decision to probe Duterte

Continued from page 1Continued from page 1 investigation of allegations of serious “crimes against humanity” committed during the previous regime of President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war.

ICHRP Chairperson Peter Murphy the Khan’s response points out the weakness of the November 2021 request of the Duterte government, which argued for suspension of the ICC investigation on the basis of jurisdiction of the tribunal, gravity of the crimes committed, and supposed domestic mechanisms which can investigate and prosecute those involved in the killings.

“Khan’s response demonstrates that no such domestic mechanisms exist on a wide scale, and that no valid argument exists to dispute the jurisdiction of the ICC in regard to these alleged

crimes against humanity. This is in line with the results of INVESTIGATE PH, which demonstrated a severe lack of domestic remedies to the human rights crisis in the country,” Murphy said.

He also quoted human rights organizations like Amnesty International which estimates that the number of killings under Duterte’s drug war may be as many as 30,000.

INVESTIGATE PH, an independent international investigation into the human rights situation in the country carried out by civil society organizations in 2021, presented and analyzed witness testimony and forensic evidence to dispel the Philippine government claims that the thousands of victims were killed by police in self-defence.

It also showed that genuine domestic mechanisms

to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the killings do not exist, despite the claims of the government.

“ICHRP upholds the call of the drug war victims and civil society at large for the cooperation of the Philippine government in the carrying out of the ICC investigation. We also reiterate the call of INVESTIGATE PH for other intergovernmental bodies, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council, to launch their own independent investigation into the current human rights situation in the country,” Murphy said.

“The international community must stay vigilant and hold the current and past administrations accountable until justice is achieved for all victims of these crimes against humanity,” he added. (Mindanao Examiner)

Education, infrastructure, health, social services top priorities in proposed P83.5-billion 2023 BARMM budget

P16.47 billion, as the Bangsamoro government believes that investing in infrastructure creates jobs for the people and boosts demand for supply, which in effect increases economic activity.

The funding will be allocated for road development network programs, construction of bridges, port rehabilitation programs, and other infrastructure projects. Various infrastructure projects will also be implemented by other ministries and offices.

having its own oxygen generation plant. They also plan to continue the medical assistance program of the Office of the Chief Minister, known as the Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government, the Tiyakap Bangsamoro Kalusugan Program for the monthly subsidies of health stations and rural health units, and the Barangay Health Workers Program to support the local health frontliners.

of social services for Bajau, child and youth welfare program, and assistance to senior citizens and physically challenged individuals.

The proposed allocations for other ministries and offices are as follows:

* Office of the Chief Minister – P5.9 billion

* Bangsamoro Transition Authority – P3.1 billion

COTABATO CITY — Education, infrastructure, health, and social services are among the top budgetary priorities of the Bangsamoro government, as the proposed bill for the 2023 Bangsamoro Expenditure Program entered first reading on Wednesday, September 28.

The Government of the Day filed Parliament Bill No. 54, proposing the BARMM budget for 2023. The budget has been increased to P83.5 billion in 2023 from P79.8 billion in 2022.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim personally turned over the proposed budget to Bangsamoro Transition Authority Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong. With the proposed budget, Ebrahim expressed optimism that this will improve the region and make it a better environment for the Bangsamoro people, who will reap the benefits of a better economy.

He said that, in keeping with the BARMM’s mandate, they have earmarked bulk of the budget to education, infrastructure, health, and social services, with the government planning to spend P27.2 billion on education, P16.4 billion for strategic infrastructure, P5.6 billion for health, and P2.8 billion for social services.

EDUCATION

Getting the biggest chunk of the budget is the education sector, with P27.2 billion allocated for the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, which also includes the funding for Madaris education.

MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal noted that the Bangsamoro youth remain the hope of the region. ”As such, we highly invest in the education of the youth,” Iqbal said, adding that the youth will be the future of the Bangsamoro.

He also reiterated the MBHTE’s commitment to ensuring that no Bangsamoro learner, even those in remote, school-less barangays, is left behind.

The proposed P27 billion budget is for personnel services, provision of learners’ kits, teachers’ kits, armchairs, textbooks, and other programs of the ministry. It also includes support for 5,190 madaris asatidz serving in all public schools in the region, tertiary education and skills training scholarships, madaris education, and an alternative learning system.

For higher education services, P235 million is allotted for tertiary education scholarships and P285 million for skills training scholarships under technical education services.

STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE

For the Ministry of Public Works, the proposed budget is

Bangsamoro Parliament elects officers, committee chairmanships

Trade, Investment, and Tourism: Marjanie Macasalong

Transportation and Communications: Atty. Lanang Ali Jr. Public Works and Highways: Hussein Muñoz

Human Settlements and Development: Engr. Don Mustapha Loong Public Order, Security, and Safety: Suwaib Oranon

The Ministry of Housing and Human Settlement Development will implement a housing resettlement program for the disadvantaged and homeless. They also intend to continue the implementation of Kapayapaan sa Pamayanan for housing, livelihood, and electrification projects.

Port modernization program will be implemented by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, while water system projects will be implemented by the Ministry of Interior and Local Government.

HEALTH

As the BARMM addresses the challenges posed by COVID-19, some P5.7 billion is allotted for the Ministry of Health to provide accessible and better healthcare services.

Allocation for health will be for vaccine procurement, COVID-19 response programs, which include health human resources for isolation facilities, continuous health service operations for hospitals and public health offices, construction of health facilities, and acquisition of new health and medical-related equipment.

The allocation also includes a study of the feasibility of the region

To ensure professional medical help is available, the Bangsamoro government also set aside funding for the strategic placement and deployment of the different human resources for nurses, midwives, and doctors to the barrios, as well as for the Barangay Health Workers Program and for the Bangsamoro Medical Scholarship Program.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Minister of Social Services Atty. Raissa Jajurie said P2.9 billion of MSSD’s budget is allocated to fund various programs, activities, and projects aimed at helping the poor, orphans, widows, internally displaced persons, elderly, and other marginalized special sectors. Jajurie said the passage of the proposed budget aims to create equal opportunities for all and “those who have less in life shall have more in law.”

“Social services are made available and social protection is afforded to those who need it, especially the members of the most vulnerable and marginalized sectors of Bangsamoro society,” she said.

Several programs are included in the budget, such as promotion of family and community welfare, the Unlad Bangsamoro program, comprehensive and integrated delivery

* Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform – P1.4 billion

* Ministry of Interior and Local Government – P1.2 billion

* Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy –P663 million

* Ministry of Transportation and Communications – P545 million

* Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism – P470 million

* Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management – P358 million

* Ministry of Labor and Employment – P287 million

* Ministry of Science and Technology – P247 million

* Ministry of Human Settlements and Development – P214 million

* Ministry of Public Order and Safety – P135 million

* Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs- P108 million

“Let us all work together to make sure our bright plans for the future are concretely expressed in the financial blueprint of our bureaucracy,” Ebrahim said, adding that the passage of the budget will pave the path to the progress of the region. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

BARMM files 16 bills in 2nd Parliament

COTABATO CITY — As the new set of members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority formally opened its first regular session on Tuesday, September 20, the BTA elected deputy floor leaders and chairpersons of different parliamentary and statutory committees.

Reelected Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong presided over the session, with the newly-installed Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba nominating the MPs to oversee their respective committees. As the floor leader, Atty. Alba also chairs the committee on rules.

Lawyers Raissa Jajurie, Mary Ann Arnado, Anna Tarhata Basman, and Jose Lorena were the first to be elected as deputy floor leaders.

During the BTA’s inaugural session on September 15, parliament officers were elected, including Deputy Speakers Hatimil Hassan, Atty. Omar Yasser Sema, Atty. Paisalin Tago, Abdulkarim Misuari, Atty. Nabil Tan, Atty. Lanang Ali Jr., and Benjamin Loong, Secretary-General Prof. Raby Angkal, and Sergeant-At-Arms Abdulgani Caludtiag.

The 2nd Parliament, which will serve from 2022 to 2025, has also started forming its parliamentary and statutory committees.

Under the parliamentary rules,

procedures, and practices, the BTA committees will consider, recommend, and draw reports concerning the disposition of bills, resolutions, and other preparatory works before presenting them to the plenary sessions.

Below is the running list of the BTA committee chairmanship: Rules: Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba

Accounts: Atty. Anna Tarhata Basman

Ways and Means: Atty. Paisalin Tago

Blue Ribbon: Atty. Lanang Ali Jr. Ethics and Privileges: Atty. Omar Yasser Sema

Amendments, Revision, and Codification of Laws: Atty. Mary Ann Arnado

Finance: Arch. Eduard Guerra Basic, Higher, and Technical Education: Eddie Alih

Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy: Tawakal Midtimbang Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform: Matarul Estino

Local Government: Atty. Raissa Jajurie

Health: Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr.

Social Services: Engr. Aida Silongan

Labor and Employment: Akmad Abbas

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs: Ramon Piang Sr. Science and Technology: Atty. Omar Yasser Sema

Bangsamoro Justice System: Atty. Jose Lorena Special Committee on Marawi: Ali Solaiman

Vice-chairs chosen from within the committee’s membership will preside over meetings and hearings in the absence of the chairperson. All committees have oversight functions and responsibilities to ensure that concerned ministries implement laws, policies, and programs addressing specific concerns in their respective jurisdictions.

They also have the power to initiate legislation by drafting a bill or resolution and introducing it in the plenary session. It will be known as a committee bill or resolution. The committees may also hold public hearings and consultations to gather information, facts, and a wider perspective on any legislative measures from professional and expert opinions, organizations, and the public.

Meanwhile, the resolution adopting the calendar session for the first regular session of the second parliament was also approved. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

COTABATO CITY — In the first week of the session of the 2nd Parliament, the Government of the Day reintroduced 12 proposed bills and filed four new bills.

Two of these legislative measures, the Bangsamoro Electoral Code and the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code, are the priority codes stated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim committed to enacting the electoral and local governance code by the end of the year or the first quarter of 2023.

Through the BLGC, the local government units will gradually and systematically receive more powers, authority, responsibilities, and resources to provide a more responsive and accountable local government structure. The electoral code prescribes the structural, functional, and procedural principles in the elections of officers within the Bangsamoro region through democratic political participation.

Among the refiled bills are the following:

* Bangsamoro Regional Institute for Higher Islamic Studies Act of 2022;

* Rights of Internally Displaced Persons of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Act;

* Charter of the Bangsamoro Energy Development Corporation;

* Charter of the Bangsamoro Development Corporation;

* Hashim and Mimbantas Memorial Site;

* Bangsamoro Science High School Act of 2022;

* Bangsamoro Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute Act;

* Declaring May 2 as Battle of Bayang Day;

* BARMM Buffer Fund Act of 2022;

* Bangsamoro Irrigation Act of 2022; and the

* Bangsamoro Veteran Mujahideen Act of 2022.

The BTA also introduced three proposed measures, including the Bangsamoro Memorial Marker Act; Offices for SGA Act; and establishing the administrative capital of the Bangsamoro Government in Parang, Maguindanao. From 2019 until 2022, the first parliament has passed 31 bills and adopted 263 resolutions.

Among the six priority codes,

the administrative, educational, and civil service have already been enacted.

Six bills were also refiled by Deputy Speaker Atty. Laisa Alamia, which include providing benefits to Bangsamoro veteran mujahideen and mujahidat, establishing social and economic reparation for orphans of war, and strengthening the regional transitional justice and reconciliation program.

Alamia’s proposed legislative measures are: Institutionalizing an Agriculture Scholarship and Return Service Program in BARMM; Bangsamoro Mujahideen/Mujahidat Benefits System Act; Social and Economic Reparation and Benefit Initiatives for Orphans of War Act; Bangsamoro Health Care Subsidy Program Act; Regional Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission for the Bangsamoro Act; and Bangsamoro Women’s Caucus Act. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

A UFO somehow ended up on a U.S. intelligence agency logo

Continued from page 1Continued from page 1 presumably including possible ETs.

The logo, shown above, depicts five “aircraft” flying over the Western Hemisphere. The first aircraft on the right is what looks like a civilian jetliner. The next craft, from the right, is scarlet red and appears to be a Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon”, Russia’s first fifth-generation fighter. The third craft in blue looks like a hypersonic glide vehicle. The fourth craft, with a twin tail connected to the rear and a hint of a push propeller behind the fuselage, looks like a Bayraktar TB-2 drone—the kind used with great success by Ukraine as it struggles to eject Russian invaders.

The fifth craft, presumably hovering somewhere over the Eastern Pacific, is clearly an unidentified flying object, or what the Pentagon and the U.S. intelligence community also call unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP) and more recently unidentified aerospace-undersea phenomena. The object resembles a classic flying saucer, with portholes presumably for little green men to see outside.

NIM-A’s mission is to “identify, analyze, and integrate intelligence on threats and vulnerabilities in the Air Domain.” The office’s website identifies threats as terrorism (which would explain the civilian jetliner), hypersonic weapons, un-

manned aerial systems, and presumably military aircraft threats. This broad spectrum of threats, from terrorism to high intensity war, is represented on the logo.

That leaves the UFO. The Pentagon has been paying increasing attention to possible UFOs in recent years, after encounters between naval aviators flying fighter jets and strange flying craft were reported on both the East and West Coast of the United States. Navy surface ships have also reported separate encounters with drone-like UAPs off the coast of Southern California. NIM-A was also partially responsible for drafting the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s 2021 report, Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena.

It isn’t clear how long the logo was on the NIM-A website, but it was up as early as 5:51 a.m. ET on September 25, as documented by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.

Within hours of it going viral on social media, the logo was scrubbed from the site sometime between 2:02 a.m. and 4:14 a.m. ET on September 27.

Not only that, but if you look closely, you’ll see variations in the logos used across the old webpage. The logo underneath the “Message from the Executive Director,” the background image, and the logo at the very

bottom of the page are all the same, but different from the logo used in the banner at the top of the page. Minor but notable differences between the logos include the UFO, the stars, and the outline of the continents.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which NIM-A advises on aviation threats, told The War Zone blog, “NIM Aviation erroneously posted an unofficial and incorrect logo.” For now, the UFO logo has been replaced with the older logo of the National Air Intelligence Integration Office, the former name for NIM-A, which changed names in 2016. It’s hard to see how they were posted by accident. The flying saucer is prominent and hard to miss.

The swarm of UAP sightings by military personnel over the last 12 years has been unprecedented, as far as we know. While some of the UAPs appear to be human-operated drones, others demonstrate flight characteristics that appeared in contravention of existing aerial technology, including drones.

The official inclusion of a flying saucer on a government agency logo may have gone a considerable way toward putting to rest the “giggle factor” often involved in investigating UFO sightings—or it may have added to it. (Kkyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics)

Journos attend climate change seminar

Continued from page 1Continued from page 1 Climate Crisis” was held in Puerto Princesa City and attended by 19 media members from different outlets in the country.

Those who participated in the seminar were Redempto Anda, Palawan News; Francis Allan Angelo, Daily Guardian; Vivian Bautista, Repetek; April Bravo, Philippine Information Agency; Gaea Cabico, PhilSTAR.com; Amalia Cabusao, Mindanao Times; Lucelle Casilao, Davao Today; Ted Cordero, GMA News Online; Cong Corrales, Mindanao Gold Star Daily; Maritess Fernandez, The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper; Clarina Guludah, Palawan Daily News; Caecent Magsumbol, The Freeman; Job Manahan, ABS-CBN; Yves Mirasol, Negros Chronicle; Goody Sarsagat, Radyo Pilipinas; Dexter See, Herald Express; Joshua Solano, SunStar Cebu; Romeo Subaldo Jr., Digicast Negros and Alyssa Tan, BusinessWorld.

They also visited a tribal community in the village called Napsan which was heavily devastated by Super Typhoon Rai in December 2021.

Among the seminar’s guest speakers were Imelda Abaño, an award-winning environmental journalist and is the founding president of the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists and currently serves as the Philippines and Pacific Region Senior Coordinator for Internews Earth Journalism Network, an international media development organization.

Dr. David Cash, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) New England Region. He has spent his career in public service harnessing science, innovative policy and participatory decision-making to solve challenges and seize opportunities at the intersection of environment, economy and equity. He was the Dean of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Govern-

ment at Harvard University, a science teaching degree from Lewis & Clark in Portland, OR, and a BS in biology from Yale.

Jhesset Enano, a journalist and educator from Manila. Her reporting sheds light on the climate crisis, biodiversity, and the intersections of environmental changes and challenges with policy, gender and human rights. She has been recognized for her reporting, most recently by the 2022 Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards by the Columbia Journalism Review as a finalist in its Emerging Journalist category.

Maria Paz Luna, the Chief of Party of USAID INSPIRE. She has been engaged in environmental law and policy practice for over three decades, working for civil society organizations and communities until she joined government in 2016 when she was designated as OIC Undersecretary at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and later Regional Executive Director at the Calabarzon Region until June 2019. She is a Gerry Roxas Leadership Award and a Ten Outstanding Young Men Award recipient in 2004.

Dr. Richard Muallil, a marine scientist specializing in coastal resource management, marine protected areas, and smallscale fisheries. He is a Professor at the Institute of Oceanography and Environmental Science and Director of the Office of Continuing Education and Extension Services at Mindanao State University- Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography. He was also awarded the most outstanding PhD graduate by the College of Science of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

And Ryder Rogers who serves as Director of the Environment Office for USAID’s Philippines, Pacific Islands, and Mongolia Mission. He has been a Foreign Service Officer with USAID since 2008, most recently serving as Director of USAID/Central Asia’s Economic Development Office in Almaty, Kazakhstan. From 2016 to 2018, he served in Uzbekistan, leading USAID’s trade facilitation efforts including spearheading USAID’s support for Uzbekistan’s economic reform agenda. Prior to his time in Central Asia, he was the Capacity Building Division Chief in USAID/Washington’s Office of Economic Policy, leading the agency’s efforts on Domestic Resource Mobilization and Public Financial Management.

Press Attaché Kanishka Gangopadhyay, Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Deputy Press Attaché Stephen Dove also spoke during the September 2223 hybrid seminar.

Officials urged journalists to report on climate change - which refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns - and the devastating effects on the environment and human lives. Since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels which produce heat-trapping gases.

Coal, oil and gas are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.

As greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, they trap the sun’s heat. This leads to global warming and climate change. The world is now warming faster than at any point in recorded history. Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance of nature. This poses many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on Earth, according to the United Nations. (Mindanao Examiner)

(Photos by Janice Fedak)

Broadcaster’s killers hunted

MANILA – Police continue to search for two motorcycle gunmen who shot dead a veteran broadcaster in Las Piñas City.

Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid and a staunch critic of the previous Duterte administration and the current Marcos government was murdered on Monday evening, October 3 while driving his car near BF Resort Village.

The murder was believed to be related to his Lapid’s work as dwBL’s broadcaster . He is the second media man killed under the Marcos administration. Another broadcaster, Rey Blanco, was also killed in Negros Oriental’s Mabinay town last month.

Lapid’s family issued this statement: “We are deeply saddened and angered by the brutal and brazen killing of fearless broadcaster, father and husband, brother and friend, Percy Lapid. We strongly condemn this deplorable crime; it was committed not only against Percy, his family,

and his profession, but against our country, his beloved Philippines, and the truth.”

“Percy is beloved by many and highly respected by peers, fans and foes alike. His bold and sharp commentaries cut through the barrage of fake news over the air waves and social media. We demand that his cowardly assassins be brought to justice.”

According to the Committee to Protect

Journalists’ Global Impunity Index, the Philippines is the seventh worst country when it comes to unsolved killings of journalists.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has condemned Lapid’s murder, saying “the killing shows that journalism remains a dangerous profession in the country. That the incident took place in Metro Manila indicates how brazen the perpetrators were, and how authorities have failed to protect journalists as well as ordinary citizens from harm.”

The NUJP also said that Lapid had been critical of the Duterte administration as well as some personalities in and policies of the Marcos administration. (Mindanao Examiner)

Lawmakers question DepEd’s P150-M confidential funds

Continued from page 1Continued from page 1 even higher than the proposed P141 million confidential funds of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

Senator Pia Cayetano now wants Duterte to explain how the DepEd will use the huge confidential funds under its proposed 2023 budget. Cayetano said this is her first time to hear that DepEd is seeking such funds.

Organic

Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey

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 connoisseur thinks.

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 lover 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 backyard 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 want 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 0915-3976197. (AJC)

“I want to find out paano ba nagagamit 'yung funds na 'yan and will they be the one to administer it and how will they use it?” Kailangan ba ng ganung kalaki? Kasi kung maliit lang 'yun, I think wala na tayong pinag-usapan, 'di ba?” Cayetano told Karen Davila, host of the ANC's “Headstart.”

Duterte previously said the confidential fund would be used for programs against so-called sexual grooming, active shooter copycats, and insurgency recruitment of children and drug involvement of learners.

Cayetano said while Duterte’s purpose of having confidential funds is good, she wants clarity in the DepEd’s role in supposedly protecting children. “I'm just trying to get a better grasp on whether they handle these actual protective steps such that they have to handle this kind of funding and does it have to be that much?" she said.

Critics have proposed rechanneling the proposed confidential funds to other DepEd programs such as those catering to learners with disabilities which received zero allocation in DepEd's budget for next year.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers also said Duterte’s proposed confidential funds could also be used to fill in the many shortages in public school supplies.

NICA

Senator Risa Hontiveros confirmed that DepEd’s proposed confidential funds are higher than that requested by NICA. “The (DepEd) agency should focus on educational reform, instead of national security. The budget prioritization is misplaced. Let’s leave intelligence and

security to the pros,” she said.

She also asked Duterte if DepEd would be willing to re-allocate some of its confidential funds to finance the indigenous peoples’ education program which suffered budget cuts.

Pitching the suggestion during the Finance Subcommittee D's deliberation of the DepEd's P666.25-billion proposed budget for next year, Hontiveros asked Duterte how DepEd intends to spend its requested funds for surveillance and security. Without specifying the purpose of the allocation, Duterte cited issues and cases involving teachers and students, such as illegal drugs, abuses, extremism and terrorism, pornograpy, and other illegal activities.

Duterte said they can, internally, work out realignments to fund programs and activities that need funding.

Senator Grace Poe also called for a review of the government’s feeding program to expand its coverage and increase the number of its beneficiaries. “It's really important that our children go to school nourished. It doesn't have to be expensive," said Poe, who pushed for the enactment of the law. “This is also crucial to the development of the country, that the children are fed well, educated well, and are cared for well,” she pointed out.

Facilities Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda also asked why funds worth P3.199 billion allocated in 2022 to construct basic education facilities only have a utilization rate of 13.45%.

Legarda also noted that since 1998, the DepEd always had an annual backlog in providing enough school buildings, classrooms, study tables, etc. to students. “This has always been one of the challenges of the department. It’s already the 2023 budget and it's still a challenge. My question is, will there be a time when we will no longer have a backlog?” Legarda asked.

Duterte assured the committee that the Department of Public Works and Highways and DepEd have already included the problem in the list of issues that they will tackle in their upcoming meetings and promised that they will immediately address it.

“We hope that by the time we reach the plenary we will be able to address this. It is an annual problem, not just at your time but with previous administrations as well. Otherwise, the allocated funds are only wasted. Even if we want to increase your budget, it will just be wasted if they remain unused," Legarda said. (Bibo España, Joseph Vidal, ABSCBN and Mindanao Examiner)

Virtue of Generosity

by Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo (Cebu)

THE VIRTUE of generosity is giving to another person something of yours as an act of freewill. It is giving something usually monetary not out of obligation but out of goodness of one’s heart. It is giving freely, not expecting something in return and not even a thank you. If we are giving out of a sense of self-interest or expecting a payback, it would be selfishness and not generosity.

That’s why I always tip my hat off to those who donate to a parish church that don’t want their name mentioned and leave themselves to be known only as an anonymous donor. These are the people who don’t expect to be rewarded, not even a reward from God. They just give, because for them the act of giving is in itself a reward already. They feel good sharing a piece of themselves. This is why virtue is its own reward. All virtues give us a good feeling about ourselves but especially the virtue of generosity because it makes others happy. It’s like a double reward.

This reminds me of what I think is the best way to make ourselves happy. The best way to make yourself happy is by making others happy. The worldly way of happiness is to focus on oneself by having the best car, the best dress, the best house, etc. We have tried out this worldly formula so many times but with the same result, emptiness and dissatisfaction. We still don’t learn that our true joy lies not in looking out for ourselves but only in looking out for others.

Generosity is not only for those who have many things in life. Generosity is measured by the goodness of

one’s heart. Thus, even the materially poor can be generous. Dr. Peter Kreeft said, “Generosity is not measured by how much you give but by how much is left (in you) after you have given.”

This explains why Christ heaped the greatest praise on the poor widow although she only dropped two drachmas. (Mk 12:43) She had given everything she had while the others were giving something extra. This is not to say that those who did not give everything as the poor widow did were wicked people. We don’t commit a sin by being less generous. The act of giving is in itself something good. Our Lord is just telling us that we can be more generous and that we should not put a limit on how much we can give.

This applies especially to the things of God or being generous to God. We can’t for example limit our time of prayer or limit ourselves with fulfilling the minimum like attending only Sunday Masses. Remember that if we are more generous with God it is for our own good.

If we attend more Masses for example, we become more close to Him, we pray more, we receive more graces to become good Christians, we become more virtuous, become more generous and in the end become more peaceful and joyful. Isn’t that a good bargain? With God, he prefers that we give more time to Him because He is a lover. He wants to develop that relationship with us more than giving Him things or money because God does not need it. He owns the universe but He cannot own our heart. We will always have to freely give it to Him.

Loving without measure

by Fr. Roy Cimagala (Cebu)

THAT’S how love should be if it is true. That is to say, if it is the love that flows from the same love which is the very essence of God and that is also meant for us, since we are God’s image and likeness. We are reminded of this truth of our faith in that gospel episode where Christ was asked what God’s greatest commandment is. That is to say, what God really wants us to do and ultimately to be. (cfr. Lk 10,25-37)

That’s when Christ clearly said that the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” The response of Christ clearly indicates that we ought to give everything to God out of love. In other words, it’s an all-or-nothing thing, an incredible ideal to attain but for which we actually have been given all the means.

We just have to do our part which, of course, will take some time and some process. The important thing is that we should try to put our mind and heart into this responsibility, and no matter how things go, we should just move on. God is always understanding and patient with us, “quick to forgive, slow to anger.”

We need to realize that true love has a universal scope. It is all inclusive. We are meant to love our neighbor, who is actually anyone and everyone, including those we do not know, and those who are strangers and are even our enemies. Let’s remember also that our love for God is expressed and is proven by our love for others. St. John in his first Letter said as much, “He who does not love his brother whom he has seen,

cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (4,20)

In this regard, we have to see to it that we are always thinking of the others, and of how we can serve them in any way. This will prove our love for God, since love is deeds and not just sweet words. Obviously, to pursue this ideal will always be a work in progress, requiring a lot of patience and prudence. Before anything else, it will require that we be more and more Christ-like because only then can we really have this inclusivity of charity. Let’s hope that we are game with that.

The inclusivity of charity for sure is not an anything-goes matter. The truth cannot be compromised, but we have to understand the truth not as a fixed, frozen thing that can be fully captured by our articulated doctrines, laws and principles.

The truth is a living thing, as living as God himself who is precisely the absolute truth. As such, it is dynamic and wrapped many times in mysteries and spiritual and supernatural realities.

It’s not that our doctrines, laws and principles serve for nothing. They are necessary, but as a guide to the truth, and not as truth itself. They will always need to be read, understood and followed with the proper spirit that can only come from God. They need to be continually updated, deepened, and polished. It is with these parameters that we have to approach issues like whether we should be dealing with people who are non-believers, public sinners, those in what we call are in irregular situations, and even those who are in open enmity with the Christian faith.

Reforming how world deals with waste is critical to keeping warming below 1.5°C, report says

THE INTRODUCTION of “Zero Waste” systems in cities around the world would be one of the quickest and most affordable ways to reduce global heating and stay below 1.5°C of warming, according to a new report released by Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA).

The waste sector accounts for 3.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and a fifth of methane emissions. Introducing better waste management policies such as waste separation, recycling, and composting could cut total emissions from the waste sector by more than 1.4 billion tonnes, equivalent to the annual emissions of 300 million cars.

But this figure underestimates the potential impact of waste management reforms. At least 70% of global emissions come from the manufacture, transport, use and disposal of goods, and a focus on waste reduction could significantly reduce the emissions in these sectors too. For example, manufacturing something from recycled aluminium uses 96% less energy than starting with raw materials.

The potential for Zero Waste policies to reduce methane emissions is also critical. Methane is over 80 times as potent as CO2 but lasts only a short time in the atmosphere. Reforming the waste sector could cut global methane emissions by 13% globally. This would bring enormous climate benefits within the next few decades and ‘buy time’ to cut other emissions.

Report co-author Dr. Neil Tangri at GAIA, said: “Better waste management is a climate change solution staring us in the face. It doesn't require flashy or expensive new technology - it's just about paying more attention to what we produce and consume, and how we deal with it when it is no longer needed.”

Co-author Mariel Vilella, Director of GAIA’s Global Climate Program, said previous climate talks have largely overlooked the potential of reforms to the

waste sector, particularly for reducing methane, which over 100 countries have now pledged to do.

“Zero waste strategies are the easiest way to rapidly and cheaply bring down emissions, while building climate resilience, creating jobs, and promoting thriving local economies,” she said.

“As we prepare for another round of UN climate negotiations, we have a unique opportunity to put waste firmly on the agenda. Without concrete commitment from global leaders to zero waste, we will not be able to meet the 1.5° C climate target,” she added.

GAIA’s report modelled potential emissions reductions from eight cities around the world. They found that on average, these cities could cut waste sector emissions by almost 84% by introducing Zero Waste policies, with some, such as Seoul and Bandung, able to reach net-negative emissions by 2030.

Froilan Grate, Regional Director of GAIA Asia Pacific, said carbon sequestration through composting is one of the easiest ways to mitigate climate change. “In Asia, where most of the generated waste is organic, GAIA members in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines have successfully diverted organic waste away from landfills through waste segregation and composting. Through steps alone, we can solve a significant portion of our gas emissions as well as nourish our soils,” Grate said.

GAIA’s report also maps out how Zero Waste systems could help cities adapt to the escalating climate crisis, preventing both flooding and droughts, strengthening soil and agriculture, reducing disease transmission and generating employment opportunities.

Natasya Hasna Afifah of YPBB Bandung, said sorting and processing organic waste not only contributes to reducing the amount of waste to the landfill, but is also important in GHG emissions reduction and even absorb-

ing carbon in the air. “This is what makes intervention on organic waste strategic,” she said.

Despite this, more than a quarter of countries’ current climate plans neglect the waste sector. Waste management will be one of the critical topics tackled at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) in November, where host nation Egypt plans to put forward the Africa Waste 50 Initiative, aimed at treating and recycling 50% of waste produced in Africa by 2050.

In order to keep global warming below 1.5°C, as set out in the Paris Agreement, and prevent catastrophic climate change, GAIA is urging global leaders to take urgent and bold action on zero waste by:

• Incorporating zero waste goals and policies into climate mitigation and adaptation plans.

• Prioritising food waste prevention and single-use plastic ban.

• Instituting separate collection and treatment of organic waste.

• Investing in waste management systems, recycling, and composting capacity.

• Establishing institutional frameworks and financial incentives for zero waste including regulations, educational and outreach programs, and subsidies to recycling and composting.

Janez Potonik, CoChair of the International Resource Panel of the UN Environment Programme, said this report demonstrates the huge importance of aligning our waste systems with climate goals. “It shows how cities are already working to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from waste while building climate resilience and creating livelihoods. It highlights the absolute necessity of reducing root sources of waste through changing our production and consumption patterns - using all the tools at our disposal to achieve the deep emissions reductions we need,” Potonik said. (Mindanao Examiner)

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Photos from the Office of the Sulu Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Maimbung Municipal Government,

Photos from the Office of the Sulu Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Radyo Pilipinas Jolo, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz SalapuddinRep. Shernee Tambut, Jolo, Asiri, and Aziz

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Environmentalists oppose incinerator deal

“Mayor Rama is holding us hostage to a problematic garbage management system. Instead of using the taxpayer’s money to pursue genuine solutions on solid waste, this WTE project will encourage and push Cebuanos to produce more garbage to ensure continu-

ous feeding and operation of the incinerator plant,” said Teody Navea, Secretary-General of Sanlakas-Cebu. Various organizations also protested against the WTE project and among them are the Action for Nurturing Children and Environment, Bukluran ng Mang-

gagawang Pilipino-Cebu, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Gagmay ng Kristohanong Katilingban Homeowners Association, Kongreso Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Pilipino, Ligdung Sumbanan alang sa mga Kabataan sa Sugbo, Partido Lakas ng Masa, Piglas Kabataan, San-

Cebu gets back lands

CEBU – The Cebu provincial government has received 16 parcels of land returned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of National Defense (DND) following a 2019 Supreme Court decision which ordered them to hand over the possession, administration, and control of the donated lots.

AFP Chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro and DND Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. led the turned over ceremony at the Provincial Capitol. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia presided over the ceremonial turnover and the signing of the deed of conveyance. She was joined by Vice Governor Hilario Davide III and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Bacarro said the turnover of the expropriated lots only shows the noble intent of the AFP and the DND to abide by the 2019 Supreme Court decision, which ordered them to hand over the

possession, administration, and control of the donated lots back to Cebu provincial government.

“The turn of events leading to the series of engagements between the DND, AFP, and the Cebu provincial government highlighted the strong teamwork of our agencies and the diplomatic approach that we all espouse in deliberating the available courses of actions in order to achieve a mutually-beneficial result,” Bacarro said.

In 1959, the provincial government donated parcels of land to the AFP to be used specifically for military purposes. The donation consisted of 47 parcels of land with a total area of 806,943 square meters to be used by the 3rd Military Area, now known as the Visayas Command for battalion combat teams, military exercises, camps, and offices.

The donation came with the condition that in case the lands are used other than for military purposes, they shall

be reverted to the provincial government. The recovery of these parcels of land went through a long process that began 12 years ago.

“Our eagerness to work with the provincial government is founded not only on respect for the rule of law or compliance with the decision of the Supreme Court but also on our fervent desire to cultivate a solid relationship for the benefit of everyone, especially the local communities directly impacted by the situation,” Faustino said.

Bacarro said the AFP looks forward to strengthening the continuing partnership between the AFP and the local government in serving the best interest of the people of Cebu. “Rest assured that the AFP through the Visayas Command, shall remain as your reliable, credible, and highly capable partner in protecting the peace and facilitating development in your communities,” he said. (Priam Nepomuceno)

lakas Cebu, and Sanlakas Youth.

“By signing this joint venture agreement, the Cebu City government is promoting the use of dirty technology that violates the Clean Air Act and Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. WTE incinerators emit huge amounts of greenhouse gases and toxins into the air, water and surrounding communities. High-impact projects such as the WTE incinerator should be discussed and consulted with key stakeholders,” said lawyer John Menguito, of the public law group

called “Philippine Earth Justice Center.”

“We call on Mayor Rama to cancel the WTE garbage contract. Instead, the city government should invest in helping its barangays, schools, and business establishments to implement concrete programs on garbage prevention and source separation as warranted under our environmental laws,” he added.

According to the public network EcoWaste Coalition, Cebu City’s spending on solid waste management is expected to increase under the new

garbage contract with New Energy Sky. Based on the JVA draft endorsed by the Cebu City Council in August 27, last year, the local government will pay higher fees to New Energy Nexus compared to disposal fee for disposal of garbage in private sanitary landfills.

The network emphasized that there are already cities in the country that have implemented the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and have effectively addressed their garbage woes. (Cebu Examiner)

Cebu Pacific adds more Visayas, Mindanao flights

CEBU - Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced additional flights in the Visayas and Mindanao this month.

It said a 35% increase in the carrier's non-Manila flight network is expected due to additional flights via Cebu and Davao hubs.

CEB said it would resume the Davao-Bacolod and Davao-Cagayan de Oro services beginning October. The Davao-Bacolod route will operate thrice weekly or every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; while flights be-

tween Davao and Cagayan de Oro will be four times weekly, every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Upon the resumption of these routes, domestic connections via Davao will total to seven, which include Bohol, Cebu, Manila, and Zamboanga City. From October 30, CEB will also resume international operations via Davao, starting with direct flights to Singapore.

The airline also plans to add flights to some domestic destinations via Cebu. Additional flights to Bacolod, Bu-

tuan, Iloilo, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, and Puerto Princesa are being eyed in November. CEB currently services several domestic and two international destinations via Cebu.

"As we approach the holiday season, we expect more people wanting to fly and come back home, thus we made sure we are more than ready with additional flight connections,” said CEB chief commercial officer Xander Lao. (Maria Christina Arayata)

Department of National Defense (DND) officer in charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. , AFP Chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia during the ceremonial turnover of 16 parcels of land to Cebu’s provincial government. (AFP photo)

Zero Waste advocates protest the incinerator deal in Cebu City.