The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (June 19-25, 2023)

deck of the USS Ronald Reagan in the Philippine Sea, June 3, 2023. (Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ryre Arciaga)

BTA eyes new municipalities in Special

Geographic Area

COTABATO CITY The Bangsamoro Parliament's Local Government Committee has committed to pass bills that will pave

Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong says the Bangsamoro Parliament has worked tirelessly to fulfill its mandate of crafting laws that will shape the future of the region.

page

World's biggest

trade deal takes effect for all members

BEIJING - The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement came into force in the Philippines, Continue on page 7 Continue on page 7

A worker arranges durians at a durian processing factory in the Chanthaburi province, Thailand. (Photo by Wang Teng / Xinhua)

benefits that the government provides soldiers and their

families would entice them to stay longer

on page 6

on page 6

Lawmakers puzzled by Sara Duterte’s reaction to GMA’s demotion

DAVAO CITY - Lawmakers are puzzled by Vice President Sara Duterte’s reaction to the demotion of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from Senior Deputy Speaker to Deputy Speaker. A lawmaker, who spoke in anonymity, Continue on page 4 Continue on page 4

Vice President Sara Duterte’s and Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Gloria Arroyo FB)

Stress leads to chronic disease, says expert

MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Do you know that stress can cause chronic diseases and even death in the long run?

According to Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine practitioner, Dr Dianna Tan Villanueva, we should be mindful of our health, especially in dealing with stress, a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation or change.

With the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said some people experienced stress due to the sudden change in their lifestyle brought about by the lockdown and quarantine procedures.

"When we are under stress, our body secretes hormones called cortisol, which can cause inflammation and high blood sugar. That is why stress can also contribute to diabetes. When there is chronic low-grade inflammation in our body caused by stress, you are prone to other chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancer, anxiety, suicide, arthritis, and others," Villanueva said.

She said stress differs from one individual to another in terms of stressors, stress level, and coping mechanisms. To avoid stress, one must iden-

BTA eyes new municipalities in Special Geographic Area

tify one's stress signals and stressors, and upon knowing these factors, one must seek out or plan activities to steer clear of them.

Villanueva urges the public to be mindful of their activities and lifestyle, as they can determine whether they reduce or add to stress. Stress can be fought with the support of family, peers, and a healthy diet. "Stress is triggered by something new, something that threatens us, and something unexpected. This can happen every day, and we must know our triggers," she said. (Jan

Albert K. Araña)

Cervical cancer coverage, a top priority of PhilHealth

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 care package and cervical cancer treatment through the Z Benefits and since 2015, benefit claims for cervical cancer have reached over P31 million.

Acting PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said they are always looking into the welfare of its members and always doing its best to provide financial risk protection whenever and wherever Filipinos need quality health care. “We are glad that your PhilHealth has been able to extend medical care benefits to those women suffering from this dreaded disease,” he said.

Ledesma, citing reports from the Department of Health, said each year, nearly 8,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and over 4,000 die from the disease. He said cervical cancer ranks second in cancers among women in the Philippines and the second most common cancer in women between the ages of 15 and 44.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends screening for cervical cancer from 30 years of age in the general population of women or earlier for sexually active women. Further, updated guidelines of the WHO recommend Human Papillomavirus (HPV) tests for cervical cancer screening, which is more cost-effective than cytology (i.e., Pap smear).

In addition, the WHO also recommends the primary target of vaccination against HPV, which is the first line of defense against cervical cancer, are girls aged 9-14. The secondary targets for HPV vaccination are boys and other

females whenever feasible and affordable.

Warning signs of cervical cancer show abnormal bleeding or foul- smelling vaginal discharge, bleeding after sexual intercourse, persistent back, leg, or pelvic pain, and unexplainable weight loss.

Meanwhile, in a recent report by Professor Dindo Manhit of Stratbase ADR Institute along with other Cancer Societies and Cancer-free Movement, their groups discussed evidence-based and cost-effective interventions that will scale up the elimination of cervical cancer in the Philippines and to officially launch the Zero Cervical Cancer Movement.

Ledesma said PhilHealth acknowledges the groups’ effort to bring down the incidence of cervical cancer if not totally eliminate this catastrophic illness through boosting immunization, vaccination and treatment control programs and fully support their future proj-

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 the way for the creation of eight new municipalities in the BARMM Special Geographic Area (SGA) before the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October, allowing the newly established municipalities to participate in the polls.

Member of the Parliament Engr. Aida Silongan hopes that the plebiscite for the creation of the municipalities would be conducted simultaneously with the elections, emphasizing the importance of providing better governance and service delivery to the communities in the region.

BARMM SGA has garnered support from various stakeholders, including local government officials, civil society groups, and community leaders. They believe that establishing new municipalities will promote inclusive governance, empower local communities, and facilitate the efficient delivery of public services.

During the recent public consultation, over 11,000 signatures were gathered in support of placing the seat of local government in the village of Datu Binasing for BTA Bill No. 129, which aims to establish the municipality of Pahamudin.

and Tamped. Stakeholders pledged their full support for the law and presented a number of proposals, such as changing the name of the municipality to “Laya” from “Northern Kabacan,” as the former better reflects the people’s unique identity.

The bill for the municipality of Kapalawan, as outlined in BTA Bill No. 133, aims to transfer the villages of Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian, Pebpoloan, and Tupig from Carmen town in North Cotabato.

ects in collaboration with other sectors.

In response to their call to expand coverage of the Z benefits package for cervical cancer and even include HPV Screening in the soon-to-be introduced Konsulta Plus Package, Ledesma said: “We are determined to further enhance our benefits package to provide responsive coverage for our members and their dependents needing treatment. Cancer screening will be included under the Konsulta primary care package while the Z Benefits covers treatment for this type of cancer. This year, enhancement in select Z Benefits packages will include cervical cancer.”

He said currently, PhilHealth has two Z Benefits packages that cover complete course of treatment for cervical cancer for stages IA1, IA2-IIA1 where it pays P120,000 for Chemoradiation with Cobalt and Brachytherapy (low dose) and P175,000 for Chemoradiation with Linear Accelerator and Brachytherapy (high dose).

Ledesma also stressed the importance of more healthcare providers being contracted for PhilHealth’s Z Benefits Package for cervical cancer to ensure greater access to patients. “To date there are seven (7) contracted hospitals where qualified patients can avail of the Z Benefits package for cervical cancer. PhilHealth is committed to engaging more healthcare providers to partner with us to make this more accessible to members and their dependents who are afflicted with the disease,” he explained. (Mindanao Examiner)

The BTA, which serves as the interim government of the BARMM or Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, aims to bring the government closer to the people by establishing new municipalities and enabling more localized decision-making and development initiatives to address the specific needs and concerns of the communities.

The eight municipalities, composed of 63 villages, are proposed to be created in the towns of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, and Pigcawayan, all located in North Cotabato, a province near Maguindanao.

In December 2022, the Government of the Day filed eight bills seeking to establish the municipalities of Pahamudin, Kadayangan, Kabalukan, Northern Kabacan, Kapalawan, Malmar, Tugunan, and Ligawasan.

A two-day series of simultaneous public consultations took place on June 12–13 for BTA Bill Nos. 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, and 136 in selected towns of North Cotabato.

Deputy Floor Leader Atty. Mary Ann Arnado expressed the eagerness of the Bangsamoro government to give back to the residents of the BARMM SGA, acknowledging the sacrifices they have endured. She highlighted that the lack of their own municipalities has put these residents in a precarious situation, hindering their access to essential programs and services.

If the bills are passed into law, Arnado said, the residents would have a functional, accountable, and competent local government unit to cater to their day-to-day needs.

The proposed creation of municipalities within the

Some groups lobbied for changing the name of the municipality to Pimbagran as it symbolized unity during the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Pimbagran is a local term that means "to strengthen".

The proposed municipality includes the villages of Balacayon, Buricain, Datu Binasing, Datu Mantil, Kadilingan, Lower Pangangkalan, Libungan Torreta, Matilac, Patot, Upper Pangangkalan, Lowe Baquer, and Simsiman.

Residents of Kapinpilan, Sambulawan, Tugal, Mudseng, Malingao, Central Labas, and Tumbras also expressed their support for the creation of Kadayangan municipality. They believe that BTA Bill No. 130 will empower them to "exercise greater control over their affairs and resources."

“Establishing a separate municipality will allow us to make decisions that are tailored to our specific needs, leading to more efficient and effective governance,” one village official said, citing the unique challenges and opportunities that their communities face.

Residents from the villages of Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kudarangan, Nabalawag, Olandang, and Dungguan in Midsayap called for the immediate passage of BTA Bill No. 131 that would enable the formation of Kabalaukan municipality. They also expressed the need for the appointment of leaders who will oversee the municipality until the next national elections.

While BTA Bill No. 132 proposed the creation of Northern Kabacan, which will be formed out of the villages of Buluan, Nangaan, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone, Pedtad,

Tribal Chieftain Rodolpho Palawan Jr. highlighted the support of the Indigenous Peoples sector, emphasizing the importance of including and recognizing the IPs in the bill once it becomes law.

BTA Bill No. 134 proposes the creation of the municipality of Malmar, composed of seven villages: Balungis, Batulawan, Fort Pikit, Gokotan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, and Nunguan. If the measure is passed, these villages would be united into a single administrative unit, resulting in a total population of 366,438 residents for the newly formed municipality.

The villages of Balong, Bualan, Lagunde, Macabual, Manaulanan, Pamalian, and Panicupan in Pikit and Tapodoc in Aleosan town would become part of the municipality of Tugunan if BTA Bill No. 135 is passed into law.

Over 2,000 groups, including village officials and representatives, civil society organizations, security forces, traditional, religious, women's groups, and others, showed up to express their support for the proposed measure.

Lastly, BTA Bill No. 136 seeks to establish the municipality of Ligawasan, which would include the villages of Bagoinged, Barungis, Bulol, Buliok, GliGli, Kabasalan, and Rajamuda, all of which are presently part of the municipality of Pikit in North Cotabato.

Once these bills are enacted, the newly created municipalities will have their own local government units with elected officials who will be responsible for addressing the specific needs and concerns of their respective communities. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr.

SC petition questions BARMM Electoral Code

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The electoral code or the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35 was enacted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and signed into law by the Interim Chief Minister Ahod Ibrahim on March 8.

Governors Mamintal Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur; Jim Hataman Salliman of Basilan; Sakur Tan of Sulu; Mariam Mangudadatu of Maguindanao Del Sur; and Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi said they support the filing of the petition.

The five leaders were also behind the Bangsamoro Governor’s Caucus launched on June 6 in an effort to address issues and concerns facing the restive region in southern Philippines.

Adiong, the group’s spokesman, said the petition was filed on Wednesday, June 14, by legal

counsel Atty. Romulo Macalintal. The petition, he said, questions, among others, the provisions which infringe on the jurisdiction of the Commission on Elections, Congress and the Supreme Court, the applicability of the electoral code not only in regional, but also in national and local elections.

And also the stringent requirements for the registration of political parties and the use of public funds for political campaign or partisan political activities. The petition is asking the Supreme Court to immediately stop the enforcement of the electoral code and to declare it in part or in full to be unconstitutional.

“The governors are supporting the filing of the petition by local chief executives and representatives of political parties,

sectoral groups and CSOs, because this is in line with the BGC’s advocacy to help build a strong rule of law in the BARMM. Our manifesto states that we support the filing of legal challenges against regional laws and policies that may be unconstitutional and violative of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and other national laws,” Adiong said.

But he was quick to emphasize that the filing of the petition does not mean that the governors are against the BARMM government. “On the contrary, we want BARMM to succeed that is why we are advocating for stable regional laws and policies. Asking the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality and legality of regional laws is in fact contributing to a strong rule of law regime in the

BARMM,” he said.

The governors recently issued a manifesto and sent this, along with a letter, to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr calling for the immediate shut down of all MILF forces due to violence in areas where former rebels are active-

ly operating, especially in Maguindanao, Cotabato City and North Cotabato, and for the government to postpone the Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan elections set in October until the decommissioning process are completed as part of the implementa-

tion of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. There was no immediate reaction from either Ebrahim or members of the BTA on the manifesto and petition filed in the High Court. (Mindanao Examiner)

Lawmakers puzzled by Sara Duterte’s reaction to GMA’s demotion

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 also noted that this is not the first time VP Duterte has made a move that essentially shows her support for Arroyo. “Anong meron kay GMA at ginagawa yan ni VP?” the solon asked.

Another lawmaker thinks that this probably has something to do with the 2028 presidential elections.

While another solon thinks that it has something to do with the help provided by Arroyo to make former President Rodrigo Duterte win in the 2016 presidential race. Arroyo was released from detention after President Duterte took over Malacañang.

The first time that VP Duterte made a favorable move for Arroyo was when she helped unseat then-Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, who was replaced by Arroyo in 2018.

Alvarez was among the few individuals who stood by former President Duterte, even during the time when he was still trailing in the election surveys.

Arroyo’s demotion was linked to her alleged plan to replace Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Arroyo has denied the rumors. Following Arroyo’s demotion, VP Duterte resigned from the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lak-

as-CMD), the party that provided the way so she could run for vice president in the 2022 elections.

In one event, Duterte expressed her love and respect for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. but said that she refused to mention his middle initial. “Hindi ko na banggitin ang middle initial niya… Mahal ko si apo BBM,” VP Duterte said.

Marcos’ middle name is Romualdez. He and Speaker Romualdez are cousins. Romualdez did not issue any statement on the matter earning praise from his colleagues.

In a statement, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. lauded Romualdez for taking the ‘moral high road’ and expressed his hope that the ‘rift’ will be mended soon. Barzaga also mentioned the hard work Romualdez did for VP Duterte during the campaign.

But VP Duterte disagreed with Barzaga’s statement that Romualdez has something to do with her decision to run for the vice presidency. “Speaker Martin Romualdez had absolutely nothing to do with my decision to run for Vice President,” said VP Duterte in a statement. “To say that he “tremendously helped in pushing for” my Vice Presidential bid is acutely inaccurate — an insult to thousands of groups and

individuals who incessantly implored me to reconsider an earlier decision not to join national politics.”

Romualdez was one of the two campaign managers of VP Duterte during the recent elections.

After her victory, VP Duterte acknowledged the efforts of Romualdez. “I like to personally thank publicly thank Cong. Martin Romualdez for taking me in Lakas-CMD and accepting the challenge to be one of my two campaign managers during the last election…. You did very well…. 32.2 million votes you did it all,” said Duterte in a speech during the oath-taking ceremony of Romualdez at the RTR Gymnasium in Tacloban City on June 15, 2022.

During the last half of President Duterte’s term, VP Duterte was also invoked in the speakership race. VP Duterte, who was then the mayor of Davao City, and her brother Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte met Romualdez, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Lord Allan Velasco all vying for the speakership.

In the end, Romualdez accepted the position of House Majority Leader for the entire term while Cayetano and Velasco agreed to a term-sharing agreement for the speakership. (Billy Begas / Politics.com)

Governors Mariam Mangudadatu, Mamintal Adiong Jr, Ysmael Sali, Sakur Tan and Mayor Hanie Bud, representing Jim Salliman.

Security tightened in South after failed bombings

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homemade bombs were recovered recently in the village of Batulawan in North Cotabato's Pikit town, and another improvised explosive in the village of Kadigasan in the neighboring town of Midsayap.

Lt. Col. Rowel Gavilanes, commander of the 90th Infantry Battalion confirmed the recovery of the bombs, saying villagers tipped off the military about the explosives after a bomb went off in the area.

"The military's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, in coordination with the Philippine National Police, immediately disarmed three improvised explosive devices or anti-personnel mines that were intended to be detonated at NGCP Tower No. 39 in the area. The swift action of the soldiers and police prevented a potentially devastating attack," he said, referring to the steel pylon of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

Gavilanes did not say who was behind the foiled attack, but several rebel groups operate in the province where sev-

eral villages are under the Bangsamoro autonomous region.

Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran, commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, said troops were placed on high alert to thwart any possible attacks targeting power transmission lines. "Our soldiers and police remain on high alert for possible diversionary tactics by the enemies," he said.

Maj. Gen. Alex Rille-

ra, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said the bombs were powerful enough to create havoc and disrupt the electricity supply in the South and affect the local economy. "That's why your soldiers are continuously guarding vital government and private sector installations that drive the economy, without compromising the safety of our citizens," he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

‘Non-monetary benefits’ for soldiers, families continue

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1 and wait for their mandatory retirement from the military service.

He noted that these non-monetary benefits such as healthcare service and skills upgrading initiatives in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would serve as prime consideration for enlisted personnel not to retire early.

“I mean, it’s a matter of getting an amount now, without the continuing non-monetary benefits that you will enjoy in your career path, in your career pattern. Kung magi-invest nga tayo sa skills upgrading, sa healthcare, hindi lamang ng ating kasundaluhan, kung hindi pamilya, and other non-monetary opportunities, palagay ko, maiiwan sila,” Teodoro said.

He made the statement following reports of possible exodus of enlisted personnel from the military organization because of the looming reforms in the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension system.

“At lalo na kung makikita nila na ang sakripisyo nating lahat ay magiging (para) sa kabutihan

ng lahat. Kasi, okay, huwag nating sulbahin ang problema, alright. Anong mangyayari? Magkakaroon tayo ng mas malaking deficit, magkakaroon ng inflation, bababa ang balor ng ating pera, tataas ang bilihin,” Gilberto pointed out.

“So, I think it’s a matter of explaining the necessity of introducing. Sa aking palagay, dahil galing din naman ako sa financial sector, hindi naman biglaang mangyayari ito, mababawasan lamang ang dapat na pagdurugo. ‘Ika nga ng ating gobyerno hanggang sa ma-self sustain na itong sistema na ito,” he added.

Last March, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the MUP pension reform aimed at fixing the pension system and addressing future fiscal uncertainty.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno Jr. said the pension being received by a military pensioner is nine times higher than the average pension of a pensioner under the Social Security System and three times higher than the average pension under the Government Service Insurance System

(GSIS).

“So we want to reform them. And right now, the situation is so bleak, for example, that if you compare the current operating expenditures with maintenance and operating expenditures or maintenance and operating expenditures of the whole AFP and the capital outlays so the money they buy for airplanes, etc., it is actually much less than the amount of pension that we are allocating for the retirees. So there will come a time when the current budget will only be about a third, onethird, or one-fourth of the money that we’re paying for the pensioners. So we have to really address that issue. It’s not sustainable,” he said.

Diokno said the proposals for the pension reform include application of the reform to all active personnel and new entrants, removal of automatic indexation of pension to the salary of active personnel of single ranks, and mandatory contributions to be required for active personnel and new entrants similar to the GSIS pensioners. (Mindanao Examiner)

A photo released by the 6th Infantry Division shows the recovery of the homemade bombs in North Cotabato province in southern Philippines.

Called to selfless and generous apostolate

by Fr. Roy Cimagala (Cebu City)

IF we truly want to be consistent with our Christian identity, then we should feel the urge to respond positively and eagerly to what Christ once told his disciples, “The harvest is rich but the laborers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers to his harvest.” (Mt 9, 37)

That was why Christ immediately summoned his 12 disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to drive them out and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness. (cfr. Mt 10,1) Then he told them, “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those suffering from virulent skin-diseases, drive out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.” (Mt 10,8)

It is important to note that these words are also meant for all of us who wish to follow Christ as we should. We should not forget that since we are meant to be “another Christ,” we also share in his continuing mission of saving mankind, which is what the apostolate is all about.

For this, we need to develop a keen sense of vocation. It should be clear to all that everyone has a vocation. Everyone is called by God to carry out a mission that ultimately is a matter of our salvation.

To be sure, no one comes to existence by mere accident nor by pure chance and divine caprice. God does not create us at random. Even a person who is considered unwanted by his parents or is conceived through rape is already a person planned and loved by God from all eternity. This is a fundamental truth about ourselves that we should never take for granted.

Thus, we should try to develop this sense of vocation as early as possible. And this can mean as early as when one

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they are increasing their military capabilities and improving interoperability and training with U.S. and regional partners, said Ely Ratner, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

Ratner discussed “Building a Networked Security Architecture in the Indo-Pacific” at the Center for a New American Security National Security Conference on “American Power and Purpose.” While continued support of Ukraine is vital to regional security, the Indo-Pacific remains the No. 1 priority, as China is the Defense Department's pacing challenge, he said.

Ratner outlined some of the Indo-Pacific partnerships.

Philippines

Remarkable progress has taken place over the last year or so, with the agreement for access to 14 Philippine bases which will host rotational U.S. forces, he said.

These bases will provide an ability for the U.S. to respond to a number of regional contingencies,

is still a child, already beginning to be aware of what and who he or she is. This normally should start in the family, with the parents playing a major role in this affair since they are our first teachers here on earth.

The parents should be quick in sowing the seeds of this sense of vocation by making the child aware that he or she just did not come from them but from God. And that he or she also belongs to God. This basic truth should always be reinforced all throughout the process of bringing up and educating the child.

The parents should therefore plant the rudiments of piety in their children, mainly through their example and with them doing the appropriate catechesis. Their children should see them praying and having a special and pious regard to God. When the children see the love between them and feel their parents’ love for them, then the children will find it easy to relate themselves with God in faith and love.

With a sense of vocation firmly established, we should be keenly aware of the mission inherent to that vocation. This mission will definitely require everything from us. But neither should we forget that everything has also been given to us. To be sure, Christ does not ask of us something that he himself would not enable us to do.

It’s a truth of our faith that we should vividly remember always, especially when we feel we are already at our limits in our self-giving to fulfill God’s will. God cannot be outdone in generosity. If we are generous with him and with others, the more generous will God be with us! (FRC)

including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, he said.

The department is also working with the Philippines on a new security assistance roadmap to try to help them develop some of the asymmetric capabilities that will be most important for the types of challenges that they're facing, particularly around their maritime periphery, Ratner said.

“It's no secret that China's assertiveness and coercion has really underscored the importance of working together to strive toward that outcome in the context of the Philippines,” he said, the outcome referring to the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“We are conceiving of the Philippines as one of our most important alliances in the region. The Philippines-U.S. alliance is now rising to be on par with those other major alliances in the region. It's something we're very invested in,” he said.

Japan

Japan is putting unprecedented resources

World's biggest trade deal takes effect for all members

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 meaning the world's largest free trade pact is now in effect for all its 15 members.

The full implementation of the RCEP is a new stage for the trade bloc with the world's largest population and trade volume as well as the greatest development potential, said China's commerce ministry.

It reflects the determination and actions of its 15 members - 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand - to support an open, free, fair, inclusive and rules-based multilateral trading system, the ministry said.

Signed in November 2020 after eight years of negotiations, the landmark RCEP agreement covers roughly 30 percent of the world's gross domestic product and population. It entered into force on January 1, 2022, with the aim of gradually eliminating tariffs on over 90 percent of goods traded among its members.

The full implementation will inject strong momentum into regional economic integration, comprehensively enhance the levels of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in East Asia, and contribute to the long-term stable development of the regional and global economies, according to the commerce ministry.

Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual described the RCEP agreement as “a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial economic partnership.”

key force in stabilizing and boosting the foreign trade of RCEP members, China's commerce ministry noted.

In 2022, trade between China and other RCEP members increased 7.5 percent year on year to 12.95 trillion yuan (about 1.82 trillion U.S. dollars), and RCEP investment in China, in actual use, climbed 23.1 percent to 23.53 billion U.S. dollars, data shows.

Booming foreign trade has also been reported in other member countries. Thailand's trade with other RCEP members rose 7.11 percent year on year to 300 billion U.S. dollars last year. In the first four months of 2023, Cambodia's exports to RCEP countries surged 16 percent year on year.

The RCEP region has continued to be a hot spot for global investment, with most members showing upward trends in their utilization of foreign investment, according to China's commerce ministry.

Gu Qingyang, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, told Xinhua that the vibrant dynamism of the region is also a strong attraction for economies outside the region, which is witnessing increasing non-RCEP investment.

data within the region, the commerce ministry said.

With the full implementation of the deal, the ministry expects a more prosperous integrated regional market to form gradually, and broader, higher-standard and deeper cooperation to be achieved among member countries.

It also hopes that the full implementation of RCEP will give China a strong boost to pursue high-standard opening-up by creating more favorable conditions for the expansion of trade in goods with RCEP members, further opening trade in services and investment, and improving trade facilitation and the business environment.

Bi Haijun, an official of Qingdao Customs in east China, said the RCEP agreement has not only eased enterprises' access to free trade benefits, but also integrated regional industrial and supply chains, which will facilitate the high-quality development of intra-regional trade.

Local governments in China have also taken the opportunity of the implementation to build a first-class business environment, making continuous efforts to attract industries, capital and human resources, according to the commerce ministry.

into boosting its military capability, according to Ratner.

The U.S. and Japan are increasing the number of exercises, he said, particularly in the vicinity of the first island chain which runs from northern Japan to the Philippines. More importantly, Japan is increasing cooperation with South Korea, Ratner said, mentioning the two nations sharing early warning data of North Korean missile launches as one example.

India

The U.S.-India relationship is seeing an increasing strategic alignment, Ratner said, adding the department supports New Delhi's military modernization and co-development and -production of the U.S. defense industrial base with India's.

The department also welcomes India's participation in multinational exercises in the region, he said. "A stronger India that can defend its own interests, and defend its own sovereignty is good for the United States," he said. (David Vergun)

“We see RCEP as a critical key toward inclusive economic growth, not only for the Philippines but within ASEAN,” he said in a statement.

Initial fruits

Since the trade pact came into force last year, goods trade ties among RCEP members have become closer, and intra-regional trade is now a

Amid declining global openness and rising trade costs, the RCEP is helping to promote opening-up and cooperation in the region and beyond, and is contributing to global economic development, said Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Higher-standard opening-up

Opening-up commitments, together with high-standard rules in various fields, will greatly facilitate free flows of production factors like raw materials, goods, technologies, human resources, capital, information and

As the trade pact is now in full force, China will continue to guide local governments, industries and enterprises to ensure the solid implementation of the RCEP, provide improved public services, and create conditions for them to engage further in the RCEP market, the ministry said.

China will also work with other parties to fulfill its obligations, strengthen the RCEP mechanism, enhance the overall implementation of the agreement, and provide a strong guarantee for the steady development of RCEP cooperation, the ministry pledged.

(Xinhua)

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Indo-Pacific nations bolster defense ties, capabilities

BARMM governors send manifesto, letter to Marcos

governors submitted the manifesto of the BARMM Governors' Caucus and the open letter to President Marcos to the Regional Peace and Order Council,” Tan said.

“In both the manifesto of the BGC and the open letter to the President, the governors highlighted the primary cause of weak law enforcement in the region - the overlapping and unclear mandates of law enforcement agencies concerning the peace mechanisms,” he added.

positions on critical issues are driven solely by their genuine desire to witness the success of the BARMM and the peace process, according to Tan, who hosted the meeting.

the governors to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections until completion of the decommissioning process.

SULU– The five provincial governors of the Bangsamoro autonomous region have submitted a manifesto and a letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr outlining serious security problems in areas under the Muslim provinces following a recent peace and order meeting in Sulu province.

The Bangsamoro autonomous region is ruled by Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which signed a peace deal with Manila in 2014.

The governors - Mamintal Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur; Jim Hataman Salliman of Basilan; Sakur Tan of Sulu; Mariam Mangudadatu of Maguindanao Del Sur; and Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi (except for Governor Abduraof Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte who was not in the

caucus) - who launched the Bangsamoro Governor’s Caucus (BGC) on June 6, also reiterated their call for the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections set in October until the decommissioning of all MILF forces are completed as part of the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

As the region is still in the transition period after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in a plebiscite in 2019, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority or BTA is currently the interim government in the BARMM and the BTA is composed of 80 members - majority of them are MILF members.

Ebrahim presided over the regional meeting - the first in BARMM - he convened after the governors held a caucus in Cagayan

de Oro City. Adiong and Mangudadatu were absent from the meeting, but Governor Abduraof Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte was present.

The governor of Sulu branded the meeting, attended by senior police and military officials, and other stakeholders in Maimbung town, as “timely” to address immediately the growing concerns of crimes and violence within the Muslim communities.

“In a climate of lawlessness and violence, the most vulnerable members of society - the poor and the feeble - suffer the most when law enforcement fails to secure their lives and properties. These individuals also face the additional burden of displacement from their homes and communities. To ensure transparency and accountability, the

Tan said the caucus was established as a platform to engage national and regional governments. The manifesto, he said, outlines their position on the issues of rule of law, peace and order, and inclusive governance and development.

The collective efforts of the governors in advocating for their shared

Tan said he and the other governors are committed to supporting the peace process, the leadership of the Ebrahim and the BTA. Recognizing that local governments are constituent units of the BARMM, Tan said the success of the regional government directly translates into the success of the communities.

The governor of Basilan said Ebrahim is receptive to the manifesto of the BGC, adding he committed to convene the Council of Leaders, a key recommendation in the manifesto. He said a technical working group will be formed to study the recommendation of

The governors noted the increase in violence in areas where the MILF operates, especially in villages in North Cotabato province under the Bangsamoro autonomous region, and in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Cotabato City.

Last February, the governors also issued a collective manifesto following the ambush of Adiong’s convoy in Lanao del Sur that killed three of his security men and a civilian aide. Adiong was also wounded in the attack.

At the end of the meeting, Ebrahim raised Tan’s hand twice in front of the huge crowd who applauded them. (Mindanao Examiner)

Pictures in the News

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

Photo released by the Bangsamoro Governor's Caucus shows BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim with Governors Jim Hataman Salliman of Basilan; Sakur Tan of Sulu; Abduraof Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte; and Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi during the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting held in Sulu's Maimbung town.

Photo released by the Bangsamoro Governor's Caucus shows BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim raising the hand of Sulu Governor Sakur Tan at the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting in Sulu’s Maimbung town, as Mayor Shihla Hayudini looks on.

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Cebu launches campaign vs. culling of pigs

CEBU - Governor Gwen Garcia has called on all local governments across the EBU - Governor Gwen Garcia has called on all local governments across the country to join her in seeking the lifting of the policies imposed by the Bureau country to her in the of the the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) against local government units that are allegedly in- of Animal (BAI) local government units that are infected with African Swine Fever (ASF) fected with African Swine Fever (ASF).

all hogs within the 500-meter radius of a local government tagged as red zone, a color that was assigned to Cebu province since March this year due to the presence of ASF.

However, Atty. Donato Villa, Provincial Legal Officer, explained that under Executive Order 292 which was issued on July 25, 1987, BAI’s mandate does not include “prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases”, such as the imposition of color-coding and culling of pigs. He said BAI just added this phrase and posted it on their website but this does not exist in the original law.

areas around it.

Last April, Central Visayas

Pork Producers Cooperative president Jonathan Young said that since 2019, when the first ASF cases were detected in the country, at least five million hogs had been culled, but only 20% were actually infected, putting around four million hogs to waste.

She said the BAI does not have the mandate to impose color-coding or culling policies because this power has already been devolved to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or the legislative body of each province.

The governor also believes the BAI just purportedly added this mandate and posted it to its website to justify its decision in imposing color-coding schemes all over the country and go on killing pigs.

“I call on all the governors, all city mayors and municipal mayors, let us join hands here. Let us finally put an end to this ineffective policy of BAI, the very agency which also approves the importation of pork permits, if we are at all mindful of the welfare of our constituents, many of whom are raising hogs in their backyard in the hope of being able to meet expenses on a day-to-day operation,” Garcia said.

Garcia also announced that Cebu is ready to open its borders to other local governments in buying and selling of live hogs and other pork-related products and by-products, including those coming from ASF-infected zones, as long as they adopt Cebu’s protocol and their

local chief executives sign a memorandum of agreement with the Cebu Provincial Government.

She said among the conditions to be met is for them to adopt the same animal welfare policies and strict biosecurity measures that Cebu province is implementing, as this has been proven effective in containing the spread of swine diseases, including ASF.

“Cebu is ready to open its ports and airport to all local chief executives regardless of whether they have been colored red or pink, especially if they have been colored red or pink, for as long as we shall enter into a memorandum of agreement where amongst others, our own protocols in protecting our hog industry be adopted as well in the respective local government units of these local chief executives,” Garcia said.

“And I am also issuing this to all our local government chief executives in Luzon and Mindanao, the only thing I asked is they would adopt the same measure that we are now implementing here in Cebu because this has been proven as indeed effective in protecting our hog industry, our local hog industry,” she added.

BAI imposed a scheme

that assigns colors for local governments according to their ASF risk categories and prescribes measures for the movement of swine products across the different colored zones. Under this scheme, a red tag is for an infected zone, while pink is the buffer zone, which refers to the areas immediately around the red zone.

It is BAI’s policy to cull

Garcia believes that BAI did this to justify the imposition of their policies among LGUs. “I hope that you have seen what we have presented here. BAI has no mandate to define the policies for the prevention of animal diseases. That mandate is vested upon the Sanggunian Panlalawigan. And for a long long time the culling policy of the BAI and the color coding policy of the BAI has severely affected our local economies,” she said.

Since BAI declared Cebu as a red zone, Garcia refused to follow their policy and objected to the further culling of pigs in Carcar City and other

Cebu Province previously imposed a ban on the entry of live hogs and pork products from Luzon and some parts of Visayas and Mindanao with confirmed cases of ASF, to protect the P11-billion hog industry of the province. The recent was the executive order Garcia issued imposing a 60-day ban on the entry of live hogs and pork-related products from Negros Island.

Garcia said that since the implementation of protocols, there have been no massive deaths recorded in the province. The protocols include a strict monitoring of all backyard hog raisers, regular disinfection, regular reports upon the manifestation of symptoms of the sick pig, and immediate isolation to protect the other swine.

Provincial veterinarian

Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy said there are only 64 pigs that manifested symptoms of

swine infection out of the 616,930 total swine population in the entire province. “We have very very simple protocols, and these protocols have been proven effective. As I said, what has happened here in Cebu where there are no massive deaths even if I had refused the culling policy of BAI,” she said.

Garcia said that since March 1, when pigs in a slaughterhouse in Carcar City tested positive for ASF, Cebu had not reported massive hog deaths, contradicting the BAI’s earlier projections that it would take only weeks for hogs in infected areas to die in large quantities. “What has happened here in Cebu has now become an embarrassment for the Bureau of Animal Industry because they cannot answer me. Now I am seriously beginning to question if in fact ASF were really that deadly,” she said.

Last March 29, Garcia sued five Department of Agriculture and BAI officials before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas over their policy against ASF that had healthy pigs culled, saying it caused harm to Cebu’s economy. (Sugbo News)

Lapu-Lapu solon announces P300-M bridge project

LAPU-LAPU CITY - In a bid to connect the islands here, Rep. Cindi Chan said P60 million will be allocated for the construction of Phase 1 of the P300-million bridge project that will link the main Olango Island Group to Pangan-an, an island village famous for seafood and white beaches.

Chan, wife of Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard Chan, said the funding of the entire project will be coursed through congressional allocation. “The bridge project will spur further economic and tourism activity on Olango Islands. It will improve accessibility and convenience for residents,” Chan told reporters.

According to a separate statement from the local government, the mayor and his

wife conducted a public consultation with the city councilors to discuss the viability of interconnecting the city’s largest island group through a bridge which will establish a vital link between the small tourism island village of Pangan-an and the main Olango island, connecting through the village of Sabang.

In October last year, the City Council passed a resolution that paved the way for the construction of the Olango Bridge project which is expected to improve accessibility for students who currently face difficulties attending classes due to limited transportation options during low tides.

City Engineer Perla Amar said the site development

perspective indicates that the bridge will have a width of three meters and a length ranging from 2.3 to 2.8 kilometers and will feature shaded viewing decks placed

at 500-meter intervals. To accommodate small boats, the bridge will be constructed approximately 2 meters above the water level, he said. (John Rey Saavedra)

A photo from the local government of Lapu-Lapu shows Mayor Junard Chan at a news conference on the construction of the P300-million Olango Island Group Bridge Project. His wife, Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Cindi Chan announces the start of Phase 1 of the project which will connect Olango to Pangan-an, an island village known for its seafood and white beaches.

A personnel of the Bureau of Animal Industry at the Manila International Airport inspects Iberico ham and other pork products bought by a traveller from S&R as part of a quarantine policy following the outbreak of African Swine Fever in many parts of the country. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)