Picked from the wild, in the highlands of North Cotabato and Bukidnon. Available in 250g packs - roasted whole beans or fine ground. Cup to Go (16 oz.) also available and comes with 2 packets of brown sugar, one plastic stirrer, one drip bag and 12g of Civet coffee powder. Wholesaler, Retailer, Reseller are welcome.
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‘Team Climaco’ pushes for continuity ‘Security, Health, Education for a progressive Zambo’
Mayor Beng Climaco
Jawo Jimenez
M
AYOR BENG Climaco, who is running for a congressional seat in District 1, said there is a need for continuity of leadership and pro-poor programs and projects in Zamboanga to ensure that peace and progress will not be unhampered by “dirty politics and propaganda.” Read Story on page 2
Black propaganda targets ‘mega’ isolation facility WHILE RESIDENTS and medical frontliners welcomed the construction of more Covid isolation facilities in Zamboanga, black propagandists and political foes of Mayor Beng Climaco continue their criticisms against Continue on page 3
Kim Elago
Covid wards full of ‘unvaccinated’ patients CHIEF COVID fighter Mayor Beng Climaco renewed calls for residents to vaccinate against the deadly lung disease and
to strictly follow public health protocols due to the surge in coronavirus infections in Zamboanga where majority of the pa-
tients are unvaccinated. The Covid wards in both private and government hospitals are now Continue on page 3
ZAMCELCO meter reader, inireklamo!
The new mega isolation facility at the Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority complex in Barangay Talisayan has 320 beds and is part of the local government’s response to address the growing number of active Covid-19 cases and the shortage of hospital beds. (Eugene Elnar)
Zamboanga Peninsula
Pinpin Pareja
Basilan
Reading sa metro, dinaya! NABUKO NG isang electric consumer ang di-umano’y panda-
raya ng meter reader ng ZAMCELCO matapos na matanggap ang mataas na
Sulu
billing. Ayon sa reklamo ni Continue on page 7
Tawi-tawi
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The Zamboanga Post
October 18-24, 2021
‘Team Climaco’ pushes for continuity ‘Security, Health, Education for a progressive Zambo’
From page 1 Climaco, now on her third and final term, said the welfare of the Zamboangueño people should remain in the top priorities of the next set of leaders and this can only be achieved with Team Climaco. The mayor was referring to her official line up in the “Partido PAZ” or “Prosperidad y Amor para na Zamboanga” in next year’s polls after officially filing their candidacies with the Commission on Elections. Team Climaco’s mayoralty candidate is Cesar “Jawo” Jimenez Jr, with incumbent Councilor Josephine “Pinpin” Pareja as her running mate for the vice mayoralty post. Climaco’s political ally, in-
cumbent Councilor and lawyer Kim Elago, is also running for Congress in District 2. Climaco’s candidates for the City Council in District 1 are: Santa Maria Barangay Chairman Los Eli Angeles, Bendigong Al Asdali, lawyer Gian Paolo Enriquez, social worker and youth leader Selina Espiritusanto, San Jose Gusu Barangay Chairman Joel Esteban, re-electionist Councilor El King Omaga, and Cawit Barangay Kagawad Marjorie Santa Teresa. And also running for the City Council in District 2 are: Former Councilors Eddie Saavedra and Roel “Elong” Natividad, Tiffany Cabanlit, daughter of former City Councilor Cresencio Cabanlit;
broadcaster Philip Abuy, Tetuan Barangay Kagawad Sonyboy Jalani, businesslan Jung-Jung Macrohon; Percival Miravite, son of retired police Colonel Rex Miravite; and Cacao Barangay Chairman James Siason. The mayor said there is a need to continue what her administration started nine years ago for the sake of Zamboanga and its people. She said Team Climaco’s priorities remain the same and that is to serve the Zamboangueños and to ensure the welfare of everybody, especially the poor, and the people’s security, health and education for a more progressive Zamboanga. “Necesitamos continuar con lo que comenza-
Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey KIDAPAWAN CITY Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think. Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated with other fecal matter, they are collected. In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad. But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee seller in Zamboanga City. The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to
mos hace nueve años por el bien de nuestra gente y la amada ciudad de Zamboanga. Nuestras prioridades siguen siendo las mismas y es servir a nuestra gente y garantizar su bienestar, seguridad, salud y educacion hacia un Zamboanga mas progresista,” said Climaco. The Team Climaco also released a group
statement, saying: “El Ciudad de Zamboanga ta esta resistente y ta continua progresa. El esfuerzo del diatun administracion ta ayuda alevia el vida del maga vivientes amediante el pandemia para na bienestar y proteccion del entero familia Zamboangueño. Cristiano man, Muslim o Lumad, todo ta esta unido. El mas me-
jor seguridad, de calidad educacion, buen salud y mas vivo economia que ta dale trabaho y oportunidad asegurao, porcausa na grande amor y prosperidad ta ofrece para na Ciudad de Zamboanga.” This early, the mayor’s supporters and followers vowed victory for Team Climaco. (Zamboanga Post)
FDA issues EUA to new Covid drug, but DOH says not so fast!
give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink. Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a home reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection. Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and
resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice. And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 09153976197. (AJC)
FOLLOWING THE grant of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Covid-19 treatment drug Ronapreve, the Department of Health (DOH) said it will need a recommendation from the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) and Living CPG (Clinical Practice Guidelines) before the government procures the medicine. The DOH said that it has been reviewing the use of Ronapreve together with experts who are continuously updating the Living CPG with regard to its use in the clinical management
of Covid-19 patients. Moreover, the health technology assessment has to be concluded before hospitals can place an order through the government. It said Ronapreve cannot be sold in the market since the government is the only one allowed to procure and distribute it. “Para sa Ronapreve na may EUA, makaka-order po ang mga ospital kung may approval na ng DOH. Bago po pahintulutan ng gobyerno na mag-place ng order ang mga ospital ng Ronapreve ay dapat may rekomendasyon
ito ng ating mga eksperto mula sa HTAC at Living CPG,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. Ronapreve is a monoclonal antibody drug to prevent and fight Covid-19. The Food and Drug Administration released the EUA for the drug on October 1 and is authorized for confirmed mild to moderate Covid-19 patients aged 12 and above with a minimum weight of 40 kilos and who do not need supplemental oxygen and are at high risk of progressing to severe cases. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
October 18-24, 2021
Black propaganda targets ‘mega’ isolation facility
Covid wards full of ‘unvaccinated’ patients Continued from page 1 full or have exceeded its bed capacity and are overwhelming medical frontliners. The premier Zamboanga City Medical Center is now operating at full capacity, but its emergency room has exceeded capacity. Dozens of Covid patients are either intubated or on high oxygen flow in an effort to save their lives. The hospital has over 200 Covid patients and at least more than two dozen were pedia, but at least 11 new born are also positive for the virus. Majority of those infected with Covid-19 are unvaccinated. Climaco urged the public to get vaccinated, saying it is the only way to prevent the spread of the virus. “Instamos a todos a que se vacunen porque esa es la unica forma de prevenir la propagacion del virus. Hemos registrado un aumento en los casos de Covid y, por favor, siga los protocolos de salud para protegerse y proteger a los demas de contraer el virus,” she told the Zamboanga Post by phone when
Photos released by the Zamboanga City Medical Center Public Affairs and Customers Care Unit show the current state of the hospital due to the surge of Covid-19 cases. asked how the local government is addressing the spike in Covid infections.
Zamboanga has nearly 3,000 active Covid cases. (Zamboanga Post)
Continued from page 1 the projects and spread fake news and false information in social media. The attacks on Climaco by her foes were all aimed at destroying local government efforts in addressing the pandemic and use these as election propaganda ahead of next year’s polls. Climaco, now on her third and last term, is running for a congressional seat in District 1 and is likely to win by a landslide again due to her huge number of followers and supporters. She has no record of defeat since joining politics in 1998 as a councilor up to 2004; vice mayor from 20042007; and congresswoman from 2007-2010, and 20102013 and won as mayor after defeating veteran politician Celso Lobregat. Even incumbent Vice Mayor Meng Agan, of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), and running for mayor, is supporting the candidacy of Climaco, of the Partido Prosperidad y Amor. One of the biggest Covid-19 isolation facilities here was the brainchild of Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force. The new isolation facility, located at the Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority complex in Barangay Talisayan, has 320 beds and is part of the local government’s response to address the growing number of active Covid-19 cases and the shortage of hospital beds. Each room has an air condition unit, a comfort room and lavatory, and a bed with an IV (intravenous) pole. The facility also has a power generator and water tanks. But Climaco’s foes and social media trolls supporting other political candidates have nothing good to say about the project and would always look for ways to criticize and even fabricate and spread fake news.
Last July, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also turned over to the local government the 188-room isolation facility at the Pasonanca Convention Center. The project is intended to augment the two quarantine tents with 20 beds also in Pasonanca which was completed in March. Both facilities are being managed and operated by the City Health Office and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office under supervision by the DOH. Climaco said the local government is putting up more isolation facilities and supplementing the mass vaccination program aimed at fighting the spread of the deadly respiratory virus. “We are boosting our isolation facilities and efficiency of ambulances,” she said. Even the DPWH was not spared by political trolls and denounced the isolation facilities it constructed in Barangay Pasonanca, saying it would put residents at risk of being infected with Covid-19 because the “virus can jump out of the tent.” They also called on Pasonanca residents to oppose
the project while others have “demonized” those living near the facility to protest it. The spread of black propaganda, fake news and false information have alarmed Pasonanca residents and has prejudiced public tranquillity. In May, the DPWH said it is also ramping up the construction of additional isolation facilities here with an “off-site modular hospital and pop-up dormitory” for health workers. It is also constructing a modular hospital with 22 beds for moderate, severe to critical Covid-9 patients at the Mindanao Central Sanitarium General Hospital (MCSGH) in Barangay Pasobolong and will be operated by the Zamboanga City Medical Center with equipment supplied by the DOH; and a dormitory with 16 rooms and double decker beds medical personnel. It also identified five buildings and a covered court at the Regional Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center also at the MCSGH compound as a potential 300-bed quarantine facility and dormitories with 30 beds for health workers. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
October 18-24, 2021
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.
October 18-24, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
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Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo, Eugene Elnar, ZCPO, ZCDRRMO, SM, and CHO.
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The Zamboanga Post
October 18-24, 2021
Across : 1. “Harper Valley ___” 4. On an ocean trip 8. Speak indistinctly 12. Carpenter’s tool 13. Actor ___ Connery 14. “The Way We ___” 15. Least quiet 17. Nest contents 18. Speed 19. Food regimen 20. Liberate 23. Epochs 25. Get even 29. Tennis stroke 32. Honest ___ Lincoln 33. Poplar type 34. French friend 35. Roofing goo 36. Set right 38. Christmas carol 40. Contact ___ 41. Bath bar 43. Texas shrine 47. Singer ___ Fitzgerald 48. Wired message 52. Jail room 53. Lighten 54. Hullabaloo 55. Christmas gifts 56. Blemish 57. Laughter syllable Down : 1. Pot’s partner 2. Pair 3. Rhyming boxer 4. India’s continent 5. Visualizes 6. “___ of Eden” 7. Aardvark 8. Stockhol native 9. Enact laws 10. Craving 11. Musical symbol 16. Mets’ bygone home 20. Univ. club 21. Singer ___ McEntire 22. Perpetually 24. Cowboy ___ Autry 26. Delicate fabric
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October 18-24, 2021
ZAMCELCO meter reader, inireklamo! Reading sa metro, dinaya! Continued from page 1 Palimping Norida sa community billboard na ZAMCELCO Consumers’ Complaint Page sa Facebook, ay matagal na umano silang may hinala sa ginagawa ng meter reader dahil nasa mataas na bahagi ng poste ang kanilang metro, ngunit hindi man lamang ito inaakyat ng meter reader upang basahin ang konsumo ng kanilang kuryente. Nagulat na lamang si Palimping - na naninirahan sa Kapok 1 sa Barangay Mampang – ng bigla na naman tumaas ang konsumo ng kanilang kuryente kahit pa na halos wala silang mga malalaking appliances. Dito na nag-desisyon si Palimping na inspekyunin ang kanilang metro at ikumpara ang reading nito sa ginawang ng meter reader. At laking gulat nito ng makita ang konsumo dahil nasa 6111 lamang ang reading ng metro, ngunit ang billing ng ZAMCELCO base sa ibinigay ng meter reader ay nasa 6507. Maging ang previous reading nito ay mali rin at nasa 6387 gayun ang aktuwal na reading ng kilowatt hour ay 6111. Nagpakita pa ng larawan si Palimping ng kanilang metro at ang billing ng ZAMCELCO o Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative. Narito ang buod na reklamo ni Palimping: “Shout-out!! Sa nag-reading ng bill namin dito sa Mampang, Kapok 1. Ang lakas niyong makapandaya, hindi wasto yung pagre-reading ninyo, sa ibaba lang (ng poste) ang ni-reading ninyo ng tama, yung nasa itaas mina-magic ninyo nalng dahil tamad kayong umakyat (sa poste) upang tingnan ito ng maayos, paano naman kami, ganoon na lang?” “Pina-pabayad ninyo kami ng sobra-sobra. FYI, hindi kami tanga, kung dati hinahayaan ka namin kung sino ka man, ngayon hindi na. Pinagtigaan na lang ng asawa ko (na) akyatin yung meter namin sa itaas ng poste upang malaman kung tama ba ang naka- indicate sa bill na ni-reading ninyo sa metro namin (at) doon namin nakita kung gaano kalaki ang diperensya, keber? Nagbigay kayo ng resibo sa amin ng gawa-gawa ninyo lang, mabuti (sana kung) maliit yung nakalagay sa bill na ginawa ninyo. Eh ang laki ng idinagdag ninyo, ano kayo sinuswerte? Pabor naman, maawa naman kayo (at) hindi kami maperang tao. Pambili ng bigas nga nahihirapan kami tapos pababayarin ninyo pa kami ng sobra-sobra. Sana naman next time paki-ayos ang trabaho ninyo (at) sinasahuran kayo ng tama. Mag-trabaho kayo ng tama, piniktyuran na lang namin (ang metro at billing) para may ebidensya kami, nakakasakit kayo sa kalooban.” Sinabi pa ni Palimping na wala silang kagamit-gamit sa bahay, ngunit sa bawat buwan na nakakatanggap ng billing mula sa ZAMCELCO ay halos walang pataas ng pataas ang singil sa kanila.
Nagpakita pa ng larawan si Palimping ng kanilang metro at ang billing ng ZAMCELCO o Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative. Sa mga litrato ng metro at billing ay ito ang isinulat ni Palimping: “Yan po ang kuha namin bago lang. Kayo na po ang bahalang humusga, iba ang (reading) sa metro (at) iba rin ang nasa resibo. Ibig lang sabihin niyan, lahat ng mga nabayaran namin (sa mga nakaraang buwan ay) sobra-sobra at kawawa naman kami, wala po kaming kagamit-gamit sa bahay, solo lang namin yung kuryente. Nakapagtataka lang na every reading lalong tumataas, yun pala gawa-gawa lang ng nag-reading. Buti pa ang iba, ang dami nalang gumagamit (sa kuryente at) maliit lang yung (kanilang) bill. Nakasasama lang ng loob, hindi porke’t nasa pinaka-dulo (ng poste) yung meter namin hindi na ninyo titignan ng maayos, puwede naman aakyatin (ang poste).” Maging si Eman Oman, na isa rin electric consumer, ay nagsabi na ganyan rin ang ginawa sa kanya ng meter reader ng ZAMCELCO. “Ganyan din sa akin, tapos ang laki ng bayaran dahil kunu sa violation. Consumer ang magbabayad (even) if non-readable, blurred, (at) breakable(ang metro). How dare you?” Nitong Agosto lamang ay isa rin electric consumer, si Putli Mandy, ang nag-reklamo dahil sa di-umano’y paulit-ulit nitong pakiusap sa ZAMCELCO na tugunan ang kanyang problema sa kable ng kuryente na nasa loob ng kanilang compound. Ayon sa kanyang reklamo na idinulog rin sa ZAMCELCO Consumers’ Complaint Page ay maraming beses na itong nagtungo sa ZAMCELCO ngunit walang aksyon ang kooperatiba. Nabatid na mahigit sa 3 buwan na itong nagre-reklamo sa ZAMCELCO dahil nakaharang ang kable ng kuryente sa ibabaw ng kanilang ipinapagawang bahay sa Barangay Talon-Talon. Nakuryente na rin umano ang kanyang mga karpentero dahil sa problemang dulot ng kable sa kanilang ipinapagawang bahay. “Nagpapagawa po kami ng bahay sa Talon-Talon area, pero di po kami puwedeng mag-proceed sa roofing kasi nandoon po ang kuryente ng ZAMCELCO at wala pong proper na poste. It’s been 3 months already since nag request kami for the relocation (ng kable ng kuryente) and they gave us a letter saying that it’s for schedule, but until now wala pa
rin,” saysay nito. “Three times na kami nagpunta doon (sa ZAMCELCO) at wala rin nangyari. One day maulan, habang gumagawa ang carpenter namin biglang nag spark ang kuryente na nasagid ng bakal na ginagamit sa paglagay ng semento ng poste ng bahay at na electric shock ang carpenter pero d naman masyadong malakas. Kung pwede, hingi ako ng tulong sa inyo kung ano ba ang puwede naming gawin para alisin nila ang kuryente sa loob ng property namin at lagyan nila ng proper poste. The neighbors told us na since last year pa daw sila nagre-request na palagyan ng poste meron naman doon ready na ang poste, pero di pa rin nila ginagawa,” dagdag pa nito. Nagtatanong na rin ang ginang na nag-reklamo kung anong legal action ang maaari nilang gawin laban sa ZAMCELCO kung sakaling may makuryenteng karpentero sa kanilang ginagawang bahay dahil sa nakahambalang na kable ng kuryente. “Ano bang legal action ang puwede kong gawin para kung sakaling may masamang mangyari sa carpenter (namin) na ZAMCELCO ang (may) liability kasi even through email, phone call, text and chat messages nagawa ko na at hanggang ngayon wala pa (rin aksyon. Naghihintay kami sa kanila para matapos na namin ang bahay at ang masaklap (eh) nangungupahan lang kami at di nmin magawa ang bahay dahil sa kuryente dahil natatakot ang mga carpenter maglagay ng roofing,” ani pa ng nag-reklamo. Hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin aksyon ang ZAMCELCO sa nasabing reklamo. Hinaing rin ng mga consumers ang talamak na voltage fluctuation at maraming mga appliances na ang nasira dahil dito. Kaliwa’t-kanan rin ang reklamo ng mga iba sa ZAMCELCO dahil sa palpak na serbisyo nito. Maging ang Service Department nito ay hindi rin maasahan at kadalasan ay walang sumasagot sa mga tawag sa telepono. Tadtad rin ng reklamo ang ZAMCELCO Consumers’ Complaint Page sa Facebook bagama’t isa lamang itong community page na ang layunin ay iparating sa kinauukulan ang mga problema at hinaing ng mga consumers. (Mindanao Examiner, Zamboanga Post)
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Pasonanca Covid facility now caters to severe, moderate cases MAYOR BENG Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, has utilized the Pasonanca isolation facility, to also cater to Covid patients with moderate symptoms and those who are recuperating from the deadly respiratory disease. The facility, manned by medical personnel, has wards for severe Covid-19 cases with dozens now being cared for by the City Health Office. This was also confirmed by City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, who said the measure is aimed at decongesting both the private and government hospitals which are now full of Covid patients due to the spike in infections. She said as a “step-up”
Covid quarantine area, the Pasonanca facility will cater to “moderate cases” providing oxygen support and intravenous fluid while patients wait to be accommodated in hospitals. And as a “step-down” facility, recuperating patients are monitored and get the rehabilitation they need, instead of going to hospitals. “This move is only one of the measures that the City Government is undertaking to help ease the burden on hospitals - both private and government facilities - that are overwhelmed due to the lack of beds, medical oxygen, medicines and personnel,” Miravite said. Climaco said the City
Human Resource and Management Office also hired additional personnel to augment manpower and enable the operationalization of isolation facilities, including those in the different barangays. She said the local government is also coordinating with the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Infectious Diseases for guidance, support and assistance. The mayor said she will mobilize the Bantay Barangay and Bantay Covid mechanisms as well, to further strengthen border controls and the implementation of the public health protocols to prevent the spread of the viral disease. (Zamboanga Post)
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October 18-24, 2021
October 18-24, 2021
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Pangapuyan Island now energized
T
HE NATIONAL Power Corporation or NPC has inaugurated its diesel power plant on the island-barangay of Pangapuyan in Zamboanga City. Pangapuyan is the first provinces where NPC serves as and seaweed farmers. of the five island-barangays in distribution utility. The inauguration of the Zamboanga that the governThe facility was formally power plant was led by Yahment-owned and controlled switched on October 9 and will cob Darayan, NPC’s Departcorporation has energized. benefit hundreds of islanders ment Manager for Small PowThe 10kw diesel power plant who lauded the NPC for the proj- er Utilities Group - Mindanao in Pangapuyan is also the first ect. Pangapuyan has nearly 1,000 Operations. in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi inhabitants, mostly fishermen Among those who wit-
Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco
I PRAYED, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. We need the Holy Spirit to grant us wisdom especially to guide and direct our decisions and actions. We are in a pandemic and times are quite DIFFICULT and TOTALLY DIFFERENT. The Delta variant of the new coronavirus is highly transmissible and has infected families, homes, and caused deaths. To be a Mayor and serve the City in these times are very challenging. Poreso bien importante reza con el Spiritu Santo para saber. Fr. Jet Villarin, S.J., in his homily, said: “Politics is an eminent gateway to public service!” He further narrated that the question he would ask of Presidential candidates and for me personally is: “What must I do to gain eternal life?” It is an important question we need to ask ourselves because it is the essence of life we are bound for life after with Jesus. For all those who are responding to the call of public service we need an interior dialogue with God. We are in a difficult times. Si sigi lang quierer dimio anda kita na Fort Pilar reza atende y na fiesta man procession y fiesta con el mayoria del peregrinos atende. Na subida del enfermo y caso mucho ta tormenta resulla y falta el oxygen, maga medico na frontera hasta na barangay bien cansao y enfermo también. Ya dale orden para privini possible “super
Mayor Beng Climaco inaugurates potable water system in Barangay Quiniput. (Giana Andrion)
spreader,” ya tiene que menora el misa y peregrinos. Triste, duele y deficil entende. Mucho disatisfechao y rabyao. I prayed to God y La Virgen Pilar cosa el quierer y dale saber - Wisdom del Espiritu Santo. Amidst all the disappointment and anger, what could be God's message and La Virgen Pilar's wishes? In my reflection, we need to pray for our hearts to be purified from all the anger and negativity, blaming and bashing and focus on Mama Mary. She holds Jesus in her hands, she carried Jesus in her womb and brought forth LIFE! We are made to realize LIFE IS PRECIOUS and we need to pray for all who are affected and infected and those who died. Allow me to share a text message I received from a Covid-positive frontliner: “Thank you so much Ma’am. Sorry Ma’am I wasn’t able to block the entry of this virus in my body. Even though I, we were very delicate in following the health protocols, still the virus gets through. I am feeling very down right now Ma'am because for the very first time I was not able to visit and serve our Nuestra Señora la Virgen del Pilar because I am on quarantine Ma’am. I will promise Ma’am I will get back stronger and serve again the people of Zamboanga, especially those who need our help Ma’am, But for now I need to help myself first Ma’am. Thank you so much Ma’am Mayor Beng. We are always here to support you Ma’am, We are always here for you Ma’am, Praying for you Ma’am. God Bless Ma’am. Stay safe Ma’am. I Love Zamboanga!” There are Covid-positive frontliners serving us from a distance just for us to pray. The message of Mary to me is for her to visit us in our hearts wherever we may be, in the hospitals, quarantine facilities, homes and abroad. This is the essence of commemorating the Fiesta de La Virgen Pilar. La Virgen Pilar y Jesus visita canaton y entra na di aton corazon dale nuevo vida, curada, y triumpo contra pandemia. May we renew our hearts and minds in commemorating the Fiesta of La Virgen Pilar. Jesus looked at them and said: “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” Viva La Virgen Pilar! (MBC)
Zamboanga Peninsula
Basilan
nessed the inauguration were Conrad Isahac, NPC’s Division Manager for Western Mindanao Operations; and Arnel Rodriguez, Omar Antocan of the NPC’s Power Engineering Services, including Richard Brique, the power plant’s head; and Barangay Captain Khadafy Jailani.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the Pangapuyan diesel plant is an “Energy Project of National Significance for Commercial Phase” and in consonance with the policy thrusts and specific goals of the Philippine Energy Plan of the Department of Energy.
The island-barangays of Tumalutap are also expected to have its own 40kw diesel power plant; Great Santa Cruz Island with 10kw diesel power plant and Tictabon Island with 90kw diesel power plant – all under the proponent of the NPC. (Zamboanga Post)
U.S. sends 1.8 million doses of Covid vaccines THE UNITED States, in partnership with the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access or COVAX facility, delivered an additional 1,842,750 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to the Philippines as part of its worldwide effort to help end the pandemic. The vaccines, delivered in two separate shipments to Manila on October 10 and 11, were part of the 500 million doses of Pfizer vaccine the United States is making available for distribution through COVAX, a global initiative to support equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines. This follows the recent delivery of 5.57 million doses of Pfizer vaccine to the Philippines. U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava joined other stakeholders at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to welcome the arrival of the vaccines. “We’re
Sulu
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava joins other stakeholders at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to welcome the arrival of the vaccines. really proud to be part of this effort here in the Philippines to vaccinate the Filipino people including teenagers and children so we can get them back to school,” Variava said. As the largest donor to the COVAX facility, the United States has facilitated the delivery of more than 24.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the Philippines via COVAX, including more than 16.4 mil-
lion doses provided by the American people. The United States said it is working closely with Philippine stakeholders throughout the pandemic to protect public health and support the local response to COVID-19. To date, total American government Covid-19 assistance to the Philippines amounts to over P1.9 billion ($39 million). (Zamboanga Post)
Tawi-tawi