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Opposition threatens anew to slash budget
O
PPOSITION COUNCILORS are again tinkering and threatening to slash the proposed annual budget of the local government for next year, including those under the Office of the City Mayor. Last year, council removed a huge amount maco administration and members also opposed of funding for various pro- introduced their own Continue on page 2 the annual budget and poor programs of the Cli-
Zambo ramps up Covid vaccination program THOUSANDS OF residents have been vaccinated against the Covid-19 as Mayor Beng Climaco ordered an aggressive inoculation
drive against the deadly respiratory disease. Climaco even initially opened four vaccination sites which allowed residents to simply walk in
and get inoculated. Just last week, at least 1,500 people, including children 12-17 years old, were vaccinated at the Zamboanga Continue on page 3
Sky Gym levels up
Mayor Beng Climaco
Children immunization program begins THE CITY Government, in support of the Department of Health’s
Sky Gym (Image: Al Jacinto) ZAMBOANGA’S PREMIER fitness center, the Sky Gym at LM Metro Hotel now only accepts
vaccinated individuals as part of its health protocols aimed at protecting others and hotel staff from
Zamboanga Peninsula
the dreaded Covid-19 disease. The Sky Gym, the Continue on page 3
Basilan
Measles-Rubella Tetanus-Diphtheria Immunization Program, has start-
ed the vaccination in Barangay Capisan. Continue on page 3
No more RT-PCR tests for fully vaccinated travellers FULLY VACCINATED persons entering Zamboanga City are no longer
required to present their negative RT-PCR tests, but may be asked to present
Sulu
their antigen test results within 24 hours of travel Continue on page 3
Tawi-tawi
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The Zamboanga Post
November 22-28, 2021
Opposition threatens anew to slash budget
Continued from page 1 version of the budget. They even trashed Mayor Beng Climaco’s pro-poor Vida program which benefited tens of thousands of residents, especially the most vulnerable in the community. Climaco has previously blamed the opposition councilors - who are political allies of defeated mayoralty candidate Celso Lobregat and Representative Mannix Dalipe - for killing all the Vida Program of the local government after they removed vital funding in the 2021 Executive Budget. One such project under the program was the Largo Vida, an initiative that Climaco started in 2018 and which she originally intended to expand to over 60,000 beneficiaries. The mayor identified the opposition councilors as John Dalipe, BG Guingona, Mike Alavar, Litlit Macrohon, Khymer Olaso, Lilibeth Nuño, Cary John Pioc, VP Elago, Gerky Valesco, Jerry Perez and Monsi dela Cruz, who is now deceased.
Dela Cruz and the younger Dalipe ran under Climaco’s political party, but eventually broke off ties after winning the 2019 polls. Pro-poor programs Former beneficiaries of the Vida program also blamed the opposition for the demise of the project. Even now they are still hoping that the Vida program would resurrect. Climaco said the Vida program was really aimed at creating a more lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of all its beneficiaries. “We need to empower our people and create a more lasting and meaningful impact on their lives, their families and communities. Deseo de atun todo dale mas largo y buen vida na de atun maga abuelo y abuela na Ciudad de Zamboanga,” she said in her past statement. “It is with deep regret that (opposition) majority of the members of the City Council resolutely removed vital appropriations in the FY (Fiscal Year) 2021 Executive Budget of the City Govern-
ment of Zamboanga. Very important social services programs such as the Largo Vida, Salva Vida and Cuida Vida, which could have benefited senior citizens, low income families, disadvantaged communities, marginalized sectors, most affected families of the Covid-19 pandemic and other vulnerable members of society, were unfoundedly scrapped,” she added. Climaco said the actions of the Lobregat-Dalipe allies in the City Council have affected some 17,000 senior citizens and all 400 “Vida lifeliners,” including women and those who are out-of-school and mostly breadwinners of their families, who were tapped to tirelessly deliver health assistance door-todoor to every elderly beneficiaries of the Largo Vida. “These (Vida) programs were carefully planned by the Executive Department to be sustainable and to introduce a trailblazing brand of service to our constituents that is projected to have a significant impact in the
lives of the target beneficiaries. These programs cannot be replaced by mere dole-outs and cash donations that were not studied and haphazardly thought-out. Those (opposition council) members who voted to remove funding for such vital programs must face the people of Zamboanga City and must be held responsible and accountable for such irrepressible action,” she said. “It is not just cash that is needed, we need a more comprehensive program that will genuinely and sustainably empower our people through medicines, access to critical social services and livelihood to make our people resilient and survive the day to day challenges while we are under a pandemic. Necesita kita dale servicio de calidad because our people deserve only the best,” the mayor added. It is only during the time of Climaco that such pro-poor programs and social services benefitted thousands of senior citizens and the vulnerable sector. “It is only during our administration that we were able to introduce a wide-range of social services to our senior citizens – birthday cash incentives, free maintenance medicines, free movie screening and other key forms of assistance. We intend to expand these to a more comprehensive package, not only for our senior citizens, but also social packages for other vulnerable sectors especially for our society’s patriarchs and matriarchs, PWDs (persons with disabilities) and other vulnerable sectors, the marginalized, low-income families in disadvantaged rural and urban communities and most affected families of the Covid-19 pandemic, who are in need of these social protection programs, now more than ever,” Climaco said. Climaco last year also accused opposition councilors of delaying the approval of the 2021 Executive Budget even as thousands of residents also signed manifestoes supporting the local government’s pro-poor programs, among others, included in the P4.38 billion annual financial plans.
“Let us not mix politics into the discussion of our budget because we are all accountable to the people we serve. Leave politics to the elections in 2022. We must not deprive the people, the senior citizens, the farmers, the fisherfolks, the sick, and the hungry the needed support from the local government,” the mayor said. “Those (opposition councilors) members who voted to remove funding for such vital programs, must face the people of Zamboanga City and must be held responsible and accountable for such irrepressible action. When I signed (Budget) Ordinance No. 741, it is with deep sadness that I bear in mind the thousands and thousands of constituents who shall be deprived of these vital social services programs. There are certain line items in the appropriations ordinance which need to be vetoed for either being ultra vires and or are prejudicial to the public welfare,” she added. Last Term Climaco, a multi-awarded politician, is now on her third and last term and is running for a congressional seat in next year’s polls. Her popularity among residents is still very high and she remains one of the most influential and respected politicians here. In 2018, Climaco was chosen as among “Top 5 World’s Best Mayors” by the prestigious City Mayors Foundation. She was named along with Valeria Mancinelli, Mayor of Ancona, Italy who is the Winner of the 2018 World Mayor Prize; Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, UK; Nathalie Appéré, Mayor of Rennes, France; and Charlotte Britz, Mayor of Saarbrücken, Germany. In awarding Climaco, the City Mayors Foundation said it heavily cited the local mayor for her commitment to offer Zamboanga harmony, security and prosperity. The City Mayors Foundation said “The World Mayor Prize and Commendations” awards are given every two years to mayors who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and have developed a vision for urban living and working that is relevant to towns and cities across the
world. It noted that shortly after being elected in 2013, Climaco was confronted with an armed uprising by Moro rebels that left parts of Zamboanga City under siege for 19 days and by the time government forces had defeated the rebels, 183 people had died and more than 120,000 residents were displaced. “During her first term in office, Climaco made it her priority for the victims of the attack to receive justice and compensation. She has also been determined to heal any divisions between the city’s Christian and Muslim communities. The Inter-Religious Dialogue Council she convened has been successful in promoting peace. In a city, which was often perceived as violent, there have been no bombing or kidnapping incidents since 2016. And in 2017, Mayor Climaco’s administration won the award for the most improved local government,” said the philanthropic international research think tank. It said that in a series of personal essays, the finalists for the 2018 World Mayor Prize described the reasons that motivated them to enter politics, the challenges they face as mayors and how they envisage their towns and cities to develop and prosper in the future. They stressed the importance of women in politics and urged young women to always aim high. In her essay, Climaco describes how the values of family members formed her political and social beliefs. “My grandmother was a champion of Filipino women’s right to vote and it was from her, we all learned the value of community service.” She also wrote that in times of crisis her faith in God sustained her. Climaco was also recognized as “Most Outstanding Mayor” by the Federation of Local Councils of Women in the Philippines in 2017. These awards and rankings were based on indicators and measurements such as economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency. These recognitions are feats never before achieved by any administration. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
November 22-28, 2021
Sky Gym levels up
AirAsia hails ease of travel to Zambo, other destinations AIRASIA Philippines announced that all its domestic destinations no longer require COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated individuals. This comes after Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco issued Executive Order BC 691-2021 dated November 16 which allows fully vaccinated guests with only vaccination cards and S-PASS as entry requirements. Aside from Zamboanga City, Puerto Princesa, Caticlan (Boracay), Bohol, Kalibo, Tacloban, Bacolod, Iloilo, General Santos, Cagayan De Oro and Davao have eased travel requirements for fully vaccinated guests. Furthermore, beginning November 16, AirAsia guests are also no longer required to wear face
masks at the airport, inside the aircraft and all destinations under Alert levels 1, 2 and 3, pursuant to Resolution 148-D of the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Disease, and as recommended by the Department of Transportation. Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Philippines spokesman, said: “AirAsia is very excited for all these new developments in the travel and tourism sector. Slowly but surely, we will achieve that sense of normalcy we all have been praying for. Likewise, there is no room for complacency. AirAsia will continue to strictly implement established health and safety protocols for the protection of all our guests and staff.” With the expected
pent up demand for air travel, AirAsia said it will be ramping up its domestic frequency for December and will also resume its international routes beginning December 4 with its once-a-week flight to Singapore and twice-a-week to Hong Kong to service Overseas Filipino Workers and business travelers. To celebrate the resumption of international travel, AirAsia guests flying to and coming from Singapore and Hongkong may avail of up to 30% discount -- the lowest baggage fee for 40-kg baggage from only P1,690 and P2,180 respectively. AirAsia allows up to 2-pcs of check-in baggage across all baggage products (20/25/30/40 KG) for all domestic and international passengers. (Zamboanga Post)
Zambo ramps up Covid vaccination program Continued from page 1 Chong Hua High School, the Integrated Bus Terminal, SM Mindpro Mall and KCC Mall de Zamboanga. “Get vaccinated against COVID-19 and encourage family members, neighbors, and co-workers to get their shots too for a happier Christmas,” she said, adding the local government is ramping up the vaccination program and eventually inoculate at least 70% of the city’s almost one million population to achieve herd immunity. The mayor also inspected various vaccina-
tion sites and spoke to residents, assuring them that the Climaco administration always prioritizes the welfare and safety of the Zamboangueño people. Climaco has repeatedly asked the national government and the Department of Health to provide Zamboanga City and the rest of the Zamboanga Peninsula with additional vaccines to be able to effectively comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to inoculate as many as possible. Zamboanga’s vaccine allocation is so little and comes in trickle compared to other regions and cities
such Davao, Cebu, Calabarzon, Ilocos and NCR. The mayor also hailed medical frontliners and members of the Bureau of Fire Protection who volunteered to serve during the walk-in vaccination last week. The local government has previously inoculated thousands of jeepney and tricycle drivers and other sectors of the society as part of its mass vaccination program. So far, over half a million doses had been administered by the local government and Climaco wanted more residents vaccinated against Covid-19. (Zamboanga Post)
Continued from page 1 biggest in the city, has maintained its high standard in following health protocols imposed by the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases and the local Covid-19 task force since the start of the pandemic after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of public health emergency in March 2020. The hotel’s staff and employees, including gym personnel and coaches, are fully vaccinated, according to the manager, Alain Cass Luy. “We are strictly and religiously following the NAITF and local government guidelines on public health protocols to ensure the safety not only of our customers, but employees as well,” he
told the Zamboanga Post. He said the Sky Gym is now exclusive for customers who are vaccinated against Covid-19. “We value greatly the safety of our gym goers and our staff and Sky Gym maintains the highest health protocols as we always do.
We have electric hypochlorous oxidizers all over the gym and we regularly disinfect equipment. We have sanitizers at the gym and soap at the restrooms,” Luy said, adding even the hotel is equipped with hypochlorous oxidizers and sanitizers. Luy said in compliance with Mayor Beng Climaco’s Executive Order No. BC 6072020, LM Metro Hotel and the Sky Gym require guests to use face mask and face shield and the digital contact tracing system – the StaySafe.Ph. The hotel was also granted the Safety Seal by the Department of Tourism and has been cited many times by various groups and government agencies for its high hospitality standard. (Zamboanga Post)
Sky Gym personnel regularly disinfect equipment and the whole fitness center to protect its customers from any harmful bacteria and viruses. (Photos courtesy of Sky Gym)
Children immunization program begins Continued from page 1 The immunization program targets children 6-7 years old and 12-13 years old, according to City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite. She said Capisan was chosen first for the program because it is one of the barangays with low cases of Covid-19. Miravite said barangays with the lowest number of Covid-19 cases are the priority for the immunization program which is also being carried out
across the country. The program was launched even as the local government is ramping up its Covid-19 vaccination in Zamboanga’s 98 barangays. Last December, nearly 80,000 children had been vaccinated against measles and rubella in Zamboanga, exceeding the national target of 95%. The Department of Health launched the program after saying that some 2.4 million children
under the age of 5 are susceptible to measles - one of the most contagious diseases in the world. It said about 9 out of 10 people exposed to the measles virus - who are not immune - will contract the disease. It can cause highgrade fever, rashes, cough, and eye infection and can lead to complications such as pneumonia, ear infection, blindness, severe diarrhoea, and swelling of the brain. (Zamboanga Post)
No more RT-PCR tests for fully vaccinated travellers Continued from page 1 if they come from areas with high number of Covid-19 cases such as those under Alert Levels 4 and 5. And in lieu of the RTPCR requirement, travellers shall present their vaccination card and S-PASS or the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage, an online travel management system of the Department of Science and Technology used for domestic travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. But travellers who are
not vaccinated are still required to present their negative RT-PCR tests and S-PASS when entering Zamboanga, according to the local government. Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, also said the decision to forego the RT-PCR test requirements for fully vaccinated persons is in response to the clamor of those frequently travelling and recommendations from medical experts. “Everything we decide
here is based on science and recommendations of the experts, such as the medical sector, in order to protect everybody against Covid-19. We want to balance the safety and the economic aspect of the situation under the pandemic and as we go on, we adapt to the new normal,” the mayor said. She also urges residents to vaccinate and help prevent the spread of the deadly respiratory disease by following the public health protocols. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
November 22-28, 2021
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.
November 22-28, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
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Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo, Derick Evangelista, Christine Lim, Giana Andrion, 74th IB, ZCPO, and BION Agnes Natividad Wee.
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The Zamboanga Post
November 22-28, 2021
Across : 1. ___ eclipse 6. Mom’s counterpart 9. Dad’s mate 12. Puccini work 13. Exist 14. Before, to Keats 15. Domicile 17. FBI employee (abbr.) 18. Involve 19. Reach 21. Suds maker 23. Musician ___ John 26. Sheep’s comment 29. Sweat 31. Sixth sense (abbr.) 32. Resource 33. Cat’s sound 34. ___ Bonaparte 36. Washington, DC time zone 37. Parsley piece 38. Stair part 41. A Baldwin brother 43. Decreased 47. Boxer Muhammad ___ 49. Dancer 51. Tank filler 52. Baseball stat 53. Tears apart 54. Check out 55. Cleopatra’s snake 56. Garbage Down : 1. Painful 2. Honest 3. For fear that 4. Opera tunes 5. AM-FM ___ 6. Anchorman ___ Rather 7. circle sections 8. Most profound 9. In the ___ (until then) 10. Assoc. 11. Converged 16. Go by 20. Mont Blanc, e.g. 22. Coins from Mexico 24. Mine products 25. Salamander 26. Affleck and Franklin
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November 22-28, 2021
HEALTH
Vape Bills opposed!
(Image: Roman Kosolapov) HE WAS not a smoker. He has never tried smoking cigarettes. But when his older brother started bringing home what looked like an attractive device that releases a sweet chocolate smell, Kyle Esposado was amazed. Soon, he started sharing vape with his brother. “I love the chocolate flavor, and thought it was cool. I also never thought that it was bad for my health because how can something that smells good be toxic?” Kyle, who was a minor when he started using vapes, said. Not long after, he started coughing for no apparent reasons. He also started having difficulty breathing. “That’s when I thought I should stop. It was also some sort of a blessing that my brother lost his job so he cannot buy flavored juices anymore,” he narrated in a recent media briefing. Kyle’s experience clearly shows the need to highly regulate vapes. In a study conducted by the Philippine Pediatric Society in partnership with the Department of Education, Dr. Rizalina Gonzalez of the Philippine Pediatric Society confirmed that among Filipino youth “flavors” was also one of the top reasons why they tried vapes. In the U.S., the flavored e-cigarettes were blamed for the “epidemic” on youthuse of vapes as declared by the Food and Drugs Administration. Currently, many U.S. States adapted flavor bans to arrest the growing number of users of vapes among their youth. No less than President Rodrigo Duterte made a strong stand against vape proliferation in the country in 2019 when he said that these products are “toxic” and said that the government has the power to issue measures to protect public health and interest. As a result of this statement, two laws were passed strictly regulating e-cigarettes by raising the age of access to vapes from 18 to 21, restricting vape flavors to menthol and tobacco, and putting regulatory power over the product under Food and Drugs Administration. However, the Senate Vape Bill (SB 2239) of Senator Ralph Recto attempts to reverse these restrictions
by lowering access to vapes to 18, allowing more flavors, and even providing a looser policy on use of vapes in public. Dr. Gonzalez has strongly opposed the bill, saying that current regulations should actually need to be strengthened by even increasing the age of access to vapes and even cigarettes to 25-years-old and ban menthol flavors which were also proven to attract the youth. “Even with the existing regulations, we already found that almost 11% of students with the age of 10-15 years old have already tried vapes. It will be highly irresponsible to even lower the age of access, especially with the experience of other countries” she added. According to Dr. Gonzalez, the youth are easily influenced by friends who are also using vapes. “Our children who are below 18 usually have friends in their social circle who are 18-years-old and above and are able to access vapes.” Senator Rector justifies the lowering of age to 18 to align it to the existing law on cigarettes. And Senator Pia Cayetano, on the other hand, filed a bill increasing the age of access to cigarettes to 21 also to align the almost 20year old Tobacco Regulation Act to current evidence supporting the need to increase the age of access to cigarettes. Toni Flores, Coordinator of the Child Rights Network, lamented that Senator Recto would even consider weakening existing policies despite the local and global evidence showing the danger to a possible youth-use epidemic happening in the Philippines. She also cited studies that vape-use has been proven to be a gateway to cigarette-use which is directly opposite to the claim of the vape groups. “If the Recto Vape Bill is passed we should expect more young people to be lured into this harmful vice and eventually led to the fatal addiction to cigarettes. This is against the best interest of the child and compromises children’s rights to survival and development. We must not leave anything to chance when it comes to the protection of our children,” she said. At least 68% of those living in Metro Manila and 61% in Luzon, 43% in Visayas and 75% in Mindanao, showed
support on banning flavors in vapes, and about 66% of vape users also agree to impose a ban on flavors, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey conducted nationwide. Filipinos also support absolute ban on vape use in public places. The survey results reinforced the collective call of former Health Secretaries to junk the vape bill. In a separate statement, former Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said: “If our Senators pass this Vape Bill, it shows that they are gambling with the lives of our youth and children and would rather prioritize the interest of the vape and tobacco industry rather than the health of our people.” Imelda Gocotano, of the Davao-based “Parents Against Vapes,” also appealed to Senator Recto to junk his vape bill. “As parents, we want our children not to be hook on this new form of harmful addiction, especially now that we are facing a pandemic that ultimately targets weakened lungs.” She has likewise called on the Department of Health and Food and Drugs Administration to implement existing regulations without further delay to prevent our children from being addicted to vapes and protect their lungs as we face the Covid-19 pandemic. “I hope our Senators will realize that vapes are very much attractive to us young people. We hope you can come up with rules that will limit our access to vapes and support activities that will inform us about the harms of vaping,” Kyle stressed. The Manila Times also reported that 60 medical groups in the country have urged Congress to junk the Recto Bill. The report also said that Dr. Maria Encarnita Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, described Senate Bill 2239, which allows for the regulation of importation, manufacturing, sale, advertisement, and promotion of electronic nicotine/non nicotine delivery systems and heated tobacco products, as “anti-health.” She also said that the passage of its counterpart House Bill 9007 or the “Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act” was passed without the recommendations of the health sector and that the Senate version of the bill is being fast-tracked while the medical community is fighting the pandemic. “Ito pong bills na ito ay anti-health at isang regressive bill, dahil parang tayo ay binabalik na naman sa dati na halos hindi ho natin ma-regulate ang mga e-cigarettes at electronic smoking devices na ito,” Limpin said. (Malou Cablinda)
Iwas Sakit: Uminom ng 8 Basong Tubig Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong
A
lam mo ba na ang katawan natin ay puno ng tubig? Ang utak natin ay may 74% tubig. Ang masel natin ay 75% tubig. Kahit ang matigas nating buto ay may 22% na tubig. Kaya nga hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit napakaraming Pinoy ang ayaw uminom ng tubig? Mayroon diyan, 3 baso lang kung uminom sa isang araw. Kulang po ito. Heto ang mga sakit na matutulungan ng pag-inom ng tubig: 1. Para sa sakit sa bato – Ang sanhi ng bato sa bato (kidney stones) ay ang kakulangan sa tubig. Dahil dito, nagiging madilaw ang ihi at namumuo tuloy ang bato. Mag-ingat at baka tumuloy sa kidney failure at dialysis. 2. Para sa impeksyon sa ihi – Kapag kulang ka sa tubig, mas kakapitan ka ng impeksyon sa ihi o
balisawsaw. 3. Para sa lagnat – Nakapagpapababa ng lagnat ang pag-inom ng tubig. Ito’y dahil maiihi mo ang “init” sa iyong katawan. Painumin ng tubig at juice ang mga may lagnat. 4. Para sa ubo, sipon at trangkaso – Ang sapat na tubig ay nagpapalabnaw ng sipon at plema. Mas bibilis din ang paggaling sa trangkaso. 5. Para sa pangangasim ng tiyan – Malaki ang tulong ng tubig para mahugasan ang acido sa ating sikmura. Sa pag-inom ng tubig, mababawasan ang ulcer, impatso at sakit ng tiyan. Mas gusto ng tiyan ang maligamgam na tubig. 6. Para lumakas – Kapag kulang ka sa tubig, magiging matamlay ka at manghihina. Lalo na kapag mainit ang panahon, uminom ng maraming tubig. 7. Para sa sakit ng ulo – Nakatutulong ang tubig
sa pagtanggal ng migraine o sakit ng ulo. 8. Para pumayat – Bago kumain, uminom ka muna ng 1-2 basong tubig. Mabubusog ka nito at hindi ka mapapakain ng marami. Hindi po nakatataba ang tubig. 9. Para gumanda – Ito ang mahalaga sa lahat. Ang beauty secret ng mga dermatologists ay tubig lang. Kapag kulang ka sa tubig, lulubog ang iyong mata at kukulubot ang balat (wrinkles). Uminom ng tubig para kuminis at kumintab ang iyong kutis. Umiwas ka rin sa araw para hindi kumulubot. Anong klase ng tubig ang dapat inumin? Alam kong may kamahalan, pero uminom na lang ng bottled water, purified water o pinakuluang tubig. Hindi tayo nakasisiguro na ligtas ang tubig sa gripo. Tandaan: Para makaiwas sa sakit, uminom ng tubig.
SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO
DILG wants to slash 4Ps payout to encourage vaccination THE DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has proposed to withhold a portion of the benefits of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) as one of several suggested measures to ramp up vaccination nationwide in order to reach herd immunity before the end of the year. The DILG said based on the latest data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), only 12% of the 4.4 million 4Ps beneficiaries nationwide have been vaccinated despite the various campaigns and interventions implemented by the government and the private sector. “Our proposal has never been to delist or remove a 4Ps beneficiary from the program but merely to withhold a portion of the benefit – the
health and nutrition grant – until such time that the individual has been vaccinated. The intention behind this proposal is sincere and clear: to boost the inoculation drive in order to rise above the COVID-19 nightmare and reach population protection as soon as possible. Nonetheless, we defer to the wisdom of the President if our suggested policy will be adopted or not,” the DILG said in a statement. The DILG also urged local governments to adopt other creative ways to change the minds of their constituents, including the 4Ps beneficiaries, from hesitancy to vaccine acceptance and willingness. This may be in the form of new incentives such as food or rice packs, raffle bonanza for the inoculated population, and
one-stop shops offering a smorgasbord of government services to include vaccination, among others, it added. “As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic requires concerted action and cooperation from each and every citizen. The act of one has serious effects on the rest of the populace. It is the moral and ethical obligation of every Filipino to be vaccinated for us to be able to end this pandemic. In a public health emergency, the common good must prevail,” the DILG said. The 4Ps is a human development measure of the national government under the DSWD that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, to improve the health, nutrition, and the education of children aged 0-18.(Zamboanga Post)
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Aid for the needy
Sunday Reflection OPINION
by Mayor Beng Climaco
Mr. Christian Olasiman Mayor Beng Climaco with members of the LGBTQ+ who are beneficiaries of the Local Government Special Amelioration Program. (Bong Serondo)
M
AYOR BENG Climaco led social workers in the distribution of financial assistance to beneficiaries of the Local Special Amelioration Program of the City Government in an effort to aid those hardest affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Zamboanga. Thousands of tricycle Pinpin Pareja and El King crisis will be given assisand jeepney drivers, in- Omaga. Previous financial tance. “El fondo del Govcluding members of the assistance distributed by ierno, of the Local GovLGBTQ+ were added to the mayor also benefit- ernment should go back the growing list of bene- ed the different sectors in to help us,” she said, addficiaries of the pro-poor the community, including ing, “this is in line with our program. Each benefi- those with disabilities, se- thrust on helping the most ciary received P1,500, ac- nior citizens and laborers, who suffered the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic. cording to Climaco. among others. She said a total of In August, hundreds Ayuda, comida y busca 1,450 LGBTQ+ members of Covid-19 survivors also la vida en este tiempo de and 3841 trike drivers received financial aid from pandemia.” (Zamboanga and 2,838 jeepney drivers Climaco, who vowed to Post) benefitted from the pro- help those hardest hit by gram. The beneficiaries of the health crisis. The aid the program praised Cli- was also part of the same maco for the cash aid. The program and Covid-19 distribution of financial survivors who experienced AUTHORITIES assistance was held at the mild to moderate symp- LOCAL KCC Mall de Zamboanga, toms received P3,000 and seized more than 300 boxIntegrated Bus Terminal P5,000 for those who had es of cigarettes in separate operations in Zamboanga and City Social Welfare severe symptoms. and Development Office. The continued dis- City as part of an intensified The mayor said those tribution of financial aid anti-smuggling campaign in who received the assis- is being facilitated by the this part of the country. Mayor Beng Climaco tance passed a rigid as- City Social Welfare and sessment by various gov- Development Office and lauded the military and poernment agencies and the City Treasurer's Office. lice, including the Bureau of local government departThe mayor cited the Customs for the successful ments to ensure the integ- need for local government campaign and she warned rity of the program and its funds to be returned to smugglers to stop their nethe people to help them farious activities. target beneficiaries. “First of all let me conThose who joined Cli- improve their plight amid maco in the cash aid dis- the pandemic. She assured gratulate our security forctribution were Rep. Jawo that all those who were es, the police and military, Jimenez, and Councilors hardest hit by the health the Customs and other
NOVEMBER 14 is my Uncle Cesar Climaco’s 37th Death Anniversary. And 8 years ago, another Mayor Climaco was assassinated, Arsenio; and on October 12, Randy Climaco of Tungawan town in Zamboanga Sibugay province. Three Mayor Climacos gunned down! The risks of the job is real, but this does not deter us from service to do God’s mission! I was wondering what Uncle Cesar’s relevance would be to me as Mayor in this pandemic time? As I visited his monument at the Climaco Freedom Park in Pasonanca, I find inspiration from his Love for God and Zamboanga City. He was loved by Muslims, the IPs, and Christians so dearly, as he gave candies to children. Like him, I am blessed to be loved and my love for God and Zamboanga City fills me with gratitude to serve till the very end of my God given term. Running the race as I stumble and fall and rise up again to reach the finish line. I felt the tiredness pulling
me in the long vaccination lines as I distributed Vitamin C to my people, but I kept going. Uncle Cesar’s love for Zamboanga City made him fight against corruption, smuggling, anomalies, and freedom from the dictatorship. Ansina gale si na posicion, tiene coraje para contra abuso y actividades illegal preveni y para maski pa dale el mismo vida por amor de Dios y Projimo y Ciudad. Last November 14, we LIFTED the Sunday lockdown to give way for vaccination and freedom for those who are fully vaccinated. Uncle Cesar always advocated FREEDOM and we find relevance in this Pandemic to allow opportunities to navigate safely. Last week, I spoke to a mother who lost her eldest son from Covid. It was the 40th day and her card shared gratitude for the celebration of her son's life. In the course of our conversation she said “SOMETHING GOOD WILL COME OUT” of a dispute we were discussing! I can imagine Mary, our Mother, after her only son’s death and suffering sharing a glorified life in Heaven. Fr. Micheal Moga, S.J., shares that we are “DESTINED FOR GLORY WITH GOD IN HEAVEN!” As I was checking on a colleague with 3 of them awaiting hospitalization for Covid, I got a text from my oldest cousin, our Manong. He most generously allowed our family to stay in their property for more than 40 years. He recovered from Covid with his family. And says, “Something good will come out from Covid!” We join the prayers at Fort Pilar for our Covid deaths, those who are sick and all frontliners. Something good will come out of Covid - in God we entrust our past, present and a glorious future with Him! P.S. Gracias a Dios for the Victory of Christian Olasiman, a young Zamboangueño so empowered to use his voice in freedom, as Mayor Cesar Climaco wished! We are proud of you- AMDG! (MBC)
300 boxes of cigarettes seized
Zamboanga Peninsula
Basilan
units involved in this successful campaign. They did it again and thank you to all. And for those behind these illegal activities, I am warning you. The long arm of the law will catch sooner or later,” she told the Zamboanga Post by phone when asked to comment on the seizure of the cigarettes. Members of the Alpha Company of the 74th Infantry Battalion under Joint Task Force Zamboanga intercepted a private van loaded with cigarettes during a security inspection in Barangay San-
Sulu
gali on November 16. Lt. Col. Julius Villena, the battalion commander, reported to the mayor about the seizure of the cigarettes and said the driver failed to show any documents. The soldiers turned over the truck and the cargo, including the driver to police authorities. Some 207 boxes of cigarettes were also intercepted by members of the Philippine National Police - 2nd Mobile Force Company and the Bureau of Customs while being transported by a mo-
torized boat off Manalipa Island on November 15. The cigarettes also had no pertinent documents, authorities said, adding the cargo was bound for Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay province. The boat was manned by six crew members, who are residents of Malamawi Island in Basilan province. It was unclear whether the crew men were jailed or not. Authorities did not identify the owners of the seized cigarettes. (Zamboanga Post)
Tawi-tawi