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December 13-19, 2021
Zambo vaccination drive praised!
S
OCIAL WELFARE chief Rolando Bautista hailed Zamboanga City’s vaccination program following a recent visit and meeting with Mayor Beng Climaco, who is running for congresswoman in District 1, in next year’s polls. The official Philip- cy in Western Mindanao around Zamboanga pine Information Agen- (PIA) said Bautista went Continue on page 2
‘Congresswoman’ Beng praises Duterte legacy
District 1 congressional candidate Mayor Beng Climaco speaks to President Rodrigo Duterte during his recent visit in Zamboanga City.
MAYOR BENG Climaco, who is running as congresswoman in District 1 in next year’s polls, nearly broke into tears while repeatedly thanking President Rodrigo Duterte for various infrastructure projects he poured to Zamboanga since 2016. Duterte was recently here to inaugurate several completed projects, Continue on page 3
TULUYAN NA ngang kinalaban ni Davao City Mayor Sara Dute-
na makipagalyansa at tumakbo bilang vice Continue on page 7
Mayor Beng Climaco makes a finger heart gesture during a vaccination drive in Zamboanga City. (Govt. Photo)
Continua la ayuda a Sara Challenges Duterte los pobres y ancianos rte-Carpio ang sariling ama nitong si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte matapos
Omicron: Don’t panic but prepare for likely spread, says WHO HERALDING SOUTH Africa’s and Botswana’s decision to report the ap-
pearance of the Omicron coronavirus mutation last month, the UN health
Zamboanga Peninsula
agency repeated that it will take another two Continue on page 3
Basilan
ZAMBOANGA’S POOR and the elderly continue to receive financial assistance from Mayor Beng Climaco in an effort to Continue on page 2
El alcalde Beng Climaco ayuda a un anciano durante la reciente distribucion de asistencia financiera a los pobres y los ancianos. (Bong Serondo)
Sulu
Tawi-tawi
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The Zamboanga Post
December 13-19, 2021
Zambo vaccination drive praised! Continua la ayuda a los pobres y ancianos
Mayor Beng Climaco speaks with DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista on the sideline of the recent meeting of the National and Regional Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Zamboanga City. Continued from page 1 during his November 30 visit and was pleased with the vaccination program. “The official (Bautista) is satisfied with the roll-out of the vaccination as the turn-out of residents is high,” PIA reported. Bautista also spoke with Climaco and assured the mayor of the support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the government’s pro-poor program. Climaco, now on her third and last term, said Zamboanga has vaccinated at least 42% of the target population of nearly 700,000 to achieve herd immunity. She said nearly 850 doses of vaccines had been administered
to residents after the threeday national vaccination drive from Nov.29-Dec.1. The mayor said the vaccination drive was a success and called it “an impressive feat that demonstrated strong collaboration between the local government and the private sectors.” She also thanked and expressed her gratitude to all the vaccination teams, volunteers, government and private agencies, business establishments, medical associations, security sector, City Health Office and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Emergency Operations Center team and the others who contributed to the successful conduct of the massive vac-
cination campaign. “Gracias a Dios por todos esfuerzos, sacrificio y amor na vacunacion nacional. Con todo ya trabaja hasta na 98 barangay voluntarios y agencia national y aquellos que ya contribuye tambin todo que ya manda man vacuna. Ustedes di aton fuerza na favor de Dios,” Climaco said. The mayor said the number of active Covid-19 cases are also decreasing. From nearly 3,000 cases in recent months, the number has drastically dropped to a little over 200, according to Climaco, who renewed her calls for residents to strictly follow the health protocols. (Zamboanga Post)
Clear public roads, spaces of obstruction: Mayor MAYOR BENG Climaco reminded barangay officials to clear public roads and spaces of all obstruction and to maintain the cleanliness of their respective places and ensure that all roads and walking paths are free from obstruction. Climaco noticed during one of her inspections that many roads and walking paths are again obstructed with parked cars, among others. She said barangay officials should clear public roads and spaces of all obstruction as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
In July 2019, the DILG upon Duterte’s order - issued Memorandum Circular 2019121 which gave mayors 60 days “to exercise their powers essential to reclaim public roads which are being used for private ends, and in the process rid them of illegal structures and constructions.” Following Duterte’s directive, Climaco – together with barangay officials – led a massive operation called “Oplan Baklas” against road obstructions even though the local government had been implementing this long before the DILG order. Because of Climaco’s ef-
forts, Zamboanga was cited by the DILG for its vigorous road-clearing campaign, including the strict enforcement of the anti-littering, anti-garbage and anti-traffic laws and city ordinances. The DILG commended Climaco and the local government for its efforts in implementing Duterte’s order to clear public roads of all obstruction. Many barangays now are virtually back to what they were prior to the DILG order despite repeated orders from Climaco to maintain the cleanliness and clear public roads and spaces of all obstructions. (Zamboanga Post)
Continued from page 1 alleviate their living condition, especially at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Climaco led the distribution of cash aid to over 1,200 mostly poor residents, including 158 senior citizens from Barangay Santa Maria, Tumaga, Pasonanca, Cabatangan, San Roque, Calarian and Camino Nuevo. The City Social Welfare and Development Office and the City Treasurer’s Office facilitated the distribution of the cash assistance under the Local Social Amelioration Program. Tens of thousands of residents from various sectors of the community have received financial and food aids even since the start of the health crisis, especially under the different Vida
programs whose funding was eventually “killed” by opposition councilors. Climaco vowed to continue her various pro-poor programs which she started even before becoming mayor, and she pledged to aggressively pursue them if she is elected congresswoman. “This is our commitment to the poor. El Curada, Comida y Busca la Vida este tiempo de pandemia remains our thrust in our COVID-19 response efforts,” she said. The mayor has been praised by residents for always prioritizing the poor and the needy, including the vulnerable sectors in the community. In August, hundreds of Covid-19 survivors also received financial aid from Climaco, who vowed to help those hardest hit by the
health crisis. The aid was also part of the same program and Covid-19 survivors who experienced mild to moderate symptoms received P3,000 and P5,000 for those who had severe symptoms. Climaco cited the need for local government funds to be returned to the people to help them improve their plight amid the pandemic. She assured that all those who were hardest hit by the health crisis will be given assistance. “El fondo del Govierno, of the Local Government should go back to help us,” she said, adding, “this is in line with our thrust on helping the most who suffered the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ayuda, comida y busca la vida en este tiempo de pandemia.” (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
December 13-19, 2021
‘Congresswoman’ Beng praises Duterte legacy
Omicron: Don’t panic but prepare for likely spread, says WHO Continued from page 1 weeks before more is known about how transmissible and how dangerous it actually is. Speaking in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier stressed that data suggesting that Omicron was highly transmissible was only preliminary. He also repeated WHO advice against blanket travel bans, except for countries whose health systems were unable to withstand a surge in infections. “It is much more preferred to prepare your country, your health system to possibly incoming cases because we can be pretty sure that this Omicron variant will spread around,” he said. The Delta mutation – declared a variant of concern this summer – is now “predominant”, Lindmeier added, “with over 90 per cent all around the world. This is how this virus behaves and we will not most likely be able to keep it out of individual countries.” The WHO official also cautioned against knee-jerk reactions to reports that Omicron had continued to spread. “Let’s not get deterred right now, let us first get as much information as possible to make the correct risk assessment based on the
information that we will have and then let’s move on. Let’s not get completely worried or confused by individual information which are all individually important, but which need to be brought together in order to assess together,” he said. The development comes as WHO said that it was sending a technical surge team to South Africa’s Gauteng province to monitor Omicron and help with contract tracing, amid a spike in coronavirus reinfections. For the seven days leading to November 30, South Africa reported a 311% increase in new cases, compared with the previous seven days, WHO said, adding, the cases in Gauteng province, where Johannesburg is located, have increased by 375% week on week. It added that hospital admissions there rose 4.2% in the past seven days from the previous week. And COVID-19-related deaths in the province jumped 28.6% from the previous seven days. Announcing the surge team deployment, Dr. Salam Gueye, WHO Regional Emergency Director for Africa, also noted that just 102 million Africans in Africa – 7.5% of the continental popula-
tion – are now fully vaccinated and that more than 80% of the population has not received even a single dose. “This is a dangerously wide gap,” he said. In a statement, WHO said that South Africa is reportedly seeing more patients contracting COVID-19 after having already been infected, in a way it did not with previous variants, citing a microbiologist from the country’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Working with African governments to accelerate studies and bolster the response to the new variant, WHO is urging countries to sequence between 75 and 150 samples weekly. “The detection and timely reporting of the new variant by Botswana and South Africa has bought the world time,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “We have a window of opportunity but must act quickly and ramp up detection and prevention measures. Countries must adjust their COVID-19 response and stop a surge in cases from sweeping across Africa and possibly overwhelming already-stretched health facilities,” he said. (UN, Zamboanga Post)
WHO recommends against the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19 THE WORLD Health Organization or WHO has updated its living guideline on COVID-19 therapeutics to include convalescent plasma. For non-severe COVID-19 patients, WHO recommends against its use, while it should only be used within clinical trials for severe and critical COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma is a transfusion of blood plasma
from someone who has recovered from COVID-19. Current evidence shows that convalescent plasma does not improve survival or reduce the need for mechanical ventilation, while it has significant costs. An independent panel of experts, the guidelines development group, looked at pooled data from 16 randomized controlled trials, in-
cluding 16,236 patients with non-severe, severe, and critical COVID-19 infection. While the evidence that convalescent plasma has no benefit in non-severe patients was certain, it was less so in the case of severe and critically ill patients. So, randomized clinical trials for these subgroups should continue, according to WHO. (Zamboanga Post)
Continued from page 1 among them the Port of Zamboanga which has the biggest passenger terminal. He was accompanied by Senator Bong Go and was briefed by Secretary Arthur Tugade, of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), at the port. The president looked at photographs of completed and current projects of the DOTr before proceeding to a hall where government officials led by Mayor Beng Climaco were waiting. Climaco, who welcomed the president, was the first to speak and she thanked Duterte for all infrastructure projects the national government poured not only in Zamboanga, but other parts of the Western Mindanao region. “Kining pasilidad daku kaayu ug katabang sa Zamboanga City ug ZAMBASULTA kay ania diri ang dagkung kumpanya sa sardinas,” Climaco told Duterte during her emotional speech. The mayor, the current chairperson of the Regional Development Council and Regional Peace and Order Council, also asked Duterte to retain or add more security forces in Zamboanga following the 2013 siege by Moro National Liberation Front members loyal to Nur Misuari. The siege lasted several weeks and displaced nearly 300,000 people. Tugade said with the completed works, the Port of Zamboanga can now accommodate 3,500 passengers at any given time and even surpass the passenger capacity of the Port of Cagayan de Oro City in northern Mindanao. “Development projects at the port include the establishment of an inclusive prayer room, food court, and elevators,” he said. He said the Port of Zamboanga developments are envisioned not only to enhance and address maritime mobility and connectivity in the province, and nearby ar-
eas but to serve as a catalyst for socio-economic, tourism, and livelihood opportunities in the entire Mindanao region. Build, Build, Build The port project is part of the Build,Build,Build initiative of the Duterte administration, seven months before the president ends his term. The Zamboanga seaport development projects, which involve several aspects, expansion of the back-up area, the extension of pier, and the provision of the port lighting system, among others, are aimed at facilitating the growing trade in the Zamboanga Peninsula, particularly sardine exports to the mainland US, Europe, and the Far East. Port General Manager Jay Santiago said these projects will play a vital role particularly for the economy of Zamboanga which is still recovering from the aftereffects of the MNLF and aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic. “We recognize the specific needs of all regions that is why the DOTr and PPA try to balance and distribute the projects all over the country. With the port, being the gateway port for the entire Zamboanga Peninsula and predominantly of the country’s sardine export receipts, these seaport projects will ensure access to the international market at the most competitive
cost until we can fully recover from the pandemic,” Santiago said. “More importantly, we are doing this without any additional cost impact to the Government’s general fund as we are funding these projects using internally-generated funds with no need for any kind of loan,” he added. The completed Zamboanga seaport expansion projects reinvigorated the port as it can now handle at least 11,000 ship calls annually from only 8,000 ship calls in 2015. The port’s cargo capacity also doubled to at least 3 million metric tons (MMT) annually compared to its 2015 capacity of only 1.5 MMT. Passenger capacity, on the other hand, is now at 3.5 million passengers annually from only 2 million during the previous administration. However, two years from now, the capacity is expected to jump to more than 6 million once the new terminal building has a capacity of 4,500 people at any given time. “There is no let-up in the race towards the dream of the president to give Filipinos comfortable lives. The DOTr, under the leadership of Secretary Art Tugade, and the PPA continue to step-up the pace to gain further momentum for a lasting Duterte legacy,” Santiago said. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
December 13-19, 2021
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.
‘OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE to the hardworking men and women of the General Services Office (GSO) for their labor of love por amor del pueblo Zamboanga este tiempo de Pascua. Your efforts bring joy and merriment to Zamboanguenos as they experience "Winter Wonderland Christmas" through your creations! ‘Mayor Beng Climaco MILES DE GRACIAS! GSO head Engr. Rene de la Cruz y Arch Rizamay Basing y todo quien ya ayuda para produci el bien bonito Christmas lights y display na City Hall y areredor parque - Alex Mendoza, Winifred Aranquez, Bienvenido Sta. Ana, Ronnie Cartagena, Joel de la Cruz, Roberto Tayone Jr., Eduardo Candido, Ramon Gon-
zaga III, Arvin de los Reyes, Nestor Bengil, Edwin Tinambacan, Gerry Biwang, Nico Sebastian, Kenneth Sta. Teresa, Leonardo Laure, Danny Aranez, Rosario Castro, Nesly Joy Mondragon, Dennis Rubia, Julius Mapiso, Christopher Cruz, George Sojor, Danilo Lamahan, Gerald Joseph Vicente, Noelvine Villacampa, Edgar Javier, Reynaldo Casal, Romel Candido, Baltazar Candido, Allan Bayot, Marvin Regalado, Metades Guhiting, Edgar Cruz, Orlando Saranuela, Mark Anthony Tinsay, Vittorino Tosti, Aldrine Siton, Antonio Piguro, Manuel Navea Jr., Louie Emmanuel Cudal, Jose Marie Alvarez, Ryan Bentoy, Rommel Santos, George Reyes, Felizardo Pagotaisidro, Gerasmo Galabin,
Ronald Mariano, Samuel Rojas, Richard Cascara, Harold Amit, Noriel Parado, William Enriquez, Rodrigo Bregondot, Arnold Cabayacruz, Julius Baldah, Danilo Ulod, Noribert Amararon, Noel Matutinao, Edison Buenbrazo, Ferdinand Sehob, Orlando Patron, Darwin de Guzman, Efwin Lunggay Jr., Daivin Agan, Renison Martinez, Romnick Macansantos, Milbert Apolinario, Errol Sanson, Jomar Pequit, Engr. Noel Wenceslao, Engr. Robert Arsena, Arnold Santos, Arnel Drapiza, Ronald Manalo, Eric Evangelista, Elderick Saurez, Joby de los Reyes, Hendry de los Reyes, Abraham Adjula, Anthony Agrabiador and Marilyn Ramos. Vaya con Dios! (Photos: Arch Basing)
December 13-19, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
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Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo, DOTR PR and Eugene Elnar.
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The Zamboanga Post
December 13-19, 2021
Across : 1. Roaming tribesman 6. Distress inits. 9. Adult male 12. Make jubilant 13. Puppy’s bite 14. Lyric verse 15. Refresh 16. With ice cream (3 wds.) 18. Impressed utterance 19. Sports ring 20. Repented 23. As the ___ flies 27. Amaze 29. Not here 30. Revolve 31. ___ Salad 32. School group 33. Lizard or snake, e.g. 34. Forwarded 35. Felt 36. Put into effect 38. Moose’s kin 41. Ordinary 44. ___ Banks of baseball 46. Fisherman’s snare 47. Irate 48. Brief summary 49. Christmas mo. 50. Wind direction (abbr.) 51. Put forth
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The Zamboanga Post
Sara Challenges Duterte
Coke, Unilever donate market hand wash stations COCA-COLA Beverages Philippines and Unilever donated two hand wash stations for two local public markets at Bagsakan Center and in Santa Cruz in support of the Covid-19 response of the City Government. Mayor Beng Climaco said the two companies also donated 2,000 juice
(Bong Serondo)
packs intended for the frontliners. The mayor thanked Coca-Cola and Unilever for the donations. “Miles de gracias Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines y Unilever por el suporta y ayuda al gobierno local de Zamboanga en el esfuerzo para el Comida, Curada y Busca vida este tiempo de pandemia,” she said. (Zamboanga Post)
OPINION
Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco
‘Peace’ John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah - A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” We are called to prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus in our hearts and lives. To prepare for his Second Coming. We must realize we have sinned, repent, ask forgiveness from God and all we have offended. There is a need for internal cleansing for Jesus the Emmanuel to come. Again, I am called to humble myself: Pide perdon con Dios y todos con quien iyo ya tiene culpa! Today's Advent Candles represent Peace! This week, I was talking to someone who made such an important decision and it mattered in the lives of others. I asked him if it brought him peace. He responded it brought him relief, “nakahinga!” It is like this in decisions we make, God's peace is the assurance of His presence which will forever guide us. I brought the Special Forces to Santa Cruz Island. In the most unexpected way, I drove the PCG jet-ski with the help of LTJG Wenceslao. A very exhilarating experience. I was telling Richard Aliangan that we are stewards of God’s creation and it is our mission to protect the environment by following the laws and giving people the opportunity to discover God’s beautiful creation. God made me experience His magnificence today and every day. As we did the Lagoon tour, the Yellow Boat Foundation which was set by Dr. Anton Lim continues
to give livelihood for the people. We ate the “sea grapes” or Lato Seaweed and flipped the stingless jellyfish which are thriving amid the Covid-19 pandemic in the beautiful mangrove. I had time to breathe God’s fresh air and rest. It is my farewell journey to these islands which I visited as a Consejala. This advocacy to protect the island led me to work with Maj. Gen. T.P. Salazar and was part of our love story. We returned as husband and wife with the family. And in 2013 as Mayor in my first term, I had my first meeting with the Team and Eng. Sicat and Adm. Pama. Plans for ecotourism are underway as well as helping the community. Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, founded the school there. We prayed for the four dedicated men who were lost at sea and a memorial erected for them. Around 21 turtle nests have been laid with only 4 awaiting to hatch and that is resilience amid the pandemic. On my way home, I was blessed to ride the TFZ 74th Infantry Battalion boat donated by the City Government. We had Lt. Col. Urbano, Capt. Orcullo, Lt. Dumanlag and Maj. Hollub with the big help of Garnette Francisco and Bong Serrondo who documented the visit and our PMB Team who had guests visited the island. In the words of PRRD to me when he first saw me, he said about the accomplished projects, “okay na ba?” We both will leave our respective offices in 7 months. The Second reading guides us: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. (MBC)
Napaka-sweet nina Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at live-in partner nitong si Honeylet Avanceña sa larawan ni presidential photographer King Rodriguez bago ang Christmas tree lighting sa Kalayaan Grounds ng Malacañan Palace nitong Disyembre 1. Continued from page 1 presidential candidate ni Bongbong Marcos, ang anak ng diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos. Ilang beses na rin sinabi ni Sara na hindi ito tatakbo sa national position, ngunit tulad ng style ng kanyang ama ay sa huling sandali itong nag-anunsyo ng kandidatura. Dahil sa kapasyahan ni Sara na pumanig kay Marcos ay tuluyang nahati ang puwersa ng orihinal na DDS o Duterte Diehard Supporters na nasa likod ni Duterte. Nais ni Duterte na magtambal sina Senador Bong Go at Sara, ngunit dahil kay Marcos nasira ang plano ni Duterte at ng PDP-Laban na siyang sumusuporta sa Pangulo at kay Go. Ilang beses na rin binanatan ni Duterte si Marcos, ngunit lantaran rin ang pagtatanggol ni Sara kay Marcos laban sa ama at masigasig pang ikinakampnya ito upang masigurong mananalo si Marcos sa susunod na halalan. Dahil sa mga pangyayari, naiipit ng husto si Go sa pagitan nina Duterte at Sara at nagdesisyon itong mag-withdraw na lamang ng kanyang kandidatura, ngunit hindi pa nito isinusimite sa Commission on Elections ang pormal na desisyon nito. Si Go ay malapit sa kampo ni Honeylet Avanceña, ang kasalukuyang live-in partner ni Duterte, at kanang-kamay ng Pangulo. Pilit naman hinihimok ni Sara ang mga tagasunod ni Duterte at Go na suportahan siya at si Marcos. Naglabas rin ng pahayag si Sara at ito ang kanyang sinabi: “Matapos kong inilunsad ang aking kandidatura pagka-Bise Presidente ng Pilipinas, nanawagan po ako sa lahat ng sumusuporta ng administrasyong Duterte na magkaisa sa ating layunin na ipatuloy at palawakin pa ang
mga magagandang nasimulan ng aking ama. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyong pagdinig sa aking hiling.” “Now that Sen. Bong Go has declared his withdrawal from the Presidential race and to quote him, “for the sake of unity among our supporters and leaders”, tuloy-tuloy na po tayo sa ating pagkakaisa kasama ang BBM-SARA Uniteam upang tayo ay magtagumpay sa ating hangarin para sa bansa,” dagdag pa ni Sara sa pahayag na inilabas ni Lilon Mayor Christina Garcia Frasco, ang tagapag-salita nito. Sakripisyo Walang reaksyon si Duterte sa sinabi ni Sara, ngunit naging madamdamin naman ang pahayag ni Go sa kanyang desisyon. Ito ang pahayag ni Go: “Sa nagdaang mga araw, habang tumatagal at umiinit ang pulitika sa bansa, mas lalo akong napapaisip kung ano ang mas makakabuti sa taumbayan, pati na rin kay Pangulong Duterte at sa aking pamilya. Lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa lahat ng supporters na walang tigil na nagtitiwala sa akin at kay Pangulong Duterte. Kaya gusto kong magpakatotoo sa inyong lahat at ayaw ko nang patagalin pa ang bigat ng nararamdaman ko.” “Alam naman ng lahat na naging kandidato na po ako sa pagka-Bise Presidente sa loob ng mahigit isang buwan, 40 days to be exact. Subalit, dahil sa mga pangyayaring hindi inaasahan, kailangan ko pong magpaubaya. Alam niyo, alam ng lahat yung aking hangaring makapagserbisyo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Hindi na po kailangang itanong yan dahil talagang gusto ko, gusto kong makapagserbisyo sa kapwa Pilipino. Gusto kong tumulong na maging maginhawa po ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino at walang magutom.”
“Many times in our life, we are called upon to serve others but destiny has a way of turning things around. Just like the great Andres Bonifacio — the President who never was. Bonifacio had every great opportunity to lead our country as our President after leading a revolutionary movement that started our quest for liberty. But destiny had something different for him. Sa ngayon, handa po akong magsakripisyo alang-alang sa kapakanan ng ating bayan at ni Pangulong Duterte. Simpleng probinsyano lamang po ako na binigyan ng pagkakataong magsilbi sa taumbayan. Hindi ko inambisyon na maging presidente. Puro serbisyo lang po ako. Dahil ang bisyo ko po ay magserbisyo.” “Hindi rin po ako pulitiko. Hindi rin po ako nanggaling sa malaki o kilalang pamilya. Hindi ako nasanay sa madumi at mainit na klase nang pulitika. Marahil po’y hanggang dito lang po muna ako sa ngayon. Ayaw rin talaga ng aking pamilya. Kaya naisip ko na siguro nga ay hindi ko pa panahon sa ngayon. Diyos lang ang nakakaalam kung kailan talaga ang tamang panahon ko. Ayaw ko rin pong lalong maipit si Pangulong Duterte. Higit pa po sa tatay ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya. Matanda na po siya at marami na siyang naibigay sa bayan kung kaya’t ayaw ko nang dagdagan pa ang kanyang problema. Nananatili akong tapat sa kanya at nangako akong sasamahan ko po siya habang buhay . Iyon po ang ipinangako ko sa kanya noon pa man.” “In the past few days po, I realized that my heart and mind are contradicting my own actions. Talagang nagre-resist po ang aking katawan, puso at isipan. Tao lang po ako na nasasaktan at napapagod din. Sa ngayon po, iyon po ang mga rason ko. That is why I am withdrawing from the race. Having said this, I leave my fate to God and the Filipino people as I vow to do my best every day to serve selflessly and tirelessly. I am willing to make the supreme sacrifice for the good of our country, and for the sake of unity among our supporters and leaders. Sa mga nagnanais maging Pangulo at iba pang gustong magsilbi sa bayan, sana po ay unahin niyo ang kapakanan at interes ng mga Pilipino. Handa naman kami ni Pangulong Duterte na suportahan ang sinuman na tunay na magseserbisyo, makapagpapatuloy at poprotekta sa Duterte legacy tungo sa mas komportable, ligtas at maginhawang buhay para sa ating mga anak.” “Kung saan man po ako dadalhin ng aking tadhana, makakaasa po kayo na patuloy po akong tutulong, patuloy po akong magseserbisyo at patuloy po akong magmamalasakit sa aking kapwa Pilipino dahil mahal ko ang mga kababayan ko. Mahal ko po ang bansang ito. Maraming salamat, mga minamahal kong kababayan,” pagtatapos pa ni Go. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Zamboanga Post
December 13-19, 2021
December 13-19, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
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December 13-19, 2021
Health budget slashed! Those who voted against the 2021 Supplemental Budget were Councilors Litlit Macrohon, Mike Alavar, BG Guingona, John Dalipe and Lilibeth Nuño - all staunch supporters of Lobregat -Dalipe and fiercest critics of Climaco.
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OUNCILORS ALLIED with politician Celso Lobregat has slashed the proposed budget of the City Health Office from P180 million to only P80 million and this will greatly impact various health programs of the local government especially this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Councilor Pinpin Pareja. Pareja made this revela- ment to provide free or subsidize including the Office of the City tion during an interview with RT-PCR tests which cost between Mayor, only to introduce their own version of the Executive TV 11 and said the health P2,000 to P5,000. budget proposed by the local “It may not be necessarily Budget and probably use them government has passed a rig- a free-for-all grant, but at least in their political campaign. id review, but the opposition with a wider coverage than the Politics nonetheless tinkered with the present free RT-PCR test given Last year, council memExecutive Budget. to those with Covid-19 symp- bers also opposed the annual Mayor Beng Climaco, who toms, suspected and positive budget and removed a huge is running for congresswom- cases only,” the mayor said. chunk of funding intended for an in District 1, has asked the She said her proposal to various pro-poor programs of councilors, especially those the City Council for free RT- the Climaco administration. with the group of Lobregat and PCR testing is subject to the They even trashed Climaco’s Rep. Mannix Dalipe, to sup- availability of test kits and once pro-poor Vida Programs which port and approved the budget, the local molecular laboratory benefited tens of thousands of instead of “politicizing” the is approved and becomes op- residents, especially the most funding intended for the wel- erational. Climaco said she also vulnerable in the community. Climaco has previously fare, security and health of the ordered the City Health Office Zamboangueños. and the City Budget Office to blamed the Lobregat and DalClimaco has previously come up with the policy in con- ipe councilors for “killing” all asked the support of the City formity with the guidelines set the Vida Programs after they reCouncil to provide a wider by the Department of Health moved vital funding in the Execcoverage of RT-PCR testing in and the Red Cross. utive Budget. One such project response to the clamor of the Opposition councilors under the program was the Larpublic. Residents and travellers have also reduced the budgets go Vida, an initiative that Climahave urged the local govern- of the different departments, co started in 2018 and which she
Council members who approved the 2021 Supplemental Budget of the Climaco administration - Bong Atilano, Jihan Edding, Kim Elago, VP Elago, Tungkuh Hanapi, Cesar Jimenez, Khymer Olaso, El King Omaga, Pinpin Pareja, Jerry Perez, Cary John Pioc, Gerky Valesco and Jimmy Villaflores.
Zamboanga Peninsula
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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 with the mayor after winning the 2019 polls. For the Poor 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. “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 Government 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 and Dalipe allies in the City Council affected some 17,000 senior citizens
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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 doorto-door 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 manifestos 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 fisherfolk, 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. (Zamboanga Post)
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