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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FB followers ni ‘Congresswoman’ Beng, lalong dumami PUMALO NA sa 377,000 ang mga followers ni Mayor Beng Climaco sa kanyang Facebook page at patuloy itong tumataas habang papalapit ang halalan sa Mayo nitong taon. Noong nakaraang Nobyembre ay nasa mahigit 370,000 ang Facebook followers ni Climaco at mataas kung ihahambing sa pinagsanib na bilang ng social media followers ng beteranong si Celso Lobregat at Rep. Mannix Dalipe. Si Climaco ay nasa ikatlo at huling termino na at ngayon ay tumatakbong congresswoman sa District 1 at inaasahang muling mananalo dahil sa kanyang ka-
ranasan sa mahabang panahon sa pulitika. Nanilbihan si Climaco bilang councilor mula 1998-2004; vice mayor noong 2004-2007; at Congresswoman at Deputy House Speaker for Mindanao mula 2007-2010 at 2010-2013, bago pa man naging mayor noong 2013. Wala pa talo sa eleksyon si Climaco dahil sa taglay nitong kagalingan at sinseridad sa serbisyo. Si Lobregat ay tinalo ni Climaco noong nakaraang halalan. Tanging si Climaco lamang ang nakatalo kay Lobregat mula ng ito ay naging pulitiko – mayor at congressman ng ilang beses. Continue on page 3
Mayor Beng Climaco
DILG warns public on fake vax cards
T
HE INTERIOR Department warned the public against so-called “Covid-19 Vaccination Exemption Card” that can allegedly be used by unvaccinated individuals to be exempted from stay at home orders, ride public transportation, and enjoy other privileges.
Night market proposed in Pasonanca Park BARANGAY PASONANCA has proposed the establishment of night
market intended to help small entrepreneurs while ensuring the safety and
order of the public this time of the Covid-19 Continue on page 2
Get vaccinated, mayor tells residents CHIEF COVID frontliner Mayor Beng Climaco renewed appeals to unvaccinated residents to take advantage of the many vaccination sites and get inoculated against the deadly Covid-19 Continue on page 2
these (cards) are fake,” said DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya. He said the “Covid-19 Vaccination Exemption Cards” which supposedly originated in Facebook
groups and social media chat groups were reported in Mindanao, particularly in Regions 11 and 12. The Covid-19 Vaccination Exemption Cards Continue on page 2
Zambo to have own crematorium, columbarium ZAMBOANGA CITY will finally have its own modern crematorium and columbarium as the local government pushes for its Continue on page 3
City Government photos show City Administrator Mike Saavedra during an inspection at the ongoing construction of the crematorium and columbarium in Barangay Mampang.
What antivirals are needed if you have COVID-19?
Mayor Beng Climaco during her visit to one of the the vaccination sites in Zamboanga. (City Hall Photo)
Zamboanga Peninsula
“The public is warned that there is no such thing as a vaccination exemption card. This is not authorized, issued, nor recognized by the government. In other words,
By Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana 1. If you are not part of the vulnerable population and are fully vaccinated
Basilan
with only mild symptoms, you DO NOT NEED ANTIVIRALS. You only need
Sulu
supportive care. Stay home, rest and 99.9% of Continue on page 3
Tawi-tawi
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The Zamboanga Post
January 24-30, 2022
DILG warns public on fake vax cards Continued from page 1 can allegedly be registered with the local governments and are supposedly recognized by authorities in lieu of genuine vaccination cards. Malaya said the government will never issue nor recognize such cards because this runs counter to the government’s national vaccination program to inoculate the ma-
jority of the populace to achieve population protection. “Malaking kalokohan ito. Hinding-hindi magiisyu ng exemption ang pamahalaan kanino man (maliban na lang for medical reasons) dahil ang gusto nga natin ay mabakunahan na ang lahat bilang proteksyon laban sa iba’t ibang Covid-19 variants. Nakakagalit na ayaw
na nga nating magpabakuna ay pinapaniwala pa natin ang iba na puwede silang ma-exempt. Marami na pong nabiktima at namatay sa Covid-19. Ang bakuna ang nakasalba sa maraming tao sa mundo,” he said. According to reports received by the DILG, people are being asked to put their name, birthdate, address, and signatures to
Night market proposed in Pasonanca Park
City Government photo shows City Administrator Mike Saavedra inspecting the food stalls in Barangay Pasonanca. Continued from page 1 pandemic. Pasonanca Barangay Chairman Jun Julian has briefed City Administrator Mike Saavedra of the Barangay Council’s proposal. He said plan will enable the barangay to organize the existing vendors and locate them in a clean, safe, and suitable portion of the park. Saavedra together with Acting Assistant City Administrator Raymond Padayhag and Police Station 7 commander, Maj. Alvin Lepiten inspected the proposed area for the night market and other facilities in the premises. The construction of the Pasonanca Park was started in 1912 by General John J. Pershing, then Governor of the Moro Province, and completed during the administration of Frank W. Carpenter, Governor of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu (1914-1920). Thomas Hanley, a parksman, arrived in 1912 from the United States at the request of Pershing to serve the same post at Pasonanca, and was respon-
sible for the original layout of the park. The park also has a separate campsites for males and females, an amphitheater, and a convention center, Butterfly Park, flower garden, museum, a tree house, pools and waterfalls, among others. Mayor Beng Climaco said the Pasonanca Park has been nominated as an ASEAN Heritage Park and she has met with representatives from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity who were in Zamboanga in December for an evaluation on the park’s nomination. “We are excited and hoping that our Pasonanca Park makes it to the list of the ASEAN Heritage Parks. We have maintained and protected the park as it was in the past and ensured the sustainability of flora and fauna in the area and we are happy that the ASEAN Heritage Parks took interest in the Pasonanca Park,” she told the Zamboanga Post by phone. Currently, the Philippines has nine ASEAN
Heritage Parks sites and two of which are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and they are the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in and the Mount Hamiguitan Range Natural Park in Davao Oriental which were both designated in 2014. The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary was the latest site to be officially recognized in 2019 during the 6th ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference in Laos. The other heritage parks are Mount Apo Natural Park in North Cotabato, Mount Iglit Baco National Park in Mindoro, Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Bukidnon, Mount Malindang Natural Park in Misamis Occidental, Mount Makiling Forest Reserve in Laguna, and Mount Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument in Camiguin. First envisioned in 1978 as a group of national parks and nature reserves with outstanding wilderness and biodiversity values, the AHP Programme was established to highlight the importance of a select group of protected areas in regional and global efforts in biodiversity conservation. AHPs were then created through the ASEAN Declaration on Heritage Parks and Reserves on November 29, 1984, which named the first 11 protected areas listed under the AHP Programme. They are protected areas of high conservation importance, preserving in total a complete spectrum of representative ecosystems of the ASEAN region. These areas are established to generate greater awareness, pride, appreciation, enjoyment and conservation of ASEAN’s rich natural heritage, through a regional network of representative protected areas, and to generate greater collaboration among AMS in preserving their shared natural heritage. (Zamboanga Post)
the Covid-19 Vaccination Exemption Cards being shared in social media and have the cards printed, laminated, and registered to their barangay, city or municipal governments. “The so-called exemption cards look similar to the green Covid-19 Vaccination Cards being issued by several LGUs. Sa biglang tingin aakalain itong tunay dahil pareho ng kulay, format at hitsura,” he said. “Nananawagan tayo sa publiko na huwag magpapaniwala sa mga taong nagpapakalat ng “Covid-19 Vaccination Exemption Cards” at wala
pong ganoon at peke po iyon. Agad mag-report sa mga awtoridad kung merong ganitong insidente sa inyong mga lugar.” Malaya called on local authorities to be more vigilant in their inspection of vaccination cards at provincial and regional borders to ensure that only those who had been vaccinated will be allowed to travel across borders or be allowed to use public transportation. “Magiging mabusisi po tayo sa pag-iinspeksyon dahil baka nalulusutan tayo ng mga hindi pa nababakunahan. Ang pa-
ghihigpit natin ay para na rin sa kanilang proteksyon at kapakanan dahil wala silang kalaban-laban sa Covid-19,” he said. According to the Department of Health and National Task Force against Covid-19 Joint Administrative Order No. 2021-0001, a standardized Covid-19 vaccine card shall be issued to vaccine recipients to ensure completion of the required doses by documenting details of their vaccination subject to the provisions of RA 10173 or the “Data Privacy Act of 2012.” (Zamboanga Post)
Get vaccinated, mayor tells residents
Mayor Beng Climaco during her visit to one of the the vaccination sites in Zamboanga. (City Hall Photo) Continued from page 1 respiratory disease. Climaco made the appeal as the number of active Covid-19 cases in Zamboanga City is steadily climbing and increased ninefold from under 100 in December. The increase in Covid-19 infections occurred after the Yuletide holidays when the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of
Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) eased the country’s quarantine protocols which allowed people to move freely only to recall the order weeks later following the dramatic spike in Covid-19 cases, believed due to the Omicron variant, in the National Capital Region and other provinces. “We again appeal to all unvaccinated Zamboangueños to go to the vac-
cination sites and get a jab against Covid-19. Infections are increasing and we need to control the spread of the virus, particularly those who have not taken the Covid-19 vaccines because you are more vulnerable to get Covid-19 than those who are vaccinated,” she told the Zamboanga Post in a phone interview when asked to comment on the rising number of Covid-19 cases here. The Zamboanga City Medical Center said most of those Covid-19 patients admitted in the Covid wards are unvaccinated. From only 10 Covid-19 patients in December, the hospital now has dozens of Covid-19 cases. Climaco regularly visits different vaccination sites to personally see the operation of the mass vaccination program and to thank the medical frontliners and volunteers taking part in the inoculation drive. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
January 24-30, 2022
What antivirals are needed if you have COVID-19? By Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana Continued from page 1 the time you will be ok. If you get short of breath or your pulse ox goes to 94% or below, go to the emergency room. Contact your doctor or the LGU BHERTs if you have questions. 2. If you are part of the vulnerable population (A2 or A3), you may benefit from antivirals even if you only have mild symptoms. Most of the antivirals were studied in the unvaccinated population, so it is unclear how much more is added in the fully vaccinated population and this needs to be properly assessed for optimal benefit versus risk. It is important that these only be given under the direction and supervision of a competent doctor. The drugs used for this purpose include pax-
FB followers ni ‘Congresswoman’ Beng, lalong dumami Continued from page 1 Suportado rin ni Vice Mayor Meng Agan ang kandidatura ni Climaco. Si Agan ay tumatakbo rin bilang mayor sa Zamboanga. Ikinatuwa naman ng mga taga-sunod ni Climaco ang desisyon ni Agan na suportahan si Climaco. Todo naman ang pasasalamat ni Climaco kay Agan at sa grupo nito. Sinigurado naman ni Climaco na ipagpapatuloy nito at lalong pagtitibayin sa Kongreso ang kanyang mga nasimulan. Sa loob ng kanyang panunungkulan, maraming nagawa o legasiyang maiwan si Climaco sa Zamboanga kung ihahambing sa mga nakaraang administrasyon. Kaliwa’t-kanan ang mga proyekto ng administrasyong Climaco sa ilalim ng programang S.H.E. o ang “Security, Health at Education” na siyang prayoridad nito. Sa kanyang panunungkulan ay nabawasan ng husto ang mga krimen at nabigyan ng malaking halaga ang kalusugan ng mga mamamayan at seguridad ng lungsod at dumami ang mga negosyo. Maging ang Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at ang Department of the Interior and Local Government at iba pang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan ay kinilala at binigyan ng parangal si Climaco dahil sa kanyang maayos na pa-
nunungkulan at serbisyo sa Zamboanga. Sa katunayan, nitong Enero lamang ay pinuri ng DILG ang Climaco administration matapos na pumasa ang pamahalaang lokal sa “2021 Good Financial Housekeeping” dahil sa “exemplary performance in financial administration.” “Congratulations to the 2021 Good Financial Housekeeping Passers in Region IX. We commend the LGUs for their invaluable commitment to pursue an honest, transparent, accountable and orderly management of public funds,” ani ng DILG sa pahayag nito. Sinabi ng DILG na “ang Zamboanga City government exhibited exemplary performance in financial administration which covers the following criteria: Most recent available COA Audit Opinion is Unqualified or Qualified for CYs 2019 or 2020; and compliance with Full Disclosure Policy-posting of all 14 documents in three conspicuous places and in the FDP portal for all quarters of CY 2020 and first quarter of CY 2021.” Agad naman pinasalamatan ni Climaco ang mga kawani ng pamahalaang lokal at ang malaking tiwala ng DILG sa kanya. “We thank the DILG for this and all of this is
made possible with the commitment of honesty and transparency in governance. We thanked our department heads, the people working tirelessly at City Hall and everyone who contributed in one or the other in making this a reality. My commitment remains for the Zamboangueño people even beyond City Hall,” ani Climaco sa panayam ng Zamboanga Post. Maging ang mga black propaganda at fake news na ikinakalat ng ilang mga grupo laban kay Climaco upang ito ay siraan ay hindi rin umubra dahil sa mataas na suporta at malaking tiwala sa kanya ng mga Zamboangueños. At dahil sa mga kasinungalingan na ibinabato kay Climaco ay lalo pang tumaas ang bilang ng mga supporters at followers nito sa kanyang Facebook page. Matatag at matibay ang ang Team Climaco, ayon kay Climaco at mananatili umanong prayoridad ang kanilang serbisyo sa publiko. “Team Climaco remains strong, united and committed to continue to work hard in this pandemic- to heal the sick and feed the hungry - na favor de Dios continua dale curada, comida y busca vida na tiempo de pandemia. Ciudad antes de todo!” (Zamboanga Post)
lovid (89% decreased risk of hospitalization and death), remdesivir (short course, IV only, 3 days only, 87% decreased risk of hospitalization and death) or molnupiravir (30% decreased risk of hospitalization and death). These need to be given within 5 days of symptom onset, and only to those with confirmed COVID-19. Some drugs may interact with these antivirals, particularly with the ritonavir component of Paxlovid, so do NOT experiment. Molnupiravir is potentially mutagenic, so don't give to pregnant women and do not use for more than 5 days. Above all DO NOT USE THESE ANTIVIRALS FOR PROPHYLAXIS. They can cause serious problems if misused.
3. For patients with severe and critical COVID-19, these need to be treated in the hospital. These patients may be given remdesivir, dexamethasone, baricitinib, tocilizumab and other meds as appropriate. Paxlovid and molnupiravir DO NOT WORK for severe and critical COVID-19 patients. Antivirals for COVID-19 represent an added tool for decreasing the burden of COVID-19 on our society as long as they are PROPERLY used. The best way to decrease your risk of severe COVID-19 remains vaccination and boosting. Wear a mask to further decrease risk of transmission. Isolate if you have symptoms, regardless of test results. Call your doctor if you have questions. Stay safe!
Zambo to have own crematorium, columbarium Continued from page 1 completion in Barangay Mampang. Mayor Beng Climacoordered the City Engineering Office to fast track the construction of the facilities following an ocular inspection by City Administrator Mike Saavedra. Saavedra, along with engineers Christopher Navarro and Joy Lee and other personnel, inspected the area. The local government also released a set of artist impressions of the crematorium and columbarium.
A crematorium is a venue for the cremation of the dead. Modern crematoria contain at least one cremator, a purpose-built furnace. In many countries, crematoria contain facilities for funeral ceremonies, such as a chapel. A columbarium or columbary vault, on the other hand, is a structure for the storage of the urns that hold the ashes of the deceased. It is an alternative for a memorial lot interment where the deceased is interred. The facilities have been
in the plan since 2018 after City Councilor Jimmy Villaflores pushed for the establishment of a local government-owned crematorium and columbarium. Saavedra also inspected the public cemeteries in Barangay Mampang and Talabaan to personally look into its operation and other concerns. The two cemeteries are being used as burial sites of Covid-19 related deaths. He said Climaco ordered the City Engineering Office to clean the cemeteries. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
January 24-30, 2022
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go. Photos by : Bong Serondo, Giana Andrion, BPLO, CSWDO and ZCPO.
January 24-30, 2022
The Zamboanga Post Exclusive
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Zamboanga Pictures in the News
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The Zamboanga Post
January 24-30, 2022
Across : 1. Revered person 5. Baseball’s ___ Ruth 9. Stir 12. Nevada resort 13. Genesis site 14. Peeved 15. Most snobbish 17. Sis’s sibling 18. Child’s game 19. Simpler 21. Average 24. Sale acknowledgement 26. Bullring shouts 28. Creamy pastries 31. Religious order 32. Stadium shout 33. Horn sound 34. Manors 36. Japanese wrestling 37. Eternal 40. Stitch together 41. Dwarfed shrub 43. Eighth mo. 45. Apparatus 46. Boundary 51. Not healthy 52. Kiln 53. Salad fish 54. Private ___ 55. Printed words 56. Flower stalk Down : 1. Tax inits. 2. Cozy place 3. Singer Yoko ___ 4. Burglar’s booty 5. Light tan 6. Fruit beverage 7. Beg 8. Involve 9. Enterprising 10. Be bold 11. Stench 16. Pitch 20. Minor disagreements 21. Model 22. Tavern drinks 23. Four-sided figure 25. Desist
The Zamboanga Post
An Edition of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper
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Publisher/Executive Producer
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Editor-in-Chief
Reynold Toribio Graphics/Video Editor
REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star
The Zamboanga Post
is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.
Answer to last week’s crossword:
3rd Floor, JLC Building, Don Alfaro St., Tetuan, Zamboanga City Phone & Fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0915) 3976197
27. Fawn’s father 29. Caesar’s city 30. Pack away 32. Alleviate 35. Oolong server 38. Canonized person 39. Total 41. Soft cheese 42. Slick 44. Obtains 47. Tyrannosaurus ___ 48. Mummy name 49. Opposite of WSW 50. Ewe’s mate
Weekly Sudoku:
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The Zamboanga Post
January 24-30, 2022
Beng renews commitment to Zambo police force
City Government photo shows Mayor Beng Climaco with new City Police Chief Col. Alex Lorenzo and Col. Rexmel Reyes. MAYOR BENG Climaco renewed her strong commitment and support to the local police force following the appointment of Col. Alex Lorenzo as the new Zamboanga police director. Lorenzo met with Climaco at City Hall after replacing Col. Rexmel Reyes, who ended his 16-month stint here. The mayor assured Lorenzo of her continuous support to the police sector for the safety and pro-
tection of the residents. Climaco also thanked Reyes for his dedication and commitment in serving as the city police chief from September 5, 2020 to January 8, 2022. “Through his efforts, in collaboration with the JTFZ and other law enforcement agencies, Zamboanga City retained its zero bombing, zero kidnapping and zero piracy record in the last 7 years. Thank you Col. Rexmel for leading the way of the ZCPO and wherever
your assignment may be, may God bless you and your family,” the mayor said during Reyes’ exit call. JTFZ refers to Joint Task Force Zamboanga and ZCPO is short for Zamboanga City Police Office. As a token of appreciation, Climaco presented Reyes a plaque of commendation, citing his invaluable contributions to the peace and order. (Zamboanga Post)
Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
HEALTH
Menopause sa Babae : Alamin ang Sintomas
A
ng menopause ay ang permanenteng pagtatapos ng regla at fertility o kakayahang magbuntis. Masasabing menopause ang babae kapag 12 buwan na nakalipas mula sa huling araw ng regla. Sa ibang kababaihan nangyayari ang menopause sa edad na 30s o 40s, habang sa iba naman ay 50s o 60s. Ang menopause ay natural na proseso at hindi ito sakit. Ngunit ang pisikal at emosyonal na sintomas ng menopause ay maaaring makagambala sa iyong pagtulog, makapagpahina, at magdulot ng kalungkutan. Tandaan: Ang menopause ay hindi ibig sabihin na mababawasan ang iyong pagka-
Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong
babae at sekswalidad. Sa katunayan, maaari maging isa ka sa mga babaeng pwedeng mag-enjoy ng pagtatalik na walang inaalala na baka mabuntis pa. Ang senyales at sintomas ay nararamdaman kung palapit na ang menopause. Kabilang dito ang: 1. Iregular na buwa-
nang daloy 2. Nababawasan ang pagiging fertile 3. Panunuyo ng pwerta 4. Hot flashes o mainit na pakiramdam 5. Nagagambala ang pagtulog 6. Pabago-bago ang mood o emosyon 7. Lumalaki at tumataba sa tiyan
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The Zamboanga Post
January 24-30, 2022
January 24-30, 2022
The Zamboanga Post
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ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (0915) 3976197
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Not vaccinated? Stay home!
P
RESIDENT DUTERTE has ordered all barangay officials to restrict the movement of unvaccinated people in their respective areas following the spike in Covid-19 cases in many parts of the country. Duterte invoked his may problema tayo. Nan- gay officials must follow authority as Chief Ex- dito na ‘yung Covid-19, Duterte’s order and within ecutive amid a national pati ‘yung variants, what the bounds of the law. “The President is emergency to order the makes it difficult to maymobility restriction on be treat on time, halos merely exercising his authe unvaccinated. “As pareho lang siguro, I hope thority as chief executive I have earlier directed, that’s the same banana under the public health barangay officials were that is applicable to all emergency. He was very enforced a strict adher- ‘yung mga gamot natin,” clear in his directive that an arrest will only be a last ence to the quarantine Duterte added. The president also cit- resort. Pakiusapan muna protocols, including restraining unvaccinated ed reports by medical ex- na pumirmi sa bahay. Bapersons from leaving perts saying new cases of rangay officials may only their houses and they Covid-19 continue to rise arrest the unvaccinated will do this legally. As I daily. Duterte said he is individual who refuse to have said, we have every alarmed by the Covid-19 cooperate and who are right to restrain the (un- data because the repro- leaving the homes for vaccinated people), we duction rate of the viral non-essential purposes,” cannot wait for cong(ress transmission also shot up said DILG Secretary Eduat more than 5% at the ardo Año. to pass) a law,” he said. Año said that baran“There is no denying National Capital Region gay officials are persons that the Covid-19 situa- alone. The Department of in authority and are duty tion in the country is becoming more alarming the Interior and Local bound to implement the every day. Madaling sabi, Government said baran- President’s directive as
Beng joins ‘Dia de Kasambahays’
City Government photos show Mayor Beng Climaco during the recent celebration of the Dia de Kasamabahays held at KCC Mall de Zamboanga. DOZENS OF so-called “Kasambahay” praised Mayor Beng Climaco for gracing the celebration of the “Dia de Kasambahay” held at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga. Climaco renewed her strong support and appreciation to all the Kasambahays as she cited the important role they play in the family. The mayor spoke to the Kasambahays and said her administration
continues to advocate their rights and welfare and stands behind the “Batas Kasambahay” or Republic Act No. 10361 which protects domestic workers and recognizing their special needs to ensure safe and healthful working conditions and promotes gender-sensitive measures in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs affecting the local domestic work.
Zamboanga Peninsula
The celebration was organized by the Federation of the Zamboanga City Civil Society Organization and the Department of Labor and Employment and the Zamboanga City government, including various government agencies. Various programs were also held during the Dia de Kasambahay, according to Climaco. The Republic Act No. 10361 was signed by President Benigno Aquino III on January 18, 2013. The law is a landmark piece of labor and social legislation that recognizes for the first time domestic workers as similar to those in the formal sector. It strengthens respect, protection, and promotion of the rights and welfare of Kasambahays. It took 16 years for Congress to pass the Kasambahay Law or Magna Carta for Domestic Workers. The last legislation passed in Congress was in 1993 and this was the Republic Act No. 7655 or An Act Increasing the Minimum Wage of Househelpers. (Zamboanga Post)
Basilan
President Rodrigo Duterte gets a Covid-19 vaccine jab. well as the ordinances passed by their respective local governments. He advised the public to bring their vaccination cards at all times and show it to barangay officials and police officers as proof of vaccination. DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya said un-
vaccinated individuals going to work must present a negative RT-PCR test result every 2 weeks otherwise they will not be allowed to leave their homes, although they can go out to procure basic essentials or medicines. “We are doing this to protect the unvaccinated them-
selves because they are prone to critical illness and hospitalization and we need to protect our health care system from being overwhelmed with the exponential rise of coronavirus cases because of the Omicron variant,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
OPINION
Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco
TODAY’S READINGS are special for the Church in the Philippines as we celebrated 500 years of Christianity last year. In my recent visits to Cebu, I would find time to visit the Sto. Niño and in a few seconds offer fervent prayers. We looked forward to the celebration during our visit, but the Covid pan-
Sulu
demic took over and we had to adjust. It saddens me to see that even the Black Nazarene celebration in Quiapo was suspended. For devotees, it is quite a painful sacrifice not being able to go and pray physically in these holy seats of our faith and devotion as Filipinos. The Omicron had made a great start for 2022! In the family, our little ones were very sick, vomiting, having fever, sore throat and weakness. Prayers and more prayers to God to comfort the children. We adults worry and are stressed. But, interesting for our grandchildren though sick with covid, they are able to smile, to drink their Gatorade and even eat only to throw-up. One cousin was thankful because of the generosity of friends who shared meals. The virus makes the children ill, since they are not yet immunized. According to Dr. Garcia, the children have a high viral load. We as adults need to take our full doses of vaccination and booster shots and prepare our children to get their doses once it arrives. Señor Sto. Nino, we surrender our lives to you. Bless our family and protect us all and our children. Amen (MBC)
Tawi-tawi