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‘Inday Sara reminisces time with Zambo mayor’
V
ICE PRESIDENTIAL candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has reminisced about her time with Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco, who is running for congresswoman in District 1, during their trip to the United States two years ago. Read Story on page 2
Vendors thank Climaco LOCAL BALUT vendors thanked Mayor Beng Climaco not only for giving Continue on page 7
Mayor Beng Climaco talking with vendors at the Waterfront and Heritage Walk in R.T. Lim Boulevard. (Image: Bong Serondo)
‘Congresswoman’ Beng relentless at work Zambo LGU aids water
Vice Presidential candidate and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte with Zamboanga City Mayor and Congressional (District 1) candidate Beng Climaco. (Image: Mayor Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)
WHILE OTHERS are trumpeting political support they allegedly get from barangay leaders, Mayor Beng Climaco meanwhile Continue on page 2
district, grants P80 million for rehab project
Mayor Beng Climaco hands over the newly-rehabilitated barangay hall of Santo Niño. (Bong Serondo)
Allow LGUs to buy anti-viral meds to fight Covid: Beng CHIEF COVID frontliner Mayor Beng Climaco
has asked the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force on
Zamboanga Peninsula
Covid-19 to allow local Continue on page 3
Basilan
THE LOCAL government has turned over a cheque worth P80 million to the
Zamboanga City Water District which will be used for the non-revenue water
Sulu
loss reduction project in downtown Zamboanga. Continue on page 3
Tawi-tawi
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The Zamboanga Post
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2022
TRUE SISTERS ‘Inday Sara reminisces time with Zambo mayor’
From page 1 In her Facebook post, Duterte - popularly known as Inday Sara - said Climaco, now on her third and last term, even took care of her and ensured there is a steady supply of
food in her room. “Throwback muna tayo sa trabaho bago naging pandemic ang Covid-19. January 23, 2020, two years ago today, dumalo ako sa 88th Winter Meeting ng US Mayors,
kasama ko Si Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco na aking naging kaibigan dahil sa work trip na ito,” Inday Sara said. Inday Sara said it was Climaco who gave her ginger ale, the first time
‘Congresswoman’ Beng relentless at work Continued from page 1 continues to work hard to fulfill her administration’s unrelenting commitment to the barangay. Climaco is now on her third and last term and is running for congresswoman in District 1 and is widely popular among the residents because of her honest governance. Just recently, the mayor led officials in handing over the newly rehabilitated barangay hall of Santo Niño, and saying “this project is another proof that the City Government fully supports and assists the barangays being an ally and partner of the local government.” Climaco said her administration is committed to serving the people through various infrastructure projects such as barangay halls, schools and even road projects among others. “These (projects) remain my top priority to better serve my constituents. I want to leave a legacy that will benefit my people, improve their welfare and I am deeply committed to public service and serving Zamboanga,” she said. Late last year, the mayor also inaugurated the barangay hall of Kampung Islam and Barangay Chairman Faizal Jamlul thanked Climaco for the project. “The project has been our commitment to the barangay council and forms part of the 2020 Executive Budget. It was a subject of consultation with the people of Kampung Islam. More power to the barangay council, may this new barangay hall pave the way for enhanced delivery of services to the people of Kampung Islam,” the mayor said. Education and barangay officials praised Climaco for the three climate-resilient school buildings inaugurated
Mayor Beng Climaco hands over the newly-rehabilitated barangay hall of Santo Niño. (Bong Serondo) late last year in Tetuan, Canelar and Pasobolong. Climaco handed over the newly-constructed school buildings and she vowed to continue providing more infrastructure projects to different barangays as part of her administration’s priorities in Security, Health and Education. In Tetuan, the mayor also inaugurated the four-storey, 20-classroom building at the Zamboanga City High School. She led the handover of the new school buildings at Canelar Elementary School and Pasobolong Elementary School. All the ceremonies were also attended by faculty members who thanked the mayor for continuously prioritizing education and other literacy programs that benefit the students. Notably, it was only during Climaco’s administration that the new schools have no initials of the mayor unlike in the previous administration of Mayor Celso Lobregat where virtually all window grills had CL welded on it and roofs painted with “Adelante Zamboanga.” But in Climaco’s administration, only the “love for Zamboanga City” - I love ZC - are emblazoned in many infrastructure projects. Education officials led by Dr. Victoria Mangaser praised Climaco and
thanked her for donating 32 printing and digital hubs intended for different schools in Zamboanga to help teachers cope with the demands of mass production of printed materials and modules needed for “blended learning” which combines both traditional classroom and online classes or courses and for the mayor’s continuing and overwhelming support. The printing and digital hubs are complete with Acer Veriton S desktops which provide high reliability and a long lifespan due to its 100% solid capacitor and Acer V7 Series computer monitors that provide professional performance with a 4K resolution screen. All the hubs also come with Risograph, a brand of digital duplicators manufactured by the Riso Kagaku Corporation that are designed mainly for high-volume photocopying and printing. The mayor also turned over the newly-constructed two-storey barangay hall to the officials of Tolosa and Barangay Ayala. The buildings have a brick façade and stainless hand rails and ramp for people with disabilities. The two buildings also have their own covered terrace in the front. Many barangay and various infra projects were also finished in the past years. (Zamboanga Post)
she tasted the carbonated drink made from ginger root. “Alaga nya (Climaco) ako (at) laging may pagkain ang kwarto ko panlaban sa gutom at siya ang nag-introduce sa akin sa ginger ale na napakasarap pala,” she wrote. Inday Sara and Climaco were invited by the US government for a series of lectures and meetings for the project “Strong Cities, Strong Partnerships: A Comprehensive Approach to Preventing Terrorism in Southeast Asia” under the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program of the US Department of State. Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, who welcomed Inday Sara and Climaco, branded the two leaders as “remarkable women.” During their stay in the US, Inday Sara said they went to Los Angeles and had talks with Mayor
Eric Garcetti and learned about LA’s problems on gangsterism and the importance of how the government helps in guiding the children and youth to self-discipline and love of the country. “Sa pagbisita namin sa Los Angeles andami namin natutunan ukol sa gangsterism, ang LA ay isa sa may pinakamadaming gangs na siyudad. Kaya mahalaga ang mga children at youth ay nagagabayan ng gobyerno sa disiplina at pagmamahal sa bayan. Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas,” she said. Just like Inday Sara, Climaco has always been a champion and a strong advocate of children’s rights and welfare. Climaco, reacting from Inday Sara’s post, said: “It was a wonderful experience to learn side by side with Mayor Inday. We look forward to a stronger, safer Zamboanga City where children and young people are given the opportu-
nity to chase their dreams and aspirations.” Last year, Inday Sara also facilitated the donation of two RT-PCR test machines, including 25,000 sets of disposable specimen sampling kits to the local government of Zamboanga City. Climaco thanked Inday Sara for the donations, saying it will greatly support Zamboanga’s efforts in fighting the spread of Covid-19. “It will help us make a meaningful difference as we continue to battle Covid-19,” she said. The local governments of Davao and Zamboanga City also signed a sisterhood accord in July last year. The sisterhood agreement intends to create and fortify an open communicative atmosphere to induce a heightened exchange of ideas, particularly in the fields of tourism and culture, agriculture and trade and commerce. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2022
Zambo LGU aids water district, grants P80 million for rehab project
Allow LGUs to buy anti-viral meds to fight Covid: Beng Continued from page 1 governments not only in Zamboanga City, but others in the region as well, to purchase anti-viral medicines which will effectively help in combating the spread of the deadly respiratory disease, especially the Omicron variant. Climaco made this request during a recent online meeting, saying the purchase of the medicines, particularly molnupiravir and paxloid, can be made either through the Department of Health or local governments. However, the purchase of the drug requires the grant of a compassionate special permit by the Food and Drug Administration. She cited the scientific studies made on the drugs which found to be effective in reducing the risk of hospitalization or death of Covid-19 patients. She said the same was also recommended by local medical experts and even the national government is mulling the purchase of the drug. The RIATF meeting also discussed the spike of Covid-19 cases in Zamboanga Peninsula and the dangers posed by the Omicron variant, including the government’s mass vaccination program. Climaco also brought up the need for the DOH to approve the operation of the local government-run molecular laboratory. DOH Regional Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes and Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Atty. Ruel Halanes vowed to help
expedite the approval of requirements for the operation of the laboratory. City Administrator Mike Saavedra said the Climaco administration is working double time for the operation of the local government’s molecular laboratory. He said the City Health Office is also fast-tracking the submission of requirements to the DOH so it can issue the necessary license for the laboratory to operate soon. Saavedra, together with City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite and City Engineer Chris Navarro, recently inspected the laboratory in Barangay San Roque. He said the facility is only one of the many legacies of Climaco, who is now on her third and last term, and is running for congresswoman in District 1. “The LGU-run molecular lab aims to provide free and expanded Covid-19 testing to residents, but nonetheless, those with symptoms and (people who had) close contacts (with Covid-19) are already given free testing by the LGU since the start of the pandemic (in 2020),” Saavedra said. Climaco previously asked the support of the City Council to provide a wider coverage of RT-PCR testing in Zamboanga which cost between P2,000 to P5,000. “It may not be necessarily a freefor-all grant, but at least with a wider coverage than the present free RT-PCR test given to those with Covid-19 symptoms, suspected and positive cases only,” the mayor said. She said her proposal for
free RT-PCR testing is subject to the availability of test kits and once the local molecular laboratory becomes operational. The mayor even ordered the City Health Office and the City Budget Office to come up with the policy in conformity with the guidelines set by the Department of Health and the Philippine Red Cross. But Councilor Pinpin Pareja said council members allied with politician Celso Lobregat 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. Pareja made this revelation during an interview with TV 11 and said the health budget proposed by the local government passed a rigid review, but the opposition nonetheless tinkered with the Executive Budget. Climaco earlier asked the councilors, especially those with the group of Lobregat and Rep. Mannix Dalipe, to support and approve the budget, instead of “politicizing” the funding intended for the welfare, security and health of the Zamboangueños. Opposition councilors also reduced the budgets of the different local government departments, including the Office of the City Mayor, only to introduce their own version of the Executive Budget which is beyond their mandate as law makers. (Zamboanga Post)
Continued from page 1 Mayor Beng Climaco handed over the cheque to ZCWD General Manager Leonardo Rey Vasquez and Board of Director James Makasiar. “Thank you to the LGU for this grant of P80 million. This will really be a great help in the reduction of the NRW of the Zamboanga City Water District,” said Vasquez, referring to the non-revenue water loss. Makasiar also thanked the local government and the City Council for approving the grant. “We thanked the City Government of Zamboanga through the City Mayor, and the City Council of Zamboanga for the grant. This funds will be used primarily for the non-revenue water reduction in the Poblacion, in the City Proper. The Management and the Board have already agreed that we will fast track the rehabilitation and hopefully we can see immediate results. So thank you so much,” Makasiar said. NRW is basically produced, cleaned water which is lost somewhere in the water distribution system, never reaching its final destination. The reasons for water losses are many, ranging from leakages, pipe bursts, and poor water management to illegal connections. It can also come from commercial losses caused by the under-registration of customer meters, data handling errors, illegal connections and theft. Another cause of NRW is unbilled authorized consumption, which includes water used by utilities for operational purposes, water used for firefighting, and water provided for free to certain consumer groups. Last year, the ZCWD raised its water rates despite pleas from residents and local government officials against it, especially at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic where many people and the economy are suffering. Climaco, who strongly opposed the water rate increase, demanded ZCWD to open its book of financial records to truly find out if there is really a need to increase the water rates amid the economic difficulties of the people due to the health crisis. But the ZCWD refused to make its financial books public. Since two years ago, ZCWD executives have wanted to raise water rates allegedly to improve its utility services and raise salaries of employees. But residents have long complained of inefficient services and yearly water rationing, and wasted water from broken or leaking pipes in different barangay
that largely contributed to the NRW. Due to the poor services of the ZCWD and its insistence to increase water rates, members of the City Council previously called on Vasquez to resign. But the embattled Vasquez, who has been with ZCWD for many years now, said only the ZCWD Board of Directors can compel him to resign. The ZCWD last year hiked its minimum water rate of P210 or P25.00 water rate adjustment from P185 minimum charge. According to the ZCWD, the P25 rate adjustments represent only 13% of its proposed adjustment of P278 it filed with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) in May 2020. It said the increase in water rates is needed for it to be able to start and slowly implement water security programs intended to address the growing needs of the expanding populace. The LWUA approved the P25 rate adjustment in October 2020. Climaco previously released some P29.36 million in subsidies to help consumers pay their water and electric bills. The P500 one-time cash subsidy to water concessionaires was credited to the account of all bonafide water concessionaires upon payment of their bill. She previously rejected the proposed water rate, saying it has to first improve utility services and ensure clean supply of potable water to residents, among oth-
er woes locals have raised against the ZCWD which is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) which receives from the government subsidies and program funds. Subsidies cover the day-to-day operations of the GOCCs when revenues are insufficient, while program funds are given to profitable GOCCs to pay for a specific program or project. Also last year, Climaco said she wanted to look into the salary problems of the ZCWD following complaints that they have never received any salary increase for a long time as executives cited the need to increase water rates before it could increase the salaries and benefits of employees. “We have to look into the (financial) books of the ZCWD and utilize existing funds from loans. And before we increase the rates, we have to provide better service to the public. It’s just as simple as that and by looking at an area where to improve,” the mayor said. “One of the causes of the ZCWD’s financial burden is its system’s loss or the non-revenue water being not fully maximized. So much water is wasted and this is compounded by climate change resulting in water rationing. To be efficient and sufficient, the ZCWD should and must always be at the helm of providing water,” Climaco said. (Zamboanga Post)
Diggings left behind by the Zamboanga City Water District in Falcatan Street in Barangay Tetuan. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 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, Ron Aballe, BPLO and ZCPO.
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2022
The Zamboanga Post Exclusive
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Zamboanga Pictures in the News
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The Zamboanga Post
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2022
Across : 1. Fuss 4. Tightwad 9. Monotonous routine 12. Family member 13. Fidgety 14. Small bill 15. Floor connector 17. 60 secs. 18. Emulate Michelle Kwan 19. Groups 20. Mailed 23. Confine 25. Large lizard 28. Hint 29. 14-line poem 30. Puts up 34. Wager 35. Capital of Minnesota (2 wds.) 36. Underwriter 40. Fidgety 41. Radio part 42. Kinder 45. Poetic dusk 46. Spoke to 50. Pretend 51. Kingly 52. Possessed 53. Ocean 54. Abounds 55. Tint Down : 1. Mule’s kin 2. Small spot 3. “Snakes ___ Plane” (2 wds.) 4. Grade 5. Machu Picchu native 6. Declare 7. Perfumes 8. Bread type 9. Juliet’s beloved 10. Single items 11. Keyed up 16. Turkey’s largest city 19. Dozing ones 20. Brother’s sib 21. Self-esteem 22. Cloistered one 24. Rudely abrupt
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The Zamboanga Post
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2022
Vendors thank Climaco
Mayor Beng Climaco talking with vendors at the Waterfront and Heritage Walk in R.T. Lim Boulevard. (Image: Bong Serondo) Continued from page 1 them space where to sell their goods, but also for including them in the Local Special Amelioration Program. Climaco recently visited balut vendors at the R.T. Lim Boulevard to personally see how they are doing. She also spoke with them and the others selling barbeque and food in the area. The mayor also spoke to policemen manning the stretch of the boulevard and people relaxing in the newly-rehabilitated walking path along the waterfront. While at the area, Climaco inspected the facilities at the beautiful beachfront which is part
of the P74-million Waterfront and Heritage Walk Redevelopment Project and the Scouting Centennial Monument – all were inaugurated last year. Residents and visitors have praised the beautiful façade of the boulevard with its well-lighted path
walk adorned with palm trees and flowering plants and stainless hand rails. The city government’s project focused on upgrading and connecting the boulevard and its neighboring thoroughfares in the waterfront city zone and heritage zone. Uniform and non-skid paving were used to improve the appearance and safety of the streetscape while speed tables were built to connect sidewalks, making the corridor friendly to people on foot. Rows of native Zamboanga trees and shrubs are also planted along the esplanade to protect pedestrians and bikers from motorists on the carriageway. Seating areas were also built on the edge of the shore for a good view of the sunset. (Zamboanga Post)
HEALTH
Bawas Stress: Mabisang Paraan
K
ung ang inyong buhay ay nagiging masyadong komplikado gumawa ng mga paraan para ito ay gaming simple. Inirerekomenda ng mga eksperto ang ilang mga paraan para mabawasan at makontrol ang stress. 1. Ihiwalay ang malaking gawain sa mas maliit na gawain. Kung ang inyong mga gawain ay masyadong marami hatiin ito sa maliliit na gawain at gawin ito ng paisa-isa. Panatilihin na nakatuon ang isip sa mga gawain na ginagawa sa halip na isipin ang mga susunod pang mga gawain. 2. Matutunan na tumanggi, kung nakararamdam ng sobrang tuwa sa inyong personal at propesyonal na responsibilidad, subukan na umurong at pag-isipan ng mabuti kung ano ang aalisin. 3. Magkaroon ng maiksing pahinga habang nagtatrabaho.
Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong Tumayo sa iyong lamesa at mag-unat, o gamitin ang iyong lunch break para maglakad sa park. 4. Palitan ang inyong araw-araw na pressure ng physical na gawain. Ang healthy lifestyle ay ang iyong mabuting depensa panlaban sa stress. Sundin ang balanced diet, limitahan ang pag-inom ng kape at alak at kumuha ng sapat na tulog. 5. Ibahagi ang iyong nararamdaman. Kumausap sa inyong matalik na kaibigan o miyembro ng pamilya, ang mga malulungkot na tao ay mas nakararanas ng stress at hindi malusog na pangangatawan. 6. Subukan ang meditation. Ang meditation ay nagpapataas ng immune function, nakabababa ng pangamba, at tumutulong na mas maka-isip na mga kapaki-pakinabang na bagay. 7. Sa bawat araw gawing sentro ang iyong sarili, Sa halip na bumangon
agad sa kama, isipin ang mga bagay na mayroon ka o mga dapat na ipagpasalamat, o kaya naman ay magbasa ng maaaring makapagpa inspire sa iyo na kung ano ang kabuluhan ng buhay. Binibigyang diin ang pagkakaroon ng payapang isip ang dapat unahin. Kung nawala ito sa iyo, gumawa ng paraan na maibalik ito. Mag-meditate, tawagan ang ilang kaibigan o kaya naman ay maglakad ng 30 minuto. Maibabalik mo ang iyong lakas at pagkatapos ay makapagta-trabaho ka na ng mas epektibo. Ang iba’t ibang paraan para sa stress ay gumagana sa iba’t ibang tao. Subukan ang iba’t ibang paraan para malaman kung ano ang mas babagay sa iyo. Ang mas importante ay gumawa ng mga bagay, o kahit na anong bagay na makapagpapalibang sa iyo at makatatanggal ng stress.
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The Zamboanga Post
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2022
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2022
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What the heck? A
GROUP of people, accompanied by a Barangay Tetuan official, were spotted putting up a tarpaulin of political candidate John Dalipe who is running in the May polls. It was not immedi- electioneering or partisan nature of the barangays. ately known whether political campaign.” Barangays must shun the people, all wearing And prohibited acts politics at all costs,” he t-shirts marked Team include forming organi- said, citing a prohibition Dalipe, were barangay zations for the purpose under the Omnibus Elecworkers or not. One ba- of soliciting votes or cam- tion Code and Section 93 rangay Kagawad was in paigning for a candidate of the Local Government the area seemingly su- or party; holding political Code against engaging in pervising the work at caucuses, campaigns or partisan political activiDon Toribio Street. rallies; making speeches ties. A barangay vehicle for or against any candi“They cannot camwas also in the area and date or party; publishing, paign or endorse the it was unclear whether displaying and distribut- candidacy of any person. it was used to transport ing campaign materials; More so, they cannot use the tarpaulin and the and directly or indirectly the resources of the bapeople who hung the soliciting votes for a can- rangays for political achuge vinyl sign with a didate or party. tivities. That is a violation photo of Dalipe, who is a The Department of of the law,” he said, addmayoralty candidate. the Interior and Local ing, that barangay and Walmart Atilano, the Government has warned Sangguniang Kabataan Barangay Tetuan chair- barangay officials to re- officials are nonpartisan man, is also running for frain from engaging in by nature and practice. councilman under the partisan politics and “The DILG (DepartTeam Dalipe. favoring certain candi- ment of the Interior and But Section 2(4), dates. Local Government) has Article IX-B of the 1987 And Senate Minority publicly said that baranConstitution mandates Leader Franklin Drilon gay officials engaging in that “no officer or em- also warned barangay of- partisan political activiployee in the civil ser- ficials against engaging in ties are violating the Omvice shall engage, direct- partisan politics. “Let us nibus Election Code,” he ly or indirectly, in any maintain the nonpartisan said. (Zamboanga Post)
IOM, German Embassy donate ambulance
The ambulance donated by the the International Organization for Migration and the German government. (Image: IOM) ZAMBOANGA MAYOR Beng Climaco thanked the International Organization for Migration and the German government for donating a brand new ambulance to the local government. Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task
force, said the ambulance will greatly support the government’s Covid-19 response and during emergencies. Miles de gracias IOM Philippines and the German Embassy for donating to Zamboanga City an all-new Toyota Commuter Deluxe
Zamboanga Peninsula
land ambulance as part of your support to LGU COVID response efforts. The ambulance will be in addition to the existing transport fleet of the City Health Office used for COVID-19 patients and during emergencies,” the mayor said. The ambulance, Climaco said, is complete with emergency equipment. The donation is a project of the OIM and funded by the German Embassy. IOM is a member of the UN Country Team/ Humanitarian Country Team and is the co-lead agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster for internally displaced persons. (Zamboanga Post)
Basilan
A group of people wearing t-shirt marked ‘Team Dalipe’ was seen hanging a tarpaulin of mayoralty candidate John Dalipe along Don Toribio in Barangay Tetuan.
OPINION
Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco
“THE SPIRIT of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord,” Jesus reads this in the synagogue. Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. Attending the online mass, Fr. Arnel Aquino, S.J., challenges those running for office to give their years of service to the poor when elected. I look at this in reverse, with 9 years of God's given mandate by the people of Zamboanga have I brought upliftment na vida especialmente na pobre familia? I was scheduled to deliver mi ultimo SOCA on January 24 but as we were making the final preparations, colleagues turned positive and some sent regrets to attend because of Covid. Personally too, my voice was hoarse and the possibility of being positive is not far. With prayers to our Blessed Mother Mary, we agreed to respect the situation and be sensitive to the needs of those suffering from Covid. We were also busy attending to two Covid patients, one with oxygen level at 80 past midnight. Jesus teaches me to be sensitive to the needs of others. We need to respect the plight of others to share their burden and lighten the load. A mother of my student shared her difficulties in life and I listened as she unburdened her load. We need to listen to give people the chance to unload their difficulties. We might not give concrete solutions but the mere action of listening with encouragement for others to find hope in life. As Jesus did, he brought healing, forgiveness and recov-
Sulu
ery and the good news of Salvation that brought glad tidings to the poor. This past week was devoted to reaching out to families even in remote areas within the City. I saw a beautiful path and went down to capture the beautiful scenery in photo. Since my knees were weak from carrying heavy loads for the outreach, especially last December, yan slide yo na camino y ya cay cerca ya roldia. Ya aguanta mi mano y después ya se levanta. This did not stop me from reaching out to families even with a heavy loads. Later I noticed bien duele ya mio pies. Since I cannot call Nang Cathie para suba, I had to diligently do my stretching to regain strength and healing. As Christian Olasiman and I prepared the final touches for SOCA, I recall Sir Mars who did his work bringing his laptop even in the hospital amid his difficulties in breathing to help our City Government. Dr. Abelle Cajita, though she was from CDO, really helped uplift our competitiveness as a City. Sir Art Onrubia who reached out to the Elderly in pioneering programs. Exemplary individuals who went the extra mile to uplift our lives. We pray for their eternal joy with Jesus. They lived lives all to uplift others may we do the same as Jesus taught us!
Tawi-tawi