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Zambo Covid cases high
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AMBOANGA CITY recorded a steady spike in coronavirus infections from just under three dozen last month to over 100 following the easing of travel restrictions by the national task force on Covid-19. The uniform travel Diseases (IATF-MEID) and medical certificate protocols was approved and under Resolution No. for travellers across the by the Inter-Agency Task 101 which forego docu- country. Force on the Management mentary requirements The new travel Continue on page 2 of Emerging Infectious such as RT-PCR testing
Tourism activities suspended President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases core members in Malacañang. (King Rodriguez)
Help continues despite pandemic DESPITE THE Covid-19 pandemic, Mayor Beng Climaco continues to help families in crisis situation as part of the local government’s social welfare program. Climaco recently Continue on page 3
Mayor Beng Climaco distributes financial aid to families in crisis situation as part of the local government’s social welfare program.
DILG gives ‘green light’ to demolish illegal structures in Z3R projects
One of the resettlement areas in Zamboanga City. (Al Jacinto)
THE DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has lifted the order that postponed all administrative demolition and eviction activities which was issued last year when the country was under the enhanced Continue on page 2
ZAMBOANGA CITY has temporarily suspended all leisure travels here following the spike in Covid-19 cases in Luzon and other areas in Mindanao. The suspension of tourism activities - which took effect this month was ordered by the local task force on Covid-19 Continue on page 7
The decades-old Pasonanca Tree Housein Zamboanga City.
City Hall eyes stronger ‘enforcement teams’ ‘Four groups to monitor compliance of Covid-19 health protocols’ ZAMBOANGA CITY Administrator Apple Go said the local government will form a stronger enforcement team that will monitor the compliance of Covid-19 health protocols in all aspects. She said representatives from concerned Continue on page 7
City Administrator Apple Go during a meeting with Assistant City Administrators Cesar Raz and Raymond Padayhag, Licensing Officer Benjie Barredo, First Lieutenant Jayson Catina, of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-11; and representatives from the Zamboanga City Police Office and City Health Office, among others, to discuss the creation of the stronger enforcement team. (Giana Andrion)
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The Zamboanga Post
April 12-18, 2021
Zambo Covid cases high ‘Mayor appeals to residents to strictly follow health protocols’ Continued from page 1 protocols were crafted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philip-
pine National Police, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, the League of Provinces of the Philippines, the League of
Municipalities of the Philippines, and the League of Cities of the Philippines. DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the
DILG gives ‘green light’ to demolish illegal structures in Z3R projects Continued from page 1 community quarantine status due to Covid-19 pandemic. The DILG furnished the local government with a copy of the Memorandum Circular No. 2021031 lifting the demolition ban, virtually allowing the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) on the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) Project chaired by Mayor Beng Climaco to demolish illegal structures in resettlement areas. Rodrigo Pagotaisidro, head of LIAC Secretariat, said with the DILG lifting all administrative demolition and eviction activities, the demolition of illegal structures at the Z3R housing projects can now proceed without legal impediments. The LIAC said previously ordered the demolition of illegal structures at the stilt housing project in Barangay Mariki to pave the way for the installation of street poles and power lines in the area. It also passed a resolution recently requesting the Barangay Council of Mariki to facilitate the demolition. Last month, Climaco approved several LIAC resolutions that will benefit poor families staying in resettlement areas. One resolution authorized the National Housing Authority (NHA) to “download” some P23.18 million to the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) and local government for selected projects for Z3R (Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and
Rehabilitation) beneficiaries in Azcuna and Talisayan resettlement projects. And the NHA, through another resolution likewise instructed to turnover to the ZCWD the 1,800 water meters and the P6.5 million be downloaded to the utility firm as a form of subsidy for Z3R applicants for the re-installation of power lines. A resolution was also approved allowing the NHA to utilize the remaining P5.4 million to fund for the embankment at the Vicente Chiong property. Different government agencies and private contractors have committed to speed up works on the Z3R projects after Climaco has given an ultimatum until August 31 to finish the construction of housing units for some 720 families displaced by 2013 deadly attacks of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members loyal to Nur Misuari. Climaco has repeatedly reminded LIAC members to expedite completion of the projects and the mayor even said that she plans to invite President Rodrigo Duterte for the inauguration of the government projects. In her previous meeting, Climaco instructed LIAC members to ensure the remaining 720 families now living in temporary shelters to resettle in their permanent housing units. “As mayor and chairperson of LIAC, I have given the agencies concerned a deadline until
August 2021 to finish the construction of the housing units and award them to the target beneficiaries - the internally displaced people,” she said, adding, “we want our IDPs to know that we have not forgotten them even as we are currently coping with the Covid pandemic,” said Climaco. She said her directive was in line with Duterte’s instructions to all government agencies to have their projects, programs and activities completed before his term ends next year. Last year, Climaco directed LIAC members to ensure continuity of various projects and programs amid the Covid-19 pandemic to help alleviate the plight of families displaced by the MNLF siege. Supporters of Misuari attacked Zamboanga after declaring independence and their failed attempt to raise the Bangsamoro Republik flag at City Hall. Misuari publicly denied involvement in the siege of Zamboanga that displaced over 200,000 people and affected the economies of Basilan and Sulu which are dependent on Zamboanga for their trades and goods. Climaco set September 9 as a “Special Day of Remembrance” in honor of all those who perished in the siege that lasted for 3 weeks. Eight years after the deadly attack, residents here are still crying for justice which remains elusive for the innocent victims of the siege. (Zamboanga Post)
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new protocols are applicable to all local governments. He said all local governments must comply with the new IATFMEID regulations. Malaya said Covid-19 testing shall not be mandatory for domestic travellers, except if the local government will require testing as a requirement prior to travel. “If the LGU of destination requires a test, it shall only require a Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction or RT-PCR test and no other. Meaning, LGUs cannot require Antigen tests or rapid tests as test requirements prior to travel,” he said. Under the new protocols, no traveller shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms upon arrival at their destination. “Therefore, the health assessment of passengers or travellers supervised by medical professionals shall be mandatory upon entry in the port or terminal and exit at point of destination,” he said. He said that all local governments shall conduct clinical and exposure assessment at all points of entry and exit to ensure that only asymptomatic, non-close contact individuals are allowed to travel or move from one local government to another. Malaya emphasized that with the travel regulations harmonized, the strict implementation of health protocols remain the same - wearing of face mask, face shield and physical distancing, including frequent hand washing – to ensure safety at all times against the deadly respiratory virus. He said Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs) from national government agencies shall provide their identification card, travel order, and travel itinerary, and must pass symptom-screening at ports of entry and exit. “Pero kahit lumuwag ang travel protocols, paalala po sa travellers na pinapatupad pa rin ang minimum public health standards. Maging disiplinado pa rin po sa pagsunod sa physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette at pagsuot ng face masks at face shields. Disiplina muna para sa ligtas na biyahe,” he said. For ports and terminals, all must have assigned sufficient quaran-
tine facilities, according to Malaya, adding, a referral system must be in place wherein travellers who become symptomatic shall be transferred to quarantine or isolation facilities to enable the Bureau of Quarantine for airports, or local government to take over. Vice President Leni Robredo has previously criticized the IATF-MEID’s decision harmonizing travel requirement across all the country, saying it could trigger the spike in Covid-19 cases. Robredo was correct. But Malaya said that they needed to streamline local regulations for domestic travel as well as recommend best options to encourage domestic travel for leisure to revive the heavily-hit travel and tourism sector and related industries while managing the risks of Covid-19 transmission. Citing figures from the National Economic Development Authority, he said that quarantine restrictions put in place since March 2020 has caused a total income loss of P1.04 trillion that year. On average, that translated to P2.8 billion in salaries lost — or an annual income loss of P23,000 per worker. “We needed to streamline because we need to revive our economy and address the hunger, loss of jobs and economic opportunities that came as a result of the travel restrictions,” Malaya insisted, noting that 30% of the public still cannot go to work and 50% of the people cannot take public transport. “People need to be able to commute to go to work or to earn a living,” he said. Malaya said that the domestic airline industry has also asked the DILG to address this issue since the local air carriers have accumulated a P47.4 billion net income loss as of September of last year alone. “Despite the reopening of major regional airports, the domestic airline industry has seen a slump in domestic passengers and domestic cargo carried due to fragmented LGU regulations compared to our ASEAN neighbors where Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand have already revived their domestic travel industry to 2019 levels. If other countries can do it, why can’t we?” he asked. Strict Health Protocols In spite of the IATFMEID order, Zamboan-
ga Mayor Beng Climaco maintained the need for RT-PCR testing for travellers entering the city to prevent the further spread of the deadly respiratory virus and ensure the health and safety of the Zamboangueño people. The negative RT-PCR test result requirement was approved by the Regional IATF-MEID. She also warned those caught illegally entering Zamboanga City shall be fined P5,000 and will be immediately quarantined pending RT-PCR test all at their own expense. And the same also with travellers carrying falsified documents, including those aiding in the entry of any persons with incomplete requirements shall be fined P5,000 for every individual smuggled into Zamboanga City, and the revocation of business permit if they are engaged in the trade or business in Zamboanga City. “These measures, which include the RT-PCR requirement for travellers, were approved by the Regional IATF-MEID following the spike of Covid-19 in the National Capital Region and other areas in Luzon,” Climaco said. The mayor said local health authorities observed that most of the Covid-19 cases were traced from APORs which eventually spread in different barangays here. She said the “noswab test, no-entry” policy took effect on April 1 and shall run until end of the month or extended if necessary to protect the residents. “As mayor, Zamboanga City residents are my priority and with the help of our hardworking frontliners from the government and security sector down to the barangays, we maximize vigilance in land and sea to protect our people. However, safety is everyone’s concern and duty,” she added. Climaco said she received reports that many residents are either complacent or not complying with the health protocols and community quarantine guidelines which largely contributed to the increase in active Covid-19 cases here. “I have been telling residents repeatedly to follow health protocols by properly wearing your face shield, face mask and sanitize hands or wash them frequently with soap and water and observe physical distancing. Bien mucho gente duro el cabesa,” she said. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
April 12-18, 2021
Help continues despite pandemic
Mayor Beng Climaco distributes financial aid to families in crisis situation as part of the local government’s social welfare program. (Bong Serondo)
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Zambo fire victims receive aid from OCD, other agencies OVER 400 families displaced by a huge fire in Zamboanga City received aid from the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Mindanao. The OCD, under Regional Director Manuel Luis Ochotorena, distributed hygiene kits, blankets, washable face masks, family kits and even shelter repair tools to the fire victims during a program held recently at the Western Mindanao State University Gymnasium. The beneficiaries of the aid program also strictly followed health protocols at the gymnasium. They also thanked the OCD and other government agencies, including those involved in the humanitarian program for the aid they received. Members of the 547th Engineer Battalion transported the non-food items from OCD main logistic hub in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province to Zamboanga City. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Phil-
ippine Health Insurance Corporation and the Philippine Information Agency also extended aid to the fire victims. The fire destroyed a neighborhood in the coastal village of Baliwasan on March 20 and many of those displaced by the conflagration are temporarily sheltered at covered court of the Baliwasan Central School. The OCD, which chairs the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said “it remains steadfast in its commitment to contribute to the whole-of-government approach in alleviating the plight of the people affected by disasters and calamities, and in strengthening their resiliency through the various interventions.” Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco earlier led the distribution of financial aid to fire victims in Barangay San Jose and those who sought medical and burial assistance as part of the local government’s social welfare programs. She was assisted by
San Jose Gusu Barangay Chairman Joel Esteban and representatives from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and the City Treasurer’s Office. The mayor also ordered the CSWDO chief Socorro Rojas to assist the Baliwasan fire victims. Rojas said they put up a soup kitchen and provided fire victims - upon Climaco’s order – relief goods, among others. “The CSWDO has set up a community kitchen at the temporary shelter and coordinates with different groups and organizations and individuals who are sharing their blessings to the homeless families,” Rojas said. Climaco personally visited the fire victims and sympathized with them. She also distributed relief items at the temporary shelters during her visit. The mayor instructed the Housing and Land Management Division to conduct the validation of displaced families, tagging and spot mapping of houses and structures destroyed in the fire. (Kimberly Amor, Zamboanga Post)
Continued from page 1 distributed financial aid to residents, mostly families in dire needs. The beneficiaries were all identified, assessed and validated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office under Socorro Rojas. Many of those who sought aid from the local government are either victims of fire or those who needed medicines or burial assistance. Just this year, the local government has for the first time distributed cash incentives to hundreds of elderly residents as part of a program pursuant to the Ordinance 539 which provides benefits to octogenarian or those who are 80-years old and nonagenarian or 90-years old. For centenarians or those who are 100-years old, they will receive P50,000 cash incentive
which is the local government’s counterpart to the DSWD’s P100,000 cash grant. It is also the first time in Zamboanga’s history and the latest benefit package for senior citizens by the Climaco administration, according to Rojas, who said a total of 437 senior citizens across the city received P20,000 which they can use to buy basic necessities such as
medicines. Councilwoman Josephine Pareja, who authored the ordinance, was also present during the pay-out together with Rojas and Vice Mayor Rommel Agan, Arturo Onrubia, the focal person for senior citizens; and officers from the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines in Zamboanga. (Zamboanga Post)
Rotary Club donates traffic vests
Mayor Beng Climaco and City Administrator Apple Go pose with Gil Lim, president of the Rotary Club of Zamboanga-West, who donated traffic vests to the local government. (Bong Serondo) THE ROTARY Club of Zamboanga City-West donated dozens of reflectorized traffic vests to the local government as part of its social and advocacy programs. The vests were handed
over by Rotary President Gil Lim to Mayor Beng Climaco and City Administrator Apple Go at City Hall. Climaco and Go thanked the Rotary Club for the donation, saying the vests will greatly help
traffic aides in performing their jobs, especially at night. “Miles de gracias Rotary Club for constantly supporting the plans and programs of the local government,” she said. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
April 12-18, 2021
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.
April 12-18, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
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Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo, ZCPO, Giana Andrion, and Vic Larato.
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The Zamboanga Post
April 12-18, 2021
Across : 1. Fedora, e.g. 4. Medicine quantity 8. Smack 12. Grand ___ Opry 13. Epochs 14. Musical sound 15. Sadness 16. Hesitating 18. Indulgent 20. Desert springs 21. Dawdle 22. Zilch 23. Ore refinery 27. Discolored spot 30. Author ___ Fleming 31. Min. part 33. Vane dir. 34. Tangle 37. Doctor’s client 40. ___ culpa 41. Sweet spud 42. Bird’s perch 44. Hopelessness 48. Accord 50. George Gershwin’s brother 51. Stew 52. Common skin problem 53. Newsman ___ Rather 54. Turner and William 55. Easy ___ it! 56. Manchester’s country (abbr.)
Down : 1. Wolf’s wail 2. Lotion ingredient 3. Young adult 4. Conquer 5. Citrus fruits 6. Pepper’s companion 7. NJ time zone 8. Narrow waterway 9. Superman’s gal (2 wds.) 10. Novelist ___ Rice 11. Wooden pins 17. Many years 19. Sick 23. Bro’s sib 24. Gent 25. Captivated
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April 12-18, 2021
City Hall eyes stronger ‘enforcement teams’ ‘Four groups to monitor compliance of Covid-19 health protocols’
OCD holds virtual training course
Participants and instructors to the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training Course conducted online by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 9. PAGADIAN CITY – Nearly three dozen participants from various government agencies and public utilities sector graduated from a 3-day (online) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Training Course conducted here recently by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 9. he instructors for came from various the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Department of Health, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Philippine Red Cross and Office of Civil Defense in Western Mindanao. The blended learning training course, a modality adapted by the OCD through the Capacity Building and Training Service under the National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Education and Training Program. It is a part of the OCD’s capacity-building initiatives, especially during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 34 graduates were from the National Telecommunications Commission in Region 9, Department of Information and Communications Technology–Mindanao Cluster I, Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative I, Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative, Pagadian City Water District, Dipolog City Water District, Ipil-Titay Water District, Zamboanga City Water District and the Isabela City Water District. OCD Regional Director Manuel Luis Ochotorena - also chairman of the Regional Risk-Reduction Management Council - emphasized the importance of capacitating the public sector in DRRM,
considering their services are the vital to public interest. “This training is not just to equip you with knowledge in disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and disaster rehabilitation and recovery, but also to let you undertake a personal commitment to be DRRM advocates,” said Ochotorena during the event. “The role of non-government stakeholders, private sectors, civil society groups and volunteer organizations in mainstreaming and strengthening DRRM is pivotal in the attainment of our over-all goal and vision in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Continuous capacity building, and prevention and mitigation efforts are vital in enhancing resiliency, and improving our services to the people,” he added. (Kimberly Amor)
Continued from page 1 government agencies will be named to form part of the Zamboanga City Inter-Agency Compliance Team (IACT) which will be subdivided into groups with different tasking - Events Compliance Team, Roving Patrol Team, Transport Compliance Team and the Business Establishments Compliance Team. “The team’s functions include periodical assessment of the level of compliance in various establishments and to provide a reliable source of regulatory information for the local government, and ensure that health, hygiene and Covid-19 prevention measures are strictly complied with,” said Go, who chairs the IACT. She said Mayor Beng Climaco will soon issue an executive order formalizing the creation of a stronger enforcement team. Climaco signed the Executive Order 568-2020 last year creating the IACT as a response measure to the coronavirus pandemic. Go said she recently met with Assistant City Administrators Cesar Raz
and Raymond Padayhag, Licensing Officer Benjie Barredo, First Lieutenant Jayson Catina, of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-11; and representatives from the Zamboanga City Police Office and City Health Office, among others, to discuss the creation of the stronger enforcement team. Many commercial establishments have stopped or failed to follow the strict health protocols, among them the sanitation mat outside offices or malls and department stores and even restaurants. And mall goers and shoppers are not properly wearing their face shields and face masks. Last year, the IACT closed a shop selling personal care products for violating the quarantine guidelines set by the government and warned establishments illegally operating or those without necessary permits. Go said they will continue to strictly implement the quarantine guidelines and all existing laws. Go said the IACT focal persons are tasked to assess compliance of the
quarantine guidelines by the different sectors. The IACT has since last year inspected tens of dozens of establishments and market area in downtown Zamboanga. Go said the IACT teams are composed of the following: City Health Office, City Treasurer’s Office, City Engineer’s Office, City Hall Community Police Action Center, Bureau of Fire Protection, City Planning and Development Office, and the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources. And also the Office of the City Veterinarian, Office of the City Agriculturist, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, the Task Force Ordinance, City Police Mobile Patrol Group, Task Force Zamboanga, Office of the Barangay Affairs, Liga ng mga Barangay, Zamboanga City Integrated Bus Terminal, Tricycle Adjudication Board, Land Transportation Franchise Regulatory Board, Land Transportation Office, and the Traffic Management Group. (Zamboanga Post)
Tourism activities suspended Continued from page 1 headed by Mayor Beng Climaco based on the recommendation of medical experts and health authorities to effectively manage and prevent the further spread of the deadly respiratory disease. Tourism officer Sarita Hernandez said there leisure cannot be implemented for a while in light of the alarming increase in the number of Covid-19 cases and the emergence of the new variants of novel coronavirus. She was referring to the Covid-19 variants found in the United Kingdom and South Africa. But there is also a Philippine variant of Covid-19. “The local Inter-Agen-
cy Task Force, with the recommendation of medical experts, believe there is an urgent need to control the movement of people in the city,” Hernandez said during a recent local government virtual presser. “There is a need for us to be in this journey together. We need to help each other. We need to help the local government, help our medical frontliners para hinde sila cansa y si kita man enferma, tiene siempre canaton quien atende,” she added. In February where the number of active Covid-19 cases were low, the local government announced the partial re-opening of Zamboanga’s tourism in-
dustry. The local government even issued business licenses to 139 tourism-oriented establishments for them to be able to operate provided they strictly observe health protocols. These are for 25 hotels and other accommodation establishments, 54 restaurants, four resorts, 50 travel and tours and ticketing agencies, and six other related businesses. Climaco said the opening of the tourism industry is part of an effort to collect revenues and help revive the local economy and offer livelihood to those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. (Jasmine Mohammadsali and Zamboanga Post)
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April 12-18, 2021
April 12-18, 2021
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Tight guarding in Zambo
‘People continue to sneak into city without medical requirements’
S
A police photo shows cops guarding a pier in Zamboanga to ensure that no people from other provinces can sneak without the necessary documents.
ECURITY FORCES intensified their efforts to prevent the entry of people from other provinces without the necessary documents, especially the RT-PCR test result which shows them negative for the deadly Covid-19 disease. Mayor Beng Climaco ordered the police and military authorities to guard the porous land and coastal borders following many attempts by people without the medical requirements and other documents to illegally enter Zamboanga. Policemen and soldiers have been deployed in coastal barangays and Photos from the Zamboanga City Police Office show wharves to thwart any at- security forces guarding the different barangays. tempts by people to illegally sneak into the city. in Covid-19 cases the past strict health protocols, Climaco’s order came weeks. Just recently, po- police continue to apafter the City Health Of- licemen patrolling Baran- prehend hundreds of vifice recorded an increase gay Labuan intercepted a olators every day in difgroup of people on a mo- ferent barangays. Most of torized fishing boat trying them were apprehended to dock. during curfew hours and The passengers, who followed by those who came all the way from do not wear face shield Zamboanga del Norte’s and face mask, and for and 99 years old respectively. This Sibuco town, had no nec- not observing physi2021, I lost Mima, who God gave essary travel or medical cal distancing in public me for 15 years and her daughter requirements. They were places, including motorBrunah, for 14 years. I offer no all told to return to their cycle drivers who carry more than one passenapologies for honoring their mem- place of origin. In recent weeks, borger or not among his ories since they were my umbrella der guards also intercepthousehold members. who shielded me from my storms. ed people trying to cross “We need to follow I am in grief and mourn knowing, into Zamboanga City from the health protocols, hindi na sila maibalik. Zamboanga Sibugay provotherwise we may not be Today, on Easter, Fr. Kit ince without any travel or able to prevent or minBautista’s (S.J.) homily exhorts us medical requirements. imize or even stop the like Mary to look into the Tomb. Climaco praised spread of Covid-19. This Jesus is no longer there, He is Risen. May we rise from our loss the efforts of the police is for everybody’s safety,” with so much hope in Easter! JE- and military and lauded Climaco said. The mayor also reguSUS OUR SAVIOR with Mary up- them for their hardwork. “Thank you so much for larly joins security patrol lift us from our sorrows! your hardwork and vigiat before sunrise and visAs we ended the Mass, Fr. lance,” she said. iting different police and Arnel Ong, S.J. said “in God’s However, despite the military checkpoints. time all shall be well!” Thank you to the Archdio- implementation of the (Zamboanga Post)
Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco
Easter Sunday The Resurrection of the Lord Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Colossians 3:1-4 OR 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 John 20:1-9 THIS IS the Day the Lord had made, we will rejoice and be glad in it! The Pandemic has once again taken lives. Zamboanga City had less than 50 cases two weeks ago and now we again are 3-digit cases and climbing. Covid-19 offers no rest even on Black Saturday as we had to gather the security forces reviewing the Executive Orders with Atty. Sinon and Raymond Padayhag as Dr. Apolinario checked on
the borders and another team dispatched to prepare isolation areas. All these we do to protect our people. Sad that we need to close resorts like Davao City on an Easter. Such difficult measures keep our families safe. Earlier, I had a request for a father who was positive with Covid to be brought to isolation and the family needed to be swabbed. By noon after mass, the Covid patient died. And by afternoon, burial arrangements were immediately arranged following the Covid protocols. Different members of the family cannot ever view the coffin because the deceased was put in double body bags and they cannot even go near to say goodbye.
Zamboanga Peninsula
The Lord’s passion and death was a horrible experience of killing an innocent man for our sakes. Fr. Karel San Juan, S.J., in his homily and Seven Last Words, invited us to “embrace our life’s crosses”. Likewise Fr. Johnny Go, S.J., in his retreat talks of “Redemptive Suffering”; one offered with love for God will be transformed to grace. The Lord’s passion was most painful because Jesus was falsely accused. He was innocent! In life, for us who experienced such injustice, we would be tormented and pained since not only do we suffer, but our loved ones too. Fr. Johnny cautions about “Spiritual By-Passing” when we deny the truth and spiritualize everything. Being a victim - like the Lord - of false accusations and judgement, I have journeyed through Lent in shame of myself for my sins knowing how Jesus took the cross to save me. Fr. Johnny said: “JESUS’ GOT YOUR BACK! Ele cuidao canaton! Sagot ka niya! He got your back!” What an assurance in this uncertain times. Because of the realization that our God suffered for us, I join in my pain offering all to God. How little our sufferings are compared to God’s ultimate offering of love for you and me. Verdad, este Covid unpredictable. My Tito and Tita Nene who stood like my parents were buried without their children as the New Year began on her birthday and 10 days later at 95
Basilan
cese of Zamboanga, to the Jesuit Community, the Campus Ministry Choir and Servers. Also to Jeff Fernandez, for your Lenten Creativity. To Christian Olasiman for the beautiful ornaments. To Madam Lorna Paber and Nursing Department. To Kenneth Pia, Anne Delos Reyes and Babes Arquiza. To Garnette and Bong. Happy EASTER THE LORD IS RISEN! We greet your Family as we are all separated because of the Pandemic. Years ago we started the Family Tradition of Easter Egg Hunting to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection. Today, we have but pictures to safely share! Happy Easter keep Safe! (MBC)
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Mayor Beng Climaco during one of her visits to a police checkpoint.
Tawi-tawi