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Hospitals put up more Covid wards Z AMBOANGA CITY’s active Covid-19 cases continue to climb up as hospitals put up additional wards to address the spike in the number of patients with the deadly respiratory disease. with nurses fice reported over 400 acThe Zamboanga City patients Medical Center has con- working at least 12 hours tive Covid-19 cases with 7 deaths in just a week’s verted other wards to per shift and no day’s off. The City Health OfContinue on page 2 accommodate Covid-19
Beng allows Saliva RT-PCR testing THE LOCAL government has allowed the use of the cheaper Saliva RT-PCR testing as an alternative to the more expensive nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR testing following the approval of the Department of Health. RT-PCR stands for Reverse Transcription Continue on page 2
Water resorts remain closed in Zambo Image : ZCPO
ALL INLAND water resorts, including beach resorts remain closed to the public until end of the month in an effort to discourage the gathering of people following a spike in Covid-19 cases in Zamboanga City. Continue on page 3
A patient at a private hospital room in Zamboanga City.
Covid vaccination continues MASS VACCINATION against the deadly Covid-19 disease continues in Zamboanga City with health workers getting the bulk of the Chinese vaccine Sinovac. Some 14,400 vials of vaccines arrived here recently. It was the 3rd batch of anti-Covid vaccines sent by the Department of Health (DOH) intended Continue on page 2
Hospital Chief Dr. Afdal Kunting receiving the first dose of vaccine. (Giana Andrion)
APORs must also undergo RT-PCR testing: Beng MAYOR BENG Climaco has asked the Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to include both government and private APORs to
undergo mandatory RT-PCR testing before they are allowed entry to Zamboanga City. APOR refers to Authorized Persons Continue on page 3
Ivermectin has no effect on Covid-19: Merck
IVERMECTIN, an antiparasitic drug manufactured by Merck, has no scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect against Covid-19. But Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor insisted on distributing the antiparasitic drug to the sick and elderly, saying, he got ivermectin treatment while recovering from Covid-19. “Ivermectin is safe. It has been there for so many years. Wala po itong recorded na adverse effects sa mga pasyente maging sa ginagawang clinical trials sa ngayon,” Defensor, who is not medical doctor, said in an interview with CNN Philippines. Citing a study of six trials conducted by the Philippine Covid-19 Clinical Practice Guidelines, the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health reiterated that ivermectin did not significantly reduce the risk of death among patients with mild to severe coronavirus cases. It also did not substantially reduce the hospitalization period or time resolution of symptoms. World Health Organization Country Representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe has also warned against the use of ivermectin for Covid-19 prevention or treatment. He said that 95% of Covid-19 patients recover without specific treatments, so it is not science or evidence if a coronavirus patient recovers after being given the antiparasitic drug. According to Merck, ivermectin also has no meaningful evidence for clin-
ical activity or clinical efficacy in patients with Covid-19 and a concerning lack of safety data in the majority of studies. This was affirmed by Merck - also known as MSD outside the United States and Canada after company scientists carefully examined the findings of all available and emerging studies of ivermectin for the treatment of Covid-19 for evidence of efficacy and safety. “It is important to note that, to-date, our analysis has identified: No scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect against COVID-19 from pre-clinical studies; No meaningful evidence for clinical activity or clinical efficacy in patients with COVID-19 disease, and; A concerning lack of safety data in the majority of studies,” Merck said. “We do not believe that the data available support the safety and efficacy of ivermectin beyond the doses and populations indicated in the regulatory agency-approved prescribing information,” it added. Ivermectin is approved in the United States under the brand name STROMECTOL and is indicated for the treatment of intestinal strongyloidiasis due to the nematode parasite Strongyloides stercoralis and for the treatment of onchocerciasis due to the nematode parasite Onchocerca volvulus. Strongyloidiasis is infection by a roundworm, or nematode, called Strongy-
loides stercoralis and Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a disease caused by infection with the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. Merck said STROMECTOL is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to any component of the product Warnings and Precautions Patients treated with STROMECTOL for onchocerciasis may experience cutaneous and/or systemic reactions of varying severity (the Mazzotti reaction) and ophthalmological reactions. After treatment with microfilaricidal drugs, patients with hyperreactive onchodermatitis (sowda) may be more likely than others to experience severe adverse reactions, especially edema and aggravation of onchodermatitis. Rarely, patients with onchocerciasis who are also heavily infected with Loa loa may develop a serious or even fatal encephalopathy either spontaneously or following treatment with an effective microfilaricide. In these patients, the following adverse experiences have also been reported: pain (including neck and back pain), red eye, conjunctival hemorrhage, dyspnea, urinary and/or fecal incontinence, difficulty in standing/walking, mental status changes, confusion, lethargy, stupor, seizures, or coma. (Zamboanga Post, Mindanao Examiner)
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The Zamboanga Post
April 19-25, 2021
Hospitals put up more Covid wards
Continued from page 1 time. More than 300 cases were due to community transmission and three dozen active cases are all APORs or Authorized Persons Outside Residence. While over 2 dozen prisoners and jail personnel were also infected with the virus. Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, the City Health Office, said Zamboanga City remains free from new Covid-19 variants, however, she urged resi-
dents to follow the strict health protocols to prevent the spread of the virus while the local government continues the vaccination program. Miravite was referring to the Covid-19 variants found in the United Kingdom and South Africa. But there are also Philippine and now France variants of the Covid-19. “There is no evidence that we have the new strains, but we continue to monitor and send samples for genomic
sequencing,” she said. She encouraged residents to seek medical assistance if they experience any of the symptoms commonly associated with Covid-19 such as fever and coughing or loss of sense of smell or taste or body malaise. “If you have fever, if you have cough, if you have colds, you have to stay at home and isolate yourself. We have hotlines that you can call so we can evaluate your health condition.
Beng allows Saliva RT-PCR testing
Painful or discomforting? Mayor Beng Climaco during a previous RT-PCR testing. Continued from page 1 Polymerase Chain Reaction. Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, has signed Executive Order 649-2021 which allows the use of Saliva RT-PCR testing. She said in view of the “No Swab, No Entry” policy of the local government, the use of the Saliva RT-PCR testing shall be allowed as an alternative to the nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR testing in accordance with DOH Memorandum No. 2021-0161.
“Only licensed Covid-19 laboratories certified by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine or RITM are allowed to perform saliva-based RT-PCR. At present, in Zamboanga City, the Philippine Red Cross Molecular Laboratory is the only accredited laboratory allowed to conduct Saliva RT-PCR test. Other laboratories may obtain a certification from RITM before their tests will be recognized by the local government,” she said. The Philippine Red
Cross (PRC) said the Saliva RT-PCR test is accurate by 98.11% compared to RT-PCR. “Ang Saliva RTPCR test ng Philippine Red Cross ay accurate (98.11% vs. swab RT-PCR), non-invasive at laway lang ang kailangan, mabilis at may resulta agad sa loob ng 24 oras, at higit sa lahat mura, P2,000 lang. Tandaan, tanging Philippine Red Cross lang and may pahintulot ng Department of Health na magsagawa ng Saliva RT-PCR Test,” it said. Saliva RT-PCR will also minimize the exposure of healthcare workers to Covid-19 because patients simply have to spit at least 3 ml of saliva to a properly labelled, graduated, sterile, and wide-mouth vial. PRC said the saliva RTPCR test is a non-invasive and less stringent alternative to the nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR test. It said Saliva test does not require for a specimen collector to wear full personal protective equipment, adding that it is cheaper as it uses less equipment and reagents, and processing time will only take three to four hours. The DOH also asked Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to develop the appropriate payment and provider engagement mechanisms for the new Saliva RT-PCR test. “No additional payment shall be charged to patients beyond the PhilHealth coverage for the conduct of saliva-based RT-PCR testing,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque said in a memorandum. (Zamboanga Post)
Do not report to work and consult us early so we can give you the proper treatment,” she said. The emergence of a new variants of Covid-19 have health officials and medical experts worried after the sudden spike of the respiratory disease in the National Capital Region, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna. Mayor Beng Climaco has never stop appealing to residents to strictly follow the health protocols. “The City Government is very strict, especially in the entry of people from other parts of the country, and we really require a negative RT-PCR test before they are allowed entry to Zamboanga City. This is our way of protecting Zamboanga City and its people from further spread of Covid-19, let alone its new variants,” Climaco said. “We would like to appeal to everyone, especially those from outside Zamboanga that it is our mandate and our duty protect our people. That is
why, for those who wish to enter Zamboanga City, the Covid-19 safety protocols are required of you and the negative RT-PCR test is the highest priority,” she added. The mayor said all leisure travel in Zamboanga City is temporarily suspended until the expiration of her executive order. “Bien importante y necesita el suporta y cooperacion de todo na pelea contra Covid-19. Compli firmi el minimum health standards y maga reglamento para prevenir la propagacion del coronavirus. The battle against Covid-19 is not just the responsibility of government agencies, but of all sectors and each and every resident or visitor of Zamboanga City,” she said. Since the start of the pandemic last year, Climaco has maintained the strict enforcement of health protocols and community quarantine guidelines, especially at the borders and in different barangays to prevent
the spread of Covid-19. “The strict enforcement of the regulations and protocols is being done to ensure that Covid-19 will not thrive in the city. All persons should be subject to compliance with the IATF-MEID and local government health protocols for everyone’s safety and protection. No queremos que se enfermen porque al final el gobierno local tiene que cuidarlos,” she said, referring to the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases “We reiterate the need for public compliance on all safety and health protocols to prevent a spike in Covid cases. The wearing of face mask and face shield, washing hands often with soap and water, or alcohol, and the strict observance of physical distancing remain to be our main defense against Covid-19,” the mayor said. (Zamboanga Post and Claudine Uniana.)
Covid vaccination continues Continued from page 1 for frontliners in Zamboanga Peninsula. Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, said the vaccines are intended for the first and second dose of all healthcare workers. She thanked the national government and the DOH for making Zamboanga City among the priority areas for the vaccination program. Climaco, along with DOH Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes and Interior City Director Ginagene Uy and other health officials welcomed the arrival of the vaccines at the local airport last week. Last month, some 10,200 Sinovac vaccines arrived here for some 5,100 medical frontliners from different hospitals and health stations in Zamboanga Peninsula. The vaccines are part of the 600,000 doses donated by Beijing to the Philippines. At least 6,000 health workers who are Covid frontliners in Zamboanga City have been included in the initial master list of the local government’s vaccination program.
City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite said that vaccination sites for health frontliners will be in hospitals and health centers, while other priority groups will have a different site for their vaccinations. The local government’s vaccination program, according to Climaco, will prioritize not only healthcare workers, but also essential and other frontline service providers, and vulnerable populations such as the elderly and poor. Climaco encouraged residents to get themselves inoculated as soon as the vaccines are available for all as an added protection and to help reduce transmission, reduce deaths and morbidity and ultimately help restore the economy. “Este vaccines para de ustedes contra Covid. No mas tiene miedo porcausa este buen para de atun todo,” she said. The mayor, who already signed a $2 million (or roughly P100 million) deal with the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca,
said local government’s vaccination program will cover 694,696 residents or 70% of the projected 2021 population of 992,423 inhabitants. The initial P200 million for the purchase of the vaccines are included in the P4.38-billion 2021 Executive Budget of the local government, according to Climaco, who is also a member of the Committee on Vaccine Availment of the League of Cities of the Philippines. Climaco said the local government will allocate P100 million more for additional Covid vaccines following talks with USbased Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Augusto Alpichi, of the Department of Health, said the Chinese vaccine was recommended by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group and approved by the Food and Drug Authority. The country also received some 487,200 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment, a global initiative to support equitable access to vaccines. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
April 19-25, 2021
APORs must also undergo RT-PCR testing: Beng
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Water resorts remain closed in Zambo Continued from page 1 Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, has ordered the temporary closure of all beach resorts, inland water resorts, and hotels and establishments with swimming pools to prevent the further spread of the deadly respiratory virus. The active Covid-19 cases in Zamboanga are now over 400. Climaco also ordered security forces to regularly inspect hotels with swimming pools and beach resorts to ensure establishment owners strictly follow the guidelines and the strict health protocols. Those found violating Climaco’s order shall be penalized with a minimum fine of P5,000 and their business permits revoked and their establishments closed down by the Zamboanga City Inter-Agency Compliance Team upon the recommendation of the local Covid-19 task force. And on the other hand, all persons caught
partying or inside beach resorts or other similar establishments with swimming pools shall be penalized with a fine of P1,500. Climaco has previously asked the national government’s Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to place Zamboanga City under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) until end of April to control the movement of people and the spread of the disease. But the IATF-MEID did not approve the mayor’s appeal for a still unknown reason and Zamboanga City remains under Moderate General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) despite the steady spike in Covid-19. Zamboanga City was first placed under GCQ from May 16 to June 30, 2020 and for the second time in July 16 to August 15. Climaco said the unabated rise in the number of Covid-19 cases
could overwhelm the local health care system as it was during the start of the pandemic in March last year. “We appeal to the public to strictly comply with Covid-19 protocols to prevent the possibility of lockdowns. We need to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed or operate in full capacity just like what is happening now in the National Capital Region and other areas in Luzon, and prevent medical frontliners affected by Covid-19,” the mayor said. “The City Government together with the security and health frontliners down to the barangays have been working tirelessly to avert an exponential surge in Covid-19 cases. Coopera contra Covid. Avoid unnecessary travel and social gathering, drinking and eating in public. Always wear your face mask and face shield and frequently sanitize hands,” she added. (Zamboanga Post)
Continued from page 1 Outside Residence which was excluded by IATF-MEID from the mandatory RT-PCR testing when it relaxed the community quarantine guidelines and issued a uniformed travel protocols. Climaco, who heads the local Covid-19 task force, cited the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Zamboanga City and the spike in viral infection from just under three dozen in March to over more than 300 this month following the easing of travel restrictions by the IATF-MEID. She said APORs transporting essential goods are the only exemption to the mandatory RT-PCR testing. “We have asked the National IATF-MEID to allow the local government to impose a mandatory RT-PCR requirement for all persons entering Zamboanga including APORs, whether government or private, with the sole exception of those transporting essential goods,” she said. The mayor said her request is contained in a resolution approved by the local Covid-19 task force. Climaco said she has written Secretary Carlito Galvez, the Covid-19 policy chief implementer, and explained why the local government wanted the mandatory RT-PCR testing for all people entering Zamboanga City. 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 “no-swab 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 said. Climaco said she also 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. City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite confirmed Climaco’s statement and said the growing number of Covid-19 cases was largely attributed to APORs who infected others in the community. The uniformed travel protocols was approved by the IATF-MEID under Resolution No. 101 which forego documentary requirements such as RT-PCR testing and medical certificate for travellers across the country. It was crafted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine 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 new protocols are applicable to all local governments. He said all local governments must comply with the new IATF-
MEID 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. 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,” Malaya said, adding, 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. 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 all along. 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. (Zamboanga Post)
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April 19-25, 2021
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.
April 19-25, 2021
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Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo, Arturo Cabidog Jr., 74th IB, ZCPO, and OCENR.
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April 19-25, 2021
Across : 1. superlative ending 4. Hush! 7. coral island 12. Recent (prefix) 13. Gardener’s tool 14. AM-AM ___ 15. Soup cracker 17. Tiny particles 18. Made mistakes 19. Frenchman’s cap 20. Gem weight 22. Evergreen tree 23. All right! 24. Florida city 29. Wine (Fr.) 30. Warning signal 31. Slender pole 32. Named 34. Spanish water 35. Informant 36. Warning signal 37. Restrict 40. Buffalo 42. Ascend 43. Impart gradually 46. Traveler’s stop 47. Flying hero 48. Understand 49. Fidgety 50. Perched 51. Little kid
Down : 1. Printing measures 2. Adriatic, e.g. 3. Open-minded 4. Blouse 5. Whetstone 6. Listen to 7. Horse breed 8. Spuds 9. Stench 10. Green citrus fruit 11. Misplaced 16. Waiter’s aid 20. Inlet 21. Related 22. Dancer ___ Astaire 24. River sediment
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Medical frontliners are modern day heroes
Mayor Beng Climaco and DOH Regional Director Dr.Joshua Brillantes pose with the Zamboanga Peninsula medical frontliners. (Bong Serondo) THE ZAMBOANGA Peninsula region has sent 11 medical frontliners who volunteered to help and augment healthcare workers in the National Capital Region in Luzon where hospitals are now overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients. Health Regional Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes and Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco led other officials in sending off the volunteers, mostly nurses, midwives and medical technologists. Climaco branded the medical volunteers as “modern day heroes” and praised the courage in helping others. “You are all heroes, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We, in Region 9 are sending you off for a very special mission to help the overwhelmed hospitals in Metro Manila,” the mayor said. “They responded with the same caliber of courage to go where the need is, answering to their calling. Life may bring us to peril, danger and visible
enemies that destroy us as the pandemic unleashes its destruction,” she added. The volunteers are from the different municipalities in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City. Climaco also thanked the local medical frontliners and even honored them during the 79th Araw ng Kagitingan. She dedicated the national holiday to the frontliners and calling them heroes in the modern time. “We dedicate this day to the modern day heroes - the frontliners, who
commit their time, effort and resources for the safety and protection of the residents from the twin threat of Covid-19 and security. Muchisimas gracias por el de ustedes dedicacion na servicio para el bien estar del pueblo soberano de Ciudad de Zamboanga,” she said. The mayor has, since last year, is all praises to all Covid-19 frontliners from Barangay Health Workers and their leaders and officials to the doctors and nurses both in private and government hospitals, and all those involved in the fight against the spread of the virus. (Zamboanga Post)
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April 19-25, 2021
April 19-25, 2021
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Founded July 2019
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Security forces double efforts to prevent illegal entrants
G
OVERNMENT FORCES have doubled their efforts in securing Zamboanga from people who continue to sneak into the city without negative RT-PCR test results which is required by the local Covid-19 task force. Just recently, soldiers positive for Covid-19, but coordinated with the Sulu from the 74th Infantry Bat- the group escaped and Covid-19 task force and talion under Lt. Col. Julius Mayor Beng Climaco or- informed it that one of the Villena, intercepted nearly dered the police and mili- workers was carrying the virus and may have infecttwo dozen boat passen- tary to search for them. gers in Tictapul. Some of The group was later ed the others. Climaco praised sethem natives of Basilan tracked down to the island and the others were from town of Lugus. This was curity forces and residents Tungawan town in the also confirmed to the may- for their vigilance and told neighboring province of or by Zamboanga City po- policemen and soldiers to Zamboanga Sibugay. lice chief Colonel Rexmel strictly deny people enterAt least 17 people Reyes and Joint Task Force ing Zamboanga with the from Surigao were also Zamboanga commander negative RT-PCR test result. intercepted this month in Colonel Randolph Rojas (Zamboanga Post) Zamboanga City on their who said the men escaped way to Sulu province to to Sulu on a motorboat. The local government work. One of them was
- OPINION -
Can’t thank you enough, Frontliners! By Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano DURING THE early stage of Covid-19 pandemic, I was in Zamboanga City for my annual vacation as an OFW. Honestly, then, I was extremely anxious about the well-being of my family, especially my parents who are getting older. The regular news updates about the increasing numbers of people afflicted by Covid-19 make me even more woeful, not for myself but for my family. But, I surrendered everything to Allh, The Protector, The Bestower of Security. Apart from Allh, there are people who also have family just like many of us, but they choose to struggle and sacrifice extraordinarily in order for each and every one of us to be safeguarded and protected from being afflicted by the deadly Covid-19. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to express my pride and joy and give salute, honor, sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the people who have protected and safeguarded my family and loved ones in Zamboanga City from Covid-19. Thank you so much to all of you, especially to the staunch leadership of the mother and Mayor of Zamboanga City, MARIA ISABELLE G. CLIMACO-SALAZAR, who serves as the Captain of the ship. Likewise, to our beloved Governor of Sulu, ABDUSAKUR M. TAN, who has exhausted all possible means in order to keep everyone, especially my family there in Sulu, safe and sound amidst the threat of Covid-19. I wholeheartedly understand that although many afflicted people opine that the government’s several measures related to Covid-19 seem exaggerated and are inflicted to harm, but in reality, it is us and our families who would benefit the most from it. It must be noted well that the paramount objective of every government in imposing these health measures is to protect and safeguard all of us from the detrimental effect brought by this unseen enemy because our lives are precious and we deserve to live securely. To all the frontliners out there who are energetically active warriors in combating this unseen and agonizing virus, THANK YOU SO MUCH for rendering invaluable services in so many ways just to protect and safeguard the precious soul of human lives during this most challenging health crisis. May Allh always keep US ALL including our beloved families, loved ones - so ever be protected and safeguarded by Him at all times from the harm of COVID-19 and any natural or man-made catastrophes wherever we may be. Aamin.
Zamboanga Peninsula
A photo released by the 74th Infantry Battalion shows nearly 2 dozen boat passengers sneaking into Zamboanga City.
Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco
Divine Mercy Sunday Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 1 John 5:1-6 John 20:19-31 DIOS TIENE perdon y misericordia canamon! Let our faith in God triumph over our fears and over the pandemic! I heard myself say this on TV and like Thomas, I doubted. Ya entra duda porcausa de miedo el caso de Covid-19 desde 50 mas, ahora mas de 300 y ta subi pa. Verdad este Pandemia bien peligroso y ta causa vida, dolor y monton de difficultad. Este el Domingo de Divino Misericordia de Dios. Na di aton maga lingasa, dolor y duda, saca fuerza con Dios! My world is shaken often because of uncertainty and persistent negativity. How do I survive from my struggle? This verse from today’s Psalm is the answer: “I was hard pressed and
Basilan
was falling, but the LORD helped me. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just!” Our Fears may be big just like the pandemic that is growing with the virus mutating and becoming more deadly. But we must look deeper in our lives. Habla gane sila, GOD is greater than our problems, than the pandemic. Easter is a wonderful season to renew our faith, hope and love in God! This is in the Second Reading: “For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Sulu
The Gospel narrated the doubt Thomas had when he was informed Jesus appeared. As the cases grew, we had to call emergency meetings. We work tirelessly hasta pasada la medianoche. I visited the Covid Isolation Centers. I was met with co-workers in government. Two nurses were with me in the isolation. Na otro lado talya maga Covid patients, tiene uban na Govierno. Tiene tambien ya despidi and we pray for them. I inspected the rooms and in a cottage we prayed to God through our Mother Mary. The Archdiocese of Zamboanga and the Ateneo de Zamboanga have been very helpful in our treatment of Covid patients. It was a heavy, difficult and sad situation for me to discover. It brought me to tears. But what strengthened me were the nurses whose passion for patients, for their mission and a grateful heart for negative swab in the face of danger. They draw strength from their families. They stay in isolation centers, cooking their own food and not
minding their sacrifices to take care of the sick. Dr. Josh Brillantes, of the DOH, invited me to a special send-off. Eleven Nurses, Midwives and Medical Technologists from Region 9 said YES to help NCR fight the pandemic. They responded with the same caliber of courage to go where the need is, answering to their calling. Life may bring us to peril, danger and visible enemies that destroy us as the pandemic unleashes its destruction. In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ greeting is mentioned three times: “PEACE BE WITH YOU!” If we only listen to God’s call, we allow the Father’s Divine Mercy flow in Jesus with the courage the Holy Spirit gives. UNFAZED/ UNAFRAID WE STAND OUR GROUND BY GOD’s MERCY. (Excerpt from the homily of Fr. Jet Villarin, S.J.) We will find Peace! PANATAG ang LOOB! All things are possible and we will be saved by GOD’s DIVINE MERCY! (MBC)
Tawi-tawi