The Zamboanga Post (May 17-23, 2021)

Page 1

Ayaw gumamit ng face mask, face shield aarestuhin na! IPINAG-UTOS ni Pangulong Duterte sa awtoridad na dakpin ang lahat ng mga hindi gumagamit o maling paglalagay ng face mask at face shield sa mga publikong lugar. Ito ang kinumpirma ni Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque at sinabing: “Ang mensahe ng Presidente ay kinakailangang ipatupad ang mini-

Founded July 2019

mum health standards kasama po yung tamang pagsuot, hindi lang po ng face mask, kundi pati rin po yung face shield.” Bukod sa tamang pagsusuot ng face mask at face shield, dapat rin sundin ng mga mamamayan ang mga kautusan ng national at local governments upang masugpo o mapigilan ang pagkalat ng

Ang ilan mga health protocols violators sa Barangay Guiwan sa Zamboanga City. (Zamboanga Post)

Covid-19, kasama na ang pagpapatupad ng curfew hours. Sinabi pa ni Roque na ang kautusan ni Duterte ay nakabase sa mga lokal na ordinansa o batas. At kung walang ordinansya ukol dito ay maaring ikulong ng pulisya ang mga lumabag sa health protocols sa loob ng 12 oras at pakawalan kung walang

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kaso laban sa kanila. “Arresting violators will be based on local ordinances or a law. In the absence of such ordinances, Roque said that violators will be detained only for a maximum of 12 hours and will be released if no charges have been filed, as stated in the Revised Penal Code,” Continue on page 7

May 17-23, 2021

Stricter quarantine measures effective! T

HE SURGE in the local Covid-19 cases has slowed down following the stricter implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine or MECQ. From 585 Covid-19 tered only 100 new infecChief Covid-19 cases on May 7 alone, a tions on May 9 with over frontliner Mayor Beng day before the start of the 2,000 active coronavirus Climaco, citing reports MECQ, Zamboanga regis- cases. Continue on page 2

Sue them Mayor Beng! POLITICAL SUPPORTERS and followers of Mayor Beng Climaco urged her to file libel charges against

A police photo shows cops manning a checkpoint in Zamboanga City.

Zamboanga City, 2 other Mindanao cities are top fish suppliers

A group of fishermen and their boat is silhouetted by the setting sun as they return to Zamboanga City. (Photo by Al Jacinto)

Zamboanga Peninsula

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) said Mindanao has registered a whopping 6,196.02 metric tons of unloaded fish supply during the first week of May. And the Zamboanga Fish Port Complex even surpassed its record by registering 78.21 tons of unloaded fish. But the General Santos Fish Port Complex maintained its position as the highest unloading Continue on page 3

Basilan

those besmirching her reputation as trolls and anti-Climaco groups revived black propaganda

and fake news in social media. Propagandists have Continue on page 3

Zambo pestered by frequent voltage fluctuations, outages ZAMBOANGA CITY – Electric consumers are outraged by the poor services of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO), saying not a single passes without multiple voltage fluctuations and power outages. And these problems add up to the stress caused by the Covid-10 pandemic to the residents. Since 2019 after Crown Investments Holdings, Inc. and Desco Inc. took over and bailed out the heavily-indebted and poorly-managed ZAMCELCO for P2.5 billion, the problems are still the same and residents continue to suffer as they did the past several decades. ZAMCELCO has been blaming the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and sometimes the electricity Continue on page 7

NEGLECT. A street light and electric meters are now covered in vines in Zamboanga City’s Tetuan village. (Zamboanga Post)

Sulu

Tawi-tawi


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The Zamboanga Post

May 17-23, 2021

Stricter quarantine measures effective!

Continued from page 1 from Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, head of the City Health Office, said community transmission remains to be the main cause of the high incidence of coronavirus infection that targets the respiratory system. She said the following barangays have the most number of Covid-19 cases – Calarian, Tetuan,

Santa Maria, Tumaga, San Roque, Guiwan, Putik, Talon-Talon, Pasonanca, Canelar, Tugbungan, San Jose Gusu, San Jose Cawa-Cawa, Baliwasan, Sinunuc, Mercedes, Divisoria, Ayala, Cabatangan and Santa Catalina. Climaco, chief of the local Covid-19 task force, has been reminding the public many times over to strictly follow the health

protocols and the quarantine guidelines and explained to residents the importance of mandatory use of face shields and face masks, and physical distancing in public places. But many residents are hard-headed and complacent and even ignored warnings by doctors and health experts on the dangers posed by

Students ready for work, Beng allocates P19 million for program

Covid-19 to the community. The mayor said the national government may place Zamboanga under a stricter quarantine measure unless residents follow health protocols religiously. She said if the Covid-19 situation becomes uncontrollable due to the continued violations of the health protocols and complacency of residents, the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFMEID) could impose severe measures just as it did last year at the start of the pandemic. “This is the reason why the City Government is intensifying enforcement of preventive measures such as wearing of face masks and face shields by residents, practicing hand hygiene and physical distancing, to in-

clude restricting mobility of people and even temporary closure of beaches and resorts to curb transmission of Covid-19,” Climaco said. “Otherwise, if the (Covid-19) cases become unmanageable then the national government might declare ECQ and we do not want to be under ECQ because of its effects on the livelihood of people,” she added, referring to the strictest Enhanced Community Quarantine status. The local health situation quickly changed after the IATF-MEID relaxed its travel protocols across the country and allowed people to go from one place to another without medical certificates and RT-PCR tests. Private and government hospitals here have put up additional Covid-19 wards to address the growing number of

patients with the deadly respiratory disease, but it was not even enough. And Climaco ordered the construction of at least 1,000bed isolation facilities so as not to overwhelm the hospitals. Climaco stressed that in confronting the pandemic, the government has to balance medical science, facts and opportunity for people to be healed. She reiterated that people have to fully cooperate and support the government in the fight against Covid-19 to prevent further increase in the number of infections here. She said the local government is also making available the needed resources to assist people who are affected by temporary granular lockdowns in the barangays should Covid-19 cases spread rapidly. (Zamboanga Post)

Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Mayor Beng Climaco. THE CLIMACO administration has allocated some P19.83 million for a special employment program that will benefit about 2,665 students in Zamboanga City, especially this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. The annual Special Program for the Employment of Students or SPES which is a joint undertaking of the City Government and the Department of Labor and Employment or DOLE. Under the SPES, the City Government will shoulder the 60% of salaries of the students as its counterpart with DOLE paying the remaining 40%. Mayor Beng Climaco reminded the students to spend wisely

their salaries and help their family at the same time. “Work is hard and money should be spent wisely,” she said and told the beneficiaries the importance of helping each other. The youth employment-bridging program aims to provide temporary employment to poor, but deserving students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of displaced or would-be displaced workers to augment the family’s income to help ensure that beneficiaries are able to pursue their education. Each student will receive a salary of P10,500 for the 20-day work-period or P525 a day. The SPES beneficiaries will be assigned in

different barangays to assist in the office or barangay activities, undertake disinfection and sanitation, and other tasks with strict adherence to the health protocols and community quarantine guidelines. Last year, the City Government hired 1,400 students who assisted members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams, as well as in disinfection and sanitation works. And in 2019, more than 2,000 youths benefitted from the program which also lasted 20 days with the City Social Welfare and Development Office taking over the preparations for the implementation of the SPES. (Zamboanga Post)


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The Zamboanga Post

May 17-23, 2021

Sue them Mayor Beng!

Earn More, Be an Advertising Agency! Do you want to earn more? Be an ADVERTISING AGENCY and DEALER for The Zamboanga Post and earn hefty commissions. Apply now.This offer covers Zamboanga Peninsula. ZAMBOANGA CITY ADVERTISING OFFICE 3rd Floor, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Phone: 062-9555360 Mobile: 0915-3976197

Zamboanga City, 2 other Mindanao cities are top fish suppliers

A trawler sails past the Santa Cruz Island off Zamboanga City with Basilan province on its background. (Photo by Al Jacinto) Continued from page 1 volume not only in Mindanao, but across all the country’s regional fish ports with 6,094 tons of unloaded fish in six days, according to PFDA. The PFDA said the regional fish ports in Mindanao - Zamboanga Fish Port Complex, General Santos Fish Port Complex and Davao Fish Port Complex not only unloaded over 6 tons of catch, it also recorded a 5% increase in volume or equivalent to

more than 250 tons of fish over last week of April. “Overall, Mindanao RFPs (regional fish ports) are continuously working their way up the ladder of sustainability by doubling their efforts to deliver adequate fish products to all their consumers. As they maintain high unloading volume, Mindanao RFPs are hoping to surpass last month’s record, a promise they are eager to fulfill in the days to come,” PFDA said.

It also branded Mindanao as “The Land of Promise,” adding the southern regional fish ports in Zamboanga City, Davao City and General Santos City fulfilled its promise of providing adequate and quality fish supply to all their clients and stakeholders. Zamboanga has at least 13 sardine canning plants, making the city as the “Sardine Capital of the Philippines.” (Zamboanga Post)

Continued from page 1 again spread photos of the calamity relief tents purchased by the local government at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and comparing it to cheaper camping tents sold in Lazada and Shopee online stores. But unknown to many, the local government’s calamity relief tents which is fire proof material function and water proof, also come with other accessories such as reversible pillow blanket, weather resistant ceiling fan with super bright LED lamp and batteries that would last 100,000 hours of usage. The calamity relief tents - purchased by the City General Services Office under Engineer Rene dela Cruz - are for official use under the disposal of the Zamboanga City Risk Reduction and Management Office. And trolls and political foes of Climaco even revived the prices of rice and other food aid purchased and distributed by the local government to the local residents affected by the health crisis. They also continue to demonize the public in a political attack ahead of next year’s polls, but this is the third and last term of Climaco. Climaco’s supporters branded as “heartless” the trolls and black propagandists, and political foes who continue to malign and defame the local chief executive amid the coronavirus pandemic. Even City Hall employees strongly condemned the political and even personal attacks of Climaco. “Bien bueno ya lang gane si Mam Beng. Dol carabao ya gane se ta trabaja desde antes pa hasta ahora, pero el maga ataque con Mam Beng bien terrible, detestable gayod. Lejos pa el ellecion ta destrui ya sila con el persona de Mam Beng,” said one female employee, who asked not to be named for fear of being accused of political partisan. One of Climaco’s old time supporters, Benito San Jose, said trolls and propagandists are believed being used by the mayor’s political foes and taking advantage of the health crisis that has put extreme pressure to the local government in fighting the pandemic and taking care of the welfare of the people. “Beng has her hands full. She is busy running this government and at the same time fighting this health (crisis), the coronavirus (pandemic) while taking care of Zamboangueños and make sure the disease stop spreading,” San Jose said. “But sad to say, anti-Climaco forces are heartless and they are bent on destroying the mayor because at stake here are the 2022 elections. They are not only heartless, but ruthless. They are political terrorists – these black propagandists and paid trolls are on the offensive now,” he added. Another follower of Climaco, who claimed to have campaigned hard for her the past decade, blamed the mayor for her “forgiving and compassionate” character. “Beng, being a very religious woman and devoted Christian, is very forgiving. Her compassion for other people and her persona are something that others (politicians) do not have, and that is also why she is being abused. Her kindness is being abused and disrespected by her antagonists for their personal gain and political interest,” he said. Netizens have repeatedly called on Climaco to sue those defaming and maligning her administration and to file libel charges against trolls and black propagandists besmirching her persona. In posts left on Cli-

maco’s Facebook account, dozens of Netizens defended the hardworking mayor against all criticisms and fake news and false information spread by her foes. Even on Climaco’s Facebook page, trolls and black propagandists leave insulting comments. Above Board Last year, in an exclusive interview with the Zamboanga Post, Erwin Bernardo, the chairman the Bids and Awards Committee or BAC has flatly rejected allegations of overpricing in the purchase of some 250,000 bags of rice intended for each household in all 98 villages here affected by the pandemic. He said the acquisition of rice went through negotiated procurement under emergency case, particularly in the instance, “when time is of the essence arising from natural or man-made calamities.” The BAC approved the purchase of rice at P1,300 per 25 kilo-bag after the supplier, 5MJ Marketing, submitted all legal documents required by laws. The 5MJ Marketing has been joining government biddings since the administration of Mayor Celso Lobregat. Bernardo explained that in order to determine whether the supplier is technically, legally and financially capable to address the emergency, BAC required 5MJ Marketing to submit the following documents – the PhilGeps (Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System) Platinum Certificate, Omnibus Sworn Statement, Latest Income Tax Returns and Business Permit. He said aside from the submission of the documents, it is very important that the supplier has an excellent track record with the procuring entity. “It is equally important to use the contents of the PhilGEPS electronic registry of suppliers to determine the eligibility of a supplier relative to its past transactions with other entities of the government,” he told The Zamboanga Post newspaper, adding, “the procurement of rice was done within the bounds of the procurement law and the price is reasonable based on the prevailing market price.” Bernardo said the procurement of rice went through the process and it was done within the bounds of the procurement law and the price is reasonable based on the prevailing market price. “It cannot be denied that we are in a state of worldwide calamity. Hence, this alternative mode of procurement was resorted to instead of the usual competitive bidding because it relates to time element as the primordial reason,” he said. Bernardo further explained that the procedure is, upon receipt of the purchase request together with supporting documents to include the approved budget for the contract from the end-user which is the City Social Welfare and Development Officer, the BAC may directly negotiate with a supplier with technical, legal and financial capability to deliver the goods. And upon confirmation and ascertainment of such capability to address the emergency, the head of the procuring entity, upon recommendation of the BAC, shall immediately award the contract to the supplier. He said while rice are sold by retailers and traders at lower price, the Procurement Law (RA 9184) mandates that local government units only transact with “technically, legally and finan-

cially” eligible suppliers, that is, compliant with requirements set by law. “Inasmuch as we want to buy directly from traders and retailers, requirements of the law (RA 9184) preclude us to do so. The amount of P1,300 per sack was indicated in the purchase request and the approved budget for the contract before it reached the BAC. And upon receipt of the purchase request, the BAC made its own calculation based on the prevailing market price. During the market survey, the price ranged from P1,120 to as high as P1,250.” “Allowing the 10% mark-up under COA (Commission on Audit) rules, the allowable price per sack would be around P1,232 to P1,375. The 10% mark-up is intended for handling costs, labor costs, other overhead expenses incurred by the supplier and his allowable profits,” Bernardo said. He said the BAC cannot settle with the lowest amount only because, considering the instability of supply and abnormal demand in the market, the supply for the lowest priced premium rice may not suffice the demand of the City Government which is 250,000 sacks. Hence, the ceiling price was pegged at P1,300 so that the supplier can still go for other rice brands of higher price without going beyond the ceiling price. Bernardo clarified that the price of rice is variable and can easily change depending largely on the law of supply and demand amid the pandemic. “We are in a state of extraordinary times and not normal times where time is of the essence in the procurement process. The City Government cannot purchase it directly from the retailers or wholesalers, as some would tend to believe, because of the volume of the transaction nor can it split the contract since it is prohibited by law. It needs the services of the supplier who will buy it from retailers and traders and deliver it and collect (it) later from the (local) government,” he said. He also cited that COA allows 10% mark-up on normal or ordinary times and considering the different factors affecting price and supply in the market such as higher labor cost due to scarcity of laborers, doubling of cost of transportation of goods, disruption of normal supply in the market since even ordinary buyers hoarded for their own supply, “the City Government complied with the 10% allowable mark-up during this pandemic to religiously comply with laws and rules. Had the City Government not provided the allowable higher maximum price per sack, we will not be able to procure the needed 250,000 sacks and be able to distribute the same to the people of Zamboanga City, because the supply for the lowest price is not sufficient.” Bernardo said the few reported cases of spoiled rice were immediately replaced by the supplier. “As admitted by the supplier, rice spoilage may not be easily detected in big volumes of rice. The immediate replacement of spoilt or low quality rice signifies the City Government’s commitment in assuring that the supplier fully complies with its obligations,” he said. Climaco’s political foes have used the rice issue in attacking her despite the transparency and strict processes imposed by the local government in the procurement of welfare goods and other necessities in the middle of the health crisis. (Zamboanga Post)


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The Zamboanga Post

May 17-23, 2021

Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.


May 17-23, 2021

The Zamboanga Post

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Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Giana Andrion, ZCPO, and Bong Serondo.


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The Zamboanga Post

May 17-23, 2021

Across : 1. Hone 5. Fall behind 8. Pen 12. Soothe 13. Keats work 14. Fortas and Lincoln 15. Pocket bread 16. Tiny speck 18. Stumble 19. Blur 20. Mother 22. From Oslo 26. Declaration 31. Complete 32. Hole 33. Stingy one 34. Playground game 35. Citrus beverage 36. Ground of attendants 38. Family car 40. Voice actor ___ Blanc 41. Theater platfrom 45. Quote 48. Sane 51. British nobleman 52. On the ocean 53. Overhead railways 54. Mushroom part 55. Now and ___ 56. Very tiny 57. Glimpses

Down : 1. Bawled 2. Locks 3. Guessed roughly 4. Oolong server 5. Trims (off) 6. Eden resident 7. Richard ___ of “Chicago” 8. Egypt’s capital 9. NBC’s rival 10. Harden 11. Opposite of WNW 17. Burst of bad temper 21. Keepsake 23. Strike back 24. Glitch 25. Margin

The Zamboanga Post

An Edition of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper

Maritess Fernandez

Publisher/Executive Producer

Al Jacinto

Editor-in-Chief

Reynold Toribio Graphics/Video Editor

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REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star

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Answer to last week’s crossword:

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May 17-23, 2021

Ayaw gumamit ng face mask, face shield aarestuhin na! Continued from page 1 ani Roque na tagapagsalita rin ng Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases ng pamahalaan.

“Ang mensahe po ng Presidente sa ating kapulisan at sa taong bayan, para po sa ating kapakanan ang pagsunod sa minimum health standards at ipapatupad lang

po natin yan dahil sa panahon ng pandemya, kinakailangan po sumunod ang lahat lalong-lalo na po sa pagsusuot ng face mask at ng face shield,” dagdag pa ni Roque.

Zambo pestered by frequent voltage fluctuations, outages Continued from page 1 supplier Western Mindanao Power Corporation (WMPC) which is being run by Alto Power Management Corporation, a partnership between Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc. through Conal Holdings Corporation and Toyota Tshusho Corporation of Japan. Power consumers complained that the frequent voltage fluctuations and brownouts not only are a pestering problem for them, but the surge of electricity had destroyed their appliances. One resident said she has a collection of at least 3 air conditioners which broke down due to voltage fluctuations over the past years, and repairing them was more expensive than buying a new unit. “Worst, that’s all I can say,” she said, referring to the services of the electric cooperative then and now. A community page on Facebook, the ZAMCELCO Consumers Complaint Page, are literally overflowing with complaints, and expletives from frustrated residents. Some people, who offered help, would call the attention of the ZAMCELCO General Manager Gannymede Tiu, only to tell the complainants once their problems were solved to thank a city councilman for “helping them.” The ZAMCELCO Customer Service Department is the worst, according to cooperative members, who said that nobody was answering their phone calls. Residents also complained that ZAMCELCO billed them more than what they are supposed to pay. Electric consumers resorted to social media in airing their complaints, many angry over what they claimed were over billing or overcharging imposed by the electric cooperative. Angry consumers accused the cooperative of taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic. The sudden hike in electric charges came despite frequent daily power outages and voltage fluctuations. The ZAMCELCO Consumers Complaint Page was flooded with photos of electric bills showing unreasonable increase in charges. One resident said the local electric cooperative overbilled them not once, but twice after a meter reader deliberately and falsely misread their actual power consumption in December 2020 and January 2021. In his complaint, Joules Abubakar Susulan questioned how the meter reader computed their electric usage from December and January. On his electric billing, Susulan said reading from their electric meter showed 959.9 kWh. But the meter reader recorded 1,000 kWh. And he said the same thing happened again in January, the electric meter reads 983.8 kWh and the meter reader listed it as 1,000 kWh. “Always check the actual meter reading, it happens that they will do like this (sic). Kung sana no read, no write ako abay magpapasalamat talaga ako sa kanila dahil wala na akong bill sa January,” he warned power consumers. Other power consumers also criticized how ZAMCELCO computes actual electric usage. “That’s what they call Table Reading tsk…tsk…,” wrote Edmin de Guzman Lagonera in his reaction to Susulan’s predicament. Aivhan Blocknyt said: “This is the problem, even I. This is (a) big headache.” “That’s why our bill from P1800-P2000, (now is) P3,600. How come?” asked Ion Raz Jangayo. Marinela Ordoña Redoña said the elec-

tric reading was obviously inaccurate: “Eh, di parang nag mano-mano mag reading kasi hindi accurate ang reading. Di tumutugma ang reading sa actual (count) na nasa meter. Ginagawa tayong mga tanga nitong Zamcelco na ito.” “Messed up, always,” said Anne RaRa Susulan said he complained to the cooperative, but was told that the billing was advanced by ZAMCELCO. “Ang sabi ng nakausap ko sa ZAMCELCO bale daw na advance na yung bill sa January,” he said. But no one believed ZAMCELCO. “Puede bang i-advance ang pag reading ng meter? Parang nag guessing-guessing ang meter reader niyan dahil hindi makabigay ng accurate na reading,” said Redoña. Just this year, many house owners complained that they were overbilled by ZAMCELCO after it imposed back-billing to many residential accounts following a massive installation of new electric meters. Back-bill is a catch-up bill sent when a power consumer is incorrectly charged for energy usage. It covers a longer period than the usual billing cycle and will likely be for a larger than usual amount. This was confirmed by ZAMCELCO and Tiu said that “in the past several months until December 19, we conducted massive installation of kilowatt-hour meters to more than 10,000 consumers that had no installed meters for so many years back.” Tiu said many residential accounts here have no electric meters and ZAMCELCO only billed them through “averaging” or minimum amount compared to their actual electricity usage. He added that back billing of customers is to ensure all power consumers pay for the utilities they use. “That is the reason for the ZAMCELCO back-billing,” he said. Following the outcry, ZAMCELCO eventually adjusted the overbilling. In 2012, Zamboanga also suffered from severe power curtailment – as much as 6 hours a day and at worst, 14 hours or more. And ZAMCELCO - whose manager then was George Ledesma – blamed the power crisis to the El Niño weather phenomenon and maintenance shutdown of hydro and coal-fired power plants in Mindanao. ZAMCELCO could only wait for the construction of the 100-megawatt coal-fired power plant of Alsons Power Holdings which was set to begin operation in 2016 in the village of Talisayan. But Alsons failed to start building its facility and cited many reasons for the long delay – from the failed Moro rebellion here in 2013 to the P900-million enhancement program it was demanding from ZAMCELCO as an assurance it could pay them for the stable supply of electricity. Even today, Alsons has not finished its coal-fired power plant here and ZAMCELCO said it would not purchase electricity from Alsons or what it is called now the San Ramon Power, Inc. due to its previous demand from WMPC. The WMPC previously cut off power supply to ZAMCELCO after it refused to pay its overdue account amounting to P460 million. ZAMCELCO through Crown Investments Holdings, Inc. and Desco Inc. claimed that WMPC had over billed the electric cooperative since 2015 by P440 million and is demanding a refund. However, WMPC denied the allegation and ZAMCELCO eventually paid in part or in full of what it owed the electric supplier. (Zamboanga Post)

Nilinaw rin nito na ang paghuli sa mga health protocol violators ay hindi maituturing kaparusahan. “Apprehending the violators of the minimum health standards is not a punishment in itself. Bago mo mapagawa sila ng community service kailangan ma-apprehend mo muna sila, and that’s what

the President says, i-apprehend yung mga lumalabag sa minimum health standards,” paliwanag pa ni Roque. “The police have the authority to apprehend if they themselves saw or witnessed the violation to a law or an ordinance. Ang paglabag sa ating minimum health protocols,

dahil mayroon tayong ordinansang nagpapatupad niyan, ay nagbibigay daan para nga magkaroon ng outright apprehension, warrantless arrest dahil a crime was committed in the presence, and with a full personal knowledge of, a police officer,” wika nito. (Zamboanga Post, Mindanao Examiner)

HEALTH

Andropause Sa Lalaki: Ano Ito? Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong

K

ung ang babae ay may menopause, ang mga lalaki naman ay may andropause. Iba ang sintomas ng menopause sa babae kumpara sa lalaki. Ang menopause sa babae ay biglang dumarating ng mga edad 45 hanggang 55, kung saan hihinto na ang pagre-regla ng babae. Tumitigil na ang paggawa ng itlog (egg cell) ng babae at biglang babagsak ang lebel ng estrogen sa katawan. Dahil dito, nakararamdam ang babae ng pag-iinit ng katawan (hot flushes), irregular na regla, pagkabalisa, hindi makatulog at pagiinit ng ulo. Kumonsulta sa iyong OB-gynecologist para malunasan ito.

Andropause Sa Lalaki: Ang andropause ay posibleng mangyari sa mga lalaki. Ito ang tinaguriang “male menopause.” Mula sa edad 30 ay unti-unti nang bumababa ang lebel ng testosterone ng lalaki ng 1% kada taon. Pagdating ng edad 70 ay posibleng bumaba na ang lebel ng testosterone ng halos 50%. Dahil dahan-dahan ang pagbaba ng testosterone at hindi ito gaano napapansin ng kalalakihan. Ang sintomas ng andropause ay ang (1) pagbawas ng gana sa sex, (2) lumiliit na mga masel ng katawan, (3) panghihina, at (4) pagbaba ng kumpiyansa sa sarili (low self confidence). Ang iba naman ay nalulungkot at

nahihirapan matulog. Para malaman kung mababa ang iyong testosterone, puwede itong ipasuri sa laboratoryo sa pamamagitan ng blood test. Ano ang solusyon sa andropause? Una, kumain ng masustansya at ituloy ang regular na ehersisyo. Pangalawa, magpa-check up sa doktor para malaman kung may ibang dahilan ang iyong nararamdaman. Baka naman hindi andropause ang sanhi ng sintomas mo. Huling payo: Mag-ingat din sa pag-inom ng mga supplements para sa testosterone. Hindi pa tiyak ang benepisyo at peligro nito. Kumonsulta sa inyong doktor. Good luck.

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Face Mask from South Korea Retail: P65 a piece Wholesale: P50 a piece (20 pieces up) Mobile: 0915-3976197 – Zamboanga City


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The Zamboanga Post

May 17-23, 2021


May 17-23, 2021

The Zamboanga Post

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Founded July 2019

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May 17-23, 2021

Duterte takot mahawa, matigok sa Covid

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NAMIN NI Pangulong Duterte na takot itong mahawa at mamatay sa Covid-19 dahil na rin sa katandaan nito at mahinang resistensya ng katawan kahit pa nabakunahan na ng Chinese vaccine na Sinopharm. maraming mga mamamayan Dahil dito, muling tay, two days tapos.” umapela sa publiko si Dute“Now ngayon kung gus- ang hindi nakakaintindi sa rte na sumunod sa health to -- hindi ko kayo tinatakot, peligrong dala at dulot ng protocols na ipinatutupad sinasabihan ko kayo gamitin pandemya. Wala rin umasa bansa sapagka’t patu- ninyo utak ninyo. Delikado nong sapat na pera ang loy ang pagtaas ng kaso ng ang pandemya. It’s not a -- pamahalaan upang mabigyan Covid-19 sa ibat-ibang lu- hindi laro ito o sakit-sakitan. ng ayuda ang lahat ng mga gar. Maging ang mga com- Pagka tinamaan ka nito, wala nagugutom at mahihirap na munity pantries na nagla- na. Mabuti pa ang rabies. You pamilya. layun tumulong sa mga have about 14 days of or so “So intindihin ninmahihirap at nagugutom acting like a mad dog. Kaya yo iyang sakit na ‘yan, it’s a ay hindi rin pinaglagpas ni pati ako takot. Pati ako nagsa- very... I could not even find Duterte dahil sa posibleng salita ngayon hindi ko talaga the word to describe it. It’s hawaan ng Covid-19. masasabi sa inyo mabuhay very lethal. Nakikiusap ako “Itong mga tao, mati- ako bukas o mamatay ako. sa inyo, hindi naman kami... gas kasi ulo ninyo. Ayaw Iyan ang totoo talaga. Ako Alam mo kasi kung marami ninyong maniwala, nagsa- mismo nagsabi sa inyo. Hindi lang tayong pera, puwede ako bi na nga na mabuti pa ako nanunungo sa ibang tao, magtapon ng pera. Pero wala mag-istambay ka na lang nang-iinsulto kaya ako sina- akong pera at hindi naman ng bahay. Alam mo hindi ito sali ko na ang sarili ko. ‘Pag ninyo masisi ang gobyerno. biro. ‘Pag tinamaan ka ng ako ang tinamaan, there’s no Tutal nauna kami, nauna Covid, it’s kamatayan. Usu- way sa katanda ko, there’s no kaming nagbigay ng P5,000 ally madala diyan two days way of telling whether I would per individual. You know, patay. Karamihan iyong live to see the light of day the just to ipakita sa inyo na ang mga severe cases. Iyong iba following day,” ani Duterte. gobyerno may kakaunti lang nililibre pero ‘yong namaSinabi ng Pangulo na nga pero ang gobyerno may

Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17 TODAY, WE dedicate our reflection to all mothers, they are God-given and we commit them to Mary our Mother. Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love... This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends!” Mothers give their life for their children from the 9-month cycle to delivery and growth. A mother will always give and keep giving love for her Children so as Father’s too. “God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through Him.” In this is love: Not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as expia-

tion for our sins!” We are because of God. And as Mary our Mother gave birth to Jesus, we honor our mothers today. We lost our mother at age 48 and I was 18 years old then. Through the years and even now, I have special people I treasure as my Mom. There is my Ninang Pet, my Mom’s sister who took care of us in the U.S., our dear Mama Lu at 76 who prepares wonderful meals for us. I have a Moslem Mom – Mindah, who makes it a point to prepare a huge pail of Lokot-Lokot and Baulu for my birthday; a Chinese Mom - Auntie Rose Luy, always a joy with her surprises at my age and even treats for my fur loves, from New Zealand; Lola Falding, a super generous dear Mother who always gives generously, and Mommy Ester Orendain with her turon and palabok. I just realized, food binds them perhaps because a

Zamboanga Peninsula

mother nurtures and cares. Before the lockdown, I visited them, giving roses and chocolates, not really seeing them in person because of Covid-19 protocols. Today, I got a special greeting from someone oceans away who lost his mom. He sent his video and was thankful for helping him through his studies with Wella. He is now an officer of a ship that could accommodate 6,000 people. I also got a surprise from my Britto Babies, who turns 25 ADZU HIGH school honorees and some parents. Atty. Kenneth Beldua sent me a text as his foster mom. My heart is overjoyed! I may not have gotten any bouquets this year because of the Sunday Lockdown, but the greetings are enough joy for a mother! Gracias a Dios por todo Nana y junto con La Virgen Maria di aton agradecimiento! Amen. (MBC)

Basilan

Makikita sa larawan ang pagturok ng Chinese vaccine na Sinopharm vaccine kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa Palasyo. (King Rodriguez) ginagawa.” “Ikumpara mo diyan sa makipag-rambol ka diyan tapos dalhin mo ‘yong sakit mo sa --- iwasan niyo. Kaya ito ang nangyari, hindi ko kayo mapigilan eh ‘yong sa salita lang na huwag, ganito, ganito. ‘Pag pinilit ninyo talaga akong hindi maging strikto. Pinilit lang ninyo ako

na i-implement ‘yong batas. Eh kaya I directed Secretary (Eduardo) Año sa DILG, ito ang gawain mo. Tutal it is always wrong, it is a crime to do that,” sabi pa ni Duterte sa kanyang paglalarawan sa peligro ng umpukan ng mga tao sa community pantries na nagsulputan sa ibat-ibang panig ng bansa.

Naunang hininiling ng DILG na ipagbawal na ang mga community pantries nilalabag ng mga tao ang health protocols. Matatandaang isang senior citizen ang hinimatay at kalaunan ay nasawi habang nakapila sa community pantry ni Angel Locsin. (Zamboanga Post, Mindanao Examiner)

BJMP told to finish Talisayan prison facility MAYOR BENG Climaco has warned jail officials to speed the construction of the prison facility in Barangay Talisayan, saying the project is long delayed. The P194-million facility sits on a six-hectare lot donated by the local government to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology or BJMP on top of the P10 million it allocated for site development and perimeter fencing. During a recent virtual meeting by the City Peace and Order Council and the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council which Climaco chairs, have told BJMP officials to fasttrack the construction of its detention facility. “The construction (of the

Sulu

Talisayan jail facility) is way delayed already. If nothing happens by June, we will get back the property,” Climaco said. Jail Warden Chief Inspector Nathaniel Aljas told the two councils during the meeting that the two buildings for female detainees are 65-70% completed, while the Building 1 for males are about 35-40% while Building 2 is 10-15% completed. BJMP temporarily suspended the construction of the jail facility in 2019 after it uncovered the alleged use of substandard materials not in accordance with the specifications and designs of the project. The Zamboanga Post newspaper phoned the Zam-

boanga City Reformatory Center to get details or progress of the project in Talisayan, but all their listed phone numbers on Facebook - 9912265 and 9912268 - were wrong. And no one was answering the BJMP office phone - 9910809 - in Zamboanga City. And the telephone number - 9250733 - at their regional office in Pagadian City was also not in service. Once completed, the new facility can accommodate 5,000 inmates. At present, the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center in downtown area is over populated and poses danger to its surrounding neighborhood in case of a jailbreak. (Zamboanga Post, Claudine Uniana)

Tawi-tawi


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