Founded July 2019
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (0915) 3976197
P10
July 26-Aug 1, 2021
2021 Most BusinessFriendly LGU Award ‘Zambo nominated anew’ T
HE BUSINESS sector continues to rally behind tion and even nominated the local government ness-Friendly LGU Award.” Both the Zamboanga tion Inc. (ZCCIFI) and Chamber of Commerce the Southern Philippines and Industry Founda- Deep Sea Fishing Associa-
the Climaco administrafor the “2021 Most Busition Inc. (SOPHIL) nominated the City Continue on page 2
City govt. wins award Mayor Beng Climaco receives the 16 disaster response collapsible tents donated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The tents, including hygiene kits and relief packs, were turned over to Barangay Limpapa which will be used as Covid-19 isolation units or temporary shelter for victims of calamities or disasters. (Bong Serondo)
Covid info session held TRUE TO her promise to also prioritize those under the A4 category
of the government’s mass vaccination program, Mayor Beng Climaco has
started the virtual information drive for food Continue on page 7
DESPITE THE black propaganda and personal insults against Mayor Beng Climaco by her foes and Internet trolls, her administration continues to reap awards from the national government as if there is no stopping in all the good deeds the local government is providing to its constituents. The Climaco administration was again awarded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for Continue on page 3
Zamboanga City Government is wins the DILG's "Most Functional Covid Task Force in Region 9." (CDRRMO)
All praises! Davao, Zamboanga stronger than ever DAVAO CITY and Presidential daughter Sara Carpio was also praises to her “Big Sister” Mayor Beng Climaco when she
narrated how the Zamboanga City chief executive treated her during their time together. “I see her now as a Big
Sister because she always takes care of me when we are together,” Carpio said of Climaco following the signing of the sister-
Covid vaccines purchased by Zambo arrives SOME 11,800 doses of Covid-19 vaccines purchased by Climaco administration from the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca have arrived in Zamboanga City. The vaccines will benefit thousands of residents, according to Mayor Beng Climaco. Continue on page 3
Astrazeneca vaccines. (Eugene Elnar)
Zamboanga Peninsula
Basilan
hood agreement between Davao and Zamboanga cities at City Hall. Carpio and her team, together with House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Davao Oriental Governor Claude Bautista travelled all the way to Zamboanga City for the sisterhood accord. Carpio and Climaco shared their moments together, reminiscing the time they both had been invited last year by Washington to attend the “Strong Cities, Strong Partnerships: A Comprehensive Approach to Continue on page 2
Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio and Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco show the sisterhood accord. (Giana Andrion)
Sulu
Tawi-tawi
2
The Zamboanga Post
July 26-Aug 1, 2021
2021 Most Business-Friendly LGU Award ‘Zambo nominated anew’ Continued from page 1 Government for the prestigious event held annually. The nomination shows the strong partnership between the business sector and the local government. The ZCCIFI is headed by its president, Pedro Rufo Soliven; and the SOPHIL, by its president Jaydrick Johnson Yap. Soliven and Yap have cited the Climaco administration’s business-friendly efforts, especially during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, in nominating the local government. In 2019, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) also cited the City Government and recognized its efforts in streamlining business processes. PCCI awarded the local government with a “special citation” during the 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo held at the Manila Hotel. Zamboanga City was also a finalist in the “2020 Business-Friendly LGU Award”. City Administrator Apple Go represented the local government during the awarding ceremony. She said the special recognition exemplifies the commendable initiatives
of the Climaco administration towards good governance reforms that promote trade and investments and significantly contribute to local economic development. The PCCI also noted the efforts of the local government which resulted to a significant increase in new business enterprises in Zamboanga. From 2018-2019, Zamboanga City posted a 74% increase in the number of approved business permits for new business applications and also recorded a 182% increase in the number of approved business renewals. Climaco said the local government is pursuing business-friendly strategies aimed at further improving business sector confidence. Even Commissioner Aileen Lourdes Lizada, of the Civil Service Commission, also praised the Climaco administration during an unannounced inspection in 2019 to check on compliance of civil service rules in government offices. Lizada, who also visited other regions in the country, noted a number of “best practices” at Zamboanga City Hall during her group’s inspection. One of them is the wearing of
identification cards by civil workers with Climaco as the best example. She also said the Public Assistance Desk at the main entrance of City Hall is very responsive to the public and the presence of an institutionalized human resource department at City Hall, among others. Prior to the pandemic, Zamboanga City enjoyed a strong economy as influx of trade and investments add to the already robust business climate in the area. Proof of this is the steady flow of investors to Zamboanga, a major trading hub in southern Philippines, owing to the efforts of the local government in making this southern port city business-friendly. The ease of making business here — compared to the previous decades — is far better, according to traders, who cited local government’s efforts in attracting investors not only from other parts of the country, but overseas as well. But even during the pandemic, SM opened its shopping mall in Zamboanga City which is the first in the western Mindanao region. Climaco personally thanked Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Com-
Mayor Beng Climaco during the recent turnover of the collapsible tents to Barangay Limpapa. (Bong Serondo) mittee of SM Prime, for investing in Zamboanga City. AirAsia Philippines also opened its maiden flight from Manila to Zamboanga City last year. Climaco said amid the health crisis, AirAsia fulfilled its promise to serve Zamboangueños because of the City’s potential and strong governance. It also cemented Climaco’s efforts in attracting traders and businessmen to put up investments in Zamboanga City despite the pandemic. The mayor praised AirAsia Philippines Chairman of the Board, lawyer Jomar Castillo; and AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla, who thanked Climaco, saying “all of this would not have been possible without the initiatives of the Zam-
boanga City Government, who took on a decisive role in discussions with us to establish this route. For this, we are truly grateful.” And in October 2018, a prominent lawyer, Linda Lim, who is also chief executive officer and president of the oldest and largest universities in Mindanao — the Universidad de Zamboanga — also cited the vigorous business climate and the leadership of Climaco that played a key role in the huge improvement and development of Zamboanga as a city. In a speech during the 70th founding celebration of the university which coincided with the Parade of Lights during the Zam-
boanga La Hermosa Festival, Lim said: “We will carry on, continue to move on and continue to serve our community, especially under the leadership of Mayor Beng.” “It is only under her leadership that Zamboanga saw a flux of investments, we can see all investments coming in, we can feel it, not only see it. As of now, Zamboanga City ranks among the top cities with the largest accumulation of wealth in the whole Philippines and that can only happen under the leadership of Mayor Beng… it is only under this kind of leadership that Zamboanga can continue to move on,” she said. (Zamboanga Post)
All praises! Davao, Zamboanga stronger than ever
Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio and Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco during their visit to the C-130 plane crash victims at the Zamboanga City Medical Center. They were assisted by the Chief of Hospital Dr. Afdal Kunting. (Giana Andrion) Continued from page 1 Preventing Terrorism in Southeast Asia” under the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. Department of State. The signing of the sisterhood accord on July 15 came six years after Climaco and then Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte pledged to the agreement. The accord intends to create and fortify an open communicative atmosphere to induce a heightened exchange of ideas, particularly in the fields of tourism and culture, agriculture and trade and commerce. The event was limit-
ed to representatives and assistants of both Climaco and Carpio due to the strict health protocols in Zamboanga City. “Individually, our two cities are strong, but we are stronger when we are together,” Carpio told Climaco. The Zamboanga mayor has all praises too for Carpio, citing her assistance to Zamboanga’s Covid-19 efforts, saying “Davao has been a Sister City, always ready to help and assist Zamboanga, even before the sisterhood pact was formalized.” “In God’s perfect timing, we finally signed the sisterhood agreement which began in the time of Mayor
Rodrigo Roa Duterte when Zamboanga City officials were invited to Davao. It has been close to 6 years. Mayor Sara has been helping Zamboanga City since the early part of the pandemic through the provision of testing equipment such as the RT-PCR machines were donated to the Zamboanga City Medical Center and the City Government,” Climaco said. “Our technologists were sent to RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) Davao for training and have passed the proficiency for the operation our own City Modular Laboratory. Mayor Sara has facilitated a mercy mission by sending a team of
Davao burn specialists and experts in psycho-social debriefing to assist the C-130 (crash) victims from Jolo. Victims with severe burns were transferred to Davao for further treatment. Davao social workers are in Zamboanga City to provide needed therapy to the remaining crash victims,” she added. Climaco also recalled her U.S. trip with Carpio and said “I and Mayor Sara have been blessed to be part of the U.S. Government’s International Visitors Leadership Program prior to pandemic and as a result, we continue to respond to security and health and learn from each other to respond to crisis and emergencies. Davao’s (emergency hotline) 911 is a template for Zamboanga City
and other local governments in the country. We are learning from each other in responding to man-made and natural disasters. With two daughters of Mindanao serving our Cities of Davao and Zamboanga, we carry on our Fathers’ dedication of public service,” the mayor said. During Carpio’s stay, she and Climaco along with Velaso and Bautista visited the Fort Pilar Shrine and the newly rehabilitated R.T. Lim Boulevard to showcase their historical value and significance to Zamboanga City. They also visited the soldiers wounded in the plane crash at the Zamboanga City Medical Center and spoke to them. The Chief of Hospital, Dr. Afdal Kunting assisted the two influential mayors.
Before leaving Zamboanga, Carpio thanked Climaco for the warm reception and hospitality and invited her to visit Davao City again. Climaco also praised Carpio for her simplicity, kindness, and humility. The sisterhood agreement is the 4th for Zamboanga City under the Climaco administration. The other sister cities are Guigang in China which was signed on October 24, 2016; Puerto Princesa City signed on October 11, 2018 and Isabela City in Basilan province on October 11, 2017. Zamboanga City is also set to sign similar agreements with Dezhou City in China and Manado City in Indonesia. (Zamboanga Post)
Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio and Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco enjoy a chat at the R.T. Lim Boulevard. (Bong Serondo)
3
The Zamboanga Post
July 26-Aug 1, 2021
Covid vaccines purchased by Zambo arrives
(Photo by CDRRMO)
City govt. wins award Continued from page 1 being the “Most Functional Covid Task Force” in the whole Zamboanga Peninsula region. This was confirmed by DILG Director Ginagene Uy, who handed over some P50,000 in check to the Emergency Operations Center of the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The Regional Assessment Team led by the DILG gave Zamboanga City a rating of 86.5%. The government incentive was in recognition of the efforts and Covid-19 response of the local government. The awarding was held in Pagadian City during the “Gawad Tanglaw sa Pandemya: Award for the Most Functional Covid-19 Task Force in Region 9 for Province and Highly Urbanized City Category.” The award was received by Clint Senosa, Abdel Canti and Cheermie Bejerano on behalf of the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Other government agencies, including the Department of Health, the Office of the Civil Defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and even the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, among others, and international organizations have commended the Climaco administration. Climaco continues to be popular among residents here and proof of this is the spike in the number of her followers on social media. Her Facebook page is now being followed by nearly 359,000 fans from only 133,000 in 2018 – a year before she was re-elected and won by a landslide against former mayor and lawmaker Celso Lobregat. Her followers increased
by more than 47,000 compared to last year’s 312,000 which was more than 200% from 2018. Climaco is now on her third and final term and she is leaving behind a legacy of good governance responsive to the needs and welfare of the Zamboangueños, more especially at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. And despite all this, trolls and political foes continue their black propaganda against Climaco, taking advantage of the situation ahead of next year’s polls in an effort to influence and boost those they are supporting. But residents are firm in their support to the mayor and even lambasted those who were trolling Climaco on social media. Climaco repeatedly condemned fake news and disinformation being
peddled by her detractors and called on the public to carefully scrutinize news or stories created to deliberately misinform or deceive readers to influence views or for political motives. “El black propaganda ta continua y el fake news, false information na social media ta continua hace calayat el cuantos maga persona que tiene mal intencion para destrosa el govierno local, para destrosa el esfuerzos del govierno por de ila vested interest,” Climaco told the Zamboanga Post. “Y el los demas personas, como venganza contra con el govierno cay no puede estos maga gente influir con el gobierno local. Por tantos años, el ataque contra na administracion sin descanso por causa de politica,” she added.
Climaco said the local government continues to work hard for the welfare of the people while her foes are busy spreading black propaganda. In one of her weekly columns, “Sunday Reflection”, Climaco said she leaves everything to God. “Where would I hewn my strength if not from God alone who placed me here? Despite the toxicity of politics, bien mabuling gayod, I am here to respond to the calling of God to change systems to be able to deliver quality service to the people. Just as in Jesus’ ministry, there were noisy, angry, and divisive voices that became obstacles in His mission. I too, navigate into these destructive obstacles that try to lure me away from my mission and my focus on my work,” she wrote. “Politics is the main challenge that continues to distract our efforts to address the real problems of Covid-19. Malicious claims, spreading of baseless accusations and giving people false hope in doing what is popular… and all these for personal and political agenda? Very divisive and distractive as it is an obstacle to unity in these times of crisis. This is the cross a leader must carry, to deny oneself for the people. Not to let the distractive voices be an obstacle in following Jesus and our mission to serve. No matter how heavy our crosses may be, do not let obstacles block God’s love to grant you hope and a future!” she added. In the end, Climaco quoted Jeremiah 29:11 and wrote: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” She also thanked the Zamboangueños for their unwavering support and love for her. (Zamboanga Post)
Continued from page 1 This was also confirmed by City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite, saying the vaccines will further boost the local government’s mass vaccination program. “This is good news because this (vaccine) delivery will inoculate many people,” she said. Climaco signed a $2 million (or roughly P100 million) deal with AstraZeneca early this year. 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. She said the local government’s vaccination program will cover almost 700,000 residents or 70% of the projected 2021 population of 992,423 inhabitants. More than 75,000 residents had been inoculated with Covid-19 vaccines the past months based on the Department of Health’s (DOH) prioritization - A1 (Medical frontliners), A2 (Senior citizens) and A3 (People with comorbidity) and recently the A4 (Frontliner personnel in essential sector). Zamboanga is one of the first cities that entered into a multilateral agreement for the purchase of vaccines through the League of Cities. More Vaccines The national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) said it will send more Covid-19 vaccines to Zamboanga City in an effort to further augment and support the local government’s response to the pandemic. Secretary Vince Dizon, the Deputy Chief Implementer of the IATF-MEID policies and his team was in Zamboanga City in May and met behind doors with the members of the Regional IATF-MEID led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the
Zamboanga City Task Force on Covid-19 chaired by Climaco. Dizon assured Climaco of the strong support of the Duterte administration to the local government’s efforts by augmenting the allocation of vaccines to swiftly inoculate at least 700,000 residents and achieve herd immunity. “Only through vaccination, people will be amply protected against coronavirus amidst the surge in infections,” he said. Thousands of senior citizens and people with comorbidity (those with more than one disease or condition at the same time) have been inoculated against Covid-19 in Zamboanga City as the local government continues its mass vaccination program despite the lack of supply of the medicine needed to prevent the further spread of the virus. Climaco has repeatedly urged residents - especially the elderly sector and those with comorbidity - to register online. She said residents who are 18-years old and above are also encouraged to register online - www.zambocovax.com or by visiting the nearest health center. Health workers, Climaco added, are also conducting house-to-house visits in different barangays to get the names of those who want to be vaccinated and include them in the vaccination master list. Dizon’s team also commended Climaco and the local Covid-19 task force, for a “job well done” in the battle against the deadly respiratory disease. He said Secretary Carlito Galvez, incharge of the government’s procurement of Covid-19 vaccines, also spoke with Climaco and assured the mayor that the DOH will send more vaccines to Zamboanga City. “I just want to confirm categorically that Secretary Galvez, our vaccine czar, spoke with Mayor Beng Climaco and committed to increase the number of vaccines to be deployed to
Zamboanga City because of the growing cases, and more so because of the importance of Zamboanga to the economy of Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).” “So committed na po yun, we will be coordinating with Mayor Beng and her team to ensure a steady flow of vaccines. We are also very happy that Mayor Beng and her team demonstrated a very efficient roll out of vaccines in the past couple of weeks despite the low supply that has been allocated. So thank you very much Mayor Beng, very clear po yong commitment ng national government sa Zamboanga City,” Dizon said. Anti-Climaco Dizon’s statement and commendation of Climaco’s Covid-19 response and her sincere effort to control the spread of the virus has left a “sour taste in the mouth” of the mayor’s foes and trolls. And they even questioned Dizon’s appreciation of the local government’s Covid-19 response efforts and spread fake news and false information on social media attacking Dizon and Climaco alike and undermining not only the local government’s efforts and the IATT-MEID as well. Processes Jay-R Candido, of the Office of the Civil Defense-Operations Center, said the Regional IATF-MEID headed by DILG Regional Director Paizal Abutazil, approves all recommendations by the Zamboanga Task Force on Covid-19 whether to place the city under stricter community quarantine or extend it. Candido said the OCD Task Force on Covid-19 headed by Regional Director Manuel Luis Ochotorena implements whatever orders or directives Regional IATF-MEID issues. He said Climaco can issue executive orders to further strengthen the Covid-19 health protocols and it does not need approval by the Regional IATF-MEID. (Zamboanga Post)
City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite inspects the fresh batch of Astrazeneca vaccines purchased by Mayor Beng Climaco. Some 11,800 doses of the vaccines have arrived in Zamboanga City. (Eugene Elnar)
4
The Zamboanga Post
July 26-Aug 1, 2021
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.
July 26-Aug 1, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
5
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo, ZCPO, Giana Andrion, and CDRRMO.
6
The Zamboanga Post
July 26-Aug 1, 2021
Across : 1. Circle part 4. Cat’s foot 7. Diamond weight 12. Coolidge’s nickname 13. Brewery product 14. Higher than 15. Mass ___ (subways,e.g.) 17. Sap 18. Calm 19. Gambling term 20. Cure-alls 24. Delicate fabric 27. Sleazier 30. Sense of self 31. Bricklayer 33. Pair 34. Underwater weapon 36. Jaunty 37. Move 40. Barbecue rod 42. Dissertation 46. Inspect ledgers 48. Hair cutter 49. Slow-moving mammal 50. Actress ___ Basinger 51. Wow! 52. Shopping frenzy 53. Skating surface 54. Dress edge
The Zamboanga Post
An Edition of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper
Maritess Fernandez
Publisher/Executive Producer
Al Jacinto
Editor-in-Chief
Graphics/Video Editor
Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master
REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star
ADVERTISING Jeng Fernandez (0917) 7930652 Zamboanga Peninsula
Answer to last week’s crossword: Down : 1. Behaves 2. Infrequent 3. Clothed 4. Italian staple 5. Foreigner 6. Moist 7. Scoundrel 8. Overseas 9. Highway shoulder 10. Greedy 11. Certain bills 16. Neck part 21. Civic group (abbr.) 22. Corp. head 23. Twilight, to a poet 24. Permit 25. Gone by 26. Hallway
Reynold Toribio
28. Albania’s cont. 29. Decay 31. Director ___ Brooks 32. Busy activity 35. Tiny 36. Pare 38. Storage spot 39. Cooking herb 40. Lip 41. Orange juice solids 43. Express relief 44. Words of understanding (2 wds.) 45. Mushroom part 47. “Back to ___ Future” 48. Snow runner
Weekly Sudoku:
Richard Suarez
(0910) 7348600 Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera sts., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
The Zamboanga Post
is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.
ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE:
3rd Floor, JLC Building, Don Alfaro St., Tetuan, Zamboanga City Phone & Fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0915) 3976197 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
Answer to last week:
CEBU CITY G/F Dreamfield bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan (0923) 1670009
Rodil P. Ybañez
DAVAO CITY Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines (082) 2841859 / (0932) 4323301 / (0997) 3172021
Marilou Cablinda
ADVERTISE WITH US IN ZAMBOANGA!
NORTH COTABATO KIDAPAWAN CITY CENTRAL MINDANAO COTABATO CITY Rhoderick Beñez (0927) 4757936
PAGADIAN CITY
Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera st., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur (0910) 7348600
Richard Suarez
DAVAO CITY OFFICE
ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA BASILAN, SULU, TAWIͳTAWI ΈBARMMΉ
Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines (082) 2841859 / (0932) 4323301 / (0997) 3172021
3rd Floor, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / (0915) 3976197 / (0917) 7930652
ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE
Jeng Fernandez
mindanaoexaminer.com
mindanaoexaminer.com mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / 0915-3976197
July 26-Aug 1, 2021
7
The Zamboanga Post
Covid info session held
Covid info sessions for Food Panda delivery crew. (Jasmine Mohammadsali) Continued from page 1 delivery riders here in preparation for the inoculation against Covid-19. Over two dozen food delivery riders from Food Panda had joined a recent virtual session conducted by the City Health Office, the Public Information and Computer Services of the City Mayor’s Office, and the Philippine Information Agency. Those under the A4 are frontline personnel in essential sectors, including food service delivery providers. The session provided information about all aspects of the vaccination program. It also answered all questions posed by the participants with regards to schedules, prioritization, possible side effects, and other vaccination concerns. The Food Panda team headed by its manager Jan Guillo expressed their gratitude to the local government for including and prioritizing food riders in the information sessions. Climaco said more information sessions are being planned to engage with other food delivery service groups and organizations here. The information drive is an ongoing support initiative which seeks to provide accurate and correct information about the vaccination program. Since early this year, the local government has con-
REKLAMO: Mistulang ‘Zombie’ o ‘Anemic’ ang palabok na ito mula sa Jollibee Plaza Pershing dahil sa kakulangan ng sauce na gawa lamang sa arina. Sinabi ng Jollibee na hindi puwedeng dagdagan ang sauce at kailangan magbayad ng karagdagan para sa sauce.
ducted dozens of online sessions with various groups, including the barangay leaders and health workers, media, religious sectors, indigenous peoples, the youth and the Sanguniang Kabataan, senior citizens, and teachers. Climaco is strongly urging the national government to include local essential workers and uniformed personnel under the A4 priority list in the mass vaccination program to protect them from the deadly respiratory disease. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) has begun inoculating those in the National Capital Region and even expanded A4 priority list to include those who work outside their homes and have high levels of interaction with the public. To help jumpstart the safe reopening of the economy, A4 vaccination will also start in areas with dense economic activity and high risk of exposure to Covid-19 such as the National Capital Region – the Metropolitan Manila area, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cebu province and Metro Davao, which includes the cities of Davao; Digos in Davao del Sur province; Tagum, Panabo and Samal in Davao del Norte province. Those who were vac-
cinated under the A4 priority list were call center employees, travel guides, tricycle drivers, household staffs, SM Supermalls personnel, representatives from the entertainment sector, drivers, teachers, government workers, fast food crew workers, food delivery riders, and news reporters from the Malacanang Press Corps. But Zamboanga City, not even Region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula in Western Mindanao was included in the A4 priority list despite the high number of Covid-19 cases. In her request to the IATFMEID, Climaco said: “Hinihiling po namin na masagawa na po ang pagbukas ng A4 priority category (sa Zamboanga).” And at the same, the mayor thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and members of the IATF-MEID for prioritizing Zamboanga City in the allocation of vaccines. Climaco said the mass vaccination in Zamboanga City continues and urged residents to register online through - zambocovax.com – or to the nearest barangay health centers. More than 75,000 residents, mostly medical frontliners and healthcare workers and those with comorbidity or other illnesses, had been inoculated so far. (Zamboanga Post, Jasmine Mohammadsali)
8
The Zamboanga Post
July 26-Aug 1, 2021
July 26-Aug 1, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
9
Founded July 2019
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (0915) 3976197
P10
July 26-Aug 1, 2021
Fight Covid, stay safe!
W
HILE THE number of Covid-19 cases is decreasing, Mayor Beng Climaco reminded locals not to be complacent as the deadly respiratory virus continues to pose grave risk to everyone, especially now that the country has recorded more patients with the Delta variants, the most contagious among all variants to date. Climaco said the active is why it is important to follow to spread here and that’s why Covid-19 cases are now over the strict health protocols by al- we are doubling our efforts to 100 from more than 2,800 ways wearing our face mask and vaccinate the people to prevent in the past months as the face shield and observe physical serious illness that needs hoslocal government continues distancing at public places,” the pitalization,” Climaco said. to impose stricter measures mayor told The Zamboanga Post “As we are thankful that to combat the spread of the in a phone interview. we are now under GCQ, we revirus in the community. She said the emergence ally need to maintain our Covid “The fight against the of the Delta variant is scar- protocols to continue lowering Covid-19 is not of the govern- ing health experts around the the cases. We need to exert more ment alone. This is a personal world because it is more viru- effort,” she said, referring to battle between staying safe lent than all known Covid-19 personal health responsibilities from getting infected with the variants at this time. “It has of each resident to help fight or virus. It is up to each and every become the dominant variant control the spread of the virus. one of us to ensure the safe- in many countries, including “Our death toll and the ty of everybody, the safety of the neighboring Indonesia and daily positive cases are not a our family members and that Malaysia and we don’t want it sign for us to relax. It is a sign
Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco
for us to continue to cooperate, to strengthen our safety measures, self-regulate and self-discipline. All our frontliners have dedicated and poured out their efforts to keep you safe. It’s about time that we cooperate,” Climaco further said. The mayor assured economic stakeholders and the business sector that the local government is doing its best to revive the economy. “We are supportive. We opened our economy, our venues for weddings and similar events. But, let us always remember to do the things that are essential,” Climaco said. Last month, the Regional Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team commended Climaco for her active role in addressing the health crisis. Manuel Luis Ochotorena, regional director of the Office of the Civil Defense, and other members of the CODE Team cited the local government’s Covid-19 response, espe-
cially the creation of the Inter-Agency Compliance Team, the Barangay Sita Task Forces and Barangay Information Officers Network which ensure compliance of health and safety protocols and community quarantine guidelines. Ochotorena described the local government’s Covid-19 initiatives as “very commendable and impressive” and complied with the PDITR strategy in fighting the spread of the deadly virus which are Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment and Reintegration. He said the CODE, which was approved in September last year by the national gov-
ernment’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on the recommendation of the Department of Health, aims to demonstrates active case finding strategies to prevent and eliminate clusters of community transmission of the virus and to provide guidance and recommendations to strengthen the implementing measures and mechanisms in fighting against the impact of pandemic while maintaining the balance between health and economy. CODE is headed by the National Task Force on Covid-19. (Zamboanga Post)
Beng happy children finally allowed outdoors I and Mayor Sara Duterte visit the wounded soldiers who survived the C-130 crash in Sulu...Milagro sa Ginoo! 16th Sunday Reflection Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6 Ephesians 2:13-18 Mark 6:30-34 JESUS MY world, my universe, I find solace and solitude for my soul, spirit and whole-being in you. You are the Divine Architect, Ruler of our Life, our Creator, our Savior! We submit to your will, our Good Shepherd, lead us! Amen. In today’s reading, a warning is given to shepherds who “mislead the flock.” The qualities of a shepherd is one who should care for the sheep and gather them and unite them into one flock. Jeremiah 23:1-6. “I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the LORD.” This week has been historically significant as Herstory was carved in the Sisterhood of Davao and Zamboanga. In the message of Mayor Inday, she pointed how I became her Big Sister, by caring for her every time we are together. Gracias a Dios for the blessing of Sisterhood. I realized that God is opening opportunities for me to be Ate or Big Sister, to a Mayor of a big City. We visited the victims of the (Sulu) C-130 plane crash. There I saw how Mayor Inday was transformed to be a Big Sister by shepherding the burnt (victims) while sitting on the bed to listen attentively to them. It is this kind of care and compassion God calls us to. To listen to stories
from survivors! “MILAGRO” sa GINOO for the mission they yet to fulfil! Jesus is our peace in the Second Reading. “In Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace.” Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who gathers us together, unites us in His Peace! “He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father!” With the Pandemic, confusing Covid Protocols, and unending work, we are asked to put our trust in Jesus. “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while!” A doctor friend of mine told me the effect on mental health the Pandemic created. He also pointed how tired we must be daily attending to our people. Jesus the Good Shepherd calls us - “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. REST in JESUS to recharge from all the responsibilities.” In the ministry of Jesus, he had compassion for the flock! “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” REST in JESUS from our labor and listen to what God will reveal. Recharged, we continue to be Good Shepherds of His Flock! Ps. 23 - “THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD there is nothing I shall want!” (MBC)
Zamboanga Peninsula
Basilan
ZAMBOANGA CITY Mayor Beng Climaco thanked the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) for finally allowing children to go outdoors after 16 months following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Following the IATF-MEID order to allow kids outdoors with certain prohibitions or limitations, Climaco issued Executive Order BC 667-2021. Based on the IATF-MEID order, children who are 1217 years old are allowed to go outdoors. But those 5-11 years old are only allowed outdoors during weekends. And all children should be under the strict supervision by their guardians to ensure that health protocols are religiously followed to protect them from Covid-19 infections. Outdoor areas refer to and limited to parks such as in Pasonanca and Abong-abong, among others; playgrounds, beaches and resorts, biking and hiking trails, outdoor tourist sites and attractions and outdoor non-contact sports courts and
Sulu
Mayor Beng Climaco welcomes children and their guardian at the Fort Pilar Shrine. (Bong Serondo) venues. However, children are not allowed in shopping malls and similar establishments, and that private outdoor areas must be compliant with the Safety Seal requirements set by the government. Children allowed in those areas outdoors must also wear face masks and face shields and so are their guardians. Climaco was also spotted at the Fort Pilar Shrine welcoming Catholic families and their children. She even spoke briefly with the kids and their guardians.
“It is nice to children again going out with their parents in public parks and we would like to thank the national government…the IATF(-MEID) for allowing kids to finally go out of their homes and it’s been a long time really for them to stay indoors. But we have to be sure that children and their guardians or parents must follow the health protocols because the Covid-19 is a very dangerous disease,” she said. (Zamboanga Post)
Tawi-tawi