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Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020
Zambo reports spike in Covid-19 cases
Z
AMBOANGA CITY reported a surge in Covid-19 cases, citing reports from health authorities blaming community transmission to the spike of the deadly respiratory disease. The national govern- erate General Community boanga and the rest of the country under MGCQ ment’s Inter-Agency Task Transmission. President Rodrigo in an effort to revive the Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases or IATF- Duterte approved the economy devastated by EID (IATF-EID) placed recommendation of the the pandemic. Zamboanga under Mod- IATF-EID in placing ZamContinue on page 3
Covid-19 contact tracing, digital na rin HINIHIKAYAT NG Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang lahat ng mga local governments (LGUs), mga establisimyento, at ang publiko
na gamitin ang pinabuting Staysafe.Ph digital contract tracing system upang mapigilan ang pagkalat ng Covid-19. Sinabi ni DILG Undersecretary at Spokesperson
Jonathan Malaya na ang Stay Safe.ph system na pinangungunahan ng pamayanan, pinagrereportan ng kalagayang pangakalusugan at nagsusulong Continue on page 2
Zambo rolls out ‘Measles Rubella - Polio” immunity drive THE LOCAL government urged parents and guardians to have their children immunized against Measles Rubella and Polio. Mayor Beng Climaco said the immunization targets children 9 months to below 5 years old. She also met last week with Continue on page 2
Mayor Beng Climaco with Dr. Ananda Amarasinghe, World Health Organization Technical Officer. (Eugene Elnar)
Mayor Beng Climaco
Tawi-Tawi’s Simunul town has new mayor THE SOUTHERN Philippine town of Simunul in Tawi-Tawi has a new mayor - Benzar Tambut after court declared him winner in the 2019 general elections following an electoral protest he filed against Mayor Wasilah
Abdurahman. Judge Grace Tillah, of the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Tawi-Tawi, also ordered Abdurahman to vacate her post. In challenging Abdurahman, Tambut claimed massive fraud, anomalies
and other irregularities in the elections and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was tapped to conduct technical examination of election documents, including official Continue on page 2
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The Zamboanga Post
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020
Tawi-Tawi’s Simunul town has new mayor
Mayor Benzar Tambut with Senator Bong Go. (Courtesy of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper) Continued from page 1 ballots which yielded to the discovery of the following – deceased persons were able to cast their votes, illiterate voters were able to sign their names in the ballots legibly and there were inconsistent thumb marks in the Book of Voters, registration records and posting of the list of voters. According to the court’s decision, Tillah invalidated over 5,000 votes of Abdurahman due to massive fraud. The Court also took reliance on the findings of
the NBI during the examination of pertinent election documents. The technical examination is one legal process allowed by law to protect the sanctity of ballots and mandate of the electorate. In this process, the NBI takes charge of the examination of documents being the only agency possessing expertise on the matter. In her six-page decision, Tillah invalidated Abdurahman’s proclamation on the ground of “massive fraud, anomalies and other irregularities” in 23 clus-
tered precincts. “The proclamation of protestee Wasilah Abdurahman is hereby held invalid, annulled and set aside on the ground of massive fraud, anomalies and other electoral irregularities in the 23 clustered precincts. Protestant Benzar Tambut is hereby declared as the legally and duly elected mayor in the municipality of Simunul being the winning candidate with the highest number of plurality of valid votes cast,” Tillah said. “Protestee Wasilah Abdurahman is hereby ordered to vacate her position and to cease and desist from further discharging the duties and functions officially vested in the office of the municipal mayor of Simunul which are now conferred in favor of protestant Benzar Tambut, who is hereby ordered to act, perform and discharge the duties and responsibilities and all incidents pertaining thereto,” she added. Municipal authorities were also ordered to enforce and implement and assist in the implementation of the court’s order. Tambut and his supporters praised the decision of the court. (Mindanao Examiner and Zamboanga Post)
Mayor Benzar Tambut with President Rodrigo Duterte. (Courtesy of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper)
Zambo rolls out ‘Measles Rubella - Polio” immunity drive Continued from page 1 Dr. Ananda Amarasinghe, World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Officer, who was here to monitor preparations of the local government for the immunization from October 26 until November 25. Amarasinghe was accompanied by Dr. Cheng Sarmiento and Marivic Arquiza, of the National Immunization Program (NIP) of the Department of Health; and City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite with Cora Pagotaisidro, NIP coordinator; and Christine Lim, City Health Office Health Education and Promotions Officer. The Department of Health said an estimated 2.4 million children under the age of 5 are susceptible to measles - one of the
most contagious diseases in the world. About 9 out of 10 people exposed to the measles virus - who are not immune - will contract the disease. It can cause highgrade fever, rashes, cough, and eye infection and can lead to complications such as pneumonia, ear infection, blindness, severe diarrhoea, and swelling of the brain. Polio, on the other hand, is a potentially debilitating disease that causes fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and can eventually lead to lifelong paralysis. There is an ongoing outbreak of polio with cases reported from Acute Flaccid Paralysis surveillance and presence of environmental samples with poliovirus. If severe enough, both diseases can ultimately lead to death.
There is no specific treatment for these illnesses. The only reliable protection is through vaccination. The nationwide Measles Rubella - Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization will be rolled out in two phases - Phase 1 from October 26 to November 25 in Mindanao Regions, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, MIMAROPA Region, and Bicol Region. Phase 2 will be conducted in February next year in Visayas Region, National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON. Children 9-59 months old will be given Measles - Rubella vaccine while 0-59 months old will be provided with oral Polio vaccine. (Zamboanga Post)
Covid-19 contact tracing, digital na rin Continued from page 1 ng social diatancing ay lalong pinagbuti ng National Task Force Covid-19 at nananatiling nag-iisang aprubadong national digital contract tracing system ng Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases. Binuo sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan ng Inter-Agency Task Force at MultiSys Technology Corporation (MultiSys), ang StaySafe app ay nagsisilbing multi-purpose tool na tumutulong sa pagpapabuti ng kalagayan ng Covid sa bansa. “Ang bago at pinagandang StaySafe app ay maaaring gamitin ng mga LGUs sa pag-access sa heat map, contact tracer enrollment at deputization, at cognitive contact tracing. Puwede din itong magamit sa mga QR Code na sinasagutan bago makapasok sa building o establisimyento,” ani Malaya. Ang naturang app ay puwedeng magamit ng mga business establishments o offices para makagawa ng kakaibang QR code at gamitin ang digital logbook system para maka-iwas sa mga maraming contract tracing forms at dokumento. “Ang paggamit ng app na ito katulad ng sistema
sa ibang bansa kagaya ng Singapore, South Korea, at China na naging positibo ang contract tracing efforts sa kanilang bansa,” dagdag ng opisyal. Sa Memorandum Circular 2020-129 ni Secretary Eduardo M. Año, hinihikayat ng DILG ang lahat ng mga LGUs, business establishments, at general public na gamitin ang sistema sa pamamagitan ng website www.staysafe.ph o pag-download ng application sa Google Play. “Habang ang ibang LGUs ay nakagawa na ng kanilang digital contact tracing system, ito ay magagamit lamang sa kanilang territorial boundaries habang ang Stay Safe ay maaaring gamitin sa buong bansa,” ayon kay Malaya. Ang pinagbuting StaySafe app ay may built-in Bluetooth signal na mayroong contact features sa ibang app users at merong area scanning feature na maging alerto sa mga katabing users na may Covidsymptons. Meron din itong QR codes na pwedeng magamit ng mga LGUs upang makapag-palabas ng public advisories at announcements. Ang GPS function ay pwede ding gamitin ng mga contact
tracers. Ilan sa mga malalaking kompanya sa bansa ang gumagamit na nitong app tulad ng SM Supermalls, Jollibee Foods Corp., Robinsons Malls, at Angkas. Siniguro din ni Malaya sa publiko na walang surveillance sa lahat ng app downloads at ito ay ginagamit lang sa monitoring ng suspected o confirmed Covid-19 patients at ang National Privacy Commission ay nasuri na ang safety features nito upang maprotektahan ang privacy ng mga tao. “Ang tanging gamit lamang ng StaySafe app ay para mapabilis at maging mas epektibo ang contract tracing efforts ng ating bansa. Kailanman ay wala pong surveillance at malayang makakagalaw ang sinumang magdownload ng app na ito maliban na lamang kung sila ay nagpositibo sa Covid-19 kung saan sila ay ilalagay sa mga isolation o health facilities para mabigyan ng karampatang atensiyong medikal,” wika ni Malaya. Sinabi nito na ang lahat ng data ay nasa kontrol ng Department of Health bilang designated personal information controller at maaaring ma-access lamang ng contact tracers. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020
Zambo reports spike in Covid-19 cases Continued from page 1 While the local government continues to control the spread of Covid-19 with active cases at more than 800, the Zamboanga Task Force against Covid-19 headed by Mayor Beng Climaco said there is also steady surge in the number of patients recovering from the respiratory disease with more than 1,500 on record and over 100 fatalities. Climaco said com-
munity transmission or the spread of the virus from person to person is the main cause of spike in Covid-19 cases due to residents’ disregard of the health protocols. And Zamboanga being the hub of travellers from Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces. She reminded residents to wear a face mask or face shield when in public places and observe physical distancing
to avoid Covid-19 infection. “Also wash hands with soap and water, or sanitize them and avoid holding your eyes, mouth and ears. Please follow our quarantine guidelines,” she said. The mayor said the local Task Force against Covid-19 is mulling stricter measures to fight coronavirus disease and among these are longer curfew hours, suspension of public and social gath-
erings and for the police to run after quarantine violators. “Nonetheless, we appeal to residents to strictly adhere to health and safety protocols to avoid sanctions. Protect yourself the best way you can. Stay home, if possible, but if you need to go out, then wear your face mask properly, wash your hands often with soap and water, or with alcohol, and stay at least one meter apart from
others.” “These are simple steps but they are very important because they protect you, your family, our community, and our city. If everyone is taking care, we can beat Covid together. Masquin quien, masquin donde, masquin cuando, tiene cuidao. Amping. Kamaya,” she said. City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite also echoed Climaco’s repeated appeals.
“With the sustained increase in Covid-19 cases, our health system in the city is challenged. “We urge everyone to take personal responsibility and do your part in managing this crisis,” Miravite said. Despite the efforts of the local government in battling the spread of the virus, political trolls continue to attack Climaco and blaming her for the spike in Covid-19 cases. (Zamboanga Post)
City Council urged to approve ‘Executive Budget’ MAYOR BENG Climaco renewed her appeals to the City Council to approve the Executive Budget 2021 amounting to P4.3 billion. In endorsing the budget, Climaco said the funds is a unique configuration of fiscal plans which assimilate all the previously identified needs of the city and the new challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. “As we struggle to embark on the Covid-19 new normal, we acknowledge that government services and the overall welfare of the people should be our primary concern, hence the social services sector comprises a majority of our fiscal plan at P2.4 billion or 56% of the entire budget,” Climaco said. The society’s patriarchs and matriarchs, who are in need of these social protection programs, now
more than ever, as well as the persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable sectors will get P26 million appropriation for the Birthday Benefits of the seniors; P1 million for the octogenarians, nonagenarians and centenarians; and P5 million for PWDs. Climaco said other social programs that were integrated in the budget are the P187 million for Largo Vida Program, which is expanded to cover not only the distribution of medicines to the senior citizens but also distribution of vitamins and supplements to the senior citizens and other vulnerable members of the communities; P65 million for Ayuda La Vida Program to provide community livelihood programs to various sectors including the night market and “ukay-ukay” stall holders.
And P50 million for the “Cuida Vida” Program or Soup Kitchen Program, which is a mobile feeding initiative to sustain the daily meals of the marginalized and most affected families of the Covid-19 pandemic; P50 million for “Salva Vida” Program, intended to provide food packs and family hygiene kits to low-income families in disadvantaged rural and urban communities; P15 million for the outreach services to 98 barangays; and P100 million for socialized housing programs. She said the health sector, on the other hand, will get the needed funding to ensure surge capacity management of the city’s health personnel and health facilities, hence, the amount of P112 million was allotted for contact tracing programs; P14.7 million additional aid to all
Flash floods damage Zambo farms THE RECENT flash floods brought about by heavy rains had destroyed over 96 hectares of farmland planted with rice, corn and high value commercial crops here and affected 104 farmers, the City Agriculturist Office reported. It said damage to crops have reached nearly P7 million. City Agriculturist Carmencita Sanchez said Vitali, Curuan and Ayala districts were most affected by the floods, adding, some 1,597 families in five barangays were displaced by flash floods - 1,102 families are in Vitali; 12 in Mangusu; 312 in Talisayan; 126 in Patalon and 45 in Labuan. Chief social worker Socorro Rojas said family food packs and hygiene kits were distributed to the affected families in temporary evacuation centers. Mayor Beng Climaco also led the distribution of food packs to the evacuees. Political trolls again blamed Climaco for the
flooding and even faulted her for the heavy rains. Last month, Climaco reminded residents, especially those who live near foothills, seaside and riverbanks, including in low-lying barangays, to take extra precautions after weather experts predicted at least 5 more tropical cyclones to enter the country before the year ends. “We need to take extra precautions and be prepared for the worst as more storms are expected until end of the year,” Climaco said after typhoon Noul (Leon) hit the country and flooded many areas, including Zamboanga City where it destroyed croplands and rice fields. It also displaced many families, especially in Barangay Talisayan and Ayala. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA said more tropical cyclones enter the country than anywhere else in the world. With an average of
20 cyclones entering the country every year, it said about 8 or 9 cross the country and that the peak of the typhoon season is July through October, when nearly 70% of all typhoons develop. The mayor ordered the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office to always be on alert and to quickly respond to emergencies, and for barangay officials to monitor the situation in their respective areas and to take appropriate actions if the situation calls for it. Climaco said PAGASA also warned of La Niña which can bring more rains in comings months. Citing a report by PAGASA, she said the country may experience higher chance of strong convective activity and tropical cyclone occurrence which may bring above normal rainfall. “Potential adverse impacts also include floods and landslide over vulnerable areas with varying magnitude,” she said, quoting the weather bureau. (Zamboanga Post)
barangays for the Covid-19 related activities of their Barangay Health Emergency Response Team; P358 million for drugs and medicines, which includes P200 million for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines; P42 million for the “Medicare Para Sa Masa” to increase PhilHealth coverage and number of sponsored members from 8,900 beneficiaries to 11,823; and P100 million for construction/rehab of hospitals and health centers; P110 million for construction of multi-purpose buildings, and P11 million for the construction of emergency quarantine facilities. Likewise, next year’s budget includes appropriation for the monthly allowance of 7,812 public school heads and teachers, and 1,878 PNP, BJMP and
BFP personnel. Moreover, Climaco said the local government will increase next year the honoraria of 460 barangay health workers, 90 barangay nutrition scholars, 350 day-care workers and 980 barangay tanod from P 2,000 to P 3,000 per month. For the economic aspect, the budget includes the P12 million funding as utility subsidy for 6,000 registered micro, small and medium enterprises; P50 million for “Siembra Vida” Program to provide training, livelihood and caravan projects and activities of the agri-fishery sector; and a total of P906 million as the city’s investments in infrastructure and developmental projects. “As evident in our plans and programs, the beneficiaries of this budget are
not limited to a privileged few. This budget, by all intents and purposes, is the budget for all the compoblanos of this city because as the mother of this city, I will always be driven by my instinct to protect and nurture my children from the economic turmoil and ill effects of this pandemic,” Climaco said, stressing that the 2021 budget encompasses all of the city’s social and health-related needs during this crisis. “It aims to feed the hungry and heal the sick, hence let us listen to the needs of our people and find it in our hearts to see that this is more than a fiscal plan– it is our roadmap to health and economic recovery from the global challenge—that is Covid-19,” she added. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos by Bong Serondo, Eugene Elnar, Carlo Ezer Camins, and Giana Andrion)
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020
The Zamboanga Post
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Zamboanga Pictures in the News
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The Zamboanga Post
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020
Across : 1. Santa’s helper 4. Recipe measures (abbr.) 8. Wound covering 12. Naught 13. ___-Hoop 14. Golfer’s goal 15. Not year-round 17. Other 18. Deface 19. Ted Kennedy, e.g. 21. Drove too fast 23. Munitions, for short 24. Curious woman of myth 26. Neck areas 31. Receive willingly 32. Ohio port 33. Large pebble 34. Underwriter 35. Speak wildly 37. Horse’s hair 38. Teeter-totters 42. Columnist___Landers 43. Iraq’s neighbor 44. Passenger plance 48. ”Mona___” 49. Original thought 50. One, in Havana 51. Hold on to 52. Koppel and Kennedy 53. Fellows
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The Zamboanga Post
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020
COVID: Consideraciones sobre “The Great Barrington Declaration” “THE GREATE Barrington Declaration” es una petición conjunta de tres epidemiólogos del máximo nivel mundial (de las universidades de Oxford, Harvard y Stanford) para que los gobiernos cambien la estrategia actual frente al Covid de confinamientos por una que aplique medidas más enfocadas a la protección de los ancianos y vulnerables, pero sin aislarlos. Y sin confinar a los sanos. No hacer nada y dejar que Covid destroce la sociedad no es una opción. Pero los confinamientos generales no son la respuesta. Las medidas especiales se centrarían en proteger a los mayores de 60 años y a todos aquellos que voluntariamente se consideren vulnerables. A esta estrategia la han llamado “Focused Protection”. Los tres epidemiólogos son: • Dr Sunetra Gupta, Professor at Oxford University, Epidemiologist, expertise in immunology, vaccine development, and mathematical modelling of infectious diseases. • Dr Jay Bhattacharya, Professor at Stanford University Medical
School, Physician, Epidemiologist, Health Economist, and Public Health policy expert focusing on infectious diseases and vulnerable populations. • Dr Mark Kulldorff, Professor of Medicine at Harvard University, Biostatistician, Epidemiologist, expertise in detecting and monitoring of infectious disease outbreaks and vaccine evaluations. Sostienen que aplicar medidas de protección especial para los mayores y vulnerables, mientras los no vulnerables desarrollan la inmunidad de grupo, supondría la mejor protección para los primeros, porque la inmunidad de grupo crea una barrera que impide que los vulnerables se contagien. El resultado de la inmunidad de grupo es que toda la comunidad queda protegida y no solo aquellos que desarrollan inmunidad. Es la mejor manera de proteger a los más débiles. Es simple y funciona. La historia lo ha demostrado. Por el contrario, los confinamientos de los sanos prolongan la pandemia y aumentan la tasa de mortalidad. Lo que propone la
Great Barrington Declaration es exactamente la estrategia que propuso el gobierno británico al inicio: ver este breve video de marzo en el que Sir Patric Vallance, Asesor Científico Jefe para el Covid del gobierno de Boris Johnson, lo explica. Según la declaración, confinar o limitar la actividad de los sanos conlleva riesgos muy superiores a los riesgos que conlleva centrarse en proteger a los mayores y vulnerables y confinar solo a los enfermos. Primero por sus efectos en el corto plazo. Porque aunque los lockdowns no provocan más muertes por Covid en el corto plazo, sí provocan más muertes por otras causas: el retraso en la atención hospitalaria a enfermos de corazón, cancer, derrames, etc., es lo que explica la diferencia entre el número de muertes en exceso por cualquier causa y el número de muertes oficiales por Covid. Segundo porque los lockdowns provocan también más muertes por Covid en el largo plazo, debido a que lo único que se consigue con los
Zambo school imposes strict health protocols in CapsLET distribution
Parents and guardians observe strict health protocols at the Catalina Vda. de Jalon Memorial School Special Education Center in Barangay Tumaga. ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Catalina Vda. de Jalon Memorial School Special Education Center has implemented a strict health protocols in the distribution of Capsulized Self-Learning Empowerment Toolkit or CapsLET as part of its safety measures amid the coronavirus pandemic. At the school’s entrance, parents or guardians who are claiming the CapsLET must wear face mask or face shield and would have to step on a footbath and sanitize their hands with alcohol or wash with soap and
water before undergoing body temperature checks. They are also required to fill out the assessment form indicating their status, the grade level and section of their student. While inside the school campus, parents or guardians are told to observe physical distancing and strictly observe one-way traffic at the entrance and exit of the school. The school has assured parents and guardians that it is strictly following all health protocols set by the Department of Health and the local Task Force on Covid-19 to en-
sure the safety of everybody during the distribution of the CapsLET which started on October 2. Barangay officials in Tumaga are also assisting in the implementation of health protocols and distribution of CapsLET. School officials and teachers have appealed to parents and guardians for support at this difficult time, saying, there will be many challenges they all have to face together under the new normal, but that they are committed in doing everything to keep everybody safe. (Evangeline San Juan)
lockdowns es retrasar el problema, ganar tiempo para que no se colapse el sistema sanitario (si éste, al inicio de la pandemia, no tenía la dimensión adecuada), o para que se desarrolle una vacuna (si ésta se puede desarrollar rápidamente); pero si este “ganar tiempo” se prolonga excesivamente, se retrasa el momento en el que se alcanza la inmunidad de grupo, que es la principal protección para los vulnerables. Así, los lockdowns no permiten que se cree rápidamente la barrera de la inmunidad de grupo que protege a los vulnerables, lo que los deja expuestos al virus durante más meses. Además, los con-
finamientos indiscriminados también tienen efectos colaterales muy perjudiciales a largo plazo en términos de exceso de muertes por otras causas, debido a la crisis económica que genera en los países desarrollados, y a la pobreza, el hambre y la falta de vacunación de los niños en los países menos desarrollados. Como co-firmantes de la declaración aparecen 36 importantes científicos. Proponen a todos los especialistas del mundo, pero también a los ciudadanos, firmar la declaración en señal de apoyo. En la portada de la declaración aparece el número de firmantes en cada momento clasificados en tres categorías: (1)
Científicos especialistas en sanidad pública; (2) Médicos en activo, y (3) Público en general. También es contraria al lockdown la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Ver las palabras del Delegado Especial de la OMS para el Covid, Dr David Nabarro, sobre la declaración de Great Barrington y los confinamientos. Las dos frases más importantes de sus palabras son: “We really do appeal to all world leaders: stop using lockdown as your primary control method. Lockdowns have one consequence that you must never belittle: and that is making poor people an awful lot poorer.” (Jose Gefaell)
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The Zamboanga Post
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020
The Zamboanga Post
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Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020
Beng signs Anti-Discrimination Ordinance
M
AYOR BENG Climaco signed into law the comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Ordinance that protects and enhances the right of the people to human dignity, reduces social, economic and political inequalities, and removes cultural inequities. In signing the ordi- and the elderly, children, gion, national or social ornance, Climaco declared youth, people living with igin, culture and ethnicity, that it is, therefore, imper- Human Immunodeficien- property, birth or age, disative to address and end cy Virus, women, lesbians, ability and health status, all forms of discrimina- gays, bisexuals, transgen- creed and ideological betion, “in so doing, the City der, people with different liefs, and physical appearadheres to the basic prin- religious beliefs and affil- ance to be free from any ciples of human rights, iation and the indigenous form of discrimination. equality, equity, and equal peoples, among others. Violators of the ordiaccess to resources and Under the ordinance, nance shall be fined with to development as so de- Zamboanga strongly rec- P5,000 or an imprisonclared under the Consti- ognizes the fundamental ment of one year or both tution.” right of every human be- at the discretion of the Ordinance 543 aims to ing regardless of race, col- court. In addition, the ofcurtail discrimination in or, civil and social status, fender shall be required to all facets of life in Zambo- sex, sexual orientation, undergo a mandatory ananga, be they persons with gender identity, gender ex- ti-discrimination seminar. disability, senior citizens pressions, language, reli- (Zamboanga Post)
Mayor Beng Climaco signs into the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance.(Vic Larato)
SUNDAY REFLECTION by Mayor Beng Climaco
Mayor Beng Climaco with First Gentleman Trifonio “TP” Salazar. 29th Sunday- Mission Sunday “Here am I Lord, send me! Grant that we may always conform our will to yours and serve you with sincerity!” These form part of prayers in today’s Eucharistic celebration! Speaking of celebration, we thank God for TP’s life as he celebrates his birthday and yesterday our youngest granddaughter whom we fondly call “Ponyang”- Nadine Dominique. She is two years old and her Lolo seven times and two years older. Be-
cause of the pandemic, she has learned to talk to WOWO and say I wove you through Viber. In their greetings, the little ones know about Covid 19 virus and why we need to keep apart. Their pictures printed to signify their love for Lolo in a most different birthday celebration which the world adjusts - no face to face meeting and no eating together. The first reading Isaiah 46: 4 “My chosen one, I have called you by your name and given you your mission!” Today is mission Sun-
Zamboanga Peninsula
day. As a child, I used to put in a ten peso bill my dad assigned me to give to Fr. Max Rodriguez, CMF, for the Alay Kapwa funds to help people in mission areas. Since Saturday dawn, we have been monitoring the rains and floods, first in Curuan and Vitali and early today at Talisayan, Patalon and Labuan. With the hardwork of our security forces - MBLT11, 74th IB, TFZ, PNP, PCG, BFP and our teams from ZCDRRMO, CSWDO, CEO, Barangay and SP members, the response to flooding and landslides poured
Basilan
in as rain and water rose. Having earlier plans, we responded to the urgency as a priority. In Patalon, I assured our people of help on the way and despite of their situation, they greeted me with gratitude and smiles. We gave masks and proceeded back to Talisayan. It was after our mission to affected areas that we were able to attend the noon mass. Our mission is to serve God and do His will. I am thankful that God has answered my prayer with a partner in His mission. As we thanked God in mass with thoughts about the pandemic lifted to God and prayers for healing and help also for the women and men in the frontline of disaster who were wet and perhaps hungry while doing their mission to serve the Muslim, Lumad and Christian Zamboangueños. After a late lunch, the twins, our grandsons Tres and Quatro, named after Trifonio, was on the phone. They said their prayers and proudly told us they had the block rosary and prayed.
Sulu
We have all been separated because of the pandemic and the little ones want to go to Zamboanga and plans of seeing each other for Christmas. We lift all to God. I watched the wonderful movie Fatima 2020 version. Very moving with the message of three shepherd children Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia telling the world to pray the rosary to Mary our mother. We pray for reparation of sins to Jesus and Mary and for conversion. I was around 11 years old when my dad made me read the story of Fatima. This has strengthened my faith as a little girl. And today as a wife and Lola,
we never cease on bended knees to invoke Mary’s intercession as a family. I am also thankful for the negative swab test of a Mom because of Mama Mary’s powerful help, she can sleep soundly with the children. Another Mother requested longer curfew and Sunday lockdown as a way to protect Zamboanga and the children. I make an appeal to be responsible, wear mask, face shield and observe health protocols for the love of our children in this crucial period of increased Covid cases. We adhere to safety measures. Tiene Cuidao!
Mayor Beng Climaco speaks to an elderly couple at an evacuation site.(Bong Serondo)
Tawi-tawi