Philippine Muslim Today by Philippine Muslim Today

The Class of 2020

Why Philippine Muslim Today?

Do not take fatigue for granted

Mysterious consistent bypass

Influx of settlers increases the Covid-19 victims

Mehol K. Sadain | Page A4

Amanoding B. Esmail | Page A4

Benj Bangahan | Page A5

Ali G. Macabalang | Page A6

Abdul Hannan Tago | Page A6

Bearer of Glad Tidings | 10 Pages | Metro Manila

Vol. I, No. 06 | July 24-30, 2020 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 3-9, 1441)

Over 800-K kids in BARMM eyed in anti-polio vaccine By ALI G. MACABALANG Chief of Correspondents

he BARMM’s Ministry of Health (MoH) launched on July 20 until August 2 its regional version of the ‘Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio’ to immunize at least 839,677 children in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and TawiTawi, the Bangsamoro government’s Bureau of Public Information (BPI) said in a statement. Polio or poliomyelitis is highly infectious, affects the spinal cord, causes muscle weakness and paralysis, and can be fatal. It is caused by the poliovirus that spreads from person to person. It is incurable but can be prevented through vaccination, according to health authorities. (Full story on Page A2)

Inside

Building of Muslim cemetery, cultural hall in Manila start

onstruction works for a Muslim cemetery and cultural hall in Manila formally started on Wednesday, July 22, the National

Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) proudly announced on the same day. (Full story on Page A3)

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Damagoso and NCMF Sec. Saidamen Balt Pangarungan engaged in a huddle

News

Over 800K kids in BARMM eyed in anti-polio vaccination

Vol. I, No. 06 | July 24-30, 2020 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 3-9, 1441)

Multi-sectors’ aids for NCMF in COVID-19 pandemic cited

By ALI G. MACABALANG Chief Correspondents

OTABATO CITY – In time with their hectic strides in the COVID-19 pandemic, health workers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) also give impetus to immunizing constituent-children from the polio disease. The BARMM’s Ministry of Health (MoH) launched on July 20 until August 2 its regional version of the ‘Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio’ to immunize at least 839,677 children in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, the Bangsamoro government’s Bureau of Public Information (BPI) said in a statement. Polio or poliomyelitis is highly infectious, affects the spinal cord, causes muscle weakness and paralysis, and can be fatal. It is caused by the poliovirus that spreads from person to person. It is

But the revitalized immunization activities, which saw civilian, police and military volunteers conducting vaccinations even on checkpoints, had been suspended last March due to the sudden emergence of the COVID-19 virus in many nations across the globe. In the revival launch of the anti-polio immunization, community-based public health practitioners will strictly observe health and safety measures prescribed in the global COVID-19 campaign protocols, BARMM officials said. While wearing Personal

many health risks while facing health crisis,” Dipatuan was quoted as saying at the kickoff ceremony. At the ceremony, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim urged the regional populace to cooperate in the conduct of the renewed program. “Inaanyayahan po namin ang lahat na makiisa sa programa na inihanda laban sa polio. We assure that the region’s overall health care is protected and competent,” Ebrahim said in a message read for him by his Assistant Executive Secretary Abdullah “Dong” Cusain.

ANTI-POLIO IN BARMM: The Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) leads the Department of Health’s (DOH) synchronized polio vaccination campaign dubbed, ‘Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio’ in Cotabato City. (BPI-ARMM Contributed Photo) incurable but can be prevented through vaccination, according to health authorities. The MoH is bidding to “ensure that no child in the BARMM will be left unvaccinated against poliovirus,” the BPI cited Health Minister Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan as saying at the kickoff ceremony here on July 20. It seeks to cover at least 839,677 children across BARMM in the anti-polio drive until Aug. 2, the BPI said. The national government through the Department of Health (DoH) revitalized the anti-polio immunization drive following the death of a threeyear old girl in Lanao del Sur on Sept. 14, 2019 in what was deemed as the first polio case since its eradication in the country 19 years ago.

Protective Equipment (PPE) suits, vaccinators would also observe a ‘No Touch Approach’ wherein only the parent or caretaker can hold the child’s face/mouth and finger, Dr. Dipatuan said. He said the MoH has assigned a number of anti-polio vaccinators apart from health workers already on duty in the COVID-19 wards or quarantine centers in the region. The vaccinators were provided proper orientation on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) alongside PPEs and alcohol-based hand rubs for the conduct of the revived anti -polio campaign, Dr. Dipatuan said. “We are doing this campaign for the sake of our children in BARMM, we cannot allow them to be exposed to

World Health Organization (WHO) representative in the Philippines, Dr. Rabindra Abeyasing, committed support for the campaign via video message during the ceremony. “Polio remains a key priority area of WHO. We are fully committed to seeing the control of outbreak in the Philippines. We urge our partners especially the ministries to go together and respond to the outbreak,” Abeyasinghe said. UNICEF-Mindanao Chief Andrew Morris, for his part, said: “We are here to support the ministry (MOH) through social mobilization; checking the municipalities if the facilities are ready.” “We will look for coverage and missed (unvaccinated) children and inform the health

he National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), despite lack of funds for emergency relief strides, has actively played role in the government efforts to serve millions of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, courtesy of the assistance of national officials alongside office personnel and private entities. NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan has particularly mentioned Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, the officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Samaritans from with his agency and the private sector in the success of the fundstrapped relief operations. “There are estimate 11 Muslim Filipinos across the country. More or less four million of them are concentrated in the BARM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), while the rest are scattered in different parts of our nation. Responding to these Muslim Filipinos in the respective locations is already a challenge that we were able to meet due to supports from the outside,” Sec. Pangarungan said in a recent documentary video. The documentary was produced by an Inquirer.net team that interviewed the NCMF official amid perceived hardship in reaching out to Muslim Filipinos outside the BARMM. Pangarungan did not mention the type of consistent assistance his agency has been receiving from Sen. Go, saying that such support has made the difference for the NCMF to effectively serve

some if not most of seven clients now scattered in all other regions of the country. He said some of his agency’s affluent personnel in the central and field offices donated funds in the early operation of the NCMF Bayanihan Program. Wide reportage of the NCMF field relief operations had gradually enticed other private individuals, including even non-Muslims and some movie personalities, to donate cash assistance and in kind, Pangarungan said. He said the NCMF while providing limited volume of relief goods has also been able to secure the release of Islamic clerics held for verification by law enforcers in some cities of the country, and help shuttle students stranded in their campus locations and those transient from Arabic studies abroad. He said the formation of Muslim consultative councils in some urban centers has also contributed well in the smooth coordination for the homecoming of stranded Muslims. In an earlier phone interview with the Philippine Muslim Today, the NCMF chief had also acknowledged the separate relief operations of the BARMM governance and some of its parliament members in serving Muslims living outside the autonomous region. Generally, the NCMF gained success in extending extra efforts for COVID-19affected Muslim Filipinos, owing to its constant coordination with concerned government entities and the donations of private individuals, he said. ALI G. MACABALANG

units. It’s a very large support from UNICEF because of the seriousness of the issue. We’re here to help the ministry achieve success,” he added. The ceremony was also attended by Cabinet Secretary Asnin Pendatun, and representatives from the

Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), World Health Officer Julie Villadolid, Rotary Club of Cotabato City South President Sadic Batua, members of the Bangsamoro IATF on Covid-19, representatives from Mindanao Humanitarian Team, and other stakeholders. (AGM)

News

Vol. I, No. 06 | July 24-30, 2020 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 3-9, 1441)

ICRC helps preserve dignity of Muslim deaths in COVID-19

Building of Muslim cemetery, cultural hall in Manila start T By ALI G. MACABALANG Chief of Correspondents

onstruction works for a Muslim cemetery and cultural hall in Manila formally started on Wednesday, July 22, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) proudly announced on the same day.

MUSLIM CEMETERY AND CULTURAL HALL. Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Damagoso and NCMF Sec. Saidamen Balt Pangarungan engaged in a huddle at the sidelight of the groundbreaking rite for a Muslim cemetery and cultural hall in Manila’s San Andres District on Wednesday, July 22. (NCMF photo) The groundbreaking ceremony was jointly led by NCMF Secretary Saidamen B. Pangarungan and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Damagosoat the Manila South Cemetery located at South Avenue, San Andres district, agency spokesperson Jun Alonto-Datu Ramos said in an online statement. The establishment of a Muslim cemetery alongside a cultural convergence hall was conceived early this year when a team from the NCMFNational Capital Region paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Moreno early this year, and proposed a number of ventures for the welfare of Muslim residents in the premier city. One of the proposals was for the formation of Muslim Consultative Council (MCC) in Manila. The MCC, which aims to coordinate efforts for resident Muslims’ welfare and

concerns, was eventually organized with the guidance of Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, for Manila, and Sec. Pangarungan and his regional workforce, for the NCMF. Datu Ramos, Director of the NCMF’s Bureau of External Affairs, said the establishment of Muslim cemetery coupled with a cultural hall would entail P49.3-milliion from the treasury of the premier city government. The cemetery covers 2,400 square meters enough to accommodate 378 tombs or graves and a mosque, he said. At the groundbreaking rite, Mayor Moreno pointed out the need to “preserve the Muslim Filipino culture in Manila for its historical significance to the city’s existence.” The popular mayor believed that promoting Muslim culture is essential in fostering

cohesion in Manila, and national unity across the country, it was learned. For his part, Sec. Pangarungan delivered a ceremonial message underscoring the essence of the twin projects and acknowledging the Manila City government leadership’s stance in giving priority to the p0light of Muslim residents. “He (Pangarungan) reminded everyone that this (undertaking) is a collective effort of the NCMF and the Manila City LGU, and (its) success is guaranteed only with everyone's support,” Datu Ramos said. Also present at Wednesday’s ceremony were Vice Mayor Lacuna, and NCMF Chief-of-Staff Nikkolai Saidamen, and Acting BPCR Director Cosanie Derogongan, among other local dignitaries. (AGM)

he question whether there is really an ‘Arsh’ of Allah or not cropped up recently on social media discussions among students of the Islam religion especially new Maranao so-called Ulama. These students, many of whom have studied in some Islamic schools of thought abroad, even went to the extent of challenging one another in a debate. The disagreement lies on whether Allah sits over, above or which part of His Throne — whcih it seems some consider its limited literal meaning than as a relative term. The Arabic term “Arsh” means “Throne” in English. According to studies, It has been mentioned in the Quran four times (Yusuf:100 and Nahl:23, 38, 42). It is also said that Allah’s “Arsh” has been mentioned in the Quran 21 times. But to understand the issue, it has to be borne in mind that the Qur’anic verses are more metaphorical than literal and the mean-

HE International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), alongside its various activities, helps preserves the dignity of the dead, especially among the Muslim community, amid brewing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In its summary report covering June 2020 to date entitled “Philippines – ICRC Operational Update,” the humanitarian agency through its Webinar online web is promoting “religious burials of Muslim individuals during COVID-19 times from the perspective of forensic science and Islam,” Allison Lopez of the ICRC communications group said. The thrust, she said, is coordinated with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Institute of Islamic Studies of University of the Philippines. In a recent joint convergence, Lopez said 65 participants, including health and other BARMM government officials, scholars, religious leaders and humanitarian workers, shared their insights and made recommendations to ensure the dignity of the dead and their families, in full respect of health guidance and religious rites. Global health authorities normally prescribe for the cremation of the bodies of fatalities in the COVID-19 pandemic to see to it there would be no transmission from corpses. But representations from the Islamic community have caused exemption of Muslims in the global process, pointing out the essence of burial rites prescribed in Islam. Since last June, the update report said, the ICRC has donated 300 body bags (140 Region 10 and 160 in Region 11) that were designed to ensure no leakage from buried Muslim bodies.

The ICRC also continued to support national authorities, health-care facilities, places of detention and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, it resumed activities focusing on protection and assistance activities in the conflictaffected areas of the country that had been slowed down during the first few months of the outbreak, the report said. “While closely following humanitarian concerns in detention facilities and the ICRC -supported COVID-19 isolation centers attached to them, we continued to provide technical and policy support to authorities at the national and sub-national level(s),” it added. In Mindanao, the ICRC conducted field visits to conflict-affected areas to monitor respect for or proper observance of the international humanitarian law (IHL) by the parties to the armed conflicts and to assess humanitarian needs of affected populations, including children, families of the missing, those with conflict-related physical disabilities, and IDPs, the report added. In Mindanao and in the National Capital Region, the ICRC provided material support, training and expert advice to support the work of the key health facilities, Red Cross and medico-legal departments. The ICRC also engaged with weapon bearers, local authorities, religious and academic experts, media and civil society, to discuss its humanitarian activities and to increase the understanding and respect for IHL in the Philippines. Details about the report are provided in the agency’s website: www.icrc.org. AGM

ing varies accordingly. Only scholars therefore with high level of understanding in the subject can authoritatively discuss it. But COVID-19 needs urgent solution While we understand that religious discussions are important in our lives, the COVID-19 is an urgent problem nowadays that needs urgent solution. It has affected humanity with global impact. Due to the coronavirus disease, lives are uselessly lost wealth wasted. It is of the best interest of all that, meanwhile, we, especially the local Ulama, shelved our differrences on other issues. Instead, we discuss concretely and objectively without grandstanding the coronavirus-19, with a hope to contribute in finding cure to the pandemic disease. (This article is a repost of the article of Masiding Noor Yahya entitled, “Argument on the ‘Arsh’ of Allah untimely these days” published by Ranao Star Philippines)

Debate on the ‘Arsh’ of Allah untimely these days

Opinion

Vol. I, No. 06 | July 24-30, 2020 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 3-9, 1441)

They lift my heart

Ijtihad

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

MEHOL K. SADAIN

The Class of 2020

chool graduates are known by their class batches. This year’s class, however, will be known by its uniqueness. The Class of 2020 is the only class to have graduated in the midst of a global pandemic that has changed people’s lifestyles across nations. This batch, whether they are graduates from elementary, secondary or tertiary levels of education, will transition in a unique manner, from completion of their academic requirements to their online graduation, and to the attainment of a new stage in their mundane lives. It will seem difficult as all sudden transitions are, but when you look closely, it is actually a transition that simplifies what we have complicated in the past. The graduates this year did not get to be fully evaluated according to numerical or alphabetical grades, where one is either higher or lower than others, and honors are conferred on that basis. Instead, they were evaluated according to the knowledge their teachers felt was successfully transferred to them, which is simpler and more facilitative than before. Graduations this year are mostly online, and shorn of the usual group fanfares which tend to be loud and expensive, but scarcely ensure a bright future for the graduates. There is no need for huge auditoriums, long marches to Verdi’s Aida’s grand march and the individual conferment of rolled blank papers fastened with red ribbons. There is no dressing up for the occasion; there is only a dressing up of the mind for the real celebration of knowledge acquisition. The transition to a new stage in life is the most trying because this time many of our life’s luxuries have been snatched away, our mobility has been severely impaired and social gatherings are prohibited. Those who graduate to another educational level will have to get used to online classes from laptops and other gadgets. Those who graduate to become professionals will compete for lesser jobs, and work in the constant shadow of covid19. There will also be fewer opportunities abroad, due to travel restrictions and the global spread of the disease. The challenge to our present graduates, therefore, is one that will make sense of this pandemic and how it has affected them. It is actually a challenge that faces all of us, but the graduates of 2020 have to confront them with more urgency and resolve. To my mind, the key is to IJTIHAD | A6

Eid Mubarak! Happy Eid’l Adha!

Why Philippine Muslim Today By AMANODING B. ESMAIL, CPA, MPA President Philippine Association of Islamic Accountants an anyone tell us why the Moro needs ‘Philippine Muslim Today’?

Philippine Muslim Today (“PMT” for brevity) has a philosophy of reporting the voice for the voiceless. Don’t you feel that sometimes our mainstream media is ignoring the marginalized group especially the Moro? How could the Moro world build future if we can’t have a strong voice for the voiceless? Under the prevailing circumstances, the only voice that has the strength to challenge the status quo and say, ’hey, there is something wrong, please fix it,’ is the Philippine Muslim Today. Founders of PMT are journalists who have preferred a path materially un-rewarding that many of us have shunned in favor of lucrative professions. If they choose this profession, they choose it for a mission, to be committed to the audience, to truth and to allow space for transformation to be correct and right. PMT is on the foremost power of creating democracy and freedom of expression in the Moro world. The public out there think of Philippine Muslim Today as their own. But, right, it’s their own, for it is founded because of them. But as we ago along the path of uncertainty, we’ll be traversing roadblocks intrinsic to the nature of society we’re living in. of which people with sarcasm are smiling behind expecting us to fail or face troubles. Certainly we will face trouble. But we will continue. So what? Let us face the troubles if it’s for the common good.

INTERIM BOARD OF EDITORS: TEMPORARY BUSINESS OFFICES: Lot1, Blk1, Vizcarra Compound, Molino 3, Bacoor City 4102 Cavite Province Phone: 09152184388| 09778430218 Email: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com Http://www.philmuslimtoday.wordpress.com

Guest Editorial

Dean Masiding Noor Yahya Interim Chairman, Publisher & Editor-In-Chief Ambassador Macabangkit Lanto Commissioner Nasser A. Marohomsalic Julmunir I. Jannaral, J.D. Benj Bangahan, M.D. Abdul Hannan Tago, PhD. Johnny R. Lee, PhD Ali G. Macabalang Allan Afdal Nawal

“

These young souls had lifted my spirit for showing to me a passion, young as they were, to right the wrong in our way of communication to express our sentiments and aspirations as a people. ometimes in August of 2018, I lectured about ‘news writing’ to some 150 students and teachers who were attending a two-day training-workshop on campus journalism at the social hall of Lanao del Sur new provincial capitol complex. The activity was conducted by the schools division of Marawi City headed by a competent educator, Madam Pharida L. Sansarona. I vouched for the competence of the division superintendent because she was the first division’s head to officially conduct the first formal training and workshop on campus journalism in Lanao del Sur where I have attended. The then Lanao del Sur-IB division before it merged with Lanao del Sur-IA was under Sansarona's watch as schools division superintendent when teachers were given actual hands-on training and workshops on campus journalism. Other divisions followed. And why late? Maybe, it was because, prior to Ranao Star, there was no professional media organization in the locality to take the cudgel. Now thanks to Ranao Star Philippines. The young learners indeed have lifted my spirit. It was not how they grammatically expressed themselves or unfailingly followed rules on the writing. No, Sir, nothing of sort can describe as such any of their workshop output which I required of them. In fact, I guess they have to burn more eyebrows to at least know the complexities of both the English and Filipino grammar and composition. In that respect, schools not only in the city of Marawi but throughout the province of Lanao del Sur should enhance teaching their students a comprehensive module on Basic Writing to at least learn the right usage of words or the agreement of the subject and predicate as well as learn more vocabularies. What enlightened my heart is to see how eager they are to learn the art of writing, and for one reason, as they told me, to help tell true tales instead of propagating deceiving stories such as what they see in social media which are sowing fears and confusions or puzzlements among the Maranaos. These teenagers know that deception is a crime and a sin punishable in this world and in the hereafter. YAHYA | A8

INTERIM EDITORIAL STAFF JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Acting Managing Editor & Metro Manila News Bureau Chief ALI G. MACABALANG Acting News Editor & Chief of Reporters KIM BAGUNDANG Acting Bangsamoro Region Bureau Chief ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Acting Lanao Provinces Bureau Chief MARK EDRIEL “TWISTER” ORTIL Cartoonist FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Acting Advertising Sales Director

SAID AHMAD BASHER Religious Affairs Adviser FILEMON G. ROMERO In Charge of Environment and Conservation JOHNNY R. LEE In Charge of Tourism & Photography COLUMNISTS: MEHOL K. SADAIN MACABANGKIT B. LANTO BENJ BANGAHAN JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL ALI G. MACABALANG

Opinion

My twocents Rx BENJ S. BANGAHAN, M.D., FPCP, FPCCP

racticing physicians have the common observation that fatigue is one feeling that is frequently taken for granted by laymen, especially the busy ones. But this complaint, though ostensibly non-scaring during the initial manifestation, needs to be given importance, for it may after all warrant the help of a physician who is more attuned to the possibilities that the symptom, especially the bothering one, can translate into. The fatigue that we are referring to is not the one that a heavy worker or laborer complains of after having been assigned to a difficult and heavy work during the day, for more often this fatigue by itself disappears after a day or two. We are

more concerned with the one that, for no apparent physiologic reason, just becomes a bothering feeling to be complained of, especially after it has unnecessarily continuously become a vague symptom for more than two weeks without the patient being able to make a sense of its cause. The vagueness perceived by the patient, not infrequently, makes him describe it to his physician in a way that is subjective clinically, perhaps even creating some confusion to the physician. Sometimes fatigue is described as a sense of not being well, or a feeling of weakness, or even lethargy, which is a condition characterized by becoming easily drowsy.

Vol. I, No. 06 | July 24-30, 2020 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 3-9, 1441)

Do not take fatigue for granted At other times it may be described as lassitude, which points to weariness. So many subjective descriptions of the patient are apt to challenge the doctor in his diagnostic riddle. He therefore has to make a thorough physical examination. With such confusing complaints subjectively narrated by a patient, a doctor must be astute enough to ask more questions that might make the patient remember and which can make diagnosing easier. Episodes of fever and frequent perspiration at night time is a sign of a hard-to-detect infection, and if the subtle symptoms have been occurring for more than six months, the doctor might be led into considering “chronic fatigue syndrome”, usually attributable to a form of long-standing infec-

tion. History of drug use that the patient might have been into can be the cause of fatigue, as exemplified by some beta blockers used for hypertension and some drugs used for allergies. And pres-

ently doctors have accepted the fact there are nonorganic causes of fatigue, anxiety and depression being the most associated with it. Alcoholism is an accepted cause of fatigue. Weakness may point to a neurologic disease, which may manifest other signs recognized only by an inquisitive doctor during the process of physical examination. Fine trembling of the

Citizen ID but on my prescription issued by my Endocrinologist at Manila Doctor's Hospital, Dr. Jowett Jardine M. Golangco that was dated right on Valentine's Day on February 14, 2020. Nevertheless, I was not able to renew the said prescription since beginning March 12, 2020 due to this Covid-19 pandemic, I observed the health protocol of "Stay At Home" and only on Wednesday, July 23, 2020 I set foot again in Metro Manila to meet my long time friends who are Father and Son tandem who tendered a sumptuous dinner at a restaurant inside the Venice Grand Canal Mall at McKinley Hill in Bonifacio Global, Taguig City. Anyway going back to the Mercury Drug lapses, a member of my household in charge of buying essentials for me like medicines was not able to buy because she met the Pharmacist Assistant Katherine Nakila of Mercury Drug Molino 2 who is so rude or "Masungit" to Customers especially Senior Citizens or those who are lined up in the counter reserved for the Seniors. Katy as her first name engraved on her nameplate did not honor my doctor's prescription although it was explained to her the non-renewal

was due to my failure to see my doctor when Manila was at first under ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) then followed by GCQ (General Community Quarantine). It was good enough Branch Manager Connie Cadudu-an called me by Cellphone the following day where she apologized for the lapses of her Staff. Then thanks to her she allowed us to buy my much needed Insulin even in the absence of renewed prescription. But for more or less 5 years now I have been using the same type of Insulin though I have transferred from one Endocrinologist to another. Somehow my decision is final that my demand is for this rude Pharmacist Assistant KATHERINE NAKILA to be transferred to another Mercury Drug branch. For her conduct unbecoming of a Pharmacist, I want her to take the dose of her own medicine. But I just don't know if Mercury Drug sells a drug or medicine with a tablet or capsule or any liquid formula that can cure an unruly behavior like this Katy. But before I end this column I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Owner and President of Mercury Drug Corporation, Ms. Vivian Que-Ancona, who is

fingers means a disease of the thyroid, a finding of increased pressure of a venous blood vessel can spell congestive heart failure, and noise from the lungs heard through the stethoscope can mean an obstructive lung disease. The doctor has to be meticulous with his process of physical examination. A thorough discovery of historical data and well-done physical examination may narrow down the suspected diseases, but that is not enough to pinpoint the actual culprit -- the doctor has to resort to the ancillary laboratory examinations, which may be able to indicate exactly the disease and its location, which can be any part of the human anatomy. It really pays to have a sense of caution and prevention, for it is way of helping the All-Merciful Allah in His taking care of our very own selves. MAASALĀMA.

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi

Mercury Drug does not condone lapses of erring employees hen one is already a dual citizen being a Senior Citizen aside from being a Filipino Citizen, chances are drug stores are nowadays visited most often by anybody who has reached the age of maturity already. That is many Senior Citizens can be seen queuing at the counter of drug stores to buy maintenance medicines. Actually the topic of my column for this week is about the lapses of the Mercury Drug as a leading drugstore from "Batanes To Tawi-Tawi." This is not a commercial and this column is not in any way endorsing Mercury Drug but I want to share my readers that as a Senior Citizen I had indirectly or directly affected by the misdemeanor or lapses of the Pharmacist of Mercury Drug situated near my place here at Molino 2 at Blk 6 L192 Nat’l Rd. cor. Horse Shoe Drive, Bacoor City, 4102 Cavite. I sent a member of my household to buy for me a Lantus Solo Star Insulin but my Senior Citizen ID Card that was Issued by the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) of City of Manila was not honored and that would have entitled me to a discount of 20 percent. Actually the problem per se does not lie on the Senior

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL also a Pharmacist by profession and the eldest daughter of Mercury Drug Founder, Mr. Mariano Que who organized Mercury Drug from a small drug store in 1940 to what is now a vast chain of drug stores as I have said with thousands of branches spread all over from "Batanes To Tawi-Tawi" and employing some 15,000 employees. In a nutshell, Ms. Azcona without much delay advised her Customer Service to answer my email complaint dated July 19, 2020 the following morning. This is the excerpt of the letter: "We are writing regarding your recent experience at our store. We take great care to ensure that our customers are happy with our service and we regret that there had been a lapse in our service. We understand how you feel. Please expect a call from us about this." Yes the Customer Service is true to their words wherein

on Thursday while I was riding a rented car to NAMRIA in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City a female voice at the end of the line called me up and identified her name as Jo from the Customer Service at the head office of Mercury Drug Corporation and to apologize to me of the bad experience of the member of my household sent in an errand to buy my essentials at the Mercury Drug Molino 2 in Bacoor City, Cavite. I told Jo thank you that Mercury Drug does not condone the wrongdoing or lapses of their employees. But my decision has remained steadfast and that the erring Mercury Drug employee, Ms. KATHERINE NAKILA has to swallow the dose of her medicine and I politely asked her Branch Manager CONNIE CADUDU-AN to transfer her without further delay to any other branch and if only Tawi-Tawi has a branch, I would love her to be assigned there ASAP! (JIJ)

News

Vol. I, No. 06 | July 24-30, 2020 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 3-9, 1441)

Mysterious consistent bypass

Punchline

ALI G. MACABALANG

HE five straight bypasses on popular nominations of Court of Appeals Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao in his highly endorsed bid for appointment in the Supreme Court have left lingering questions that only God knows and the people of the Palace led by the President can answer. Since 2016 16, Justice Dimaampao has topped the Judicial Bar Council’s (JBC’s) roster of nominees to SC. And in his latest bid for appointment, he remained the top nominee the JBC even as he set a record of being the No. 1 choice, too, of 14 sitting SC magistrates, 11 of whose votes he garnered. Observers from the Muslim, Christian and IP sectors have expressed preference for Dimaampao, citing his colorful records in legal practices. Of the five unsuccessful

bids, Dimaampao’s latest bid was the most confusing one because I had the chance to trade words with Palace spokesman Harry Roque about it. I talked over the phone with Secretary Roque on June 8 for two reasons – one for my proposal for possible revival of Palace accommodation of media representative from Mindanao in its weekly press briefing, and another about my inquiry on the consistent nomination of Dimaampao. On the inquiry, Sec. Roque mentioned twice the word “confirmed” in regards to reported appointment of the Maranao dignitary by the President. But he pointed out that he would make the “official announcement” as soon as he got hold of a copy of the appointment. Everybody was surprised when Sec. Roque announced to Palace reporters that the

President appointed CA Justice Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla on July 16 as new member of the High Tribunal, replacing Justice Andres Reyes who retired last May. Why Sec. Roque’s information to me did not come into reality became an issue when one avid supporter of the bypassed nominee, who is a friend to me like his late father, accused me of fomenting fake news when a I made a post on his upcoming occupancy of an SC seat. I had deleted the post on the request of supporters and even Dimaampao himself for fear that it might “preempt” his appointment. Dimaampao’s latest fate reminded me of a sad experience in my three-month stint in the Palace in 1992 along with no MinDA Secretary Manny Piñol and Blah Bagundang then of the Philippine Star. While looking for a stapler

in one of the tables at the office of the then Palace Spokesperson Anabelle Abaya, I stumbled on a piece of document, which I later found to be a signed appointment of former President Diosdado Macapagal in a government regulatory body. The paper was dated at least two months earlier. I am now left with lingering questions: Has there been an unscrupulous scheme of hiding appointments in the Palace? Did President give credence to competing quarters’ insinuations that Dimaampao is identified with the Yellow party? Is political color given more weight over academic excellence and colorful career qualifications? *** Both Manila Mayor Fran-

cisco “Isko Moreno” Damagoso and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos led by Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan made history on Wednesday, July 22 when they broke the ground to build a Muslim cemetery and a cultural hall in San Andres District. Muslim residents in Manila, especially those involved in trades, have always faced difficulty in finding a place for burial of their dead for decades. Many of them spent extra cost, time and efforts to bring their dead back to their homes in Mindanao. The completion of twin projects, said to be funded with 49.3 million pesos by the Manila government, will be a great relief for the Muslim transients and residents in the premier city. Alhamdulillah!

Influx of settlers in the capital increases the Covid-19 victims

creating "Maqbarah" cemetery for them for the first time and marked the day of great first Muslim rulers of the "Amanullah" or Manila. What I would refer to this piece is the immegration of Filipinos including Moros to the capital seeking for opportunities. People may read this especially the decision makers in the central form of government that we have in the

Philippines. The Covid-19 is now addressing century problems of our country, among others being the capital as center of income, opportunities and livelihoods. The problem of the capital now is the influx of settlers that caused informal residency. They are originally from provinces. They were forced to emigrate to Manila because of lack of income and opportunities in their respective communities in their provinces. The said population produced undisciplined, less education and lawless citizens as well. They settled in squatters,

which is lack of hygiene and cleanliness areas that pose diseases making them more vulnerable people for virus. The Philippines capital became top two if not one as the world worst traffic congestion country. We are afraid that the increasing number of Covid-19 new infections will prolong in the capital because of the behaviour of those certain communities with undisciplined attitude. If the provinces -- as supposed to be -- saw development and business activities making use of their own income invested in their own land and communities we would not have seen this be-

yond control situation in our capital. We have seen progressive country in the world because of a system that definitely answers and understands their needs, not greedy and resources monopoly of our century-old system of government. The return of so called stranded Filipinos in Luzon was commended move as humanitarian work. But what we need is the sustainable solutions. The establishment of a system that would create opportunities and make use of their own resources with higher income returns as in the federal government system.

vors, which Thou has bestowed on me and my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee, and admit me by Thy Grace, to the Ranks of Thy Righteous Servants.” [27:19] Further on, Allah in the Qur’an provides us the perspective of this gratitude by the words uttered by Nabi Sulaiman: “This is by the Grace of my Lord --to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly thy Lord is

free of all needs, Supreme in Honor.” [27:40] Gratitude to God, then, should be our natural reaction every time we surmount the tests of life! Graduations are occasions for gratitude, and in this time of the pandemic, they have also turned into a test of the graduates’ gratitude to God. Gratitude for succeeding in their academic pursuits, and gratitude in the potentials that lay ahead, no matter how limited they are right now. The important thing is to show gratitude because as Allah says, “wa man shakara fa innamaa yash-kuru li nafsih,” or “if any

is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul”. For indeed, the transition of graduation is a favor from Allah, bestowed on the graduates and their parents who persevered in supporting their studies. To paraphrase Nabi Sulayman’s prayer to the Lord: order me that I may be grateful for Your favors to me and my parents. In return, the graduates, just like Nabi Sulayman, should “work righteousness that will please” Allah (an ah’mala saalihan tarzaahu) so that they will be in the ranks of Allah’s Righteous Servants (Ibaadika ssaalihiin). Even if the gradu-

ates --- as well as all of us --cannot yet discern the light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, the gains our souls derive and our inclusion among Allah’s Righteous Servants, are more than enough incentives for gratitude and thankfulness. Hence, if this pandemic has taught us --- not just the graduates, but all of us --- to simplify our lives, the good that comes upon us during its onslaught, should also simplify our response to that of gratitude: Our gratitude for life, resources, honor, that Allah has given us in these difficult times.

ABDUL HANNAN MAGARANG TAGO

, and the vast majority of Filipinos really highly appreciate and would salute Manila Mayor, Francisco M. Domagoso or Isko Moreno, not only those under his jurisdiction but I guess all those who appreciate effective leaders. The only top official in the capital who recognizes the ancestors Muslim leaders by

Ijtihad | from page A4

The Class of 2020 find a single motivating value that best describes how our graduates should feel about their graduation. This is the simplifying and underlying frame of mind that the graduates of 2020 need to have in these difficult times. This value is Gratitude or Shukr, and among Muslims, it is also an esteemed virtue. In the chapter An-Naml (The Ants) of the Glorious Qur’an, Nabi Sulaiman prayed: “Oh my Lord, so order me that I may be grateful for Thy fa-

News

MinDA cites brighter prospects in Mindanao Muslim areas By ALI G. MACABALANG Chief of Correspondents

rospects for physical development and security stability in Mindanao, notably in impoverished Muslim-dominated areas, have become brighter nowadays in the aftermath of the government peace processes with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) pointed out the optimism as it reported its major interventions aimed at helping the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other Moro communities cope up with the growth trend of developed regions in the country. One of the major interventions is MinDA’s “Beauty and Bounty” program, through which the agency’s workforce led by Chairman Manny Piñol set foot in target communities and document unheralded potentials of the visited areas for conveyance to national and international attention. In his latest documentary video this week, Sec. Piñol featured his personal glimpses on the road networks of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte that links the two provinces to their northern, eastern, western and southern neighboring areas. Conveyance of commuters and products through such road networks was very light because non-resident passersby were scared of the presence of non-government armed elements along portions of the roads. He mentioned the presence then of MILF’s Camp Abubakar on the border of Maguindanao’s Matanog, Barira and Buldon towns and adjacent areas in Lanao del Sur as well as the usual sights of the front’s cadres by-standing on the roadsides of the Cotabato City-Marawi City highway. With the transformation of the MILF as a government partner after the 2013 and 2014 peace pacts bolstered by the creation of the Bangsamoro autonomous governance, transport traffic along the Lanao-Maguindanao highway has become frequent and heavy. In his latest video, Sec. Piñol featured the positive impact of smooth road transport among the people Sultan Naga Dimaporo (formerly Karomatan) town in Lanao del Norte. Earlier, he and his team made on on-site video documentary on the same highway cut-

DOCUMENTARY OF DEVELOPMENT: MinDA Chairman Manny Piñol featuring the unheralded development potentials of Bangsamoro communities, including the Sultan Naga Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, he and his team visited early this month. (Photo culled from On-Site Video Docu) ting across the southern towns of Lanao del Sur, citing panoramic sites and fertile lands that have never been known to most Filipinos and investors. “Come and see for yourselves the beauty and potentials of these once-avoided Muslim communities,” said Piñol, who was then bound for Taraka, Lanao del Sur to coordinate the grant of P218-million government loan to the town’s local government unit for MinDAassisted development undertakings. Last month, Sec. Piñol announced that officials of the Development Bank of the Philippines and MinDA people he led signed documents for the release soon loan to jump-start the water works and irrigation network projects and agro-industrial ventures. In past huddles with journalists, Piñol, himself a former veteran scribe, hinted that wrong media reportage of events in Mindanao had adversely affected public perception of the Bangsamoro communities. This time, he said, the MinDA and its allied media partners are committed to correct the lapses, noting that national unity could only be realized when the Bangsamoro community shall have gained what is due to it for age. (AGM)

Vol. I, No. 06 | July 24-30, 2020 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 3-9, 1441)

Marawi siege survivor Fr. Chito Suganob dies of cardiac arrest

OTABATO CITY: Three years after miraculously surviving the Marawi siege, Catholic priest Teresito “Chito” Suganob died of cardiac arrest, Bishop Edwin dela Peña of the Marawi Prelature announced Wednesday. He was 59. “It is with great sadness that we make this announcement on behalf of the prelature of Marawi. Our dearly beloved Fr. Teresito Suganob died of cardiac arrest this morning, July 22, 2020, in his home in Norala, South Cotabato,” dela Peña said in a Facebook post. He added that the priest’s doctor estimated that he died between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Dela Peña also asked the public to include Soganub in their prayers. “Funeral arrangements

Suganob has been staying in the home of his parents in Norala, South Cotabato, and regularly reports to the Diocese of Marbel. He kept himself busy with speaking engagements to fellow priests, church workers, and even students as part of his healing process. Suganob wanted to return to Marawi and continue serving the Church there but was advised by fellow priests and bishops to continue his debriefing. He found healing in sharing his stories around the country. For people with whom he shared his ordeal, “Father Chito” was an inspiring figure, soft-spoken and funny as he always cracks jokes to lighten the day. Maute terrorist group

Father. Chito Suganob will be announced later,” he added. Suganob, also known among priests as “Fr. Tisoy,” has not returned to Marawi after his ordeal in the hands of the Maute terror group from May to September 2017. “I am still a priest but no specific assignment,” he said in an interview last month.

members who occupied Marawi City in May 2017 captured him along with other church workers. The priest was used as a human shield, cook, and server of the rebels but was not harmed throughout his captivity. (with reports from Ferdinand Patinio/Edwin Fernandez/PNA/SRNY/RSP)

PTFoMS takes over probe of Negros broadcaster killing By PTFoMS Communications Team

ALACANANG PALACE, Manila: The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has announced that it has taken over the probe into the gruesome murder of Negros Oriental broadcaster Cornelio “Rex” Pepino for better and tighter coordination between law enforcement agencies. “We at the Presidential Task Force have designated Prosecutor Leonardo E. Mandajoyan to immediately step in and lead the Special Investigation Team for New

Cases (SITN) that was convened to specifically probe the murder of Rex Pepino. It is imperative that there is a pro-active involvement of the prosecutor during criminal investigation of cases involving media violence and other egregious human rights violations," said PTFoMS Chairman and Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra in his directive which created the SITN. With the creation of the SITN, PTFoMS will provide an effective leadership in the conduct of a thorough and complete criminal investigation for the murder of Pepino with the assistance of the DOJ, the Philippine National

Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Recently, the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) implemented a search warrant issued by Judge Leoncio R. Bancoro of Branch 41 of the Dumaguete City Regional Trial Court upon the endorsement of Provincial Chief Lt. Col. Ariel T. Huesca against SPO4 Reuel D. Pinero, a person of interest (POI) in the case and Chief Security of Governor Roel R. Degamo. The search yielded 131 rounds of 5.56 mm live ammunition. Degamo, in an interview, clarified that “the house of Pinero was raided because he is attached to him and if Pine-

ro will be implicated, it will destroy his image and person as the Governor of the Province.” He said that “there was an intent on the part of the CIDG to implicate the Governor and destroy his reputation and career in politics.” Huesca denied the allegations and said that there was no malicious intent in the implementation of the warrant. To avoid such conflicts and allay fears of whitewashing by Negros Oriental local officials, PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco on Friday called the attention of PNP-PRO VII Regional Director Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro through a memorandum that the

Presidential Task Force shall be taking over the investigation of the case. Further, to ensure the investigation proceeds unfettered and free from prejudices of localized intrusions, Egco directed the PNP to cease and desist its own investigation and to fully cooperate and coordinate with the SITN pursuant to the mandate and directive of Administrative Order No. 1. “This is the very reason why President Rodrigo Duterte created the PTFoMS through AO1. There should be a government-wide program of action where the whole system of the bureauPTFoMS | A8

World

Round Up

Children’s vaccinations declining due to Covid-19: UN G

ENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF on Wednesday warned of an “alarming decline” in the number of children receiving life-saving vaccines around the world due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. The UN agencies called for immediate efforts to vaccinate children, as new data shows that vaccine coverage stalled at 85 percent for nearly a decade before the pandemic, with 14 million unvaccinated infants yearly. “Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools in the history of public health and more children are now being immunized than ever before,” said WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “But the pandemic has put those gains at risk. The avoidable suffering and death caused by children missing out on routine immunizations could be far greater than Covid-19 itself.” Tedros said vaccines could be delivered safely even during the pandemic, and the WHO is urging countries to ensure these essential life-saving programs continue. “Covid-19 has made previously routine vaccination a daunting challenge,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. That is due to disruptions in the delivery and uptake of immunization services caused by the pandemic, she added. New data by WHO and UNICEF shows that these disruptions threaten to reverse hard-won progress to reach more children and adolescents with a broader

PTFOMS | from page A4

PTFoMS takes over cracy is involved with the goal of protecting the life, liberty and security of media workers. Those ultimately responsible at the highest levels will be made accountable for his death,” Egco explained. The Palace official also cautioned law enforcement officers that any failure to cooperate with the Presiden-

YAHYA | from page A4

They lift my heart Perhaps, the proliferating fake news and perplexing stories have alarmed these youngsters, and, at a tender age, they understand that it is either lack of knowledge on how to tell the news correctly or is coupled with the destructive intent that makes bloopers in social media.

International Islamic University of Malaysia campus in Gombak. (New Straits Times photo) range of vaccines, which has already been hampered by a decade of stalling coverage. The latest vaccine coverage estimates show that improvements such as the expansion of the HPV [human papillomavirus] vaccine to 106 countries and greater protection for children against more diseases are in danger of lapsing. For example, preliminary data for the first four months of 2020 points to a substantial drop in the number of children completing three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP3). This is the first time in 28 years that the world could see a reduction in DTP3 coverage – the marker for immunization coverage within and across countries. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, at least 30 measles

vaccination campaigns were at risk of being canceled, which could result in further outbreaks in 2020 and beyond. A new survey was also recently conducted by UNICEF, WHO, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Sabin Vaccine Institute, and the US’ Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. It found that threequarters of the 82 countries that responded reported Covid-19 related disruptions in their immunization programs as of May 2020. A statement said many health workers are unavailable because of restrictions on travel, redeployment to Covid -19 response duties, and a lack of protective equipment. (Anadolu)

tial Task Force or the SITN shall have dire consequences. Earlier, Egco warned local officials in Negros Oriental not to obstruct the investigation of the case. He issued the warning after probes positively identified a car used as surveillance and getaway vehicle in the murder was traced to the provincial government. He also voiced concern when NBI agents investigating the case were subjected to seri-

ous threats and harassment by some unscrupulous individuals in the province. “These underhanded tactics, attempts to whitewash the case, threats on law enforcers, and other evil schemes will only serve to strengthen our resolve to get to the bottom of this,” said PTFoMS’ chief Egco, “they will feel the full weight of the Office of the President bearing down on them.” Pepino was a veteran

It was their desire to learn the art correctly in order to do what is right that lit my heart. They realized that to disseminate information should be done in the correct way. And the correct way is through the art of news reporting. That is precisely the reason why I have been asking our schools to encourage their students to learn campus journalism.

Time and again, I have been requesting administrators of schools in the locality to enhance their programs on campus journalism and to train their students on effective writing especially in news writing and reporting so that when they write or report on event and development in our community, they shall not do it the trending way nowadays when exaggerated information

Vol. I, No. 06 | July 24-30, 2020 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 3-9, 1441)

Withdraw ‘New Media Policy’ for Kashmir: RSF to Delhi By JENEEN INTERLANDI SRINAGAR: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the immediate withdrawal of the “New Media Policy” under which it says New Delhi assumes the right to harass journalists and media judicially and economically if they publish content it doesn’t like. “It amounts to prior censorship,” RSF said in an emailed statement to Kashmir Observer. Issued last week and openly declaring that it aims to “foster a genuinely positive image of the government,” the 53-page policy statement gives Jammu and Kashmir’s Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) the de facto right to exercise pre- and post-publication control over all journalism in the territory for the next five years. It says the DIPR will conduct a “background check” of every publisher, editor and reporter before their media outlet is granted “empanelment” – its term for official approval. And it adds: “Any individual or group indulging in fake news, unethical or anti-national activities or in plagiarism shall be deempaneled besides being proceeded against under law.” According to the policy, any reporter who is “deempaneled” will be denied official accreditation and, as a result, any rights normally accorded to journalists. And for media outlets, “de-empanelment” will mean the loss of almost all advertising income since state advertising is in practice con-

Kashmiri journalists protest against media gag. (KO Photo: Abid Bhat) trolled by the DIPR in Jammu and Kashmir. “As there is no definition of what constitutes fake news or anti-national content, the government has absolutely infinite interpretative leeway to censor any journalism it does not like and to impose its own narrative,” said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk. “By means of this totally Orwellian regulation, the Jammu and Kashmir administration becomes plaintiff against the free press, judge and executioner all in one. We therefore call for the withdrawal of this directive, which is unworthy of India’s democracy and will have the immediate effect of inducing a profound self-censorship that in practice amounts to prior censorship.” India is ranked 142nd out of 180 countries and territories in RSF’s 2020 World Press Freedom Index, two places lower than in 2019. “The fall is due in part to the crackdown on press freedom in Kashmir since last summer,” RSF said. KASHMIR OBSERVER commentator and known critic of local politicians. He hosted “Pokpokin mo Baby” that aired over DYMD Energy FM 93.7. He was killed execution -style after being shot five times at point-blank range by

motorcycle “riding-in-tandem” gunmen right in front of his wife on 05 May 2020 in Dumaguete City. The PTFoMS will continuously update the public on the case. PTFoMS Team

and preconceived ideas if not fake news are presented news. I also encourage government offices as well as NGOs to enhance knowledge of their information officers on news writing and reporting to avoid blunders in their line of work. There has to be effective propaganda doing it the right way, in accordance with the art of effective communication

that is clearly understood and persuasive. As media practitioners for decades, I very well know this reality. Unfortunately, my pleas just fall to deaf ears or so little give heed. And it made me realize that without effective communication, the Maranao as a nation will remain misunderstood by the rest of the world. PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY

Section 2 Vol. I, No. 06 | July 24-30, 2020 (Dhul-Hijjah 3-9, 1441)

Peoples, Places and Events

Tawi-Tawi: Seaweeds Capital of the Philippines N

ever in the history of certain places in this country has shown that even a small child as young as 10 years old is able to earn good money just by selling ‘scraps’ of marine plants that abound the coastal communities in the Province of Tawi-Tawi. These children, who help their parents in the weekly visitation of their seaweed family farm, get incentives by diving and collecting small parts of the seaweed plants that has been broken from the main branch due to wave actions, predations by seaweed-eating fishes and sea turtles. At current buying price of PhP60.00 per kilo of already dried seaweed, one kid who usually averages 20-50 kilograms can get at least PhP2,500.00 weekly. Good money indeed!

By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D. The discovery of fastgrowing seaweed strain locally known as “tambalang” (in honor of a Sama native who discover the fast growing seaweed strain) in the early 70’s, coupled with the increasing demand from manufacturers of seaweed-based products known as ‘carrageenan’, has triggered the ‘seaweed fever’ in the province. Practically, every ablebodied coastal dwellers, including women and children of all ages take part in the new-found ‘wonder seaplants’ that takes only 45 days to harvest and sold at a price greater than their traditional incomes from the coconut

plantations. Most traditional fisherfolks, farmers and traders took 360-degrees turn and engaged in the cultivation

literally, just right in their backyard. Thereafter, Seaweeds cultivation and later its adoption

Seaweed farmer showing his harvest. Photo by Johnny R. Lee)

Seaweed cultivated at the back of residential areas using empty plastic bottles as floats. (Photo by Johnny Lee) of this ‘hidden wonders of the sea’. It has never been so good considering that the area of seaweeds cultivation is,

as genuine industry in the province of Tawi-Tawi have caught wide attention not only in the country but also the

world over. For years, Tawi-Tawi has been labeled as the “Seaweeds Capital of the Philippines”. As a testimony to its abundance, prevalence and contribution to local and national economy, an annual colorful celebration of “AgalAgal Festival” has been held since 1988 during the provincial founding Anniversary which attracts visitors and tourists from around the country.

Today it is reported that more than 30,000 families are directly involved in farming seaweeds occupying 35,000 hectares of shorelines and tidal flats in the coastal areas of the province. There are still 26,000 or more hectares available for farming. Per report from Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines’ (SIAP) seaweeds TAWI-TAWI | B2

Laboratory-Generated Cultivars to Enhance Seaweed Production In Tawi-Tawi By FILEMON G. ROMERO, Ph.D.

awi-Tawi is a major seaweed producer, contributing about 85% of the total seaweeds export of the country. Nine out of the 11 municipalities of Tawitawi are into the production of seaweeds. It is estimated that about 31,000 inhabitants are dependent in the seaweeds industry. The total area planted to seaweeds is estimated at 34,553 ha with a further potential area of about 20,750 ha. The total production of Tawi-Tawi was 327,635 metric tons (MT). Drying reduces the weight by close to 85%. The 327,635 MT would weigh about 49,145 MT after drying. At an average price of $4.45/kg the total value of the production of Tawi-Tawi of seaweeds is about US$ 218.7M a year. There has been a decline in seaweed production in the Philippines and in 2012, in Tawi-Tawi there was a record of 14.12% decline in production. This was attributed to a lot of factors. The declining quality of seedling materials has been considered the major contributory factor in the decline in the volume of seaweeds produced. Low quality of seedling materials would translate to low growth performance, low biomass and low quality of carrageenan. Low quality

planting materials are more prone to diseases such as “ice-ice”. Since the beginning of the seaweed farming in the Philippines, the system of propagation has always been from cutting of the newly harvested mature seaweed plant and planting them. This way the planting material was a clone of the mother plant. So through the years the genetic characteristics of the seaweed planting material has declined. In order to address this problem. the UPMarine Science Institute, SEAFDEC developed a technology to develop quality seedling materials with support from the DOST PCAARRD. MSU Tawi-Tawi was one of the institutions implementing this technology under the leadership of Dr. Jumelita B. Romero, a nationally recognized seaweeds expert. She is ably assisted by Prof. Karen Serag. At present, it is being continued with the support from Protect Wildlife which is funded by the USAID. The objectives of this initiative are to improve quality and production of raw dried seaweeds and ho help farmers improve their living conditions. The methods for the development of laboratory generated seaweeds cultivars include sporulation or sporelings development. This involves collection of cystocarpic or “buntis’ na seaA Cystocarpic or “Buntis” Seaweeds and allow weed Collected in Tondon, them to release the Panglima Sugala

spores or their anak in the laboratory. The other method is tissue culture. The other method is In micro-propagation either through tissue or branch culture where in the distinctive characteristics of the parent are perpetuated because genes are copied exactly at each cell division of the plant. From the laboratory, the cultivars re transferred to the land based nursery and then after several months to the sea based nursey. As soon as the plants are ready for out planting, seaweed farmer cooperators would be tapped so that they can take care of the cultivars for distribution later to other seaweeds farmers. With this innovative technology, the seaweed cultivars are expected to give better growth performance, higher carrageenan content, better resistance to “ice-ice” disease. This pilot project contributes to the enhancement of capacity of the MSU to advance biodiversity conservation, education, research, monitoring, and innovation. This research envisions to enhance seaweed production of farmers through the cultivation of laboratory-generated cultivars which were found to have good growth performance. With the application of good aquaculture and post-harvest practices, the raw dried seaweeds of farmers could command good price, thereby increasing their income. PMT

Tourism

Majority of PH tourism players expect to be back on track in 2021

ANILA – Majority of the tourism players in the Philippines remains optimistic that their businesses will return to normal within six months to over a year. According to the Philippine Tourism Survey: Covid-19 Edition conducted by Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines (PwC), 63 percent of the tourism players remain optimistic that their businesses will be back on track next year. The survey also showed that 88 percent of the respondents expect losses of over 50 percent of their 2020 revenues due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) while 97 percent say that coronavirus has the potential for significant impact on their business operations. The tourism players were asked about the challenges and concerns brought about by the pandemic as well as the ECQ in Luzon and other parts of the country. The Philippine Tourism Survey: COVID-19 Edition is PwC’s collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT), as part of the firm’s commitment to supporting the DOT’s programs and initiatives. The tourism sector grew to become one of the major industries in the country, contributing 12.7 percent of the country's GDP in 2019, representing a direct contribution of PHP2.48 trillion to the Philippine economy while providing jobs to 5.71 million Filipinos or 13.5 percent of the country's total employment. DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo–Puyat said the DOT will sustain tourism businesses through proper financial support and policies, which are covered in the DOT’s Tourism Response and Recovery Pro-

Mount Ragang, also called Mount Piagayungan and Blue Mountain by the local people, is a stratovolcano on Mindanao island in the Philippines. It is the seventh highest mountain in the Philippines and the highest point in Lanao del Sur. Ragang is a good challenge for mountain climbers. (File) gram. “We are working towards the establishment of proper infrastructure, and enhanced health and sanitation protocols in line with the standards of New Normal. Our goal is to build a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive tourism industry,” she said. Atty. Alexander Cabrera, PwC Philippines’ chairman and senior partner, is optimistic that the Philippine tourism sector will recover from the impact of COVID-19. “Our country has beautiful islands that will once again attract the tourists after the pandemic. Nevertheless, we should take this opportunity to rebuild the sector by helping the players upskill and digitalize, rethink the way they do business, and ensure

compliance with safety and health standards. Promoting medical tourism and agritourism may be among the programs that our country can prioritize to help restart the sector,” Cabrera said. Cabrera thanked the 247 tourism players “who have shared their insights with us.” “While we are all experiencing difficulties at this time, we should remember that through our combined efforts and hard work in the past, we grew the sector and made it one of the top contributors to our country’s GDP. With our renewed commitment, I am confident that we will achieve better success after this pandemic,” he said. PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

PH's tallest airport control tower to rise in Clark By MARNA DAGUMBOY DEL ROSARIO

LARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) is set to build the country’s newest Airport Control Tower, said to become the tallest in the country at 54 meters. The tower will upgrade the airfield's ground lighting system at the emerging airport complex within the year. Its construction at the cost of PHP375 million, and of the PHP500-million upgrading of the Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) System, are both in conformity with the master plan of the Clark International Airport. "The new airport tower will be the tallest in the country,

18-stories in height or around 54 meters, much higher than the existing one built by the Americans when Clark was still a US military base," Aaron Aquino, CIAC president, said in a statement on Sunday. He also said the government-run corporation has initiated the bidding process for the "design and build" project. "The projects are expected to improve Clark's air traffic control system even as a new terminal building, with an annual capacity of 8 million passengers, is slated to become fully functional by January 2021," Aquino said. The control tower at Mactan-Cebu International Airport is 30 meters high while the

one at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is measured at about 40 meters. The projects are two major components of CIAC’s airport infrastructure expansion program whose funding was approved via the General Appropriations Act of 2020 under the account of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, the CIAC's parent company. Meanwhile, Clark airport is operated and maintained by Luzon International Premier Development (LIPAD) Corp. The CIAC has refocused its operations to further develop the 2,367-hectare Clark Civil Aviation Complex for commercial use in the next two to three years. PNA

Vol. I, No. 06 | July 24-30, 2020 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 3-9, 1441)

Digitalization of tourism industry pushed amid ‘new normal’ CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: In its “#TravelSmart: Safe and Sustainable Tourism in the New Normal” web forum, the Department of Tourism (DOT) in collaboration with PLDT/Smart communications tackled the changing travel landscape and the role of digitalization in the tourism sector in the face of the new normal. The webinar provided a quick review of the challenges being faced with by the tourism industry and presented digital tools for the public and private sectors to use in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the country. “It is time to part our curtain of gloom that has been plaguing our country. We should move forward in promoting tourism again,” Smart Communications president Al S. Panlilio shared in his opening statement. The country’s tourism industry, which was experiencing an all-time high especially in domestic tourism expenditure in the past couple of years and contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 12.7 percent (P 2.48 Trillion) in 2019 underwent a huge dent in its performance at the start of the first quarter of 2020 as a consequence of COVID-19 disrupting travel conventions worldwide, leaving many Filipinos out of job due to closure of some businesses. In response to this, the DOT braces for rehabilitating and developing a resilient tourism industry through digitalization and leveraging on technologyies as a means to further enact health safety protocols without compromising comfort that is consistent with global health practices of the World Head Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH). To bolster the capabilities of domestic tourism businesses to adapt to the new normal, the DOT has also partnered with the Board of Investments (BOI) to let businesses avail themselves of incentives to upgrade facilities to conform to the health standards. “There’s no turning back to the digital tide that the pandemic has swept in. Together, we can all recover as one,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat remarked. (VPSBautista/PIA 10/SRNY/RSP)

MiMbalut Falls in in Iligan

IRA-less | A6

Mimbalot is a very picturesque small sized falls that is a good place to visit in Iligan City. It's not too far and there is no entrance fee needed. Located in Brgy. Buru-un, it is approximately 11 kilometers drive away from the city proper, and less than 1 kilometer from the National Highway, or the drop off area going to the Falls.

TAWI-TAWI | from Page B1

Tawi-Tawi: Seaweeds Capital of the Philippines is a $200 million industry of the country. This $200 million industry is the world’s major producer of farmed eucheuma and kappaphycus seaweeds currently supplying about 40 percent of the raw material requirements for carrageenan, an ingredient in different food and personal care products and pharmaceuticals. In 2010, Tawi-Tawi alone produced US$67 million worth of seaweeds. At a current exchange of P44.90 to a U.S. Dollar this would translate to 3 Billion Pesos! At present, Tawi-Tawi is believed to be producing 36,000 metric tons a year or an average of 3,000 to 4,000

metric tons a month (Martinez, BFAR Tawi-Tawi). However, this figure may not reflect the real total volume of production because there were shipments that were directly brought to Zamboanga City and Port of Cebu bypassing normal recording and accounting done by BFAR personnel in the ports of Bongao and Sitangkai. Besides, there were volumes of shipment that had been reported to land in neighboring countries like Sabah and Indonesia. Thus production volume could even be higher at 30-40% more if we count over the ‘undocumented’ shipments to outside port destinations. DR. JOHNNY R. LEE