Philippine Muslim Today

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The Muslim National Digital Newspaper | Bearer of Glad Tidings.

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30 - Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442) | 2 Sections | 14 Pages

Senate committee OKs bill splitting Maguindanao Opinion Celebrating Birthdays

Mehol K. Sadain | A7 On Headache

By ALI G. MACABALANG | Cotabato City

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he Senate Committee on Local Government has approved the proposal to divide Maguindanao into two provinces, according Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, a key movant from the lower chamber of Congress.

Rep. Mangudadatu said the committee

chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino on Monday, Oct. 26 concurred with the creation of Northern and Southern Maguindanao provinces in a Senate counterpart measure to a bill passed earlier by the House of Representatives.

Full Story on Page A2

Malaysian King Rejects PM’s Muslim rights group ‘no Push For Emergency Powers longer feels safe in France’

Benj Bangahan | A8 Naming new TFBM chief necessary

(Full Story on Page B1)

Ali G. Macabalang | A8 On the BARMM Education

(Full Story on Page A7)

(Full Story on Page B1)

WPF to donate 1 million Vaccines to the Filipino People vs. the Covid pandemic

Bangsamoro group calls for DOJ probe on Marawi rehab funds

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Bureau Chief Metro Manila News Bureau

Julmunir I. Jannaral | A7 Stamping out PH corrupt bureaucracy

Abdul Hannan M. Tago | A6

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AKATI CITY: The World Philosophical Forum (WPF) Philippines, Inc. is all set to donate some 1 million vaccines to the Filipino people to help eradicate once and for all the COVID-19 Coronavirus in the country.

(Full Story on Page A4)

MARAWI CITY – A Bangsamoro group has called for a probe by the Department of Justice on the handling of funds intended for the rehabilitation and recovery of war-torn portions of this city.

(Full Story on Page A2)

BARMM

A2 Minister Iqbal files Bangsamoro Education Code

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL | Managing Editor

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OTABATO CITY: Education Minister and Member of Parliament Mohagher Iqbal filed the proposed Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC) in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority parliament during a special session on Wednesday, October 28.

Mohagher Iqbal, Bangsamoro region’s education minister (BPIBARMM) Iqbal told the Philippine Muslim Today that BEC or BTA Parliament Bill No. 70 is “an act providing for the establishment, maintenance, and support of a complete and integrated system of quality education in the Bangsamoro”. It is one of the six priority legislations the BTA needs to pass during the transition period.

Minister Iqbal emphasized that the document is more than just a product of the legislative process. “Similar to how the Bangsamoro Organic Law meant to our aspiration for meaningful self-governance, the Education Code is the embodiment of our collective vision for an inclusive, relevant, effective, and transparent educational system in the region,” he said.

IQBAL | B4

Cotabato City hall suspends work due to bad weather

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

Senate committee OKs bill splitting Maguindanao

By ALI G. MACABALANG

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OTABATO CITY: The Senate Committee on Local Government has approved the proposal to divide Maguindanao into two provinces, according Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, a key movant from the lower chamber of Congress.

Rep. Mangudadatu said the committee chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino on Monday, Oct. 26 concurred with the creation of Northern and Southern Maguindanao provinces in a Senate counterpart measure to a bill passed earlier by the House of Representatives.

CONVERGENCE SUPPORT. Majority of the elected leaders of Maguindanao converge at the House in support of the division of their turf into two. (Photo supplied) Senator Tolentino’s committee adopted majority provisions of House Bill 6413 that seeks to split Maguindanao, which stands as the largest of five provinces in the Bangsamoro autonomous region in terms of population and land area.

House Bill 6413, authored

by Mangudadatu alongside Tarlac Rep. Noel Villanueva and Maguindanao 1st District Rep. Ronnie Sinsuat, designates Buluan town as southern provincial seat and Datu Odin Sinsuat as northern capital.

Senators Tolentino and Cynthia Villar sponsored

Senate Bills1714 and 1824, respectively, in adoption of the House proposal. Senator Bong Revilla authored Senate Bill 1274 for the creation of Western Maguindanao from the mother province instead, it was learned.

SENATE| B5

Bangsamoro group calls for DOJ probe on Marawi rehab funds MARAWI CITY – A Bangsamoro group has called for a probe by the Department of Justice on the handling of funds intended for the rehabilitation and recovery of war-torn portions of this city.

Cotabato City hall.

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OTABATO CITY: The local government of Cotabato City has suspended work at the city hall except for departments and units related to emergency response work due to inclement weather.

“To ensure that the health, safety and general welfare of the people are protected, works in all offices of the city government are hereby suspended,” according to a memorandum from the city mayor’s office on Monday.

Lawyer Kitem Kadatuan Jr., the secretary to Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, said online classes of students within the city schools’ division are likewise suspended due to unstable internet services caused by the extreme weather condition.

Earlier on Monday, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported flooding on 17 of the city’s 37 barangays (villages) following the heavy downpour since Sunday.

The prevailing weather condition is caused by Typhoon Quinta whose tail-end is affecting Mindanao, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration.

Kadatuan said the suspension of work and online classes for students took effect on Monday and maybe extended “depending on the necessity of the situation.”

(With PNA report)

The group, calling itself as 1BANGSA, urged DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra to include in its envisages statewide investigation recently ordered by the President following reports about alleged irregularities in in the PhilHealth and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

‘1BANGSA is appealing to Secretary Guevarra to form an exclusive investigation to Marawi City rehabilitation funds,” group organizing head Maulana “Alan” Balangi -Amer said in a statement copy-furnished to the PMT Thursday.

Citing media reports, Balangi-Amer said Sec. Guevarra had urged government workers to uncover corrupt activities and identify culprits from gathered evidence.

The Presidential directive on DOJ authorized the DOJ secretary to decide on what-

ever systematic way to investigate corruptions such as creating a mega task force if necessary.

Balang-Amer said the way Marawi rehabilitation funds are being handled by the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chaired by Sec. Eduardo Del Rosario “deserves to be scrutinized as it is covered by the memorandum.”

He cited a recent Facebook post by Moro Consensus Group chair Drieza A. Lininding that lamented the worsening delays in rehabilitation efforts for this city, especially the MAA. He quoted Lininding as reminding the President about his meeting with concerned people in Malacañang last March 4 when he

was informed that part of the cause of delay in Marawi rehabilitation was attributed to the rivalry between among agencies on which will get the infrastructure projects.

Balangi-Amer said, “besides foreign donations received by the government in refacing Marawi, it is impossible that the billions of pesos funds for the rehab projects took over three years with lack of various road and building outputs.”

He added that “the over 3.56 billion pesos Marawi rehab funds from 2020 budget could be instigated from this time.

However, the 2018 and 2019 budget s for Marawi rehab were yet to be accounted for, he said.

ALI G. MACABALANG

Read The Ranao Star Https://ranaostar.net

BARMM

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

BARMM, NCMF, MinDA amplify thrusts despite odds, COVID-19

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BARMM launches ₱500M Marawi Rehab Program, breaks ground for 150 IDPs permanent shelters

SPECIAL REPORT By ALI G. MACABALANG

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espite odds ranging from natural and man-made challenges to limited budgets, three government entities continue to render regular and extra-curricular thrusts in even more enhanced fashions and earn public plaudits in the advent of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Hadji Murad “ Ebrahim, The one-year old Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government as well as the new regimes of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), both operating without capital outlays, have exemplified successes in their respective operations unexpected in the social-movement constraining COVID-19 pandemic.

From July this year up to press time on Thursday, hundreds if not thousands of people and groups have posted in Facebook pages messages in commendation of the BARMM, NCMF and MinDA leaderships and workforces for their trailblazing services.

They were highly impressed of the ways BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Hadji Murad “ Ebrahim, Environment Minister Abdulraof Macacua and Education Minister Mohagher Icbal have exemplified “fast transformation” to bureaucratic life from decades of rebellion stance in the once outlawed Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

the contribution to the BARMM bureaucracy of Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo and Public Works Minister Eduard Guerra, describing the duo as the “winds behind the wings of the regional government.”

Minister Guerra draws good feedbacks for his aggressive implementation of vital infrastructure projects, including the ones mitigating flood adversities in Bangsamoro communities, opening isolation centers for COVID19 cases, and building of permanent core shelters for residents in war-torn Marawi City, among others.

Minister Sinarimbo, for his part, continues to earn the “star feather” from media practitioners and Facebook nitizens for institutionalizing responsive local government units’ administrative and operational functions, for ably representing the regional government to local, national and foreign convergences, and for spearheading the sustained dispersal of relief goods to VOCID-19 affected residents within and even outside BARMM territory.

Trailblazing MinDA

MinDA Sec. Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol. (File) Among traditional and social media practitioners, Sec. Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol has surfaced as the most followed Mindanaobased public servants.

Sec. Piñol draws more than 300,000 followers in the Facebook alone (with the figure still increasing rapidly) for his innovations in MinDA operations, rendering unprecedented promotion of development potentials in Mindanao as well as the Bangsamoro region.

BARMM Local Govt Minister Naguib Sinarimbo.

(Photo supplied) Ebrahim, Icbal and Macacua, concurrently MILF chair, vice chair, and front armed wing chief, respectively, “are so far faring impressively as to prove me wrong in my past notion of their chances of transformation from rebel life to public administration,” an academic official said in a messenger message sent to the Philippine Muslim Today.

The commentator, who asked to be named only as “professor in public administration postgraduate study,” added: “I hope they (three MILF big wigs) can finally make the difference in the handling of public funds to realize their avowed moral governance in the Bangsamoro region.”

Other prominent Facebook nitizens cited

NCMF Sec. Saidamen B. Pangarungan. (File) He drew latest accolade from Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Damagoso for the big success in the conduct on Oct. 2325 of the “MinDA Tienda” that opened the gate of the premiere city’s markets to products from Mindanao.

BARMM| B4

MARAWI CITY: As part of its continued interventions to fast track the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City, the Bangsamoro Government launched Monday, October 26, its Marawi Rehabilitation Program (MRP) which has an allotted ₱500-million fund.

MRP covers all of the BARMM’s plans and actions for the city’s rehab which are based on the approved committee report made by the Bangsamoro Transitions Authority’s (BTA) Special Committee on Marawi (SCM).

The committee report, adopted by the BTA on August 27, is a 127-page document that “encapsulates information on the aftermath of the Marawi siege as gathered from various public hearings, consultations, field visitations, and documentary examinations.”

The report also details the SCM’s recommendations to the Bangsamoro Government and “to the appropriate instrumentalities of the National Government, including the Congress, if true and comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City is to be achieved.”

SCM, with 29 members, was created in September 2019 to look into the progress of the government’s interventions to Marawi’s rehab. It is chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Ali Solaiman, and vice-chaired by BTA members Anna Tarhata Basman, Hamid Aminoddin Barra, and Abdullah Macapaar.

For the effective management and successful implementation of the MRP, Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim released Memorandum Circular 003 for the creation of a Program Steering Committee (PSC), which will serve as the policymaking body and overseer of the program.

Also on Monday, the BARMM government led the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of 150 units of permanent shelters for the residents displaced by the 2017 Marawi siege. 100 units will be built in Barangay Mipaga while 50 units will be in Barangay Patani.

This project is made possible through the BARMM’s BRIDGE (Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment) program, in coordination with the BTA members in the Ranaw Region, headed by Solaiman.

Although Marawi’s rehabilitation is under the care of the national government’s Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), Chief Minister Ebrahim still included it on his 12-Point Priority Agenda.

“Alam natin na ang nasabing rehabilitasyon ay nasa kamay pa rin ng national government. Ngunit sinisigurado natin na nakatutok ang Pamahalaang Bangsamoro sa nasabing usapin at mag-aaabot ng lahat ng kinakailangang tulong o suporta upang maisaayos ang Lungsod ng Marawi,” CM Ebrahim said Monday.

“Since its creation, your Bangsamoro Government has not stopped listening to the calls of our M’ranao brothers and sisters. We have been doing everything within our hands to address their needs. Nandito ang Bangsamoro para sa kapwa Bangsamoro. Nandito ang Bangsamoro Government upang tugunan ang mga pangangailangan niyo,” he added.

“Together with the entire Bangsamoro, we will help you rebuild. We will help you recover. We will help you ensure that, In shaa Allah, Marawi will rise again,” the chief minister said.

BTA members in Ranaw Region such as Solaiman, Basman, Macapaar, Marjanie Mimbantas, Basit Abbas, Zainodin Bato, Musa Diamla, and Sacar Hadji Yusoph, together with TFBM Deputy Manager Antonio Sugarol, MPW OIC District Engr. Sukarno Magongcar, BARMM-BRIDGE Project Manager Zulfikhar Hussain, and Farmida Batugan-Macabando of the Association of Barangay Captains were among the officials who attended Monday’s activity.

BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION

A4

The Nation

PH ‘biggest mover,’ out from Top 5 worst countries for journalists

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Bureau Chief, Metro Manila News Bureau

WPF to donate 1 million Vaccines to the Filipino People vs. the Covid pandemic

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Bureau Chief Metro Manila News Bureau

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ALACANANG PALACE, Manila: The Philippines is finally out of the top five worst countries for journalists and was declared the “biggest mover” in the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) Global Impunity Index (GII) released on October 28, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has reported.

In a statement, the Palace Task Force welcomed the report as an incontrovertible demonstration and validation of the government’s unfeigned dedication to safeguarding press freedom and protecting the life, liberty and security of media workers in the country amid huge challenges.

“The Philippines is the biggest mover in this year’s rankings, improving from the fifth worst country worldwide to the seventh worst… The Philippines has 11 unsolved murders in the current 10-year index period, compared with 41 for last year’s index,” the global media watchdog said.

PTFoMs Chairman and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that this achievement marks the beginning of bigger goals and greater success.

“We shall remain steadfast in our commitment to protect and promote media security by all means legally possible, relentless in the face of adversity”, Guevarra stressed, adding that the latest GII ranking is a clear manifestation of the country’s working justice system.

For his part, PTFoMS Co-Chair and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin M. Andanar said that despite the recent accomplishments of the Task Force which have drawn international attention, the body will continue to safeguard press freedom in the Philippines.

“This is a testament to the relentless efforts of the government in protecting our media workers from threats and violence. Rest assured that the Duterte Administration will always uphold freedom of speech and expression. There is no other way to interpret this great improvement but to think that we are on the right track and, at the same time, that we should do more,” Andanar said.

“Congratulations are in order for all stakeholders in this effective campaign in ending impunity against our fellow media workers. But the PTFoMS must not rest on its laurels.

There is more to be done,” the PCOO chief added.

The CPJ’s report for 2020 explained that the country’s remarkable jump from fifth to seventh place “reflects the fact that the November 2009 Ampatuan, Maguindanao, massacre of 58 people, including 30 journalists and two media workers, no longer falls into the 10-year time frame for calculating the index.”

“Landmark convictions late last year led CPJ to adjust the status of the Ampatuan cases to ‘partial impunity’ from ‘full impunity’ previously – meaning that they would no longer have figured into the index calculation regardless of the time frame,” CPJ added.

On December 19, 2019, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court that heard the massacre case for a full decade handed down the guilty verdict against the masterminds and their accomplices in the gruesome crime and sentenced them to long years in prison.

Meanwhile, PTFoMS Executive Director and Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, said he was immensely elated by the big improvement in the country’s ranking even as he vowed to work harder to finally remove the Philippines from the top 10 list.

“In spite of the many challenges our media workers are facing right now due to the pandemic, the country has a reason to be happy for this very welcome development. However, we will not rest until we are completely out of this list and until the day that no more media worker had to be killed in the name of his sacred duty and regardless of motive,” Palace official said.

Egco further said PTFoMS will have to clarify the 11 unsolved cases since most of these are now undergoing trial in various courts all over the country. He vowed that the government will not let any killer of media worker go unpunished.

Aside from addressing the unsolved media killings, Egco pointed out that the task force has so far helped hundreds of journalists from its creation in 2016, including victims of online harassment. The Presidential Task Force relentlessly pursues and keeps track of all cases of media violence in the country and provides the public up-to-date information on the progress of these cases. (JULMUNIR I.,JANNARAL)

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

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AKATI CITY: The World Philosophical Forum (WPF) Philippines, Inc. is all set to donate some 1 million vaccines to the Filipino people to help eradicate once and for all the COVID-19 Coronavirus in the country.

Shariff Ibrahim Albani, chairman of the World Philosophical Forum Philippines, Inc. (WPF) told the Philippine Muslim Today that they have officially informed President Rodrigo Duterte of their plan to make a donation by writing the Office of the President through lawyer Harry Roque, the Presidential Spokesperson.

Albani said the WPF and South Asia General Foundation International, Inc. chaired

by Dr. Zhou Ye have strong bond with China, and with strong partnership with Kindle Holding Pte. Ltd., the company authorized by China Overseas Capital Management Co. Ltd. for the distribution of the vaccines.

According to Albani, they are now making a negotiation with the Sinovac of China for the supply of 1 million SINOVAC Vaccines to the Filipino people free of Charge.

He said if the donation will be materialized many of the Filipino people will benefit in the fight against the COVID19 pandemic.

It can be recalled that even Roque, as the Presidential Spokesperson, had already announced that even

Presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque briefs in Malacañang Palace officials of the World Philosophical Forum, Philippines, Inc. (WPF) chaired by Shariff Ibrahim Albani (3rd from right) and Dr. Zhou Ye, (2nd from right) the founding chairman of the South Asia General Foundation International, Inc. regarding the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo supplied) the vaccines to be supplied by the government will not be given Free.

Roque emphasized however that only the poorest of the poor can avail of the free Vaccines, and while those who can afford to buy they will not be given with free vaccines. “…they have to buy since the government is going to buy the vaccines from abroad and will not be given free by the supplier,” Roque emphasized. “These vaccines are for sale.”

On the contrary, Albani said the Sinovac vaccines

they are going to import from China are free of charge.

He said WPF is now negotiating with SINOVAC if they can put up their manufacturing laboratory right in Manila. However he said SINOVAC will have to spend with the transfer of technology with an estimated amount of $600 million. Of course he said this negotiation will be done with the Department of Health and the Bureau of Food and Drug for the putting up of the vaccine laboratory.

WPF | B4

AFP Chief lauds commanders as COVID-19 cases in military drop CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City: The Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff lauded commanders of different military units and offices for successfully containing the spread of COVID-19 in the AFP. General Gilbert Gapay said this as the number of admitted cases drop to 307 last Friday, October 23, from as high as 1,327 early in September.

“Our Commanders and Chiefs of Offices have done a great job in enforcing social distancing measures and strict health protocols inside camps, in turn keeping our military and civilian personnel able to perform their respective duties,” he said.

Among the active cases were 256 military personnel currently admitted in military treatment facilities nationwide.

There are also 19 civilian personnel, and 32 dependents currently receiving treatment.

“The AFP is enhancing our safety and health protocols and other measures to protect the best interest and wellbe-

ing of our soldiers, particularly those in the frontlines. Our troops’ health will always be of utmost importance as we continue to preserve the AFP’s fighting strength to help the country win over this battle,” General Gapay added.

He also acknowledged the hard work of personnel performing various tasks in support to the national government’s efforts to contain the pandemic.

Over 13,800 military personnel, reservists, and auxiliary personnel are deployed nationwide manning community quarantine assistance stations, quarantine areas, various ports, and testing facilities.

AFP | B4

Opinion

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

MinDA Tienda goes to Manila; Mindanao Farmers go airborne

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DSWD crafts policy for online purchase of seniors, PWDs

By CHRISTINE CUDIS

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Bureau Chief Metro Manila News Bureau

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RMITA, Manila: The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) had successfully launched its “MinDA Tienda Goes To Manila” at Kartilya ng Katipunan Park here in Ermita, Manila recently.

MinDA Sec. Manny Pinol and PSI Air CEO Amir Mogadasshi with Lion Air President Archibal Po. (Photo supplied) The activity was graced

by Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, MinDA Chairman Emmanuel Piñol, Manila City Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah ‘Honey’ Lacuna-Pangan, and Surigao del Norte’s Cabadbaran City Mayor Judy C. Amante.

The successful Tienda ended last Sunday, 25 October 2020.

Fresh fruits like durian, marang, mangosteen, and many others from Mindanao were brought by Piñol and his staff from MinDA to Manila and were sold at very affordable prices.

As this developed, MinDA will launch a new project which will be the Philippine Food Skyway that will involve the transporting of perishable goods from Mindanao not only fresh fruits but also seafoods from the different provinces of Mindanao. This will be hauled by cargo plane.

Indeed, this will by a ‘silly dream come true,’ according to MinDA chief Secretary Piñol.

“I sealed an agreement with a new Air Cargo Company to provide logistical support for the shipment of goods from Mindanao to any part of the country,” Piñol said.

He said Iranian businessman Amir Mogadasshi, Chief Execuive Officer of PSI Air

2007 Corporation, has agreed to partner with the MinDA in pushing the MinDa Tienda Program which aims to market Mindanao products.

“This is the realization of my long-time dream of connecting the farmers and fishermen of Mindanao to the big market by air,” Piñol emphasized.

“As early as the days when I was Governor of North Cotabato, I had envisioned a program which I called the Philippine Food Skyway, a concept on food positioning and distribution which took into consideration the reality that we are a country of 7,500 islands connected only by old and unreliable sea vessels and mainly passenger planes,” he added.

Piñol noted that he always believed that the food supply problem in the country is not caused by insufficient production but the lack of access by farmers and fishermen to the market.

He explained the concept proposed the establishment of feeder airports in key food production areas of the country and the involvement of the private sector in providing cargo planes to ferry perishable goods to the population centers.

He added that fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and even meat could be easily trans-

ported using cargo planes.

“Imagine how much fish could be shipped from Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, how much fruits during the season could be flown out of Central Mindanao and the Davao Provinces and how much vegetables could be brought to the markets of Cebu and Metro Manila on a daily basis?”, asked Piñol.

He said when farmers and fishermen know that they have a market for their produce and they profit from their work, they will certainly produce more crops and catch more fish.

However, he lamented some of the fiercest critics derided the concept and called it a “stupid idea,” a criticism based mainly on the assumption that transporting food items by aircraft would be very expensive.

According to the MinDA chief many scoffed at the proposal but businessman Archibald Po, who owns Lion Air and a personal friend of President Rody Duterte, said “he would help me realize the project.”

In fact he added that Archie arranged a meeting between him and PSI Air 2007 CEO Amir Mogadasshi whose company owns two Boeing 727 Cargo Planes used for local hauls.

MINDA| B5

MANILA: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday it will craft a measure to ensure that vulnerable sectors, such as senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), are still able to avail of their discount privileges even in online transactions.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista, in a virtual briefing, said the agency has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry to craft a policy that will check the rules for online purchasing of senior citizens and PWDs. “Ito ay para masigurado na hindi maaabuso ang mga pribiliheyo para sa bulnerableng sektor ng lipunan (This is to make sure that the privileges enjoyed by the vulnerable sector will not be abused [overlooked]),” he added.

Under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, senior citizens are entitled to a 20-percent discount and are exempted from the value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services from all establishments.

Republic Act 10754 or An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWD, meanwhile, provides persons with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in the mainstream of society by granting them at least a 20-percent discount and exemption from the VAT on the sale of certain goods and services identified.

This also applies to transportation, recreation centers, and medical services.

“Ito ay patunay na isinaalang-alang ng DSWD ang karapatan ng bulnerableng sektor ng lipunan at patuloy itong nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga opisina at iba pang mga implementing agencies para masiguro na maipapatupad ang iba pang batas na ito (This shows that DSWD looks over the welfare of the vulnerable sector of our community. We continue to engage with other offices and implementing agencies to make sure that these laws are being implemented),” he added.

(PNA)

'Goni' enters PAR, now with local name 'Rolly' MANILA: Severe Tropical Storm (STS) "Goni" (international name) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 5:30 p.m., and was given the local name, "Rolly", the weather bureau announced Thursday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), however, will provide details in a severe weather bulletin that will be issued at 11 p.m., it added.

Earlier, PAGASA forecast the trough of Goni to bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas and Caraga.

The northeasterly surface wind flow, on the other hand, will cause scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Batanes, and Cagayan.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

Based on PAGASA's forecast before the STS enters PAR, moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail over Northern Luzon.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas, PAGASA said.

(PNA)

Editorial

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Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

DATU YUSOPH B. MAMA Chairman, Board of Trustees AMANODING D. ESMAIL President MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Executive Vice President & CEO JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Vice President for Internal Affairs ALI G. MACABALANG Vice President for External Affairs ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Treasurer MACOD D. RASCAL Secretary CASAN C. CANA Auditor

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief and Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor PHIL MUSLIM Layout Artist FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Advertising Sales Director for NCR COLUMNISTS | WRITERS: ATTY. HOMOBONO A. ADAZA DR. BENJ BANGAHAN ATTY. JUAN PONCE ENRILE DR. JOHNNY R. LEE ATTY. NASSER A. MAROHOMSALIC DR. FILEMON G. ROMERO ATTY. MEHOL K. SADAIN DR. ABDUL HANNAN M. TAGO DISCLAIMER: Opinion of the writer expressed herein is not necessarily the opinion of Philippine Muslim Today.

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Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

Of Madrasah and terrorism The best defense of Islam is to practice it.

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ithout madrasah, there would be no Islam. And if you suspect the madrasah to be moulding terrorists, you suspect that Islam is a religion of terrorism, an Islamophobia nurtured by a kind of uncivilized manner of suspicion.

That is the reason why Muslim leaders have sharply reacted to the statement of Philippine military chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay that madrasas or Islamic schools are suspected of radicalizing students, and ask him to retract the falsehood of his statement they called preposterous.

How could Islam teach terrorism? From the very meaning of it, Islam is peace and teaches its follower to believe in peace and live a peaceful life. This Muslim’s way of life is better manifested when a Muslim always greets a person, Assalaamu aleikom wa rahmatullahi wa barakatoh (Peace be upon you and the Mercy of God and His Blessing.) In this greeting, the Muslim even asks for God’s mercy and blessing upon that person.

The Muslims in this country and elsewhere shall not take this for granted. While condemning Islamophobia and misconception about Islam may hold water in its defense, it is better for the Muslims to practice the true tenets of their religion and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and avoid being called Muslim in name only because in reality they do not live according to Islamic way of life but live by forbidden things. This is the best way to defend Islam and the Muslim Ummah.

How can one be a Muslim, for instance, and live in peace with others if his livelihood comes from ‘haram’ like illegal-drug trade, corruption of government or nongovernment fund, usury, swindling and other forbidden livelihood? How can one be a Muslim if he does not even perform ‘salah’, eat forbidden foods? How can one be a Muslim if he cheats in his activities? One who lives with these practices destroys Islam and the Ummah. He does not defend Islam.

Duterte to stamp out century-old PH corrupt bureaucracy

By ABDUL HANNAN MAGARANG TAGO

W

ith only nearly two years remaining of his administration, President Rodrigo R. Duterte pushes to wipeout all corrupt government officials.

This week, Malacañang has issued order to the Department of Justice Secretary to investigate allegations of corruption in the entire government.

Thanks to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go who pursued relentlessly the century pandemic (corruption) that caused heavily the lives of Filipinos and their dignity, sending millions of us to serve other nations family and households instead of our own and country.

Sadly, corruption has been the trade mark of our country before this administration, as among top most corrupt nations in the world despite of its rich both natural and human resources.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have proven themselves as most effective, hardworking and efficient workforce globally. We build nations’ infrastructures and provide best practices in health and other

services.

This presidential platform of the then Mayor Duterte of Davao against corruption in the 2016 campaign was the strongest point that gained the support of the OFWs, including myself.

I was among OFW community leaders who campaigned for this platform supporting the candidacy of Duterte. I have never voted neither campaigned for any PH presidential candidate in my whole life except in the 2016 election.

I consider participation in politics in our country not only wasting of time but also taking part in their crimes. I look at politicians as gamblers and election is their means for enriching themselves only. They buy votes of the majority who are poor Filipinos and under their mercy and influence because of their wealth.

Ours is the only country whose politicians keep its constituents under poverty for their political gain and control. Instead of developing, they spend the government fund for their own properties advancement and growth.

TAGO | B4

Opinion

Ijtihad WITH MEHOL K. SADAIN

I

n this column, we will talk about birthdays in general, and later about the Mauludi n-Nabiy or the birth date of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

In the seventies, before the influx of returning middleeastern educated local scholars saturated our native Islamic communities, we went by simpler rules and lived according to the teachings of our madhhab which were not complicated nor pugnacious.

In fact, they were the epitome of Islam as a religion of ease, instead of difficulties and inordinate restrictions. The Qur’an Al-Kareem says in chapter 2, verse 185: “ALLAH intends for you ease, and does not intend for you hardship.” And in chapter 5, verse 6, the Qur’an says: “ALLAH does not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to clean you, and to complete His favor on you, that you may be grateful.” The first verse talks

about fasting; while the second is on ritual purification; but both generally talk about easing the requirements of the religion of Islam so that its practice is not difficult for the believers.

The early scholars who came back to the Philippines, read the Qur’an beautifully, taught its tafsir from the Arabic, led their people in prayer and supervised over the whole gamut of their religious needs. Most of them came for Al-Azhar University in Egypt, a Fatimid-founded bastion of Islamic learning dating as far back as 972 A.D. or more than 1,048 years ago now. One of the famous Islamic scholars to teach in Al-Azhar was Ibn Khaldun, the renowned Father of Sociology with his theory of the asabiyyah or group spirit and his opus AlMuqaddimah.

Back home, in the early 1900s up to the early 1970s,

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi WITH JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

D

espite the pandemic school children’s schooling in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) continues.

As what Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) said during the first day of classes in a nationwide simultaneous flag-raising ceremony that opening of classes had to go on as based on the theme: “Maging Ligtas, Mag-aral!

Tuloy ang Pag-aaral kahit nasa Bahay!”

Hence, due to this a blended learning was introduced where no more school children are required to attend classes like in the normal times where there were face to face acquaintances with teachers.

But due to the pandemic caused by the dreaded COVID-19, school children with their learning modules

are being taught by their teahers online.

But anywhere in the country from “Batanes To TawiTawi” the problem is the Internet connectivity. The telco signal of the Internet broadband has a terible Poor or Weak Signal whether it is PLDT optic fiber, Globe at Home Broadband, or Smart Broadband. Thus I pity these school children since they are glued to their gadget like desk top, laptop, tablet or Android cellphones with poor signal emitted from the cell sites of the Telco.

In fact if you were able to watch the latest State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte he warned in particular the Globe Telco and Smart Cellphone that they must upgrade their facilities by this month of December, or else they would rather close shop.

But then people are anxiously waiting for the opera-

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

A7

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS before petro-power discovered its modern strength, and desert petro-dollars waved their magic wands, the Philippine Muslim community led a relatively peaceful existence, punctuated only by that other internal conflict known as the MNLF’s war against the government, and later, the MILF’s continuing struggle against the same adversary.

Fast forward to the present, we already know how those struggles ended with the grant of regional autonomy.

But that is the military, political and social aspects of the evolution of the Muslim struggle in the Philippines.

That one is easy to discern and more forthright in its manifestations. It also seems that the Muslims of the Philippines are more or less, already agreed over its general demarcations.

What we should be more concerned here now, is the other less visible aspect of the battle at the theological level: internal, insidious and infernal in the brimstones that

spew from the volcanic mouths of those who think half of us Muslims are going to burn in hell if we remain recalcitrant and ignore their extremist teachings. The ones who wage this intrafaith battle completely ignore the fact that even before they were born and learned the doctrine that they now use to completely emaciate Islam of its doctrinal liberalism, Islam as we knew it, was already practiced by our elders, and so far, nobody came back to say that our dead elders and ancestors were fried crisp in hell because they celebrated birthdays and Mauludin Nabiy or the rites associated with the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

What these overextending theologians conveniently forget is that hundreds of older scholars from older institutions of Islamic learning like Al-Azhar University, did not find anything wrong with such a celebration. Now, however, the slightest mention of the maulud brings a horde of the-

se naysayers on their collective shanks poised to attack and condemn to the lowest hell, what they perceive as the sinful “innovation” of celebrating birthdays.

Thus, I grew up in a Jolo and a household where nobody debated about celebrating or prohibiting the celebration of birthdays. To us in those times, a birthday was a time to be happy; hence, if one could afford it, one commemorated it. We never even thought that it will someday be equated with “innovation” and “committing a sin” on the naked assumption that because the Prophet did not celebrate it, then it is “innovation” to do so. The Islam of ease has suddenly turned into an Islam of extreme restrictions. Where the dividing line between halal (permissive) and haraam (forbidden) was clear; now it has been blurred and everything in that blurred area is automatically ruled as haraam innovation.

SADAIN | A8

On the BARMM Education blended learning, and the Bangsamoro Education Code

tion of the 3rd Telco the DITO Telecommunity. This was formerly known as Mislatel (Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company, Inc.) DITO Telecommunity Corporation is also engaged in the business of multimedia and information technology.

It is a consortium of Davao businessman Dennis Uy's Udenna Corporation and its subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Corporation, and Chinesestateowned China Telecommunications Corporation, a parent company of China Telecom.

The consortium is known as the sole winner of the government-sanctioned bidding that would allow the consortium to become the third major telecommunications provider in the Philippines challenging the duopoly of PLDT and Glo be Telecom.

Noteworthy to be mentioned about DITO, the Chairman/CEO is Dennis Uy and the Chief Administrative Of-

ficer is Adel Abbas Tamano whose father was the late Senator Mamintal “Mike” Tamano and Zorayda AbbasTamano who are both from Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. DITO is headquartered in Udenna Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Going back to the Internet Connectivity problem in the BARMM, Moby P. Mobarak, regional information officer of MBHTE admitted that 99 percent of the schools in the BARMM are using the Alternative Learning Materials. “Di po talaga makaya ang Internet Connectivity sa BARMM,” Mobarak said.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Iqbal told this column that he has filed just this week the Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC) in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament.

Iqbal said the BEC or BTA Parliament No. 70 is “an act providing for the establishment, maintenance, and sup-

port of a complete and integrated system of quality education in the Bangsamoro.”

Hence, BTA Parliament No. 70 is one of the six priority legislations the BTA needs to pass during the transition period.

Minister Iqbal emphasized further that the document is more than just a product of the legislative process.

This is “similar to how the Bangsamoro Organic Law meant to our aspiration for meaningful self-governance, the Education Code is the embodiment of our collective vision for an inclusive, relevant, effective, and transparent educational system in the region,” Iqbal said.

According to the Education Minister, the Education Code highlights the education ministry’s advocacy of “No Bangsamoro Child Shall Be Left Behind.”

For your suggestions or comments, please send it to this email: munir1845media@gmail.com

Opinion

A8

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

My two-cents

Rx

On headache

WITH BENJ S. BANGAHAN, M.D., FPCP, FPCCP

L

et us cover headache, one of the most frequent symptoms complained of by patients, which can be due to many different causes. Sometimes headache can pose as a confusing clinical symptom to doctors, who may not be able to pinpoint right away in regard to which particular body part or organ is involved. We are, of course, referring more to the chronic headache rather than the acute one; the former bothers patients for months either as a continuous daily occurrence or as an off-again, on-again symptom that keeps recurring after a few days, whereas the latter is usually an accompaniment of a mild affliction, which usually responds to over-thecounter pain relievers or disappears on its own.

Dealing with chronic headache is not as simple as

it seems, for there is no specific test for its diagnosis.

Doctors are therefore left to rely on very good history from the patient; rapidity of the onset, the character of the pain especially its frequency, age and sex of the patient and perhaps other part of the history that may prove to have relevance to the case, all will be very helpful in the determination of the etiology of the headache.

One possibility is migraine, a headache that is more observed among women, in whom the onset usually starts at their age below 50 years. The most typical of the onset is the preceding visual aura, and may last about 15 to 30 minutes.Usually, though not always, one-sided, the headache when it occurs is pulsating or throbbing, and desire to vomit or actual vomiting may become a part of the on-

Punchline ALI G. MACABALANG

F

or President Rody Duterte to name a new chairman of the muchcriticized Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) has become necessary after the Commission on Appointment (CA) refused to confirm the ad interim appointment of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario.

Del Rosario has been presiding over the TFBM management of the war-torn Marawi City’s rehabilitation efforts since his stint as chairman of the National Housing and Urban Development

Council until his appointment as secretary of the infant Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development.

Traditionally, a nominee for confirmation by the CA is deemed bypassed or rejected after three hearings.

The latest of the hearings was held last Sept. 30 and a panel of the CA on housing concerns suspended session to deliberate the confirmation of Sec. Del Rosario, even as it thumbed up the confirmation of more than 30 new AFP generals and colonels.

set. There are patients who complain of fear when light strikes their eyes as well as when they hear sound.

The pain can last from hours to days, and is worsened by exertion of effort. A migraine that occurs once a month or even less often may be easier to manage; whereas an occurrence of more than once per month needs a more thorough management. Whichever, the best one who can manage it is the right doctor.

Cluster headache is another one of the chronic headache. Its pain is usually severe, one-sided and typically located around the eye. While the pain may last only about an hour, it can recur many times daily. This one is more common in men, and can be triggered by alcoholic drinks, and usually associated with any of these: tearing or lacrimation, nasal congestion, reddening of the blood vessels of the eye con-

junctiva, perspiration confined to the face or the forehead. Each occurrence of cluster headache may last for as long as two to three months. While it may respond to the usual antiheadache regimen, it is advised that preventive drug treatment may have to be done by a doctor on account of its severity.

Tension headache is another one common complaint of patients, which is usually constant, vise-like or tight, and is worsened by emotional stress, noise, fatigue or glare. The pain is usually generalized, but it can become very severe in the neck or at the back of the head. Sometimes patients complain of scalp pain on pressure, technically termed tenderness. Relaxation can alleviate the pain, and simple pain relieving drug may be adequate enough. Some cases, though, may require a drug treatment for prophylac-

tic purpose.

Analgesic rebound headache has been used as a term for headache suffered by patients who have been used to taking pain relievers very frequently, sometimes even if there is actually no need for it. The drug can be the simple pain relievers like paracetamol or acetaminophen, aspirin and those combined with caffeine; the overuse of these medications promote the cycle of the symptom.

A simple well intended act to discontinue the offending drug may solve the problem, but in some cases in which withdrawal symptoms are observed, hospitalization may be required.

A well done diagnostic process as well as medical management required is what necessitates a consultation in a doctor’s clinic, for self-treatment may instead complicate the problem.. Māassalām.

Naming new TFBM chief becomes necessary Del Rosario gained confirmation by CA during his time as active military general.

This time in his civilian life, the CA would not confirm him because of some issues ranging from protest from Marawi IDPs to policy management in the housing department.

During the Sept. 30 hearing of the commission’s Committee on Human Settlements and Urban Development, Davao Oriental Rep. Joel Mayo Almario moved to suspend consideration of Del Rosario’s confirmation due to his reported inability to present and explain operating

policies of the new agency.

In previous hearings, some CA members invoked suspension of deliberation of Del Rosario’s appointment due to unanswered questions and protests from some quarters including representatives of Marawi IDPs. In one hearing, Senator Cynthia Villar debunked Del Rosario in his contention that cell sites can be installed in housing villages even without permission from occupants through their organized association. Villar’s family is involved in housing village development.

Since there is a tradition

that CA would no longer hold deliberation for a nominee not confirmed for three sessions, Del Rosario is deemed bypassed.

President Duterte should name a new chair of the TFBM – something that will help make up for the lapses of the task force’s lapses in rehabilitating Marawi’s wartorn areas in three years.

Isinuka na ng mga meranao si Sec. Del Rosario sampu ng CA. Huwag nap o ipilit siya sa TFBM for humanity sake, beloved Mr. President!

(AGM)

ting the Islamophobic streaks across the West, like the recent pronouncements of the French President, should be not also be first be concerned with how we as Muslims have been denigrating our fellow Muslims as unbelievers just because their traditional practices are contrary to what we have been recently taught in a

foreign country that does not even share our Southeast Asian culture and traditions, and our hallowed practices as believing Muslims? I know this will fall on deaf ears as those concerned will never listen. But maybe, we the many who know the correctness of our arguments, will listen; and listening we

shall band together so that our unity as the Ummatan Wasatan or the Community of Moderation will just cast these people into oblivion.

Correcting the festering internal strife in Islam by holding ourselves up as exemplars of the faith is still the best way to combat the fear of Islam by the West. (MKS)

SADAIN | from Page A7

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS The principles of Shari’ah have gone out of the window.

What used to be acknowledged as the taqrir or inaction of the Prophet Muhammad and therefore considered yielding permissible rulings because he did not directly prohibit the concerned act, is now considered forbidden because of the erroneous

argument that he did not do it during his lifetime. This illogical methodology has no basis in fiqh or Islamic jurisprudence, but it is now being used to outlaw the celebration of birthdays, including the Maulud of the Prophet Muhammmad.

Finally, if we want to be really serious about combat-

The World Today

Vol. I, No. 17 | October 9-15, 2020 (Safar 22-28, 1442)

Phil Muslims, acting section editor

Malaysian King Rejects PM’s Push For Emergency Powers

B1

Pakistan condemns systematic Islamophobic campaign

By Muslimedia.PH

K

UALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s king Sunday rejected a proposal by the premier to declare a state of emergency and suspend parliament to fight the coronavirus after the plan sparked a massive backlash.

I

Under its constitution, Malaysia’s king has the power to declare a state of emergency. (Contributed) Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin sought the drastic measures following a recent spike in virus cases, but critics claimed he was mainly concerned with crushing mounting challenges to his leadership.

Muhyiddin seized power without a vote in March after a reformist government collapsed but his administration is unstable, with only a waferthin majority in parliament.

His government argued emergency powers would

bring stability to fight Covid19 amid speculation they will lose a looming vote on the budget, which could prompt snap polls some fear could worsen the outbreak.

MALAYSIAN | A5

Muslim rights group ‘no longer feels safe in France’

By Muslimedia.PH

A

NKARA: A French Muslim human rights group on Monday announced plans to expand its activities outside the country amid concerns for its safety and recent controversial statements by officials on Islam.

SLAMABAD: Pakistan condemns in the strongest manner the systematic resurgence of blasphemous acts of republication of caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and desecration of the Holy Qur’an by certain irresponsible elements in some developed countries.

The statement of the spokesman of Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry stressed that Pakistan is further alarmed at the highly disturbing statements by certain politicians who justify such heinous acts under the garb of freedom of expression and equate Islam with terrorism.

Under international human rights law, the exercise of the right to freedom of expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities. The dissemination of racist ideas, defamation and ridiculing of other religions, denigration of religious personalities, hate speech, and incitement to violence are not the allowed expressions of this fundamental freedom.

Such illegal and Islamophobic acts that fan inter-religious hatred, hostility and confrontation, are the very basis of horrendous terrorist acts like the Christchurch, thereby imperiling future prospects of peace and harmony among civilizations.

Whilst having anti-blasphemy and criminal laws for sensitive issues such as denial of Holocaust, the justification by a few politicians in some Western countries for insulting sentiments of Muslims, is a blatant reflection of double standards.

At a time of rising racism and populism, the international community must show a common resolve against xenophobia, intolerance, stigmatization and incitement to violence on the basis of religion or belief. It is necessary to work together for peaceful co-existence as well as social and inter-faith harmony. — Agencies SAUDI GAZETTE

Mosque explosion kills 7 children in Pakistan

“As an organization, we no longer feel we can conduct our work in a safe environment, as our lives are threatened and the government designates us as an enemy,” said the Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF) in a statement.

The group said they had been targeted by hate messages, death threats and insults over the past week after the French government an-

nounced it wanted to dissolve the organization.

“Using fake news from the far right, some political figures in the entourage of president Macron have even tried to pin last Friday’s attack on organizations who denounce Islamophobia, as if it was conceptually impossible to address both terrorism and contemporary forms of racism, including Islamophobia,” said the statement.

“For these reasons, what-

ever the outcome of the government’s attempt to dissolve CCIF, we have decided to extend our activities internationally, to ensure continuity of our operations and protect our teams.”

French authorities recently launched a massive wave of investigations on Muslim organizations in the country following the killing of a Paris teacher.

MUSLIM | B5

I

SLAMABAD: At least seven children were killed and 70 others wounded on Tuesday in an explosion at a religious seminary attached to a mosque in northwestern Pakistan, an official said.

The bomb went off in Dir colony of Peshawar city, Bilal Faizi, spokesman of rescue service 1122, told Anadolu Agency.

All of the injured have been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital and some of them are in critical condition, he added.

Footage shared by rescue officials showed a huge explosion that tore down a large part of the mosque.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

ANADOLU AGENCY

B2

World

Round-Up

APEC meeting calls for open trade to ensure food security

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

Dachser, Fraunhofer continue research partnership on new tech

By PressTV

K

UALA LUMPUR: Agriculture and food ministers and senior representatives from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies have pressed for stronger cooperation and open and predictable trade regimes to ensure that global food systems remain accessible, innovative, reliable, resilient, and sustainable against the backdrop of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

At the virtual Ministerial Policy Dialogue on Food Security on Tuesday, ministers committed to intensifying collaboration in relevant areas, especially food standards and safety assurance, connectivity, productivity, capacity building, and reducing barriers to food trade.

"It is of utmost importance for APEC members to work together to enable the flow of essential goods, including agriculture and food products, across borders and to enhance our collective resilience to food supply disruptions," said Ronald Kiandee, minister of agriculture and food industries for Malaysia, host of APEC 2020.

Kiandee urged member economies to adopt an inclusive approach to food security to ensure that the vulnerable groups are not left behind during these challenging times.

"We need to have a sustainability mindset where we meet food security demands without compromising the

DACHSER and Fraunhofer IML continue research partnership.

(Photo supplied)

T

well-being and ability of the future generation to fulfill their needs, as well as safeguarding natural resources," he said, adding that members need to address disruptions to employment and income sources.

APEC Secretariat's Executive Director Rebecca Fatima Sta. Maria said APEC served as an ideal platform to intensify cooperation and formulate a coordinated response "to help us prevent a health crisis from becoming a food crisis."

"Members can consider specific areas including avoiding unnecessary export

bans and restrictions, lowering import tariffs and other quantitative import restrictions on food products, as well as pursuing initiatives to maintain connectivity and avoid supply chain disruptions," she said.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions in the production of several food products, particularly those that require intensive labor such as meat processing facilities and fruit and vegetable packing plants, according to a recent report by the APEC Policy Support Unit.

(XINHUA)

India: Doctors on strike as virus cases soar past 7.9M NEW DELHI: Senior doctors at government-run hospitals in India’s capital Delhi wore black ribbons on their arms Monday to support their colleagues for non-payment of salaries since June.

The doctors at the staterun hospital, Hindu Rao, have been on an indefinite hunger strike since Friday to demand pending salaries thus disrupting patient care.

A read-out by the doctors blamed the government for ignoring the “frontline healthcare workers”.

“Multiple talks with concerned authorities have led to no positive outcome. With no permanent solution to this chronic issue yet, it is extremely unfortunate that the resident doctors had to resort to an indefinite hunger strike,” stated the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association, a body representing doctors nationwide.

With the coronavirus count crossing 7.9 million cases on Monday after registering

45,149 new cases, India is the second worst-hit country in the world and its medical infrastructure is hardpressed at the moment.

The country recorded its lowest daily death toll in four months on Monday with 480 new fatalities, bringing the count to 119,014.

Government data revealed that India was recording an average of 1,000 deaths a day in August. In September, this number rose to 1,100 a day when the number of fresh cases peaked at an average of

90,000 a day.

Over 7 million patients have recovered from the disease in the country -- 59,105 in the last 24 hours -- pushing the recovery rate to 90.23 percent. The total number of active cases in the country now stands at 653,717.

Across the world, Covid19 has claimed more than 1.15 million lives in 189 countries and regions since last December.

The US, India, and Brazil are currently the worst-hit countries. (ANADOLU)

he Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML and Dachser are extending their collaboration in the DACHSER Enterprise Lab for a further three years. Their partnership will continue to focus on research and development projects with practical application benefits for the Dachser network. These include digital technologies such as data science and artificial intelligence (AI), real-time locating systems (RTLS), 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, and adaptive warehouse systems.

“The first step in our joint research work in the DACHSER Enterprise Lab is to gain a detailed understanding of new technologies and their potential for logistics. Then we build on that to develop prototypes and concepts that add tangible value for Dachser and our customers, turning them into innovations,” explains Stefan Hohm, Corporate Director Corporate Solutions, Research & Development at Dachser, who will head the new IT & Development executive unit as of January 1, 2021. “So far, the work we’ve done together has proven that we can transform research results from the DACHSER Enterprise Lab into new processes and services throughout the entire logistics network,” Hohm says.

“We’re delighted that Dachser is continuing its collaboration with Fraunhofer IML. Our research results up to now and our new research contracts show just how important applied research is for logistics and supply chain management,” says Prof. Michael ten Hompel, Managing Director of Fraunhofer IML. “We’re particularly proud that the lab teams have continued to work effectively despite the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. Of course, technical aids such as video conferences and collaboration tools have been a great help. But above all, it’s the extraordinary commitment and motivation of everyone working at the DACHSER Enterprise Lab that is key to successful research in challenging times,” ten Hompel says.

In the DACHSER Enterprise Lab, Dachser logistics experts and scientists from Fraunhofer IML work in mixed lab teams on various research and development assignments.

The partnership between the logistics service provider and the research institute was launched in October 2017 and will now run until October 2023.

Media OutReach

Russia reports 16,521 coronavirus cases in 24 hours MOSCOW, Russia – The number of coronavirus cases in Russia increased by 16,521 over the past day bringing the total to 1,497,167, the operational headquarters to combat coronavirus told reporters on Saturday.

In relative terms, the growth, according to the headquarters, slowed down to 1.1%.

In particular, 4,453 cases were detected per day in Moscow, 713 in St. Petersburg, 480 in the Moscow region, 384 in the Nizhny Novgorod region, and 301 in the Rostov region.

A total of 340,528 people are currently undergoing treatment in Russia.

The number of recovered coronavirus patients in Russia increased by 11,567 over the past day, approaching the maximum figure registered on June 24.

A day earlier, 11,263 people were discharged in Russia, and on Thursday, the headquarters reported 11,428 recovered.

In total, 1,130,818 people have recovered, or 75.5% of those infected.

In particular, 2,639 patients were discharged over the last day after recovery in Moscow, 480 in the Nizhny Novgorod region, 401 in St. Petersburg, 357 in the Moscow region, 324 in the Rostov region.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths due to coronavirus in Russia increased by 296 over the day against 283 the day before, the headquarters said. The total number of deaths due to coronavirus in the country, according to the headquarters, reached 25,821.

TASS

Lifestyle

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

Abdilla: Tawi-Tawi’s volleyball hero

Sambal: Tausog appetizer

By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D

"The Best of Home-Cooked Halal Tausug-Filipino Dishes"

I

ndividual volleyball players from Tawi-Tawi are endowed with highleaping ability and sheer strength in knocking the ball to the opponent’s court. In other words they are feared for their attacking prowess.

But since a volleyball game is a team sport, the above-mentioned athletic abilities are not guarantees for a championship title.

Our neighboring Asean countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia are sending their volleyball teams to U.S.A., European countries and regional power like China, Japan and Korea just to get the exposure and learn the techniques and training in modern volleyball. As an Olympic Sports, the game of volleyball has already modernized and sophisticated in terms of techniques and training modules.

In the Philippines, collegiate teams from Northern Luzon, especially in the National Capital Region, down to the southern part of Mindanao like Davao and Cagayan de Oro are slowly copingup with the fast-pacing changes in the development of the game. Although it is notable that one or two players are from Tawi-Tawi among the top five collegiate teams in the country.

The inclusion of home-grown Alnakran Abdilla in the national men’s vol-

B3

With MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL

W

Philippine volleyball team member Alnakran “RanRan” Abdilla during the Manila ASEAN Games last year. (Johnny R. Lee) leyball team who saw action in last year’s Manila ASEAN Games is a manifestation of Tawi-Tawi’s youngsters who made it big in the national arena.

The sustainable development and copingup with the modern games of volleyball in Tawi-Tawi are not without any external and internal factors that mould and shape their dominating presence in Mindanao region. ( To be continued in the next issue...)

‘MinDA Tienda’ unveils squash-derived pancit canton

I

n pursuit of promoting the true amiable condition of southern Philippines, the products and colorful cultures therein, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is heralding an innovative version of pancit canton (noodle) derived from squash or kalabasa.

Cooked squash-derived pancit canton. (MinDA supplied photo) For a start, the agency incorporated samples of the product at its three-day “MinDA Tienda” or trade fair in Manila to the delight of consumers in the premiere city on Oct. 23-25.

In a video footage of the event, MinDA Chairman Manny Piñol took time at the latter part of his message at the first day of the occasion to introduce samples of the locally produced noodle and Cabadbaran City Mayor Judy Amante, the product leading manufacturer.

In subsequent Facebook posts, Sec. Piñol described the squash-based pancit canton as Mindanao’s “new Sunshine Industry (product)” and vouched for its taste better than traditional versions.

Processed in a small facility in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, the Squash Pancit Canton manufacturing is a project of the local government unit supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Piñol said.

“I discovered the unique product when I visited Cabadbaran City Mayor Judy Amante last month just as the MinDA was preparing for the staging of the MinDA Tienda in Manila,” he said.

Mayor Amante sent to the trade fair a delegation bringing the innovative pancit canton alongside leather products and tribal dolls.

A few packs of the Calabasa Pancit Canton sold at only P30 were bought on the first day. On the second

day, all the stocks were wiped out with at least 6 buyers placing volume orders, Piñol said.

“Arriving in my farm at 4 a.m. today (Thursday) after a 40-hour land trip from Manila, I asked my househelps to cook Calabasa Pancit Canton with sardines.

“After tasting it, I understood why there was a huge interest on this new product. The noodles were firm unlike the ordinary Pancit Canton,” the MinDA chair averred.

With this new product discovery, Mindanao squash farmers who had long complained of very low prices could now expect a better income with a steady market, he said.

All that needs to be done is to elevate Calabasa Pancit Canton making from a cottage livelihood project to full-blown industry complete with modern processing and packaging facilities, he said.

Since MinDA is not a funding agency, he said his agency will officially ask the Department of Agriculture and the Dept. of Trade and Industry to support the LGU and DOST to make Calabasa Pancit Canton a major industry in Mindanao.

MinDA Tienda was held in the vicinity of the Manila City hall for three days, showcasing all leading products from Mindanao ranging from aqua-agricultural outputs and tropical fruits to cottage industry products in Mindanao that included those from the Bangsamoro region.

ALI G. MACABALANG

OW we have finally reached the 20th Digital Edition of Philippine Muslim Today with an inclusive date for the week October 30 to November 5, 2020.

Now for this Digital Issue we are now on "The Best of Home-Cooked Halal Tausug-Filipino Dishes.": SAMBAL.” What is Sambal? Actually it is a Tausug appetizer listed in the handy Tausug cookbook "The Best of Home-Cooked Halal Tausug-Filipino Dishes,” written by Tausug Chef Abdulaziz H. Hamsain.

As an appetizer, Sambal is best eaten along with vegetable salad of sliced cucumber or it goes well also with chopped radish too. Hence, it would be nice to partake Sambal before one takes his main course.

In the absence of cucumber, Sambal goes along very well with sliced Green Mango that is really a mouth watering appetizer that can boost one’s appetite.

The ingredients as listed below can be easily bought in the market.

Likewise the self-explanatory procedure can be easily followed that neccisitates no further expertise in cooking.

Ingredients: - ½ kilo shrimp relish (bagoong alamang) - 3 medium size tomatoes chop - 1 medium onion (mince) - 1 medium clove garlic (mince) - Grind red hot chili pepper - 2 tbsp sugar (white) - 1 pinch grind black pepper - 1 tablespoon peanut butter Procedure: 1. Wash the shrimp relish, strain then set aside.

2. Saute the garlic, onions, black peppers and tomatoes.

3. Add the shrimp relish or bagoong then mix well.

4. Add peanut butter and sugar to taste.

5. Saute well until the texture becomes gooey or thick. *Best served during any meal as an appetizer. MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL

READY TO EAT SAMBAL. Great appetizer to boost your palate.

(Photo by Chef Abdulaziz H. Hamsain)

B4

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

TAGO | from Page A6

Duterte to stamp out century-old PH corrupt bureaucracy In his post, Sen. Bong Go has precisely detailed the mechanism how to tackle and trace the prospect involved persons including lifestyle check.

I would suggest that in order to root out the pandem-

ic (corruption) we have to consider the following: We have to check the influence factor in appointing individuals in key positions.

We have seen in the beginning of this administration the strong political influence by

big families and fraternities in installing allies.

I have seen that in the first day of the victory party in Davao held on May 16, 2016.

Those who won the election.

How did they win it? How

many of them and their party won the election? How long they (family) have been in elective positions?

Check their implementing government projects by their firms. Probably most of them are using dummy names but

this could be easily traced.

Reevaluate the appointment of those being in position because of the influence of the sacked top officials involved in corruption. He may still be benefiting from the incumbent officials in the government.

(AHMT)

the right of sectarian schools to propagate their religious beliefs is not curtailed, among others.

Ending his speech, Iqbal also thanked his ministry’s partners who helped in crafting the BEC including the Asia Foundation and Institute of Bangsamoro Studies,

the Australian Government’s Education Pathways to Peace Program, the Development Academy of the Philippines, and other independent consultants.

The BEC was referred Wednesday to the parliament’s Committee on Education. (JIJ)

IQBAL | from Page A2

Minister Iqbal files Bangsamoro Education Code According to him, the code highlights the education ministry’s advocacy of “No Bangsamoro Child Shall Be Left Behind.”

He emphasized BEC shall cover and govern all education systems, whether formal, non-formal and informal, public and private learn-

ing institutions, in all levels.

Basic, higher and technical education shall be collectively referred to as the “Bangsamoro Education System”.

During his sponsorship speech, Iqbal discussed the salient features of the BEC such as the code is rooted in

Bangsamoro history and struggle, Islamic Higher Education is now a reality, Indigenous Peoples Education is preserved, peace education is mainstreamed, financial support to public education institutions including public Madrasah, subsidy to private education institutions, and

WFP | from Page A4

WPF to donate 1 million Vaccines to the Filipino People vs. the Covid pandemic Considering that he comes from Mindanao being a Tausug from Sulu, many residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) suggested to the WPF to allocate some of these Sinovac Vaccines to the people in the region.

The WPF chairman ex-

plained that as nongovernment organization they just would like to assist the government since the Philippine economy has a low GDP (Gross Domestic Product) right now.

The GDP decreased at an annual rate of 32.9 percent in the second quarter of 2020, according to the “advance

estimate” released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Albani said that it is a fact government budget is low and the banking loans are high, as well as the inflation is high too. He said the Philippine economy is in bad shape since it is greatly affected by this pandemic.

“So even if the curve showing the pandemic status has flattened, we could not just easily revive back our economy. We need a solution to that fear caused by this pandemic,” the WPF Chairman said. He said the SINOVAC vaccines will undoubtedly remove the fear of every Filipino to go out and

work and bring the economy back.

Albani said “we firmly believe that to revive our economy is first to remove that fear.

With that we would like to take the big leap of our country. Thus the donation of 1 million free vaccines to the Filipino people.”

(JIJ)

AFP | from Page A4

AFP Chief lauds commanders as COVID-19 cases in military drop Fifteen vessels of the Philippine Navy and seven aircraft of the Philippine Air Force have so far transported over 1.7 million kilos of cargo.

“We want to let our people

know that they really have an Armed Forces that is truly dependable and reliable, and can be called upon in any time of need or crisis. One that is also versatile to per-

form various missions and adapt to different situations from peacetime, crisis, conflict, and even in addressing a pandemic,” General Gapay said.

“Our sacrifices have been duly recognized and we continue to enjoy the trust and support of the people. Let us not waste this opportunity to prove our capability on our

way to becoming a truly world -class armed forces,” General Gapay added, citing the 90 percent public satisfaction rating, highest among government agencies, the AFP received in June.

KALINAW NEWS

BARMM | from Page A3

BARMM, NCMF, MinDA amplify thrusts despite odds, COVID-19 The “MinDA Tienda,” which showcased and sold aqua-agricultural products including fruits and cottage industry outputs from Mindanao provinces and BARMM territory, was a chance for the Manila people appreciate not only the island-region’s products but also its true image as a culturally rich investment zone in contrast to misperception, the popular mayor said at the opening day of the event.

Sec. Piñol produced a video clip of the event, showing also a part of the voyage from Mindanao of productscarrying vehicles that helped organizers to witness some odds in the national highways for referral to authorities for remedy.

The former veteran journalist-turned-politicobureaucrat Piñol echoed at the three-day event the need

for a review in the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), saying the edict has initially turned affront to the welfare of Filipino farmers, whose rice produce currently face record low price as a result of unlimited import of rice.

BARMM spokesman Miinister Sinarimbo in a recent virtual media forum has corroborated the need for government action to cushion the oddities of RTL among rice farmers, saying the regional government had allocated P700-million to buy local rice as a remedial measure.

The Maranao community, which once doubted Piñol’s attitude towards Muslims due to his past role in the abrogated state deal with the MILF on ancestral domain claim, is now impressed about his campaign for selfreliance among local government units in Lanao del Sur.

The municipal government of Lanao Sur’s Taraka town has recently conducted bidding for the implementation of a P280-million soft bank loan for the building of solar-powered water works and irrigation systems in the locality. Sec. Piñol helped broker the grant of the loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

DBP, a partner agency of MinDA in its enhanced operations, is one the verge of opening ATM kiosks in the towns of Malabang and Balabagan, also in Lanao Sur, on intercession also of Sec. Piñol.

Trailblazing NCMF In similar vein, the current workforce of the NCMF led since July 2018 by Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan has also been drawing public praises for its “exemplary operations” for the well-being

of over 11 million Muslim Filipinos.

Pangarungan, who holds the distinction of having caused the abolition of over 1,000 “ghost” barangay in two Lanao provinces and saved huge money in internal revenue allotments under the Cory Aquino government, is cited for his successes in organization of Muslim consultative councils in Philippine cities and provinces to abate cases of wrong perceptions about Muslims, and build better partnership between the minority sector and government authorities.

Facebook nitizens have also lauded Secretary Pangarungan for his reforms in the annual hajj operations leading to the substantial decrease in pilgrims’ air fares and improvement in their hotel accommodations in Saudi Arabia.

Bangsamoro people also credited the Pangarungan administration in the opening of Muslim cemeteries in cities and provinces in Luzon, Vizayas, Mindanao and Metro Manila amid persistent coordination with local government units.

NCMF central and field officials including agency spokesman Jun Alonto-Datu Ramos share the public accolade for translating to actions the vision and policies of Pangarungan, notably in the unprecedented exposure of the works via the traditional and social media.

The agency, which has no capital outlays, has been prominently cited in Facebook pages for its continuing conduct of relief foods dispersal among Muslim Filipinos across the nation, tapping donor institutions.

(AGM)

News

Vol. I, No. 20 | Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020 (Rabi’ul Awwal 13-19, 1442)

B5

MALAYSIAN | from Page B1

Malaysian King Rejects PM’s Push For Emergency Powers Under the constitution, the king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, has the power to declare a state of emergency if he is persuaded there is a grave threat to Malaysia’s security.

But following a meeting of Malaysia’s Islamic royalty, the palace said the monarch was “of the view that there is

no need at this moment for the king to declare a state of emergency in the country or in any part of Malaysia”.

Such a declaration, rarely used in Malaysia, would have led to parliament effectively being suspended, and Muhyiddin could have pushed through any law without a vote.

Despite rejecting his request, the king praised the government’s handling of the outbreak and urged lawmakers to “stop politicking that could destabilise the country”, according to the palace statement.

Muhyiddin’s move had sparked a firestorm of criticism across the political

spectrum.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who recently launched a bid to seize power, had accused the leader of “resorting to undemocratic means to stay in power” and warned the country could descend “into dictatorship and authoritarianism”.

Oh Ei Sun, an analyst

from the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said the royals had taken note of the “overwhelming, mounting popular discontent” when rejecting Muhyiddin’s request.

“The refusal certainly dents Muhyiddin’s political mileage.”

With AFP

MUSLIM | from Page B1

Muslim rights group ‘no longer feels safe in France’ Samuel Paty, 47, who taught history and geography at Bois-d’Aulne College in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, was brutally murdered by Abdullakh Anzorov, an 18year-old of Chechen origin.

The suspect was gunned down by police.

The teacher, during one of his classes on freedom of expression, had shown the

controversial cartoons depicting the Muslim Prophet Muhammad, according to reports.

Muslim leaders across France have condemned the murder, stressing that extremists abuse religion for their own goals and their actions could not be justified through Islam.

Community leaders also

expressed their concern that the recent attack would again stigmatize French Muslims and inflame Islamophobic sentiments.

The government has announced last week that it was probing 51 French Muslim associations, including the Collective Against Islamophobia in France.

Interior Minister Darmanin

claimed that elements of the organization had caused officials to consider it “an enemy of the republic.”

Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron described Islam as a religion “in crisis” and announced plans for tougher laws to tackle what he called “Islamist separatism” in France.

“The problem is an ideology which claims its own laws should be superior to those of the republic,” he said.

Some civil society groups and organizations that “act against the law and values of the country” might be closed or face tight financial audits, according to Macron’s plan.

ANADOLU AGENCY

SENATE | from Page A2

Senate committee OKs bill splitting Maguindanao The pendency of the three Senate bills has reportedly promoted the creation of a technical working group to officially determine the provincial government centers in the two proposed provinces, a government media report showed.

Rep. Mangudadatu said he has sent an official manifestation to the Senate calling for the adoption of the House bill’s provisions, notably the designation of Buluan and Datu Odin Sinsuat towns as

the official provincial seats.

On the basis of a report from the TWG, a Senate committee report will be submitted to the plenary deliberation, and will guide a bicameral meeting for the creation of two Maguindanao provinces envisioned within this year or the next, according to Mangudadatu.

“While we respect and appreciate Sen. Revilla for sponsoring and filing a counterpart SB towards the realization of an empowered Maguindanao,

we would like to request Sen. Tolentino that our prayers and provisions illustrated in HB 6413 be adopted in a substitute bill,” Mangudadatu said in a statement Monday.

Rep. Mangudadatu echoed his contention that the smaller the area to manage, the more focused and faster growth to happen.

Magundanao, tagged in national statistics as one of the 10 poorest provinces in the country, has a total land area of 9,729.04 square kilo-

meters with a population of 1,173,933 as of 2015 census.

It comprises 36 towns with Buluan as its present capital town.

The proposed Northern Maguindanao will comprise 12 towns, namely Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Talitay, North Upi, Mother Kabuntalan, Northern Kabuntalan, Matanog, Parang, Buldon and Barira. Datu Odin Sinsuat is proposed as its capital town.

Southern Maguindanao will cover 24 smaller towns of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Anggal Midtimbang, Hoffer Ampatuan, Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Unsay, Salibo, Saudi Ampatuan, Salipada Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Shariff Aguak, Saydona Mustapha, South Upi, Sultan-sa-Barongis, and Talayan. Buluan is proposed for retention as provincial seat.

(AGM)

MINDA | from Page A5

MinDA Tienda goes to Manila; Mindanao Farmers go airborne He revealed that during the meeting at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City, Amir and himself sealed a deal with PSI Air accommodating the first shipment of 20 tons of fruits for the second day of the recently held MinDA Tienda in Manila.

He said with a maximum capacity of 24-metric tons, the group is looking at a P30 to P35 per kilo rate for the transport of goods.

“This is a workable number considering that in TaBASILAN: Twenty-five students in Barangay Calugusan of the municipality of Lantawan here graduated on Wednesday from an 18-day training on Bread and Pastry Production, with NCII certificate, conducted by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Basilan (TESDA-Basilan).

The Bread and Pastry Production training is a tech-

lakag, Bukidnon, traders buy the farmers Carrots at P10 per kilo during peak harvest season; Brocolli and Cauliflower P15 per kilo; Cabbage P12 per kilo; Lettuce P20 per kilo,” according to Piñol.

He said in Tawi-TawiTawi and Sulu, fish is sold by “tumpok” which weighs over 1 kilo for less than P100.

“So, even if you add another P35 per kilo for transport and handling, Car-

rots could still be sold in the big cities for no more than P100,” Piñol added.

“I am confident the numbers will prove me right and the long-dreamed Philippine Food Skyway will be finally realized,” he likewise said.

Soon, fresh fish from TawiTawi, Lettuce from Bukidnon, eggplants from South Cotabato and fruits from Davao will be in the dining table of families in Metro Manila.

MinDA Tienda could go to

as far as Tuguegarao, Cagayan or Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Last Monday, Pinol met with Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong to finalize the staging of the 2nd MinDA Fruit Festival in Baguio City

by November.

To bring Mindanao fruits to Baguio City from Davao, PSI Air Boeing 727 will fly to the San Fernando Airport in La Union.

From there, it will just be a one-hour trip to Baguio

25 complete ‘bread and pastry’ training with NC II in Basilan nical-vocational program of TESDA that develops the skills of students in preparing and producing bakery and pastry products, cakes, and desserts.

Its five core competencies include, prepare and produce bakery products; prepare and

produce pastry products; prepare and present gateau, tortes and cakes; prepare and display petit fours; and present deserts.

The constituents of Barangay Calugusan, Lantawan were very thankful for the opportunity extended to them by

TESDA Basilan with the support from the military. With this training, the students can now bake their home-cooked breads and pastries, or start a bakery business as a livelihood.

The closing program was attended by TESDA Basilan

City.

This will be the beginning of a new era for Mindanao’s farmers and fishermen when they will get a fair reward for burning their skin under the heat of the sun, according to the MinDA Chief who is a farmer in real life.

“For me, this will be a dream come true – connecting the Philippines by air and ensuring a stable food supply for the country,” Piñol further said. (JIJ)

staffs headed by Mr. Abdulmannan D. Uckung – the PTC Administrator, Kalbiya S. Comez – the BPP Trainer, Hon. Noraisa T. Hadjirul – Barangay Chairwoman of Calugusan, and representatives from the 16th Special Forces Company, 4th Special Forces Battalion.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA